Friday, May 29, 2009
In The Hospital
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Ouch, Ouch, Ouch and Ouch!
I told my oncologist that last week when I talked to the advise nurse about my counts being so low, she said that I should be taking my temperature four times a day, be on a neutropenic diet (no fresh fruits, vegetables, deli meats, etc.) and stay away from sick people. My oncologist said to eat a salad if I wanted to and live my life like I usually do. I think my immune system is pretty strong (and it shouldn't be with my white blood cells being so low) because Denny has had a terrible cold for three weeks and I haven't gotten it. BTW, I had a huge salad tonight!
I went to my support group meeting today and it was nice to have Shauna back from her fantastic trip. She looked like a million dollars and said she felt the best she has felt in years. Oh, I am so glad that she was able to go the the Galapogus Islands.
Tomorrow I am meeting Amy and Carolyn for some shopping and then we are going to lunch with Julie D. and Eileen. Fun day.
My two friends who recently had double mastectomies, are doing great.
Hope all of you have a nice Memorial Day weekend.
Love to you all,
JO
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Blood Test Results, CT, Bone Marrow Biopsy
I went to my support group meeting today. It was nice to see Pam since she has been in San Diego for several weeks. She looks great and had on a beautiful scarf (she has lost her hair) and she had to show everyone how she tied it because it looked so cute on her. Shauna is still in the Galapagos Islands. This is a once in a life time vacation for her. All of us are so glad that she was able to go. If anyone deserves a fantastic trip, it is Shauna.
After my meeting, I went to Kaiser to have my port flushed. While I was sitting in the waiting room, my phone rang and it was my oncologists nurse. She didn't know I was sitting about 20 feet from her! She called to tell me that Phoebe (my oncologist) wants me to have a bone marrow biopsy. I think she saw the results of my last blood test and decided it needed to be done. Almost all my counts had dropped (platelets, hemoglobin, white and red blood cells, etc.) Most cancer patients have low counts because of their chemo treatments but I am not currently having any treatments and haven't for about two and a half years. I have been very, very fortunate. So I am scheduled to have a bone marrow biopsy on Tuesday, May 19th. That is the day I was scheduled to meet with Phoebe and talk about what she thought about my counts dropping and if I should have another bone marrow biopsy. Guess she decided to just go ahead and get'r'done! I talked to several nurses today and they all suggested that I have pre-meds prior to the procedure. I didn't last time because I didn't realize that was an option for me. Denny REALLY wants me to have them because he said it was terrible watching the biopsy. He wants some meds too, but too bad...............
I am having a CT scan in about an hour. I just drank my first 16oz. glass of barium. That stuff sucks. I will drink another 16oz. in 20 minutes and then head off to Kaiser for the scan. My last scans were good. They have shown my cancer is in remission and my tumors are so small that they don't show up on the CT scan. I have one every 3-4 months. So if I hadn't developed this blood disorder (or whatever the hell it is), things would really be lookin' good!
This has been a big day for me and it isn't over yet. Lots of medical things happening.............
On to brighter things. Kyle is off to outdoor school for three days. Scott went with him. Tori is going to spend Friday night with us because Julie has a Bunco party to go to. Both kids have games on Saturday so we will go to those. The weather is suppose to be warm (over 80!) This white body isn't ready for shorts, etc.!!!!!
Justin called on Mother's Day and they have all been so busy. They are in charge of the concession stand at all the baseball games. It is so time consuming. It is sure nice of them to do that. We plan on going to one of Dakota's games, just have to decide which one.
Tomorrow I am going to Janii's funeral. What a great lady she was and what a courageous battle she fought with her cancer.
Hope all of you are having a great week and will be able to enjoy the nice weather we are suppose to have this weekend.
Love to you all,
JO
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
She was just like a doll. This is the honest truth.............I used to lay Julie on the bed and then change her clothes. Then I would change them again and again.... It was like I was playing with a doll and changing her clothes all the time.! She was so patient with me.
About two years later, we had our BOY, Justin. We were so excited to have a girl AND a boy. Because of his Dad and Grandpa, we knew that he would grow up loving hunting and sports. And did he ever.
He received a full ride to play basketball at a division one college. He shot his first deer when he was only nine years old. Hunting and sports are still a big part of his life. His son, Dakota, has already gotten two deer, an elk, and every bird (duck, pheasant, chucker, goose, etc.) there is to hunt. He got his first deer when he was eight (had to beat his dad).
One of the cool things about being a Mother is watching your kids become parents. Julie and Justin are the best parents in the whole world. Their kids are their lives. I hope their kids realize how lucky they are to have such wonderful parents. If they don't, they will some day. Here are my babies now!
And here are my babies with their babies!And here I am with my grandkids during our last deer hunting trip.
I love being a MOTHER and GRANDMOTHER. Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Will Miss You, Janii
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Rain, Rain, Go Away
On Saturday, I drove to Newberg for Tori's and Kyle's baseball games but they both ended up being cancelled because of the rain. Here are a couple of pictures I took last week.
Yesterday we went to Denny's uncle Tony's funeral. He was such a terrific guy. We enjoyed getting together with all his family after the service.
I went to my support group meeting today. It was such a treat to see Shauna because she is taking off tomorrow for the Galapagos Islands. It is a dream come true for her. Have fun, Shauna, I will miss you.
I want to wish a late Happy Birthday to Madeline and Kay C.
My friend, Lois, is having surgery today. I stopped by to see her but I wasn't allowed to go into the surgery unit. She will be in the hospital for two days. Good luck, Lois. I am thinking about you.
I hope all of you are having a great week. I will be so glad when it stops raining!
Love to you all,
JO
Monday, April 27, 2009
"Girl's Day"
Here is a picture of Kyle batting. He is a great hitter and an even better base runner. You can always count on him getting home if he gets on base.
I thought this picture of Tori on third base was cute. Julie is third base coach. Look how "ready" the third baseman is!
Now look to see where this third baseman stands! Guess Tori ran "around" him! It is so much fun to watch these kids play T-ball. After the team had batted, the coach was looking for his kid to go out into the field and he was over at the play ground playing on the equipment!We both had such a great time. I will have to admit that we should have ridden our bikes and gone to the playground first and then gone to the movie last because I did get tired towards the end of the day. Great memories. I know how blessed I am to have enough energy to be able to do this.Hope all of you had a great week.
Love to you all,
JO