Homeward bound

Had a good breakfast at half and half, then thrifting and antiquing -- now getting a late start home.

Trafficy and traffic accidents making for even slower going.

Got some good Xmas gifts and T found himself an 1800's railroad grade pocket watch!

Waiting for the drip

Here we go!

Stayed up too late...A little headachy

Had fun playing with my modesty scarf --

Dress is a little revealing for port access, the girls keep popping out. but the outfit came together pretty good.

My night

Big moon
Good food
Fuzzy slippers
3 hours of computer work
And now sleep.

Dr visit at 9
Chemo 10

On the road

Well after multiple phone calls I discovered the labs didn't send my blood work results to my oncologist until today AFTER they called asking about it.

Which was after I called asking about it.

But the results show there is "nothing about me that is abnormal." go figure.

So we are on the road -- again. Oh yah.

Blood work

Waiting for the IV specialist ...

Not a great day

 

Iv specialist (not the same one as last time) Went to get blood draw from the port - she couldn't get good flow; de-accessed; accessed again still couldn't get good flow. She had already made me freaked out when she asked me "what size needle do they use?" Good Christ?!! So then she asked me "well what do you want to do?" "We can try again, I can get someone else to try again, or we can try your arm" I expressed my concern about damage to the port etc, she said "oh it's fine it's not going to hurt the port, I'm sure it's just positional". she just kept asking me what she should do...At that point the tears came...

Got the draw from my arm but now not sure if I'll have problem with the port with chemo in two days. So not impressed with our local hospital sometimes.

Word from the ladies on my breast cancer discussion board is that this isn't uncommon in drawing from the port but usually they have you move your head and or raise your arms etc to get it to flow. In these cases they don't ever seem to have trouble delivering drugs in, just drawing blood out.

Didn't get a call from Paula so not sure if they didn't call results in yet or if they did but too late for her to call me.

Lots of work today and running up and down stairs... 4 hours in the office etc. Tired but going to try and go to group tonight, I miss it. Would be nice to know that my numbers are good before doing so. Boo.

Now packing just when I just unpacked from Oklahoma. This trip is not going to nearly as fun.

I did wear my new purple skirt, and it's super cute. So there's that.

 

 

 

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Blood work

Waiting for the IV specialist ...

So much to do

So I took my thanksgiving seriously -- ate too much, exercised too little, loved on my family, laid about and did nothing, worked only a smidge of what I should've, was thankful for every moment...

But now it's time to get some stuff done;after all I only have 3.5 more days before we are off for another go round.

I'm feeling pretty achy these days and while it may be the temp drop in the last few days right now everything's attributed to chemo. Perhaps this is unfair but so be it.

Tuesday I will get blood work done-- I'm hoping for as good an outcome as last time as I'd like to get out on Tuesday night for a little fun and socializing.

Christmas is all around me and my little brain is working overtime on figuring out how to do it with minimal effort, no trips out in public, but still with stunning results. It will help that I will have my favorite elf (sharon) here to help in the weeks leading up to the next chemo...

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Xmas presents

Oooooooooo

Soft fuzzy explosion of love!!!!!

Blankie, towels, slippers, sox, and hat!

I'm a froggie princess!

Ginger cookies

Are good.

Robert being silly while the animals watch in fascination

After the eating

One of those days...

On the one hand I'm super excited to be going to Oklahoma for a little mom dad grandma action.

My tastebuds will not allow me to enjoy the full spectrum of food loveliness, but I'll enjoy it just the same.

On the other hand I'm a little pissed today that I have cancer. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. My losing of my smile and hope in the face of all this shit.

It's true you never appreciate that which you have until it's gone. And this little grey cloud of misery drifts about occasionally reminding of your mortality, the stats, etc.

I know this will pass. Both my mood and my fear and this time of sick.

But right now. FUCK CANCER. Fuck it and all it brings. Fuck it and all it's worry and expense and distraction and interruption of my life and my family's life just FUCK IT.

Ok back to work.

Mail!

Quite certain I missed a whole section of mail and then things got cleaned up and well I've lost track a bit.

Know that all has been appreciated and noticed -- I'm waiting to get to the store for an album for all the cards and letters.

Here's some things that's come in recently. Including pretty and useful handwarners from Sher and Ter (inlaws).

Last day

My sister goes home today.

It's been
great having her here. I'm not always as nice as I could be to her, which is a bad fault of mine.

I do love her and appreciate all her help and work while she's been here. And company. I'll miss her.

Ouch my head

Guess I have folliculitis...getting a script tomorrow for some cream.

It hurts.

Otherwise good day. Little tired, think I pushed hard yesterday. Couldn't get motivated to DO much today.

Worked a little. Walked. Watched my sister wash my kitchen floor. (awkward).

Evolution

More baldness

Day six 2nd cycle

Better today.

Did laundry.

Did some work.

Went to post office and ran some errands.

Walked.

Feeling tired but not exhausted.

This is good.

Day five

Tired most of the day.

Stopped taking the anti inflammatories as they grog me out so much.

Mick spent the day working on focaccia bread for dinner.

(which I should have mentioned was most delicious)


Scalp is super sensitive. Want the stubble gone cuz it hurts.

Tomorrow a bit of work if I can get my brain to work.

Day four; cycle 2

Just tired and not right in my skin. Headachy. Holding off on the nausea drugs, it's a calculated risk and one I hope I don't regret. I really only seem nauseous when the rest of my digestive system is freaking out.

Hopefully the naproxen will keep most of the aches at bay. The anti nausea makes everything so dizzy/woozy.

Just laying and lazing.

It's here

It was just laying in wait.

Urg. Made it to dinner time before it hit full strength. Back on my drugs and hopeful that will keep me feeling semi ok.

Sleepy. Thanks to my T and my Mickey and my kids for taking such good care of me.

Day 3

Well I'm not crying so THAT'S better than last time.

So far no stomach upset, no stomach cramps, no thrush, and no body aches.

We'll hope it stays this way!

Mick arrived yesterday so we've been catching up -- she's already working and helping which is so appreciated.

Hairs coming out more readily so maybe I'll have her "lint roller" the stubble off.

Home

Felt good when we got here - unpacked, made some dinner, gave the man some well earned massage, watched some t.v.

Fell asleep...now heartburn from hell.

Just had my first tums I think ever. Hopefully it will allow for an easy night.

Mick comes tomorrow! Yay!

A good day

Got up and packed, picked up supplies for the trip and my water bottle from the restaurant from yesterday.

Ate at the mud house, got my fishy ring.

Went to grandma's attic and scored some 2nd hand goodies!

On the road to home bout 2 hours to go. So far feeling way better than I did at this point last time so that's comforting.

Thanks to everyone for continued prayers, love, support etc. xo

Fishy

1/2 way done with chemo. Earned my fishy ring

Here it comes

I just don't feel right. That's the beginning feelings of chemo. Fluctuating temperatures - head aches- pre flu like feelings - fatigue but with the steroids weird jitteriness and the need to be doing something. Eh.

Had to wake up to take meds, rinse mouth, drink water, and eat something. Soon have to get up for real.

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Chemo

Tough ol bird

All my blood tests done Tuesday are better than the blood tests before chemo.

I am so strange.

Let's do this!

My chemo outfit for fall treatment.

On the road

Back to STL...

All systems are go

Labs are normal including white blood count, platelets, etc. so good in fact that I don't have to do labs when I get there.

So we will be leaving and yah, that's it.

Celebrating Ruby's birthday today since we won't be here tomorrow night.

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Labs successful

Though there was a small battle of wills I think she knew what she was doing. Let's pray for high white counts! Got to see the lovely DeeDee.. Yay!

Especially cuz I just stabbed myself with a screw driver... :/

Good thing I have bandaids and neosporin.

Guess klutzy cait should not be doing anything for a few months.

Labs

Sitting and waiting on the IV specialist to draw blood from my power port. Not only is there an infection risk unless they use sterile technique but they can easily fuck up my port if they don't know what they're doing.

I hope they know what they're doing.