Hi everyone,
I know it has been forever since I posted last, for that I am sorry. I am back to work at my regular schedule now. My legs hurt at the end of the day, but my energy level is approaching normal, thank goodness. I have some fuzz and hair growing in now and the other day at work a fellow cancer/chemo survivor encouraged me to give my wig up. I have only been wearing it at work anyway, but I wasn't sure how the customers would react. Well, I didn't have anything to worry about! It was really emotional for me to actually take the wig off, but once I did, I became very comfortable without it. And the customers have been great. I have been getting well wishes from everyone, and NO weird looks.
Thanks for all of your support!
Lori

Hello everyone!
Got good news today. My lungs are clear! I have nothing growing in my arm either. I have another CT of my body in 3 months, and an MRI of my arm in 6 months.
I am getting stronger every day and feeling more like myself.
Drew said that I have some grey fuzz coming in on the back of my head. I guess we'll wait & see what the rest of my hair looks like.
Thinking of you all!
Lori

Went to see the oncologist yesterday. Everything going OK. I just need to be patient. I probably will have some fatigue for the next month or so. Otherwise, everything is going OK. My bloodwork is getting better, except for the potassium, which I continue to take. I go back to see him in two months.
Lori

Day 9, and I feel great!
Still no stamina, but I have some energy. As long as I don't over do and rest alot I'm OK. Got the OK from the Drs office to go to work, my white count has climbed to 3.6, Hemoglobin is holding steady so that I don't need a transfusion, Potassium is climbing just slightly. I still am taking potassium suppliment and it is the foulest thing I've ever ingested, but if it keeps my heart healthy, I guess I'll continue to take it. So great to be back to work and know that I won't have to leave again. I'm sleeping really well, finally, so each day just gets better and better.

I have a follow up appointment with the oncologist on Feb 2, they'll draw my blood and check to see how I'm recovering from the chemo.

On Feb 4th, I have appt to have an MRI of my arm and a CT of my chest. I'll do them here in Topeka, then take the results to the orthopedic oncologist, my surgeon, on the 9th. I'll be doing the MRI every 3 months, and the CT every 6 months for about the next 10 years.
Whatever it takes to make sure the cancer hasn't returned.

Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers.
Lori

So, you ask-- How am I feeling????

The first day was a bummer, no energy, dizziness. But day 2, I feel great! Bored, you know, when you can't get out and do anything. Energized that it is done & I can get back to the business of feeing better every day from here on out, without the looming "next treatment" hanging over my head.

I have decided to take a sharpie and mark the calendar with different dates. Tuesday is the 1st, today the 2nd. Gives me something to look forward to (there are so many things, though) getting my hair back, spring, flowers (I sat at the window today thinking about the plants I want to put in my pots and garden), softball (can't wait for those games), reconnecting with the truly special people in my life.

To all of you!
I love you,
Thank you for your support, prayers and kindness through this time
Lori

I'm Done with Treatments! I'm Done with Treatments!
I'm Home! I'm Home!
Lori

time is going soooooo slow. It seems like the night took forever. I'm a little sick to my stomach this morning, going to ask for some meds. Getting out today, Yeah!!!!!
Lori

Hey everyone,
just a little more than 1 day to go! I can't wait, probably be the longest day of my life. Monte came up at noon yesterday, spent the night, not sure when he'll leave, but it does make the day go faster when someone's here.

I'll let you know of any updates.
Lori

Took some anti-nausea meds early in the day, I want to make sure that I don't throw up this time. Mom & Dad came to visit. Brought me a cheeseburger. Tasted so good compared to hospital food. Spent most of the afternoon visiting. Made the time go by fast.


Pam & Lonnie stopped by in the evening. I got to hear stories about work and the girls. It was a good time. Another distraction for this long stay. Thanks!

Not the best sleep, I had to get up to potty several times. Plus the times they come in.

Two days to go. I think I can make it.

Love and Kisses to you all,
Lori

Thursday went by without much fanfair. I took several walks, watched tv, really not too bad a day. The evening I spent dozing, the pre-meds they give me before they hang new bags of chemo really make me sleepy. Thats ok though. Makes me sleep good at night, too.
I'll let you know if anything exciting happens today.
Love to you all,
Lori

The psychologist came in to talks to me late yesterday. He asked a lot of questions. I cried through the whole thing. I explained that I am a cryer. I cry at every sad, happy, important, serious thing that happens. Does that mean I'm depressed, does that mean I'm anxious, I don't know, neither did he. He said that I had some symptoms of each. But since he didn't start seeing me at the beginning of my treatment, he didn't feel that he could change any of my meds at this time.

Slept good last night. Except for the interuptions. Always 2 or 3.

Loving you all!
Lori

Hey everyone,
I'm here, waited for an hour for a room that was ready before I got here, had chemo that was ordered at noon, hooked up to me at 6:30. Boy am I glad this is my last one. Seems like one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing. Plus I got the slowest nurse on earth for yesterday and today. Other nurses have had to come in and help her. I do have a great aide, though. She moves really fast.

Been crying some today. Everyone here is trying to offer solutions, but nothing seems to help. I did take some anxiety meds, which help me be more calm, they just don't stop the tears. Not sure how to do that. Just get through each minute of each hour of each day to the best of my ability, I guess.

Just knowing that you are all out there praying for me and thinking good thoughts does help, more than you know.

Now that the treatments are coming to and end, people are reminding me that I am not actually through with this. I still have follow-up visits and check-ups for some time to come. They are saying that I still may have some mental issues and anxiety even after my treatments are through. Funny how I only seem to act this way is when I'm in the hospital. They are talking about having me see a psychologist, see if that helps. I don't know. I guess I'm willing to give it a try.

Talk to you tomorrow.
Love you all,
Lori

Two more days of freedom before I head in to the hospital for the final treatment. It's been so long since the last one that I am feeling almost normal. Gives me hope for the time following the final treatment. I know that it won't take me long to recover.

I'll keep you posted on the events of my hospital stay.

Thanks to you all!
Lori