Yikes- I just deleted all that I had written. I am such a dork!
Sharon came over this am to drop off a beautiful bracelet that she had Paula make for some of us that have healing powers- much like the one Paula originally made for me when I was first diagnosed. It has a friendship clasp with different stones that are suppose to help promote healing. I am hoping Paula gets her web site going....Sharon is also trying to get Paula a "gig" at Occasions a store in N'ville. The bracelet is "tataly" cool!
After our appt at Rush, Denise and I went to visit Zarha, her 2 year old granddaughter that I wanted to take home with me! Chuck- Denise's husband- babysits Zahra 2 days a week. Chuck knows me only too well! He brought me this to die for chocolate mousse from thier favorite bakary that of course I had to eat right away! Zahra is so darn cute and fun to play with and just loves her grandma! I am the "auntie" as much as Chuck likes to call me a grandma.
xoxo,
HTFM :)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Second Opinion 4-22-10
Hey there,
I think people read this thing- either way it is somewhat therapeutic for me to write on this blog. Maybe I should be more aware of my grammar or something...
Denise and I went to Rush in Chicago today. We met with Dr. Lincoln who we both really felt comfortable with. She agrees that I am on the right chemo regime, but feels that specific radiation to 2-3 tumors may help to eliminate some back pain and help with the hoarseness of my vocal cords. She thought that I should possibly be on steroids (here I go Tia!) to help with the hoarseness until radiation occurs. Dr. Lincoln does not think that I will become a drug addict taking so many vicodin a day to control pain (up to 8!). She also agrees with what Dr. Kash- my oncologist says about the following:
I will always be on some form of chemo for as long as I can tolerate it- to reduce the size of the tumors or control them or others from growing. There might be another type of chemo drug (s) to use later on if what I am having now doesn't work. There is also the possibility of taking some form of hormone treatment down the road if I need to take a relief from chemo. (I was on hormore drugs for the past 8 years.) She would like me to check in with her in the future when I need to change the chemo drugs in case they have a study going and other drugs are available to the patients in the study at Rush.
re: my tongue and the nasty burning sensation- I may need to get my vitamin B levels checked and possibly take vitamin B supplements- or I just have to live with this side effect if vit. B is ok.
Linda and I are on for tomorrow for the 4-5 hour chemo trip that is 5 min. away.....at least we get a good laugh at things and bring lots of treats!
No bb game tonight but Tyler has a tournament this weekend- but rain is in the forecast. I want to go -but the tournament is in Crestwood- way south of here. All depends on how I feel.
HTFM :)
I think people read this thing- either way it is somewhat therapeutic for me to write on this blog. Maybe I should be more aware of my grammar or something...
Denise and I went to Rush in Chicago today. We met with Dr. Lincoln who we both really felt comfortable with. She agrees that I am on the right chemo regime, but feels that specific radiation to 2-3 tumors may help to eliminate some back pain and help with the hoarseness of my vocal cords. She thought that I should possibly be on steroids (here I go Tia!) to help with the hoarseness until radiation occurs. Dr. Lincoln does not think that I will become a drug addict taking so many vicodin a day to control pain (up to 8!). She also agrees with what Dr. Kash- my oncologist says about the following:
I will always be on some form of chemo for as long as I can tolerate it- to reduce the size of the tumors or control them or others from growing. There might be another type of chemo drug (s) to use later on if what I am having now doesn't work. There is also the possibility of taking some form of hormone treatment down the road if I need to take a relief from chemo. (I was on hormore drugs for the past 8 years.) She would like me to check in with her in the future when I need to change the chemo drugs in case they have a study going and other drugs are available to the patients in the study at Rush.
re: my tongue and the nasty burning sensation- I may need to get my vitamin B levels checked and possibly take vitamin B supplements- or I just have to live with this side effect if vit. B is ok.
Linda and I are on for tomorrow for the 4-5 hour chemo trip that is 5 min. away.....at least we get a good laugh at things and bring lots of treats!
No bb game tonight but Tyler has a tournament this weekend- but rain is in the forecast. I want to go -but the tournament is in Crestwood- way south of here. All depends on how I feel.
HTFM :)
Yea Yea Yea! I can post!
I'm getting my treats ready for our day at the chemo factory tomorrow. I was so surprised to find out there is a pharmacist right there at the treatment center that makes up the chemo right before the nurse gives it to you.
Since they're making Nurse Ratchett stay as far away from us as possible, the other two nurses we have are really nice. If you're nice to people they'll (most of the time) be nice backe to you. Helene is extremely nice to them. She has treated everyone she has come across during this time exceptionally. Always a thankyou and a smile. I think I will make the nurses some milkyway rice krispy treats for tomorrow. Like Tia says, what comes around goes around.
Will be thinking about my sister all day while she has her second opinion. Feeling very guilty I'm not with her but she is in very good hands with her bff Denise. It's a good thing I wasn't scheduled for this one since I have my 10 year old home for the second day with the runs......
Thankyou Tia for scheduling all the dinners that our incredible neighbors have been supplying. You don't even know how helpful and so very much appreciated they are.
One more thing..for those of you who haven't seen Tatianna, Helene looks awesome in her. Even without Tatianna on, Helene looks great. I am full of pride for my sister Helene with the way she is handling this journey she is on.
Linda
Since they're making Nurse Ratchett stay as far away from us as possible, the other two nurses we have are really nice. If you're nice to people they'll (most of the time) be nice backe to you. Helene is extremely nice to them. She has treated everyone she has come across during this time exceptionally. Always a thankyou and a smile. I think I will make the nurses some milkyway rice krispy treats for tomorrow. Like Tia says, what comes around goes around.
Will be thinking about my sister all day while she has her second opinion. Feeling very guilty I'm not with her but she is in very good hands with her bff Denise. It's a good thing I wasn't scheduled for this one since I have my 10 year old home for the second day with the runs......
Thankyou Tia for scheduling all the dinners that our incredible neighbors have been supplying. You don't even know how helpful and so very much appreciated they are.
One more thing..for those of you who haven't seen Tatianna, Helene looks awesome in her. Even without Tatianna on, Helene looks great. I am full of pride for my sister Helene with the way she is handling this journey she is on.
Linda
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday 4-22-10
It is so nice to feel "normal." The last 2 days have just been regular days, but I was feeling ok and realize how lucky I am to have some normal days. I worked at COD and am fortunate to have friends there (and some retired- like Karen and Paula) that keep my spirits up. Judy and Barbra cheer on my students' successes with me and realize how important it is that I continue to work. I only have 2 more weeks this semester, a month off and then I am working on Wed. for 8 weeks. What a schedule!
Tomorrow Denise and I head out to Rush in Chicago to meet with another doctor to determine if I am on the right treatment regime. It has taken this long to get an appt. for a second opinion. Then Friday.....double whammy chemo- another 4-5 hour day. Thankfully Linda is still able to take me- yet I know I have many others that have volunteered to go with me.
Next Tue. I go in for a port and then a week from tomorrow I go in for a CAT scan to hopefully see that the tumors are shrinking. I can feel the one in my neck has gotten smaller...I swear!
Tried to go to Tyler's baseball game tonight but it was just too cold and I left after the 3rd inning. I did get to see him pitch and he did very well. I am questionable whether I can go to his tournament this weekend- depends on how I feel and what the weather is doing. I do enjoy seeing Tyler play and want to go to as many games as I can.
Once again, thanks to everyone for all of the support, prayers and positive energy.
xoxo,
HTFM
Tomorrow Denise and I head out to Rush in Chicago to meet with another doctor to determine if I am on the right treatment regime. It has taken this long to get an appt. for a second opinion. Then Friday.....double whammy chemo- another 4-5 hour day. Thankfully Linda is still able to take me- yet I know I have many others that have volunteered to go with me.
Next Tue. I go in for a port and then a week from tomorrow I go in for a CAT scan to hopefully see that the tumors are shrinking. I can feel the one in my neck has gotten smaller...I swear!
Tried to go to Tyler's baseball game tonight but it was just too cold and I left after the 3rd inning. I did get to see him pitch and he did very well. I am questionable whether I can go to his tournament this weekend- depends on how I feel and what the weather is doing. I do enjoy seeing Tyler play and want to go to as many games as I can.
Once again, thanks to everyone for all of the support, prayers and positive energy.
xoxo,
HTFM
"Thank You" Thank You
Hi Helene,
Thought about you a lot today while I was getting my walking in. Then I get home and see a card in my mailbox from you. I couldn't wait to read it because I had no idea what it was for...I should be sending YOU cards!! So I open it to see that it is a thank you for the chemo goodies and company from a couple of weeks ago. You really made my day because I really feel like "what comes around, goes around". I remember very vividly how much it meant to me when friends and neighbors did the smallest things to help me out when Scott was sick. I truly feel like this is a full-circle moment for me and I couldn't be more humbled to be a part of your life.
For those of you who don't know me: my husband, Scott was diagnosed with a non-hodgkins lymphona exactly 10 years ago this month. My daughter was 4 weeks old and my son was 3 years old at the time we found out. Needless to say, it was an extremely trying time for my family and every ounce of help was greatly appreciated. My family did not live close by so I truly counted on others to help when they could.
You are so inspirational and strong and I absolutely adore you. Hope you are finding today a GREAT DAY!
Thought about you a lot today while I was getting my walking in. Then I get home and see a card in my mailbox from you. I couldn't wait to read it because I had no idea what it was for...I should be sending YOU cards!! So I open it to see that it is a thank you for the chemo goodies and company from a couple of weeks ago. You really made my day because I really feel like "what comes around, goes around". I remember very vividly how much it meant to me when friends and neighbors did the smallest things to help me out when Scott was sick. I truly feel like this is a full-circle moment for me and I couldn't be more humbled to be a part of your life.
For those of you who don't know me: my husband, Scott was diagnosed with a non-hodgkins lymphona exactly 10 years ago this month. My daughter was 4 weeks old and my son was 3 years old at the time we found out. Needless to say, it was an extremely trying time for my family and every ounce of help was greatly appreciated. My family did not live close by so I truly counted on others to help when they could.
You are so inspirational and strong and I absolutely adore you. Hope you are finding today a GREAT DAY!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday
Hey there,
Baseball season is in full swing. Tyler has about 75-80 games scheduled and as much as I love going, I have had to pick and choose when I can go. Sat. nite was just too cold and windy for a d/h. I was able to go Sunday to his d/h and he pitched most of the first game and did very well with a "W". Jean-Marie, a friend I have had for many years, and her husband Bob came and cheered Tyler's team on. It was great catching up with her, enjoying the wonderful weather and watching Tyler play ball.
Leann is one lucky wife! She said her husband was a chef and she sure wasn't kidding! Leanne and her son Peyton brought over a meal prepared by her husband Tim yesterday. I think Tyler was purring while he ate! It was prepared so beautifully and tasted sooooo good! Yum!
My friend Denise is on a mission to make knit me hats! She brought over a really cute pink and white cotton one to wear around the house or at night. It is so soft and comfortable on my head. She also had a friend from her knitting group sew a night cap and her friend even made me a pattern. When I am feeling better, I would like to make these caps for people having chemo. The store charged $14 for these litttle night caps, and I think I could make them for under a dollar!
I am gearing up for work tonight....trying to relax before I go in. I am thankful I am not working full time. It would be difficult to keep up my energy level and keep track of all of these appts.
xoxo,
HTFM
Baseball season is in full swing. Tyler has about 75-80 games scheduled and as much as I love going, I have had to pick and choose when I can go. Sat. nite was just too cold and windy for a d/h. I was able to go Sunday to his d/h and he pitched most of the first game and did very well with a "W". Jean-Marie, a friend I have had for many years, and her husband Bob came and cheered Tyler's team on. It was great catching up with her, enjoying the wonderful weather and watching Tyler play ball.
Leann is one lucky wife! She said her husband was a chef and she sure wasn't kidding! Leanne and her son Peyton brought over a meal prepared by her husband Tim yesterday. I think Tyler was purring while he ate! It was prepared so beautifully and tasted sooooo good! Yum!
My friend Denise is on a mission to make knit me hats! She brought over a really cute pink and white cotton one to wear around the house or at night. It is so soft and comfortable on my head. She also had a friend from her knitting group sew a night cap and her friend even made me a pattern. When I am feeling better, I would like to make these caps for people having chemo. The store charged $14 for these litttle night caps, and I think I could make them for under a dollar!
I am gearing up for work tonight....trying to relax before I go in. I am thankful I am not working full time. It would be difficult to keep up my energy level and keep track of all of these appts.
xoxo,
HTFM
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