Hi!
Happy New Year to everyone. The countdown is on. 1 week until treatment number 6.... the final one. I am so looking forward to being done. Not necessarily the treatment itself.

This is week number 4 following my last treatment and I feel really good. I still am sleeping 10 hours a night and I get winded from time to time, but I actually felt like cleaning yesterday. Didn't do alot, but some is better than none.

Thanks for all of your good wishes. They really keep me inspired!
Love to you all.
Lori

Another week has gone by and I am feeling stronger every day. I still get winded and tire easily, but I feel really good!

Right now my biggest concern is trying to regulate my potassium. It has been really low after my last treatment, and I have been taking potassium supplements to try to increase the levels. I had my blood drawn again today. We'll see what the results show. I have not had any side effects from the low levels. I could have had some problems with my heart, but did not.

Still trying to get ready for Christmas. All my presents bought, just need to wrap. Maybe Taylor will help.

Have a happy and safe Christmas, everyone!
Love,
Lori

Hi everybody!
I know it's been awhile since I've written. I have no excuse. The first few days out of the hospital, I felt really good. Better than I have out of the hospital ever. Friday, I started feeling bad, dizzy, out of breath, just a general feeling of no good. Fever up a little, 99.6. Now it's down below 99. I slept 12 hours last night (turned the lights out at 8:30--- unheard of for me) & I feel really good today. No dizziness.

I have a blood draw in the morning to see if I can get out among the people this week. Wish me luck.
Lori

Soo... Soo... nice to not have to travel to KC for the shot. I was done even before the appointment time. Plus no 3-4 hour drive to get there and back. I am feeling pretty good this time around. I wonder if the extra week in between had anything to do with it. If so, I should really recover well after the jan 6th treatment.

Going to get a blood draw this morning, then coming back home to hybernate.

Lori

It wasn't 11:00 but I made it home at about 2:30 last night. Felt good to sleep in my own bed for a change. I get to have the 4,000.00 shot in Topeka, so we don't have to drive to KC for a 10 second procedure. Thank goodness. I feel pretty good today, trying not to do too much. Mostly unpacked from hospital trip ------ JUST 1 MORE TREATMENT! I've got it scheduled for the 6th of Jan. I should feel really good by then.

love you lots,
Lori

Guess what? the doctor said I could go home as soon as the medicine I am getting is done. Might be 11:00 but it will be tonight. no reason to stay all night just to wait to be discharged. YEAH!!!!

Hey everyone,
Sunday morning, I had hoped to go home today. No such luck. Monte did come up last night and stayed the night. I think he'll stay most of the day, today, too. Should help the day go faster.
Love, Lori

Hey Everyone,

I have not thrown up again, thank goodness. I did
get news today that made me cry.
 I am not going to be able to leave until
Monday. Apparently, this weekend doctor
 doesn't want to speed up my meds so I
can get out on Sunday. Boo and Hiss.
Get out the meds for my mood.

Love you all lots,
Lori

Hi Guys,
Well it's Friday morning. More that half way through. Sunday seems closer now.

I had company Wed. eve. and again for most of the daytime yesterday. Really makes the day seem to go faster.

Threw up yesterday. Earlier than normal. Trying to keep a lid on it.


Not much to say.
Lori

Well, yesterday was a very boring day. Some good tv, I watched a movie, talked to my family and friends on the phone. Sent a couple of emails. Mostly, bored, uncomfortable, wondering if I can really get through this. Everybody has been really encouraging. It is still really HARD. Enough of me complaining.


I have it really good. I am doing this as a preventative.
Someone I know was just diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
I have it really good.

Thank you,
Lori

morning everybody!

I forgot to tell you all that I got a room with a view this time. I'm on the other side of the hall and I can see traffic and people and trees and the SUN! What a great feeling to wake up to sunshine!

I slept really good last night, so I feel really good this morning.
We'll see how the day goes.

Thinking of you all.
Lori

hey everybody!
Well, I'm here and hooked up (to chemo by 3:30). Not too much wait for anything. I cried pretty much every step of the way. On the way to KC. In the waiting room at the cancer center. In front of the PA. In front of the Dr. (he gave me a really cool KU ballcap to wear to help cheer me up) At lunch. In admissions. When my parents left. Right now.

I had an EKG when I came in. apparently my pulse was running high. Results perfectly normal. Thank goodness.

Lori

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! I ate entirely too much. But, boy, was it good. Plus the leftovers are awesome! Starting to think about Monday. Round 5. Almost done -- but it is so hard to get my mind in the right place to be ready for it. I'm crying just thinking about it. (((LONG PAUSE as I compose myself)))

I'll be spending Sunday packing, (it won't take too long, I know exactly what I need).

Talk to you all on Monday, I'll let you know what I had to go through to get admitted.

Love you all,
Lori

Great news! My hemoglobin count is going up. 8.8 on Monday. So.....no transfusion this time around. Yeah! Thank you for all of the prayers and good thoughts! Going in to work this afternoon. Really looking forward to it. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving! We have a lot to be thankful for.
Lori

What a great week. I worked 3 afternoons - it was great to be out among people again. The girls at work are really good to me, making sure that I don't tire myself out or do too much.

I had a blood draw yesterday. Got a call from the nurse in KC. Seems my hemoglobin is still going down. Right at the cutoff of 8.0. She wanted to know how I was feeling. I told her really good, considering. She said that I might need another transfusion if I go below 8.0 on Monday's blood test. GREAT! Oh well, not much I can do about it.

Have a great weekend.
Lori

What a difference a weekend makes! I am feeling so much better! I had my blood drawn yesterday and got really good news. My white count is over 11 - due in part to the shot that I get. Hemoglobin is 8.3, just high enough that I don't need a transfusion. (8.0 is the cutoff) Yeah! So I'm going to go into work this afternoon, can't wait to get out of the house.

Have a good week!
Lori

Hi Everyone! What a long week. Haven't felt like doing anything, so I haven't been. Which means I haven't been on the computer to post anything. Sorry. I know that you all are wondering what is happening with my health and my life. This last treatment seems like so long ago, yet it was just 5 days ago. Must be how my brain is dealing with the trauma of it. 4 down, 2 to go. With all of your support and encouraging words, I know that I can make it through it.


My next treatment is after Thanksgiving. Dec 1. I think the Dr. knew that I needed to be home during the holiday for my sanity.


Have had 2 blood draws this week. Tues, my white count was 1.7 hemoglobin was 9.5 (normal, not low enough for blood transfusion). Went in again this morning, won't hear results until this afternoon. Probably a drop in the white count (usual for day 5) this weekend should bring the count back up and Monday's count should show a marked improvement. That's when the hemoglobin has been dropping, though. Let's hope that I'm able to keep the number up.

If you guys ever need and update, and are afraid to call, just leave a message on this site, or drop me an email.
Thanks for everything
Lori

I'm home. Tired really tired. Going to KC for my shot. Not much else to tell. Just that the treatments get harder every time.
Love you all lots.
Lori

I guess I had to do it. Throw up that is. Didn't want to. Asked for meds that didn't come soon enough. All over myself and the floor. One of the nurses said I blessed the floor. Hit the orange button on the wall. All of the other nurse call buttons are orange. This one is the code button. You should have seen the nurses rush in to my room. Of course, I didn't see them. I was bent over the sink and trash can. They just told me later.

I can't even think about eating, but I guess I'll order breakfast. I didn't eat any lunch or dinner yesterday, and I'm still gagging, but I'll try to see what I can get down. Wish me luck.

Going home today.

Friday was my crying day. Why do I always have to have a day where I can't keep from crying. All day long. Even extra meds didn't help. Mom & Dad came to visit thank goodness, otherwise I would have been a basket case.

Dr. IS speeding up the meds. I'll finish chemo at 4 today, and the bladder protection between 2 & 3 on Sunday. YEAH!

I didn't sleep very well last night. Up at 3, didn't fall asleep again until 6.

Thanks for listening to me complain!
Lori

Sleeping a lot today. Hard to do anything when your eyes won't stay open. Probably the meds that I'm on. Oh well, makes the time go by when there's nothing else to do. Finishing one chemo med tonight. Two more days to go on the other, then the med to protect my bladder.
Dr. asked today if we're on time or running late, (with the meds) I told him a little late on Sunday, so maybe he'll hurry up the protection med so I can get out a little earlier on Sunday.

Well it's day 3 and I'm doing pretty good. Taking the mental health meds as a preventative instead of waiting till I feel bad. This is helping, it think. Thinking about things going on at home doesn't help. I have to concentrate on me.

Today my port got blocked somehow. The nurses had to de-access the port and then re-access it about 5 minutes later. Luckily I didn't have ANY PAIN with any of it.

Keep you posted if anything else comes up. Seems like the past few stays have been pretty boring. OH well!
Lori

Hey everyone,
Well all of the prayers and good thoughts for a quick admission were answered. By the time I saw the doctor at 11:30, they already had a room for me. We stopped for lunch before we went to the hospital, but I was in a room by 2 and the chemo was started by 4. YEAH!!!!! My doctor stopped by the room at about 7 and said that this is the way it should be.
Amen.

Talk to you tomorrow
Lori

The past three days have just flown by. I feel really good, so I've been doing more, worked Wed. & Thurs. afternoons. Taylor & I got out this afternoon and went to Walmart. Just two more days and I'm going back in for round number 4. Doesn't seem like I've had much time between rounds this time, but most of it I didn't really feel good.

This round we are hoping for a quick admission. Don't want to spend 7 hours in the admissions office this time.

Have a great weekend.
Lori

It was another LONG day in KC. I had a blood draw at 12:00 to type my blood. It was 3:30 before they started administering the blood. A 3 and half hour wait!!!!! Nothing is quick, I might as well resign myself to that fact. It was 9:30 when I got home last night. I do feel better today. Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers.
Lori

Hi,
Ok - the good news white blood count and platelets are up. Don't even remember the numbers right now. Too much going through my head. Seems hemoglobin is low. If I don't get a blood transfusion, my recovery could take a long time and delay my next treatment. So mom & dad are taking me to kc tomorrow for a blood transfusion. NOT what I want, but what can I do??? All done outpatient, so I won't be admitted. I guess that is good. minimally.
Lori

Hope everyone is as glad to see the sun as I am. Even though it is still a little cold outside, the brightness still helps. I had another blood draw yesterday. Not good news. My white count is .4 --- way down. Guess I won't be going anywhere this weekend. Will try again on Monday to see if it increases. I woke up this morning with severe bone pain, a sign my shot of neulasta was working. Hopefully my bone marrow is really busy making white blood cells and platelets, the two things I'm low on. The dr. said I should just be careful about cutting myself or with bruises because of the low platelet count. Since I don't do anything, it shouldn't be a problem.

Enjoy your weekend.
I'll let you know the results of Monday's blood draw.
Lori

4 days post chemo and my temp is staying below 99 degrees. YEAH! Tomorrow will be the defining moment however. Day 5 is when my temp spiked last time. I was able to stay in bed all night last night. Tossed a little bit, but able to go right back to sleep.
Not much else to share, a pretty boring existence right now. BUT THAT'S OK!!!!
Lori

Hi. Today was a better day. I actually felt more normal again. Even sooner than the last two treatments. Went in for a blood draw. Numbers are low- white count 3.0, but the good news is that's better than 3 days out for the previous two times. I forgot to take anything to put on my head when I went in to the hospital (I do my blood draws at stormont). Decided I didn't care, my chauffeur Drew asked if I wanted to go back, I said no. So I am being really careful in public places and using a mask. If I didn't look a sight. One lady in the waiting room asked me if I had cancer. Told her yes, she said I had good color. If you can call a two toned bald lady having good color, I guess that's OK. Felt good enough to cook a casserole for dinner tonight. I was just too tired to clean up. I have good help though. Both Monte and Taylor pitched in.

Thanks for listening to the exciting as well as the mundane.
Lori

Hi, everybody. Thanks for putting up with my sporadic writing. Sometimes it's just to hard to set in front of the computer and write.

Sunday was hurry up & wait. Again. (does it seem like I'm doing a lot more complaining now?) Monte stayed Sat night, we left the hospital about 3. (not without roadblocks from the nurse from HELL Judy) More about her later. Stopped at Kmart for 2 prescriptions. I just can't get comfortable at home either. Can't take too many pills. So I slept for 4 hours, up for 3, slept for about 3 more.

Time to go to KC for my $4,000 shot. Did you know the reason I have to go to KC is because a Dr. from Topeka won't take orders from at Dr. from KC. Can it get any worse?????


Here's to a brighter and more comfortable tomorrow.
Lori

Saturday was long and boring. Monte came up at dinner time and spent the night. I am done with chemo, just waiting on the extra medicine that protects my bladder. They say I should be done by 5:00! Yes!

Friday has been a lazy day. Spent most of the morning dozing. I guess that's better than crying. Monte's sisters visited this afternoon, as well as my Mom & Dad. Good to have company, makes the day pass by faster. Drs. say they are going to work it out so that I can get out of the hospital Sunday evening. Keep your fingers crossed it works out. Just two more days, keep telling myself that it's only two more days. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. I do want you to know that I read all of the comments that are left. I really appreciate them.

Happy thoughts from here on out.
Lori

Today, I can't stop crying. Missing all of you guys, feeling alone and overwhelmed by everything that is happening. I asked for extra meds, hope the tears stop soon.
Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Lori

Hi everyone, two days down, four to go. Wednesday was a lazy day. All I wanted to do was sleep. Every time I started something, I ended up dozing. Mom & Dad came down for a few hours in the afternoon. I did take a walk in the morning. And by evening the nurses found a trace of blood in my urine. Had to stop one of my chemos, set me back about 2 hours until they tested my urine and found it to be clear. Today, a protein in my blood is low. So... I get a new IV to replace that protein.

Let you know more later.
Lori

Tuesday was a really good day. I got to sleep most of the night. Not too many interruptions. I took a nap, took a walk, watched a movie, read some. I had two visitors, Steve, Taylor's club softball coach, came to see me at about 11:00. We had a nice talk. Also my friend from high school, Vicki, stopped by after dinner, it was really great to visit with her too. Needless to say, the day went by fast, I'm feeling good. We'll see what Wednesday brings.
Lori

I'm finally in the hospital room! We left the house at 6:30 this morning, we were done in the doctor's office by 9:35. We went for coffee and read for a while, then had an early lunch because they told us it would be a while before a room would be ready. We got to the hospital at 12:15. Admitting told us it would be 3:00. Finally at 6:20 they checked me in and I got to the room at about 7:00. Talk about a long day. No comfortable chairs. Anyway, I'm here now but it may be midnight before I get hooked up to the chemo. Wish me luck everybody. I'll write more tomorrow.
Lori

I know it's been a while since I posted, but not much new has been happening. I do want to thank everybody who attended the benefit last night how thankful I am that you are in my life. It means so much that you would take time out of your busy schedules to spend some time (& money) with me! Thank you! Thank you!

Also, it's time for round three! I will leave Topeka bright & early Monday morning to go to KC for bloodwork and a Dr. visit. If I'm healthy enough, I'll be admitted to the hospital for my 3rd round of chemo. Once this round is complete, I'll be half way done. Yeah.

I'll keep you posted through my hospital stay.

Lori

Hi Everyone!
Getting out today, Yeah!


My friend Sheryl has been really busy organizing a benefit for me. I would really like for you all to come so I can thank you for everything that you have done for me.

Here's the info:

Oct 11th 4-7 PM
Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center Parking Lot
Behind the bank

There will be BBQ and a Silent Auction/Raffle
Donations are still being sought
They can be dropped off at Cards 'n Such

There is still tons to do, so if you would like to help Sheryl,
Please call her
H-765-3902
W-765-3349
C-256-3553 Probably the best way to get a hold of her this weekend


Thanks in advance for all you guys can do for this!
Love you lots!
Lori

Hey Everyone!
Since I posted last on Sunday, a lot has happened. Monday eve, my temp went up to 100.9. I called KU med, got their answering service, never heard a thing from them. By Tues morning my fever was 101.3. When I called KU med again, I got a call right back from Dr. Doolittle's nurse. Got mom & dad up early, kept Taylor home from school and we all headed to KC. Sat & waited for 4 hours before I saw anyone, but finally got put on some IV antibiotics. They admitted me to the hospital Tues. eve. More IV meds. Don't know for sure what is going to happen.
By Wed. morning, I had seen lots of Drs., heard anything from hours to days that I'll be here. Bummer. Need more meds.

Wed afternoon the powers that be decided my hemoglobin was too low. So..... I got some blood. Never had that happen before. I'm a little nervous, need more meds.

Blood transfusion went fine, I got 2 units.

Now it's Thurs. morning early, I slept about 7 hours. Nurse just informed me that my white count is 7.9, very good, hemoglobin is 9.1, also very good.
Maybe they'll let me out today.
Wish me luck!
Lori

Went for a blood test on Friday. Never did hear back from the Dr.'s office. I guess no news is good news. My temperature has not risen like last time post-hospital stay. Highest so far is 98.9. Still staying close to home, though. I'll go give more blood on Tues.
Monte needed a hair cut tonight, either Drew or I give him one with some clippers we have at home. I had him cut the rest of the stragglers on my head down to almost nothing tonight. Still some slight stubble, but I look almost as bald as I can be. Not too bad. Not scary looking anyway.


I'll post again soon.
Lori

I'm hearing through the grapevine that some of you are missing my posts. So, I'd better get busy.
Well I did speak too soon. Tues and Wed were TORTURE. I didn't feel bad, just restless, couldn't get comfortable. Definitely not enough Mental Health meds on board. I had visitors both days, but I really started to feel like I was going crazy. I couldn't wait for the chemo to end at 3 on Wed., but it did and I got to go home. I took my own meds to settle myself down and was able to get a good night sleep.

Next day, back to KC for my $4,000 shot, still not feeling the best. Not at all like the day after my first round. MORE meds when I got home, plus a good cry with a good friend. I think I'm finally back to myself again. SCARY TIMES! I really understand how people have breakdowns, because I think I was close to one. (crying as I'm writing this, I guess it still hits close to home)

Today, a really good day, I slept well and don't need those extra meds. Still really fatigued (something that can't be remedied by sleep)--- I am spending some time outside, beautiful!
Taking just a few steps at a time to keep from speeding up my heartbeat and therefore my breathing.

Thanking God for all of you out there reading this. I would not be doing this without you!
Lori

PS A momentous day. I typed this using both hands. First time I could do this since my surgery.
Things are definitely improving!

Sunday was a sleeping day, between doctors, nurses, visitors, i just dozed, couldn't help myself. Mom & Dad visited after Taylor's game, as did Monte & Taylor. Once they all left, Taylor's softball coach, Steve, stopped by. We visited for about 45 minutes. It was nice of him to stop by.

hi everyone! seems to be smooth sailing this time (hope I'm not speaking too soon) i'm sleeping alot, dozing between visitors & meals. Really makes the day go fast.

I did have some excitement early this morning ----- woke up when my hand was in a wet spot. I checked myself & decided the moisture came from my IV. Thank God it was just the saline and not one of the chemos. I'm not sure why, that's just what the nurse said.

When I get through today it will mark the half-way point, all down hill from here.

Love you lots, Lori

Well, the rest of Friday went pretty normally. Mom & Dad came to visit. Monte came later in the evening, stayed all night on a very uncomfortable couch. The nurses shut down my chemo two hours so that they could check my urine for blood. So not only did the chemo not start until 11:30 that night, it's now two more hours behind. Might be 3:00 in the morning when I get discharged this time. I guess we'll wait & see.

Thanks for everything!
Lori

OK --- I've been up and about for a while now. I've moved just about every way I could to try to make the needle poke me -- but it's not. I guess I just needed to get used to it. So, when the IV people get around to me, I don't think I'll need them to do anything. Took a shower, I feel better now.

Keep you posted, Lori

I'm here. It's all about hurry up & wait. I was assigned a room at about 2:30. By 7ish, still no chemo, orders are to start it at 9pm (???). Plus, the needle they put into my port is in crooked, so I'm feeling a stabbing pain when I move my right side just right.....like the needle is jabbing into a muscle....owwww. I have some of the same nurses this time, really nice ones. Also, there was this really cute 4th year resident who took a bunch of information from me. Tried to get Taylor to look at him, no luck. Mom brought a decoration for my room. Isn't it cute??

They're going to try to fix the port today, wish me luck!
I'm in room 4205, phone number 913-588-4205.
Lori

Hi! This week has been a really good week. I guess it just takes 3 weeks after the chemo to feel good again. Soooo....... tomorrow I go to KC for bloodwork, and then I'll probably get admitted to the hospital. I'll let everyone know my info once I get there. After last time when I didn't have many people come see me & I got really lonely, I know I'll need more visitors this time. If you have any free time at all.........

Wish me luck!
Lori

Thank you so much for all the emails, cards & phone calls. It really means alot. I have been working half days this week. Still a long day, but I get to sleep in. I had a blood draw today. The nurse from KC called to let me know that most of my numbers looked good ( hemoglobin still a little low ), so I don't have to get poked again until I go back to KC next Thursday. That is the day that I potentially will go in for my second treatment.

Well I guess no new news is good news.
Lori

Hi everyone! I went to work yesterday, worked for 5 hours. wore me out, but in a good way. The wig was a hit, no one looked at me funny, like the wig was really bad or anything. Slept 11 hours last night, it felt really good.

Lori

OK it's time. Woke up with hair all over my pillow. Called Melani. Time to get rid of it all. Here are the pictures.

Yeah!!! The number has improved! 8.6 isn't that great! I can officially be among people now!
Not that being at home is anything like the hospital.

Hope you had a great weekend!
Lori

Slept 9 hours last night. i feel better today than any day since the hospital. It's also
the first day without a fever since i began checking it on Wed.

Still not doing much, I haven't read anywhere that fresh air is bad for me, so I spent some time outside early before it got warm, just hanging out. What beautiful sunshine, and the leaves blowing in the breeze. I've always noticed those things, just not taking them for granted any more.

Look for the blessings in your life,
Lori

WELL........... the bad first... white count now down to .4 (from .7) Good news is something called the differential was at 0 (zero) on wednesday, now is 24. Means that white blood cells should be returning pronto. Yeah!!!! Will do another draw on tues to see how much I improve.



Hope everyone has a great & safe holiday weekend.

Love, Lori

Ok everybody, wish me luck. I'm going for another blood draw today. I'll post result later.

THE RIDE IS JUST BEGINNING

Hi guys, The next day (sunday) was boring but easy. Got home at 8:00 pm. boy am I glad!

Monday a trip to KC for my $4,000 shot (yes, you read it right) Helps boost my white count
Stopped by the store to visit the girls, really good to see them -- decided to try work on Wed afternoon.


NOW we're in the present again.
My Chauffeur, DREW, dropped me by work (LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS THAT WERE WAITING FOR ME FROM THE GIRLS) after he took me by the hospital for a blood draw(to be done twice a week, but can be done here in Topeka) I made it through 3 VERY weak-no energy hours when the Dr office from KC calls.

Publish Post

my white count is almost non-existent (.7 --- 7.0 - 10 is normal) I should go home, avoid people & have blood drawn again on Friday. Check my temp, Should even be low grade, I may have to go to hospital to check out infection source. Pick up a script that is supposed to help. By 7:00 pm my fever has reduced from 99.9 (Had it gone to 100, we would have been out the door) back to my very normal 98.2 (Thank GOD) whoever was praying right then, thank you so much. I know I sure was.

Let's see what tomorrow brings,
Thanks for all the prayers,
Lori

Friday morning came around as usual- OH did I tell you that one of the chemo drugs only runs for 3 days, so I finished it Thrusday night- Another YEAH!!

By the time I had my shower my mom and dad came by- my sisters boss (from St. Francis, KS) was there for her husbands surgery.

Mom and dad stayed for most of the afternoon- then went back home.

Roxie came in to visit as soon as her husband went into surgery. She had me laughing and crying just as much (she says) as Susan cries. Can't remember the name she had for it, but it was cute.

Saturday morning all alone-
I've been munching on crackers off and on thinking that my queasy feeling would go away. Did NOT want to ask for extra anti-nausea drugs. Why? IDK

So guess what- all of a sudden- I can't even make it to the toilet- I'm puking in the sink and with every heave some pee leaks out. Who said they didn't want a catheter? Oh no, here comes lunch.

The nurse just happens to walk by- runs to get me some meds and cleans up my mess. I clean myself up- thank goodness for knit capris that day.

Slept most of the afternoon. The really good drug gives me about a 4 hour nap.

Drs. rounds- says other Chemo drug will be done at midnight-YEAH!! A special drug to protect my bladder should be done at 4:00 a.m.

No one visits-although I do hear from Gayla and Susan that day and as always my family calls- Still a lonely day

Missing you all- You have no idea!!

Lori

Seems like a long time since I was on, guess it really has been! Where did I leave off? Oh yeah, I was ready to tell you about thurs. Mom & dad & Taylor came down for the day, Taylor was excused from school, cause she just really needs
time with her momma!

some of our special friends flew in from az, not to see me specifically but they took the time to visit, which was nice.

all in all a good day i was really tired for most of the evening and slept well that night.

OOHHH!And the best thing of all-- the catheter came out, I couldn't get my pants down fast enough --- YEE HAW!!!!

more about yesterday, my family visited. So good to see them. Drew put on a show of course. give the man a robe and watch him go!!!!





He had the visitor's in the room across from us rolling on the floor, dancing, doing boxing moves, oh boy!!!








Aren't they cute!!


Hugs & kisses, Lori

Sorry I didn't write anything yesterday. Linda McDonald & her mother-in-law visited. It was good to see them.

I woke up today in one of my moods, started crying & couldn't stop. One of the nurses sat down & talked to me (also medicating me while she was at it). Still crying through my shower. Oh, guess what?.....I had a catheter put in after all. still can't get the blood out of my urine.

Mom & Dad brought Taylor to see me today. Slept through most of their visit, shared some laughs and good times too.

I've decided that I really need someone with me alot more than I thought I would. So..... Any time you can come see me.....I really would like it.

Love & Kisses Lori

Hey every one! Things are really hopping here((((not)))). I got a shower, 2 walks & a nap, not necessarily in that order. This is my walking buddy, he doesn't say much but he sure commands respect around here- one little peep & people come running!


Uh-Oh ----4 Drs. just showed up in my room. Because I have company (aunt flo, you know), my urine is testing positive for bood (big surprise!) They mentioned the dreaded "c" word---catheter. I talked them out of it though, said my company was leaving today or tomorrow. One of the chemo drugs is really bad on the lining of the bladder, makes it bleed. So.....that's why they're checking for blood.

My stomach felt a little queasy, asked for a coke & a cracker, seems to have helped. I really don't want to get sick.

Last night they gave 4 drugs to prevent nausia. A couple were supposed to make me drowsy---drowsy heck---when I woke up this morning my pajamas were buttoned all wrong!!

Hope that everyone is enjoying this as much as I am!!
Love you all lots!!!

Hey everyone - I'm here. Looks like a really nice room. The nurses & doctors are really nice, too. I'm supposed to start with the medicine at about 8:00 pm. I'm in room 4201. phone number is 913-588-4201. I have my cell phone on me, too. Please don't be afraid to call, i'll let you know if i'm busy!

OK--so I didn't make it back on Tuesday to write more--better late than never

*April 4
Saw Dr. Perdue, he said he couldn't do anything because it was between the muscles. Sent me immediately to Dr. Mumford. Mom & Dad & I walked across the street - I think he was on his lunch hour, but he took time to see me anyway. He looked at the MRI & said that there were some edges that weren't defined. Might indicate cancer. He referred me to Dr. Templeton at KU Med.

*April 10

Appointment w/Dr. Templeton- had a sonogram to rule out a hemangeoma (mass of blood vessels) it was not.


*April 15
Open biopsy - had the tumor been determined by a quick pathology report to be benign, Dr. would have removed it that day.

*April 29
The longest two weeks of my life. Finally the news. Synovial Sarcoma. KU had to send the biopsy sample to a larger lab to determine the type of cancer. It is rare.

*May 1
CT scan of my chest & abdomen. Clean! Cancer has not spread! Yeah!

*May 2
Saw Dr. Green @ Cotton-O'Neil Cancer Center. 3 more CT scans to determine exact location of tumor.

*May 6
First radiation treatment. Need 25 of them.

*June12
Last radiation treatment. I've got a sunburn & lump has gone down considerably.


*July 15
Surgery to remove tumor. Pathology comes back - all clean edges surrounding the "dead" tumor, that ended up being about the size of a quarter.



Well, I guess I'm up to date.
I will make every attempt to write something every day.

Love you all lots!!!

I am on my way to KC this morning to have my stitches taken out-YEAH!! I've had stitches in my arm since April 15th. I am so ready to be rid of them.

Events leading up to today:

*Fall '07-
I noticed some muscle weakness in my left arm and hand, followed by a sore spot on my arm just below the elbow.

*Christmas '07-
Sore spot started to become a lump

*Jan. '08-
Lump continued to grow. I'm starting to get worried at this point. I hadn't told anybody about it yet.

*Feb. '08-
Well since I'm almost 45 and still haven 't had a 40 year old check up-I guess I had better call the Dr. and have him look at my arm.

*Early March '08-
Saw Dr. Holmes and he rules out a "fatty tumor" by drawing on my arm with his pen. As the pen went up and over my "lump" the tumor would have stopped the pen had it been a fatty tumor. Dr. orders MRI.

*March 15 '08-
MRI report a few days later shows a mass approx. 2 1/2 cm by 4 1/2 cm between muscles in my forearm. Report states both benign and malignant masses should be considered. Dr. schedules appointment with a general surgeon.


More tomorrow.....

This is the beginning of the journey ...

That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much. - Stevenson