SUNDAY MAY 15th: MADE IT TO CHURCH TODAY & I'M SO GLAD I DID, BUT WAS TOTALLY WIPED OUT BY THE END. IT IS ALWAYS SO COOL TO FEEL THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD THERE & BE BLESSED. WE GOT A BITE TO EAT AFTERWARDS WHICH ONLY INVOLVED SITTING & CHEWING ON MY PART. I FIGURED I COULD MANAGE THAT MUCH. I REVIVED SLIGHTLY AFTER EATING, SO I MADE ARTIE GO INTO MICHAEL'S CRAFT STORE WITH ME BECAUSE I STILL DIDN'T HAVE MUCH OOMPH. I LEANED ON A CART & WALKED REALLY REALLY SLOW WHICH IS A TESTAMENT TO MY HUSBANDS PATIENCE. HE STEPPED OUT TO THE SIDEWALK WHILE I WAS PAYING FOR MY 6 PIECES OF SCRAPBOOKING PAPER, BUT I THINK THAT WAS AN ERROR IN JUDEMENT ON HIS PART. I HAD NO JUDGEMENT ACTIVELY WORKING DUE TO MY CHEMO BRAIN, SO PAID WITH CASH INSTEAD OF PAYING WITH THE MICHAEL'S GIFT CARD ARTIE HAD GIVEN ME FOR MY BIRTHDAY THAT I HAD INTENDED TO USE. TOTALLY FORGOT I HAD IT. OOPS! AFTER THAT, HE EVEN FOUGHT HIS WAY INTO COSTCO, WHICH WAS NEARBY, ON A BUSY SUNDAY AFTERNOON, TO GET ME A CHOCOLATE FROZEN YOGURT. I MAY NOT HAVE NEEDED IT, BUT IT SURE TASTED GOOD ON THE DRIVE HOME TO HANFORD. WHAT A GUY!
MONDAY MAY 16th: I FELT A LITTLE BETTER TODAY. NOT QUITE SO EXHAUSTED. I GOT A CALL FROM DR MARGARET HADCOCK'S OFFICE THIS AFTERNOON THAT WAS VERY ENCOURAGING. SHE WILL BE MY SURGEON FOR MASTECTOMY WHEN THE CHEMO IS DONE. I REALLY REALLY LIKE HER & TRUST HER JUDGEMENT. I'VE HEARD A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT HER FROM OTHER SOURCES. SHE WAS SO KIND & CARING & SUPPORTIVE WHEN I MET HER BERFORE & LET ME BE PART OF THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS FOR MY CARE. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. HER COORDINATOR CALLED TO KEEP TRACK OF WHEN MY CHEMO IS THROUGH SINCE I HAVEN'T EXACTLY FOLLOWED A NORMAL TIMETABLE FOR TREATMENT , WHEN I SEE THE PLASTIC SURGEON, ETC, TO KEEP EVERYTHING UP TO DATE & COORDINATED. I ASKED HER IF THEY EVER DO RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY AT THE SAME TIME AS MASTECTOMY AND SHE STATED MOST DEFINITELY SO. I'LL HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER MRI TO CHECK FOR SPREAD, BUT THAT IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY IF I DO NOT NEED RADIATION AFTER. THEY'LL DO WHAT'S BEST FOR ME & I'LL DO WHAT GOD & MY DOCTORS SAY I NEED TO DO. I WAS GREATLY ENCOURAGED, THOUGH BY THE POSSIBILITY THAT ALL THE SURGERY COULD BE GOTTEN OVER WITH AT ONCE WITH ONLY ONE RECOVERY TIME FROM MAJOR SURGERY. PTL!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
CHEMO # 4, MOTHERS DAY, MY BIRTHDAY, & SOME VERY EXCITING NEWS!
NOTE: I HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATING MY BLOG FOR THE 3 WEEK PERIOD BETWEEN CHEMO #3 & CHEMO #4. NORMALLY I FEEL BAD FOR A FEW DAYS THEN PERK UP UNTIL IT'S TIME FOR THE NEXT TREATMENT. THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN THIS TIME. I GUESS THE EFFECTS OF ALL THE TREATMENTS HAVE BEEN ACCUMULATING OVER TIME. I ALSO WAS DEALING WITH ANOTHER SINUS INFECTION. THE ANTIBIOTICS HELP CLEAR THINGS UP UNTIL THE NEXT CHEMO TREATMENT WHICH KNOCKS OUT MY IMMUNE SYSTEM AGAIN & THE INFECTION FLARES UP.
FRIDAY APRIL 22nd: FELT BAD ALL DAY AFTER CHEMO ON THE 21st. ALSO PULLED MY BACK OUT OF PLACE SOME HOW.
SUNDAY APRIL 24th: HAPPY EASTER! MADE IT TO CHURCH FOR EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE. GOT TO SIT IN THE ROW BEHIND MY FRIEND LISA & HER HUBBY ARTURO. I ALSO GOT TO WEAR A NEW DRESS FOR EASTER SUNDAY WHICH MADE ME FEEL GREAT.
MONDAY APRIL 25th: APPOINTMENT WITH ALLERGY DOCTOR. ARTIE ALSO HAD TO DRIVE UP TO FRESNO TO PICK UP THE NEUPOGEN SHOTS THAT BUILD UP MY IMMUNE SYSTEM SINCE THEY HAD RUN OUT LAST THURSDAY WHEN I HAD CHEMO & DIDN'T GET A NEW SHIPMENT UNTIL TODAY.
TUESDAY APRIL 26th: APPOINTMENT WITH DR ROULUND TO ADJUST MY SORE BACK & PUT IT BACK IN PLACE. YEAH FOR CHIROPRACTORS!
THURSDAY APRIL 26th: BIBLE STUDY IN VISALIA. CAR ACTING UP SO TRADED WITH ARTIE & MINE WENT INTO SHOP. I NORMALLY HAVE TO RUSH HOME AFTERWARDS FOR A QUICK BITE OF LUNCH BEFORE HEADING UP TO FRESNO TO SEE THE ONCOLOGIST OR HAVE CHEMO. I GOT A REPRIEVE FOR TODAY ONLY. THE DOCTOR HAD SAID TO SKIP COMING IN FOR THIS DAY ONLY SINCE WE ARE GOING THREE FULL WEEKS UNTIL THE NEXT CHEMO. BECAUSE OF THIS, I DIDN'T HAVE TO RUSH HOME & GOT TO PARTICIPATE IN A BUNCH OF THE LADIES FROM BIBLE STUDY GOING OUT TO LUNCH TOGETHER AFTER BIBLE STUDY WAS OVER. IT WAS SO COOL SEEING SO MANY LADIES FROM VERY DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE & ALL DIFFERENT AGES EATING, VISITING, AND INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER IN GENUINE INTEREST. I GOT TO MEET A WONDERFUL 75 YEAR OLD LADY NAMED VANITA (FORGIVE ME IF I DIDN'T REMEMBER THE NAME RIGHT, I HAVE A POOR MEMORY RIGHT NOW FROM "CHEMO BRAIN", AT LEAST THAT'S MY EXCUSE FOR NOW). I THINK SHE HAD RECENTLY LOST HER HUSBAND OF MANY YEARS AS A TEAR CAME TO HER EYES EACH TIME SHE SPOKE OF HIM. THEY HAD ATTENDED OUR CHURCH FOR MANY YEARS & HELPED LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE REVIVAL & STRONG PRESENCE OF THE LORD I CAN FEEL AT VISALIA ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH FROM THE MOMENT WE STARTED GOING THERE IN OCTOBER. SHE HAD A LOT OF WISDOM & SO MANY STORIES TO TELL, FUNNY & OTHERWISE. SHE REMINDED ME A LOT OF MY GRANDMA WHO WENT TO MEET THE LORD SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SHE ALSO SECRETLY PAID FOR EVERYONE'S LUNCH WHICH WAS A TRUE BLESSING FOR ALL OF US.
MONDAY MAY 2nd: ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH MY ASTHMA, ALLERGY, SINUS DOCTOR. I WONDER IF I GET FREQUENT FLYER MILES FOR DOCTOR VISITS?
TUESDAY MAY 3rd: DOCTOR VISIT FOR CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT.
THURSDAY MAY 5th: DIDN'T FEEL WELL ENOUGH TO GO TO LADIES BIBLE STUDY. HAD LABWORK & VISIT WITH ONCOLOGIST IN AFTERNOON.
FRIDAY MAY 6th: MORNING APPOINTMENT WITH DR SCHLUND FOR FOLLOW UP AFTER SINUS SURGER LAST APRIL 1st, 2010. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT I HAD BEEN ON ANTIBIOTICS SO MUCH UNTIL I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE CANCER & CHEMO THAT HAD STARTED SINCE I SAW HIM LAST. I WASN'T SURE I WANTED TO TELL HIM AT FIRST, BUT DECIDED IT WOULDN'T BE FAIR IF I DIDN'T. HE WOULDN'T HAVE THE FULL PICTURE TO KNOW HOW TO TREAT ME. HE NUMBED MY NOSE & LOOKED UP MY NOSE & SINUSES WITH HIS SCOPE & TOOK A CULTURE TO MAKE SURE I'M ON THE RIGHT ANTIBIOTICS. HE WANTS ME TO COME BACK IN 6 MONTHS AFTER MY CANCER TREATMENT IS COMPLETE.
SATURDAY MAY 7th: CALEB GOT TO SHOW OFF HIS NEWLY ACQUIRED SKILL OF MAKING OMELETTES WHICH HE LEARNED FROM HIS UNCLE DAVID. JON WAS UP FOR THE WEEKEND, SO CALEB PROUDLY MADE BREAKFAST FOR HIS DAD WHO WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.
SUNDAY MAY 8th: MOTHER'S DAY CAME WITH FLOWERS FOR BECKY & ME, HOMEMADE CARDS, & LOTS OF LOVE. I DIDN'T FEEL WELL ENOUGH TO GO TO CHURCH, THOUGH, BUT MANAGES TO GET UP ENOUGH OOMPH TO GO OVER MY DAD & STEP MOM'S HOUSE LATE IN THE AFTERNOON TO VISIT & GIVE ROSE MARIE A MOTHER'S DAY CARD I HAD MADE. SHE LOVES DOGS SO I PUT A LITTLE DOG WITH A LEASH ON THE FRONT THAT I MADE WITH MY CRICUT MACHINE. I WANTED HER TO KNOW I HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT HER. WE HAD A REALLY NICE VISIT. THEY WERE DOING WELL OTHER THAN DAD IS HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE KNEE HE HAD SURGERY ON ALMOST GIVING OUT ON HIM & CAUSING A LOT OF PAIN. HE'S A HAPPY CAMPER AS LONG AS HE CAN REMAIN MOBILE. I KNOW THE FEELING & AGREE.
TUESDAY MAY 10th: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY WITH 2 OF THE NURSES I WORK WITH AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, MARIA & SIA COMING ALL THE WAY FROM FRESNO TO HANFORD TO TAKE ME OUT TO LUNCH. WE WERE ABLE TO GET CAUGHT UP & I AM AMAZED AT THE EFFORT THEY HAVE BOTH PUT IN WORKING EXTRA DAYS AT WORK TO COVER IN MY ABSENCE. I KNOW IT'S BEEN HARD ON THEM & THEY BOTH HAVE MEDICAL ISSUES TOO. MARIA EVEN HAD A COUPLE OF DOCTOR VISITS TO GO TO AFTER LUNCH. THEY BROUGHT A BEAUTIFUL CARD SIGNED BY ALL MY COWORKERS. THEY WERE BOTH A GREAT SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME. MARIA'S ALMOST 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CHRISTINE, (QUINCENIERA COMING UP IN JULY) EVEN PICKED OUT SOME STRAWBERRY HAND SANITIZER FOR MY PURSE & PERFUME SHE THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE (WHICH I DO!) AND WEARS PINK SHOELACES ON HER TRACK SHOES IN HONOR OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WHICH IS AMAZING BECAUSE PINK IS NOT A COLOR SHE LIKES. SHE'S MORE THAN WILLING TO TELL ANYONE WHY SHE'S WEARING THEM & HER FRIENDS HAVE NOTICED. SHE & HER YOUNGER SISTER MONICA ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR A CANCER AWARENESS MARATHON TO RUN IN. I FEEL SO DEEPLY HONORED. MARIA & SIA PICKED OUT SOME BEAUTIFUL GIFTS WITH SCRIPTURE VERSES ON THEM. A CERAMIC TEA LIGHT HOLDER & A PEWTER BIBLE VERSE CARD HOLDER WITH TITLES LIKE "HE IS IN CONTROL", "DON'T BE AFRAID", & "TRUST IN HIM". EACH ONE HAS A SCRIPTURE VERSE ON IT & WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT ON THE BACK & WAS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE FIGHTING CANCER. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. EVEN THE GIFT BAG & BOOK THEY ALSO GAVE ME HAD SCRIPTURES & ENCOURAGEMENT ON THEM. MONICA & HER YOUNGER BROTHER MARK ANTHONY MADE A CUTE HOMEMADE CARD TOGETHER & EACH WROTE AN ENCOURAGING MESSAGE. I THINK THEY MUST KNOW I LOVE HOMEMADE CARDS. WHAT THEY SAID IN THEM WAS SO TOUCHING. I THINK MARIA & HER HUSBAND MARK, MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT IN RAISING THEIR 3 KIDS. THE GIRLS DROPPED ME OFF AT HOME JUST AS BECKY & DAVID & THE GRANDKIDS WERE HEADING OUT. I GOT OUT OF ONE CAR & JUMPED IN WITH THE KIDS. THEY GOT SOME LUNCH THEN HEADED OVER TO A HOUSE DAVID WAS INTERESTED IN BUYING. I GOT THE PRIVALEGE OF SEEING THE INSIDE & FELT IT WAS PERFECT FOR HIM. IT'S A HISTORIC HOUSE BUILT IN 1902, HAS 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS, & LOTS OF GINGERBREAD & A BIG FRONT PORCH. THE YARD IS COMPLETELY FENCED IN FOR THE DOG, & IT HAS A RELATIVELY NEW 2 CAR GARAGE IN THE BACK. THERE'S EVEN A SMALL CEMENT BASEMENT AT THE BACK FOR CANNING OR WINE CELLAR STORAGE. THE HOUSE NEEDS SOME REPAIRS BUT OVERALL IS IN REALLY GREAT SHAPE. I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR HIM & FOR THE POSSIBILITY IT HOLDS. LATER THAT EVENING, I WAS SURPRISED BY THE WHOLE CREW TAKING ME OUT TO CATTLEMEN'S RESTAURANT IN SELMA FOR A TASTY STEAK DINNER & DESSERT. IT TASTED SO GOOD & WE HAD LEFTOVERS TO BRING HOME FOR LATER. I DON'T THINK THE SCALE WILL BE DROPPING THIS WEEK LIKE IT HAS SINCE I BEGAN TREATMENT. I REALLY ATE A LOT. ARTIE GOT ME A GIFT CARD TO MICHAEL'S CRAFTS & DAVID GOT ME A PAPER DISTRESSING KIT WHICH CALEB AND I HAD FUN TRYING OUT. I USED TO DO SOME SCRAPBOOKING & WILL PROBABLY GET BACK TO DOING IT AGAIN, BUT PREFER MAKING CARDS & TAGS FROM MY PAPER & CRAFT SUPPLIES. BECKY & JON & KIDS GOT ME A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A FREE MASSAGE AT MY CHIROPRACTORS OFFICE WHICH I DESPERATELY NEED. I'VE ALREADY SCHEDULED THAT AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THE GIRL THAT DOES THE MASSAGES IS SO GOOD & SO SWEET & JUST GOT MARRIED. THE MASSAGES SHE DOES SEEM TO COMPLETE & COMPLEMENT THE ADJUSTMENTS THE CHIROPRACTOR DOES. MY AUNT & UNCLE IN MISSOURI SENT ME A GIFT CARD TO KOHL'S DEPARTMENT STORE WHICH I LOVE & A BOOK FROM THEIR PASTOR WHICH HE WANTED THEM TO GIVE TO ME FOR SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT TOO. IT WAS WRITTEN BY ANOTHER PASTOR WITH CANCER FROM PARTS OF LETTERS HE WROTE TO HIS FRIEND WHO WAS A SHORT WAYS BEHIND HIM IN CANCER TREATMENT TOO. IT REMINDED ME OF MY FRIEND LISA & I. SHE HAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CANCER, BUT WE'RE NOT FAR APART IN SYMPTOMS & WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH & KIND OF LIFT EACH OTHER UP IN ENCOURAGEMENT & LOVE. I BET SHE WOULD ENJOY READING IT TOO.
WEDNESDAY MAY 11th, 2011: GOT UP EARLIER THAN I WANTED TO GO TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO GET MY REGULAR LABS DRAWN FOR MY LIVER TRANSPLANT DOCTOR VISIT COMING UP MAY 26. I GET LABS DRAWN FOR THEM APPROXIMATELY EVERY 8 WEEKS TO MAKE SURE MY LIVER ENZYMES AREN'T GOING UP OR BEING NAUGHTY & THAT MY IMMUNE SUPPRESSION MED LEVEL IS WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE TO PROTECT MY BORROWED LIVER 12 YEARS AFTER TRANSPLANT. I ALSO GET OTHER LABS DRAWN WEEKLY AT THE ONCOLOGIST OFFICE TO MAKE SURE MY BLOOD COUNTS AREN'T DROPPING TOO LOW. I WENT DOWN THE HALL FROM THE LAB TO VISIT THE UNIT WHERE I WORKED TO SAY HI, BUT ONLY SAW MY BOSS TRESHA & GOT A HUG & OUR VERY CAPABLE OFFICE SPECIALIST (AKA SECRETARY, DOREEN) WHO KEEPS THINGS RUNNING SMOOTHLY FOR ALL. EVERYONE ELSE WAS WITH PATIENTS, OR AT A MEETING, OR OUT SICK LIKE DIANE WITH BRONCHITIS. AS I WAS DRIVING AWAY, I RAN INTO MARIA & SIA WALKING ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AFTER GETTING OUT OF THEIR MEETING, SO I GOT TO AT LEAST SAY HI. I COULDN'T STICK AROUND LONG BECAUSE I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE CHIROPRACTOR FOR MY REGULAR & MUCH NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. THIS WAS THE FIRST DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AS FAR AS FRESNO ON MY OWN. I STOPPED BY COSTCO AFTER THE CHIROPRACTOR FOR A CHEAP LUNCH, PICKED UP A FEW THINGS WE NEEDED & WENT NEXT DOOR TO A HOME DECORATING FABRIC STORE TO LOOK AT PATTERNS & PRICES OF FABRIC FOR BECKY TO MAKE NEW PILLOWS TO GO WITH THE NEW COUCHES ARTIE WILL BE BUYING ME IN A FEW WEEKS WHEN WE GET ENOUGH MONEY SAVED. I WAS AMAZED AT HOW LOW THE PRICES WERE THERE ($3-$12.99 PER YARD COMPARED TO SIMILAR FABRIC IN STORES OR ON-LINE FOR $45/YARD) I WAS GREATLIY ENCOURAGED BY THE PRICES & SAW SEVERAL I LIKED. I LOVE MY OLD COUCHES & PILLOWS, BUT THEY ARE LITERALLY IN SHREDS FROM WEAR & TEAR & YEARS OF USE. WE LIVED IN POMONA & MY ADULT CHILDREN WERE KIDS WHEN WE BOUGHT THEM AT A DISCOUNT STORE, LONG BEFORE WE MOVED TO HANFORD IN 1995. I GUESS I GOT MY MONEY'S WORTH OUT OF THEM, BUT I AM A LITTLE EMBARRASSED BY ALL THE RIPS & SHREDS.
THURSDAY MAY 12th: CHEMO # 4 TODAY. DIDN'T FEEL GOOD ENOUGH TO DRIVE MYSELF TO BIBLE STUDY THAT IS 1/2 AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME IN VISALIA, SO I SLEPT A LITTLE LONGER IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY'S CHEMO. I HAVEN'T BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ONE BECAUSE I'VE FELT SO MUCH WORSE THE LAST 3 WEEKS & IT WOULD KNOCK ME FURTHER DOWN, BUT GOD PREPARED MY HEART TO BE READY. THIS IS THE LAST OF THE DOUBLE-MED HEAVY DUTY HARDER CHEMO & IT'S GOOD TO GET IT OVER WITH. I'LL STILL NEED MY REGULAR 3 WEEKS TO RECOVER, BUT THEN THEY WILL CHANGE TO A SINGLE DIFFERENT MED THAT IS NOT SO HARD ON THE BODY. IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO AFFECT MY BLOOD CELL COUNTS AS MUCH AS THE FIRST 4 HEAVY DUTY ONES SO THAT I WON'T HAVE TO TAKE SHOTS. AFTER THE NEXT FOUR & FINAL CHEMOS. THE TUMOR HAS SHRUNK A LITTLE BIT ALREADY & IS LESS DEFINED AROUND THE EDGES & THE NEXT MED IS SUPPOSED TO MELT IT AWAY MORE NOTICEABLY ON A WEEKLY BASIS. MY CHEMO NURSE KATIE, WHO HAPPENS TO KNOW & USED TO WORK WITH MY FRIENDS SIA & MARIA IN ONCOLOGY AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MANY YEARS AGO, STATED WEEKLY DOSES OF THIS PARTICULAR MED IV IS MUCH EASIER ON THE BODY & ONLY TAKES AN HOUR TO INFUSE INSTEAD OF 2 OR MORE LIKE THE OTHER MEDS I'VE ALREADY RECEIVED. THE MAIN SIDE EFFECT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACHEY MUSCLES & JOINTS & OTHER BODY PAINS. HOPEFULLY IBUPROFEN WILL HELP WITH THAT. THEY PLAN ON GIVING ME DOSES EVERY WEEK FOR FOUR WEEKS, BUT WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES. I DIDN'T BEHAVE TYPICALLY FOR THE FIRST FOUR CHEMOS & HAD TO TAKE 3 WEEKS TO RECOVER AFTER EACH ONE INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED 2. GOD KNOWS WHAT I NEED & THE ONCOLOGIST IS AT LEAST WILLING TO ADJUST TO WHAT MY BODY SAYS IT NEEDS TOO. WE SHALL SEE. AFTER THAT, IT'S VISITS WITH THE SURGEON & PLASTIC SURGEON & A DEFINITE SURGERY DATE FOR MASTECTOMY. I'VE HAD A HARD TIME THINKING ABOUT THAT BUT KNOW GOD WILL GO WITH ME THERE TOO & THE END RESULT AFTER RADIATION & RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY WILL LOOK BETTER THAN MY NOW 57 YEARS & GRAVITY HAVE CONSTRUCTED. I STILL GET STARTLED OCCASIONALLY WHEN I LOOK IN THE MIRROR & SEE THAT STRANGE LOOKING BALD LADY WITH THE PUFFY EYES & DARK CIRCLES UNDER THEM. AT LEAST MY HAIR WILL EVENTUALLY GROWS BACK & I HAVEN'T COMPLETELY LOST ALL MY EYEBROWS OR EYELASHES YET. ALTHOUGH THIS CHEMO MAY DO IT. I HAD A BRIEF ARGUING MATCH WITH MY HUSBAND, WHICH I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE, ABOUT HOW UGLY THE LADY IN THE MIRROR LOOKED. HE DISAGREED. THIS CANCER ADVENTURE IS A CONSTANTLY CHANGING ONE & I DON'T ALWAYS REACT HOW I SHOULD, BUT GOD ALWAYS TURNS ME BACK IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I KNOW HE WILL SEE ME THROUGH ALL THE ADJUSTMENTS & PAIN & GIVE ME A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO HELP OTHERS. CHURCH HELPS, FELLOWSHIP HELPS, AND THEY ARE STARTING A NEW CANCER SUPPORT GROUP AT CHURCH IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WHICH I AM GOING TO ATTEND. LISA TELLS ME THERE ARE ABOUT 30 LADIES THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO ATTEND SO FAR. IT'S A SAFE PLACE WHERE CANCER SURVIVORS & LADIES CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH CANCER TREATMENT CAN GO FOR SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT. I HEAR THEY ARE EVEN THINKING OF HAVING EVERYONE THAT'S WILLING TO TAKE THEIR WIGS & SCARVES OFF DURING ONE OF THE MEETINGS DO IT TO PROVE WE CAN BE OURSELVES AT ANY STAGE OF THE ADVENTURE. THERE'S EVEN A COUPLE OF LADIES WHO ARE 10 YEAR SURVIVORS. I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING GOOD THAT GOD WILL USE.
FRIDAY MAY 13th: GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS! AND IT CAME LATE IN THE AFTERNOON! DAVID GOT A CALL FROM CHARLOTTE, HIS REAL ESTATE BROKER & AGENT THAT THE BANK THAT OWNS THE HOUSE HE IS INTERESTED IN ACCEPTED HIS OFFER OVER THE OTHER ONE THAT WAS ON THE TABLE. ***!!!HE GOT THE HOUSE!!!*** WE WERE ALL SO EXCITED WHEN HE CAME HOME & TOLD US. WE SQUEALED & YELLED & HUGGED & ALL DID A JIG OR HAPPY DANCE IN EXCITEMENT. EVEN THE DOGS GOT EXCITED. IT WAS JUST A FEW DAYS AGO HE WAS WORKING ON HIS CREDIT REPORT & TRYING TO GET A LOAN PREAPPROVAL. IT WAS JUST 3 DAYS AGO I SAW THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE. WOW DID GOD SPEED THINGS ALONG. THINGS THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN A MONTH OR SO TO WORK OUT WERE WORKED OUT IN JUST A FEW DAYS. WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE! WHAT A PERFECT STARTER HOUSE FOR MY SON. THERE ARE STILL BUILDING INSPECTIONS & ESCROW THAT COULD CHANGE THINGS & TAKE TIME, BUT GOD HAS SPEEDED UP THE PROCESS ALREADY. I DON'T THINK IT WILL TAKE THE FULL TIME FOR HIM TO BECOME THE PROUD OWNER OFFICIALLY. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS FOR HIM TO DO. HE WILL HAVE TO START GOING TO GARAGE SALES FOR FURNITURE. ALL HE HAS LEFT IS ONE SMALL ROUND KITCHEN TABLE FROM HIS FORMER LIFE. WE'LL LET HIM USE THE BED HE IS SLEEPING IN NOW UNTIL HE FINDS A BETTER ONE HE CAN AFFORD TO BUY. HE NEEDS KITCHEN SUPPLIES, DISHES, TOWELS, FURNITURE, POTS & PANS, A COFFE POT, SILVERWARE, KITCHEN CHAIRS, AND A REFRIGERATOR & STOVE TO MENTION A FEW. ONE STEP AT A TIME. THERE'S A HOOK UP FOR A WASHER & DRYER BUT I EXPECT HE'LL COME HERE & USE OURS FOR A WHILE. I OFFERED MY OLD LIVING ROOM FURNITURE, YOU KNOW THE ONES THAT ARE RIPPED TO SHREDS. HE REFUSED NOT ONLY FOR THAT REASON, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE RUFFLED & FLORAL & NOT AT ALL MASCULINE. I'M NOT OFFENDED. I HAVE A VERY UNDERSTANDING HUSBAND FOR LETTING ME BUY THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE EONS AGO. HOPEFULLY HE WILL FIND SOMETHING THAT SUITES HIM A LITTLE BETTER. I REMEMBER THE 1st COUCH WE GOT AFTER GETTING MARRIED. IT HAD BELONGED TO A RELATIVE'S GRANDMA & WAS BEAT UP & A WORN AND UGLY BROWN. WE HAD A CARD TABLE & FOLDING CHAIRS FOR DINING ON. IT WORKED THEN FOR US & I'M SURE DAVID WILL FIND WHAT HE NEEDS TOO. IF HIS ESCROW GOES FASTER THAN PLANNED, HIS SISTER CAN HELP HIM PICK THINGS OUT & GET SET UP BEFORE SHE & HER FAMILY LEAVE HERE JUNE 26TH TO LOAD UP THEIR STUFF & SAY GOOD BYE TO THEIR ORANGE COUNTY FRIENDS AND START DRIVING TO TEXAS JULY 3rd. SHE IS QUITE THE ORGANIZER, JUST CHECK OUT THE CUPBOARDS & GARAGE AT MY HOUSE SINCE SHE CAME. I WANT TO HELP DAVID SET UP HIS HOUSE TOO, BUT CAN'T COUNT ON HAVING THE ENERGY AVAILABLE WHEN I NEED IT. I WILL TRY THOUGH. I'M JUST SO EXCITED FOR HIM! AND BOY WILL IT BE QUIET AROUND HERE WHEN EVERYONE MOVES OUT. I WON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK. WE MAY ALL HAVE TO ATTEMPT A TRIP TO TEXAS AGAIN FOR CHRISTMAS. THEY WILL BE LIVING ABOUT 10 HOURS DRIVE AWAY FROM MY AUNT & UNCLE & COUSIN IN SPRINGFIELD. I REALLY MISS SPENDING HOLIDAYS WITH THEM. MAYBE WE CAN DO THAT AGAIN NOW THAT JON & BECKY & THE KIDS WILL BE LIVING A LITTLE CLOSER TO THEM. I CAN'T WAIT!
SATURDAY MAY 14th: YEAH! MY WEBSITE IS FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO THE CURRENT DAY, EVEN IF I AM A BIT LONGWINDED IN WRITING. MY GRANDSON CALEB & MY HUBBY ARTIE MET MY DAD IN VISALIA THIS MORNING AROUND 9 AM AT HIS MODEL AIRPLANE FLYING CLUB TO WATCH THE GUYS IN THE GROUP FLY THEIR REMOTE CONTROL MINIATURE AIRPLANES. CALEB WAS FASCINATED BY IT ALL. IT WAS A GOOD GREAT-GRANDPA TO GRANDPA TO GRANDSON BONDING TIME, AND I'M SO GLAD THEY WERE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER. I HAD A WONDERFUL CALL FROM MY FRIEND LISA, WHO IS SO SWEET. SHE SOUNDED SO TIRED WHEN SHE FIRST CALLED, BUT SEEMED TO PERK UP & SOUND STRONGER BY THE TIME WE WERE FINISHED. WE ARE GOING THROUGH SIMILAR THINGS WITH OUR CANCER TREATMENT. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OTHER ONE IS GOING THROUGH & HELP ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER & HOLD EACH OTHER UP. WE TALK ABOUT OUR DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE & WHAT WE'VE LEARNED THROUGH ALL OF THIS, & HOW GOD WILL SEE US BOTH THROUGH IT ALL WHATEVER ROUTE IT TAKES. IT WAS SO GOOD TO TALK TO HER. THEN LATER IN THE DAY EVERYONE, INCLUDING DAVID WHO HAD THE DAY OFF FROM WORK, WENT OVER DAD & ROSE MARIE'S HOUSE TO GO SWIMMING IN THEIR POOL. THE WEATHER KIND OF BACKFIRED & GOT A LITTLE COLDER SO THE WATER WAS FREEZING. BOTH GRANDKIDS WERE BRAVE ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND THE COLD WATER & SWIM AROUND, REBECCA & DAVID WERE ONLY BRAVE ENOUGH TO GET THEIR LEGS WET, AND THE REST OF US HAD NO INTENTION OF EVEN TRYING OUT THE 60 OR SO DEGREE WATER AT ALL. WE OLDER FOLK PREFER TO WAIT UNTIL THE WATER IS AT LEAST 80. THE BOYS TOOK A WHILE TO WARM UP AFTER SWIMMING BUT HAD A GREAT TIME. THE FOLKS & ARTIE & I & BECKY & DAVID VISITED WHILE WATCHING THE BOYS SWIM. WE CAME LATER THAN ALL THE KIDS SINCE I AM MOVING SLOWER THESE DAYS BUT DID HAVE A GOOD VISIT. DAVID WAS ABLE TO HELP MY DAD TOO, BY REACHING DOWN INTO THE WATER & REATTACHING THE HOSE FOR THE POOL CLEANER THAT HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT EVERY SO OFTEN TO CLEAN OUT THE ROCKS & DEBRIS THAT GET CAUGT IN IT. IT SAVED MY 80 YEAR OLD DAD FROM HAVING TO LAY ON HIS STOMACH ON THE CEMENT TO REACH DOWN & REATTACH IT HIMSELF. EVERYONE GOT REALLY SLEEPY AFTER A WHILE & I WAS PRETTY WIPED OUT BY THE TIME WE LEFT AT 4:30 PM. ALL IN ALL A GOOD DAY.
FRIDAY APRIL 22nd: FELT BAD ALL DAY AFTER CHEMO ON THE 21st. ALSO PULLED MY BACK OUT OF PLACE SOME HOW.
SUNDAY APRIL 24th: HAPPY EASTER! MADE IT TO CHURCH FOR EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE. GOT TO SIT IN THE ROW BEHIND MY FRIEND LISA & HER HUBBY ARTURO. I ALSO GOT TO WEAR A NEW DRESS FOR EASTER SUNDAY WHICH MADE ME FEEL GREAT.
MONDAY APRIL 25th: APPOINTMENT WITH ALLERGY DOCTOR. ARTIE ALSO HAD TO DRIVE UP TO FRESNO TO PICK UP THE NEUPOGEN SHOTS THAT BUILD UP MY IMMUNE SYSTEM SINCE THEY HAD RUN OUT LAST THURSDAY WHEN I HAD CHEMO & DIDN'T GET A NEW SHIPMENT UNTIL TODAY.
TUESDAY APRIL 26th: APPOINTMENT WITH DR ROULUND TO ADJUST MY SORE BACK & PUT IT BACK IN PLACE. YEAH FOR CHIROPRACTORS!
THURSDAY APRIL 26th: BIBLE STUDY IN VISALIA. CAR ACTING UP SO TRADED WITH ARTIE & MINE WENT INTO SHOP. I NORMALLY HAVE TO RUSH HOME AFTERWARDS FOR A QUICK BITE OF LUNCH BEFORE HEADING UP TO FRESNO TO SEE THE ONCOLOGIST OR HAVE CHEMO. I GOT A REPRIEVE FOR TODAY ONLY. THE DOCTOR HAD SAID TO SKIP COMING IN FOR THIS DAY ONLY SINCE WE ARE GOING THREE FULL WEEKS UNTIL THE NEXT CHEMO. BECAUSE OF THIS, I DIDN'T HAVE TO RUSH HOME & GOT TO PARTICIPATE IN A BUNCH OF THE LADIES FROM BIBLE STUDY GOING OUT TO LUNCH TOGETHER AFTER BIBLE STUDY WAS OVER. IT WAS SO COOL SEEING SO MANY LADIES FROM VERY DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE & ALL DIFFERENT AGES EATING, VISITING, AND INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER IN GENUINE INTEREST. I GOT TO MEET A WONDERFUL 75 YEAR OLD LADY NAMED VANITA (FORGIVE ME IF I DIDN'T REMEMBER THE NAME RIGHT, I HAVE A POOR MEMORY RIGHT NOW FROM "CHEMO BRAIN", AT LEAST THAT'S MY EXCUSE FOR NOW). I THINK SHE HAD RECENTLY LOST HER HUSBAND OF MANY YEARS AS A TEAR CAME TO HER EYES EACH TIME SHE SPOKE OF HIM. THEY HAD ATTENDED OUR CHURCH FOR MANY YEARS & HELPED LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE REVIVAL & STRONG PRESENCE OF THE LORD I CAN FEEL AT VISALIA ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH FROM THE MOMENT WE STARTED GOING THERE IN OCTOBER. SHE HAD A LOT OF WISDOM & SO MANY STORIES TO TELL, FUNNY & OTHERWISE. SHE REMINDED ME A LOT OF MY GRANDMA WHO WENT TO MEET THE LORD SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SHE ALSO SECRETLY PAID FOR EVERYONE'S LUNCH WHICH WAS A TRUE BLESSING FOR ALL OF US.
MONDAY MAY 2nd: ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH MY ASTHMA, ALLERGY, SINUS DOCTOR. I WONDER IF I GET FREQUENT FLYER MILES FOR DOCTOR VISITS?
TUESDAY MAY 3rd: DOCTOR VISIT FOR CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT.
THURSDAY MAY 5th: DIDN'T FEEL WELL ENOUGH TO GO TO LADIES BIBLE STUDY. HAD LABWORK & VISIT WITH ONCOLOGIST IN AFTERNOON.
FRIDAY MAY 6th: MORNING APPOINTMENT WITH DR SCHLUND FOR FOLLOW UP AFTER SINUS SURGER LAST APRIL 1st, 2010. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT I HAD BEEN ON ANTIBIOTICS SO MUCH UNTIL I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE CANCER & CHEMO THAT HAD STARTED SINCE I SAW HIM LAST. I WASN'T SURE I WANTED TO TELL HIM AT FIRST, BUT DECIDED IT WOULDN'T BE FAIR IF I DIDN'T. HE WOULDN'T HAVE THE FULL PICTURE TO KNOW HOW TO TREAT ME. HE NUMBED MY NOSE & LOOKED UP MY NOSE & SINUSES WITH HIS SCOPE & TOOK A CULTURE TO MAKE SURE I'M ON THE RIGHT ANTIBIOTICS. HE WANTS ME TO COME BACK IN 6 MONTHS AFTER MY CANCER TREATMENT IS COMPLETE.
SATURDAY MAY 7th: CALEB GOT TO SHOW OFF HIS NEWLY ACQUIRED SKILL OF MAKING OMELETTES WHICH HE LEARNED FROM HIS UNCLE DAVID. JON WAS UP FOR THE WEEKEND, SO CALEB PROUDLY MADE BREAKFAST FOR HIS DAD WHO WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.
SUNDAY MAY 8th: MOTHER'S DAY CAME WITH FLOWERS FOR BECKY & ME, HOMEMADE CARDS, & LOTS OF LOVE. I DIDN'T FEEL WELL ENOUGH TO GO TO CHURCH, THOUGH, BUT MANAGES TO GET UP ENOUGH OOMPH TO GO OVER MY DAD & STEP MOM'S HOUSE LATE IN THE AFTERNOON TO VISIT & GIVE ROSE MARIE A MOTHER'S DAY CARD I HAD MADE. SHE LOVES DOGS SO I PUT A LITTLE DOG WITH A LEASH ON THE FRONT THAT I MADE WITH MY CRICUT MACHINE. I WANTED HER TO KNOW I HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT HER. WE HAD A REALLY NICE VISIT. THEY WERE DOING WELL OTHER THAN DAD IS HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE KNEE HE HAD SURGERY ON ALMOST GIVING OUT ON HIM & CAUSING A LOT OF PAIN. HE'S A HAPPY CAMPER AS LONG AS HE CAN REMAIN MOBILE. I KNOW THE FEELING & AGREE.
TUESDAY MAY 10th: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY WITH 2 OF THE NURSES I WORK WITH AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, MARIA & SIA COMING ALL THE WAY FROM FRESNO TO HANFORD TO TAKE ME OUT TO LUNCH. WE WERE ABLE TO GET CAUGHT UP & I AM AMAZED AT THE EFFORT THEY HAVE BOTH PUT IN WORKING EXTRA DAYS AT WORK TO COVER IN MY ABSENCE. I KNOW IT'S BEEN HARD ON THEM & THEY BOTH HAVE MEDICAL ISSUES TOO. MARIA EVEN HAD A COUPLE OF DOCTOR VISITS TO GO TO AFTER LUNCH. THEY BROUGHT A BEAUTIFUL CARD SIGNED BY ALL MY COWORKERS. THEY WERE BOTH A GREAT SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME. MARIA'S ALMOST 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CHRISTINE, (QUINCENIERA COMING UP IN JULY) EVEN PICKED OUT SOME STRAWBERRY HAND SANITIZER FOR MY PURSE & PERFUME SHE THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE (WHICH I DO!) AND WEARS PINK SHOELACES ON HER TRACK SHOES IN HONOR OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WHICH IS AMAZING BECAUSE PINK IS NOT A COLOR SHE LIKES. SHE'S MORE THAN WILLING TO TELL ANYONE WHY SHE'S WEARING THEM & HER FRIENDS HAVE NOTICED. SHE & HER YOUNGER SISTER MONICA ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR A CANCER AWARENESS MARATHON TO RUN IN. I FEEL SO DEEPLY HONORED. MARIA & SIA PICKED OUT SOME BEAUTIFUL GIFTS WITH SCRIPTURE VERSES ON THEM. A CERAMIC TEA LIGHT HOLDER & A PEWTER BIBLE VERSE CARD HOLDER WITH TITLES LIKE "HE IS IN CONTROL", "DON'T BE AFRAID", & "TRUST IN HIM". EACH ONE HAS A SCRIPTURE VERSE ON IT & WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT ON THE BACK & WAS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE FIGHTING CANCER. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. EVEN THE GIFT BAG & BOOK THEY ALSO GAVE ME HAD SCRIPTURES & ENCOURAGEMENT ON THEM. MONICA & HER YOUNGER BROTHER MARK ANTHONY MADE A CUTE HOMEMADE CARD TOGETHER & EACH WROTE AN ENCOURAGING MESSAGE. I THINK THEY MUST KNOW I LOVE HOMEMADE CARDS. WHAT THEY SAID IN THEM WAS SO TOUCHING. I THINK MARIA & HER HUSBAND MARK, MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT IN RAISING THEIR 3 KIDS. THE GIRLS DROPPED ME OFF AT HOME JUST AS BECKY & DAVID & THE GRANDKIDS WERE HEADING OUT. I GOT OUT OF ONE CAR & JUMPED IN WITH THE KIDS. THEY GOT SOME LUNCH THEN HEADED OVER TO A HOUSE DAVID WAS INTERESTED IN BUYING. I GOT THE PRIVALEGE OF SEEING THE INSIDE & FELT IT WAS PERFECT FOR HIM. IT'S A HISTORIC HOUSE BUILT IN 1902, HAS 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS, & LOTS OF GINGERBREAD & A BIG FRONT PORCH. THE YARD IS COMPLETELY FENCED IN FOR THE DOG, & IT HAS A RELATIVELY NEW 2 CAR GARAGE IN THE BACK. THERE'S EVEN A SMALL CEMENT BASEMENT AT THE BACK FOR CANNING OR WINE CELLAR STORAGE. THE HOUSE NEEDS SOME REPAIRS BUT OVERALL IS IN REALLY GREAT SHAPE. I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR HIM & FOR THE POSSIBILITY IT HOLDS. LATER THAT EVENING, I WAS SURPRISED BY THE WHOLE CREW TAKING ME OUT TO CATTLEMEN'S RESTAURANT IN SELMA FOR A TASTY STEAK DINNER & DESSERT. IT TASTED SO GOOD & WE HAD LEFTOVERS TO BRING HOME FOR LATER. I DON'T THINK THE SCALE WILL BE DROPPING THIS WEEK LIKE IT HAS SINCE I BEGAN TREATMENT. I REALLY ATE A LOT. ARTIE GOT ME A GIFT CARD TO MICHAEL'S CRAFTS & DAVID GOT ME A PAPER DISTRESSING KIT WHICH CALEB AND I HAD FUN TRYING OUT. I USED TO DO SOME SCRAPBOOKING & WILL PROBABLY GET BACK TO DOING IT AGAIN, BUT PREFER MAKING CARDS & TAGS FROM MY PAPER & CRAFT SUPPLIES. BECKY & JON & KIDS GOT ME A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A FREE MASSAGE AT MY CHIROPRACTORS OFFICE WHICH I DESPERATELY NEED. I'VE ALREADY SCHEDULED THAT AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THE GIRL THAT DOES THE MASSAGES IS SO GOOD & SO SWEET & JUST GOT MARRIED. THE MASSAGES SHE DOES SEEM TO COMPLETE & COMPLEMENT THE ADJUSTMENTS THE CHIROPRACTOR DOES. MY AUNT & UNCLE IN MISSOURI SENT ME A GIFT CARD TO KOHL'S DEPARTMENT STORE WHICH I LOVE & A BOOK FROM THEIR PASTOR WHICH HE WANTED THEM TO GIVE TO ME FOR SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT TOO. IT WAS WRITTEN BY ANOTHER PASTOR WITH CANCER FROM PARTS OF LETTERS HE WROTE TO HIS FRIEND WHO WAS A SHORT WAYS BEHIND HIM IN CANCER TREATMENT TOO. IT REMINDED ME OF MY FRIEND LISA & I. SHE HAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CANCER, BUT WE'RE NOT FAR APART IN SYMPTOMS & WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH & KIND OF LIFT EACH OTHER UP IN ENCOURAGEMENT & LOVE. I BET SHE WOULD ENJOY READING IT TOO.
WEDNESDAY MAY 11th, 2011: GOT UP EARLIER THAN I WANTED TO GO TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO GET MY REGULAR LABS DRAWN FOR MY LIVER TRANSPLANT DOCTOR VISIT COMING UP MAY 26. I GET LABS DRAWN FOR THEM APPROXIMATELY EVERY 8 WEEKS TO MAKE SURE MY LIVER ENZYMES AREN'T GOING UP OR BEING NAUGHTY & THAT MY IMMUNE SUPPRESSION MED LEVEL IS WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE TO PROTECT MY BORROWED LIVER 12 YEARS AFTER TRANSPLANT. I ALSO GET OTHER LABS DRAWN WEEKLY AT THE ONCOLOGIST OFFICE TO MAKE SURE MY BLOOD COUNTS AREN'T DROPPING TOO LOW. I WENT DOWN THE HALL FROM THE LAB TO VISIT THE UNIT WHERE I WORKED TO SAY HI, BUT ONLY SAW MY BOSS TRESHA & GOT A HUG & OUR VERY CAPABLE OFFICE SPECIALIST (AKA SECRETARY, DOREEN) WHO KEEPS THINGS RUNNING SMOOTHLY FOR ALL. EVERYONE ELSE WAS WITH PATIENTS, OR AT A MEETING, OR OUT SICK LIKE DIANE WITH BRONCHITIS. AS I WAS DRIVING AWAY, I RAN INTO MARIA & SIA WALKING ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AFTER GETTING OUT OF THEIR MEETING, SO I GOT TO AT LEAST SAY HI. I COULDN'T STICK AROUND LONG BECAUSE I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE CHIROPRACTOR FOR MY REGULAR & MUCH NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. THIS WAS THE FIRST DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AS FAR AS FRESNO ON MY OWN. I STOPPED BY COSTCO AFTER THE CHIROPRACTOR FOR A CHEAP LUNCH, PICKED UP A FEW THINGS WE NEEDED & WENT NEXT DOOR TO A HOME DECORATING FABRIC STORE TO LOOK AT PATTERNS & PRICES OF FABRIC FOR BECKY TO MAKE NEW PILLOWS TO GO WITH THE NEW COUCHES ARTIE WILL BE BUYING ME IN A FEW WEEKS WHEN WE GET ENOUGH MONEY SAVED. I WAS AMAZED AT HOW LOW THE PRICES WERE THERE ($3-$12.99 PER YARD COMPARED TO SIMILAR FABRIC IN STORES OR ON-LINE FOR $45/YARD) I WAS GREATLIY ENCOURAGED BY THE PRICES & SAW SEVERAL I LIKED. I LOVE MY OLD COUCHES & PILLOWS, BUT THEY ARE LITERALLY IN SHREDS FROM WEAR & TEAR & YEARS OF USE. WE LIVED IN POMONA & MY ADULT CHILDREN WERE KIDS WHEN WE BOUGHT THEM AT A DISCOUNT STORE, LONG BEFORE WE MOVED TO HANFORD IN 1995. I GUESS I GOT MY MONEY'S WORTH OUT OF THEM, BUT I AM A LITTLE EMBARRASSED BY ALL THE RIPS & SHREDS.
THURSDAY MAY 12th: CHEMO # 4 TODAY. DIDN'T FEEL GOOD ENOUGH TO DRIVE MYSELF TO BIBLE STUDY THAT IS 1/2 AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME IN VISALIA, SO I SLEPT A LITTLE LONGER IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY'S CHEMO. I HAVEN'T BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ONE BECAUSE I'VE FELT SO MUCH WORSE THE LAST 3 WEEKS & IT WOULD KNOCK ME FURTHER DOWN, BUT GOD PREPARED MY HEART TO BE READY. THIS IS THE LAST OF THE DOUBLE-MED HEAVY DUTY HARDER CHEMO & IT'S GOOD TO GET IT OVER WITH. I'LL STILL NEED MY REGULAR 3 WEEKS TO RECOVER, BUT THEN THEY WILL CHANGE TO A SINGLE DIFFERENT MED THAT IS NOT SO HARD ON THE BODY. IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO AFFECT MY BLOOD CELL COUNTS AS MUCH AS THE FIRST 4 HEAVY DUTY ONES SO THAT I WON'T HAVE TO TAKE SHOTS. AFTER THE NEXT FOUR & FINAL CHEMOS. THE TUMOR HAS SHRUNK A LITTLE BIT ALREADY & IS LESS DEFINED AROUND THE EDGES & THE NEXT MED IS SUPPOSED TO MELT IT AWAY MORE NOTICEABLY ON A WEEKLY BASIS. MY CHEMO NURSE KATIE, WHO HAPPENS TO KNOW & USED TO WORK WITH MY FRIENDS SIA & MARIA IN ONCOLOGY AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MANY YEARS AGO, STATED WEEKLY DOSES OF THIS PARTICULAR MED IV IS MUCH EASIER ON THE BODY & ONLY TAKES AN HOUR TO INFUSE INSTEAD OF 2 OR MORE LIKE THE OTHER MEDS I'VE ALREADY RECEIVED. THE MAIN SIDE EFFECT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACHEY MUSCLES & JOINTS & OTHER BODY PAINS. HOPEFULLY IBUPROFEN WILL HELP WITH THAT. THEY PLAN ON GIVING ME DOSES EVERY WEEK FOR FOUR WEEKS, BUT WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES. I DIDN'T BEHAVE TYPICALLY FOR THE FIRST FOUR CHEMOS & HAD TO TAKE 3 WEEKS TO RECOVER AFTER EACH ONE INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED 2. GOD KNOWS WHAT I NEED & THE ONCOLOGIST IS AT LEAST WILLING TO ADJUST TO WHAT MY BODY SAYS IT NEEDS TOO. WE SHALL SEE. AFTER THAT, IT'S VISITS WITH THE SURGEON & PLASTIC SURGEON & A DEFINITE SURGERY DATE FOR MASTECTOMY. I'VE HAD A HARD TIME THINKING ABOUT THAT BUT KNOW GOD WILL GO WITH ME THERE TOO & THE END RESULT AFTER RADIATION & RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY WILL LOOK BETTER THAN MY NOW 57 YEARS & GRAVITY HAVE CONSTRUCTED. I STILL GET STARTLED OCCASIONALLY WHEN I LOOK IN THE MIRROR & SEE THAT STRANGE LOOKING BALD LADY WITH THE PUFFY EYES & DARK CIRCLES UNDER THEM. AT LEAST MY HAIR WILL EVENTUALLY GROWS BACK & I HAVEN'T COMPLETELY LOST ALL MY EYEBROWS OR EYELASHES YET. ALTHOUGH THIS CHEMO MAY DO IT. I HAD A BRIEF ARGUING MATCH WITH MY HUSBAND, WHICH I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE, ABOUT HOW UGLY THE LADY IN THE MIRROR LOOKED. HE DISAGREED. THIS CANCER ADVENTURE IS A CONSTANTLY CHANGING ONE & I DON'T ALWAYS REACT HOW I SHOULD, BUT GOD ALWAYS TURNS ME BACK IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I KNOW HE WILL SEE ME THROUGH ALL THE ADJUSTMENTS & PAIN & GIVE ME A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO HELP OTHERS. CHURCH HELPS, FELLOWSHIP HELPS, AND THEY ARE STARTING A NEW CANCER SUPPORT GROUP AT CHURCH IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WHICH I AM GOING TO ATTEND. LISA TELLS ME THERE ARE ABOUT 30 LADIES THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO ATTEND SO FAR. IT'S A SAFE PLACE WHERE CANCER SURVIVORS & LADIES CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH CANCER TREATMENT CAN GO FOR SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT. I HEAR THEY ARE EVEN THINKING OF HAVING EVERYONE THAT'S WILLING TO TAKE THEIR WIGS & SCARVES OFF DURING ONE OF THE MEETINGS DO IT TO PROVE WE CAN BE OURSELVES AT ANY STAGE OF THE ADVENTURE. THERE'S EVEN A COUPLE OF LADIES WHO ARE 10 YEAR SURVIVORS. I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING GOOD THAT GOD WILL USE.
FRIDAY MAY 13th: GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS! AND IT CAME LATE IN THE AFTERNOON! DAVID GOT A CALL FROM CHARLOTTE, HIS REAL ESTATE BROKER & AGENT THAT THE BANK THAT OWNS THE HOUSE HE IS INTERESTED IN ACCEPTED HIS OFFER OVER THE OTHER ONE THAT WAS ON THE TABLE. ***!!!HE GOT THE HOUSE!!!*** WE WERE ALL SO EXCITED WHEN HE CAME HOME & TOLD US. WE SQUEALED & YELLED & HUGGED & ALL DID A JIG OR HAPPY DANCE IN EXCITEMENT. EVEN THE DOGS GOT EXCITED. IT WAS JUST A FEW DAYS AGO HE WAS WORKING ON HIS CREDIT REPORT & TRYING TO GET A LOAN PREAPPROVAL. IT WAS JUST 3 DAYS AGO I SAW THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE. WOW DID GOD SPEED THINGS ALONG. THINGS THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN A MONTH OR SO TO WORK OUT WERE WORKED OUT IN JUST A FEW DAYS. WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE! WHAT A PERFECT STARTER HOUSE FOR MY SON. THERE ARE STILL BUILDING INSPECTIONS & ESCROW THAT COULD CHANGE THINGS & TAKE TIME, BUT GOD HAS SPEEDED UP THE PROCESS ALREADY. I DON'T THINK IT WILL TAKE THE FULL TIME FOR HIM TO BECOME THE PROUD OWNER OFFICIALLY. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS FOR HIM TO DO. HE WILL HAVE TO START GOING TO GARAGE SALES FOR FURNITURE. ALL HE HAS LEFT IS ONE SMALL ROUND KITCHEN TABLE FROM HIS FORMER LIFE. WE'LL LET HIM USE THE BED HE IS SLEEPING IN NOW UNTIL HE FINDS A BETTER ONE HE CAN AFFORD TO BUY. HE NEEDS KITCHEN SUPPLIES, DISHES, TOWELS, FURNITURE, POTS & PANS, A COFFE POT, SILVERWARE, KITCHEN CHAIRS, AND A REFRIGERATOR & STOVE TO MENTION A FEW. ONE STEP AT A TIME. THERE'S A HOOK UP FOR A WASHER & DRYER BUT I EXPECT HE'LL COME HERE & USE OURS FOR A WHILE. I OFFERED MY OLD LIVING ROOM FURNITURE, YOU KNOW THE ONES THAT ARE RIPPED TO SHREDS. HE REFUSED NOT ONLY FOR THAT REASON, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE RUFFLED & FLORAL & NOT AT ALL MASCULINE. I'M NOT OFFENDED. I HAVE A VERY UNDERSTANDING HUSBAND FOR LETTING ME BUY THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE EONS AGO. HOPEFULLY HE WILL FIND SOMETHING THAT SUITES HIM A LITTLE BETTER. I REMEMBER THE 1st COUCH WE GOT AFTER GETTING MARRIED. IT HAD BELONGED TO A RELATIVE'S GRANDMA & WAS BEAT UP & A WORN AND UGLY BROWN. WE HAD A CARD TABLE & FOLDING CHAIRS FOR DINING ON. IT WORKED THEN FOR US & I'M SURE DAVID WILL FIND WHAT HE NEEDS TOO. IF HIS ESCROW GOES FASTER THAN PLANNED, HIS SISTER CAN HELP HIM PICK THINGS OUT & GET SET UP BEFORE SHE & HER FAMILY LEAVE HERE JUNE 26TH TO LOAD UP THEIR STUFF & SAY GOOD BYE TO THEIR ORANGE COUNTY FRIENDS AND START DRIVING TO TEXAS JULY 3rd. SHE IS QUITE THE ORGANIZER, JUST CHECK OUT THE CUPBOARDS & GARAGE AT MY HOUSE SINCE SHE CAME. I WANT TO HELP DAVID SET UP HIS HOUSE TOO, BUT CAN'T COUNT ON HAVING THE ENERGY AVAILABLE WHEN I NEED IT. I WILL TRY THOUGH. I'M JUST SO EXCITED FOR HIM! AND BOY WILL IT BE QUIET AROUND HERE WHEN EVERYONE MOVES OUT. I WON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK. WE MAY ALL HAVE TO ATTEMPT A TRIP TO TEXAS AGAIN FOR CHRISTMAS. THEY WILL BE LIVING ABOUT 10 HOURS DRIVE AWAY FROM MY AUNT & UNCLE & COUSIN IN SPRINGFIELD. I REALLY MISS SPENDING HOLIDAYS WITH THEM. MAYBE WE CAN DO THAT AGAIN NOW THAT JON & BECKY & THE KIDS WILL BE LIVING A LITTLE CLOSER TO THEM. I CAN'T WAIT!
SATURDAY MAY 14th: YEAH! MY WEBSITE IS FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO THE CURRENT DAY, EVEN IF I AM A BIT LONGWINDED IN WRITING. MY GRANDSON CALEB & MY HUBBY ARTIE MET MY DAD IN VISALIA THIS MORNING AROUND 9 AM AT HIS MODEL AIRPLANE FLYING CLUB TO WATCH THE GUYS IN THE GROUP FLY THEIR REMOTE CONTROL MINIATURE AIRPLANES. CALEB WAS FASCINATED BY IT ALL. IT WAS A GOOD GREAT-GRANDPA TO GRANDPA TO GRANDSON BONDING TIME, AND I'M SO GLAD THEY WERE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER. I HAD A WONDERFUL CALL FROM MY FRIEND LISA, WHO IS SO SWEET. SHE SOUNDED SO TIRED WHEN SHE FIRST CALLED, BUT SEEMED TO PERK UP & SOUND STRONGER BY THE TIME WE WERE FINISHED. WE ARE GOING THROUGH SIMILAR THINGS WITH OUR CANCER TREATMENT. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OTHER ONE IS GOING THROUGH & HELP ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER & HOLD EACH OTHER UP. WE TALK ABOUT OUR DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE & WHAT WE'VE LEARNED THROUGH ALL OF THIS, & HOW GOD WILL SEE US BOTH THROUGH IT ALL WHATEVER ROUTE IT TAKES. IT WAS SO GOOD TO TALK TO HER. THEN LATER IN THE DAY EVERYONE, INCLUDING DAVID WHO HAD THE DAY OFF FROM WORK, WENT OVER DAD & ROSE MARIE'S HOUSE TO GO SWIMMING IN THEIR POOL. THE WEATHER KIND OF BACKFIRED & GOT A LITTLE COLDER SO THE WATER WAS FREEZING. BOTH GRANDKIDS WERE BRAVE ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND THE COLD WATER & SWIM AROUND, REBECCA & DAVID WERE ONLY BRAVE ENOUGH TO GET THEIR LEGS WET, AND THE REST OF US HAD NO INTENTION OF EVEN TRYING OUT THE 60 OR SO DEGREE WATER AT ALL. WE OLDER FOLK PREFER TO WAIT UNTIL THE WATER IS AT LEAST 80. THE BOYS TOOK A WHILE TO WARM UP AFTER SWIMMING BUT HAD A GREAT TIME. THE FOLKS & ARTIE & I & BECKY & DAVID VISITED WHILE WATCHING THE BOYS SWIM. WE CAME LATER THAN ALL THE KIDS SINCE I AM MOVING SLOWER THESE DAYS BUT DID HAVE A GOOD VISIT. DAVID WAS ABLE TO HELP MY DAD TOO, BY REACHING DOWN INTO THE WATER & REATTACHING THE HOSE FOR THE POOL CLEANER THAT HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT EVERY SO OFTEN TO CLEAN OUT THE ROCKS & DEBRIS THAT GET CAUGT IN IT. IT SAVED MY 80 YEAR OLD DAD FROM HAVING TO LAY ON HIS STOMACH ON THE CEMENT TO REACH DOWN & REATTACH IT HIMSELF. EVERYONE GOT REALLY SLEEPY AFTER A WHILE & I WAS PRETTY WIPED OUT BY THE TIME WE LEFT AT 4:30 PM. ALL IN ALL A GOOD DAY.
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