My New Look

I attended a wonderful workshop on 6 trait writing today. I learned a lot and enjoyed knowing that many things I do are right on target. I got so many new ideas, I am excited about school starting!
In the last update I forgot to mention that I did labs on Monday and they were good. I am looking ahead to next Friday trying to get my headache pills refilled. I had a few headaches last time, maybe I won't have many this time.
My head is very tender. This sounds really silly, but my hair hurts. (What little I do have anyway!) I can just touch it and it is very sore. I sometimes have a hard time getting my head comfortable on my pillow.
Rusty, who I have referred to previously, is absolutely fascinated with the wig. I had to be careful with the hats that Kayla crocheted, because he wanted to play with them. I took the wig off last night and Ken said that I should put it out of his reach. ( This is hard to do.) Ken thinks he thinks the wig is a cat. Anyway, I put the wig up on top of the TV. (About 6' high) He noticed it and started jumping for it. He started moving the TV. So I found the wig a home on the top shelf inside a cabinet.
It was great to get cards from Lisa and Mary Ann today.

Tuesday

We had a busy day on Sunday. Three activities, nicely spread out over the day made me kind of tired at the end of the day. We enjoyed church in the morning, the baby shower was wonderful for my new great niece, and we had a wonderful time at the church dinner at Laura's house. It was a blessing to reconnect with old friends and meet some new.

I had great days yesterday and today. I have been trying to get things ready for school while I am feeling good. Charme' and I will be working at school again tomorrow. We will have a good handle on things by the time school starts.

Last week was sumer school and some of the kids looked at me like they weren't quite sure what to think about my hats, or was there something wrong look. I decided that maybe I didn't want to deal with that at the beginning of school. So, Charme' and I went to the American Cancer Center in OKC and picked up a wig. Initially, I did not plan to get one, but this one looked pretty good. Now I have options!

A Long Week

I am starting to feel more normal. My nausea is less often daily. I made it through summer school. Most days I came home and laid down, but for less time each day. I went out to eat with the sorority girls yesterday morning. It was wonderful to see so many of the girls together. I don't get to see all the girls during the summer and I miss them.
I will do blood work on Monday. I have a school meeting on Monday also. Tuesday and Thursday I will be working on my class schedule with my teaching partner Charme'. The following week is enrollment. So the summer is definitely winding down.
I am off to church, a baby shower, and a fun dinner this evening. Thank you for the prayers, kind thoughts, cards, calls, and good wishes.

Hats and Earrings!

I am into hats (thank you Kayla) and big earrings(thank you Janet). For some reason I really feel kind of naked with a bald head even with clothes on! I am fortunate to have many hats to choose from. I keep looking at myself thinking who is that I don't look like that. If you've ever had a drastic change in hair length, style, or color I'm sure you experienced what I am.
I felt pretty good on Sunday. so Ken, my sister and I went to church. I so enjoyed having my sister here. She gave me lots of comfort.
The sorority girls went on a road trip to Fort Worth. I was sorry I couldn't go. Teresa and Janet came by with goodies and highlights of the trip. Thank you for sharing, I could feel the joy that the trip brought to all of you. The sisters of Beta Sigma Phi are so much fun! I am glad to be one.
Yesterday was the first day of summer school. It was a long day, but I made it. I also crashed when I got home. I was about as useful as a paperweight. Today was better. I wasn't as tired, but I was still battling nausea. I expect each day to improve and I will learn to pace myself. Thank you for the cute card Mary Ann. Vickie and all the girls at the store thank you for thinking of me. It is so nice to get home after a hard day and get the sunshine that cards bring. Thanks for all the thoughtfulness everyone has shown for me, it is awesome. I appreciate the prayers and know they make me feel more hopeful for the days ahead. This second round of chemo has gone better than the first. I know each day will get easier!

Hair Yesterday Gone Today!

I took the plunge! I called my son, Kevin who has a lot of shaving head experience. He came up and in minutes he had all my hair gone. I thank you Kevin, your dad thanks you, and Aunt Janet thanks you, since she has swept up hair since she got here. There are several upsides to this new development. No hair everywhere, when I turn over on my pillow I won't feel like I am in the middle of a spiderweb, but best of all I have the cutest new hats to wear. Thank you to Kayla.
I am tired but I have not thrown up. Yeah! I have slept on and off and I have been able to eat a bit more than last time. I am blessed that I am only a little nauseous and have a mild headache. Ken and my sister are both so wonderful to me.
I got the sweetest notes form Ann and Barbara. Thank you. The cards have been wonderful since It is summer and I don't get to see my friends. Planning on going to church tomorrow. Summer school starts on Monday, I hope to be there with bells on! Life is so good.

Cleared for Chemo

This is what my hairbrush looks like at each
swipe through my hair. It is difficult to tell who is
shedding more Lucy the cat, Rusty the dog, or
me. Ken says that there is no contest it is me! I
am so amazed at how easy my hair comes out. As I was using a make up brush on my face it would come into contact with my hair. So in no time at all I have this big dust bunny on the end of my make up brush. EW! Patsy, our lovely house cleaner, will earn her money today!
On Wednesday, I had blood work done and an appointment with the oncologist. The blood work
was good and my oncologist is happy with everything. We went over the new medications and how to stay ahead of the headache and nausea. So this time will be better.
Another piece of good news. The BRACA test results are back. They are negative. Big yeah for my sister and my children and grandchildren. To refresh - that is the genetic testing for cancer.
I am going to get my chemo treatment today at 11:00. My plan is to come home and sleep it off. My sister will be here today, so I am excited to spend some time with her. I know this weekend will kind of be lost with all my sleep. Summer Academy starts on Monday and I am planning on being there. All of the people involved in Summer Academy are very well prepared and tremendously helpful. I am blessed to be surrounded by a professional group of caring people. Thank you.
I have so many things that I would like to be working on, but I tire easily. I don't like it! My tendency is to push myself a little too far. This patience thing is not easy!

Hair Today Gone . . .

My hair is definitely coming out. When I wrote last it was just a couple of strands, now it is more like a dozen or more. My scalp is sore. It is a different feeling from any other I have ever had. When I move my hair it hurts. I am afraid to wash it.
Last night was Bunco night with my school group. We laughed, talked, and had a good time together. I was out later than usual so I am starting later than usual today. I also don't really have plans for today. That works out great!
Tomorrow they changed my appointment time. I will get to go through the whole lab process (previously described) at 8:30 and then I will meet with the oncologist at 9:00. So, if I think of any questions today I will write them down. It seems as if I think of a question and as soon as it is formed it escapes! So, hopefully I will be near a pen and pad of paper to write it down. If I am not, by the time I locate the pen and pad of paper I will wonder why I wanted them. It is what it is! (I am not sure this will pass!)
I am very excited! My sister is coming on Friday to help me through this round of chemo. She will be a big comfort for Ken and I to have here. Ken might be able to get a few things done without worrying about me while she is here. There are always things to look forward to. I have decided not to eat right after chemo. I expect that to keep me from puking all night. Since I do not plan on puking my strength won't be as zapped, so maybe I won't sleep through my sisters whole visit. This patience thing is hard to get a handle on. I am trying.

A full week has gone by and I didn't have a single doctor appointment or medical procedure. It has been super. I have felt good and actually got a few things done.
Ken and I got the new recliner love seat. We are enjoying the ability to relax and kick back together. This will allow me to sleep comfortably downstairs next weekend. I will meet with the oncologist and have blood work done on Wednesday in preparation for the next chemo treatment on Friday. I am looking forward to finding out if my new medicine will keep me from puking after the treatment. I am hopeful! I also won't eat after chemo. I will do better this time.
Today I have noticed some hair in my hands when I run my hands through my hair. I think this is the beginning of the fallout! We knew it was just a matter of time. On the upside to losing my hair, Kayla, has been crocheting me hats for just this occasion! I have hats in all the colors I usually wear. They are very cute!
I got a more cards today. Lisa and the Bunco Babes you made my day! Thank you for thinking of me. I am so blessed by all the support I am getting. Thank you.

A Good Week

Ken and I had an uneventful 4th of July. We ate dinner and then we had his delicious apple pie and homemade vanilla ice cream for dessert. We chilled out most of the evening. A nice day.
I made a quick trip to TX to see the twins, their husbands, my sister, and 3 of our grandchildren. It was good to see everyone. I did a little fabric shopping, spent time with my sister, enjoyed the good food, and had fun with everyone. I drove back in the rain, so that was not fun.
This is a doctor/medical free week! Yeah! Unfortunately, this to shall pass! I will be working at school this week. I hope to get things done while I am feeling good.

Labs Are An Ordeal

Friday was my day to do labs to see how he chemo has affected my blood counts. This is really an ordeal. First, I had to go to registration at the hospital, anything you do at the hospital from having surgery to having blood drawn you have to register.
Next I got to go to the lab, which I am almost getting the hang of finding without the aide of either the very young or the not quite as old as I use to think they were volunteers. After waiting and reading the marquee board in the waiting area about children dying in locked cars, where to put your purse (on the floor in front of the child's car seat), and setting alarms on your phone to remind you to drop kids off at daycare, enough for several people and several lifetimes, it was my turn. It was great! She only stuck me once and was successful. This is now officially a good day by my standards.
Now, I get to go to the cancer center and wait for my labs to be run and the report sent to the cancer center. I am assured this will not take long. We have a difference in the definition of it won't take long. Finally, close to an hour into this process I have results. My blood counts are good! Good things just keep happening!
Today Ken and I got up and finished sprucing up our front yard for the best decorated house on Broadway contest and 4th of July Parade. Ken, Rusty (often referred to as the Darn Dog), and I sat on our front porch and watched and waved to the parade participants in the mist. It was a great way to watch a parade! Rusty surprised us and didn't bark at anything in the parade. (Probably because we had a hard time getting his attention away from the fake deer in the neighbors yard!) Hmm! I wonder what the prize is and when it will be awarded. I also wonder who won. Most participants said our decorations looked great and one even took a couple of pictures. Maybe we will be in the newspaper! Whoo hoo!
I am feeling more like myself, but I do tire before I plan to. Life is wonderful and I feel blessed to be surrounded by people that care and even the Darn Dog, who stays by my side (when Ken isn't home!). Happy 4th of July to all and Happy Birthday America!

Productive Day

I had a great day! I met my teaching buddy, CM, at school and we started getting ready for next year. I feel like I need to spend some time doing the energy zapping background work that has to be done when you teach. We have worked together for many years and know each others strengths and weaknesses. She knows I have to have a plan and she puts up with me. I am so fortunate that she is such a caring friend. The summer I had my hip replaced I had the first 4 weeks of school ready for my sub. I feel the need to have more than that ready this time.
I was very tired when I got home about 5:00. I came home to my wonderful husband, Ken, and he had dinner in the oven just waiting for me and his dad to get there. Tomorrow morning I go to do labs. I guess we will see how my body is rebounding from the chemo last Friday.