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

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.