I thought that most would like to see Jaylyn’s senior pictures. I made a page which displays them. You can get to the page by here or by clicking the link to the right. There is only one right now but the rest will be on there in the next few days.
Jeremy
I’ve been feeling pretty good the last few days (finally). Fern and her husband, Kurt, stopped by to see me Friday morning…it was good to see them. On Friday afternoon, I ran a couple of errands with Lauren and stopped by to see my co-workers again. Saturday I spent the day in Riverton at a volleyball tournament. Jaylyn’s team won all their games and took first place but I was tired when I got home.
Just wanted to let everyone know that my port insertion surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) and I have to be at the hospital at 6:15, with surgery at 7:30. I figure I should be home by noon. You know me about IV’s and pain so I’m hopeful tomorrow will go as smoothly as my last surgery and with little post-op pain.
Thanks for all your prayers.
Love, Lori
Yesterday I stopped by to see my co-workers. I had mentioned to Fern on Monday that I was coming by. I truly work with a GREAT group of people because when I arrived Fern presented me with a decorated big chocolate chip cookie which said they missed me….and I got a Get Well balloon. Wasn’t that great!! It really brighten my day to see all of them. I was on my way to see the cancer doctor to discuss my chemo plan. I was telling my co-workers about my concerns on the different regimens of treatment and they brought up some points that made it sound like it would be okay. They really made me feel better.
So I did discuss chemo with the doctor. I agreed to participate in a case study (real cancer killing drugs) but has 4 different regimens of treatment. Until you actually register, you don’t know which regimen you will be on. Some regimens of the study sound overwhelming to me (shots 6 days a weeks in addition to chemo) but Dr. Rowland wanted me to try it and told me we could change (drop) if I needed to. My first chemo treatment will be Wednesday, Sept. 27th and according to the guidelines of the study, once you are registered for the study chemo has to start within 5 business days. So his office can’t register me until next Thursday, Sept. 21st. You know I’ll let you know when I know. I did my pre-op lab work and I’ll find out tomorrow afternoon what time my surgery will be on Monday. Pre-op thought it would be in the morning.
The last couple of days I am feeling better (finally). I am doing a little more at home….laundry, still no cooking and I have driven one time (something that Jeff found out after the fact).
I continue to be amazed and humbled by all the support we have received, and continue to receive, whether it is a phone call, food, email, visits or cards. I cannot express in words how much we appreciate you all and everything you have done. I feel very lucky to have such a big support group and it gives me great comfort to know we will have you during the hurdle of chemo.
Thanks again.
Love, Lori
Sorry I haven’t written for a few days. My sister, Julie, left early on Saturday. I didn’t take her back to Indy, my sister, Sue, did. I enjoyed having Julie here! On Saturday, Jaylyn got her senior pictures taken in Rantoul and Paxton. Lauren went with us just in case we needed extra hands. It was a busy day as Jaylyn had her hair cut and styled before the pictures and then pictures took 3 hours. Jaylyn looked so pretty in the pictures, I’m afraid I might have a hard time choosing just a few.
Sunday was quiet, still not a lot of zip in me. On Monday morning at 5:00 I woke up with a headache…not a good sign. I am prone to headaches and get migraines about once a month. Since my port surgery is in a week, I can’t take certain medicines, although I can take Tylenol. Tylenol did absolutely nothing for my head and by 11:00 I knew I had a migraine. For those of you who have experienced migraines, you know they are not any fun. I was feeling sick to my stomach and my head was throbbing. I finally called the doctor who said I could take 1 or 2 of my pain pills. By 7:00 at night I was feeling a little better (not great) but I went to Jaylyn’s volleyball game. Now you might say, why did you go to her game???….at the beginning of all of this, I told myself that unless I was physically unable to go (throwing up, too weak, etc.) that I was not missing her stuff. I know you are saying that she would understand and I’m sure she would but it is important to me that I go. By the way, her team won.
I talked to Fern from work yesterday. It was at a time that I wasn’t feeling too good, but Fern was encouraging me that things would get better. I know they will but since I am prone to headaches, I wonder how all the chemo drugs will affect me. I worry about work and how many hours I will be able to work. I can’t seem to string along several days in a row that I feel good now, what will it be like when chemo starts?
When I woke up today, I still have a small headache which is usually how my migraines work. I did take some Tylenol and will see how the day goes. I have nothing planned except to go to Jaylyn’s volleyball game. At least today, I feel like I have a bit more energy.
I have doctors’ appointments tomorrow afternoon in preparation of my port surgery. I also will be meeting with my cancer doctor to make some decision on chemo. I hope to be able to go by work again before my appointments and say hello.
On a positive note, I have been doing my exercises and can raise my left arm up over my head and am making good progress with my right. I no longer sleep in a cocoon of pillows and can manage to sleep on my left side for about an hour and a half. (Before the surgery I was always a left side sleeper and I have found it difficult to sleep on my back.)
As always, thanks for your support and prayers.
Love ya, Lori
As you can see I haven’t written in a few days. I got that virus (I think) last Wednesday and althought the symptoms lasted only 36 hours or so, I just kept feeling sluggish. My sister, Julie, arrived Saturday night. I did ride along to Indy to pick her up. Her plane had been delayed so I didn’t make it home until 11:30 at night. Had a quiet weekend, napped but still didn’t have much energy. On Tuesday, the answer came…symptoms of a bladder infection. So Julie took me to the doctor and sure enough that is what I had. Started my medicine right away.
Since I was out, I had Julie take me to visit my co-workers. It was great to see them!! Got a chance to see Angie’s engagement ring. Quite pretty. Her guy did a great job. Tuesday night I went to Jaylyn’s volleyball game. Her team won.
When I woke up on Wednesday, I felt much better. Originally planned to have Julie take me to a couple of places to look for wigs. So we went. I found a wig I liked in Bloomington. It still seems weird to me that I need to buy a wig. I wore it at home for about an hour and it does feel weird…of course, right now I still have hair. I was very tired when we got home and easily fell asleep.
Today it is 3 weeks post surgery and this morning I feel pretty good. I am hoping I quit getting sick. My port surgery is scheduled for the 18th and I don’t want to mess that up. Tonight Jaylyn has volleyball again but it is a home meet.
Julie goes home early Saturday morning. I will miss her. She has been great to have around. I am hopeful that I continue to stay well.
Thanks for all your support and encouragement. Take care.
Love ya, Lori
My sister, Julie, arrives tonight from California. She is here for a week. I am looking foward to seeing her again. I was in California visiting her when I received my cancer news. She was a good support to me, Jeff and Jaylyn while we were there. It is certainly a visit I will never forget.
I have been down a little the past couple of days. Maybe it is because I got sick, doing too much, or just because. Since I was feeling better physically, I decided to go to Springfield to Jaylyn’s volleyball tournament. Like a girl scout, I went prepared. I took my ace bandage, pain pills and pillows for the car ride. I ended up not needing to wear the ace bandage. Jaylyn’s team lost both of their matches.
I did have a little emotional time when I got dressed. First time without any drains (which added a little bump under my shirt). I really am okay with my decision to remove both of my breasts but it still hit me yesterday. I had a little crying jag and then I was okay. I’m sure it won’t be my last crying jag. I’m not really sure why I was so upset but I was. I’m not sure it really was about having no breasts but maybe about the whole thing. I know my situation could be a lot worse and I am truly thankful it isn’t. People ask how I am doing…from the surgery, I am doing better every day, but in my heart, I know the real battle will begin in a few weeks. At that point, I will just have to take one treatment at a time…Enough feeling sorry for myself….I can’t change the past…I just need to move forward and enjoy today!!
Thanks again for all your support and prayers. You all have been GREAT!
Love ya, Lori
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