This isn't for sissys!

"They" say cancer isn't for sissys. I don't know who "they" is and didn't know I was a sissy but I will say this is rough. Seems each chemo treatment gets worse. And to top it off, the dr spiked this treatment. Had additional shots for blood cell boost and an extra bag that I am not sure what it was for. The normal 2 1/2 hour treatment took 4 hours. It is hard to believe you can get so weak, you have trouble just sitting. I am eating good and holding my weight right where I want it and what the dr agrees is good. Have to or the little bald headed man who hoovers over me would force feed me I do believe. I have 3 weeks between each chemo and the first week after is nothing but downhill. The second week, I hit bottom and hold a couple of days and then start back up. About the time I begin to feel like a human again it is time for another chemo

The dr and I are going to have a very serious talk when I see him on 2-6. He said after 4 chemos we would re-evaluate and see if we could do surgery or if I would have to take the other 2 chemos. He said the limit I could take would be 6. We found out from the xrays on 1-7 that the tumor has shrunk 50%. I think he is thinking now, we might be able to shrink it more but if the surgery can be done now, I want it done NOW. I do not want to have to take 2 more chemos if it is possible to do the surgery without them.

I do appreciate all the emails, phone calls, and support you have all given me and Leo. I did not think it would this long between posts when I set this blog up. But even typing at the computer to update the blog or to answer some of you, just seems more than I can do at this time. I only hope each of you will understand.

Leo continues to be my rock and the best support I could have. I never in my wildest dreams thought he could or would be such a wonderful and compassionate care giver. And he has also become a very good housekeeper. I really don't know what I would do without him.

Keep the prayers going. My grand daughter, Liz, says if we keep praying, God will answer our prayers just to shut us up! Sure hope so.

The Down Side

Well, a good thing I posted all the fun I had over the holidays last time. because I hit rock bottom really quick after the last chemo on New Year's Eve. Last week was downhill all the way. Weak, dizzy, no energy, hard to get my breath. Sunday morning I guess it all came to a head, as I was putting some clothes in the washer and got a dizzy spell and started falling. I tried to catch myself on the washer and that did not work. I then realized I had to get to the couch and fell out of the utility room and through the kitchen into the dinette. Not really as far as it sounds but think I hit everything possible during the process. Once I finally hit the floor, just laid there. It was early and Leo was still in bed. I finally got back to bed also and when I finally got back up had a goose egg on my head about the diameter of a tennis ball. A bruise on my left thigh and had pulled the left groin and I think my back also.

Monday morning seemed to feel better and told Leo he had not gotten to play any golf in over a week due to the weather and he should go on to the golf course. I had no plans to do much for the day. After he left I begin having a harder time breathing and think I got scared. I called the Dr nurse and she talked with the Dr and told me to get to the Cancer Center ASAP. Leo was in Arlington which is about 30 miles south of us. My doctor is in Arlington also. Knew it would take Leo a while to get home and pick me up and then get me back, so called Lori and she was here in less than 5 minutes. Got me to the center and Leo met me there. Did not even complain about being called off the golf course. He is such a good guy!

They did a CT scan on my head and all is well there. Or as well as my head can be. Nothing there. Then they did an xray of chest and all lab work and I was sent on to see doctor. By the time I got in to see him, he already had all the reports. The xray of the chest does show the tumor is shrinking!

Dr Adams said that he could definitely tell it had shrunk since we started in October. However, my lab work was the real culprit. My red blood cells were down 25%. He said he could give me a transfusion but that would only be temporary as the chemo would just eat up what we put in there. So he gave me a shot of a medicine called Aranesp which goes into the bone marrow and would start the bone marrow to manufacture my own. Only problem was it would take a couple of days to get started. Opted for the shot and went to the fusion center and had that done. Was at the center a total of 6 1/2 hours and was pooped when we got home

I can say I feel better today, Thursday, but still not good. Also have either a cold or sinus and it is driving me crazy. Hopefully will be gone before long. Need my voice for the Cowboy game on Sunday. Leo and I think everyone else is having the same problem. Hope it freezes of something to get rid of what ever it is.

Go next Wed the 16 for Dr, Fri the 18 for lab, and Mon the 21 for more chemo. Sure hope I get up a little before it knocks me down again. But I just keep telling myself, at least we know it is working. So keep the prayers going.

Happy New Year

And it is a Happy New Year and Life is Wonderful. Sorry I have not posted in nearly a month but have been too busy enjoying life and family. We had a wonderful Christmas here at the house on the Sunday before Christmas. Had all three of the kids and their spouses, all 6 grandkids and the 2 great grandkids. Also my aunt of 83 years and a brother in law. A good time was had by all I think. Lots of football, good food, and too many neat gifts.

Then we left early Monday morning and headed to Arkansas to be with more family. Kaye Lynn and Robin and all 4 grandkids there and their spouses and 5 great grandkids. Also got to have Christmas with Tiny and Judy for the first time in too many years. We had a wonderful time on Christmas Eve at Matt and Cathy's home with everyone. And again too much food. Matt is certainly a great chef and grilled the most delicious steaks. The great grandkids certainly had a great time with all sorts of gifts and we also had too many gifts.

We stayed the night and were there for Santa with Eli and Ava on Christmas morning. Then it was off to Kaye Lynn's and again lots of food and family and friends from Robin's church. Kaye Lynn and Robin were so gracious to open their home to all who did not have family close by.
Then nap time. And grandkids and great grandkids running in and out during the day. What better way to spend such a wonderful holiday. The only thing that could possibly have m,ade it any better would have been able to squeeze in the family in Missouri and Florida. But we did get to talk to them.

We came back home on Wednesday and I had lab and xray on Friday. Then had part of the family---the football fans----over on Sunday for the horrible Cowboy game. I understand they did not have anything to play for except to win, but they could have at least shown up! Had chemo on Monday, what a way to spend New Year's Eve. But is necessary to beat this thing.
I can tell the chemo is taking a little more out of me each time but this was the third one and after the next one, in three weeks, we will be able to re-evaluate and see what we are accomplishing. So all in all everything is good.

Welcoming 2008, thinking of each of you and praying this will be a good year for everyone.