Wednesday! How time flies!

Hi Everyone:

 I have started to realize that, without intending to, I have actually been writing a journal of sort, of my battle with cancer in my emails, and so I think that it could be healthy for me emotionally to do this and later, can look back at all that I have accomplished. And so, I include today's entry for your perusal.

January 17, 2012:
(yes, finally starting to journal my quest for health) a good thing I'm such a detail kinda gal *s*... so, please bear with me.

Today, I slept in and John was so busy engrossed in his sudoku puzzle that he lost track of time so suddenly we had to hurry...I washed, dressed, took my pills and we left in twenty minutes. Amazingly we got there with time to spare...just! Heavy rain and wind in Hamilton but 11 degrees C. Tt takes over an hour each way to the Cancer Centre.

Today my first appointment was in the MOULD ROOM..I always seem to have trouble remembering which is the green stuff and whuch word refers to shaping so, of course, we kibbitzed alot about getting mouldy. I met my first team..five in total. Alot of photos being taken and I said I did not want to see them later on the internet until I got my hair done and a manicure...made them laugh. Why are all the male techies so gorgeous?? damn! It was cold in there...you might say it was..nipply.

Cold metal table with a machine hovering over me, lots of setting my body in place to determine how to avoid making a mould..a big square of white plastic grid that apparently softens in water
then they would form it to my body parts to keep things in place. Apparently it was determined that a hard plastic shell was less desirable if they could avoid it so they decided that using a number of styrofoam rolls (like rolls of loonies) would work better since I apparently do not fold over as much as previously thought.
However, they DID tell me (before this was decided) that yes, I COULD (yes, I confess that I asked) take the form home later (thinking WONDER WOMAN here, with stars and red, white and blue decor) but apparently it would only be ONE breasted. darned shame. I'm no Amazon..I prefer to be well-balanced in my own pecular way.

Then wrapped in a stylish hospital gown, I went back to the waiting room to sit for 20 minutes with JB and other patients in various degrees of undress and then to another room to meet a completely different team of six this time...this time this metal table had sheets..not so darned cold and this team had warmer hands. One young techie, a very attractive young man(an Arabic version of McDreamy from Grey's Anatomy) asked if he could cover me with a warm blanket..well YES!!!

I had been shivering and did that blanket heat ever feel good. This time, three young men and two lady techs..I swear none were older than 30.

Then Dr Rieter, the Radiologist, came in for a while and adjusted things to his liking. I suddenly realized that I'd forgotten to shave off my very sparse blonde armpit hair...lol..and apologized..the others all laughed..Dr Rieter, a very serious man, looked at me speechless, then suddenly said "well that's it!! You're outa here !"
and everyone cracked up. Of course, my response was
"You don't have to tell me that twice ..see ya!" which, of course, caused another batch of laughter. So, as you can imagine, the whole team, including me were in a great mood which made the two and a half hours of setup go faster (except that my left arm fell asleep from being tucked under my butt).

Then it was CAT SCAN time...inside were stickers of SpiderMan which I told them was highly inappropriate..should be CAT pictures (or the real things to sit beside the patient) and I offered a few models from my collection of felines. No takers.

My right arm was placed on special cradle up over my head and braced well so there was no strain at all..they even pulled on a sleeve of white squishy plasticy mesh on my arm from wrist to pit..this apparently helps keep my arm from sliding out of position...so I told them that now I felt like a Japanese Pear..you've seen them in the grocery store wearing such covers to keep them from bruising.

Then they all started using coloured markers on me and red beams of light to simulate the radiation beams...I was a patchwork of colour but had to stay very still for 30 minutes while they checked and double checked measuremen.

..then it was tattoo time and I told Dr Rieter how I would draw my black dots (tattoos in my cleavage from my previous radiation in 1990) into amazing pieces of art (fake tattoos) and he said he had heard of my illustrations (somebody must have snitched on me).

After all that was done and they rechecked, so precisely, each step and took more photos so that the next team can set me up all according to today's stats...won't need 2 1/2 hours next time. McDreamy washed all the markers off me...then said that he will likely be on my radiation team in several weeks to. I just could not get the proper pronunciation of his name so I call him George (from Grey's Anatomy on TV) *s*...so it was "see ya later!"
and I was outa there!!

I got dressed and went into the waiting room where poor John had waited almost 3 hours and said, "no one's looking...time to escape!" There were about seven other people still sitting there...one lady started laughing but it looked to me like she was crying. John went to get the car after we found out way back up to the main floor from "level 0" and I waited while he walked back to the car four blocks away and returned for me. He told me
on the way home, that, that particular lady had been sitting there with what looked like an older sister and she sobbed and sobbed for an hour while the other lady tried to comfort her...he figured that she must have been given some bad news..she was already bald, poor soul, but that I made her laugh when I appeared. Maybe she was in pain or just darned scared and overwhelmed but it made me feel good to have given her even just a few
seconds of laughter.

We stopped for an early supper on the way home, I took a takeout box of fish and shrimp home because I couldn't eat it all. It was still 11 degrees C and as we came down our road, we saw Derek in his shop so we stopped by to say hello...of course ,they discussed the coming "flash freeze warning" for tonight..with all this rain, it could be a very dangerous situation for driving. He said he hadn't eaten and I said to come over but he was working
..then I offered him my still-warm fish and shrimp and he was happy to get that since he didnt know when Kathy
would be back and he said he isn't messing with her kitchen! lol...

Back at home for an hour, a knock at the back door and it was Danny! He had come right from work so I offered supper and he ate well. I admit it made me feel better to know they still need me now and then...lol..silly me! He stayed til almost midnight..the temps dropped fast, well below zero, and winds were horrendous here.

Dan told us all about his flight exam and how he missed, buy ONE point, "New Pilot of the Year" to a guy who has his own plane and is independently wealthy(meaning he has lots more flying experience. The School hosted a huge banquet at
the "swanky" Sheraton at the Falls and Dan was treated like a celebrity because he has only been flying since June and had scored so very high. In fact, there was no engraving on the trophy because the Head of the Flying School/Club was sure that Dan would win and he was the last student to be tested just two days before the banquet.

Then Dan won the big door prize... he won a SKYDIVE! He says he is too heavy(6'4 and 275)..it's the kind where you are strapped to an experienced jumper and you both jump out of the plane...so Amy (who is not at all impressed by Dan's accomplishments) wants to do it. I did not volunteer for that at all!!!

As Dan was leaving tonight, he invited JB to go for a two hour flight on the weekend in the "Piper"! He said that it would be easier for me to get into the "Cessna" because the wings are high and above the plane and it's like stepping into a car as opposed to climbing up on the wing of the "Piper" and swinging yourself in. He said he wants more practice in the "Cessna" because he usually flies the "Piper" and that maybe I would enjoy the flight more after my treatments are done....like a celebration flight for me *s*. (gets all teary-eyed here)I can hardly wait!!!

And so my day was very eventful and i had my sons close which is so very important to me

.....every day another accomplishment and every tomorrow, something to look forward to *s*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please forgive my rambling,Nancy B

 

Hi Nancy and all to follow.

     I am glad you found some laughter while getting everything set up.

 Can't write much this morning. Leaving for a conference in 15 minutes. It Lasts all day. Won't get home until 6 PM. Poor Bela kitty. He will be home alone. He will be happy to see Ellen or me.    Take care,  Mag

 Good Morning Nancy and OFF Family,
I am so happy you are able to smile and laugh through your treatment.  That attitude will be so helpful in the days and weeks to come. 

My surgery went well. They had to use two incisions and remove a clot. They did use general anesthesia which I still feel the effects of today. My sister and sister-in-law sent me the most gorgeous flowers before I went to the OR yesterday. 

I am not completely mobile yet. They have me using a bedside potty so I don't walk to the bathroom. It sure is better than the bedpan. 

Not sure when I get discharged, but will be thrilled when I get home to Utley. He is being well taken care of by my sister, and the girls at Petsmart's pet hotel. The girls love him and he loves going there playing with the other dogs there. 

Hope everyone has a blessed day. 

Hugs,
Trish

Trish...so glad you are getting better and the surgery is over. Hope you get to go home soon!!

God Bless!!

HUGS....connie d

Good Morning Nancy, OFFr's,

Thank you for sharing your journal, your positivity shines through and I believe while cancer is a formiable foe, you and your positive attitude will come out the winner.  Your post made me laugh and cry and the older I get the more I am apt to cry over both happy and sad things (lol). . .

I have a cardiologist appointment today at 1 p.m. and have been absent here due to my dealings with the fact that while my health has never been better, I have been experiencing chest pains whenever I am doing the cardio part of my routine.  So while I choose not to go to the ER, just in case it is nothing to really be concerned about and more so because I HATE ER rooms, I did finally call my PC, who told me that next time I experience such a situation to GO to the ER and he told me to make an appointment with a cardiologist and so I followed his orders, but since I have stopped exercising these past two weeks, the pain seems to be non-existent.  So I'm probably going to find out that everything is just fine, but with my family history, I will take the proactive stance and find out for sure.  I also got a cold, which is not anything I've had for a really long time, what a nusiance. . . 

Got a text from my son yesterday, that I followed up with a telephone call last night, he made the first cut for the partner track at his firm and so by June 1, he will know if the past 10 years of hard work have finally paid off, I sure do hope so, because he and his family have sacraficed much for him to get there, but as in the past, I do believe he will get the promotion.

Wishing all of my friends here the best possible of days and if you are facing a serious life challenge, as many seem to, I wish you the peace and strength you need to find, as dear Nancy here does, a reason to look for the lighter side of life. . .

Hugs, Laureen

I tried to edit this twice and lost everything. So here I go again!
Good mornin', ya'll.
Nancy, you do sound upbeat! I have kept a diary/journal for 25 years. My Mom kept one for 30 years, until one day my Sis said after she died, everyone would know how she really felt about them. The next day Mom destroyed 30 years of memories we would all have liked to read.
My radiation 'team' had to make a mold thing for me. I couldn't raise my left arm above my head and they needed it out of the way and immobile. Now with my new shoulder I doubt if I would need that.
I skydived (skydove?) twice and loved it! We had a 'static' line attached to the plane, so when we jumped the chute opened automatically. Alone, no tandem guy tied to us. To slow down and land we had to pull down hard on two lines attached to the chute. This was back before I had any work done on either shoulder so I didn't have the strength to pull the lines down past my butt. So I overshot the landing area and landed hard in a pasture and cracked a tooth. They came and got me in a truck. But I went up for a second jump anyway! I landed better that time. The whole experiance was amazing!
Trish, sounds like you will be skipping down the halls in no time!
Laureen, I hope your cardiologist can get to the bottom of your pains. Maybe a stress test? Fingers crossed for your son and his possible promotion!
I have begun the pink ripple afghan our grandson and girlfriend picked out in case they are having a girl. Its colors are white and 2 shades of pink. The blue one was 2 shades of blue with a silvery strand running through both colors. It is put away awaiting the results of an ultrasound.
I have not sold ONE of my nursing capes. But I gave away 4 of them. I like that better anyway. It irritates my DH when I do that. But, hey, if I can afford it and these young mothers can't, then why not!
Better hit the shower, then have my Smart Ones breakfast. I try to wait as long as possible to eat in the AM, cause it seems like once I start eating I can't stop!
Everyone have a fantabulous day!

Afternoon Nancy and OFF faily!!!

WOW!! Nancy you do a great job in putting your life out there and I am so proud of you!!! Keeping you in my prayers to get this over with. HUGS

Well today I am getting calls about every hour it seems for apartments available. Hopefully they show up to see them! Had one man stop in and ask ad he took the application with him.

Had a slight dusting of snow here overnight and calling for 1-3 more tomorrow. Yippeee. The wind last night was STRONG!!! Blew off a piece of flashing? from our building. Guys have to go up there and put it back on again today.

Bandit is at the groomer getting his bath and haircut. He HATES it there!! This groomer has a boarding kennel and she has a ton of dogs there right now. OMG so many outside barking and no wonder he is afraid and hates it...poor guy!! Should be getting a call any time now that he is ready to be picked up. I sure hope so because he hates being in a crate.

Well best get back to work and try to get those recerts done today...thoughts and prayers for all that need them!!!

HUGS

 Good morning Nancy and everyone....

 Nancy you amaze me. You can make everything so humorous!!

Today is a very emotional day for me. I have noticed Grace being more moody too. I just try to overlook her little outburst now and then. She always comes to me and says she is sorry and cuddles me. She is having a hard time too!! My daughters answer is that we all stay upbeat.....mine is to let it out if it needs to be. I don't mean crying all the time but this is a sad time for us (Me, Nic and Grace). We all need to express our emotions.

This morning I went to start my car. Dead battery...that was another $115 I don't have...grrrrrrrrrr!! At least Nic could put it in for me.
My car is 6 years old and it still had the original factory battery. I knew it would go sometime soon. OH WELL!!!

Time to make lunch and continue with sorting and packing. A friend is here now to play with Grace for a few hours. That will help so I can get more done.

Wishing you all a nice day. Prayers as always for so many in need.

Love and hugs to all....connie d