It's been awhile . . . so I thought I'd better bring you up to speed.
I've had all those three month check-ups come around already! On May 16 John and I went for my appt with Dr. B in the morning - she thought things were really going great - even better than she would have imagined. But she did tell me that it would be about two years before the bowel movements were "normal" again. Everytime I've gone in for a checkup she always says "wow your hook up is right there". Well this time she told me that when she examines me it always reminds her of being in the operating room, when everything came apart and she thought I would have to have a permanent ileostomy. But she backed up, prayed and then thought to herself - no Cheryl is a fighter, I have to give her every chance! I will need to set up an appt for a colonoscopy in August, but I will do that here in town, so I won't see Dr. B until November for my regular checkup. Of course on Thursday I had a sore behind (from the scope to check things out). I'm hoping that as we keep getting farther out, that will get better. Brody had his preschool program that afternoon, so John and I decided just to make a day of it in Omaha on the 16th. We took a drive to the Bob Kerrey bridge and John walked across it (one side is in Nebraska and one side is in Iowa) - I didn't think I could make the walk. Then we went for a leisurely lunch at Olive Garden (one of my favorite places) - then did a little plant shopping / sight seeing to kill time before it was time to go to St. Pius X / St. Leo for Brody's program. It was very cute of course - and Brody stole the show (at least in my eyes). On Mother's Day I worked a little outside and we went to Carrie & Justin's for supper - it was a great day! The next weekend was busy too - we celebrated Brody's 5th Birthday on the 20th (where has the time gone?). We all went to supper at Red Robin on the 21st - his actual birth day.
Also on that day John had made an appt with Dr. S in the late afternoon as he was having some pain in his legs - so Doc checked him out, sent him to their lab for some bloodwork and then sent him to the hospital for an ultrasound (to check for blood clots). The good news was there was no bloodclots - the bad news was we didn't know what was causing the pain. And we made it to Red Robin with time to spare for the birthday party. The Dr.'s office called the next day to say that they had gotten the results from the bloodwork back and that he had two prescriptions at the pharmacy - one was a steriod (three pills to take - one per day) and the other was an antibiotic; and a follow up appt was made on May 30.
I got to celebrate my birthday at Junction Motor Speedway at McCool Junction, NE. Initially we were going to go out way early and then have lunch at "Chances R" which is a great restaurant in York - but I wasn't sure that I could stand a whole day celebrating that far away! So we took off early in the afternoon - took Hwy 30 so I knew that I could do pit stops if needed. On the way out we stopped at Sapp Bros in Columbus where my friend Roxanne works - so I got to see her! Then we stopped at the WalMart in York where John picked up some cupcakes and a small cake so that everybody could help me celebrate at the pit meeting! Like it has so many times when we've gone to JMS, the weather was a little threatening so they ran the program off pretty quickly. We had also talked about staying in York if the races got done late, or if we got rained out completely. Since the races were done at 10:00 and we could get the check from the track right away, we headed for home. Stopped again at the Sapp Bros on the way home for a pit stop, and John had a bout of diarrhea - and then after we got home I had a bout of diarrhea (good old fashioned can't get off the toilet diarrhea - not the kind I had been having up to that time). All we can figure out is that we both must have gotten a bug - we thought at first maybe it was food related - but neither one of us had had the same thing to eat!
John went back in for his 8:15 followup appt on the 30th - what had been a small bump on his right leg on the 21st was now the size of a big bar of soap. Dr. S sent us to the ER - so John could be admitted to the hospital - by a little after 10:00 we were up on fifth floor in a room. From there we passed the time by watching tv and waiting for Dr. L to come in - when he did come in and look at it - his diagnosis concided with Dr. S's - that it was an abscess. So he went down to surgery about 3:00 - they thought it would last about half an hour. When they got done, they did not close the incision up, so that it could continue draining. I went and picked him up from the hospital at 4:00 on Thursday when they released him. Now we were supposed to go to US30 Speedway that night to race - but luckily the races were cancelled because Columbus had gotten too much rain. John was planning to go mind you - with me driving him there and not taking the racecar - he couldn't see any reason that he couldn't have done that! On Friday I had to pull out the "wick" that they had put in the incision during the surgery - it was like the magician and the scarves! I kept pulling and pulling (all the while thinking I had to have done something wrong) when finally the end came out and we threw it away.
I got a perm on the 1st - YEAH to have curly hair again! (John had gotten me a gift certificate for my birthday to my favorite hair / nails venue - so that was a pleasant surprise!) After I got done, I went and picked John up and we went to Applebee's for supper. Our friends Marty & Jacquie K. came in not long after we were seated, so they joined us for supper and we had a great visit! We decided that Jacquie, John and I had been together on that day 20 years ago, when the three of us and our Associate Pastor at the time (David H.) were on a Mission Trip in Rico, CO!
I went back for my checkup with Dr. S on June 6 - and they did bloodwork too.
On the 8th we went to Beatrice Speedway, Beatrice, NE.
Justin celebrated his birthday on the 10th!
I went to see Dr. L on the 12th, so that he could look at my umbilical hernia - to see about doing surgery. I'm planning to have surgery later this year, since all of my deductibles are paid again this year.
On Sunday, June 17 we went to Raceway Park, Jefferson, SD. Had a tire blow on the way there - luckily #33 Larry & Carol A. came along and added a second jack to the mix to get the trailer jacked up enough to get the tire off. By the time we got to the track we found out that the tread was gone off the spare, so thankfully we could borrow a tire from #92 Johnny O. to get home on!
June 20 was the one year anniversary of my bowel resection surgery at Methodist - and June 30 was the one year anniversary of my coming home from the hospital.
On the 22nd we went back to Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE.
Saturday, June 23 we went to Riviera Raceway, Norfolk, NE.
That weekend was very busy, as Jeff & Carrie went on the Great Nebraska Tractor Ride - unfortunately both of their tractors broke down on Friday. Thanks to Spence W. for following them home! They got Carrie's tractor fixed, so she and John (and his new Ferguson tractor) went on the ride on Saturday.
And when he got home we headed to Riviera Raceway, Norfolk, NE.
We took the convertible to the races both Friday and Saturday night, as John's truck wouldn't start when he went to leave the car wash Friday morning - and with the events of the weekend - he obviously didn't have time to get it fixed!
And on Sunday, June 24 John and I worked outside - because the yardwork had to be done - he did the trimming (grass, trees, etc.) and I did the mowing. Or should I say that we worked for a little while, then got some water and sat in the shade for awhile, and repeated that scenario several times that afternoon! Both of us wondered if we would be able to get out of bed the next morning - but we did - although we were both sore for a few days! That was about the beginning of our heat wave - which hasn't let up yet!
My three month checkup with Dr. H was on the 25th - Dr. H was not there, so I saw a Nurse Practitioner. My white blood cell count is coming up, but the hemoglobin has not come up as much as she or I expected. They were going to check my iron count - and I checked on that later in the week and it was in the "normal" level.
I really felt like my energy was starting to come back, and then all of a sudden I was having to come home and rest again.
Jill celebrated her birthday on the 26th!
Sunday night we got together for supper and also to shoot off fireworks. Last night we got together to watch the fireworks at Christensen Field.
Right now I am still trying to "even out" those bowel movements - I have gone back on the Welchol pills to try and firm up the bowel movements - we'll pray that does the trick!
Our friend Dan ended up doing a couple more chemo treatments.
And our friend Brian is working on his 8th or 9th treatment - so he is working toward being done. As a matter of fact I ran into Brian when I was at Dr. H's office and we compared notes a little! Also ran into my friend Diane, and we had a nice long visit too! Have been keeping Diane in my prayers.
The summer is going by pretty quickly - but I am liking being able to go along with the #31 car to the races!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
#12 Treatment and I'M DONE
I did my last chemo treatment (#12) on Monday, March 26 - and got the pump off on Wednesday, March 28. And then my family joined me to go out to eat at Village Inn on that night to celebrate! I was really glad to be done! Ran into my old friend Kathy that I haven't seen for ages that night too.
I had to do bloodwork on April 2 and April 9 - and both times the white blood cell count was up, the hemoglobin is hanging in there about the same - just about 10. I am still anemic, but the farther away from the chemo treatments we get, the better those counts will be too.
I will keep my port in for the three month check-ups so that they will be able to do the bloodwork from it. I can only do blood draws from my right arm (because of the breast cancer surgery) and I do not have good veins, and when they do get a needle in them, they have a tendency to roll. So I told Dr. H I would like to keep the port in as long as I can - he didn't see that as a problem. That means I will need to go in and get it flushed once a month - and I will have to see Dr. H every three months. I will also see Dr. B every three months - as well as Dr. S every three months!
Got to celebrate my great niece's third birthday with her in Columbus! That was the farthest I had been away from home since my reversal in October.
We celebrated Easter on the 15th - had an easy lunch and then the boys checked out their Easter baskets (with goodies, a bunny and a hoodie for each of them) and went for an Easter Egg Hunt outside! After that, they spent some time sitting in Papa's racecar and riding in the outside toys. We had a great day. After they had left - I went back in to my retreat on the couch to rest.
I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to update my blog sooner than this about my last treatment - there have been lots of things going on! When I logged in, I found that blogger.com has changed quite a few things - so I was doing a lot of navigating around the webpage to figure out how to do what I needed to do on here.
The gal that I have worked with at church for so long (she used to be my boss, and now I am her boss) called me on the 1st to tell me that she wouldn't be in to work that week. Her husband was just not doing very well and she didn't want to leave him alone. Things went from bad to worse and he ended up in the hospital on Tuesday, the 10th - and died on the 13th. The funeral was on the 16th. This went just as quickly as it sounds, so please keep Shirley and her family in your prayers as they all grieve their loss. As you can guess, things at work have been a little crazy - especially at this time of the year.
John and I went to the first night out for GOTRA at US30 Speedway on Thursday, April 26 - and actually I did lots better than I would have guessed. It was great to see everyone that was there - they even clapped for me at the pit meeting when said John how glad he was that I was able to be there! It had been a busy day - my volunteers put the newsletter together for me that morning - Nancy had purchased tickets to the Methodist Church luncheon, so we went there at 10:45 to have lunch (and it was GREAT as always). After I got the newsletter down to the post office, I went home and rested for the afternoon (I figured I wouldn't be able to handle the evening otherwise)! It started sprinkling about 9:30 or so (GOTRA had gotten in its heats and Trophy Dash, but hadn't gotten to their A Features yet) and about 10:00 or so the races were called. By that time it had stopped raining in Columbus, but the track was so dry slick that it looked like an ice skating rink. John already had his car loaded (as did most everyone else) and so we headed home. Unfortunately early Friday morning I was having diarrhea so I took some immodium and went back to bed. Got up and took my shower and then spent from 7:30 to 8:00 in the bathroom again, so took some more immodium. I called Nancy and told her what was going on and that I was going to stay home for awhile and see how things went. I went in to work about 10:30 or so. That made kind of a short, but busy day.
Got a shellac manicure today by my favorite nails lady - Shelly Jo - haven't had one since before I started chemo in September! Also talked about when I could do a perm - and thought we'd try it at the end of May. I would really like to do it a whole lot sooner - but patience is one of the things that I have been trying to fine tune during this whole process!
I am starting to see that my energy is beginning to come back slowly. Unfortunately, I am still having problems with my feet - I am hoping that it will go away, and I will be patient to find out.
Jay from church is only going to have to have four chemo treatments instead of six - so he was very happy about that - as was everyone else! Our friend Dan had to do two more chemo treatments, and should be all done with them by now. Our friend Carole was doing her maintenance treatments and we hope things are going well with that. Our friend Hollis had to have some tests done, but ended up getting some positive news, instead of the negative news he was expecting. Our friend Jim is now at home on hospice, but seems to be holding his own. Our friend Desi had to have surgery and got good news after she got out of surgery. Please keep all of these people in your prayers . . . as you have me for these last fourteen months!
It has been a long journey, but I never could have gotten through it with all the support of everyone letting me know that they were praying for me, pulling for me, and cheering me on! You have no idea what a great feeling that is. No one can get through anything like this alone - and knowing what a great support system you have is truly a blessing. I have to give a GIGANTIC thank you also to my family - John was there with me for every single chemo treatment - and the kids were so helpful in so many ways. Of course, seeing or hearing from the grandkids always made my day too!
Not sure how often I will update the blog now - probably will try to after Dr. appointments, etc. So if you don't hear anything from me here, give me a call - send me an email - or message me on Facebook!
I had to do bloodwork on April 2 and April 9 - and both times the white blood cell count was up, the hemoglobin is hanging in there about the same - just about 10. I am still anemic, but the farther away from the chemo treatments we get, the better those counts will be too.
I will keep my port in for the three month check-ups so that they will be able to do the bloodwork from it. I can only do blood draws from my right arm (because of the breast cancer surgery) and I do not have good veins, and when they do get a needle in them, they have a tendency to roll. So I told Dr. H I would like to keep the port in as long as I can - he didn't see that as a problem. That means I will need to go in and get it flushed once a month - and I will have to see Dr. H every three months. I will also see Dr. B every three months - as well as Dr. S every three months!
Got to celebrate my great niece's third birthday with her in Columbus! That was the farthest I had been away from home since my reversal in October.
We celebrated Easter on the 15th - had an easy lunch and then the boys checked out their Easter baskets (with goodies, a bunny and a hoodie for each of them) and went for an Easter Egg Hunt outside! After that, they spent some time sitting in Papa's racecar and riding in the outside toys. We had a great day. After they had left - I went back in to my retreat on the couch to rest.
I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to update my blog sooner than this about my last treatment - there have been lots of things going on! When I logged in, I found that blogger.com has changed quite a few things - so I was doing a lot of navigating around the webpage to figure out how to do what I needed to do on here.
The gal that I have worked with at church for so long (she used to be my boss, and now I am her boss) called me on the 1st to tell me that she wouldn't be in to work that week. Her husband was just not doing very well and she didn't want to leave him alone. Things went from bad to worse and he ended up in the hospital on Tuesday, the 10th - and died on the 13th. The funeral was on the 16th. This went just as quickly as it sounds, so please keep Shirley and her family in your prayers as they all grieve their loss. As you can guess, things at work have been a little crazy - especially at this time of the year.
John and I went to the first night out for GOTRA at US30 Speedway on Thursday, April 26 - and actually I did lots better than I would have guessed. It was great to see everyone that was there - they even clapped for me at the pit meeting when said John how glad he was that I was able to be there! It had been a busy day - my volunteers put the newsletter together for me that morning - Nancy had purchased tickets to the Methodist Church luncheon, so we went there at 10:45 to have lunch (and it was GREAT as always). After I got the newsletter down to the post office, I went home and rested for the afternoon (I figured I wouldn't be able to handle the evening otherwise)! It started sprinkling about 9:30 or so (GOTRA had gotten in its heats and Trophy Dash, but hadn't gotten to their A Features yet) and about 10:00 or so the races were called. By that time it had stopped raining in Columbus, but the track was so dry slick that it looked like an ice skating rink. John already had his car loaded (as did most everyone else) and so we headed home. Unfortunately early Friday morning I was having diarrhea so I took some immodium and went back to bed. Got up and took my shower and then spent from 7:30 to 8:00 in the bathroom again, so took some more immodium. I called Nancy and told her what was going on and that I was going to stay home for awhile and see how things went. I went in to work about 10:30 or so. That made kind of a short, but busy day.
Got a shellac manicure today by my favorite nails lady - Shelly Jo - haven't had one since before I started chemo in September! Also talked about when I could do a perm - and thought we'd try it at the end of May. I would really like to do it a whole lot sooner - but patience is one of the things that I have been trying to fine tune during this whole process!
I am starting to see that my energy is beginning to come back slowly. Unfortunately, I am still having problems with my feet - I am hoping that it will go away, and I will be patient to find out.
Jay from church is only going to have to have four chemo treatments instead of six - so he was very happy about that - as was everyone else! Our friend Dan had to do two more chemo treatments, and should be all done with them by now. Our friend Carole was doing her maintenance treatments and we hope things are going well with that. Our friend Hollis had to have some tests done, but ended up getting some positive news, instead of the negative news he was expecting. Our friend Jim is now at home on hospice, but seems to be holding his own. Our friend Desi had to have surgery and got good news after she got out of surgery. Please keep all of these people in your prayers . . . as you have me for these last fourteen months!
It has been a long journey, but I never could have gotten through it with all the support of everyone letting me know that they were praying for me, pulling for me, and cheering me on! You have no idea what a great feeling that is. No one can get through anything like this alone - and knowing what a great support system you have is truly a blessing. I have to give a GIGANTIC thank you also to my family - John was there with me for every single chemo treatment - and the kids were so helpful in so many ways. Of course, seeing or hearing from the grandkids always made my day too!
Not sure how often I will update the blog now - probably will try to after Dr. appointments, etc. So if you don't hear anything from me here, give me a call - send me an email - or message me on Facebook!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
#11 Treatment
I did chemo treatment #11 on Monday, March 12 - once again this time it was a shorter amount of time than normal. I got the pump off on Wednesday, March 14. Also on Wednesday they told me that I would have to do bloodwork on the19th - so there went missing out on that ONE day of not having bloodwork done. The word for this week was constipation - not a good word and not a word that I have been too familiar with. Starting the bowel movements back up after the chemo treatment has always started at a different time - usually by noon on Wednesday things had started moving again. Well this time things were moving, but not too fast, and very painfully. Carrie had picked up some colace for me and I had started back up on the miralax. I checked with my angel Nickole, Dr. B's medical assistant and she told me to double up on the miralax. Well the dam broke loose on Friday - so much so that I had to work from home so I could be close to the bathroom! Wednesday it also broke loose again during the afternoon, and then I was up early Thursday morning going to the bathroom - both times I took a small amount of immodium, which took care of the diarrhea. Now when I say diarrhea, it is not the same for me as what it is for most of you - for me the diarrhea means that the bowel movements are coming too close together! Nickole told me this process would be like a teeter totter - we would have to find the right balance to keep things normal. (Not too much miralax to get the diarrhea, but not too much immodium to slow it down too much!) So I am curious to see what happens after the next (and last) infusion!
One of the things that had been different with this chemo treatment than the ones before is that I had been running a temp at the end of the week of the infusion, but had not been running a fever on the second week. Another one of those weird side effects that has not been the same.
The GOTRA Spring Meeting was held on Sunday, March 18 - and I have to thank my friend Carol S. for helping me that day taking forms, etc. After the meeting, John went to Omaha, so Jeff and Brody and he and Uncle Richard could go fishing at Lake Cunningham. I went home to the couch, but I don't think it wore me out as much as the Fall Meeting did!
On the 19th I went and had my bloodwork done - and then I went and had my mammogram done. They did the normal shots and after the radiologist had looked at those she did three more shots - but after looking at those, the radiologist said everything looked fine. It was different trying to do the mammogram with the port in on the left side. I do believe that I had done my mammogram before I got the first port put in last March. From there I went to Big B's and got to talk to Sharon (one of the owners), who has had her own fight with both colon cancer and also lung cancer (metastasized from the colon cancer). It's always good to be able to sympathize with and encourage someone else going through this journey.
It's surprising how small of a kindness makes such a difference when you're fighting cancer - believe I can tell you that it does! That's why I appreciate everyone so much that has been praying for me, calling me, stopping by to see me and sending cards or emails or messages on Facebook - that truly has been what has kept me going through this long process! We are at thirteen months (as of March 15) of going through this journey now and even to me it seems like it has been forever.
My feet have still been bothering me, sometimes being tingly and sometimes feeling numb - John had asked Dr. H on the 12th if the peripheral neuropathy would go away - and of course Dr. H's response was that he hoped so, and hopefully that we had stopped the one chemo drug in time to do that.
On another note - some of the kids and a couple of adults from the senior high group at church decided to shave their heads to show their solidarity for Jay, who is battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma!
Also our friend Dan has finished up his six chemo treatments to fight Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Our friend Brian has started on his regimen of chemo treatments, which sound alot like the regimen I have been on.
Now on to #12 - the FINAL treatment.
One of the things that had been different with this chemo treatment than the ones before is that I had been running a temp at the end of the week of the infusion, but had not been running a fever on the second week. Another one of those weird side effects that has not been the same.
The GOTRA Spring Meeting was held on Sunday, March 18 - and I have to thank my friend Carol S. for helping me that day taking forms, etc. After the meeting, John went to Omaha, so Jeff and Brody and he and Uncle Richard could go fishing at Lake Cunningham. I went home to the couch, but I don't think it wore me out as much as the Fall Meeting did!
On the 19th I went and had my bloodwork done - and then I went and had my mammogram done. They did the normal shots and after the radiologist had looked at those she did three more shots - but after looking at those, the radiologist said everything looked fine. It was different trying to do the mammogram with the port in on the left side. I do believe that I had done my mammogram before I got the first port put in last March. From there I went to Big B's and got to talk to Sharon (one of the owners), who has had her own fight with both colon cancer and also lung cancer (metastasized from the colon cancer). It's always good to be able to sympathize with and encourage someone else going through this journey.
It's surprising how small of a kindness makes such a difference when you're fighting cancer - believe I can tell you that it does! That's why I appreciate everyone so much that has been praying for me, calling me, stopping by to see me and sending cards or emails or messages on Facebook - that truly has been what has kept me going through this long process! We are at thirteen months (as of March 15) of going through this journey now and even to me it seems like it has been forever.
My feet have still been bothering me, sometimes being tingly and sometimes feeling numb - John had asked Dr. H on the 12th if the peripheral neuropathy would go away - and of course Dr. H's response was that he hoped so, and hopefully that we had stopped the one chemo drug in time to do that.
On another note - some of the kids and a couple of adults from the senior high group at church decided to shave their heads to show their solidarity for Jay, who is battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma!
Also our friend Dan has finished up his six chemo treatments to fight Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Our friend Brian has started on his regimen of chemo treatments, which sound alot like the regimen I have been on.
Now on to #12 - the FINAL treatment.
My off week
On Sunday, March 4 Brody came to spend some time with me, and also to do some work. His school is collecting money during Lent for a homeless shelter, and instead of people just giving money to the kids, they were encouraging the kids to work for it. So we did some dusting and some window cleaning, etc. Then when we got done, Papa and I took him back home and Jill had fixed supper for all of us - roast, potatoes, carrots, pasta salad and no crust pumpkin pie for dessert! On Monday, March 5 I went in to get my bloodwork done and they told me that I would only have to do bloodwork on the days that I do the infusions, not on the off weeks (which would only be March 19 since I'm so close to the end). I had the option of doing bloodwork on the 5th, but I did just because I was curious as to where the white blood cell count was. The count was pretty good, and since we're not doing the one chemo drug now, the white blood cell count is not going down like it was before - that's why I am no longer having to do the neupegen shots too. My friend Cyndy came into church that afternoon, and as she always does when she comes in, really made my day! On the 6th I was feeling like I had lots of energy - so I went grocery shopping at Food 4 Less (I haven't gone to the grocery store, unless it's just to grab one item) for quite some time. Also ran into an old friend, Judy, while I was shopping and we had a wonderful time catching up! After I got done there I went to our neighborhood Dollar General to pick up a few things. (That is where I have been doing my shopping, picking up the things I can there - and John has been going to the grocery store.) On Wednesday, March 7 I had my regular three month checkup with Dr. S. He thought things were coming along fine - confirmed what Dr. B had told me about the hernia, but also gave me a couple of other things to watch for. I had done my A1C at the last checkup, so he said it was up to me whether we did bloodwork (cholesterol checking) at this appt or the next - I told him we should wait until the next. Besides taking a simvastatin pill every day, the Welchol that I was taking also started out being a cholesterol drug, so I'm thinking the cholesterol level should be good!
One night for supper Carrie had brought in some of her world famous broccoli cheese soup and equally famous banana bread. Our friends Spence & Michele dropped off a black cherry pie - it was to die for, I love cherry pie, but this was the best pie I have ever had! Rachel and Jake (part of our extended family) dropped off some casseroles for us - Rachel had also done this when I was doing the radiation and chemo treatments in March and April - and believe me Rachel is a great cook! I really have to be thankful to my kids and also to the Rehder's for watching out for us. It really means a lot and I hope that I will be able to do that for someone else when I am once again able!
Saturday was such a beautiful day that I had hoped to get some things done - I did get a couple of plants transplanted and spent some time outside too! I unloaded the dishwasher and worked on some laundry. On Sunday I did some more laundry and also ran the dishwasher. This is what my life has evolved to - trying to get as much done as I can at the end of the "off weeks", because usually I don't have the strength to do any of it during the week of chemo.
One thing I have been watching is my temp, as usually I would have a temp in the evening on my off week - I can NOT let it get up above 100.5 or otherwise I'll end back up in the ER - and I definitely don't want to do that.
One night for supper Carrie had brought in some of her world famous broccoli cheese soup and equally famous banana bread. Our friends Spence & Michele dropped off a black cherry pie - it was to die for, I love cherry pie, but this was the best pie I have ever had! Rachel and Jake (part of our extended family) dropped off some casseroles for us - Rachel had also done this when I was doing the radiation and chemo treatments in March and April - and believe me Rachel is a great cook! I really have to be thankful to my kids and also to the Rehder's for watching out for us. It really means a lot and I hope that I will be able to do that for someone else when I am once again able!
Saturday was such a beautiful day that I had hoped to get some things done - I did get a couple of plants transplanted and spent some time outside too! I unloaded the dishwasher and worked on some laundry. On Sunday I did some more laundry and also ran the dishwasher. This is what my life has evolved to - trying to get as much done as I can at the end of the "off weeks", because usually I don't have the strength to do any of it during the week of chemo.
One thing I have been watching is my temp, as usually I would have a temp in the evening on my off week - I can NOT let it get up above 100.5 or otherwise I'll end back up in the ER - and I definitely don't want to do that.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Chemo Treatment #10
I am so anxious to be done - so this far into it, I am really counting down - only two more treatments to go. I did the infusion on Monday, February 27 and got the pump off on Wednesday, February 29 - Leap Day! Once again they only did the one chemo drug this time - in addition to the steriods, benadryl and anti-nausea medicine. Although the treatment seemed to take about the same time this time as it had previously - we did spend a lot of time waiting for Dr. H to come and talk to us before we got back to do the treatment. I had asked Dr.H what would be coming next - and he said that they would have me come in every three months for awhile, then every four months, then every five months, then every six months before they stretched it out to a year. And with part of the checkups there will be bloodwork - so I asked him about keeping my port in for awhile, and as long as I get it flushed once a month it shouldn't be a problem. As a matter of fact he said he's known people that have kept them for quite some time. I cannot do blood draws or blood pressure on the left arm - because of the lumpectomy from the breast cancer so that only leaves my right arm, and I do not have very good veins. I never look forward to having my blood drawn - except out of the port - and that's only with the Emla cream.
The only side effect I have had this time is having trouble sleeping - I was up in the middle of the night for several hours on both Monday and Tuesday night. Last night I slept pretty well, but felt like I was still catching up. Also have had some more diaper rash this time. I have cut back on the Welchol, as Dr. B told me to do that if I was having any problem with constipation - which I have had, even without doing the chemo drug I thought was causing it. I haven't been so good about drinking a lot of water - and need to do a better job of that. One other side effect has been that I have been very tired this week - I imagine that will not get any better until I am completely done.
They decided not to do the neupogen shots this time - they will do my bloodwork on Monday, March 5 and see where my white blood cell count is. That would be great if it stays at a good level and that I wouldn't have to get any more shots through the end!
The laundry hamper is FULL of dirty clothes, so I imagine I will try and see what I can get done with that this weekend! John and Jeff are going to Sioux City to a Swap Meet - taking Jeff's car to promote GOTRA - so I'll have plenty of time to get something done.
There have been a couple of things going on at church - Pastor Jon's father-in-law (Jen's dad) had been admitted to the hospital in Arizona and wasn't doing too well - so Jen had flown out to be with him. He then took a turn for the worse - so Jon and the girls flew out as well. He had been put on hospice and they were thinking it was only a matter of time. Please keep the Ashley's and the Mitchell's in your prayers. Also one of our senior high kids has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma - they put a port in right away and have done one round of chemo already (he spent three days in the hospital). They are treating this very aggressively and we are very optimistic that he will be cured. In the meantime he and his family all need your prayers too please!
I really would like to thank everyone for all of their prayers and good wishes. On those days when I am feeling down (which doesn't happen too often thankfully) I just think about all the people that are supporting me and have been throughout this whole journey! I couldn't have kept my spirits up without all of you! Thank you.
The only side effect I have had this time is having trouble sleeping - I was up in the middle of the night for several hours on both Monday and Tuesday night. Last night I slept pretty well, but felt like I was still catching up. Also have had some more diaper rash this time. I have cut back on the Welchol, as Dr. B told me to do that if I was having any problem with constipation - which I have had, even without doing the chemo drug I thought was causing it. I haven't been so good about drinking a lot of water - and need to do a better job of that. One other side effect has been that I have been very tired this week - I imagine that will not get any better until I am completely done.
They decided not to do the neupogen shots this time - they will do my bloodwork on Monday, March 5 and see where my white blood cell count is. That would be great if it stays at a good level and that I wouldn't have to get any more shots through the end!
The laundry hamper is FULL of dirty clothes, so I imagine I will try and see what I can get done with that this weekend! John and Jeff are going to Sioux City to a Swap Meet - taking Jeff's car to promote GOTRA - so I'll have plenty of time to get something done.
There have been a couple of things going on at church - Pastor Jon's father-in-law (Jen's dad) had been admitted to the hospital in Arizona and wasn't doing too well - so Jen had flown out to be with him. He then took a turn for the worse - so Jon and the girls flew out as well. He had been put on hospice and they were thinking it was only a matter of time. Please keep the Ashley's and the Mitchell's in your prayers. Also one of our senior high kids has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma - they put a port in right away and have done one round of chemo already (he spent three days in the hospital). They are treating this very aggressively and we are very optimistic that he will be cured. In the meantime he and his family all need your prayers too please!
I really would like to thank everyone for all of their prayers and good wishes. On those days when I am feeling down (which doesn't happen too often thankfully) I just think about all the people that are supporting me and have been throughout this whole journey! I couldn't have kept my spirits up without all of you! Thank you.
In between
My in between week - on Saturday, February 18 John sold his 1996 white S10 pickup and bought a 1999 silver S10 pickup. Also on that night we went out to eat with the kids and grandkids to Wooden Windmill - what a great time we had. There was a benefit for Brian Emmons that night at Izaak Walton - John had taken a gift certificate "A Night in the Pits" from GOTRA and Ferguson Racing for them to auction off. After we got done eating John went back out to the benefit for awhile - I was pooped, so I spent the rest of the evening on the couch. On Sunday morning we went to church and then out to Wal-Mart - well I didn't travel too far from the checkouts before I found a bench! Monday I had my bloodwork as I always do on the off weeks of the infusion. Tuesday night I went to the Session meeting (our governing board at church) to explain vouchers, etc. to all of the Elders. I was supposed to have done this in January - but was running a temp that night, so opted not to go. On Wednesday the 22nd I had my three month checkup with Dr. B - I was sure that I had another fissure and she confirmed that I did, but otherwise was very pleased with how things are going. I had asked her about my little "pooch" and if I would ever have a belly button again - so she looked at my tummy - and told me that I had a hernia. But that she wouldn't worry about it for a year or two or five - I asked if there was anything I should look out for - and she said pain. The walls of my stomach are weak from all of the surgeries and that is what caused it. I googled hernia to see what I could find about them, and found out that straining for bowel movements might have caused it. So just one more thing to add to the list. At the appointment with Dr. B in January she told me that I would probably be very sore, and would probably have bleeding - that time I didn't have either - this time I did. As a matter of fact I had taken vacation on the 22nd and 23rd so that I could rest up to go with Carrie and Jill and Brody to see Disney on Ice on the 23rd at the MAC center in CB, Iowa. When I got up Thursday morning I knew that I would not be able to sit all the way there, plus all the way home and all during the performance. So I called Jill and was trying to figure out who could go with them - Brody's friend Lauren went with them - and they all had a great time! So now, somewhere along the way Brody and I will have to do something special just the two of us. Friday I went to work and then came home and made pasta salad (for the Airboat Club wild game feed) and also a chocolate cake. On Saturday Justin & Carrie went with me to pick up the Fremont SHARE boxes - then I came home and did some laundry and also cleaned out the freezer. On Sunday I was pooped out, but did end up cleaning out the refrigerator by the end of the day and running the dishwasher. And then it was time for . . .
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Chemo Treatment #9
Well I did chemo treatment #9 on Monday, February 13, and got the pump off on Wednesday, February 15. One year ago on February 15 - was when I had my colonoscopy and they found the tumor. This year has been a real roller coaster ride! Because of the problems that I was having with my feet, Dr. H did not do the one chemo drug this time - oxaliplatin. He didn't want the damage to my feet to get any worse - he believes that it was causing some peripheral neuropathy. This also cut the infusion time down by about an hour too. This chemo was what caused the sensitivity to cold in my fingers, and also gave me a weird feeling in my throat if I drank something cold. It was also easier this time to get the bowels working again - the chemo has a tendency to constipate me a little. I am not going to have to do the oxaliplatin the rest of the time. Knock on wood - no side effects this time. Dr. H did prescribe another anti nausea pill if I needed it - hopefully I won't. I got a neupogen shot today at Dr. H's office and will also get one on Friday and Saturday at the hospital. This has been a busy week at work - we did staff planning on Tuesday, February 14 - after eating our pancakes, etc. from the all you can eat pancake feed that the Mariners put on - we went through the calendar from March through December to come up with a master calendar. After work on Tuesday we took Brody & Brant's valentine presents down to them - Brody got a John Deere excavator and Brant got a John Deere dump truck. They were having fun playing with them, and it was fun watching them! Also had to do paychecks this week and the BELL will be mailed out tomorrow. Plus catching up on vouchering and writing checks. I have been tired, but made it through ok - have come home and taken a little nap a couple of days this week. When I come home for lunch, I usually rest before I go back to work.
Had a great weekend - even though it was very cold out! I needed to fill my prescription for my Welchol, so Jeff ran me to the pharmacy so I could pick it up. John went to a Swap Meet Auction in Hastings, Nebraska on Saturday to do some promoting for GOTRA. Pat & Denise came to town on Saturday night and we went to Brass Wok for supper. Sunday I stayed inside and hibernated - actually I worked on the computer all day! I have always been on the cold blooded side, but it seems that since I've been doing the chemo I am always cold - so usually you can find me curled up on the couch with my blankie! John got me a heated blanket for Christmas, and I have been using that too. Seems like I have been having trouble with running a fever the week after the chemo treatment, so I have to be careful about keeping too warm with the blankets - and keep an eye on my temp. And I do appreciate my heated mattress pad on the bed - so that things are warm when I go to bed at night too.
Guess that's about all for now - three more treatments to go and I am anxious to be done!
Hope you all got to spend Valentines Day with your honey (s)! I got the most beautiful pair of black hills gold earrings from John - not for Valentine's Day, but for being 3/4 of the way done with my chemo! He really spoils me.
Had a great weekend - even though it was very cold out! I needed to fill my prescription for my Welchol, so Jeff ran me to the pharmacy so I could pick it up. John went to a Swap Meet Auction in Hastings, Nebraska on Saturday to do some promoting for GOTRA. Pat & Denise came to town on Saturday night and we went to Brass Wok for supper. Sunday I stayed inside and hibernated - actually I worked on the computer all day! I have always been on the cold blooded side, but it seems that since I've been doing the chemo I am always cold - so usually you can find me curled up on the couch with my blankie! John got me a heated blanket for Christmas, and I have been using that too. Seems like I have been having trouble with running a fever the week after the chemo treatment, so I have to be careful about keeping too warm with the blankets - and keep an eye on my temp. And I do appreciate my heated mattress pad on the bed - so that things are warm when I go to bed at night too.
Guess that's about all for now - three more treatments to go and I am anxious to be done!
Hope you all got to spend Valentines Day with your honey (s)! I got the most beautiful pair of black hills gold earrings from John - not for Valentine's Day, but for being 3/4 of the way done with my chemo! He really spoils me.
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