Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Hospital stay

     So the hospital stay started early Monday morning.  But not until about 4 pm did the chemo drugs actually get started.  Just a quick note, I've only experienced nausea, no vomiting or dry heaving. I've been told it's aclumalative but I'll keep praying for the lesser of the symptoms.  I'm sure a lot is due to the great number of fasting and prayers by so many friends and family members in my behalf.  I've noticed no hair loss which I wasn't worried about this week, maybe it will start sometime next week.  I got my hair cut short and I really like it, my family and I wish I'd done it earlier so I could enjoy it longer!!  I'll keep this posted as I can.  After I'm release Friday I start a routine schedule of different drugs on different days then as he keeps looking as blood work then they see if I do this again in 8 weeks or might be ready for stem cell.  Time will tell😊.
     Love and are greatfull for so many family and friends, love and support, and I'll never be able to thank all of you properly😘

Saturday, August 27, 2016

It's been awhile, but very eventful!

      First off-Margot is doing very well with her thyroid issue.  She gets her blood drawn and so far just little adjustments have had to be made to her medication dosage!!!! But this last time she was in perfect normal range.

      I wish I could tend and play with them like I did the first 3.  Tired/Fatigue are my life!!If you ask 'how are you feeling or doing', that's what you'll  hear.  I watch families going and doing fun activities, and just that makes me tired.  Kim is very patient, he still goes hiking, something I never did with him anyway, but movies, dinner, anything is just hard.  I am still working, I had to take a day off because of a leg pain that made it hard to walk, and it's not good staying home and doing nothing, good thing there was a Law and Order Marathon.

     Kim and all the boys got our play ground equipment set up, I know the kids like it, but right now it's too too hot to play on it, but it will be fun in the years to come.  We are going to plant a mature tree over there to help with shade, but they only come so  mature.

     We celebrated Charlotte's #2 birthday.  Her mom and dad had a fun family party for her and all the kids had a fun time.  She has gotten so big and fun, loves water and being outside.  She is a sweet big sister, and sings and dances.

     Kim had head (scalp) surgery.  I'll explain. He had his face treated with the most awful chemo cream that burned his face and turned it dark red almost black in spots and was very painful.  His Dr. was trying to get ride of all the sun spots, and skin cancers or pre-cancer spots.  He was miserable for weeks and has said he'd never do it again.  But he also had a basil cell carcinoma lesion on the top of his head removed.  I was glad when that thing was gone.

     The whole family went to Snowbird and played. we were celebrating Kim's 60th birthday.  The sad part was Kim didn't get to join us until almost 4 pm.  He had to conduct a funeral in the ward.  So the few rides he went one he said he had a good time, I know the rest of us did.  Just being with all the kids was great and I was able to keep up for the whole day, shocking I know.  I do have to admit all the little kids have a love of speed, when I was with them they just wanted to GO FASTER!

     I really really need to keep a daily diary of all the things I've been through but I just don't. But a few things are I've received a blood transfusion a couple of times, my count just gets  too low.  I received a shot call Nupogen  because my WBC was low too.  A lovely Colonoscopy and upper GI scope, all showed I was fine, no ulcer just irritation in my stomach.

     I've been working with a few Dentists went for one root canal, that turned into 2 that has now turned into constant pain in my jaw.  The 3 different dental guys say after all they've done it is not the teeth but the jaw.  So I probably have a Myeloma lesion in my jaw. How to  treat that we are just not sure yet.

     So I'm almost done.  On Friday the 5th, I found a lump in my left breast.  Tues. it was Ultrasound, which found 3 lumps,and then on Monday the 15th 2 of them were biopsied.  And on the 17th when the results were supposed to be back, we only knew it  wasn't breast cancer, but it was a cancer, they were not able to identify it here, at McKay. and had to  send it to a outside, SLC Lab, and so the "what if" game started.  My Dr. gave me lots of different possibilities and how each would be treated.  We finally told the kids, because I was hoping to have some answers before I told them.

     On Monday the 22nd the results came back that it is my Myeloma, but it has basically gone a muck.  I had a PET scan that showed more  areas of concern. My right breast, my jaw, I've got painful ribs again that could be fx. but they are livable. A few other spots showed up, but they can just be my regular MM areas, not giving me any problems.

     So as it stands, My Dr. is going to meet with his 3 partners, get their opinion,  and talk with my Dr. at LDS and see what direction they want to take.  Again a few options were mentioned, but again #3 chemo didn't work and my body took advantage of that and went a little crazy.

     I am grateful I can keep working, I grateful for a husband who can just hug me , hold my hand and admit he has nothing more to give at times.  He lets me cry as needed (which is all the time), he fixes a lot of meals and will do take out if that's my craving!!  He helps with the laundry and anything else that needs to be done.  I love him more than words can tell.

     I have the best kids in the world too.  They call, they will help if I need them, they tell me all the time they love me, they all get along so well that just that warms my heart.  I love them so much.

     I have friends both a work and home that care about me and want to help, (I really don't need anything), I have received sweet little gifts that are reminders about how much they care.  I need to be more Christ-like. like they are, and give to those that are in need, even silly little "I'm thinking of you messages".

     And last but not least, our families who care and call and want  up-dates, ( sorry I didn't tell anyone the latest) and too what to help where help is needed, but really we do just fine at home, but hearing from them is heart warming and makes me so happy that we have stayed close and care and love one another.

    I tell Kim all the time, "I'm tired of this, I can't do this anymore, why is this so complicated, it was supposed to be a fairly easy treatable cancer" we were told,   But I will keep fighting this trial, I'm sure it won't be my last,  And my gratitude to others love keeps me going.