Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Spring Surprise!
On Saturday morning I was in the kitchen about to cook breakfast and heard a knock at the door. I went to the door and there stood my Ponderosa Family once again with a big surprise. They were here to beautify my yard!!! And to see this is the way their kids spend their time on spring break to help and bless others, were amazing. They were very hard at work. They cleaned flowerbeds, planted flowers, palm trees, and beautified two areas in the yard with a truck load of flowers! They even scheduled a professional lawn crew to come cut, edge and trim. They did a great job also. When I look out my kitchen window I see all these beautiful flowers and that puts a big smile on my face. Thanks so much to the Wyndham's, Reed's, Ransom's and the Schmidt's. Here is a photo of some of their beautiful hard work. Enjoy!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Results
Hi yall! Today is a great day! Thanks for praying for me.
This past Tuesday was a long day. Sham and I arrived at MDA at 11:00 for my 11:20 visit to see Dr. Ibrahim. They called us right on back, surprisingly not a long wait at all. Guess he was anxious to deliver my good report he had for me. First of all I have this awesome nurse name Kris. She's a sweetie and she always encourage me to bring along my good luck charm, my sister...Shamarion. Yes she has earned that title, LOL. Anyway...my tumor marker numbers were stable this time around still hanging around the 60's. The Dr said that's nothing to be alarmed about as long as the numbers don't shoot up by ten points. The CT scan came out really good. No new areas were seen and my liver is looking good also. They did see some healing of lesions on my sternum which is good to know. Who knows all the lesions on my bones may all be gone one day. Let's pray about that too. The echo-cardiogram looks normal which is a good thing. One of the meds Herceptin sometimes affects the heart. I have been on that since the beginning and so far my heart still looks normal and is functioning well. I have a couple of nails that act like they want to lift, but are hanging on. The nurse said they looked really good, but not to me. She said she has seen worse. My feet are cracky, my skin is just really dry these days and the cold weather is not helping either. Well when it was time for my chemo, we didn't get so lucky to get right in. The IV team was backed up and the beds were all full, so we had to wait for a while for a room. Oh, I almost forgot...my magnesium was a little low, so Dr I put in orders to administer magnesium along with my chemo. Magnesium numbers should range from 1.8 to 2.6, mine was a little low hanging around 1.6. It was a 2 hour drip added to the already 3 hours of chemo and that took us to around 7 p.m. and we were home at around 8 p.m.
It's really weird how after my chemo I am in speed mode. It's the premed steroid that they give me before the chemo starts to help with side affects. Well yesterday I spent all day in the kitchen. For some reason I miss being in the kitchen. I miss chopping and stirring and whipping up stuff. So when I'm feeling like it, I go for it. So yesterday I whipped up this mexican dip with refried beans, avacados, sour cream, olives and cheese. I made enchiladas from a recipe I ran across in a magazine, I made my husband a pot of pinto beans and sausage which he has been wanting for a while. I baked cookies for the kids dessert. I didn't take a nap all day. I actually stayed up and finished my income taxes and before you know it, it was 2:30 in the morning. So I turned off the tv and the computer took a long 30 minute shower got in bed and I'm guessing I fell asleep around 3:30. Today the steroid affect is almost gone. I'm feeling a little sluggish and not much of an appetite. Assata is at home sick again today and I'm trying to stay upbeat for her to care for her. Hopefully she will feel better on tomorrow and she can head back to school.
Oh, almost forgot this bit of info...I did ask the question how much longer will I be on chemo. Well the answer I got was, "we will not put a number or time, just keep watching things as we go, it's important to keep the numbers from going up." The goal is for the numbers to be 35 or below. However, with my breast cancer being a Stage IV, I could always be on some type of medication for maintenance, being that it is labeled as a chronic disease. So let's pray that away too prayer warriors.
Thanks again and I will write to you soon. I will try to do better with updates. I know I'm a little slow.
Keep the prayers coming. Love yall!
This past Tuesday was a long day. Sham and I arrived at MDA at 11:00 for my 11:20 visit to see Dr. Ibrahim. They called us right on back, surprisingly not a long wait at all. Guess he was anxious to deliver my good report he had for me. First of all I have this awesome nurse name Kris. She's a sweetie and she always encourage me to bring along my good luck charm, my sister...Shamarion. Yes she has earned that title, LOL. Anyway...my tumor marker numbers were stable this time around still hanging around the 60's. The Dr said that's nothing to be alarmed about as long as the numbers don't shoot up by ten points. The CT scan came out really good. No new areas were seen and my liver is looking good also. They did see some healing of lesions on my sternum which is good to know. Who knows all the lesions on my bones may all be gone one day. Let's pray about that too. The echo-cardiogram looks normal which is a good thing. One of the meds Herceptin sometimes affects the heart. I have been on that since the beginning and so far my heart still looks normal and is functioning well. I have a couple of nails that act like they want to lift, but are hanging on. The nurse said they looked really good, but not to me. She said she has seen worse. My feet are cracky, my skin is just really dry these days and the cold weather is not helping either. Well when it was time for my chemo, we didn't get so lucky to get right in. The IV team was backed up and the beds were all full, so we had to wait for a while for a room. Oh, I almost forgot...my magnesium was a little low, so Dr I put in orders to administer magnesium along with my chemo. Magnesium numbers should range from 1.8 to 2.6, mine was a little low hanging around 1.6. It was a 2 hour drip added to the already 3 hours of chemo and that took us to around 7 p.m. and we were home at around 8 p.m.
It's really weird how after my chemo I am in speed mode. It's the premed steroid that they give me before the chemo starts to help with side affects. Well yesterday I spent all day in the kitchen. For some reason I miss being in the kitchen. I miss chopping and stirring and whipping up stuff. So when I'm feeling like it, I go for it. So yesterday I whipped up this mexican dip with refried beans, avacados, sour cream, olives and cheese. I made enchiladas from a recipe I ran across in a magazine, I made my husband a pot of pinto beans and sausage which he has been wanting for a while. I baked cookies for the kids dessert. I didn't take a nap all day. I actually stayed up and finished my income taxes and before you know it, it was 2:30 in the morning. So I turned off the tv and the computer took a long 30 minute shower got in bed and I'm guessing I fell asleep around 3:30. Today the steroid affect is almost gone. I'm feeling a little sluggish and not much of an appetite. Assata is at home sick again today and I'm trying to stay upbeat for her to care for her. Hopefully she will feel better on tomorrow and she can head back to school.
Oh, almost forgot this bit of info...I did ask the question how much longer will I be on chemo. Well the answer I got was, "we will not put a number or time, just keep watching things as we go, it's important to keep the numbers from going up." The goal is for the numbers to be 35 or below. However, with my breast cancer being a Stage IV, I could always be on some type of medication for maintenance, being that it is labeled as a chronic disease. So let's pray that away too prayer warriors.
Thanks again and I will write to you soon. I will try to do better with updates. I know I'm a little slow.
Keep the prayers coming. Love yall!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Coming up...round seven!
Hello everyone! Yes I know it's been a while. I've missed you! Round seven of chemotherpy is coming up on March 5. Echocardiogram, CT scan, xray, and blood work is scheduled for Friday March 1. Praying all scans produce good results. Since I last posted, my body has gone through a lot of changes. My hair is all gone, my nails are sensitive to touch and may be lifting soon and I may lose a couple...ouch! The doctor recommends soaking my nails in vinegar and water to help with the healing process...stinky!! My feet are darker and my toenails are looking funny and has this funny looking color. I'm expecting them to pop up and off too. So I will not be sporting sandals or flip flops anytime soon. Love my flip flops and will miss them dearly! I have lost 46 pounds which feels great to have off. Praying I'm able to maintain the pounds off when I'm all done. Some of you may be wondering when that will be. Well...me too. My tumor markers are still going downward according to the last vist. They started at 147 and they are now at 64. Dr Ibrahim say that our goal is to get to the thirties. So in a few days we will see where we are.
Before I go...I just have to say THANKS to those of you who have brought hot meals by, gifts, sent cards filled with encouraging words and funds to help us out as needed. And many thanks to my church family who watches over our children and encourage them when I'm not in attendance. Miss you all much! More thanks for the phone calls, emails and text messages of encouragement and visits that I receive from time to time. Thank God for family, friends, my church family and my neighborhood family. Love yall much and you are a blessing to us.
Before I go...I just have to say THANKS to those of you who have brought hot meals by, gifts, sent cards filled with encouraging words and funds to help us out as needed. And many thanks to my church family who watches over our children and encourage them when I'm not in attendance. Miss you all much! More thanks for the phone calls, emails and text messages of encouragement and visits that I receive from time to time. Thank God for family, friends, my church family and my neighborhood family. Love yall much and you are a blessing to us.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Gearing Up for Round Two
It's one week before my second round of chemotherapy and I'm fired up and ready to go! My energy level is up and I'm trying to get it all in.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Day Two After Chemo
Good morning friends and family!
Last night was good and I rested well. Today is going good. I'm experiencing a few hot flashes, but they are tolerable.
This morning, I got up and did my usual baking for my daily delivery and Frederick was the delivery guy for the day. Got the kids up and out. For breakfast I juiced a big glass of green juice and ate oatmeal, blueberries walnuts and cinnamon for breakfast. Yummy! I sure missed my butter and brown sugar LOL. Yep, I on a mission to cut out sugar.
Yesterday when I got home I found this package lying by my door. It was a book entitled Healing The Gerson Way. Thank you Gigi! So I'm about to curl up on the couch and read it. I truly think it's all about what we put into our bodies...even when that big fat juicy cheeseburger is calling your name...LOL. Veggie burgers are an option and you can make them taste just as good.
Until next time...
Last night was good and I rested well. Today is going good. I'm experiencing a few hot flashes, but they are tolerable.
This morning, I got up and did my usual baking for my daily delivery and Frederick was the delivery guy for the day. Got the kids up and out. For breakfast I juiced a big glass of green juice and ate oatmeal, blueberries walnuts and cinnamon for breakfast. Yummy! I sure missed my butter and brown sugar LOL. Yep, I on a mission to cut out sugar.
Yesterday when I got home I found this package lying by my door. It was a book entitled Healing The Gerson Way. Thank you Gigi! So I'm about to curl up on the couch and read it. I truly think it's all about what we put into our bodies...even when that big fat juicy cheeseburger is calling your name...LOL. Veggie burgers are an option and you can make them taste just as good.
Until next time...
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Day One of My New Treatment...Chemotherapy
It's been a long day. We arrived at MDA at 9:00 a.m. and didn't get a room until 12:30p.m. Sham & I sat in the lobby for a while sitting and talking. We even met a nice lady from Hillister, Texas...imagine that. Hillister is a little town near Jasper for those of you that don't know. She was there battling lung cancer and has been for six years. Also she mentioned she has had two other cancers and that she has been getting treated for cancer since 2003. Yikes...and we think we have it bad at times.
I had a very good and thorough nurse today. Her name was Jodi and she was awesome. When she stuck my veins I didn't feel a pinch. Yay! She took her time at everything and explained everything to the T.
My meds were administered in a time frame of 3 hours. The Pertuzamab which lasted about an hour was tolerated well. Then I was given a 15 min dose of Steroids to help counter act any reactions with the Taxotere (Taxol). Then I received a dose of Herceptin which I've been since beginning treatments for 30 minutes, then came the Taxotere. This is the one I had to fight through. I had minor reactions with this one, but nothing that I had to call in extra meds for. I was feeling a littly itch for a few minutes and at one point my throat was feeling like it wanted to close. Got through that fine and then my final dose was Zometa, which I've been taking all alone. It was for 15 minutes. In between all this I made about ten trips to the restroom, because I drank plenty of juice and water before I arrived.
My first day of Chemo was not so bad after all. I'm praying the days ahead are much of the same. I just finished a delicious organic salad and a discussion with my kids about my day. They have so many questions...and I answer all of them. So Assata just told me "it's time to go rest now mommy" so I'm on my way to a warm shower and then to bed.
I had a very good and thorough nurse today. Her name was Jodi and she was awesome. When she stuck my veins I didn't feel a pinch. Yay! She took her time at everything and explained everything to the T.
My meds were administered in a time frame of 3 hours. The Pertuzamab which lasted about an hour was tolerated well. Then I was given a 15 min dose of Steroids to help counter act any reactions with the Taxotere (Taxol). Then I received a dose of Herceptin which I've been since beginning treatments for 30 minutes, then came the Taxotere. This is the one I had to fight through. I had minor reactions with this one, but nothing that I had to call in extra meds for. I was feeling a littly itch for a few minutes and at one point my throat was feeling like it wanted to close. Got through that fine and then my final dose was Zometa, which I've been taking all alone. It was for 15 minutes. In between all this I made about ten trips to the restroom, because I drank plenty of juice and water before I arrived.
My first day of Chemo was not so bad after all. I'm praying the days ahead are much of the same. I just finished a delicious organic salad and a discussion with my kids about my day. They have so many questions...and I answer all of them. So Assata just told me "it's time to go rest now mommy" so I'm on my way to a warm shower and then to bed.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
A New Phase While On The Journey
The day is October 15, 2012 and I'm waiting patiently for Dr. Ibrahim to come in to see me and reveal the results of all my test taken the day before. He comes in and examines me and casually tells me that my cancer has spread to my liver. There are two small lesions on my liver. Not what I wanted to hear! I think I shed one tear maybe while Sham sat in the background with her tablet writing down every word he said. So it's time to change up things and get ready for a new treatment that's suppose to make me feel very bad. My new meds are a concoction of Taxol, Pertuzamub, continuing Herceptin & Zometa. It's my new "state of the art" plan as Dr. Ibrahim describes it and it takes about two hours to administer and I will go every three weeks. They scheduled me in four days for this treatment. I get home and realize all this stuff I have to do so I called them to change it to the 30th of October. So on tomorrow I will be taking chemo. I will try to update you all on how I feel each day.
After tonight I'm ready for the fight. Tonight A prayer conference call was held in my honor, so for now at this moment I'm all prayed up. It was so uplifting to hear all the voices on the line. The feeling was great! It was so very touching to be able to sit and listen alone with my husband and the kids to my brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, nieces, nephews & friends praying, singing & encouraging me and my family. All of this was done in the name of love and I felt it. I couldn't help but shed a few tears throughout the whole thing. So I am going to bed right now with a smile on my face and a good feeling in my heart.
Good night!
After tonight I'm ready for the fight. Tonight A prayer conference call was held in my honor, so for now at this moment I'm all prayed up. It was so uplifting to hear all the voices on the line. The feeling was great! It was so very touching to be able to sit and listen alone with my husband and the kids to my brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, nieces, nephews & friends praying, singing & encouraging me and my family. All of this was done in the name of love and I felt it. I couldn't help but shed a few tears throughout the whole thing. So I am going to bed right now with a smile on my face and a good feeling in my heart.
Good night!
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