Approaching an Anniversary

It's February.  One month from today is a grim anniversary for me.  One month from today is the day when I got the call with the results of my biopsy.  A lot has happened in the past year.  This isn't a cancerversary post, though.  It just crossed my mind as I was doing my PT stretches this morning.

Physical therapy is going well.  That perky little therapist puts the hurt on me every Tuesday and Thursday, but I can really tell that it's working.  She told me that she is impressed with my progress and can really tell that I'm doing my work at home because my range of motion is improved already.  The hard ridge of muscle that was so visibly apparent in front of my shoulder is disappearing.

After last week's travel, it's nice to have a lazy Saturday morning.  Monica and I watched ABC Family movies and relaxed all morning.  That's my idea of paradise.  All of this while Kevin worked a half day for some OT.  I love his job and I love his willingness to put in a few extra hours to help with bills.  Truth be told, though, his OT today is probably directly related to an event that is happening next weekend.

In the mean time, I'm going to relax, maybe do some laundry, visit my parents, and watch silly movies.  Yup.  This is my kind of weekend.  The no-pressure kind.

Livin' Life

I spend most of my time working and living day-to-day life.  Just like everyone else does.  I think about cancer and my mortality 5 or 6 times a day, instead of nonstop.  It's getting better.  I made a commitment to live life to it's fullest and stop putting things off.  So far, I feel like I'm doing that as much as possible.  I have to work for a living, so it's not a 24/7 party, but I'm making an effort to enjoy things daily.

Tonight I watched my "little" girl walk across the gym as the freshman candidate for courtwarming queen.

I put "little" in quotes because she is at LEAST an inch taller than me, and only 15 years old.  *sigh*

The courtwarming festivities are between the girl's and boy's games, and the girl's game started at 5:30.  I get off work at 5 and work an hour from here, so I knew I wouldn't see the whole first game, but I figured we'd go as soon as I got home.  Natalie took her clothes, makeup, brush, and other accessories to school, and Monica agreed to help her get ready.

I got home around 6 and Kevin and I headed the four blocks to the school.  We had to park out back, because the cars were spilling out of the lot into the street.  We paid admission and walked toward the gym. Uh oh.  The doorways were filled with people who couldn't find a seat.  Crap.  I was afraid I'd miss seeing Natalie walk.

We finally agreed that we'd sit on the visitor's side, if necessary, even though the candidates would be facing the other way.  And that's what we wound up doing.  Visitor's side or not, we were surrounded by Tiger's fans.  The place was packed.

I got to see Monica playing in jazz band during halftime, and then watched the second half of the girl's game. It was a major blowout.  We kicked their butts.   I almost felt sorry for the opposing team.  Almost.  The jazz band sounded awesome, and I reminded myself that I know most of those kids up there.  I love living in a small town.

Finally, they announced the candidates, two by two.  It was so cool to see Natalie walk with the others.  A senior won queen and a senior won king.  Nobody was hugely surprised or disappointed.  Natalie stepped out of her comfort zone and it went great.

I love my kids.  All four of them.  I'm so happy to be where I am in life.  Life is good.

Good Times and Doctors

We had an absolutely amazing time with the kids and grandkids over the weekend.  It was everything we had hoped for.  The little cousins all played so well together, enjoyed the pool at the hotel, and LOVED the gifts we got them.  I was worried about it, because they were $100 each (three little girls,) but all of them are having a blast with them.  It's called a LeapPad II and it was well worth the money.

After having nearly a month with no doctor appointments (the longest stretch since surgery in April,) I have a follow-up with my radiologist on Friday.  I'm not looking forward to it, but it will be a quick appointment and should probably be my last with him.  I think.  I hope.  heh heh  We'll see.

Two weeks from today, I go see my plastic surgeon.  THAT is an appointment that I am looking forward to.  I absolutely love that doctor (and his nurse,) and it will be the appointment where they tell me when my exchange surgery will be.  I'm thinking late May.  I'm ready!

That's all I've got today.  I'm feeling good and I'm content.  Today, I am happy.

Teen Drama

I know I haven't posted for a while.  Busy season is kicking my butt.  On Friday morning, though, it will all be over.  And then I get two 4-day weekends in a row.  Woo Hoo!  No medical information to report because I haven't had any appointments lately.  I have both a radiation follow-up and a plastic surgeon consult in January.  Then, nothing until March.

Monica has an ex-friend who contacted me anonymously (from another friend's phone) to report that Monica has been smoking cigarettes and pot and sneaking out to be with a man that is 6 years or so older than her.  She finally confessed who she was when Kevin and I started calling that number to find out who it was.  I no longer smoke, so I would smell smoke on her if she had been smoking, and I know that this ex-friend does most of the things she accused Monica of.

I contacted her mom and suggested that they come over to hash things out and move on with their lives, and that Monica was willing to take a drug test so we should test them both.  She agreed to be here today at 2.  I brought the test home yesterday and Monica took it.  Nothing.  (I'm not the least bit surprised.)  Today, they called to ask if they could postpone.  Eh.  Whatever.  I like this lady and have no beef with her at all, so if they ever come over, that's fine.  If not though, it'll be no skin off my nose.

The allegations of Monica sneaking out prompted me to ask when this supposedly happened last.  Ex-friend said that it was on Monica's birthday.  Umm, if you are going to make things up, make up a random date.  Don't pick one so easy for us to remember.  Monica was with me all evening.  We were laughing about the stupidity of a guy who was sending stupid texts to her.  We stayed up late that night.

This other girl just thrives on drama.  I know that all teens have some drama, but this one is over the top.  She tried trash-talking about me to Monica, and that was the last straw.  This family has had enough drama in the past year without some immature little girl making up stories.  Also, being faced with my mortality has made my children pretty dang protective of me.  We're content to just be happy together.

So, with the afternoon free, we cleaned house and I made a big pot of chili.  Time for some football and a nap.  I love weekends.

Saturday Morning

I think I'm happy that my chemo schedule has my most painful two days landing on the weekend.  Sure, nobody would plan to spend their days off in a chair hurting, but at least it's not cutting into my paycheck!  I started the day with my pain meds, Claritin (which is supposed to help with the bone pain but doesn't seem to) and Prevacid.  Let's get this party goin'.

Kevin is working a half-day today.  Thank goodness for his OT right now.  Yesterday, it was $400 shelled out to fix the air conditioner.  Who knows what it will be tomorrow, but I'm thankful we were able to get it fixed.  As is typical, though, we got it fixed yesterday and do not need it today.  I have the windows open and need a lap blanket.  LOL  It'll be there next week when we're back in the high 80s, though.

Yesterday was the first high school football game here in our little town.  The girls are both playing in marching band, and I was hoping to make at least the first half, but couldn't do it.  The game hadn't been going very long when one of our players was seriously hurt (ankle, I believe) as reported by Monica via text message.  It makes me sick to my stomach and my family is praying for a speedy recovery for him.

I was asleep by the time the girls came home at half-time, and our Tigers were winning 42-0.  LOL  I haven't heard the final score, but sheesh.  Our offense must have been getting tired.  The next couple of games are away, I believe, so maybe I'll feel better in time for the next home game.  If so, I'll go grab Mom and take her with me.  Unless we can lure dad there with false promises of tractors.

I'm out of nonsense to bore you with, now.  Carry on with your weekend.  If you need me, I won't be hard to find.  Check the recliner.

Saturday

It may be too soon to claim victory, but I believe this round is easier.  I got eight hours of sleep on Thursday night (Kevin had to WAKE me for work!) and another 7 last night.  I didn't have a headache all day yesterday.  Not a single pain pill or Tylenol was necessary.  I'm still not enjoying the steroids and I'm still out of breath, but I think the cut-dose is something my body can become accustomed to.  Woo Hoo!

Today, we're going to the city market.  I doubt I'll make it as long as the rest of the group, but they have benches in various places and tables and chairs in the shade, so I can take a break when I need to.  We don't really need much in the way of produce, with Mom around, but it's fun to go, anyway.  We'll hit it early before it gets hot, too.  The planned group is myself, Kevin, Brooke and my girls.  Who knows if the girls will get out of bed in time.  :)

I'm going to hope that the trend for this cycle continues.  I felt pretty darned good  yesterday, even if I *did* fall asleep in the recliner at 8:30.  LOL  That's karma for all the times I've laughed at Kevin for nodding off.   Yup.  Karma.

Chugging Along

I don't have much to report, which is probably a good thing.  No nosebleeds, no unplanned trips to the doctor, no sickness or other nonsense.  Just chugging along.

Yesterday, we went to mom's for a catfish fry.  It was fabulous.  I had decided that I was going to spend a day without a headache, so I popped pain pills like they were Chiclets.  That's not really true, but I took one early morning, noon, and evening.  I spent the whole day (after taking the first one) headache-free.  That was nice.

The other thing that the pain pills caused was a two hour nap.  I figured that would keep me from sleeping last night, but it didn't.  I slept 7 hours with no problem.  BONUS!

Today, the girls are at Vans Warped Tour with their brother Jonathan.  They are having SO much fun, and I'm thrilled that it's a full ten degrees cooler than last week.  I have a feeling they'll get home too late for me to see them, so I'll have to hear the stories tomorrow evening.

See?  Nothing much to report, but I'm OK with that.  Yup.  It suits me JUST fine.

Chemo, Round Two

This time, I remembered to jot down the names of everything they give me in that IV.  I know they switch things out a lot, and I was mad at myself for not taking notes the first time.  I'll share what they are, but first I have to give a shout-out to my girls.

I went by myself this time, armed with computer, books, etc to occupy my time.  I fired up the computer, and within five minutes, Monica was sending a Skype request.  I accepted, and then laughed the remainder of my time there.  She started out by dancing for me.  She turned on music and just went to town, dancing and dancing longer than you can imagine.  The nurse got a big kick out of it, too.

Soon, Natalie joined her and they both danced.  We chatted and made bad jokes and laughed.  Monica even played her guitar and sang for me!  At one point, the nurse called another nurse to come watch.  They both laughed with us.  Later, she told me that she's been doing this for 23 years, and has never been serenaded before.  It really made the time fly by!

Now, back to all the IV bag swapping!  Here is the stuff that I currently get, every other Wednesday.  Bags 3, 5, and 7 are the same bag, they just switch to it between other stuff.  All of it goes through my port access, but the Adriamycin has to be done via syringe (slowly) and watched.  It's some bad-ass stuff.  Fun fact:  Makes me pee red, too.  TMI?  Sorry.  Too late.  Here goes:


Bag 1
Dexamethasone - Steroid
Famotidine -Nausea
Palonosetron - Nausea

Bag 2
Emend - Nausea

Bag 3
Saline

Bag 4
Adriamycin via syringe (2) - Chemo

Bag 5
Saline

Bag 6
Cytoxan - Chemo

Bag 7
Saline

Jaxson, HFMD, and Job Hunting

Jaxson is a big ol' jerk.  The quantity went up, significantly up, yesterday.  I almost let it break me.  My girls were here to watch season finales with me and keep me from melting into a complete pity pot, although I did post some pretty whiny stuff on Facebook and my favorite message boards.

There is a reason that this is happening.  I'm either not supposed to lose this drain yet, or I'm not supposed to start chemo on Tuesday.  I don't know what the reason is, but I'm sure there is one, so I'm going to shut my dang mouth about it.  Whining will get me nowhere.

I took Natalie to the Minute Clinic yesterday morning.  I told them, "She has a sore throat, sores in her mouth and spots on her hands and feet."  The nurse practitioner asked, "What are you thinking?"  I said, "I think she has Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease."  She nodded that she agreed.  Then she went to Bing on her computer and looked up the facts that she thought I should know.

The fact that I diagnosed her and they used a search engine didn't keep them from charging the full $25 copay. LOL  It's viral, so there's not much we can do other than Tylenol for pain and a prescription mouth rinse that helps with the mouth pain.  She is miserable.

I can NOT get this stuff.  Seriously.  That would cause a whole new batch of problems for me.  There is a lot of hand washing going on in this house.  LOL  Hand washing and complaining (from both of us.)

Monica is out of school for the summer, so the great job hunt is on.  She attacks a different nearby town each day.  It's amazing how many places won't hire you unless you are 18.  I don't remember it being that way, but it's probably a safety issue.  I hope she finds something.  I'll never forget how great it felt to have that freedom, responsibility, and MONEY!  ha ha

OK, If I disappear for a while, it means I have nothing new to say.  I don't want anyone to think that my absence means there is a problem.  I just find myself turning into a whiny-post person, and I don't want to be that person.  I can promise you with 100% certainty that I will post an update the moment I lose the drain.  :)

Losing a Drain

Yesterday was my appointment with the surgeon that did the mastectomy.  I actually told him that I've been calling him the "demo doctor."  He thought it was pretty funny.  I don't have to see him again for 6 months.  People poured into the room while I was there, too.  He was joined by his nurse practitioner, another nurse, a lady who remembered me from my biopsy and wanted to come say "hi" etc etc.  It was crowded in there, but I'm important like that.

My plastic surgeon's nurse had told me that, if I came upon someone who would/could remove drain one any time after Monday, I could ask.  Otherwise, I could go have her do it.  She's all the way over in Leawood, KS, so I asked yesterday.  They pulled it!  It was the one not causing any issues, but it's still kinda nice to only have to deal with one.

I slept in my bed last night, and it was very comfortable, but I paid for it this morning.  I guess I am destined to sleep in the recliner for a while longer.  Oh well.  I'm having a teary kind of day, so I ran to Lexington with Mom and Dad to see how much money I could blow at Dollar General.  $47, if you wondered.  Kevin's Monster drinks are cheaper there, so a lot of that was for those.

It was an early-out for the girls, so Natalie is here to keep me company now, and Monica will be home from softball practice when it's time for Natalie to go to track practice, so I should have someone with me the rest of the afternoon.  Uncle Phil and Aunt Faye are stopping by this afternoon, too, so I will have company all afternoon for sure!

An Amazing Day with Family

It's been a LONG time since all four of our kids were in the same place.  We had them all today, and most of their family members as well.  I can't stop smiling as I look through all the pictures on Facebook.  Here are my kids:

They get along so well these days.  Well, not always:

I add the boy's ladies, and their kids:

And I'm smiling.  No, I'm beaming.

Thanks to the 30 Day Photo Challenge, I must air some dirty laundry, as it were.  "Where You Sleep."  Seriously?  I thought about making my bed, picking up in there, dusting a bit, and taking a photo that I wouldn't be ashamed of.  And then I saw Monica's new Facebook profile picture today.  She took it in the mirror in my room.  *sigh*  Now everyone knows.

Unmade bed, makeup all over the dresser, stuff piled on the furniture.  Yeah.  Don't stop by my house unannounced unless you're comfortable with clutter.
::hanging head in shame::

Hands

Here is today's entry in the 30 Day Photo Challenge.