Just Me LMJ

I’m not sure how it happened but I seemed to have picked up a bug.  On Tuesday after the drain and stitches removal I got a headache (thought it was the nervousness over that).  On Wednesday morning still had the headache but by noon I was feeling pretty bad.  Achy, head was throbbing, light headed and I thought I was going to toss my cookies (if you know what I mean).  I definately did not want that so I spent the rest of the day and night barely moving and willing myself not to throw up.  My wonderful husband was at my side all night.  Of course, he did point out that maybe I was doing too much, too soon and he may have been right.  (By the way Jaylyn’s team lost their volleyball match on Tuesday….hey her name was in the paper for having 12 digs against Monticello on  Monday though.)
This morning was to be my other drain removal but I changed the appointment until this afternoon.  I ate a little chicken noodle soup for lunch and managed a pain pill and went off to my appointment.  The nurse was wonderful and the other drain was removed again without ANY pain.  Since I told her I was feeling puny, she took my temperature and she checked my incisions and other drain area for any signs of infection.  Although I had a little fever (even after taking the pain pill) she didn’t see any signs of infection.

I am feeling better but probably should go rest.  Thanks to all of you who visit this site.  I am very proud of Jeremy for setting this up and I enjoy reading all of your comments.

Thanks for thinking of me.

Love ya, Lori

This morning was busy. Jeff and I went to talk with the chemo nurse about my course of treatment. Sounds very overwhelming to me at the moment. A few things still up in the air but appears I will have chemo either 1 time a week for 27 weeks or 1 time every other week for 24 weeks. I will have two chemo drugs to start for either 15 or 12 weeks then a different chemo drug for the remaining weeks. I also will have to go for white count booster shots…when everything is figured out, I’ll let you know.

I did see the surgeon and had all my stitches removed and the drain on the left side. No I wasn’t lucky enough to have both removed. Appears I have a little fluid build up on the right side but not enough that he wanted to aspirate the fluid with a needle (which was okay with me). So instead I have the luxury of being wrapped up with not one but two ace bandages. He is hoping the compression will move the fluid over and be drained out. I go back on Thursday to have the drain removed. I was dreading the removal of the drain (such a wimp on pain) but when the stitches and one drain was removed, I had absolutely NO PAIN. The nurse was great. Hope I can say the same on the drain removal on Thursday.

I have scheduled my port insert (outpatient surgery) for Monday, September 18th. My chemo will probably start around Wednesday, September 27th.

Jaylyn’s team won last night…good match and tonight is the season’s first home game. I did nap today…my outing really made me tired. Feel good now and will be able to go to Jaylyn’s game.

Today the chemo sounds so overwhelming to me….but something that has to be done. I try to remain positive and think of it as a journey down a side road. Thanks for all your prayers.

Love ya, Lori

Today I called Fern at work.  Wanted to remind her of a few things that needed to be done.  It was great talking to her.  Gave my mind something else to think of and another place to go for a while.  I gave her this website to pass along to my coworkers.  I see Dawn has already posted a comment.  Thanks Dawn.

The support and encouragement I (and my famiy) has received brings tears to my eyes.  Everyone has been so wonderful!!  When I think about the fact that I have at least 6 more months of treatments, I wonder how I am going to make it through (most of you know about my IV phobia).  Just when I get a little down, I get a phone call, email, or card and it perks me up.  THANKS everyone.

Tonight I am going to venture to Jaylyn’s first volleyball game.  I’m prepared as I will be taking a pain pill before I leave for the game.  Tomorrow morning will be a busy time.  I have an appointment with the chemo nurse to learn about my chemo treatments and right after that I have an appointment with my surgeon.  If everything goes well, the drains will be out tomorrow…YEAH…of course I excited to have the drains out but nervous about how exactly that is going to feel.  I just think about my IV phobia…can’t be worse than that.

I’ll try to post tomorrow.

Love to you all,

Lori

Sunday was a good day.  I decided that Jaylyn and I would go shopping for her Homecoming dress.  Homecoming is less than a month and I knew she would want her dress.  Lauren, Jaylyn and I went to town.  I walked slowly (no my legs don’t hurt but walking fast jostles my arms too much) which Jaylyn liked because she always complains I walk too fast.  She was a pretty quick shopper, found a dress she liked although she tried on several.  We ventured down to the food court for lunch and I enjoyed my couple of hours out.  I rested up a bit because at night Jeff decided to take me to Sue’s new house that is just being framed.

It is a good size house and it will be pretty nice when it is done.  I know Sue is excited about it (as she should be).  By the time we got home though, a pain pill and the recliner looked good.

Earlier in the day, I had emailed the families about this website.  Hoping I hear from some of you.

Lori

Having written for a couple of days so thought I spend a few minutes updating.  Saturday was a quiet day (it rained off and on) so spent the day watching movies and television.  Jeff and Jason worked on Jason’s house all day so Lauren and Riley (Lauren’s dog) were here to keep me company.  The dog isn’t allowed on the furniture usually but he did seem to enjoy sharing my recliner and breast cancer blanket with me that I couldn’t resist.  He and I seemed content to stay put for the day.  By Saturday evening, I was a little down and Jeff had to give me one of his pep talks.  He has gotten pretty good at that.  I am having a hard time being so dependent on others for simple tasks but yet my right arm just gives me fits if I do too much.  Jeff reminds me it has only been a little over a week.

I know he is right….I have to give it time.

Lori

I thought my drains looked a little red and they weren’t draining that much so decided to make a call to the surgeon’s office.  I thought it might be worth checking out before the weekend.  Lauren, my babysitter today, picked Jeff up and we went to have it checked out.  The nurse said everything was fine.  She said my drains could come out on Monday but I already have an appointment on Tuesday so I’ll just wait till then.  Jeff wanted the nurse to tell him about how the drains would come out, how much tubing would be coming out, etc. but I cut him off….I don’t want to know.  I’m hoping I feel better after the drains are out.

Lori

Yesterday, I was excited about my news so spent time on the phone telling people.  I didn’t get a nap in…not that I nap that much but usually a little every day.  I went to the Volleyball scrimmage game and by the time I got home, the recliner looked good!  Sitting on the hard bleachers and the jostling of the car ride was a little much.

Lori

Got my pathology results today. Doctor said he was pleased. Cancer is a Stage 2 and was only in 1 lymph node (out of 10 taken). Still wants to be aggressive with chemo. Looking at getting smaller doses more frequently (every week, maybe 2 times a week) for a period of 4 to 6 months. Drugs will make me lose my hair. Chemo will begin in about 3 weeks. The doctor’s office will be in touch in the next couple of days so I can meet with the nurse regarding my treatments. I will be making arrangements with the surgeon to have my port put in.

Keep me in your prayers.
–Lori

My days consists of sitting in the recliner and resting. Jeff makes sure I am showered and fed and then heads off to work. My outing is to head out to the deck and enjoy the nice weather. I am experiencing numbness in the surgery area and am hopeful it will go away. Tomorrow will be one week post surgery. Anxious to hear the pathology results.

–Lori

Saturday was a good day for my mom. She actually went up to Champaign for a little car ride. She didn’t get out of the car but it was good to be out.

Today, Sunday, has been a little different. She isn’t feeling that good this morning. She did go outside this morning to read the paper on the porch. I’ll let everyone know how the rest of the day goes. She just seems to be tired today.

Jeremy