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