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.

Surgery Tomorrow

   I got real nervous about my blood counts. and my doctor and I decided it was better to know ahead of time if I was OK for surgery.  Neither of us wanted to find out the day of the surgery that I wasn't ready. So, I went yesterday and had a quick test done and was thrilled to find out that my counts are way back up again.  That means I'm off to surgery tomorrow morning (June 15th).  This surgery is to remove the "expanders" and place in the "real" silicone boobs.  I've also asked him to do a little tweeking here and there so I will have more incision than originally planned.  I figure that if this is my final chance to make it like I want it, I should take advantage of the situation.

   It will be a "day" surgery.  Much less invasive that the first one that removed everything. That means I will be out of the hospital in the afternoon.  I will go to my sister-in-law's for at least the first 24 hours, then home to my house hopefully Saturday evening or at the latest on Sunday.  I figure that since I'm going to be sitting around doing nothing I may as well be doing it at my own place.  This time I plan to take the pain meds for as long as I need, so if you talk to me please don't hold me to anything that I say :).  

   Thanks to everyone for all the cards, flowers, emails, prayers, calls and visits.  Each and everyone is greatly loved and appreciated.

   I will try to post again as soon as possible next week.

Hugs

A Little Set Back

Went for my chemo appointment yesterday morning and my blood test showed that my white blood cells are too low for the treatment.   So, because of that and my surgery on the 15^th my next round of chemo has been put off until the 25^th of June.  This will give me plenty of time for the whites to get strong before the surgery.  They need to be in good shape to help the healing happen.  They know what they are doing so I have to just go along even if it messes up my summer even more.  Also, because of my reaction to the drugs they may decide to lessen my dosage.  That’s ok too.

I had already taken my first day of oral drugs at home so I felt ugly all day anyway,  I guess I now know that it’s the orals that make me “uncomfortable”.

So now I am looking forward to several more days of feeling better before the  surgery.  I’ve actually got a good start on a couple of fun art projects and made the final addition to my piece from the class I took in New Mexico in September.  Hope to get pictures tomorrow.  Also have a couple of quilts I’d like to quilted done before my surgery.  So that’s a little update.

Hugs and all to you all

Karen