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