Cookies
I have been thinking about where I was 2 1/2 months ago. I was in a wheel chair most of the time, couldn't get a full shower alone, couldn't dress myself, couldn't make dinner, couldn't go to the bathroom without someone helping me, couldn't walk without assistance, couldn't lift my left arm, couldn't use my left hand, couldn't use this Mac as I couldn't type, couldn't sleep in my bed only in the recliner that was about 3 feet from where my sister, Deb was sleeping, couldn't do the laundry, couldn't sew, couldn't drive, couldn't use my iPad and phone correctly. Couldn't, couldn't do much. Dependent on others to help me with just about everything. Not fun but with that help, I am where I am today. No wheel chair, shower on my own, able to dress myself, make dinner, walk without a cane, lift my left arm, use my left hand, sleep in my bed, use my iPad and phone, on and on. A lot of the help came from my sister, Deb and Bill encouraging me, the physical therapist, Jeremy, and Kate, my occupational therapist. Kristi and Kerri encouraging me. A lot of texts, cards, phone calls from so many of you encouraging me. Michelle, Gery and Sharon sitting with me so Bill could go to the grocery store etc. Sandy and Denny making us dinners, sitting with me also. My sister Cheri flying in for a week to see for herself that I was okay. Today, with all this help, I feel I have made pretty much a full recovery from my brain surgery. A surgery that was to have me in the hospital for 3 to 5 days but ended up being there for 26 days. Several of those that I have no memory of. Just what Bill, Kristi and Kerri tell me about. Some of it funny. Like singing "Oh Holy Night" to Sasha, looking for Jakob, seeing Ana and Ellie playing a game, telling Bill and Kristi to shut up so I could sleep, repeating the same word over and over and a lot more. Some not so funny. Like pulling out my feeding tube, pulling out my IV's, relying on the nurses to move me around in the bed. Some I don't want to remember. But today because of all these could nots and all of these cans, I am where I am. Able to function normally. What I call normal. Bill may have comments on that. :).
Had a follow up appointment with Dr. Sarriera today, November 19th. I am now taking Thalidomide every day with no week off. Not too sure I am happy about that. This chemo pill makes me so fatigued every day. No energy. So hard to get moving. Dr. Sarriera says more exercise. I also will be taking Dex once a week. I have a mild rash which we are sure is coming from the Thalidomide. I have always got a light rash from the Dex but that would disappear in a day or so. This rash doesn't seem to want to disappear. It doesn't itch. Will watch to make sure it doesn't get worse. Also had labs drawn for CMP, CBC and Myeloma. Those results will be coming in to my portal day by day. The Myeloma results take longer. In fact, the one result takes almost a week. I go back to see Dr. Sarriera December 17th. Meanwhile, he and his staff will be watching the lab results.
Wish I could post pictures here so you could see, for those who haven't seen her, our new addition. Leeta. She's a 5 year old basset/terrier mixed rescue that we adopted about 1 1/2 weeks ago thanks to Kristi and Poodle and Pooch. Such a sweetheart. She's a keeper.
When Deb was here, we decided to make cookies. She would give me one when I accomplished something we had been working on. One day I got my slacks on myself. I was talking to mom on the phone using my right hand and Deb handed me a piece of a cookie in my left hand. I tried to get the cookie up to my mouth. Now remember I didn't have much control of that hand. Not happening. All Deb could do was laugh. Hand trying to get the cookie up to my mouth, head moving, mouth open. Not happening. Finally said goodbye to mom and put the cookie in my right hand and ate it. Sorry, no video. Thanks for that laugh and many more while you were here Deb.
Quote:
Life is a precious gift. We realize this when we are fighting cancer to stay alive.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Nine
Day 10 of my Thalidomide and week 2 of the Dex. Just a few of the side effects. Rash from the Dex just like before. On my face mostly. Goes away. The worse problem is the tiredness. No energy. When I get up in the morning, I can't seem to get it together. Takes me most of the morning and a nap too start to feel okay. Then my day gets a little better. Some days it's an all day thing. Hate it. And this time change doesn't help. But I will continue taking the chemo pill hoping that it chases the Myeloma in my legs away. I have an appointment with Dr. Sarriera on Thursday, November 7th. Probably going to get hollared at for not starting the Thalidomide sooner. I had a good excuse. And I am behind on the blood work I think. Will get this all straighten out at my visit. Oh, the appointment is at 9 AM.
Bill is making good progress from his eye surgery. Bubble is dissipating more and more each day. Long process for him. But doing the best he can with one good eye.
Bill and I have been looking for a dog. Didn't want a puppy for sure. Kristi has been watching for us too. We decided to fill out an application to adopt with the rescue group Kristi works with, Poodle and Pooch. This way they have our app on file if a dog comes in we would be interested in. The person who receives the app called Bill and ask him how many dogs we had now. He said none. Well, on the app it said nine. Oops, slip of the finger. This person knows Kristi and she knew if we had nine dogs, Kristi would have told her.
Quote:
Being strong is the only choice I have while fighting this cancer. Cancer sucks.
Day 10 of my Thalidomide and week 2 of the Dex. Just a few of the side effects. Rash from the Dex just like before. On my face mostly. Goes away. The worse problem is the tiredness. No energy. When I get up in the morning, I can't seem to get it together. Takes me most of the morning and a nap too start to feel okay. Then my day gets a little better. Some days it's an all day thing. Hate it. And this time change doesn't help. But I will continue taking the chemo pill hoping that it chases the Myeloma in my legs away. I have an appointment with Dr. Sarriera on Thursday, November 7th. Probably going to get hollared at for not starting the Thalidomide sooner. I had a good excuse. And I am behind on the blood work I think. Will get this all straighten out at my visit. Oh, the appointment is at 9 AM.
Bill is making good progress from his eye surgery. Bubble is dissipating more and more each day. Long process for him. But doing the best he can with one good eye.
Bill and I have been looking for a dog. Didn't want a puppy for sure. Kristi has been watching for us too. We decided to fill out an application to adopt with the rescue group Kristi works with, Poodle and Pooch. This way they have our app on file if a dog comes in we would be interested in. The person who receives the app called Bill and ask him how many dogs we had now. He said none. Well, on the app it said nine. Oops, slip of the finger. This person knows Kristi and she knew if we had nine dogs, Kristi would have told her.
Quote:
Being strong is the only choice I have while fighting this cancer. Cancer sucks.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Nevada
Bill's surgery on October 16th went okay. Had to keep his head down 22 hours a day. Such a hard thing to do. He listened to a lot of audio books. Ordered a head rest that was similar to one the use to give massages. 2 drops in his eye 4 times a day. Gery came over and visited several times. That sure helped. We/he must have done okay because when we back for his follow up visit on the 25th, he was told he didn't have to keep his head down anymore. Still has the gas bubble. It's dropped about a little less than a 1/3 of the way down. Still a bit to go. He sees nothing out of his eye yet. We go back in 3 weeks. Told him he could drive but we are thinking not. He is not allowed to fly so Thanksgiving with Kerri and Paul is out. And so is Christmas. We are very disappointed about this situation but it is for Bill's safety. Bubble could like explode because of the altitude. He has a green bracelet on saying this. That won't be taken off until bubble disappears. Dr. Feinstein couldn't see past the bubble looking straight ahead. He laid Bill back and made him look from side to side and up and down. He feels that the Macular hole (reason for the surgery) has been healed. Just pray his gas bubble soon dissipates so he can see again.
I started my chemo pill, Thalomide, and Dex on October 25th. Just feel very tired so far. I am praying that I don't get any other side effects. I need this to work. I will take the Dex once a week. The Thalomide every day for 21 days. Then I am off 7 days. Once I start back, I will be taking them for 28 days, 7 days off. The 28 days will be what I will be doing all the time then. I am to do blood work every week. Going to try to go to Quest instead of driving to the Cancer Center. We will see how that works. Need the results to go to Dr. Sarriera each week. I have an appointment with him on November 7th. He wasn't too happy about me not starting the Thalidomide till the 25th. I had wanted to wait until November 1st. He said he didn't want me to wait because of my type of Myeloma is aggressive. And, if I think about it, I haven't had any chemo since, July 9th, two weeks before my surgery on July 25th.
The scar from the surgery has all but healed up. I have a spot or two that is still scabby. Yuck. The scar runs from the top of my scalp, down the back of my head to about the middle and then over to behind my right ear. I will soon have a mohawk. The hair is starting to grow back where the scar is. It's about 1 1/2 inches long and sticks straight up. Mohawk on the way.
I received a voice message but it didn't recognize the number. When I listened to the message it said "Hi this is Sharon from Nevada. Huh? Then about the time I am listening, I get a text saying" Hi Kathy this is Darren from NirVana. The PT supervisor. Not Sharon from Nevada!!!! Good laugh.
Quote:
Each day I conquer Myeloma, makes me another day stronger. Cancer sucks.
Bill's surgery on October 16th went okay. Had to keep his head down 22 hours a day. Such a hard thing to do. He listened to a lot of audio books. Ordered a head rest that was similar to one the use to give massages. 2 drops in his eye 4 times a day. Gery came over and visited several times. That sure helped. We/he must have done okay because when we back for his follow up visit on the 25th, he was told he didn't have to keep his head down anymore. Still has the gas bubble. It's dropped about a little less than a 1/3 of the way down. Still a bit to go. He sees nothing out of his eye yet. We go back in 3 weeks. Told him he could drive but we are thinking not. He is not allowed to fly so Thanksgiving with Kerri and Paul is out. And so is Christmas. We are very disappointed about this situation but it is for Bill's safety. Bubble could like explode because of the altitude. He has a green bracelet on saying this. That won't be taken off until bubble disappears. Dr. Feinstein couldn't see past the bubble looking straight ahead. He laid Bill back and made him look from side to side and up and down. He feels that the Macular hole (reason for the surgery) has been healed. Just pray his gas bubble soon dissipates so he can see again.
I started my chemo pill, Thalomide, and Dex on October 25th. Just feel very tired so far. I am praying that I don't get any other side effects. I need this to work. I will take the Dex once a week. The Thalomide every day for 21 days. Then I am off 7 days. Once I start back, I will be taking them for 28 days, 7 days off. The 28 days will be what I will be doing all the time then. I am to do blood work every week. Going to try to go to Quest instead of driving to the Cancer Center. We will see how that works. Need the results to go to Dr. Sarriera each week. I have an appointment with him on November 7th. He wasn't too happy about me not starting the Thalidomide till the 25th. I had wanted to wait until November 1st. He said he didn't want me to wait because of my type of Myeloma is aggressive. And, if I think about it, I haven't had any chemo since, July 9th, two weeks before my surgery on July 25th.
The scar from the surgery has all but healed up. I have a spot or two that is still scabby. Yuck. The scar runs from the top of my scalp, down the back of my head to about the middle and then over to behind my right ear. I will soon have a mohawk. The hair is starting to grow back where the scar is. It's about 1 1/2 inches long and sticks straight up. Mohawk on the way.
I received a voice message but it didn't recognize the number. When I listened to the message it said "Hi this is Sharon from Nevada. Huh? Then about the time I am listening, I get a text saying" Hi Kathy this is Darren from NirVana. The PT supervisor. Not Sharon from Nevada!!!! Good laugh.
Quote:
Each day I conquer Myeloma, makes me another day stronger. Cancer sucks.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Marijuana.
My sister Cheri headed back to California on, Thursday, October 10th. Love having her here. Sisters and brothers are very special you know. She did get to spend some time with mom too.
My appointment with Dr. Sarriera was Friday, October11th to get his opinion regarding the plasmacytomas found in both my lower legs in the tibia. Dr. Nanda had called him as he told us he would and they discussed my situation. Dr. Sarriera reviewed the Pet Scan with us showing us the same things that Dr. Nanda had shown us. He felt that radiation wasn't the way to go. So he wants to start me on a chemo plan again. I will be taking the chemo pill called Thalidamide. This pill was one of the first chemo pills used to treat Myeloma. Is the mother of Revlimid and Pomalyst. Along with the pill, he wants me to go back on Dex and a baby aspirin. I am to start with a 21 days on and 1 week off. Then as long as I can tolerate the Thalidamide, I will take it for 28 days and one week off. Really didn't want to go back on chemo. But we are depleting the drugs that fight Myeloma so praying this works for me. Won't be starting the pills for maybe a week or so. Has to go through my insurance company first. Just want it to work without a lot of side effects. Something has to work for me. Been saying that for over 3 years.
Bill's surgery is this Wednesday, October 16th. Praying that goes well for him. I will now get to be the caregiver to him for a while.
So I was getting my lab work done for my appointment with Dr. Sarriera. The nurse was looking at his orders and I said to her that this was just the normal labs. Don't think he ordered marijuana labs this go round. She just started laughing. Me too, once I realized what I said.
Quote:
Cancer is an ugly disease. But Hope is whispering, "Never give up. Try it one more time."
My sister Cheri headed back to California on, Thursday, October 10th. Love having her here. Sisters and brothers are very special you know. She did get to spend some time with mom too.
My appointment with Dr. Sarriera was Friday, October11th to get his opinion regarding the plasmacytomas found in both my lower legs in the tibia. Dr. Nanda had called him as he told us he would and they discussed my situation. Dr. Sarriera reviewed the Pet Scan with us showing us the same things that Dr. Nanda had shown us. He felt that radiation wasn't the way to go. So he wants to start me on a chemo plan again. I will be taking the chemo pill called Thalidamide. This pill was one of the first chemo pills used to treat Myeloma. Is the mother of Revlimid and Pomalyst. Along with the pill, he wants me to go back on Dex and a baby aspirin. I am to start with a 21 days on and 1 week off. Then as long as I can tolerate the Thalidamide, I will take it for 28 days and one week off. Really didn't want to go back on chemo. But we are depleting the drugs that fight Myeloma so praying this works for me. Won't be starting the pills for maybe a week or so. Has to go through my insurance company first. Just want it to work without a lot of side effects. Something has to work for me. Been saying that for over 3 years.
Bill's surgery is this Wednesday, October 16th. Praying that goes well for him. I will now get to be the caregiver to him for a while.
So I was getting my lab work done for my appointment with Dr. Sarriera. The nurse was looking at his orders and I said to her that this was just the normal labs. Don't think he ordered marijuana labs this go round. She just started laughing. Me too, once I realized what I said.
Quote:
Cancer is an ugly disease. But Hope is whispering, "Never give up. Try it one more time."
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Cotton
Made it through the CT and the PetScan requested by Dr. Nanda, my radiologist. Of course, I had some help with my Ativan. Otherwise, I couldn't do them. My sister, Cheri is here visiting and was able to go along as well as to my appointment with Dr. Nanda today, October 8th.
There was good news and bad news at that appointment. Good news, no Myeloma showed up on my skull/ brain. There is still some blood on the brain that is reabsorbing. Bad news, the PetScan shows Myeloma in the bone marrow in both of my tibia bones in my legs. The tibia is the large bone located in the lower front portion of your leg. This is also known as the shinbone. Dr. Nanda and Dr. Sarriera have been in contact with each other. Radiation and or chemo would be the course of action. There is a meeting of the board of oncologists and radiologists on Tuesday. Dr. Nanda and Dr. Sarriera want to present my case to them to see which way they feel would be the best way to go. I have an appointment with Dr. Sarriera this Friday, October 11th. Anxious for this appointment too. Want to hear his take on this new finding. One thing, if I go the radiation way, I do not have to shave my legs. LOL.
After this appointment, I had have 3 shots. DPT, pneumonia and hepatitis B. And I didn't even get a sticker or a lollipop for being a good patient. My arm is a little stiff tonight though.
My PT and OT is done now. Tomorrow, the PT supervisor will be here to reevaluate me. From there he will suggest if he feels I need out patient therapy. I have made great progress since coming home from the hospital. I never use the cane any more, wheelchair only for dressing but only occasionally. I have been doing my showers without assistance from Bill helping to make sure I get in and out carefully. Have loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, laundry, washed dishes by hand, cooked, been in the pool again, mopped my floors. On and on. It's amazing how just several weeks ago I needed help to get to the bathroom to being able to do so much. Kate would be proud of me. Miss you Kate.
We had some other upsetting news. Bill, who has been my rock through all this and never complaining, has to have surgery on his eye. He has a hole in his macular that needs to be repair. This will be done next Wednesday. Recovery time is 7 to 10 days. During this time, he has to keep his head down. He ordered a piece of equipment to help him do this. I will be giving him some caregiving for a change. Kristi will help getting her Dad to and from his appointments until he is able to drive again. He says he will be healed in 3 days. NOT!!!
Sandy and Denny will be leaving tomorrow. Sandy didn't have to help me much since I am doing so well. We did do some walking though. And they made some good meals. And Cheri goes home on Thursday. I think she just had to see that I was doing alright. Am I right Cheri? Then we are on our own again. I am not back to normal me but I will be some day. Each day shows improvement.
So Bill makes me cotton balls with different oils on for me to smell. This morning as we were getting ready to leave for my doctor's appointment, I picked up my cotton ball and stuck it in my bra (that's were I keep it) and then picked up my phone and smelled that. Duh! :) Mimi, is there an oil to put on our phones? :).
Quote:
I will dust myself off and move forward again because I miss me. The old me, the happy me, the smiling me, the laughing me, ME! Cancer isn't your friend.
Made it through the CT and the PetScan requested by Dr. Nanda, my radiologist. Of course, I had some help with my Ativan. Otherwise, I couldn't do them. My sister, Cheri is here visiting and was able to go along as well as to my appointment with Dr. Nanda today, October 8th.
There was good news and bad news at that appointment. Good news, no Myeloma showed up on my skull/ brain. There is still some blood on the brain that is reabsorbing. Bad news, the PetScan shows Myeloma in the bone marrow in both of my tibia bones in my legs. The tibia is the large bone located in the lower front portion of your leg. This is also known as the shinbone. Dr. Nanda and Dr. Sarriera have been in contact with each other. Radiation and or chemo would be the course of action. There is a meeting of the board of oncologists and radiologists on Tuesday. Dr. Nanda and Dr. Sarriera want to present my case to them to see which way they feel would be the best way to go. I have an appointment with Dr. Sarriera this Friday, October 11th. Anxious for this appointment too. Want to hear his take on this new finding. One thing, if I go the radiation way, I do not have to shave my legs. LOL.
After this appointment, I had have 3 shots. DPT, pneumonia and hepatitis B. And I didn't even get a sticker or a lollipop for being a good patient. My arm is a little stiff tonight though.
My PT and OT is done now. Tomorrow, the PT supervisor will be here to reevaluate me. From there he will suggest if he feels I need out patient therapy. I have made great progress since coming home from the hospital. I never use the cane any more, wheelchair only for dressing but only occasionally. I have been doing my showers without assistance from Bill helping to make sure I get in and out carefully. Have loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, laundry, washed dishes by hand, cooked, been in the pool again, mopped my floors. On and on. It's amazing how just several weeks ago I needed help to get to the bathroom to being able to do so much. Kate would be proud of me. Miss you Kate.
We had some other upsetting news. Bill, who has been my rock through all this and never complaining, has to have surgery on his eye. He has a hole in his macular that needs to be repair. This will be done next Wednesday. Recovery time is 7 to 10 days. During this time, he has to keep his head down. He ordered a piece of equipment to help him do this. I will be giving him some caregiving for a change. Kristi will help getting her Dad to and from his appointments until he is able to drive again. He says he will be healed in 3 days. NOT!!!
Sandy and Denny will be leaving tomorrow. Sandy didn't have to help me much since I am doing so well. We did do some walking though. And they made some good meals. And Cheri goes home on Thursday. I think she just had to see that I was doing alright. Am I right Cheri? Then we are on our own again. I am not back to normal me but I will be some day. Each day shows improvement.
So Bill makes me cotton balls with different oils on for me to smell. This morning as we were getting ready to leave for my doctor's appointment, I picked up my cotton ball and stuck it in my bra (that's were I keep it) and then picked up my phone and smelled that. Duh! :) Mimi, is there an oil to put on our phones? :).
Quote:
I will dust myself off and move forward again because I miss me. The old me, the happy me, the smiling me, the laughing me, ME! Cancer isn't your friend.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Puddin Taine
Today, September 25th, was my appointment with Dr. Nanda, my radiologist. We had to go to the office in Ocoee. Took forever to get there. Only 15 miles but with traffic, took about 45 minutes.
When Dr. Nanda walked in to the room where we were, he shook our hands and then asked, "Do you live near here?" No. We took this appointment because otherwise, we would have had to wait until late October for an appointment at the Cancer enter. Computer was down but he knew my case and discussed my surgery, why we went that route, how I was feeling, and the next steps he wants to happen before I do any radiation. Most of these we knew would be the case. He wants me to heal some more. Then he wants me to have a MRI and a Pet Scan. The MRI is scheduled for October 1st. He wants to discuss my case with Dr. Sarriera. Said he was going to call him today. After the scans, I am to see him again on October 8th. By that time, he will have the scans to discuss with us and will have talked to Dr. Sarriera. At that appointment, we will discuss the radiation if this is the way we are to go. We know the Myeloma is lurking and need to stop it whether it is radiation and a new treatment plan with chemo. The chemo drug that Dr. Sarriera is proposing is Thalidomide. We just have to wait until the scans are done and we meet with Dr. Nanda again. We just need to stop it. Dr. Nanda is such a great person. Very soft spoken and a caring attitude. I mentioned to him that when I tap on my head where the surgery was that it sounds hollow. He started laughing and looked at Bill. Bill just said he wasn't going to get caught up in that laughing too.
And here are a few more "things" I have accomplished. Been in the pool, walked around pool with Sandy about 25 times. Went in to Pubix grocery store for the first time since before surgery. Getting in to and out of the shower by myself. Even sewed a bit. Little "things.
Monday is my last day with Kate, OT. Of all my therapists, home and in the hospital, Kate is my favorite. Will miss her. She suggested that I contact my Primary Care Physician and request a script for out patient therapy for a few more weeks. Can't do that until I have been discharged from Home Health Care. That will probably be the end of the first week of October.
Feeling a little bad for Sandy. She came down to help with me and I don't need a lot of help if any. Of course, when we first talked about her coming down to help, we had no idea that I would be so far along. My sister and Bill covered those first 3 weeks I was home pretty well. Other then walking more, not much else. I never thought I would be this far along. Nor did Bill. So she will just have a small vacation in Florida. We will work on walking though. And crocheting. :). That's good for my fingers. Denny and Sandy have been making us great meals so far though. Yum.
During my recovery period at the hospital and my not knowing a lot as what was going on, I was asked by a nurse in ICU what my name was. To which I responded, "Puddin Taine, ask me again and I'll tell you the same. I may have said this more than once to that question. Oh, the things I have been told that I said and did. I will be telling you more.
Quote:
I will fight this cancer, as I am determined to win.
Today, September 25th, was my appointment with Dr. Nanda, my radiologist. We had to go to the office in Ocoee. Took forever to get there. Only 15 miles but with traffic, took about 45 minutes.
When Dr. Nanda walked in to the room where we were, he shook our hands and then asked, "Do you live near here?" No. We took this appointment because otherwise, we would have had to wait until late October for an appointment at the Cancer enter. Computer was down but he knew my case and discussed my surgery, why we went that route, how I was feeling, and the next steps he wants to happen before I do any radiation. Most of these we knew would be the case. He wants me to heal some more. Then he wants me to have a MRI and a Pet Scan. The MRI is scheduled for October 1st. He wants to discuss my case with Dr. Sarriera. Said he was going to call him today. After the scans, I am to see him again on October 8th. By that time, he will have the scans to discuss with us and will have talked to Dr. Sarriera. At that appointment, we will discuss the radiation if this is the way we are to go. We know the Myeloma is lurking and need to stop it whether it is radiation and a new treatment plan with chemo. The chemo drug that Dr. Sarriera is proposing is Thalidomide. We just have to wait until the scans are done and we meet with Dr. Nanda again. We just need to stop it. Dr. Nanda is such a great person. Very soft spoken and a caring attitude. I mentioned to him that when I tap on my head where the surgery was that it sounds hollow. He started laughing and looked at Bill. Bill just said he wasn't going to get caught up in that laughing too.
And here are a few more "things" I have accomplished. Been in the pool, walked around pool with Sandy about 25 times. Went in to Pubix grocery store for the first time since before surgery. Getting in to and out of the shower by myself. Even sewed a bit. Little "things.
Monday is my last day with Kate, OT. Of all my therapists, home and in the hospital, Kate is my favorite. Will miss her. She suggested that I contact my Primary Care Physician and request a script for out patient therapy for a few more weeks. Can't do that until I have been discharged from Home Health Care. That will probably be the end of the first week of October.
Feeling a little bad for Sandy. She came down to help with me and I don't need a lot of help if any. Of course, when we first talked about her coming down to help, we had no idea that I would be so far along. My sister and Bill covered those first 3 weeks I was home pretty well. Other then walking more, not much else. I never thought I would be this far along. Nor did Bill. So she will just have a small vacation in Florida. We will work on walking though. And crocheting. :). That's good for my fingers. Denny and Sandy have been making us great meals so far though. Yum.
During my recovery period at the hospital and my not knowing a lot as what was going on, I was asked by a nurse in ICU what my name was. To which I responded, "Puddin Taine, ask me again and I'll tell you the same. I may have said this more than once to that question. Oh, the things I have been told that I said and did. I will be telling you more.
Quote:
I will fight this cancer, as I am determined to win.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Down there
Using my left hand. So much better. My OT lady, Kate, keeps me exercising. She will be here tomorrow at 9 AM. Ugh. 9. :). I was reevaluated by the PT supervisor last week. He was very pleased with my progress. Did a few tests like close your eyes and stand on one foot. Okay. Anyway, he was pleased and recommend 3 more weeks of PT. Okay by me. The more I do, the better for me. Not sure about OT yet.
Have a few more "things" that I am very happy to tell everyone that I can do again. Shower pretty much myself, I walked in to the hair salon, walked in to a restaurant using my cane that the week before Bill pushed me in there with my wheelchair, straightened my closet so I can find my blouses, etc., crocheted a chain and did a few stitches, walked out in to the garage without even realizing what I was doing, still doing what I can with setting the table, loading dishwasher, "things" I couldn't do three weeks ago. Have met Gery and Michelle at restaurants several times, using cane, not using cane. We played "dimes" (Tripoly) for the first time in weeks. Did okay with shuffling the cards, dealing the cards, getting my winnings of dimes, holding the cards with the help of a card holder Bill got for me I am sure I missed some cards the should have been played. But the laughter makes up for any mistakes. Love playing dimes with Gery and Michelle. Sharon, Michelle's aunt, has been here . She leaves Friday. Such a wonderful lady. She sat with me a few times so Bill could have some free time. Next year when she comes for a visit, I hope to be able to run like we did two years ago.
Got a text from my friend Benn. He, like me, is running out of drugs to treat his Myeloma. Hoping and praying for a trial. These trials are harder than our transplants but if it keeps him alive, he feels he has to do it. I pray he finds one. I want him to be kept alive. Not ready to lose a good friend to myeloma. Pray for him and his.
Still have some tender spots where my incision is. They are healing nice. Just a few scabs (yuck, sorry) left. The area where surgeon put back together sounds hollow if I tap on it. I can't feel anything if I pull my hair or scratch in that area.
My appointment with Dr. Nanda is this Wednesday. He is the radiologist. Need to get this started as we know there are Myeloma lesions on my skull. He will order X-rays of my skull, make a mask, ask me to shave my head and then start the treatments. Will know more Wednesday.
Sandy and Denny come tomorrow and will be here for 3 weeks. She will be surprised to see how much I am able to do. Need her to help me walk more. And walk steadier. I still have a fear of tripping or falling. Then my sister, Cheri, will be here Oct 3rd till the 10th. Can't wait.
Bill makes me cotton balls with various oils on them for me to smell, lavender, frankensence, thieves, peppermint etc. While in the hospital so I would know where it was, I would put it down my nightgown. One of the nurses was listening to my heart and saw one of the cotton balls and said, "I wonder who put that down there?"
Quote:
The struggle you are in today develops the strength you need tomorrow. Everyday I challenge cancer and survive is a victory for me.
Using my left hand. So much better. My OT lady, Kate, keeps me exercising. She will be here tomorrow at 9 AM. Ugh. 9. :). I was reevaluated by the PT supervisor last week. He was very pleased with my progress. Did a few tests like close your eyes and stand on one foot. Okay. Anyway, he was pleased and recommend 3 more weeks of PT. Okay by me. The more I do, the better for me. Not sure about OT yet.
Have a few more "things" that I am very happy to tell everyone that I can do again. Shower pretty much myself, I walked in to the hair salon, walked in to a restaurant using my cane that the week before Bill pushed me in there with my wheelchair, straightened my closet so I can find my blouses, etc., crocheted a chain and did a few stitches, walked out in to the garage without even realizing what I was doing, still doing what I can with setting the table, loading dishwasher, "things" I couldn't do three weeks ago. Have met Gery and Michelle at restaurants several times, using cane, not using cane. We played "dimes" (Tripoly) for the first time in weeks. Did okay with shuffling the cards, dealing the cards, getting my winnings of dimes, holding the cards with the help of a card holder Bill got for me I am sure I missed some cards the should have been played. But the laughter makes up for any mistakes. Love playing dimes with Gery and Michelle. Sharon, Michelle's aunt, has been here . She leaves Friday. Such a wonderful lady. She sat with me a few times so Bill could have some free time. Next year when she comes for a visit, I hope to be able to run like we did two years ago.
Got a text from my friend Benn. He, like me, is running out of drugs to treat his Myeloma. Hoping and praying for a trial. These trials are harder than our transplants but if it keeps him alive, he feels he has to do it. I pray he finds one. I want him to be kept alive. Not ready to lose a good friend to myeloma. Pray for him and his.
Still have some tender spots where my incision is. They are healing nice. Just a few scabs (yuck, sorry) left. The area where surgeon put back together sounds hollow if I tap on it. I can't feel anything if I pull my hair or scratch in that area.
My appointment with Dr. Nanda is this Wednesday. He is the radiologist. Need to get this started as we know there are Myeloma lesions on my skull. He will order X-rays of my skull, make a mask, ask me to shave my head and then start the treatments. Will know more Wednesday.
Sandy and Denny come tomorrow and will be here for 3 weeks. She will be surprised to see how much I am able to do. Need her to help me walk more. And walk steadier. I still have a fear of tripping or falling. Then my sister, Cheri, will be here Oct 3rd till the 10th. Can't wait.
Bill makes me cotton balls with various oils on them for me to smell, lavender, frankensence, thieves, peppermint etc. While in the hospital so I would know where it was, I would put it down my nightgown. One of the nurses was listening to my heart and saw one of the cotton balls and said, "I wonder who put that down there?"
Quote:
The struggle you are in today develops the strength you need tomorrow. Everyday I challenge cancer and survive is a victory for me.
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