Apparently, when Rachel was over here using my computer the other day, she decided to make a blog post for me! It took me a few days to figure it out! Some things never change :)
Well, yes, I am still alive! It's been awhile since I've posted! I have been busy with my grandsons, Shonna, my messy house, etc.
Shonna is home for the summer, well, at least until the beg. of Aug. Then she will go back to KC for another year of school at the International House of Prayer (IHOPU). Today she sang on the worship team at church. It's been awhile since she's been able to do that; it was good to see her back up on the stage.
The boys are doing great! Charlie is gaining weight and is learning things fast! Brennan is still a good little brother, but sometimes he gets a little tired of Charlie! I still watch B often because C has had a lot of dr. appointments. It'll be awhile before Charlie has any surgery though, there are other things they need to work on first. You can check out Rachel's blog (Love is Sugar Free) for more info on the boys. (Link is over there
---->)
I don't think about cancer much anymore. I do still get annoyed at the side effects I'm left with though. I went over all the side effects in one of my last blogs. I think I forgot to add my sore shoulder though. It has been stiff and sore since my mastectomy last May. It got worse for awhile, but now it's slightly better. It didn't hurt as bad when I had to lay it above my head for my last MUGA scan. I was always going to get physical therapy for it, but I just haven't. I think I'm just tired of medical appointments! I still need to see the dentist too! It's been over a year. I see my primary doc on Thurs. to go over some things and get some blood tests. Just routine stuff. I haven't seen her in a long time.
I saw my oncologist the last time I was in for my Herceptin infusion. My MUGA showed my heart is still doing good on the blood pressure med I am on. I take the med not for high blood pressure, but because my heart function was decreasing from the Herceptin. My onc was pleased with how well I was doing. I will see him again when I have my last Herceptin in Aug. I'll have another MUGA , ct scan, and bloodwork a few days before I see him. Oh--speaking of bloodwork--my hemoglobin is finally back in the normal range! The fist time since last April! Everything else looked pretty good too--a few things out of whack yet, but nothing serious.
It's been a year since my mastectomy--May 24th, 2010. What a traumatic time that was! I wish I could say that I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore, but that's not entirely true. It's, like my side effects, an annoyance. I'm trying to find a good swimsuit now. Insurance pays for bras and prosthetics, but not swimsuits, so it'll be expensive. I just want one so I can go in the hot tub when we go to Duluth. I did find some online, just haven't ordered yet.
I have been seriously considering reconstruction, but that is a major surgery and I'm not sure I want to put myself through that. I will lose use of muscle, and the recovery is long. I've put off any thought of that until next year. If I decide I want recon, I can do it anytime I want, and insurance will pay for it.
When I went to see my onc I wanted him to say that I am "NED" (No Evidence of Disease). I told the nurse that and I started choking up a bit. She left the room and I started crying a bit--I had no idea I would be emotional about it! Thankfully the doc took a while to come in and see me and I got myself under control, but I didn't want to bring it up and start crying! So I didn't hear him say it, but since all my tests and scans have come back clear I am going to say I'm NED!!!
Time for bed!
May God bless each of you this week!
Tina
Showing posts with label MUGA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MUGA. Show all posts
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
CT and MUGA Today
I had my 6 month CT scan and my 6 week MUGA scan today. The MUGA was first--at 10 am.(Rich drove me in the truck because the roads were bad from over a foot of snow! He's my hero!) The nurse accessed my port, then withdrew some blood. They have to call for an RN to do the port--the tech can draw blood from veins, but not the port. They mix the blood with a tracer (nuclear stuff), let it set for 20 minutes to combine, then put it back in me. For the scan I lay on a flat, narrow table and a machine moves over me and stays in one place for 10 minutes, then it moves closer and stays there for another 10 minutes, then it's done! Very easy! Well, unless you have a painful shoulder, like I do! My left shoulder has been bothering me since my mastectomy. It is getting worse. For the first of the 2 scans I had to have my left arm above my head for the whole 10 min. It hurt so bad. I'm glad the tech left, because if he had been in there I would have told him to stop the scan. I could hardly stand it--my whole body was screaming out for me to move my arm. I was praying and praying and thankfully the time did seem to go faster. The 2nd 10 min. scan I was able to keep my arms down--and that scan seemed to take forever. But I didn't mind--I was happy to just rest there after the pain I had just endured!
When that was done I went back to the imaging waiting room for the CT scan. I had to drink 4 cups of that awful berry flavored chalk. I remember thinking this stuff wasn't so bad (I've heard of people throwing up from it!), but this time it made me gag. The other flavor was banana, but I hate banana flavored stuff. After an hour of drinking that it was time for the scan. The scan itself is very quick; I think I was only gone for 15 minutes. At the end of the scan they inject me with some "contrast". The contrast is different somehow from the stuff you have to drink, and helps them see different things on the scan. I have what's called a power port, or smart port, so the contrast can go right in through the port. If you don't have one of these, then they put it in through an IV. Another reason I love my port! Anyway, sometimes at the end of the scan I get this intense nausea that only lasts about 5 minutes, but feels awful! I told the tech that so she could run the contrast in slower. That seems to help, as I did not get the nausea this time.
After my tests were done, Rich and I went to eat at a Chinese buffet. I was very hungry, but my stomach was starting to gurgle, and I wanted to get home, so we didn't stay too long. I forgot how that stuff affects my guts. Let's just say there has been much gurgling and frequent bathroom trips! Right now I just feel sort of wiped out, have a headache, and my stomach still doesn't feel to great. If it doesn't get better before bed I may just sleep in the recliner. That is my favorite place to be when my stomach bothers me (which happens quite a bit since my colon resection!). It also helps Rich sleep--he gets up so early, and doesn't sleep well the way it is, and I don't want to be bothering him all night.
So, about 3 hours after the ct was done, I got a call from my oncologist's nurse, Carol. She said Dr. J has seen the scan results and wanted me to know everything looked clear! So, good news!! I still have that mammo and mri to get through in April, then I will be really excited!
I really had no "scanxiety" this time. I kept waiting for it, assuming it would hit, but it never did. I am so thankful to God for giving me peace! He took away my fears, and took away the nausea that I used to get everytime I was on my way to Regions Hospital. Yes, He allowed me to go through 2 cancer diagnoses, but He has been right by my side through it all. I have learned so much about my Lord, and that's what really matters. As I like to say---it's not about me, it's all about GOD!
I'll check back in a few days, after meeting with my wonderful Dr. Jahagirdar!
Please say a prayer for my cousin Jim, as he lost his wife unexpectedly this weekend--very sad!
Tina
When that was done I went back to the imaging waiting room for the CT scan. I had to drink 4 cups of that awful berry flavored chalk. I remember thinking this stuff wasn't so bad (I've heard of people throwing up from it!), but this time it made me gag. The other flavor was banana, but I hate banana flavored stuff. After an hour of drinking that it was time for the scan. The scan itself is very quick; I think I was only gone for 15 minutes. At the end of the scan they inject me with some "contrast". The contrast is different somehow from the stuff you have to drink, and helps them see different things on the scan. I have what's called a power port, or smart port, so the contrast can go right in through the port. If you don't have one of these, then they put it in through an IV. Another reason I love my port! Anyway, sometimes at the end of the scan I get this intense nausea that only lasts about 5 minutes, but feels awful! I told the tech that so she could run the contrast in slower. That seems to help, as I did not get the nausea this time.
After my tests were done, Rich and I went to eat at a Chinese buffet. I was very hungry, but my stomach was starting to gurgle, and I wanted to get home, so we didn't stay too long. I forgot how that stuff affects my guts. Let's just say there has been much gurgling and frequent bathroom trips! Right now I just feel sort of wiped out, have a headache, and my stomach still doesn't feel to great. If it doesn't get better before bed I may just sleep in the recliner. That is my favorite place to be when my stomach bothers me (which happens quite a bit since my colon resection!). It also helps Rich sleep--he gets up so early, and doesn't sleep well the way it is, and I don't want to be bothering him all night.
So, about 3 hours after the ct was done, I got a call from my oncologist's nurse, Carol. She said Dr. J has seen the scan results and wanted me to know everything looked clear! So, good news!! I still have that mammo and mri to get through in April, then I will be really excited!
I really had no "scanxiety" this time. I kept waiting for it, assuming it would hit, but it never did. I am so thankful to God for giving me peace! He took away my fears, and took away the nausea that I used to get everytime I was on my way to Regions Hospital. Yes, He allowed me to go through 2 cancer diagnoses, but He has been right by my side through it all. I have learned so much about my Lord, and that's what really matters. As I like to say---it's not about me, it's all about GOD!
I'll check back in a few days, after meeting with my wonderful Dr. Jahagirdar!
Please say a prayer for my cousin Jim, as he lost his wife unexpectedly this weekend--very sad!
Tina
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Orphans
As most of you know, my daughter Rachel is in the process of adopting a 3 (almost 4!) year old boy from an Eastern Europe country. She is adopting through an organization called Reece's Rainbow. Most of the kids on their website have Down Syndrome, as does the little boy she is adopting. Rachel's papers (dossier) have been submitted in the country, so now she waits to find out that they were approved and what date she needs to be over there. Hopefully she and hubby will be traveling in 5-7 weeks! Well, my point in all of this is to tell you about the blog Rachel has started to advocate for orphans. She tells about many of them that desperately need families (and lets us know when they get their family!), and she lists many ways people can help. Many of us feel we aren't called to adopt, but there are so many other ways to help. Sharing her blog, giving financially to the kids (You can pick which one you want to help and donate directly to that child's fund!), and buying supplies for the orphanage are just a few ways you can help. These children are the "least of these" that Jesus talks about. They need our help. Ignoring them isn't an option. Please visit her blog, and if nothing else, pray for the children. Click HERE. Thank you!!
Now for a little update about me. I've had some tests lately, and so far, so good! I had an ultrasound to see what my ovaries are doing (I've had cysts in the past and we also wanted to see if things look menopausal), and some blood tests. The u/s showed that I still have a cyst, which seems to always be there, and we are going to check it again in 6 weeks. I heard the words "with your history" several times from my obgyn, and that is why we are watching things more carefully. I also had the ca-125 test, which is for ovarian cancer. It's only reliable if the number is high--then something is wrong. But if the # is normal, is doesn't mean you don't have cancer. We are pretty sure, though, that I don't have ovarian cancer...but with my history....sigh. We also did the FSH blood test which gives an idea if I am producing any estrogen. At the moment I am not, but that could be from radiation and chemo, so my menopause may not be permanent. There is no way to tell. In 6 weeks we might discuss having the ovaries removed--my obgyn seems to want that, but technically there is no reason other than something less to worry about. I'll have to take that up with God--I'm not sure removing body parts "just in case" (when it's not even a high risk) is something He would think is a good idea. We'll see. I'll discuss it with my onc this week too.
Monday I have a ct scan (I think chest, abdomen and pelvic area again), and a MUGA scan. The CT is for the colon cancer (to look for mets) and the MUGA is to check on my heart to make sure it's still functioning well. You may recall that my heart function decreased from the Herceptin, but the bp med (Enalapril) increased it. I see my onc on Wed., when I will have labs done and get my next Herceptin infusion. We'll discuss everything then.
I don't have my mammo and MRI scheduled yet, but they should be in April--then I will be declared cancer free! Can't wait!!
I complain about being poked, prodded, and nuked, but these tests do give me a sense of security. My onc wants me to have a ct scan every 6 months for awhile, and that's ok with me. Most of us that have had cancer worry about what might be going on in our body when we are not being tested!
I am still enjoying my time off, but not getting nearly as much done as I wanted! I seem to be pretty busy running here and there. Doc and test appointments take up a lot of time. I get frustrated sometimes with how tired I still feel. I'm still working on making exercise a routine. I do it only if I "have time", or "feel like it". It needs to happen more often!! Yeah, the dieting is not going so well either...
Oh--big news!! I went "topless" (with out a scarf) for the first time today! I went to the women's breakfast at church this morning and of course everyone noticed. Everyone was real nice and said I looked great! I knew the first time was going to be the hardest, because everyone would notice, so I just had to do it and get it over with! I felt really awkward at first. Too bad it's so darn cold! I hate the cold on my neck and ears!
Well, that's all for now! I'll update later this week, after seeing my oncologist on Wed.
Love and blessings!
Tina
Now for a little update about me. I've had some tests lately, and so far, so good! I had an ultrasound to see what my ovaries are doing (I've had cysts in the past and we also wanted to see if things look menopausal), and some blood tests. The u/s showed that I still have a cyst, which seems to always be there, and we are going to check it again in 6 weeks. I heard the words "with your history" several times from my obgyn, and that is why we are watching things more carefully. I also had the ca-125 test, which is for ovarian cancer. It's only reliable if the number is high--then something is wrong. But if the # is normal, is doesn't mean you don't have cancer. We are pretty sure, though, that I don't have ovarian cancer...but with my history....sigh. We also did the FSH blood test which gives an idea if I am producing any estrogen. At the moment I am not, but that could be from radiation and chemo, so my menopause may not be permanent. There is no way to tell. In 6 weeks we might discuss having the ovaries removed--my obgyn seems to want that, but technically there is no reason other than something less to worry about. I'll have to take that up with God--I'm not sure removing body parts "just in case" (when it's not even a high risk) is something He would think is a good idea. We'll see. I'll discuss it with my onc this week too.
Monday I have a ct scan (I think chest, abdomen and pelvic area again), and a MUGA scan. The CT is for the colon cancer (to look for mets) and the MUGA is to check on my heart to make sure it's still functioning well. You may recall that my heart function decreased from the Herceptin, but the bp med (Enalapril) increased it. I see my onc on Wed., when I will have labs done and get my next Herceptin infusion. We'll discuss everything then.
I don't have my mammo and MRI scheduled yet, but they should be in April--then I will be declared cancer free! Can't wait!!
I complain about being poked, prodded, and nuked, but these tests do give me a sense of security. My onc wants me to have a ct scan every 6 months for awhile, and that's ok with me. Most of us that have had cancer worry about what might be going on in our body when we are not being tested!
I am still enjoying my time off, but not getting nearly as much done as I wanted! I seem to be pretty busy running here and there. Doc and test appointments take up a lot of time. I get frustrated sometimes with how tired I still feel. I'm still working on making exercise a routine. I do it only if I "have time", or "feel like it". It needs to happen more often!! Yeah, the dieting is not going so well either...
Oh--big news!! I went "topless" (with out a scarf) for the first time today! I went to the women's breakfast at church this morning and of course everyone noticed. Everyone was real nice and said I looked great! I knew the first time was going to be the hardest, because everyone would notice, so I just had to do it and get it over with! I felt really awkward at first. Too bad it's so darn cold! I hate the cold on my neck and ears!
Well, that's all for now! I'll update later this week, after seeing my oncologist on Wed.
Love and blessings!
Tina
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
2 Year Cancerversary
Sunday, February 6th, was 2 years since I first found out I had cancer. That was the day I had the colonoscopy and the tumor was found. Boy, how life changes when you hear "you have cancer"!! You can read about what I've been through by clicking on the tab "My Journey" above.
I had my 14th Herceptin infusion last Wed. (the 2nd). This one made me more tired than usual. I'm not sure why. I watched Brennan that afternoon, and thankfully Rich came home a little early from work to help out! The next day I made it to Bible Study at 9:30, but I was still really tired. And Friday I took mom to get groceries (she came home from Craig's on Wed. eve), still very tired! It even lasted into the weekend. Also, my stomach was a little upset, sort of gurgly, and moments of nausea. So, in 3 weeks, when I get my next one, I won't plan ANYTHING for the 2 or 3 days after. Except Bible study.
This Friday I have an ultrasound (for female troubles--some of which were caused by radiation--the gift that keeps on giving!), and the Mon. before my next Herceptin I have a CT scan (to make sure the colon cancer didn't spread anywhere) and a MUGA scan (for the heart to make sure the Herceptin isn't doing anymore damage). Sometime in April I will have a mammo and mri, and hopefully after all those tests I will be declared NED (No Evidence of Disease)!! That will be a happy day!!
Enough about me--Alyssa and Jaren are back from their mission trip. It was a good trip and they both enjoyed it. Alyssa took care of kids all week while the moms were in a Bible study (they used Beth Moore's Esther study), and Jaren helped pour concrete for the foundation of a new room. There were a few nights that they had a Marriage conference also. Both of them gave their testimony about their relationship, and Alyssa shared a bit of her testimony at the women's study. I am so very proud of them both!
Jaren is currently going to school to be a cop, while working for 2 of our nearby police departments as a Community Service Officer (CSO). He is still a member of the Nat'l Guard, and spends 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer with them. Hopefully no more trips to Iraq or Afghanistan! He is a busy boy!
Alyssa is still a cheerleading coach, and decided to continue doing it next year too. She loves the job and the girls she coaches! She finished her Assoc. degree in Bus. Management and is looking for a part time job (anyone need a great receptionist or office worker? She has great customer service skills!)
Rachel submitted all her paperwork to the country of her little boy. We are hoping it will be submitted to the judge (or whoever) on Thurs. Then about 2 weeks after that, if it is approved, she will be contacted with the date to go over there! We are getting closer! Rich and I will have Brennan here while Rachel and Ken are overseas. We need to get his room ready!
Sat. Rachel and Ken had the flu, and I had to take Rachel to the ER around 11 pm. She was getting very dehydrated. Also, being diabetic, that can be dangerous. So we went in and she got a couple of bags of fluids, they ran a few blood tests, and we got to go home. I got home a little after 3am. Needless to say, I didn't get up for church Sunday!(I did listen to the sermon online today--very good!) That really threw me off! I think I was either still feeling the effects of the Herceptin, or fighting off the flu myself. We went to Alyssa's for the Superbowl, but left before it was done because I wasn't feeling well. Still tired yesterday, but today I feel pretty good. Sadly, the Steelers lost.
We are trying to plan little trip to see Shonna in KC. We might go this weekend. We want to go see all the Harry Truman stuff in Independence, Mo. Rich and I toured his home about 20 years ago. Shonna is a history buff, like us, and would like to see it too. Her schedule is so busy that Sundays are about the only day she can do anything.
Mom and Dee are going to Mexico soon, for a vacation. I could go, but it's not something I want to spend money on. I'm saving my pennies for a Duluth vacation this summer on my birthday--remember I'm going to be cancer free for this birthday and I want to celebrate because the last 2 I was too sick!
Well, another long and rambling blog entry for you all. HI to my relatives! Hope everyone is healthy and staying warm!
Love and blessings!
Tina
ps I put some new links on the side of my blog. One of them is "This Little Light" (on the blog list) and it's Rachel's blog for orphan advocacy--check it out! Also, her other blog is there too-"Love is sugar free".
I had my 14th Herceptin infusion last Wed. (the 2nd). This one made me more tired than usual. I'm not sure why. I watched Brennan that afternoon, and thankfully Rich came home a little early from work to help out! The next day I made it to Bible Study at 9:30, but I was still really tired. And Friday I took mom to get groceries (she came home from Craig's on Wed. eve), still very tired! It even lasted into the weekend. Also, my stomach was a little upset, sort of gurgly, and moments of nausea. So, in 3 weeks, when I get my next one, I won't plan ANYTHING for the 2 or 3 days after. Except Bible study.
This Friday I have an ultrasound (for female troubles--some of which were caused by radiation--the gift that keeps on giving!), and the Mon. before my next Herceptin I have a CT scan (to make sure the colon cancer didn't spread anywhere) and a MUGA scan (for the heart to make sure the Herceptin isn't doing anymore damage). Sometime in April I will have a mammo and mri, and hopefully after all those tests I will be declared NED (No Evidence of Disease)!! That will be a happy day!!
Enough about me--Alyssa and Jaren are back from their mission trip. It was a good trip and they both enjoyed it. Alyssa took care of kids all week while the moms were in a Bible study (they used Beth Moore's Esther study), and Jaren helped pour concrete for the foundation of a new room. There were a few nights that they had a Marriage conference also. Both of them gave their testimony about their relationship, and Alyssa shared a bit of her testimony at the women's study. I am so very proud of them both!
Jaren is currently going to school to be a cop, while working for 2 of our nearby police departments as a Community Service Officer (CSO). He is still a member of the Nat'l Guard, and spends 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer with them. Hopefully no more trips to Iraq or Afghanistan! He is a busy boy!
Alyssa is still a cheerleading coach, and decided to continue doing it next year too. She loves the job and the girls she coaches! She finished her Assoc. degree in Bus. Management and is looking for a part time job (anyone need a great receptionist or office worker? She has great customer service skills!)
Rachel submitted all her paperwork to the country of her little boy. We are hoping it will be submitted to the judge (or whoever) on Thurs. Then about 2 weeks after that, if it is approved, she will be contacted with the date to go over there! We are getting closer! Rich and I will have Brennan here while Rachel and Ken are overseas. We need to get his room ready!
Sat. Rachel and Ken had the flu, and I had to take Rachel to the ER around 11 pm. She was getting very dehydrated. Also, being diabetic, that can be dangerous. So we went in and she got a couple of bags of fluids, they ran a few blood tests, and we got to go home. I got home a little after 3am. Needless to say, I didn't get up for church Sunday!(I did listen to the sermon online today--very good!) That really threw me off! I think I was either still feeling the effects of the Herceptin, or fighting off the flu myself. We went to Alyssa's for the Superbowl, but left before it was done because I wasn't feeling well. Still tired yesterday, but today I feel pretty good. Sadly, the Steelers lost.
We are trying to plan little trip to see Shonna in KC. We might go this weekend. We want to go see all the Harry Truman stuff in Independence, Mo. Rich and I toured his home about 20 years ago. Shonna is a history buff, like us, and would like to see it too. Her schedule is so busy that Sundays are about the only day she can do anything.
Mom and Dee are going to Mexico soon, for a vacation. I could go, but it's not something I want to spend money on. I'm saving my pennies for a Duluth vacation this summer on my birthday--remember I'm going to be cancer free for this birthday and I want to celebrate because the last 2 I was too sick!
Well, another long and rambling blog entry for you all. HI to my relatives! Hope everyone is healthy and staying warm!
Love and blessings!
Tina
ps I put some new links on the side of my blog. One of them is "This Little Light" (on the blog list) and it's Rachel's blog for orphan advocacy--check it out! Also, her other blog is there too-"Love is sugar free".
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Enjoying Lazy Days
What a busy time last week was! Thursday all the kids (3 girls and 2 spouses, and Brennan!) were here making cookies. The girls get together here every year to make sugar cookies. We do it the easy way and buy the Pillsbury dough, then shape them, bake, and decorate. Decorating is the highlight. I make butter cream frosting, and we have lots of sprinkles and such. Alyssa, my mom, and I did a little shopping while Rachel was making the cookies. When we got home Rich and Jaren were on the roof clearing off snow. Alyssa was driving and when she saw her hubby up there she squealed and covered her eyes. She didn't like seeing him up there--I hate it when Rich goes up there! Next thing you know, Alyssa is up on the roof too! Lots of prayers were said by me! Jaren jumped off into the huge pile of snow on the ground, after helping Alyssa down the ladder, and Rich carefully slid/jumped off! After the cookies were done, we all ate pizza for dinner, then the kids headed home. At the end of the day I was very tired, but very happy! I am always amazed at how God has blessed me with such wonderful kids!
Friday (Christmas Eve), we all went to church together at 2pm. We didn't go to Bridgewood, as their times didn't fit our schedule. We went to our former church, North Heights, and got to see some of their Christmas production. It was nice visiting there as they have wonderful productions, music, decorations and such, but I don't miss it. Bridgewood is home now. After church we had dinner (I make a simple spaghetti dinner) then we opened some presents. Our tradition is the girls open their presents to each other, and Rich and I open our presents to each other. When the kids were really little, Rich and I would open our gifts to each other after the girls went to bed, by the lights of the tree.
Christmas day started off with the kids coming back about 10am, and then they opened their stockings, we had cinnamon rolls, and they we opened the rest of our gifts. My big gift this year was my new laptop, which I got about a week earlier. Love it!! I also got a Chronological Bible from Rich. I plan to read through the Old Testament again, and I thought this might make more sense to me. We'll see. All the gifts Rachel bought for us this year were items that supported orphans, or the families trying to adopt them. She gave me a pretty necklace. Brennan was the highlight of the day. He would help rip open a present now and then, but never really cared what the gift was! He was happy and silly, and fun to watch! The kids all dispersed about noon, then we met up again later at my brother's house for the family get-together. We finished the day around 7:30 or 8.
On Sunday church had only one service at 10, so no sleeping in then either. Rich had to be there a little early in case they needed him for ushering. Alyssa, Rachel and I went shopping after church for some after Christmas sales.
Rich has this whole week off, and we have been doing a lot of shopping. Using gift cards, and getting things we need at good sale prices. I'm finding that going to more than one store at a time is too much for me, unless we are traveling between stores and I get a bit of a break in the car. If I get too tired, Rich will drop me off at the door and pick me up again. Sometimes I just need to find a spot to sit for a bit, or wait in the car and let Rich run in by himself. After we get home (usually late afternoon) I'm pretty much done for the day!
The mornings have been especially nice. I've been sleeping in, and taking it slow, and enjoying the mornings. Rich has been taking it easy too--he needs that. I'm glad he's getting some downtime. We head out around lunch time, get a bite to eat, then hit a few stores.
I was thinking this morning how much I am enjoying this break. I've been doing chemo, then rads (every day for 33 days!), then when radiation was done I so busy with Christmas stuff! So Monday was the first day in a loooong time that I could really take it easy and just do fun stuff, or whatever I wanted! So free feeling! Finally!
I've been very happy lately (although sometimes I'm sure I just look tired!). Some people get depressed after they are all done. There is such a whirlwind of activity for so many months, then it just all stops. While going through treatment you don't always have time to really think about things. Then when it's all over, you have too much time...and think too much. It's hard to understand if you haven't been through it. If you know someone who is going through cancer treatment, don't expect them to bounce back to "normal" right away. They may never be back to the "normal" that you expect them to be. They will be different; changed. And it may take them awhile to move on. Be patient, and just be there for them. And never tell them to "get over it"!!! You might get punched!
Although I have a little different perspective on things, I totally understand what others go through. And I can not say I never feel down or will never get depressed. Right now I am just grateful for each day God gives me. My life is in His hands. None of us know how long we have. Why waste time wishing for this or that? Just count your blessings. Do you have a roof over your head? Heat? Clothes? Food? Family and/or friends? Then you are truly rich and blessed! Help those that don't have those things. And pray for them.
Speaking of those that don't have much, the country that Rachel and Ken are adopting from are NOT closing the adoptions! Our prayers were answered! Things can always change though, and we won't rest too easy until we have that little boy home with us.
Shonna and friends are down in KC at the Onething convention. She'll be back on Sat. Which is Alyssa's birthday. Tomorrow we are watching Brennan for a little while in the afternoon. It's been awhile since I actually babysat him. We have a lot of new toys for him to play with!
Next Monday Rich goes back to work and I will try to put together some sort of schedule for myself. I need to get back to reading God's word, exercise, and make a "to-do" list. There are so many things I want to do, I need to list and prioritize them, or they won't get done! There are things that have been put off for 2 YEARS! :)
On the medical front, I have my next MUGA (heart function) scan next Thursday. Hoping and praying my heart function has increased with the new med I'm on so I can continue getting Herceptin. I will see the doc the following Wed.(the 12th) to discuss the results and hopefully get my next Herceptin infusion.
Time for bed!
Good night and God bless!
Tina
Friday (Christmas Eve), we all went to church together at 2pm. We didn't go to Bridgewood, as their times didn't fit our schedule. We went to our former church, North Heights, and got to see some of their Christmas production. It was nice visiting there as they have wonderful productions, music, decorations and such, but I don't miss it. Bridgewood is home now. After church we had dinner (I make a simple spaghetti dinner) then we opened some presents. Our tradition is the girls open their presents to each other, and Rich and I open our presents to each other. When the kids were really little, Rich and I would open our gifts to each other after the girls went to bed, by the lights of the tree.
Christmas day started off with the kids coming back about 10am, and then they opened their stockings, we had cinnamon rolls, and they we opened the rest of our gifts. My big gift this year was my new laptop, which I got about a week earlier. Love it!! I also got a Chronological Bible from Rich. I plan to read through the Old Testament again, and I thought this might make more sense to me. We'll see. All the gifts Rachel bought for us this year were items that supported orphans, or the families trying to adopt them. She gave me a pretty necklace. Brennan was the highlight of the day. He would help rip open a present now and then, but never really cared what the gift was! He was happy and silly, and fun to watch! The kids all dispersed about noon, then we met up again later at my brother's house for the family get-together. We finished the day around 7:30 or 8.
On Sunday church had only one service at 10, so no sleeping in then either. Rich had to be there a little early in case they needed him for ushering. Alyssa, Rachel and I went shopping after church for some after Christmas sales.
Rich has this whole week off, and we have been doing a lot of shopping. Using gift cards, and getting things we need at good sale prices. I'm finding that going to more than one store at a time is too much for me, unless we are traveling between stores and I get a bit of a break in the car. If I get too tired, Rich will drop me off at the door and pick me up again. Sometimes I just need to find a spot to sit for a bit, or wait in the car and let Rich run in by himself. After we get home (usually late afternoon) I'm pretty much done for the day!
The mornings have been especially nice. I've been sleeping in, and taking it slow, and enjoying the mornings. Rich has been taking it easy too--he needs that. I'm glad he's getting some downtime. We head out around lunch time, get a bite to eat, then hit a few stores.
I was thinking this morning how much I am enjoying this break. I've been doing chemo, then rads (every day for 33 days!), then when radiation was done I so busy with Christmas stuff! So Monday was the first day in a loooong time that I could really take it easy and just do fun stuff, or whatever I wanted! So free feeling! Finally!
I've been very happy lately (although sometimes I'm sure I just look tired!). Some people get depressed after they are all done. There is such a whirlwind of activity for so many months, then it just all stops. While going through treatment you don't always have time to really think about things. Then when it's all over, you have too much time...and think too much. It's hard to understand if you haven't been through it. If you know someone who is going through cancer treatment, don't expect them to bounce back to "normal" right away. They may never be back to the "normal" that you expect them to be. They will be different; changed. And it may take them awhile to move on. Be patient, and just be there for them. And never tell them to "get over it"!!! You might get punched!
Although I have a little different perspective on things, I totally understand what others go through. And I can not say I never feel down or will never get depressed. Right now I am just grateful for each day God gives me. My life is in His hands. None of us know how long we have. Why waste time wishing for this or that? Just count your blessings. Do you have a roof over your head? Heat? Clothes? Food? Family and/or friends? Then you are truly rich and blessed! Help those that don't have those things. And pray for them.
Speaking of those that don't have much, the country that Rachel and Ken are adopting from are NOT closing the adoptions! Our prayers were answered! Things can always change though, and we won't rest too easy until we have that little boy home with us.
Shonna and friends are down in KC at the Onething convention. She'll be back on Sat. Which is Alyssa's birthday. Tomorrow we are watching Brennan for a little while in the afternoon. It's been awhile since I actually babysat him. We have a lot of new toys for him to play with!
Next Monday Rich goes back to work and I will try to put together some sort of schedule for myself. I need to get back to reading God's word, exercise, and make a "to-do" list. There are so many things I want to do, I need to list and prioritize them, or they won't get done! There are things that have been put off for 2 YEARS! :)
On the medical front, I have my next MUGA (heart function) scan next Thursday. Hoping and praying my heart function has increased with the new med I'm on so I can continue getting Herceptin. I will see the doc the following Wed.(the 12th) to discuss the results and hopefully get my next Herceptin infusion.
Time for bed!
Good night and God bless!
Tina
Thursday, May 6, 2010
In a Holding Pattern
I still haven't made my decision yet--mastectomy (single or double), or another lumpectomy. I think I am leaning towards a mastectomy now--that's a BIG change from before. But we'll see.
My oldest brother called me the other day. Wanted to put his 2 cents in. He asked why wouldn't I do everything possible to make sure the cancer is gone and never comes back? Good question. He also shared some experiences others' have had, and that's always helpful. I think part of my problem is that cancer doesn't scare me anymore, but it should! I should be doing everything possible to be around to watch and help my girls become wives, mothers, or whatever God has for them. And watch my grandson become a Godly young man. And, HOPEFULLY, to see MORE grandchildren! And, of course, to grow old with the man I love.
On Tuesday I had a MUGA heart scan and an EKG. These tests are necessary to make sure heart function is good enough to handle the chemo I'll be getting. I'll get them throughout my treatment to make sure the drugs aren't damaging my heart. Those tests showed my heart is good to go!
Tomorrow I have a bone scan, 3 ct scans, and I'll have my drain tube pulled. I can't wait to get rid of it! I'm going to be a baby and take a pain pill before I go. Rich will drive me. Going to be a long day.
Monday I go back to work (guess I'll have to start wearing a bra again!). Tuesday I meet with my surgeon. I have lots of questions about different options for surgery, and reconstruction. Wednesday I meet with my oncologist to go over all my test results and talk about "the plan". I have lots of questions for him too--like what it means, exactly, to be HER2+, and is that +, ++, or +++ (apparently there's a difference). I think HER2 is a more aggressive cancer--should that make a difference in which surgery I should have? Am I at more risk for it to come back, and if it does, will it be aggressive and quick moving? [Shonna loves mama lots. ] Still have not gotten my genetic test results. I left a message for the genetic counselor, but I don't think she'll be back in before Tuesday. I really need to have those results to make my decision.
So, after all my appointments next week, I should be able to make my decision. I won't be having surgery or starting chemo until after May 23rd, so I'm thinking surgery will probably be Monday the 24th, or soon thereafter. I'll get 2 or 3 weeks to recover, then bring on the cancer killing poison!
Well, I see Shonna put her little message in the middle of my blog! Silly girl! I've been distracted by Brennan. So now I've forgotten everything else I was going to say! I guess I'll end here!
Love to all!
Tina
My oldest brother called me the other day. Wanted to put his 2 cents in. He asked why wouldn't I do everything possible to make sure the cancer is gone and never comes back? Good question. He also shared some experiences others' have had, and that's always helpful. I think part of my problem is that cancer doesn't scare me anymore, but it should! I should be doing everything possible to be around to watch and help my girls become wives, mothers, or whatever God has for them. And watch my grandson become a Godly young man. And, HOPEFULLY, to see MORE grandchildren! And, of course, to grow old with the man I love.
On Tuesday I had a MUGA heart scan and an EKG. These tests are necessary to make sure heart function is good enough to handle the chemo I'll be getting. I'll get them throughout my treatment to make sure the drugs aren't damaging my heart. Those tests showed my heart is good to go!
Tomorrow I have a bone scan, 3 ct scans, and I'll have my drain tube pulled. I can't wait to get rid of it! I'm going to be a baby and take a pain pill before I go. Rich will drive me. Going to be a long day.
Monday I go back to work (guess I'll have to start wearing a bra again!). Tuesday I meet with my surgeon. I have lots of questions about different options for surgery, and reconstruction. Wednesday I meet with my oncologist to go over all my test results and talk about "the plan". I have lots of questions for him too--like what it means, exactly, to be HER2+, and is that +, ++, or +++ (apparently there's a difference). I think HER2 is a more aggressive cancer--should that make a difference in which surgery I should have? Am I at more risk for it to come back, and if it does, will it be aggressive and quick moving? [Shonna loves mama lots. ] Still have not gotten my genetic test results. I left a message for the genetic counselor, but I don't think she'll be back in before Tuesday. I really need to have those results to make my decision.
So, after all my appointments next week, I should be able to make my decision. I won't be having surgery or starting chemo until after May 23rd, so I'm thinking surgery will probably be Monday the 24th, or soon thereafter. I'll get 2 or 3 weeks to recover, then bring on the cancer killing poison!
Well, I see Shonna put her little message in the middle of my blog! Silly girl! I've been distracted by Brennan. So now I've forgotten everything else I was going to say! I guess I'll end here!
Love to all!
Tina
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