Tim leaves for band camp

Tim has packed his bag and is ready for band camp. Have to get him to school at noon time for his week long trip.

Just had a nice phone call from Mel and Lucinda F. as they are headed to Cleveland for the Browns' training and to see Mel Jr. They will be there for a few weeks. Hard to believe that pre-season football is just a few weeks away. Maybe Tim and I will go see some of this activity.

Drove Tim to the school at 12:30 p.m. He didn't want me to stick around so I left. Must admit that I shed a couple of tears as I drove away. Just don't tell him. I went to WalMart for some things. Drove back up to the school and all the buses were still there at 1:30 p.m. (expected time to leave). I could see the pile of trash bags which held everyone's sleeping bags and pillows. There were a lot of cars. But since Tim did not want me to stay, I silently drove away. Once again, don't tell him. I only asked that he call me at least once while he's gone. He just laughed at that!

Angels continued last week to bring us delicious food. Thanks to Jen, Sally, Becky AKA June, Michelle and my boss Michelle. Words can not express the gratitude we have for this gesture of love.

Thought of another name for my new "hair". Chia hair, like the commercials at Christmas.

Tim had only 1 song left to memorize while away. Had it been me, I could never have memorized even one song.

Bird feathers for hair

My hair is beginning to grow. And as one person once told me, it starts off looking like a baby bird feathers. Very light colored/white. But it's hair and it will be colored as soon as it's long enough!

Ditto on last night's so called sleep effort. ...... Every hour at least I was up.
I'm a pretty easy going person but I do enjoy my sleep.

Drove my scooter to post office but on way home it was conking out on me when I came to a stop. So Barry worked on it most of the day. No solution yet. Was going to bring it to a Honda dealer but they are backed up for over a month. So Barry will continue to work on it, or perhaps bring to another dealer. Need to get it working for a possible visitor end of August!

I cut the lawn today and ended up washing/vacuuming my truck later in day.

Tim leaves in morning for band camp. I surely will miss him. He's a lot of company.
And when they return on Friday, the band gives the town a show which is called "Meet the Band Night." No, not meet the Forkers..

What's sleep?

I take back what I said last night about being able to sleep better. Last night proved that to be wrong. I think I was up every 30 mins/to an hr. with the night sweats. Perhaps the second pill is wiping out the good sleep effect that I had for a few days. Oh well... It makes for a long and tiring night, and now for a long and tiring day. And it's so strange how I wake up right before the sweats pour off of my bald head. The body works in mysterious ways.

Off to work soon. It's a good day since we're being allowed to wear jeans today. For some reason I work better in jeans. And since we never see any outside customers I've never understood the need to dress up.

In the morning I took one of the new sudafed pills. And within a couple of hours I could feel my head getting so light headed. Strong stuff. And when it came time to take the first pill I was given, I made a decision not to take it. Don't think I could have handled both of them even though I was told I could.

I came home from work and layed down for about 45 minutes. And then we had some hot dogs on the grill for a light dinner. A friend of ours, Michelle stopped by. She and her family will be moving out of state within a couple of weeks. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. So it was a chance to wish each other well.

Tim continues to practice his flute for next week's band camp. He only has one more song to master and then he would have memorized 12 songs. More than I could ever do.

A tiring week so I'm about to sign off.

Since my cough didn't seem to be getting any better, I saw the Nurse Practitioner in the morning. She also sent me for chest x-ray to be on the safe side. Lungs appeared to be OK. Gave me another prescription, this one with sudafed. So will see how that does. Very tiring when you cough so much. And you know me, once I get going I am easily choking. Unfortunately the local drug store didn't have this prescription so am heading back to town I work in. If only I had known..

Tim has a band practice tonight. He went to have his physical for soccer at the school. Was there for over two hours. Started later than it was supposed to.

And internet: Adelphia was here today. Did some things with line and it seems to be OK for now. We have a supervisor's name and number to call if it should go down.
Fingers are crossed.

11 p.m. and still online. But time for me to head to bed. Have taken the new med for cough and feel like I'm going to sleep good tonight. Quite relaxed with both meds. Cough does seem better. If anything, the night sweats are less with the codeine ( unsure of spelling) pill I was taking. At least I don't cough at night.

Night.

Internet continues to be down

Adelphia is so bad.

Am so disappointed since I haven't been able to post.

Last night Tim had band camp meeting. His teacher made comment to him: I didn't know your mother shaved her head. He replied: no she had cancer! He's a good kid.
Imagine if both Barry and I had gone to meeting. It was on our way home that Tim said this to me. He had thought of a funny reply to the teacher: you know mothers, they like to do strange things like shave their heads!

So next week Tim will be gone all week for Band camp. House will certainly be quiet.

I continue to have annoying cough since I saw the dr. last Friday. Still taking cough pills, hasn't been a week yet. And night sweats also continue. But I must say that I'm not waking up as often. Could be due to the narcotic cough pills. Who knows.

Internet's been down

Sorry I haven't blogged. But internet's been down.

Yesterday, church and rest were on my agenda. Nothing much happening. Tim did go to town pool for some afternoon fun.

Today is a hot one. But for most of the day I'm in air conditioning anyway. Tim's gone to another conditioning practice for school soccer. Nice hot one. Before you know it, school is back in session.

Nothing really exciting happening right now. (which is good) For this moment, internet is up and running.

A beautiful day

And for the first time since Mother's Day I rode my scooter. Got all fresh veggies from Amish buddies. Fresh corn which was so good. Doesn't even need butter or salt. Called extasy. Short blog for now. Have to enjoy the weather.

Yesterday I went to see Dr. Garrow as I started to have a cough. At times when I was at work yesterday, it would get so bad that I couldn't stop coughing. Had just started the day before. And I don't mess around with my health, especially since both of us are still under chemo drugs. They are so good at the Cancer Center, always fit you in. Dr. Garrow prescribed an antibiotic and a cough pill with some kind of narcotic in it. Have felt better today. We also discussed the night sweats. He said that if men went through menopause, the species would not exist anymore! He did prescribe an antidepressant for the night sweats which I will start after I get rid of the cough. The soy milk was not helping me at all. At first I thought negative about taking an antidepressant but after further thoughts have said why not. Menopause in itself can cause mood swings, and with everything going on in our lives perhaps it's worth trying.

Tim went for 2 hr. bike ride with his buddy Josh today. I'm so glad that he enjoys riding his bike and being outdoors. I had a slight headache and just rested while he was gone. Josh will be sleeping over tonight. He hasn't had a sleepover in quite awhile. Oh one more thing. I cooked a nice ratatouille (unsure of spelling) with sausage and all kinds of fresh vegetables that I bought today. Boy was that tasty.

We'll be going to church first thing in the a.m. I didn't go last week since I was not feeling well. Barry's just starting to feel the effects of his neulasta shot from yesterday. First thing that hurts is bottom of his feet. Has been relaxing and watching TV this p.m.

Night sweats suck

That's it. Night sweats suck. Actually here typing this blog and I'm soaked on my head. Not fun at all. Off to buy mini fan at Walmart for my bedside.

As for Barry, he didn't really sleep last night. Effects of chemo/steroids working once again. Long night for us.

Barry's test results

Barry was scheduled for chemo tomorrow. His usual treatment day of the week was Thursday. But with the scans done this week it was pushed back one day. Early this morning he got call from Cancer Center for him to go in today for chemo. The test results showed no change in size of the tumor. The doctor told him that this is OK, that there can be a delay in the tumor being reduced. And that since it is not any larger, that's good. He will be going for an additional 3 chemo cycles and then have the scans repeated. We had hoped for a reduction in the size but have to stay focused on the future and on the doctor's words.

He was at treatment all day as usual. Got home after 5 p.m. He's a tough guy to go through such a long treatment. And the weekend is no party either.

I brought him lunch and was able to eat with him. I had planned to go with him tomorrow but.... things changed.

This evening we did what we like to do a lot. Went to Dutch Isle for some ice cream. A nice treat after a tiring day. Tim had his first soccer conditioning meet this evening. Getting ready for the pros..

A calmer day

A calmer day at work today. Went in hour late since I woke up with headache. After buying more excedrin! And I actually took a lunch... Am no longer going to sacrifice lunch. I'm #1, not the company. Just will need to remind myself next time.. I was also treated to blueberry cheesecake by the dept. today since I had my last chemo. A nice touch.

Went out to dinner after work. That was nice. Barry had his scans today. Was home by the time I was leaving for work. Results will be known this Friday when he sees Dr. Garrow. I can't celebrate me not having chemo until he is better. I have heard good stories of tumors being reduced by chemo, so I keep those dear to my heart.

A day from you know what

Today was a day from you know what at work. I can not say a good word about the hours spent there. A computer virus hit many pc's at the bank, which created havoc. Not even given a lunch break, just food to eat at your desk. And then it was basically decided for dept. to stay after 5 p.m. I did not. I did take my lunch and sit in my bathroom lounge chair for a few moments. My brain was getting fried. And by 3:30 p.m. I had to take my pillow to lay down in that same lounge chair. Mentally fried. It hasn't even been a week since my last chemo, and this is not what the doctor prescribed. A headache that wouldn't go away, very much like a migraine. I had to call my friend in another dept. and she rounded up some excedrin for me. Thanks Chrys. And while I was resting, not one person even came looking for me. So, when 5 p.m. came around, I was in no shape to put in another second on this job. I was out of there. Came home and crashed.

At 9 p.m., I still have headache. Hopefully it will go away. Think it's stress related (no kidding) due to my neck also hurting.

No more blog tonight. Want to lie down again. Off at 9 p.m.

If tomorrow is like today, I will not make it a full day.

Barry and Tim return today

Am looking forward to seeing Barry and Tim this afternoon. Should be leaving by 7 a.m. for their trip home. Can't wait to see them. I'm all set for work, thinking of getting Dunkin Donut treat on way to work.
Barry and Tim arrived home at 8 p.m. after 12 hr. road trip. Am so glad they are safe and sound.

Sunday

Not much to report today, besides good ole internet being down most of the day. Very annoying.

Didn't do much today since my body and head ached most of the day. Just stayed in my "bat cave" as Barry would say. Went to Dutch Isle for a burger and fries, and Chinese buffet for dinner. Was very disappointed in the buffet. Had been looking forward to the butter shrimp, but they've changed the recipe. Not good in my opinion. After I left there, I felt that it was a waste of money. I did comment to the people there about it. Said they had new cook. Oh well... May not have been my day.

The boys return tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing them. It's been a long weekend for me.

Saturday. Another neulasta kind of day

Well, for now the internet is up. Was down a bit earlier. Not reliable at all. And this blog is so much of my life. Am lost without it.

Did drink some soy milk before bed, still up many times with night sweats. Am sure it will take more than one drink to get it working. Will keep trying. It doesn't taste bad which is good.

Not sure what is planned for today yet. Just taking it easy. Am feeling slight headache right now. But will continue to pamper it.

By noon I could feel the good old effects of neulasta starting to work. Yuck. But at least it's the last weekend for it. Had a little something to eat and got under the covers. Stayed in bed until about 5 p.m. Never did really sleep, just tossed and turned. Headache is back, body aches also. The skin is sore just to touch.

The only thing I did outside today was to go to Dutch Isle for an ice cream cone. Sure did miss my buddy Tim, as he usually goes with me. Just sat in their parking lot and enjoyed the cone. No other customers were there. Came home and had some easy mac, corn on the cob heated up and soy milk. What a dinner. Did taste good.
Took a bath also.

Have spoken to Barry and Tim a couple of times today. Tomorrow is their last day on the Cape. They rode their bikes on the canal again today. It was hot there but there was also a nice breeze from the canal. Just like my vacation, the time seemed to have gone so fast. At least they had good weather. They will be leaving very early Monday a.m. for their long trip back home. Am looking forward to seeing them. I must admit that I've missed them.

Tomorrow they will be going to church with the family and then out to breakfast. Am not sure what else they have planned yet.

Two of my angel nurses after chemo. A special breed of nurse. 

The final OFF button, chemo is complete! 

And of course, matching earrings. 

Good luck socks that Maureen lent me. 

Close my eyes and go somewhere else. 

This is adriamycin, a chemo drug, that has to be syringed very slowly into my IV. Koolaid looking. Makes me sick to look at it, have to go elsewhere in my thoughts.