This morning in my Sunday School class, a member's mother was mentioned. She recently died at age 98! The comment was made that she was a strong Christian and "she always knew where she was going when she died".
I have been thinking about that and what a strong statement about a life. I sincerely hope that the same will be said about me whether I die this year at 62 or live to 92. I do know where I am going and that I won't be going alone.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Done, Done, Done
Well, I should qualify that; I'm done with the first phase of treatment! I have a few weeks off and then surgery sometime in March.
Of course, the last day didn't get away without some drama. The medical chemotherapy appointments are always a challenge to get through without raising my blood pressure. After 7 weeks, I thought I had the pattern down. But yesterday the check-in clerks wouldn't let me go to the treatment room that I had previously been using to get the pump removed. They couldn't understand what I was telling them I wanted to do (ever feel like you are on an alien planet and no one speaks your language?). They insisted that I go to 'short term treatment' in another part of the building! After finding the rooms, I had to explain AGAIN what I wanted. Just take the pump off so I can go to the lab so they can get their pint of blood without having to be "stuck" again.
The nurse was very nice and actually listened when I told her that I thought the needle had come out of the port. Sure enough, it had come out and was just under the skin making everything sore and swollen. So I had to get "stuck" twice more after all. Some days you just can't win.
But radiation went well and we told everyone goodbye and made our escape!
Of course, the last day didn't get away without some drama. The medical chemotherapy appointments are always a challenge to get through without raising my blood pressure. After 7 weeks, I thought I had the pattern down. But yesterday the check-in clerks wouldn't let me go to the treatment room that I had previously been using to get the pump removed. They couldn't understand what I was telling them I wanted to do (ever feel like you are on an alien planet and no one speaks your language?). They insisted that I go to 'short term treatment' in another part of the building! After finding the rooms, I had to explain AGAIN what I wanted. Just take the pump off so I can go to the lab so they can get their pint of blood without having to be "stuck" again.
The nurse was very nice and actually listened when I told her that I thought the needle had come out of the port. Sure enough, it had come out and was just under the skin making everything sore and swollen. So I had to get "stuck" twice more after all. Some days you just can't win.
But radiation went well and we told everyone goodbye and made our escape!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Revived Spirit
For a Believer, going to the Lord's House is a fresh breath of life after a long dry spell. I was able to go to my Sunday School class for the first time in forever and it totally revived my spirit. I thank God for wonderful Christian friends who love and care about me.
Only two more treatments! I am feeling fairly well and warned every one at radiation yesterday that I may break into the "Hallelujah Chorus" after the last treatment. That wouldn't be so bad if I could sing!
Marianne closely checked my neck on Saturday and declared that all the stitches are gone and the little holes are getting smaller. Then Warren Finch chimed in with, "and when you 'lose' your tube next week we can spend the night with you again."
I'll see the surgeon in about 4 weeks, but until then I'm looking forward to some "time off".
Only two more treatments! I am feeling fairly well and warned every one at radiation yesterday that I may break into the "Hallelujah Chorus" after the last treatment. That wouldn't be so bad if I could sing!
Marianne closely checked my neck on Saturday and declared that all the stitches are gone and the little holes are getting smaller. Then Warren Finch chimed in with, "and when you 'lose' your tube next week we can spend the night with you again."
I'll see the surgeon in about 4 weeks, but until then I'm looking forward to some "time off".
Sebastian - 6 mo.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Last Friday for Radiation
Well, fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks this morning! We had planned to drive over to Decatur this morning and check out restaurants for the "rehearsal dinner" for the wedding, but no way now. So Scott and Kathryn said they would do the checking and choosing. Thank you, guys. They are the ones that need to be pleased anyway.
Luckily, the mother of the groom really gets a pass on the wedding planning, which is wonderful in my situation. I have bought a dress so I'm done! I used to think you had to look at every dress in three or four towns before choosing. This time I bought the first one I tried on. Forget all that stuff about style... This dresss met my current set of criteria: covered me, acceptable color, no alterations--SOLD.
Our little granddaughter Marianne (age 5) came over and visited yesterday and went to radiation with us. While I was in treatment, she and PapaDaddy sat in the waiting room, and she played with her "my little ponies" until she discovered the train table in the corner of the room. She had such a good time playing she wanted to know if we could come back sometime "just to play". Of course, anyone who knows Marianne knows that she didn't really play with the trains. She removed all the tracks and trains from the landscape board and built a bucolic forest with boats on the river and bridges.
Luckily, the mother of the groom really gets a pass on the wedding planning, which is wonderful in my situation. I have bought a dress so I'm done! I used to think you had to look at every dress in three or four towns before choosing. This time I bought the first one I tried on. Forget all that stuff about style... This dresss met my current set of criteria: covered me, acceptable color, no alterations--SOLD.
Our little granddaughter Marianne (age 5) came over and visited yesterday and went to radiation with us. While I was in treatment, she and PapaDaddy sat in the waiting room, and she played with her "my little ponies" until she discovered the train table in the corner of the room. She had such a good time playing she wanted to know if we could come back sometime "just to play". Of course, anyone who knows Marianne knows that she didn't really play with the trains. She removed all the tracks and trains from the landscape board and built a bucolic forest with boats on the river and bridges.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
One More Week
Jesus is faithful to hold us up at our weakest. With His help and the prayers of all of you, I was able to get my last refill on the chemo pump yesterday. Earlier, I just didn't think I could stand any more. But here I am...
I have 5 more radiation treatments, ending on January 26, and so far so good with them. About 3 weeks after that I will meet with the surgeon, have a scope, and set a surgery date. It will probably be the later part of March. I am really looking forward to having a few weeks without any treatments or surgeries. It has been so fast and furious since September.
Dana and I both have our "wedding dresses" so we are set to have a great time at Kathryn and Scott's wedding on March 19.
I have 5 more radiation treatments, ending on January 26, and so far so good with them. About 3 weeks after that I will meet with the surgeon, have a scope, and set a surgery date. It will probably be the later part of March. I am really looking forward to having a few weeks without any treatments or surgeries. It has been so fast and furious since September.
Dana and I both have our "wedding dresses" so we are set to have a great time at Kathryn and Scott's wedding on March 19.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Prayer Request
Seven more treatments (9 days total for chemo) and I don't know if I can stand this 5-FU that long. Tomorrow afternoon I have an appointment with my medical oncologist and I am so tempted to tell him "enough is enough--take this needle out". Last night I was so sick that I was ready to quit!
Please pray for the strength to continue on.
Please pray for the strength to continue on.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
House on Fire
Well, the clinical fatigue has set in. I feel like if the house were on fire I wouldn't be able to get out of my chair and walk a few steps to the door. So I'm watching out for people with matches!
The meals from the Supper Sisters are going to be lifesavers for the next few weeks I can already tell. I don't even feel like walking into the kitchen much less cooking and Gary's culinary talents are quite limited. Scott is working full time, taking two graduate classes, and planning a wedding, so I can't expect too much from him. They are so good to help all they can and I appreciate them so much, but cooking is not their long suit, so thank you ladies.
Friday was my 20th radiation treatment. It sure seems to be taking a long time to get to 28.
The meals from the Supper Sisters are going to be lifesavers for the next few weeks I can already tell. I don't even feel like walking into the kitchen much less cooking and Gary's culinary talents are quite limited. Scott is working full time, taking two graduate classes, and planning a wedding, so I can't expect too much from him. They are so good to help all they can and I appreciate them so much, but cooking is not their long suit, so thank you ladies.
Friday was my 20th radiation treatment. It sure seems to be taking a long time to get to 28.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Small Blessings
Having grown up in a Southern Baptist church, I know about the love and caring members have for each other and others. Many times I have participated in ministering to someone through what I considered to be a small way: preparing food.
But the Lord is teaching me so many things that I needed to know through this ordeal. I have learned that God doesn't send any "small blessings". They are always precious and just what is needed by His child at that moment.
Today, while waiting for my dreaded chemo treatment, a kind lady from Mt. Zion called volunteering to coordinate meals for us during this difficult time. That touched my heart as only Jesus can and reminded me again that I wasn't alone in this struggle.
But the Lord is teaching me so many things that I needed to know through this ordeal. I have learned that God doesn't send any "small blessings". They are always precious and just what is needed by His child at that moment.
Today, while waiting for my dreaded chemo treatment, a kind lady from Mt. Zion called volunteering to coordinate meals for us during this difficult time. That touched my heart as only Jesus can and reminded me again that I wasn't alone in this struggle.
Scene from front porch
8 inches on diving board
Work-horse in snowy weather
Eleven and Counting Down
Sorry I haven't written for a while, but the last two weeks have been tough. I haven't felt much like composing and certainly haven't felt very witty. But I decided that if I'm going to chronicle this time that I need to write about the dark days too.
I had my 17th radiation treatment on Tuesday. I had to trek through the snow and ride in the Jeep Wrangler, but we made it to the center. Eleven more and I'm done! This has been much harder than I anticipated. Between the fatigue, nausea, and bitter cold, I feel like a limp dish-rag. I am also having continuous infusion 5-FU (5-fluoro-uracil, Gary says) which really stinks. I see the chemo doctor today and get my weekly blood test (7 tubes) and refill of my pump, including a new needle in my port. Needless to say, that isn't my favorite day of the week. I have not been able to tolerate any of the nausea medications (remember I ended up in the hospital after the first one), so I just feel lousy.
As so many before me, my soul cries out: "Lord, have mercy on me".
I had my 17th radiation treatment on Tuesday. I had to trek through the snow and ride in the Jeep Wrangler, but we made it to the center. Eleven more and I'm done! This has been much harder than I anticipated. Between the fatigue, nausea, and bitter cold, I feel like a limp dish-rag. I am also having continuous infusion 5-FU (5-fluoro-uracil, Gary says) which really stinks. I see the chemo doctor today and get my weekly blood test (7 tubes) and refill of my pump, including a new needle in my port. Needless to say, that isn't my favorite day of the week. I have not been able to tolerate any of the nausea medications (remember I ended up in the hospital after the first one), so I just feel lousy.
As so many before me, my soul cries out: "Lord, have mercy on me".
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Wedding Bells in the Air
Some said this day would never come, but a mother knows...
Over the last decade, we have been multiplying our nuclear family in wonderful ways. 2011 is going to be no exception. We already knew we were adding a new Taylor grandbaby in May and now I can announce we are also adding a new daughter!
Our son Scott and our lovely new daughter Kathryn have set a date! March 19,2010
I've got to get rid of these tubes so I can start shopping!
Over the last decade, we have been multiplying our nuclear family in wonderful ways. 2011 is going to be no exception. We already knew we were adding a new Taylor grandbaby in May and now I can announce we are also adding a new daughter!
Our son Scott and our lovely new daughter Kathryn have set a date! March 19,2010
I've got to get rid of these tubes so I can start shopping!
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