Mostly a good visit at chemo.....

September 20, 2011.....if you get a chance to go back and read this post.....do so. I had NO idea how sick I was and besides a headache...all seemed ok to me....until I tried to walk and couldn't. I had in the middle of the night (probably started Sunday) a brain bleed and could hardly make it to the bathroom(weaving all over the bedroom because my balance was so off)...but I did, then went back to bed til morning when Pat called Jenn and said get here fast, something is really wrong. Of course, I had to take a shower...put on perfume  and the whole getup before going to Olney's ER. Just READ the post. It shows how far I have come (the family now tells me that I could have been confined to a wheel chair for the rest of my life).

On to the last few weeks. I woke up two Saturdays (it stormed the night before) and a branch about 3 inches in diameter had landed on my front windshield shattering it to a gazillion pieces but keeping the windshield intact. It also dented my front hood and and a few other places. Then, Samantha calls me last week. She JUST bought a new 2012 Buick Verano and was on her way to work when a man in the left lane on 130 decided to make a right turn into the left side of her car. She has maybe made 2 car payments and now has a wrecked car! Not our week for safekeeping of our cars. The man that hit Sam had insurance so that was good. It is always the second question that comes out of my mouth AFTER....... are you ok?
So, we both ended up with over $3,000 in damage.

This past Thursday I met with the most awesome group of ladies from the First United Methodist Church ladies study group who meet at Ophelia's every Thursday. I surprised most of them and just felt like I was with the most positive, encouraging bunch of ladies definitely "rooting in God's corner".  Thank you ALL for making me feel SO welcome!! I am truly blessed to know you all (and especially by name now). This bunch of ladies have sent me cards for months if not for a year on a weekly basis almost.....I just rip them open like it is Christmas!  :-)

On to my chemo visit yesterday. I was able to UP the dosage which was good for my cancer. MY belly started the "old rumbling...everyone out of the bathroom type of rumble" when I finally said something to the nurse....she gave me a shot in my IV and the bellyache was gone within 10 minutes. WHEW!! My counts were a little lower than the last two weeks ago but upping the dose is going to do that. Two weeks ago,my white white count was 5.7 and platelets were 105,000. I was thrilled with the numbers even though the platelets are still low. Today, my white count was 4.1 and platelets were at 96,000. My dr says to chill out...they are still good. AND good enough to raise the dosage which is key to it fully working. I am not at 100 % of my dosage yet but I am at 75%.  Slow and easy...slow and easy....we don't want to rush it. My Anti-Xa (blood clotting factor) was at 5.5 and it need to be at 5...so it is totally acceptable. The nurse who sticks me about every time because she usually finds my vein the first time, came in but didn't find it the first time. She hit a nerve in my right hand and it felt like an electrical jolt down my hand. We changed hands and she got it the first hit. Pat and I were there MOST of the day starting at 7:45 for bloodwork.

 I was tired tonight but I so wanted to go join the posse hunting for Ed Hattaway. I thought about taking a cooler of bottled water but figured someone already covered that....may God bless him and guide people to find him soon!

I rode my bike 2 Saturdays ago to town...did I tell you that in the last post. I rode 10 miles total.  WHEW!

I am painting like crazy right now to make Christmas cards to sell for Suntone Beach Survivors (our Relay team) . They will come in boxes (or something to hold them) of like 16...20....24.  They are not name brand but they are from me and for a good cause so when you see them out and about....well...don't have a clue where we can even sell them without losing profit. Might be doing some old door to door selling....YUCK! Please don't make me do that!!

I see my favorite cardiologist on Monday morning in Effingham for a follow up visit....I have not seen him for MONTHS so it is time for HUGS! On Tuesday by 11, Jenn and I will leave for St. Louis to fly to Houston. My scan is on Wednesday EARLY then we are free to do whatever. I think we might make a trip to a place called Rice Village where they have all the neat shops just to waste time (better leave my wallet at home that day!! :-). Thursday morning I will see Jackie, the PA and then the BIG Dr to reiterate whatever Jackie says about my PET scan, Jackie answer the small questions, and then let Dr. Javle do the foot dance answering the BIG questions. Please pray for stability, hibernation (since winter is close by...hibernation sounds kinda nice) of my tumor....or atleast no new cancer or spreading.

Pat will be antelope hunting the week of my trip to Houston so he will be driving with Greg Kuenstler to Wyoming for about a week. I told Pat the results will be the same no matter what so go ahead and hunt...he already had his date planned so keep all as planned and we will deal with the results when he gets back.....OR the dr's will tell us how to handle them or change the route we are on.

Pat and I are contemplating a trip to the New England states in October as I have some days off....if anyone has been there...any suggestions are appreciated.

As I close today, I will leave you with just a bit of scripture I have read lately....
God's faithful help and love in times of trouble: When we face trials, God will quiet our hearts and give us confidence. This comes from Psalms.

Pray for Stability, an even deeper Faith, help for others struggling any type of battle, and Peace. 

HUGS!!!

Patty~