The End Of 2010

This is the last day of 2010. This is our last night in Arizona. We will get up and head for home. There is snow going north. We are listening to see if I-40 is open. Ken and I have had to go home driving the southern route in March when it snowed one year. It would be faster to go home driving on I-40, but we will see.
We had a good day. We went to another quilt store. I found some things that I got and my sister got a project for me as well. I worked on organizing Mom's computer today. I spent way to much time trying to get Blackberry apps to download all without luck. Hopefully, when I get home I'll have better luck. Janet and I decided it was Mom's network. We will see. This to shall pass!
I have a few pictures I hope to download with this post. Some of Mom and Bob and our fondue dinner, which was very delicious and leisurely and one of all the plants covered up. The weather has been all the news here. Yesterday there was a snow flurry!
I start radiation at 3:45 on Monday. The sooner I get started the sooner it will be over. Monday is a professional day and Tuesday I will get back with the kids. I can't wait!

Mom won a dinner for 12 at the Madison. The Madison is an assisted living center in Sun City West and where my mom would like to live eventually. So that is where we ate last night. The chef baked a cake for my sister's 50th birthday. We had a good dinner and no dishes!
When we got home we puzzled until we got the frog puzzle that Haley sent to Mom completed.
We went to a couple of quilt stores and I contributed to Arizona's economy. A friend of my mom's had a 2 year old Bernina sewing machine that she wanted to know if I would like to have it. Wow! I was surprised! Ken will be happy to hear that I'm sure.
We are about to go eat at a Fondue type place. Sounds interesting. Then Janet will get to open presents. More later.

Waking Up In Arizona

I am at my mom's in Arizona. I got up early yesterday, Ken took me to the airport, and after 2 uneventful flights I finally arrived at 1:15. I was hungry. Not even a snack is offered unless you want to buy it and I didn't. As I got down to baggage claim I saw my sister. We spotted my beautiful new purple bag easily (thank you Kayla & Steve I Love it) and went out to Mom and the car. The first thing we did was stop and eat. We went right by an In and Out, Steve, and didn't stop. We ate and then went on to Mom's. She had a puzzle going that came from Haley. It immediately grabbed us and forced us to puzzle long enough that I was stiff. Mom fixed one of my favorites for dinner spaghetti and then we opened gifts. Fun things and some yummy things were opened.
I am not sure what is scheduled for today, but one thing you can count on is it won't be dull around here! Janet is in the shower and I will hop in next so I will be ready for what comes next!

The Day After Christmas

Ken and I got up and went to church, then we came home and started un-Christmasfying the house. Trina, Derrick, and their kids came over and helped and we got it done quickly. I was afraid if I left it while I was gone that Ken wouldn't have time to take it down. I didn't want to deal with it and starting back to school. My hip is really objecting, but yeah it is done!
I have started packing. I am still waiting on laundry. I got the coolest purple bag from Kayla, Steve, and the kids, I think it is going to be perfect. Right now, I am hoping my pillow will fit. I am excited about going to Arizona.
Today my dad would of been 80 years old. I sure do miss him. He was such a guiding force in my life. I am so happy he got to see me graduate from college. I wish he'd been able to see me get my masters degree. He loved knowledge. The kids and I had a discussion about him when we celebrated Christmas together. Each child, my sister, and I all had very vivid memories of discussions where Dad was giving/sharing information. We all love and miss him a lot!

It Is Over

Everything has been unwrapped and the oohing and ahhing is all but over. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with the family. We ate a big dinner and then opened the gifts. I was very thrilled with everything I got. Several things I got were purple. Yeah! Ken and I got up and Santa had left more wonderful things for us. I got everything I asked for and a whole lot more! We spent a leisurely day watching tv, reading, napping, and the ever popular at our house letting the big red dog in and out. We actually just got back from having dinner with Ken's sister, his dad, nieces, nephews, and our great niece. It was a great meal and the company was even better.
I did get the tables put up and the tablecloths in the wash. I would really like to get the house un- Christmasfied tomorrow. I am going to Mom's on Monday and I don't want to come back home to all the decorations and go back to school without it put up.
I will start radiation on January 3rd, which isn't to soon for me. The sooner I start the sooner it is over. I will miss a herceptin treatment while I am at Mom's. So my 3 week schedule will be changed when I get back. I will have the next hercetin treatment on the 7th of January.

Thursday All Day

I am having trouble keeping the days straight. I have already been up and about today. Patsy is coming a day earlier than usual to clean. So I have to get things cleaned up so she can clean. I finished the wrapping, did the dishes, moved the table and chairs around, did some laundry, cleaned up Rusty's toys, and a few other things and I am worn out. I tire so easily.
My sister is on her way to Mom's. She is driving and it is boring. So, I plan to talk to her every couple of hours. Actually, I am calling on the even hours, got some of the kids in on it to call on the odd hours, and I just spoke to Mom and told her to call on the half hours. My sister will think she is one popular girl today, and she is! I wonder how long it will take her to figure it out? Hmm?
I will go out in a bit to get stamps. Then I think since the wrapping is done, the trees are lit, I'll put some Christmas music on, get a throw (it is cool in here), get a cup of hot chocolate, get my book, fire in the fireplace, and enjoy! Then Rusty will need to go out or come in just as I get all settled.
I am anxiously awaiting for the swelling to go down in my right breast. I don't know if he took out enough to make it closer to the size of the left breast! This could even me up. Maybe there was a reason for this little scare after all. A blessing in disguise!
I am tired and have a headache so I think I will rest until Patsy gets done. I hope you are enjoying the day.

A Lot To Do

Do you ever feel like there is so much to do, but you don't quite know how to tackle everything? That is the way I am feeling trying to wrap, buy, cook, send out cards, and get my class ready for next year. Since I am going to visit my mom I have to do something this week. So I think I will go today and let go of that weight. I love the 3rd nine weeks! I am down to a couple of gifts left to figure out and then wrap. Most of the cards have been sent out, just a few more to go. Cooking, hmm, I wonder why that is bothering me, Ken usually takes care of that. He has requested a pumpkin pie, so I will make it Friday morning. I do usually take care of the tables, so I will check out the tablecloths and such. Breathe.
I took the bandage off this morning. The tape was bothering me. The scar is not very large. It is sore, but not to painful. I am resuming my normal activities. I really am thrilled about my surgery results and I want to thank everyone for the prayers. Ann I got your e-mails, thank you. You always lift my spirits. Thank you for the calls Jane and Diana, sorry I didn't get to talk.

Surgery Is Over!

We went at 10:45 to the outpatient surgery department. I got out of my clothes and into a designer gown, one with the opening in the back and snaps at the shoulders. They accessed my port, I talked to the anesthesiologist, and I talked to the doctor. I was scheduled for 11:30 surgery, but it was almost 1:00 before I actually went in. I was awake before I left surgery and when I got back to my cubicle they had a diet coke waiting for me. The lump was a cyst and I finally had a diet coke - life is great! I am relieved! Thank you for all the prayers, they mean so much. I plan to rest today and then back to planning for Friday. Love to all. Remember our Lord and talk to him each day.

Lab Report

I got a call from the surgeon. He said that the lab report did not show anything. He also said that he will go ahead with the surgery and do the biopsy. We will know more tomorrow when he gets out the lump and it can be tested. Things are looking up.
I also have some pictures from the painting excursion! On the back row is my sister, Janet, me, my daughter, Kayla, in front are my daughter, Haley, and Austin's girlfriend, Holly. We all had a fun painting experience!

Surgery Tuesday

We had a wonderful day yesterday! Ken and I drove down to Kayla and Steve's house in McKinney, TX. We had lunch with Kayla, Steve, Haley, Duane, Austin, Holly, Janet, and three of our grandchildren. It was delicious! I think the casserole Kayla served should be repeated again! I had so much fun with Madison and Macie Jane. They let me chalk on the sidewalk, play Boggle , and play Wii with them! It was so nice to be around my sister, the kids, and grandkids. I was feeling the love. We opened presents, which was so much fun. Lots of goodies! I have to admit my favorite was watching Macie Jane when she found out the big present was for her and it was a wardrobe for her American Girl Doll clothes that Papa made her. She is one happy girl arranging the clothes on hanger, shelves, and in the drawers! But we couldn't play long, because we had a surprise celebration to attend. Haley and Kayla set up a painting party to surprise Aunt Janet for her 50th birthday. The girls all painted and the boys encouraged us. We all painted the same thing and they all looked unique! It was so much fun!
Today Ken and I went to a funeral of a sweet lady who had been fighting cancer. Unfortunately, it won. Patty was so loving and full of cheer. We will miss her a lot.
I had the NVG test this morning. This is the test where I get the injection and wait 20 minutes. Then she injects me with the radioactive stuff and takes pictures of my heart. No designer gowns involved in this procedure. I go tomorrow for surgery at 11:30. I told Ken when I get out I am going to be hungry! I still have no lab results. I would like to know something. This is one of those times where I am being given the opportunity to be patient. (Except I am not.)

Saturday is Party Day

Ken and I got up this morning and did a little grocery shopping. Ken had invited all the managerial staff from the mall over for dinner. I worked on getting presents wrapped and he cooked today. Thankfully we didn't have to clean because Patsy did that on Friday. I am so glad she comes each week. Ken made a wonderful dinner and we enjoyed the company. After dinner we played dirty Santa with ornaments.
My hair has been growing back and has been kind of just fuzzy. It is starting to get more like hair. It is funny it is longer in the places older men end up with hair. You know where I mean over the ears and around low in the back. It seems thicker in those places.
We will see some of the kids and grandkids tomorrow, open presents, eat together, and celebrate my sister's birthday. She will hit the fun 50 on the 29th!

Surgeon Visit

Today Ken and I went to the surgeon. I had to get undressed from the waist up and got another designer gown that opened in the front this time! He examined me and agreed it was hard like the cancer mass I found in May. He decided to get some tissue to be tested. So right there with a quick shot to numb the skin he cut me and stuck in a large long needle and started probing. He pulled it out and didn't have much if any tissue, so after two more very painful stabs and probing he was happy with the amount of tissue. I got a really big band aid to cover the site, (which is 3 o'clock on the right breast to be exact). He is hoping to have results on Monday. The mass will need to come out no matter the results of the tissue sample. I will have surgery on Tuesday. I will get more info on Monday for the exact time. If the results of the tissue shows cancer, he will remove the mass and take out sentinel nodes. If we have no results the mass will be tested while I am open, so he can get good margins, but I will have to have another surgery to take out the lymph nodes. I suppose there is potential of a mastectomy. My first thought is darn I just bought two new bras without under wires for my flight out to see my mom. I could end up needing a different size! Oh well, I just won't take the tags off yet.
The lord has been with me and guided my care so I have faith he will continue to guide my caregivers and I will get through this before long. I do appreciate all the prayers, so please keep me and my family in your prayers.
Today was the last day of school in 2010. It was party day. It was a fun busy day! I hope all my students have a safe fun Christmas.

Good News/Bad News

I wore a sweatshirt today and I got hot. The next few days are suppose to be colder. At night my head gets so cold and then I do too. So, now I am wearing either a hat that Kayla crocheted or a bandanna to bed. I am surprised at how much warmer it keeps me.
Today was my oncologist visit. She caught up with the radiation schedule, had no problem with me changing my next herceptin visit a week later, and double checked my scheduled NVG test. Good news, I don't see her for 9 weeks. Then we will talk about and start the 5 year pill. Then it was time for the exam and Bad News, she found a 2 cm mass in my right breast. I am going to my surgeon on his first available, which is Friday. Deja vu?? After we left her office, Ken just held me and told me we would get through this together! We hope to know more on Friday. It is what it is!

Sunday Morning

On Friday, I went to the cancer center to get herceptin. While I was there I traded hair. This one is dark but very short. While Ken and I were out and about on Saturday the wind was very strong. I was walking and it almost felt like the wind was getting under the wig and it would blow off. Momentarily, PANIC!
We slept late, had a leisurely breakfast, and went to church. The hand bells were played today and the music was beautiful. I really enjoyed the music it was very festive and comforting at the same time. We are now home with a fire in the fireplace. Nicole was over a few minutes ago to take our picture for the Christmas cards. So, now we have a movie, fire, and a puzzle. Life is grand!
The orthopedic doctor recommended an orthopedic doctor in OKC. I got a call on the answering machine Friday. I have to wait until January. It may be hard to wait until school is out to have my hip replaced. The pain meds I got have helped a little.
I am expecting next week to be rather hectic. The kids are very excited and it has been difficult keeping them focused. I think it will escalate this week. We are having some special days to make it more interesting for them. Tomorrow, it is wear antlers day. That shouldn't be to distracting!
I got some wrapping done yesterday. I am still finishing up a few projects. I always seem to have so many great ideas that shouldn't take up to much time. Always too many ideas and not enough time!

Injection #2 Isn't Happening

My orthopedic doctor that did my hip replacement in 2008 has left Shawnee. So I made an appointment with another orthopedic doctor and found out that I will have to go to OKC for a doctor to replace my hip. He also will not recommend an injection in the hip because of the risk of infection. Apparently if you get an infection in the hip you can't get a hip replacement. Hmm! All this is news to me. So, his nurse is going to find out if the doctor he is recommending accepts our insurance. But, I did get a prescription for a pain pill. May be this will help. He also reviewed my x-ray from 8-31-10 and said he would recommend a full hip replacement and wanted to know why I would put it off 6 months. I explained about school. As he examined me he said that my right leg is about 1/2 inch shorter than the left. I knew it!
Ken and I went to Hobby Lobby in the city after my appointment. We picked up a few things. One was an ornament for a ornament exchange on Saturday. I am glad to have that ready to go. Rusty, the big red dog, is fascinated by all the sacks and things we brought in.
The kids are really getting excited about Christmas! The behavior all over school is getting wilder by the day. Hopefully we will keep our sanity until the 17th!

Orthopedic Apointment

I am in the 3rd week since chemo, so I called the orthopedic doctor to get an appointment. The oncologist said I had to wait 3 weeks, so by the time I get an injection it will probably be 3 weeks. Last time I had to get labs run to make sure my counts were okay and get the injection scheduled at the hospital. I hope I don't have to fool with the labs this time.
I am working on the Christmas letter. I would like to get it out this week. I went and picked up some stamps today so I would have them when I needed them.
Ken's dad came over for dinner tonight. Ken was called to his sister's about her thermostat, so we ate without him.
I am still so tired in the evenings. I have pretty good energy while I am at school, but if I don't get my errands done right after school I don't have the energy to do much. I worked at school until 4 and I only felt like doing one errand. So I will try to leave earlier tomorrow because I need to drive to Hobby Lobby after school. I should of gone last Saturday, but I didn't. I feel like a slug most of the time!

Chocolate

Good news! I ate chocolate on Sunday afternoon and I didn't get sick! It didn't taste good yet, but I didn't get sick. Ya Hoo! It sure gives me hope that someday things will taste normal again.
We have begun the countdown - 9 days left until Christmas break. The kids are really getting excited. It is a challenge to keep them focused. We have a lot of exciting things going on next week, so I think we better enjoy this week.
I tried unsuccessfully to get an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. I need to get another injection. I am really having a hard time getting around.

Tattoos

Ken was not a big fan of tattoos. So when Kevin got a tattoo I decided not to mention it. He told Kevin that he would take a belt sander it. Of course, he didn't. So as we were getting ready for work I asked him if he would take a belt sander to me. He said, "No, of course not."
I left school early on Friday. Thank you, Amy, fr doing my bus duty and Charme' for dismissing my kids. My friends really step up and help me out. I got signed in and waited for them to call me back. I signed some paperwork and got to put on a designer gown that opens in the back. I got to lay down on my back and put my arms over my head. Then they took air out of the form and it molded around my arms. They attached a couple of wires to my incision sites. Then I got another designer gown, open in the front this time, and we walked through a maze of halls and doors to the CT scanning room. I was a bit worried that we didn't leave a trail of crumbs (because I am severely direction challenged), but I trusted they wouldn't leave me to fend for myself in the designer gowns I was collecting. They brought the custom over the head where your arms go and I took off designer gown number 2 and laid down and put my arms back in it. Now it gets fun. They took my arms out of designer gown number 1 and got out a marker and started marking me on each side and in front. Then when they determined the marks and the laser lights where matched up they taped bb's to the marks. They left the room and the machine moved me through a tube and did its job. Then they came back in and they got out the ink and the needle. That is how and when I became a tattooed women! Then with help I got up, tied up designer gown 1, put on designer gown 2, and walked back to where we started. Then I got dressed and left. This took about an hour. I will start radiation on January 3rd. A lot of people will be helping me out during this time. I am so fortunate to work with such a loving group. This will all be down hill compared to where I've been!
Ken and I went out last night to see Burlesque. We really enjoyed it! Loved the music and dancing. Tonight we are going to Shawnee Little Theatre's production of Little Women. We are looking forward to another enjoyable evening.

Today We Met The Radiation Doctor

Ken and I went to my appointment with the radiation doctor. Once again I had to go to registration and check in. Of course, I had to wait. Then I went to the Cancer Center and even though I have been going there regularly since June I had to answer 5 pages of questions! Then I got to wait and by now it is past my appointment time. Anyway, pink skin and tiredness are possibilities from the radiation. I will have 33 M-F, daily visits. I will see the radiation doctor each Monday. It will take about 15 minutes each day. Before radiation starts I have to get 3 tattoos. I don;t get to pick anything exotic. They will all be very small blue dots. Kind of boring. If I could at least pick the color that would be cool. They will be used to line up the 3 laser lights in the room with my body. I will have my arms over my head and I will get to lay there and relax while I am given the radiation. On Friday, I will go in for a CT Scan and by looking at this they will know where I will need the radiation. Plus they will mold the thingy for my arms to lay in during the radiation. I will start radiation on Monday, January 3rd.
One of my girls in my class came to me and said, "I know how to spell best friend" I jumped on that and asked "How?" She promptly said, "BFF" I was caught by surprise and all I could say was "Okay!"
Hair update or should I say lack of hair update. I have very few eyelashes under my eyes. It looks weird. On the top eyelid I still have some eyelashes. About half my eyebrows are gone. Now the hair on my head is getting visible. It is about a half an inch long. It is getting kind of thick. It is very gray!