30 and Random Updates

No I didn't forget about updating you crazy addicts. :) As therapeutic as blogging is, I have been trying to keep up with everything else in life. It seems as if my mind moves faster then my body these days.

I got my teeth cleaned today. If you only know what kind of ordeal that was...my goodness. First of I had to schedule it at the perfect time in my chemo cycle because of my blood count. Once I got my appointment when I needed it to be, she wouldn't touch me unless I was premedicated because of my medi-port. I know my mouth harbors bacteria but my port is under my skin...even if I licked it (for the record I just tried and was unsuccessful) I don't see how it could get infected. Ok, ok, after she explained it to me...and talked to the other staff I got 4 huge horse pills of Amoxicillin and had to use a medicated pre-rinse. She then looked in my mouth and said "wow". My heart rate increased. I wondered if the nasty, what some call 'metallic' slime in my mouth after chemo was causing issues with my teeth. She said " Your gums look great and it looks like I cleaned your teeth yesterday!" What a sigh of relief because it's been about 7 months. All that craziness and she didn't have to dig into my gums or stir things up. Oh well...at this point what is a dose of Amoxicillin going to hurt? I can hold bigger and bader legal drugs...what a lovely thing to be proud of.

So, the love of my life turned 30 this past weekend. To think, I remember when he was just a friend at 16. I will say, salt and pepper colored hair doesn't look bad on him. ;) He requested me to make him a German chocolate cake with banana pudding filling and coconut pecan icing. Interesting combination I know but he got what he wanted. He also reminded me as I was serving it that we didn't get a picture of it. Bummer!

This is my 'on' chemo week and the completion of my 6th cycle (12th treatment) on Thursday. I think I have it all figured out now. :) Today and tomorrow are kitchen days. Made beans in the crock today (I tend to burn them on the stove) for home made bean and cheese burritos to freeze. I have a chicken in the crock tonight to put together Brunswick stew tomorrow and I'm getting up early to make homemade Belgan waffles and pancakes to freeze as well. I'll get laundry done, meals planned for the next month, patches sewn on both the kids AWANAS vests, upstairs vacuumed, and I'll put Kalee up to cleaning the bathrooms. Yes, that is an important part of our eclectic curriculum. :) Next week I get another CT scan and the following week I get another PET scan. The results of those will tell us if a.) I'm finished but will be closely monitored, b.) I have a couple more cycles to go, or c.) I get to meet yet another specialist to address my spleen. Whatever it is, I know God will continue to have His hand in it.

I hope to one day learn how to brown potatoes rather than brown my pan.

I know how much a new windshield replacement will set one back....
that story to come soon. :)

Mom's Visit

Kalee and her Nana.

Me and my Mommy.

This is what I get when I say "smile".

The ONLY non-goofy faced picture Bear took. :)

Pretending like I belong in the kitchen.

But she does!

Kalee and Nana making Pizzelle's. YUM!

My excuse: I have been....

...visiting with my Mommy! :)

My Mom came out to visit from California last Thursday and went home and probably needs a vacation today. :) She did so much while she was here. Yes, my Mom wore an ironed apron while cooking meals to eat and freeze, straightened out the linen closet, kept up on laundry, cleaned my house, ironed sheets (yes, I promise she did)...and completed Birthday and Christmas shopping... and wrapped it all too. Oh my goodness I'm still stuck on the laundry part. At one time in my life I had all towels folded identically alternating colors and facing the same direction. Recently I'm thankful to have children that participate in putting them away...and today, it is once again organized where I can find things. :) I didn't know I had so many pillowcases! I'm thinking about labeling the shelves so the kiddos know where things are supposed to go. I know, that was funny wasn't it? She gave me an awesome massage and while she was here even learned how to crochet from Kalee and I. For the record, I think she is way better better at crocheting than using her hot glue gun to sew. ;D

After we dropped her off at the airport and Kalee cried the entire way home, I ate some of Mom's leftover macaroni and cheese with tomatoes (my Grandmothers recipe). Nothing is better than the cooking you were raised on. She also made pizzelles with anise, little cheddar meat loaves, beef and barley soup, and my Aunt Viv's chocolate eclairs. I'm thankful to have her cooking in my freezer. :) Bear woke up from nap asking "Why Nana have to go home, I miss her?" Max told me his break is over (even though school work replaced his break) and Kalee has asked for us to fly to California at least half a dozen times.

I got what I wanted... my Mommy. I'm such a big baby... a very grateful one. :)

Yes, I will post pictures...soon.

'Splode!

My brain's gunna 'splode!

I have been researching schools and now I'm praying about details like funding and the how's. I want to go back to school so bad I can taste it...amazing in itself, since chemo fried my taste buds.

Yesterday I met with the pulmonary Doctor. Great first impression! Good news; by looking at my radiology reports, he's not convinced that it's Bleomycin induce pulmonary toxicity. Sine they have to weigh and balance everything, he was going to talk to my oncologist and come up with a plan. I guess Thursday I will find out what they decided is best. My lung function is almost 20% better then it was when I got my last PFT....good stuff.

Max utilized his time wisely. He painted the f.r.o.g. ceiling and the doors upstairs. Still needs a second coat but WOW! Paint is good! He even sucked me into going around behind him cutting out and touching up. Watch us have everything painted just in time for PCS. I'll only agree if we get Spain...blame it on needing a siesta. Well ok, not much convincing if Italy, or anywhere in Europe was an option. How did I get on that subject?

Yeah, you can tell my mind is going...
in fact, it might already be gone.

FAQ...answers!

In no particular order....

Q: Did you shave your head because you wanted to? Or was your hair really falling out?

A: The day after my second treatment my hair started thinning, by the second day (Sat) I was pushing it back in my head for our last set of family pictures (my header pic) with hair. If I didn't shave on that day...which was also Mothers Day, I would be able to count my hairs. Today, I'm still bald.

Q: Did you loose all body hair?

A: I recently figured out that anything fabric touches, like my shoulders, are bald. Since I wear flip-flops I still do have some stragglers on my big toes. As for my hairy Italian legs, I have lost about 50% of it... and I can't tell you the last time I shaved my pits. :)

Q: What smell makes you sick?

A: ICK! Even thinking about it makes me want to loose my breakfast. The smell of saline. For some odd reason I don't taste it like most of the human population, I don't just smell it either...I have some kind of psychological disorder and associate it with chemo! I can instantly tell the person giving me the IV when they are in. Blah!

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve since being diagnosed?

A: This one is tough. I can't just give one answer. Since being diagnosed I can't stand walking out of stores and smelling cigarette smoke. In fact, I often times want to walk up to them and rip my cute little bandanna off my head and explain how I didn't ask for this...but you....you stupid moron...every single time you light that cigarette, you ARE! More pet peeves? Dirt, stinky kids, shoes inside...and yes, Kalee is responsible for disinfecting the doorknobs and light switches weekly because I'm allergic to germs right now.

Q: Do mosquitoes still bite you?

A: Yes. I hope my toxic blood serves them right.

Q: What has been your worst side effect?

A: Not being able to breathe. Yeah, that's definitely it. I have had several others that have been horrible but breathing is necessary.

Q: Are you being seen by military Doctors?

A: Not for oncology. The MTF (military treatment facility) differed me out to a civilian oncologist. My PCM and GYN are military...so I'm everywhere in a weird way. :) Civilian medical is definitely new to me and so are the insurance related headaches.

Q: You mentioned on the phone the other day that you couldn't drive, are you still driving?

A: Not as often as I used to! I move very slow for a week or so after chemo and will not put my children in a situation where I don't think I can adequately respond to stupid drivers. Not to mention that would make me a stupid if I got behind the wheel feeling that way. When I do drive I usually take Max's car. Mine is stick and it takes energy I don't want to give.

Q: Tell us how much weight you lost Averi.

A: Um, you butthead! That wasn't a question. But since you didn't say "Tell us how much you weigh now Averi", I'll answer... as of my last treatment 14 lbs....I think.

Q: How do you do it?

A: Do what? Live? I enjoy every moment I have with my family and thank God daily. Sometimes it looks like I stroll through this with no problems... when in fact every time I jump over another bump, God catches me and carries me over and gently sets me down on the other side. I have an amazing husband... that I honestly don't know how he does it! He wakes up beside me and holds my hand as we walk through each new day together not knowing what it's going to bring. Kalee, my second set of hands, she is always eager to assist to make things easier on me. Bear rubs my head and daily asks how I feel while being sure to tell me I'm beautiful with no hair. The question should be "How do they do it?" and that, I would have no answer for.

Q: How did you find out about the cancer?

A: If you click on this and scroll all the way down to the bottom of the month it will explain how I got diagnosed.

Q: I know you use to be weirded out with cleaning chemicals because many have been linked to cancer. Are you still that way?

A: Yes! All my family laughed at me when I, the crunchiest one of the bunch, got diagnosed. Truth is...we have no idea what causes this kind of cancer. Supposedly it is not hereditary or linked to pesticides. Some chemicals in cleaners and personal care products HAVE been linked to cancer and since I have taken interest and educated myself in that area, I choose to reduce exposure. I'm not saying you won't find chemicals anywhere in my house (even though once upon a time it was that way). You will find me use a lot of vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda to clean with and coconut oil, olive oil, baking soda, corn starch, essential oil, honey and cider vinegar as personal care products (deodorant, moisturizer, conditioner...etc). At the very least it saves money...something that thrills me. :)

Ask Away!

Comment this post (will not approve for others to see), text, e-mail, myspace or facebook me your questions within the next day or so and I will answer it...anonymously :)

Yes I will.

I'll answer my most popular "do you still have to shave" question, and "is your hair growing back"?

I'll tell you what smell makes me sick and my biggest pet-peeve since I got diagnosed.

I'll even ask Max and the kids questions if you want to see a different perspective.

So, ask away! Many have come to me with questions recently and many are repeats so I figure if more then one individual is curious....I'll answer you all. :)

Treatment #10 Complete!

Two more treatments to go! Woot-woot!

Blood work looked alright so I got treatment...something to be excited about, yet, I can't wait for it to be over. Weird how that works. :) We talked about the results of Mondays PFT and MUGA Scan. My heart scored where it belongs. My lungs showed on paper how I'm feeling...which made my doctor decide to take me off one of my Chemo drugs (Bleomycin) and refer me to pulminary help. ;) Wshew, and I thought the complicated pregnancy (with Bear) involved a lot of appointments... little did I know about this Cancer stuff.

This week "Bible Babes" (AKA: ladies small group) studied the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. First of all, I love that group of ladies so much! Secondly, I am once again amazed at what I can learn, how I can relate and apply the stories to my everyday life. His timing is perfect...all the time!

I do feel like I am one orange-stickered-labeled-toxic-drug-less today. Off to get my day after chemo shot. :)