If it's going to happen....

It will happen to me.  That is what I was told this past week when I was once again admitted to hospital on Thompson Peak.  Saturday evening I started to feel pretty bad and went to bed around 9:00.  Bob and Abby were watching T.V.  I started to have pain in my stomach and, long story short, Bob found me lying on the floor in a semi conscience state about an hour later.  Bless his heart, he once again scoops me from the brink of death and rushes me to the E.R.  After a 3 day stay, test, and enough blood draws to drain my entire body, I was diagnosed with Iscehmic colitis, which means blood flow was absent in the lining of the colon.  They do not think it was caused by the chemo, although the hospitalist tried to blame it on that.  It may be something that I have in the future. I'll have to watch my diet better and take some OTC medication.  The GI doctor also recommends I drink a sports drink everyday. Friends, once again by my side.  Lisa Gaynor spent Tues eve. with me so Bob could go to Abby's birthday, Mary Jo made a fabulous Mexican dinner for us on Wednesday, and Jeannie Taylor brought me lunch and a yellow lemon cake!!!  Bob and I have been joking that if I have 9 lives, I only have 4 more to go. He has literally been there though thick and thin, and I would not be here today if Bob wasn't as protective and proactive as he is.  The nursing staff commented, I am very lucky, I know I am.  Your my everything Baby!  

2nd Chemo Day

It sure didn't take long for this day to roll around!  I met with Dr. Meng on Tuesday and we discussed the reactions to the chemo and Nuelasta shot last time.  She said that she is gong to reduce the reg dosage of Neulasta from 6mg to 3 mg and if the WBC drops too much, she can always bring me back in for another injection.  She is also adding a bag of extra fluids before we began treatment to help with dehydration afterwards.  I usually don't feel like drinking, because everything taste like metal for a few days, and then the sweet and salty sensation becomes less.  I had  dear friend Gwen, come over last night and brought homemade chicken pot pie with a salad and banana, choc, chip muffins.  I have plenty to warm over for this evening, which is perfect.  I won't be home until around 6:00 pm and it makes it easier for Marsha to warm things for Abby and I won't have to cook.  I have planned ahead a little more this time and do have things in the freezer to avoid fast food outings on my bad days.  But trust me,  as soon as I am able to move around, is restaurant time for me!!!  Treatment today about 7 hours so I'll try to post this evening.   Much love,

Good Friends

I was blessed to have dear friends stop over last week and bring lunch.  We enjoyed Subway sandwiches and fresh fruit and best of all quality time spent  talking and solving the worlds problems.  It is really a pick me up when your not feeling great emotionally, to have friends care.  This past week was a little hard for me.  I am now very fond of hats, turbans and scarfs.  Many thanks to Ruth and Glenda for taking time out of their busy lives to show they care, and to the countless others for the continued calls, cards, texts and emails.  You will never know how special they are to me.

Mothers Day

It was a wonderful feeling to wake up on Sunday and feel like myself.  I was concerned about not feeling well and missing church.  I was able to make it Sunday morning, and then we went to Chili's for dinner.  I didn't care about going anywhere fancy, I was just glad to be out, and spend time with my children and grandchildren.  Caleb had an afternoon hockey game, and I haven't been able to go to many of them lately, so I decided to take a nap in the car on the way to the game, and that gave me enough energy to make it a few more hours.  The guys on Caleb's team placed pink hockey tape around the tops of their sticks and blades in my honor.  I was touched to say the least.  By the end of the day I was beat, but when I look back on the day, I was glad to have the energy I needed, to do the things I enjoy doing.

Not taking any chances... and I'll spare you the "all done" picture.  Not pretty.  I felt very drugged any my eyes reflected that.

The Process

Right before my first chemo

One Week

As you can see there have been a few days since I was able to post something.  It has been a tough week to get through.  It seems like the mornings start out well, and I almost feel like I am getting back into the swing of things.  Then the afternoon hits and I am suddenly reminded that the strength I thought I had, is now gone.  I have experienced several side effects from the chemo.  Bone pain, and severe muscle spasms that required stronger pain meds.   My taste have changed as well. Strawberries taste like weeds, and the salsa that I love at one of the local restaurants taste like vinegar!!   Foods I have never really liked before, I now crave.  Go figure. Jeannie Taylor brought us a wonderful salad with all the fixings, and sourdough bread.  Again, one of my favorite breads, but when I tasted it, it was though I was eating flour.  Remember when I said I needed to loose those additional pounds a few post ago?  Well, now might be  good time to remind me of that.  Maybe this taste thing isn't all that bad.  Thank you to Carole Wright who gave up going to church last night to sit here with me.  I am so thankful for that, because Bob had to attend to helping with the Dr. call and pain situation that crept up on me so quickly. He is becoming quited the Dr. and nurse.  He can spot pain of fever coming before I actually feel it.  Strange, I know. I am learning to slow down and take advantage of the moment that is front of you, because the next moment may bring something totally unexpected.

Days 3 & 4

The past 2 days have been spent on the sofa.  I have been in too much pain to move around much.  Marsha has been on hand once again to help me through the bad part and does a wonderful job of keeping Abby occupied.  I have to go to the Dr. tomorrow for blood work and possible fluids.  I don't feel like drinking that much and they want me to stay hydrated. I am on pain meds around the clock.  Hopefully things will start looking up.