Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Yes, it is Thursday and I am feeling a lot better than I did last Thursday! Hooray! I went to the oncology center on Monday with the idea that I wasn't up to getting this weeks treatments regardless of how my blood counts were. I had such a strange, terrible week last week, I guess I had become paranoid. I have decided the steroids are a definite no-no. They did tricks with my brain. Then, I have decided the Kytril also does weird things to me mentally. So, no more of those 2. Dr. Redrow actually let me make the final decision on whether to go ahead or not. I agreed that if he would put me on something else that might not affect my brain so bad I would do it. I know how important it is to stay on protocol if at all possible for the best outcome. This time he ordered the pill form of marijuana to take every 6 hrs. as needed for nausea in combination with compezine. He also ordered me some Ativan to handle anxiety associated with all the chemo. I have taken a couple of the marinol and I do feel a little like I'm on a high!(The nausea maybe changed to hunger also)I also have all my best friends willing to be over here in a split second to make sure my medication is put to good use! Sorry, I'm a very selfish, self-centered person!
We are planning to go to Starla's house around 6:00 this afternoon to eat fried hens, dressing, green bean casserole, orange jello stuff, fruit salad, potatoes and pies. I am hoping I am feeling non-nauseous and will enjoy every bite! Ronnie, Aaron and Starla have been working hard all week to get the inside of her house painted. I can't wait to see the finished product. It's kind of a green/brown/gold color. Pretty!
Well, I guess the next test for me will be my blood test next Monday to see if I finally get the 1 Navelbine treatment.(That's the one that I haven't been able to receive yet because of low WBC..
Speaking of tests - Michelle (who is super-smart!) takes her last test of the 4 necessary to become a CPA. So far, she has passed 2 and waiting on the grade from #3 and takes #4 on Friday in Abilene.
Brandon had knee surgery last week and is still having some discomfort and will get the stitches out next week. He is also going to have the other knee fixed in December. He's not used to being limited in what he can do!
I have had lots of time lately to stop and think of all the things that I have to be thankful for . There are so many, I couldn't even begin to list them all. Mostly, though, God has blessed me with the most marvelous husband ever! What would I have done without him during the last few months? God has also blessed me with a loving family that treats me very queenly. My friends also are my blessings. They are all waiting for me to let them know of something(anything) that I need done and they will gladly carry out the task. Of this I'm sure! I love you all - hope you realize that each of you are a blessing.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
JUST GETTING BY
Hi Everyone!
Well, I did get to have my 2 drug chemo treatment this week! Not that I'm all that excited at this moment, though. Today is Thursday and I received it on Monday and have been my regular-old nauseated self since then. I started taking the new Emend Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday along with the previous Kytril, along with a new steroid the the Dr. thought might help with the nausea and possibly keep my blood count from going so low! I can still take the phenargan along with all these (and I have!) Iguess I have to face the fact that the chemo is mean and I have to just make it the best I can through the rough days.
Amy was able to get off work Monday and take me for my routine chemo. Starla met us there to see what the dr. said this week. I actually didn't see Dr. Redrow, I saw his P.A. and she was very good and informative.
Even if it probably sounds like I am whining (which I am!) my outlook is still positive and I am getting closer to the end of my chemo. The P.A. did say that it has on my chart that I will be receiving radiation after my chemo cycles are over in January. I will have to have 6 weeks of 5 days a week. I guess we'll see if he does more scanning before he starts that! No matter what, I still am trusting that God is watching over me and my family! I do believe Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart". I believe God is giving me this time to seek Him and pay attention to where He is leading me.
I still want to thank all of you who have stood by my side and offered up your daily prayers for me - I do still feel every one of them.
Love you all!
Well, I did get to have my 2 drug chemo treatment this week! Not that I'm all that excited at this moment, though. Today is Thursday and I received it on Monday and have been my regular-old nauseated self since then. I started taking the new Emend Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday along with the previous Kytril, along with a new steroid the the Dr. thought might help with the nausea and possibly keep my blood count from going so low! I can still take the phenargan along with all these (and I have!) Iguess I have to face the fact that the chemo is mean and I have to just make it the best I can through the rough days.
Amy was able to get off work Monday and take me for my routine chemo. Starla met us there to see what the dr. said this week. I actually didn't see Dr. Redrow, I saw his P.A. and she was very good and informative.
Even if it probably sounds like I am whining (which I am!) my outlook is still positive and I am getting closer to the end of my chemo. The P.A. did say that it has on my chart that I will be receiving radiation after my chemo cycles are over in January. I will have to have 6 weeks of 5 days a week. I guess we'll see if he does more scanning before he starts that! No matter what, I still am trusting that God is watching over me and my family! I do believe Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart". I believe God is giving me this time to seek Him and pay attention to where He is leading me.
I still want to thank all of you who have stood by my side and offered up your daily prayers for me - I do still feel every one of them.
Love you all!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Another week off
Starla took me to chemo this week and once again my WBC was too low. My count had come up a little however from a .4 to a .7! I guess this means that my bone marrow is working hard to get me ready for next Monday - the big one again! I am not upset at all about not getting the Navelbine because I do get it every time I get the mean Cisplatin! I'm just getting it half as often as the standard treatment calls for. As I have told some of you, I am just so grateful that I am not depending on the chemo to shrink a cancerous tumor before the surgeon can even go in and remove it. So many cancer patients have to do the chemo before they can have the tumor(s)removed! I still believe that I am cancer-free and this chemo treatment plan is for preventive measures.
I am halfway through the planned treatment of 4 cycles of 4 weeks each. I'm not sure how the holiday season is going to go. I know, I know - all of you that know my habits will swear that this is just this year's attempt to get out of doing any of the cooking! Don't you think that is a little drastic on my account? But when I think about it , I couldn't have very well used as my excuse the neck surgery could I? After all it has been 6 months since then!
I look out at my flower garden and don't see much color left! Ronnie has cut down about half of the cannas and all the other plants that it has gotten too cold for. The mums are now in full bloom - thank goodness for seasonal colors. Ginger called the other day and asked what we were doing. My best answer was that we were sitting on the back porch watching the green leaves turn rust! What a life!
Once again, I ask for your continued prayers and know that I love each of you lots.
Joyce
I am halfway through the planned treatment of 4 cycles of 4 weeks each. I'm not sure how the holiday season is going to go. I know, I know - all of you that know my habits will swear that this is just this year's attempt to get out of doing any of the cooking! Don't you think that is a little drastic on my account? But when I think about it , I couldn't have very well used as my excuse the neck surgery could I? After all it has been 6 months since then!
I look out at my flower garden and don't see much color left! Ronnie has cut down about half of the cannas and all the other plants that it has gotten too cold for. The mums are now in full bloom - thank goodness for seasonal colors. Ginger called the other day and asked what we were doing. My best answer was that we were sitting on the back porch watching the green leaves turn rust! What a life!
Once again, I ask for your continued prayers and know that I love each of you lots.
Joyce
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Another failing week
Okay, I have to correct something!
I spoke too soon last week about the whole nausea thing! Yes, the Emend did work the best and I will go with it again. The problem is that they only gave me a 3 dose pack which worked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until about 6:00 P.M. Then the nausea came back around and stayed with me the rest of the week! ugh! I didn't get to make it to Gracie's big debut, but Amy videoed it on her phone. Bummer! And yes, I am getting the medication problem fine-tuned for the next 2 weeks of the 2 drug regimen.
Donna took me yesterday for my 1 drug week and once again I was a failure! The neutrofil number was even lower this week than it was a month ago(the first time I failed the test) They again told me to go home and stay away from sickies and practice good hand-washing. ( do I look like maybe I don't wash my hands?) Anyhow, I still look at it as a blessing. Woo-hoo, no chemicals pushed into my veins!
Donna was an excellent chauffeur for me. Yes, I did let her take me the downtown route. It is her favorite route to anywhere! And yes, she did find her way there without any help from me. In all things give thanks! Sorry, Donna, you know that I have to give you a hard time - how else will you know for sure that I'm feeling better? But on a more sentimental note, last week I talked about Kerri and I spending so much time together. Well, I probably spent the next biggest amount of time with Donna , so we needed some together time also. Thanks, Donna!
After one more week, I will be halfway through my scheduled treatment regimen. And no, it doesn't seem like it has flown by!
I haven't written about some good news that I got last week! I had applied for Social Security Disability a couple of months ago and have been waiting to hear a denial from them. Well, last week I got a letter stating that I have been approved!!! My first check won't arrive till next March, ( you evidently have to be disabled for 6 months continously before the payments start) but I am so happy! I had been told not to be discouraged if I got a denial because they usually deny first. I was just going to appeal their decision. But I didn't have to figure out how to appeal! Isn't that exciting?
I still love hearing from you all. When I am in quarintine, I don't get to get out and about too much but I am glad the weather is so beautiful. Keep praying!
Love you all
I spoke too soon last week about the whole nausea thing! Yes, the Emend did work the best and I will go with it again. The problem is that they only gave me a 3 dose pack which worked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until about 6:00 P.M. Then the nausea came back around and stayed with me the rest of the week! ugh! I didn't get to make it to Gracie's big debut, but Amy videoed it on her phone. Bummer! And yes, I am getting the medication problem fine-tuned for the next 2 weeks of the 2 drug regimen.
Donna took me yesterday for my 1 drug week and once again I was a failure! The neutrofil number was even lower this week than it was a month ago(the first time I failed the test) They again told me to go home and stay away from sickies and practice good hand-washing. ( do I look like maybe I don't wash my hands?) Anyhow, I still look at it as a blessing. Woo-hoo, no chemicals pushed into my veins!
Donna was an excellent chauffeur for me. Yes, I did let her take me the downtown route. It is her favorite route to anywhere! And yes, she did find her way there without any help from me. In all things give thanks! Sorry, Donna, you know that I have to give you a hard time - how else will you know for sure that I'm feeling better? But on a more sentimental note, last week I talked about Kerri and I spending so much time together. Well, I probably spent the next biggest amount of time with Donna , so we needed some together time also. Thanks, Donna!
After one more week, I will be halfway through my scheduled treatment regimen. And no, it doesn't seem like it has flown by!
I haven't written about some good news that I got last week! I had applied for Social Security Disability a couple of months ago and have been waiting to hear a denial from them. Well, last week I got a letter stating that I have been approved!!! My first check won't arrive till next March, ( you evidently have to be disabled for 6 months continously before the payments start) but I am so happy! I had been told not to be discouraged if I got a denial because they usually deny first. I was just going to appeal their decision. But I didn't have to figure out how to appeal! Isn't that exciting?
I still love hearing from you all. When I am in quarintine, I don't get to get out and about too much but I am glad the weather is so beautiful. Keep praying!
Love you all
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