I finally got to Sparta Cancer Center! Isn't that weird that I was excited to go there?!!! When I checked in with the receptionist I told her I was getting my port flushed....When I went in the nurse said that she was happy that I made the appointment to see the doctor per her telephone call to me.....huh? I never received a phone call......and then she asked me if I got the letter for the county for the Jury Summons....NO, didn't get that either.
She gave me the letter - and it was dated when I first asked...now, did she mail it to me? If so, I never received it....being that our mailbox door is off (someone did it purposely) does that mean that whomever did this is also stealing our mail?
I saw Dr. May and besides having my port flushed they are doing blood work. I will have a CT scan within the next two weeks, then we will see what direction we will go.
I've waited this long, I hope I can begin 'whatever' in January -- and enjoy this holiday season feeling as good as I do now!
They must have been slow today, my appointment was at 1 pm and I was out by 2 pm.....guess everyone is busy getting ready for Thursday --Thanksgiving!
On that note: Happy Thanksgiving to ALL! We have a lot to be thankful for. Eat well, enjoy your meal...diets can start on the weekend or Monday - when all the leftovers are gone!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Friday, November 17th
Made my third (3) call to the oncologist today. This time I only asked for an appointment to have my port flushed. The other two times I asked not only for that, but to find out when I'd begin chemo again AND to see if I could have a letter for the county stating I am doing chemo and can not serve on a jury (I received a Jury Summons for Dec. 10th)....they were suppose to call me -- never received a call back!
Charlie had minor surgery last Wednesday, the 7th and thought he'd be back to work the following day....he went back several days later (on Tuesday the 13th)......when he retires, it will be an interesting life!!!! This is the first time, ever that I can remember, he just sat around doing absolutely nothing.
We had either 12 or 13 trees cut down on Wednesday. One was okay and close to the back door of our house. The guy looked at the root system and said it wouldn't be long before it would fall - roots and all....so that was our decision to have that one cut. Amazing how one man climbed up the tree (which was reallllllly high) and took a limb at a time. Our arbor didn't make it - which was okay as it was a little too narrow, and it looks nice without it now. We have branches in two piles in the back and a lot on the sides of the driveway....and LOTS of huge pieces here, there and everywhere! Charlie has to buy a 'new' chain saw as his old one gave out. We have enough wood to burn for a real long time!
Charlie's brother, Christopher, is here today finishing up laying the tiles on the hearth and fake stone around the fireplace for our new pellet stove. We are putting it (free standing) in front of the fireplace in the living room. The wood stove is in the great room and heats the two bedrooms over the garage and the kitchen. Our bedroom (on the second floor) is still chilly; this pellet stove will heat up our room and the back part of the house on the first floor (the rooms under our bedroom). We're putting in all these great things which really makes the house self sufficient and then --- we'll put it on the market and sell it........
It will be a quiet Thanksgiving here. Paul is still in Miami and Samantha down in S.C. at school....so it will be me, Charlie and Nicholas. I'll serve the same food as if everyone were here: lasagna, turkey, stuffing, veggies, potatoes and for dessert I will bake a cake (Nick doesn't care for apple or pumpkin pie). I also have a small cheesecake that we will have. I think this is the first holiday - ever - that it was just a total of three people! Which makes for easy clean up! Well, maybe not easy but faster.
I think I mentioned that we only lost power from Monday evening until Wednesday night...we were very lucky! I was afraid to say it to all thinking that the power company may have realized that we shouldn't have had it that early....but for the last two outages that we had and being out for six days each time, maybe they felt we were due to have our power restored early!
I read on facebook that the Christmas tree that will be in Rockefeller Center is from Budd Lake/Mount Olive! We had the house/salon there 25 years ago. Nice to know that NJ was considered for this....
For not blogging several weeks, I believe you are all up to date on what's happening here!
Happy Thanksgiving wishes to all!
Charlie had minor surgery last Wednesday, the 7th and thought he'd be back to work the following day....he went back several days later (on Tuesday the 13th)......when he retires, it will be an interesting life!!!! This is the first time, ever that I can remember, he just sat around doing absolutely nothing.
We had either 12 or 13 trees cut down on Wednesday. One was okay and close to the back door of our house. The guy looked at the root system and said it wouldn't be long before it would fall - roots and all....so that was our decision to have that one cut. Amazing how one man climbed up the tree (which was reallllllly high) and took a limb at a time. Our arbor didn't make it - which was okay as it was a little too narrow, and it looks nice without it now. We have branches in two piles in the back and a lot on the sides of the driveway....and LOTS of huge pieces here, there and everywhere! Charlie has to buy a 'new' chain saw as his old one gave out. We have enough wood to burn for a real long time!
Charlie's brother, Christopher, is here today finishing up laying the tiles on the hearth and fake stone around the fireplace for our new pellet stove. We are putting it (free standing) in front of the fireplace in the living room. The wood stove is in the great room and heats the two bedrooms over the garage and the kitchen. Our bedroom (on the second floor) is still chilly; this pellet stove will heat up our room and the back part of the house on the first floor (the rooms under our bedroom). We're putting in all these great things which really makes the house self sufficient and then --- we'll put it on the market and sell it........
It will be a quiet Thanksgiving here. Paul is still in Miami and Samantha down in S.C. at school....so it will be me, Charlie and Nicholas. I'll serve the same food as if everyone were here: lasagna, turkey, stuffing, veggies, potatoes and for dessert I will bake a cake (Nick doesn't care for apple or pumpkin pie). I also have a small cheesecake that we will have. I think this is the first holiday - ever - that it was just a total of three people! Which makes for easy clean up! Well, maybe not easy but faster.
I think I mentioned that we only lost power from Monday evening until Wednesday night...we were very lucky! I was afraid to say it to all thinking that the power company may have realized that we shouldn't have had it that early....but for the last two outages that we had and being out for six days each time, maybe they felt we were due to have our power restored early!
I read on facebook that the Christmas tree that will be in Rockefeller Center is from Budd Lake/Mount Olive! We had the house/salon there 25 years ago. Nice to know that NJ was considered for this....
For not blogging several weeks, I believe you are all up to date on what's happening here!
Happy Thanksgiving wishes to all!
Friday, October 26, 2012
just venting - no health issues....Friday, Oct. 26
Is this an omen or what....for some unknown reason I am meant to stay at home!
Hurricane Sandy....when was the last time, this year, that we had to worry about a hurricane in our area?
Just when we (Charlie and I) were planning on attending our niece, April Halvorsen's (Charlie's sister Cathy's daughter), wedding in S. C......everything was going along just fine.
Charlie made his reservations, along with his sister Mary, booking a flight down and back home for a long weekend....a few days later, with me feeling as good as I do and not doing chemo, I thought it would be nice to get-a-way especially for a wedding and to get a chance to see Samantha.
The best laid plans.....When Charlie went to print out our boarding passes only mine came up....what the heck happened....he booked his own flight and it was confirmed and then when he did mine they cancelled his???? without them telling him???? What the heck is going on?! and then only giving you 24 hour notice (to print out boarding passes) to find out. To make a long story short (which you all know I have a hard time doing)....he booked a flight from Newark to Charlotte, N.C. (a mear two hour drive to his sister's house, rather than the norm 1 hour drive from the closest airport in Greenville/Spartanbur, S.C.)....now the fare is not at the first (less expensive original) price...it's now almost $800.! To book both of us? Way too expensive! and then knowing the hurricane was coming - I just wasn't comfortable going.....so is this an omen or something?
One of our last family vacations was during Thanksgiving week - our cruise - from NYC to Fla, Nassau and someplace else -- which we never got to! A nor-east-er!!!! In the end of November!!! We ended up on the ship in Virginia!!! never got any farther than that.
I tell you, I am not a person to leave my home!!!
Now to pray that Charlie and his sister come back home on their scheduled flight = Monday, the 29th to arrive in Newark about 12:30 pm......
Before all this, I had been talking to a friend, wondering if I should take Dramamine....a short flight....then heard the weather forecast and bought it....packed my luggage...then found out about this error in the flight arrangements......Dramamine stayed home with me, as well as my suitcase!
Nicholas was going to stay here with Jersey, Marlee and the cat....and one night (Sunday) he was going back home for work in the morning and not having to commute from here; Joni (our neighbor) planned on sleeping here with the pets (as they were never alone at night before).....and now, I have plenty of food, a clean house, and boredom!!!!
Okay, done venting....I'm feeling fine.....not sure when I will begin chemo. Dr. May would like me to get a scan first and I may have to wait a full 8 weeks to do that for the insurance to pay....I will find out next week what our schedule will be.....
Hope we all survive Sandy!!!! Our generator is ready for a 'full house' run - water, TV, refrig., oven....all the basic necessities that we never had with a power outage.....I'm ready for anything!!! Well, just about anything!
Hurricane Sandy....when was the last time, this year, that we had to worry about a hurricane in our area?
Just when we (Charlie and I) were planning on attending our niece, April Halvorsen's (Charlie's sister Cathy's daughter), wedding in S. C......everything was going along just fine.
Charlie made his reservations, along with his sister Mary, booking a flight down and back home for a long weekend....a few days later, with me feeling as good as I do and not doing chemo, I thought it would be nice to get-a-way especially for a wedding and to get a chance to see Samantha.
The best laid plans.....When Charlie went to print out our boarding passes only mine came up....what the heck happened....he booked his own flight and it was confirmed and then when he did mine they cancelled his???? without them telling him???? What the heck is going on?! and then only giving you 24 hour notice (to print out boarding passes) to find out. To make a long story short (which you all know I have a hard time doing)....he booked a flight from Newark to Charlotte, N.C. (a mear two hour drive to his sister's house, rather than the norm 1 hour drive from the closest airport in Greenville/Spartanbur, S.C.)....now the fare is not at the first (less expensive original) price...it's now almost $800.! To book both of us? Way too expensive! and then knowing the hurricane was coming - I just wasn't comfortable going.....so is this an omen or something?
One of our last family vacations was during Thanksgiving week - our cruise - from NYC to Fla, Nassau and someplace else -- which we never got to! A nor-east-er!!!! In the end of November!!! We ended up on the ship in Virginia!!! never got any farther than that.
I tell you, I am not a person to leave my home!!!
Now to pray that Charlie and his sister come back home on their scheduled flight = Monday, the 29th to arrive in Newark about 12:30 pm......
Before all this, I had been talking to a friend, wondering if I should take Dramamine....a short flight....then heard the weather forecast and bought it....packed my luggage...then found out about this error in the flight arrangements......Dramamine stayed home with me, as well as my suitcase!
Nicholas was going to stay here with Jersey, Marlee and the cat....and one night (Sunday) he was going back home for work in the morning and not having to commute from here; Joni (our neighbor) planned on sleeping here with the pets (as they were never alone at night before).....and now, I have plenty of food, a clean house, and boredom!!!!
Okay, done venting....I'm feeling fine.....not sure when I will begin chemo. Dr. May would like me to get a scan first and I may have to wait a full 8 weeks to do that for the insurance to pay....I will find out next week what our schedule will be.....
Hope we all survive Sandy!!!! Our generator is ready for a 'full house' run - water, TV, refrig., oven....all the basic necessities that we never had with a power outage.....I'm ready for anything!!! Well, just about anything!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Wednesday, October 10th
Just realized that I haven't blogged in a while.....everything is fine.....I feel great - like my old self! I think that's a good thing!!! Being able to collect social security = means I'm old! but I don't feel like it!
I didn't re-read my last blog, so I may end up repeating what I've said. I will begin chemo again - most likely in the middle of November. Charlie and I are going to S.C. to our niece's wedding which I decided to go when I realized = why sit at home when I can go along! and even get to see Samantha! Nicholas will be staying here with the dogs and cat.
I had mentioned to Dr. May that 'maybe' instead of doing the chemo every other week - maybe once in a while we can skip a week. She never replied about that - but I'm thinking = it's my body and I'm sure she'll go along with it....what can she do if one week I decide NOT to do the chemo? She can yell at me = but she isn't a mean person like Dr. Kemeny!!!! I still re-live that day in my mind every so often! What a day mare!!!!
Sam is enjoying school...she has a lot on her plate....always keeping busy. Being 21, having 2 great roommates, going to the gym, football games and tailgating, making some money and getting some money for food while living away from home....duh, no brainer! What a life!!! and it's warm there!!!
Paul is down in Miami Beach, weather has been iffy - one day some rain, another day its beautiful out. He's been going on lots of casting calls that he is requested....but still waiting for 'that right job'.....he's been working some too. This past weekend he and his roommate went driving around and checking out the area....He even got his first haircut (not by me!)...at first he didn't like it and then when he styled it, he was happier. He had asked me for that haircut but I told him he wouldn't care for it. Glad someone else did it first!
Nicholas has been busy with work and traveling. A week ago he was in Denver, Colorado - he arrived on Sunday and left Wednesday afternoon to go to Birmingham, Alabama - flying into Atlanta, Georgia then driving to his destination and stayed until Friday afternoon......I asked him when he gets up during the night = does he remember where he is?! His next trip is the Philippians! for 10 days! He brought me back some chocolate from Brussels.....I enjoy my chocolate.....but this chocolate....OMG! it is sooo smooth going down. If you ever have a chance to taste any chocolate from Brussels - do it!!! He brought Charlie back his bottle of beer....Charlie has so many bottles from all over the country/world, he's running out of space on his bar! He needs to build another shelf to put them on!
This weather is changing too fast for me. Pretty chilly out there! If my Mom was still here - we'd have the heat on....but with the cost of oil being so high, I can cope with the chill in the air. Charlie puts the wood stove on when he gets home at night. Thank goodness I still get my power surges - they don't last long, but long enough that I warm myself up!
I guess you're up to date now....living life and enjoying it! Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.
IF you remember, mark your calendar: Saturday, October 13th at noon - please say the Rosary. It is the anniversary of the Blessed Mother - Lady of Fatima.....please pass this along to anyone you know.
I didn't re-read my last blog, so I may end up repeating what I've said. I will begin chemo again - most likely in the middle of November. Charlie and I are going to S.C. to our niece's wedding which I decided to go when I realized = why sit at home when I can go along! and even get to see Samantha! Nicholas will be staying here with the dogs and cat.
I had mentioned to Dr. May that 'maybe' instead of doing the chemo every other week - maybe once in a while we can skip a week. She never replied about that - but I'm thinking = it's my body and I'm sure she'll go along with it....what can she do if one week I decide NOT to do the chemo? She can yell at me = but she isn't a mean person like Dr. Kemeny!!!! I still re-live that day in my mind every so often! What a day mare!!!!
Sam is enjoying school...she has a lot on her plate....always keeping busy. Being 21, having 2 great roommates, going to the gym, football games and tailgating, making some money and getting some money for food while living away from home....duh, no brainer! What a life!!! and it's warm there!!!
Paul is down in Miami Beach, weather has been iffy - one day some rain, another day its beautiful out. He's been going on lots of casting calls that he is requested....but still waiting for 'that right job'.....he's been working some too. This past weekend he and his roommate went driving around and checking out the area....He even got his first haircut (not by me!)...at first he didn't like it and then when he styled it, he was happier. He had asked me for that haircut but I told him he wouldn't care for it. Glad someone else did it first!
Nicholas has been busy with work and traveling. A week ago he was in Denver, Colorado - he arrived on Sunday and left Wednesday afternoon to go to Birmingham, Alabama - flying into Atlanta, Georgia then driving to his destination and stayed until Friday afternoon......I asked him when he gets up during the night = does he remember where he is?! His next trip is the Philippians! for 10 days! He brought me back some chocolate from Brussels.....I enjoy my chocolate.....but this chocolate....OMG! it is sooo smooth going down. If you ever have a chance to taste any chocolate from Brussels - do it!!! He brought Charlie back his bottle of beer....Charlie has so many bottles from all over the country/world, he's running out of space on his bar! He needs to build another shelf to put them on!
This weather is changing too fast for me. Pretty chilly out there! If my Mom was still here - we'd have the heat on....but with the cost of oil being so high, I can cope with the chill in the air. Charlie puts the wood stove on when he gets home at night. Thank goodness I still get my power surges - they don't last long, but long enough that I warm myself up!
I guess you're up to date now....living life and enjoying it! Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.
IF you remember, mark your calendar: Saturday, October 13th at noon - please say the Rosary. It is the anniversary of the Blessed Mother - Lady of Fatima.....please pass this along to anyone you know.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thursday, September 27th
I went to Sparta Cancer Center to have my port flushed (this should be done if the port is not accessed for chemo and should be done between 4 to 6 weeks)...it's flushed with a saline solution.
I spoke with Dr. May afterwards and told her my experience at Sloan and the lovely Dr. Kemeny. She laughed and said she was sorry but she had a feeling she may not have any bed side manners!!! Anyway, I told her what was suggested = chemo and the pump put in....Dr. May said the same thing as we did this last time...why do chemo AND the pump....do one or the other. She also said there is a new drug and something I should think about. I still have to 'look it up' but I think I remember seeing it on the Sloan site. One of the side effects could be 'bleeding'...I think it's internal, gastro...something....but don't quote me here....I still have to look it up. But she also said that because I get these symptoms that I find hard to bear that if we do chemo again we don't necessarily have to do it every other week - all the time. We maybe able to skip a week here or there and then maybe even take a break.
I'm feeling a bit more positive about this. When I first heard about the pump, I was excited and ready to do it...but finding two 'new' lesions in my lungs - I knew chemo only, was the way to go for me....now hearing about it - again - I'll find anything to be negative about it....winter is coming and to travel back and forth to the city - you never know...even with going to Sparta - but that is so much closer.
I think I'll just take off the month of October and most likely start in November.....
Oh, Dr. May also said I should 'report' her to the hospital....AND Dr. Halabe (spell??) said that she was NOT the woman that founded this pump. A doctor in Indiana did...so she 'stole' his research....well, not really...she just jumped right on it!!!! No wonder why she's so mean! She has skeletons in her closet!
I spoke with Dr. May afterwards and told her my experience at Sloan and the lovely Dr. Kemeny. She laughed and said she was sorry but she had a feeling she may not have any bed side manners!!! Anyway, I told her what was suggested = chemo and the pump put in....Dr. May said the same thing as we did this last time...why do chemo AND the pump....do one or the other. She also said there is a new drug and something I should think about. I still have to 'look it up' but I think I remember seeing it on the Sloan site. One of the side effects could be 'bleeding'...I think it's internal, gastro...something....but don't quote me here....I still have to look it up. But she also said that because I get these symptoms that I find hard to bear that if we do chemo again we don't necessarily have to do it every other week - all the time. We maybe able to skip a week here or there and then maybe even take a break.
I'm feeling a bit more positive about this. When I first heard about the pump, I was excited and ready to do it...but finding two 'new' lesions in my lungs - I knew chemo only, was the way to go for me....now hearing about it - again - I'll find anything to be negative about it....winter is coming and to travel back and forth to the city - you never know...even with going to Sparta - but that is so much closer.
I think I'll just take off the month of October and most likely start in November.....
Oh, Dr. May also said I should 'report' her to the hospital....AND Dr. Halabe (spell??) said that she was NOT the woman that founded this pump. A doctor in Indiana did...so she 'stole' his research....well, not really...she just jumped right on it!!!! No wonder why she's so mean! She has skeletons in her closet!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
very late Thursday, Sept. 20th or Friday morning the 21st
I spoke with a friend of a friend that has stage 4 colon cancer. He found out a few months ago and I told him of my journey....He ended up going to Sloan and now has a pump! He also sees Dr. Kemeny and he feels the same way seeing her disposition! but feels she can act that way because she was the one that did the main research for this pump.
He is very comfortable using this pump...he also had a colon resection at the same time he had the pump placed. He is also going for chemo which gave/gives him the same symptom as I complained of = diarrhea. Dr. Kemeny gave him a script for it and he used it for the first time...said he was okay - so far....but he also experienced it for six days! He said the worst part is the waiting to get into the office for either the chemo or the pump chemo. He and his wife drive into the city for each visit.
I will contact the surgeon (Dr. Allen) later today to talk to him about this. I'm thinking of doing this. It really does have great results and the chemo wouldn't be forever...not sure how long....but if the pump is only for 6 months...that maybe the same amount of time - 2 x a month for both = which equals to every week of doing something.....I think.....
I just hate the idea of having to actually 'see and talk' to Dr. Kemeny - again!!!! The feeling of your fingernails scratching a chalkboard!!!! is the feeling I get just thinking about this!!!!
A new adventure!
He is very comfortable using this pump...he also had a colon resection at the same time he had the pump placed. He is also going for chemo which gave/gives him the same symptom as I complained of = diarrhea. Dr. Kemeny gave him a script for it and he used it for the first time...said he was okay - so far....but he also experienced it for six days! He said the worst part is the waiting to get into the office for either the chemo or the pump chemo. He and his wife drive into the city for each visit.
I will contact the surgeon (Dr. Allen) later today to talk to him about this. I'm thinking of doing this. It really does have great results and the chemo wouldn't be forever...not sure how long....but if the pump is only for 6 months...that maybe the same amount of time - 2 x a month for both = which equals to every week of doing something.....I think.....
I just hate the idea of having to actually 'see and talk' to Dr. Kemeny - again!!!! The feeling of your fingernails scratching a chalkboard!!!! is the feeling I get just thinking about this!!!!
A new adventure!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday, Sept. 19th
I just got back from the doctor in Bangor, PA......Paul took me and Charlie is working so he knows nothing....
This doctor (seems really nice) looked over my blood work and scan results and feels that I should continue with the chemo! and have the hepatic pump placed.....something I really wasn't ready for! He said, as Dr. May has, that as long as the chemo is working I should continue.
According to that sweetheart doctor (Kemeny) she said that with the pump and chemo - I should go about six months - every two weeks to have the pump filled then emptied....I don't remember the exact schedule....I just hope that I can see another oncologist - hopefully Dr. May in Sparta can do the chemo....
Charlie made arrangements to go to S.C. for our niece's wedding the end of October....meaning I will wait for the surgery to have the pump put in....but I'm sure before the actual surgery I would most likely need another scan and then bloodwork for pre-admission testing......
I am NOT looking forward to this at all!!!! I feel so good now! The PA doctor said that I should do a 'coffee enema' during chemo and that should make the diarrhea discomfort a little easier....oh, sounds like so much fun!!!!
This doctor (seems really nice) looked over my blood work and scan results and feels that I should continue with the chemo! and have the hepatic pump placed.....something I really wasn't ready for! He said, as Dr. May has, that as long as the chemo is working I should continue.
According to that sweetheart doctor (Kemeny) she said that with the pump and chemo - I should go about six months - every two weeks to have the pump filled then emptied....I don't remember the exact schedule....I just hope that I can see another oncologist - hopefully Dr. May in Sparta can do the chemo....
Charlie made arrangements to go to S.C. for our niece's wedding the end of October....meaning I will wait for the surgery to have the pump put in....but I'm sure before the actual surgery I would most likely need another scan and then bloodwork for pre-admission testing......
I am NOT looking forward to this at all!!!! I feel so good now! The PA doctor said that I should do a 'coffee enema' during chemo and that should make the diarrhea discomfort a little easier....oh, sounds like so much fun!!!!
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