Rounding out Round Three...I hope

It's midnight, Thursday evening. The rest of the house is asleep and I am, once again, wide awake. The good news, though is that I feel much better! I know no reason why I can't sleep. I'll take insomnia over what I dealt with earlier this week though. I could never have survived this school week without my good friends, Tara, Brandy, Abbey, Wendy, Kathy, Tammy, and many others who I am probably overlooking right now. These people (and others) have helped by covering classes, offering tons of moral support, providing sonic drinks, etc.........I am so thankful for my CHS family!

Only one more workday before a nice long week's vacation. As I look back to September 3rd, I can say that the time really has flown. During some of those really dark moments, time seemed to slow, but it really has flown by!

Hoping to have all my Christmas shopping DONE before I return to work!!

These STRANGE Side Effects continued

It's 2:22 am and I am wide awake dealing with chemo side effects. At 10 pm I felt sleepy and off to a good night's sleep. Then, I was wide awake at 1am......go figure. So, I'm grading papers, etc.........Fortunately I am not in much pain, unlike earlier.

I was thoroughly endulged earlier tonight with a lengthy massage at Coldwater Creek courtesy of my sister-in-law, Lynda. What a treat! There really are no words to describe this experience! I basically love everything about this place: the clothes, the music, the furniture, etc....

On a much brighter note (from chemo), I cannot wait for Thanksgiving next week. I've told my mom that this is definitely the year that I want everybody to make everything they know how to cook! I'm looking so forward to seeing my long-lost nieces and nephews (and those nearby too)....The emails and texts that I get from these people so near and dear to me are priceless. Can't wait to see them!

more later...

Me, The daughter

I do know how to spell daughter. I am n0t liking middle school as much as I thought I would. There is rumors, fights, and to many rules. It's like no matter what you do you'll have to "sign the book". I hate it when they say that! One other bad part is one of my friends and I both like the same person. It's not fun!

Gearing up for Side Effects

Today is Friday and I had a big round of chemo Wednesday afternoon, so I'm not feeling great, but I'm at work. I'll go in for more fluids today around noon.....I will NOT let myself get dehydrated like I did with the first round! THAT was horrible. The second round was much better.....not fun, but MUCH better!!! The hot flashes are getting really substantial...no fun there!

Overall, I'm hanging in okay and am now officially halfway through the chemo treatments. Feels good to say that statement!!

I did receive some difficult news this morning: another co-worker/friends just recieved a diagnosis of breast cancer. All of you say please a special prayer for my friend, Tammy. She's in that very difficult place of waiting and not knowing. Truthfully, THAT phase is the worst. Hang on Tammy! You'll feel better soon!

It's Friday!

Reaching the Halfway Mark

I'll be leaving for my third big round of chemo today around noontime. I'm not looking forward to it except that I'll be halfway finished after today!!

On a non-cancer note, I just received word from Dustin that he was able to get tickets to tonight's CMA awards in Nashville. They were making some tickets available at the last minute to Belmont University students. He's on the top row, but who cares.....I told him that he's living my dream! I always want to go to those awards!!

On another non-cancer note, the pictures posted on my previous post were taken with my cell phone....which was recently selected as one of the BEST electronic gadgets/devices by Consumer Reports.........I was so proud as I typically lag behind in this modern age of technology!

Treatment at 12:30...........and I'll be grading essays during the process........how fun does this all sound!! ha

An Awesome Birthday

Monday was a great day. I opened my classroom door and my small fifth block class had many surprises waiting for me......b'fast snacks, balloons, flowers, gifts, cards, etc.....what a sweet, sweet group of kids! (photos below:













Shortly after our party, the front office called and I had a birthday delivery. An absolutely breathtaking bouquet of pink roses from my long time friend and co-worker, Debbie. I am still blown away at how beautiful these flowers were and continue to be. (photo below)

















Additionally, I received many cards, emails and gifts including a great lunch of goodies provided by the English Department, primarily Tara! Thanks guys. You make this cancer thing SOOOOOOOOO much easier on a daily basis!!

At home, I got gifts from my family including adorable salt/pepper shakers that Polley got for me in Arkansas last weekend. Evan had several things for me including a new Kenny Chesney CD that I'd been wanting. Sam said he didn't get anything for me. He said, "I just give you my love." I even got a hug from him!!!!

I spoke on the phone (two different lines at the same time) with JIll and Dustin....that was an experience....always great to talk with them!

We then went to my mom and dad's for a family gathering of Lyn's cake and blue bell ice cream! More gifts followed including special chemo patient moisturizing lotion, etc....Merle Norman cosmetics and a necklace that Missy had made for me.


And, today, I got a card in the mail from Dustin (Nashville) ...a singing card playing "Sweet Home Alabama".....one of my ALL time favorite songs... (don't ask me why because I do not know why it's a fav)


Sadly, the birthday is over and another big round of Chemo tomorrow. Even though I fared much better during and after round two I'm still very skeptical about this............even if I don't feel really sick, I sure don't feel normal.........oh, well, after another week, normal starts to return, so not too bad!!


Happy Veteran's Day.

Herceptin

I've been reading this website (click the title to go to website) gathering information about Herceptin. This is the drug that we credit with the amazing shrinkage of the tumor. The chart below is from this website. There's a tad too much science for me, but it is interesting to see how it works.

HONEY, We've Shrunk the Tumor!!

I went in for my weekly Herceptin treatment yesterday. During the visit, I also saw the doctor. She was absolutely amazed at the fact that the tumor is difficult to find and has softened considerably! She said that if she hadn't known anything prior to the exam, she probably would've just assumed that what she was feeling was typical tissue!

She told me on day one that "we're gonna annihilate this thing!!" I guess we've just about done that!

We discussed some calendar issues also. My last chemo treatment is scheduled for January 14th, so we're probably looking at surgery being sometime AFTER February 9th. I have to meet with Dr. Chow to discuss surgery, etc....

I will probably continue with Herceptin for a while...perhaps a year. WORKS for me!! This treatment is quick, painless, and has no side effects!!

We enjoyed great chicken spaghetti from our friends, The Jeffcoats! Thanks so much!

NINE WEEKS and a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patriotism, Politics, and Pajamas

I cast my vote in the 2008 Election yesterday. Nothing unusual there. BUT, how many of you wore your pajamas to vote? I really didn't intend to either, but I went to pay my water bill and as it was next door to the polling and today was the last day for early voting, I figured, "why not?"

I actually was wearing a new pajama/loungewear thing that I'd purchased earlier in the day. It was fine for driving to drop something off (which didn't require getting out of the car), but not so sure about getting out to go IN someplace. But, it was too convenient and I did not want to miss exercising my constitutional right to vote, so I went for it. I even had on a cute little coordinating hat as I had already tossed the wig for the day! Fortunately, I didn't see anyone that I knew!!!!

This reminded me of this previous 4th of July which I spent in Little Rock with Nancy and Jill. We'd returned home from shopping and I had already put on my comfy clothes when Nancy insisted that we HAD to see fireworks SOMEWHERE! So, Jill assured me that I wouldn't have to get out, she'd just drive us to where we could see them............So, off we went, AGAIN, I was in my pajamas..........and WHERE did Jill take us? Being the Governor's Staffer that she is, she knew that the Gov was out of town, so she drove us straight to the Arkansas Capitol......straight to the Gov's parking spot and there we watched the fireworks! Me in my pajamas in the Governor's parking spot, watching fireworks! At least I had hair then, so there was no funky little hat!

Let's see, Veteran's Day is coming up.......I do have another new set of lounge wear........so watch for me on the 11th.........in my pajamas!!!

Today is Saturday and I feel pretty good!!!! Hoping to have smooth sailing all week!!

Enjoy the day!