Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I've written. Nothing new. I still go to Chemo two weeks then two weeks off. I have chemo on Thursday then I will be off over the holidays, you would think I planned that.I still have pain in my left arm and side from the lymph nodes being removed. I get off balance a little, never fallen though. I also don't hear well and mess up with my words when talking, that's nothing new. I talk to anyone who wants too during chemo, people can be so friendly. I met a man who starting talking to me at Home Depot. I wore a hat and he noticed I had no hair. Turns out he just lost his wife to cancer, I think he needed someone to talk to. He apologized for telling me news he felt was none of my business but I actually enjoyed talking to him. Alex turned 21 on Friday, oh my God, 21. He looks pretty good, getting big, facial hair coming in, interesting to think Alex will be shaving.
I want to thank my Lakemoor friends for the wonderful dinners they have been sending to me every Thursday. They are so good and with having chemo on Thursday its been great knowing I don't have to cook. I also want to thank my friends Alice and Margaret for the fresh flowers they send me every month. Every time I look at them I know even though you live out east, were close. I have awesome family who always make sure I'm ok and watch over Jack to give me a break. I have wonderful friends who not only drive me to chemo but hang for 3 hours so I'm not alone.Thanks to Deb who takes Jack to her home every week and plays with him. I enjoy that time to myself. Also, all the cards, letters, and prayers. I could keep going, I have so much to be thankful for. I wish everyone a wonderful, happy and healthy Christmas. I'll keep in touch. Cath
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
11-23-08
I had Chemo on Thursday. My levels were OK but my RBC was really low, so instead of giving me a shot of Nuprigin and everyday go in to check it, they gave me a good dose that will last 3 weeks ($ 4000.00 shot). Unfortunately, it affects my bones and chest. I feel so exhausted and can't get out of bed because I have bricks on my chest. On Friday I spent the day in bed. Jack played really nice, he's getting into the action heroes. The Doctor told me he took my case to a seminar and I had more cancer then was originally thought. He still believes they got it all from the breast and lymph nodes. I don't have an appetite and my taste buds are messed up. I don't even have a craving for chocolate, what's that all about. I do enjoy a Wendy's Frosty, feels good on the throat. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, going to my brother John's.
I thank God everyday for giving me another day and I pray that he continues to give me the patience and strength to deal with the lows as graciously as possible. I have never waivered on why me. As the saying goes, it is what it is. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to talk to God, he's always there for you and loves to listen.
I thank God everyday for giving me another day and I pray that he continues to give me the patience and strength to deal with the lows as graciously as possible. I have never waivered on why me. As the saying goes, it is what it is. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to talk to God, he's always there for you and loves to listen.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Low Cell Count
Last Thursday I had Chemo and my cell count and iron was real low so I had to go back on Tues to have them checked. It was very low almost none, so they gave me a shot. The shot doesn't hurt but the side effects hurt. The shot affects the bones because it gets in the marrow. I have a lower back ache, leg aches and it makes me feel like I'm gonna have a heart attach. All symptom's nothing to worry about. Well my counts were low on Tues., Wed., Thurs., and Fri. Needless to say it was a long week but the fact that I feel something from the treatment makes me feel like eventually it will kick it and my counts will rise. Next week if my count has gone up I will continue chemo. My Surgeon said my operation site looks good but said I need therapy to work on using my arm. I have been working on therapy myself, I don't have time to go somewhere else. Its rough but its working. I've been running into a lot of people who have have/had Cancer. Those who know me, know I'm not afraid to talk to strangers. I especially feel those who have/did have cancer want to talk.
They like to share and I find that therapeutic.
They like to share and I find that therapeutic.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
This one gets me every time...
Lucky Dog....
Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite ! toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact , she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The t hought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what! was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body f elt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.
Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a differe nce in our lives are not the ones with the most! credentials, the most money, or the most awards .They are the ones that care for us.
If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God
A small request: All you are asked to do is keep this circulating.
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. Amen
All you are asked to do is keep this circulating Even if it's to one more person.
In memory of anyone you know that has been struck down by cancer or is still fighting their battle.
Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite ! toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact , she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The t hought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what! was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body f elt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.
Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a differe nce in our lives are not the ones with the most! credentials, the most money, or the most awards .They are the ones that care for us.
If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God
A small request: All you are asked to do is keep this circulating.
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. Amen
All you are asked to do is keep this circulating Even if it's to one more person.
In memory of anyone you know that has been struck down by cancer or is still fighting their battle.
10-29-08
I am receiving Chemo again. I had a treatment last Thursday and it really wiped me out this past weekend. I still have quite a bit of pain in my arm pit where they removed the nodes. The hardest part is sleeping. I also have no appetite at this time. I go back and forth with the appetite unfortunately when I do not have an appetite I am not losing any weight. Everyone said its good I have a cushion when I don't want to eat, I have a cushion, I have two cushions, actually at this point I'm working on a blanket. On the 30th I will see my surgeon for a check up and on Thursday I have Chemo. I'll keep you posted. After the last Drs visit I am pretty positive I will beat this, I'm just getting tired of the word Cancer and being tired. Can you believe its been only 6 months.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
GREAT NEWS!!!
The results of the MRI's were better than we ever could have hoped for!
The lesion on Cathy's spine has been reduced by more than half of it's original size. The lesions in Cathy's cerebellum have shrunk to the point where if a doctor was looking at the current MRI's, they wouldn't even detect a problem. The only way to know there were cancerous lesions in the first place is due to the early MRI's!
All around fantastic news. Cathy and the whole family are in great spirits! She'll start up chemo again next week.
Thank you all for the prayers, kind words, concerns, etc...they are most definitely working!
The lesion on Cathy's spine has been reduced by more than half of it's original size. The lesions in Cathy's cerebellum have shrunk to the point where if a doctor was looking at the current MRI's, they wouldn't even detect a problem. The only way to know there were cancerous lesions in the first place is due to the early MRI's!
All around fantastic news. Cathy and the whole family are in great spirits! She'll start up chemo again next week.
Thank you all for the prayers, kind words, concerns, etc...they are most definitely working!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Surgery
I received the pathology report from the breast and 11 lymp nodes they removed. The breast was full of the disease as was the 11 lymp nodes. I feel pretty good other then where they removed the nodes under my left arm. I am pretty sore and have trouble getting comfortable but I manage. Tomorrow I will get the results of the MRI's I had on my spine and brain Fri. and Sun. They will restart the Chemo in 7 days. I will keep you posted. (sorry my computer was on the brink for about 2 weeks but were back)
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