Graduation - At Last

Today is a day that 6 months ago I thought would never come.  Time flies, doesn't it?      

                                  

Yup!  I finally graduated in my Chemotherapy treatments.  No more IV's.   I can say, though, that it was bitter sweet as I will truly miss the friends I've made at Harrison Oncology Poulsbo Campus.  The folks there have become very special, from the gals at the front desk all the way through to the wonderful RN's and my doctor Shirisha Jain. They all made my visits tolerable and I'd have to say we had some good laughs.  It's not over as I still 7 days worth of nasty pills and must return next Monday and Tuesday for my Neupogen shots to boost my white blood cells.  But, rest assured, the worst is over and I am one HAPPY CAMPER.  I will have a six week hiatus to rest my body and regain my strength then meet with the doctor regarding follow-on treatment which will include 5 years of some type of estrogen blocker pills, but I know it won't be Temoxifin as that is for younger women.  

Anyway it is a good day for me and I will enjoy it for what it is.

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Another subject:

During the past 5 weeks I have been taking a collage and assemblage class from Tess Sinclair at the Artist's Edge in Poulsbo.  We met every Thursday morning and this worked for me as the Artist's Edge is just up the street from me.  I really enjoyed the class and my classmates.   Tess was a really fun and generous teacher.  I will take another class from her next year.

Our first assignment was a "Shrine" of our choice.  Don't know why I chose "Mermaids" but here you go:

This is the finished piece as it hangs on my wall.  Following are some close-ups:

These are some shells I had in my collection along with white "sand" collected the other morning from Oyster Plant Park, just down the street from me.  It was a cold damp morning and after I collected it I brought it home and boiled it to kill the buggies and then dried it for a few hours in my oven.  No one liked my cooking that day. 

This is a fish that my wonderful Jack carved just before he died.  In back is a transparency that I printed from mermaid picture I found on the internet

This Mermaid is from a doll pattern I got from the wonderful Barbara Willis.  I've made and  mounted it a couple of times before but I had to shrink it to get it to fit this project.  The skirt fabric came from my friend Pamela Armas of Treasures of the Gypsies.  Shells from my collection and a treasure chest (just the right size) from my favorite shopping place, Amazon.com.

The tiny sand dollars were a gift from Tess Sinclair as was the "test tube" holding more sand from Oyster Plant Park,  The green bead in the corner came from a private collection of Lois Venarchick from the bead store in Port Townsend.

The top has a poem by Walter De La Mare called "Mermaid",  another internet find.  (sorry for the blurry photo)  The fibers are from my collection.  Sometimes it just pays to have "stuff".  If only it was better organized.

The whole thing measures about 13 x 14".  I love it and am glad to share it with you all.  

"It feels mighty fine to actually finish something, especially when I haven't been feeling so great", she said as she nimbly patted herself on the back. 

"Toot your own Horn"

122 Days and Counting.

But who's counting.  Just had my second IV of my 5th chemo cycle.  3 weeks left on this one and one 28 day cycle to go.  (please don't check my math) There will be much celebrating.  I'm doing OK but most days,  "Just OK".  My mornings seem to go pretty well but by 1 or 2 o'clock I'm finished for the day.  I've started taking vitamin B12 to hopefully help me get back some energy.  Actually, I thin it's starting to work.  That's a good thing.  Also taking more nausea pills.  That is helping also.

  

There are so many things I want to be doing.  I'm excited to be taking an art class at the Artist's Edge which is just up the street.  It lasts 5 weeks and we are creating "shrines".  Mine is about mermaids and the deep blue sea.  Hopefully I will be able to post a finished picture or two in a few weeks (if I get my homework done.)

So, my sister-in-law, the wonderful Jean, took me to Trader Joe's in Silverdale the other morning.  I had two great guys checking me out, one a regular checker and the other a manager.  As they were bagging my stuff they asked how my day was going.  I asked if they really wanted to know the truth and they said yes.  So, I proceeded to give them the whole story about chemo, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and lastly the fact that "they" had taken both my boobs off.  These guys were great.  They really cared and I felt such great empathy from them.  When I started out they wished me a great day and complete recovery.  Jean wasn't done shopping so I went to sit on the bench just inside the front door.  Suddenly appears the manager with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me.  Need less to say I cried and still tear up as I write this.  Amazing how a random act of kindness can change your perspective.  I already loved shopping there.  Now, I love it even more.  (No , this isn't and ad - well I guess it could be).

Here is a picture of something I did finish this past month.  As I walk each morning I am looking for s couple of nice feathers to add.  And - yes - I know that isn't Mr. Poe, but this guy was much better looking.  This is done on a board about 8"x10".  The base is painted with a house paint sample from Home Depot (love those things)  The little wood pieces on the edge came from my neighbor Glenn's scrap pile.  The shiny round things are furniture tacks. The Scrabble tiles are  from my huge collection of same.  The little piece of paper in the bottom right came from a stack of "spirit" paintings I did several years ago by randomly dropping paints and inks on paper (never throw anything away)  The rest is all papers and copies from my collection.  The birds eye is a stick on plastic thing from the hardware store.  Now I've given away all my secrets.  I'd like to do several of these and get them in my Etsy store.  All it takes is time.  Let me know if you have any theme ideas.

I'm also happy to report that the quilting machine is up and running again.  Yes, ladies, your quilts are actually going to get done, and soon if I have my way.  I can only work on it a couple of hours a day as my surgery is not completely healed, but I'm plugging away at it.

So, next time you hear from me I should be either done with my treatments or really close.  Can't tell you how much I am looking to get back to normal (whatever that is).  My first project will be joining a fitness and nutrition group sponsored by Poulsbo Cancer Care.  This is a new program for folks who have finished treatment.  They've learned that just 10 pounds can make a difference in recurrence and prevention of cancer.  The program includes fitness, nutrition, yoga and meditation.  I'm very excited about getting out there and getting back in shape after the last few years of taking care of Jack and now myself.  

Here's to a great next few weeks.  If you get close, give me call and come visit.

Halfway Through Chemo

Well, time does fly by, doesn't it?  

    After I returned from RFKC I was really tired, as was to be expected, but as days went by I realized that I wasn't feeling any better.  By Tuesday I was pretty much exhausted and when I went to see my doctor (surgeon) and looked at the stairs leading up to her office, I made a beeline for the elevator.  I've never done that before.  Because my doctor deals with cancer patients all the time I discussed my fatigue with her and we decided I needed to go immediately for a blood test.  So, I went to my oncologist's office for the test and discovered that  my blood counts were way below safe.  I was immediately given a shot of Neupogen and scheduled for another the next day.  These shots are given in two's and boost the bone marrow activity in order to grow white blood cells rapidly.  The mail side effect of the shots is bone pain and I did get a little of that which was quickly remedied with Tylenol. 

    Meanwhile I was scheduled to go to Fiddle Workshop in Kittitas (next to Ellensburg) the following week, but because I was nervous about being around so many people and children (actually they are the same) in small spaces and the chance of infection, I opted to skip workshop for this year.  My fiddle teacher, Stuart Williams, did send me the materials I needed and I pledged to learn at least some of the tunes this summer.  It was hard to know all my friends were there and I wasn't, but I just have to know that next year I will be up and running full steam and healthy.

    Now that we know that my blood cells will drop, I am already scheduled for my shots next week.  And next Sunday I will leave for one week at the Centralia Old Time Music Campout.  Needless to say I'm really looking forward to seeing old friends and playing lots of tunes In the fresh air.  I will have my trailer there so I can fix my own food and sleep whenever I need to.  Comforts of home.

    Apart form the chemotherapy stuff, my body is healing well from the mastectomy and reconstruction.  Hard to believe that started only four months ago.  Still some cosmetic work to be done there, but that isn't for a couple of months and will be done under local anesthetic in my doctor's office.  After all the other stuff that is no big deal.

    So, every day is a gift, and each morning I arise with no expectations except to do whatever comes along as I feel up to it and sleep as much as I need to.  I am looking forward to the end of this chapter, but I am ready to face whatever comes my way.

Royal Family Kids Camp

I just returned from 6 amazing days ministering to 29 abused and abandoned children from the Washington State Foster Care system.  Our church (Gateway Fellowship) has sponsored this camp for 20 years and I am one of 5 who have not missed a year.  It is a grueling 6 days of labors of love for these kids.  They are with us 24/7, from Monday through Friday.  The work that they see is great.  The work that goes on behind the scenes is amazing.  Generally each counselor is responsible for 2 children; some just one, depending on the need.  So with 29 kids we had 16 counselors and some 30-35 additional staff people on any given day.  It is a huge undertaking.  My job is to coordinate the staff and make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time.  Luckily there are many "self-starters".

I was truly blessed this year as I was unable to do any real physical work (lifting and hauling) due to my recent surgeries.  The good news is that it was the first week of two of no chemo.  I still had some nausea but most of all I was just tired out by the afternoon.  Most days I managed to get a short nap in but didn't sleep well at night.  My first day home was spent sleeping and trying to get the laundry done.

I am grateful for the privilege of serving these children, many of whom have been badly abused by some adult(s) somewhere.  They all carry the scars, physical and emotional.  I am thankful for my childhood of security and love.

My prayer is that some day there will be no need for Foster Care, as all children will be raised in a safe and loving home.

Part of the activities include a play every day.

I'm in the middle as Lady Liberty

 

Feeling Good

I'm almost through my second week of my second chemotherapy regimen and I'm feeling really good.  Other than some dry skin (I've got a lot of skin) I have had almost no side effects.    Actually I feel better than I've felt for a couple of years - since before Jack was diagnosed with brain cancer.  And, HURRAY, the sun has finally come to the northwest.  My surgery is healing nicely and quickly.  The doctor is very pleased.  I'm still not as physically fit as I plan to be, but everyday I'm doing something to help that.   Gotta go at it slowly.  Don't want to "bust" anything. Working in the yard has been wonderful and the yard is actually starting to look like a place I'd like to spend time.  My sister-in-law, Jean, and I have made a commitment to walk at least three mornings a week.  When the weather is good it's easy to do.  Also, I plan to utilize the elliptical machine that is sitting like an "elephant" in the middle of my living room more every day.  Thank you Marcia!  

So there's a short update.  Today I'm off to meetings and an afternoon at Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend with my Chele friend.  Looking forward to visiting with friends we haven't seen since last summer!
Hugs

Thursday

Just to prove that I'm doing "something" here are some pictures of my current endeavors.

This is my finished piece from the Class I took with Celeste Simon when I was in New Mexico last fall.  The actual size is 24"x24".  The base is a game board.  Others in the class used a solid board, but because I was traveling I used a Monopoly board that easily divided into 4 pieces to fit in my suitcase.  When I got home I engineered another board for the layer behind and a third piece of foam board to hold the whole thing together.

My favorite is the accordion fold "book of birds" that is along the top.  It is removable.

It took me quite a while to finish this, but I am very happy with it.

Music to My Ears

 This is a page I worked on this past week, just for the fun of it.  It is about 10"x10".  I have a table set up in my living room so I can sit and play art whenever the mood strikes.

The close-ups are a little blurry, but you can get the idea.

Note to self: Learn to use your camera.

 

12 Days After Surgery

Can't believe it's been only 12 days since my second "big " surgery.  (and last).  From here it is strictly cosmetic and will not happen for about 3 more months.  We need to be sure everything is completely healed and there is no more swelling, etc.  in order to be sure everything gets in the right place.  I'm feeling very good.  The doctor is pleased with my healing progress and as of tomorrow I am done with the "compression" garments.  It hasn't been bad but it's been a challenge.  The whole process had been a challenge, but knowing the cancer is removed is a big step toward peace of mind.

I started another round of chemotherapy on Monday.  I was quite anxious going in as my last time had been so miserable.  So far this round is going great.  I have a new prescription for nausea and it seems to be working so far.  I got through yesterday with flying colors.  Got a lot done and still didn't need much of a nap.  Now that my surgery is healing, I'm not so tired.

I did have one little adventure on Monday.  When I left the doctor's office I had to stop at Group Health to pick up the new prescription for nausea meds.  When I locked my car and got out I thought it odd that I heard a car running nearby.  Wouldn't you know - it was mine.  Car running, keys inside.   Not good.  I did however have my cell phone in my pocked so before I even went in I summoned my wonderful sister-in-law and she sped to my house, picked up my keys and had them to me almost before my prescription was ready.  Hooray!  And thanks for small towns.  The Oncology office is actually within walking distance and Group Health is about halfway between.

So my chemo schedule is back on - two weeks on, two weeks off.  On the Mondays I go to the Oncology for a blood test, doctor visit and IV drip.  The whole thing takes about two hours.  For the entire 14 days I take oral chemo at home each morning during breakfast.  The secret to the whole thing is keeping food in my stomach.  I have to eat every two hours as well as take the nausea pills in order to not get feeling sick.  Also I have to drink lots of water.  I'm used to eating when I'm hungry and drinking when I'm thirsty so it's hard to do it on a "schedule".  But I have to remember this is only temporary and when it is all over I will be cancer free and ready to get on with life.

I am grateful every day that my cancer was caught at a stage where it was "easy" to deal with.  I have so many people who are really suffering from treatments and know that I am truly blessed.  Also, I have wonderful friends and family who have been so helpful and supportive.  Once again - Thank You All.