Boo!!!!

It's Halloween and the nurses have to have some fun too. They came dressed in costumes. They decided to go with the Alice in Wonderland theme. Great idea. They have long days, work hard and I am sure this kind of distraction is just what they need from time to time.

These are my gals for the day. They are wonderful and catered to all my needs. Kisses to all the nurses I have met and attended to me. I must say I was a pretty good patient too.

They sped up the drip on the IV so hopefully it won't be midnight when it is done. Ross is just waiting for the call. Kind of like the call for having a baby but this time I am going home. Home Sweet Home!!! and no baby.

It has been an amazing journey. Not one I ever want to do again but certainly one that has given me some time to pause and look around me and see how many blessings I have. My family is first and foremost. Ross is a great husband that I cherish with all my heart. He is my rock and companion and without him I wonder how I would ever survive the day. We have two very terrific boys that have been right with me all the way. Calling, writing, texting and checking up on their mother. Healing me with their humor and concern. They have great women in their lives that have supported me and sent their love daily.

Thank you God for all of them and your guidance.

Great Gals

It's Friday but not the weekend yet. At least not in my mind. I have until Sunday to finish the chemo so I need to keep focused on the end. It will be here soon but a couple more days. Have to hang in there. For the most part my spirits have been good. Again I can not say it enough, the support I have received has certainly made this possible and more bearable. Since it is Friday, Ross was able to get here around noon and share my lunch with me. There always seems something from my tray that he gets a taste of. He stayed until his two sisters and Mom arrived. He met them down stairs because they were bringing him a meal and he wanted to transfer it into the cooler. I heard it was beef bourguignon and more. I suggested (a bit selfish on my part) to freeze it and then we could have it when I get home. This blond is still thinking and not too much of a chem head yet. The ladies arrived. I should have taken a picture because they were colored coordinated. They each had a top or sweater with about the same color. Not just any color that would be easily dressed a liked. It was a sort of pea green. But even so, very attractive on all three of them. They never come emptied handed. There were roses and cards. And then great conversations. They received a treat also while they were visiting. Some of the nurses were going around serving candy and root beer floats. There were a few takers in the group. Not I but others did par take. Mom really enjoyed hers. I think she should have one every afternoon. If I was 92 and as healthy as she is, believe me I would be eating some hot fudge sundaes with lots of whip cream and cherries. It was a good day and a quiet night. What else could a gal ask for.

draft

Is my butt glowing?

Today was a mile maker. 25 radiation treatments were completed today. I did them all. I don't think the Doctors thought I could do it but they didin't know how tough this Hoosier gal can be. Yeah!!!! Yipee!!! Thank Goodness!!!

Since I was ill one day last week and missed a treatment, the radiation treatment was finished today on a Saturday. Which is not the norm. But the radiation doctor decided that we would go ahead and complete it instead of me coming back in on Monday as an out patient. I was sooooooo grateful. The team had to come in just for me and fire that machine up just for little ole me. I could kiss all of them. They were all wonderful throughout this whole thing. Concerned about how I was feeling and how my caboose was doing. Made me feel like a real person and not a no nothing on a cold slab. I said it before but there are some great angles all around me.

Ross came by after he had done some chores. We enjoyed lunch again together. I was brave today and ordered items that had been starring at me since I came here. Like French fires and chicken nuggets. Tasted great at the time but in retrospect might not have been the smartest. I think my system needs some more healing time before I can tackle these things again.

I am looking forward to a hamburger and a chocolate doughnut. These are on my wish list when the time is right.

The count down is officially on. They hung the last bag of Chemo. Doctor came in and wrote the orders for me to be released on Sunday. So after the the last drip goes in I am out of here. It may be late but I am leaving Sunday evening when this is done. Yeah again!!! Less than 24 hours and this part of the journey is a memory.

Visitors

Today was a normal day in my routine for being in the hospital and receiving this treatment. The nurses have been great. The food is good. I think I am eating way too much but when you can choose anything from a menu, they deliver it and I don't have to cook or clean up.... why not take advantage of the room service. Ross is worried we may receive this huge bill at the end of this saying the insurance won't pay for all the food. Eeck!!!!

I had two visitors. It is always good to have them as long as you feel up to it. Amy stopped by before lunch. She was having lunch with a hair dressers client's daughter from the shop she works in. She was picking her up from a school that is very close to the hospital and taking her out to lunch to Chick-fil-A . This by the way was the the little girls idea. She was so excited to have this time with Amy. Amy is a kid magnet and a great gal.

Then before dinner, an old good friend (she is younger than me) stopped by and we had a great time catching up and making fun of things and people. She came bearing gifts. A candle and some spray. Green tea and ginger that is for calming. All the nurses are so impressed with the great smells in my room. I am so glad that I am known for that then something else. Even the cleaning lady was wondering what I was spraying in here. I suggested to her she should carry some with her when she cleans the room. I would!!!! It was so great to catch up with Kathy and make plans and discuss the camping trip that is planned in March. We had such a great time last year and can't wait to do a repeat and spend even more time at Blue Springs.

Ross decided to pass coming by. He had a hard day and said he was pretty dirty. The dirty part was the selling point. Since I had had two visitors already, I enjoyed my quiet dinner and watched the great view from my room. I also had some reading to do. I had started reading Eat, Pray. Love when my treatment began and I had asked others to read it along with me. Ross' Mom took me up on it (she was one of many) and I heard she had finished it. Since she was coming for a visit tomorrow and was eager to discuss it, I had my home work for the night. Luckily I had some available time throughout the night and I did finish it. Enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to seeing the movie.

Throughout this I have been so impressed by the concern, prayers and out poor of love from friends, family and acquaintances. They have been so generous with their time and thoughts. Paying it forward is going to keep me quite busy.

Stay Calm

Today was a lesson for staying calm. We had the plan and Ross stayed home to take me and get me admitted. Before we left the house at 8:30 AM, the hospital called and informed me that did not have a bed available and not to come to the hospital, they would call when one was available. Ugh again and so early.

So we saw, Di. He wrote the orders and then went to radiation treatment. It is in the hospital so I had them call up and see if by chance something was ready. No luck. So Ross and I decided to have some us time and have breakfast at the same time.

Down the road there is a little restaurant called "Alice's Restaurant". It was a pretty warm morning but breezy so we decided to sit outside and enjoy the nice morning. Ordered the specials. Can't go wrong with the breakfast special. I must have been hungry because I believe I cleaned my plate. Thank goodness for the meds to keep my stomach calm. I think they also helped keeping me calm thru this whole process and trying to get admitted.

Still no call so I had the brilliant idea to go to Rooms to Go and look at couches that we had been talking about and had decided we needed desperately and get them in the house before Thanksgiving. So we went shopping and found what we wanted. Signed the papers and we were out of there.

Still no call so back home and wait. There were several calls fro the hospital but still bed no available and would be probably not til Wednesday Am. So Ross decided to go back to work. Not an hour goes by and they call again and they wanted me to check in today and get ready so I would be available to start everything in the morning. I also had requested one of the two rooms that had a shower and it was a available but no guarantees it would be there in the morning. No problem, my bags were packed and in the car. So I drove myself to the hospital. Hauled my for computer, purse, make up bag and suitcase up to the third floor and waited some more because the room was not clean. Ross was amazed I was able to truck all my stiull up there all by myself. I am very resourceful when I need be.

There is a family room on this floor so I patiently waited. In the room also was a family grieving and waiting for a love one to pass over. It didn't seem like it would be long but I felt such sorrow for them, knowing what they were going thru and not really being able to say much since I was the intruder in the room.

There also was a call for security during this time. Three policemen showed up. Not sure what happened but they handled it quietly and very professional. So I was very glad in deed to get to my private room, with a view of the river and a shower. I was a happy lady.

Since they couldn't do an IV's until tomorrow I was a free women for the night and could move around freely. Not that I like trekking up and down the hall ways in my pajamas. Just not my thing.

Ross came after work. Had a little dinner with me and a good conversation before he needed to go and get some rest and take care of the pups. Good night my sweet prince.

Before I forget. Today Is Carl's 32nd birthday. He was home on Monday, baked his own cake and found a recipe for butter cream frosting. I told him this was what I used for icing all the time before canned icing came out. Sounds like I am dating myself. It is what it is and he is a gem. Hugs and Kisses to the birthday boy!!!

Hiccups

This week I had a few hiccups. Tuesday morning was the start of it. I woke early like 4:00 AM. When I wake that early my body is usually telling me something is wrong. I was cold for one thing and not just another blanket cold. This was one of those internal colds. I asked for a blanket, hot tea and then the heating pad to see if this would help. It just didn't seem to cut the mustard. I took all the meds I could think of to help but again not much relief. I was concerned that I would have some nausea and sure enough it did happen. My fresh ginger candy, tea and meds was not handling it. So the inevitable did happen and several times. Nothing much I could do about it.

I was suppose to go in for my usual radiation treatment at 9:30 AM and I knew that wasn't going to happen. The technician did call to see where I was and then had the radiation nurse called me to see what they could do. They called in another anti nausea medicine. Ross ran to pharmacy and soon I was feeling much better. Thank god for modern medicine. Things turned around quickly and became better since I could take in nourishment and keep it.

I was concerned about missing the treatment but again there wasn't much I could do about it. I just didn't want to prolong anything. I wanted to stay with the schedule and finish. They reassured me that even starting treatment on Tuesday we still could get it all finish and not have to prolong to another week. Such a relief. I am so close to the finish line. I want to cross over it soon!!!!

I spoke to Dr G during the week and asked what was going to happen and get some answers for the next week since it needed to be coordinated with the oncologist and be done in the hospital. Well here was hiccup #2.

The oncologist was out of town on Thursday and Friday of this week so he could not write up the orders. The plan was to have radiation treatment Monday morning like usual, see Dr G and then Dr I and get the orders signed. Well I did the radiation on Monday and saw Dr G but found out Dr I's plane was delayed, actually he was bumped, on Sunday and he was not back in town. Ugh!!!!

So Plan C I think. Monday, Dr I was able to phone in the orders, went to pre admit and then had plan for Tuesday. I was going to see Dr I at another office Tuesday Am, go to radiation and then check into hospital. Good. Great. All the plans were finally made and I was going to get my treatment this week and fisnish this journey.

More than Half Way

This is the third week of treatment. It seems to have gone pretty fast but then again not fast enough if that makes any sense. Everyday it has been the same routine. Radiation treatment that only takes 15 seconds on each side and then off to do whatever. The whatever is always a question. It depends on how I feel at the time. The mornings are about the same. I eat a modest breakfast but sometimes that doesn't occur until I have my magic potion pill to make my stomach behave. When that kicks in everything is a breeze.

Ross decided to take the week off this week starting from Tuesday. So we have enjoyed some time together. We took in a matinée on Tuesday. Mostly because the house cleaning guy was coming and I can not stand to be there when he cleans. I would rather walk into a a clean house than to see the process. So we saw Secretariat. I love a good horse movie and this one was. We came home to an unclean house and a message saying the cleaning guy would be there tomorrow. Ugh.

So we spent Wednesday morning out of the house doing some more errands and getting some supplies for the Relay for Life fundraiser we are participating in. We have a team "The Walloping Wahines" that is entered in the relay that will be held in St Augustine April 9th. The link for it is:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11National?px=18158811&pg=personal&fr_id=30073

This will bring you right to my page and there is a donate button right there. If any one would like to join us for that weekend that would be great too. St Augustine is a great city to visit and the weather in April should be wonderful.

The rest of the week I found myself getting more tired, needed those naps and having more effects from the radiation that it seemed best to stay close to home. Ross' mother and his sister Ann came up Friday for a short visit. It was good to see both of them and catch up on events.

The rest of the weekend was about the same, staying close to home, rest and getting physically and mentally ready for the next two weeks. 14 days but really only 10 more days of treatment. That sounds great. TEN More Days of Treatment. Yeah!!!!!

I thank all my family and friends for cards, well wishes and prayers to keep me up lifted and strong to accomplish this task. You are all the Greatest.

Week two is done

This the end of the second week and there are only three more weeks to go. Inch by inch I am geting there and again I have to quote my dear friend "This too shall pass". The goal end is getting closer. At least I am two weeks closer than when I started. Taking an inventory of how I feel and how things have gone so far. I would give it a "B". Not bad. Some soreness and tenderness but it is manageable. My appetite is good. The drugs keep that under control. They don't want me to loose any real amount of weight during this process. I think it screws up their calculations and they have to do so more homework. So I eat my mac and cheese guilt free.

Today is also Friday and Carl has taken the day off and driving down to spend the weekend with us. He arrives around noon and Ross just called and said he was done at work so we could go and have a picnic together. Right before Carl got here he received a call from his school (School for the Blind and Deaf in St Augustine) and they were on a lock down and there was a bomb threat. After many calls and hours he ddi receive word that there was a threat. All the kids and teachers were being held in hte soccer field and ordering hundreds of pizzas for the kids since it was lunch time.

We had a great lunch and catch up time on the beach. Our favorite place these days. I even whined for some ice cream and magically it appeared. I think I have super powers along with this cancer.

It was such a spectacular day I just couldn't go in the house so we sat underneath the old oak tree that the kids had abused as they were growing up and continued with our great day. Keith arrived home early from work and our family was complete. We talked to neighbors as they passed by. Some stopped longer than others but it was all good.

Keith and Carl decided to take the kayak down to the Savannah and try for "Walter". No luck but they as always have a great time and storied to tell.

I found my self all of a sudden exhausted. I didn't pencil in my nap and it finally caught up to me. Since Amy had made and brought over dinner last night for tonight, I took a well needed rest. I woke to the smell of lasagna. How wonderful and delicious. Salad and garlic bread rounded out the meal. As many times as Keith and I have tried to duplicate her sauce we just are missing something. That Italian flare I guess. Hats off the the chef!!!

The rest of the evening we had out first "Relay for Life" meeting. Danielle is on the committee for the one in St Augustine in April. Carl wanted to have a team and since I will be a survivor, it seemed the logical venue. We named out team the Walloping Wahines. We thought the name was appropriate with my diagnosis and there is a tropical theme to the event. You have to have some fun. We strategised way into the night until this little girl needed to get her wahine into bed. Aloha Baby!!

My prince to the rescue

Since my little incident with the sprinkler head on Monday, Ross decided he should take the day off and drive me. I also awoke very nauseated and the medicine they gave me works very well but also makes me more goofier than I already am. This same medicine may have been a factor in the sprinkler incident as well. I was relieved that he was going to be my driver and I could concentrate on me and not have to worry about anything else.

We drove to the Cancer center. I had my treatment. Bim Bam, thank you mam, I was done. My medicine had kicked in and I was feeling great so we decided to drive out to the beach and enjoy the weather. The waves were kicking up a bit but that didn't really matter. We enjoyed some breakfast and each others company. It felt like we were on vacation and we just discovered this wonderful place Jensen Beach. It isn't Fire Mountain but I will take it for now.

The rest of the day was filled with rest. For the both of us and Tucker and Sport too. We all seemed to have needed it and took full advantage of the peace and quiet.

Am I glowing yet?

I have to mention my heartfelt thank you for all the cards and letters I am receiving from family and friends. It is so powerful and so amazing. Everyday there seems to be one or two in the mail and I love and treasure each one of them. Prayer is so powerful. I know they give me strength and the will to get me thru all this. So don't stop, keep them coming and I love you all for each and every one that is said. Thank you so much.

This week is radiation everyday. They lay me on the machine table. I have a cast of my legs so the are in the same position every time. They line me up according to some numbers and away we go. This process takes 15 seconds on one side and 15 seconds on the other. The drive there to the Cancer Center and back is a much more involved time line.

It was good to be out of the hospital and be able to drive by myself. I took full advantage of it. Rolled down the windows and turned up the tunes. It was a glorious day. The Florida weather is finally cooling off and I am dreaming of fall. Cool and crisp. That is not happening actually but a girl can dream.

After treatment I did do some errands. Grocery store and fruit market. What an exciting day. After unpacking everything a nap was in order. This seems like this may be my pattern for awhile.

There was one exciting tidbit for the day. Some how one of the sprinkler heads by the side of the drives way, very close to my car was a bit broken. Hmmmmmmm. I did back the car in the driveway in order to empty out the back , but other than that I really don't remember anything else. Uh Oh.

Home Sweet Home

Not much more to say here. It was great to be home. Great to see Sport and Tucker and relish in all their kisses.

We were met with some beautiful flowers from Carl and Danielle, as we drove up to the house. We spent the rest of the day just being grateful for all the blessings in our lives and enjoying a quiet day and night together.

There is no place like Home!!!!

TGIF

It is finally Friday. I have been looking forward to this day all week. I thought this was going to be my going home day but because of the way the chemo has been administered it looks like it won't finish until way late. So I will be discharged in the morning.

I had a great surprise, a visit from Jeanie. It was good to see her and catch up on things. It seems like forever since we have had a girl chat. Way too long. For years we sat next to each other at work and everything in our lives were known to each other. The good, bad and the ugly. It was way too short of a visit but wonderful. She came bringing gifts. A beautiful bracelet. Just like her to find the perfect gift.

Ross stopped by on his way home. Since I won't be going home today, it was good for him to get a early visit in so he could get home and get some rest himself.

The rest of the day I found myself more tired than I had been. I guess the chemo was taking a toll. I also found myself more emotional too. Not sure if I was just getting tired of the hospital, homesick, radiation and chemo or a combination of all three. I do know I am ready to be unhooked from all this and get home. I was able to get a nap in and some reading.

Around dinner time Carl called to check in. He and Danielle were meeting Amy and Keith in Orlando. The girls were running in the half marathon at Disney Saturday night. They have been training for the past month or so and really looking forward to it. Since I was being somewhat emotional tonight it was hard to say goodbye. Since Carl wasn't driving he started texting me and got me thru my slump. Ross and I are so blessed to have these great kids and now the great women in their lives.