This seems to be my worst day so far.....last day of radiation and hopefully those side effects will ease up soon. It could be a couple of weeks before the radiation starts working. I am just not feeling well and am having a pity party. I am looking forward to that puppy to take my mind off of my troubles. 6 more days!!! Katie- Rob's cousin from Iowa- sent us a hot pink Susan G Koman leash- way cute. can't wait until she is walkable and I can walk again. I really miss my walks with Payton Jo.
I was so fortunate today with getting food! I am not real hungry (sweet tooth still reigns) but the 2 boys are hungry and I have no energy to cook. Linda Sue brought over this really refreshing frozen lemonade from Panera with soup and bread. I can always eat fresh bread. For dinner, Terese made moscacholli (sp?) casserole, g-bread and wonderful brownies with choc. frosting. How she had time to pull this off with a toddler and a newborn is beyond me. Don't know if I mentioned it, but Lynn brought over her famous rollie pollies and ham sandwiches after chemo on Friday. It only took us 2 hours to figure out how to post pictures to people of the new puppy. I am such a loser with technology.
I was so fortunate to have Karen M. take me to chemo last Friday. She has been through this herself and understands how much support it takes to kick this disease in the ass. I may have mentioned this earlier- but I do have chemo brain and am very forgetful.Gotta go- I need to lay down.
xoxo,
HTFM
Monday, June 14, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Puppy Pix!!!
That is the sweetest face!!! What a cute baby!!! I think you should go with Saddie Jo, Bella Jo, Daisy Jo, Emma Jo, Foxy Jo, Gabby Jo, Gracie Jo, Hailey Jo, Hannah Jo, Lacie Jo, Lexie Jo, Lilly Jo, Molly Jo, Roxie Jo, Sassy Jo, Tootsy Jo or Zoe Jo!!! If you do not like any of those...can not help you out!!!
My fav...Lilly Jo!!!
My fav...Lilly Jo!!!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A Puppy in 10 days!!!!!
Today Denise and I drove out to Peru, IL to visit some cockapoo puppies. In 10 days I am bringing a little girl puppy home!!!! I just can't wait, but they have to be 8 weeks old before they are separated from their mom. Soooo...I need a name and Tatiana won't cut it! Suggestions are welcome- but her middle name will be Jo after Rookie Jo and Payton Jo. Full grown she should be 15-20 lbs, and is darkish apricot in color- medium curly hair, with a white spot below her mouth- or as Denise calls it- "a soul patch." It was so difficult picking just one puppy out. The mom and dad dogs were on site- as they are family pets and are very well behaved, not yippy and are very social. Since Payton has been gone, this house is just too quiet- esp. with Rob and Tyler in MI for a bb tournament. I will sleep with a bb bat next to the bed. I did think about having a knife near me the last weekend when they went to IN, but I would probably cut myself.....
On the negative side, I am having some bad reactions to the radiation on my back. I had that severe back pain that I still am on meds for, but I also started getting nauseous, the chills, then the sweaty feeling, acid reflux and icky feelings in my throat and esphogus. The radiologist said it should eventually go away once I finish the radiation, and my last radiation appt. is next Mon.
Tomorrow is Round 4 treatment 2. Mi amiga Karen Morrison is going to be "Driving Miss Daisy" and staying with me during treatment as Linda Sue is in MI already. Linda needs a break from me and the whole chemo thing. I used to work with Karen at COD and we continue to keep in touch. I am so grateful for all the support I have had through this ordeal. Tia cooked homemade chicken and dumplings for us on Monday. Talk about home cookin'!! She also made cornbread, southern green beans and ginormous chocolate chip cookies! Yum!!!! It reminded me of my Grandma Brade's cooking as she used to make the same meal- but without the cc cookies!
Keep shaking those rosary beads and keep me in your thoughts!
xoxo,
HTFM
On the negative side, I am having some bad reactions to the radiation on my back. I had that severe back pain that I still am on meds for, but I also started getting nauseous, the chills, then the sweaty feeling, acid reflux and icky feelings in my throat and esphogus. The radiologist said it should eventually go away once I finish the radiation, and my last radiation appt. is next Mon.
Tomorrow is Round 4 treatment 2. Mi amiga Karen Morrison is going to be "Driving Miss Daisy" and staying with me during treatment as Linda Sue is in MI already. Linda needs a break from me and the whole chemo thing. I used to work with Karen at COD and we continue to keep in touch. I am so grateful for all the support I have had through this ordeal. Tia cooked homemade chicken and dumplings for us on Monday. Talk about home cookin'!! She also made cornbread, southern green beans and ginormous chocolate chip cookies! Yum!!!! It reminded me of my Grandma Brade's cooking as she used to make the same meal- but without the cc cookies!
Keep shaking those rosary beads and keep me in your thoughts!
xoxo,
HTFM
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Back pain from HELL
I am soooo drugged up right now- but at least the back pain has abated somewhat. I was ready for Rob to take me to the hospital on Th- even the vicodin wasn't working. The pain coincided with the start of radiation. The radiologist thinks that the back pain in not related to the radiation- I disagree. His thought was that lying on the hard surface for 1/2 hour put my back in distress. The oncologist does not think that the severe back pain is related to a new tumor- who knows? I haven't lifted anything- my peeps covered me in FL and Tyler went to the grocery store with me to carry stuff.
Linda, Rob and I saw the oncologist on Fr- he wants to do another round of chemo(3 weeks on Fridays), then have another CAT scan to determine the treatment plan. There really is not a set program for this type off cancer......it all depends on the results of the scan and how well I tolerate the chemo. They worry about non reversible neuropathy.
The boys are in Indiana for a bb tournament. It was weird being home by myself- no snoring husband or dog needing to go out.....I watched TV until 2:30 am- Mash, Friends, Criminal Minds.....
OK- so back to FL- Karen- the Queen of fluff and creativity came up with a rap that the group did- wearing hot pink swimming caps and our TEAM HTFM t-shirts with the sort of crooked lettering....What a HOOT! Each had their own verse- too long for me to write out- but the gist of it was being the fighting machine kicking cancer in the ass. Karen being the my old bf next door, Liz the southern bell, Holly and our kids being family and a mention of Thom and his short shorts, and then Denise and I as past teachers and fighting the fight with me. Too bad we didn't record it for You Tube.....what a fun memory.
xoxo,
HTFM
Linda, Rob and I saw the oncologist on Fr- he wants to do another round of chemo(3 weeks on Fridays), then have another CAT scan to determine the treatment plan. There really is not a set program for this type off cancer......it all depends on the results of the scan and how well I tolerate the chemo. They worry about non reversible neuropathy.
The boys are in Indiana for a bb tournament. It was weird being home by myself- no snoring husband or dog needing to go out.....I watched TV until 2:30 am- Mash, Friends, Criminal Minds.....
OK- so back to FL- Karen- the Queen of fluff and creativity came up with a rap that the group did- wearing hot pink swimming caps and our TEAM HTFM t-shirts with the sort of crooked lettering....What a HOOT! Each had their own verse- too long for me to write out- but the gist of it was being the fighting machine kicking cancer in the ass. Karen being the my old bf next door, Liz the southern bell, Holly and our kids being family and a mention of Thom and his short shorts, and then Denise and I as past teachers and fighting the fight with me. Too bad we didn't record it for You Tube.....what a fun memory.
xoxo,
HTFM
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Radiation
I started radiation on Tuesday for a tumor on my spine that is causing me some pain. The actual radiation lasts 45 seconds, the set up takes a while. I now have different back pain that is pretty severe. I am icing and taking 2 vicodin at a time. I see the radiologist and the oncologist Friday. I am so hoping that they won't want to do another MRI or CAT scan- as the costs add up.
I am so missing my long walks on the beach......there were so many beautiful shells. I found a 5-6 inch conch shell that had someone living in it. I debated keeping the shell- but ended up throwing the shell and it's owner back in the ocean. I couldn't have that on my mind- the slimy creature had a right to live, too.
Karen decided to make us all TEAM HTFM hot pink t-shirts- what a hoot!!!! She ironed on the white letters and she has all the "fluff" going, but making t-shirts is not quite her cup o' tea. My t-shirt turned out fine- the letters were not all attached all of the way, Denise's t-shirt was pretty much straight, however Karen ran out of M's and Denise had an upside down W instead. Then it got interesting..... Karen must have been having a little splishy splash as the iron on letters became more and more crooked and off center. Those t-shirts gave us such a laugh. I am hoping we all save them for next time!
Next blog....."THE RAP!"
xoxo,
HTFM
I am so missing my long walks on the beach......there were so many beautiful shells. I found a 5-6 inch conch shell that had someone living in it. I debated keeping the shell- but ended up throwing the shell and it's owner back in the ocean. I couldn't have that on my mind- the slimy creature had a right to live, too.
Karen decided to make us all TEAM HTFM hot pink t-shirts- what a hoot!!!! She ironed on the white letters and she has all the "fluff" going, but making t-shirts is not quite her cup o' tea. My t-shirt turned out fine- the letters were not all attached all of the way, Denise's t-shirt was pretty much straight, however Karen ran out of M's and Denise had an upside down W instead. Then it got interesting..... Karen must have been having a little splishy splash as the iron on letters became more and more crooked and off center. Those t-shirts gave us such a laugh. I am hoping we all save them for next time!
Next blog....."THE RAP!"
xoxo,
HTFM
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Back to Reality..
Words can not describe how beautiful Sanibel is!!! The house Karen was able to get for us- I walked out 20 feet from the patio and there was the ocean! The house had 4bedrooms, 3 baths, living room, family room, huge kitchen with a table that could seat at least 10! (not that we cooked!) The weather was gorgeous- hot, but usually there was a breeze and who cares about heat when one is walking along the shoreline, seeing dolphins, shells, sting rays, boats... The island was really not very crowded until we went to Captiva and then it was just because there is one basic road.
No needles, dr. appts- just forgot my cares, and was spoiled by Karen, Holly, Denise, and Liz. I slept late- and was able to take 2 long walks along the beach each day. We ate at great restaurants- I was in shrimp and crab heaven. One night I overdid the adult beverages and had taken vicodin and scared the crap out of Denise with my nightmares.
More later as I am in the midst of laundry, putting my stuff away and catching up. I am so grateful that I was able to go and really enjoy myself. I did miss Tyler's tournament, but he and r Rob managed to survive without me. Tyler pitched in the championship game and they won their tournament in DeKalb.
Life is Good!
xoxo, HTFM
No needles, dr. appts- just forgot my cares, and was spoiled by Karen, Holly, Denise, and Liz. I slept late- and was able to take 2 long walks along the beach each day. We ate at great restaurants- I was in shrimp and crab heaven. One night I overdid the adult beverages and had taken vicodin and scared the crap out of Denise with my nightmares.
More later as I am in the midst of laundry, putting my stuff away and catching up. I am so grateful that I was able to go and really enjoy myself. I did miss Tyler's tournament, but he and r Rob managed to survive without me. Tyler pitched in the championship game and they won their tournament in DeKalb.
Life is Good!
xoxo, HTFM
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