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1/13/09 Get Set - Got Port

A port or "port-a-cath" is a surgically implanted device and is inserted in your upper chest wall (the space between your collarbone and your breast) -It is designed to save your arm veins from being burned from the inside out by chemotherapy. With a port the medication goes right into the main blood supply entering the heart, so it can be sent quickly and efficiently to all parts of the body.

Me and Dad arrived at the Medical Center at 11:30.
I got in my gown, had a warm blanket, and then SHE came to do my IV. Last time, she didn't ask and this time she did. She said they had a "pilot" they were testing and it was something about putting I think saline in before they introduced the drip or something. She said some people have a little discomfort. Then I remembered last time my arm hurt extremely bad and I complained numerous times and I can usually take the pain. I hurt for days later. But since she asked this time and I knew what she was going to do.... I said NO. I said that I wanted the "regular" and that I will not be used for the testing.

Then I read a few pages in my book and Dad came in to sit with me until it was time. I was first on my Doc's list today and when the nurse was checking my previous incision he arrived. I said, "yeah that Dr. Daniels did that to me" and being the funny man that he is, he replies with, "we need to do something about him". He confirmed that I should have no blood pressure taken on my right arm or anything for that matter because I had nodes removed from my pit area and they have not healed. That's why I get fluid build up. So they brought in a big red piece of paper which stated that fact and taped it to my bed. He prayed with me and then he and Dad left.

Anesthesiology came at 1:00 and I was happy to get Stacey again. She is hilarious. I've never heard anyone talk so fast. I answered no, no, no, no, no. She gave me my drugs and I told her and Jennifer(my nurse for surgery) to not take me to the basement and to tell Dr. Daniels I had drawn a bulls eye where he was suppose operate. Then I was out. Later, they said they did tell him and he had a laugh.

I woke up at 3:00(which was longer than expected) and my nurse said I had awakened once and said, "keep that redheaded nurse away from me. After my first surgery I asked her if I needed an arm sling and she told me I wasn't crippled." They asked if it was true and I said yes. They said they had been trying to figure out which red head and I politely in detail explained the red head's features.=)

Okay, my husband was present when the red head made her statement and he can testify to this. As the red head walked away I uncontrollably lifted a specific finger. Remember.... I was drug induced and this was in December.
This is a new year and I WAS taking precautions against the threat because I now "walk therein".

I wanted to get out of there and eat. And I was sore and just simply grumpy. She gave me a prescription for Loritabs(which I will not get filled), she called for Dad to come back, and then we left. We stopped to eat and I took advil and came home.

I'm sore, I have taken more advil, I'm cranky, I hate this mound of gauze on my chest and itty bitty tube dangling, I fried me three chicken wings, I watched American Idol(I like Deanna and the sight impaired guy), I'm typing this and I'm going to bed and watch Amadeus(again). And I go back to work Thursday 3-11.

I'm blessed.
I'm SET.

1/12/09 Get Ready

Well, I love my job again. (Long Story)
I've been working a lot and reacquainting myself to my position and a few changes within the hotel. I really do like it.
I am reading a great book that Tara gave me to read. It is the first in a series of 13. It is titled Redemption. And I really like it. I think I need to get my eyes checked too. =) The book references scriptures and I have enjoyed that too. One scripture that I had never heard before is remember the height from which you have fallen(Rev2:5). Wow, to me that's a live and learn statement. I highly recommend this book. Thanks Tara.
Tomorrow I get my port"installed" in my chest wall for my chemo treatments.
I'm READY.
It will be outpatient surgery since I will be sedated. I told everyone it's nothing major so no need to come. I told Melvin he could work and that Dad has offered to take me.
I guess I will broadcast my blog now.

01/09/09 Work - PreOp - Deflation

I worked until 1:30. Then I went to the Medical Center to do my pre-op and I fell asleep reading in the waiting room. Then I went to my surgeons office.
It is difficult to work and sleep or do anything when you have fluid build up as I do. I was miserable until my surgeon took care of me today. He used the large syringes again and after numbing me he filled over 9 syringes. Last time I had 7 1/4. Until I heal where the nodes were removed I will have this build up. I always feel great after deflation.
And then I drove home.

1/03/09

Today I'm thinking of everything. It's actually the month of January and my chemo begins in 13 days. I know I will be in a different mood(I think) during this time. I'm also thinking of work and I think I am going to lose my job. I guess because of the economy. And my fluid is building up again so I need to be deflated again next week. My tonsils are a little sore. And I'm tired. I was in a good mood up until my 2nd day of work.

Tara, Grant, and Ellie are coming out later and we are going to play Scene It. I can't wait because it will be uplifting and fun. Of course, my grandgirl will make anyone smile.

1/02/09 Grant blogged!

Early this morning before work, I read The Landrums blog(Tara's) and was delighted to find a post from Grant. I hope he blogs more often. I attached it below.

*The Landrum's*

1/01/2009 - I Resolve

I Resolve:

To be a better christian
To quit smoking
To show my love more
To read God's word everyday

I have researched some scriptures during my "down time" and I have learned a lot. Family and friends have given me daily journals, books, etc. with scriptures and it has helped me cope with what I have been going through.
Thanks to everyone.

I know that I should have Him in my daily walk of this life I have been given. So I am going to make that commitment.

Today, the first day of 2009 I found and learned the following. Which I think is the perfect scripture to begin my new year with.

"Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths,
Wherein is the good way,
And walk therein"
(Jer 6:16)

Stand still and consider. Consider not only the choice of ways ahead, but also, importantly, look back at the way by which you have come.

There are many changes in the world and many new paths recommended by the world, and the world confuses change with progress.There is ancient, timeless, wisdom which cannot be improved upon. It shall always be the best path to follow.

It is not enough to "see" the good way. It's not enough even to recognize that it is good. You have to actually enter into that way and "walk therein". We have to follow that way and make it our way of life.

So this year I will especially remember "walk therein". And especially at work.

Happy New Year!

New year and back to work again. Remember what I said yesterday about work? Well, remember it and I will not discuss today.

And then Baby had done some bad things in the house today...arggg

Happy New Year