Got email from Maria this morning, with some sad news. Her friend Larry, who I have NEVER met is dealing with a lot right now. His Dad has lung cancer and isn't doing well at all, it sounds like he will be going into hospice. AND, his Mom has breast cancer and is going to need a radical mastectomy!
I don't need the good thoughts and prayers any more people...but Larry Jones and his parents sure do...please redirect any good vibes and prayers you are sending my way, his way. He and his folks really need all the support they can get.
And, while you are at it...save some good vibes for Jim Donovan...who will be going back to the doctor next week.
Your vibes, good thoughts and prayers are SO POWERFUL! I know, I am a beneficiary, one who will be forever grateful.
Thanks!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Good News and the "Bad News"
Went to Providence today for my fifth chemo session....was surprised when the receptionist told me that my name had been crossed out! June, the nurse, came out and told me that my blood levels were too low (below 1,000) and Dr. Lachance wanted me to wait a week to give my body time to recuperate.
We IMMEDIATELY blamed Lynne, who had said she had a feeling that I wouldn't be having my chemo today! She ruined the karma we have going! It is all her fault!
We asked June if we could have a copy of my bloodwork and my latest CA-125 level...which we hadn't seen since my second chemo session. She made copies and that was the GOOD NEWS!!!
My CA-125 level dropped another two points...I'm down to FIVE now! Remember, anything under 30 is good, anything under ten is AWESOME!!
The other bloodwork was not such good news though, my red blood cell count was way down, which means I'm anemic, probably why I'm so cold all the time and why my ass is dragging.
My magnesium level is down and more of a concern, my platelet count is way down too. I have always been "lousy" with platelets--as the nurses at the Red Cross used to say. So, it's good that I have been actively avoiding people who are sick...and I appreciate those who stayed away to protect me.
Sandy says the fact that my platelets are down is proof positive that I AM getting the Avastin (the clinical trial drug)...as that is the only drug that causes that reaction. As if we needed more proof.
We stopped at the "Middle of Nowhere Diner" on the way home....good breakfast, but too much food! I brought home the homemade sausage and hash browns for another day.
When we got home I was exhausted..and freezing. So I got into bed and shivered (despite having the mattress warmer turned up high) and finally fell asleep--for two and a half hours!
I'm going to keep on napping and eating well....I go back next week for bloodwork and if it's good, I'll have my 5th chemo next Friday. So, I miss it by a week. Big Whup! I will finish up the last week in March, with my 6th one if all goes well....which I think it will. I'll have to have Lynne believing it too...or else I'll be having to wait another week!
My cousin Shirley sent me a card today that is great. This is what it says:
No one said it would be easy
to lose your hair.
But knowing you,
you'll find a way
to turn this situation around
and use it
as a badge of honor,
a sign to the world that
your treatments are working
And when this is all behind you
and your hair grows back,
You'll be able to say with assurance
that every day is a good hair day.
I love it! My sentiments exactly! One thing I have noticed....people don't want to touch my head. I ask people to touch it, to rub it (for luck) and they don't want to.
Yesterday I went to the Uncas office and saw a lot of folks. Two people rubbed my head spontaneously, Charlene and J. K. They were the first ones besides Sandy to do that. I dunno, maybe it's just me...but when people I know have lost their hair due to chemo, I instinctively rub their heads for luck. I guess people are different. I'm an intrusive kind of gal, I guess. I loved having them rub my head....it felt great!
Well...I have to make good on my plan and get to bed early, so,
Nighty Night!
We IMMEDIATELY blamed Lynne, who had said she had a feeling that I wouldn't be having my chemo today! She ruined the karma we have going! It is all her fault!
We asked June if we could have a copy of my bloodwork and my latest CA-125 level...which we hadn't seen since my second chemo session. She made copies and that was the GOOD NEWS!!!
My CA-125 level dropped another two points...I'm down to FIVE now! Remember, anything under 30 is good, anything under ten is AWESOME!!
The other bloodwork was not such good news though, my red blood cell count was way down, which means I'm anemic, probably why I'm so cold all the time and why my ass is dragging.
My magnesium level is down and more of a concern, my platelet count is way down too. I have always been "lousy" with platelets--as the nurses at the Red Cross used to say. So, it's good that I have been actively avoiding people who are sick...and I appreciate those who stayed away to protect me.
Sandy says the fact that my platelets are down is proof positive that I AM getting the Avastin (the clinical trial drug)...as that is the only drug that causes that reaction. As if we needed more proof.
We stopped at the "Middle of Nowhere Diner" on the way home....good breakfast, but too much food! I brought home the homemade sausage and hash browns for another day.
When we got home I was exhausted..and freezing. So I got into bed and shivered (despite having the mattress warmer turned up high) and finally fell asleep--for two and a half hours!
I'm going to keep on napping and eating well....I go back next week for bloodwork and if it's good, I'll have my 5th chemo next Friday. So, I miss it by a week. Big Whup! I will finish up the last week in March, with my 6th one if all goes well....which I think it will. I'll have to have Lynne believing it too...or else I'll be having to wait another week!
My cousin Shirley sent me a card today that is great. This is what it says:
No one said it would be easy
to lose your hair.
But knowing you,
you'll find a way
to turn this situation around
and use it
as a badge of honor,
a sign to the world that
your treatments are working
And when this is all behind you
and your hair grows back,
You'll be able to say with assurance
that every day is a good hair day.
I love it! My sentiments exactly! One thing I have noticed....people don't want to touch my head. I ask people to touch it, to rub it (for luck) and they don't want to.
Yesterday I went to the Uncas office and saw a lot of folks. Two people rubbed my head spontaneously, Charlene and J. K. They were the first ones besides Sandy to do that. I dunno, maybe it's just me...but when people I know have lost their hair due to chemo, I instinctively rub their heads for luck. I guess people are different. I'm an intrusive kind of gal, I guess. I loved having them rub my head....it felt great!
Well...I have to make good on my plan and get to bed early, so,
Nighty Night!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
4 AM Thursday
Here I am, shivering in the living room, typing in this blog at 4:17AM, Thursday! To bring you up to date.
Did NOT go to casino Tuesday night. I was too tired during the day and despite having a nap...didn't recuperate enough. I called Frank and told him Sandy would still go with him, but he wanted to wait until we could all go...which I preferred to do too. So it worked out all the way around.
Last night was my night to have the Ladies Night Out group over for supper. Lynne was wonderful-she came over early to set things up for me, so I didn't have to get tired. Sandy cleaned the house earlier in the day. I made my chili, put it in the crockpot and took a nap for about an hour and a half.
Sandy went shopping and picked up some of those "5 Hour Energy" drinks...she had me try one before folks arrived for dinner. It kicked in a little before everyone left to go home! I had a hard time falling asleep...finally did and then woke up at 2:30 and lay there for an hour before I was smart enough to just get up. I don't know if this is from the drink or if it's my "night before chemo insomnia"--hitting me a day early!
The party was great--Judy Crawford, Joanie, Harriet, Margie Spinnato, Deb Silva, Dori, Charmine and Pat, Fran and Pat Bourne came. I hope I'm not forgetting anyone. Diane stayed home with the sniffles, Robin with the flu and Marge Daly with a cold. I appreciate them keeping their distance, as I don't want to get ill when I'm having my chemo! Someday I won't have to worry as much about germs...I look forward to that day!
Fran brought the quilt that she made, that so many people were involved with, collecting signatures, delivering quilt squares, etc. She read a list of "Little Known Facts" about the quilt--including the fact that there are over 220 signatures on it! WOW!!! The squares were sent to several different regions of DDS, and Central Office too....in addition to my family and friends outside of DDS. If anyone hasn't had the chance to sign it and wants to...they can see me!
The quilt is beautiful...the backing is all UConn Huskies....the front is the quilt squares in gorgeous colors. We took pictures and I'll be posting them in an album about last night on my Facebook page.
Another surprise, Joanie bought me a wonderful, soft pillow with a blue casing on it and the Red Sox Logo sewn in the middle! I LOVE IT!!
Looking around the room last night at the folks who were there, I was thinking I have known some of these folks for almost 30 years now...it doesn't seem possible. Next month is my 30th anniversary of my start date with the state--working at Seaside. I don't FEEL that old!
Today---in a few hours, I have to go for my blood work, meet again with the financial advisor about transferring my tax sheltered annuities from ING and then go over to the Uncas Office for Mortality Review. I'm hoping Mary is working at Uncas so I can see her...it's been awhile. I heard that she got snowed in up in Vermont though...I wonder how hard she's working to get "dug out" so she can go back to work! I know I wouldn't be knocking myself out, if it were me!
Friday I have my 5th (and next last) "big chemo".....and then it's "one and done!" YAY!!
Oh, I recorded the Sox exhibition game last night---thanks to Judy for giving me the "head's up" that it was on...I completely missed that. If I can't go back to sleep soon...I may put that on the tv and watch it.....and watch the sun come up. Sunrise with the Sox...that's not to hard to take.
Really though, I had some animal crackers, will have a glass of milk, and I bet I'll be off to the "Land of Nod" soon enough.
Nighty night!
Did NOT go to casino Tuesday night. I was too tired during the day and despite having a nap...didn't recuperate enough. I called Frank and told him Sandy would still go with him, but he wanted to wait until we could all go...which I preferred to do too. So it worked out all the way around.
Last night was my night to have the Ladies Night Out group over for supper. Lynne was wonderful-she came over early to set things up for me, so I didn't have to get tired. Sandy cleaned the house earlier in the day. I made my chili, put it in the crockpot and took a nap for about an hour and a half.
Sandy went shopping and picked up some of those "5 Hour Energy" drinks...she had me try one before folks arrived for dinner. It kicked in a little before everyone left to go home! I had a hard time falling asleep...finally did and then woke up at 2:30 and lay there for an hour before I was smart enough to just get up. I don't know if this is from the drink or if it's my "night before chemo insomnia"--hitting me a day early!
The party was great--Judy Crawford, Joanie, Harriet, Margie Spinnato, Deb Silva, Dori, Charmine and Pat, Fran and Pat Bourne came. I hope I'm not forgetting anyone. Diane stayed home with the sniffles, Robin with the flu and Marge Daly with a cold. I appreciate them keeping their distance, as I don't want to get ill when I'm having my chemo! Someday I won't have to worry as much about germs...I look forward to that day!
Fran brought the quilt that she made, that so many people were involved with, collecting signatures, delivering quilt squares, etc. She read a list of "Little Known Facts" about the quilt--including the fact that there are over 220 signatures on it! WOW!!! The squares were sent to several different regions of DDS, and Central Office too....in addition to my family and friends outside of DDS. If anyone hasn't had the chance to sign it and wants to...they can see me!
The quilt is beautiful...the backing is all UConn Huskies....the front is the quilt squares in gorgeous colors. We took pictures and I'll be posting them in an album about last night on my Facebook page.
Another surprise, Joanie bought me a wonderful, soft pillow with a blue casing on it and the Red Sox Logo sewn in the middle! I LOVE IT!!
Looking around the room last night at the folks who were there, I was thinking I have known some of these folks for almost 30 years now...it doesn't seem possible. Next month is my 30th anniversary of my start date with the state--working at Seaside. I don't FEEL that old!
Today---in a few hours, I have to go for my blood work, meet again with the financial advisor about transferring my tax sheltered annuities from ING and then go over to the Uncas Office for Mortality Review. I'm hoping Mary is working at Uncas so I can see her...it's been awhile. I heard that she got snowed in up in Vermont though...I wonder how hard she's working to get "dug out" so she can go back to work! I know I wouldn't be knocking myself out, if it were me!
Friday I have my 5th (and next last) "big chemo".....and then it's "one and done!" YAY!!
Oh, I recorded the Sox exhibition game last night---thanks to Judy for giving me the "head's up" that it was on...I completely missed that. If I can't go back to sleep soon...I may put that on the tv and watch it.....and watch the sun come up. Sunrise with the Sox...that's not to hard to take.
Really though, I had some animal crackers, will have a glass of milk, and I bet I'll be off to the "Land of Nod" soon enough.
Nighty night!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Taylor's nose
We went down to Jean's to visit Taylor today...she was staying home from school and went there to stay. I don't think it was the best thing for her. I think she should have stayed home, in bed. The poor kid is so pale and uncomfortable. Her nose looks great though and there is no swelling to speak of, but I know how she feels, the whole framework of her face aches!
I was jealous, she managed to do the sinus lavage herself....I still haven't managed to do one properly! Everytime I do the Neti Pot, the stuff goes into the wrong places and burns, burns, burns!
Oh well...Tay gave me some hints about what I might be doing wrong. I'll try, try again!
I didn't feel very good, all day. I probably shouldn't have gone down to Jean's. I ended up sleeping on the couch (well, dozing and waking when the dogs would jump on me, or bark or whatever)....the whole time. When I got home I went right to bed and slept for two hours.
Tomorrow we take Frank to the casino for dinner and our usual "donation" to the Mohegans. I'm going to sleep alot to be in good shape to go out.
I don't want to get run down for Wednesday, which is when I'm having a house full of company--my old work pals are coming for "Ladies Night Out." Lynne is coming up early to help set things up for me. I have to make chili in the AM and put it in the crock pot to simmer. I really appreciate Lynne coming...it would tire me out to have to do all the work that it's going to take to get ready.
Boy, do I hate that! I feel helpless a lot lately. I know it's going to pass soon, when I stop the "big chemo sessions" but in the meantime, I keep getting blind-sided by this fatigue. It's hard to admit that I can't do the things I used to be able to handle, no sweat. It's hard to watch other people doing things for me and to have to rely on them to take care of me.
It's hard, but may that be the worst thing that happens! Fatigue is a piece of cake to deal with, compared with other problems I could be having. The other side effects are minimal and not very difficult to deal with.
Looking forward to tomorrow night and Wednesday night. It's a great week!
Nighty night.
I was jealous, she managed to do the sinus lavage herself....I still haven't managed to do one properly! Everytime I do the Neti Pot, the stuff goes into the wrong places and burns, burns, burns!
Oh well...Tay gave me some hints about what I might be doing wrong. I'll try, try again!
I didn't feel very good, all day. I probably shouldn't have gone down to Jean's. I ended up sleeping on the couch (well, dozing and waking when the dogs would jump on me, or bark or whatever)....the whole time. When I got home I went right to bed and slept for two hours.
Tomorrow we take Frank to the casino for dinner and our usual "donation" to the Mohegans. I'm going to sleep alot to be in good shape to go out.
I don't want to get run down for Wednesday, which is when I'm having a house full of company--my old work pals are coming for "Ladies Night Out." Lynne is coming up early to help set things up for me. I have to make chili in the AM and put it in the crock pot to simmer. I really appreciate Lynne coming...it would tire me out to have to do all the work that it's going to take to get ready.
Boy, do I hate that! I feel helpless a lot lately. I know it's going to pass soon, when I stop the "big chemo sessions" but in the meantime, I keep getting blind-sided by this fatigue. It's hard to admit that I can't do the things I used to be able to handle, no sweat. It's hard to watch other people doing things for me and to have to rely on them to take care of me.
It's hard, but may that be the worst thing that happens! Fatigue is a piece of cake to deal with, compared with other problems I could be having. The other side effects are minimal and not very difficult to deal with.
Looking forward to tomorrow night and Wednesday night. It's a great week!
Nighty night.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Husky Sunday
I honestly can't remember what I did yesterday...oh well, perhaps Alzheimer's setting in...at least you, my poor reader, are spared all the boring details!
Anne-Marie and her pals picked me up in the mini-van at 11 this morning and we were off to Hartford! I rode with four nurses, so I felt very much at home.
OHMYGOD!!! I just remembered what I did yesterday! Roxie and Virginia came to visit. We got Chinese food to go and chowed down and then had a nice visit. I showed them the Wii Fit and Roxie tried her hand at doing some of the things....she has some work to do....but it isn't hopeless! (I only say the latter because I know she reads this blog from time to time)
We had a great time and I was so happy they came to visit...I wish they lived closer so we could see each other more. I think Roxie will come over when it's kayaking season again....we had a great time kayaking the last time she visited.
Audge, you were wrong, V loved the dogs, and Bubbles even sat on her lap! She loved Bubbies fur.
So, back to today. We went to City Steam and had to wait outside for the place to open. Saw Wendy Evans (sorry I can never remember her married name) there out in the rain, she told me that SHE reads my blog too! I was surprised...she said that Peggy gave her the web address...which I don't mind at all. It just surprises me how many people read this drivel. Every time I turn around there's someone else and their brother who check this place out.
We had to wait over an hour for our meals at City Steam! WOW!! There were 13 of us and a lot of us had faxed our orders in to speed up the process....good thing. We just made it over to the XL Center and into our seats just as they were lining up for the National Anthem. The food was pretty good...I had an appetizer sampler, plus an order of sweet potato fries that Cori and I shared. The sampler had calamari, wings and veggie dumplings--very good!
The game was great....close contest. I had to hike the stairs twice...up to Row P (for Penis--Jack says...when I said "are you saying B for Bravo or D for Delta?") One hike was to get to our seats at the start of the game and the second was after we went down to the concourse at half time to visit with Marie, Don and Cori. The second time really wiped me out...so I was happy to have the chance to sit through the half, but of course, the Huskies mounted their big comeback in the half and we had to keep jumping to our feet to cheer. Oh, and I did the dance during the "I Like to Move It, Move It" intermission...that quickly became The Twist when the timeout was extended. That really left me pooped!
The Huskies won. Good game, Geno will have lots to work on in practice after this game!
Jean and Frank came up today. Jean and Sandy cleaned up the cellar, clearing the way for us to plant seeds and set them up under the plant light system down there. It looks so great!
Frank brought up the carpet cleaner and did the carpet in the bathroom...it looks so good now. I really don't like carpeting in the bath....but right now in winter it is so nice and warm. Down the road we'll put a heating system in the floor (like Birgitta and Mats did in Sweden....but we won't get the same guys working on it!) and have tile put in...or I'll put the tile in myself. I also want to redo the faucets and towel bars/rings in the bathroom AND take that wallpaper off!
But I digress....again. Don't get me started!
Now I will sign off and go up to bed early, lie there and watch the Oscars. I don't usually watch the Oscars, but this year I'm curious. I dunno why, I just am.
Oh, we welcome home Lynne and David who just returned from Mexico....and had a great time!
Nighty night!
Anne-Marie and her pals picked me up in the mini-van at 11 this morning and we were off to Hartford! I rode with four nurses, so I felt very much at home.
OHMYGOD!!! I just remembered what I did yesterday! Roxie and Virginia came to visit. We got Chinese food to go and chowed down and then had a nice visit. I showed them the Wii Fit and Roxie tried her hand at doing some of the things....she has some work to do....but it isn't hopeless! (I only say the latter because I know she reads this blog from time to time)
We had a great time and I was so happy they came to visit...I wish they lived closer so we could see each other more. I think Roxie will come over when it's kayaking season again....we had a great time kayaking the last time she visited.
Audge, you were wrong, V loved the dogs, and Bubbles even sat on her lap! She loved Bubbies fur.
So, back to today. We went to City Steam and had to wait outside for the place to open. Saw Wendy Evans (sorry I can never remember her married name) there out in the rain, she told me that SHE reads my blog too! I was surprised...she said that Peggy gave her the web address...which I don't mind at all. It just surprises me how many people read this drivel. Every time I turn around there's someone else and their brother who check this place out.
We had to wait over an hour for our meals at City Steam! WOW!! There were 13 of us and a lot of us had faxed our orders in to speed up the process....good thing. We just made it over to the XL Center and into our seats just as they were lining up for the National Anthem. The food was pretty good...I had an appetizer sampler, plus an order of sweet potato fries that Cori and I shared. The sampler had calamari, wings and veggie dumplings--very good!
The game was great....close contest. I had to hike the stairs twice...up to Row P (for Penis--Jack says...when I said "are you saying B for Bravo or D for Delta?") One hike was to get to our seats at the start of the game and the second was after we went down to the concourse at half time to visit with Marie, Don and Cori. The second time really wiped me out...so I was happy to have the chance to sit through the half, but of course, the Huskies mounted their big comeback in the half and we had to keep jumping to our feet to cheer. Oh, and I did the dance during the "I Like to Move It, Move It" intermission...that quickly became The Twist when the timeout was extended. That really left me pooped!
The Huskies won. Good game, Geno will have lots to work on in practice after this game!
Jean and Frank came up today. Jean and Sandy cleaned up the cellar, clearing the way for us to plant seeds and set them up under the plant light system down there. It looks so great!
Frank brought up the carpet cleaner and did the carpet in the bathroom...it looks so good now. I really don't like carpeting in the bath....but right now in winter it is so nice and warm. Down the road we'll put a heating system in the floor (like Birgitta and Mats did in Sweden....but we won't get the same guys working on it!) and have tile put in...or I'll put the tile in myself. I also want to redo the faucets and towel bars/rings in the bathroom AND take that wallpaper off!
But I digress....again. Don't get me started!
Now I will sign off and go up to bed early, lie there and watch the Oscars. I don't usually watch the Oscars, but this year I'm curious. I dunno why, I just am.
Oh, we welcome home Lynne and David who just returned from Mexico....and had a great time!
Nighty night!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Freaky Friday
Went to Marie Aulenti's funeral this afternoon in Niantic. Saw Ellen, who had been so faithful to Marie; Diane, Judy and Molli-who I didn't recognize, she's lost so much weight!
On my way home I stopped by Lazizah....hoping to get soup...but they were all out. Bummer! I had spinach salad with white beans, tomato and lemon/garlic and olive oil dressing. Apparently the garlic was really strong as Sandy smelled it before she got downstairs after I got home!
A few minutes later I had to admit that the garlic was a mistake as I locked myself in the bathroom...where I stayed on and off the rest of the afternoon, early evening. It has finally stopped, but it's taken a few Imodium pills to get to this place! Good old Imodium...I'm going to buy stock in that company.
Speaking of stock, I made the call to ING to initiate my first withdrawal. They emailed me the paperwork and I printed it out and will have it in the mail tomorrow. I hope to get the money by the first of the month and send Sandy out car shopping for me. Then I'm getting my money the hell out of ING and into something that I have more control over---and can contribute to.
It will be great to have my credit cards paid off and only one bill--a small car payment, for a change. I think I'll throw a party to celebrate!
Sandy goes to the first agility trial of the year tomorrow...and I'll be sleeping late! Roxie and Virginia will be here for lunch...we'll decide what we are going to have once they get here. I'll be locking Bubbles up until she calms down and then let her out carefully, on the gentle leader and leash. Have the visitors bribe her with treats and take it from there.
Off to bed I go...hoping that the runs stay away and my stomach settles down. I just have to learn to say no to garlic....but that is so difficult when we are talking Lazizah!
Nighty night!
On my way home I stopped by Lazizah....hoping to get soup...but they were all out. Bummer! I had spinach salad with white beans, tomato and lemon/garlic and olive oil dressing. Apparently the garlic was really strong as Sandy smelled it before she got downstairs after I got home!
A few minutes later I had to admit that the garlic was a mistake as I locked myself in the bathroom...where I stayed on and off the rest of the afternoon, early evening. It has finally stopped, but it's taken a few Imodium pills to get to this place! Good old Imodium...I'm going to buy stock in that company.
Speaking of stock, I made the call to ING to initiate my first withdrawal. They emailed me the paperwork and I printed it out and will have it in the mail tomorrow. I hope to get the money by the first of the month and send Sandy out car shopping for me. Then I'm getting my money the hell out of ING and into something that I have more control over---and can contribute to.
It will be great to have my credit cards paid off and only one bill--a small car payment, for a change. I think I'll throw a party to celebrate!
Sandy goes to the first agility trial of the year tomorrow...and I'll be sleeping late! Roxie and Virginia will be here for lunch...we'll decide what we are going to have once they get here. I'll be locking Bubbles up until she calms down and then let her out carefully, on the gentle leader and leash. Have the visitors bribe her with treats and take it from there.
Off to bed I go...hoping that the runs stay away and my stomach settles down. I just have to learn to say no to garlic....but that is so difficult when we are talking Lazizah!
Nighty night!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Day After Wednesday
Made it to all my appointments yesterday, except getting my bloodwork done...decided to do that today instead.
Saw Dr. Lachance yesterday and got some more good news! He said at the conference he went to in San Antonio since the last time I saw him, he learned that there are studies that show that the faster your CA125 drops to normal, the less likely you are to have the cancer come back!
Saw Dr. Lachance yesterday and got some more good news! He said at the conference he went to in San Antonio since the last time I saw him, he learned that there are studies that show that the faster your CA125 drops to normal, the less likely you are to have the cancer come back!
I'll take that news! It's funny, because last week I had the thought that the cancer will come back in me. Not that I'm wishing it to happen, mind you, but maybe an acceptance that it could happen. Sandy told me that it was likely to return, because of the "seeding" that had occured in my case-the fact that it wasn't confined to just the ovary.
When she said that, it set me back a bit on my heels. I know that sounds funny as I had just said I thought it might come back...but to have her confirm that possibility was sobering.
Now I get this news from Dr. Lachance...which makes him look like a god all over again!
I know I have a lifetime of frequent rechecks ahead of me...and I will be diligent about going for my check-ups.....but I have confidence that if it does come back, we will catch it quickly and will deal with it harshly! GET OUT! BE OFF WITH YOU! That's the way we'll deal with it. Kick it's ass out the door, again!
Dr. Lachance (he likes it when I mention his name in the blog...so I'll work it in as frequently as possible) did a pelvic exam on me yesterday...I had been "dodging it" for the past few visits. I believe he did a pap smear....will be interested in hearing those results. He said he couldn't feel anything abnormal in there....and neither could I, as he was doing it. The last time he did it....the night before surgery, both he AND I could tell that there was something very very wrong going on in there. That hurt like hell and it was definitely CROWDED in there. No such crowding, or pain, this time.
Dr. Lachance and the nurse (who is someone who has had chemo) both told me that my exhaustion after this last round of chemo is normal and is a result of the cumulative effects of the chemo, which is exactly what we figured out ourselves. So, that's another piece of good news. I wonder if it will be better or worse after next Friday's chemo? Whichever, I'll be able to deal with it.I will see Dr. Lachance again in two weeks...sorry Lynne, it has to be the 4th and not the 11th as he isn't going to be there on the 11th...and I can't do the 18th as that's the day of the Aging Conference, which I have to emcee.
After leaving Dr. Lachance, we went over to Jean's. I stayed there and took a nap (tried to nap...the dogs were driving me nuts, jumping all over me) on the couch, while Jean and Sandy went to see Taylor. We decided I should stay as they have been ill lately, with the flu.
Taylor is doing okay, in some discomfort. They returned at 1:30 and we headed home...stopping at Taco Bell on the way. We ate when we got home and was it awful! I had a taco and a burrito...the taco shell was stale as were two of the three Sandy had. I found some weird thing in the burrito and Sandy's cinammon twists tasted rancid. I wanted to call the manager, just to give him a head's up that he might want to check the shells and change the oil they are frying in...but Sandy didn't want me to. I have never had a bad meal there....now I'm leery...based on one bad experience! See how that happens?
I went up and got my stuff ready for the game and then took a 45 minute nap.
We went to the game through the snow. I had to hike the three flights of stairs and Sandy was on the floor to take the photos. She got on tv a few time I hear...I saw one of the times, when a player ran right into her...they even showed a replay of it!
The cameras gave her problems all night....one camera had something go wrong and all the images were wiped out! The other camera wouldn't work correctly in sports mode and we were so shook up we couldn't think of what to do to correct it---we should have just put it in auto mode...let the camera do all the work! So, suffice it to say there were next to no usable pictures...but we learned from the experience!
I started my game story after 11:30...Sandy had already collapsed in bed. I got almost all the way through the story and was just starting to type up the quotes from off my tape recorder and the document started going nuts! More troubles....it was jumping all over the place....like someone was hitting the enter button....I hurried up and saved it and shut everything down and went to bed at 12:30...I was exhausted!
We got up at 9 feeling better this AM....we went for my bloodwork--boy were they inhospitable at the lab...everyone in a foul mood. I hate it when people can't at least say "hello, and please and thank you" in a nice way. I try to be polite back at them, but sometimes my "you reap what you sow mode" kicks in, as it started to do today, before I caught myself.
Then we went to the hospital cafeteria to meet with the investment guy. I gave him a copy of my last statement and he is going to do a complete breakdown of my investment funds. He says that I should have more diversity in my funds...I have eight of them now and he recommends about 12-20. I want to take my money out of who I have managing it now and move it to his business, so I can have someone who will consult with me frequently, someone who's pay depends on how well my funds do, someone who will be looking out for me and my needs.
He gave me "permission" to take $$ out to pay off my credit cards and put a good down payment on a new (used) car. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a Camry hybrid. Sandy volunteered to go do the negotiating for me...and I may just take her up on that! She did a good job with the Highlander she bought.
I came home and collapsed for a few hours...it felt so good to nap. We were supposed to go see Taylor...but we got out of the app't so late and we both were so tired, we skipped it. Jean was with her and she needs to sleep anyway...so it was all right.
I finally finished my game article...but it was too long...had to cut out big sections to make the word count work...I'm getting better at that. It worked and I posted it..I haven't heard any complaints from my editor, so I guess it's all right. You can read it here: http://www.spmsportspage.com/published/spmarticles/moore-hayes-lead-huskies-.shtml
Now I can relax...tomorrow I'll see if I can do some housework...Roxie and Virginia will be coming to visit on Saturday when Sandy is at an agility trial with Truman. Want to have the house spiffy for them!
Now I MUST watch Survivor!
Nighty night!
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