Hello my friends! It's Sunday afternoon and David & I are waiting for the arrival of my lovely sister, Char, on the 6:30PM "train" so I thought I would update the blog in the mean time. (Yes, crazy Char takes a 7 hr train trip vs 1 hr flight as she does not like to fly - she must really love me - as I do her!)
Where do I start? As you know Theresa was here to hold my hand in the hospital and much more but I'll leave out some of the details, and she was TERRIFIC! She took care of me as if she was my personal nurse - she is my hero, but after being best friends for 37 years I think everyone knows that! Of course, we didn't go without getting into some mischief. We were so bored we went to the gift shop and got yelled at for being on a cell phone and then went to the Starbucks (yes, it's in the hospital) and were reprimanded because they will not serve patients and I was not supposed to be off my floor. Theresa then proceeded to tell them the other drink & pastry was for another person or they would not sell it to her for me - we got a good laugh later as we shuffled back to my room. It made me think of our first job together at KFC at age 15 1/2 and the initial, accidental, commotion we stirred when we tried to make our first batch of mashed potatoes - it was straight out of and I Love Lucy episode. BTW - this was all on day 1.
As far as the treatments themselves, it's just a long and boring day. Unfortunately the kind of chemo I am receiving is very intense and therefore there are several pre-meds & post-mosts and therefore it takes about 12 hours for the entire process. It doesn't hurt because I was on an IV through the port-a-cath for the entire 5 days, however, as many of you know, being in the hospital is not very fun - yes, I wanted to go home. Theresa & I took our daily walks, played cards, read, talked and made the very best of our stay at the "Hospital Hotel". The good news is I was released on Friday night at about 9:00PM. I slept like a baby that night - there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed.
As you might know, chemo kills cancer cells, but it also attacks a persons good cells. So today I had to go for an injection that will help to keep my white blood count up. So far I have had limited nausea (knock on wood) and am taking a pill to help calm my tummy. The injection I received today can cause flu like symptons for a few days which would start over the next day or two, however Char & I have plans therefore I do not & will not have time for the flu!
The doctor is talking about my next round of treatment in 3 weeks - which would be around the week of March 12th for another 5 days. I told him I am ready but have requested this treatment on an outpatient basis. Basically I will go to the chemo clinic first thing in the morning and stay all day for treatment, returning daily Monday thru Friday. They will be long days, but I will get to go home at night. I feel good about this decision and will confirm with the doc at my next appt.
Other than that, I am anxious to get back to regular life. David has been incredible through this entire journey. He has been my daily caregiver, which I know is not an easy job. I have tried to maintain some sense of "regular" when we are at home and continue to cook, which I love to do, laundry (ugh), and regular house stuff. I just can't wait to get back to work at Aaron's as I was enjoying our business - and as most of you know, I just love to work. David & I have been together for 6+ years, got engaged in Nov 2005, and are looking forward to our nuptials as soon as I can get it scheduled. :)
Thanks to everyone who responded to my last update. You touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I know in my heart I am being healed by the power of YOUR support that has included so many prayers. To be in your prayer groups has overwhelmed me and I want to thank you again. I don't want to say this experience has changed me, however, I continue to evolve especially with my relationship with God. I will continue to learn and grow through this experience.
I hope each of you & your families are enjoying month two of 2007. Until the next update I send my love to you and your families.
Love,
Kelly
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007
5 Day Treatment Scheduled (2/12-2/16)
Thought I'd take a quick moment to update yesterday's visit with Dr. Chang, @ UCSF. Overall the meeting confirmed that the other Neuro Oncologists were planning the right treatment, however, I now feel more comfortable after talking with Dr. Chang as she has seen the "whole" picture (from my brain tumor to the metastasized tumors).
In conjunction with my local oncologist, they have a final chemo treatment plan, which unfortunately increased the number of days in the hospital from 4 to 5. I will enter on Monday 2/12 and go home on either Friday or Saturday depending on what time they actually start the chemo Monday. Evidently there is a shot I must receive after the final treatment, 4-8 hours at the end, that will determination my release time. My fingers are crossed for Friday!
As I said, I'm looking forward to Therese at the hospital Monday thru Thursday. There's a Starbucks in the facility and we are hoping for daily Chai Tea's & our Soap Opera's (I recently got re-hooked on All My Children after xx amount of years!) Also, Char has decided to come to visit me the following Sunday since I am told, if you are going to get sick, it usually occurs 3+ days after you return from the hospital. Since Char's stomach is about as weak as mine (very) I thought that was very sweet - last time I was sick she just kept trying to do my hair and put make-up on me! Everyone has there place, her's is making sure you look good. She's great.
I'm not sure if I will have Internet access from the hospital, or when I will be up to the next update, but know that I am thinking about all of you and THANKING you for your PRAYERS and thoughts that get me this daily routine.
Love to you and your families,
Kelly
In conjunction with my local oncologist, they have a final chemo treatment plan, which unfortunately increased the number of days in the hospital from 4 to 5. I will enter on Monday 2/12 and go home on either Friday or Saturday depending on what time they actually start the chemo Monday. Evidently there is a shot I must receive after the final treatment, 4-8 hours at the end, that will determination my release time. My fingers are crossed for Friday!
As I said, I'm looking forward to Therese at the hospital Monday thru Thursday. There's a Starbucks in the facility and we are hoping for daily Chai Tea's & our Soap Opera's (I recently got re-hooked on All My Children after xx amount of years!) Also, Char has decided to come to visit me the following Sunday since I am told, if you are going to get sick, it usually occurs 3+ days after you return from the hospital. Since Char's stomach is about as weak as mine (very) I thought that was very sweet - last time I was sick she just kept trying to do my hair and put make-up on me! Everyone has there place, her's is making sure you look good. She's great.
I'm not sure if I will have Internet access from the hospital, or when I will be up to the next update, but know that I am thinking about all of you and THANKING you for your PRAYERS and thoughts that get me this daily routine.
Love to you and your families,
Kelly
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Getting Ready for Treatment......
Hello my friends and how was your day today?
As most of you know Char, Karen & I spent the weekend with my dad. Sadly his health is on a daily decline and at this point he can no longer walk and does not make much sense when he talks. However as Marla says, he is a fighter, and he wakes up everyday saying he feels fine! It was a physically challenging trip for me as the tumor in my left hip and the edema, which causes numbness on my right side, make it hard to walk. With all that said, although a very emotional trip, it was more than worthwhile to get see my dad and Oklahoma family.
The first day back from OK I had/have appointments getting me ready for the chemo treatments that are scheduled for this coming Monday-Thursday (2/12-2/15). Monday I had the Port-a-Cath interview, Tuesday I met with the Chemo Nurse to review the treatment plan and what to expect and today I had the Port-a-Cath Surgery. They inserted a port, about the size of a half dollar on my right side upper chest. You are wide awake during this "procedure", however they are kind enough to throw you some Percoset! Of course, what they do is numb the site, but you still feel the pressure as they are making the incisions/insertions, etc. To keep myself distracted, I talked to the doctor the WHOLE time. I quized him on almost everything, schooling, family, the whole thing - he probably wished I was sedated! Right now I am really sore on my right side which, according to the doctor should subside over the next few days.
My next appointment is this Friday, 2/9 at UCSF, with the Chief Neuro Oncologist, Dr. Chang, who I have been trying to get to see since early December. This is an important appointment because she specializes in malignant meningnoma's. The outcome on Friday will determine the final chemo treatment for Monday. (There are 100's of types of chemo's and at this point Dr. Chang could still make changes to the treatment plan based upon her review).
Theresa is flying in on Sunday and planning to stay in the hospital with me for the four days of chemo - we're ready to start the program!!! Of course Therese tell's me she is coming armed with a bunch of "projects" like knitting, etc., - sounds like work to me! David will also be there but can't spend the night as the Sewart farm (Jack the lovable Labradoodle, Bailey the African Grey Bird, & Bud, Mick and KC the Cats) all must be tended to daily.
Thanks again for checking in and I will update the blog after my appointment on Friday!
Hope you and your families are doing well. God Bless.
Love to all,
Kelly
As most of you know Char, Karen & I spent the weekend with my dad. Sadly his health is on a daily decline and at this point he can no longer walk and does not make much sense when he talks. However as Marla says, he is a fighter, and he wakes up everyday saying he feels fine! It was a physically challenging trip for me as the tumor in my left hip and the edema, which causes numbness on my right side, make it hard to walk. With all that said, although a very emotional trip, it was more than worthwhile to get see my dad and Oklahoma family.
The first day back from OK I had/have appointments getting me ready for the chemo treatments that are scheduled for this coming Monday-Thursday (2/12-2/15). Monday I had the Port-a-Cath interview, Tuesday I met with the Chemo Nurse to review the treatment plan and what to expect and today I had the Port-a-Cath Surgery. They inserted a port, about the size of a half dollar on my right side upper chest. You are wide awake during this "procedure", however they are kind enough to throw you some Percoset! Of course, what they do is numb the site, but you still feel the pressure as they are making the incisions/insertions, etc. To keep myself distracted, I talked to the doctor the WHOLE time. I quized him on almost everything, schooling, family, the whole thing - he probably wished I was sedated! Right now I am really sore on my right side which, according to the doctor should subside over the next few days.
My next appointment is this Friday, 2/9 at UCSF, with the Chief Neuro Oncologist, Dr. Chang, who I have been trying to get to see since early December. This is an important appointment because she specializes in malignant meningnoma's. The outcome on Friday will determine the final chemo treatment for Monday. (There are 100's of types of chemo's and at this point Dr. Chang could still make changes to the treatment plan based upon her review).
Theresa is flying in on Sunday and planning to stay in the hospital with me for the four days of chemo - we're ready to start the program!!! Of course Therese tell's me she is coming armed with a bunch of "projects" like knitting, etc., - sounds like work to me! David will also be there but can't spend the night as the Sewart farm (Jack the lovable Labradoodle, Bailey the African Grey Bird, & Bud, Mick and KC the Cats) all must be tended to daily.
Thanks again for checking in and I will update the blog after my appointment on Friday!
Hope you and your families are doing well. God Bless.
Love to all,
Kelly
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