The house is quiet again now that Kathleen, Tyler, Alice, and Pretzel have returned to Texas. John drove them there, leaving Saturday morning, and flying back Monday night. In his absence, I was cared for by Erin and a variety of angels (dear friends in Fort Collins), which John organized to take care of me when Erin was working. It's nice to be back to normal. (Thanks to all of my angels!)
I had hydration Monday and Tuesday, and Tuesday's blood tests showed a great white blood cell count (I had a shot the previous Thursday to help build white blood cell/bone marrow--hurrah!), but a low red blood cell count, which could jeopardize having chemo next Tuesday, May 31. So my oncologist had me get a blood tranfusion today--two pints of compacted red blood cells. Since I will do whatever it takes, I woke at 6 today to be at the hospital at 7 for a 6-hour ordeal. I've just returned, so it's a little early to feel the effects. I should feel stronger and less fatigued. I hope so!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chemo #4 is complete
Yesterday I was able to go through the fourth chemo regimen, which turned out to be simpler and shorter than the third one. Total time was about 4 hours, 45 minutes and Kathleen, Erin, and Tyler and Alice joined us with a little lunch from Chipotle. (That probably made the time seem a lot shorter too!)
Right now I feeling pretty good, a little wobbly as always. I've got the prickly fingers (neuropathy) and sometimes prickly toes. I learned another side effect was "increased tear production." I haven't cried since the day I learned I had cancer, but a few weeks ago for several days, I cried just talking about treatment, missing the grandkids, and so on. This surprised me, like post-partum depression, and learning it is a side effect pleased me that it is chemical, not emotional.
Right now I feeling pretty good, a little wobbly as always. I've got the prickly fingers (neuropathy) and sometimes prickly toes. I learned another side effect was "increased tear production." I haven't cried since the day I learned I had cancer, but a few weeks ago for several days, I cried just talking about treatment, missing the grandkids, and so on. This surprised me, like post-partum depression, and learning it is a side effect pleased me that it is chemical, not emotional.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Chemo Postponed
Today's scheduled chemo treatment was postponed until next week, Tuesday, May 17, because my white blood cell count is too low. The low count (300) is probably due to the previous chemo treatments. I was disappointed because I want that chemo to do its job. Now my whole schedule will be delayed a week. Darn.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Past Week
My Mom asked to blog about what it is like to be here right now. We have been here in Colorado for a little over a week, and I have watched my Mom get a little less tired and a little stronger each day.
When we first arrived my Mom's voice sounded weak-- not as weak as it was in the early days (when I spoke with her on the phone), but much softer and break-ier than it is now. She took a couple naps each day (how she did it I don't know-- Tyler makes more noise than monkeys in a marching band) and she went to bed around 8 pm.
My Mom can't walk very well because she is so weak. My Dad prepares all of her meals and snacks and makes her several cups of tea each day. She asked me to make some soups because they are easy to digest. So far we've had chicken and rice, lentil, tomato, potato, and hamburger soup :) My mom spends the majority of her day in a blue recliner; she reads, naps, and watches TV from that spot. When she goes shopping somewhere with my dad, she asks for a wheelchair; if they don't have one she sits in the car.
Before this visit, I talked to my Mom on the phone, read her blog, asked questions, and endlessly thought about what it would be like to see her in this condition. Of course, nothing could have prepared me for it. It was a bit overwhelming at first. I have never seen my Mom so helpless or dependent on anyone. It brought me to tears each day as I wondered what I could do to help her through this; how could I help get this cancer out and away from my Mom?
I don't think anyone can "come to terms" with their parent being sick; it's just a gut-wrenching from the day you hear the news until the day you hope to hear that it's all over. But I must say that watching my Mom gain so much strength in the last week has given her and everyone else a positive lift and a better outlook for what will come in the months ahead.
On Thursday, my Mom, Alice and I went to my Mom's hydration appointment. It is the same place as where she receives her chemotherapy every two weeks. Since it was a hydration day, we were only there for a couple of hours. My Mom and I talked while she got her IV drip through her Power Port.
This is a picture of my Mom at the hydration appointment, and it is the same room as she will receive her chemotherapy tomorrow. Of course, she will be there a lot longer than she was there for hydration. We are all hopeful that she will be a little stronger after this round of chemo than she was the last time. There has been so much improvement that I think it would be really frustrating for her to be back where she was two weeks ago.
Today is Monday. My Mom told my Dad today that she feels like she has "turned a corner." She hasn't taken a nap in a couple days, and she seems well-rested and energetic. Keep praying for her because it's working!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
How To Follow (and comment on a post)
Kathleen signing in as a guest blogger!!
My Mom has asked me to post a "How To Follow" since there have been a few people that are unsure how to do it, and have asked her what to do.
To Follow this blog, look to the right of the page... you'll see a collection of "followers." Little tiny square pictures of peoples' faces. Right above that, you'll see a google icon and a button that says "follow."
Click the follow button. Here is where it gets tricky. You must have a google, twitter, AIM, Netlog, OpenID, or yahoo account to sign into if you want to follow. Most people have one of these, so click on the one you use most.
If you don't have any of these accounts, you can create a google account. Click on the google icon and it will take you to a page that says sign in OR create account (at the bottom).
Fill out the form and create a google email account and password. Once finished, you will be a public follower of the blog.
Why Follow?
Following is the best way for the blogger to know that you are reading their blog. Sometimes people like to remain anonymous, but I think it's best to let someone know that you reading what they post. I think my Mom would love to have many followers; it's a great way to show your love and support for her during this difficult time.
How to Comment
Commenting on a post is something that can be kind of tricky to figure out as well, but it is a great way to communicate with my Mom!
At the bottom of each post, there is a hyperlink that says "comment (s)". Click on it. If you are not logged into the account that you "following" under, you will need to sign in.
After you have signed in, type your comment in the comment box. You may also have to retype a word that is hard to read or in a strange font. This is to make sure that you are a person and not a computer trying to put spammy comments on the blog.
Hopefully this helps. Again, I think my Mom feels great support from her followers and loves reading the comments that all of you write at the end of her posts. Thank you for following and staying with her as she continues on this journey.
My Mom has asked me to post a "How To Follow" since there have been a few people that are unsure how to do it, and have asked her what to do.
To Follow this blog, look to the right of the page... you'll see a collection of "followers." Little tiny square pictures of peoples' faces. Right above that, you'll see a google icon and a button that says "follow."
Click the follow button. Here is where it gets tricky. You must have a google, twitter, AIM, Netlog, OpenID, or yahoo account to sign into if you want to follow. Most people have one of these, so click on the one you use most.
If you don't have any of these accounts, you can create a google account. Click on the google icon and it will take you to a page that says sign in OR create account (at the bottom).
Fill out the form and create a google email account and password. Once finished, you will be a public follower of the blog.
Why Follow?
Following is the best way for the blogger to know that you are reading their blog. Sometimes people like to remain anonymous, but I think it's best to let someone know that you reading what they post. I think my Mom would love to have many followers; it's a great way to show your love and support for her during this difficult time.
How to Comment
Commenting on a post is something that can be kind of tricky to figure out as well, but it is a great way to communicate with my Mom!
At the bottom of each post, there is a hyperlink that says "comment (s)". Click on it. If you are not logged into the account that you "following" under, you will need to sign in.
After you have signed in, type your comment in the comment box. You may also have to retype a word that is hard to read or in a strange font. This is to make sure that you are a person and not a computer trying to put spammy comments on the blog.
Hopefully this helps. Again, I think my Mom feels great support from her followers and loves reading the comments that all of you write at the end of her posts. Thank you for following and staying with her as she continues on this journey.
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