Monday, April 27th

Friday was my last chemo. I am very thankful and pray I do not have to do that again. The bone and joint pain began last evening so I am moving slow for a few days. Again, my feet, fingers, and toes are sore to touch and tender to use.
Tara had me flowers in the car when I left my last chemo. It was a special day just having her there with me.
Thankfully, I will get no more steroids. I have no stamina at all. I tire and get out of breath easily. As soon as this aching stops I hope to walk some and get some energy back. The last six months have been enough. I know my radiation begins soon and I hope it doesn't make me too tired as well.
Thanks for everything.
Love and prayers to all.

April 16th

I found a great quote today -
It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

And this poem -

Count on God

Count On God --unknown author

Count your blessings instead of your crosses

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes.

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears.

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth.

Count on God instead of yourself
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Amanda, thanks for your comment. You are a dear and we all love you.
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Tonight I am driving my sis to Lexington. Tasha is going with us to a doc appt for Bev tomorrow.
Grant is preaching tonight and I will miss it but I have a chance to hear him Sat. night and/or Sun.
Tonight and Sat. are at 7 and Sun. at 6 at Trinity.
I am officially scheduled to go back to work May 1st. In May I begin radiation.
I have my last chemo next Friday. woohoo!

Gotta go!
Love and prayers to all,
Teressa

April 15th

I had chemo last Friday and Tara took me since she was on spring break. My stepdad Wayne came again to see me while I was there. I did fall asleep again because of the benedryl in the premeds and the alcohol in the taxol. My nails(fingers and toes) have gotten these red places and they are very tender. It's difficult to open things. They said that some nails may fall off. I have one more chemo to go so I am hoping they don't. I have about a 1/4 inch of hair. And I am feeling the joint and bone pains which begin sunday night after my chemo. This chemo keeps me up all night on Friday. Saturday night Ellie came out and she helped Daniel and my nephews color eggs. I went to church with Tara & Grant on Sunday. I really enjoyed the weekend before my pains set in on Sunday night. It's wednesday now and I still have some shooting pains. Hot baths help too and of course I alternate pain medicines. Also, the bottoms of my feet are very sore and peeling. Oh, and the steroids I have learned is causing my constant hunger...I have been eating a lot. Dad is taking me again today for my neupogen shot. I enjoy this time with him.

I have my appt. set for the 20th to discuss radiation with my next doc. It will be for 30 days Mon-Fri. I am still on leave from work and I will know when I return after I speak with him.

Haven't my boys really grown? Nick is 18 and Daniel will be 14 in May.

Love and prayers to all.

April 6th

This Friday I will be having #7 of 8 chemos. I know I haven't written on my blog for a while and I don't really know why. I did take a leave from work and it has relieved some tension I had. I was trying to be positive, trying to be a good manager, trying to be a good family member and friend, and then I think I just decided to take a break and relax. "Knowing" how sick you are going to be every other week and then having a new side affect or infection added after each additional treatment was troublesome. I just needed a break from cancer and I guess that included my blog as well.
I have spent some time reflecting on this "detour" in my life. I have really missed my sister. I know she is as tired as I am of having to deal with our illnesses. But we will get through it.
My Dad has been taking me to get all of my shots every other week and we have had some great talks.
I am blessed with all of my family and friends. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, emails, cards, etc. It has got me through some tough times.
Ellie Grace has been ill with RSV and this is the second week I can't be near her. I don't like this at all, but we know I can't risk it right now. I do speak to her via telephone and Tara says she smiles. I did drive to their house and talk to her through the glass storm door(twice). I had bought her some bunny ears and Tara took her picture this weekend. She's precious. Here is another pix that Grant's dad had taken. I love it too.
Love to all

Monday, March 16th

I had a pretty good weekend after Friday's new chemo drug and I will email about that later. The side effects of this drug is joint and bone pain. I woke up with it this morning. It's all in my torso and legs. It's like aching all over and sporadic sharp pains shooting throughout. I don't know how long it lasts in between treatments. At least I do not have all of the nausea anymore and I am very thankful for that. Dad took me to get my neupogen shot today and I go tomorrow for another and to see my surgeon for fluid drainage.
Bev's botox is still wearing off and she is having some difficult times with her neck pain. Please continue to pray for her.
Love to all

March 12th

I am getting ready for another Friday the 13th. I know I haven't posted in a while but the chemo side effects have been taking their toll on me. After #4 I had more fatigue and stomach issues. A week ago I was to return to work. I have decided to take a leave for a couple of months and focus on wellness. The stomach pain, abdomen pain, fatigue,..everything was getting worse. Late last Saturday night I began vomiting and it was unending. Apparently I burst a blood vessel in my stomach and that was the reason for the blood. The hospital gave me fluids, medicine for the nausea, leviquin for the UT infection, and a GI cocktail for my throat sores and stomach pain. My immune system is very low. I was in the ER only and got home Sunday about 10am. I slept the rest of the day. Ever since, my torso has felt extremely sore from the heaving, I have only eaten popsicles, jello, or mashed food because of my throat. My stomach continues to hurt after I eat anything.
Tomorrow I go for chemo #5 of 8. The first four were two different chemo medicines. These last four are of 1 chemo medicine (taxol). Thes treatments are four hours long. I hope my numbers are good enough to get the treatment tomorrow because I want this over as soon as possible.
Love to all,

Feb. 13th, Friday Chemo #3 of 8

I had my blood drawn for testing. Then I had my doc visit.
And then I had to confess to my doc about not getting all of my neupogen shots to boost my white blood cells. The week after chemo I have to take them. After my second chemo he prescribed only four because my numbers were good. I told the doc I only made it to 2 of 4. He looked at me surprised and asked why. I told him I had worked 56 hours and it was difficult for me to leave work. And that I was feeling good. He wasn't happy and said that I would probably not be receiving chemo because my numbers would be low and that I needed to stay on schedule. He left the room to check on my bloodwork. Melvin looked at me and said I was in trouble. The doc came back and said that my numbers were Olympic! So...I only need two shots next week and he said I could pick the days. Whew! He prescribed some Pepcid for me to take daily because the toxins have taken their toll on my stomach.
The first four chemo's are the most difficult to take and now I have one more. The next set of four are a different type of chemo.

Now it is Sunday and I have experienced some nausea and of course I sleep a lot. I have been eating better and the Pepcid has helped. I may try to go to work sooner this time.

Thanks for the prayers and emails.
Love to all.