Thursday

The fall weather is just beginning and it is so so nice. The cooler weather makes it so much easier to wear the hair. Speaking of hair I got an eyebrow kit for my birthday and it is kind of fun drawing on eyebrows.
I was happy I was able to be at school this week. I gave a prize to each child who could learn all the uppercase and lowercase letters by today. I told them this at the beginning of September. Seven of my kids earned a prize and five more were very close. It was an exciting day! One of my little boys was convinced he was close and he asked me how close he was and I tried to say in the nicest way he only needed to learn 20 uppercase and 25 lowercase! I think he was proud of himself. I call them my shining stars because they are so smart.
Tomorrow I will leave school early to go to the cancer center to have herceptin. It only takes about 30-45 minutes. I got a little tired, but other than that it went smooth last week, so I am expecting the same this week.

Tuesday Night

Okay, I know it has been a week. Sorry, but I have been busy. I got the meds for my stomach cramps and they have helped. I actually stopped taking them on Sunday evening. I feel good and don't have side effects from the chemo right now.
On Friday I did labs and took a round of herceptin. It took about 30 minutes. No side effects from it and the virus I got the week before is gone now.
My sister called and wanted to come up Saturday ad take me to diner for my birthday. Cool! I thought because I really enjoy her. We had a fun delicious dinner at Red Lobster. We got up and went to church. Much to my surprise 6 out of our 8 children and their families surprised us at church. We filled up a few pews with our crowd! I really was surprised to see them at our church. It felt so wonderful to have them around. Ken had lunch planned for all of us at a room in the Holiday Inn. Ken had some help with cakes, thanks Nicole, help with set up, thanks Cleo, Janet, Kevin, Nicole, and Jane. It was nice and relaxed and the grandchildren got to play together. We took some pictures and I opened a few presents. It was very nice. Ken asked all the kids to write a note to me. Most of them did and it was wonderful to read what they had to say. I do love all my children. All eight of them are so wonderful. I am very blessed by them. Then the kids left and girls from school and sorority came by and we laughed a lot.
I am having a great week at school. We are very busy and I think I have a great group. Each day is so much fun.
I have figured out how to get a book to my Sony Reader finally. So I will have a book to read while I do my next round on Friday. This will make the situation better. It is what it is!

Wednesday

I got on yesterday to write an update and there was technical difficulties, so I gave up. I went to school, but the stomach cramps were so bad and the sewer smell was so bad that I came home before 8:30. I went to bed and got up at 4:00. I then went back to bed at 9:00.
I am persistent. I went to school this morning. Ken strongly urged me to call the doctor. I called about 8:20 and again at 9:30. About 11:20 the doctor's office called with two prescriptions. Ken went to get them and I took the one for stomach cramps. Forty-five minutes later I started feeling some relief. Finally the first time since Friday I haven't had stomach cramps. The doctor thinks I may have a virus that is going around. I have to be able to eat and regain my strength so I will be able to do labs and get my treatment on Friday.
I am anxious to get back to school tomorrow. I miss my kids. We were only in school for half a day today. This morning we had a fun day so I wasn't with my kids and this afternoon we had a really productive meeting. I am ready to get back to the business in the classroom.
I got a nice card today in the mail. I also want to thank everyone at school for being so kind and caring. I work with the best staff, everyone tries to make things easier for me. I will admit I don't always help them, but I do appreciate everyone so much!

Tired

Today has been pretty quiet. Janet had to go home yesterday and Ken went to work on the remodel job so I am home with the hound. He is very good company. I am sleeping off and on. My side effects are better on this chemo drug than the other. I have a headache off and on and I am taking meds for that, I have diarrhea so I try not to eat much, and overall I feel a little groggy. I am hot and cold.
I would really like to get up and feel productive, but it isn't happening. I find that one of the hardest things to deal with. I am praying for patience. I guess I am just not patient enough to get it!
I wish everyone a great week.

Well, basically I am a pretty boring person and didn't have much to report! I had a very productive day at the central office with a protocol meeting on mapping on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon I had another productive meeting about the science task force. Both meetings are foundation work for curriculum mapping. I spent good days with my class on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is another story.
I checked in to registration, went and did labs, then went to the NVG test. That is the test for my heart that I did in June, which I will get to do every three months!! Just about the time that was over my sister, Janet arrived. We went out to lunch after the dogs, Rusty our Irish Setter, and Zeke, her Standard Poodle, did all the sniffs, you know the meet and greet dogs like to do! Then it was time for chemo, so off to the cancer center we went. She had a book and after I tried to read, thanks for the book series Melissa, I dozed. Three hours later we went by Walgreen's and then home. I was dozy feeling, a little nauseated, but overall okay. Ken got home from the remodel job and we ate pizza and Janet made a delicious blueberry desert.
I ended up with a headache before I went to bed. I slept solid for about 5 hours. Woke up with a headache so I took another headache pill and tried to get back to sleep. Finally about 6:30 my stomach was cramping so I got up. Let the dogs out and my sister got up. Unfortunately, she had to get back by 1 so I alerted Ken that I was cooking breakfast and we were leaving about 7:30 if he wanted to eat with us. While I was dressing, the fun began - diarrhea hit. We all went to iHop. Ken left for work, he is MOD at the mall today. Janet and I came home and loaded up and I am trying to rest between bouts of diarrhea and dozing.
It was great to see my sister. I had some cards this week from Margie, and three different sorority chapters in the OKC area. It is so thoughtful and it lifts my spirits to know people are thinking about me. On Thursday, I had one of the most touching surprises at the end of the school day. Last year a few of our teachers went to walk in a 5K cancer walk in Pink, OK. This year the sign up has about 4 times as many teachers going. Misty put together a cute shirt for all the people going. I happened to see it and across the back it has Team Jo Anne! I couldn't believe it, I was so surprised, it made me cry. Once again I am so thrilled to be apart of such a loving, caring, and thoughtful group of teachers and staff! The blessings are all around us. The cancer, the treatments, and the minor inconveniences shall all pass, but I will still work with the best people, have the best family, and friends. And it is what it is!

It's Like Insrance

Ken and I finished out the week with only one mishap with the dog. On Thursday he got hold of the baked chicken carcass after dinner. The chase was on! There was still some meat on it, which he wolfed down in just seconds and he then dismantled the bones into many pieces faster than you can blink. It was surprising how possessive he was of the carcass and he didn't even own it long! We watched him but he seemed okay (not a bit contrite for his actions). Well, on Friday he paid for it. He was as sick as a dog. We are all fortunate that Ken got home first and handled it. His crate was a mess.
Ken was at work yesterday so I did a little of this and that, which is my favorite way to spend the day. I worked a little at school getting ready for a sub (I will be at a meeting all day Monday) and I enjoyed myself in the sewing room.
I have had a couple of days to get my head around all the information from the oncologist. I have decided all of these treatments are like buying insurance. I will have a lot of insurance against the cancer returning.
Yesterday was my mom's birthday, we spoke and I wished her happy birthday. She had a good day planned. I spoke to my Haley, who had been riding her bike - 23 mph at one point. Kevin stopped in to see how I was doing. I texted with Kayla. My sister called to say she would be here Friday, the 17th, for my treatment. I got a cute card from Margie a friend who works in administration out at the hospital and I stop in occasionally and say hi. My friend, Jane called to check on me. A lot of the people at school find their way to me during the week just to check on me. I am truly blessed by family and friends. Thank you for thinking about me and praying for me. Keep it up I need it!

Ocology Visit

This morning I realized that about half my eyebrows are gone. They look the same except they are real thin. I haven't noticed the hair on my arms or legs going away at all. Funny the way this works!
I got a clearer picture of the immediate and long term future that we are facing. I have to have the NVG test run again to check for damage to my heart. On September 17th I will start 4 rounds of Taxatere (sp). The side effects of Taxatere are swelling, rashes, mouth sores, aching joints, and hair loss. At the same time the Taxatere starts I will also get Herceptin each week for 6 weeks. Then I will get it every 3 weeks for a year. I will have the NVG test to check my heart every 3 months. The side effect of Herceptin is diarrhea and heart damage. 3 weeks after the Taxatere is complete I will get to begin radiation! When I am done with the Herceptin I will have a pill for 5 years. Wow! Talk about committment! I never realized this would be such an involved process. Over 6 years. That just blows my mind.
I am so lucky to have the medical care, the caring family, and the wonderful friends that give me love and support. I want everyone to know how thankful I am for all the cards, calls, prayers, food, and good wishes. Have a great evening!

Tuesday

Today was great. I enjoyed seeing my students, 3 days was a long time. We quickly fell into the routine of school. We tried a couple of new things in the classroom and some of them worked and one didn't. I do so love my job.
I feel good. I will do labs in the morning and go to the oncologist at 4:00. The oncologist will be gone next week when I would usually go for my appointment, so it is a week early this round.
I usually don't wear my wig at home because it is cooler and comfortable. We have the ceiling fans going and sometimes you can stand where you feel more of the air moving than other places. I can stand in one of those places and I can feel my hair move. It feels really weird!

Labor Day

My time off is about over. I have been fairly productive. On Saturday I was able to finish up a quilt for Virginia, deliver an order of burpees, and start another project only to realize I didn't have any stabilizer. Which meant my 3rd trip to wallyworld was about to happen. On my first trip I bought some tumblers that were 2 for a $1.00. One of the places that sorority helps out needed tumblers. I got 10 to donate. Now later in the day on my third trip to wallyworld the tumblers are now 2 for $.50. Lucky for me the tumblers are still in the car waiting to be delivered. I returned those 10 (not without waiting in line) and bought 20 for the same price I originally paid and now I have doubled my donation. Yahoo! Ken thought I was crazy. "Just buy more if you want to give more," he said. No that is not the issue and that is why I handle the money I guess! We went to Cleo's to celebrate with family my father-in-law's birthday. What a spread! Thanks Cleo.
On Sunday Ken was up at the crack of dawn mowing the grass. I bet the neighbors loved the noise. It was so cool, I know it was easier for Ken. Then we went to church and enjoyed an especially good sermon on prayer. We went to wallyworld (again) for fruit. I am trying to eat healthier. Your good influence Janet. I worked on my school website most of the afternoon while Ken painted on the south side of the house. Then we met Austin and Holly for dinner. Italian=yummy! We had a wonderful visit with them and enjoyed the relaxed conversation.
We got up fairly early again today, which suits me. I don't like to burn daylight and waste the day sleeping. Ken went off to the remodel job and I took my fruit plate and juice out on the patio to eat. It was quite relaxing. Then I decided to tackle a job I've been putting off for quite sometime. Scanning some old family photos into the computer. I have been reading up on how to do this and how to make cataogs in Photoshop. Today I decided was a good day without distractions, so it was time. I had some issues getting the scanner recognized and how to divide them up when you scan 3 at a time, but I am successful! Yahoo! Ken came home for lunch and was surprised by all my efforts. Then I got a few pages done on the scrapbook for sorority. Cassie, Phillip, and Peyton came by on their way out of town. Thanks for the purple hat and the drink, Cassie and Phillip are always thinking of me. We had a quick visit and they got on the road so Peyton could sleep during the drive. Ken went back to work for a little bit and should be home soon. We are going to drive to OKC to pick out slate. Hmm! I think I better check their hours before we go in case they close early today.
I feel like I accomplished some things I wanted to get done, I talked to my sister and mom, went to dinner with Austin and Holly, and spent time with kids, grandkids, sister-in-law and my father-in-law at his birthday celebration. We have truly been blessed this weekend with family and fun!

It Is Friday With 3 Days Off!

It is Friday night and it has been a long week. I am feeling better. I am not as tired as I was earlier in the week and I am not as nauseated as I was. We were very productive at school. We got everything done and adjustments are being made for next week.
I got a big surprise today at school when my son, Austin, and his girlfriend, Holly showed up. Austin and Holly got to meet my kids and got to see them work a little and play a little. I really enjoyed showing off my kids - all of them!
I am looking forward to a quiet weekend and hope to get some things done around the house with a fair amount of resting involved.