Herceptin and Radiation day 19

Psalm 116:5-6 The Lord is gracious and righteous; Our God is full of compassionl. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Had Herceptin infusion today at the chemo clinic in my town. Dropped the boys off at the library to do school work while I had my medication. I told them about my problems with the radiation center not being covered by my insurance. They said that they didn't even know for a while that it wasn't part of that medical system. Anyway, they were able to get the Herceptin in quickly so I was finished by 10 am. Picked up the boys and off we went to San Antonio. While receiving the Herceptin, I really got tired and was just about to take a short nap when the infusion pump went off saying it was done. I was tired all the way to San Antonio. Brandon brought his guitar so played it in the car and we sang together which was fun and kept me wide awake. I am still tired!!! We got to San Antonio in time for me to drop off the boys at my sister's and unpack the car. Then I left for my radiation treatment. I realized that I didn't have my parking permit--Larry had taken it off the dashboard and put it on the clip on the console but it wasn't there anymore. I searched around it but couldn't find it. I parked in the cancer center parking anyway and asked the secretary for another one. I think I caught her at a bad time (they had just received an unexpected patient belonging to a different dr. that doesn't come there often) for when I asked, she gave me a look that could have killed. Apparently, you get only one permit but she let me sign in some logbook. Maybe because I am tired, I was also emotional and just wanted to cry and thought, what a silly thing to get upset about. On my way out, I saw a parking lot not too far away that doesn't cost. Most of them cost to use. Today, I saw the doctor and he informed me that I am going to get burned. The doctors always say that to me. Guess it will happen but who knows when. I also had x-rays--they always do it on Mondays plus weigh you. I asked if I could have an earlier time on Friday so I could leave earlier to go home and so now I am scheduled for 10:45 am instead of 2:30 pm. That is great since my boys do have a basketball game that night.

After my radiation treatment, I went to my nephew's high school to watch his basketball game but got lost on the way. It should have been easy to get there for I was on the right street which would have taken me to his high school but at one point, it turns left at a light, and I just kept on going straight. I finally figured out that something wasn't right so turned around, then stopped at a shopping center and looked at my map. Called my sister to say I was late and lost but I think I figured it out. lol. Finally got there at the same time as my brother-in-law. I was starving for some reason so ate my sandwich that my sister made for us at 4:30. After my nephew's basketball, I decided to leave. My sister had to work the concession stand and the boys stayed too so I went to the grocery store and now I am at my sister's all alone--well the dog is sleeping next me while I sit on the couch. lol. Sweet dog. So nice and quiet here. I may go to bed early tonight!!! I really worked alot this past weekend doing so much at home to get ready to come back to San Antonio. I think that is why I am so tired. Well, thanks for your prayers and love......

Psalm 142:1-3 I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift my voice to the Lored for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I t ell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way.

Thanksgiving holiday

Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

I hope each one of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I have so much to be thankful for: God, family, friends, freedom, church, and even my health. I am still alive and can look forward to many more years of living. Yes, I have breast cancer but I can beat this and survive for who knows how long. My mom went to a birthday party today for a lady who turned 100 years old. She had breast cancer when she was 80 years old and that was 20 years ago and she is still ticking!!!!

I didn't get to write what happened right before I went to my mom's for Thanksgiving--when I left San Antonio. My onocologist's office called to say I needed blood work before I get my Herceptin on Monday. There was no way I was going to get to my doctor's office so they faxed the lab work order to the cancer center where I get radiation. They gave me the order and sent me next door to a lab that I thought my insurance would cover. It took me awhile just to find the lab and when I finally did, turns out that my insurance doesn't cover that lab but they knew where I could go. It was to a lab a couple of blocks away in a hospital but I wasn't sure where to park so went around the block--huge block and decided to park in the parking garage. We noticed that the sign said that you don't have to pay if parked for only 30 minutes so our goal was to get in and out within that time frame. We found the lab and luckily they didn't have anyone there. After filling out all the data ,we were afraid that they couldn't do it due to not finding my doctor listed in my town (he had moved here about a year ago) but luckily, they found him listed in Texas. They took my blood and off we went. Whew, we got out of there before 30 minutes!!!! Praise God. We left there and went on to my mom's --a 5 hour trip and boy, was the interstate busy!!!!

We got home today and I've been busy doing laundry, grocery shopping, Christmas decorating, and some house cleaning. I am quite tired but just keep plugging on with a few rest breaks (like now--lol) for I don't have much time since I leave again on Monday morning. It will be so nice to sleep in my own bed tonight. Any maybe a cat or two will sleep with me--missed those cats. lol
Another thing I am thankful for is all of you who take the time to read my blog and keep up with my journey through cancer and boy , is it a journey; but we all have a journeys that we are embarking on. I pray that you will hang onto God while you g0 through your journey!!! 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.

Radiation--halfway done!

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.

Yesterday was my 17th treatment and I have only 16 more to go!!! Yea--I am halfway done!! I am getting quite familiar now on how to get to the cancer center. The traffic hasn't been too bad but my sister informs me it's partly because the schools in this part of town have been out all week. I'll have to wait to see what the traffic is like next week. However, after I got to the cancer center, I had to wait around 45 minutes to get my treatment. In my town, I rarely had to wait and never that long. Oh, well..... After my treatment today, my boys and I will be traveling to my mom's which is 5 hours away!! I will get to see what my sister has to go through to travel to my mom's every time. lol. Christopher can drive so I will let him drive part of the way. That will be nice. My husband and Sarah will leave this afternoon for my mom's too and I can't wait to see them.

Last night we went to my younger nephew's basketball game again but this time they were doing a fundraiser for cancer so the team was wearing pink socks and they had pink t-shirts over their uniform when not playing. Lots of people were wearing pink. Brandon and I were wearing pink t-shirts that I got from doing a Pink Ribbon Run (fundraiser for breast cancer in my town). They had all kinds of other things to raise money such as raffling 3 items, pink paper airplane contest, pink ribbons to buy and wear, and pink lemonade to purchase for a donation. My sister and I worked in the concession stand during the girl's game which was fun. I think my boys are getting quite bored being there and watching all those games. Of course, I kinda of laugh to myself for they are seeing what it is like for me to sit and watch their games and all the others that we stay and watch, especially during a tournament. But I do feel sorry for them for they are missing being with their friends and activities. This is a hard time for them but they haven't complained.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to spending time with my mom and youngest brother and his family. My sister is going to her in-laws this year since her father-in-law is celebrating his 70th birthday today. Thanks for all of your prayers . love, and support. Love you all.....

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 glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

1st radiation in San antonio

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

Today I went to the cancer center to get a radiation treatment. My sister drove me there to show me how to get there. There are so many hospitals in this medical complex. We went into the hospital but couldn't find the cancer center. Even the admissions person didn't know exactly where it was (that was a little scary--lol). Anyway, we finally found out and went in the back way. We now know how to get in the front way--lol--for they have an outside entrance and parking nearby--yea!!! I saw the dr. and he was nice but concerned for he thinks my first dr. was radiating too much of my lungs (I didn't even realize any of the lungs were being radiated). he said that could cause pulmonary fibrosis in later years if not careful so he is going to change the direction the rays go in. At first he said that we would get the set up today and then start the radiation on wednesday then realized they are going to be closed for the holidays on Thursday and Friday so decided that maybe they could start today. I have to wear this interesting bra looking thing to lift up my breasts to better radiate them. Very interesting. I leave it there and will wear it each time I go. Everyone at the cancer center was nice. I went back to my sister's house for lunch and did some schooling with the boys. They called me around 2:30 and told me to be there in 30 minutes so they could do my first radiation treatment there. Luckily, it takes about 20 minutes to get there. And I drove myself there this time and didn't get lost. They had to take lots of x-ray pictures so I had to lie still for a while so was happy when they finally finished. They really marked me up with their permanent marker -lots more than the center before. I won't be able to wear some of my shirts--oh, well........ I will be getting my radiation treatments in the afternoons. I had hoped to get my treatments in the morning except for Mondays but I guess since they knew I needed Monday afternoons they gave me all afternoons. That means when I leave for the weekend, I will have to leave later than i would like but that's okay. I need Monday afternoons for I have things to do in my town on Monday mornings like getting Herceptin, seeing the onocologist, etc. The boys will be able to get their schooling done on Friday mornings for I had planned to have them do it in the car which is sometimes hard to do--lots of distractions. After I was finished with the radiation treatment, I came back 'home' and put lots of aloe vera gel on. I really don't want to get burned.

My sister has had several offers for help--meals and even places for me to stay. Some of them think I am an 'invalid', for one lady commented that it wouldn't be good for me to stay with her for I would find it hard to manage the stairs. We thought that was funny. I am far from being an invalid but it is sweet that she has some caring friends. So far things are going well at my sister's. Her youngest son does have lots of school work involving computer work so he was up late which means my boys were up late since they were sleeping in the computer room (a study). And today, Brandon was one grumpy boy but they will adjust......I do so appreciate my sister for letting us stay. Now I am praying that insurance will pay for all of this!!!!! Thanks for your prayers too.

John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Leaving for San Antonio

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Today is the day my boys and I leave for San Antonio to stay with my sister and her family for a few weeks. We will come home for the weekends, so that is going to be alot of traveling but that's okay. You have to do what is best for the circumstances and this is the best way in this situation. I am already pretty much packed. I don't want to be a burden for my sister so we are helping with meals, taking paper goods, etc. My oldest nephew (a senior in high school)is giving up his bedroom for me to sleep in. He will share with his brother but that means he has to sleep on a cot but he did that all summer at boy scout camp so he doesn't mind. What a sweet nephew. My boys will also be sleeping on cots in the dining room area--an area that isn't used much. This will be adventure and during the Christmas season which makes it different. I love Christmas and to decorate, bake, and do all kinds of fun things so it will be interesting to see how this goes this season. I took down all my fall stuff yesterday so when I come next weekend, I can get started with Christmas decorating. The fun thing will be getting to do my shopping in a much bigger city!!! Lots of choices--maybe too many. lol.

I think my hair is starting to grow again. I am so ready for it to grow. Tired of wearing hats and wigs. Well, thanks for your prayers. Tomorrow I go to the new place and get all set up again. I wonder if they will do radiation too. I hope so. The sooner, the better so I can come home to stay. Love you all....

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Friday--Nov. 20

Psalm 9:18 Thsoe who know your name will trust in You, for you, lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Looks like I am off to San Antonio to finish up my radiation treatments. I had a few scares for I called insurance today to be sure they will cover the set up for radiation and the guy said that the hospital wasn't covered but in the process of recertification but said I should get the tax ID to be sure. I called the hospital and they said they checked and I am covered but she gave me the tax ID so I called back and sure enough, I am covered there. yea!!!!! I talked to the doctor who will be treating me. He was confused on why I was coming so explained to him and he understood but thought it was terrible that I had to go down there. He says the doctors and patients get caught in the middle. He said he would even treat me for free but I told him that he was covered by my insurance. What a nice dr. Anyway, I am to be there on Monday morning. The nurse said they never had anyone transfer after receiving so many treatments but she understood my reasoning when I explained. She seemed nice. I have to admit, I was getting quite frustrated and teary there for awhile. I almost wanted to quit again but don't worry Mother, I won't .....I even said that to the dr. and he said, no, you can't do that.

I did not take any radiation treatments yesterday or today. My dr. said it was okay to miss these days. I had to call to reschedule some dr. appts. and my coumadin level checks. I went in today to get coumadin level checked and it was high again. I am trying to get any appts on Mondays so hopefully I can get radiation treatment on Monday at a late time and then travel to San Antonio on Monday. It will be harder for my boys to do school in the car but they have done it before.

Today I have been so scatterbrained with my thoughts going everywhere trying to get things ready for my trip. So much to do.....did laundry, started to pack clothes, gathered up school books and items we will need plus made lesson plans for the next 2 weeks. Plus I had to do school with the boys today--I was behind in reading Chemistry (yes, I have to read it then go over it with the boys even though they have read it too but they seem to need extra teaching on it. ) There were many other little things to do too. Tonight we are going to watch a play at the college where my daughter is the assistant stage manager. Tomorrow we are going out of town for a basketball game. I know I should stay home but I want to support my boys and maybe even see my mom since it's near her. I will be taking my laptop plus my sister does have a computer so I will continue to blog my experiences. Thanks for all your prayers. Just pray that the insurance really does cover this and just for all of us to adjust to being in a different place and for my sister and her family as they adjust to us being there. Pray that I remember everything I need to take. This will be a weird week with it being Thanksgiving for I will probably leave San Antonio and drive straight to my mom's to celebrate Thanksgiving there. Well, love you all and thanks again for your prayers.

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Thursday--Nov. 19

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.

Hard to believe it is mid-Novemeber already. Time sure flies by fast these days. Yesterday Larry was able to pull up a list of hospitals and doctors that our insurance covers. I went for my radiaiton treatments and one tech said that there are radiation treatments done in hospitals so I searched several hospitals online to see if they have radiation treatments. I finally found 3--Scott and White in Temple, one in Brownwood, and then one in San Antonio. I am going for the one in San Antonio for my sister lives there and I can stay with her. I called the one in San Antonio to be sure they are under my insurance and not renting space from that hospital. They gave me the doctor's phone number so I called the radiation center here to have them set up a time for me to go down. I haven't heard anything yet---hopefully today I will hear something. If this doesn't work out, we have decided we will just finish up here. My mother says she will help with the payments--thanks Mom. I know that God is in control and I just need to sit back and completely trust Him in this matter. He knew all along I wasn't being covered well by insurance so there must be a reason for all this--maybe for me to have complete faith in Him!!!

So far, I am doing well with the radiation treatments---not really red yet. Sometimes it is a little pinkish but not all the time. It doesn't hurt at all so able to wear my bra--lol. I wish my hair would hurry up and start growing. I am so ready. My head gets cold without hair!!!! :) Thanks for being a faithful reader and prayer partner. Love you all......

II Corinthians 12:9 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.