Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my journey to survive cancer. I got my diagnosis on May 1, 2008. The past year has been challenging, trying, difficult, rewarding and normal all at the same time.
While treatment has been tough, I have also become tough. I can handle most anything thrown at me. I think the years leading up to my diagnosis were to prepare me for this adventure. We had issues with Hayden's birth and first year of life, then mom's illness. This doesn't even count the years that Jason and I lived apart during the week. Basically, my move to Texas 14 years ago started it all. I'm just happy to be able to look back and know that I did it.
Actually, we did it. My kids and husband, large extended family, and the most amazing friends ever did it. Thank you to all of you for being with me while I went through this. While I'm not over, I can see the end. My hope is that this time next year, I will have completed all my treatment, healed from my last surgery and getting ready to enjoy a summer without anything to worry about. I can't wait.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Quick Update
For those of you following our little family and watching the news, we haven't drowned nor do we have swine flu. All is well with us so far.
We did have a lot of rain and our area was badly flooded, but we escaped that. Jason's office building didn't though. The basement flooded, destroying stored documents. The building is also without power and the backup generator isn't working. Their IT guy was able to get their servers so they can get some work done. They have a filing due tomorrow. I don't know if they'll make it.
I had a friend who's daughter developed a fever overnight. The doctor did test her for swine flu, but she just has a virus. Scary times for some, but we are not overreacting here. I hope that's the same for you.
We did have a lot of rain and our area was badly flooded, but we escaped that. Jason's office building didn't though. The basement flooded, destroying stored documents. The building is also without power and the backup generator isn't working. Their IT guy was able to get their servers so they can get some work done. They have a filing due tomorrow. I don't know if they'll make it.
I had a friend who's daughter developed a fever overnight. The doctor did test her for swine flu, but she just has a virus. Scary times for some, but we are not overreacting here. I hope that's the same for you.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Radiation is going
I've got 10 radiation therapies under my belt! Just 23 more to go. I saw my doctor today after treatment and all is going well so far. I haven't burned yet and am only tired from time to time. Apparently after 17 treatments, they will change things some to allow the skin to heal. I'm not entirely sure of everything they are doing, but really I don't care. I just want to get through it and move on. The technicians are really nice and thorough. I'm in and out in 25 minutes each day. The x-ray days take a little longer. The x-rays ensure that my arm placement is correct.
On a lighter note, we are trying to figure out what to do with the kids this summer. There are so many summer camps to choose from. Jason and I want to give the girls some fun. We don't want them booked all summer, just a week here and a week there. And we haven't decided whether to keep Hayden in school one day a week or not. What to do, what to do?
On a lighter note, we are trying to figure out what to do with the kids this summer. There are so many summer camps to choose from. Jason and I want to give the girls some fun. We don't want them booked all summer, just a week here and a week there. And we haven't decided whether to keep Hayden in school one day a week or not. What to do, what to do?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Just for fun
Here are a few pictures to share. A couple are from Easter at church.
Hayden gets out of his bed every night and falls asleep on the floor. This time, he went under his bed. The bed skirt was down and everything. Yes, Grover is always with him at bedtime.
These are just a few goofy pictures of the 3 of us in my wig. Aren't we glamorous?
Hayden gets out of his bed every night and falls asleep on the floor. This time, he went under his bed. The bed skirt was down and everything. Yes, Grover is always with him at bedtime.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter
Today turned out to be a pretty nice Easter, despite a morning of hard rain. The kids did get to have an Easter egg hunt this afternoon. They went to a friend's house for a little while and we found out the Easter Bunny came to our house while I was there to pick them up. ;) Hayden finally started to get the idea of collecting eggs, especially when Anna and Sydney showed him the chocolate candy inside. We enjoyed Easter service on Friday along with an egg hunt. The kids had a great time as did we. We rounded out the weekend with time with friends and a sleepover. Oh, one of the highlights for the girls was going to see the Hannah Montana movie on Friday. The theater was packed with hundreds of little girls. It was moderately bearable.
I officially started radiation on Wednesday. I had a fine tune planning session on Tuesday where my doctor did some adjustments to the treatment plan. The first session on Wed. took a long time to set up. I have to be in the same position each time, with my torso lined up just so and my hands over my head. By Friday, it didn't take as long. Radiation itself is not that long, about 15 minutes. The technicians are really nice and get the job done. So, with 3 done, I have 33 more to go.
Fatigue is the main side effect. I've been really tired this weekend but I'm not sure if it's the radiation or me. We did some more gardening on Saturday and cleaned out the garage. That was after a couple of hours of shopping with just me and the kids. Let's hope its just my activity level.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Time flies
The weeks are so busy this spring. I mean to update every couple of days and just am exhausted at the end of the day. I can't promise it will get any better before school is out.
This was another beautiful weekend. Anna had a soccer game on Saturday. They didn't win, but the girls played really well. Several of us parents were commenting on how much these girls have improved this season. Next week, weather permitting, we will end the season. Anna has her last game on Wednesday and Sydney's is on Thursday.
Report cards came home on Friday. Both girls were High Achievers. We are very proud of them. We also had our school's spring fundraiser, Springett"sea". It was so much fun. The girls ran around with their friends playing games and dancing to the music. Anna won 2 raffle items and I won 2 items in the silent auction. I helped a little with the set up and clean up because next year I'll be the VP of Fundraising. After watching what these parents and teachers do to have this function, I'm completely intimidated. Luckily, I've learned to delegate in past jobs, so the key to success next year will be to find a committee chair to run it. Easy!
Hayden goes in for another mapping tomorrow. If he's willing to cooperate, we will do some more testing than we usually do. I'm pushing to get a second implant. Then on Tuesday he has his pre-evaluation to see what services he needs to be tested for for school in the fall. I'm excited about both days, but they are long appointments for a little boy so I hope we make it through to the end.
Tuesday I start radiation. I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure I'll be fine. My biggest concern is finding a consistent time each day for the next seven weeks to do this.
And finally, my sweet hubby, Jason, is in Peru tonight. He flew out this afternoon on a long flight for a business trip in Lima. He comes home on the red eye on Thursday morning. The girls are having a sleepover in my room tonight since he's gone. We used to do that when we lived in Austin. We sure do miss Jason.
This was another beautiful weekend. Anna had a soccer game on Saturday. They didn't win, but the girls played really well. Several of us parents were commenting on how much these girls have improved this season. Next week, weather permitting, we will end the season. Anna has her last game on Wednesday and Sydney's is on Thursday.
Report cards came home on Friday. Both girls were High Achievers. We are very proud of them. We also had our school's spring fundraiser, Springett"sea". It was so much fun. The girls ran around with their friends playing games and dancing to the music. Anna won 2 raffle items and I won 2 items in the silent auction. I helped a little with the set up and clean up because next year I'll be the VP of Fundraising. After watching what these parents and teachers do to have this function, I'm completely intimidated. Luckily, I've learned to delegate in past jobs, so the key to success next year will be to find a committee chair to run it. Easy!
Hayden goes in for another mapping tomorrow. If he's willing to cooperate, we will do some more testing than we usually do. I'm pushing to get a second implant. Then on Tuesday he has his pre-evaluation to see what services he needs to be tested for for school in the fall. I'm excited about both days, but they are long appointments for a little boy so I hope we make it through to the end.
Tuesday I start radiation. I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure I'll be fine. My biggest concern is finding a consistent time each day for the next seven weeks to do this.
And finally, my sweet hubby, Jason, is in Peru tonight. He flew out this afternoon on a long flight for a business trip in Lima. He comes home on the red eye on Thursday morning. The girls are having a sleepover in my room tonight since he's gone. We used to do that when we lived in Austin. We sure do miss Jason.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Many things to update
I've wanted to post since early in the week, but I just haven't had time. Sorry. There has been a lot going on in our neck of the woods, so let me see if I can remember everything.
We finished spring break last weekend. It was such a nice time off from school. We all had so much fun enjoying life and each others company. The girls had a few playdates and sleepovers, we rode to the park, and played outside a lot.
Last Friday, I drove to Fort Worth to attend a conference on Saturday for parents with children who have hearing loss. It was such a great conference. The speakers are wonderful. I attended a class on auditory neuropathy and another one on emerging literacy. Both really were helpful. After the AN class, I am motivated to get the ball rolling on getting a second implant for Hayden.
I met with Dr. Hart last week regarding radiation. She had me come in on Tuesday to do planning. They do a ct scan and plan how I'll need to lie on the table to see what can be done. It was uncomfortable only because I had to have my arms up over my head for a long time. I still have some discomfort in my left arm from surgery. To make sure I'm in the same position each time, they take pictures of my arm placement, use a molded head rest, and tatoo (yes, tatoo) 7 dots on my torso. These are used to line up the lasers to make sure radiation is going to the right place. I'll find out next week if it's a go.
Anna developed strep throat on Wednesday and had to miss school. She was such a trooper even though she was in a lot of pain. Sydney rode the bus for the first time by herself and she took her first ride on her bike without training wheels. She's getting to be such a big girl. Anna went back to school today and we also found out that she passed the TAKS reading test. We are so proud of them!
Lastly, I had another echo today. I won't know the results until next week, but I do know that my heart was still skipping beats. They are looking to see if my EF rate is above 50%. If it's below, as it has been, I wonder what they'll decide to do about finishing my treatment.
We finished spring break last weekend. It was such a nice time off from school. We all had so much fun enjoying life and each others company. The girls had a few playdates and sleepovers, we rode to the park, and played outside a lot.
Last Friday, I drove to Fort Worth to attend a conference on Saturday for parents with children who have hearing loss. It was such a great conference. The speakers are wonderful. I attended a class on auditory neuropathy and another one on emerging literacy. Both really were helpful. After the AN class, I am motivated to get the ball rolling on getting a second implant for Hayden.
I met with Dr. Hart last week regarding radiation. She had me come in on Tuesday to do planning. They do a ct scan and plan how I'll need to lie on the table to see what can be done. It was uncomfortable only because I had to have my arms up over my head for a long time. I still have some discomfort in my left arm from surgery. To make sure I'm in the same position each time, they take pictures of my arm placement, use a molded head rest, and tatoo (yes, tatoo) 7 dots on my torso. These are used to line up the lasers to make sure radiation is going to the right place. I'll find out next week if it's a go.
Anna developed strep throat on Wednesday and had to miss school. She was such a trooper even though she was in a lot of pain. Sydney rode the bus for the first time by herself and she took her first ride on her bike without training wheels. She's getting to be such a big girl. Anna went back to school today and we also found out that she passed the TAKS reading test. We are so proud of them!
Lastly, I had another echo today. I won't know the results until next week, but I do know that my heart was still skipping beats. They are looking to see if my EF rate is above 50%. If it's below, as it has been, I wonder what they'll decide to do about finishing my treatment.
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