Sometimes the Rockiest of Roads Lead to the Most Beautiful Places

January 30, 2017, Was Our 47th Wedding Anniversary.

As you know we have been blessed with four children, Windy, Stacy, Jessica and Matt.  Each of these incredible people have enriched our lives.

Twenty seven years ago when these people were still just children, Gary surprised me with an anniversary gift that I treasure...a diamond ring...placed on our dinner table in a brown paper lunch sack. My equally romantic response was, "Is this real?" 
Sometime after my mother died in 2004, my sisters and I got to choose from her jewelry what we would like to have.  I chose another diamond ring that had belonged to Mom's mother, Ann Eileen McGinnis Prendergast, a lady I never had the opportunity to know. 

So, now I had two diamond rings and three daughters.  I told Gary that for our 50th wedding anniversary, I would like to have another diamond, perhaps a necklace so that each of our daughters would get to have a diamond from us when I no longer needed them. 
That diamond necklace was sitting upon our dinner table on this forty seventh wedding anniversary,  wrapped in beautiful silver paper and ribbons.  I did not ask if it was real...I knew.  This man's love for me is the "realest".   He is caring for this bald headed old lady who does nothing for her keep, in the most gracious way and making her feel special and wanted to boot! 

Quick Update

The sonogram today said the mass is smaller!!!!  Good.  Have not heard any details.
Not yet heard anything on the mole on my scalp...thought I would hear today, but...

Pretty Smooth Path

January 26, 2017

Yea!  It's done! No more Adriamycin and Cytoxin! 

Last doses of that cocktail were yesterday and I an doing pretty well today.
Tomorrow I go in for a sonogram to check on our progress...hoping to see absolutely nothing!!!!

Had a mole which was revealed by my loss of hair removed on Monday.  Biopsy done, waiting results but doctor was really not concerned.  Fingers crossed.

These last 4 chemo treatments will be Paclitaxel or Taxol.  Major concern with this drug is with peripheral neuropathy --meaning fingers and toes are susceptible to numbness, tingling and shooting pains which can last beyond treatment.  Will be doing everything possible to prevent/lessen this side effect. 

I really appreciate all of your support.  Continued thanks!

Things to Appreciate Along the Way

It is so nice to have little things to appreciate in life and how important they become when things are a bit rough!
This go round has continued to be easier than the first two.  One thing that has been significantly better is that the burning/acid feeling in my stomach and intestines has been so much milder.  Can't account for that but I will take it!
Each day that I am not crammed full of meds is also a good day...even those meds that help alleviate side effects!  What a relief it is to not have to put more "stuff" into this old body!
And, that brings me to the antidepressant...it did not last long.  While it certainly stopped my weepiness, it brought on sleeplessness and a feeling of being wired.  Glad it was optional...

To my brother, Jim and his wife, Ann, thank you for the gift of spring bulbs...they are beginning to bloom and bring joy!

A special word to my sister, Annie, who has been most faithful in checking in with me each day by text.  Thank you!  (I know all my other sibs care, too!)

The tasty, healthy gift of meals continues to be a blessing for us...especially Gary, since he has taken on the job of meal planning!

A little PS
     Gary has had a cold this past week and so far, I have been spared...hope that continues for both our sakes.

A Walk In The Park...almost

The third time seems to be the charm...
The first few days following my third chemo treatment went more smoothly than either of the first.  So grateful for that. 
I am also now taking an anti depressant which seems to have greatly relieved my weepiness! 
Only one more of this particular cocktail!  Hurrah! 
More thank yous are in order for the meals and birthday treats for Gary.  Thanks to each and every one of you...We feel cared for!

Some Middle of the Night Observations

So, it is 3:00 in the morning.  I don't feel bad.  I just can't sleep.
So, I thought I would jot down some observations of my experience of this chemo thing after two treatments:
     The first five or so days are a blur of drugs and lots of sleeping and being cared for by Gary (and Windy when she was here).
     Then I seem to kind of wake up.  Weepy. Can't seem to get through a conversation without crying.
     Then, just when my mind comes alive, my body gives out...can't get through a shower without   having to sit down!
     Then I get hungry and eat and eat.  (Annie and Michael and Stacy, I thank you!)
     People do the kindest things...foot rubs from Gary and Michael
     Then I considered it a huge victory to make it to Target and back on my own!

     Then it is time to do it all over again.

Sometimes Timing Means Everything...

Starting wtih Dr. Graff  saying, "I think we will start your chemo on December 14 so that you will feel better for Christmas," to Windy being able to plan a visit with her family coming from Oregon and scheduling our family photos with Tamy Budiardjo, with her Cancer Warrior session on Tuesday, December 27 so that my hair was not yet gone,  to the beautiful weather on that day, the timing could not have been more perfect.  And, mostly everyone was healthy!  So the only one we missed was Matt Lammers but he was definitely with us in spirit.  

A special thank you to the Lammers-Meis ladies for making all the pink scarves!  Talk about timing...crunch time that is!

Also a word of thanks to Greg and Ann Lewis for toting and generally taking care of us through the photo shoot.

A word about Tamy Budiardjo

This remarkable young woman had been doing wedding photography when her mother Tuty Budiarjo became ill with pancreatic cancer.  Tamy then began donating her time taking photos for families dealing with cancer.  She lives in Lawrence, KS, and is working on her Speech and Language Pathology certification at KU.  She braved our dozen grandkids, lots of doggie do and many silly suggestions for photos from all of us with a gentle smile and a director's eye.  Thank you, Tamy!

One little bugaboo...The Stephenson family had to spend five hours waiting for their delayed flight home to Oregon...Thank you for all you did!