Psalm 116:7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
Yesterday was a fun day at radiation---I walked in and there was no one in the waiting room and all the staff was behind the front desk getting their pictures made for they were all dressed in costume. It turns out that they dress up every year. My 2 nurses were Robert , dressed as Popeye, and Milton, dressed as a prisoner. They were in a fun, talkative mood. When I left they wished me 'Happy Halloween" and gave me a sugar cookie that looked like a green ghost. It was from a bakery and very delicious--even better than mine and I really like mine. :) I don't have radiation over the weekend, yea!!!!!
One of my biggest problems now is fatigue and chemobrain (memory & intelletual problems). The chemo destroys good brain cells too so people have some short term memory problems , fuzziness of quanitative thinking, and other things. It drives me crazy for I am more forgetful than ever before. According to the book I am reading, it says our mental capacity does improve gradually but not to what it was before cheom. Oh, great....The book also gives suggestions on how to improve the brain such as lots of reading, doing puzzles, playing games, memorizing things, getting enough sleep (lol), writing, and changing routine and learning new ways to manage things. Also, I just seem tired all the time. I took the boys this morning to take a pre-ACT test then came home. I swept and mopped the floors and was exhausted by the time I finished so laid down and took a nap at 9:30 am. The rest of the day I have been doing a chore then sitting down and doing some kind of restful activity whether on the computer or grading papers, etc. I am feeling pretty good right now so guess the morning nap helped. Thanks again for your prayers. Love you....
Psalm 105:4 Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
radiation day 3
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble, He cares for those you trust in Him.
Yesterday I had my 3rd treatment of radiation. I got there at 3 pm and there were 2 ladies in the waiting room. It turns out that the computer for the machine went down and they were behind. One lady in the waiting room was on her 33rd treatment and today will be her last. She said that in all those 33 days, this was the 2nd time she had seen someone else in the waiting room. She usually waits 5 minutes or less and then it's her turn. The other lady was on her 7th day of treatment and she had never seen anyone in the waiting room. Here it was my 3rd treatment and the 2nd time I had seen someone in the waiting room. I just thought it was the norm. Once I got in the treatment room, it didn't take long at all. They didn't have to put any wires on me this time. My favorite nurse, Kim , was not my nurse that day--just Robert and Milton but they are nice too. While in the waiting room, the first lady said she was on an antibiotic cream for her burns. Yikes. The 2nd lady told me that she wasn't red yet but has been putting on the aloe vera gel 3 times a day. She heard that it was usually midway before you notice any redness. I forgot to bring any aloe vera gel with me to town and here I was staying in town until 8 pm. I went grocery shopping after my treatment so I bought another bottle of aloe vera gel (figured I'll need another bottle anyway) and then I went into the bathroom at church when I dropped off the boys for basketball practice to put on the gel. I was able then to get the gel on twice for the day. My treatment today is at 11:20 am.
I went to the library yesterday and decided to look for any breast cancer book that wasn't there before. I found a great one for what to do after you are done with treatments. It is called "After Breast Cancer: A common sense guide to life after treatments". I started reading it especially where they talk about your hair growing back, etc. It says that your hair grows an inch a month and usually is curly like a sheep or poodle but straightens out more as the hair lengthens. The book says that the eyebrows and eyelashes grow back in faster and also hair on the legs and underarms. . I have to admit that it has been nice not to shave my legs or my armpits. But I won't mind doing it again for that shows me that things are gettting back to normal.
Gotta run, my walking partner just called and we are going walking. I will let you know more about what I am learning in the book in the next few days. Thanks for your prayers. Just pray that I will have the energy I need to get through each day. I am so tired these days but so busy too. Love you all.
Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me.
Yesterday I had my 3rd treatment of radiation. I got there at 3 pm and there were 2 ladies in the waiting room. It turns out that the computer for the machine went down and they were behind. One lady in the waiting room was on her 33rd treatment and today will be her last. She said that in all those 33 days, this was the 2nd time she had seen someone else in the waiting room. She usually waits 5 minutes or less and then it's her turn. The other lady was on her 7th day of treatment and she had never seen anyone in the waiting room. Here it was my 3rd treatment and the 2nd time I had seen someone in the waiting room. I just thought it was the norm. Once I got in the treatment room, it didn't take long at all. They didn't have to put any wires on me this time. My favorite nurse, Kim , was not my nurse that day--just Robert and Milton but they are nice too. While in the waiting room, the first lady said she was on an antibiotic cream for her burns. Yikes. The 2nd lady told me that she wasn't red yet but has been putting on the aloe vera gel 3 times a day. She heard that it was usually midway before you notice any redness. I forgot to bring any aloe vera gel with me to town and here I was staying in town until 8 pm. I went grocery shopping after my treatment so I bought another bottle of aloe vera gel (figured I'll need another bottle anyway) and then I went into the bathroom at church when I dropped off the boys for basketball practice to put on the gel. I was able then to get the gel on twice for the day. My treatment today is at 11:20 am.
I went to the library yesterday and decided to look for any breast cancer book that wasn't there before. I found a great one for what to do after you are done with treatments. It is called "After Breast Cancer: A common sense guide to life after treatments". I started reading it especially where they talk about your hair growing back, etc. It says that your hair grows an inch a month and usually is curly like a sheep or poodle but straightens out more as the hair lengthens. The book says that the eyebrows and eyelashes grow back in faster and also hair on the legs and underarms. . I have to admit that it has been nice not to shave my legs or my armpits. But I won't mind doing it again for that shows me that things are gettting back to normal.
Gotta run, my walking partner just called and we are going walking. I will let you know more about what I am learning in the book in the next few days. Thanks for your prayers. Just pray that I will have the energy I need to get through each day. I am so tired these days but so busy too. Love you all.
Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Radiation day 2
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Things went smoothly for my second radiaton day. I had the same nurses--the guy is named Milton. They put the wire on again to measure the radiation. It read '5' but not sure what that means but he was pleased with the reading. I counted the seconds to see how long it took to zap me. Only 15 seconds each time. Wow---I'm there for a 30 second radiation treatment. lol. I was there for a total of 15 minutes. Not bad but then I spend an hour just driving to have this treatment. Too bad I don't have time to do things in town while there but I really have to rush home to finish up schooling with the boys, etc. So far there is no redness from the radiation. I felt some tingling sensations for a little bit but that is all. I am using the aloe vera gel so hopefully I won't get burned or at least not much. I am really tired today. I worked with kids at church which exhausted me but it was fun since I am teaching 5 energetic kids to scrapbook. Tomorrow I have my radiation treatment at 3 pm. Thanks for your prayers.
Galatians 6:2a Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Things went smoothly for my second radiaton day. I had the same nurses--the guy is named Milton. They put the wire on again to measure the radiation. It read '5' but not sure what that means but he was pleased with the reading. I counted the seconds to see how long it took to zap me. Only 15 seconds each time. Wow---I'm there for a 30 second radiation treatment. lol. I was there for a total of 15 minutes. Not bad but then I spend an hour just driving to have this treatment. Too bad I don't have time to do things in town while there but I really have to rush home to finish up schooling with the boys, etc. So far there is no redness from the radiation. I felt some tingling sensations for a little bit but that is all. I am using the aloe vera gel so hopefully I won't get burned or at least not much. I am really tired today. I worked with kids at church which exhausted me but it was fun since I am teaching 5 energetic kids to scrapbook. Tomorrow I have my radiation treatment at 3 pm. Thanks for your prayers.
Galatians 6:2a Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
1st radiation treatment
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Today was my first radiaton treatment. They assigned me a dressing room and I have my own locker in there to put my clothes and purse. Inside the locker is my 'gown shirt' to wear. It is long sleeve, looks quilted, has buttons that go in the front and short like a jacket. I put that on then wait in a waiting room right next to the dressing rooms. My nurse is named 'Kim' and she is really sweet. I don't know if I will have her every day or what but should find out soon since I go again tomorrow. They put me in this cold huge room with a huge funny looking machine. The bed that I lie down on is very narrow and of course, hard. The hardest part is lying still with arms above your head. They first took some x-rays to be sure they were in the correct place. This man (I forgot his name) drew a large circle on me with a black marker--will wash off eventually. It's kind of high up so have to be careful what type of shirt I'm wearing. lol. Larry says i can tell people that I have a tatoo--lol. Then the man taped a wire on me to measure the radiation. They won't have to do that each time nor the x-rays. The radiation itself did not take long to give. They do it at 2 different angles. Turns out that on Tuesdays, it is doctor day. Everyone sees the doctor on Tuesdays and we can see him on other days if we need to or have a question. So, I saw the doctor and I asked him if the radiation rays are getting both the tumor site and mammary lymph node site and he said yes. He drew me a picture of where the rays are going. It's a little different location than most women due to the lymph node. Then i asked about wearing a bra. He said whatever I am comfortable in wearing is okay. Towards the end of the treatment period, I might find it better without a bra but it's up to me. He said each person is different on how their skin is affected but he is fine with me wearing a bra. Yea!!! So, we'll just take each day as it comes. When I got home, I put on the aloe vera gel right away. I am going to put it on again before going to bed. I go for radiaiton treatment again tomorrow at 1 pm. I have a weird schedule this week but next week, I will be going each day at 9 am except on thursdays --then I'll go at 2:50 (because on Thursdays I am already in town most of the afternoon but wanted mornings on the other days). Thanks for your prayers today. I was a little nervous not knowing exactly what was going to happen but they put you at ease right away and were so good at explaining everything they are doing. Oh, the man took a picture of the markings on my breast and I said "hope you aren't planning to put that on the internet" and he thought I was serious at first but I told him I was just joking. Then he laughed. :) While waiting, I talked with an older woman who was complaining about how she found out about her cancer, and the care of people, etc. I sat and listened compassionately. Maybe God can use me there to be a listener and whatever else--comforter, etc. Just pray that I will not miss opportunities to be used by God. I am going through this for a purpose and one purpose may be to help others in similar situtions. Love you all.....
II Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Today was my first radiaton treatment. They assigned me a dressing room and I have my own locker in there to put my clothes and purse. Inside the locker is my 'gown shirt' to wear. It is long sleeve, looks quilted, has buttons that go in the front and short like a jacket. I put that on then wait in a waiting room right next to the dressing rooms. My nurse is named 'Kim' and she is really sweet. I don't know if I will have her every day or what but should find out soon since I go again tomorrow. They put me in this cold huge room with a huge funny looking machine. The bed that I lie down on is very narrow and of course, hard. The hardest part is lying still with arms above your head. They first took some x-rays to be sure they were in the correct place. This man (I forgot his name) drew a large circle on me with a black marker--will wash off eventually. It's kind of high up so have to be careful what type of shirt I'm wearing. lol. Larry says i can tell people that I have a tatoo--lol. Then the man taped a wire on me to measure the radiation. They won't have to do that each time nor the x-rays. The radiation itself did not take long to give. They do it at 2 different angles. Turns out that on Tuesdays, it is doctor day. Everyone sees the doctor on Tuesdays and we can see him on other days if we need to or have a question. So, I saw the doctor and I asked him if the radiation rays are getting both the tumor site and mammary lymph node site and he said yes. He drew me a picture of where the rays are going. It's a little different location than most women due to the lymph node. Then i asked about wearing a bra. He said whatever I am comfortable in wearing is okay. Towards the end of the treatment period, I might find it better without a bra but it's up to me. He said each person is different on how their skin is affected but he is fine with me wearing a bra. Yea!!! So, we'll just take each day as it comes. When I got home, I put on the aloe vera gel right away. I am going to put it on again before going to bed. I go for radiaiton treatment again tomorrow at 1 pm. I have a weird schedule this week but next week, I will be going each day at 9 am except on thursdays --then I'll go at 2:50 (because on Thursdays I am already in town most of the afternoon but wanted mornings on the other days). Thanks for your prayers today. I was a little nervous not knowing exactly what was going to happen but they put you at ease right away and were so good at explaining everything they are doing. Oh, the man took a picture of the markings on my breast and I said "hope you aren't planning to put that on the internet" and he thought I was serious at first but I told him I was just joking. Then he laughed. :) While waiting, I talked with an older woman who was complaining about how she found out about her cancer, and the care of people, etc. I sat and listened compassionately. Maybe God can use me there to be a listener and whatever else--comforter, etc. Just pray that I will not miss opportunities to be used by God. I am going through this for a purpose and one purpose may be to help others in similar situtions. Love you all.....
II Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Tomorrow I have my first radiation treatment. I'm a tad nervous about it--not sure why but I know it will all work out. I bought a bigger bottle of aloe vera gel--turns out it is the same brand that the center gave me. I will start using it as soon as I get home from radiation. I also bought a few shirts--bigger ones to wear in case I have to go braless. I also bought this undershirt thing that has some padding and it's not tight. (size is bigger than I usually would buy). It's soft and gives a little more support.
My hair on my head is trying to grow some. My mom bought me a hair treatment kit with shampoo, conditoner, and something to make hair thicker and fuller. I've been using it so will be neat to see if it helps any at all. Thanks, Mom. I had my blood checked today to see how my counts are doing. This is usually the time when they are at their lowest so now we will be on our way up. Yea!!! No bone pain today--- maybe it's finally over. I sure hope so. Not much to say tonight. Will let you know tomorrow how the radiation treatment went. Thanks again so much for your prayers. I sure do appreciate it.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Tomorrow I have my first radiation treatment. I'm a tad nervous about it--not sure why but I know it will all work out. I bought a bigger bottle of aloe vera gel--turns out it is the same brand that the center gave me. I will start using it as soon as I get home from radiation. I also bought a few shirts--bigger ones to wear in case I have to go braless. I also bought this undershirt thing that has some padding and it's not tight. (size is bigger than I usually would buy). It's soft and gives a little more support.
My hair on my head is trying to grow some. My mom bought me a hair treatment kit with shampoo, conditoner, and something to make hair thicker and fuller. I've been using it so will be neat to see if it helps any at all. Thanks, Mom. I had my blood checked today to see how my counts are doing. This is usually the time when they are at their lowest so now we will be on our way up. Yea!!! No bone pain today--- maybe it's finally over. I sure hope so. Not much to say tonight. Will let you know tomorrow how the radiation treatment went. Thanks again so much for your prayers. I sure do appreciate it.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday
Isaiah 12:4 Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
I went to church today--felt so good to be there. We had a potluck dinner there too so we stayed. Hope I didn't hug anyone that is sick for tomorrow is usually the lowest point in my white blood counts. It's been so amazing that I haven't gotten sick while on chemo. God has been watching over me and protecting me. I had some leg bone pain today---should have been over with by now so not sure why it's still bothering me but it's not too bad. I've had numbness in my toes and now it's spread to the bottom of my feet near the toes. It feels weird but I get use to it. Bugs me the most when I'm in bed. I hear that this might last for a long time--maybe for years. Yuck, but that is life. lol. I have been wondering about what I will be able to wear when I have radiation treatment since it gives you a 'sunburn'. That is something I forget to ask and haven't really read about. My friend who had breast cancer 3 years ago called me today so i asked her. She said her dr. wouldn't let her wear a bra!! What, no bra!!! No way can I live without a bra for 6 weeks. I'm just too big chested to do that. No way........ she gave me some suggestions. I will ask the dr. when I see him on Tuesday. I am always going places and doing things and not everyone knows that I am battling breast cancer and what I'm going through. My friend pretty much stayed home during her treatments but not me. Yikes, what am I to do? I will find a way....:) I''m very self-conscious about things like that. Thanks everyone for your prayers and concern.
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorced land and will strengthen your frame!!!
I went to church today--felt so good to be there. We had a potluck dinner there too so we stayed. Hope I didn't hug anyone that is sick for tomorrow is usually the lowest point in my white blood counts. It's been so amazing that I haven't gotten sick while on chemo. God has been watching over me and protecting me. I had some leg bone pain today---should have been over with by now so not sure why it's still bothering me but it's not too bad. I've had numbness in my toes and now it's spread to the bottom of my feet near the toes. It feels weird but I get use to it. Bugs me the most when I'm in bed. I hear that this might last for a long time--maybe for years. Yuck, but that is life. lol. I have been wondering about what I will be able to wear when I have radiation treatment since it gives you a 'sunburn'. That is something I forget to ask and haven't really read about. My friend who had breast cancer 3 years ago called me today so i asked her. She said her dr. wouldn't let her wear a bra!! What, no bra!!! No way can I live without a bra for 6 weeks. I'm just too big chested to do that. No way........ she gave me some suggestions. I will ask the dr. when I see him on Tuesday. I am always going places and doing things and not everyone knows that I am battling breast cancer and what I'm going through. My friend pretty much stayed home during her treatments but not me. Yikes, what am I to do? I will find a way....:) I''m very self-conscious about things like that. Thanks everyone for your prayers and concern.
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorced land and will strengthen your frame!!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
chemo day 8
Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.
Still having bone pain in my legs today--off and on. I've taken Tylenol twice. Seems it's lasting longer than before. Guess my body doesn't want to let go of the chemo effects. lol. I went walking anyway for I haven't gone in over a week. I need to lose some weight. I gained weight while taking chemo so really would like to lose some of that weight plus I was overweight anyway before chemo. Of course, chocolate chip cookies that Brandon made today sure won't help me lose any weight. lol. Haven't had any in such a long time.....they sure were yummy. My blood pressure was low yesterday so didn't take the medication for the hot flashes last night, and sure enough, I had a few hot flashes. Not as bad as before but still, woke me up and wishing I had the fan on. Today I had an echocardiogram --where they test your heart by sound waves. I have it done every 3 months for some of the medication I take is hard on your heart. I don't know the results but my heart sounded good. I was happy to have a female technician today for I usually have male ones. This week has been a busy one in going to the doctors or some kind of test every day which has tired me out and now radiation is about to start. Just pray that I have the stamina needed to keep going every day. I finally found some time and energy today to clean house. It was really in need of cleaning. I wasn't so tired today as I had been. Tomorrow(Sat. ) is a long day for Christopher and I are going to a government type of conference all day then the boys are going to a homeschool dance way on the other side of town from where we live. I hope there won't be any people who are sick at the conference--120 people have signed up. Wow!!!!Have a great day. Thanks for your prayers.
I Samuel 3:18 He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.
Still having bone pain in my legs today--off and on. I've taken Tylenol twice. Seems it's lasting longer than before. Guess my body doesn't want to let go of the chemo effects. lol. I went walking anyway for I haven't gone in over a week. I need to lose some weight. I gained weight while taking chemo so really would like to lose some of that weight plus I was overweight anyway before chemo. Of course, chocolate chip cookies that Brandon made today sure won't help me lose any weight. lol. Haven't had any in such a long time.....they sure were yummy. My blood pressure was low yesterday so didn't take the medication for the hot flashes last night, and sure enough, I had a few hot flashes. Not as bad as before but still, woke me up and wishing I had the fan on. Today I had an echocardiogram --where they test your heart by sound waves. I have it done every 3 months for some of the medication I take is hard on your heart. I don't know the results but my heart sounded good. I was happy to have a female technician today for I usually have male ones. This week has been a busy one in going to the doctors or some kind of test every day which has tired me out and now radiation is about to start. Just pray that I have the stamina needed to keep going every day. I finally found some time and energy today to clean house. It was really in need of cleaning. I wasn't so tired today as I had been. Tomorrow(Sat. ) is a long day for Christopher and I are going to a government type of conference all day then the boys are going to a homeschool dance way on the other side of town from where we live. I hope there won't be any people who are sick at the conference--120 people have signed up. Wow!!!!Have a great day. Thanks for your prayers.
I Samuel 3:18 He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tattoos
Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of God rule in your hearts...And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving the glory to God.
Today I have been feeling so loved and blessed by God and just rejoicing in Him. Nothing special happened, just feeling that way. :) You are wondering why I got tattoos. I am a lady who never, ever wanted a tattoo--still don't but today, I got 3 of them. Wasn't by choice though. Let me explain....I went to see the radiation dr. and today was "planning day". They took CT scans to see where they plan to radiate and then they tattooed me with 3 freckle size pinmarks. Two of them didn't hurt but one was in a sensitive spot so hurt for just a moment. The man who made the tattoos said it's a low ink type they use and should fade away within 5-7 years!!!!. Great....oh, well, you can't see them (I'm not showing them off) lol. Today was an embarrassing day for my left breast had to be exposed as they did the CT Scan and they put tape around my breast, then marked it, then tattooed it. Also, the guy took pictures of my breast with a regular camera. They better not make their way to the internet. lol. The doctor came in too when all the tape was put down to see if all looked well....but of course, you know these guys have seen thousands of breasts by now so no big deal to them. Probably have seen tons of breast areas that had mascetomies too. Anyway, they gave me a month's schedule for radiation. I start next Tuesday--10-27. Sooner than I thought but I am glad. Let's get this over with. He gave me some aloe vera gel and said I could buy a bigger bottle at Walmart or any drugstore, etc. Told me to use it several times a day to help decrease redness and pain due to the irritation to the skin. One lady told me she used it from day one and really didn't have a problem with it. Also gave me some type of deodorant to use on the left side. My schedule is really different the first week and it will take longer as they take x-rays to be sure they are in right spot. Then starting in Nov. , it is usually at 9 am except on thursday which will be at 2:50 pm (I requested Thurs. afternoonn since I am in town most of the afternoon anyway). I am ready to get started!!!!!
I am feeling better today--very little pain but still tired. I have a long day ahead of me but maybe I can go to my dad's house to rest for some of the time. I am to get my coumadin level check this afternoon. Hope it's good--last time it was too high. Thanks for your prayers.
Psalm 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body....
Today I have been feeling so loved and blessed by God and just rejoicing in Him. Nothing special happened, just feeling that way. :) You are wondering why I got tattoos. I am a lady who never, ever wanted a tattoo--still don't but today, I got 3 of them. Wasn't by choice though. Let me explain....I went to see the radiation dr. and today was "planning day". They took CT scans to see where they plan to radiate and then they tattooed me with 3 freckle size pinmarks. Two of them didn't hurt but one was in a sensitive spot so hurt for just a moment. The man who made the tattoos said it's a low ink type they use and should fade away within 5-7 years!!!!. Great....oh, well, you can't see them (I'm not showing them off) lol. Today was an embarrassing day for my left breast had to be exposed as they did the CT Scan and they put tape around my breast, then marked it, then tattooed it. Also, the guy took pictures of my breast with a regular camera. They better not make their way to the internet. lol. The doctor came in too when all the tape was put down to see if all looked well....but of course, you know these guys have seen thousands of breasts by now so no big deal to them. Probably have seen tons of breast areas that had mascetomies too. Anyway, they gave me a month's schedule for radiation. I start next Tuesday--10-27. Sooner than I thought but I am glad. Let's get this over with. He gave me some aloe vera gel and said I could buy a bigger bottle at Walmart or any drugstore, etc. Told me to use it several times a day to help decrease redness and pain due to the irritation to the skin. One lady told me she used it from day one and really didn't have a problem with it. Also gave me some type of deodorant to use on the left side. My schedule is really different the first week and it will take longer as they take x-rays to be sure they are in right spot. Then starting in Nov. , it is usually at 9 am except on thursday which will be at 2:50 pm (I requested Thurs. afternoonn since I am in town most of the afternoon anyway). I am ready to get started!!!!!
I am feeling better today--very little pain but still tired. I have a long day ahead of me but maybe I can go to my dad's house to rest for some of the time. I am to get my coumadin level check this afternoon. Hope it's good--last time it was too high. Thanks for your prayers.
Psalm 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body....
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Chemo Day 6
Isaiah 30:19b How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears, He will answer you.
Today has been a rougher day. I am having lots of bone pain. As the day progressed, so did the pain. I finally took Tylenol just a few minutes ago. It should help me rest tonight. My pain started out today in my teeth--I don't recall my teeth hurting before but it did today. Most of the pain is located in my legs, feet, and back. I have a high tolerance for pain so have tolerated it most of the day but now it's really hurting. I'm also experiencing lots of fatigue. I was really tired yesterday--took 2 naps. Today it really hit when I was driving into town to take my step mom to physical therapy. While at therapy, I took a short power nap on a table thing while my stepmom was sitting for 20 minutes getting heat and some kind of stimulation thing. That helped some but sure wanted a good nap but never got it. Oh, well, should sleep good tonight. I am so happy that this is the last time I should experience these chemo effects. I know we all get tired but this type of fatigue seems different than just being tired. Tomorrow I see the radiation doctor so should find out when radiation therapy starts. I will be glad to start it so that it will be out of the way soon. It will be tiresome to have to go to town every day for radiation , for it will mean going into town twice a day since we also have evening activities 4-5 times a week. But it is okay, for it will last only about 6 weeks. I hear that some have to have radiation for many more weeks than that so I will not complain. I am also happy that my town has radiation therapy clinic. I met a girl who had to travel one hour just to reach the radiation clinic in another town and then the hour back home. She did it every day for more than 6 weeks. I will rejoice in the blessings God has given me and one is that I don't have to travel to another city. Thank you, Lord. Another blessing is the meals that people bring. I haven't had too many but sure is a blessing when we receive one. A family of 4 kids needed to do a 4-H community service project and chose us and another family as their project. We recieved the meal yesterday evening which we ate tonight (what perfect timing since I was feeling so poorly). The meal was delicious along with homemade cheesecake (so yummy). Thanks Hayley, Rachael, and Caleb. I am praying that tomorrow is a better day since it's a busy day. Thanks too for your prayers. God does hear. I think that my chemo effects have been less severe due to all the prayers. Love you.....
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perservance.
Today has been a rougher day. I am having lots of bone pain. As the day progressed, so did the pain. I finally took Tylenol just a few minutes ago. It should help me rest tonight. My pain started out today in my teeth--I don't recall my teeth hurting before but it did today. Most of the pain is located in my legs, feet, and back. I have a high tolerance for pain so have tolerated it most of the day but now it's really hurting. I'm also experiencing lots of fatigue. I was really tired yesterday--took 2 naps. Today it really hit when I was driving into town to take my step mom to physical therapy. While at therapy, I took a short power nap on a table thing while my stepmom was sitting for 20 minutes getting heat and some kind of stimulation thing. That helped some but sure wanted a good nap but never got it. Oh, well, should sleep good tonight. I am so happy that this is the last time I should experience these chemo effects. I know we all get tired but this type of fatigue seems different than just being tired. Tomorrow I see the radiation doctor so should find out when radiation therapy starts. I will be glad to start it so that it will be out of the way soon. It will be tiresome to have to go to town every day for radiation , for it will mean going into town twice a day since we also have evening activities 4-5 times a week. But it is okay, for it will last only about 6 weeks. I hear that some have to have radiation for many more weeks than that so I will not complain. I am also happy that my town has radiation therapy clinic. I met a girl who had to travel one hour just to reach the radiation clinic in another town and then the hour back home. She did it every day for more than 6 weeks. I will rejoice in the blessings God has given me and one is that I don't have to travel to another city. Thank you, Lord. Another blessing is the meals that people bring. I haven't had too many but sure is a blessing when we receive one. A family of 4 kids needed to do a 4-H community service project and chose us and another family as their project. We recieved the meal yesterday evening which we ate tonight (what perfect timing since I was feeling so poorly). The meal was delicious along with homemade cheesecake (so yummy). Thanks Hayley, Rachael, and Caleb. I am praying that tomorrow is a better day since it's a busy day. Thanks too for your prayers. God does hear. I think that my chemo effects have been less severe due to all the prayers. Love you.....
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perservance.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Chemo Day 5
Hebrews 13:5 For He has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
May your troubled heart find peace and comfort in the knowledge that you are never alone. May God's presence ease your trembling spirit and give you rest. He knows how you feel. He is ever aware of your circumstances and ready to be your strength, your grace, and your peace. He is there to cast sunlight into all your darkened shadows, so send encouragement through the love of friends and family and to replace your weariness with new hope. (from part of a card)
Last night I started to have some bone pain and thought today would be worse but not so bad. It seems to be more in my ankles and hip joints. Also had constipation which of course I just hate. Sorta of funny that I had constipation today for I went to see the gastroenterologist (stomach dr) but all I really saw was his nurse practicioner who was really nice. I went for my primary care doctor wants me to have a colonoscopy--yucky!!! Only because I am 50 years old and sometimes having breast cancer can lead to colon cancer. I got to talk to the nurse practioner about my breast cancer for she wanted to ask a personal question about how my cancer was found. We talked about mammograms and how I was late in getting one and she is late now. I told her that if ever she or anyone she knows is diagnosed with breast cancer that they should get the breast MRI. That is my message to ladies these days. While talking to her, I realized that even if I had my mammogram on time, it might not have shown up at that time for I had just started hormone therapy after having a hysterectomy. The tumor was estrogen positive so probably grew quickly from the hormone therapy I was receiving. It might not have grown enough in the beginning for it to be noticed in a mammorgram. Of course, I don't know this--just speculating. I do encourage of you ladies to get mammorgrams on a regular basis. It is so much better to catch cancer early on. Many don't even need chemo unless it starts to move to other parts like lymph nodes. Anyway, I will be having a colonoscopy next month on Nov. 17. I dread the prep. Larry had this done last Feb. so sorta of know what to expect. Thanks to all who are praying for me. You are all so kind!!!! Love you.....
God is your stronghold, and with Him as your guide, you need never be afraid. No circumstances can block HIs love. No grief is too hard for Him to bear. No task is too difficult for Him to complete. When what you are feeling is simply too deep for words and nothing anyone does or says can provide you with the relief you need, God understands. He is your provider--today, tomorrow, and always. And He loves you. Cast all your cares on Him and believe. (from the rest of the card I posted on top)
May your troubled heart find peace and comfort in the knowledge that you are never alone. May God's presence ease your trembling spirit and give you rest. He knows how you feel. He is ever aware of your circumstances and ready to be your strength, your grace, and your peace. He is there to cast sunlight into all your darkened shadows, so send encouragement through the love of friends and family and to replace your weariness with new hope. (from part of a card)
Last night I started to have some bone pain and thought today would be worse but not so bad. It seems to be more in my ankles and hip joints. Also had constipation which of course I just hate. Sorta of funny that I had constipation today for I went to see the gastroenterologist (stomach dr) but all I really saw was his nurse practicioner who was really nice. I went for my primary care doctor wants me to have a colonoscopy--yucky!!! Only because I am 50 years old and sometimes having breast cancer can lead to colon cancer. I got to talk to the nurse practioner about my breast cancer for she wanted to ask a personal question about how my cancer was found. We talked about mammograms and how I was late in getting one and she is late now. I told her that if ever she or anyone she knows is diagnosed with breast cancer that they should get the breast MRI. That is my message to ladies these days. While talking to her, I realized that even if I had my mammogram on time, it might not have shown up at that time for I had just started hormone therapy after having a hysterectomy. The tumor was estrogen positive so probably grew quickly from the hormone therapy I was receiving. It might not have grown enough in the beginning for it to be noticed in a mammorgram. Of course, I don't know this--just speculating. I do encourage of you ladies to get mammorgrams on a regular basis. It is so much better to catch cancer early on. Many don't even need chemo unless it starts to move to other parts like lymph nodes. Anyway, I will be having a colonoscopy next month on Nov. 17. I dread the prep. Larry had this done last Feb. so sorta of know what to expect. Thanks to all who are praying for me. You are all so kind!!!! Love you.....
God is your stronghold, and with Him as your guide, you need never be afraid. No circumstances can block HIs love. No grief is too hard for Him to bear. No task is too difficult for Him to complete. When what you are feeling is simply too deep for words and nothing anyone does or says can provide you with the relief you need, God understands. He is your provider--today, tomorrow, and always. And He loves you. Cast all your cares on Him and believe. (from the rest of the card I posted on top)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Chemo Day3 and 4
There are times in our lives when we stop and wonder what does it all mean, why do things happen the way they do...I wish I had the answer for you . I wish I knew exactly what to say to ease your pain and make sense of all this, but I don't . All I can do is tell you how much I care about you, that I'm here for you, and that you are in my heart and my thoughts. (from a card)
Yesterday, Sunday, was a pretty good day. I went to church which was the highlight of my day. I received lots of encouragement while there which meant alot to me. It was great to sit with a friend I've not seen in a long time. Thanks, Vanessa, for your encouraging smile and words. It encourages me too when I hear of others who are reading this blog for I really don't know who all reads this. Thanks to each one of you who care enough to find out what is happening in my life. The only chemo side effects I could notice yesterday was flushing of the cheeks and fatigue.
Today I woke up with a severe pain on my lower right side (thought it was just a full bladder but the pain stayed for a couple of hours or so). I've not had pain there before so not sure what that was all about but sure bothered me. I got up and did quiet time then decided I was really tired too so went back to bed (at 8:30 am) and fell asleep which is unusual for me. I am feeling better now (noontime). I know the chemo side effects (bone pain ) should be hitting soon--tomorrow maybe. It takes 3 days for the chemo to exit my body so today I am washing all my covers and clothes. I am to wash it separate from the rest of the family. Larry doesn't even sleep with me those 3 days so I know he is ready to be in his own bed tonight. lol. So nice to know that is the last time I have to separate my clothes from the others and for Larry to separate himself from me. It has been easier for Larry after Sarah moved out of the house so he can sleep in her bedroom. Well, thanks for your prayers. Will really need them for the next few days as the chemo effects hit. Love you all.....
II Corinthians 1:9b But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
Yesterday, Sunday, was a pretty good day. I went to church which was the highlight of my day. I received lots of encouragement while there which meant alot to me. It was great to sit with a friend I've not seen in a long time. Thanks, Vanessa, for your encouraging smile and words. It encourages me too when I hear of others who are reading this blog for I really don't know who all reads this. Thanks to each one of you who care enough to find out what is happening in my life. The only chemo side effects I could notice yesterday was flushing of the cheeks and fatigue.
Today I woke up with a severe pain on my lower right side (thought it was just a full bladder but the pain stayed for a couple of hours or so). I've not had pain there before so not sure what that was all about but sure bothered me. I got up and did quiet time then decided I was really tired too so went back to bed (at 8:30 am) and fell asleep which is unusual for me. I am feeling better now (noontime). I know the chemo side effects (bone pain ) should be hitting soon--tomorrow maybe. It takes 3 days for the chemo to exit my body so today I am washing all my covers and clothes. I am to wash it separate from the rest of the family. Larry doesn't even sleep with me those 3 days so I know he is ready to be in his own bed tonight. lol. So nice to know that is the last time I have to separate my clothes from the others and for Larry to separate himself from me. It has been easier for Larry after Sarah moved out of the house so he can sleep in her bedroom. Well, thanks for your prayers. Will really need them for the next few days as the chemo effects hit. Love you all.....
II Corinthians 1:9b But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Chemo Day 2
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen
Chemo Day 2 wasn't too bad. My cheeks were quite flushed and felt hot but no fever. I was tired throughout the day but could have been from a lack of sleep too. I went through the my first night without a hot flash-yea!!! Guess the medication is finally working. It has been mild so I knew things were better. I am having some mouth sores which I've not had in the past couple of chemotherapys but this time I am. Funny how each time can be a different. I started back with mouth rinses. I am going to risk it today for I am going to church. I miss going and Larry has decided not to go this morning and I know my daughter will be there and the boys want to go. I will be careful and stay away from anyone coughing, etc. Have a great day. Thanks for all your prayers. It has been great to covered by so much prayer. I know that is the reason I've been able to go through chemo without too much problems. Love you all......
From a card I got 2 days ago: Every day has a chance--A chance to listen , to speak. To hear the call of opportunity--With which to begin a fresh start, a great day. A new experience--to feel, to live. To touch the heart of another--And through this a chance to be open ,to be free , a chance to be yourself. Every day has hope that the trees will grow taller, that the flowers will shine brighter, and in all of these wonderful things, every day has a chance to be happy.
Chemo Day 2 wasn't too bad. My cheeks were quite flushed and felt hot but no fever. I was tired throughout the day but could have been from a lack of sleep too. I went through the my first night without a hot flash-yea!!! Guess the medication is finally working. It has been mild so I knew things were better. I am having some mouth sores which I've not had in the past couple of chemotherapys but this time I am. Funny how each time can be a different. I started back with mouth rinses. I am going to risk it today for I am going to church. I miss going and Larry has decided not to go this morning and I know my daughter will be there and the boys want to go. I will be careful and stay away from anyone coughing, etc. Have a great day. Thanks for all your prayers. It has been great to covered by so much prayer. I know that is the reason I've been able to go through chemo without too much problems. Love you all......
From a card I got 2 days ago: Every day has a chance--A chance to listen , to speak. To hear the call of opportunity--With which to begin a fresh start, a great day. A new experience--to feel, to live. To touch the heart of another--And through this a chance to be open ,to be free , a chance to be yourself. Every day has hope that the trees will grow taller, that the flowers will shine brighter, and in all of these wonderful things, every day has a chance to be happy.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Last Chemo first day
Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise His Holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like thr eagle.
Praise the Lord, I am done with getting chemo!!!! I never thought this day would come and here it is. Yea!!!! First I visited with the doctor. I will be starting radiation in about 3 weeks or so. I have an appt. with the radiation dr. next Thursday to set up my radiation times. Also, I will now go every 3 weeks to receive my herceptin medication instead of every week. The dosage will be higher but it equals to what I've been receiving every week for a 3 week period. I guess since I won't be getting chemo, my body can handle the higher dose.
The nurses in the chemo clinic are getting to know me so well these days--they are like family at times. I usually have one nurse tending to me but for some reason I had all 3 nurses taking care of me at various times. We had fun visiting, joking, and just having fun. My mom came to spend this last chemo day with me. She brought me a gift to celebrate this exciting day---a pink snuggie. I used it as a blanket while there--it is so cold in the chemo clinic. We visited and then played Yahtzee. I was there for about 6 hours. I was tired all day but other than that it was okay. My mom brought me home then she left around 5:30 to go on home before it gets dark (she lives 2 hours away). Luckily, my neighbor CJ paid Melissa to bring us a meal so we didn't have to do any cooking. It was a delicious lasagna meal. Thanks CJ and Melissa. Since I postponed my chemo so I could go to Washington DC, that means I'll be dealing with the chemo side effects during the week instead of the weekend. I will be busy this week so I do dread having to deal with the bone pain and having to do what I need to do. Oh, well, God will give me the strength to carry on. I had these other things planned way before I knew I was going to postpone chemo. It will all work out...
I have some exciting news--my hair is starting to grow. I noticed that the other day my head was getting a little fuzzy looking. Cool. It is blonde looking so hopefully my hair will stay blonde. I hope this chemo I just had won't make it come back out but we'll see. I am ready for my eyelashes to come too. But the hair under my arms and legs can take their time in growing. lol Well, thanks for all your prayers. I love you all.....
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.
Praise the Lord, I am done with getting chemo!!!! I never thought this day would come and here it is. Yea!!!! First I visited with the doctor. I will be starting radiation in about 3 weeks or so. I have an appt. with the radiation dr. next Thursday to set up my radiation times. Also, I will now go every 3 weeks to receive my herceptin medication instead of every week. The dosage will be higher but it equals to what I've been receiving every week for a 3 week period. I guess since I won't be getting chemo, my body can handle the higher dose.
The nurses in the chemo clinic are getting to know me so well these days--they are like family at times. I usually have one nurse tending to me but for some reason I had all 3 nurses taking care of me at various times. We had fun visiting, joking, and just having fun. My mom came to spend this last chemo day with me. She brought me a gift to celebrate this exciting day---a pink snuggie. I used it as a blanket while there--it is so cold in the chemo clinic. We visited and then played Yahtzee. I was there for about 6 hours. I was tired all day but other than that it was okay. My mom brought me home then she left around 5:30 to go on home before it gets dark (she lives 2 hours away). Luckily, my neighbor CJ paid Melissa to bring us a meal so we didn't have to do any cooking. It was a delicious lasagna meal. Thanks CJ and Melissa. Since I postponed my chemo so I could go to Washington DC, that means I'll be dealing with the chemo side effects during the week instead of the weekend. I will be busy this week so I do dread having to deal with the bone pain and having to do what I need to do. Oh, well, God will give me the strength to carry on. I had these other things planned way before I knew I was going to postpone chemo. It will all work out...
I have some exciting news--my hair is starting to grow. I noticed that the other day my head was getting a little fuzzy looking. Cool. It is blonde looking so hopefully my hair will stay blonde. I hope this chemo I just had won't make it come back out but we'll see. I am ready for my eyelashes to come too. But the hair under my arms and legs can take their time in growing. lol Well, thanks for all your prayers. I love you all.....
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Support group
Jeremiah 31:13 I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Last night I went to our breast cancer support group called Survivor Sisters. This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we had a celebration time with cake, fruit, punch, etc and door prizes. The radiologist of the women's imaging center and one of her workers there are the ones who started and run our support group. I talked to the radiologist and asked her if she knew Dr. Harms, the one I met in DC who pioneered the breast MRI and she said yes, she knew of him. I told her that I rode in the cab with him and at that time had no idea who he was. I wished I had known so I could have thanked him for pioneeering the breast MRI which I believe has been used by God to help me live longer here on earth. I met 2 ladies there who have been survivors for 2-3 years and they shared with me some of the things I can look forward to. Doesn't sound all that great for after I finish with the herceptin, I will be taking an oral medication and apparently it has all kinds of side effects such as bone and joint pain. I get that with the chemo I am now taking but this pill is a daily thing for 5 years!!!! Yuck.....just when I thought things were getting better. Oh, well....each person is different so we'll see how it affects me. One lady had gone through radiation and said it was a breeze but just a nuisance in having to go every day. She told me to be sure to start putting on the Aloe Vera gel the first day and not wait until it gets red. She only got burned in one little spot. Radiation is next and maybe today I'll find out when I start.
Well, today I am going in for my last chemo. Time to celebrate!!!!! I am so happy to get this part of my cancer treatment done with. I will still be going to the chemo clinic to recieve my herceptin for many more months but at least it doesn't take too long nor does it bother me. Thanks for your prayers and support during my chemotherapy. My mom is coming in today to be with me for my last treatment and then she'll take me home. How sweet--thanks Mom.
II Corinthians 4:16,18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Last night I went to our breast cancer support group called Survivor Sisters. This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we had a celebration time with cake, fruit, punch, etc and door prizes. The radiologist of the women's imaging center and one of her workers there are the ones who started and run our support group. I talked to the radiologist and asked her if she knew Dr. Harms, the one I met in DC who pioneered the breast MRI and she said yes, she knew of him. I told her that I rode in the cab with him and at that time had no idea who he was. I wished I had known so I could have thanked him for pioneeering the breast MRI which I believe has been used by God to help me live longer here on earth. I met 2 ladies there who have been survivors for 2-3 years and they shared with me some of the things I can look forward to. Doesn't sound all that great for after I finish with the herceptin, I will be taking an oral medication and apparently it has all kinds of side effects such as bone and joint pain. I get that with the chemo I am now taking but this pill is a daily thing for 5 years!!!! Yuck.....just when I thought things were getting better. Oh, well....each person is different so we'll see how it affects me. One lady had gone through radiation and said it was a breeze but just a nuisance in having to go every day. She told me to be sure to start putting on the Aloe Vera gel the first day and not wait until it gets red. She only got burned in one little spot. Radiation is next and maybe today I'll find out when I start.
Well, today I am going in for my last chemo. Time to celebrate!!!!! I am so happy to get this part of my cancer treatment done with. I will still be going to the chemo clinic to recieve my herceptin for many more months but at least it doesn't take too long nor does it bother me. Thanks for your prayers and support during my chemotherapy. My mom is coming in today to be with me for my last treatment and then she'll take me home. How sweet--thanks Mom.
II Corinthians 4:16,18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Washington DC trip
Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plan I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
What a trip!!! Had it's adventures and quite a whirlwind of a trip but interesting. I was so exhausted when I got home. To start off, I had an unexpected adventure in just getting to DC. I left my home town around 7:20 am to go to Dallas. It was raining when we left so the pilot took a different and longer route to get to Dallas. Before we were to arrive there, the window in the cockpit cracked which made it unsafe to continue so we made an emergency landing in Waco. They didn't have any planes for us to take (this made our newspaper news but it was wrong for it stated that passengers took flights from there but we didn't ) so they put all of us including the pilot and crew on a bus to Dallas. Of course, that means most of us missed out connecting flights including me. I was able to get another flight at 12:50 (my first one was at 10:20) and arrived in DC at 4:40. Well, I was to be at a meeting in DC at 4 pm so of course, I missed the advocacy and training meeting. I took the metro from the airport to a station close to the hotel. Had to walk to the hotel about 2 1/2 long blocks. When I first got out of the metro station, I was a little confused on which direction to go so I asked someone standing at a light and they pointing me in the right direction. I made it to the hotel at 5:55. So I quickly went to my room, changed shoes and put on some lipstick and went back downstairs to make it to the dinner at 6 pm. I walked in the banquet hall and people were already getting their dinner and milling about. I asked a man where Jenna (the lady that arranged my trip there and who I contacted that i was late) but she wasn't in the room yet. I realized people were getting their dinner by tables. For a moment, I felt so totally out of place and just wanted to cry but got up my courage and got dinner then looked for a place to sit. I noticed a table with only 2 women so asked if I could join them. One lady, Judy, was so sweet so I sat next to her. She and I became friends for the rest of our stay there. Thanks Judy for your kindness and friendship!!! :) The other lady sitting there was sick with a temp of 102. Great, I thought, when I am trying to stay away from people with sickness. I really felt sorry for her though. Some other people came over to the table and I met the young women who were putting this together. They were so young--I was quite amazed but so sweet and enthusiastic about what they were doing. The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (the group I was with) hired this company to arrange this meeting with legislators, press conference, and the whole trip for us. These young women worked for this company and this is what they do all the time. These ladies explained a little on what I missed at the meeting so at least I sorta of knew what I was to do. After dinner I went to my room (I didn't have a roomate so was all alone) and I read all the papers they gave me and then rehearsed my 'speech' including some of the points they wanted us to make. Went to bed late since I was not used to that time zone. lol. The next morning, we left hotel by taxi cabs and went to Capitol Hill Club for breakfast. I rode in a cab with a lady from Indiana and a dr. from arkansas. The dr. is a radiologist and he was one of the speakers at the press conference. I later found out from a lady who lives in the same town as he does that he is the one who pioneered the breast MRI!!! Wish I had known that for I would have told him how grateful I am to him then for that is what 'saved' my life. I told the lady to tell him my story and she said would. Breakfast was great. I sat with Judy and many others. It was interesting to see the different kinds of cancer people had who were there.
There were lots of colon cancer survivors and they even have this calendar called "Colonar" and there were pictures of survivors showing off their scars. I was also amazed how young many of these survivors were. We had a few older ones but many were close to my age and younger. After breakfast, we walked to the Rayburn building for a press conference. Everytime you go into these government you have to be scanned. They had given all of us T-shirts to wear at the press conference which made quite a statement. There were probably about 40 or more of us. I was interviewed by one of the young women to tell my story and it was in front of a camera. I was nervous but it was fun. During the press conference, we had several speakers--first one was the man head of the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition, then the radiologis I mentioned earlier, then a cardiac dr., then some survivors that are in charge of cancer groups--one for colon cancer, one for liver cancer, and one for pulmonary fibrosis. I had to leave then to go to my meeting with a legislator. I was in a group with 3 other people from Texas and we talked to Mike Burgess from Lewisville/Ft Worth area. He was one of the 2 Rebublicans that was to be talked to and was supportive already to our cause so we were mainly there to thank him and encourage him to continue to stay that way which he assured us he would. He only had 15 minutes so we had to talk quickly. We each shared our story. I thought he was getting a little emotional when I told him my story. He was so nice and caring. He had lost his boss just last year to cancer so understood what we were going through. After my meeting with him, I was on my own to do whatever until I had to fly home. It seems weird that I was there for only one meeting and the press conference but whatever, they paid my expenses. I had made arrangements to meet with Judy to go visit museums. While walking, we met up with another lady who Judy had met in her group. This lady had a liver transplant so she told us her story. It is amazing that she is alive today and looking so good. I talked to her later for we rode the metro together to the airport. She left us to see the art museum and we went on to the Holocaust museum which was quite a far from where we started. We were wearing our dress shoes so our feet were hurting. I now have blisters from all that walking. Ouch!!! We ate lunch at the Museum Cafe right next to the Holocaust Museum. I think we were in the museum about an hour and then I needed to head back to the Capitol Hill club to get my suitcase (they stored our suitcases there in a room and hired a lady to watch over them. she had to stay there all day--what a boring job. lol). We took the metro back to the Capitol Hill and the metro station was right in front of the club. Yea!!!! Judy had another meeting with a legislator so we said our goodbyes. I was to ride the metro with a lady from Indiana (the one I rode in the cab with ) but I never did see her. My flight home was uneventful. When I got to Dallas airport at 7:45 pm., my boarding pass for flight to my hometown was at 8:05 but I thought it was to leave at 8:35 so I thought I had 20 minutes to find my gate. I really went fast to find the gate and when I got there , they were having some confusion on which plane was leaving there but turned out to be my town. And it was to leave at 8:35. Whew, that gave me time to go to the restroom and get something to eat since I hadn't had dnner yet. Got home at 10:30 and just straight to bed. My husband wasn't home for he had a sleep study being done. The trip was interesting, I met and heard so many different cancer survivor stories and I learned how to talk to a legislators. The lady with the liver transplant didn't get to talk to her congresswoman for the lady was stuck in a meeting in the capitol and this liver transplant lady and her group went into the capitol. They had to have a picture ID taken and all kinds of stuff done just to get in. Wow!!! Anyway, I'm glad I went but glad to be home.
Sorry for all the mistakes but for some reason if I try to correct them today it erases everything behind it. OH, well......lol
What a trip!!! Had it's adventures and quite a whirlwind of a trip but interesting. I was so exhausted when I got home. To start off, I had an unexpected adventure in just getting to DC. I left my home town around 7:20 am to go to Dallas. It was raining when we left so the pilot took a different and longer route to get to Dallas. Before we were to arrive there, the window in the cockpit cracked which made it unsafe to continue so we made an emergency landing in Waco. They didn't have any planes for us to take (this made our newspaper news but it was wrong for it stated that passengers took flights from there but we didn't ) so they put all of us including the pilot and crew on a bus to Dallas. Of course, that means most of us missed out connecting flights including me. I was able to get another flight at 12:50 (my first one was at 10:20) and arrived in DC at 4:40. Well, I was to be at a meeting in DC at 4 pm so of course, I missed the advocacy and training meeting. I took the metro from the airport to a station close to the hotel. Had to walk to the hotel about 2 1/2 long blocks. When I first got out of the metro station, I was a little confused on which direction to go so I asked someone standing at a light and they pointing me in the right direction. I made it to the hotel at 5:55. So I quickly went to my room, changed shoes and put on some lipstick and went back downstairs to make it to the dinner at 6 pm. I walked in the banquet hall and people were already getting their dinner and milling about. I asked a man where Jenna (the lady that arranged my trip there and who I contacted that i was late) but she wasn't in the room yet. I realized people were getting their dinner by tables. For a moment, I felt so totally out of place and just wanted to cry but got up my courage and got dinner then looked for a place to sit. I noticed a table with only 2 women so asked if I could join them. One lady, Judy, was so sweet so I sat next to her. She and I became friends for the rest of our stay there. Thanks Judy for your kindness and friendship!!! :) The other lady sitting there was sick with a temp of 102. Great, I thought, when I am trying to stay away from people with sickness. I really felt sorry for her though. Some other people came over to the table and I met the young women who were putting this together. They were so young--I was quite amazed but so sweet and enthusiastic about what they were doing. The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (the group I was with) hired this company to arrange this meeting with legislators, press conference, and the whole trip for us. These young women worked for this company and this is what they do all the time. These ladies explained a little on what I missed at the meeting so at least I sorta of knew what I was to do. After dinner I went to my room (I didn't have a roomate so was all alone) and I read all the papers they gave me and then rehearsed my 'speech' including some of the points they wanted us to make. Went to bed late since I was not used to that time zone. lol. The next morning, we left hotel by taxi cabs and went to Capitol Hill Club for breakfast. I rode in a cab with a lady from Indiana and a dr. from arkansas. The dr. is a radiologist and he was one of the speakers at the press conference. I later found out from a lady who lives in the same town as he does that he is the one who pioneered the breast MRI!!! Wish I had known that for I would have told him how grateful I am to him then for that is what 'saved' my life. I told the lady to tell him my story and she said would. Breakfast was great. I sat with Judy and many others. It was interesting to see the different kinds of cancer people had who were there.
There were lots of colon cancer survivors and they even have this calendar called "Colonar" and there were pictures of survivors showing off their scars. I was also amazed how young many of these survivors were. We had a few older ones but many were close to my age and younger. After breakfast, we walked to the Rayburn building for a press conference. Everytime you go into these government you have to be scanned. They had given all of us T-shirts to wear at the press conference which made quite a statement. There were probably about 40 or more of us. I was interviewed by one of the young women to tell my story and it was in front of a camera. I was nervous but it was fun. During the press conference, we had several speakers--first one was the man head of the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition, then the radiologis I mentioned earlier, then a cardiac dr., then some survivors that are in charge of cancer groups--one for colon cancer, one for liver cancer, and one for pulmonary fibrosis. I had to leave then to go to my meeting with a legislator. I was in a group with 3 other people from Texas and we talked to Mike Burgess from Lewisville/Ft Worth area. He was one of the 2 Rebublicans that was to be talked to and was supportive already to our cause so we were mainly there to thank him and encourage him to continue to stay that way which he assured us he would. He only had 15 minutes so we had to talk quickly. We each shared our story. I thought he was getting a little emotional when I told him my story. He was so nice and caring. He had lost his boss just last year to cancer so understood what we were going through. After my meeting with him, I was on my own to do whatever until I had to fly home. It seems weird that I was there for only one meeting and the press conference but whatever, they paid my expenses. I had made arrangements to meet with Judy to go visit museums. While walking, we met up with another lady who Judy had met in her group. This lady had a liver transplant so she told us her story. It is amazing that she is alive today and looking so good. I talked to her later for we rode the metro together to the airport. She left us to see the art museum and we went on to the Holocaust museum which was quite a far from where we started. We were wearing our dress shoes so our feet were hurting. I now have blisters from all that walking. Ouch!!! We ate lunch at the Museum Cafe right next to the Holocaust Museum. I think we were in the museum about an hour and then I needed to head back to the Capitol Hill club to get my suitcase (they stored our suitcases there in a room and hired a lady to watch over them. she had to stay there all day--what a boring job. lol). We took the metro back to the Capitol Hill and the metro station was right in front of the club. Yea!!!! Judy had another meeting with a legislator so we said our goodbyes. I was to ride the metro with a lady from Indiana (the one I rode in the cab with ) but I never did see her. My flight home was uneventful. When I got to Dallas airport at 7:45 pm., my boarding pass for flight to my hometown was at 8:05 but I thought it was to leave at 8:35 so I thought I had 20 minutes to find my gate. I really went fast to find the gate and when I got there , they were having some confusion on which plane was leaving there but turned out to be my town. And it was to leave at 8:35. Whew, that gave me time to go to the restroom and get something to eat since I hadn't had dnner yet. Got home at 10:30 and just straight to bed. My husband wasn't home for he had a sleep study being done. The trip was interesting, I met and heard so many different cancer survivor stories and I learned how to talk to a legislators. The lady with the liver transplant didn't get to talk to her congresswoman for the lady was stuck in a meeting in the capitol and this liver transplant lady and her group went into the capitol. They had to have a picture ID taken and all kinds of stuff done just to get in. Wow!!! Anyway, I'm glad I went but glad to be home.
Sorry for all the mistakes but for some reason if I try to correct them today it erases everything behind it. OH, well......lol
Monday, October 12, 2009
Washington DC--here I come
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
It is late on Monday night and I am packed and ready to go for my trip to Washington DC. By the time you read this, I will be on my way or there already!!! I've been a little nervous (really too busy to think much of my trip) but I know God is with me. I've been practicing my speech on my story. I don't need notes for I know my story well. Just hope I don't stumble over my words or totally blank out when it's my turn to talk. I really think I'll be okay. My biggest 'fear' is getting around the airports and making my connecting flights and finding the metro, etc. A cold front will be coming in so I dread having to walk in it but I'm sure it will be fine. I have to walk to my hotel from the metro and I'm carrying a heavy purse and a small suitcase. The neat thing about this trip is that I bought a new outfit, new light jacket, and bra. Always fun to have a good reason to buy new clothes. Thanks for your prayers as I travel and tell my story.
My daughter, Sarah, went to a drama conference in the Dallas area last week. One day they had a couple of authors speaking and one lady , Karla Morton, (she's the 2010 Texas Poet Laureate) spoke about her newest book which tells of her journey through breast cancer by using poetry. Sarah and her friend went to this lady's table intending to buy the book for me. She thought the cost was $10 but turns out it was $20 and she didn't have the money to buy it. She told Karla that her mom has breast cancer too and wanted to buy her the book but couldn't now but could she have her card so she could order it later. Karla told her that she wanted to give me the book and she signed it saying "To Kelly, Be strong sister--I hope you smile every day". My daughter was really touched and so am I!!! What a sweet lady. The book is called "Redefining Beauty" by Karla Morton. The poems are great--so expresses what I am going through and feeling at times. Isn't God good? The one thing I have really gotten out my journey is that through everything--God is good!!! Let's praise Him!!!
By the way, I am still healthy--no flu nor cold. One son has a slight cold and Sarah is getting sick too. She went to the dr. but she said that Sarah doesn't have the flu at this time but could be early stage. I did spend some time with her (she lives out of the home now) for she misses having mom take care of her. Hope I don't get sick from her but I think I'll be okay. Love you all. Hope everyone else is staying healthy--so much sickness going around.
Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you hope in the Lord.
It is late on Monday night and I am packed and ready to go for my trip to Washington DC. By the time you read this, I will be on my way or there already!!! I've been a little nervous (really too busy to think much of my trip) but I know God is with me. I've been practicing my speech on my story. I don't need notes for I know my story well. Just hope I don't stumble over my words or totally blank out when it's my turn to talk. I really think I'll be okay. My biggest 'fear' is getting around the airports and making my connecting flights and finding the metro, etc. A cold front will be coming in so I dread having to walk in it but I'm sure it will be fine. I have to walk to my hotel from the metro and I'm carrying a heavy purse and a small suitcase. The neat thing about this trip is that I bought a new outfit, new light jacket, and bra. Always fun to have a good reason to buy new clothes. Thanks for your prayers as I travel and tell my story.
My daughter, Sarah, went to a drama conference in the Dallas area last week. One day they had a couple of authors speaking and one lady , Karla Morton, (she's the 2010 Texas Poet Laureate) spoke about her newest book which tells of her journey through breast cancer by using poetry. Sarah and her friend went to this lady's table intending to buy the book for me. She thought the cost was $10 but turns out it was $20 and she didn't have the money to buy it. She told Karla that her mom has breast cancer too and wanted to buy her the book but couldn't now but could she have her card so she could order it later. Karla told her that she wanted to give me the book and she signed it saying "To Kelly, Be strong sister--I hope you smile every day". My daughter was really touched and so am I!!! What a sweet lady. The book is called "Redefining Beauty" by Karla Morton. The poems are great--so expresses what I am going through and feeling at times. Isn't God good? The one thing I have really gotten out my journey is that through everything--God is good!!! Let's praise Him!!!
By the way, I am still healthy--no flu nor cold. One son has a slight cold and Sarah is getting sick too. She went to the dr. but she said that Sarah doesn't have the flu at this time but could be early stage. I did spend some time with her (she lives out of the home now) for she misses having mom take care of her. Hope I don't get sick from her but I think I'll be okay. Love you all. Hope everyone else is staying healthy--so much sickness going around.
Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you hope in the Lord.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saturday
Isaiah 25:1 O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Just wanted to let you know that so far, I am still healthy. I think if I was to catch the flu from my son, that it would have happened by now but who knows. My youngest son, Brandon, is either having allergy problems (which is something he rarely has) or is getting a cold. He has a stuffy nose and a slight scratchy throat. He is doing pretty good on handwashing and using the hand sanitizer. I am praying that I stay healthy, especially so I won't miss going to Washington, DC. My husband won't let me go to church tomorrow again but after this chemo is over, I'll be back in church. Yea!!!! I am still having hot flashes.....I was hoping that the medication I am taking would work but the physician assistant said we could increase the dose if blood pressure is okay so I increased it yesterday. Hope it works.
In case you aren't aware of it, this month is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I keep seeing all kinds of articles in the paper, things on the news on TV, etc. It is neat to see even football teams getting in the spirit of things by wearing pink. So all of you women who are reading my blog, you need to be doing breast self examinations and getting mammograms(usually after age 40. ). Even if you are young, check yourself. I read a book about young women who had breast cancer and some were in their early 20's. It seems that women are getting it at a younger age these days. One of the ladies in my support group here in town is only 33. She was diagnosed the month I was. So, please, do me a favor and start checking yourself if you aren't already doing that. If you don't know how, go on the internet and I'm sure you can find information on how to do it. Thanks!!!!! I found mine and immediately had a mammogram to see what it was. Don't put it off if you find something. It may not be anything but then.......if it is, the earlier the better. :)
Thanks for all of your prayers. I am looking forward to the Washington DC trip. Check out their website www.rightscanrighttime.org or if you have facebook, you can be a fan--look up "Access to Medical Imaging Coalition." I became a fan and they have photos of another time they lobbied. Have a great day.
Proverbs 17:22a A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Just wanted to let you know that so far, I am still healthy. I think if I was to catch the flu from my son, that it would have happened by now but who knows. My youngest son, Brandon, is either having allergy problems (which is something he rarely has) or is getting a cold. He has a stuffy nose and a slight scratchy throat. He is doing pretty good on handwashing and using the hand sanitizer. I am praying that I stay healthy, especially so I won't miss going to Washington, DC. My husband won't let me go to church tomorrow again but after this chemo is over, I'll be back in church. Yea!!!! I am still having hot flashes.....I was hoping that the medication I am taking would work but the physician assistant said we could increase the dose if blood pressure is okay so I increased it yesterday. Hope it works.
In case you aren't aware of it, this month is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I keep seeing all kinds of articles in the paper, things on the news on TV, etc. It is neat to see even football teams getting in the spirit of things by wearing pink. So all of you women who are reading my blog, you need to be doing breast self examinations and getting mammograms(usually after age 40. ). Even if you are young, check yourself. I read a book about young women who had breast cancer and some were in their early 20's. It seems that women are getting it at a younger age these days. One of the ladies in my support group here in town is only 33. She was diagnosed the month I was. So, please, do me a favor and start checking yourself if you aren't already doing that. If you don't know how, go on the internet and I'm sure you can find information on how to do it. Thanks!!!!! I found mine and immediately had a mammogram to see what it was. Don't put it off if you find something. It may not be anything but then.......if it is, the earlier the better. :)
Thanks for all of your prayers. I am looking forward to the Washington DC trip. Check out their website www.rightscanrighttime.org or if you have facebook, you can be a fan--look up "Access to Medical Imaging Coalition." I became a fan and they have photos of another time they lobbied. Have a great day.
Proverbs 17:22a A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Upcoming trip
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I have mentioned before that I was invited to go to Washingtonn DC to share my story of how the MRI 'saved' my life (really it was the Lord but He used the MRI) and how it changed the course of my treatment plan to battle my cancer. In other words, I am to share how we need to allow continual funding for the MRI and other medical imaging like the CT Scan. I have decided to go and my flight has been arranged by the group that is sending me. By the way, all expenses are being paid. I found out this morning my hotel and itinerary. One scary part is that I have to take the metro from the airport and then walk two blocks to the hotel. I looked to see what the weather will be like and it's to be cold that day. Yuck. I don't like cold weather. lol. This will be a quick trip for I leave on the 13th and will arrive around 2:20 then at the hotel we have a advocacy training and information session at 4 pm-6 pm..Then we have dinner there at the banquet hall from 6-8 pm. The next morning we leave the hotel at 8 am for Capitol Hill and we have a press conference at 9:15 am. At 10 am we start meeting with legislators. I don't know who I will be talking with yet and how many, etc. until I get there on the 13th since those details are still being worked out. I am not too worried about sharing my story for I have a passion for that but it's just the little details of getting around, etc. and being there alone not knowing anyone. Hopefully I'll meet some wonderful people for I'm sure there are others traveling there alone too. We will be on our own for lunch (they are giving us a gift card) so hopefully my group will want to eat together. My plane leaves on the 14th at 5:45 and of course you have to be there early to check in. Quick trip. I believe God has opened these doors for me go. If I had not gotten cancer, this opportunity would not have happened. You just never know how God is going to use you when you are going through tough circumstances. I know God has a purpose and He will use each of us in ways unimaginable. I never imagined in my life that I would be going to DC to lobby for something. This is way out of my comfort zone but I know God will be with me whereever I go. Just pray that all the traveling will go smooth for me. I've never flown alone whereas my husband does it alot for business.
The other day I had my coumadin level checked. It was high--first time that has happened. My levels never stay level--one time it's fine, then low and now high. I quit eating salads for lunch thinking that may be the cause of the levels being low. The nurse said to go back to eating salads if I want. I've decided that I will try eating salads every other day instead of every day. We'll see how that works. They didn't really change my dose except for that one day. I don't think I shared that my cholestrol level is a little high too. I am trying to do better on a low fat diet. We already do so much of low fat dieting but I know there are areas that I can cut down such as the snacks I so enjoy. lol. I also have been exercising more and really wanting to lose weight. I've gained alot since getting cancer. I hate the way I look so really need to get serious about losing weight. Please pray that I will be able to have self control and not overeat especially when I go out to eat like in Washington DC. By the way, I'm still doing fine and haven't gotten the flu yet from my son. In fact, the rest of the family are doing fine too but we still could come down with it. Thanks for your prayers. Love you all.....
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him , so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I have mentioned before that I was invited to go to Washingtonn DC to share my story of how the MRI 'saved' my life (really it was the Lord but He used the MRI) and how it changed the course of my treatment plan to battle my cancer. In other words, I am to share how we need to allow continual funding for the MRI and other medical imaging like the CT Scan. I have decided to go and my flight has been arranged by the group that is sending me. By the way, all expenses are being paid. I found out this morning my hotel and itinerary. One scary part is that I have to take the metro from the airport and then walk two blocks to the hotel. I looked to see what the weather will be like and it's to be cold that day. Yuck. I don't like cold weather. lol. This will be a quick trip for I leave on the 13th and will arrive around 2:20 then at the hotel we have a advocacy training and information session at 4 pm-6 pm..Then we have dinner there at the banquet hall from 6-8 pm. The next morning we leave the hotel at 8 am for Capitol Hill and we have a press conference at 9:15 am. At 10 am we start meeting with legislators. I don't know who I will be talking with yet and how many, etc. until I get there on the 13th since those details are still being worked out. I am not too worried about sharing my story for I have a passion for that but it's just the little details of getting around, etc. and being there alone not knowing anyone. Hopefully I'll meet some wonderful people for I'm sure there are others traveling there alone too. We will be on our own for lunch (they are giving us a gift card) so hopefully my group will want to eat together. My plane leaves on the 14th at 5:45 and of course you have to be there early to check in. Quick trip. I believe God has opened these doors for me go. If I had not gotten cancer, this opportunity would not have happened. You just never know how God is going to use you when you are going through tough circumstances. I know God has a purpose and He will use each of us in ways unimaginable. I never imagined in my life that I would be going to DC to lobby for something. This is way out of my comfort zone but I know God will be with me whereever I go. Just pray that all the traveling will go smooth for me. I've never flown alone whereas my husband does it alot for business.
The other day I had my coumadin level checked. It was high--first time that has happened. My levels never stay level--one time it's fine, then low and now high. I quit eating salads for lunch thinking that may be the cause of the levels being low. The nurse said to go back to eating salads if I want. I've decided that I will try eating salads every other day instead of every day. We'll see how that works. They didn't really change my dose except for that one day. I don't think I shared that my cholestrol level is a little high too. I am trying to do better on a low fat diet. We already do so much of low fat dieting but I know there are areas that I can cut down such as the snacks I so enjoy. lol. I also have been exercising more and really wanting to lose weight. I've gained alot since getting cancer. I hate the way I look so really need to get serious about losing weight. Please pray that I will be able to have self control and not overeat especially when I go out to eat like in Washington DC. By the way, I'm still doing fine and haven't gotten the flu yet from my son. In fact, the rest of the family are doing fine too but we still could come down with it. Thanks for your prayers. Love you all.....
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him , so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Flu
Romans 5:3 We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope.
No, I don't have the flu but my son, Christopher does. He went to camp last week and they sent home 5 kids with the flu. Christopher and another boy from our town who went to camp was in contact with one of the campers and now have both come down with the flu. The first thing I did was to quarantine my son to his bedroom--poor kid. My neighbor's son also has the flu and she uses lysol spray alot so she gave me a can of it to help disinfect our house. While I was getting my blood drawn yesterday, I talked with the nurse about what I should be doing. She gave me a couple of masks to use and told me to use my own utensils and lots of handwashing. My mom sent me infomation on other things you can do such as gargling, drinking warm liquids (I've been drinking lots of hot tea) and cleaning nasal passages with warm salt water. I am praying that I do not come down with the flu. Right now, my white blood count is down so wouldn't be a good thing. Also, next week I am to go to Washington DC to speak to legislators so I don't want to miss that opportunity. Pray for me and the other members of my family that we stay healthy. Christopher is on tamaflu which should shorten his duration of the flu. I hope he is feeling better today. He has been quite sick. I didn't go to church since I know that so many people are sick. I miss going but there is a great internet church (www.lifechurch.tv) that I go to with my friend, Teresa and her sister , Shirley. The music and messages are always great. If you can't physically go to church, then this is a good way to go to church. Thanks for your prayers and concern. I love you all. And thanks for your comments that you send to me.
Today I am going to get my Herceptin medication. Luckily, it doesn't bother me; just takes time to do. Have a great day.
John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!! I have overcome the world.
No, I don't have the flu but my son, Christopher does. He went to camp last week and they sent home 5 kids with the flu. Christopher and another boy from our town who went to camp was in contact with one of the campers and now have both come down with the flu. The first thing I did was to quarantine my son to his bedroom--poor kid. My neighbor's son also has the flu and she uses lysol spray alot so she gave me a can of it to help disinfect our house. While I was getting my blood drawn yesterday, I talked with the nurse about what I should be doing. She gave me a couple of masks to use and told me to use my own utensils and lots of handwashing. My mom sent me infomation on other things you can do such as gargling, drinking warm liquids (I've been drinking lots of hot tea) and cleaning nasal passages with warm salt water. I am praying that I do not come down with the flu. Right now, my white blood count is down so wouldn't be a good thing. Also, next week I am to go to Washington DC to speak to legislators so I don't want to miss that opportunity. Pray for me and the other members of my family that we stay healthy. Christopher is on tamaflu which should shorten his duration of the flu. I hope he is feeling better today. He has been quite sick. I didn't go to church since I know that so many people are sick. I miss going but there is a great internet church (www.lifechurch.tv) that I go to with my friend, Teresa and her sister , Shirley. The music and messages are always great. If you can't physically go to church, then this is a good way to go to church. Thanks for your prayers and concern. I love you all. And thanks for your comments that you send to me.
Today I am going to get my Herceptin medication. Luckily, it doesn't bother me; just takes time to do. Have a great day.
John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!! I have overcome the world.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Trip and Pink Ribbon run
Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise, his greatness no one can fathom.
I had a wonderful time going to the state park with my mom. We stayed in a cabin built in the 1930's by young men in the CCC program under FDRoosevelt. We hiked 4 1/2 miles--took us 5 hours as we meandered down the paths enjoying the beauty of flowers, trees, and a variety of mushrooms. I carried a small backpack with our lunch and a few other things. When we stopped to rest, I noticed that my hands, especially my right hand was swollen. It looked almost like it did when I had the blood clot. I think the backpack may have occluded my blood vessels. The swelling went away after we got back to the cabin and I laid down to rest. The weather was warm and quite humid so we were hot and sweaty by the time we finished that hike. I was so glad our dinner was cooking in the crockpot. I am thankful that I didn't have any bone pain while on our trip. I still was having some hot flashes but not bad. We picked up my boys from camp and then back home we went. My ankles were swollen when I got home--maybe from all the driving. They are okay today.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The hospital where I go to and the breast support group I'm involved in had a Pink Ribbon Run today. This is the 2nd year they have done it. The money that is raised goes to our support group for educational purposes. My husband, Brandon and I went to the run. We walked a mile along with probably 300 other people. They also had real running contests with prizes but we didn't stay for the ending--saw them take off. So, this month, look around you and see if your city has some kind of breast cancer awareness activities. My town had several activities but 2 have already passed on by. Anyway, I got some cute t-shirts from the run. :) Thanks for praying for me as I traveled and took a mini-vacation. It was great. By the way, my blood pressure is doing fine so far with me taking blood pressure medicaton. I am taking the medication in hopes it will help my hot flashes go away. Have a great day.
Psalm 20:4 May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
I had a wonderful time going to the state park with my mom. We stayed in a cabin built in the 1930's by young men in the CCC program under FDRoosevelt. We hiked 4 1/2 miles--took us 5 hours as we meandered down the paths enjoying the beauty of flowers, trees, and a variety of mushrooms. I carried a small backpack with our lunch and a few other things. When we stopped to rest, I noticed that my hands, especially my right hand was swollen. It looked almost like it did when I had the blood clot. I think the backpack may have occluded my blood vessels. The swelling went away after we got back to the cabin and I laid down to rest. The weather was warm and quite humid so we were hot and sweaty by the time we finished that hike. I was so glad our dinner was cooking in the crockpot. I am thankful that I didn't have any bone pain while on our trip. I still was having some hot flashes but not bad. We picked up my boys from camp and then back home we went. My ankles were swollen when I got home--maybe from all the driving. They are okay today.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The hospital where I go to and the breast support group I'm involved in had a Pink Ribbon Run today. This is the 2nd year they have done it. The money that is raised goes to our support group for educational purposes. My husband, Brandon and I went to the run. We walked a mile along with probably 300 other people. They also had real running contests with prizes but we didn't stay for the ending--saw them take off. So, this month, look around you and see if your city has some kind of breast cancer awareness activities. My town had several activities but 2 have already passed on by. Anyway, I got some cute t-shirts from the run. :) Thanks for praying for me as I traveled and took a mini-vacation. It was great. By the way, my blood pressure is doing fine so far with me taking blood pressure medicaton. I am taking the medication in hopes it will help my hot flashes go away. Have a great day.
Psalm 20:4 May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
