November 24, 2009 Thanksgiving Eve
Today I started my second round of chemo. It went extremely well as they were able to use the new porto-cath. Piece of cake. As usual everyone was so nice and cheerful and actually made the day kind of fun. Reggie and April came with me. It is so nice to have people I love so much with me. It helps make me feel invincible.
Now for the best news...when they draw my blood they run a test that shows the markers of the tumor. When Dr. Ryan blew into my room like a tornado the first words he said, "Well, great news the markers have shrunken!" I knew immediately that that meant the tumor had shrunk!!!!!!!!!!! And what that tells me, my loyal soldiers, is that we are certainly doing some ASS KICKING! GOOD JOB EVERYBODY.
Tomorrow when I sit down to my dinner I will be most thankful for all the wonderful, supportive soldiers I have to help me fight this dreaded disease. I can not thank all of you enough for how you are lifting me up and carrying me forward with hope.
My love to all of you and have a very wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Hospital Trip
After I wrote the post on the 19th I found myself back at MGH with a fever of 101degrees and generally not feeling that great! They thought that I had developed an infection from the porto cath they put in. Luckily, it was not, but I had to go through some miserable tests to find out that it was an infection from the tape they used to cover up the port site. My skin is extremely sensitive to tape. That is actually stating it mildly!!! However, today is a new day and I feel great.
I will start my next round of chemo tomorrow morning at 9 am for all those of you who are invisioning my little pac man/woman taking rather large bites out of the tumor. I will have my pac man socks on!!!
I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. All of you and my friend of 49 years, Reggie Peters. She was with Jeff and me to start my first round of chemo and she is coming again with April and me tomorrow. She has to leave the Cape by 6am. She is a mighty soldier.
Hope they give me that same steroid cocktail as last time!!!
Lots of love
After I wrote the post on the 19th I found myself back at MGH with a fever of 101degrees and generally not feeling that great! They thought that I had developed an infection from the porto cath they put in. Luckily, it was not, but I had to go through some miserable tests to find out that it was an infection from the tape they used to cover up the port site. My skin is extremely sensitive to tape. That is actually stating it mildly!!! However, today is a new day and I feel great.
I will start my next round of chemo tomorrow morning at 9 am for all those of you who are invisioning my little pac man/woman taking rather large bites out of the tumor. I will have my pac man socks on!!!
I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. All of you and my friend of 49 years, Reggie Peters. She was with Jeff and me to start my first round of chemo and she is coming again with April and me tomorrow. She has to leave the Cape by 6am. She is a mighty soldier.
Hope they give me that same steroid cocktail as last time!!!
Lots of love
Another small Victory Thursday November 19, 2009 Not posted till 11/24/09
Today I was at Mass General with Jeff at 6:30 am to begin the process of inserting the porto-cath into my chest wall. Everything seemed to move very quickly and before I knew it I was strapped down on the table and everything was ready to go. I must say once again how very kind everyone was.
The procedure took a little over an hour and I was back in the recovery room at 9am. I was definitely ready for a cup of coffee. As soon as they took an x-ray to see that it was in the correct position I could have the coffee. Jeffrey had it ready and waiting for me as soon as I got back. I must tell you, it was one of the best cups I have ever tasted.
Sitting here now, it is a little sore, but they said that would only last a few days. At this stage of the war…What’s a few days!!!!
I do have some other very exciting news. Two weeks from tomorrow (December 4) Jeff, Branden and I will be flying to the BAHAMAS!!! We are going to the Eluethera Island and renting a cottage right on the beach. You can walk to the ocean about 30 feet from the cottage. How very exciting. It will be a nice break not to think about cancer, chemo or anything else. Hooray~
Today I was at Mass General with Jeff at 6:30 am to begin the process of inserting the porto-cath into my chest wall. Everything seemed to move very quickly and before I knew it I was strapped down on the table and everything was ready to go. I must say once again how very kind everyone was.
The procedure took a little over an hour and I was back in the recovery room at 9am. I was definitely ready for a cup of coffee. As soon as they took an x-ray to see that it was in the correct position I could have the coffee. Jeffrey had it ready and waiting for me as soon as I got back. I must tell you, it was one of the best cups I have ever tasted.
Sitting here now, it is a little sore, but they said that would only last a few days. At this stage of the war…What’s a few days!!!!
I do have some other very exciting news. Two weeks from tomorrow (December 4) Jeff, Branden and I will be flying to the BAHAMAS!!! We are going to the Eluethera Island and renting a cottage right on the beach. You can walk to the ocean about 30 feet from the cottage. How very exciting. It will be a nice break not to think about cancer, chemo or anything else. Hooray~
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday, November 15 5:00 Am
Yesterday was an off day, but today seems to be starting out much better. I have been asked how you all can get these postings automatically as I post them and at the time I did't know because this was all still new to me too. Towards the bottom of the page it asks if you want to subscribe by email. If you click on that I believe you will receive them automatically. I have also enjoyed reading the comments that have been left. They certainly raise my spirits. I thought I could automatically respond to them, but you can't. Please know that I read them all and they make my day. I hope you all know how much this all means to me. I really don't feel like I am in this alone.
One round of Chemo down means we have one at least one battle so far. Let's keep this going. Porta cath will be put in on Thursday at 7am which will be a good thing. No more whiggling for veins!!!
Hope all have a wonderful Sunday and GO PATS!!!
Yesterday was an off day, but today seems to be starting out much better. I have been asked how you all can get these postings automatically as I post them and at the time I did't know because this was all still new to me too. Towards the bottom of the page it asks if you want to subscribe by email. If you click on that I believe you will receive them automatically. I have also enjoyed reading the comments that have been left. They certainly raise my spirits. I thought I could automatically respond to them, but you can't. Please know that I read them all and they make my day. I hope you all know how much this all means to me. I really don't feel like I am in this alone.
One round of Chemo down means we have one at least one battle so far. Let's keep this going. Porta cath will be put in on Thursday at 7am which will be a good thing. No more whiggling for veins!!!
Hope all have a wonderful Sunday and GO PATS!!!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Round One, Done!!
November 12, 2009
Today I finished the last of three treatments in this cycle, next week I am off! Thanks to any and all of you who said prayers that they would find a vein quickly today, they did on the first try with just a little wiggling! My army of 5 was with me and it was great for them to meet everyone that I talk about each week and put a face with all the names. It was good for them to see what great care I get at MGH. My infusion nurse Ed is back from vacation, he is such a wonderful guy with a great sense of humor.
Special thanks to Molly for my cross, I have had it with me at every treatment and it gives me strength, faith and hope. It also means a great deal to me since it came from her.
I am feeling a lot better than I did last week; so far all the nausea, vomiting and fatigue have not appeared. They gave me a steroid cocktail which seems to be doing the trick!
Jeff took today off and we went out to breakfast, did some shopping and ran a few errands, it was a nice relaxing time. The day was topped off by a great family dinner of spaghetti and meatballs with dessert made by the girls at Chris’ office, thank you for that!!
That’s all for now, I am still feeling great even at this hour and am off to bed.
Take care,
-Tricia
Today I finished the last of three treatments in this cycle, next week I am off! Thanks to any and all of you who said prayers that they would find a vein quickly today, they did on the first try with just a little wiggling! My army of 5 was with me and it was great for them to meet everyone that I talk about each week and put a face with all the names. It was good for them to see what great care I get at MGH. My infusion nurse Ed is back from vacation, he is such a wonderful guy with a great sense of humor.
Special thanks to Molly for my cross, I have had it with me at every treatment and it gives me strength, faith and hope. It also means a great deal to me since it came from her.
I am feeling a lot better than I did last week; so far all the nausea, vomiting and fatigue have not appeared. They gave me a steroid cocktail which seems to be doing the trick!
Jeff took today off and we went out to breakfast, did some shopping and ran a few errands, it was a nice relaxing time. The day was topped off by a great family dinner of spaghetti and meatballs with dessert made by the girls at Chris’ office, thank you for that!!
That’s all for now, I am still feeling great even at this hour and am off to bed.
Take care,
-Tricia
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veteran's Day
November 11th
Chemo Day number 3 coming up today! Today, I will have an army with me. Christopher,April, Cameron,and Branden are all going to be joining me. It should definetly make the day go by faster!!! I will have my blood drawn and then meet with Terry (my nurse practioneer)to discuss how the week has gone. The week was a little more difficult than the first one, but certainly not as bad as it could have been.
I would like to thank all of you who have joined my private army and also a thank you today for all the soldiers who are serving our country all over the world today.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with you today.
Hope for a good vein today!!!
Chemo Day number 3 coming up today! Today, I will have an army with me. Christopher,April, Cameron,and Branden are all going to be joining me. It should definetly make the day go by faster!!! I will have my blood drawn and then meet with Terry (my nurse practioneer)to discuss how the week has gone. The week was a little more difficult than the first one, but certainly not as bad as it could have been.
I would like to thank all of you who have joined my private army and also a thank you today for all the soldiers who are serving our country all over the world today.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with you today.
Hope for a good vein today!!!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
November 4
Treatment number 2 Done.
Going to MGH yesterday I found myself a little more apprehensive, even though the first treatment had gone so well. I think because I know the chemo is cumulative that I was a little more worried. I met with Terry, my nurse practioner, and discussed how the week had gone. We were both pleased that my blood work looked excellent. May that continue!!! Terry is wonderful. She is so easy to talk to and listens very well. Then it was off to chemo. That whole process takes about an hour and then you are done and free to go home.
Jeff and I went to the Liberty Hotel for lunch. I had the best seafood chowder I have ever tasted. We were then off to the Apple Store where I finally entered the 21st Century as Jeff got me an IPhone. So with that said...I am off to play in the world of texting, music and emails!!
Treatment number 2 Done.
Going to MGH yesterday I found myself a little more apprehensive, even though the first treatment had gone so well. I think because I know the chemo is cumulative that I was a little more worried. I met with Terry, my nurse practioner, and discussed how the week had gone. We were both pleased that my blood work looked excellent. May that continue!!! Terry is wonderful. She is so easy to talk to and listens very well. Then it was off to chemo. That whole process takes about an hour and then you are done and free to go home.
Jeff and I went to the Liberty Hotel for lunch. I had the best seafood chowder I have ever tasted. We were then off to the Apple Store where I finally entered the 21st Century as Jeff got me an IPhone. So with that said...I am off to play in the world of texting, music and emails!!
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