half way there.......

Oh...............I really don't want to go in today. The nausea has hit me pretty hard this morning. I am really leaning on God today for strength.

Day #9

I don't have much to say today.
Yesterday was a surprisingly good day.
I hope that might be a new trend!

Day #7

Hey,
Today is over! Whew ..seems like each day lasts a little longer, hey I thought the older you get the faster time goes by? Must be extenuating circumstances.
Yesterday I had blood work done: My WBC, MPV, Bands %,Anion Gap and AG Ratio were low. MCHC, ALT, AST,and Monos were high. I am not sure what that means , but maybe that is why I feel so tired....Sounds good to me.


Lisa wrote me a sweet letter today, she is going to be a participant for 1st Annual Miles for Melanoma of Delaware 5K Run/ Walk to benefit the Melanoma Foundation. It touched my heart to have her participating in honor of me.


Carolyn dropped off a wonderful surprise from the "Mod Hatter" How fun, 2 great hats! Hopefully I will continue to have hair to put them over! Thanks Carolyn you are amazing!

Week #2

So the weekend is over, It was nice not having to go in to the hospital for two days. I still had an overall tired feeling and a headache. But that was something I almost can look forward to.
Friday while I was getting my treatment I took some pictures of the wonderful nursing staff and my doctor. (I needed to do something to pass the time).

So here is Doctor A





Here is another picture of "crazy Kathy" along with "nutty Hanna montana"

I know it looks like we have a lot of fun. But without the easy going and fun loving nature of the staff. It could be a terrible experience.

Friday 22nd

Last night was pretty rough, Mike went to the pharmacy at 8:30 to fill my ani-nausea prescription (prochlorperazine). After reading the possible side effects ie:dizziness, heat stroke, vision changes, sore throat, inability to move eyes, muscle spasms... the list goes on. So I decided to get tough and do without. I have them as a back up in case I get violently ill. Anyway I am heading off to my 5th infusion, the walk down the hallway and trip up the elevator to the cancer center, seems to get longer and longer. Or maybe I am dragging my feet a little.

Big Surprise

So today was the best day yet. I called ahead of time to let the cancer center know I was coming. They had my "cocktail" ready when I got there, so the waiting time was minimal. I asked the nurse if they would up the saline so she put it on a 50/50 mix. My oncologist came by and gave me a prescription for anti nausea medicine. I told him I didn't need it. I have not had much nausea. He said with a grin, you will....I am not sure what that meant.
Anyway I was home in 3 1/2 hours. I only had the cold chills for about and hour or so and the headaches have subsided. So all in all it worked out pretty good today.

I had a special surprise this evening. Joyce and Paulette came by, it was so good to see them both! Which would have been a great surprise in itself, but they also brought by frozen gourmet meals. Thank You So MUCH!
I miss you all.

Day 3

Well I suppose I really shouldn't say day 3, because I have only had two treatments and am heading off for #3. Oh..... I really do not look forward to going. It seems like the only time I feel half way normal is the morning, so I try to get as much done as I can then. With my appointments at the cancer center in the morning I have to get up really early in able to get anything accomplished.
I felt sorry for Mike yesterday, having to listen to me whine. Erin, when I start humming the tune of "99 bottles of beer" I'll know I have gone over the edge:-)
Thanks to everyone for the comments you have posted you make me smile.
OK.... here ...we...go......

One down....? to go.

Well day one is over, 1 down ? more to go. I arrived at the cancer center at about 8:00. Everyone was very nice,
and answered most of my questions
. The day was long, I was there for about 4 and 1/2 hours. The port was pretty neat to use. The only draw back was after the hepron was administered my chest has felt like there is a needle still in it. (
All in all the experience was not as bad as It could have been. Like I said everyone was very kind and helpful. This is a picture of my "crazy nurse Kathy"
As I left the hospital, I was a bit disoriented or maybe it was my direction being challenged again, :-) Anyway I got out to the car and it started to hit. Mind you it was 90 degrees today but I still needed to turn the heater on. That felt so good to be warm. I drove home OK and felt good as long as I remained in a 100 degree car, as soon as I got out of the car, I started shaking pretty violently. So I donned my sweats and settled in on the sofa with my warm blanket. Boy they weren't kidding when they said flu like symptoms. I am not sure if the body aches are left over from the surgeries or the "flu like" symptoms.
Well it is around 8:30 and I am feeling a bit better. So maybe I can finally get a good night sleep. 1 down......?... to go.

Day #1

Goodmorning!
Well today begins the first day of my interferon treatment. I was feeling a bit nervous but then remembered that God is with me today and everyday. If that doesn't give me a feeling of empowerment, courage and strength, I might as well hang up my armor and be defeated.

CT Results

So today we went to the urologist to see what the results of my CT scan was. My kidney has reduced in size, which is good. He filled us in on the options I have. First I will need to replace the temporary stent every 3 months until my interferon therapy is complete. After that he can either do an evasive surgery, and go through my back to repair the ureter, this would mean a long stay in the hospital. Or we could go to Johns Hopkins Medical Center and have the a similar surgery using lasers. Well the choice is obvious. But we won't worry about that decision until next year.

In the mean time, I am concentrating on prepping for next Monday, and keeping positive.

Mike and I decided to go for a drive yesterday, we figured this might be the last time we get out for a while. So we packed a bag and headed up north. We ended up in the Poconos. It was very beautiful, but I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. (After living in the Rockies, everything else seems small
We felt like "bad luck" was following us. It rained all the way up and all the way back. We did get a chance between rain storms to get a few pictures..)



As we drove home I noticed how beautiful the clouds were after the rain storms cleared. I couldn't help but think that is how life is. After we survive the storms placed before us, we notice the beauty of life.


We headed for home....
My neck and chest were still aching so we cut the trip short.
The weekend did not turn out the way we had hoped,
but we felt lucky to be able to spend time together laughing and enjoying the beauty all around us.

power port

My surgery is over. Whew.. I don't think it gets any easier. OUCH!!!
I have a huge bandage over the upper left side of my chest. My neck is pretty bruised. Needless to say last night was a long.......long night.
On the up side I am now a power port recipient.
When they discharged me from the hospital, they gave me a package with information for any medical personnel I encounter. This is a new technology, I also have a card for traveling purposes a bracelet and key ring so I guess you could call me, " a card caring POWER PORT PERSON" . hah say that fast 3 times.

Today I have a CT scan scheduled and I hope I can make it. Tom and Grace are taking me to my appointment . I don't know what I would do without them. The medication I am on is making me feel pretty nauseous. I hope I can choke down the barium....ick
Wish me luck!

one step at a time.....

One step at a time.......





Once again we are off to the hospital. You would think that I would be getting used to this. But I still get nervous.
Thank you everyone for the emails cards and prayers, you cannot imagine how much it means to me!

Happy Birthday Krystal!

I am not telling you how old Krystal is.....then you would know how old I am. err...I was a child Mom.
Happy Birthday Krystal!!!!

Oncologist

So Mike and I met with my oncologist Friday. He answered so many of our questions. (and then some)
I will be starting with a 36 million unit intravenous dose each day for the first 4 weeks and then next 11 months a 15 million dose by injection 3 times a week.
So I have a couple of days to focus on getting stronger before my next surgery on Wednesday.
(I am polishing up my armor, I think I will be needing it soon!)

Happy Birthday ETHAN!!!!!

 

Little Ethan is 4 years old today!!! My how time flies!