The Countdown 8, 7, 6, 5......

Only 5 weekly Chemo treatments to go. I think that I can finally see an end in sight.

The side effects from Taxol continued to be mild to moderate. Each week they intensify slightly. The most noticeable are joint/bone pain and fatigue. I have to really push myself to exercise, but I'm still walking up the hill. (Most days)

Weekly chemo meant that I had to miss a couple of events this summer. My 45th High School reunion was this month. Although, I wasn't able to attend, I did reconnect with many friends via Facebook. They kept be updated on the lives of my classmates and promise to share pictures. Thanks everyone!

I missed a family reunion in Leavenworth, also. So cousins, we must find a way to gather again. Either, "at the river" (Icicle) or on the west side. Around the holidays?

This past weekend, we went to Salisbury, NC to join my husband's family in honoring his nephew. Will is in the Marine Corps and his unit will be shipping out this week for the northwestern part of Pakistan. They will be helping with the humanitarian efforts there. Oorah!

I got some "new hair" a couple of weeks ago. Bald is still more comfortable for me but, hair seems to be more "comfortable" for others.

My tomatoes are almost finished producing for the season. I had a good crop and enjoyed them with basil and goat cheese. The living calendar should end about the same time as chemo. Good timing!

Last, but by far, not least: My children and grandchildren will all be here next week. Elizabeth arrives on Thursday and will be here for about a week before she moves to DC. Jennie, Jim, Quinn and Colin arrive on Sunday and will be here for almost a week. Patrick, Karen and Liam live in Asheville and will be dropping by to join us as will Ashley, Chuck are Leigh. As a bonus, Aunt Betty and Uncle John Hembree are planning to drive from Lexington KY to see everyone. It will be a great week and I'm a lucky Mom/Grandma!!

Two days until Chemo Thursday. And then there will be 4....

A Great 2 Weeks

The past couple of weeks have been busy ones. I had a great visit with my sister Judi and did my best to show her our bit of Appalachia. We visited Cataloochee Valley, walked through the old schoolhouse and the Caldwell House, visited the Palmer House museum and of course, enjoyed watching the elk. We drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped at the Folk Art Center and shopped along Mainstreet Waynesville. Judi went with me to three of my chemo treatments and was pleased to see that Discount Shoes was nearby. Neither of us could believe how quickly time went by. She returned home this past Monday.
Four Taxol treatments down and only eight to go. Number five is tomorrow. So far, the side effects continue to be minimal and managable.
Living Calendar is going strong. I have harvested my first tomatoes and have been enjoying basil for several weeks.
Thanks to all of you who continue to visit (Libby from Raleigh, see above), call, send e-mails, cards and good wishes. Each and everyone of you are very important to me and my continued recovery.
Elizabeth, who is currently visiting Jennie in Tbilisi Georgia, was accepted to George Washington Law School's Master's in Intellectual Property program. Classes start on August 30th.
Jennie, Jim and the the boys (Quinn and Colin) are coming to the States for a visit. They will be be in NC the last weeK of August. Both boys have grown so much. Grandma (AKA Grandmom) is looking forward to having all of her "boys"(Liam, Quinn and Colin) here to play.
Patrick and Karen are busy getting the house ready for "Pumpkin's" arrival. November will be here before we know it.
when it cools down a bit, Chris and I hope to get a couple of camping trips in. Summer with out camping trips just doesn't seem right. We can camp in the area so I will be back for chemo and office visits.
Getting ready for "Chemo Thursday"!

Chemical Warfare, Sisters and ...to infinity and beyond!

My eyes are "shadowed" in light blue and lined with a brown liner. Mascara is on and blush has been placed on my "apples". They are the little round places on your cheeks that appear when you smile. I've dusted my face with bronzing powder and have lipstick on my lips. All this in an attempt not to look like Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird". So this all means that it must me "chemo" day. Indeed. Taxol # 3.

It has been a good two weeks engaging in Chemical Warfare. Taxol seems to have less severe side effects than the previous meds. I have had no sudden dips in energy levels and no fever or acute illness. A little more overall tiredness but quick naps are all I need.

It has been a great 2 weeks!

My eldest grandson, Liam, turned 3 on July 12th. I met his baby brother via utrasound on that day. So sweet. On Saturday, we had a birthday party for Liam at our house. The theme: Toy Story AKA..."To infinity and beyond." A phrase that was heard frequently that day. His cousin Leigh was here and they had a grand time running through the sprinker and later slidinig down a daddy/grandfather created silp-n-slide. The slides were apparent attempts to make it to infinity....

My sister Judi came for a 2 and 1/2 week visit. She is here to help her big sister. Since I don't need much help at this point, we are spending time just having fun. We sisters are three so we don't feel complete without our middle sister Patti here. We will have to plan trip with the 3 of us. We have shopped along mainstreet Waynesville, gone to Earthfare to buy healthy, organic food, watched movies, had spa treatments, have taken walks and even babysat Liam for a few hours on Wednesday. He can sure keep his "Grandmom" busy. We still have the Folkmoot parade and a visit to Cataloochee valley to see the elk, on our schedule. It has been over 20 years since her last visit. So much to see and do.

Will keep you informed of our adventures! Stay cool!

Boot Camp

A story: I feel a little like I've been going through "Boot Camp" since being "drafted" into the Pink Ribbon Club (This is definitely not something you volunteer for). Basic training has drilled into me the importance of exercise and good nutrition, preferable organic food ( have you seen the movie Food, Inc. lately?) and I have learned that bald is beautiful even if you're not Demi Moore. I was given my own "C" port (sic) (AKA Chemo) and I've even begun Special Ops training in Chemical Warfare. I've completed and passed part one: Adriamycin and Cytoxin and begin a new special 12 week assignment with Taxol tomorrow. I expect to wear fatigue almost daily. This tour of duty should be over around the end of September. Then, I plan to be discharged, honorably, and having earned "my stripes". The end.

It's been a good 2nd week after A/C. Some fatigue but no fever. Yesterday, I had my pre-Taxol labs, exam, an ECHO Cardiogram and an EKG. I should be good to go! I'm not sure what to expect as far as side effects. Sometimes, I think that the practitioners are intentionally vague about that. I feel quite certain that I will have some bone pain since I've already been given a prescription for pain medication.
We had a nice 4th. Celebrated with a cookout and safe fireworks at Ashley and Chuck's. Leigh entertained us with her badminton skills and story telling. She had quite an audience with all grandparents being present.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. Keep cool and wear your sunscreen!

"A few of my favorite things..."

Leigh age 4 1/2

Liam age 3

Quinn age 3

Colin age 6 mos

The grandchildren. They are definitely "my favorite things"!!!!

I had my 4th and last A/C treatment on Thursday June 24th. The "slump" is still a couple of days away but we hope to preempt it this time by starting antibiotics before I run a fever.

I will start Taxol, weekly, on July 8th. I learned that the side effects from Taxol will be less bothersome, at least in the beginning, and my hair will start regrowing. That should be fun to watch. Curls? Gray?

July promises to be a busy, fun month. Liam turns 3 on July 12th. We will celebrate on the 10th or 11th. Karen has an ultrasound on July 12th and we hope to find out if Liam will have a baby brother or sister. Of course "Grandmom" plans to be there. My sister Judi is coming for a 3 week visit on July 14th. It has been over 20 years since she has been to NC so we have a lot to see and do. I can't wait!

The "living calendar" continues to thrive. My raspberries and blueberries are about finished for the year. I had a pretty good, tasty crop. Of course my most successful crops this year are the weeds. They have taken over every flowerbed and so they may.

"De-Slumping"

A quick update:

The "slump" is resolving. Not quite batting .500 but .250 is good enough. Thanks again everyone! Chris and "Moby" got home safe and sound on Sunday. A good time was had.

It has been a bit too hot with poor air quality so I haven't started back walking. Even working in the yard has been impossible. My next chemo is this Thursday 6/24. This is the last A/C (Adriamycin/Cytoxin) treatment. A milestone. I will start 12 weekly Taxol treatments in a few weeks. It will be interesting to see if the side effects are the same. Stay cool everyone!

From Spunky to Punky

What a difference a day makes...

After a great day on Wednesday, I awoke Thursday feeling like I was in someone else's body. I was extremely fatigued, had a headache and my cough seemed to have gotten worse. While lounging around, I heard a noise on the front porch. It was a neighbor, Lorraine, who had brought me many wonderful prepared organic foods. What a lifesaver! Fixing a meal was one of the last things I felt like doing. Everything was delicious. I figured I would delay my walk a bit until I felt a more energetic. Didn't happen. By 4 pm I had a fever and decided to call the Hope Center for advice. Another round of antibiotics was called to the pharmacy and I was scheduled to be at the Hope Center by 8 am on Friday for lab work and an exam. I managed to drive myself to pick up my antibiotics but knew that I quite likely wouldn't be able to drive myself to Asheville in the morning. Irene, another neighbor, gladly volunteered. She was there bright and early Friday morning and drove me to my appointment. She even went with me for my labs etc. I had awakened with nausea that morning and was full of plenty of anti nausea medicine. In other words, I was a bit "loopy". She was actually there to help me remember lab results and recommendations. Thanks Irene. You'll have to tell me, again though, what was said. I still can't remember anything except that I need to be careful and stay away from germs.

I got through Friday without a fever and felt some energy returning by that evening. I still had plenty of nourishing food from Lorraine to sustain me. Thank you so much!

Today, Saturday, is a new day. I have some energy but, maybe not enough to walk. I'm sure I'm on an upswing and will be feeling more like old self soon. Happy Father's Day Weekend everyone!