It’s exciting to be able to update my blog from home after being gone for almost four months (although I do miss my Oklahoma family & friends). Everyone, David & stable of animals, survived fine without me thanks to Sheryl (assistant/housekeeper) who has been helping us in Calif over the last several months. Since David is in the midst of opening the third store, and I haven’t driven for the last year+, Sheryl has been a Godsend for our “family”. Now on to the results from MD Andersen…….Drum roll please.
After numerous MRI’s’ CT’s, blood work and other tests, I met with Dr. Lewis who had performed my hip surgery, and Dr. Patel, my Oncologist, to review “next steps”. After review of the scans, Dr. Lewis determined that my new hip was healing according to plan and removed the brace after 12 weeks (YIPPEE!). It was a good thing as I don’t think I could have taken many more sponge baths or having my hair washed in the bathroom sink.
The next news came from my Oncologist, Dr. Patel, who was comparing scans & test results taken in December to the new test results from the week of February 11th. David, Marla and Char were there to share the news. Essentially Dr. Patel informed us that overall the scans looked good with little to no growth on any of the remaining tumors. His recommendation was to build my strength over the next three months and upon return to MDA in May, another round of tests will be conducted to compare scans. If there is no sign of “significant” growth, I’ll be sent home again for another three month break and will continue to have check-ups every three months.
My first week home was very busy as I started Physical Therapy (PT) and had to also visit my local doctors. The PT is very important right now as I learn to walk again which is proving to be a very slow and painful process. So far the biggest challenge is getting my right leg to cooperate (surgery was on my left hip) as I have been challenged for the last few years with increased numbness due to years of radiation – no I’m not glowing in the dark YET. I’m also struggling with fatigue and working to build up my stamina. Yesterday I had my first “accident” – let me try to briefly explain. David has been taking the dogs (Jack the Labradoodle & Buster Brown the Basset Hound) for daily walks and after several days of trying to convince me that the scooter was safe and there was no way I could fall, I believed him and took the plunge. On my first venture out I did great until I decided to exert my independence coming up the driveway and unfortunately proved my husband wrong (he said I couldn’t flip it over) by doing a triple somersault as the scooter slammed to the ground. Not to worry, I landed on my hard head
Thanks again for your cards, letters, thoughts and prayers that have kept me motivated to keep on going even on my worst days. Unfortunately I continue to have some “bad” days however being surrounded by positive energy from friends & family has kept me going.
Love,
Kelly
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Life on Hansen Farm
Surprise! I'm alive! Ok, ok so it's been awhile since I have updated my blog. I would say give me a break however after my total hip replacement I don't think asking for a break would be a good idea anymore.
Surgery was done on November 12 and was a complete success. I underwent 8 hours of one of the most intense surgeries on my left hip, According to my surgeon, “it was one for the books”. I like to think of it as having all new ball bearings installed. Now all I need is a new engine and starter and I will be Nascar ready.
I did have to spend 1 month in the hospital. MD Anderson in Houston is an absolutely amazing hospital. It is it's own self-contained city within a city. The food and care was amazing. It was like being in an upscale hotel..... other than the IV poles, bedpans, drugs, etc. Char & I ended up spending Thanksgiving in the hospital which actually wasn't all that bad. We had a lovely dinner and the TV all to ourselves. Which brings me to the subject of my sister, Charlene!
Let me start off by saying how much I love my big sister Char. She is an amazing woman with so many giftings. There is in fact no other person on this planet that I would want to take care of me....... if I needed a complete makeover. She is the BEST when it comes to making me look good even in the hospital. Hair & makeup are her forte. However, as a traditional caregiver Char would probably NOT be the Peoples Choice. Let me explain.
Char would rise each morning and immediately begin cleaning the room, ordering our breakfast, primp & fuss over me so I would look presentable to the world. Then the nurse would come in to perform some minor activity like check my surgical wound or help me onto the bedside commode. Char would RUN from the room making the same excuse each time that she had to make a phone call. Then there was THE NIGHT. In the middle of THE NIGHT I awoke in miserable pain. I had all the drugs onboard that I could have so the only other thing that might bring relief would be to readjust my body in bed. Being completely unable to do this myself had the effect of giving me a panicky feeling of anxiety. As I laid there whimpering for Char to help me she continued to snore in the bed next to me. Finally, she heard me and jumped from her bed. I felt a sense of relief that help was on the way UNTIL she reached the side of my bed. Leaning over the rail and getting almost nose to nose with me she FIRMLY made the following statement. " I need my rest and so do you, now GO TO SLEEP!"
Of course, to have your sister who is 15 years older go nose to nose and lay down the law instantly turns you into a 5 year old. I did what any 5 year old would do to avoid getting into further trouble. I went to sleep! The moral of this story is this. It is DANGEROUS to disturb a beauty queens sleep.
By now some of you might have noticed that I have not been home for quite awhile, in fact I haven’t been back to California since October 22nd. I have been recuperating from surgery in Oklahoma with Marla and her family since my release from MD Andersen in early December. In addition to Marla & her family taking care of me, my cousins Maureen and Larry came to visit for two weeks during their cross-country travels. Maureen cooked and baked EVERY DAY and left the freezer full, as well as, our tummies!! Also, my cousin Cher came for a week and was able to massage my “bad leg” to move after having a slight set back for the last few weeks. Both provided a lot of help and assistance to me, and a brief break for Marla who has been waiting on me hand & foot for the last 4+ months.
This week Char is coming to see Dad for a few days before we head back on Monday the 11th to MD Andersen where I’ll meet up with David. His parents will join us, in addition to his two brothers and their families for dinner one night – this will be the first time our families have met, which is scarier than waiting for the results of my tests (ha/ha) which is the reason I am actually going to Houston. I am currently scheduled to have the brace removed on the 13th, followed up by MRI’s, CT’s, blood work, etc to determine “Next Steps”. Bottom line is if the tumors are stable since the last scans/tests taken in December I will come back in 3 months for another round of tests. If there are any signs of significant growth, a chemo plan will be administered. Fortunately, if I do need more chemo, the plan will be lead by the doctors at MDA, however I will receive the drugs through the Dr’s in California.
I am looking forward to returning to California but will miss my Oklahoma family. Thank you all for your continued prayers, thoughts & good wishes.
Kelly Mae (my new Okie name)
Surgery was done on November 12 and was a complete success. I underwent 8 hours of one of the most intense surgeries on my left hip, According to my surgeon, “it was one for the books”. I like to think of it as having all new ball bearings installed. Now all I need is a new engine and starter and I will be Nascar ready.
I did have to spend 1 month in the hospital. MD Anderson in Houston is an absolutely amazing hospital. It is it's own self-contained city within a city. The food and care was amazing. It was like being in an upscale hotel..... other than the IV poles, bedpans, drugs, etc. Char & I ended up spending Thanksgiving in the hospital which actually wasn't all that bad. We had a lovely dinner and the TV all to ourselves. Which brings me to the subject of my sister, Charlene!
Let me start off by saying how much I love my big sister Char. She is an amazing woman with so many giftings. There is in fact no other person on this planet that I would want to take care of me....... if I needed a complete makeover. She is the BEST when it comes to making me look good even in the hospital. Hair & makeup are her forte. However, as a traditional caregiver Char would probably NOT be the Peoples Choice. Let me explain.
Char would rise each morning and immediately begin cleaning the room, ordering our breakfast, primp & fuss over me so I would look presentable to the world. Then the nurse would come in to perform some minor activity like check my surgical wound or help me onto the bedside commode. Char would RUN from the room making the same excuse each time that she had to make a phone call. Then there was THE NIGHT. In the middle of THE NIGHT I awoke in miserable pain. I had all the drugs onboard that I could have so the only other thing that might bring relief would be to readjust my body in bed. Being completely unable to do this myself had the effect of giving me a panicky feeling of anxiety. As I laid there whimpering for Char to help me she continued to snore in the bed next to me. Finally, she heard me and jumped from her bed. I felt a sense of relief that help was on the way UNTIL she reached the side of my bed. Leaning over the rail and getting almost nose to nose with me she FIRMLY made the following statement. " I need my rest and so do you, now GO TO SLEEP!"
Of course, to have your sister who is 15 years older go nose to nose and lay down the law instantly turns you into a 5 year old. I did what any 5 year old would do to avoid getting into further trouble. I went to sleep! The moral of this story is this. It is DANGEROUS to disturb a beauty queens sleep.
By now some of you might have noticed that I have not been home for quite awhile, in fact I haven’t been back to California since October 22nd. I have been recuperating from surgery in Oklahoma with Marla and her family since my release from MD Andersen in early December. In addition to Marla & her family taking care of me, my cousins Maureen and Larry came to visit for two weeks during their cross-country travels. Maureen cooked and baked EVERY DAY and left the freezer full, as well as, our tummies!! Also, my cousin Cher came for a week and was able to massage my “bad leg” to move after having a slight set back for the last few weeks. Both provided a lot of help and assistance to me, and a brief break for Marla who has been waiting on me hand & foot for the last 4+ months.
This week Char is coming to see Dad for a few days before we head back on Monday the 11th to MD Andersen where I’ll meet up with David. His parents will join us, in addition to his two brothers and their families for dinner one night – this will be the first time our families have met, which is scarier than waiting for the results of my tests (ha/ha) which is the reason I am actually going to Houston. I am currently scheduled to have the brace removed on the 13th, followed up by MRI’s, CT’s, blood work, etc to determine “Next Steps”. Bottom line is if the tumors are stable since the last scans/tests taken in December I will come back in 3 months for another round of tests. If there are any signs of significant growth, a chemo plan will be administered. Fortunately, if I do need more chemo, the plan will be lead by the doctors at MDA, however I will receive the drugs through the Dr’s in California.
I am looking forward to returning to California but will miss my Oklahoma family. Thank you all for your continued prayers, thoughts & good wishes.
Kelly Mae (my new Okie name)
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