tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55390798593252209262023-11-15T06:15:24.618-08:00Extension of My Journey2008/2009Chelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-10821629272995746632011-04-15T16:26:00.000-07:002011-04-15T16:26:53.808-07:00I'm BACKKKKKKKKKKKKWell I have finally gotten around to type another blog post.....<br />
We spent a wonderful three months out west. We stayed a week in Yuma with John and Willy and Bonnie and Omar and had a great time. We then headed north to Laughlin to meet up with all our other friends we have met out there. We had great fun and were busy every day. In fact we spent every day going from about 10 in the am to about 8 or 9 at night. I was usually so exausted when we got home that I kind of just went into the "vegatative" state. I pretty much just had to crawl into my bed or the recliner and cool it.. Therefore no time to blog....<br />
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Those of you who have been following my blog since day one will remember that I have always said since I was first diagnosed that I just wanted to spend time with friends and family. Well we sure have been doing alot of that. I have a girlfriend (since 9th grade in school) that lives in Colorado. We have not been able to get to their home as yet but last year they visited us in Laughlin and this year we met them in Vegas and stayed a couple days with them in a great Condo. It was really a great treat for us as we dont usually stay in Motels seeing as how we have a Motor Home. I have another friend from when we were living in Oklahoma that we visit with each time we go to Laughlin. This year we went to their house in Palm Springs and it was just so nice to visit with them in their surroundings. I have two things on my bucket list that I want to accomplish with regards to friends and familys. I want to spend a week with my sister just doing crafts all week long and I would like to go to New Jersey and meet the gal(and her family) that was my Chemo Angel a couple years ago. She was just such a sweet gal and is intrested in what I have been for along time (card making) however she has surpassed me in her abilities in the last couple years. I read her blog all the time in wonderment.<br />
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We are currently at Lost Valley Lake in Missouri where we used to live. We only planned to stay here two weeks but the Doctors seem to put a damper on that on a daily basis. Jerry went in to get the battery changed in his pacemaker day before yesterday and he is having a bit of trouble shaking the anathesia so he is still a bit wiped out. He needs to come back for a check in two weeks. My blood pressure (which I have never had to worry about before) spiked and I have to be back in a couple weeks. When the doc said I needed to come back I said "We wont be here" and he said "Yes you will". Hmmmmmm Guess we might have to go to Chicagoland to Tiffs for Easter in the car and leave the Motor Home here and then come back before we leave for the next trip. We plan yo get the Dr. appts out of the way the first week in May and then head up to Tiffs again to be there for Justins First Communion on the 7th and then on to Corys for the Babys Baptism on the 22nd. We planned to head north in Michigan and go thru Mackinaw Island as it was about 30 years ago that we were there before, then on to Minnesota from there.<br />
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I spent the three months that we were in Laughlin on what the Dr. called a Chemo Holiday. No Chemo at all. Yeah... however I'm now wondering if that was really a smart thing to do. I felt good as far as my body goes (other than my knees and I'll get to that later) but when I had the next PET scan in March it turned out that I had more activity in the Sternum, a large mass in the left lung and one lymph node with cancer cells. I have since been put on Doxil a Chemo drug given by infusin once a month. It is not supposed to have Neuropathy as one of its side effects but I dont believe it. My left hand is more numb now than it ever was and I still have some problems walking sometimes. I guess we will have to see. The Doc is going to give me one more treatment and if nothing has changed hes going to change the Chemo Drug.I have been feeling pretty good most of the time except for my knees. While we were out in Laughlin I had Arthoscopic Thermal Abluation on the left knee and it was real good for awhile but its already hurting again. The knee doc said I was a candidate for a total knee replacement if this didnt help but they wont do that on someone on Chemo. As anyone with Arthritis knows if you keep moving its better for you. Sooooooo I keep telling Jerry we need to go back to Laughlin where we were on the go all the time.. Guess I'll have to go to plan B.... walking at least 30 minutes a day...<br />
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Well I am still appreciating all the prayers and support sent my way<br />
I cant possibly get enough of that.<br />
So long for now<br />
<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-77757428129427694642010-12-11T08:22:00.000-08:002010-12-11T08:22:45.312-08:00ALMOST 2011We have been in Missouri for about two weeks. We are getting caught up on all our Doctors appts and yearly check ups so we will be ready to head out to Laughlin when the time comes.<br />
<br />
we have not had any days free until this weekend and I have to finish my Christmas Cards and get my gifts wrapped as we are leaving on Thursday. We will be leaving the Motor Home here at Lost Valley Lake so we have to pack suitcases too. We were planning to be in Michigan when Cory and Jens baby was born. They are having their first baby and the due date was the 19th. They fooled us and had it on the 7th. Kingston James Hansen<br />
6 lbs 5 ozs 18 - 1/2 inches long.. I can hardly wait to get there to see him. <br />
<br />
We will come back here after Christmas and get our Motor Home and head off to Laughlin for the winter.. <br />
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I had a PET scan on thurs and will get the results on Mon and hopefully they will take me off the Taxol which is the drug that causes the Neuropathy and makes my nails dead. I have lost one toenail and 3/4 of another so far and really don't want to loose anymore... If I still have to have treatments I will go to the Doc In Las Vegas that I saw last year..We plan to stay at Corys until after Christmas and then head out to warmer climate. We will stay in Yuma for about a week with John and Willy..<br />
<br />
I am so thankful that I have been well enough to travel and keep up with things. <br />
Some days I have no stamina at all but most days its pretty good.<br />
<br />
Hope this finds everyone well and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.Chelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-73994547423723282102010-10-30T21:03:00.000-07:002010-10-30T21:03:37.633-07:00NORTHERN MINNESOTA IS FREEKING COLD!!!!!!!!!!!So much has happened since the last time I posted that it may take me awhile to catch up. And then again I may not......<br />
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After the great news from the results of the PET scan in September my doctor gave me some time off ... two and a half weeks to be exact and we took a trip out east. I had two treatments of Cycle 4 and then we left Missouri on the 28th of Sept. We went to Tunica Mississippi and had planned to stay for a couple days. Tunica is a small gambling town with about 8 Casinos and is about a half hour south of Memphis Tennessee. Now I have never been much of a gambler... I can go to the Casino and watch someone else play and be completly content for quite a while. BUT... I found this one machine called Lucky Lemmings and got hooked. LOL I still don't ever gamble any more than $40. We stayed there having a good time between the gambling and trying all the Buffets and then were planning to head out to Memphis where we were going to meet up with our friends from Oklahoma. After checking out prices of RV campgrounds in Memphis we realized it would be better to stay in Tunica and drive to Memphis. We spent two days driving up to Memphis going to Graceland, Beale Street and to the dog races and driving back to Tunica to be able to try out each and everyone of the 8 Casinos.. When it was time to meet up with our friends we then moved to a very nice campground in Memphis right on the river and met up with Kenneth and Verna. We spent about three days there and watched Barges go up and down the river at all times of the day and night. That was really a fun experience. Our first adventure after we retired was spent watching Barges in Iowa on our way to Nebraska. I didnt realize how interesting that could be. Something I never would have even thought of in my younger days. It not only takes getting older but also when you know your days may be numbered you tend to appreciate things and see them in a whole different light. We then took off for Nashville, bummed around there for a couple days touring Music City Hall of Fame and various other places and hoping to be able to get tickets for The Grand Ole Opry. We were lucky to get great tickets for Saturday night and saw Trace Atkins, Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton, along with several other Nashville old timers. It was a great show and we surely enjoyed it. Then it was off to Gatlinberg Tennessee and the Great Smokies. Jerry and I love Gatlinberg so I was super excited and feeling like a kid in a candy store. We took a train ride up into the Smokies which was alot of fun and the trees were just starting to change so it was a georgous site. We also took a ride on the Blue Ridge Skyway which is supposed to be the most beautiful ride in the states according to all the RV books. The Skyway goes from North Carolina to DC. However we knew we didnt want to take the Motor Home on that road especially seeing as how the speed limit is only 45 miles an hour and its quite curvy. Not alot of drop offs like when we went to Sedona AZ but still a bit scary for driving the Motor Home. So we just took about a 50 mile drive and enjoyed the views and the colors. It was georgous. Kinda felt like you could not be much closer to heaven.<br />
<br />
The day before we were scheduled to leave to head back to Missouri for me to start my next cycle of treatment we got a call from my mom that my dad was not doing well and the Nurse had called to tell her to get the family together. We left but did not make it home before my dad passed away. We have been here since and are still helping my mom get all the legal things sorted out. Its getting colder and I'm freezing. We have the Motor Home parked next to her house and we stay in it at night as we dont have TV in the house. If worse comes to worse we will have to winterize the Motor Home and move into the house and get her TV hooked up I guess. You know I cant live without the TV and my reality programs. LOL My mom is doing very well and I have been getting my treatments in Duluth since we have been here. I will have treatment number three of Cycle 5 on Tuesday and then will have a week off. The doctor here wants to see if I could get just Avastin and not Taxol next cycle as my Neuropathy is very severe. My hands are numb on the palms all the time and my feet are numb also so that it is hard for me to walk at times. I also have two toenails that are about to fall off and my fingernails are also affected from the Chemo and at times are very sensitive as the cells are dying under the nails. I am hopeful that I will not loose any of them. As far as strength and stamina I am doing very well. God allows me to wake up every day and keep on fighting.<br />
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Jerry has been wonderful helping with my mom and all the upkeep on the house. You know how it is with a house. There is always something that needs fixing. Oh yeah.. its that way when you have a Motor Home too. <br />
<br />
Hopefully I will keep up with blogging better from now on..<br />
Keep me in your prayers... its working<br />
Thanks<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-15584137673127740132010-09-30T07:09:00.000-07:002010-09-30T07:09:31.157-07:00ON THE ROAD AGAIN.....Hi All....<br />
Well the results of the long awaited PET scan..... wondering if it was working this time as there were not many more options<br />
Good News is that it is working !!!!! YEAH.... There is a considerable difference in the results in comparison to the last PET scan... <br />
<br />
This is From the actual PET scan report....<br />
<br />
"Reduction in the size, number and metabolism of the bilateral pulmonary nodules. Soft tissue testis in the sternal insertions of the right pectoral muscles have also regressed.<br />
In laymans terms.....<br />
<br />
Nodules in the lung have decreased... not as many and size smaller of the ones left.<br />
<br />
Sternum (which we have been fighting for two and a half years) has finally gotten better.. It didn't tell the activity level but we are going with the good news that its better this time. <br />
<br />
YEAH YEAH.....<br />
<br />
Thanks to all who have put me on their prayer lists and sent white lights and good thoughts for me...<br />
<br />
Its finally working.... I guess God just had a reason for me to be trying out all these Chemo drugs....I have been on for the last two and a half years...<br />
<br />
Maybe I'm supposed to be a testament to the fact that you can still live a wanderlust life while being on Chemo....Because we are sure doing that...<br />
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WE are planning to head out East at the end of next week.... --- Probable the 29th and then will have to be back here on the 18th of Oct so I can have another<br />
treatment on the 19th and then go up to Tiffs to take care of the boys while they spend a few days in Las Vegas....Fun for them.......<br />
Well I do have one setback or bad side effect.... Neuropathy and it makes it hard for me to type when its acting up.... I can still feel the keyboard and know which keys to hit but my fingers don't always hit them so its lots of correcting....<br />
<br />
September 30, 2010<br />
We are currently in Tunica Mississippi... Another gambling town like Laughlin... not as nice tho...<br />
We are here for a couple days and then we are going back up to Memphis to see Elvis country.We are then going to meet up with our friend Kenneth and his wife and taking off for the Smokies ... It will be a nice trip but quicker than I wanted... because I have to be back on the 18th.<br />
I'm hoping that by then (with the little break I have had in treatments) the Neuropathy will have subsided a bit as I am having a hard time walking. I feel like an old lady as I have to hang onto Jerry especially if its gravel or uneven pavement. The drug I am getting that is working has this side effect but there is nothing we can do about it at this time other than put up with it as long as its killing the Cancer. I get a bit exausted after any physical activity but other than that I feel great. Everyone tells me I dont look sick... ha ha... I have a friend that says she should get me a T-shirt made that says "I MAKE CANCER LOOK GOOD".<br />
<br />
Well I guess thats all for today.... I'm off to see if I can find some "LUCKY LEMMINGS"....<br />
Anyone know what a Lemming is??? Its not anything like the Casino Machine Lemmings... LOL<br />
They are like little rodents..BUT My favorite Casino Machine is little Dr. Suess looking animals that jump into<br />
the water or across the water to a cliff.... Fun hey???<br />
<br />
Unitl next time..<br />
Later<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-8834312906337827882010-08-25T21:09:00.000-07:002010-08-25T21:09:49.026-07:00POSTING AGAIN..... LOLI keep getting in hot water because I am not blogging or journaling enough.. <br />
Its Sunday night and I'll try to get this one done before I go to bed... However my fingers are very numb tonight ( from the Neuropathy) so there might be lots of mistakes that I miss. <br />
<br />
We landed back at Lost Valley Lake late on Tues. Aug 10 and got everything set up so we were in business again. Everything has to be taken down from the desk and all the pictures I have above the windows on the ledge have to be taken down too so it takes a while to get stuff back where it belongs.<br />
Our Trip was uneventful.... thank goodness. We stayed at our favorite half way place in Osceola, Iowa at Terribles Casino. I sometimes don't go in but decided to this time and I had my $20 with me so decided to play something. I had seen someone playing a machine that was called Leaping Leamers.<br />
hmmmm looked cute to me... I put in my money and pretty soon those little leamers had leaped around enough to make me 25 dollars richer. I walked out of there with $45.50. Jerry was not quite so lucky and lost $8.00. Oh well...When we got here it was about 92 degrees... a bit different than Hoyt Lakes.<br />
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Went to the Doc and had my treatment on Wed. and everything went as usual.. a bit foggy but ok to do a bit of shopping. Jerry is getting good and finding things for me to try on. I hate shopping so he does the finding and I do the trying... ha ha Thursday I had to go back to the Clinic to get my Neulasta shot so we decided to go to the movie. We saw Salt and really enjoyed it...<br />
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It is now August 25th and we are once again in Hoyt Lakes Minnesota. I convinced my Doctor that I could get very good treatment up here so I will have my first treatment tomorrow. On the way up here we took a trip to Door County Wisconsin and really enjoyed that. Its a very touristy peninsula only about 60 miles long. Lots of small towns up and down each side of the peninsula with lots of fun shops and restaurants. We also toured a Maritime Museum and a submarine which we really enjoyed also. Weather here in Northern Minnesota is very unpredictable. Day before yesterday it was 84 degrees and then dropped to 68 today. Tomorrow about 73 but gets very cool at night so that we actually have to have the furnace on. We will be coming back to Missouri on Sept 15th. I will have my PET scan (please pray for me) on the 16th and we will then fly out to Michigan to Cory and Jens house for a Baby Shower... Wowsa.... After that I do not know what we will be doing as it will all depend on the Doc and the results of the PET. It would be nice if we could take a much anticipated trip out East but plans will be cemented after the 21st. I am so glad Jerry retired last year and so glad we are living in a Motor Home. If we weren't I might be sitting watching TV instead of traveling all over... What a wonderful life..<br />
<br />
As far as my health goes ...<br />
I am feeling very good except for my Neuropathy... Actually at times my feet feel like bricks and ache bad enough to take pain pills. My fingers are tingly and numb all the time but I will survive...I get tired after any physical exercise and have to rest awhile at times.. I am thankful to be alive and able to keep going so I'm not complaining..<br />
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I am not sure what I do all day long but I sure seem to never accomplish any thing. I have not done any crafts nor made any new cards since last Christmas.. Maybe next month I will get something done... ha ha<br />
<br />
Must close for now or I might not get this published..<br />
Hope to hear from some of you as to what you have been doing all summer..<br />
Later<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-30287442154032592442010-08-04T23:02:00.000-07:002010-08-04T23:02:44.312-07:00TRYING THEM ALL.......I have now been to six different Cancer Centers for Chemo Treatment. Its really amazing that someone can still have a great life and travel while taking treatments. Its also surprising how different the Infusion rooms are. Infusion Rooms are where the patients get their treatments. Some are big rooms with recliners lining the walls and some are individual rooms that you sit in all by yourself. I have an aversion to being in a single room with the door closed in case something were to happen like a reaction to the drug or someone getting sick. In the large rooms the nurses have the mixing room and their station at the end of the room and they can hear anyone if they need something. They are always walking back and forth also so I always feel safer there. I have always had very good treatment and have nothing bad to say about any place I have been but then I always know exactally what I am supposed to be getting, how much and on what date. I ask alot of questions and I pretty much know my own body as to how I feel and what to expect. <br />
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Today I had treatment two of the second cycle. I had the first one in Duluth last week and because it was 70 miles from my moms house the nurse asked if I wanted to go to Virginia instead this week as its only about 20 miles from moms house. I did and both Jerry and I have decided that we liked Duluth better. Howeve his reasoning had nothing to do with my health or the facility. He likes Duluth and there is a Casino about three blocks away from the Clinic. He always has to find something to do for the three and a half hours that it takes for treatment. Duluth is a great Tourist town and there is lots of things to see and do.<br />
The Clinic has a wall of windows and looks right out over Lake Superior and the famous Draw Bridge and the port where all the ships come to be loaded and unloaded. Very interesting...<br />
<br />
We will be leaving Hoyt Lakes after my Reunion weekend on the 8th as I will have my last treatment of this cycle back at the Clinic in Missouri on the 10th, then I will have a week off and start Cycle three before having the next PET scan. I'm hoping that I can talk my doctor into letting me come back up here for the next cycle as we still dont have everything cleaned out at the house. Still dont know when the house may be sold as she just doesnt want to get rid of it. Mom feels it is good to have it for company to stay at. Also the housing market is about the same as every where else and nothing much is selling at this time. I am willing to do as much as I can at this time as I dont know if I will be able to do anything when the time comes to finally sell. <br />
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We have enjoyed the weather up here when we hear about the heat wave in Missouri. It has been mostly in the 70's and only a couple days of unberable humidity. My days have been spent going to get my Mom at Clayridge Assisted Living where she lives and bringing her here to the house until after supper when we take her back. Last week when we went to Duluth for treatment we spent a little time shopping on the way home and the big Mall in Duluth. The on Friday I was feelin good enough to take a trip back to Duluth as we decided we wanted to go see the TALL SHIPS..Then Friday I was in good shape so we went back down to Duluth to see the Tall Ships.....Its an amazing fleet of tall sail boats that come into the harbor only occasionally and it was great... Big Festival....We stood in line for and hour and a half to go on one of the ships. Luckily it was not hot it was a perfect day for it..Then we did alot of walking.... my feet were numb by 2 when we left..We then stopped at Kohls to shop for awhile and I bought a few capris and a top. All in all a good day but I was glad to come home and veg out in my recliner. <br />
<br />
We have visited Dad several times and of course I can see him slipping by as its always a long time in between visits for me. He has good days and bad and anyone who has dealt with dementia knows what I mean. For the most part he still recognizes us. But because of the medication that they have to keep him on to keep him safe he does not talk much and has no interest in TV or his beloved cross word puzzle in the newspaper or even reading a magazine. He still enjoys eating pastry and having coffee so that is what we mostly do with him. Its absolutly amazing that we took him to the Hospital in March 2009 and we told he didnt have very many days to live, and hes still here a year and a half later. He just turned 94 but still looks like hes in his early 80s. <br />
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Today is the day that Cory and Jen found out what the sex of the baby is. I was hoping for good news at the end of a treatment day... Well it was good news that the baby is very healthy and on point as far as size and weight, etc.. Bad news for me was that its not a girl.... Oh well we will now have someone to carry on the Hansen name. I now can buy some of those cute baby things I've been dying to buy. <br />
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I am feeling absolutly great other than the Neuropathy. I'm hoping and praying that this treatment is working. Sometimes when I feel so good I worry that its not working if its not kicking my but.. Oh well I'm keeping my hopes up......<br />
<br />
Later<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-30702694271945069982010-07-18T10:03:00.000-07:002010-07-18T10:03:38.521-07:00ON THE ROAD AGAIN.....Gosh I just reread the last blog and cant believe how many spelling errors there was... I have not figured out how to spell check on this yet so I guess I'll have to really check better... especially when I am writing in the early morning hours and I have had no sleep.... ha ha<br />
<br />
I had my third treatment of the first cycle of the new drugs and talked my dr. into letting me go North and have the next two in Duluth Minnesota at the Cancer Clinic there. I am on my week off this week and feeling good now. Still able to go out to dinner and do all the things that I usually do except for drinking alcohol. I feel like I have too many other drugs in my system and just dont want to take any chances so I refrain... ha ha It's really not so hard... Not like I'm a big drinker anyway...<br />
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We are currently in Osceola, Neb. visiting with some friends. Alot of the people that we are with in Laughlin for the winter live in this area and there were three birthday's so we celebrated last night. There were about 25 of us at the Country Club for dinner here so it was real nice to see everyone.<br />
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We will be leaving here on Tuesday and getting to Northern Minnesota on Wednesday. My mom is anxiously awaiting our return. My class reunion is the 6th and 7th of Aug and we will stay for that and then be on our way back to Missouri for the last treatment of the second cycle. <br />
<br />
Sorry that I have not kept up any better with the blog but somedays my fingers dont want to work because of the Neuropathy and some days I just dont have the energy to sit here and type. Usually the first few days after a treatment I am in fatigue mode and not good for much but I recover good.<br />
<br />
Thanks for all your good wishes and prayers.<br />
I need them all...<br />
Later<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-22564054393304841392010-07-08T03:38:00.000-07:002010-07-08T03:38:04.351-07:00AFTER THE 4TH OF JULY.....I keep thinking many times that I need to blog or journal and I just never do it... I guess I have to admit to myself that I'm just not as organized as I used to be. I think of things all day long that I need to write down and then I just forget about it. Usually I think of them when I am sitting on the POT... I have always said I get my best ideas there.... LOL<br />
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We are back at Lost Valley Lake.... we call it home...as I guess it is our home base.. Thank goodness for everyone that is so good to us here.<br />
<br />
Our plans to go to Michigan to Corys for the 4th and then on to Makinaw Island and then to Door County in Wisconsin before going back to my moms in Hoyt Lakes, Minn. got changed after I had my PET Scan.<br />
I found out that I had lots of nodules in my lungs so I had to start on an agressive new treatment. I am having Chemo (two new kinds) once a week for three weeks out of the month and then a week off. So I started last Wednesday and then we decided to leave in the car and not drive the Motor Home as long as we could stay at Corys house and just go to his house in between treatments. Costs a lot less to go in the car than in the Motor Home even when we had to stay over one night in a Motel. We had a great time with them especially seeing as how we dont get to see them more than about twice a year. We got a wonderful tour of Detroit (other than all the bad areas). Cory wanted us to realize that Detroit was not all as bad as what you hear on the news. There are really alot of nice expensive housing subbarbs there and even lots of nice condos and new buildings in Detroit proper. We went to a Festival and walked around a bit but it was really hot so not to far and then ate lunch as a realy fun little outside Cafe Bistro. Watched the fireworks at a small subbarb on the 3rd and then on the 4th there were spectacular ones on TV from the Boston Harbor that was really fun to watch to. I didnt want to leave of course but needed to get home for a treatment. We got home yesterday afternoon and I went in for my treatment today. <br />
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Jen is four months pregnant and looks like hardly anything at all. Just a small baby bump and wearing regular tops still. Of course when you are all of 5'2" and about 100 lbs I dont imagine it will show much at all. I am so anxious to hear what it is going to be. They will find out in another month and I will be out buying baby clothes I'm sure...I cant belive I forgot to take pictures... I had my camera with too and she is a photographer and doesn;t even have any. She emailed me today and said they would get some sent to me when Cory gets home next weekend as hes traveling again this week. <br />
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Its 5:10 in the am..... not I'm not up already I have not been to bed...The steroids have really hit me this time. The Benadryl and Zirtec the am really zonked me out on the way home but when I got here then I was really hiped up. Kept trying to think of things to do to keep me busy... washing the five dishes that were dirty, baking cookies in the 90+ degree heat when I had to turn the Air off to keep the Convection Oven going, pacing the floor and dancing around with myself (not Jerry) were passtimes too. I finally calmed down about midnihgt and thought I would be able to go to sleep but ended up getting up to watch TV until 3:15. Laid in bed for an hour and must have dozed for 5 or 10 minutes, then finally go up to type...<br />
Unfortunatuly when I am all hyped and have the Hebbie Jebbies (as I call them) I cant sit still or focus long enough to make cards or type on the computer.<br />
<br />
We are planning to get up in the am and go to Marshalltown, Iowa to meet up with Bonnie and Omar at a friends house. We will stay until the next Mon. or Tues so I can get home for the next treatment. After that one it will be my week break (hopefully) and we are planning to leave to go back up to my moms in between. I figure if we cant take the longer trips like we planned I will have to think of smaller, shourter<br />
trips to plan in between. Who knows how long we will be able to do it so I am going to make hay while the sun shines...<br />
<br />
I have been feeling good except for the Neuropathy in my feet and hands.. Mostly feet. I am very numb and have a hard time walking sometimes - have to hang onto Jerry. He put me on another drug for it today besides the one I was already taking and thought that as long as I was not taking the Chemo drug that I had been taking since January it would subside... Not yet.... I get tired out when I do anything very physical but have not decided if it is from the Chemo or from the Cancer in the long. I will have to check when I see the Dr. next week. <br />
<br />
Well its now 5:35 and I have woken Jerry up so I guess I better try to get some shut eye again... If not I'll be sleeping in the passengers seat all the way to Marshalltown.....<br />
<br />
Later<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-59753270439440635302010-06-26T22:33:00.000-07:002010-06-26T22:33:48.273-07:00RELAY FOR LIFEWe just happened to be here on the weekend of the Relay For Life and I got to go again this year.<br />
I don't think any year could ever measure up to the first time I went. I'm not sure if it was just <br />
that I was so emotional because it was pretty raw for me or if it was really a much better program<br />
and atmosphere. The thing I remember the most is that Josh Grobens song "You Lift Me Up" played <br />
the whole time the survivors did their lap around the track. I was in tears the whole time. Our good<br />
friends Bonnie and Omar just happened to be here at that time and Bonnie walked with me. It meant <br />
so much for her to walk with me because they have meant so much to us especially in the last 15 years.<br />
Last night was very uplifting also even tho I was only able to walk the track twice. Hopefully they will <br />
find a cure sometime...<br />
<br />
Since the last entry we have been in Northern Minnesota (yes much colder weather) at my Mothers house. My Aunt and Uncle were there for a week and My sister and her husband and two of their <br />
boys and a wife and two childern were there too.. Jordan and His wife Stephanie made the 6 hour trip<br />
with a 3 week old baby and a 5 year old. Yikes I told her that I was amazed that she would come that soon after birth.. She was fine and the kiddos were just great. So good for my mom to see the great grandkids. <br />
<br />
We are now back at Lost Valley Lake as I had to come back for a PET scan and a CT scan.<br />
I will find out Monday the results and where we go from here...I have been feeling good except for the <br />
bad Nuropathy in my feet and hands and the fact that I am worn out after any physical activity. I keep wondering if its gotten worse in my lungs and that is what is causing it or if its just the Chemo still<br />
causing fatigue.. Guess I'll find out soon enough. Naturally I have been hoping and praying for the best. I'm not asking for a miracle but remission would be nice..<br />
<br />
Depending on how things go on Monday we plan to leave on Tues or Wed to go to Corys in Michigan for the 4th of July weekend and then up to Makinaw Island and on to Door County in Wisconsin on the way back to Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. <br />
<br />
Keeping fingers crossed...<br />
Later<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-22761385723228353262010-06-10T21:44:00.000-07:002010-06-10T21:44:58.926-07:00RENEWING MY VOWS......Once again I am going to vow to keep up a blog or a journal... Its really more fun to type it than write it so I guess it will be a blog... I have a friend that keeps telling me - each time I tell her about something<br />
that has happened along our journey that I need to be blogging about it... Like when our windshield almost fell out and we had to have it scotch taped back in until we could get it fixed and how when we went down the wrong highway to Sedona Az. from Flagstaff 15 to 30 miles and hour on a very narrow bumpy road all the drawers and cupboards were flying open in the Motor Home and things were falling out.. She thinks we are like Lucy and Desi when they were pulling the travel trailer.. <br />
<br />
After an absolutly wonderful three months in Laughlin, Nevada with all our friends we spent some time in Texas and then were back in Missouri at Lost Valley Lake for a month. Jerry and I got all our yearly check ups in and dentist and eye appointments taken care of. Also had some work done on the Motor Home. When I got home I found out that my Cancer Clinic that I had been going to since 2005 was closing so I had to find a new doctor. Luckily the Clinic that we have gone to for 15 years just opened up a new Oncology department and I changed over to them. Most of the staff from the other clinic are there so I am still with my same nurses.. At this point I am not having another treatment until after I have the next PET scan which is on June 24th. We will decided what to do after we get the results. I have developed a bad case of Neuropathy - which is a side effect of the drug I have been getting since January. Fortunately the drug has worked and the activity level has dropped from 16.5 to 8.7 but this particular side effect is irreversible. I'm hoping this PET shows a very low level and maybe I can have a Chemo vacation.... YEAH... Other than that I have been very lucky and can still function every day. Just not as fast as I use to be but thats ok... Noone likes fast old ladies... ha ha<br />
<br />
We are currently in Northern Minnesota at my Mothers house. We put my dad in a Nursing Home in March and my mom in Assisted Living in October as she said she could not longer live alone in her house. We are at this time trying to get stuff cleaned up in the house so it will be ready to sell when the time comes. After we see the Oncologist and get results of the PET scan we will take a little trip to Corys in a Detroit Sububarb and then head North in Michigan to Mackinaw Island and then thru Door County in Wisconsin before coming back here to Minnesota.. Hopefully there will be a few more trips and I will be able to post some interesting stuff.....<br />
<br />
I am thankful every day for another day... and time with family and friends..<br />
That is all that is important to me at this time.<br />
Later<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-50850671985302013552010-01-26T21:32:00.000-08:002010-01-26T21:32:54.858-08:00FREE AGAIN - I'M FREE AGAIN !!!!!I finally got the word today.... Platlets still low but up from 36000 to 57000 and White Blood Count back to normal. Yeahhhhhhh<br />
As soon as I got the call Jerry and I loaded in the car and went to the Movie Theatre to meet our friends.. We saw the movie "Up In The Air" with George Clooney. He is worth the movie in himself.. Just to look at.. ha ha His little co worker really impressed me with her acting chops. I had never heard of her before. Very good and fun movie to see. I really felt like I had been freed from something and I didnt want to come home all day but we actually just stopped for a light lunch and then over to one of the Casinos to get a players card that will give us 25% off of our meals when we go there for - All you can eat Crab Legs on Fridays- stayed out until about 3:30 and then sepnt the rest of the day cleaning up our Coach.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow Bonnie and I are going to play Bunco and then our whole group goes out for Margaritas at 4:30. I'm back in business and able to run around. However I still dont have the stamina to walk very far so could not walk the Boardwalk today like I wanted to. I'll save that for later..<br />
<br />
We have company coming in this weekend and there is a Festival on the Riverwalk so we will have some fun things to participate in.<br />
<br />
I'll post again about my fun life instead of my medical history... ha ha<br />
<br />
Later<br />
cheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-30378145110134234432010-01-25T21:54:00.000-08:002010-01-25T21:54:13.891-08:00TODAY I'M BACK TO NORMAL --- i THINKWell since I wrote that last post I have not been too many places here in Laughlin but we have sure found out where all the doctors office and Emergency Rooms are in Bullhead City. Jerry and I both ended up in the ER room on Monday morning after my treatment. Jerry had come down with a cold while we were in Las Vegas and it just was not getting any better. I feared I had an infected toe and possibly a bug from Jerry as I was pretty achy and coughing a lot. Ended up he had Broncitis and I had Cellulitius. We were both given antibiotics. I was pretty much down for the count... On Thurs I had to go for my regular blood tests and found out that my platlets and white blood cell count were both down. Dr from Vegas called and wanted to make sure I was on the right antibotics. Had to go back to see if the counts were up more on Friday. I was very weak and not able to function much so I have not been out of the Motor Home much this week. This morning I awoke with a whole different feel. It felt wonderful... Sunshiny day and I was feeling like actually doing something. We both had follow up appointments with a Dr. here in Laughlin from going to the ER room and he ordered another blood test. I didnt dare go for Tacos tonight with the group and out to play cards as I didnt want to take a chance on getting any more infections. Hopefully I will find out tomorrow that my counts are up again as I do feel much better and actually almost back to normal..<br />
<br />
I just heard from a friend in Okalhome whose husband is going thru alot of Chemo etc at this time also. He has had lots of complications. Any of my friends who are reading this - Please keep him (John) in your prayer chains also.<br />
<br />
More later..<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-77999945018659871382010-01-16T08:12:00.001-08:002010-01-16T08:36:37.124-08:00STARTING OVERWell we are in our final destination for the winter.. Laughlin Nevada. We arrived here on Sat the ninth after a great visit with the Kinkades and the Bullards in Yuma. The weather there was absolutly wonderful. Its about 10 degrees cooler in Laughlin but there are so many more friends here and so many more things to do that so far we dont mind the coolness at all. Of course I'm always cold and its actually warm enough that everyone else just has shirts on and I always have a jacket of some sort... <br />
<br />
We settled in for two and a half days and then took off on Tues to Las Vegas. My appointment was the 12th. I love the doctor and feel real good about the next trial. As I said before I'm hoping for a miracle and think that 2010 will be the year. It is a woman doctor and she has great credentials and a wonderful bedside manner. She has conferred with my doc in Missouri and they have decided that this new drug Ixperia is the one to go with this time. Its supposed to be easy on the side effects so I'm hoping !!! So far its been pretty good. I will have to go back every three weeks for a treatment but I can handle that. It is a much bigger Clinic that what I am used to but everyone was very nice and I felt quite comfortable there.<br />
<br />
While we were in Las Vegas - my friend from Chicago was in Pheonix visitimg another friend so she came up to be with us. We saw two shows... Terry Fator - The winner of AMERICAS GOT TALENT and he was fabulous and then we saw the Beatles LOVE Cirque de Soleil which was really fabulous. We had a great time and left there yesterday. She came here to spend the night with us and will go back to Pheonix today.<br />
<br />
On Sunday we have another couple coming to visit us on their way back to Colorado from Arizona. I have not seen here for about four years and have been trying to get to her place in Colorado for about that long. It will be so good to see them. At the end of the month my ex sis in law and her husband (who we visited in Yuma) will be coming for about four days and some friends from Okla and Palm Springs will be coming in Feb. This is great... We go on vacation and everyone comes to visit us.. ha ha... Any one else want to come...???? Glad to have you... I am going to try very hard to get to Parump Nev to see one of the Pandimites that I have know for several years but only seen once. Cyber friends for sure..Parump is not to far from Vegas so we will try to get there mayabe next time I have to go.. Also one of the many largest Truck Stops that I am determined to see is there so I will make the trip twofold.. ha ha<br />
<br />
Well must go get some breakfast...<br />
Keep you fingers crossed for me that this new drug works.<br />
I know I have lots of prayers and white lights out there so I'm counting on this being the year of remission...<br />
<br />
Later<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-78467444110987683402009-12-31T22:10:00.000-08:002009-12-31T22:10:05.576-08:00HAPPY NEW YEARWell my journey for 2008 was changed to an extension for 2009 and here it is 2010 so it has now turned into more than a journey. It is survival..<br />
<br />
We have had so much trouble with the internet service that I have not blogged for several months. My New Years Resolution is to keep a better handle on it. That is if it is within my control.. <br />
<br />
Since I last made an entry I had three treatments of the new drug that I thought was really working as I felt no discomfort and had no side effects to speak of. However after a PET scan on Dec 10th I was told once again that it was not working. Dr. Greco had already made arrangements for me to have the rest of the treatments in Las Vegas at the Comprehensive Cancer Center so he suggested we carry on with our plan of going to Laughlin as its only 90 miles from there. He was sending a tissue sample of the original Cancer to the Lab and they will shoot it with many drugs to see if there is something that they have not tried that will work.This is some new process they have been doing for about 6 months he said. The resuslts would not be know for about two or three weeks so he was going to send all info to the Dr. that I am seeing in Las Vegas. I am ready for a miracle. Hoping that maybe a new Dr. may see something that Dr. Greco did not or maybe some new drug is in the works..<br />
<br />
We spent a few days with Tiff and her family the weekend before Christmas which was very nice and then headed up to Minnesota on the 20th of Dec. Stopped in Mpls to visit with my Aunt and Uncle and then on to Hoyt Lakes. Mom is doing very well and Dad is as well as can be expected. My sister and her husband came for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and we spent the afternoon with my dad on Christmas Eve. Of course we had our traditional Lutefisk and Swedish Meatball dinner for Christmas Eve. Jerry and I left Hoyt Lakes on the 26th and got back to LVL on the 27th. Our Motor Home was winterized and it was to cold to unwinterize so we stayed in a Condo for three nights before taking off on our winter adventure. On the 30th we stayed in Okc with our friend and New Years Eve finds us in Midland Texas. We just finished watching the ball drop in New York and toasted with our soft drinks. We will get to Yuma Arizona on Saturday where we will meet up with Bonnie and Omar and visit my Ex Sister in Law for a week and get to Laughlin by the 10th.<br />
My doctor appointment in Las Vegas will be on the 12th so I will find out more at that time.<br />
<br />
I hope 2010 is the year for everyone,.<br />
I feel a good year coming on.<br />
I feel like we are really starting to live in our Motor Home now..<br />
Still have not killed each other or even had any really bad days yet... ha ha<br />
<br />
Happy New Year..<br />
CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-17488737431863279992009-10-20T21:59:00.000-07:002009-10-20T22:28:20.944-07:00WHAT DOES CANCER FEEL LIKE??????I am sure that there are many people that wonder that very thing...and are afraid to ask. Some that have been diagnosed want to know what to expect and of course they went to know they have hope and all about the new drugs available<br />I have been asked the question.<br />I wondered myself at the onset of this journey what it would feel like.<br />I have read many stories and seen several documentaries on TV that give you a horrible account. I have not had that experience at all. In the past even when I was in the Hospital because my counts were down and my immune system was compromised I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> really feel like I was a sick person. Today I feel I am able to answer the question with a whole new outlook.<br /><br />What Does Cancer Feel Like???<br />Yesterday it felt like a death <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sentence</span> after I was told that my diagnosis now is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">TNBC</span> - Triple Negative Breast Cancer.<br />Today it felt like a new beginning when I read an article while waiting for my doctor appointment about a fairly new very effective drug called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carboplatin</span>. When I got in to see him and he explained that this was the Chemo Treatment I was going to start on it was a very bright spot in the day. It felt like my lucky day... A new Treatment a new chance and a new beginning to the next phase of my journey.<br /><br />Physically I can only speak for myself as I have not been fortunate to speak to any one else living with the same Cancer. In the beginning it felt like mild heartburn - recently it has progressed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">across</span> the chest area and I thought it felt like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">adhesion's</span> in the area of the Mastectomy and I have some stiffness in the left arm. I am so fortunate to be getting this fairly new and statistical encouraging Chemo drug and am praying this is the one that works for me now. I plan to beat the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">deamon</span>..<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chele</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />`Chelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-5240745148296627902009-10-16T18:01:00.000-07:002009-10-16T19:09:05.341-07:00JOURNEY EXTENSIONBecause I had to change my email address when we left our house at the resort and moved into a Motor Home I had problems with email, phone, Internet and everything connected to those things. I have had to change the address on the blog site and it was a mess so just decided to start all over and send everyone the new spot...<br /><br /><br /><br />The URL in case you do not get a message from me is<br /><br /><a href="http://bitsybb-chele.blogspot.com/">http://bitsybb-chele.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><br />I started this as a journey for 2008 when I was first diagnosed for the second time with Cancer.<br /><br />Metastasized Breast Cancer which means it has moved onto places other than the breast. After a Lumpectomy, Chemo, Mastectomy, Radiation and many complications since then it has still not left my body unfortunately. We are still fighting this monster tooth and nail. I am about to start another round of Chemo on Monday which has postponed our plans of going south in our newly acquired home... The Motor Home which we call the Coach.. Hopefully I will be done with treatment so we can spend our annual Christmas time with our families and then go to Laughlin for the first three months of 2010 as we planned. As in the past I try to post when ever I can so I can just send out a blog note to everyone and not have to update many many times in individual emails. I still like to receive as many emails as I can tho as the correspondence by email, mail or phone is a bright spot in a sometimes dull day trying to beat the demon. So don't be afraid to correspond or send comments to me.<br /><br /><br /><br />Since I last posted we sold everything we owned (practically) at an Auction in the front yard of our house at the resort, climbed into the Motor Home and headed North. We spent a few days with our best friends traveling to Iowa to watch Barges go down the Mississippi river and then to Nebraska to visit with the friends from Laughlin. We then went up to Northern Minnesota to help my mom for about three weeks. Following that we came back to Missouri and left our Motor Home at the resort and went to Oklahoma to meet up with our friend Kenneth and headed off to a wonderful trip to Alaska. We took a five day land tour starting in Fairbanks and ending up in Anchorage. We then boarded a ship in Seward and cruised to Vancouver. It was a great trip and we did so many fun things. There was only one disappointment in the trip. The three of us planned to take a Helicopter to a Glacier and land at a dog camp. We were then to ride the dogsleds and even be able to mush the dogs. The weather did not cooperate with us and the Helicopter was not able to take us up. When I was up north I found out that you can go dogsleding in Northern Minnesota up by where my mom lives or in Wisconsin so I guess we could still try it .... However Jerry was really enthralled with landing on a Glacier. There are none of those in Minn or Wis...<br /><br /><br /><br />When we returned from that trip we planned to go to Indiana to the Covered Bridge Festival and then to Michigan to visit our son and daughter-in-law and then head south to Texas. I got a call from my mom and she wanted me to come help her move as she didn't feel she could live alone in her house any longer. We spent three weeks getting her all set up at an Assisted Living facility in Biwabik Mn. She is a little farther away from home than she wants to be but she is safe and has the help she needs.<br /><br /><br /><br />When we left her we did go to Covered Bridge Festival for a couple days with our friends and just spent time wandering around as opposed to working there in the food wagon like we had for the last 7 years. They have come back here to the resort with us for a few days before they leave for Texas, their home base. We are planning to stay here at the resort while I am having treatment unless we cannot survive the weather in Nov and Dec here in Missouri living in a Motor Home. If I have complications or get to uncomfortable we will have to go to plan B which will probably be to rent a place for awhile. I'm counting on the Good Lord and my dear friends to get me thru this one again and am sure I will be back in action very soon.<br /><br /><br /><br />Hope this is a good catch up for anyone that I have not keep in touch with.<br /><br />I will appreciate any prayers, white lights or good thoughts from anyone and I thank you in advance for all of it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Later<br /><br />CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5539079859325220926.post-41642829306640389112009-08-25T10:17:00.000-07:002009-10-27T14:04:25.048-07:00ALASKA AT LASTWell here we are.... in Alaska at last...<br />It was a long but quite an uneventful flight. We first had a layover in Salt Lake City which we almost missed. Our flight from Okc left late and we got to the boarding gate at the last minute. They had already changed our flight until the next day. We had to scramble and the Delta people did a great job and got us on. Then we had a layover in Seattle ... So of course we ate some more junk food. ha ha... We arrived in Alaska at 1;35 am and got to the Hotel and we told that we didnt have a room for that night. Our Itineary did not start until the next night. Of course we were a bit frustrated but said what could we do but pay the $200.00 extra. This morning I find out we went to the wrong hotel. We were supposed to stay at the Super 8 at the airport and get transfered over here today. It was confusing and our trip Itinery said this Hotel and the flight Itinary said Super 8. Oh well we are here and its fricken cold. I have a turtle neck and a sweatshirt jacket on and we have not even gone outside. The guys are walking around the hotel to see what is available while I am typing so better not stay to long.<br /><br />When we were in Okc we took a trip downtown to see what all had been built up since we lived there. It was amazing what a good Mayor and lots of public support can do to a virtually deserted downtown warehouse district. It was beautiful and the water taxi ride we took thru the canal was wonderful. Okc has really alot of history to it. I have a pic of the three of us on the boat and will post it sometime as the beginning of our Alaska adverture if I ever figure out how to post pics. Probably will not have time to do it on the trip but when I get home I will post lots.<br /><br />Must go for now<br />CheleChelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836415924176981828noreply@blogger.com0