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.