My New Grandson

Charles Gabriel Andreev ( those are his 2 middle names) is home with his mommy and daddy, finally!  Rachel, Shonna and Charlie got home late Thurs. night, after a very long day of travel.  We met Charlie Sat. morning, and then went back after naps in the afternoon and brought my mom with too.  He is just a little sweetie!  He LOVES his momma!  Brennan has been really good with him right from the start--I'm so amazed!  I've been praying for a long time that God would prepare his heart for his new brother, and to give him a compassionate heart like his mother has.  When we were over Sat., Charlie was playing with a ball; he would grab it and drop it on the floor, over and over.  Eventually Brennan started picking it up and giving it back to Charlie each time.  What a helpful little brother!!  Today Rachel got them both ready and brought them to church!  Lots of people wanted to meet him. 
Someone asked me if this is the same boy that is on the picture on my blog ("Joshua"), and the answer is yes.  Joshua is the name given to him by the ministry (Reece's Rainbow) that helps these kids get adopted.  They can't use the child's real name, so they give them each a different name.  Rachel considered keeping the name Joshua, but she and her husband finally decided on Charlie.
Charlie has a long road ahead of him.  He sees a cardiologist on Monday, and they'll go from there.  He also needs to see an ENT, an opthamologist, and a nutritionist.  He'll need heart surgery, and after that physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and whatever else to get him moving and growing!!  He is so tiny.  He's 3.5 years old, but only as long as Brennan (and B is short for 18 months).  And he's 10 pounds lighter than Brennan!
Shonna left after lunch today to go back to school in KC.  It was hard for her to leave because she will miss her nephews so much.  I assured her the next 4 weeks will go by fast, then she'll be done with school, and be able to come home for awhile.  I loved having all 3 of my girls (and 2 grandsons!) in church today.  My mom went with us too, so that was really nice!
Speaking of my girls, someone at church commented on what nice daughters we have and what a lovely family we are.  I've gotten that comment before, and every time I say it's all God.  My family is truly a miracle.  I don't think people fully believe me when I say that, but I really mean it.  Rich and I have always loved our girls, but there were times when our family nearly broke apart, and just some really bad times.  Through it all, I just kept praying for my family and my girls, and asked God to protect them from the mess we were in.  God has been faithful and answered my prayers for a great marriage, and children that believe in Him and follow His ways.  We certainly went through the fire to get here, but that's what makes it such a miracle!  God's Word says believers will go through trials, but He will be with us through it all, and great will our reward be.  "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12  Well, I could write a lot about trials, and post a lot of Bible verses, because I've had my shares of problems.  For some more good verses, click on the "Bible Verses" tab at the top.
Oh--I wanted to mention that I had my MRI and mammogram on Thursday.  I haven't heard anything, other than the radiologist looked at my mammo before I left and didn't see anything that needed extra attention at that time.  If there was something on the MRI, I probably would have been called already to come in for more pictures, so no news should be good news.  The MRI was for the breast cancer.  I had a CT in Feb. for the colon cancer and that was clear, so I should be able to say I'm NED (No Evidence of Disease) soon!

I hope and pray that all my readers have a blessed Easter, and rejoice in the salvation we can now have through Christ's death and resurrection!

Love,
Tina

Herceptin #13 Update

Wow, it's been 2 weeks since I posted last!  I think about it a lot, I just don't like taking the time to do it!
Last week I had another MUGA scan (for heart function). My heart function was 65% before I started treatment (which is very good), and after starting Herceptin it went down to 51.  Then my onc. put me on Enalapril (a blood pressure med), and my heart function has increased to 56!  And I haven't had any side effects from the med.  I was worried about my bp dropping too low, but I am on a very low dose and am tolerating it well.
Other good news--my hemoglobin finally made it up to 12, which is the bottom of the normal range.  It hasn't been normal since last April.
We scheduled some upcoming tests--a CT scan and another MUGA on Feb. 21st (6 weeks), and an MRI and mammogram sometime in April.  The CT scan is for the colon cancer--to watch for a recurrence.  My onc. wants me to have them every 6 months for awhile.  He said because I'm so young, he wants to make sure if anything does show up again we catch it early.  He did say, though, that he thinks we did a pretty good job of fighting it so it shouldn't come back!
I do not need another colonoscopy for 2 years (3 years from my last one), and after this mammo and mri I won't need another one for a year.
Some side effects I still have are neuropathy (numbness) in my fingers and feet, and just tired and out of shape!  I am starting to work on building my strength and stamina. I have a lot of damage from the colon cancer radiation, and also issues that have to do with missing 18" of my colon!  These are annoyances that I will have to live with, although they may get better with time.  I am also praying that God will take these problems away and restore to me what cancer has taken.  I can be very persistent!  I also need to continue to stretch my left arm and shoulder, or it quickly stiffens up.  When I had my MUGA last week I had to have my left arm above my head for 10 minutes and that really hurt!  Stretching helps a lot, I guess I just have to keep doing it!
I am very pleased with how well my skin did with radiation.  I was expecting much worse! The scar area peeled, but it didn't hurt.  The whole area, including by the clavicle, is tan looking, and will probably always be that way.  I will need to protect it with sunscreen anytime it's exposed (like with tank tops and scoop neck tops) for the rest of my life.
Family update:  Shonna is still here on break.  She goes back to KC this weekend.  Alyssa and Jaren will be leaving on a mission trip next weekend (the 22nd).  Rachel and Ken are almost ready to submit all their paperwork to the country they are adopting from.  Hopefully they will get to go over sometime in March or April.  They have to wait for the country to contact them with the date.
Life is good!  God is better!! 
Love and blessings!
Tina

2nd Mammogram

I went in this afternoon for more pictures of my left breast. The radiologist saw some calcifications, and needed a different view and higher magnification to see them better. He doesn't know if they are pre-cancerous or not. I will have to have pieces of them removed and looked at. He said there is no hurry, they are contained in the duct and won't spread anywhere. He said something about DCIS, which is a type of cancer that is non-invasive. So if it were cancer, that's what it would be. Even though its non-invasive (doesn't spread), once you've had it you have a higher risk of getting DCIS again, or an invasive type of cancer.

I'm having the report sent to my oncologist, as well as my primary doc. I go in Friday to the cancer center to get my port flushed, and I'm thinking about calling tomorrow to see if my onc. will have time to see me on Friday. I'll feel better after talking to him. Not that I'm really worried right now, but I just trust his judgement and I want him to tell me what I should do.

So, not what I needed right now, but not too bad either. I'm not worried, just annoyed! I read in 2 Chronicles how the Lord was unhappy with Asa (King of Judah) for relying on other Kings to help fight Judah's battles and relying on physicians to heal him. God wanted Asa to rely on HIM, as Asa had been for many years prior to this. It was a good message for me. Doesn't mean I shouldn't see doctors and let them do their thing, but I need to rely on God, and trust that HE is in control. Whatever happens to me is His will, and He is ALWAYS good!
Thanks for checking in!
Love and Blessings!
Tina

Nervousness

I wrote in my last post about my mammogram, and how I was a little nervous. I thought I was reading too much into the things the tech said (and what she didn't say), but somehow I felt I'd get that call come Mon. or Tues. And sure enough, I got a call from radiology today and they need me to come back in to get more pictures done. Of course the scheduler lady didn't say why. But she did say the radiologist would be there to look at my scans right away, so I wouldn't have to come back in again. I have had many mammograms, due to a family history of breast cancer. My mom has had it, 2 of her sisters, and several of her aunts. I've never had a call back before. So, yes, I am nervous. I wanted to cry after getting the phone call--that's what I do when I'm nervous. I know it could be nothing, but after what I've been through this past year, I really didn't need to get that call! Its just too soon.

Wed. afternoon is when I go back in, so feel free to pray for me! Its human nature to be nervous, but I've got the Holy Spirit in me to help me overcome my fears. I've tried not to think about it most of the day, but now I need to spend some time praying. God will get me through this!

On a happier note, I sure laughed hard at little Brennan today! Jaren was making funny noises at him and Brennan's reaction was soooo hilarious! Even when he's fussy, he's such a joy!

I'll let you all know how things go on Wed.
Blessings!
Tina

Life is Good!

I've had a busy week. I like being busy, but the house sure suffers when I'm gone alot! And it makes the days pass too quickly. There are still things I'm hoping to get done before I go back to work on the 1st of March.
Wed. I went to church to do some copying for the Children's pastor, who happens to be a good friend of mine. It was nice to visit with her! I used to help her out once a week after work, and it felt good to be able to help out again! I plan on going there every week again like I used to.
After helping out at church, I had lunch with a retired friend from work. It was a nice lunch, and I'm glad we could finally get together!
After lunch I went to Target to get groceries. By the time I got home, my legs were really tired! Too much standing and walking around. I guess I still got some work to do on building my strength back up!
Today I had my mammogram. It was 6 months over due. I was more nervous than usual. I guess knowing that there could still be cancer cells floating around in my body made me wonder if they could end up in my breasts. I have a family history of breast cancer, and always assumed if I did get cancer, that's where I'd get it. The tech that did the test on me today told me that if more pictures were needed they'd call me Mon. or Tues. She said a couple of times that she can't read the scans, the radiologist did that. I kept wondering if she saw something and just wasn't telling me. I think I was reading WAY too much into it. :)
After the mammogram I had lunch with Rich, Jaren, and Alyssa. I had been wanting Chinese for awhile and there was a good buffet nearby. After we were done eating Rich took a lens cleaning wipe out of his pocket to clean his sunglasses (I think). The smell of alcohol from the wipe immediately made me feel sick to my stomach. I was surprised at my response. Its from having the nurses wipe my port with alcohol (or something that smells like it) before chemo. I don't like
having psychological responses to things--it makes me feel like I'm not in control of myself. I expected to have that response when I get my port flushed, but not everytime I smell alcohol, no matter where I am!
I am sort of looking forward to having my port flushed, because it'll be nice to see the nurses again, but I am nervous too, because of the nausea. And it'll just be weird being back there. I would like to volunteer at the cancer center, if I didn't have to work. I might do it in the summer, when I have off.
Tomorrow I'm having lunch with a former classmate that I haven't seen since 1982! I found her on facebook and found out she is a cancer survivor too. She has a very positive, supportive attitude that has helped me through some rough days. There are many others that cheered me on too!
Friday night Rich and I are having dinner with friends that used to be our neighbors. Its been a year or 2 since we have gotten together with them, and I expect it to be a fun evening. Its soooo nice to finally feel well enough to get out and see people again! I used to put off getting together with friends, thinking there would always be time later. Now I know that there might not be time later, and friendships have become much more important to me. Especially those who have stood by me through this past year.
Its been more than 3 weeks since my last chemo, and I still have the neuropathy. It hasn't faded much. My cold sensitivity is hardly noticeable. I just can't hold frozen items for long, but I can have ice water, and ice cream again! Also, my eyes are still watering, but it seems to have slowed down a bit in the last few days.
I've been using the Wii Fit to try and build my strength up and keep from gaining weight. Its been helping my legs get stronger, but not so much the weight! I'm really trying to eat better, but all this going out to eat makes it difficult. I'll have to work harder at the exercise!
Oh--Brennan is coming over in the morning. Shonna will be here to watch him when I leave for lunch. He really brightens my day!
Well, that's my rambling update. Life is good!
Love and blessings!
Tina