Haircut and 2 days after chemo

Okay, so I got a shorter haircut today. Not short like most people think of probably but shorter for me. This picture is awful, taken at 11:50 something using my Photobooth on my computer but you can see that the hair is shorter.
This is in anticipation of it falling out. Ugh. Oh well. I watched the movie Meet the Robinsons twice yesterday while overcoming a migraine, so we will just "keep moving forward!"

The Chemo treatment itself wasn't bad at all. I'm not sure the migraine was related to the treatment, just some other hormonal issues and the weather? Anyway, I have not been nauseous and was able to work again today. It really does feel good to get out and do the normal stuff. Tomorrow is a mid-winter break day for Caledonia, so I will sleep in and spend time with Annie, she really wants to see the Nome movie - Romeo and Juliet?

Thanks again for those who are praying for me. Today I cleaned a few counter tops and collected up so many of the cards you have sent. Many bring tears to my eyes as I read them again. It is so good to know I am not alone in this, that so many friends and family are walking through this with me. If you know others who are fighting this fight encourage them too. A card or email or quick text message can make a tough hour or two so much easier.

And if you see Al or Annie or Andrew, give them a hug. They have been so good to me. Al has been amazing, still recovering from his broken collar bone and struggling with not having the time and strength to do his usual repairs and maintenance. Please pray for him and Annie and Andrew as they help and make accommodations.

Peace,
Mary

First batch of chemo

Okay, I am currently sitting in the Metro Health Cancer Center, with a tube attached to my "port," and the nurse is "pushing in one of the two medicines that I am getting.  The staff here is great, amazingly friendly and open about everything they are doing. So far the biggest pain is getting the lounge chair I'm sitting in to fit me right. It needs more lumbar support and and a foot stool for my short legs. Al is hanging out with me and is playing some games on his phone. :-)
My blood pressure was again through the roof as I get so nervous about this stuff. I'm sure it will be better next week as I will know what to expect and how easy this is. (Check with me in a couple of days to see how I am doing, they gave me anti-nausea medication that lasts 72 hours.) The blood pressure medicine has been helping when I check it at home, just not in medical settings.
Thank you for praying me through this first session. I am following my sister-in-law's advice and picturing the medicine as little army men drip-marching in to knock out any loose cancer bad guys running around in my body. Andrew should create an x-box game that follows that story line. :-)
We also had a consultation with the radiation dr. today. She was very nice also and explained everything we asked her. Radiation is at least 5 months away so I will continue to look into that and consider the pros and cons. I would ask you to pray that Al and I would make a wise decision in that area.
I will post a picture later, in the comments section if you want to see some of my equipment.
Thanks again for praying, or good thoughts or just following my journey.
Peace,
Mary

Looking back and forward

When I first started teaching Andrew to drive, he was constantly looking in the rear view mirror, and reporting to me that "that guy is too close, I wish he would back off!" I had to encourage him that looking forward at where he was going was more important than focusing on the stuff behind him. I am proud to say that Andrew is a very good driver now, he has learned this lesson for driving.  How true this is for other aspects of our life!
I was able to work both Thursday and Friday and they were good days. Technology was useful and helpful in the education process and I saw progress with staff and students. Looking forward at work is exciting and encouraging.  I was tired both days when I came home and slept a lot on Saturday. I did get a "work out" in on Saturday, time on the treadmill and some stretching exercises. Later Saturday my right arm and armpit had some pokey, minor pain and since I hold my stress in my upper back and shoulders this area was also sore and painful. I find myself looking in that rear view mirror, just 3 weeks ago my arms and back were fine, no pain, no nerve issues. But I have to tell myself to look forward and focus on the future. I have to be looking for the new normal, the new me. Now I am in the Land Between, which is a really good book by Jeff Manion, by the way. I am traveling from who and where I was to the new normal, the new me that God is producing.
A big part of that journey was the surgery and that really has gone well. The second big part of the journey is chemotherapy. Tuesday is my first session, we will get to test out my new port and see how that works. I keep hearing that the first session of chemo is not bad, that the later sessions will be harder and take more of a toll on my strength. We'll just have to see, I think prayer can pull me through a lot. It has already!  I will be sure to let you all know how it goes after Tuesday. ;-)
Thanks again for your prayers, they mean so much to me and I can tell they are working.

PS. I hate the idea of losing my hair. Just saying.

Home on Wednesday

I was able to work a full day on Monday, was exhausted in the evening but it was a good tired. :-) It was so good to see people and thank them in person for their prayers and well wishes. Again I am amazed at what a great crowd of people I get to work with.
Then I worked a half day on Tuesday, and spent the afternoon at the hospital having a "dignity port" put in. Al and James keep saying I should ask for a USB port instead. ( Techie joke) So now I have this

placed under my skin on the left side and the little tubing goes up to a vein in my neck. Jugular vein to be exact. The purpose of this little do-dad is to ease the chemo and blood work, nurses can just tap into this port to access to my blood stream either in or out. Then they won't have to keep poking up and down my left arm looking for a decent vein. I had moderate sedation, but I kept talking to the surgeon so he kept asking the nurse to give me more sleepy stuff. It didn't make me sleepy until I got home! 

I had a little dinner and a huge glass of water, (I couldn't eat or drink after 6am Tuesday morning.) Then I went to the couch with my God circle quilt and slept until about 9 pm. I was kinda awake for an hour and then went to bed. And slept in a little on Wednesday. Today I am working from home, a little sore but not bad. I can go back to work on Thursday. :-)

The whole medical profession is so amazing, I've had great nurses and doctors and the relative ease with which they can treat a deadly disease is amazing. I wish I could calm my nerves better when I am there, they try so hard to make me comfortable. God is so great, this is all the effect of centuries of sin in the world, but He keeps helping man learn how to handle and treat some of the effects. God is so good to us, specially since we don't deserve it. His love is overwhelming! 

Weekend

Great time Saturday with Abi and Barbie. Then dinner out with Abi and Al. I tried blueberry hard cider. Yum. Antioxidants and pain reliever in a glass. It must be good for you? Sunday was a chance to worship with friends. Funny, some songs are now easier to sing and some are much harder. The wrap up song that Paul sang so well- God makes beautiful things out of the dust, that's my hope. I feel very dusty.
Going to work tomorrow, wish me luck. :-)

Friday was book fair!

Book Fair Family night was tonight at Kettle Lake Elementary. I have been a part of book fair for  about 18 years. This year I wasn't able to help Bonnie with the set up or sale night, but I did get a chance to go in for the last half hour or so and visit with Bonnie and other dear friends. The Book Fair carnival theme looked great, very festive. What a wonderful opportunity for families to look at good literature together and spend time with their community!
These are the things life is made of, a friend who also has cancer told me to enjoy all the little things. Book Fair may seem like a little thing, but is one of the many little things I enjoy. Look around, what is your little thing to enjoy? Some things are everyday little things, and some things come once a year like Book Fair.

More cards arrived today, I received more hugs and well wishes. You are all great friends! Thank you for the cards and prayers.

Thursday's update

Today was a trip back to Dr. Looby's office for a quick check up and everything is healing well. Abi was my designated driver and after that appt. we went to the mall and met my sister and did some book shopping. Then lunch at Olga's with my Mom, it was great to eat with and be encouraged by these three ladies. There was a lot of laughter and like Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine," I felt like I was given good medicine today.
Abi brought me home and I also got to spend some time with Judy, a colleague from work who is also a wonderful sister in the Lord and has been a long time friend.  We are scheduled to speak together in Detroit at an educational computer conference and I really want to go with her. Please pray  that the timing of the chemo and my reaction to the chemo treatments would allow this little excursion. :-)

I am off all the pain medications, only taking some Tylenol when the muscles have been tightened by the cold. I am still taking and monitoring my blood pressure, you all can continue to pray for that as well.

My refrigerator has been abundantly full thanks to all my church and family friends who jumped on the takethemameal.com schedule. Everything has been tasty and nutritious! What a blessing this has been.
Also, I was showing off my flower/plant collection to Abi and Judy today, so many have been sent by friends and my work colleagues! My "green room" is truly green, purple, pink, yellow, red and orange. There are daffodils, tulips, irises, lilies, lavender, cactus and other flowers whose names I don't know. I also have received many cards and emails. What a great crowd of people I have been blessed with for friends, family and colleagues! Thank you so much for your care, love and prayers. They do make a difference.
Gratefully,
Mary