Things have been going as normal. Hasn't been much to report. My hands and feet continue to peel and crack. My toe nails are falling off and I noticed my finger nails are starting. But it will all be worth it if this chemo is working. I have a doctors appointment next week before chemo and we will evaluate and decide the next CAT scan. In a way I want to find out but in another way it's a scary and anxious time waiting for results.
Just returned from West Palm Beach for a few days to recharge the batteries. It was nice to finally be able to get away Had a few days that walking was a struggle due to the burning but I managed to work may way through it. If I've learned one things it's that it is OK to slow down. I don't always have to feel like I need to be the first in line or the first to the finish line. Met my cousins Carol and Ken for a nice lunch and afternoon. Just relaxed and talk. THIS is what it's about - enjoying time with family and friends and not worrying about the small stuff. Life is good!
I share some words of wisdom sent to me:
laugh when you can, apologize when you should
and let go of what you can't change!
Life is too short to be anything but happy
Enjoy life ....... It has an expiration date.
Remember - when one door closes another one opens
I hope you choose to DANCE!
JUST DANCE!
Until next time - I hope you all are happy and healthy!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
I'm Mad and Upset!
Why????
I was talking to a friend the other day and she shared with me that a friend of hers tried to commit suicide. She was upset because "her life was falling apart". Didn't like her job, broke up with her boyfriend, etc. Here is a healthy person with her life ahead of her ready to throw it all in. What is she thinking? What I'd like to do is to bring her (or anyone thinking of throwing the towel in ) to the chemo treatment room for one afternoon to see all the men and women fighting for their lives. These are people of all walks of life both old and young there for the purpose of extending the time they have left. These are courageous men and women willing to have chemicals flow through their bodies knowing that they will have side effects. But they are willing to go through vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, hand and feet numbness, etc. It's so sad and frustrating to here of healthy people willing to end it all because they don't like the way things are going. How sad.
PLEASE, if you know anyone who is thinking of taking their life - share this info with them. I know I'd be willing to trade places with them for a clean bill of health!
Keep on dancing my friends.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Enough said! Have a great day and keep dancing (but with good looking guys)!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
It's been a long stressful week as you can imagine. It's hard not to show how stressed you can be during test week.
CAT scan was Tuesday morning and went well. IV went in first time. They need to use a larger needle then my veins are use to because they need to shoot in the contrast quickly and the thinner needles wouldn't handle the pressure. I was actually out before my appointment. It's worth getting the at 7:00AM an be the first appointment.
Wednesday was a stress day waiting for the results. My doc appointment was 2:00 and we were there at 1:45. Due to a few emergencies we didn't see the Doctor until 3:45 (45 minutes past my chemo appt). The news is good, at least to me. Scan showed slight improvement in all areas. Doctor thought it should have better but I'm taking this as good news. Because my hands and feet are peeling, cracking and burning she wanted to reduce the dosage of the chemo. I persuaded her to keep it the same since we have some progress being made and I don't want to change anything up. She agreed as long as I call her if it gets worse. Of course her comment to me was that I never complain and she didn't trust me to call her so she told Mark to call if it got worse. LOL - like I tell him the whole truth when it comes to side effects. Chemo went well although because we were late we didn't get out until after 6PM. A long day.
All and all I'm doing well. Just very tired in the evening. It's hard not to be able to do what I did in the past. Am I the same person who use to run 30 miles and week??? But I'm accepting it and doing as much as I can. I just hate being a drain on anyone and its not my nature to ask for help. I use to be the one helping everyone else. I hope on day to get back it being that person.
Until anything comes up I leave you with two words - JUST DANCE!
CAT scan was Tuesday morning and went well. IV went in first time. They need to use a larger needle then my veins are use to because they need to shoot in the contrast quickly and the thinner needles wouldn't handle the pressure. I was actually out before my appointment. It's worth getting the at 7:00AM an be the first appointment.
Wednesday was a stress day waiting for the results. My doc appointment was 2:00 and we were there at 1:45. Due to a few emergencies we didn't see the Doctor until 3:45 (45 minutes past my chemo appt). The news is good, at least to me. Scan showed slight improvement in all areas. Doctor thought it should have better but I'm taking this as good news. Because my hands and feet are peeling, cracking and burning she wanted to reduce the dosage of the chemo. I persuaded her to keep it the same since we have some progress being made and I don't want to change anything up. She agreed as long as I call her if it gets worse. Of course her comment to me was that I never complain and she didn't trust me to call her so she told Mark to call if it got worse. LOL - like I tell him the whole truth when it comes to side effects. Chemo went well although because we were late we didn't get out until after 6PM. A long day.
All and all I'm doing well. Just very tired in the evening. It's hard not to be able to do what I did in the past. Am I the same person who use to run 30 miles and week??? But I'm accepting it and doing as much as I can. I just hate being a drain on anyone and its not my nature to ask for help. I use to be the one helping everyone else. I hope on day to get back it being that person.
Until anything comes up I leave you with two words - JUST DANCE!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
As you all have read we had our 8th annual golf outing supporting Y-ME. Every year I get up and give a short talk about who Y-Me is and how the money is used. Since we have a good following and 85% of the people who attend have been with us for several if not all 8 years I decided the message was getting a little stale. So as usual I was driving and thinking about what to say. So thinking about the Y-ME message that "no one faces breast cancer alone" I realized that they not only help the patient but everyone around them. So here's my message to you which (God forbid) you are ever in this situation or anything like it, I hope you remember these words or can pass them on to someone you know who may learn from them.
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME!!!!!
What I've come to learn (through experience) is that yes, I am the one who has this terrible disease and going through treatments, rashes, diarrhea, aches, exhaustion, etc but everyone around me is also affected. I have some control over what happens as far as treatments, eating right, resting enough, etc. but you as friends and family are sitting on the outside looking in helpless. This not only affects me but my family, friends, co-workers and caregivers. You are the ones who do not know what to do. You are affected emotionally which is why Y-ME is out there not only to help the patient but anyone who surrounds them with information and support.
WHAT I LEARNED IS THIS IS NOT AN "ME" DISEASE BUT A "WE DISEASE".
Until I come up with more profound words - Remember - JUST DANCE !!!!!
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME!!!!!
What I've come to learn (through experience) is that yes, I am the one who has this terrible disease and going through treatments, rashes, diarrhea, aches, exhaustion, etc but everyone around me is also affected. I have some control over what happens as far as treatments, eating right, resting enough, etc. but you as friends and family are sitting on the outside looking in helpless. This not only affects me but my family, friends, co-workers and caregivers. You are the ones who do not know what to do. You are affected emotionally which is why Y-ME is out there not only to help the patient but anyone who surrounds them with information and support.
WHAT I LEARNED IS THIS IS NOT AN "ME" DISEASE BUT A "WE DISEASE".
Until I come up with more profound words - Remember - JUST DANCE !!!!!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
What a great turnout for our 8th annual golf outing to raise money for Y-ME. The weather did not start out that good but it turned out to be a beautiful day. Thanks for all who participated and hung in there with us. Thanks goes out to our great volunteers - Carol Lucht (thanks for keeping me sane) , Wendy Shahriakian (you rock), Roxanne Klingenmeyer, Jamie (matthews girlfriend), Kathy Huro, Courtney Huro, Megan Huro, Kevin Michelini and Cindy Michelini. We couldn't have done this without your help. Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters especially Jewel/Supervalu and Designcraft. Your support every year keeps us going.
It was great to see all our old friends as well as make new ones this year. We were especially excited to have 14 alumni there from our (Glen, Mark and mine) grammar school (St Robert Bellermine). Thanks for showing up and giving us your support. Even those who could not make it from SRB sent us donations.
Not sure what we were able to raise until all the bills come in from St Andrews Golf Club. I'll make sure I let you know as soon as I get the numbers together.
Otherwise things are progressing as usual. My hands and feet are peeling like crazy despite all the lotion and salve we are applying. My nails are so soft I have to keep them very short otherwise they just rip off. Looks like I'm losing most of my toe nails too. Some days are good and others I'm so tired I could hardly make it through the day. I'm like the Energizer Bunny and keep on going. Or for all us oldies I'm like a Timex watch - I take a lickin and keep on tickin! Potassium issues being low but we are dealing with it and hopefully next blood test will show good results.
Next CAT scan to see how the chemo is working is Sept 6. Let's keep everything crossed that it will show tumors shrinking or at the least no change.
Until then my friends I wish you all good health and happiness. Remember - Just Dance!
It was great to see all our old friends as well as make new ones this year. We were especially excited to have 14 alumni there from our (Glen, Mark and mine) grammar school (St Robert Bellermine). Thanks for showing up and giving us your support. Even those who could not make it from SRB sent us donations.
Not sure what we were able to raise until all the bills come in from St Andrews Golf Club. I'll make sure I let you know as soon as I get the numbers together.
Otherwise things are progressing as usual. My hands and feet are peeling like crazy despite all the lotion and salve we are applying. My nails are so soft I have to keep them very short otherwise they just rip off. Looks like I'm losing most of my toe nails too. Some days are good and others I'm so tired I could hardly make it through the day. I'm like the Energizer Bunny and keep on going. Or for all us oldies I'm like a Timex watch - I take a lickin and keep on tickin! Potassium issues being low but we are dealing with it and hopefully next blood test will show good results.
Next CAT scan to see how the chemo is working is Sept 6. Let's keep everything crossed that it will show tumors shrinking or at the least no change.
Until then my friends I wish you all good health and happiness. Remember - Just Dance!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Things are progressing normally. I seem to have a 3 week cycle of how I feel. First week after chemo is good. I seem to have a good appetite and energy. Second week I tend to get more fatigued and appetite is so-so. Also my stomach starts to bother me and everything I eat goes right through me (if you catch the drift). Third week is when everything seems to fall apart. Can't eat, always tired, stomach issues, etc. At least I know the drill and can try to plan around it. It helps to keep busy.
I'm staying positive and although I know there is no cure (yet) I'm hoping all these drugs will keep me going until there is one. Got to stay positive - I truly believe 50% of this is mental. Once you give up your body has no reason to fight and that's when things start happening. I'm sure (positive) that I will have issues down the road and reasons to want to give up but as my family and friends its your job to keep me going. As you know I am very stubborn and I REFUSE TO DIE!!! ( BTY - that was my New Years Resolution).
Looking forward to our 8th Annual Golf Outing to benefit Y-ME Breast Cancer Org. Looks like a record year with 101 golfers and 12 attending for dinner (to date). Last year we raised a record $10,600 and a total of over $50,000 over the course of 7 years. It's a labor of love and we work hard to make sure everyone has a great time. We have attendees who have made all 7 events as well as newbies. Friends from the past (grammar school if you can imagine), co-workers, friends and family all coming together for a great cause. Hope to see you there.
Until I have more to report - remember - JUST DANCE!
I'm staying positive and although I know there is no cure (yet) I'm hoping all these drugs will keep me going until there is one. Got to stay positive - I truly believe 50% of this is mental. Once you give up your body has no reason to fight and that's when things start happening. I'm sure (positive) that I will have issues down the road and reasons to want to give up but as my family and friends its your job to keep me going. As you know I am very stubborn and I REFUSE TO DIE!!! ( BTY - that was my New Years Resolution).
Looking forward to our 8th Annual Golf Outing to benefit Y-ME Breast Cancer Org. Looks like a record year with 101 golfers and 12 attending for dinner (to date). Last year we raised a record $10,600 and a total of over $50,000 over the course of 7 years. It's a labor of love and we work hard to make sure everyone has a great time. We have attendees who have made all 7 events as well as newbies. Friends from the past (grammar school if you can imagine), co-workers, friends and family all coming together for a great cause. Hope to see you there.
Until I have more to report - remember - JUST DANCE!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
