December 1, 2007

My gosh folks, I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted on my blog. A couple of friends commented that I should update it, but I apologize for the lag in posting.

Joyfully the chemotherapy ended November 16th. The week-long chemo was long knowing it was the end. I celebrated with the nurses by giving them Banana Cream Cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory for all their help and friendliness through the 9 months of chemo. I gave small glittery Christmas trees to the two secretaries who greeted me in another section each morning with smiles and "how are you doing today?" with true consideration for my feelings.

Unfortunately the week-long chemo does a number on the iron in my system and by Sunday, I was almost too weak to get from one room to the other. I told Paul I never felt so weak. He remembered that on my previous week-long gigs, that I usually required a blood transfusion. I checked back in my diary that I've kept and sure enough, about 10 days later I always had a blood transfusion. The onocologist on my last visit did notice that I was still wearing my coat in his office because I was cold and said the chemo causes me to be anemic. Its now been two weeks since the chemo ended and I'm slowly getting my energy back.

Good news! Hair is starting to peak its way through my head. I had an itchiness on my head the other week and felt some stubble. Paul checked it out and said it was hair. I started to cry since this time it wasn't going back and we were headed in a positive direction for once. I might even have a crewcut by Christmas.

The surgeon had said the wound should start moving since by the third week when hair started coming in. The nurses who come to change the wound vacuum every other day see the skin around the would curling up a little bit to move over the wound. I see the surgeon this Thursday to debreed (or clean out) the wound. Lately it hasn't been as painful since I've learned to take a pain killer an hour before the appointment. Hopefully by Christmas we might see an improvement to decide when the vacuum should come off.

I was looking forward to my Thanksgiving dinner to be able to actually taste the turkey (as I told all the doctors and nurses when looking forward to the end of my chemo). I was able to taste it all right, but my taste buds for the other foods and energy level were not back to normal yet. We had dinner at my sister-in-law's with Paul's sisters and nieces and nephews, about 20 in all. I had made pumpkin pies and a chocolate mousse pie earlier in the morning with Lisa's help. I removed the vac myself in the shower that morning before the nurse came to put on a new one. One time one of the visiting nurses put a little water on it and then pulled it off. @!#%* I said. So now I remove it myself by fully wetting the sponge and slowly pulling it off with little or no pain on my part. Just to get in and out of the car was a major work for me that day. I guess the turkey hormones or my energy made me more lethargic after dinner, so I got myself to the couch and collapsed until it was time for us to go home. Normally I would be up cleaning the table and talking to the family, but I didn't even have energy to do that.

So now its here. The dreaded beginning of the Christmas season. I did cyber shopping on Monday and took advantage of the free shipping on some of the sites. I had ordered Ugg boots for the girls, checked to make sure I got the sizes and colors and styles right before Thanksgiving. They came and sure enough, the girls said they didn't fit. Lisa said her's was the wrong style and Lauren said she told me 7's instead of 8. So now Lauren's won't be in until after Christmas. Had to send them back. These girls won't slow down long enough to pay attention to the particular's. Mike wanted the Rock Guitar game and kept telling me all the different places that had it, but I said they're probably out of stock. He did find it somewhere and I told him to order it. My children get one big gift and then smaller less expensive gifts for Christmas. I hope someone will take me to one mall or Walmart before Christmas to get the stocking stuff.

Paul is keeping me company for awhile as he had a hernia operation on Nov. 26. While Michael is at school, the house is quiet as he wants reading time. I've begun reading "One More Day" by Mitch Albom before the TV movie airs December 9th. He's able to slowly move around. Those of you who know Paul, know that he's not one to sit very long. This is killing him. By the end of the night he's tired of the chair, but does like to watch the world go by when he's next to the window. He watches the trashmen, the leaf cleaners, neighbors and the homeless delivering the circulars. He's keeping the kitchen much cleaner than I usually do. (If he's up, he keeps going till he has to sit or I have the TV on.) I give him stars for keeping the living room clean for the nurses especially after the mail comes with all the Christmas catalogs coming lately.

Well this blog has gone on far too long. I hope everyone had a good and sleepy Thanksgiving and are rearing up for shopping for Christmas. It will be much cheaper for me this year since I can't get out and buy up little things to surprise my family. I'm doing a lot of gift cards as our church is selling them as a fundraiser.

Thank you to Karen and Mary for taking me to lunch to get me out of the house and the various friends who have called to see how I am doing. I went through all the cards that people have sent me since my "Road to Recovery" began. The signs of hope and prayers from all my friends has truly helped me get through this and will continue to the end. God has blessed me with your friendship.

Now to shopping on the internet. HO HO HO

Betsy