Results Day

I went to work this morning to attempt to get caught up on all my competencies and skills fair stuff. It is always great to see everyone and I feel so accomplished today. But i am sure that is not why you are reading this right now. At 1:15 John and I went to see the doctor. The gal who checked me in was very pleased to see I gained two pounds (so was I) and that my vitals signs were all good. She then took us to our room and we sat.....and sat and while we sat I ate my lunch. Once my tummy was pleasantly full, theeee doctor poked his head in and said, "I am so backed up with patients today.....would you mind if we schedule this for two weeks out?" I said, "Nooooooooo way! Get your butt in hear!" We had a decent chuckle and then he continued to tell me that he couldn't be more pleased about the results. I said, "Really?" He said, "Really!" My smallest tumor was MIA (which is ok with me....bye!). My middle size tumor has shrunk by 55% and the sugar uptake has decreased by 75%(which means he is starving to death.....hee, hee). And the monster tumor has shrunk by 35% and the sugar uptake by 50% (not feeling sorry for him either). I am so grateful for all the prayers out there. God is great and merciful. As far as I am concerned, what has been happening in my life is nothing short of a miracle! Praise Him!

ey ey ey! the waiting game sucks

I have never considered myself an anxious person. I have never thought I could feel this way. Waiting for PET scan results have reeked havoc on my psyche.....I feel like I have a knot in my chest that can only be untied by two words, "It's working!" I meet with theeee doctor tomorrow at 1:30pm. I actually called them today thinking they could squeeze me in just so they could elevate MY anxiety........that's pretty funny since they rarely run on time for a normally scheduled appointment. Unfortunately it was not possible(imagine that). Don't worry....you will be the first to know!

Lets catch up!

As you all know, I had chemo on Wednesday and all around it went well. On Thurday I woke up with cramps in my legs so severe they went up through my hamstrings....youch! So, I said, lets go walk Red Rocks stairs and see if this will help(ambisious). My first hike up the cold air attacked my throat causing me to sit and breath through my hands to warm it up. It was a little scary since I couldn't breathe normal and I could hear a touch of strider going on....I suppose that would scare anyone in their right mind! I made it to the top and was able to do two more treks up the stairs(right along with the snails). The good news is I think it actually helped with my leg cramps and I no longer needed to walk like a grandma although my hands continued to behave like they belonged to that grandma.......Granted, I was in bed by 8pm that night. Friday I woke up with severe swelling and burning on the soles of my feet and palms of my hands. Holy cow did that hurt! Nothing seemed to help. My finger were the size of my thighs and the palms/soles were a raging red. On top of the burning they itched....not a good combo that is for sure! The pain in my toes woke me in the middle of the night several times limiting my REM. Good thing I don't get too cranky due to lack of sleep......do I?hmmmm. There were signs of improvement today. They are still red, yet less swollen unfortunately they continue to sting. On top of that I have been nauseated off and on and my mouth tastes like @#$. I knew I was truly home bound for the evening when I started my bout of chemo induced d$%rrh&*. Oh ya....I'm going there! John asked,"is this normal?" "define normal...", I said.

Burn baby burn

I know I haven't posted in a few day, but, my hands hurt really bad this round. They are swollen and red and feel like they are on fire all the time....and so are my feet! argh!!!

When my hands feel better I will give you a run down on how this chemo session went.

signing off....

chemo 5

My fingers are cramping already, so I'll do the best i can. On one hand today sucked. It was beautiful outside and I was stuck inside being infused with crap that is inevitably going to make me feel like crap. On the other hand my heart to heart with the PA and doctor went very well. They both informed me that it will be handled and they were saddened to hear these things were happening. Then they set me up with a nurse that came with flying colors! She was awesome, awesome, awesome. Not one complaint with her.....ok, one. She doesn't work everyday I am there....humf! wait...fingers cramping now....ok, I am back;). I am very tired and plan on crashing early tonight. Hands cramping ...later.

beautiful day!

Today was the very first day that I have really felt great since my last round of chemo, and what a day for it! If you didn't get outside to enjoy this weather, I am coming over to slap you! I walked Clement park, ate lunch on a patio and marched Red Rocks stairs! I move slow, but at least I was moving. I sat at the bottom for a little bit to enjoy the sun and thought, "What a contrast this very moment is to what tomorrow holds for me." I think my face is sun burned :) so, what am I grateful for? Colorado sun and Good Times frech fries! I really believe this round will go better than the last two. It couldn't be worse, could it? I beefed up on huge caloric intake and am staying well hydrated. I am SURE I put on weight this week and will try hard not to lose it. I also plan on having a heart to heart with my doctor about the extra symptoms that knocked me down and the issues in the infusion room. No more chemo spills, air bubbles and poor pump settings! Hope you all had a wonderful day as well!

PET scan

I got up at six am and took a shower. Dressed in PET scan appropriate clothing and removed all my jewelry. John and I drove down to Sky Ridge for the scan...boy was I hungry! When we got to the cancer center I banged on the door (the cancer center wasn't open yet) and they let me in. Once I signed in they took me to the back to access my port and draw some blood then to a room to start drinking my barium. Half way through the barium a tech came into the room to tell me the scanner was down and to not drink the barium.....hmmmmm. So now what? We went out to the desk to reschedule (on the verge of tears) for the 8th of March and then to have my port disconnected. Sat down in the chair and the tech came over and pulled the needle out as I took a very anxious deep breathe. The tech said, "What?" And I said....."Aren't you supposed to heparinize that first?" So, she stuck my chest with a needle again just to heparinize my port.....I came home so very irritated. And what do we do best when we are irritated? We clean.....Saige is in for a doozy when she comes home. Her room has been officially purged!