I have a normal life again!
I wake up every week day and get ready for school. I teach all day long. Then I come home and relax. Routine...
Aahh!
After being trapped all summer, it feels so good to be able to do things. Even doing the simplest things, like grocery shop and clean the bathroom, are so exciting to me...at least for now.
I think my hair is starting to grow back. When I rub the back of my head I can feel all kinds of little stubble. I am glad that it is starting to grow, but I wish it would grow faster! I cannot wait to throw this wig into a closet!!
The lease on my apartment is up in less than a month. I decided not to renew it because I don't want to throw my money away. So, I am searching for a condo/townhouse. I had made an offer on a condo, but the sellers weren't willing to negotiate on the price, so I am still looking. It is a fun process. I love looking at houses!
Well, that is all for now...I have math tests to grade!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Great News!
I have WONDERFUL news!
I went to the doctor today and he told me that I don't have to go back until JANUARY!! My exam went well and my CA-125 test came back the lowest it has ever been!
Thank you for all your prayers! Please keep me in them...pray that the cancer never returns and I can have a normal life for many, many years to come!
I went to the doctor today and he told me that I don't have to go back until JANUARY!! My exam went well and my CA-125 test came back the lowest it has ever been!
Thank you for all your prayers! Please keep me in them...pray that the cancer never returns and I can have a normal life for many, many years to come!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Back to school
I went back to school last Monday. It was a truly wonderful week. It was so nice to be back in my classroom, teaching my students. I cannot wait to do it again this week!
I have my follow up exam with Dr. Sharma tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping, and fairly sure, that he will release me and tell me that he doesn't want me to come back for two months. Please keep me in your prayers and I will let you know how my doctor's visit goes.
I have my follow up exam with Dr. Sharma tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping, and fairly sure, that he will release me and tell me that he doesn't want me to come back for two months. Please keep me in your prayers and I will let you know how my doctor's visit goes.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
A Difficult Friday Afternoon
I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon for my routine blood test and shot. I have been feeling really good this week, so I expected all my levels to be normal. Ok, maybe not normal, but at least up, closer to normal than they were on Tuesday. Well, they weren't. My WBC is still low, which means I am getting shots over the weekend. My RBC is low, but that has to come up on its own. My hemoglobin is also low, very low, almost to the point of needing a transfusion. But the most shocking level of all was my platelets. They were so low that I needed to get a transfusion.
I completely broke down in the office. I actually had one of the nurses in tears as well. That shows how much those women care about their patients!
As the nurse was walking me out of the office Dr. Sharma walked in. As soon as he saw me crying he got a very concerned look on his face and asked what was wrong. I gave him my sheet with my lab results on it and I told him I was on my way to get platelets. He gave me a big hug and said, "that's it?! You know that isn't a big deal. Stop crying. You are done! You are finished! This is nothing. You need to stop crying because people are going to wonder what we did to this pretty girl. You are going to give me a bad name." I started laughing and he gave me a squeeze and sent me on my way.
Dr. Sharma is such a wonderful doctor and he takes such good care of his patients! I feel like we have a special relationship. I feel like he looks out a little more for me. His eyes are always filled with smiles as he tells me to "stay out of trouble!" I have been blessed with him as a doctor.
Ok, on to the platelet experience. As you might remember with my first experience with getting platelets, I had an allergic reaction to them and developed hives. Well, this time was no different, even though the nurses gave me a huge coctail of medicines before I even received the platelets. I started itching even before I had finished receiving all the platelets. I think this time was a little worse. I had a hive on my eyelid and a couple in my throat. That was a weird feeling, almost scary. Thankfully Jen was there with me cracking jokes about me and keeping me smiling.
Peg, the head nurse from Dr. Sharma's office, came over to check on me. She looked really concerned and told me that they couldn't send me home with new hives still appearing. I was getting nervous because it was almost six 0'clock. I was starting to think that they were going to have to admit me to the hospital. That is the LAST place I want to spend anymore time! After Peg left, the nurse who gave me the platelets came back and said she had talked to Dr. Sharma and he told her to give me more medicines to combat the hives, so she did. They started working and my hives went down. I had to stay for an additional thirty minutes to make sure they didn't come back, and then I was able to go home. Thank God!
My dad had come and he drove me home, since I couldn't do it myself after all those medicines. It was nice spending time with him. We picked up dinner on the way and had some really good conversation. When he left I headed to bed because the medicines were still making me drowsy.
I feel good this morning and I am so thankful for an other day! When I checked my email there was one there from a friend giving me a link to a blog that a woman named Becca writes. I was amazed when I checked it out. Becca, I am guessing she is in her 30's, has stomach cancer. After reading many of her entries I was in tears. She has fought and continues to fight a very tough battle with her cancer. It made me realize that my battle, although it has been very tough at times, is nothing compared to what she is fighting. One astounding thing I noticed about her blog is that throughout it all she has beeen so positive and thankful. She is definately a fighter! Here is the link to her blog if you want to check it out. beccascancer.blogspot.com Please add Becca to your prayers.
Throughout life it is so easy to get down and feel sorry for yourself. I started to do that yesterday. Picking up the pieces and keeping a positive attitude about situations is much harder to do, but if you can do it, it is so rewarding. Dr. Sharma was right. Instead of feeling sorry for myself that I had to get a platelet transfusion, I needed to focus on the fact that I AM DONE! My six rounds of chemotherapy are over! My test results have come back with good results! I am going back to school on Monday! Life is going to get back to normal! God is so good! It has been evident that He is constantly with me, no matter what I am doing or going through!
Psalm 100: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Have a wonderful weekend! I love you all!
I completely broke down in the office. I actually had one of the nurses in tears as well. That shows how much those women care about their patients!
As the nurse was walking me out of the office Dr. Sharma walked in. As soon as he saw me crying he got a very concerned look on his face and asked what was wrong. I gave him my sheet with my lab results on it and I told him I was on my way to get platelets. He gave me a big hug and said, "that's it?! You know that isn't a big deal. Stop crying. You are done! You are finished! This is nothing. You need to stop crying because people are going to wonder what we did to this pretty girl. You are going to give me a bad name." I started laughing and he gave me a squeeze and sent me on my way.
Dr. Sharma is such a wonderful doctor and he takes such good care of his patients! I feel like we have a special relationship. I feel like he looks out a little more for me. His eyes are always filled with smiles as he tells me to "stay out of trouble!" I have been blessed with him as a doctor.
Ok, on to the platelet experience. As you might remember with my first experience with getting platelets, I had an allergic reaction to them and developed hives. Well, this time was no different, even though the nurses gave me a huge coctail of medicines before I even received the platelets. I started itching even before I had finished receiving all the platelets. I think this time was a little worse. I had a hive on my eyelid and a couple in my throat. That was a weird feeling, almost scary. Thankfully Jen was there with me cracking jokes about me and keeping me smiling.
Peg, the head nurse from Dr. Sharma's office, came over to check on me. She looked really concerned and told me that they couldn't send me home with new hives still appearing. I was getting nervous because it was almost six 0'clock. I was starting to think that they were going to have to admit me to the hospital. That is the LAST place I want to spend anymore time! After Peg left, the nurse who gave me the platelets came back and said she had talked to Dr. Sharma and he told her to give me more medicines to combat the hives, so she did. They started working and my hives went down. I had to stay for an additional thirty minutes to make sure they didn't come back, and then I was able to go home. Thank God!
My dad had come and he drove me home, since I couldn't do it myself after all those medicines. It was nice spending time with him. We picked up dinner on the way and had some really good conversation. When he left I headed to bed because the medicines were still making me drowsy.
I feel good this morning and I am so thankful for an other day! When I checked my email there was one there from a friend giving me a link to a blog that a woman named Becca writes. I was amazed when I checked it out. Becca, I am guessing she is in her 30's, has stomach cancer. After reading many of her entries I was in tears. She has fought and continues to fight a very tough battle with her cancer. It made me realize that my battle, although it has been very tough at times, is nothing compared to what she is fighting. One astounding thing I noticed about her blog is that throughout it all she has beeen so positive and thankful. She is definately a fighter! Here is the link to her blog if you want to check it out. beccascancer.blogspot.com Please add Becca to your prayers.
Throughout life it is so easy to get down and feel sorry for yourself. I started to do that yesterday. Picking up the pieces and keeping a positive attitude about situations is much harder to do, but if you can do it, it is so rewarding. Dr. Sharma was right. Instead of feeling sorry for myself that I had to get a platelet transfusion, I needed to focus on the fact that I AM DONE! My six rounds of chemotherapy are over! My test results have come back with good results! I am going back to school on Monday! Life is going to get back to normal! God is so good! It has been evident that He is constantly with me, no matter what I am doing or going through!
Psalm 100: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Have a wonderful weekend! I love you all!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Chicago Marathon
I signed up back in January to run the Chicago Marathon. I was anxiously looking forward to starting training in June for my first marathon. Obviously that didn't happen and I didn't get to run in the marathon, or did I? :)
I actually did get to run in the marathon.
One of the girls that I work with at school took it upon herself to set up a relay team to run the marathon for me using my number and my chip. It was awesome! There were over 16 different people who volunteered to run/walk part of the 26.2 miles in my place.
Although I wasn't able to start the race, I was able to finish it. I hopped on to the course with six of my friends to finish the last 0.2 miles of the race. We all ran across the finish line together. It was a tremendous feeling. I cannot explain how loved and supported I felt at that moment.
My first marathon is something I will never forget. It was over 85 degrees out and people were running miles in the beastly heat....for me. Amazing!
Thank you to all of you who participated. I truly love each and every one of you!
And on that note...anybody up for it again next year?!?! :)
I actually did get to run in the marathon.
One of the girls that I work with at school took it upon herself to set up a relay team to run the marathon for me using my number and my chip. It was awesome! There were over 16 different people who volunteered to run/walk part of the 26.2 miles in my place.
Although I wasn't able to start the race, I was able to finish it. I hopped on to the course with six of my friends to finish the last 0.2 miles of the race. We all ran across the finish line together. It was a tremendous feeling. I cannot explain how loved and supported I felt at that moment.
My first marathon is something I will never forget. It was over 85 degrees out and people were running miles in the beastly heat....for me. Amazing!
Thank you to all of you who participated. I truly love each and every one of you!
And on that note...anybody up for it again next year?!?! :)
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
DONE!!!
I am done with all my chemo treatments! I finished the last one up early this morning!
It is such a good feeling to know that I don't have to go back to the doctor's office for chemo. For the next week I will have to go for shots to boost my white blood cells, but that is nothing, I can handle that. I also have a follow up exam with the doctor later in the month. It is just to make sure my body has healed from the chemo. After that he said he would see me in a couple of months! Praise God for the healing that He has done in my body!
I am so excited to get back to having a normal life. I cannot wait to get back to school and teach each and every week. I cannot wait to get back to working out. But, most of all, I cannot wait to get my hair back!
Thank you for all your continued prayers and support. Please keep them coming.
It is such a good feeling to know that I don't have to go back to the doctor's office for chemo. For the next week I will have to go for shots to boost my white blood cells, but that is nothing, I can handle that. I also have a follow up exam with the doctor later in the month. It is just to make sure my body has healed from the chemo. After that he said he would see me in a couple of months! Praise God for the healing that He has done in my body!
I am so excited to get back to having a normal life. I cannot wait to get back to school and teach each and every week. I cannot wait to get back to working out. But, most of all, I cannot wait to get my hair back!
Thank you for all your continued prayers and support. Please keep them coming.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Waiting
I made it through the first of my last days of chemo. Now I sit waiting for my ride to my last. I am excited, yet nervous. No matter how many times you put your body through this, you never know what to expect. I think about my last round and how it wasn't too bad. I am praying for an outcome like that for this time. But you never know.
My doctor told me that after this week of treatment, he will see me for an exam on the 22nd of October and if all goes well that day, I won't have to go back for two months! Isn't that awesome!!?!!
My CA125 test that was up last time, has come back down, lower than ever before. It is now at an 8!! For any of you who have done the research, you know that an 8 is great! For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about I'll quickly fill you in. The CA125 test is a test which they use to help determine if you have any cancer in your body. The normal, no cancer, range is from 0-35. Obviously my 8 is good news! The values can fluxuate depending on various things going on with your body. And it isn't the only test they use to determine if you are cancer free. They also use the CT scans and physical exams, for me, both of which have come back negative of anything. Praise be to God!
But, I am not out of the woods yet, I still have a day left of chemo. Please keep me in your prayers! Thank you!!
My doctor told me that after this week of treatment, he will see me for an exam on the 22nd of October and if all goes well that day, I won't have to go back for two months! Isn't that awesome!!?!!
My CA125 test that was up last time, has come back down, lower than ever before. It is now at an 8!! For any of you who have done the research, you know that an 8 is great! For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about I'll quickly fill you in. The CA125 test is a test which they use to help determine if you have any cancer in your body. The normal, no cancer, range is from 0-35. Obviously my 8 is good news! The values can fluxuate depending on various things going on with your body. And it isn't the only test they use to determine if you are cancer free. They also use the CT scans and physical exams, for me, both of which have come back negative of anything. Praise be to God!
But, I am not out of the woods yet, I still have a day left of chemo. Please keep me in your prayers! Thank you!!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Beginning of October
I was so busy teaching last week that I didn't even get a chance to post anything. Sorry! I know that many of you use this as a means to see how I am doing. I really appreciate it.
Last week was a great week! It was SO nice to be back in the classroom, teaching all my students! By Friday I was pretty tired and ready for the weekend, but I don't think I was any more tired than any other teacher. I am definately ready to be back in the classroom full time, week after week after week!
Today starts my last round of chemo. It is hard to believe that this round has come already. It has been a really long journey, but looking back at it, it seems like it started yesterday. I have learned so much and grown so close to many people. I would not trade the last handful of months for anything.
Thank you for all your prayers, please keep me in them this week as I finish up my chemo!
Last week was a great week! It was SO nice to be back in the classroom, teaching all my students! By Friday I was pretty tired and ready for the weekend, but I don't think I was any more tired than any other teacher. I am definately ready to be back in the classroom full time, week after week after week!
Today starts my last round of chemo. It is hard to believe that this round has come already. It has been a really long journey, but looking back at it, it seems like it started yesterday. I have learned so much and grown so close to many people. I would not trade the last handful of months for anything.
Thank you for all your prayers, please keep me in them this week as I finish up my chemo!
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