Hey Friends,
It has been a good day for me and I hope it has for you. I made a home visit this morning, went by and saw a friend, then came home and ate leftover chili from last night. Then i got on the computer and finished some paperwork I needed to do for work. This has been so hard for me to complete and I actually felt focused. And I feel that I have accomplished something!
Now, I have some online training for my job I need to tackle, then thinking about signing up for some college classes to keep my teaching certificate current. It makes me feel so much better to have a plan and to feel productive. A lot of things I don't feel that I am becauese I have so much down time and I don't have the energy to do anything. But I have figured out that if I get up ande get going in the mornings, i feel pretty good until around one or two o'clock , then I relax (usually I'm online and watching Days of our lives. lol) and rest up to cook dinner. Bedtime is usually about 9:30 so that is pretty much my day.
Please leave comments. I always check for them and I pray that God blesses each of you and that you see God's hand today.
Do you know the song "I saw God today." I often think of it and how you can see God in people and in nature if you just look. Take the time to look around. You will see God's fingerprints.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Hey friends.
I thought i would post an update since i went to oncologist fri for bloodwork. My white blood cells were low which is the usual pattern for two weeks after treatment. I just have to be very careful around other people, use tons of hand gel and avoid crowds. My nurse said the flu is going around and i am susceptable right now.
But I have had a good weekend. Roger has been off work this weekend so we have been together. He always makes me smile! Yesterday we watched college football together and took the kids to eat. we went at 4:00 tryin to miss the crowd but the hotwings place we went to was a little crowded becuase of the football game so i was very careful. i went to church today and sat in balcony, just me and roger. it is just a small area where cameras are. It was a good service but no hugs from my church family.
I wanted everyone to know that next fri is the last of the first phase of chemo. so, no more red devil after this friday!! i am glad. it is really hard on gi tract. The next phase is another kind of chemo weekly for twelve weeks so i am getting close to being halfway done with chemo. after that, radiation, which shouldn't be bad at all. The bad thing about the tumor was that it was triple negative which means i wont respond to any hormonal treatments that are usually used. that is why we have to hit it hard with chemo and radiation. it is a little scary that there is still a possibility of it coming back but it's all in God's hands right? i cant' wait to get back to living life to the fullest! and not being so broke! lol. But through it all, the surgery, the chemo , God has been good and his word holds true.
That's the update for now.
Hope everyone is doing well.
I thought i would post an update since i went to oncologist fri for bloodwork. My white blood cells were low which is the usual pattern for two weeks after treatment. I just have to be very careful around other people, use tons of hand gel and avoid crowds. My nurse said the flu is going around and i am susceptable right now.
But I have had a good weekend. Roger has been off work this weekend so we have been together. He always makes me smile! Yesterday we watched college football together and took the kids to eat. we went at 4:00 tryin to miss the crowd but the hotwings place we went to was a little crowded becuase of the football game so i was very careful. i went to church today and sat in balcony, just me and roger. it is just a small area where cameras are. It was a good service but no hugs from my church family.
I wanted everyone to know that next fri is the last of the first phase of chemo. so, no more red devil after this friday!! i am glad. it is really hard on gi tract. The next phase is another kind of chemo weekly for twelve weeks so i am getting close to being halfway done with chemo. after that, radiation, which shouldn't be bad at all. The bad thing about the tumor was that it was triple negative which means i wont respond to any hormonal treatments that are usually used. that is why we have to hit it hard with chemo and radiation. it is a little scary that there is still a possibility of it coming back but it's all in God's hands right? i cant' wait to get back to living life to the fullest! and not being so broke! lol. But through it all, the surgery, the chemo , God has been good and his word holds true.
That's the update for now.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
struggles
Hi Friends,
I want to say that i'm sorry my entries have been very inspiring lately. I seem to be at the stage of my treatment that I am struggling a little. I really need to get in the Word more and please continue to lift me up in your prayers.
There is so much that goes with this: the worry, the financial strian, the fatigue and nausua, the humility from being bald, the weight gain. the depression. It is a struggle every day and it is truly too much for me to bear on my own. But i also know it is not too big for my God! I think I am guilty of trying to handle everything on my own lately instead of giving to Jesus. It seems that sometimes I give it to him, only to take it back later! Do you ever do that?
I have so much to be thankful for: my love, Roger; supportive family, church family and friends, all my needs met, healthy children, and strength for each day. But, I have been guilty of letting myself get down. Every day, I am able to get out of bed and accomplish something. That is more than a lot of people can do!
So, I am asking that you please pray that I am able to entirely give this to God and trust that he will take care of me and that I will take things one day at a time and know that God is with me each step of the way. I definitely think that there are only one set of footprints in the sand during this time of my life because the Lord is carrying me through! My God is mighty and able! We just have to keep looking toward the cross!
I want to say that i'm sorry my entries have been very inspiring lately. I seem to be at the stage of my treatment that I am struggling a little. I really need to get in the Word more and please continue to lift me up in your prayers.
There is so much that goes with this: the worry, the financial strian, the fatigue and nausua, the humility from being bald, the weight gain. the depression. It is a struggle every day and it is truly too much for me to bear on my own. But i also know it is not too big for my God! I think I am guilty of trying to handle everything on my own lately instead of giving to Jesus. It seems that sometimes I give it to him, only to take it back later! Do you ever do that?
I have so much to be thankful for: my love, Roger; supportive family, church family and friends, all my needs met, healthy children, and strength for each day. But, I have been guilty of letting myself get down. Every day, I am able to get out of bed and accomplish something. That is more than a lot of people can do!
So, I am asking that you please pray that I am able to entirely give this to God and trust that he will take care of me and that I will take things one day at a time and know that God is with me each step of the way. I definitely think that there are only one set of footprints in the sand during this time of my life because the Lord is carrying me through! My God is mighty and able! We just have to keep looking toward the cross!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
ups and downs
Hey everyone.
I wanted to post an update on my treatment and progress. I have been very tired this week and have had crying spells at times. At other times i have been fine. I saw the research nurse on fri and she said that my fatigue is most likely the accumulation of the chemo in my body and my red blood cell count being a little low. She suggested i take a multivite to give me some energy. My white blood cell coumt was slightly but not dangerously low so i just have to be cautious about being around crouds. I am already on an antibiotic daily to ward off bacterial infections. So, that was about it.
I have to admit, it's getting harder to sit in the waiting room at the cancer enter. . Ilook around at all the other people, mostly older than me, who are sick and I think that this is a place I never thought I would find myself. I have also realized how hard it must be on my mom taking me for treatments. This is a hard thing on everyone involved. I am hoping that I can have a friend take me for my next treatment.
That said, I have had a pretty good weekend thus far. Roger cooked dinner for us last night and I went to the northwest football football game. it usually doesn't bother me to go in my scarf or hat but i knew there would be people there who i don't usually see and maybe didn't even know i was under treatment. Anyway, a friend from church assured me I could sit with her and it turned out that there were lots of people from my church and other friends that were so supportive. It wasn't hard at all. This just opens my eyes to how God works through his people. I had a great time and a friend brought me home just after half time. Being out around people breathes so much life into me! this morning, rusty and I went to panara where i got a yogurt parfait (so good) and to walmart. then i came home and rested. I have been able torest really well lately and that has been a blessing.
Tomorrow, church and steph said she is coming so i have been excited. That's about it. i'm just passing the time til Roger gets up and comes over before work.
Take care and remember you are unique and special and God has great plans for you.
Michele
I wanted to post an update on my treatment and progress. I have been very tired this week and have had crying spells at times. At other times i have been fine. I saw the research nurse on fri and she said that my fatigue is most likely the accumulation of the chemo in my body and my red blood cell count being a little low. She suggested i take a multivite to give me some energy. My white blood cell coumt was slightly but not dangerously low so i just have to be cautious about being around crouds. I am already on an antibiotic daily to ward off bacterial infections. So, that was about it.
I have to admit, it's getting harder to sit in the waiting room at the cancer enter. . Ilook around at all the other people, mostly older than me, who are sick and I think that this is a place I never thought I would find myself. I have also realized how hard it must be on my mom taking me for treatments. This is a hard thing on everyone involved. I am hoping that I can have a friend take me for my next treatment.
That said, I have had a pretty good weekend thus far. Roger cooked dinner for us last night and I went to the northwest football football game. it usually doesn't bother me to go in my scarf or hat but i knew there would be people there who i don't usually see and maybe didn't even know i was under treatment. Anyway, a friend from church assured me I could sit with her and it turned out that there were lots of people from my church and other friends that were so supportive. It wasn't hard at all. This just opens my eyes to how God works through his people. I had a great time and a friend brought me home just after half time. Being out around people breathes so much life into me! this morning, rusty and I went to panara where i got a yogurt parfait (so good) and to walmart. then i came home and rested. I have been able torest really well lately and that has been a blessing.
Tomorrow, church and steph said she is coming so i have been excited. That's about it. i'm just passing the time til Roger gets up and comes over before work.
Take care and remember you are unique and special and God has great plans for you.
Michele
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tired Today!
Hey everyone. I hope you have all had a good day.
I had an awesome weekend after the treatment. I got up sat and went to walmart and got some groceries then cooked stir fry for everyone! On sun. I went to both services and then to eat with church family which was so much fun.
But, so tired today. I had three appointments scheduled but one wasn't home. I came straight home, fixed a sandwich and went to bed around twelve. I didn't wake up until three. I am a little sick at my stomach but mostly just exhausted. Maybe I overdid it over the weekend.
I am hoping to have some energy back tomorrow!
Take Care!
I had an awesome weekend after the treatment. I got up sat and went to walmart and got some groceries then cooked stir fry for everyone! On sun. I went to both services and then to eat with church family which was so much fun.
But, so tired today. I had three appointments scheduled but one wasn't home. I came straight home, fixed a sandwich and went to bed around twelve. I didn't wake up until three. I am a little sick at my stomach but mostly just exhausted. Maybe I overdid it over the weekend.
I am hoping to have some energy back tomorrow!
Take Care!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
yesterday's treatment
Hey friends. I made it through my third treatment.
My mom and I arrived at memorial at 8:45 after driving in the rain. I had my labs done and good news, my wbc are in normal range! The bad news is , my rbc and hemoglobin is a little low so I have to try to eat more red meats to get it up a little , which i am already working on. I saw the doc and he said he was not gonna reduce the chemo because he wanted it to be and effective treatment but he did half the steroid dosage and give me and extra bag of fluid. I do not have to get the nulasta shot. Yea! Instead I will take an oral dose of augmentin everyday and proceed with caution.
So, I had my regular treatment which took about two and a half hours in all. The nurse had a little bit of a hard time accessing my port but other than that it went fine. After I finished there, I went to the radiologist who is in the building right next door. that's what is so good about the team approach. all my docs are under one roof and part of a team! He was a very nice looking, sweet doc. he examined me, said the surgical site looked good and talked to me about he radiation part of my treatment. It will start after 18 more weeks of chemo which will be in january. I have to have 33 treatments! I will have to go to memorial everyday but that's ok. i had rather stick with the team of doctors i have been using. the beam will go in one side of my breast and out of the other. nothing will be effected but breast tissue. he says by then i will be feeling better from finishing the chemo and that this will be the easiest part! the actual procedure only takes about 15 minutes.
When i left there, i realized i had ordered my m mend which is a very high powered, expensive, antinausua drug that i have to take the day of and two days after treatement. I started panicking! so i went back to my oncologist and explained what happened. they said not to worry, they would work something out. So, they had to put an iv in , this time in my arm not in my port and give it to me intravenously. so this took another hour . i am getting the other two overnight delivery today. Thank you Lord for a diligent, caring team of doctors!
We finally left a little after 3, got something to eat (with beaf of course) and stopped by the fabric store and my mom got me the coolest fabrics to make scarves! By this time though, i was exhausted. went home and collapsed and an awesome couple in my church family brought dinner. Aren't God's people the best. I rested at mom and dad's until i went home and went to bed. I am sooo thankful for my parents too.
Well, that's it. you are updated!
Hope you have a peaceful, restful weekend and are showered with blessings!
My mom and I arrived at memorial at 8:45 after driving in the rain. I had my labs done and good news, my wbc are in normal range! The bad news is , my rbc and hemoglobin is a little low so I have to try to eat more red meats to get it up a little , which i am already working on. I saw the doc and he said he was not gonna reduce the chemo because he wanted it to be and effective treatment but he did half the steroid dosage and give me and extra bag of fluid. I do not have to get the nulasta shot. Yea! Instead I will take an oral dose of augmentin everyday and proceed with caution.
So, I had my regular treatment which took about two and a half hours in all. The nurse had a little bit of a hard time accessing my port but other than that it went fine. After I finished there, I went to the radiologist who is in the building right next door. that's what is so good about the team approach. all my docs are under one roof and part of a team! He was a very nice looking, sweet doc. he examined me, said the surgical site looked good and talked to me about he radiation part of my treatment. It will start after 18 more weeks of chemo which will be in january. I have to have 33 treatments! I will have to go to memorial everyday but that's ok. i had rather stick with the team of doctors i have been using. the beam will go in one side of my breast and out of the other. nothing will be effected but breast tissue. he says by then i will be feeling better from finishing the chemo and that this will be the easiest part! the actual procedure only takes about 15 minutes.
When i left there, i realized i had ordered my m mend which is a very high powered, expensive, antinausua drug that i have to take the day of and two days after treatement. I started panicking! so i went back to my oncologist and explained what happened. they said not to worry, they would work something out. So, they had to put an iv in , this time in my arm not in my port and give it to me intravenously. so this took another hour . i am getting the other two overnight delivery today. Thank you Lord for a diligent, caring team of doctors!
We finally left a little after 3, got something to eat (with beaf of course) and stopped by the fabric store and my mom got me the coolest fabrics to make scarves! By this time though, i was exhausted. went home and collapsed and an awesome couple in my church family brought dinner. Aren't God's people the best. I rested at mom and dad's until i went home and went to bed. I am sooo thankful for my parents too.
Well, that's it. you are updated!
Hope you have a peaceful, restful weekend and are showered with blessings!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
DREADING TOMORROW!
Hey everyone! I hope all is well.
We had an awesome church service. Bro. Marty preached about the rapture and that always gets me excited! We had a great prayer time but my heart is broken for my friends, the Gambrells. They just found out that their three year old granddaughter has leukemia and starts treatment today. We were all so heartbroken. Her name is Kayla Gambrell and she will be at tc thompsons for eight months getting chemo! I just cant' imagine what they are going through. But Monica and Bear are such awesome Christians and they know where they get their strength!
I have a busy day. I am meeting a family at the health dept at 10:30 for a doctor's visit and going to help a friend on a writing assignment and then to lunch with her. Then I am hoping to have another appointment scheduled this afternoon. Busy is good because I am dreading tomorrow's treatment. I will be glad to get another one behind me but it is a long day and am not looking forward to the side effects next week. I have felt so well this week. It has been awesome. I certainly don't take well days for granted and am so thankful for them!
A friend gave me an awesome praise and worship cd which i am listening to. that really gets me going!
Well, I hope that God blesses you today according to his riches in heaven!
If God was small enough to be understood, he wouldn't be big enough to be worshipped!
Michele
We had an awesome church service. Bro. Marty preached about the rapture and that always gets me excited! We had a great prayer time but my heart is broken for my friends, the Gambrells. They just found out that their three year old granddaughter has leukemia and starts treatment today. We were all so heartbroken. Her name is Kayla Gambrell and she will be at tc thompsons for eight months getting chemo! I just cant' imagine what they are going through. But Monica and Bear are such awesome Christians and they know where they get their strength!
I have a busy day. I am meeting a family at the health dept at 10:30 for a doctor's visit and going to help a friend on a writing assignment and then to lunch with her. Then I am hoping to have another appointment scheduled this afternoon. Busy is good because I am dreading tomorrow's treatment. I will be glad to get another one behind me but it is a long day and am not looking forward to the side effects next week. I have felt so well this week. It has been awesome. I certainly don't take well days for granted and am so thankful for them!
A friend gave me an awesome praise and worship cd which i am listening to. that really gets me going!
Well, I hope that God blesses you today according to his riches in heaven!
If God was small enough to be understood, he wouldn't be big enough to be worshipped!
Michele
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