Home all day.    That is nice.   I did have contact with real people throughout the day which is even nicer.

My Bret is leaving Arizona tomorrow and will be here sometime on Sunday.  I can hardly wait to hug him.   I am making his favorite meal (Swedish Meatballs) tomorrow and we will have a family gathering at my home on Sunday afternoon/evening to celebrate his arrival.

I am so glad that he will be here for my second round of chemo.   He and Bart can hang out while I get the treatment, something they have not been able to to these past years much.

I am so blessed to have kids who LIKE ME:)

Nicky is much better.   He is a good boy about taking his meds and doesn't smell so bad any more.   I still remember Dick saying "Is he really worth that much money" when we got the vet bills.  Of course, with that twinkle in his eye as we would to anything within reason for our pet friends.  He would how lost I would be without my sweet Nicky.  I am so glad that the allergies are abating.  His scratching was driving me nuts.

I am planning on going to Mass for the first time in weeks on  Saturday.   Pray that this will work.  Bret is bringing over a stadium cushion which might help.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Heat is returning to Oklahoma after three weeks of fairly mild temperatures.  It is 6:30PM and still 93Degrees in Lawton!

I had a lot of things to do today but still seemed to have empty hours.

Bart came over this morning and helped me give Nicky a bath to help get rid of his allergies.   He is a nice doggie, just looking at us kind of plaintively, wondering why we are doing these things to him:)

The rash is much better.  The shots the Vet gave really helped and he is getting meds to finish the healing.

I went to the post office this afternoon to mail Suzi her "share" of the CIE information.   Since I was out, I picked up the last things I need for when
Bret is here.  

I am so looking forward to his visit.  

Dia dhuit

Mary

Kind of sore today.

It was a quiet good day.  We were up into the 90s in temps. Not bad.  The only errands I had were the bank and Walgreens.    Bart came by for a visit this morning.  He is walking.   Good thing.

I think I MAY have gained a pound or two in the past few day.   Cross your fingers.

Kind of keep myself busy, but my mind is much more active than my body:)
Dia Dhuit

Mary

Boy, have I been a lazy blogger the past three days.   

Spending the blog time visiting with Leslie and Bill while I still had them here:)   They left early yesterday morning and are home safe and sound with their kitties.

What a great visit.  And Bret will be here this weekend.   Am I blessed, or what.    It is really a help for Bart and Barb too.    All three of us are fighting our physical problems and it is nice that they don't have to worry about me when someone is here.

I went for my lab tests today.  Guess they are OK as I didn't hear anything.   Took Nicky to the Vet today too because he has been frantically scratching himself for a couple of weeks or more.   He has allergies and now has a fortune in meds that he needs to take.   He also got two shots for some immediate relief.   I actually think it is helping already. 

My left rib cage area is still quite sore.    I am eating the best I can and hope that the additional calories will help speed the healing.  I am at very least maintaining and may have gained a couple of pounds.

I bought myself a Dairy queen mini Blizzard for my dessert tonight.  Yippee

My niece Vikki called this morning to check on me.    I am worried about her actually.  She broke some ribs a couple of weeks ago and still has to work.  So pray for my girl.

Anyway  - I did not feel very well all morning but as the day wore on, I am improving.   Must remember not to get too excited and let the healing continue.

Patience is a hard lesson.

Dia DHuit

Mary

Obviously having company make me forget blogger.:)

I am feeling OK.  My ribs are still sore and I do wear out quite quickly.  I has been so good having Leslie and Bill here.  Bill took care of several things that needed to be done.  Some of them I CAN usually do but in "my condition" should not BE doing.   How blessed am I to have people just pop in and take up the slack?

Our weather has been lovely and I try to get out, even if just to the mailbox, at least once a day.

I wish my ribs would stop hurting.  Only time and healing will take care of that.   I am a tough "Chick" as they say and will get through this.

Love you all.  I feel all your support and you have no IDEA what your calls and cards have meant to me.

All is good  (or will be)

Dia Dhuit
Mary

Stayed home all day today.

Tried Ambien to sleep last night.   It only worked for four hours.   That was more sleep than I have been getting so I guess I should be grateful.   I remember the old days when I would put my head on the pillow an wake up in the morning.

Fr. Phil came to visit me today.    We had a nice visit and then he gave me a healing blessing.   I am so glad that my parish is so nurturing.    

We had the Kunert SpinachEggCheese Casserole tonight

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Bill took me to see my Oncologist, Dr. Aye, today.   I had my lab tests and am down some on white cells so need an antibiotic.     She also was kind enough to prescribe sleeping aids and renew my pain meds.

I AM much better with the pain but am still uncomfortable and am really having trouble sleeping.

We enjoyed a really good stir fry for supper.  Easy for me to eat.  Dr. Aye says that I HAVE  to gain weight and should drink at least two Ensure or Boost a day.    I will do that.   It is not easy as I do not like them but I need to get better at any cost.   Well at most costs and a Boost a day or so will not kill me.

Will it?

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A pretty quiet day.

Leslie and Bill took me out for lunch. 

Bart and Barb had us over at their home for Barb's Taco Soup.  

Even that exhausted me but I am fine and will go to bed early tonight.

Love you all

Mary

Leslie and Bill are here.   I am so glad to have someone in the house.

I am feeling much better also.  The pain is reduced and I can breath much better.

Love

Mary

Well yesterday I did overdid it.

I went to the radiology clinic and then decided I could stop for a few groceries on the way home.   Big mistake.    The left side of my chest got so sore and I had so much trouble getting air in that Bart had to take me to emergency.

I AM OK but learned that I can't do anything but rest for the foreseeable future.  Got home at about 8PM last night and spent most of today sleeping.

A valuable lesson.   I am SICK and might as well admit it:)

It will be OK.   I am so glad that Leslie and Bill are coming to help.  It will give Bart and Barb a break and will be nice to have someone in the house.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Allelulia.

I am weak as a newborn kitten BUT do not feel at all nauseated.   I am SO grateful.   I am even able to eat quite well, though I did learn quickly to avoid spicy.

Tomorrow morning I will consult with the radiology doctor.   I told some of you that I know that his last name is Ziegler.    Isn't it funny how comforting such a thing as a name can be when a person is kind of nervous.   Just like having a Packer fan for a surgeon:)

George and Betsy are still safe and sound .  I heard today from Nora who called to check on me.
Altogether a good day

Dia Dhuit
Mary

So.   I  have survived my first Chemo treatment.   Went in this morning at 9:30AM and was home at about 1:30PM.    (They keep telling me to eat and then fill up eating times with appointments:)

I am quite weak.   I am just resting.   BUT so far I have not experienced any nausea or other symptoms that I was cautioned to be aware of.   So I am willing to spend the next couple days weak and resting.

I am more worried about my Bart.   He had all of his upper teeth removed this afternoon at the dentist.   Poor guy has had so MANY teeth problems.   At least once the replacement dentures are in, he will not hurt.

Also worried about George and Betsy.   At this point, no news is good news as they were fine on Sunday and are in communication with Eileen.   Poor Houston, they cannot get a break.   I cannot even fathom 48 inches of rain.

Leslie and Bill are going to come to stay with me on Saturday and stay for a week.  It will be good to have someone in the house as I do get so tired and weak.    Bart and Barb could use a little break too. Barb and I were musing the other day as to how so much is difficult health wise with all three of us right now.

I am so happy that they are coming.

Dia Dhuit

Mary 

  

We are experiencing a beautiful day here in Lawton OK.    I wish I could send half of it to my brother George and his wife, Betsy who are in Richmond TX.

I called yesterday and they were hunkered down and really felt that they could ride Harvey out.   But things are no better and sound even worse.   I am praying and hope all of you will also. 

Tomorrow I will have my first chemo infusion.   New experience.    I usually like new experiences but am not happy about this one.   However - it is the road I must take to be healed, and healed I will be!!!!     

I am still receiving cards of encouragement and cals from friends and relatives daily.   How blessed am I.

Bart and Barb stopped by after her doctor appointment to help me make my bed.   I just wanted clean sheets tomorrow after the chemo.    We had a visit before they headed home to crash.

So.  Pray for me in the morning.  

Dia Dhuit

Mary

HI

Yesterday, Dr. Trachte put the medi-port in my left upper chest.   I was just too tired and sore to post last night.

Barbara and I had to laugh today.  She has been reminding me to use my left hand because of the surgery on my right side.   Now what do I do:)

I was very uncomfortable and having trouble getting air in for a while yesterday and during the night,   BUT after a good afternoon nap, I am feeling much better.    As Dad would say.   "I might live." 

My neighbor and Celtic friend Robbi walked down to visit me this afternoon.   I love company so that was a pleasure.   She is an amazing woman.

I am watching the coverage of the devastation from Hurricane Harvey.   When I see some of the trees literally toppeled overe with the roots exposed I am reminded of my childhood.

We lived near a woods.   We played in that woods.   At least a couple of times there were storms bad enough that they toppeled some of those OLD BIG trees in the woods.   We would go out to play and use those old root bases for forts and shelter.   What a childhood.   My "woods" is now all houses.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another busy day.    I saw my surgeon, Dr. Trachte, this morning.   He is pleased with my progress and says that I CAN drive if I want to.  

Bart will still come with me to doctor appointments as they seem to involve more intense treatments AND it doesn't hurt to have a couple of sets of ears and eyes knowing what is happening.

Tomorrow I will get the "port" implanted in my upper chest so that they can give me the chemo treatments through that rather than a new source of entry every time. 

My first Chemo is on Tuesday.   I have FIVE different prescriptions ready for any possible reaction.  Whew.

Well, I don't usually get the reactions they mention for meds.   Maybe I will luck out:)


Until tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another Day another Medical professional:)

Today, Bart took me to the Cancer Center at CMM for my instructions on what will be coming up and expected of me starting next Tuesday when I will get my first Chemo treatment for this cancer thing that is inside me.

A wonderful nurse sat with me and went through reams of paper  - instructions and information - on what will happen and what could possible be expected.   I now have four thick folders of STUFF.   I will start my own library soon.   I AM really glad they do this.   At least a person has some idea what to expect.   After all, they will be trying to destroy evil cells in my body and it is not a pretty sight.

Tomorrow, I will see my surgeon and then am free until Monday when I will have my consultation with my radiologist.   I need both chemo and radiation.

I will be having chemo every three weeks and it works out perfectly with the England/Wales trip.  Now if we can get the radiation to work as well.

Dia dhuit

Mary

An appointment with Dr. Aiku, my family practitioner, today.   She is pleased with how far I can come and repeated the mantra that I keep hearing.   EAT!!!   I am maintaining since I am home, but still am not really adding any pounds to me.    I keep trying.  Tonight I am going to eat a pork chop, corn and sliced tomato.   I had most of a burrito for lunch and am starting to drink Boost or Ensure to add calories and carbs. 

Tomorrow, I go to a class at the Cancer Center to learn about the chemo treatments and what is going to happen.   I am glad they do that.  I feel so lost in all of this medical stuff.  

I did ask if I could drive, but she said that I would have to have gone through Chemo and know how I am going to react to that stuff.   I hate being dependent on others but love that others are willing to LET me be dependent on them.   How blessed am I?

Dia dhuit

Mary

I slept through the eclipse.  

Had appointment with the oncologist which took HOURS.   By the time I got home all I could think of was food and rest.   I did both and am not sorry that I missed the event.  There will be pictures of it all over for weeks.  I will just enjoy them.

The next couple of weeks will be getting into the treatment part of my cancer.  Since I will be able to still to to ENGLAND/WALES I figure that it is all just a logistics thing.  RIGHT.   Just say Right.

Tomorrow I see my general practicioner.    Then the next day classes on what is involved in the chemo, then Thursday, my surgeon.  So by Friday, I MAY know what is happening in my life:)

Dia dhuit

Mary

A sunny warm day in Oklahoma.

I was home all day.  Still can't drive and though I know I could have gotten someone to drive me to and from church, the thought of sitting an hour in those hard pews for an hour, I knew was NOT a good thing.   Also I am still quite weak.

Got to remember, I am recovering from surgery and I am NOT 50 years old any more:)

This week will be busy.   Will be seeing the Oncologist on Monday and get a plan for the chemo and radiation therapy that comes next.   Then Tuesday, I will see Dr. Aiku, my family physician for the miscellaneous help I am sure I need.   I DO have some questions.   Finally, on Thursday, I will have a followup with Dr. Trachte,, my surgeon.  

So anyway, home all day.  Bart hurt his shoulder the other day and is resting for the week ahead as he is my chauffeur.   Barb has a sinus infection and is trying to heal.   I worry about her, she is rather run down and susceptible.   I hope this day of total rest will help.  Wish she could have an extra day or two thrown in.

Nothing exciting happened.  Nicky and I alone, lead a pretty quiet life.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A hot muggy day in Oklahoma.

I am really glad that I have not gotten too excited about the eclipse.  I will just try to enjoy the dimming of the skies and the obvious phenomenon.    One of my grandsons and his wife are going to one of the really big points.   Will be exciting to hear of their experiences.  

Also the  Powerball keeps growing.  I ALWAYS get a ticket to the Powereball in Dick's memory.  I use the "lucky numbers" that he chose for us 25 or so years ago.   Someday they WILL come up.  I will probably be long gone:)

It has been a busy day.  I talked to so many of  my friends and supporters.   I can't begin to tell you how blessed I feel with all the cards, calls, and well wishes that arrive each  day.

Monday I am seeing the Oncologists to determine a plan of chemo and radiation to get rid of this nasty thing that is still remaining in my chest.  I am so blessed, also, to be in a system that is offering care and plans to cure me.   I must be patient.   Not one of my great suites:)   Maybe, as one of my friends said, this is the lesson I must learn:)

Bless all of you.    I am so grateful for your support.

Dia dhuit

Mary