Feelin' All Righty

When I just have 3 days of feeling ok- I tend to get in as much as I can and I tend to over do it. Wasn't too exciting- Polish Cleaning Day- me being Polish and the one cleaning...

Yesterday a former student invited me and 2 other COD people out to lunch. I have worked with her for 3 years and it is hard to say goodby! It was really nice to have a student buy me lunch!

Thanks to Lisa C. for a delicious meal on Monday. I can't believe that there are still people out there who make homemade pies- including the crust! Lisa made these wonderful chicken enchiladas, homemade salsa and this incredible chocolate pie.
the pie was hard to hide from the boys as the pie needed to be refrigerated. However, I did hide the pink m and m's that Tia and Shea brought over- yep- PINK M & M's!!!! Tia aslo brought over her homemade chicken soup (also good for the soul)great bread and cookies I couldn't hide- but did divide so everyone gets their fair share. Shea made me the sweetest pink, purple and white braided bracelet- I am all set with my M & M's for Friday- chemo factory day.

Miss Molly Jo is still a pickle and still has not decided that she wants to be potty trained. Yes- she is so aware of what to do and almost makes a game out of going potty inside at times. We have our last session of puppy kindergarten tomorrow, a couple weeks off then we graduate to continuing puppy class.

Tomorrow Jean-Marie and I are going to visit resale shops to get ideas for her shop. She is still negotiating on a store and is hopeful things will work out. Unfortunately- many store assoc. don't allow resale shops in their strip mall or center. So please keep saving things you normally would give to Goodwill or AmVets for her shop. Remember- 100% of the profits after expenses- will go to charity.

My baby started hs football today- 90+ degrees - 2 practices then lifting. He hasn't passed out yet- but I am hoping he goes to bed early. Enough of this sleeping until 11 stuff!

Keep the prayers and + thoughts coming.
xoxo, HTFM

got a buzz on...

That's right- you read it correctly! I decided I was NOT going to go through what I did last Sunday....so I started in right away with the "happy" drugs and the pain killers this am. So, I am doing much better than last Sunday- not weepy, not as tired, not suicidal and less pain- but it will probably catch up with me tomorrow. I kinda am jumpy and got the hoo-hoo going on, hopefully this blogy thing will make sense.

Had treatment #17 on Friday. I was thankful that Sharon could go with me. She had a goodie bag of treats and a trashy magazine- we were set to go. As usual, I fell asleep and don't remember getting home then slept it off for a few hours. I am just in a fog after getting all of the pre-treatment drugs and the Taxol aslo makes me sleepy.

Don't know if I mentioned it, but Jenn brought over a fabulous meal last Monday- Italian beef with peppers and cheese, cheesy potatoes and this jello fruit salald that we just devoured. Having friends cook once in awhile really has been helpful- esp. on Mondays when I am so tired.

Gotta go- tough to type with the jitters and a broken nail!
xoxo,
HTFM

"Krafty Kim"

Yes, my friend Kim who started this whole blog thing has been up to some pretty nifty crafting and you my friends will be the receipients of her work. Kim ordered "Hope for Helene" wristbands in hot pink! She added a pink bling to them and also made mini magnets that say the same thing. She is so darn creative and thoughtful. I will give them out when I see you and if I forget- remind me! They are very cool- may not go with all of your outfits- but who doesn't love pink! She sent them in this box that I thought was a cool gift and I opened it up and out poured all of these bracelets and magnets in little pink jewelry bags. Thanks my friend. Wish you lived closer..AZ is kinda a hike!

Feeling just ok today- took some anti nausea medicine and it helped. Mollie Jo and I went for a little walk- her 8 lb. body can't make it very far- only to the front of the suvbdivision and back- with a few reststops..... That is about as far as this body will take me- still having quite a bit of back pain. The boys are working out and it is jice and quite- I should take a little nap but am in the middle of laundry.

Once again- thanks for all you guys do.
xoxo,
HTFM

Chemo # 16 today

Linda Sue, Rob, Tyler and I talked to the oncologist today. Some confusion over what to do next...I will have 2 more chemo appts. then a CAT Scan and MRI. Then after those results we will decide what the course of actions is- possibly start an oral medication- that would inhibit estrogen production. The IV avastin I get by IV every other appt. has been in the news lately... The FDA is saying it is possibly not working so then insurance and Medicare won't cover it....The dr. said out of pocket costs a year is about $100,000. YIKES.

I received a package in the mail from Tracy, my sisrer-inlaw, Billy's wife. She sent me 3 different comfy caps to wear around the house and possily to bed! I am having trouble keeping caps on my head when I sleep. Two of these caps Tracy sent have ties in the back- which might help with my small head. One of them is white and super soft. It looks so comfy!
How very thoughtful! I guess the hats are handmade at an Artisans Exchange in Oak Park. At home, I never where a wig around- too uncomfortable.

After Chemo today, I slept from 1 until almost 6 pm! Yikes- I have never taken that long of a nap. Mollie Jo isn't in to that long of a nap. I think the boys left at some time, left her out of her cage, tried to block the stairs, but that little devil dog (DD) got around the fence, made her way upstairs and was crying out side my dooor.....true love!

I actually got to go out lasr night with 3 girlfriends to celebrate one of their birthdays! Big news-I had a Blue Moon beer and didn't get an upset stomach! We walked around Oakbrook and I just felt so normal, like a regular person- that is what I am hoping for- just doing normal things with friends, being a mom, wife, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, mentor, friend-nothing special- just a normal everyday person.

Keep shakin' those rosary beads, banging on the gong, saying the prayers- I truly believe all of your positive thoughts are helping.
xoxo,
HTFM

Hi Helene!

Hi girlfriend, thinking of you. I love reading your posts. I'm so proud of you and feel lucky that I get to experience a little of your journey through this blog thing! I love that you share what folks send your way, whether it be food or trinkets. No one takes it as you want "stuff." We all appreciate hearing what is going on in your day to day!

I'm glad you are feeling good on your one week chemo holiday! I can't imagine what you are going through and I pray for you every day. You don't deserve this AGAIN! Kiss that puppy for me and enjoy the feeling good days!

Love ya, Julie

Appreciate feeling "normal"

Since last week was NO chemo- I realize how wonderful it is to feel "normal". No nausea, not as tired and even had a mimosa last night! I just dread starting a new cycle this Friday. I will be seeing my oncologist, too. I have had 15 chemo sessions since this all started. I gotta remember the "normal" days when I get to feeling so down. I know I have already over done it today, as my back is really hurting and I had to up the pain meds and ice. This is such a hard thing to do- remembering to take it easy- even if I am feeling semi ok.

I received the sweetiest pink bracelet from Kaleigh's friend Haley. Haley goes to MI with her family and rents a cabin close to Linda's. I think Haley is in 5th or 6th grade. The bracelet has the b/c symbol on some of the beads. How thoughtful of her. Our family rented a cabin at the same beach- starting when I was 7- and my parents went for about 25+ years. Some of my best growing up memories were from Gregory Beach. The beach is very rustic, the cabins are around 100 yrs. old and have pot belly stoves for heat! They added on indoor plumbing before we started going there. Anyway, Linda Sue brought me home the cutest light pink t-shirt with "Gregory Beach" sewn on it with the b/c symbol below it. So thoughtful- my sister. I don't write about people giving me stuff to get more stuff....... I just am so appreciative of what everyone does for me. I receive cards in the mail sometimes, and they usually come on a day or time that I really need a little tlc. I know alot of you are praying for me and that too, is very much appreciated.

I think I will follow suit with Mollie- she is taking a nap and I am running out of steam- overdoing things.
xoxo,
HTFM

It's Been a While

Hey there,
This has been a hectic week and I kinda forgot to blog this thing. With potty training, early childhood puppy school and having to get up early with Molly- I can see why my friend Karen Mo. wants an older dog! She(Mollie Jo- not Karen!) had a vet visit and is up to 7 lbs. but should get to about 18ish lbs.

Thanks to Jana for a wonderful meal that she cooked on Monday. Tyler sure chowed down! I have talked to Tia ALOT- about just acepting what people are willing to do for me, as I don't want to take advantage of my friends. So, thank you Tia for straightening me out.

Last week, Sharon gave me the most delicious chocolate for my "stash" for chemo day. This chocolate that she got locally, is better than Godiva! But as you all know my "boys", I have to hide my stash- literally!

I finished up my summer semester with students and just need to do grades and paperwork. I start back up Aug. 24. I was suppose to work 1 night and 2 days next semester but thought long and hard about it...as those 3 days are the days I feel the closest to "normal". So I am not working on Thursdays for COD but am going to work at Jean-Marie's Resale shop on Thursdays for a few hours and try and see friends etc. I am limited to how much time I can volunteer with the chemo schedule. I am hoping that I can "drop in" and help out when I feel well enough. Remember to save your items for her resale shop. If you need to get the stuff out of your house, I can come and pick it up. Jean-Marie is still negotiating on a store site and is getting frustrated it is taking so long. My sister, Linda Sue, volunteered (kinda) to help Jean-Marie with the store floor plan and store arrangement. Thanks to Judy, Sandy P. and Doreen for donating their items for the shop already. The only items that Jean-Marie is not taking are electronics.

Once again, thanks for your continued support, prayers and + karma!
oxox,
HTFM