I met with my oncologist this week...... good news!
The cancer responded to the chemotherapy. Hurray!
The 16 treatments did their work. Next is surgery, July 22nd.
Thanks for all the prayers that positive thoughts sent for healing.
Thank you GOD!! Martha
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, yes to golf, no to Chemo!
Yesterday my friend Jane called me to join her for golf. Tuesday was a beautiful day so I decided to play, I didn't have chemo, all done with that.
My surgery is scheduled July 22nd. I have a few weeks to gather strength and prepare for a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Our family from California will come for a visit over the fourth of July. We haven't see Laura and Nora since Christmas. Our little Nora, will be 2 in July and Mia will be five. I think we will have a family birthday celebration for them over the holiday. Can't wait to play with our grandchildren, they have such joyful laughter and playful spirit..... so much fun to be around.
Martha
My surgery is scheduled July 22nd. I have a few weeks to gather strength and prepare for a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Our family from California will come for a visit over the fourth of July. We haven't see Laura and Nora since Christmas. Our little Nora, will be 2 in July and Mia will be five. I think we will have a family birthday celebration for them over the holiday. Can't wait to play with our grandchildren, they have such joyful laughter and playful spirit..... so much fun to be around.
Martha
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Hurray, Last chemo
On Tuesday I had my last chemo...... Hurray!!
My cousin, Nancy Burke, kept me company. We had such a great visit.
We talked away the couple of hours catching up on our families and talking about past family experiences. Nancy was the city cousin, I was the country cousin. She grew up on Dearborn, Mi. and I in Hillsdale. I remember spending a few days at her house when I was young. It might have been one of the first times I was away from my parents. I was very homesick I remember. One of the memories from that visit was Nancy painting her fingernails, I was probably still digging in the dirt with my hands. Her nails were beautiful today, mine were filed but not beautiful like hers. Anyway, we had a fun time reminising and catching up. I think we both agreed that we need reconnect again.
Joe and I met with the plastic surgeon today, I have a tentitive date of July 22 for surgery. I will have a few days in the hospital after the surgery and a 6 to 8 week recovery.... on to the next phase.
The Art Center had a Student Show tonight. Many families came to see their work. It was a great event. Jean Lash pulled it all together. The center continues to grow with new staff and classes growing in numbers. One of the popular ones is making Fairy Doors. There are summer camps for kids, portrait classes for adults. Lots of choices and wonderful work coming from students.
Martha
My cousin, Nancy Burke, kept me company. We had such a great visit.
We talked away the couple of hours catching up on our families and talking about past family experiences. Nancy was the city cousin, I was the country cousin. She grew up on Dearborn, Mi. and I in Hillsdale. I remember spending a few days at her house when I was young. It might have been one of the first times I was away from my parents. I was very homesick I remember. One of the memories from that visit was Nancy painting her fingernails, I was probably still digging in the dirt with my hands. Her nails were beautiful today, mine were filed but not beautiful like hers. Anyway, we had a fun time reminising and catching up. I think we both agreed that we need reconnect again.
Joe and I met with the plastic surgeon today, I have a tentitive date of July 22 for surgery. I will have a few days in the hospital after the surgery and a 6 to 8 week recovery.... on to the next phase.
The Art Center had a Student Show tonight. Many families came to see their work. It was a great event. Jean Lash pulled it all together. The center continues to grow with new staff and classes growing in numbers. One of the popular ones is making Fairy Doors. There are summer camps for kids, portrait classes for adults. Lots of choices and wonderful work coming from students.
Martha
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Music is Medicine
Every day that I am resting, I listen to music. We have the dish so my channel 856. The music is relaxing. When I am in the car, I play classical or light classical or pop and other channels on the Sirrus radio. If I am feeling good, I play the piano ( not well), or the guitar, or cello. To me music is a spiritual experience.
When in 4 grade I was given the opportunity by the Hillsdale Public Schools and my parents to play a musical instrument...the cello. At the time ( in the 50's and 60's) we had a wonderful teacher, Mr. Bob Lint. He expected excellence in the orchestra with a 30+ string of State First Divisions. We rehearsed, sight read and went to festival prepared. It was a fantastic learning experience of working as a section and unit. Listening to to one another, so must of life is learned playing in an orchestra. I love the vibration the tone the sound that comes for the orchestra working together.
Tecumseh Public Schools, Adrian Public Schools have strong string and music programs. Recently the Tecumseh students enjoyed a master class that they will remember for a life time. The Tecumseh program was initiated by several local musicians, I was one of them. Now our beginning students are finishing their Junior year. Under the direction of Bob Philips and Amy Marr the program is so strong and growing. The Elizabeth Wilson Foundation director, Theresa Powers and her board have supported the Tecumseh program from the beginning with time, talent and treasure. With the financial support from the Wilson Foundation and TPS the program is flurrishing and growing.
If you have time and are interested in the benefits of Arts for our youth please take time to go the the TED web sight. Robert Gupta; Music is Medicine, Music is Sanity will help you understand why music is so important to the healing of our mind, body and spirit. It is for me, Martha
When in 4 grade I was given the opportunity by the Hillsdale Public Schools and my parents to play a musical instrument...the cello. At the time ( in the 50's and 60's) we had a wonderful teacher, Mr. Bob Lint. He expected excellence in the orchestra with a 30+ string of State First Divisions. We rehearsed, sight read and went to festival prepared. It was a fantastic learning experience of working as a section and unit. Listening to to one another, so must of life is learned playing in an orchestra. I love the vibration the tone the sound that comes for the orchestra working together.
Tecumseh Public Schools, Adrian Public Schools have strong string and music programs. Recently the Tecumseh students enjoyed a master class that they will remember for a life time. The Tecumseh program was initiated by several local musicians, I was one of them. Now our beginning students are finishing their Junior year. Under the direction of Bob Philips and Amy Marr the program is so strong and growing. The Elizabeth Wilson Foundation director, Theresa Powers and her board have supported the Tecumseh program from the beginning with time, talent and treasure. With the financial support from the Wilson Foundation and TPS the program is flurrishing and growing.
If you have time and are interested in the benefits of Arts for our youth please take time to go the the TED web sight. Robert Gupta; Music is Medicine, Music is Sanity will help you understand why music is so important to the healing of our mind, body and spirit. It is for me, Martha
One to go !!!!
Next week will be my LAST Taxol and Herceptin treatment.... 16 treatment total.
I will continue with Herceptin for 6 treatments every three weeks. This is because my tumor was estrogen positive.
I struggled this past week, missed out on several social events that I just couldn't manage to get to. The nurse said that the steroid that I get begins to wear down so consequently I am under the influence of the chemo at that point in the week.
Joe and I did enjoy a cook out at Kevin and Holly's house with their friends, they are all so much fun to be with. We went to the lake on Monday with Kevin and family. Tess am Mia had fun swimming in front of the Lash and Schick cottage. I dangled my feet in the cool refreshing water. I love the being at the lake. I grew up on Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale and have so many fond memories of great times with friends, giving swimming lessons at the beach. The Memorial Holiday is a time to remember our service personnel that are keeping our country free. We are very proud of Katie and Sam in our family that are serving our country in the Army.
My good friend, Joanne Kuhlman, took me to treatment today. The time flew because we had a nice visit, she made a delicious lunch, and even a People Magazine to catch up on. It was nice spending the day with her. Jean Lash, Kay Walper and Pam Feldkamp have also taken me. I appreciate the time they have taken out of their busy days. Thanks good friends who have helped out in so many ways. I just wish I felt good enough afterwards to do a little shopping.
Our book club is reading "No Angel" by Penny Vincenzi. I am really enjoying it.
Joe and I are enjoying a Shepards Pie that Jocelyn Menyhart made. She will be leaving for England soon, I'll miss her, she has been such a terrific friend.
More later, Martha
I will continue with Herceptin for 6 treatments every three weeks. This is because my tumor was estrogen positive.
I struggled this past week, missed out on several social events that I just couldn't manage to get to. The nurse said that the steroid that I get begins to wear down so consequently I am under the influence of the chemo at that point in the week.
Joe and I did enjoy a cook out at Kevin and Holly's house with their friends, they are all so much fun to be with. We went to the lake on Monday with Kevin and family. Tess am Mia had fun swimming in front of the Lash and Schick cottage. I dangled my feet in the cool refreshing water. I love the being at the lake. I grew up on Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale and have so many fond memories of great times with friends, giving swimming lessons at the beach. The Memorial Holiday is a time to remember our service personnel that are keeping our country free. We are very proud of Katie and Sam in our family that are serving our country in the Army.
My good friend, Joanne Kuhlman, took me to treatment today. The time flew because we had a nice visit, she made a delicious lunch, and even a People Magazine to catch up on. It was nice spending the day with her. Jean Lash, Kay Walper and Pam Feldkamp have also taken me. I appreciate the time they have taken out of their busy days. Thanks good friends who have helped out in so many ways. I just wish I felt good enough afterwards to do a little shopping.
Our book club is reading "No Angel" by Penny Vincenzi. I am really enjoying it.
Joe and I are enjoying a Shepards Pie that Jocelyn Menyhart made. She will be leaving for England soon, I'll miss her, she has been such a terrific friend.
More later, Martha
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Under the care of my friend Linda
Joe went to Alabama this past week for daughter Katie's graduation from Apache Helicopter flight school. She received special recognition for Leadership and Mentoring. She will now be in the Army National Guard waiting for a future assignment.
My long time friend/roomate from those single girl years, came to keep me company, rested, entertained and well fed. Linda and I met in the 60's and have continued our friendship thru our weddings, birth of children, raising grown adult children and the ups and downs of life. She had two wonderful sons as did I. Linda and Dave are God parents to our youngest son Andy and we are Godparents to her eldest son, Jamie. Cheri and Cherly joined us for lunch with lots of reminising of college friends and experiences from our youthful years. Thank you Linda.
I will have my 3d treatment this Tuesday. I'll be very happy to have this chemo behind me. I will talk with the radiologist this week, plastic surgeon the week after. Gathering more information so we can make an informed decision for the next phase of treatment.
Community Arts of Tecumseh had a successful Bike Ride fundraiser today. The weather cooperated. The committee did a fantastic job of organizing the event. We had 96 riders, art projects, food, and art sale. The weather was perfect after a week long rain.
Memorial weekend is coming up. If you are traveling.... find cheap gas?? and drive safely. Love, Martha
My long time friend/roomate from those single girl years, came to keep me company, rested, entertained and well fed. Linda and I met in the 60's and have continued our friendship thru our weddings, birth of children, raising grown adult children and the ups and downs of life. She had two wonderful sons as did I. Linda and Dave are God parents to our youngest son Andy and we are Godparents to her eldest son, Jamie. Cheri and Cherly joined us for lunch with lots of reminising of college friends and experiences from our youthful years. Thank you Linda.
I will have my 3d treatment this Tuesday. I'll be very happy to have this chemo behind me. I will talk with the radiologist this week, plastic surgeon the week after. Gathering more information so we can make an informed decision for the next phase of treatment.
Community Arts of Tecumseh had a successful Bike Ride fundraiser today. The weather cooperated. The committee did a fantastic job of organizing the event. We had 96 riders, art projects, food, and art sale. The weather was perfect after a week long rain.
Memorial weekend is coming up. If you are traveling.... find cheap gas?? and drive safely. Love, Martha
Monday, May 16, 2011
Update
I have not been writing much this past week..... Mother's Day, Birthday, doctors appointments.
I have 4 more taxol, herceptin treatments. I will continue on herceptin for 6 treatments every three weeks after that. We met with the surgeon last week, and have an appointment with a plastic surgeon in June. I'll have an MRI and CT scan before surgery to see how my body reacted to the chemo.
My husband is headed to Alabama for Katie's graduation from flight school. She now knows how to fly an Apache Attack Heliocopter..... what a girl. She is graduating with honors. What an accomplishment. We are very proud of her.
Thank you to everyone that sent birthday wishes. I got lots of cards, Facebook messages, birthday dinners with friends, and calls. It is good to keep having birthdays. Love to all, Martha
I have 4 more taxol, herceptin treatments. I will continue on herceptin for 6 treatments every three weeks after that. We met with the surgeon last week, and have an appointment with a plastic surgeon in June. I'll have an MRI and CT scan before surgery to see how my body reacted to the chemo.
My husband is headed to Alabama for Katie's graduation from flight school. She now knows how to fly an Apache Attack Heliocopter..... what a girl. She is graduating with honors. What an accomplishment. We are very proud of her.
Thank you to everyone that sent birthday wishes. I got lots of cards, Facebook messages, birthday dinners with friends, and calls. It is good to keep having birthdays. Love to all, Martha
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