Treatment Complete

Well yesterday I finished my 35 radiation treatments! I feel wonderful and am so excited to see what God has for me for the next chapter in my life.
Don't have to see my doctor for another 5 weeks! Will get another PET scan in about three months and then get my mediport removed. Thanks to all for the continued good thoughts and prayers. God is a great God!

My Hair

My hair is coming in a little different than I expected. I have posted a picture just in case anyone has an idea how I should style it.

1/2 way done!

today was my 16th radiation treatment. Half-way point!
Some skin burns and my white and red blood cells are going down but I feel great. I figure if I am feeling this good with low cells I will feel incredible a few weeks after radiation is through. Hope everyone is having a nice summer.

radiation

So far no issues with radiation!
Tom and I went took the boat to the Bahamas last weekend. God is great!
We had such a relaxing and fun time.

Sunday

Finally starting my radiation treatments tomorrow. The doctor wanted to start a week ago but there were issues getting the past PET scans and getting everything lined up right for the radiation to start.
Just got back from going away for the weekend. My niece, Carlie, graduated in Jacksonville. I got to see my kids and grandkids for the weekend. Those babies are too cute but they wore me out! Still working on getting my strength back.

30 years

Yesterday Tom and I celebrated our 30th anniversary. I think we have been together too long... we bought each other the exact same card!!!!!!
Going later today to pick up my original PET scan (the one that showed cancer in my intermammary nodes) to take to the radiology oncologist so he can line up where to shoot the radiation. I guess radiation will start tomorrow!?!?

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there. I am so proud of the moms that my daughters have become. My grandchildren are perfect my girls must be doing a great job! ;-)

Radiation Therapy

Went to the radiation oncologist today. Going back tomorrow for my 3D image and then will start radiation on Monday or Tuesday of next week. I will have 33 treatments which will take six and a half weeks. It should be MUCH easier than chemotherapy and I am looking forward to getting it started so I can be finished. After the radiation is done I will have another PET scan and then the surgeon will take my chemo port out! I am starting to see the light at the end of this tunnel!!

Great News

The Best News Yet!
I got the results of my post chemo PET scan results today.
It was ALL CLEAR. I am officially cancer FREE.
Thank you all for the millions of prayers.
God is a great God!

Florida Sun

okay,okay....everyone wonders why i wasn't wearing a hat in the pictures. I only took it off for the pictures. I have a cap that has a wrap that actually covers my face and is SPF 50. I had long pants and a long sleeved shirt on also. I look like a female unibomber with all my sun gear on.
So yes, I am being extra careful in the sun!
Had a great visit with an old friend (i think we are all old now) today. Nice to be able to go out for a few hours and not be exhausted the rest of the day. Oh, the little things make me so happy now!!

Sunday

Feeling so good. Getting my energy back!!
My brother and sisters are taking me on a cruise Thursday as a "congratulations for finishing chemo" gift. We will be going for 4 nights and heading out of Lauderdale and going to Cozumel. They got a great room with a big balcony so I can just hang out on the ocean....My favorite place!

life is sure looking up! Got to go fishing today

thursday

Had my PET scan today. Will see the doctor in a coupla weeks for the results.
They inject radioactive isotopes into your veins then you get to sleep for an hour before they do the scan. I am good at sleeping so it was no big deal.
My cells are obviously coming back well because I am feeling great. I am planning to go fishing tomorrow with Tom and Donnie. My first day back on a boat since being diagnosed and I cannot wait!

what's next

Now that I am done with my chemotherapy people are asking what is next.
This Thursday I am having a PET scan. I have an appointment April 6th to get the results from the scan. If all is clear then I will start with my 33 daily radiation treatments. As far as I know they will keep my port in for quite awhile so if there is a change in my health, it will be there. I just need to get it flushed out every month so it stays clear. Still smiling ;-) whenever I think of being done with chemo. That was miserable!!! My cells feel like they are coming back up. Went to a stretching class this morning. It is embarassing to be in with 90 year old women who can grab their ankles. I can hardly reach my knees anymore.

sunday

Still can't believe that I am done with my chemo treatments! Will take a few more days to get my strength back but get a big smile on my face everytime I think....NO MORE CHEMO!

la princessa de abuelita

Oh they are good for my heart.
She is practicing her monkey song.

My little man

Love getting pictures of my grandkids. They are good for my soul

almost done

last chemo is tomorrow morning!

Saturday

My hair is growing back in. I look like a Chia Pet

Wednesday

back to the doctor today. white cells are up to 4.
feeling good and get to start going back out now.

Saturday

Happy Easter Everyone!

Thursday evening

Running a slight fever 99.6
praying for it not to rise ANY more so I don't end up in
the hospital for the Easter weekend.
Tomorrow is Good Friday.
Thank you Jesus for being crucified for me!

low white cells

Still not feeling good. Went to the doctor and white blood cells are very low.
They are 1.2 and need to be between 7.5 - 10.
Doctor is putting me on strong antibiotics to keep away infections.
Asking for prayers to not get sick so I don't end up in the hospital.
Love to all.

Chemo #7 done

OUCH, this one really kicked me. Had chemo last Wednesday. Today,finally feel like my cells are coming back some. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers and thoughts.

Sunny Sunday

Feeling really good. Spent the morning in church and the afternoon relaxing. What a beautiful day to be in South Florida.

Tuesday

Worked 5 hours today! I am kicking chemos butt!

Sunday March 7

Tired, tired, tiiirrred

thursday

feeling good. Chemo #6 was yesterday. Only 2 more to go.
My dad is here and we went to see Avatar today. Great movie.

Tuesday - Already March?

Next chemo tomorrow. My buddy, Kim, is taking me. She is not too good with needles so it should be interesting! Thanks Ray for letting her work from home for the day so she can take care of me ;-)
Have been doing relaxation hypnotherapy through the Sari Center. It really help to calm me down and keep me focused on things above. Between that and the good drugs they give me before they pump the poison in, I should be good to go tomorrow.

beautiful Sunday

What a nice South Florida Sunday.
Gearing back up for another chemo treatment this Wednesday. Yuck!
Felt so good this past week that I went up to Jacksonville to spend time with
my sister and then to Quincy for a couple of days to see my kids/grandkids.
I am exhausted but it was worth it!

feeling good

Went to get my blood checked this morning and all is well. My whites, reds and platelets were all within the acceptable range. Yea!

Thursday Feb 11

New chemo is treating me much better. No nausea, vomiting, Yeah!
Didn't have to go get neulasta today for my white cells so that means no achy flu
symptoms for the next few days. So far so good. My white, red and platlets are
doing well. No real side effects from the steroids. All in all much happier with this new chemo. 9 weeks from now I will be done with all the chemo treatments
and on to radiation!
Thanks for all the continued prayers. God is so good!
Love to you all!

Tuesday Feb 9

Tomorrow is the new chemo, Taxetere. Hopefully easier than the past four.
I don't do well with the unknown! Tom has taken off work tomorrow to take me
for the infusion and stay with me for the day. Karyn is heading back down tomorrow
to babysit me for a few days. Ty Ty will be staying with Kathleen during the day and his daddy in the evening. I feel very blessed to have all this help during my treatments. How do people get through this without family and friends to support them?
Gotta start taking steroids today for the next 4 treatments..... I should be wired by tonite when it is time to go to sleep.
Karyn will be blogging for me the next few days.

Thursday Feb 4th

Thanks for all the emails inquiring as to how I am. I am doing well and just enjoying my time before my next chemo. Treatment is scheduled for this coming Wednesday the 10th. I will be starting my first of four treatments of taxotere. Not sure how I will respond to the new chemo but I have to start taking steroids the day before treatment and continue them the day of and after treatment. The doctor says this is to reduce the fluid retention that is caused by Taxotere and will make it easier on my heart.
I am really learning to use and enjoy all this "down" time that God has given me to learn more about myself!
Thanks for the continued prayers. Love you all!!

Race Day

What a blessing.
So many women, so many friends!

Tuesday

Actually went into work today for a few hours.

The last of the "Red Devil"

This is Julie blogging for Leslie.
Sorry I've been remiss. I hear some of you have been concerned because there have been no posts these last few days.
I'm happy to report Leslie is doing well. No nausea to speak of, but a lot of fatigue, which is a usual symptom of the chemo. She's mainly dealing with symptoms from the medication which stimulates white blood cell production, namely, aching bones. These symptoms should start to subside beginning tomorrow. Overall, the best she's felt after chemo so far!

Thank goodness this was the last of the "Red Devil!" The medication which will be used for the last four treatments comes with its own set of symptoms, but should be much less.

Thank you all (again)for your love and support.
It's awe-inspiring to see your love in action and will be remembered with gratitude.

I'm especially grateful to Tom for his steadfastness. He's a devoted husband and a good man. (Please wish him a happy 53rd birthday on Monday).

The night before chemo

Tuesday night, Julie is here and tomorrow is chemo again. Julie will try to be giving updates for the next few days. Thank you for continued prayers.

Posting on this blog

Figured how to let people blog. Just sign as anonymous when you go to publish your post. Put your name at the end of your post and I will know who it is from.
Some can still sign in as themselves but most need to do the anonymous trick.
Back to the old poison Koolaid on Wednesday. Prayers are appreciated!

Rainy Sunday Morning

Haven't blogged for a few days. Enjoying my time feeling better with higher white count before next chemo treatment this Wednesday. Julie is coming in Tuesday night to help until Sunday. Wendie will be flying in Monday evening for a few days. Very thankful for my sisters and brother.
My whole family will be down on the 30th for the "Race For The Cure". Looking forward to all being together.

Race for The Cure

It is January 30th! Have over 20 people registered on the team. Anyone else interested?
Getting warmer in West Palm it is 3:45 and 61 degrees. Now THIS is nice weather!

Raining Iguanas???

Raining in WPB and the temperature is dropping....who knows, maybe it will snow or at least sleet. It was raining Iguana's in my yard yesterday. I was sitting inside and saw something out of the corner of my eye then a boom. Went outside and an iguana was laying comatose with frostbite on his head. It was about 4-5 foot long!

Feeling better finally. Seems like 10-11 days after chemo is the majic time for me to start catching my breath again. Thanking God for the "good days"! Thanking my friends and family for all the prayers lifting me up!!

My Mariela

Isn't it great. She doesn't even realize grandma is bald! She just wants to wear my glasses!

cold outside but walking through the fire

Kids got back from Mexico around midnight last night. No problem going through customs. I have been going through an emotional slump so the timing of having my grandbaby here is great. Kids are great...she really doesn't care that grandma looks like a skinhead. One Dora the Explorer balloon and she is satisfied for hours.
Went to my first cancer support group last night. CF has a great christian based group and everyone was very helpful. Physically I am doing better than I am emotionally. This is a marathon and not just the 50 yard dash I was hoping for.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames shall not set you ablaze.

God doesn't open paths for us in advance of our coming. He doesn't promise help before help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them. Yet when we are on the edge of our need, God's hand is stretched out.
This is from Streams in the Desert, which was written in 1925 and sure holds true for me in my current walk with God.

Brrrr

The cold weather has sweetened the tangerines on our tree!
Alexandra, my niece, has flown in to keep me company.
Kathleen and her little family are flying home from 2 weeks in Mexico tonight.
Tom will be going down to Miami to pick them up around 10:30.
I hope they don't have too hard a time going through customs with
all that is going on these days.

My bald head is cold!

South Florida has finally gotten cold! It is 57 degrees right now (noon).
Listened to church online this morning again. Great New Years message by John Maxwell. I think I get a do-over in 2010! Will try to do better than '09. I love my God because he is a God of second (3rd, 4th, etc.) chances.
Still VERY weak but feeling like I am coming out of my Chemo daze. Looking forward to a good week. By Friday I should be feeling strong again if the past treatments are any indication of my healing.
Thank you friends for your continued prayers and emotional support.

Go Noles

Mucho better reaction to chemo this time! Dave and Wendie both left when the puking entertainment didn't happen. They like real entertainment!
Oh so happy to see my Bobby Bowden go out on a good note. Also, congratulations to Auburn (my niece's school)!
Thank you all for the continued prayers. I feel them all and am very uplifted by them. Don't know why lots of you can't still blog but appreciate the affirming emails too.
A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Years to you all.
P.S. Don't forget the Susan Komen walk for the Cure on January 30th!