a good Saturday!

Reba and I just hung out at home until around 4 today. Then went to Champaign and strolled through TJ Max, had dinner at Olive Garden before going to the mall. I got a manicure and she got a pedi - it was wonderful!

From there we went to Buffalo Wild Wings where I'd meet a new friend. I'd call it a blind date but it wasn't a date :) It was fun & he was nice. That's what matters.

I did all of this without scarf or cap of course. Still sort of surprising myself with that - but I like it.





Came home to find Jeremiah baking cookies (a rare Saturday off for him) and Jordan came over after work. Meanwhile Reba coated my head with hair removal lotion to get rid of the remaining stubble. Two coats and several rinses later .... I've lost the 5:00 shadow and have a much smoother head.

It's been a great day ~

it's a NO hair kinda day

Two days ago it started falling out a few pieces at a time. I'd find more on my shoulder than usual .....

Then when I ran my hands through it I'd have dozens. Then I took a shower and the drain strainer was full. And my hairbrush afterwards. Yesterday I had to keep it clipped up, as it was falling out all over the place! My friend Reba arrived from Kentucky last night and I had my 9:00 shaving appointment this morning. We got to the salon with computer in hand and I quickly logged on so Brittany could watch. She'd just woken up for the "joyous" occasion and looked sweet in her sleepiness :)

She cried a bit. Reba shed a tear. I did not.

I know ... you're shocked, right? LOL

When all was said and done - they tell me it makes my eyes pop (I guess that's a compliment?) And Brittany wanted to see me tie my scarf into a turban. So I did that for her .... but wasn't really feelin' it. Decided to go au natural and am lovin' it! I'm sure I'll cover it sometimes but for now this feels good! I'm sportin' my Fight Like a Girl t-shirt and goin' out on errands this afternoon. I can do this!

wednesday

I survived (clap your hands!)

I had an "icky" feeling afternoon and evening yesterday (after treatment #2). Mostly nausea I guess. I took Zofran for that, drank some Sprite and munched on saltines; that helped. Beth had fixed a meatloaf that another friend sent with her, but the scent of it was enough to turn my stomach. The crackers and Sprite helped enough that I was able to enjoy a brownie before bedtime :)

I took an Advil PM, as my oncologist said anything over the counter would be ok. It was partly to ward off that headache I had last time and partially to help me sleep well. It worked. I did. And awoke feeling fine! I'm nervous in saying that, as it's not quite 11 a.m. now, but so far so good. Had a slice of toast, some applesauce and Cream of Wheat throughout the morning. Keeping it bland and light grazing seems to help.

Going for my Neulasta shot this afternoon, then home to rest.

round 2

is over and done with ~



My friend Beth came last night w/her daughter Reagan. That made for a nice distraction during treatment. We watched the Happy Feet DVD :)

Met with Dr. Rowland (my oncologist) beforehand and he said my blood work looked great. In fact "perfect" and "wonderful" were the words he used. Treatment was uneventful. We ate afterwards and have been home for more than an hour. Reagan and her mom went out to burn some energy :) I might go lay down here in a little bit. I got Tylenol before this treatment, hoping to ward off the headache I had last time.

WIll keep ya'll posted on how the next few days go . . . .

our trip to KC

was tons of fun! I survived on what little sleep I'd had and we arrived just in time for Sabrina to drop me off where Brittany works (as nanny to a 5/mo old). Brittany kept saying "I can't believe you're here!" and it was such fun to see her .... where she lives, works and goes to church. After dropping me off, Sabrina and her mother-in-law went to meet Mallory at the hospital for an ultra sound. The exciting news there, was that Mallory's due date is just two weeks away! They'd been thinking more like four, so the blessing of baby shall be here sooner rather than later :)

That evening we went to the church for Mallory's baby shower. They had a great turn out and so many delicious treats to eat! She got a load of fabulous gifts - it was a really nice time. Got to bed late that night of course (after 11) and by sharing a room and a bed w/someone else, I didn't get much sleep once again. We met the girls at Bob Evans for breakfast and then went shopping downtown Lee's Summit. It's a nice area with a lot of cute shops and we really just enjoyed strolling along, spending time together, laughing, chatting and lunching together. We took the girls back to their apartment and left there late afternoon. It was hard to say goodbye to Britt. We cried :( Next time she sees me I won't have hair :) But she is enthusiastic and happy and loves it there - that is good to see! Here are some pics from our 24/hour whirlwind trip to KC.
















We got home late on Wednesday night, kept running into minor obstacles along the way ..... but again, it was 11:30 by the time I got to bed. Then yesterday morning was Aunt Neva's visitation and this morning is her funeral. After the visitation I went to lunch w/some of the family and then to have my stitches out. I'd gotten so used to them (having had them nearly six weeks) that they really didn't bother me. But it was a relief to have them out and things look great. I'd also not given thought to me not seeing that surgeon again. She really did a fantastic job and I was very pleased with her, but for reconstruction I will have a plastic surgeon. A friend told me yesterday, looking at the bright side ..... hey, that's one doctor out of the way!

I have a heck of a week ahead of me with much to look forward to. On Monday my friend Beth from Elkhart comes back to visit, this time she's bringing her 4/yo daughter with her. I'll have my blood drawn that day, then go in for round two of chemo on Tuesday (not looking forward to it NEARLY as much as I was that first one - ha ha!) Now that I know what's coming, it's more a matter of bracing myself than having excited anticipation! On Wednesday I'll go in for my Neulasta shot and assuming I feel ok, Beth will head home. Thursday, a friend from my scrapbooking message board is coming through Champaign and I plan on meeting her for dinner. Thursday night my longtime girlfriend Reba (from KY) is coming to stay with me until Sunday! Intermingled with all of that (hoping and praying I feel ok) I will need to go to Aunt Neva's attorneys office and begin dealing with some of her estate matters.

Taking a deep breath.
Taking it one day at a time.
Promising myself (and others) that I'll rest when I need to.
With love and support from family and friends, I can do this!

up early!

Up a bit TOO early today! Too many thoughts spinning through my head after I got up for my 2:40'something potty break. I'm excited to being going to KC with Sabrina today - to see my Brittany! So thoughts of that (and if I've packed all that I need to take) were occupying my thoughts. Intermingled with that, was sadness for my dad, as his baby sister passed away yesterday :( My Aunt Neva went to heaven yesterday morning. I am executor to her will, so an overwhelming list of my responsibilities was also scrolling through my mind. Scattered amongst those thoughts were some personal financial issues - since I'm not working at this time. Mixed in with that, was the typical (for me these days) thoughts of cancer and chemo . . . .

Wow - no wonder I couldn't sleep!

Despite some worries, concerns and sadness, I was still able to lay there and thank God for the life I've been given! I do feel blessed. I know that these things are all temporary and simply part of life here on this earth. Having been unable to shut the thoughts down and go back to sleep, I finally got up just before 4. On the bright side, this will allow me a little more time to shower and make sure I've got everything ready to go by the time I leave at 7:30. I am looking forward to the trip. Sabrina's mother-in-law Joan is going with us. I worked for her many (many!) moons ago at Perhay Chevrolet in Farmer City. I'm excited to see Britt, the city she now calls home and the church that she loves! And I am looking forward to Mallory's baby shower later tonight (hope I can stay awake for it!) Te he .....

It's just a quick trip. Coming home late Wednesday. Services for Aunt Neva are most likely on Thursday/Friday.

just checking in

to say that I'm doing ok. Been a little tired, not exactly filled with energy, but that's to be expected. It's hard to describe - just feels a little odd - not quite normal. Yet from everything I hear and read .... that is normal :)

Haven't been doing anything too exciting, typical household duties and such. I met a girlfriend this morning to give her some fabric I'd bought. She is going to make some turban type scarves for me. After that, I went to get groceries - sure was hot out!

I am sleeping, eating and drinking ok. I know those are some of the things people are curious about. Thanks for checking on me ~