Life Changes (Abridged)

I retired June 15, 2012.  Just a quick note that I'm still on Aromasin for the breast cancer, but that should end soon.  My ALC is just a little above normal, so right now I'm not worried about the CLL.  My oncologist has me on a 6 month schedule.  

March 31, 2011, I had major foot surgery on my left foot.  Could put no weight on it for 3.5 months.  Then July 11, 2012, I had surgery on my right foot.  I was cleared for weight-bearing on that foot 6 days ago.  Man, that hurts!  LOL  ....But it'll get better!

As soon as I get some neglected work done, I'll go into more detail.   And then do more posting.  

Take care and Be Well! 

I'm still here, and kicking!

Another birthday has passed. Another set of pearls and diamonds. (Gotta somehow let him know that I have enough pearls and diamonds--that I'd like some sapphires or emeralds or rubies!) But I thought I had already expressed that. Looks to me like I'm not the only one getting that "hide your own Easter Eggs" mentality.

We've got chickens now. And they're reproducing. We were losing a hen every week, so Fred decided he needed to do something about the coyotes behind us. Lucky for the coyote, we discovered one of the hens just below our bedroom window with 7 little peepers. On further hunts, we found another in one of the pole barns. She came out last week with 3 little ones. And the last one is up in a barn between huge bales of hay. Fred said he heard one little peeper yesterday.

He still thinks he's going to have to do something about the coyote, though. The roosters have disappeared except for one. I have reservations about hurting the coyotes. Bruce, our deceased neighbor, used to enjoy watching them cock an ear, stalk, and leap in his fields for the little rodents. Part of the balance of nature. Fred says the free lunches at Fred's Farm is not part of that balance.

I'm back to seeing my oncologist every 6 mos for a couple years now. No news there, which is good. So I'll probably not be posting much on that front for some time. Hoping all is well for everyone. M

My, How Time Flies!

Lo Siento, por favor! Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa! Gee, I remembered my Spanish AND Latin!

On the BC front, it's just rather ho hum, and I rather like it that way. Suffice it to say that after consulting 4 different plastic surgeons, I finally came to terms that reconstruction just wasn't a viable option for me, so in May I got fitted for some very nice prosthesises. I got to pick out the cup size, and we went from there. Mine are "climate controlled" with special wicking properties, or so they say. However, even in this heat wave, I've been going much of the time with the "no front fenders" option.

One of my young Bosom Buddies (a year ahead of me in diagnosis)had reconstruction last fall, and had told me then that she was very pleased with the results and that she'd do it again if she had to. But now the past two months they found her BC had metastasized to her femur. They replaced the hip, reamed out the marrow down to her knee, and put in a titanium rod. Now they found a spot on one of her vertebrates. This week she told me that given the choice now, she would NOT have had reconstruction. Please keep Barbara in your prayers.

My absolute lymphs stayed within normal and just came out of the top end in my June checkup. Next checkup in September.

I was informed yesterday that I have diabetes. I don't know much, but will be scheduled for "Diabetes School" soon. Both of us have to attend to make it all work.

Finally, since I won't be needing the excess tissue that was left for reconstruction, I'm scheduled for "cleanup" surgery Aug. 16. Dr. promises that the tubes this time won't hurt as much. We'll see.

Reminiscing

There's just no way I could have gotten through 2006 without the prayers, acts of kindness, cards, visits, phone calls, emails, and just plain being who you are. Some may seem trivial and minor, but believe me, every bit gave me hope and the courage to keep on. Looking back, it all helped to numb just how serious things were. It's like you were all there to ease the rawness. Thank you, Everyone!

I'll first talk about the donated leave. Some school district employees who had enough leave banked were able to voluntarily and generously donate one of those leave days for me. One friend tried to donate but didn't have quite enough to do it. It still made a difference for me. This allowed me to concentrate on getting through treatment and getting well. Staff from my school also provided many frozen meals. Another staff member knit a shawl that I will always treasure.

My artsy sister-in-law from New Hampshire sent a VanGogh notebook and a bag that accompanied me to all my chemo treatments. She later sent some Emeraude Dust. (My mother used to get that as presents from her students.) We just saw Judy and her guys in Seattle last week. And yes, Bill & Judy, we will definitely be there for Spencer's graduation in 2009!

A friend had given me all these pink bracelets to give out to family and friends. Those disappeared fast. Former neighbors came by with wine and good conversation. A student I had 15 years ago even brought me flowers and some Almond Roca. My surgeon presented me with a pink beaded bracelet that her son's leadership group had made at their middle school. And my radiologist gave me a copy of Small Wonder after one of our political conversations.

I am still in awe by all the "strangers" who do what they do to support us. Reach to Recovery sent other BC survivors and provided a wig, another bag, a temporary prosthesis, little pillows, and many booklets. There is a "sisterhood" out there that we wouldn't know about unless we've been there. Head coverings and heart pillows are made by the women of the LDS church and Greenbluff Homemakers and left in the oncology and/or radiation waiting rooms for us "bald" patients. The Greenbluff Homemakers do this to honor the memory of one of their members. They are really the best hats around. Believe me, we put them to good use. The wig and most of the hats have just been donated to Cancer Patient Care. I kept a couple plus the flashy ones my sister sent.

I was very impressed and encouraged by the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. They provided all the survivors with t-shirts, a "survivor" medal, and the Olive Garden fed us plus a guest. A woman gave away jewelry she had beaded for the many survivors, and a very young breast cancer survivor presented me with a pink ribbon pin. I've since gotten to know her, and she's quite the energetic "Survivor Chick." Our "Bosom Buddies" group raised the most money last year for Relay. We might not come in first in 2007, because it looks like we'll be giving some of the funds raised to our local Cancer Patient Care. All monies raised here for Cancer Patient Care stays here. CPC helps fill in the gaps for cancer patients whose disease has caused a financial hardship for them since insurance does not pay for things like Ensure.

In October, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Providence Cancer Center were among others that celebrated life by sponsoring luncheons for survivors.

My daughters took me clothes shopping, cleaned out our freezer, and sent me note paper, and "flowers you can't kill!" They also conned one of their friends to help while cleaning my bathroom.

Cards and emails from my IA Leadership group, co-workers, Alliance members, family, and postings on this blog helped a lot, too. Thank you, John Wagner, one of my CLL friends. I gotta thank David Arenson for his leading the way for us.

The difference between friends and family have become blurred for me. I consider you all family. Of particular closeness are the 3 other couples who made up our Sunday morning breakfast group. Two of the gals took me to lunch one weekday, and one provided me a day on the Bluff. She and her husband also sneaked in the best huckleberry smoothie I've ever had. Plus a multiple plant--which, I'm sorry, only 2 of the 4 plants still survive. Diann gave me another of my pink ribbon pins.

One of the husbands spent most of the spring and summer in the hospital waiting for his second heart transplant. I had spent a few mornings visiting him after my own appointments downtown. When I came home from my mastectomy, his wife, Karen, brought by a precious "Angel of Hope." Darell got his heart in July and got back to horse riding, etc. Unfortunately, his new heart just quit last month. There's such a huge hole ripped out of our hearts.

Prayer has been a sustaining force for all of us. The world seemed a bit smaller this past year. I know there were people in Australia, UK, Canada, plus LDS prayer groups in Wisconsin praying for me. Not to mention family and friends throughout the US. My friends in the Spokane Alliance seemed to be the ones who started it all when they joined hands around the room to offer a prayer for Wym and me. And the prayers haven't stopped. I felt the embrace of all my CLL friends. Thank you for all the Masses, prayer chains, 23rd Psalm picture, medals, etc.

Finally, I got closer with some Greenbluff friends. We'd have tea or coffee or soup, or whatever. But mostly conversations. And in between, they'd leave muffins, meals, sparkling cider on our anniversary, or run errands. I thought of Jody (anyone who knows her immediately thinks of an angel) as my special angel sent from above. She'd always come up with exactly what I needed. Well, wouldn't you know that in September she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. It had spread to her lungs and liver. I just felt totally inept knowing that I'd have to be back at work when she would be going through her chemos. Her first round was pretty devastating, so I encouraged her husband to ask the doctor about a particular anti-nausea drug. Yes, that one's expensive, but gee whiz....that one WORKS! Jody hasn't had any nausea since. Luckily, I was able to help some. The blood tests show the cancer markers continually going down, down, down. She still has 2 more chemos left, and then they will operate and remove her uterus, perhaps part of her liver and part of her lungs. Please, everyone, add Jody to your prayer intentions.

Thank you for reading this. That, too, has helped.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy 2007, Everyone!

I've been scolded quite a bit lately about my not updating my blog. I've really been wanting to do a list of Thanksgiving, but was afraid I might leave someone out, so here goes!

The good news is that after a December 1, 2006, bone scan, CT scan, and blood tests, the report is that there is absolutely no sign of cancer anywhere, and to come back in 3 months.

Here's a wish and a prayer that every one of your dreams come true for 2007.

Post Treatment

I had a super time with my sisters and brother when they were here in September. We went to Seattle and visited with my new grandson...(oh, yeah, his parents, and aunt, too!) ;-) While there we rode the ducks and had quite the time touring the town and Lake Union. I got my own quacker from there, too!

We also had to see the flying fish at the market. At one point, I just got so tired that my sister Connie pointed out an empty milk crate on the corner, so I sat down on that. She immediately ran into the nearest coffee shop (Seattle does have a few) and set a cup down on the sidewalk next to me. She also put a dollar and a quarter in it. She suggested I play my duck (the quacker), so I was doing that when my daughter and other sister caught up with us. Sister Karen incredulously asked, "Somebody PAID you?" while my banker daughter just walked on ahead hoping nobody knew I was her mother. She was also concerned that I'd be arrested for not having a permit!

We returned via Leavenworth and enjoyed their Autumn Leaf Festival. Since we were right there, we attended Mass there. I really had to smile broadly when my brother grabbed my hand and sang The Lord's Prayer with such a booming baritone voice. RJ lives in a group home back home, and my husband just cracked up later when RJ insisted he could not wear the size 10-1/2 shoes we had bought him. He had to wear size 12-1/2. Oh, yes, he also could not get new socks unless they had the gold band across the toe, either! Rainman has nothing on him!

Since then, we've had a nephew and brother in law visiting us on the weekends.

I started work October 2. The first week about did me in! I AM getting stronger, but just not quite there, yet. I wasn't prepared for the emotional roller coaster, though. Since returning to work, I've had 3 girls ask me if I was pregnant. The last one was especially cruel by saying, "So tell me, are you pregnant or just plain fat?" I lost it, and she did apologize and felt such remorse, that I got a promise from her not to ever say something cruel like that to ANYBODY...EVER!

Fred was working 12 hour shifts 7 days a week for awhile there, but thankfully, that's over. (We hope.) We're enjoying the times we get with TJ, and looks like he's having a good time, himself. For a kid who is just 2 months old, he's already been to a Seahawks, Mariners, and Huskies game(s). He's even become a "chick magnet." There's a picture of him being held by a SeaGal! I'm looking forward to spoiling him some more during Thanksgiving.

Not Much To Report

I saw the other plastic surgeon Monday, and he concurred with the first one's assessment about how reconstruction might not be successful. However, this man did discuss other options and what I would have to do to get into shape for it. At least he gave me some hope. So, I should be seeing him again in March or so.

Fatigue is still a problem when it hits. (Ya wouldn't want to be anywhere near me at those times, cuz I'm just as liable to bite your head off!)

My brother and two of my sisters flew in yesterday. Connie brought some pictures of our cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. One of the pictures shows the eight aunts sitting on chairs or benches with their husbands standing directly behind them. The women are all dressed in their Sunday best dresses, while the men are all wearing suits and ties. You could tell these men were all farmers, though, by the white foreheads. It's a very handsome group. The only one still alive today is Aunt Huldah.

Now for all you cousins out there....Bill used to tell me this, but I just never believed it, that I was Grandma's favorite. Well, Connie brought proof and a picture of her and me that I had never seen before. Grandma had written little notes to her kids and grandkids in a little notebook but had never mailed them: A note dated Nov. 11, 1952, said:
Dear Margret (she never could get the spelling right on my name!...On a crocheted box for me she had written "Margarit" But Grandma came to this country when she was 8 years old after learning how to read and write in German. So her English and handwriting were just beautiful!)

Nov. 11, 1952
Dear Margret My Little
Pal. my sweet little gal
heard you are sick
you better snap out of it
quick
That old Mumps
will soon be a thing of
the past and Grandma
will be so glad
Santa Claus will soon
come here
To look for you Dear
God Bless you All
love G.Ma

Connie had mounted the picture and note like they do in scrapbooking, and of course I was moved to tears.

Medical Appointments

I saw my radiologist Monday. She was pleased with everything, and said I could either see her in 3 months or not--only if I see my oncologist instead. So, it looks like she's signed off on me.

Because I wasn't seeing any real need for it anymore, I thought Monday would also be my last physical therapy session. However, Sarah worked on my scar tissue, and it made such a dramatic noticeable effect, that I will be continuing that for awhile.

Today I got a new nose piece for my CPAP--oh, did I ever mention that I have sleep apnea? Hopefully, this new design will work better for me since I've been breaking out with red blotches on my face where the headgear rests.

Finally, today I saw my oncologist. My WBC's are at 9.1, Platelets are 298, reds are 4.6, and hematocrit is 37.4. All nicely within normal ranges. He said they'd call me if my liver and kidney functions were out of range. Otherwise, I don't have to see the whites of their eyes until December 18th! wooohooo! The protocol now is 3 month checkups up to 2 years, (or maybe one year--I can't remember), then 6 months, etc. They will be checking my CLL at the same time. After the breast cancer checkups, I'll just be seeing them either every 3 or 6 months, depending on how fast my whites go up. Otherwise, he said I need another couple weeks of rest before I go back to work. I'll take it!

Next Monday, I see another plastic surgeon. He's the one everybody here brags about--it's too bad I didn't see him to begin with, and that was because my surgeon was under the impression that this doctor did not accept my insurance plan.

I attended an IA leadership meeting the other night, and I realized I can't be going back to my other civic duties for awhile yet. My body just yells, "NO!" I had tried to do some political picketing awhile back, but even then, I could go only about 1/2 hour before calling it quits. I found that phone calling is also hard for me to do. And here the last election cycle I worked at campaign headquarters at least 3-4 nights a week plus some doorbelling on weekends.

Baby TJ is growing and thriving. My daughter sent some pictures with both him and his daddy in Seahawks jerseys. He's already changed so much. I plan to see him again next week.

Thank you all for being with me through all this--albeit in spirit if not in flesh. I'll report again next week. M