Blood Test Results

I met my dear friend, Kay, for coffee at the Beveland Coffee House in Tigard on Wednesday morning. It is always such a treat to see her so we can "catch up" on what is going on in our lives. We were neighbors when we lived in Tigard about 30 years ago.

Then I drove to Newberg for a class reunion meeting. There were seven of us gals there. Our 45th reunion will be in September. We are so fortunate to be able to have it at Sandy and Merlin's beautiful place outside of Newberg. It is going to be very informal with barbecued hamburgers, polish sausages, salads, chip, desserts, and beverages. I am looking forward to it and seeing some people I haven't seen in many years. I have attended most of our reunions (we have them every 5 years) but missed the last one because of chemo treatments.

On the way home, I stopped by Kaiser to have my port flushed. It wasn't a good experience. I had never seen the oncology nurse that was going to help me........that should have been my first clue! But she was very nice and I enjoyed talking to her. When she was preparing me for my flush, she commented that she was having a hard time feeling my port. I told her that my surgeon had done a great job of implanting it so it barley showed. Sometimes people's ports stick out about 1/4 inch. 'Looks kind of like a half dollar sticking out of your chest. (My port is inserted between my breast and collar bone.) So after feeling around for it and saying that she thought she had it pinpointed, she told me to take a deep breath and she jabbed the needle (It looks like a giant push pin with a 3/4 inches needle) into my chest area. But she missed my port and said she would have to take the needle out. Then she called a gal to bring her another needle She changed her gloves and again started feeling around for my "little" port. Finally, she called the gal who had brought her the other needle and said she would like her to do it. Thank goodness! The new gal got it with the first jab. Now I am going to be nervous when I go for my next port flushing next month........

While there, I asked for the results of my blood tests that I had done the day before. I have it checked each month because my counts have been going down. Since I am not on any chemo, my counts should not be dropping. But they are continuing to drop. The advise nurse came in to talk to me and said that I am considered to be NEUTROPENIC. Here is a description of Neutropenia:

Neutropenia (deficiency) is a hematological disorder characterized by an abnormally low number of a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. Neutrophils usually make up 50-70% of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria in the blood. Hence, patients with neutropenia are more susceptible to bacterial infections and, without prompt medical attention, the condition may become life-threatening.

What this means, is that I have to be careful about being around sick people,try not to get any cuts or scratches, no fresh fruits or vegetables, raw meats or fish, salads or cheese, or cold drinks, unless they are bottled. If I should get a fever over 101.0, I need to go to the hospital emergency immediately. All this sounds so much worse than it really is. First of all, I have been neutropenic for a some time because my blood counts have been low for a while. I even went
on a cruise with low counts and ate from the buffet, not to mention a five hour plane ride. I am around sick people occasionally. Not long ago, Denny had a terrible cold and I didn't get it and the grandkids have been sick when I have been around them. But what I am going to do now, is to be more cautious and smarter about the precautions I need to be taking. Some people with neutropenia would probably sit in their house to stay "safe" but I can not live my life like that. To me, that isn't "living." If I know someone is sick, I will stay away from them and I instead of eating healthy fresh fruits, vegetables and salads, I will just have to eat the greasy fried foods and baked goods! Oh, poor me!

Today I met Amy and Carolyn at Marshall's for shopping. Carolyn found the greatest spring jacket and some tee shirts and Amy found the cutest purse and light weight jacket . I found nothing....................which isn't like me! Then we met Eileen and Julie at Reedville Cafe for lunch. It was really nice. I hadn't eaten there for ages. Next month we will meet at the Helvetia Tavern for a huge hamburger and greasy home made french fries. (All LEGAL food for me to eat!) Can't wait.

Tonight I am going to go through my clothes and get rid for some of them. Carolyn's church is having a rummage sale in April so it is a perfect time for me to down size my closets. Gosh, guess it is good I didn't buy anything new today. Actually, my thinking is that if I get rid of something, it gives me room for something new!

Hope you all have a great weekend. It is spring break next week so we are planning on spending it with our grandkids. 'Looking forward to it.

Love to you all,

JO

Shamrock Run

On Thursday, we had Direct TV installed. I had just figured out how to use Dish Network and then we changed. But there was not a choice since Dish Network doesn't carry channel 2 anymore. I didn't realize how many of my favorite programs were on channel 2. Now we can record two shows at the same time on the same TV and we can record one while watching a current show.....and this is on all three TVs. So we could record six shows at one time if we wanted to. I have so much to learn about Direct TV though. I have to add all my favorites, figure out "On Demand," etc. I will have to admit, I do like to watch TV. When I had my first chemo treatments, I spent a lot of time watching it to make the time go faster.

On Sunday, Julie and I participated in the Shamrock Run in downtown Portland. The weather was terrible. On the TV news it said it was the worst weather they have ever had for the race. It was cold, rainy AND windy. Sometimes I had to hold on to my hat and the wind took my breath away. We participated in the 8K (5 miler). Last year I ran the entire race but this year my goal was to finish it since I hadn't trained for it. With my blood counts being down, I don't have the energy and stamina that I wish I had. I ran most of it but walked some of the hills. It was a tough race. I finished 7 minutes behind Julie so I thought that was good. I was pleased with myself for even participating in it since the weather was so bad. We forgot to have our picture taken so as we were leaving, we had someone take a picture of us with my phone. So it isn't a real good one but we had to have one to prove we participated in the race. Pictures were taken along the race route, so I will look for those when they are posted on the Internet. After the race, I hopped on Max and was home in no time. Couldn't wait to get my wet clothes off.

I have my blood tested today (have it done once a month) and will get the results when I have my port flushed tomorrow. I am also meeting Kay, my ex-neighbor from Tigard, for coffee in the morning and then I am going to Newberg for a class reunion meeting. So I will not be going to my support group meeting. I missed last week because I was in Seaside and will probably miss next week since it will be spring break and we plan on "playing" with the grandkids.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone. Hope you all have a great week.

Love to you all,

JO

At The Beach In Seaside

On Monday, Amy, Carolyn and I went to Seaside for a little "girlfriend" time. We were disappointed to see the snow as we were getting ready to go and wondered how the roads would be over the pass. But Carolyn did an awesome job of driving. In one place there was packed snow. We had snow, hail, rain, wind and sunshine while there. We stopped at Camp 18 and had breakfast. We also shared a cinammon roll...................the size of a dinner plate! It was awesome. I can't wait to go back for another one.

We went to the outlet mall the first day but didn't find much. Amy bought a pair of boots. Then we went to the movie and saw "Doubt." It was great. Carolyn had brought a couple of movies so we watched them after our clam chowder at "Pig In A Blanket." We stayed up until 2:00 AM. Then we barley woke up in time for our free breakfast. We looked around the Prom and Seaside and then drove to Cannon Beach. We went to the "happy hour" at our motel and then walked across the street for some Mexican food. We rented two more movies and again stayed up until 2:00 AM. I know this may not sound like an exciting trip to you but it was just what we all wanted to do...................just relax and enjoy each others company. We love getting together and can't wait for our next trip. Thank you Amy and Carolyn for such a nice time.

Today we had Direct TV installed. What a busy day that turned out to be. We had to move our TV from downstairs to our room upstairs. The TV weighs 250 pounds! Luckily, we have a big strong neighbor guy. It wasn't an easy job though. We didn't have the right receiver so we aren't completely hooked up. The guy has to come back this weekend to finish things up. Now we have to learn how to use Direct TV. It took us a year to figure out Dish Network! At least now we have channel 2 where all my favorite programs are.

Julie, Lori (Denny's sister) and I are participating in the Shamrock Run on Sunday. It is supposed to rain..............darn! Last year I ran the entire 8K but this year I am just planning on finishing it. Will let you know how it goes.

Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.

Love to you all,

JO

Fun at Randy and Lori's

I went to my support group meeting on Wednesday. It was so nice to see Carolyn there since she hasn't been feeling too good. Afterwards, Fern and I stopped by to see Lois, who was in the hospital to have a lump removed from her breast. Her doctor was sure it was benign but it is always a relief to have it removed and examined under a microscope.

On Friday night we went to the Newberg high school boys basketball play off game against Clackamas with Scott, Julie, Kyle and Tori. They won so they are going to state. It was 1972 when they last made it to state. It is their fourth time there. The first time was when I was in high school and on rally and my mom drove some of us rally girls there (Corvallis). It was so much fun. They had a dance after the game. Newberg didn't win but it sure was an awesome experience for everyone.

Friday night, it was fun to see my old rally advisor, Mrs. De Creval at the game. She hasn't changed a bit! She has to be close to 70 years old. She is no longer teaching but is still in charge of the rally. The student body and rally were very impressive. There were lots of kids there and they all wore white and in the front row were boys dressed in stripped referee shirts. All their chants were terrific. Good job Newberg student body and boy's basketball team. Good luck at state on Wednesday!

We stayed all night because the next night we went to Randy and Lori's (Denny's sister) for a spaghetti dinner. It was super. It was so nice to spend time with them and their kids and grandkids. Here is a picture of Tori and Riley.

Here are Julie and Riley.

Here I am holding Riley. Isn't she a doll?

I am sorry I didn't get any good pictures of Griffin. He loved playing with Tori.

Today Denny and I spent the day looking for new furniture for our family room. We need a new couch, love seat and chair. We thought we wanted leather but we can't find the right color so we will probably end up with fabric furniture. Our couch we have now is so old and definitely needs to be replaced.

Hope all of you have a great week. I will blog in a few days because I am off to have some "girl friend" fun!

Love to you all,

JO

Dakota's Basketball Tournament

I'm staying home today (Sunday) and just relaxing. I seem to be more tired these days. I hate not having a lot of energy, like I usually do. I am hoping that the B-12 vitamin that my primary doctor suggested, will give me a little "spark."

We went to Kyle's basketball party on Friday night, that was at Julie and Scott's. All the parents are so nice, as are the kids. Everyone had a great time.

We had new tires put on our Honda, had them rotated, and then had new back brakes put on. All this took two full days and too much money. When I spend money on something, I like to see something for the money that is spent. No one notices new tires or brakes! But I do feel safer now driving a car with good tires and brakes.

Julie and I met Shauna, my good friend who belongs to the metastatic support group with me, and her good friend, Paris, for coffee after our class on Wednesday. I felt like I already knew Paris since we correspond on Facebook and Shauna's blog. Julie had never met Shauna or Paris and she also felt like she knew both gals. I am looking forward to getting the four of us together again. (Paris, Julie, me and Shauna)

Yesterday, we drove to the Tri-Cities area (4 hours one way!) to watch Dakota play in his basketball tournament. We have not been able to see him play yet this year. Justin is coaching the team. They lost both games but all the boys played great. The one team they played against looked like they were a JV high school team. (Dakota plays on a 6th grade team.) He plays great defense and is really quick. He has a great shot with a lot of arch on it. He was high point man in the first game. We didn't stay for the 8:50 PM game, and they won. They also won their game today. Guess we must have been "bad luck!"

Don't have much planned this week. Next week is going to be a busy one so I hope to get things done around here.

Hope all of you have a great week.

Love to you all,

JO