Feeling bloated today. I retained about 5 lbs. of liquid. The nurses put me on lasiks (sp. ?) which made the bathroom and me friends. Done by 2:00 pm and Michael was waiting for me at the door.
Lisa made dinner and Mike cleaned up. A relaxing day today.
Gonna work on my newsletter for "On the Bus with Betsy B!" for the Senior Ministry since I can do that sitting down at the computer.
Keep those prayers coming.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday, February 27
Second day of chemo for the long week. Arrived at 9:00 a.m. Shortly thereafter the chemo began. No problems.
Around 11:00 a.m. I met a young woman who had Ewings Sarcoma like me, but it was in her sinus under her eye. She was pregnant with twins and they had to take the twins early so she could start treatment. Today was her six month check-up and she is cancer free. Her mother told me I'm in the best place to be for treatment, how everyone was so nice AND THEY CERTAINLY ARE.
Neighbor Jeannette picked me up at 1:30 and brought us Baked Ziti for dinner. Hope it tastes as good as it looks (my taste buds I mean). She's a wonderful cook.
Well, I'm ready for a power nap. See y'all.
Around 11:00 a.m. I met a young woman who had Ewings Sarcoma like me, but it was in her sinus under her eye. She was pregnant with twins and they had to take the twins early so she could start treatment. Today was her six month check-up and she is cancer free. Her mother told me I'm in the best place to be for treatment, how everyone was so nice AND THEY CERTAINLY ARE.
Neighbor Jeannette picked me up at 1:30 and brought us Baked Ziti for dinner. Hope it tastes as good as it looks (my taste buds I mean). She's a wonderful cook.
Well, I'm ready for a power nap. See y'all.
February 26 - First Long Day of Chemo
Arrived at 8:30 for my appointment to see my chemo doctor. The nurses accessed my port and took the usual vitals. One of the ports was still hurting by the time I got to the doctor. It felt like the needle was still be inserted or inserted in the wrong place. Dr. Hartner said they would have another nurse reinsert it as he didn't want me to be in any pain whatsoever. He did say that the lump on my foot wouldn't necessarily go down in size, but just get softer.
Came home around 3:30 and just dozed off for awhile. No nausea. Good appetite though, but not all things tasted the same. Good day.
Came home around 3:30 and just dozed off for awhile. No nausea. Good appetite though, but not all things tasted the same. Good day.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Friday, February 23
When I awoke this day, there was energy abounding in me. I took Michael to school that morning. Upon arriving home, I felt like the old Betsy again. I started straightening up the house, putting away my overnight bag, putting newspapers away, going through the mail, putting things in recycling, putting dishes in the dishwasher, folding throws that go over the chairs and couches. I could bend over without hurting. I ended up being 1/2 hour late for work, but the house looked great. I even felt like putting earrings on for work!
Lauren was coming down from Hoboken on her way to visit friends in VA for the weekend. They were leaving their cars here. I called her and chatted in my silent wispy voice how excited I was to have this energy again. She said, "OK Mom, I'm glad you're feeling better, but its just a house." I was feeling good to want to get things done.
After a very productive day at work, I came home to a quiet, neat house which is relaxing for me. Paul and I went out to Saladworks for dinner and then Sam's Club to get some things for the week ahead for my long week of chemo.
Tomorrow will be wash day. And wig day. My daughter Lisa and I are going to visit some stores to check out the prospects.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. Thanks so much again for the cards, the many prayers and kind words of encouragement to see me through this time of recovery.
Lauren was coming down from Hoboken on her way to visit friends in VA for the weekend. They were leaving their cars here. I called her and chatted in my silent wispy voice how excited I was to have this energy again. She said, "OK Mom, I'm glad you're feeling better, but its just a house." I was feeling good to want to get things done.
After a very productive day at work, I came home to a quiet, neat house which is relaxing for me. Paul and I went out to Saladworks for dinner and then Sam's Club to get some things for the week ahead for my long week of chemo.
Tomorrow will be wash day. And wig day. My daughter Lisa and I are going to visit some stores to check out the prospects.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. Thanks so much again for the cards, the many prayers and kind words of encouragement to see me through this time of recovery.
February 22 - A New Day
Having been given Previcid the previous day, I awoke on Thursday from a terrible interrupted sleep in the hospital. My roommate, an older woman, liked the room warm. When the nurse came in at 2 a.m. for an EKG, I thought I was down in the Bahamas with Anna Nicole's entourage. It was stifling. The nurse said the temperature was 85 and turned it down.
When they came in at 6:00 a.m. to weigh my roommate with the creakiest scale possible in this world, the room was still warm. They checked my vitals and afterward I decided to get up and rinse my mouth and take a walk.
What is this feeling? I felt renewed! No pain! And at the first words that I spoke to the nurse,
NO VOICE. Now many of you know me that I'M not a person of few words, as when I'm feeling good I'm like a parrot chattering away. But NO VOICE. Aagh!
I wasn't allowed to have anything to eat after 12 midnight since I was having two tests that morning. By 9:30 a.m. the great wheelchair assistant took me to the basement for a stress test and the MUG scan. There was a woman there who used to come to South Jersey when she was little. We started conversing and I thought my voice was starting to come back. By the time she and I were done with our tests, I guess it started going downhill again.
Back to my room at 1:30 p.m., I was now allowed to eat. All the nurses brought to me was 2 packs of saltines, 1 graham cracker and 2 small cups of cranberry juice. Not having anything since dinner the night before, I devoured them as well as the cookies Mike and Lisa brought over the night before when they brought my overnight bag to me. They couldn't get me a lunch tray!
By 3:15 pm after seeing the cardiologist and saying that my pains were not heart related, that all the tests came back negative, that the blood flows perfectly fine through my heart, that my heart is in good shape, I was allowed to go home. Then Dr. Hartner (chemo doc) came and said that my heart was in good shape to take the chemo, that the pains were probably intestinal, I was allowed to go home. Some other doctor whom I had seen in the ER, but never got his name nor understood him most of the time, came and said I could go home.
Paul called at 4:00 pm (when he gets off work) and wanted to know when I was leaving there. He had an errand to run. I told him to do the errand and when I thought it was getting close, I'd call. By 6 pm all but the nurse had signed the release form. Low and behold, the dinner plate arrived. There was no way I was leaving this hospital without eating my dinner since I didn't get breakfast and lunch. Paul and Michael arrived shortly thereafter and watched me eat my one meal of the day. Within the next 30 minutes, the nurse and I concluded our relationship.
I was on my way home.
When they came in at 6:00 a.m. to weigh my roommate with the creakiest scale possible in this world, the room was still warm. They checked my vitals and afterward I decided to get up and rinse my mouth and take a walk.
What is this feeling? I felt renewed! No pain! And at the first words that I spoke to the nurse,
NO VOICE. Now many of you know me that I'M not a person of few words, as when I'm feeling good I'm like a parrot chattering away. But NO VOICE. Aagh!
I wasn't allowed to have anything to eat after 12 midnight since I was having two tests that morning. By 9:30 a.m. the great wheelchair assistant took me to the basement for a stress test and the MUG scan. There was a woman there who used to come to South Jersey when she was little. We started conversing and I thought my voice was starting to come back. By the time she and I were done with our tests, I guess it started going downhill again.
Back to my room at 1:30 p.m., I was now allowed to eat. All the nurses brought to me was 2 packs of saltines, 1 graham cracker and 2 small cups of cranberry juice. Not having anything since dinner the night before, I devoured them as well as the cookies Mike and Lisa brought over the night before when they brought my overnight bag to me. They couldn't get me a lunch tray!
By 3:15 pm after seeing the cardiologist and saying that my pains were not heart related, that all the tests came back negative, that the blood flows perfectly fine through my heart, that my heart is in good shape, I was allowed to go home. Then Dr. Hartner (chemo doc) came and said that my heart was in good shape to take the chemo, that the pains were probably intestinal, I was allowed to go home. Some other doctor whom I had seen in the ER, but never got his name nor understood him most of the time, came and said I could go home.
Paul called at 4:00 pm (when he gets off work) and wanted to know when I was leaving there. He had an errand to run. I told him to do the errand and when I thought it was getting close, I'd call. By 6 pm all but the nurse had signed the release form. Low and behold, the dinner plate arrived. There was no way I was leaving this hospital without eating my dinner since I didn't get breakfast and lunch. Paul and Michael arrived shortly thereafter and watched me eat my one meal of the day. Within the next 30 minutes, the nurse and I concluded our relationship.
I was on my way home.
Feb. 21 - A bend in the road
Sorry I haven't posted anything since Feb. 15, but things were going somewhat placid till this past Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Although the previous Saturday I did have stomach pains which I thought were attributable to (a) hunger (didn't feel like eating much); (b) constipation or just a slight feeling of just not feeling quite up to par, I brushed it off and just stayed around home, not even feeling like doing my cross-stitch.
Went to work on Monday and Tuesday (I was tired of the house by then), I finished up Tuesday with a rush to get the bi-monthly newsletter done before the committee comes in on Wednesday morning to mail it. Later that night-- when I was attending the Fashion Show for Paul VI at Adelphia's to catch Michael's modeling debut -- with Lauren, my niece Allison, and my brother sitting in for my sister-in-law Lori, who became sick that day and couldn't attend, I started to getting a dull ache in my chest just below the breast bone.
It seemed to subside after eating dinner. During the time of the modeling, the pain started up again and thought it was indigestion. Took several TUMS which I had on hand, but that didn't seem to help. Patiently waiting through the awarding of 106 Chinese Auction baskets with no winning of any of them at our table, the tightening didn't go away. Finally when our table won the 50/50 of $675. (an easier package to carry out the door), it was time to go home.
This tightening continued on even when I went to bed. By 1:00 a.m. it had me up. I took Mylanta, which let me sleep for maybe an hour more, but the pains started again in the center of my chest and going outward and down the center of my body and outward.
When you are admitted for chemo at Pennsylvania Hospital, you are given an 800 number for any type of pain. By this time I got Paul up and he called the 800 number. The doctor thought that the pains in my back and chest might have been caused by the tumor moving. I looked down at my foot and by golly, it was still there. He had said that since I wasn't getting any sleep because of the pains, to go to the emergency section of PA hospital. Time - 4:00 a.m.
Once there, they hooked me up to an IV through the port in my chest used for administering the chemo. By 8:00 a.m through a series of usual tests, it was determined by the ER doctor that I wasn't or didn't have a heart attack, but before I could go a cardiologist had to see me. Well, let me tell you they won't have a heart attack at the rate that they move. When we notified Dr. Hartner, my chemo doctor, that I was in the emergency room and unable to make an appointment for a MUG scan that morning, he was over in 5 minutes. Wonderful, quiet man. He checked the records and decided to keep me overnight for observation.
Finally after lunch the cardiologist came and gave me the news that I didn't have a heart attack, but that I would be monitored for 24 hours since I was being admitted for observation.
Still in the ER, the admissions people came over and got their information. Earlier in the morning, the nurse gave me the Maalox cocktail with some numbing substance in it to help you feel better. That lasted a couple of hours and then the dull ache started again. When a surprise lunch came in the ER, swallowing a little hurt. By 2 pm with the lunch over (still in the ER), Paul left to go home since Wednesday is his day to pick up his father from dialysis. Not a very talkative person and both tired from the morning, I was happy to be left alone to sleep (but whoever sleeps in the hospital, let alone the ER).
By 4:00 pm (12 hours later), I was moved to a room.
Although the previous Saturday I did have stomach pains which I thought were attributable to (a) hunger (didn't feel like eating much); (b) constipation or just a slight feeling of just not feeling quite up to par, I brushed it off and just stayed around home, not even feeling like doing my cross-stitch.
Went to work on Monday and Tuesday (I was tired of the house by then), I finished up Tuesday with a rush to get the bi-monthly newsletter done before the committee comes in on Wednesday morning to mail it. Later that night-- when I was attending the Fashion Show for Paul VI at Adelphia's to catch Michael's modeling debut -- with Lauren, my niece Allison, and my brother sitting in for my sister-in-law Lori, who became sick that day and couldn't attend, I started to getting a dull ache in my chest just below the breast bone.
It seemed to subside after eating dinner. During the time of the modeling, the pain started up again and thought it was indigestion. Took several TUMS which I had on hand, but that didn't seem to help. Patiently waiting through the awarding of 106 Chinese Auction baskets with no winning of any of them at our table, the tightening didn't go away. Finally when our table won the 50/50 of $675. (an easier package to carry out the door), it was time to go home.
This tightening continued on even when I went to bed. By 1:00 a.m. it had me up. I took Mylanta, which let me sleep for maybe an hour more, but the pains started again in the center of my chest and going outward and down the center of my body and outward.
When you are admitted for chemo at Pennsylvania Hospital, you are given an 800 number for any type of pain. By this time I got Paul up and he called the 800 number. The doctor thought that the pains in my back and chest might have been caused by the tumor moving. I looked down at my foot and by golly, it was still there. He had said that since I wasn't getting any sleep because of the pains, to go to the emergency section of PA hospital. Time - 4:00 a.m.
Once there, they hooked me up to an IV through the port in my chest used for administering the chemo. By 8:00 a.m through a series of usual tests, it was determined by the ER doctor that I wasn't or didn't have a heart attack, but before I could go a cardiologist had to see me. Well, let me tell you they won't have a heart attack at the rate that they move. When we notified Dr. Hartner, my chemo doctor, that I was in the emergency room and unable to make an appointment for a MUG scan that morning, he was over in 5 minutes. Wonderful, quiet man. He checked the records and decided to keep me overnight for observation.
Finally after lunch the cardiologist came and gave me the news that I didn't have a heart attack, but that I would be monitored for 24 hours since I was being admitted for observation.
Still in the ER, the admissions people came over and got their information. Earlier in the morning, the nurse gave me the Maalox cocktail with some numbing substance in it to help you feel better. That lasted a couple of hours and then the dull ache started again. When a surprise lunch came in the ER, swallowing a little hurt. By 2 pm with the lunch over (still in the ER), Paul left to go home since Wednesday is his day to pick up his father from dialysis. Not a very talkative person and both tired from the morning, I was happy to be left alone to sleep (but whoever sleeps in the hospital, let alone the ER).
By 4:00 pm (12 hours later), I was moved to a room.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
February 15
No chemo today. Was able to go to work for a few hours and it was great to use my brain again. Many people stopped by to say hello and see how I was feeling.
Your thoughts and prayers keep me positive throughout this recovery. Thanks .
Your thoughts and prayers keep me positive throughout this recovery. Thanks .
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Day 3
No chemo today. Mike had no school because of the ice and snow from yesterday. Lounged around in pajamas and slept.
I did, however, have to go back to the unit to get a shot to build up more white blood cells since the chemo is destroying the good cells as well as the bad. Mike drove over with me and THAT shot only took a minute or two, but cost us $7 for parking and $1 tip. I gotta find some meters for that quick visit.
Next visit to the hospital is not till the 21st when I have to go for another scan as a follow-up to the ECHO CARDIOGRAM that was taken on Friday.
Echo cardiogram -recording of the position and motion of the heart walls or internal structures of the heart by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall.
I did, however, have to go back to the unit to get a shot to build up more white blood cells since the chemo is destroying the good cells as well as the bad. Mike drove over with me and THAT shot only took a minute or two, but cost us $7 for parking and $1 tip. I gotta find some meters for that quick visit.
Next visit to the hospital is not till the 21st when I have to go for another scan as a follow-up to the ECHO CARDIOGRAM that was taken on Friday.
Echo cardiogram -recording of the position and motion of the heart walls or internal structures of the heart by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall.
Day 2
Lisa, my middle child, brought me over for what supposed to be 20 minutes. I have now learned that when they say a time for your chemo, that is how long the medicine takes to give me, not the time when I'll be there. I had to wait for my vitals to be taken, and then 30 minutes later, the medicines started. Unfortuantely, by now Lisa had to leave for work and I had to come upon one of my many friends who volunteered to drive to take me home. My neighbor Jeanette, came and was not real thrilled about driving over the Ben Franklin Bridge in the sleeting weather that day. She said, "Betsy, I'll be glad to do this again, but not on a snowy day."
The nurses are great and caring. I talked to a retired doctor today who visits the patients now that he has more time. He used to work in the unit. He had some very uplifting information that everything was going to be okay and explained about the radiation that will be forthcoming when the chemo is done.
Cat Scan - Had this test on Friday, February 9 and had to drink 3 glasses of barium for a 3 minute test. My brother Denny took me over and stayed with me. Today we got the results that none of the cancer has spread to other parts of my body. A RED LETTER DAY
The nurses are great and caring. I talked to a retired doctor today who visits the patients now that he has more time. He used to work in the unit. He had some very uplifting information that everything was going to be okay and explained about the radiation that will be forthcoming when the chemo is done.
Cat Scan - Had this test on Friday, February 9 and had to drink 3 glasses of barium for a 3 minute test. My brother Denny took me over and stayed with me. Today we got the results that none of the cancer has spread to other parts of my body. A RED LETTER DAY
Day 1
Day 1
Was much longer than anticipated. Lauren, my eldest, took the day off to come with me. All the information given about the drugs, how to check in, was overwhelming to say the least. Just when we thought we could leave to get something to eat, then they would give me another medicine that lasted another hour. Then the anti-nausea medicines were given. Finally, we left there at 4:45 from being there at 10:00 a.m.
So far so good. I was just tired from being there that long with nothing to do.
Was much longer than anticipated. Lauren, my eldest, took the day off to come with me. All the information given about the drugs, how to check in, was overwhelming to say the least. Just when we thought we could leave to get something to eat, then they would give me another medicine that lasted another hour. Then the anti-nausea medicines were given. Finally, we left there at 4:45 from being there at 10:00 a.m.
So far so good. I was just tired from being there that long with nothing to do.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Welcome to my Blog!
Hi, I'm Betsy B, and this blog exists to communicate with all my friends and family as we journey together towards a full recovery from my "frustrating footsie"!You can check here for updates on how I'm doing, and to leave notes and thoughts of encouragement.
What started out as a small lump on the bottom of my arch on my right foot at the end of summer, has surely turned into a "frustrating footie." While we waited to see if the lump was just fat from backless sandals, it never went away when I started wearing shoes and sneakers. After X-rays revealed nothing substanstive, it was suggested that I get an MRI, which between primary physician, podiatrist and my insurance company, took way longer than expected.
Two days after Christmas, I made a mad push to get this thing moving. After much whining and crying, I got my MRI. A week later it revealed a malignant tumor. The terror of losing a foot or even scarier for me since cancer ran in my family, that it could spread to the rest of my body. Immediately the podiatrist found the best orthopedic oncologist for me to go to in Philadelphia. Three days later I was in his office and he said it look suspicious. A week later the biopsy was done and it took ten frustrating days to get the results. Two hours later I was in the orthopedic oncologist office telling me they were wanted me to see a hematologist to get the chemo started. They decided that it was better to shrink the tumor through chemo to alleviate the loss of muscle and tissue from the foot, then do radiation, and then remove the tumor.
Well this really threw me for a loop. Wednesday, Feb. 7 saw the chemo doctor and overwhelmingly explained everything from nausea to lack of hair. Thursday, Feb. 8 I was back at the hospital getting a port put in for the chemo. Friday was my testing day and my brother took me over to get the echo cardiogram and CAT scan as explained below.
So now this is really my blog begins.
Thanks everyone for your support, and keep those prayers coming!
Love,
Betsy
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