I said Port.. Not Airport

So today was my doctors appointment. I know I said it was yesterday, and you talk about feeling embarrassed yesterday when they called my name and said "Lynette, your appointment is tomorrow". OK it happens to the best of us. Well today I spoke with my surgeon, my incisions are healing well and the swelling has gone down a bit. The next step is to have a titanium port put in. My next surgery is scheduled for the 6th, this coming Wednesday. I am actually excited to get this. This means I will be able to use this for all the IV applications, interferon, CT scans, PET scans, blood work and future surgeries. I know that sounds pretty "lame" but for me "the human pin cushion" it is pretty exciting.

On a happier subject, I left my camera at Krystals when we were there on the 4th of July. She sent it back and I received it today. I have a classic video of our grandson Bryton dancing. Now remember he is only 17 months old, and we have never seen him dance before. He sure doesn't get his rhythm from his Uncle Kale.

I just felt like I needed to post an encouraging message.
Have a wonderful day!

On the move

So Friday ended up being a pretty good day.
I received a card in the mail signed by all my friends and co-workers. (thanks guys! you made my day!)
Kales girlfriend, Lisa and her family sent me flowers (what a surprise! thanks Lisa, Janice, Jake and Lori!)


The Cancer Center called me and answered so many questions I had. I feel a little better going into the treatment. I spoke with my Oncologist and he referred me to see my Surgeon next week to set up the surgery to put the port in. So one more surgery, I don't think it will be as bad as the others.

My dog and I started to do a little on the treadmill (she is my trainer, and lays on her rug watching as I walk) I had to laugh at myself. I started out walking 1.2 mph, as I was envisioning how this would look to anyone else I thought to make this scene complete, I would need to put a walker in front of me, then I could "shuffle" properly. But even though I was slow, it felt sooo good to move again. I am hoping I can work up to a respectable speed of at least 3.0 mph by the end of next week.




Yesterday, Mike took me for a drive. We rolled the windows down and drove through the country, stopped and visited with some good friends. It's amazing how you miss the simple things when you can't do them. Anyway the drive and the visit with friends restored my spirit and outlook.


So today is Sunday and I feel restored and thankful for my wonderful friends, husband, children and Mikes Parents!

Happy Friday!!!!

I thought ... this has been a hard week. We need to celebrate the week being over.
(Especially you Chris woo hoo half over!)
Have a happy Friday!!!!!

So today was basically a wash out. I am not feeling much better. I thought I would focus on some inspirational thoughts.
Smile and have a good day!
Tomorrow has to be better!

Got another one under the belt

Well yesterday was a long.... grueling.... day.
Whew am I glad it is over!
Mike was great and was there with me through the whole day. We did not get home until around 5.
And once again I am on the mend. (re-mend).

{FeVeR}

Hi well my appointment went pretty good at the surgeon. There is still alot of swelling, but she said we don't need to put a drain in. Whew...that was a relief. The hospitals day surgery nurse called today, I told here I woke up with a bit of a sore throat. She told me to go on an antibiotic as a precaution. They scheduled the surgery on my kidney for 9:30 Monday. I was really glad the nurse told me to get on an antibiotic, because I kept feeling worse and worse throughout the day. Last night was one of the top 10 nights for feeling like...well.. crap. I ran a high fever most of the night, and had violent chills. I am on the uphill swing now. Hopefully I will be well enough on Monday, I would hate it if they rescheduled my surgery.


Something to make you smile

Too much info!!!

I needed a laugh!!!


The last few days were pretty rough. My surgeon said this last surgery would take longer to recover from. And of course I didn't believe her. Guess what? She was right! One of these days I will learn to listen.
Well today I actually feel like I can be counted among the living! Woo Hoo!!! I can move without pain!!! Not that I am ready to run a marathon (I will leave that to Kale).
The last few days being laid up, there really was not too much to do, and I am not into daytime TV. So I spent most of my time doing more research on Melanoma, Interferon, Kidney Stents, procedures, physical and emotional side effects, survival and remembrance stories........argh!!!! Too much information, sometimes I think it might be better to go into the whole experience without any knowledge of what is coming or what I might expect.
So today I think I will stay off line after I am done with my post.
Today I have a followup appointment with the Surgeon. I guess it is just a checkup.

On a happier note, I need to share with you how wonderful my neighbors and co-workers (friends)have been. All their words of encouragement, calls and support. I know I will say this a million times over, but without you guys I think this would be a pretty miserable thing to go through. So thanks!

monday!

Good Morning Monday!
This is a new take on Monday, Boy am I glad it is here. The weekend was pretty tough. I did too much on Friday (thinking I was so strong I could do more than I should) I know doctors rules only apply to others. So I paid for it this weekend, what do they say? One step forward and two steps back?

Well I will try to follow the doctors rules for the rest of the week. I do have a follow up appointment later this week. So I will behave myself.

I have plenty to do, Dave at work is expecting his first baby, to date I don't know If I need to work on pink or blue afghans... So I guess I will need to work on both."Any chances there are twins Dave?"

Have a great week everyone!

Interferon???

What a shock!
I went to see the Oncologist, thinking he would want to do a few radiation treatments and then follow up with a scan every 6 months or so. The Surgeon told us last week we got all the cancer and everything looked good.
Boy was I wrong!?? That's what I get for thinking for myself.
I am still trying to digest the treatment, and learn as much as I can about it, so forgive me if I post something that is not quite accurate. I am sure in the future I will get more accurate information, and a first hand experience.

After I get the Kidney stent, the doctors want to give me 4 weeks to heal and then start the therapy. I thought OK "therapy" that sounds fairly easy. As the Doctor started to explain the "therapy" I wanted to stop time so I could grasp all he was saying.

I will start on August the 18th - going to the hospital every day for 4 weeks for an IV of 20million units, (I am not sure how much that is, but I wish it were dollars)
After the 4 weeks is complete then 48 weeks of self injections 3 days a week.
The side effects sound pretty violent. But I am going to try not to thinks of that.

So anyway thats where I am today.
I am sure I will have alot of boring stats to fill everyone in on later.