The prayers are working. I can feel it and today I feel like I have tangible proof. I was healthy enough for chemo and just needed a little booster shot for my red blood cells/anemia. Nothing severe though. Jeff and I were THRILLED to hear today that the tumor is a minor 2cm or about 3/4 of an inch square. It also has no decisive edges and is more like a dense mass and not the solid and heavy rock that it was just about 10 weeks ago. And, we're about halfway through the chemo. I've had 8 total treatments and have 8 more to go. There was brief discussion about scheduling MRI's and scans in August before we make our surgical decisions. I'm torn, I welcome the idea of a treatment that is non-invasive as possible ... but I read recently an anology that I've taken to heart: "Cancer is like a terrorist group. You don't try to make peace with it. You annihaliate it and get rid of all the sleeper cells." I like that approach. I can sleep well with that approach for the next 50 years of my life.
And, I had the opportunity to stay home with Rose tonight while Jeff and Grace went to ballet dress rehersal. With twins, and probably all kids, its difficult to find time to spend with just one kid so it's always special to have that time. Rose found this book about a magic carpet with mazes and riddles on every single 32 pages and that was her top priority ... that I read to her. She was adamant that no one had ever read this book to her. I don't know where it came from ... but I read it. And, I loved it. Just watching her answer the puzzles and check the back and feeling her next to me and that closeness you get when reading to a child. We went onto make blueberry muffins and even do some beading (thanks Amanda) before Grace and Jeff came back home.
And, in case you didn't see it ... Ann's Fans (our Race for the Cure team) crested $10,000 earlier this week. I had tears rolling down my face when I saw that on Wednesday morning. My fans rock.
Thanks for all your prayers. God continues to bless us and amaze me ... that's worth getting out of bed for every day.
Ann
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Exhaustion Crashes Down.
We still don't know why ... but I had a fever today. I'm not "allowed" to have a fever over 100.4 and mine went as high as 102. Needless to say, we went to the oncologist for an emergency appointment. Of course I got there and didn't have a fever ... so I promptly threw up all over the lab. That got me some attention. I was assigned my own room and spent the next several hours having blood work done and an IV bag. They checked me for bacteria, urinary infection, respiratory problems, etc. No real reason for my fever. I'll be on antibiotics for the next week to help. And, they gave me a "revved up Tylenol" painkiller for some back pain and cramping I was having. Praise the Lord, my blood work looked good. I have healthy red and white blood cell counts ... so I do still have a working immune system. That was a huge relief.
Jeff sat with me the whole time and is the one who asked me early this morning if maybe I had a fever. He read a magazine for hours in this tiny little internal room while I dozed. I don't know how people go through this alone. There is a certain comfort just having him there with me. And, I have to send a HUGE THANKS to our friend Kellie who took the girls on very short notice and kept them most of the day. Again, it's our friends and family pulling us through all this that help so much.
It's the last day of online team registration. We're in fifth place which just clouds my eyes thinking about it. That's so much more than I ever dreamt possible. http://race.komennctriangle.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=21701&pg=team&fr_id=1070if you haven't registered. I think we have more than 100 people on our team. Amazing.
Praying for peace and comfort tonight. Grateful for all the love you've all continued to show our family ... even when we don't deserve it.
Jeff sat with me the whole time and is the one who asked me early this morning if maybe I had a fever. He read a magazine for hours in this tiny little internal room while I dozed. I don't know how people go through this alone. There is a certain comfort just having him there with me. And, I have to send a HUGE THANKS to our friend Kellie who took the girls on very short notice and kept them most of the day. Again, it's our friends and family pulling us through all this that help so much.
It's the last day of online team registration. We're in fifth place which just clouds my eyes thinking about it. That's so much more than I ever dreamt possible. http://race.komennctriangle.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=21701&pg=team&fr_id=1070if you haven't registered. I think we have more than 100 people on our team. Amazing.
Praying for peace and comfort tonight. Grateful for all the love you've all continued to show our family ... even when we don't deserve it.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Taxol ... the third episode
The third "bite" of Taxol went down as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary. My red blood cells weren't quite so great so I had two "booster" shots this weekend to elevate my red blood cells again. I didn't get measured this week and will do that again on Thurs. I feel confident the tumor is shrinking and look forward to the official measurement. I've spent a lot of this weekend lounging around as my back has hurt a lot.
On Saturday, I tried running with my dad. We made it a total of four miles and ran about half of it ... only the flat parts. Despite a night with not great sleep and a little vertigo, it was great to get out and see the neighborhood and hear the birds in the morning. Not to mention, running with your dad is just cool. I paid for the run much of the afternoon as I lounged a lot.
Jeff, along with my sister and brother, and especially my parents painted my kitchen. The topiary trees and teal walls are gone! YEAH. I've hated my wallpaper for nearly four years. It looks so much cleaner and larger with a nice, fresh coat of paint. Now I just need to hire someone to put in a ceramic tile floor in late June. I'm really lucky my mother volunteered them all ... I don't think I'll ever get them to do that again. It was a lot of work.
Jeff and the girls are at the pool celebrating the start of summer. I just needed some quiet time to recuperate from all the house guests and it feels good to just be still. I finished off a good love story as well, which always helps a girl feel better.
Happy Memorial Day.
On Saturday, I tried running with my dad. We made it a total of four miles and ran about half of it ... only the flat parts. Despite a night with not great sleep and a little vertigo, it was great to get out and see the neighborhood and hear the birds in the morning. Not to mention, running with your dad is just cool. I paid for the run much of the afternoon as I lounged a lot.
Jeff, along with my sister and brother, and especially my parents painted my kitchen. The topiary trees and teal walls are gone! YEAH. I've hated my wallpaper for nearly four years. It looks so much cleaner and larger with a nice, fresh coat of paint. Now I just need to hire someone to put in a ceramic tile floor in late June. I'm really lucky my mother volunteered them all ... I don't think I'll ever get them to do that again. It was a lot of work.
Jeff and the girls are at the pool celebrating the start of summer. I just needed some quiet time to recuperate from all the house guests and it feels good to just be still. I finished off a good love story as well, which always helps a girl feel better.
Happy Memorial Day.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Preparing for the Third Mile
This second treatment has definitely knocked me back some ...although I've been pretty busy with a business trip to Greensboro that went great. It kept my mind busy and had me thinking about the future ... 2010 and 2011. My client was thoughtful enough to get me a special, comfortable chair for the long hours we sat in meetings and we had a good, quick dinner with a fantastic dessert (that I didn't share) and I went back to my hotel and watched my favorite Monday night line up.
I go in tomorrow for my third treatment of Taxol and my Dad (aka groovy grandpa) is going with me. We have an early treatment at 8:00 followed at mid-day by the girls graduating from preschool. I hope I recover from the two Benadryl I have to take first thing in the morning ... that usually puts me into a shady fog.
Sitting here tonight, I think preschool graduation -- complete with gowns -- is over the top. Seriously, how much of an achievement can this be? They can color, write their names, use scissors and sing a lot of silly songs ... and administrators somewhere think this deserves a parade of 5 year olds in robes? I don't get it. But, tomorrow when I'm sobbing as I realize that my five year olds are growing up fast and some days I'm not much of a mother to them ... that will get me. It will strike me that if I don't kick this cancer right now and beat this disease ... My five year survival rate is good, even admirable ... but that doesn't even get me to middle school graduation. I am suddenly afraid I may not see their high school graduation and this may be all I have. Two little girls in matching polka dot dresses with bangs that need cut, front teeth that are missing, small, bright orange sunshine tattoos on their forearms and wobbly in their shoes ... what if this is the only time I see them walk across that stage and get a diploma? I try not to look at things like this too often ... death can happen to anyone at anytime ... but the unknown nags at the back of your mind from some small dark crevice. I think it's a hidden side effect of cancer. Grace told me to video tape graduation so we can watch it again. We definitely will, Grace ... we will.
"As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." Isaiah 66:13 ... Oh how I am glad I have the Lord to comfort me because now that I'm on the train of thought about living to graduation, my worries are taking over ... I need to go, sit and listen to the Lord ... for no one else can comfort me.
Good night. ... only one more week for online sign-ups for the Race for the Cure and Ann's Fans. Join us if you can and if you've already signed up ... thank you very much!
I go in tomorrow for my third treatment of Taxol and my Dad (aka groovy grandpa) is going with me. We have an early treatment at 8:00 followed at mid-day by the girls graduating from preschool. I hope I recover from the two Benadryl I have to take first thing in the morning ... that usually puts me into a shady fog.
Sitting here tonight, I think preschool graduation -- complete with gowns -- is over the top. Seriously, how much of an achievement can this be? They can color, write their names, use scissors and sing a lot of silly songs ... and administrators somewhere think this deserves a parade of 5 year olds in robes? I don't get it. But, tomorrow when I'm sobbing as I realize that my five year olds are growing up fast and some days I'm not much of a mother to them ... that will get me. It will strike me that if I don't kick this cancer right now and beat this disease ... My five year survival rate is good, even admirable ... but that doesn't even get me to middle school graduation. I am suddenly afraid I may not see their high school graduation and this may be all I have. Two little girls in matching polka dot dresses with bangs that need cut, front teeth that are missing, small, bright orange sunshine tattoos on their forearms and wobbly in their shoes ... what if this is the only time I see them walk across that stage and get a diploma? I try not to look at things like this too often ... death can happen to anyone at anytime ... but the unknown nags at the back of your mind from some small dark crevice. I think it's a hidden side effect of cancer. Grace told me to video tape graduation so we can watch it again. We definitely will, Grace ... we will.
"As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." Isaiah 66:13 ... Oh how I am glad I have the Lord to comfort me because now that I'm on the train of thought about living to graduation, my worries are taking over ... I need to go, sit and listen to the Lord ... for no one else can comfort me.
Good night. ... only one more week for online sign-ups for the Race for the Cure and Ann's Fans. Join us if you can and if you've already signed up ... thank you very much!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Tenderness of a Child
So, tonight I was lying in the floor tonight outside the bathroom door while Grace bathed. I was just moaning and groaning and feeling sorry for myself as my stomach cramped and churned. Food really hates me. But, the tenderness of Rose came through. She found me a baby blanket and a hug/kiss and sang me a tender sweet song she wrote herself about how she's there for me. It was really sweet. Just when I think they don't notice all that's going on around them.
We had a great Saturday at the beach with our friends the Jeffries. The girls caught all sorts of critters with the Jeffries boys. And, since Steph has a marine biology background ... that helps us Midwesterners learn a few names. They caught shrimp, crab, clams, fish and Stephen caught a flounder the size of a quarter. Amazing how perfect these little creatures can be and how they can have a place in the food chain. Really amazing creations. All the kids chased, played in the sand, jumped waves and just had a great time playing. I couldn't keep up with all the activities. I loved watching the girls play in the waves and shriek (especially Grace) with delight. I hope next summer is much better ...
On that note, I'm off to Greensboro for my first business trip of the year. Just a quick overnighter. I'm nervous. It's going to be a very long day leaving at 6:30 with a dinner tomorrow night and a lot of time in a chair. I just hope my back and stomach all hold together.
I found this Scripture tonight in my little bag of devotionals. It is helping ease my worry about the next two days. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
Have a great week.
PS: our Race for the Cure team appears to be in fourth place at 70% of our goal ... that's just over $7,000. I can't believe all the donations. Team registration ends later this week.
We had a great Saturday at the beach with our friends the Jeffries. The girls caught all sorts of critters with the Jeffries boys. And, since Steph has a marine biology background ... that helps us Midwesterners learn a few names. They caught shrimp, crab, clams, fish and Stephen caught a flounder the size of a quarter. Amazing how perfect these little creatures can be and how they can have a place in the food chain. Really amazing creations. All the kids chased, played in the sand, jumped waves and just had a great time playing. I couldn't keep up with all the activities. I loved watching the girls play in the waves and shriek (especially Grace) with delight. I hope next summer is much better ...
On that note, I'm off to Greensboro for my first business trip of the year. Just a quick overnighter. I'm nervous. It's going to be a very long day leaving at 6:30 with a dinner tomorrow night and a lot of time in a chair. I just hope my back and stomach all hold together.
I found this Scripture tonight in my little bag of devotionals. It is helping ease my worry about the next two days. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
Have a great week.
PS: our Race for the Cure team appears to be in fourth place at 70% of our goal ... that's just over $7,000. I can't believe all the donations. Team registration ends later this week.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Ann's Fans Rock
Our Race for the Cure team, Ann's Fans, has raised more than $6,100. (And, there is still time to join us.) I am so amazed. Our team is in fifth place. And, tonight in my old stomping grounds back home in Indiana (or maybe northern Kentucky) ... there's a poker game going on and I've been promised all of someones winnings. I've been assured they don't play for Oreos like we did when we were in high school. The Komen Foundation doesn't accept Oreos.
On the second day of Taxol (out of 12 weekly treatments), Taxol gave to me ... nothing really. I had some munchies and was in a fog due to the two Benadryl I have to take before I go in. But, isn't that a normal day for so many of us? Otherwise, the nausea is dramatically reduced other than some in the mornings still. I laid around on the couch a lot last night and watched some hockey (GO CANES). My regular Physicians Assistant wasn't there at the office yesterday to measure the tumor so I don't know how much it's gone down. I was still anemic so I had another booster shot of Procrit. It causes some back pain later in the afternoons. All in all ... the second day of Taxol was good.
Jeff and I are going to a new parents coffee at North Raleigh Christian Academy this morning where the girls will start kindergarten this fall. It's a long way off but I am already nervous that my surgery will fall right about when they start school. I know it's silly to worry so far in advance but it just nags in my mind. Oh well, we're off to coffee ...
Have a great weekend!
The Lord said, "... You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you." Isaiah 43:4
http://race.komennctriangle.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=21701&pg=team&fr_id=1070
Ann
On the second day of Taxol (out of 12 weekly treatments), Taxol gave to me ... nothing really. I had some munchies and was in a fog due to the two Benadryl I have to take before I go in. But, isn't that a normal day for so many of us? Otherwise, the nausea is dramatically reduced other than some in the mornings still. I laid around on the couch a lot last night and watched some hockey (GO CANES). My regular Physicians Assistant wasn't there at the office yesterday to measure the tumor so I don't know how much it's gone down. I was still anemic so I had another booster shot of Procrit. It causes some back pain later in the afternoons. All in all ... the second day of Taxol was good.
Jeff and I are going to a new parents coffee at North Raleigh Christian Academy this morning where the girls will start kindergarten this fall. It's a long way off but I am already nervous that my surgery will fall right about when they start school. I know it's silly to worry so far in advance but it just nags in my mind. Oh well, we're off to coffee ...
Have a great weekend!
The Lord said, "... You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you." Isaiah 43:4
http://race.komennctriangle.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=21701&pg=team&fr_id=1070
Ann
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Hit Me Again ... I'm Not Afraid
Tomorrow I head in for "round two" of the Taxol treatment. I've moved my appointments to the afternoon so I can work in the morning which already feels less disruptive to the work week. I just have to remember to take Benadryl at 10:30, that might be tough. I already dislike this new schedule of having to go every week as I feel like today food was finally getting its flavor back (it could have been the great Mediterrean salad I had for lunch). Someone special signed me up for the fruit of the month club and I've been enjoying papaya smoothies this week for breakfast. And, since the weather has gotten warmer and the vegetables a little fresher, I have fallen in love with a dinner salad again. So far my weight has held steady ... no gain and no loss. That's our goal.
I really can't complain as this week has been good to me. I was able to make four batches of strawberry freezer jam with Stephanie and Nancy after work. The mouth sores haven't been so bad this time and my energy level at work has been good. I still have a lot of heartburn and constipation but I'm taking a lot of medicine for those side effects.
So, for the first time I'm heading into chemo without the weight of dread draped over my shoulders. I feel good about what we're accomplishing and how my body is holding up.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1. This is my verse that I'm focusing on as I pack my "goody" bag for tomorrow. I am not afraid for what the medicine can do to me.
One week from tonight my parents come to visit ... cancer has changed me already ... I've not started cleaning the house ...
Hugs,
Ann
I really can't complain as this week has been good to me. I was able to make four batches of strawberry freezer jam with Stephanie and Nancy after work. The mouth sores haven't been so bad this time and my energy level at work has been good. I still have a lot of heartburn and constipation but I'm taking a lot of medicine for those side effects.
So, for the first time I'm heading into chemo without the weight of dread draped over my shoulders. I feel good about what we're accomplishing and how my body is holding up.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1. This is my verse that I'm focusing on as I pack my "goody" bag for tomorrow. I am not afraid for what the medicine can do to me.
One week from tonight my parents come to visit ... cancer has changed me already ... I've not started cleaning the house ...
Hugs,
Ann
Monday, May 11, 2009
A Great Mother's Day Weekend
We returned from our church camp last evening and I was exhausted ... in a good way. It was great to watch the girls run, swim, bike, play, sail, etc. this weekend. Rose is so proud of herself ... she and her dad went off a rope swing into the snake infested waters at Camp Don Lee and Saturday she carried around a frog for hours much to the delight of a group of boys. I was beginning to feel for the frog. Grace had a great time as well. She loved playing in the sand with her friend Barrett and jumping the waves in the Neuse River. She and I had some special sailing time as well -- I'm sure she would have enjoyed it more if the wind hadn't died. Jeff had a great time just being out and being social -- not to mention that rope swing. He's sore today. It was a lot of work for him to get two kids ready for bed and breakfast by himself but he did great.
It was a huge treat just to be out of the house for a change of scenery and the coastal area never looked so good. Everything is green and blooming and it all just seemed very vibrant. Even the group that went from the church seemed to be coming out of a "winter funk" and just happy to see everyone. There was a lot of happiness.
Needless to say the first Taxol treatment went well. I'm tired but not nauseous. I'm having stomach issues that I'm still working through and a little bit of heartburn. The biggest challenge of the weekend was probably being bald. I know that sounds vain but it's hard to disguise your shiny bald head when the wind is whipping around and you can't keep a hat on your head, when a bandanna feels like an oven and leaves you with sweat rolling down your cheeks, or when you're chasing a kid out of the shower (who was releasing crickets back into the field) and realize you have nothing on your head and you just startled a poor man walking to the bathhouse. Sorry about that, dude. It made me realize just how difficult it will be to spend the summer at the pool ... which is all my family has planned for the summer.
So, all in all, it was a great Mother's Day. God continues to bless us in many, many ways. This weekend was one of them.
Fondly,
Ann
It was a huge treat just to be out of the house for a change of scenery and the coastal area never looked so good. Everything is green and blooming and it all just seemed very vibrant. Even the group that went from the church seemed to be coming out of a "winter funk" and just happy to see everyone. There was a lot of happiness.
Needless to say the first Taxol treatment went well. I'm tired but not nauseous. I'm having stomach issues that I'm still working through and a little bit of heartburn. The biggest challenge of the weekend was probably being bald. I know that sounds vain but it's hard to disguise your shiny bald head when the wind is whipping around and you can't keep a hat on your head, when a bandanna feels like an oven and leaves you with sweat rolling down your cheeks, or when you're chasing a kid out of the shower (who was releasing crickets back into the field) and realize you have nothing on your head and you just startled a poor man walking to the bathhouse. Sorry about that, dude. It made me realize just how difficult it will be to spend the summer at the pool ... which is all my family has planned for the summer.
So, all in all, it was a great Mother's Day. God continues to bless us in many, many ways. This weekend was one of them.
Fondly,
Ann
Thursday, May 7, 2009
One down ... Eleven to go
I'm staring to look at this like training for a half marathon and today was my first treatment of 12 ... kind of like the first mile. It wasn't that painful and I didn't have any reactions. As my training continues, like marathon training, I'll have sores and pain and there will be days it will be difficult to get out of bed. I know this going in. Hopefully, this training plan won't be so sweaty and my laundry won't stink so bad.
The nurses continue to be thrilled with my progress. For measurable results, my tumor responded well to the first four treatments and I'm at a 2.5 x 4.8 tumor with about 2mm shrinkage in the last two weeks. The tumor is also much softer. It's not measurable, but my nurses are shocked that I'm getting out so much, working still, walking 3-4 miles a couple times a week and helping with the girls. I'm lucky I was very healthy going into this but I think I owe all the success to the prayers of my family and friends. Like a friend from Houston recently wrote, God must have big plans for you and it'll be exciting to see what they are.
We are heading out tomorrow. I miss traveling and getting out so I'm thrilled to see the big water. And, Jeff is just plum stir crazy staying here in Raleigh so much. So, he and the girls will camp and I'll head to my B&B tomorrow night. I'm really excited although I have everything I need here at home. Jeff continues to be handling this really well. He's always going to the grocery or pharmacy, he's handling more and more chores and meals, bath time with the girls and lots more. The girls are handling the extra stress and inconvenience really well. They picked strawberries today with their friends Simon and Steph today. Tomorrow we have Mother's Day tea at preschool. They are very excited to take me and I understand there is a survey about each mother where they had to guess our age and favorite television show and more. I am a littler nervous to hear those answers.
And, in other big news, by the end of the weekend we will likely achieve $5,000 in donations to our Race for the Cure team, Ann's Fans. We're nearly halfway there. We still have lots of room for more family and friends to join us. If you have not checked out our team page recently, there's a photo of my fuzzy head ... http://race.komennctriangle.org/site/TR/Race/General?pg=team&fr_id=1070&team_id=21701
And, here's my public service announcement for the day ... if you're close enough squeeze your mom really hard this weekend and thank her for all she's done. I hate I won't get to hug my mom but I'll definitely call her to say thanks for being such a good role model and an inspiration for the last xx years. I don't know how I'd get through this without your calls, cards and faith in me. Thank you. I love you dearly.
Hugs,
Ann
The nurses continue to be thrilled with my progress. For measurable results, my tumor responded well to the first four treatments and I'm at a 2.5 x 4.8 tumor with about 2mm shrinkage in the last two weeks. The tumor is also much softer. It's not measurable, but my nurses are shocked that I'm getting out so much, working still, walking 3-4 miles a couple times a week and helping with the girls. I'm lucky I was very healthy going into this but I think I owe all the success to the prayers of my family and friends. Like a friend from Houston recently wrote, God must have big plans for you and it'll be exciting to see what they are.
We are heading out tomorrow. I miss traveling and getting out so I'm thrilled to see the big water. And, Jeff is just plum stir crazy staying here in Raleigh so much. So, he and the girls will camp and I'll head to my B&B tomorrow night. I'm really excited although I have everything I need here at home. Jeff continues to be handling this really well. He's always going to the grocery or pharmacy, he's handling more and more chores and meals, bath time with the girls and lots more. The girls are handling the extra stress and inconvenience really well. They picked strawberries today with their friends Simon and Steph today. Tomorrow we have Mother's Day tea at preschool. They are very excited to take me and I understand there is a survey about each mother where they had to guess our age and favorite television show and more. I am a littler nervous to hear those answers.
And, in other big news, by the end of the weekend we will likely achieve $5,000 in donations to our Race for the Cure team, Ann's Fans. We're nearly halfway there. We still have lots of room for more family and friends to join us. If you have not checked out our team page recently, there's a photo of my fuzzy head ... http://race.komennctriangle.org/site/TR/Race/General?pg=team&fr_id=1070&team_id=21701
And, here's my public service announcement for the day ... if you're close enough squeeze your mom really hard this weekend and thank her for all she's done. I hate I won't get to hug my mom but I'll definitely call her to say thanks for being such a good role model and an inspiration for the last xx years. I don't know how I'd get through this without your calls, cards and faith in me. Thank you. I love you dearly.
Hugs,
Ann
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sleeping In My Own Bed
Great news ... no transfusion. I am thrilled. I get to sleep at home tonight. My numbers weren't great so I got an extra booster shot this morning but I wasn't low enough to need a transfusion. I'm not sure if it's the booster or the timing of the chemo cycle but I've fought back pain all day ... but it's better than a transfusion. And, I have a large, snotty nose that drips like a Popsicle on a hot day. I feel much worst than I did on the day I had to have the transfusion ... and today I don't need one. I don't understand the way God works ... but I'm thrilled that I don't need a transfusion.
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 I'm still hoping for a good week with the Taxol chemo on Thursday ... I have big plans for the weekend. Mother's Day weekend is our traditional camping at Don Lee, on the mouth of the Pamlico Sound at the Neuse River. It's in cabins and all the food is cooked. We sail, we swim, we kayak, we lounge, we cook marshmallows ... the girls love it. But I decided that a cabin with cobwebs and no air conditioning or heat, public toilets and baths, etc. is not a great environment for me. So, I have a room reserved at the closest bed and breakfast. I'll bounce back and forth between the two; I want to be there with the family but I'm so excited about my B&B. I just miss traveling and getting out of Raleigh so I am thrilled to finally get out of our house! I can't wait. The whole family is poised for a weekend of fun!
Hugs,
Ann
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 I'm still hoping for a good week with the Taxol chemo on Thursday ... I have big plans for the weekend. Mother's Day weekend is our traditional camping at Don Lee, on the mouth of the Pamlico Sound at the Neuse River. It's in cabins and all the food is cooked. We sail, we swim, we kayak, we lounge, we cook marshmallows ... the girls love it. But I decided that a cabin with cobwebs and no air conditioning or heat, public toilets and baths, etc. is not a great environment for me. So, I have a room reserved at the closest bed and breakfast. I'll bounce back and forth between the two; I want to be there with the family but I'm so excited about my B&B. I just miss traveling and getting out of Raleigh so I am thrilled to finally get out of our house! I can't wait. The whole family is poised for a weekend of fun!
Hugs,
Ann
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Weekends Are Good
My Race for the Cure team is in 7th place for fundraising ... wow that is awesome. I am proud and I am humbled. Please join us if you can. I'd love to see everyone. I even FINALLY figured out how to set up a page tonight http://race.komennctriangle.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1408485&pg=personal&fr_id=1070 although I still haven't mastered a picture. Rose and Grace dictated their own commentary for their pages as well ... check it out.
I lounged most of the weekend. My brother came down to visit from Norfolk and was pleased to find me looking relatively healthy. We watched the Derby together, he and Jeff put out two truckloads of mulch, Rose relished in her financial windfall (she lost two teeth last week), Grace practiced her tricks on the swing set (which involves swinging with her hair dragging the dirt) and we met my sister and her husband at the Farmers Market for some shrimp. It was a good weekend.
I'm fighting more stomach issues today (could be the shrimp) and a nose that leaks like an old faucet. Otherwise, I'm good. I am visiting the doctor tomorrow at 8:45 and pray my red blood cells are high enough for chemo on Thursday without having to get a transfusion. So, that's my prayer request for the evening/morning ... lots of red blood cells. I'm off to have a piece of rhubarb strawberry pie to see if that will help.
More tomorrow ... make it a great week. Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday.
Love,
Ann
I lounged most of the weekend. My brother came down to visit from Norfolk and was pleased to find me looking relatively healthy. We watched the Derby together, he and Jeff put out two truckloads of mulch, Rose relished in her financial windfall (she lost two teeth last week), Grace practiced her tricks on the swing set (which involves swinging with her hair dragging the dirt) and we met my sister and her husband at the Farmers Market for some shrimp. It was a good weekend.
I'm fighting more stomach issues today (could be the shrimp) and a nose that leaks like an old faucet. Otherwise, I'm good. I am visiting the doctor tomorrow at 8:45 and pray my red blood cells are high enough for chemo on Thursday without having to get a transfusion. So, that's my prayer request for the evening/morning ... lots of red blood cells. I'm off to have a piece of rhubarb strawberry pie to see if that will help.
More tomorrow ... make it a great week. Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday.
Love,
Ann
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