Over Did It

I think I over did it this weekend..... I so want to be "normal" but I think I need to remember that I have this nasty disease and can't do what I want to. I am paying for it now. Thankfully, Tyler got up at 6 am with Mollie Jo...of course I came downstairs at 10 am and he had his 6 ft 1 inch body stuck in a love seat, there was Mollie running in circles and a little pile of poop on the floor while he snored away. Too cute except for the poop!

I did have fun at 2 bbq's- one on Saturday and one Monday. I think the Monday one put me over the edge- energy wise. I had fun shopping with a friend- "Retail Therapy"- I recommend it! Denise came over with a frozen 2 lb meatloaf- my boys do like their meat! It is really helpful to have meals in the freezer. Leanne offered Tim (who is a chef) to cook for us Monday- but we went to Liz's for a bbq. I talked to my brother Billy- which was nice getting caught up with him and what his kids are up to. Linda is in MI but keeps checking in. I am glad she got it in her head that she could go away and not have to be there for my chemo appts. i appreciate all she does- but she needs a life!

Going to work this afternoon- hoping the pain meds take hold soon. Since I overslept- I took my meds late. On Fri. at the dr. appt- we discussed pain management. I am worried that I will become addicted- however, Dr. Kash isn't. He said he does not worry about his cancer patients and esp. with me as I am trying not to take the drugs. I take 2 oxycontin a day (with a vicodin chaser or dialudid) and can't imagine how people take up to 50 of these pills a day. I don;t really think the radiation was a true success....I still have a lot of back pain where the tumor is near the spinal nerves.....

Many thanks go out to Laura- as she is helping me keep track of all the medical bills! What a huge relief for me. She came over yesterday and had figured out what we had paid, what we need to pay and where I am with my lifetime $. Our insurance only has a 2 million lifetime cap- which is not alot when I am looking at long term treatment. We are at about $225,000 right now. I am hoping that Obama's lift of the liftime cap happens sooner than 2014. We may have to have some lemonaqde stands or bakesales....... The hospital charges about $45,000 per month for chemo treatment! After our ppo deductions it is about $25,000 which is what they count for the cap. A lot depends on the new contract that they are working on in
Rob's district....they still have not finished it.

Sorry I am going on and on.....Billy said that this is probably therapeutic for me to write things out- and he is right.
xoxo,
HTFM

Up with the "Baby"

Once again, Mollie Jo got me up way before 6 am....hence the early morning blog. I feel like I have a baby in the house- just one that I want to pee outside!

Had a busy weekend which helps me keep my mind off of "stuff." Katie and Tom visited from Iowa Friday after my chemo nap. We went to a party Sat. night with neighbors from Linda's subdivision- I have to borrow her neighbors as we are somewhat limited where we live... Sunday we stayed home and watched fireworks from our backyard- where we saw about 5-6 town's going off. Much to my displeasure, Rob and Tyler bought fireworks coming home from a tournament in Indiana.....Fireworks must be a right of passage for boys or something. I was worried he would loose a thumb and then how would he pitch or throw the football?? Last night I almost felt "normal" (my new normal) and had a bbq at Liz's house. When I am busy I don't have as many "pity parties!"

I caught up with my brother Billy who lives in Oak Park. I haven't heard from my brother Jimmy in a while. Linda is enjoying her family at their cottage in MI for another week. She was at last Firday's appt which was good, since I never remember fully what the dr. talked about. The dr. did comment on my Notre Dame t-shirt that Meghan got for me when she went to basketball camp there. "The Fighting Irish Fight Cancer"- very cute.

Thanks again for all of your support, prayers and positive karma....
xoxo,
HTFM

We love Shrinkage!!!

So glad to hear about the shrinkage!!! We love shrinkage!!! Keep fighting girl!!!

Alleluia, Helene!!!! That is absolutely wonderful!! You ARE fighting this thing and WILL beat it.

After visiting with you the other day, all three of us agreed that you have an incredible positive attitude and that is half the battle! You go, girl!!

It was so fun visiting with you on Tuesday. Let us know when we can do it again. Next time I'll try to get Linda Rosensteil, (Ooops! Make that Vandre.) to join us!!

SHRINKAGE!!!!

Hey there,

Saw the dr. yesterday. Rob, Tyler and Linda were there- what a support group! Linda came in from MI and the news was positive! The tumors are continuing to shrink and he rec. 2 more months of chemo and then another scan. I think that will be the protocal for awhile. Rob asked if I could go on some kind of maintenance pill instead of the chemo.....the long and short of it is not likely but maybe down the road. We discussed pain management for most of the visit, then I had chemo. Tyler and Rob stayed until I fell asleep, then Tyler had to Cut Linda's grass and Rob came back to sit with me. We got out of there around noon (can't ever remember going home) took a nap and then Katie and Tom from Iowa visited for a couple hours. Then they were off to north Chicago to visist their son, daughter-in-law and cute as a button grandson

I am looking forward to going to a BBQ this afternoon in my sister's subdivision. Sarah invited her bunco group of which I am lucky to be a part of. The bunco girls (or thier husbands!) really have helped me out making meals on the Mondays after chemo. That seems to be my worst day.

Here's to a wonderful holiday weekend for everyone. I think the positive thoughts and prayers have definitely made a difference- so continue them! Thanks...
xoxo,
HTFM

Thursday July 1

Hey there,
I have been on the go all week- when I feel better I try to jam in everything I can in a few days. Monday night I got to go out to celebrate Doreen's birthday with Laura and Toni. The 4 of us enjoy catching up. It is difficult to schedule these nights out with my chemo schedule, Toni, Laura's and Doreen's work schedules, mom stuff, sport stuff, etc.

Molly Jo went to her first baseball game with me on Tuesday night. She did pretty good, but had trouble keeping score... She is still getting us up at the crack of dawn- Rob got up early today and I slept in. She has about doubled in size and doesn't seem afraid of much.

I taught on Wed. and that went much better than last week. Yesterday I was able to go with Jean-Marie to visit sites for her new resale shop, "Sweet Charity Resale Shop." Remember to save your good stuff that you would normally give to Good Will for this shop. We are also saving plastic bags, shopping bags and hangers that you might get from a store- the plastic ones with metal. Sometimes stores will let you take the hangers home. The name of the charity is "Hearts for Service" with ALL proceeds going to people in need. Spread the word!

Keep your fingers crossed for tomorrow- I find out the results of the CAT scan I had on Monday at my dr. appt. Then it is back to the chemo regime......gotta keep the faith
xoxo,
HTFM

Sunday 6:15 am

Oh yes, Golly Miss Molly! Up today at 5:30 am......The boys had to get up to be out of here before 6 for a bb game in Lynwood. I actually felt semi normal for the first time in a while (since FL). I went to Tyler's game yesterday for this tournament. They won 16-0, but what was so great was just forgetting about the cancer thing, seeing him play and catching up with all the families on his team. If they make it into the championships later today, I am hoping I feel well enough to go. Thankfully Courtney and Holly came and let Molly out yesterday and gave her some company as I was gone for 5 hours.
Well, someone is chewing on my toes and wants to play...it's not Rob! GTG!!
xoxo,
HTFM