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
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
MUCH BETTER WEEK!
Today is Wednesday and it is so wonderful when you finally find a medicine that works! I am trying Emend this week and so far it has worked the best. I still have a little queasy spot in the middle of my stomach, but it is not an overall feeling. I have been able to eat a little bit and can actually drink more fluids without feeling like I am force feeding myself! I feel human again!
I need to have a better week because Gracie is the first speaker in the second grade program Thursday night and I have to be there to see her great performance! She gets to welcome everyone to the show! I had to give her bangs a little trim Monday night so she could actually see the audience she was talking to.
Kerri got to be my companion in chemo this week. It was good to spend some time with her - it's been almost 3 months since I quit working. You have to remember that we spent 5 days a week together for 20 years or so. Now, that's lots of together time! Anyhow, I really enjoyed her company and catching up on what's going on. It did remind me that God is in charge of our lives and works everything out. He brought Lindsay back to Azle at the perfect time! Of course, what else should I expect from God but perfection? Kerri and Lindsay are working on new projects and some old ones that we had started when I was there. With Lindsay being here, I am able to erase any thoughts of guilt that might have otherwise creeped in. ( I have been accused of being a worrywart) Anyway, I understand the scripture " Be still and know that I am God". I am still ,and I know that He is working everything out. Thank you God!
I need to have a better week because Gracie is the first speaker in the second grade program Thursday night and I have to be there to see her great performance! She gets to welcome everyone to the show! I had to give her bangs a little trim Monday night so she could actually see the audience she was talking to.
Kerri got to be my companion in chemo this week. It was good to spend some time with her - it's been almost 3 months since I quit working. You have to remember that we spent 5 days a week together for 20 years or so. Now, that's lots of together time! Anyhow, I really enjoyed her company and catching up on what's going on. It did remind me that God is in charge of our lives and works everything out. He brought Lindsay back to Azle at the perfect time! Of course, what else should I expect from God but perfection? Kerri and Lindsay are working on new projects and some old ones that we had started when I was there. With Lindsay being here, I am able to erase any thoughts of guilt that might have otherwise creeped in. ( I have been accused of being a worrywart) Anyway, I understand the scripture " Be still and know that I am God". I am still ,and I know that He is working everything out. Thank you God!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Good to go again
Yea, I finally passed a blood test! Starla took me Monday to the Dr. and my blood work was finally back up to normal. I told her that I wasn't so sure that I should be excited about it being back up because that meant the horrible chemicals in my system again. Well, I was right to feel that way. Today is Friday and I am just now beginning to feel human again. I tried the new nausea medicine this week and I'm not sure it was for me. I had a headache and still had to supplement it with the old standby, Phenargan. So, needless to say I pretty much slept this week away! Next week , I'm supposed to get the double treatment again so please pray that I tolerate it better than I did this week.
I keep myself as positive as I can by reminding myself that it is only temporary. I only have 5 more treatments of the double meds. In the long run, if I sleep away a few days, it won't matter so much. I do miss seeing my sweet grandbabies, though. I'm sure that they know that I love them and will see them as soon as I feel better.
Keep up the prayers on my behalf. I still believe that they are powerful and effective and that God knows me personally and is with me every step of the journey!
God bless you all!
I keep myself as positive as I can by reminding myself that it is only temporary. I only have 5 more treatments of the double meds. In the long run, if I sleep away a few days, it won't matter so much. I do miss seeing my sweet grandbabies, though. I'm sure that they know that I love them and will see them as soon as I feel better.
Keep up the prayers on my behalf. I still believe that they are powerful and effective and that God knows me personally and is with me every step of the journey!
God bless you all!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Another week off!
Well, Shara took me for my chemo yesterday and once again I failed the blood test! ( you know how I hate to do anything but 100 on a test!)My neutrophil number was the same as last week(700) but my total WBC count had come up. The nurse told me that sometimes that happens. There is a medication they can give me to help my WBC but they like for my bone marrow to bring it up on it's own. I am already scheduled to see Dr. Redrow next Monday so we'll see what he wants to do about it. Meanwhile, I still have to stay away from anyone who is sick or might have been around the sick.
We are going camping tomorrow (Wed.) and coming home on Sunday. The weather is supposed to be nice for the weekend so I'm looking forward to getting out of the house! The Geary's and the Foxes are going too. I'll be taking my beading bag with me so maybe I'll get creative. It will all be according to if my brain is working or not. All of you know that lately it's hit and miss!
I miss seeing my babies but maybe they'll remember who I am when my blood decides to cooperate. Gracie is waiting for me to be better so we can bedazzle her new jeans. Now, that will be fun.
No other new news for this week. I miss seeing you all and appreciate the visits I did have last week. Love you all!
We are going camping tomorrow (Wed.) and coming home on Sunday. The weather is supposed to be nice for the weekend so I'm looking forward to getting out of the house! The Geary's and the Foxes are going too. I'll be taking my beading bag with me so maybe I'll get creative. It will all be according to if my brain is working or not. All of you know that lately it's hit and miss!
I miss seeing my babies but maybe they'll remember who I am when my blood decides to cooperate. Gracie is waiting for me to be better so we can bedazzle her new jeans. Now, that will be fun.
No other new news for this week. I miss seeing you all and appreciate the visits I did have last week. Love you all!
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