Today is officially the first day of my spring break. It is a well needed break. Althought I spent much time off of school this past week, due to a pesky little fever, it was a busy week.
I have no plans for the week, other than to relax and get things cleaned and organized around the house. It is hard to keep up with laundry and cleaning when I am so tired from my chemo.
Speaking of chemo...this week's round wasn't too bad. I haven't had any back/neck pain again and the extreme tiredness hasn't hit me yet. This week is my off week, so I am looking forward to not having any chemo on Wednesday. I do have to go to see Dr. Sharma this week for an exam and blood test. That is a standard thing...there are always exams and blood tests before the start of a round of chemo.
The sun is shining brightly this morning, but it looks awful chilly outside. I think I am going to bundle up and take myself for a walk.
Have a wonderful day!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Joan and Jerry
I had my third session of chemo today after I was released from my two night stay at the hospital. Monday night my fever rose to 102 and Dr. Sharma told me I had to go to the emergency room so I could be admitted. He was worried that I had an infection somewhere in my body.
After taking blood and running many tests, no infection was found, but I started an antibiotic, just to be safe. I thought that I would only have to stay Monday night and would be released Tuesday morning, but I was wrong. Dr. Sharma wanted to keep me there for 24 hours without a fever. I was disappointed but understood his point.
This visit was kind of awkward at first...in the past I have had a private room on 5 North, but Monday night the 5th floor was full so I was sent to 2 North. I didn't realize, until I was brought up there, that I would be sharing a room. My initial thoughts were: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I HAVE A ROOMMATE!? THIS SUCKS!!"
The transport guy from the ER brought me to my room at about 1:15am and my roommate was sleeping, so I didn't get to meet her right away. At about 4am she called the nurse and I got up to use the bathroom. We had a short conversation and went back to sleep. At that point I was thinking that she was very nice and this might not be so bad. In the morning, we talked more and my fondness for her grew and grew.
Her name is Joan and she was there because she was having some difficulty breathing. We had many, many conversations over the last day and a half and she has found a special place in my heart. She is such a sweet woman and her husband is just as wonderful. They will be married for 55 years this May. What an accomplishment!!
We were both scheduled to be discharged today, and I was released first. She shed a few tears when I left because we had such a good time together. I only can hope and pray that she went home as well. She had been there since Thursday and was SOOOO excited to be told she was going home today. It made me smile to see her so happy.
It is amazing how God works. At first, I was so disappointed to have to share a tiny hospital room with a stranger, but it turned out to be a very wonderful experience! Even though Joan had been there for days, and some of them were quite rough, she had nothing but positive things to say and always had a smile on her face. She was very open and honest with me (and my family) about her life. God blessed me by putting me in Joan's room and allowing me to get to know her and Jerry. Please keep them in your prayers!
After taking blood and running many tests, no infection was found, but I started an antibiotic, just to be safe. I thought that I would only have to stay Monday night and would be released Tuesday morning, but I was wrong. Dr. Sharma wanted to keep me there for 24 hours without a fever. I was disappointed but understood his point.
This visit was kind of awkward at first...in the past I have had a private room on 5 North, but Monday night the 5th floor was full so I was sent to 2 North. I didn't realize, until I was brought up there, that I would be sharing a room. My initial thoughts were: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I HAVE A ROOMMATE!? THIS SUCKS!!"
The transport guy from the ER brought me to my room at about 1:15am and my roommate was sleeping, so I didn't get to meet her right away. At about 4am she called the nurse and I got up to use the bathroom. We had a short conversation and went back to sleep. At that point I was thinking that she was very nice and this might not be so bad. In the morning, we talked more and my fondness for her grew and grew.
Her name is Joan and she was there because she was having some difficulty breathing. We had many, many conversations over the last day and a half and she has found a special place in my heart. She is such a sweet woman and her husband is just as wonderful. They will be married for 55 years this May. What an accomplishment!!
We were both scheduled to be discharged today, and I was released first. She shed a few tears when I left because we had such a good time together. I only can hope and pray that she went home as well. She had been there since Thursday and was SOOOO excited to be told she was going home today. It made me smile to see her so happy.
It is amazing how God works. At first, I was so disappointed to have to share a tiny hospital room with a stranger, but it turned out to be a very wonderful experience! Even though Joan had been there for days, and some of them were quite rough, she had nothing but positive things to say and always had a smile on her face. She was very open and honest with me (and my family) about her life. God blessed me by putting me in Joan's room and allowing me to get to know her and Jerry. Please keep them in your prayers!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Monday
I went to school this morning feeling fine. Unfortunately, I was sent home at 2:00 because I had a fever. It seems like the pattern for this chemo is that I get a minor fever on Monday afternoons. It frustrates me because other than the fever I feel fine. Weird. I guess my health is more important than being at school anyways...it just irritates me. Being at school keeps me sane and healthy emotionally. Now I am just relaxing at home, praying that the fever breaks so I can go to school tomorrow.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter
I cannot believe that Easter Sunday has come and gone. It was like a blur. I guess that is what happens when you sleep most of the afternoon away. I spent the day at my Dad's with my siblings and dogs. I figured I could crash on the couch there and nobody would care.
This week of chemo was unbelievable. I had no back/neck pain, just extreme tiredness. I was even able to run a handful of errands yesterday morning. What a blessing! I am so thankful to God for that! Hopefully they are all like this week!
Wednesday when I was at chemo I had Mike take a couple of pictures so you guys can have a little glimpse of what I do while I sit there for a couple of hours.
Sometimes I sit and chat with whoever is with me.
Other times the drugs make me sleepy so I nap.
Regardless of what I choose to do on each visit, I alway sit in the same chair in the corner of the room. I always bring my own blanket - a prayer shawl. A woman at my Dad's church made it for me at the beginning of the summer, and it comes with me every time. It is getting pretty beat up, but I still feel it working and it is so comforting to have with me.
This week of chemo was unbelievable. I had no back/neck pain, just extreme tiredness. I was even able to run a handful of errands yesterday morning. What a blessing! I am so thankful to God for that! Hopefully they are all like this week!
Wednesday when I was at chemo I had Mike take a couple of pictures so you guys can have a little glimpse of what I do while I sit there for a couple of hours.
Sometimes I sit and chat with whoever is with me.
Other times the drugs make me sleepy so I nap.Regardless of what I choose to do on each visit, I alway sit in the same chair in the corner of the room. I always bring my own blanket - a prayer shawl. A woman at my Dad's church made it for me at the beginning of the summer, and it comes with me every time. It is getting pretty beat up, but I still feel it working and it is so comforting to have with me.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Chemo Week Two Under My Belt
I just finished my second chemo treatment this afternoon. I had a blood test to make sure all my counts were high enough to get treatment, and they were.
My white blood cells were actually higher than last week. The nurse thinks there might be (or was) a minor infection somewhere in my body that is trying to be fought off. So, she warned me to be catious of fevers higher than 101, and let me know that I need to call her if that happens. High white blood cell counts to me mean that I can go to school!!
My red blood cells and hemoglobin were a little low so I needed a procrit shot in my arm to help boost those up. Believe me, I have not missed that shot one bit! It hurts like you wouldn't believe!!
My platelets were also up a little bit from last week. Overall, I would say that things are going really well so far!
The whole chemo process, including pre-meds and chemo, took about an hour and a half from start to finish. It isn't a bad afternoon at all. I don't mind going there and chatting. I had Mike take a couple of pictures of me in my corner chair. I will try and post them later so you can see what it looks like when I get chemo.
Thanks for your continued prayer and support!
Smooches!
My white blood cells were actually higher than last week. The nurse thinks there might be (or was) a minor infection somewhere in my body that is trying to be fought off. So, she warned me to be catious of fevers higher than 101, and let me know that I need to call her if that happens. High white blood cell counts to me mean that I can go to school!!
My red blood cells and hemoglobin were a little low so I needed a procrit shot in my arm to help boost those up. Believe me, I have not missed that shot one bit! It hurts like you wouldn't believe!!
My platelets were also up a little bit from last week. Overall, I would say that things are going really well so far!
The whole chemo process, including pre-meds and chemo, took about an hour and a half from start to finish. It isn't a bad afternoon at all. I don't mind going there and chatting. I had Mike take a couple of pictures of me in my corner chair. I will try and post them later so you can see what it looks like when I get chemo.
Thanks for your continued prayer and support!
Smooches!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Chemo Week Two
Tomorrow I have to go for my second treatment of chemo. I'm not going to say that I am looking forward to it, but honestly this past week hasn't been too bad. Friday night and Saturday were a little rough, but if that is the worst of it...NO PROBLEM!! I can deal with a stretch of major bone pain and extreme tiredness because I didn't have any nausea and I've been able to go to school everyday. What a blessing!
From my previous chemo experience I know that the side effects usually get a little worse each treatment, so I am expecting them to this week. I am praying that they don't, but the realist in me says they probably will.
Let's just get on with it and deal with things as they come!! I am a fighter and not too much phases me anymore. God gives me what he knows I can handle and will make me stronger.
Please keep me in your prayers as I venture in to this next few days...
Thank you!!
From my previous chemo experience I know that the side effects usually get a little worse each treatment, so I am expecting them to this week. I am praying that they don't, but the realist in me says they probably will.
Let's just get on with it and deal with things as they come!! I am a fighter and not too much phases me anymore. God gives me what he knows I can handle and will make me stronger.
Please keep me in your prayers as I venture in to this next few days...
Thank you!!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Palm Sunday
Today is Palm Sunday. Unfortunately, I didn't get to church this morning. I thought it would be best to just lay low for one more day.
I am feeling MUCH better! I slept most of the night last night and don't have much pain this morning. God is awesome! He listens to the prayers of his believers!
So the significance of Palm Sunday is that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, while people laid their cloaks and branches on the road for him to pass over. The whole time they were saying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
People of Jesus' time knew there was something significant about him. They knew he was different from everybody else, but they didn't fully understand how he could be a king to save us all. It is a challenging concept to fully grasp.
In a couple of days it is going to be Good Friday. It seems almost like an oximoron to call the day that Jesus was crusified "good," but it really was a good day. He took my place. He took your place. He took the place of all those who believe! What a good day! Focus on his life as a sacrifice, so that we may spend eternity in heaven!
I am feeling MUCH better! I slept most of the night last night and don't have much pain this morning. God is awesome! He listens to the prayers of his believers!
So the significance of Palm Sunday is that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, while people laid their cloaks and branches on the road for him to pass over. The whole time they were saying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
People of Jesus' time knew there was something significant about him. They knew he was different from everybody else, but they didn't fully understand how he could be a king to save us all. It is a challenging concept to fully grasp.
In a couple of days it is going to be Good Friday. It seems almost like an oximoron to call the day that Jesus was crusified "good," but it really was a good day. He took my place. He took your place. He took the place of all those who believe! What a good day! Focus on his life as a sacrifice, so that we may spend eternity in heaven!
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