My white blood cells were low this week so I didn't receive chemo. Instead the nurse instructed me on how to give myself shots of Neupogen ( a platelet booster). My immune defense system is low so I will stay away from crowds and people that may be sick. There is a lot of flu, colds, bronchitis, etc going around now so I will be staying close to home until I have a better defense system.
Things to do: read a good book, cook, practice my cello, play guitar, piano.... talk on the phone(give me a call), email, Facebook, work on grants for Art Center, take a nap......... I think I will keep busy.
Martha
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Marking off the treatments
Today was treatment 10 so I am getting in the single numbers...... My white blood count was significantly lower this week. The nurse was ready to tell me that they would postpone todays treatment but the doctor said he didn't want me to miss a treatment. I don't have any fever or infection so we are puzzled.....
I have my blood work done locally at Herrick Medical Center the day before my treatment ( saves me a trip to Ann Arbor) HMC then faxes the results to St. Joe's. Some of the results were not on this report today so
just maybe there was a mix up. The white cell count was included in the report.
I am missing my lino cut class at Community Arts of Tecumseh tonight. Gregg Perez, the son of my good friend Rosamaria Perez, is the instructor. The art of lino cut, or wood cut, is very interesting.The process is carving out the design then printing with a special ink. I took a class from Gregg last spring and enjoyed it so much and made a couple of cuts that I use for note cards. Gregg's work is beautiful.
Here in Tecumseh we are preparing for either ice/snowy mix over the next 24 hours...... Spring is here?
Martha
I have my blood work done locally at Herrick Medical Center the day before my treatment ( saves me a trip to Ann Arbor) HMC then faxes the results to St. Joe's. Some of the results were not on this report today so
just maybe there was a mix up. The white cell count was included in the report.
I am missing my lino cut class at Community Arts of Tecumseh tonight. Gregg Perez, the son of my good friend Rosamaria Perez, is the instructor. The art of lino cut, or wood cut, is very interesting.The process is carving out the design then printing with a special ink. I took a class from Gregg last spring and enjoyed it so much and made a couple of cuts that I use for note cards. Gregg's work is beautiful.
Here in Tecumseh we are preparing for either ice/snowy mix over the next 24 hours...... Spring is here?
Martha
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sping will be here soon
Spring arrives this weekend...... the snow is gone and temperatures are warm. Runners, bikers, and walkers are getting out for some exercise. That means that I am getting out for walks too. We are dog sitting for our grand dog, Jack. An adorable one year old Havernez. He has such a sweet personality, very loving and a cuddler. We are enjoying his company while his family is in California visiting cousins, aunt and uncle.
I am getting chemo weekly now for 12 weeks, 2 down, 10 to go. I am tolerating this treatment better than the first. I still get an allergic reaction..... itchy red face. Benedryl seems to help so I have been able to do the things I want to do for the most part.
March Madness is upon us so we always enjoy following the games. When Andy played for Stanford we had the pleasure of attending the games. That was such a fun time to be with the players and their families. Many of the Tecumseh fans came to NY, and RI for games too. Great memories.
Martha
I am getting chemo weekly now for 12 weeks, 2 down, 10 to go. I am tolerating this treatment better than the first. I still get an allergic reaction..... itchy red face. Benedryl seems to help so I have been able to do the things I want to do for the most part.
March Madness is upon us so we always enjoy following the games. When Andy played for Stanford we had the pleasure of attending the games. That was such a fun time to be with the players and their families. Many of the Tecumseh fans came to NY, and RI for games too. Great memories.
Martha
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wonderful connections
I have heard from many of you reading my blog that you enjoy staying connected. Just today I have heard from Hillsdale High School classmates, Western Michigan Friends, and Friends living in Tecumseh and places beyond. I want you all to know just how wonderful it is to be in contact. I guess it takes a friend experiencing a life adjustment for us to take the time to let each other know just how important our connection is to one another. I appreciate the time you each take to respond, it gives me such joy to hear from you.
My friend Jan Salsberry brought me a quilt that she made for my naps. It will keep me warm and snuggly.
It is black, red, and white, squares. It is beautiful... Thank you Jan.
Allergic reaction day 2: the doctor gave me a prescription for a steroid to control the itching and redness. I am not so itchy or red. feeling great today. We are dog sitting for our grand dog, Jack. He is the most adorable Havernez, a Cubin breed. He is a "lover boy" loves being in your lap..... so I am enjoying him so much. Time to go outside..... Jack.
Martha
My friend Jan Salsberry brought me a quilt that she made for my naps. It will keep me warm and snuggly.
It is black, red, and white, squares. It is beautiful... Thank you Jan.
Allergic reaction day 2: the doctor gave me a prescription for a steroid to control the itching and redness. I am not so itchy or red. feeling great today. We are dog sitting for our grand dog, Jack. He is the most adorable Havernez, a Cubin breed. He is a "lover boy" loves being in your lap..... so I am enjoying him so much. Time to go outside..... Jack.
Martha
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Itchy Itchy
I am having an allergic reaction to the chemo I got yesterday. My face began to itch last night, maybe that is why I couldn't get to sleep (up til 4a.m.). So today my face is fire engine red and itchy as if I had landed face down in a poison ivy patch. I called the doctor and he prescribed a steroid. This might change the drugs I get this round. Otherwise today is a good day. Still waiting for spring to come. The birds are singing and robins are back so it must be coming soon. Martha
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A Long Day
Today I was given two new drugs: Herceptin and Taxol. We arrived at the Cancer Center at 9:30a.m. and home at 4:30 p.m. We saw the doctor first, and reviewed the treatment plan again. Then determined that my treatments will still be in a critical phase in September when we have plans with friends to go on a Viking Cruise down the Danube, to vistit Prague, Vienna, Budapest and other beautiful cities. The time line for chemo, surgery and radiation then chemo again just continue to go thru the fall...... so we hope that we can just postpone the trip until 2012. Life is just full of adjustments, gotta do what you gotta do.
I am wide awake at 11:30 p.m. I got a steroid injuction before treatment so lots of energy for a day and a half. Then ???
My mind is racing with ideas for the Art Center, Pops Orchestra and other organizations that I am involved with. The Art Center and Tecumseh Parks and Recreation is planning a tour de Tecumseh, bike ride on May 22nd. There will be a family ride ( 12 mi) thru trails in Tecumseh with stops at park along the way, and a Recreational Bike Ride for more serious riders, who will have a 50K or 31 mi ride thru town. This is a fundraising event for Community Arts of Tecumseh. We are working with ReBike an organization that rebuilds bikes so no one will be excluded if they don't have a bike.
We are waiting for some approvals but are excited to promote art, fitness and health.
Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus began rehearsals 2 weeks ago. "Let's Dance" is the theme. We have local dancers that will dance while the orchestra or chorus accompanies them. Ed and Michelle Stuck will waltz to "Lover's Waltz" on their 30 th wedding anniversary the day of the concert..... May 1, 2011 at TCA, time is 4 oclock. There will be about 5 dance music numbers. Hope we will have friends attend this one.
Time to lay my head on the pillow.... good night and sweet dreams!! Martha
I am wide awake at 11:30 p.m. I got a steroid injuction before treatment so lots of energy for a day and a half. Then ???
My mind is racing with ideas for the Art Center, Pops Orchestra and other organizations that I am involved with. The Art Center and Tecumseh Parks and Recreation is planning a tour de Tecumseh, bike ride on May 22nd. There will be a family ride ( 12 mi) thru trails in Tecumseh with stops at park along the way, and a Recreational Bike Ride for more serious riders, who will have a 50K or 31 mi ride thru town. This is a fundraising event for Community Arts of Tecumseh. We are working with ReBike an organization that rebuilds bikes so no one will be excluded if they don't have a bike.
We are waiting for some approvals but are excited to promote art, fitness and health.
Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus began rehearsals 2 weeks ago. "Let's Dance" is the theme. We have local dancers that will dance while the orchestra or chorus accompanies them. Ed and Michelle Stuck will waltz to "Lover's Waltz" on their 30 th wedding anniversary the day of the concert..... May 1, 2011 at TCA, time is 4 oclock. There will be about 5 dance music numbers. Hope we will have friends attend this one.
Time to lay my head on the pillow.... good night and sweet dreams!! Martha
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Veil has lifted
What a difference a day makes..... the foggy veil has lifted. I feel so much better. I guess it is just a matter of being patient, and let the chemo kill those nasty cells.
So today, Joe and I went to Red Lobster..... lobster fest hooked me on TV. I had such an appetite today. I ordered surf and turf..... brought the turf and half the veggies home. I won't be hungry until tomorrow about noon. I have not been eating much in the carb part of the food pryimid so the red potatoes tasted so good .... salad and their cheesy biscuts all tasted out of this world. I am avoiding sugar and iron because I was told that cancer feeds on them. Greens, fruits, nuts, beans, all anti oxidents!!!
After lunch we went GT Mustang shopping. Joe turns 70 on April 18th so he has been wanting a Mustang for several years. Personally, I don't fit too well in a low rider.... my interest is only to keep him happy. We took at beautiful black with white stripe for a ride, the whrummm, whrummm, really impressed Joe.
We returned it to the dealership with the idea still in his head, never know what will be wrapped up on his birthday.
Then we took a ride out to the lake. We need a new tarp for our pontoon boat. Well, there were some very shiney new pontoon boats that we dreamed about wrapping up too. We have enjoyed cruising on Devils Lake for about 7 years. Our boat is in excellent shape so the idea of getting a new one isn't really practical, but we can dream, can't we? All in all we took advantage of a beautiful sunny pre-spring day. The snow is melting and there are some brown/greenish spots that are opening up thru the white sparkly snowy spots.
I hope for another day tomorrow, just as clear as today...... no foggy veil!!! Love, Martha
So today, Joe and I went to Red Lobster..... lobster fest hooked me on TV. I had such an appetite today. I ordered surf and turf..... brought the turf and half the veggies home. I won't be hungry until tomorrow about noon. I have not been eating much in the carb part of the food pryimid so the red potatoes tasted so good .... salad and their cheesy biscuts all tasted out of this world. I am avoiding sugar and iron because I was told that cancer feeds on them. Greens, fruits, nuts, beans, all anti oxidents!!!
After lunch we went GT Mustang shopping. Joe turns 70 on April 18th so he has been wanting a Mustang for several years. Personally, I don't fit too well in a low rider.... my interest is only to keep him happy. We took at beautiful black with white stripe for a ride, the whrummm, whrummm, really impressed Joe.
We returned it to the dealership with the idea still in his head, never know what will be wrapped up on his birthday.
Then we took a ride out to the lake. We need a new tarp for our pontoon boat. Well, there were some very shiney new pontoon boats that we dreamed about wrapping up too. We have enjoyed cruising on Devils Lake for about 7 years. Our boat is in excellent shape so the idea of getting a new one isn't really practical, but we can dream, can't we? All in all we took advantage of a beautiful sunny pre-spring day. The snow is melting and there are some brown/greenish spots that are opening up thru the white sparkly snowy spots.
I hope for another day tomorrow, just as clear as today...... no foggy veil!!! Love, Martha
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