December 28, 2009

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I sure did. My children were over Christmas Eve, spent the night and we all woke up together about 8:30 for Christmas morning. Christmas, I went to my brothers home where some good friends showed up. My cousins were all there also. We have so much fun when we are together. I was feeling good but a little uncomfortable. I finally went to the PT and had some therapy and wrapping done on my arm. My arm was wrapped from my shoulder to my fingers. I never had a cast and feel sorry for anyone who has, talk about uncomfortable. The Lymphodema should eventually go down and the pain subside from my upper arm. I was fitted on Monday for a sleeve that goes from shoulder to my wrist and then I also have a glove that goes to my knuckles. They are called Compression sleeve and glove. I now do the therapy myself and can remove the wraps when I do dishes or take a shower. I see my Oncologist every 6 weeks for a port flush and check up. March I will have more MRI's done and the Dr's will look further into the abnormal sightings on my last tests to see if anything has changed. Hopefully what ever it was is gone. I totally lay my trust and faith in God's hands. Whatever happens will happen, all I can do is pray and take care of myself. I am confident I will be OK. My children need me, especially Jack who is 5 and Alex who is 22 and physically challenged.
I am happy, somewhat tired, but very happy. I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years. I also wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2010!!! Cath

December 1st, 2009

Well it's been a while. I forgot the password. I've been doing ok. Nothing bad just the same. Every 6 weeks I get my port flushed and blood work. Every 5-6 months I get tests and MRI's. Tuesday I start therapy for my arm. It's been a year and its still swollen and sore. The Dr. is fitting me a sleeve to help. I've been busy with the holidays and I am almost done with my shopping and will begin baking cookies. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. I will talk more next visit. I am pretty tired tonight.

October 13

Nothing is as good as the technology I am given and suppose to know how to work. I feel like a 2nd grader, really, when it comes to knowledge of the computer. Actually, 2nd graders know more then me. I have such problems getting on. Nothing is more frustrating then typing for 15 minutes then accidentally erasing it. Oh well.....now you know what I've been up to.
My Doctor found something in my female region but he isn't concerned at this point. He just thinks we need to keep an eye on it. Everything is stable nothing shrinking, but not getting bigger or spreading. I feel good. My hair is taking its time growing. The bangs, anyone who knows me, knows I always were bangs. Well they are not growing. I'm learning how to quilt and love it. I've been busy getting into a routine with Jack starting kindergarten and Alex moving from Rockford to Skokie. Jack and I workout 3 times a week, OK maybe 2 times on a good week, usually only once. I'm trying not to over due it, hahaha. I gained alot of weight with the meds I'm taking. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I hope everyone is ready for winter, I am not. I am so sorry this update took so long to write. Forgive me.

September 4, 2009

I'm baaaack. I know what your thinking, omg it has'nt even been a month. Just an update. My Mamo is negative. I had a petscan today from eyes to thighs. I'll get results in 2-3 days. I have been busy learning how to quilt, and loosing 10 lbs. Quilting is easier. Hope everyone is enjoying the rest of the summer, its going quick.

Aug. 30, 2009

To keep everyone up on my health, I will start at the beginning, No I am just kidding. At the time I am waiting to get a Petscan, cervical MRI, Spine MRI, Mamogram reading, and see a therapist about the lympaderma in my arm. I am feeling good and positive. The chemo put me into early menopause. I thought I went through it a year ago when I started the drugs, no now that I am off the big drugs I am going through it, Hot flashes, Wow no fun. I've heard of some funny stories, I have none. I don't feel like myself, but I have to say I am truely happy. I love my family so much and have the best of friends. I've been busy the past two weeks, Jack started Kindergarten. Alex is moving to Skokie. I will take Alex to his new home on Sept. 1st.
Thank you for all your prayers. they must be working.

It's been too long

I am so sorry I haven't written in such a long time. When I signed on I couldn't remember Tara's code and couldn't believe how long its actually been. I have been busy.
I went to my parents up North for 2 weeks, not at the same time. Mark wouldn't have liked that. I had a garage sale, never again. I went to have my port flushed and it was clotted, I go now every 4 weeks instead of 6weeks. I took Jack to Wilderness Lodge in Wisconsin Dells and also Key Lime Cove, both times giving me a rash on the backs of my legs by the knee. (possible allergy to the high chlorine content) I haven't been on Chemo since my last posting. I just take some oral medicine. No side effects so far. I was tested to see about mutation and possible lesions in my other breast. I just got the results and I have no Mutation. Yeah..... I went into the Dr. office about 2 weeks ago cause I was getting dizzy spells and not good on my feet, turns out I was dehydrated. At this time I am battling a itchy rash from head to toe (literally). I had strep throat and had a reaction to it because my immunity is so low. Doctor said it will run its course which is about 3 months. It's awful and ugly!!! I was told to rub banana peel on my body, it helps heal. I ended up with 2 dogs and 2 cats in bed with me, guess I smelled really good. Just joking, no cats. The dogs always sleep with me if Mark doesn't shoo them off. I was put on another drug Thurs. I tested high for some hormone and they want this drug (can't remember name) to help warn off any possible cancer cells . My hair coming in, slowly. It's gray and curly.
I bought my first prosthetic to the tune of $300. Ouch. I will have one and eventually get another. It's not like I have to worry about it growing back, Ha ha.
My cousins and I went today and got pedicures and manicures. It was fun and I feel good. My body and head are not me but my hands and feet look pretty good. In the past several months I have learned how truly nice people can be. I have the best friends and family in the world. I am so lucky!!!! I really want to thank everyone for the flowers, dinners, babysitting, driving Miss Cathy all over the state, cards, and especially the thoughts and prayers. Thank you again, I love you all.

Off Chemo

I went to the Dr. for chemo and he suggested since lately everything looks good to go on a hiatus for 1 month. Too much chemo could cause leukemia anyway. It will be nice to maybe feel normal on Easter. Actually I've been felling good lately, I even attempted to clean the basement. haha. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter. I am looking for to seeing the whole family and having a nice brunch.

March 28, 2009

Well my test came back negative. Which is great but I still have blood in my urine. We think it might be from a UTI I have. It could also have been from a stone I passed. What a nice subject Huh? Pretty embarrassing actually. I feel good. No more backaches, hardly any headaches, no migraines, I hope I'm not jinxing myself. My next appointment is Thurs for chemo and Fri to see Dr. A and check the blood situation.
I'm going out on the town tonight. Marks or as the music industry calls him, Skeeter, his band is playing tonight at Sundance Saloon. I plan to party hard. I'll probably be ready to sleep at 9:00 when the band starts. Its pretty funny to watch me dance. I've always loved to dance and now I don't quite have my balance and a couple times I almost landed on my butt but caught myself.
Someone should come with a camera. We could win 10,000. on home videos. Never know what could happen if I have a drink and dance. Just joking, if it gets bad I won't get off my chair.
I can't remember if I asked this or not, but does anyone know a yellow or chocolate AKC lab looking for a relationship with my Black Betty?
Well time to go play Candy Land with Jack. Again.
Spring is on it's way, yahoo.

March 19, 2009

Well for the last 2 months I've been working on getting a referral from my primary to see my Brain Specialist, Nina. As anyone knows who has HMO you have to jump through hoops. I finally got an answer from my Dr. No. I had two appointments on Tuesday, 1 with Nina; and the other with a genetic specialist who wants to check my chance of having cancer in the other breast. He said No to both. My husband got on the phone and asked why were we given the OK twice before and now we can't. He changed his mind and we were ok'd to go to the 1 appointment.
At the appointment Nina explained she was unable to view my scans, which I sent her overnight mail 2 months ago. Her institution won't allow her to view scans from other institution's. However, she was allowed to read the report. She said the report explains how nothing was visible but she couldn't understand that as they ( the other Dr's) had nothing to compare it to.
She asked to see me in May and at that time have MRI's done at her Hospital (Northshore Evanston). So in other words the appointment was a waste. Dr. A. my primary Dr. wanted to see me before I pursue more tests. I just saw him 1 month ago. I had an appointment today.
He claims he never heard of a Dr. unable to read other hospitals scans. I told him I will have Dr. Nina call him. He approved my appointment with the Genetics Dr. While I was there I was experiencing more back pain and leg pain. It was hurting pretty good, it hurt to sit and stand, I couldn't get comfortable. He became concerned and did a urinalysis. I had blood. He then grew more concerned and did a blood test to check for Bone Cancer, or Kidney Stones. I should have results Sat. I have another appointment on Monday. I told him I had plans and was going out of town and he told me to cancel them. If the test shows anything he will do a bone scan.
I've had stones before. Of course I was 8 months pregnant at the time. They are painful. They couldn't do much for the pain because of the baby. I'm hoping it's just that I over did it with the nice weather the past few days. I will keep you posted. I now have to play chutes and ladders.

3-12-09

Jack is 5 years old, oh boy. He is so excited, he feels he is now a big boy.
I went to my oncologist and I did have chemo and the shot I love so much that raises my blood levels. Dr. R said the lesion they see in the Petscan could be the herniated disc but it is not for sure. He is referring my scans to another Dr. He also looked at the swelling on my arm and wrist and said it could be a blood clot...... We hope it may just be Lympoderma, something with the lymph nodes that were removed. He is ordering a device I put on at night to relieve the pain and swelling before were look further. Hymp... I'm off chemo for 2 weeks so hopefully we'll have all the results by then.
My hair is coming in. I've heard how nice its suppose to come in after chemo. Get this, mine is black in back, straight, black/silver on sides, curly, top patch 6" x 2" bald. I lost only 1/2 of my eyebrows, I cannot draw on eyebrows. On the bright side I lost 8 lbs.
Well dinner was just delivered so I better go eat. Wish for Spring, I'm not used to going out with no hair its' so cold.
Sincerely-Cath

GOOD NEWS

Hello everyone. The prayers are working and I appreciate it so much, thank you all. I went to my Dr. on Wed. and he claimed he saw no cancer and I was his miracle baby. He was surprised by the test results. I went to my Oncologist on Thursday and he was on vacation so I saw his assistant. She also claimed to see no cancer mentioned on the test reports. There was something though, its just the herniated disc, not cancer. I had the chemo and might or might not have it next week on Thursday. We will see what the Dr. says. It looks good, huh??? I will finally see the specialist on the 17th. By the 20th of this month I will find out how I stand on the treatments. I've been feeling pretty good and I am looking forward to Spring.

March Update

I 've contacted my specialist in Evanston and so far havn't had no luck with talking to her about my MRI's taken a few weeks ago. I'm assuming that's good news. If it was bad I would think she would want to talk to me. I had a catscan and petscan done today. I see my general Dr. on Wed. and hopefully will get the results. They are checking my neck to my thighs for any sign of abnormality. They actually gave me an IV with radio active materials.
I went to a jewelry class yesterday and the teacher had breast cancer. She beat it only to now have cancer in her ribs and lungs. She caught a virus from a sick niece and now has vocal cord damage, she talks like shes got a cold, but doesn't. Shes been battling cancer for 14 years. She looks great and has alot of stamina.
My hair is coming in, except for the very top. It looks ridiculous. I think its coming in curly, gray and black. I can feather it back on the sides, its pretty funny. My niece wore her hair moussed and spiked, it looked so good on her. I'm thinking of going with that look I just hope I'm not too old for that style. Thanks for all the prayers, there working.

GOOD NEWS!

I went to my surgeon on Tuesday and was told the pain could be from the herniated disc or the surgery. I have some swelling but the pain is getting worse. She is going to contact my Oncologist and get me therapy. I went to Oncologist today, my levels were OK. I have seen them real bad, this was bad but not that bad. So of course I had to get my bonus shot. Ouch. My Dr. also informed me that he will contact Dr. Nina and talk about the future. He didn't see any cancer on the report that he could read. He did a cell research and will have the results next Wed. If it looks good he will go forward on setting up a cat scan or pet scan. If that looks good I may be off Chemo. I hate to get too excited but it would so good to get off these chemicals.
My hair is coming in, silver and black, and get this I think curly. Its just fuzz now and bald on top. I'll keep you posted. Keep praying its working.

Monday Feb. 2

I met with my Dr. today to discuss my herniated disc. He said its pretty bad and wanted to put me on steroids but decided he couldn't do that because it will mess with my white blood cells and my cell count is almost nil as it is. He suggested we just hold on and hope it doesn't get worse and I can deal with the pain with medicine. He seems to think all this pain I have in my left arm is not from the surgery but from the herniated disc pushing on my spinal cord and the nerves. Also the hand sensations I get and thought was just arthritis is from the herniated disc. If I experience any new sensations I am suppose to call him. He hopes if I hold it off and it doesn't get worse I won't need any surgery. Thursday I have Chemo and next Tues. I meet with the Surgeon. I haven't heard from my specialist yet. Keep you posted. God Bless.

Sun. Feb. 1st

I wrote on the blog a couple weeks ago and I see it didn't post, don't know why. I must of deleted it. I'm good at that I try to message Shaun on the phone and I accidentally delete it. I then quit it takes me too long. I don't know how the kids do it.
I am still getting my treatments and the shot for my levels on the second session. It hurts but I'm getting used to it. The needle doesn't hurt at all its when the medicine goes into my body. I did get 4 hours of MRI's taken on Friday. There was a mess up and my Doctor refused to give me a referral for my specialists MRI's, so we had to go to a clinic and have the CD and report sent to her. I asked the nurse why this now, she claimed it was the economy. I haven't heard from her or my Oncologist yet. I do however have an appointment with my GP Doctor, he called me because he found out that I have a herniated disc in my cervical spine (neck). He said it doesn't look good. I might not feel that much pain cause I still am experiencing numbness in my back and chest. I also still have the pain in my left arm pit, that seems to keep me up at night. Jack and I went home with my parents for about 5 days. It was a nice break. I will see Dr. A tomorrow at 2 and let everyone know the results.

Same Treatments for Now

I had a chemo treatment today. My levels were all good. I go back next Thursday.
I feel pretty good right now. I'm in bed with a heated blanket, cause it's so cold. I don't have to worry about dinner because my awesome neighbors and friends bring my family and I dinner on Thursdays. The meals are always different, and very good. Oh, and let me not forget, I am in bed with Jack and 3 of his toys/books, Phoenix and Betty (two large dogs-labs) and Bella the cat. My niece Colleen had her port removed and she is doing great, clean bill of health.
Here's 2 people I talked to today. 1- she graduated and is done with chemo 1- this guy told me in March he was diagnosed with liver, colon, and brain cancer. He went to radiation and chemo. He had surgery with most removed. Nov. he was cleared, no signs. He went 1 month later for a cat-scan, its back. 1 month!!! He was devastated.
He was also very upset that the meds hes on is making him breakout like a teenager.

JAN.3 2009 WOW ITS WHAT, THE 5TH?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
EVERYDAY IS DIFFERENT FOR ME. I MAY WAKE UP WITH SO MUCH ENERGY AND BEFORE I KNOW IT I'M EXHAUSTED. I USUALLY DO TAKE A NAP(WHICH IS SO NEW TO ME) OR GO TO BED AT 8:00. I AM PROUD OF MYSELF THOUGH, I STAYED UP TILL 1:00 AM ON NEW YEARS EVE. IT HELPED THAT I WAS WITH SOME GREAT GREAT FRIENDS AT SUNDANCE. EVEN THOUGH I CAN'T DANCE ANYMORE WE HAD AWESOME CONVERSATION. THE NIGHT FLEW BY. I'M STILL SURPRISED HOW SORE I STILL AM, BUT ITS NOT EXCRUCIATING. THE SHOT DID CAUSE SOME BONE ACHING AND CHEST PAIN BUT ONLY A FEW DAYS. I GO BACK TO CHEMO ON THURSDAY THIS WEEK AND I AM FIGURING I'LL NEED A SHOT BECAUSE I'M FIGURING MY LEVELS TO BE LOW. I PROMISE TO KEEP YOU MORE UP TO DATE THEN I HAVE, SORRY.