Thursday, July 22

Another week down. Seems like Wednesdays come way too fast. Tuesday's blood test was again a home run. What would I do without my super dupper blood taker D (that's actually what they call him). He never misses (hope I didn't jinx us). Even at 7:15AM he comes in with a smile!!! I would feel more confident on Wednesdays if he could put in my IV!

I didn't take any chances this week and carried a copy of the LAB and handed it to them when I checked in on Wednesday. Of course I got a look like "whats this" but too bad. Nurse Brigit (who I had when I had my fever) was on deck once again. What a super personality. After searching for a vein she decided to call in reinforcements instead of trying and missing (in my opinion a trait of a good nurse knowing her limitations). She made a good choice because the IV went in on one try. Rest of the afternoon was uneventful except that I notices that I am getting restless legs during the treatment. Not sure if its the recliner or the drugs. I do have this problem sitting on planes lately so I need to find out more info. I also noticed that as good as the "happy" drugs they give me that knock me out are - the after math is like having a hangover. Not sure if they are worth it.

On a bummer note - I have a new chemo schedule taking me out through the end of August.

Weekend was OK. I admit I went through an ANGRY stage on Sunday. I guess it was a little bit of feeling sorry for myself. I still am having trouble getting my arms around this whole situation. It's just frustrating because there was nothing I could do to prevent it - no pill I forgot to take, no doctors appointment I missed. To add to the frustration everything is out of my control. I go to chemo - I take the drugs, etc. but it doesn't mean its going to work. So I'm ANGRY!

Until next week or something worth talking about happens. Thanks for listening.

Friday, July 16

It's been a crazy week. Most of the weekend was spent resting and getting my energy level up. By Tuesday I was really feeling the effects of the chemo wearing off. By Wednesday (chemo day) I was tired and anxious. Got to the hospital at 1PM and checked in. At 2:30 I finally went up to see if they had forgotten about me and was told they were still waiting for my LAB's. Good thing they didn't take my blood pressure at that moment as I explained they had my LAB's since 7:30AM that morning when they were faxed (and emailed) to them!!! Good thing I carried a copy with me and handed it to them. So on to chemo and of all nurses I got Nurse "K" which if you remember from my 2nd chemo was the one who had a hard time getting in my IV and through her hands up and announced in a loud voice that I didn't want her to put my IV in. My good friend and buddy (Dr) Vicki was in the chemo room. We had just had dinner the Friday before and I was telling her about this nurse who "hated me" and gave me the evil eye whenever she saw me. Vicki wasn't sure who I meant so I called her over and said "you know that nurse we were talking about??? She about to stick a BIG needle in my arm so you"ll know who I'm talking about"! I have to admit Nurse "K" played it pretty cool as I know she knew who I was and said "I don't think I've ever had you before". Of course I also played it pretty cool and said "Yes, I think it was my 2nd treatment". As I told Mark, everyone deserves a 2nd chance and I proceeded to let her put in my IV. To her credit she did get it in with a little digging around but it was in!!! After that we were best buddies.

Since I received both chemo's on Wednesday (no fever) Thursday was a GREAT day full of energy!!! I really felt like my old self and wished every day could be as good. Today I'm also feeling pretty good and hope it lasts through the weekend.

Since I was only able to get the one chemo last week it pushes out my schedule to the first week of August before they will take another scan to see if this stuff is working. I'll keep you advised of when to cross your fingers!!!

Have a great week and thanks again for all your support!!!

Wednesday, July 7

Bummer day! Was feeling really good this morning. In fact the best I've felt on a Wednesday. My blood work up came back fine. Got to the hospital and turns out I was running fever (102) and my heart rate was up. So I could only have Hercepton - no Taxol. Also took 3 different nurses to get the IV on place. Had to have a chest x-ray and on an antibiotic (z-pack). Please send me positive energy that it's something minor. It just seems like it's something different every week. Good news is that my leg/ankle has stopped swelling thanks to Massage Therapist and great friend Karen who was able to work her magic over the weekend.

I have so many friends and family who have been great supporters over the last couple of month. You have no idea what your positive words have helped me especially on bad days. I need to thank my great friends and supporters at Designcraft who have always supported my endeavours over the last several years. They have gone above and beyond to help me get through this. Thanks to my great friend Larry (and Kelley) - your concern and kind words mean more then you know. You also make me laugh when I need it! Eric who has treated me like nothing has changed - you keep me focused. Dan who I know is concerned with my health and I know watches over me to make sure I don't over due it - plus you know when to smile and pick up my day. My ANGELS - Kelly. Emily and Kathy who give me positive reinforcement and a whole lot of love. Jason - my good friend and buddy who shaved his head to match mine. Your the best! And of course everyone else who always have a kind word and smile. I love you all.

UPDATE - Just got a call from the doctor as I write this. Both x-ray and urinalysis came back fire so they have no idea what is spiking my temperature. Instruction are to take the antibiotics and monitor my temp. Thanks God!

As soon as I get any more info I'll let you know!

Thursday, July 1

It's been a strange week full of ups and downs. OK - I have a confession to make. As much as I want to believe I'm "super women" even I have bad days and Friday was one of the worst. Worked all day and felt OK but not myself. For those of you who have seen me in the last few weeks you know that my hair was cut very short but still OK without covering. Well the past week it was falling out so much I was afraid I was clogging my drains plus the back was all patchy so it was time to get it all off. This was not a big deal since I've gone through it before and to tell the truth it just makes getting ready in the morning faster. Next stop Walgreen's to pick up supplied for my elbow. So I'm in Walgreen's and I feel something wet on my arm and wondering what it was. Well the infection in my elbow decided it was time to drain. When I got home I looked at it and held it over the sink and I've never seen anything drain like this. I won't go into it but I couldn't believe there was that much inside my arm. I also went through this exercise Saturday and Sunday until the majority of the infection was out and I'm now just watching and keeping it clean (although the doc has me on another antibiotic to make sure we get it 100%). So now it Friday evening and for some strange reason I get it into my head that if I go to sleep Friday night I wasn't going to wake up Saturday morning!!! A major PANIC ATTACK! Now I've never had one before but from what my friends have described I'm sure that is what it was. Poor Mark - he didn't know what to do. Believe me when I tell you it was very real. I'm trying to get things in order that needed to be done (just in case) but now I'm am soooo tired and afraid to go to sleep. As you could imagine I didn't get much rest that night but thankfully did get up around 5AM. Since then I did read the side effects on the LUPRIN antibiotic I was taking and saw one was "mood or mental changes". Hmmmmm Rest of the weekend was resting and reading. Didn't get much done.

Tuesday's blood test went like clockwork with my super duper sticker only having to stick me once!!!

Wednesday I woke up feeling so tired and had a bad headache. Because of my left elbow with the infection and my right shoulder with the muscle pull I'm only able to sleep in one position and my neck gets all sore creating a headache. It's not until I get up for a few hours that it feels better and my headache goes away. So I decided it was time to work out of the house for the morning since I needed to leave by noon to go to chemo.

Chemo went well. I had Nurse Angel (yes - that's her name) and decided anyone named Angel had to be good so I let her put in my IV. She had me a little nervous at first has she tapped away and was pushing and prodding. Probably took about 5 minutes until she was confident she had a vein. Well she did great and got it in in one try -Thank God!!! Also had Zometa which is a bone strengthener added to my cocktail of drugs so we were there until 6:30. But I felt great walking out and even better today!!! I wish this would last all week. I decided Thursday are the BEST day of the week!!!

I hope you all have a safe and restful 4th of July!!! Until next week thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.