Chemo Round 1

Today was my last day of round 1 of chemo. Now, I have 2 weeks off. I go back the first week of October September & we will re-evaluate. My port was de-accessed after chemo today. Yesterday was the last day of IV therapy after 5-1/2 weeks & the drain was pulled from my back. I can finally have a shower! Woo hoo!!! I have not had a shower since the last of July. Dr. Beckstead told me I could go swimming if I want to. LOL. He hasn't seen me in a swimming pool. I drop like a rock.

Mother had her pacer checked yesterday. She has from one to 9 months left on the battery. I wish they'd just replace it & get it over with, especially since she is totally dependent on it.So, here is where the first week of October comes in. Her next check is the first week of October.

Oh, & I have discovered pinterest.com How addicting is that? Very addicting, hehe, & I LOVE it.

Choose to be offended

It was the ward party tonight & Don went by himself. He said when he got to the roast beef the server gave him a few scraps & asked if he wanted more. I said it obviously wasn't Nate serving. Then when he was getting plates for Nick, Mother & I, some guy said sarcastically, "Well, I won't pretend I'm eating for two." Don responded something about getting food for 3. He didn't know either one of the men. I hate to go to ward functions anymore since the ward boundaries have been changed. It's like we're still two different wards.

As I think about it, I can choose to be offended, which I was. But some people are just natural bumblers.

On the bright side, Jim & Donna, Keith & Onda met here & visited. They took Mother & Luana with them to Big J's for lunch. I slept through most of their visit because I felt so crappy. Don-Mike was so busy, he didn't see them.

Another Sunday

Don-Mike & Amber fixed Sunday dinner this week. What a treat! Don-Mike grilled chicken tenders, they had corn on the cob, baked beans & the Dutch oven-style potatoes were to die for. Don came & got Mother & I & took us down to the house for dinner.

I had started the fevers & bloating again & so, even though it was a delicious dinner, I was absolutely miserable. All I wanted to do was come home before I embarrassed myself by throwing up what I had eaten. I didn't throw up, but it was close.

Don-Mike enjoyed showing Mother the changes he has made to the house. It will be SOOO nice when he is finished. Actually, Amber & her mother has helped, Don & Nick have pitched in, Ian Porter has been down to help too.

Sunday dinner

It was so nice to have Sunday dinner with the whole family together again. Nick, Don-Mike & Amber were all here. Don fixed a nice turkey roast. We had cake & ice cream for dessert but we were all too full to have any.

I like to sit down to eat together as a family at least once a week. Sometimes that is the only time we see everyone.

Update

After 2 weeks in Salt Lake at St. Mark's Hospital, 2 weeks in Franklin County Medical Center, I am finally back to rooming with Mother on North State. I've been home a week. This is the first time I've been on the computer since I signed off in May.

My aunt Luana stays with us at night, feeds us, helps us as needed. I am so grateful for her & for Don.

Yesterday we stopped at the Bishop's Storehouse to pick up an order. Don took me in to the storehouse & parked me in the wheelchair. I sat there & when Don was finished, he came around & said he'd put the groceries away & come & get me. I said fine. The man who had been helping him said, "Can't you do anything for yourself?" That statement irritated me. I said, "No. I can't do anything for myself. I can't even wipe my own butt!." He said, "Oh." & walked off.

I sat there for a minute thinking how rude he was. What does it matter whether I can do anything for myself? I have a loving family that doesn't seem to mind they have to wipe my butt, change the dressing on my belly, do all the personal things one usually takes for granted -- like a bath.

The eve of

my great adventure. I leave in the morning for Salt Lake City. I'm very antsy. I've been postponing several things, but can't postpone some of them any longer. Like pre-registering at St. Mark's Hospital. I don't know who, if any one, reads my blog, but I've set up a private page on Facebook for Don to post updates. The insurance company authorized a 3-day stay. The letter said 5/27 which is Sunday.

The beginning

One of my favorite movies is The Sound of Music. Maria begins teaching the children to sing & finally starts singing:

Let's start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When you read you begin with A-B-C
When you sing you begin with do-re-mi

Five years after my breast cancer diagnosis, we were finally getting out from under the financial burden (I thought), only to trudge back into the tunnel, still with thousands of dollars of bills outstanding. I haven't had a mammogram for almost 2 years.We have to spend $3,500 per person or $8,000 per family before our insurance kicks in to pay anything. Cache Valley Specialty Hospital is still pursuing us. I have 4 new summons from a law firm in Cache County.

I have been bleeding vaginally since before Christmas. I waited for the new plan year to start on January 1 & then waited another 4 weeks to make an appointment.for Jan. 29 with my nurse practitioner (Nurse Practitioners of Preston or NPP) for a physical.

To be continued...