Sunday, September 22 - first day of fall

When someone makes a verbal comment that they've read my blog but no new entries....I figure I'd better write something!

(I also just found the 'paragraph' option!!!)

I'm feeling great! Enjoying the 'waiting' game to see Dr. May to find out the results of this test that will determine what 'therapy' I will be doing. My appt. is scheduled for the 10th of October.

I'm doing great with my new menu (eating habits). I totally enjoy seeing the numbers on the bathroom scale go DOWN!!! So far I have lost 10 lbs! and no exercising. I did walk the dogs a few times but that doesn't really count as I don't do it daily. I should, but Marlee pulls and walks back and forth, from one side of the road to the next and when Jersey stops to sniff something - Marlee has to sniff it to!!! They are really funny to watch - or maybe when people pass us in the road - I wonder what THEY are thinking!!!

We went to a Memorial Serice yesterday (Saturday) for Charlie's brother in law's sister's son. He had passed away several months ago and (the parents) Gail and Lou live down in SC close to Cathy and Carl (Charlie's sister and bro in law). They all use to live up here in the Boonton Township area. Funny how you forget that friends of theirs were there too so we had caught up with a few of them. Seems like a lifetime ago with not seeing them and they still live in this area. A sad day turned into a small reunion. They had 40 blue balloons (the age of the son) with photo's attached to the string which they let go at the end of the service - so pretty!

Other than this....I've been keeping myself busy...Charlie is ALWAYS doing something! The man never sits still until the sun goes down - as his eyelids do the same thing! After dinner he relaxes on the recliner watching a show and the eyelids close! Out for the count!

Samantha will be graduating in December and we will be driving down - arrangements are made! We're driving so we can put some of her things in my car. December in SC...wonder if I'll be able to have my top down???? I really wouldn't count on it...with our luck SC will have a snow or ice storm!!!

I may not be posting for another week or two....just to let you know - no news is great news!!!!

Thursday, September 12th

Just came back from my follow up office visit with the surgeon. I did end up having some fluid which she extracted...wasn't a lot...normal amount.....BUT I did find out that I have Stage 2 - it went to one of my lymph nodes. No more surgery needed or recommended by my oncologist as chemo will take care of it. < > I had a call yesterday from the lab that will be running this test on the tumor which was removed - Onotype dx - it will show a 'grade' of cancer and then that will help determine what type of treatment needed....chemo via IV or pill; hormone therapy and/or radiation. The results will take 14 business days and then they are faxed to both the surgeon and oncologist. I had to cancel my appt. with Dr. May for next Wednesday so we could find out more at the later date which will be October 10th...I'm sure chemo will begin shortly after that. < > Other than all that...I'm feeling fine, energy level good/great! and I love my new way of eating. Some people would call it a diet...I just say it's the new......I made myself an omlet for breakfast = peppers/onions/asparagus/broccoli/turkey (leftover from dinner) with an egg.....yum! very good! lunch is usually a salad with veggies/avocado/meat/tomatoe/cucumber and anything else I might have in the refrig. I made spaghetti squash the other day and there is still some more in the refrigerato...now its me and Paul = who gets to leftovers first!!!! please excuse the type-o's....I can't seem to find the spell check on this!!!!

Friday, September 6th

Another good day....I'm actually writing this after midnight = making this really Saturday! < > Took my shower today! Feels so good to be under that nice warm running water! I did shampoo my hair on Thursday...thank goodness I have that nice sink in the basement!!!! < > Looked at myself....I'm still there...a little less of me, but I'm all there!!! Thank you God! < > Didn't do much today, Charlie went golfing with Nicholas during the day. He just joined a bowling team which began tonight...he had fun! He needs some downtime and time to enjoy himself...he's always so busy! < > I mentioned (I think) that we bought a hammock (with a stand) and we put it on our top deck...it's pretty nice for the price we paid! I laid out there for about an hour. Even with the temperture being chilly, the sun was very warm! I'm not ready for the summer to end! < > This morning while preparing breakfast, I had to put on socks! My feet were so cold! < > That's all folks...not much more to add.

Thursday, September 5th

Got up to use the bathroom about 4 AM and the cat was right besides me wanting to go out...so downstairs I went, gave her some food and out the door she went! Then got up again about 6:30 and the dogs wanted to go out = Charlie still fast asleep....down I go and also fill up my ice pack bag. I also used this 'great butterfly pillow' that was given to me to help sleep or rest my arm - worked out great!!! The next thing I know, I smell Paul cooking his breakfast and I look at the clock = 10:30!!!! I have never slept that long!!!! Charlie too!!!! < > Got up and Charlie made his coffe, I made breakfast = turkey bacon and fried eggs. Then I did the dishes....hmmmm, I thought the surgeon said I should rest at least one day....guess 'they' thought the one day was yesterday! < > Which doesn't matter, I feel very well! A little sore but not enough to have to take any medication, not even a Tylenol. < > Charie finally put together an outside hammock (on a stand) instead of vacuuming the top floor (the dogs sleep in our room and on the loft so there is always dog hair which I vacuum every day. < > Charlie just left to cut the township ball field so I will fix the bed....I will try my hardest NOT to vacuum as per doctor, but if I do, it will be with my left hand/arm. < > Not too bad sleeping last night. I propped myself up on the bed reading pillow (looks like the top of a chair) which I ended up sliding down during the night. Then I used this 'butterfly pillow' that I was given from a friend that uses/used this for the same purpose....it was really comfy...I should have used it earlier in the night! It is now my 'buddy pillow' which I tuck under my arm. < > It's almost 1 pm and now to begin my day.....wonder how much I will actually accomplish on my own. I know I won't push myself - just do what I can and I do know when to stop. < > again, thank you all for your support and prayers!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

I'd say, I could write a book - but I have so far!!! I do have a tendency to not leave out too many details.....hope you don't mind reading it all! > < Left here this morning at 6:15 to get to Newton Memorial Hospital by 6:45....checked in and then they hooked me up - to IV, blood pressure monitor and put the leg compressors on but not plugged in. Waited until 8:30 to go for this radation thing (I forget what they call it). Surgeon Dr. O'Shea said that it may burn for about 90 seconds. The gentleman along with the doctor that injected me said - a lot of women don't complain about it but then again, there are some that do! Twice I was 'shot'....and with no problem - no burning....just felt the 'pinch' as you do with anytype of needle! Then under this thing that looked like a CT scan machine. Layed there for 10 or 15 minutes then he turned it to my side for another 10/15 minutes....then back to my 'holding tank'.....the worst thing is this IV = it goes right through me....I visited the restroom about a dozen times!!!! > < Dr. O'Shea spoke to us right before the surgery and then she talked to Charlie afterwards. < > I had two (2) lymph nodes removed and the lesion. She told Charlie they looked fine but it was more of a precaution. All these are being sent to a lab and then they will get the results in about two weeks, right before I see her for a check up. < > I feel a little groggy...or maybe it's just my eyelids that are heavy. Not having enough sleep and the anticipation of this and praying that this day would FLY by! < > Newton Hospital has changed completely on the inside...it looks so nice! and they have WiFi so I was able to play my Word With Friends (thanks for Barb being available during that time of day too!), checking facebook, my gmail account and playing solitair was a timesaver too. Charlie sat beside me the entire time...he reading his book and me with my Kindle!!! < > I think I got it all down....came home and had some baked turkey cold cuts...and now I'm hungry again! ==just to say this....a lumpectomy isn't as bad as you would think. So, don't be like me and wait until, until, the lesion would get too big.....go and have your mammogram!!! Good grief now I'm telling YOU what to do!!! < > Thank you all for your prayers, positive thoughts and for being here!!!