Psalm 118: 24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
I wrote this yesterday but somehow I lost all that I wrote so am redoing it today. I was too tired yesterday to redo it then. Anyway, I went to the onocologist this past Monday. Talked with his nurse practioner too. My heart test that I had a couple of weeks ago was great. Shows that my heart hasn't changed at all from the first one which is great news. However, I did have a disappointment. I was hoping to have my port taken out after the last herceptin treatment which is on August 9. But, the doctor says I have to wait until I have a CT Scan of my abdomen, pelvis, and chest which won't be done until mid October. Then I see the doctor again on Oct. 20. If the CT Scan is good, no cancer evident, then I can have the port taken out. That means I have to continue taking coumadin for a few more months...oh, well....that is okay. Since I won't be having any treatments in Sept. or Oct., I will have to go to the chemo clinic to have a heparin flush to keep the port working. Heparin is a blood thinner and is use to keep lines open. They flush with heparin after each of my treatments. Guess I will be having surgery in Novemeber to have the port taken out (at least I hope). I talked to the nurse practioner about my joint stiffness. She says it is mainly from chemo. Could be some from getting older and some early arthritis but mainly from chemo. I have the joint stiffness mainly in the morning when I get up, when I get out of a chair, and especially when I get out of the car. I am sure people laugh at me when I go to Walmart or some store, and can't even stand up straight when I get out of the car. I must look like a old woman....lol.
I also had my herceptin treatment after seeing the doctor. It was going well which was good for I needed to hurry because I was babysitting that afternoon. Well, I had a float nurse who doesn't usually work there. My medicaton quit infusing but my nurse was starting an IV on a patient. Most patients have ports but once in a while, someone needs an IV started. Well, my nurse had trouble so I couldn't get her to fix my medicatin and wouldn't you know, the other nurse was also starting an IV. Then my nurse took off (maybe to lunch) so it was over 30 minutes before I could get someone to fix my medication. I was frustrated for it only takes 3o mintues for my medication to infuse and here it was....an extra 30 minutes. Usually it wouldn't bother me but that day I was in a hurry...oh, well....there was nothing I could do. I just have one more treatment left. Yea!!!
My hair is looking pretty good these days. I am getting used to short hair...um..maybe I should keep it short. Ummm....lol. We'll see...I am just happy to have hair. That was one of the hardest things about my cancer. For a woman, that is hard. Thanks to all for you love and interest in how I am doing. Thanks for your prayers. Love you all..
Psalm 118:28-29 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hair
Here is how my hair looks now. This is how it looks naturally....I just let it dry on own without blow drying or using a curling iron.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Great week
Romans 5:3 We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope.
This past week has been a good one for me. I had my last 2D echo heart test done this past Tuesday. I am sure all is okay...heart sounded good and I could see it pumping on the screen as she was testing my heart. Also, on Friday, I had a coumadin level check and it was great--2.6!!! (needs to be between 2.0-3.0) I finally get to have one month checks ---yea!!! I have my next Herceptin treatment on July 20 which is coming up soon. I have been feeling pretty good these days. My hair is growing and looking pretty nice these days. I am getting to like it short...nice on these hot summer days. However, I still would like for it to grow longer to see what it will look like.
The only problem is my husband's health. He's having heart spasms that occur at times and makes him faint or have dizzy spells. The doctors can't figure out yet what is the cause of these spasms. He almost fainted yesterday in HEB. Just pray that they will find the cause so they will be able to treat his problems. Every time he does some exercise or activity using his arms, he seems to have these spells. He played Wii golf the other day and now the spells. Poor guy....I ended up having to finish mowing the lawn today since he started to have a spell again. Thanks for your prayers.
I John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.
This past week has been a good one for me. I had my last 2D echo heart test done this past Tuesday. I am sure all is okay...heart sounded good and I could see it pumping on the screen as she was testing my heart. Also, on Friday, I had a coumadin level check and it was great--2.6!!! (needs to be between 2.0-3.0) I finally get to have one month checks ---yea!!! I have my next Herceptin treatment on July 20 which is coming up soon. I have been feeling pretty good these days. My hair is growing and looking pretty nice these days. I am getting to like it short...nice on these hot summer days. However, I still would like for it to grow longer to see what it will look like.
The only problem is my husband's health. He's having heart spasms that occur at times and makes him faint or have dizzy spells. The doctors can't figure out yet what is the cause of these spasms. He almost fainted yesterday in HEB. Just pray that they will find the cause so they will be able to treat his problems. Every time he does some exercise or activity using his arms, he seems to have these spells. He played Wii golf the other day and now the spells. Poor guy....I ended up having to finish mowing the lawn today since he started to have a spell again. Thanks for your prayers.
I John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Doing well
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 am so sorry that I've not posted in quite a while. I am feeling much better these days. My fatigue is even better....still get tired at times but not like it was. Praise the Lord. I had Herceptin this past Monday (June 28) and all went well. The nurse scared me though for she had trouble getting a blood return from my port. They always check to be sure the port is working by pulling back the syringe to see if blood comes out of the port. They have never had any problems with my port. So, here it is near the end of my treatments and I thought my port was acting up. The nurse decided that the needle was next to the edge. She finally got some blood back so all is well. I have only 2 more Herceptin treatments left. Yea!!! I plan to have my port taken out when the treatments are done so that means I will have to have surgery to have it removed. It will be simple and a day surgery procedure but I hate having surgery. Oh, well.....
My hair is growing. The front is finally down to the bottom of my ear lobes. It's somewhat curly in the back but I hear that it's like baby hair and will grow straight after awhile. I will get someone to take a picture of me soon so I can post it and you can see it. I am liking it much better.
We have a horse and the farrier came out last week to shoe the horse's hooves. Turns out he has rectal cancer and we have the same doctor so we enjoyed conversing about our cancer and treatments, etc. He wears a pump to have his chemo infusing all day long for 5 days in a row. He is doing this for 6 weeks. It doesn't make him sick so he just carries on like usual but he gets tired. My brother-in-law just has a few days left of his radiation treatments so I know he will be happy to have that behind him. Hopefully all is well. I think he'll have a PSA test soon but not sure about that.
I still have problems with chemo brain (so they call it) where I can't always come up with the correct word or name of things. My kids tell me that I am just getting old but I know that it is from the chemo because I wasn't that bad before cancer. Oh, well....it's not too bad so I won't complain.
Tonight is our breast cancer support meeting but not sure I will go or not. I learn some things there but really find it hard to meet people there. It's a rainy day here and I don't have to go to town, so it will be real easy just to stay home. I've been busy this summer babysitting some kids so not home alot. Thanks for checking up on me. Love you all.....Keep praying for me!!
Galatian 6:2a Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
I am so sorry that I've not posted in quite a while. I am feeling much better these days. My fatigue is even better....still get tired at times but not like it was. Praise the Lord. I had Herceptin this past Monday (June 28) and all went well. The nurse scared me though for she had trouble getting a blood return from my port. They always check to be sure the port is working by pulling back the syringe to see if blood comes out of the port. They have never had any problems with my port. So, here it is near the end of my treatments and I thought my port was acting up. The nurse decided that the needle was next to the edge. She finally got some blood back so all is well. I have only 2 more Herceptin treatments left. Yea!!! I plan to have my port taken out when the treatments are done so that means I will have to have surgery to have it removed. It will be simple and a day surgery procedure but I hate having surgery. Oh, well.....
My hair is growing. The front is finally down to the bottom of my ear lobes. It's somewhat curly in the back but I hear that it's like baby hair and will grow straight after awhile. I will get someone to take a picture of me soon so I can post it and you can see it. I am liking it much better.
We have a horse and the farrier came out last week to shoe the horse's hooves. Turns out he has rectal cancer and we have the same doctor so we enjoyed conversing about our cancer and treatments, etc. He wears a pump to have his chemo infusing all day long for 5 days in a row. He is doing this for 6 weeks. It doesn't make him sick so he just carries on like usual but he gets tired. My brother-in-law just has a few days left of his radiation treatments so I know he will be happy to have that behind him. Hopefully all is well. I think he'll have a PSA test soon but not sure about that.
I still have problems with chemo brain (so they call it) where I can't always come up with the correct word or name of things. My kids tell me that I am just getting old but I know that it is from the chemo because I wasn't that bad before cancer. Oh, well....it's not too bad so I won't complain.
Tonight is our breast cancer support meeting but not sure I will go or not. I learn some things there but really find it hard to meet people there. It's a rainy day here and I don't have to go to town, so it will be real easy just to stay home. I've been busy this summer babysitting some kids so not home alot. Thanks for checking up on me. Love you all.....Keep praying for me!!
Galatian 6:2a Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Friday, June 18, 2010
coumadin level, heat problems
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.
Went today for a coumadin level check and it was fantastic for once. The level was 2.4!!! Finally got the level to where it needs to be. I don't have to go back for another 3 weeks. The newest thing I've been doing is trying to lose weight. I am doing this mainly by cutting out the desserts and snacks. I've lost 6 pounds so far, however, I went out to eat today. I tried to be somewhat good so we'll see tomorrow if I gained weight or not. I'm so bad about losing then gaining it all back in one meal. I am surprised that I've been doing great without any sweets since I have such a sweet tooth. No cravings yet so I am feeling good about it. I gained weight during chemo time and just trying to get through cancer treatments. Guess I just ate whatever. :) Then I gained alot when my dad got cancer and died---too many sweets around. Time to lose weight.
I have a little job this summer which is keeping me busy. I take my neighbor's 2 kids to the pool and this past week I took them to tennis camp then to the pool. Yesterday we were outside from 10 am to 4 pm. I got home and started to feel really bad---had chills, muscle aches and a headache. I went outside to warm up and still had chill bumps when Larry came home. I felt really exhausted too but somehow was able to manage to fix dinner but right after I ate, I laid down and took a long nap. When I woke up, I felt really hot and took my temp---100.3. I think I had some kind of heat exhaustion. I'm going to have to be more careful---drink more water. I was also sunburned....I was in the shade all day and didnt' feel hot but guess I should be sure to use sunscreen and drink lots and lots of water.
Today was the first time someone looked at my driver's license and noticed that my hair is different. It happened at Walmart. The cashier asked what happened to my long hair. So I told her. Her mom had chemo 3 times and each time her hair came back darker and curlier. Well, I hope this is the only time I have to have chemo. Well, thanks for your love and support and prayers. Love you all......
Roman 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.
Went today for a coumadin level check and it was fantastic for once. The level was 2.4!!! Finally got the level to where it needs to be. I don't have to go back for another 3 weeks. The newest thing I've been doing is trying to lose weight. I am doing this mainly by cutting out the desserts and snacks. I've lost 6 pounds so far, however, I went out to eat today. I tried to be somewhat good so we'll see tomorrow if I gained weight or not. I'm so bad about losing then gaining it all back in one meal. I am surprised that I've been doing great without any sweets since I have such a sweet tooth. No cravings yet so I am feeling good about it. I gained weight during chemo time and just trying to get through cancer treatments. Guess I just ate whatever. :) Then I gained alot when my dad got cancer and died---too many sweets around. Time to lose weight.
I have a little job this summer which is keeping me busy. I take my neighbor's 2 kids to the pool and this past week I took them to tennis camp then to the pool. Yesterday we were outside from 10 am to 4 pm. I got home and started to feel really bad---had chills, muscle aches and a headache. I went outside to warm up and still had chill bumps when Larry came home. I felt really exhausted too but somehow was able to manage to fix dinner but right after I ate, I laid down and took a long nap. When I woke up, I felt really hot and took my temp---100.3. I think I had some kind of heat exhaustion. I'm going to have to be more careful---drink more water. I was also sunburned....I was in the shade all day and didnt' feel hot but guess I should be sure to use sunscreen and drink lots and lots of water.
Today was the first time someone looked at my driver's license and noticed that my hair is different. It happened at Walmart. The cashier asked what happened to my long hair. So I told her. Her mom had chemo 3 times and each time her hair came back darker and curlier. Well, I hope this is the only time I have to have chemo. Well, thanks for your love and support and prayers. Love you all......
Roman 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.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
New cancer clinic & dr's visit
I Chronicles 16:10-11 Glory in his Holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.
I went to see my onocologist on Monday and all my blood work looked great. I am nearing the end of my treatments....yea.....August 9 will be my last Herceptin treatment. I will have one more echocardiogram to be sure my heart is still doing okay. After I have my last treatment, I won't have to have another heart test so the one in July will be last one. It is good to be seeing the end of the tunnel.
I had Herceptin on Monday too. The chemo clinic is much larger. There is an actual nurse's station. Before, they were just in the middle of the room. The only bad thing I think about having the nurses station at one end of the chemo clinic is that they can't watch all their patients well. What if someone is having a bad time, they are far off. There are no call buttons so you couldn't call for help. Of course, someone is always having to do something for someone so there is someone around usually. The floor is wooden looking..and there are about 14 chairs and each has their own TV that is on a arm thing that you can move to the side or wherever...it is kept behind the chairs when not used. The screen is small but that is okay. Of course, the nurses now can't watch TV like they did before. lol. There is plenty of space for the aquarium which is placed in the middle so we can see the fish. There are nice chairs next to each recliner chair so each person can have a visitor and there is room for more than one visitor. And you can see that they have new organizers for all their equipement and it's handy for the nurses. They also have a room with a bed in case they have a patient too weak to sit in a chair. They haven't had that before. They have their own pharmacist too but they had that in the first one too but I'm sure it's much nicer.
They have 7 exam rooms for the doctor--there were only 3 before. Plenty of room for another doctor to come. The nurses station for the doctor is much larger and nicer too. The nurses seem quite pleased with all the new stuff.
Thanks for praying for me. I am feeling about the same...get tired easily, some hot flashes and slow hair growth. The numbness in toes and breast areas drive me crazy at times but I just have to get used to it. lol. All in all, I'm going great!!!! Praise God!!! Love you all.
Colossians 3:1-2 Since, then , you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
I went to see my onocologist on Monday and all my blood work looked great. I am nearing the end of my treatments....yea.....August 9 will be my last Herceptin treatment. I will have one more echocardiogram to be sure my heart is still doing okay. After I have my last treatment, I won't have to have another heart test so the one in July will be last one. It is good to be seeing the end of the tunnel.
I had Herceptin on Monday too. The chemo clinic is much larger. There is an actual nurse's station. Before, they were just in the middle of the room. The only bad thing I think about having the nurses station at one end of the chemo clinic is that they can't watch all their patients well. What if someone is having a bad time, they are far off. There are no call buttons so you couldn't call for help. Of course, someone is always having to do something for someone so there is someone around usually. The floor is wooden looking..and there are about 14 chairs and each has their own TV that is on a arm thing that you can move to the side or wherever...it is kept behind the chairs when not used. The screen is small but that is okay. Of course, the nurses now can't watch TV like they did before. lol. There is plenty of space for the aquarium which is placed in the middle so we can see the fish. There are nice chairs next to each recliner chair so each person can have a visitor and there is room for more than one visitor. And you can see that they have new organizers for all their equipement and it's handy for the nurses. They also have a room with a bed in case they have a patient too weak to sit in a chair. They haven't had that before. They have their own pharmacist too but they had that in the first one too but I'm sure it's much nicer.
They have 7 exam rooms for the doctor--there were only 3 before. Plenty of room for another doctor to come. The nurses station for the doctor is much larger and nicer too. The nurses seem quite pleased with all the new stuff.
Thanks for praying for me. I am feeling about the same...get tired easily, some hot flashes and slow hair growth. The numbness in toes and breast areas drive me crazy at times but I just have to get used to it. lol. All in all, I'm going great!!!! Praise God!!! Love you all.
Colossians 3:1-2 Since, then , you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Coumadin level
Isaiah 12:5 Sing to the Lord for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
I had my coumadin level checked yesterday. Finally it has gotten to the level it needs to be but it's at 2.0 which is at the low end. I need to be between 2.0-3.0 so the head nurse decided to up my dosage just a tad bit to try to get me in the middle. I got scratched today by a kitten and it bled easily so guess my blood thinner is working.
The doctors' building where my onocologist, chemo clinic, and coumadin clinic is located has been under construction--building on a whole new section. (Three stories). The first story in the new area is the new cancer clinic. It is now complete so I got to go there yesterday to have blood drawn since I have a doctor's appt and herceptin on Monday. I haven't seen the whole clinic yet but what i have seen, I was quite impressed. The waiting room is 10 sizes bigger!!! It even has a fridge with drinks that you can help yourself and crackers and the TV is bigger. Each receptionist has their own desk and a huge area behind them for the copy machine, etc. The area is about 5-6 times bigger than they had before. The lab tech had her little area in the store room before and now she has her own room with the sign "Lab" on the door (she mentioned that to me). I peeked into the chemo clinic and saw that it was bigger and I hear that at each chair, there is a TV for each person. I will let you know more when I go there on Monday. Can't wait to see the rest of the area. I know they are so happy to have the new space and there is space to add another doctor which is what my doctor wants. While the construction was going on, the chemo clinic had to move downstairs in a very tiny area so they have been cramped for several months so I am sure they are happy to be in the new area. I figured that I have 4 more Herceptin treatments left to enjoy this new area. They should have their own pharmacist again which will make things go faster.
I have been busy grading papers and doing report cards for the past week or so. I didn't realize how behind I was until I started grading....way behind. Then I realized that this has been a tough school year with me having chemo, then radiation and living in San Antonio, then my dad getting cancer and dying. Three major things in one school year!!! But we made it and all papers are graded and report cards done along with updating transcripts!! Whew....now I can begin to enjoy summer!!! Praise God!!!
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
I had my coumadin level checked yesterday. Finally it has gotten to the level it needs to be but it's at 2.0 which is at the low end. I need to be between 2.0-3.0 so the head nurse decided to up my dosage just a tad bit to try to get me in the middle. I got scratched today by a kitten and it bled easily so guess my blood thinner is working.
The doctors' building where my onocologist, chemo clinic, and coumadin clinic is located has been under construction--building on a whole new section. (Three stories). The first story in the new area is the new cancer clinic. It is now complete so I got to go there yesterday to have blood drawn since I have a doctor's appt and herceptin on Monday. I haven't seen the whole clinic yet but what i have seen, I was quite impressed. The waiting room is 10 sizes bigger!!! It even has a fridge with drinks that you can help yourself and crackers and the TV is bigger. Each receptionist has their own desk and a huge area behind them for the copy machine, etc. The area is about 5-6 times bigger than they had before. The lab tech had her little area in the store room before and now she has her own room with the sign "Lab" on the door (she mentioned that to me). I peeked into the chemo clinic and saw that it was bigger and I hear that at each chair, there is a TV for each person. I will let you know more when I go there on Monday. Can't wait to see the rest of the area. I know they are so happy to have the new space and there is space to add another doctor which is what my doctor wants. While the construction was going on, the chemo clinic had to move downstairs in a very tiny area so they have been cramped for several months so I am sure they are happy to be in the new area. I figured that I have 4 more Herceptin treatments left to enjoy this new area. They should have their own pharmacist again which will make things go faster.
I have been busy grading papers and doing report cards for the past week or so. I didn't realize how behind I was until I started grading....way behind. Then I realized that this has been a tough school year with me having chemo, then radiation and living in San Antonio, then my dad getting cancer and dying. Three major things in one school year!!! But we made it and all papers are graded and report cards done along with updating transcripts!! Whew....now I can begin to enjoy summer!!! Praise God!!!
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
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