Follow up Appointment

I went up to Huntsman for a follow up appointment today. I knew beforehand that I would have labs drawn (blood) before my appointment. What I didn't know was they had scheduled me for an x ray of my lungs. As soon as they said that I started getting scared. That meant I would find out either good or bad news today and not "just" a follow up as I had thought. That meant that if any of my tumors had grown or shrunk they could most likely see that. After my labs and x ray I met with one of the residents and of course he had endless questions for me. I was asked mostly about what symptoms I am still having. I then met with Dr. Akereley. He said everything looks good in my blood, and then my x ray- all the fluid is out of my lungs, which is what they were looking for. If you remember, I was sent home from the hospital with it in there, and they wanted to make sure it was gone. He said all the stuff that the IL-II had induced upon me was gone and I looked good. He said that he wouldn't comment on my cancer until after my scan in December. I asked if there was any noticeable changes in my lungs and he said no not at all. In fact he said he thought I would have a really good outcome from the IL-II. Let's hope! He also said that he would report his findings with me to Dr. Bentz(my surgeon). He said Dr. Bentz likes to keep an ear out and keep tabs on how I am doing. It's nice to know that he cares about me! They are all so good up there. I also ran into Dr. Bentz nurse Joyce! She said she's been thinking about me the last couple weeks and was going to email me and then there I was! It's like family up there. They take care of me and everyone remembers my name even!

I am having a small Thanksgiving at my house tomorrow. I just finished making a couple pumpkin pies and will be making two more kinds shortly. My oven will be taken over tomorrow. I am so excited to spend the day with my family. That's what it's all about. I have always loved the holidays and family time!

I talked to my nurse a couple days ago and she confirmed my suspicions. I've been having so many symptoms, mostly tired and a cold just hanging around forever, and she said the treatment continues up to 2 months out of the hospital. Duh! She probably told me this, but my mind was so weird that I probably didn't remember it. She also said that my immune system is really low right now and to continue being careful of sickness. She said stay away from big groups of people, especially church. Dang it! I've been wanting to go back.

On another note, I am all ready for Thanksgiving! I finished my shopping today. I split my shopping into two so I could get two turkeys. I had to spend $25 and get a cheap turkey. Sweet! I am excited to relax this next weekend. This weekend on the other hand there will be no relaxing! It is time for the Rivalry! The Utah vs. BYU football game. I am so excited I can't stand it! If you know me well, you know who I root for, If you don't, I wear lots and lots of red! I know it doesn't make sense with a brother and sister that both graduated from the Y, but maybe that's part of it. I'm the black sheep of the family, right? At least I was as a teenager! I've tamed a bit.
Anyways, I am well and enjoying the kids and this holiday season! I can't wait to put up my Christmas tree next Friday. No black Friday shopping for me, at least not in the morning. I'll be too busy decorating and listening to Christmas music. Yay!

Kids Pictures

It's been a while since I've posted. Probably a good thing. I am doing pretty well. I got sick with a cold this weekend, which makes me wonder why I go out in public at all. I guess it could have been Brooklyn bringing it home, too. Who knows. All I know is when I get a cold, it hits me extra hard. All my glands are already swollen, so they get super sensitive. Yuck. I am feeling much better today though. I have a busy weekend coming up. We are celebrating Brooklyn's 7th birthday and she has invited 16 girls over. It's gonna get crazy here!
I am feeling pretty good most of the time. It hits me mostly at night. I feel tired and my neck aches. I am still making it through my days. I don't have all the energy I am used to yet, but I am trying to be patient. I've been wanting to go through some cluttered areas in my house, but again, either the drive isn't there, or my energy is still low. Not sure. I do have an unexplained weight loss, which makes me a little nervous. I feel like I am constantly eating and constantly hungry. We aren't sure if this is a bad sign or not. Have you ever noticed that a lot of cancer patients are super skinny? I'm not there yet, but still losing. We wonder if it is the treatment still working in my body or if that has worked its way through my system yet. I guess I have some questions to ask. Also this weekend I got scared because the tumor on my rib started hurting really bad. To the point where it hurt to breathe. Now I think it was related to my cold for some reason. It only hurt when I was sickest. Now that I am feeling better, it's not hurting more than it used to. My body is weird.
I am so grateful for all the help these past weeks! For all the meals and service in my behalf. Everyone is so genuine and caring!
Oh, last week I met with a lady from the burn unit up at UofU Hospital. She was so sweet. One of my nurses from my last hospital stay set it up. I had told him that there is no support group for me up at Huntsman, and he mentioned this lady. We have two totally different situations, but it seemed to work. We both have struggled and are struggling through some similar situations, fear of going out in public, and dealing with kids through hospital stays and all their emotions. She made me feel good about myself and helped me know that I am a strong woman! I usually have good days, self esteem wise, but there are also days I don't want to go out of the house. On my good days, I don't notice anyone looking at me weird (mostly kids look), but on bad days, I think everyone is looking. My head gets kinda messed up sometimes. I know it is Satan trying to pull me down and make me feel bad about myself, and you know what, sometimes it works, but I pull myself right back on top again.
This whole thing has been such a struggle for me and my family, but I know that we are so much closer for it. We have reminders all the time of everything we have been through. They aired a documentary on PBS last night about Justin's Marine group that went to Iraq and how hard it is for them to adjust back to life in the states after. It focused on four guys that Justin knew very well. It was hard to watch because we know that they are all struggling. We did extensive interviews years ago for this documentary, but the director decided to go a different way. We were in the film for a short second (Justin, Brooklyn and I were at the park swinging Brooklyn) and pics of Justin in group shots. It was neat to see, but also sad.
Any ways, I've dragged on long enough. I'm sure I'll post pics of Brooklyn's party and celebrations after this weekend!

Central line came out

Yesterday I went to get my Hickman central line out (the thing that all my meds went into). I decided I have been through enough and went for the sedation they offered. It was painful enough going in without sedation, I didn't even want to know what it felt like coming out after 5 weeks of being there. I waited an hour and a half (they were running behind) and they finally were ready for me. It took them four tries to get my IV going for the sedation. I wasn't sure what was worse at that point, another try at the IV or forgoing the sedation. They finally got it and I was given meds. I had the same doctor that put the line in taking it out. He recognized me because not many get it put in without sedation. He asked me how bad it really was. I told him the worst part was the lidocaine shots. Also the tugging and pulling and shoving at my chest was unpleasant! I am very very sore today where the line was which makes me glad for the sedation. They had to go under the skin and loosen it up to get it out. Ouch.
I am excited to watch the Utah vs. TCU game tonight. I am a bit nervous for the outcome. If Utah is gonna lose a game, this will be the one. I hope not. The Utes have been so good all season and are a really good team. Let's hope for the best!