On one hand, I can't believe that 2009 is almost here - but on the other hand I never thought that the last 16 weeks would ever end! I only have one more scheduled chemo treatment. That will happen next Monday if my white count remains high enough. This Monday, it was 1900 or 1.9. That's way more than it has been on the week after my cisplatin. I do know that he reduced my dosage down to 60% it's original strength. I guess that's what kept my count from dropping so low this week. Anyhow, Monday ,Amy took me because she was off of work. I only got the 1 dose of Navelbine so we weren't there but a couple of hours.I did find that the nausea was still with me . I came home and took my regular nausea medicine on schedule and took a nice long nap!
I forgot to tell you last week about having a day of pampering. (Of course, Ronnie has actually pampered me for the last several months!) This day was Ginger's. She went and bought me a copy of Mamma Mia! and brought it over Saturday. We had total girl day. We put in the movie on the big screen T.V. and she brought out her manicure equipment! I had a total pedicure with everything from foot soaking to red nail polish! I actually have only had one official pedicure that I can remember because my toenails are so ugly! But this foot pampering sure did feel good! Of course, she did manicure also. You know how you look down on your hand and you wonder when your mother's hand appeared on the end of your arm? Well, that's the feeling I had. Mother's nails had developed ridges over the years and I have noticed that mine have done the same. The difference though is that Mother always had strong, long, pretty nails and mine have always been short and thin. Maybe they are changing to be more like hers! I can work on the ridges if only I had nails strong enough to take some abuse. Of course, right now, I don't have the strength to do much hard work so my nails are growing better. I have started taking prenatal vitamins to get the added iron , so I'm thinking this may help my nails to be stronger also! But I know before long my strength will return and I can get out and work in my flower beds. They are looking kinda sad.
Thanks for pampering me Ginger!Love ya lots!
My cousin, Calva, is still waiting on all the MRIs to be done so she can start her radiation. She is supposed to have 6 weeks of radiation - 5 days a week. (That is the same schedule I am going to have if radiation is necessary for me.) After the rounds of that she will have gamma knife treatment done on what's left of the tumor. Keep praying for both of us, please.
Love you all and HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS EVERY ONE OF YOU!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone!
I am happy to report that I had a good day on Christmas Eve. That's when we got together at Starla's house for our present exchange. We each brought finger foods so we had a good variety of snacks. Starla and Aaron drove in from Andrews that day so we waited till about 5:30 to get together. I was so surprised when Michelle and Brandon gave me a camera! I haven't had one in several years. It is so cute and small. I hope I will remember to take it with me wherever I go so maybe I will remember to take pictures. My pictures around the house definitely need to be updated!
Ronnie is almost through renovating our master bath. It looks sooooo good. What a difference changing tile will do. We used 18 X18 pieces of travertine instead of the standard 4 X 4 white squares! We are still waiting on the shower door to be made , but we are just using a shower curtain in the meantime. I think the next step of our project will be putting wood floors down in the bedrooms. Ronnie wants a break from bathroom project for a while! I can't wait though to get the hall bath done because it is the ugliest bath ever! But I will be patient.
I had my chemo on Monday as scheduled. Shara took me and got to experience the long day, although , it didn't take as long as usual. He has reduced the dosage of the cisplatin to 60 per cent strength. So I guess maybe it didn't take as long because of that. The nausea didn't really hit me till Thursday, so I slept probably 18 hours out of the 24 hour day! Thank goodness for medications! Today is Friday so I will hopefully be getting over some of the nausea by this evening. This was my last week to get the cisplatin and navelbine together. The next 2 Mondays, I will only get the navelbine if my blood count is high enough. Then I should be through with chemo! I thought I would never get to this point!
Keep praying for me as the next weeks pass. I am supposed to see a radiation dr. sometime in January or February. Also, keep my cousin, Calva, in your prayers still. She should see the radiation dr. this next week to see what her treatment will be for her tumor in her brain.
I am happy to report that I had a good day on Christmas Eve. That's when we got together at Starla's house for our present exchange. We each brought finger foods so we had a good variety of snacks. Starla and Aaron drove in from Andrews that day so we waited till about 5:30 to get together. I was so surprised when Michelle and Brandon gave me a camera! I haven't had one in several years. It is so cute and small. I hope I will remember to take it with me wherever I go so maybe I will remember to take pictures. My pictures around the house definitely need to be updated!
Ronnie is almost through renovating our master bath. It looks sooooo good. What a difference changing tile will do. We used 18 X18 pieces of travertine instead of the standard 4 X 4 white squares! We are still waiting on the shower door to be made , but we are just using a shower curtain in the meantime. I think the next step of our project will be putting wood floors down in the bedrooms. Ronnie wants a break from bathroom project for a while! I can't wait though to get the hall bath done because it is the ugliest bath ever! But I will be patient.
I had my chemo on Monday as scheduled. Shara took me and got to experience the long day, although , it didn't take as long as usual. He has reduced the dosage of the cisplatin to 60 per cent strength. So I guess maybe it didn't take as long because of that. The nausea didn't really hit me till Thursday, so I slept probably 18 hours out of the 24 hour day! Thank goodness for medications! Today is Friday so I will hopefully be getting over some of the nausea by this evening. This was my last week to get the cisplatin and navelbine together. The next 2 Mondays, I will only get the navelbine if my blood count is high enough. Then I should be through with chemo! I thought I would never get to this point!
Keep praying for me as the next weeks pass. I am supposed to see a radiation dr. sometime in January or February. Also, keep my cousin, Calva, in your prayers still. She should see the radiation dr. this next week to see what her treatment will be for her tumor in her brain.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Just a week till Christmas!
Here it is Thursday morning! I was able to get my cisplatin and navelbine infusion on Monday. My blood had come up to it's normal numbers. I did talk to Dr. Redrow on Monday (Amy and Starla were with me ) and he seemed to think everything was going fine. He didn't indicate that there is any worries over all the treatments that I have not been able to take. He will see me again the second week of January and reassess my condition then send me over to a radiation specialist to see whether I will require radiation also. I'm hoping that they will do another pet scan so they can make sure it hasn't shown up somewhere else.
The nausea is better this week because maybe I have my pill taking schedule under control a little bit better! I will just sit real still when the wave starts rolling in!
We are getting our Christmas schedule all worked out. Of course, the important part of the festivities is what goodies to make. We decided we just wanted snacky type meal on Christmas Eve instead of full-blown holiday meal. Remember, we did that for Thanksgiving at Starla's. So for Christmas - it won't be so healthy!
I think all my shopping is done. I really didn't do too much. A couple online purchases and a couple of someone else going and doing my picking! Been pretty easy for me, huh? We did some tree switching this year. Starla took Amy's big tree because Amy took my tall skinny tree because I borrowed Grace and Lily's little tree to put in my living room! Starla also is using my outdoor lights because that was not something that Ronnie was going to mess with this year!
I asked all of you last week to remember to pray for my cousin Calva as you lift my name up. She had a biopsy done and found out the results on Tuesday. She does have a neural-pineal blastoma. A malignant tumor on her penial gland in her brain. They have told her that it is not related to the colon cancer! She is waiting to get with an specialist for this to decide the treatment plan ,probably radiation. She is still very brave and positive, but still remember her name to God. Thanks!
The nausea is better this week because maybe I have my pill taking schedule under control a little bit better! I will just sit real still when the wave starts rolling in!
We are getting our Christmas schedule all worked out. Of course, the important part of the festivities is what goodies to make. We decided we just wanted snacky type meal on Christmas Eve instead of full-blown holiday meal. Remember, we did that for Thanksgiving at Starla's. So for Christmas - it won't be so healthy!
I think all my shopping is done. I really didn't do too much. A couple online purchases and a couple of someone else going and doing my picking! Been pretty easy for me, huh? We did some tree switching this year. Starla took Amy's big tree because Amy took my tall skinny tree because I borrowed Grace and Lily's little tree to put in my living room! Starla also is using my outdoor lights because that was not something that Ronnie was going to mess with this year!
I asked all of you last week to remember to pray for my cousin Calva as you lift my name up. She had a biopsy done and found out the results on Tuesday. She does have a neural-pineal blastoma. A malignant tumor on her penial gland in her brain. They have told her that it is not related to the colon cancer! She is waiting to get with an specialist for this to decide the treatment plan ,probably radiation. She is still very brave and positive, but still remember her name to God. Thanks!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
A little bit of Navelbine
Hi Everyone!
This week was Gwen's week to be my driver. We went to the oncology center prepared for them to take my blood and call me back and tell me "sorry, your white count is still too low". So, I was surprised when the nurse actually took me back to the infusion area. I asked her if I passed the test this time. She said no - that my count was still the same as last week.(600). But Dr. Redrow looked at my chart and for some reason decided that I at least needed to get a little of the Navelbine in me! He cut the dosage in half and they told me to be especially careful of where I went and who I got around this week. She said the Navelbine could make my count go lower before next Monday. I actually have an appointment with Dr. Redrow then. He may have to put me on Neuprigin shots to boost my W.B.C. We'll see. One of the nurses also told me to start trying to take my Marinol on a regular basis. That way my body can get more used to it and it will make me have an appetite and keep me from having a queasy stomach every time I eat something. Who knew that I would ever have trouble with eating!
Well, it's getting closer and closer to Christmas. I am not going to be able to go anywhere to shop , so the buying that I have done so far is either online(which is still scary to me) or the girl's have shopped for me. I have one dilemma,though. I always buy everyone a new ornament for my tree every year. That means 12 new and different ornaments. I decided to be creative and make some since I was home anyway. I got Amy,Starla,Michelle and I one figured out and made yesterday. I'm having trouble thinking of something for everyone else. I guess I have lots of time available to think , don't I?
Brandon is scheduled the have his left knee operation done on this Thursday. It should go as smooth as the other one did , so he'll be recuperating the rest of this year.
I'm still asking for each of you to remember me in your daily prayers and please include my cousin, Calva, as you pray. Yesterday(Monday) she had a brain biopsy done on some sort of mass they found in her brain. They should have the results sometime in the next 2 days. It could just be some sort of calcification, but it is something that is causing the spinal fluid not to drain properly, and causing some swelling in her brain. She remains in good spirits. They will decide on action needed after the biopsy results come in.
Happy shopping to you all! Love ya
This week was Gwen's week to be my driver. We went to the oncology center prepared for them to take my blood and call me back and tell me "sorry, your white count is still too low". So, I was surprised when the nurse actually took me back to the infusion area. I asked her if I passed the test this time. She said no - that my count was still the same as last week.(600). But Dr. Redrow looked at my chart and for some reason decided that I at least needed to get a little of the Navelbine in me! He cut the dosage in half and they told me to be especially careful of where I went and who I got around this week. She said the Navelbine could make my count go lower before next Monday. I actually have an appointment with Dr. Redrow then. He may have to put me on Neuprigin shots to boost my W.B.C. We'll see. One of the nurses also told me to start trying to take my Marinol on a regular basis. That way my body can get more used to it and it will make me have an appetite and keep me from having a queasy stomach every time I eat something. Who knew that I would ever have trouble with eating!
Well, it's getting closer and closer to Christmas. I am not going to be able to go anywhere to shop , so the buying that I have done so far is either online(which is still scary to me) or the girl's have shopped for me. I have one dilemma,though. I always buy everyone a new ornament for my tree every year. That means 12 new and different ornaments. I decided to be creative and make some since I was home anyway. I got Amy,Starla,Michelle and I one figured out and made yesterday. I'm having trouble thinking of something for everyone else. I guess I have lots of time available to think , don't I?
Brandon is scheduled the have his left knee operation done on this Thursday. It should go as smooth as the other one did , so he'll be recuperating the rest of this year.
I'm still asking for each of you to remember me in your daily prayers and please include my cousin, Calva, as you pray. Yesterday(Monday) she had a brain biopsy done on some sort of mass they found in her brain. They should have the results sometime in the next 2 days. It could just be some sort of calcification, but it is something that is causing the spinal fluid not to drain properly, and causing some swelling in her brain. She remains in good spirits. They will decide on action needed after the biopsy results come in.
Happy shopping to you all! Love ya
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Still Being Thankful
I am still so happy that I was able to spend the evening on Thanksgiving with my family and enjoy our wonderful meal together! Everything tasted so good. I know that God had his hand in my non-nausea day! I got to spend the evening with my sweet grandbabies, too. I think they all took a turn sitting in my lap so I could give them hugs and kisses. It felt good.
I went to get my chemo yesterday, and just as it has been in the past - my blood count was too low. This time the neutrofil was 600. The nurse told me if it had been over 1000 that they would probably let me have my treatment. We'll see if it goes up any by next Monday.
Chelsa was my chauffeur this week. She was supposed to go last week but I was feeling so lousy and Ronnie needed to be there instead. Anyhow, I loved being with her. I don't get to see her anymore.(Of course, when I think about it, I don't get to see hardly anybody very often!) We talked from the time I got into her car until the time she dropped me off at home! Surprise, surprise! We talked about how we don't get to see each other now after lots and lots of years of seeing each other 3 times a week.(except the 4 years or so she was off at college.) It makes me try to be more aware to not take people and the time we have together for granted. But you know, Chelsa and I do talk on the phone at least once every week, so it makes up a little for not seeing her face to face! Anyhow, thanks Chelsa for driving me and loving me! Hope you know I love you too.
Ronnie has started redoing the shower in our master bath. It was getting old and crumbly. You know how one thing leads to another! He's completely retiling the shower and the floor in the bath, putting new countertop in and new fixtures, painting the walls and cabinets. It will look so good! Of course, then, he is going to start on the hall bath which is going to require lots more labor. We'll just take one room at a time! But all who know and love Ronnie are sure of one thing - it will be done right - may take longer than originally thought - but it will be done right! Know what I mean?
Love you all and miss seeing you. I'm counting down now - 5 weeks left of the original treatment schedule!
I went to get my chemo yesterday, and just as it has been in the past - my blood count was too low. This time the neutrofil was 600. The nurse told me if it had been over 1000 that they would probably let me have my treatment. We'll see if it goes up any by next Monday.
Chelsa was my chauffeur this week. She was supposed to go last week but I was feeling so lousy and Ronnie needed to be there instead. Anyhow, I loved being with her. I don't get to see her anymore.(Of course, when I think about it, I don't get to see hardly anybody very often!) We talked from the time I got into her car until the time she dropped me off at home! Surprise, surprise! We talked about how we don't get to see each other now after lots and lots of years of seeing each other 3 times a week.(except the 4 years or so she was off at college.) It makes me try to be more aware to not take people and the time we have together for granted. But you know, Chelsa and I do talk on the phone at least once every week, so it makes up a little for not seeing her face to face! Anyhow, thanks Chelsa for driving me and loving me! Hope you know I love you too.
Ronnie has started redoing the shower in our master bath. It was getting old and crumbly. You know how one thing leads to another! He's completely retiling the shower and the floor in the bath, putting new countertop in and new fixtures, painting the walls and cabinets. It will look so good! Of course, then, he is going to start on the hall bath which is going to require lots more labor. We'll just take one room at a time! But all who know and love Ronnie are sure of one thing - it will be done right - may take longer than originally thought - but it will be done right! Know what I mean?
Love you all and miss seeing you. I'm counting down now - 5 weeks left of the original treatment schedule!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
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.
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 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!
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