More info on the last week

After I came home I felt stronger, but not great.   I have major swelling of my feet and legs, so walking far is impossible.  I can get up and the down the 26 steps if I have a doctor's appointment. A Home nurse and  physical therapist have checked on me.  To be so sick I am pretty healthy. 

Marty's brother and girl friend were here during the holidays.  They helped Marty care for me, cooking, babysitting, what ever was needed.  They made me laugh, and made me feel loved.

I wanted a normal day.  I wanted to go to the peaceful beautiful Hayward Japanese Gardens.  But I couldn't walk it.  So we bought a wheelchair and off we went.  I took pictures, but don't feel up to the effort of cleaning them up, cropping them, etc.  So if you want pictures, go to the archives and find pictures.  I think November 2013 you can find pictures.

We had a great time in the quiet of the gardens.  I felt almost normal, and came home and took a 2 hour nap.

I am still having intestinal problems.  They are running more tests and hopefully we can pinpoint the problem.  It can even be caused by the medicine  I am on. 

I am stronger, but tire easily.  Chemo will begin again on January 13.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers.  I feel your love and care for Marty and me.  Thank you for caring for me.

Health updatae

Well, you may have noticed I have been silent for a while.  Last Saturday I was in the  infusion clinic for a treatment and all hell broke loose.  Lightheaded, blurred vision, weak, pounding heart, I was  rushed to ER.  At one point Marty said 7 doctors were working on me.  Heart rate was over 200, that is not a typo. 

From ER I was placed in the Intensive Care Unit.  Finally the A-Fib was stabilized.  But I had infections, and they didn't know what.  So everyone who came in my room had to gown, mask, and glove up.  By the second day they said only wear mask.  The third night I was moved to a regular room.  There I was in protective isolation.  Anyone who came in my room had to wear a mask.  When I was taken for tests, I wore a mask to protect  me from others' germs.

It took a while to identify my infections.  All are very treatable.  I was weak, barely able to turn myself in bed.  When they finally let me up to walk, I needed a walker and 100 feet was a long long walk.  Christmas night they said I was strong enough to go home.  I was terrified.  I could barely walk and they were turning me out.  Of course they were right.

Just the one day I have been home I am much stronger.  I walked lots further today and am doing exercises for swelling in my feet and legs. Marty's food is so much better than hospital food.  Today I have eaten more than I was.

I am now called a frail patient.  Many things wrong, some not fixable.  But I can keep working on getting stronger and have a pretty good life.

Now as for Kaiser . . .  again they saved my life.  They give incredible care.  The hospital did not have an empty bed.  They were overworked and running on holiday staff.  But as far as I felt, I was the only patient there.  Kind, gentle, caring staff.  Thank you Kaiser.

Fun Stuff Stopped and Kaiser became my number 1 destination

The week started off fairly well, but then things went medical again.  Nausea reared it head again and diarrhea made life awful.  Because I wasn't eating enough and had other issues, I had no energy. I was shaky, whiny, and even had a crying  jag.  Everyone says it is OK to be upset.  But I don't think so, depressed and crying takes a lot of energy.

When I went in for my white cell shots they said I needed to be hydrated.  So for three days when I went for my shot, they hooked me up to an IV.  It did perk me up.  They told me any time I wanted to hydrate to call and they would have me come in.

Mostly I feel weak and tired.  In the past the further I got from Chemo day the better I felt.  Not so much this time.  Sometimes I sleep in the bed, other times I am in the recliner.  It just happens to be where I can get comfortable. 

Tonight we plan to have fun, keep your fingers crossed for me.  We are going to a party.  I have a gorgeous dress, pretty shoes, and a great head piece.  I have little hair but this band of "diamonds" makes you forget the lack of hair. 

Another Fun Thing

Graduation was a fun event.  Today I did another fun event.  I used to get pedicures every month.  But the economy tanked and skipping the pedicures was a way to cut expenses. I really missed pedicures. I  loved being spoiled, plus after  a certain age bending to trim nails is hard.  Older bodies don't twist and bend easily and I needed help.  OK, maybe a little rationalization going on.

Today my friend Debbie (best nail tech ever) brought her equipment to my home, on her day off no less.  She also filled me in on what's going on in her life and some people I know about.  Gossip, updates, pedicure with a great foot massage . . . a lovely way to spend the morning.

See my pretty toes.  Pity it isn't summer and I could wear open toed shoes.  I will just slip my shoes off quietly and let people discover my toes.  I think the color is called  Hooker Christmas. 

If you need someone to give you pretty toes or finger, contact me and I will share her contact information.  She works in Walnut Creek.  Sorry can't travel to Kentucky or Florida.

I made it to Graduation!

Sometimes I do go some place besides Kaiser, and it is for fun.  Yesterday I went to the graduation ceremonies  for Thor.  Well, you all have seen his picture as Thor.  His real name is Aaron. 

Aaron's mother is a dear friend of ours.  We lived with them two years ago while looking for the perfect apartment.  Since then we have become close to Arron.  In fact he is one of my babysitters.  He asked us to the ceremonies and I promised come Hell or High Water I would make it.  Worse case scenario I would SKYPE the event.

The night before graduation was rough.  Lots of nausea, little sleep, and intestinal problems through the night.  How was I going to make a 40 minute drive and a ceremony and reception?  Well, you suck it up for those you care about.  I took every pill that I was allowed, packed an emergency kit, and we took off.

All went well.  Aaron gave his speech, received his diploma, and then entertained us during the reception.  It was a marvelous morning.  I am so grateful he asked us, and more grateful I was able to attend.  He is a Culinary Arts graduate, that means I now have a chef at my beck and call.

That afternoon it took a 4 hour nap for me to recover, and I dozed through most of our nighttime TV programs.  But I did it.  I had fun, I got to beam with pride at a young man I deeply care about. 

Chemo again

Tuesday I began chemo again.  It went some better this time.  I was still nauseated and vomiting, but did not end up in ER.  I am tired and cranky.  But each day is a little easier.  There have been other minor side effects, but I  am handling things one problem at a time. 

I slept better last night.  And I have eaten some food that wasn't liquid.  Marty again brought home rich food for me, doughnut croissants that are glazed.    That may be supper for  me.

I have plans for this weekend.  I hope to be able to go to a graduation on Saturday.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Update on CT Scan

I just had my meeting with the oncologist.  The good news is the mass has shrunk a little and there is no spread.  Bad news, still wrapped around blood vessels, so still can't operate.  Maybe next time.

The chemo is doing its job.  I will begin another 6 weeks tomorrow.

Prayer Warriors, you are helping.  So please keep me in your prayers.

We had a great Thanksgiving and we are now shooting for a great Christmas.