Back Up

So sorry! I have been without internet for some reason unknown to me. I made time this evening to be tied up with AT&T to figure out my lack of internet problem. I was assuming it to be a router problem, because we seem to go through them on a fairly regular basis. Much to my surprise and glee I am off the phone with AT&T in less than 30 minutes! Joy! I find it to be extremely painful to tie up my time and attention with the service providers. This was not bad. I am back in business!
Yesterday was my first 24 hour period without being sick. So, today I have felt better. Each day is getting better. Nothing taste normal, but things are starting to have some taste.
Tomorrow is the appointment with the radiation doctor. I am guessing we will discuss how the radiation takes place, what will happen, side effects I can expect, and when I will start. I will be gone the week after Christmas, so I am concerned that will present an issue. My sister doesn't think it will so that concern has been lessened.
It was awfully windy today when we went out for lunch and this new wig is looser feeling and I was worried the wind would take it away. Luckily, it did not become a reality. Yesterday, I worked hard and got the top of my desk visible, maybe since school started in August. Today, I worked hard and got the top of the table I work at visible. It feels good! Two down with other things to catch up on, but I will continue to get things organized.

Turkey Day Is History

We had 80+ at the Abel Family Reunion. It was wonderful to visit with everyone. The food was plentiful. If you didn't leave miserable it was your own fault. It is always a pot luck dinner; and we never lack for anything. We took a lot of pictures. We have so many young children it is just a joy to see them interacting with each other. I hope as I go through the pictures I can put the right name to the faces. If not I'll be sending pictures with a plea for help to the cousins.
I was really tired by the time we left and stomach cramps were back. I am battling them this evening too. I will take some of the percoset before I go to bed and hope to sleep comfortably. I am still trying to decide if I am going shopping in the morning. Ken has to be at work at 6, so I won't have a problem getting up. I guess I'll see how I feel in the morning. I want a few things, just how badly I'm not sure.

Chemo is OVER

My sister left Sunday, Mom and Bob left Monday, Vicki and Bryn left Monday, and Ken went back to work. I would have loved to go back to work, but instead I am at home trying to take care of myself. I am not enjoying the time off. But, this to shall pass!
I am trying to take my meds sooner than later so the stomach cramps aren't as bad. They started getting bad Sunday. I have been trying to stay horizontal as much as possible. I tried to sleep as much as possible on Monday, but I wasn't real sleepy. I took the stronger pain meds before I went to bed last night and we opened the door and I slept better than I have in a while. I have slept off and on between dog in and dog out today. I am cold and then I am hot.
I am revising my idea about when I won't have to wear a wig. I was thinking I could stop wearing it after Christmas, but I think it will be Valentine's Day. My hair is very gray! When you have colored your hair as many years as I have it is and it isn't a surprise to have so much gray. My sister has gone gray and I think she thinks I should too. We will see. Ken is ready to have me color it. It is what it is.
Chemo is over and I am so thankful! It has been a hard journey, but I am so fortunate to have all the support of my family and friends. Thank you for your love, confidence, and kindness. I hope not to miss many more days of school. I still have the herceptin injections every three weeks and seven weeks of radiation to go through, but I am sure the worst is over and things will get easier!

Birthday Party

I had treatment yesterday. I got a headache while I was getting my drugs. My drug nurse gave me some tylenol. Then a half hour later or so my neck and cheeks turned bright red. My drug nurse gave me benydryl. She was glad when I was done with my treatment so she didn't have to administer more drugs. I have stayed on top of my meds today and just have a headache at this time.
My sister was at the cancer center when I arrived. She talked me into a new hairdo, so I traded in last week's do for this one. Mom and Bob are here and so are Bryn and Vicki. Other people will start arriving shortly. Ken, my mom, sister, and Vicki have put together a wonderful turkey lunch for Austin's birthday. We aren't really sure how many will be here, the count is in the 20's I think.
Janet brought her standard poodle and Rusty loves him. They are fun to watch and beautiful to watch running. The house is full and it will be my favorite day! Life is great!

Oncology Visit

I just got back from the oncologist. It was good - which translates to uneventful. I have my meds all lined out for the treatment on Friday. Then I will see her again on Dec. 15th. Then every 9 weeks after that. I have an appt Dec. 1st with the radiation dr. I am anxious to find out the radiation schedule. Patience. Then I have another NVG test around the middle of December and then again every 3 months. One thing I learned is that I don't finish the year of herceptin before I start taking the pill for 5 years. So that will put this behind me about 6 months sooner than I thought. Woo hoo!
Good news! The refrigerator (bought in August) is now in the kitchen! Yippee! The dining room is so much bigger! The kitchen seems smaller. We almost have the kitchen back in order.
Well, when I went to get treatment last Friday, I left with a new wig. This one is a short style that has bangs and is a little longer and darker than the other wig. The kids noticed my new hair right away. They all seemed to have an opinion about my wigs. We finally ended with a vote and my kids voted for the new wig. So my public has voted!
Ann at school, has arraigned to have a soup-er luncheon tomorrow to celebrate my last chemo treatment Friday. Everyone has been so supportive! I work with people that are like family. Thank you.
My sister will be here for my treatment on Friday, Mom and Bob will be back on Friday, and we will have Austin's birthday party on Saturday. I am excited to see everyone. Bryn and Vicki have been here since Saturday. I am enjoying having them here! He has to report back Nov. 30th to duty in Georgia. It could be awhile before I see them. At least he is in our country now. My blessings are endless!

Morning Quiet Is Priceless!

I got up this morning and I was the only one awake. It was quiet and also my favorite time of the day. It is the time of day when there are so many possibilities. The number of hours in the day seem to be longer than the number of things I want to get done. Everything and anything seem possible.
We have been fortunate the last couple of days. My mom and Bob flew in Thursday afternoon and we picked them up at the airport and then when to a great dinner at Cheddar's. Ken had to go to work when we got back to town, so we went home and caught up with each other. They left Friday for a week in Branson. Later Friday night Bryn and Vicki came in from Georgia. He got back from Iraq and is on leave. Yesterday Bryn and Ken did the movie thing and Vicki and I did the Hobby Lobby thing. A good time was had by all!
I am feeling good. I am looking forward to and dreading the last round of chemo on Friday. I, of course, want to end this part of the journey, but the discomfort that I will be in is what I dread. I am having a bit of trouble with my hip and I think I need to get a new injection.

I Forgot

I am feeling better each day. I am still having issues with sugar. I am getting better about staying away from it. I haven't had any issues today or yesterday. I will give it another day or two and then I hope to try sugar again and have no problems. Monday night was bunco night and Betty had a wonderful spread for us, but I refrained from trying the sweets. It was hard!
I came home today and Ken was grouting the new floor in the kitchen. Now, the sealant needs to be put on the floor and then the refrigerator (which we bought in August) can be put in the kitchen. I am excited about getting things back together.
I just realized I forgot to get labs done Monday. Oopsie! I will try and remember to call tomorrow and see if I still need to do it. I just hate it when I do stuff like that.

Ken and I had a busy day. We went to church, got groceries, piddled around the house, Ken cooked, and then we both went to work. I only went for a couple of hours, while Ken will work until 2 am. I am glad I got a little bit organized for tomorrow. I am tired tonight. I am watching what I eat and working at keeping my stomach from having issues.
I spoke to my mom today and she is flying in on Thursday. I am excited about seeing her and Bob. They will spend the night and leave Friday morning to go to Branson. They will hurry to the airport in Missouri to pick up my sister for the weekend. Then they will be back in a week. I am so thankful for my family. Mom sends me cards and calls. She lives far away, but she has been so supportive. My sister has been so caring. She has been here for treatments and calls to check on me so often. My kids have been so sweet and loving. Ken has been with me each step, listens to my fears, takes care of everything, and loves me. I am so blessed by my family!

Going Uphill

It is early Saturday morning and Rusty and I have gone downstairs to start the day. He has been out and I have a fire started in the fireplace and he is now standing in front of it warming himself.
I had the x-rays taken on Wednesday and they showed no blockage so I was given a stronger pain pill. Which, by the way, did get rid of the stomach cramps! I also realized that it made me a bit woozie. So I won't be able to take it and teach. and take it.
I taught on Thursday and it was very exhausting. No school Friday and then 3 days of subs and they lost their manners. So I had to deal with discipline issues that we had been past. Plus, bonus I got a new boy in my class! That added to the joy of the day. I left as early as possible and went home and took a nap. Thursday was the night of sorority's biggest fund raiser of the year, our auction. I was determined to go. I believe it was a great success! I ended up leaving before it was over, because I was a bit tired. I enjoyed it and all the girls did a spectacular job! I even got some pictures this year, which is better than last year when I didn't get any. Thanks to Judy I did get the cream puffs that Ken really wanted. My stomach was doing okay all morning and at lunch I tried a peanut butter sandwich and it felt like stomach cramps were on the way back, so I threw away half the sandwich and quite eating. At the auction I noticed I was okay when I ate protein so I ate a couple of chicken wings, sausage ball, and a part of a chicken salad croissant. My stomach was feeling okay. Then some chocolate nut candy called my name and I realized chocolate doesn't taste so good and my stomach started rolling.
Friday was a new day and I felt better. I got to school feeling like I could handle the day. We got a lot done and everything went pretty smoothly. But, I had to leave to go get herceptin. I thought I was on a 3 week schedule for that, but I am still on a weekly schedule. It went okay and I went home. Ken was laying another section of slate in the kitchen. When he got to a stopping point we went to dinner at Santa Fe. I had a good steak and baked potato. I felt good after I ate it, no stomach problems. Yeah! We came home started a fire and enjoyed each other and a night of television. He has worked nights all week, so we haven't had much time to be together. We still enjoy just being together! After a bit I couldn't help myself and I got one of the best cream puffs ever and ate it. It was good, but it sure did make me sick. I think I am getting the picture - no sweets! Surely this to shall pass!
I am hopeful that the new refrigerator (bought in August) will get installed in the kitchen, we will get all the dust from this job dusted, and Ken will rest some before he goes back to work Sunday night. I have some sewing I plan to work on, but mainly I will try to keep my stomach on an even keel and rest. I am looking forward to a whole week at school and enjoying my kids. We have a lot of fun things to do.

Voting Day

Today was a long day. I thought I would be okay once I got to school. I got through the calendar and the morning message okay, but I went downhill very fast. I felt weak and pitiful. I sent a note to the office and people were ready to help me. I work with wonderful people. Brady was ready to sit in when she saw me, Nurse Susan came down and offered to drive me home, and Charme', who took my kids and got them organized for the rest of the day. Thank you so much! It means so much to me knowing the care and support you give to me. I got home and I was cold. I had on a pants & jacket outfit on and I covered up with 2 blankets and slept. My stomach is hurting, I have a mild headache, and my joints are hurting me. Waa waa! Sorry to be such a whiner. I know this shall pass, but not fast enough!
This is the third round of the taxotere and herceptin. It seems harder than the last two were. Thankfully, there is only one more round of these drugs.
I am glad that I chose to vote before school, because I might not have been able to do it later. I am glad we have the privilege to vote and have our voice count. I hope everyone exercised their right to vote.