tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15756559431064874732023-11-15T07:59:02.128-07:00Patty's Mammie GramsWebmistressed by her daughter, Sara.
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<a href="http://books.dreambook.com/patlec/boob.sign.html">Sign</a> the DreamBook!Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-64230986458613701682008-05-06T23:38:00.003-07:002008-05-06T23:45:10.282-07:00May 6 Re: B-9 Biopsy Results<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">It was B-9!!!!!<br />I sure wish I had thought of this title before I published the last post! I thought of it in time to send out to all the folks to which I sent the original mail. Thanks again to all of you wonderful folks out there!<br />We had our only group rehearsal tonight for the concert Saturday evening. I need to bone up on some words!!<br />And tunes. Oh. My. My neighbor tells me to just mouth the words - cuz I make her get off key. Oh. My. But I do Loves me singing. I sound just like Barbra Streisand and Jane Oliver together in my brain - and I love it.<br />Love to all you all. Patty ; )<br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-15310605983686528852008-05-05T21:09:00.003-07:002008-05-05T21:18:28.559-07:00May 5 Benign fibrocystic tissue with calcifications<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">FINALLY! They called me at about 3:30 this afternoon and said all was well. </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Except for my brain, which was about to explode from waiting to hear.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> The spot was "fibrocystic breast changes with some calcifications", and they got all the calcifications removed with the biopsy. <br />This biopsy was not like the easy peasy ones before - I was clueless, before. I'm OK, now, though, and that is what matters.<br />Thanks to you all for all the thoughts, wishes and prayers - glad it all turned out the right way. Love to all of you-alls. Patty : )<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-21732778984934696802008-05-03T18:05:00.003-07:002008-05-03T18:25:50.579-07:00May 3 Wait Till Monday<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I made several calls on Friday, asking why should it take so long to find out the results from this biopsy. No good answers - no one really knows - they all are just guessing - but, could be because it is the weekend. Could be because it takes 72 hours to do the labs. Could be because they do not have an in-house lab. Could be because the lab tech is out sick. Could be..... So, I'm just waiting. And waiting.<br />Sara's 'pretend' first swim meet was this afternoon. They have one called the Red and White meet - half of the team swimming against the other half. It is just to see if everything works that needs to work when the time comes for the first home meet -- the stop watches, the computers, the tables, the kids, do the timers know what to do, does the starter know what to do, does the announcer know what to do?<br /> They had an ice cream social after, and <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">that</span> was very successful. It worked like a charm. Chocolate and vanilla ice cream, chocolate chips, caramel 'bee-bees', sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, M&M's, marshmallows, shredded coconut and chocolate syrup. YUM. yum. I had to go the second time to see if it really did work right! ; ) It did. Sure enough. <br />The swim meet was short and sweet, and now we know everything works, and so now we are ready for the meets to begin. I think all the meets are mostly in June - basically every Tuesday and Thursday evening.<br />This evening we have a pot luck at Mrs. Kersey's house with all the singers and their families. Our concert is only one week away. I know some of the music. \o/ Sara tells me that <--- is an open mouth with hands on either side of the face. Oh, dear. <br />Love and hugs. Patty : ) </span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-23165587610135236372008-05-01T17:14:00.014-07:002008-05-01T23:04:40.892-07:00May 1 Biopsy over<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Happy May Day! I forgot what day it was until I had to put a date on something this evening and finally wrote out May instead of 5-1-08!<br />Radiology Ltd. called me immediately after the Dr. sent them the fax ordering the biopsy and they were able to get me in almost immediately!!! None of this 5 weeks of waiting stuff like the last one.<br />I was at Radiology Limited this morning at 10:00, and got back out to my car at 12:40pm. I have been a very nervous person for the past few days, and very much so this morning, so I am very glad this part is over.<br />As soon as I left the building, I felt the weight off my shoulders and was much more relaxed, so I guess I was just dreading the procedure lots more than I thought.<br />I filled out paperwork (same questions and answers as a week ago - Hello!) Then sat and waited to be called back in. I heard a husband and wife grousing at each other about "...nothing to read - look at all these people and there are only three magazines" "You know it's like this, why don't you ever learn?" I held up my book of Sudoku puzzles, and offered it to him. He said no, he didn't like them, and I said me neither at first when my daughter tried to get me to do them. I finally learned how and I'm addicted to them (just the easy ones).<br />He said he couldn't figure out how to do them - he was an engineer and knew math but he just couldn't figure them out. I was so proud to show him how (he accepted my offer) and listened to my hints, and thanked me for explaining it. He had always tried just filling in one box at a time. Poor guy, no one ever told him how, and he didn't have Sara's handy tutorial that she wrote up for Granddad, when she was trying to teach us how to do the puzzles.<br />So.. they called me back in - change into gowns (first one open in the front and second one open in the back, and took me back to the first little waiting room, where the nurse started the IV line, then another tech came in to ask ?s and take my blood pressure. Whoops! The IV was in the right arm and I'm not to have blood pressure checked in the left one because of the lymph nodes. (I only had one node taken out - shouldn't be that big of a deal - I would think.) (My medical training will be over soon, and I'll be getting my diploma then.)<br />Any way, she had to go ask about what to do, and came back, saying - they want me to take the pressure on the right arm - "you hold the IV in". Oh yay! So, I held down on the puncture site and held </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >in </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >on the end of the butterfly do-hickey. I didn't want it flying across the room when she turned on the automatic BP machine. ; ) It did squeeze pretty tight, too. My arm is a little extra swollen just below the elbow tonight, I think probably because I left the Coban wrap on till about 6:30 tonight, and it was a little tight! Squoze me up a little too long and too tightly.<br />The Radiologist from Australia came in and explained what all was going to go on, and then -- off to the MRI room, more explanations etc., and me begging for an extra pad for my non-sticky-outie-rib side. I discovered an anomaly with my ribs, and it became very painful when they did the first MRI here.<br />I asked for something different to be done so it wouldn't hurt so much - and they already had it cushioned for me! Plus, enough other people had complained about the 'discomfort' (a medical term meaning extreme pain) that they were trying different and extra padding to make it more comfortable.<br />They had to take pictures, then take more pictures with the contrast injected through the IV, pull me out, the Radiologist (guy from Australia) placed the 'locater' 'wire', put me back in for more pictures to see if that was in the correct place, back out for the biopsy. Don't move a muscle during all of this, please.<br />Now -the placement of the marker 'wire' was fun. First a tiny mark on the skin after he had made his calculations from the pictures. Then cleansing, the lidocaine (? or something like that) injected at the skin, in a little further and then on in even deeper. Ow, ow, ow.<br />The locater 'wire' was hollow, then he inserted the Dremel, or the hand blender, or the dentist drill, or the mixer - all the things everyone thought was the sound it made. The Dr. said an electric knife.<br />I didn't look quickly enough before they disposed of it, but one of the nurses said it looks like a Braun hand blender and the Dr. holds it sideways against the skin. It has a long 'screwdriver-looking' bit on the end that has an auger (!) on it and it just scoops out a section and suctions it in a little to hold it, then that is what they sent off.<br />They told me it would take 5 days to get the results - I hope not! The last biopsy I learned the next afternoon. Maybe next time I'll learn not to have things done on Thursdays! Too close to the weekend.<br />I've had ice on it off and on all the rest of the day. Went for my choir extra rehearsal and we sound so good with our Latin piece. We are working really hard and I hope lots of you can come to the concert!</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span>Again - Saturday, May 10, </span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span><span>7:30</span> pm (!) </span>(not 7:00 as I had previously erroneously stated!) at Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft.<br />I'm in need of sleep, so I'll stop here - any questions - post them in the comment section - the guest book doesn't work anymore - sorry if you've put something up there - I don't get anything anymore.<br />Love and hugs and kisses and thanks for all your well wishes. I got several notices of bad e-mail addresses - most of which I know are correct, so, I'll try those again - but if someone in your family feels left out - sorry - I'm going to try to re-send them. Maybe it was just too large of an address line.<br />Peace out. Patty OXOX : )</span><br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-23029304023251540562008-04-28T18:40:00.003-07:002008-04-28T19:00:33.435-07:00April 28 Another 'Thingy' in my Right Breast<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">This afternoon was my follow up visit with my wonderful surgeon, Dr. Roeder. We made this appointment months ago, to follow up with my MRI and Mammogram. I had the MRI and a chest x-ray on the 14th and the mammogram on the 17th. They sent me home saying the Dr. would let me know about the MRI, and then with an OK on the mammo.<br />Well.....turned out that they found another 'thingy' in my right breast that they want biopsied.<br />From the final report: "Nonspecific nodular enhancement centrally with the right breast. An MRI guided core biopsy is recommended". <br />But wait - there's more -- (tee hee) -- there are lots of words I have never heard of and have no idea what they mean. <br />"...mild diffuse background parenchymal enhancement bilaterally". "...demonstrates a 5x7 mm region of nonspecific nodular enhancement with indistinct margins of the central aspect of the breast . This nodular region is located approximately 5 cm directly posterior to the nipple and demonstrates an indeterminate type II time intensity curve. No other dominant enhancing nodules are identified in the right breast."<br />What in the blue blazes does all that mean!!<br />Well - it means another core needle biopsy, for which I am waiting to be contacted to schedule. They promised me it would not be anything like the five weeks I had to wait for the last MRI guided biopsy, which was a bust because they couldn't find the spot. They think this might be the same area??<br />Looking for a clean bill of health for me and for all you'alls. <br />Love to all. Patty : ) : )<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-58729910655958991712008-04-21T09:42:00.000-07:002008-04-28T18:38:29.949-07:00April 21 Seasons Choir<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am right now singing with my buddies in the Seasons Choir. We are singing lots of good stuff - I'll tell you all about our performance songs when we pick them from all the songs we're trying out.<br />There are about 20 of us again - we come and go. A few people have gotten sick or had a family emergency and had to drop out, but we will still be a block of ladies singing our little hearts out.<br />Our concert will be May 10, at the Christ Church United Methodist, the same place we've been holding the concerts.<br />We are trying this year to have an extra rehearsal per week at one of the singers' houses. I hope that helps me - the one of not much memory power. They told me today that at some point I would have to quit using the 'Chemo Brain' excuse. HMMMM.<br />We are singing: <span style="font-style: italic;">Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child</span><span style="font-style: italic;">; </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme; I'm gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter; Nigra Sum </span>(LATIN! -- EEK!)<span style="font-style: italic;">; American Lullaby; Sing a Song of Six Pence; </span><span>and</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> River in Judea</span> -- this last one with both of the other choirs. Mrs. Kersey is letting us sing so many songs because we all argued for our favorites. She reminded us that at the first concert, we only sang 3 songs! The ones we won't sing this time are <span style="font-style: italic;">One Minute Madrigal</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Kyrie </span>(by Imant Raminsh and is <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">the</span> most gorgeous arrangement) We will probably sing the <span style="font-style: italic;">Kyrie</span> at the Holiday concert.<br />We have only two weeks left before the concert, so not enough rehearsals for me. MUST. GO. PRACTICE. NOW.<br />Please, please, come hear us sing -- Sat. eve. May 10 at 7:00 at 655 N. Craycroft - just north of 5th Street on the west side of Craycroft. Bring friends - it's free if you don't care to make a donation. Bring friends who are women who would like to sing for fun - no auditions - very casual, and fun. Did I mention we have a good time?<br />Hey - also brings friends who are male or female and are 13 - 20 (ish?) and would like to sing in the other awesome choirs! They need new voices all the time, also. Mrs. Kersey Rocks!<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Later Gator. Love ya mean it - I'm going to catch up on this blog - nothing much has been happening. Patty : ) : )</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-48829109317630712012008-03-31T16:34:00.009-07:002008-03-31T21:42:13.352-07:00March 31 Just Having Hot Flashes<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The hot flashes have not abated yet - I'm still waiting for that to happen. They are different from the "power surges" that I have had before. These puppies are pretty much from the neck up - beginning with hot and red ears and then the sweaty neck and the forehead and the upper lip. Lately there have been prickly arms and lower legs. It feels a little like a niacin flush.<br />I keep thinking I am going to try to leave out my vitamins for a week or so to see if I <span style="font-style: italic;">am</span> having a niacin flush! The docs did say that the flushes <span style="font-style: italic;">might</span> improve with time. (Improve as in dissipate, not get to know how to become a better hot flash.) ; ) I'm waiting. And waiting.<br />I don't have much new to add except my hair is growing and growing and is quite a lot thicker (and much curlier).<br />I figured out a few nights ago while I was busy not sleeping (Yes, that is another side effect of the chemo that is still going on - they said something about the rest of my life, perhaps?), that the reason my hair is so thick is that it all fell out at once and so it all began growing in at the same time. So, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">every</span> hair is in the same phase of the growing/resting/falling out cycle.<br />Now, does that mean it will all fall out at the same time? I certainly hope not! I don't know just how it will all fall (pun intended) into place, but I think it will probably just begin the same cycle, soon. The growing cycle is from 3 to 5 years, and then it rests for a few years then falls out and then begins all over again. So...what will come will be a surprise.<br />I have been scrubbing and scratching my head - it itches, probably because of the regrowing, and finally realized - NOT ONE HAIR IS FALLING OUT RIGHT NOW!!!!<br />NOT ONE!!!<br />Unreal.<br />I know this for a real true fact, because I have been pulling and tugging at my hair ever since I figured this out. I simply thought the hair was just too short to be catching in the drain and that was why I wasn't seeing any fallout! Hmmmmm!<br />The eyelashes are itching and falling out lots - eyebrows <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> eyelashes really like the eyelash 'reconditioner' that I have been using.<br />My eyebrows are growing on the ends of the brow where they haven't for years.<br />I read recently that one symptom of thyroid problems is missing ends of your eyebrows. (Not the hairs, silly, the brow!) Maybe that is what happened to me?<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We are busy trying to figure out our summer. We will be heading to Seattle for Bob's dad's burial, and then later to Kansas for reunion and visiting family and friends in KC.<br />Let me know when you are available - Seattle and KC folks.<br />Sara will be swimming again this summer - she missed it all last summer. Boy, has a lot of water gone under the bridge since last summer! <br />My girlfriend (who got me to move to Scissor Talk which is about a mile from home) who began working with me at Great Lengths about 4 months after I moved here, is now moving to Seattle. I don't know what I will do in this town without her! I'm so sad for me and happy for her. I <span style="font-style: italic;">AM</span> going to see her in July when I'm up there, though!<br />I'm hoping on doing a lot of visiting and resting and eating off my chest while doing crosswords and sudoku and watching TV while I am in KC!!<br />Later, gators. Love you all. Patty : ) : )<br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-71213747577127153802008-03-10T16:29:00.004-07:002008-03-10T16:55:10.001-07:00March 10 I'm Here - Just Plugging Along<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We've been busy - just getting along day by day. I don't know where all the time goes! Oh my, do I sound like my mother? grandmother? great - grandmother?<br />Really, though - the days just fly by and not much to show for it. I'm trying, trying, trying to get my house into the clutter-free zone. I don't want <span style="font-style: italic;">Clean Sweep</span> to come by and get into my sewing/craft/ironing room! That team makes me nervous!<br />I've been letting Sara try to get caught up with her homework, and therefore haven't been on the computer very much - just to quickly check email.<br />My 'personal assistant' Nicole, has been here a few times to help with the piles o' paper, and we are making headway. I've been shredding like mad from the filing cabinets!<br />My BFF Helen is moving to Seattle soon, and I'm very sad and wishing I could help her find a wonderful place to work up there. She doesn't know yet where she will be living, so that is hard.<br />She started working with me at Great Lengths 3 or 4 months after I began in Dec 1984, and we have been friends ever since. I won't know what to do in Tucson without her. I'll be able to visit her in Seattle, though! Yay!<br />Her fi-nance (as she calls him) got a job offer he couldn't refuse, and will be beginning work next week. He will be overseeing a sales team for a </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">new computer software his son has 'invented' and is now marketing.<br />I'm now trying to decide if I want to take over her larger, more spacious, maybe cooler and more expensive rental station. I will be inheriting some of her clients (some of whom she inherited from ME when I left with little baby Sara!) and so I will be busier and that will make up the extra $ for the rent, but I'm not sure if I can go the distance. I seem to be more tired than I realize, most of the time. I'll just have to suck it up, eh?<br />Sleep is still an issue - I'm trying to <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>take any sleeping aids any more than I have to (that would be None At All), to see if that might make me less groggy during the day. So far, all I have learned, is that I want more sleep in the mornings.<br />Bob's Aunt Elaine Mosman is down here from Seattle area, and we're going out to eat at Buddy's tonight, so must go. Going to have me some Lavosh! MMMMM Love all of you, lots. Patty : )<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-55872284446460296092008-02-21T18:12:00.002-07:002008-02-21T18:14:37.841-07:00Feb 21 5 New Posts - Sorry About That<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Read 'em while they're fresh!!! Don't strain your eyes, though, take it slow. : ) Love ya Love ya Love ya. Patty : )<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-42116572975900623162008-02-21T17:01:00.013-07:002008-02-24T18:33:11.136-07:00Feb 21 Visitors From Kansas and Randomness<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I just had a great visit (<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">way</span> too short, though) from my best friend in college, Donnie and husband Mike from Olathe, Kansas.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> (Oops! Strike that, to read Ottowa, a bit further south.) They arrived Sunday the 10th and left Tuesday morning the 12th. </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Donnie was the Matron of Honor at our wedding, and I was the Maid of Honor at their wedding - the hottest day in Kansas, EVER! It melted the candles at the alter so that they just leaned over, then curled over and melted wax all over the floor and Donnie's cute little brother, Joey, climbed over the railing and straightened them upright again. It truly was hot hot hot. I think it set a record for that day. it was in the summer (I had a <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">tan</span>!) (sorrycantrememberthedate) of 1979, I think. I was going to UofA and flew back for the beautiful and fun time. Edited to add after speaking to Donnie tonight - June 27, 1980.<br />Visit their orchard and winery website here:<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.pomeontherange.com/<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> and see where I've visited many times, and where Sally and family have gone to get Halloween pumpkins and go on a hayride many times.<br />We spent a day at the Desert Museum and I was POOPED from all that walking. I hadn't walked that much since way before my foot surgery. We were hurrying at the end, so we could rush over to Old Tucson, and got there at 4:30, to find that they closed at 4:00. Darn, and sorry Mike. We (without Bob) ate at El Charro's restaurant downtown, and so all of you who have visited me from out of town know those are the two places I take everyone, if they have just a very short time. We met Bob the next evening at Buddy's Grill which is our other favorite place. I haven't been out to the orchard for a few years, and hope to visit them and all the other Kansas friends in August after the family reunion in Garden City, Kansas. We had a wonderful time catching up, and them laughing at my gnashing and weeping and trials and tribulations of raising a teenager. Their daughter, Landi, who was 7 years old as my flower girl 21 years ago tomorrow, has a 5 year old of her own, now. It will all come out in the wash. I think. I hope. I pray. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">She</span> (Landi) is doing great.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Thanks for wading through all these posts, I know I have been pretty sporadic. And Random.<br />Here is some more random. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >HAIR!</span> I haven't kept you apprised of my hair! I left it grey so Donnie and Mike could see and make fun (they didn't!) and then tinted it on Wednesday after they left on Tuesday morning. We were always going to go for the funky fun colors, and so we applied, timed, shampooed off, and I looked in the mirror and said, "I love it!" It was the most beautiful shade of orange copper red. Then about 30 seconds later, I said with horror - "I have to go to Granddad's funeral on Saturday, I can't have this hair color there!" So, we immediately applied another round of a color to try to neutralize that. It was better, but on Friday, we once again colored it to get rid of some more of the orange. It looks like me, now, and I am so glad my hair has finally begun to grow in the correct color!<br />Now, I haven't ever told you about my fingernails, either. They ended up with dark and then pink bands on them from each chemotherapy. They were ridged along with the off color (Hee hee, I said off-color) and I had to buff out the ridges pretty often. They also seemed to be pretty weak at those spots, so I was always having to file broken nails. I think if I filed them off incredibly short right now, the 'funny' would almost be all gone. Almost.<br />My toenails didn't seem to be affected, but I heard all sorts of stories that peoples nails turned black and fell off. I'm certainly glad that didn't happen to me.<br />You all are probably wondering how I am getting this time on the computer! Sara is out of school for Rodeo (don't ask - we are the only ones in the world - but it is a big deal here) and is currently at Golf and Stuff with a new friend she met at Target with me the other day. He is a friend of a school friend from French class last year, and may be the salvation of our computers!<br />He thinks (Sara says) he can fix her laptop, and can also bang on this beast to make sure it doesn't go wonky all the time. He works for food and minimum $, he says. Yay for computer geeks! Love ya lots. Patty : )<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-34576409463568105072008-02-21T17:01:00.007-07:002008-02-21T18:06:05.240-07:00Feb 21 Sleeping Issues and Movies<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I still am not sleeping as I should - I went to bed last night (?) or rather this morning ,at 7:00 a.m. I just cannot go to sleep without an aid.<br />I keep trying to remember to take a sleeping pill early enough in the evening to get me to sleep, but there always seems to be laundry, or dishes, or one last check of something or the end of a favorite TV show. We are seriously considering TIVO or the like, so we can go to bed earlier. I know, I know, we could just not watch. But, I like a lot of this stuff.<br />We have been watching videos (oops, DVDs?) more lately. We just rented<span style="font-style: italic;"> Across the Universe. </span>I highly recommend it for anyone who ever listened to and loved or even liked the Beatles. It was a lot of fun. All Beatles tunes wound into a musical story of a Liverpool lad (Jude) who goes to America and makes a new friend (Max) who has a sister (Lucy). Do you see the thing shaping up? It was a lot of fun to watch. Very 60's and 70's.<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-14381474599050322322008-02-21T16:32:00.008-07:002008-02-24T18:38:49.056-07:00Feb 21 Rad Onc Visit on Tuesday 19th<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I went for my first follow-up visit to Dr. Croghan on Tuesday the 19th. Everything is 'normal' and I go back to see her in 6 months. The plan she says, is for me to see someone (surgeon, rad onc, or med onc) every 3 three months from now until eternity. Not really that long. I suppose for 5 years?<br />Blood pressure is pretty much back to normal - the steroids really sent it high for awhile. Skin has healed and is the normal color now. The tan lines are gone! There is a pretty tender spot, right on the lumpectomy scar, that is still swollen and sore and did I mention TENDER! Only when I put weight on it, as in sleeping on my left side, or hugging someone crooked or touch it while showering or whatever.<br />Weight is...well, I'm maintaining the gain I've had in the last year with the foot thing and not walking and the chemo thing and being too fatigued and the no sleep thing and not wanting to get up to walk in the a.m. and the laziness thing that is that I really just don't like being hot and sweaty and in the sun. So, the good news, as they say in Weight Watchers, I am showing that I can maintain well.<br />I am having more of the hotter than hot flashes - hotter than any I previously had - from the Femara. It also is giving me joint pain in every joint, but especially in my arthritic thumb and finger joints. My back and hips are next worse (?), and the rest of me is just dealing with it. <br />Love ya, love ya, love ya. Patty : )<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-14633255628319052792008-02-21T15:58:00.002-07:002008-02-21T16:31:50.019-07:00Feb 21 Days passing<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I know I am repeating myself - partly because I'm too lazy to go back and reread the last posts I've written, but I don't want to do that just now.<br />The service was very very nice. Bob's brother John created a wonderful slide show presentation, and all three 'children' (Mary, Bob and John) spoke. Two of George's good friends who were mentored by him in the beginning of their careers spoke of his help and friendship. Mari's sister-in-law played the violin, as she also had done at Dave's service. Granddaughter Elizabeth read a poem George had written, and Sara sang her Homeward Bound solo. (She was not or did not seem to be nervous!) This is the song - neither of us alone, or together could have sung it this well:<br /></span></span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTfm9i9zyZM&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTfm9i9zyZM&feature=related</a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We are mostly doing better every day. Bob is having a very hard time. This was his best friend and fellow inventor and go to guy and collaborator. They talked very often, sometimes daily, for all the years I have known them.<br />I know from experience that time does heal, but it takes a long time to build up enough strength and callous in your heart to bear this sorrow.<br />Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers and cards and e-mails and comments and well wishes. We appreciate them all.<br />Love to you all. Patty</span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-62408424792253602652008-02-16T10:20:00.004-07:002008-02-21T16:05:51.710-07:00Feb 16 In Memory of George W. LeCompte<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today at 1:00 was the memorial for Bob's dad. I have known good men, and met good men, but this was a great man.<br />When I went to the house on Thursday evening, there was a gentleman from NASA, in Texas, whom George had mentored when this man was just beginning his career. He told stories of George that none of us had ever heard, including that he helped figure out what went so wrong with the Challenger debacle. He was the one (really!) who figured out that the problem was the temperature - and told our guy who was the top guy to figure out what had happened, to put the O-ring into the freezer, and then test it. Bingo!<br />Then he got another call - for Columbia this time. They couldn't figure what went wrong - their calculations showed that there was only a 1 in 250 chance of the mission failing. George figured out that they were using only the one mission, instead of the entire program. The chances of failure turned out to be 1 in 5!!<br />That was why he had a top secret clearance - he didn't tell what he wasn't supposed to tell. Bob's quote about his own top secret clearance was - "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you", always said with a smile. That probably is a much used quote.<br />At any rate - this was a man full of surprises. He always whistled tunes around the house, and seemed to know the words to just about any 'oldie' song. Mari said he grew up singing with his family around the piano, and used his knowledge for fun and edification.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />He really was a genius, and I admired him greatly.Please check out his obituary in the Arizona Daily Star at<br />http://www.legacy.com/tucson/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=103056759<br />We will be interring him with son David and grandson Sean in the Vashon Island Cemetary the end of June - probably on Saturday the 28th or Sun day the 29th. No date or arrangements have been made yet, but the family will be renting a house on the island for the week following those dates. <br />He is and will be forever missed.<br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-79443055176760803962008-02-07T10:29:00.000-07:002008-02-10T23:57:15.996-07:00Feb 7 Back in Tucson From Phoenix<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sara and I arrived in Phoenix Monday night at about 9:15 or so, at the condo where the rest of the family was staying with Bob's dad.<br />George finally was able to stop his very labored breathing at about 4:40 a.m. Tuesday morning, and the family stayed with him until the hospice nurse came to pronounce him at 7:50 a.m.<br />The hospice chaplain came to be with the family until the funeral home came to take his body, and we met with the mortuary later that day to make arrangements for his cremation. He wanted to be buried in the Vashon Island Cemetery next to David and Sean, his son and grandson. We will be up there sometime this summer for that ceremony. Probably the end of June will be when we can get into the same house where we had a family reunion in 2002 and buried David's cremains. That was 6 years after we buried Sean's cremains. Here it is, 6 years later again.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We all drove back to Tucson Tuesday evening, after the trip to the funeral home, and after we finally went to eat at an Olive Garden close by the mortuary. Most of us hadn't eaten much for the last couple of days.<br />We managed to finish eating in time to get to drive back south in the Phoenix rush hour traffic.<br />I managed to get lost and it took 1 1/2 hours to find I 10 and get going south. Should have probably taken maybe 15 - 20 minutes NOT during rush hour. It wasn't fun and I have never been quite so scared driving around in the dark and not having any idea whatsoever which direction I was going. I finally made it back to 8620 at 9:15. I left the restaurant at 6:00.<br />The problem was the 101 and 202 freeways go in a circle and if you don't know exactly where you are going, all is lost. A map probably would have helped, but how hard could it be to just drive down and turn at - and then turn at - but that turn gave you a choice of east or west and I wanted to go south! That was the beginning of a very bad couple of hours. I think it is time to get some kind of directional help in my car. I will NOT be driving in Phoenix in the dark ever again.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Bob's mom is at home now, with kids trading off with support and company. Her address is - Marian LeCompte, 8620 North Pomona Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85704-2249.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Arrangements are now in place for the memorial on Saturday, February 16th at 1:00 p.m., at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7650 North Paseo del Norte Drive, Tucson, Arizona, 85704.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am including this information just for edification, do with it what you wish. I know from experience that it is so wonderful to hear from everyone about how much they loved <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> loved one, and a memory is always nice to share.<br />Sara and Elizabeth (granddaughters) and I have been asked to sing at the memorial. I hope we can manage it. I have suggested an earlier taped performance, in case we cannot manage it at the time.<br />This has been the hardest thing they have ever had to deal with, and they are all suffering greatly. I know all of you know that, and they need your thoughts and kind wishes.<br />Sara and Bob are having a very hard time. Sara never really knew her Grandpa Smith, she doesn't remember much. She doesn't remember Grandma Smith at all. She was in the first grade when my mom died. The photos show her without her two front teeth. Bob and his dad were pretty much best friends, inventing things together all their lives.<br />These grandparents have been a huge part of Sara's life, living so closely, and she was one of only 5 grandchildren, and the only one living right in town with them. There are now 4 living grandchildren, and 2 great granddaughters.<br />This is a sad hour in Bob's family, this man was the glue. He was a great example for just about anyone. I don't know that he ever did anything against the rules. He didn't smoke, drink, swear, cheat at cards or taxes or games and never even drove over the speed limit. He took care of his body - watching his weight, exercising, and dancing (round dancing) and eating well. Just doesn't seem fair, but it never does.<br />I have blithered long enough. I guess I needed to vent a little, myself. I loved this man very much. He had a great sense of humor - very dry wit, loved puns, and loved words. He had a huge vocabulary, and was willing to use all of his words so everyone else could learn and utilize them, also. He loved to play cards and games with his family. He was a good man.<br />Hug your loved ones close tonight. Keep yourself safe, and I'll be thinking of all of you.<br />Thanks for reading this far - I know I can go on and on and on. ; )<br />Much love and good healing thoughts to all of you. Patty : )<br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-39735202749436288352008-02-04T18:30:00.000-07:002008-02-04T18:34:28.196-07:00Feb 4 All Is Well With Me<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm fine, Sara is fine, and Bob is up in Phoenix with his family. Sara and I are getting ready to drive up there, it is dark, and raining, and it hailed while I was at the doc this afternoon. <br />Bob's dad is slipping into a coma - we are on our way to say good bye. <br />Peace to all of you and yours. That is all I can think of right now. Love, Patty <br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-46892344012903064852008-01-24T13:32:00.000-07:002008-01-24T14:45:36.402-07:00Jan 24 Femara for 5 years<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">My 'Firefox' part of the computer has been wonky and I couldn't get on to the computer, let alone </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">(I thought) </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">to any of my blog - hence the wait <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> time. Sara just showed me how to access it another way. (Type in plecompte.blogspot.com and there it (<span style="font-style: italic;">add post</span>) is on the top of the page where I never look! Who'da thunk it? My thorough and vast computer knowledge does not come to me easily. : )<br />The Dr. appointment with the surgeon on Monday was canceled and when they called to reschedule it, we had all forgotten that it was just a check up on my 'tushie'. It is fine, so we just completely skipped rescheduling it.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have my next MRI scheduled for Monday, April 14th, and the next follow-up mammogram is Thursday the 17. THEN I go see Dr. Roeder (who will have all the films) on May 12 for the <span style="font-style: italic;">next</span> checkup on the surgery and cancer site.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Tuesday I went in to see the Rad Onc Dr. Brooks, and only had to see the nurse practioner, Linda. She explained all the after-care medications, and the one we are beginning with is Femara, which is an Aromatase Inhibitor.<br />Here is what that means: the adrenal gland (and the fat and muscle) puts out androgen which in turn is turned into an aromatase enzyme which then is turned into estrogen through the kidneys.<br />This medication prevents the kidneys from changing the androgen to estrogen. "So, in essence, Femara helps to starve breast cancer cells by depriving them of estrogen".<br />The letrozole (Femara) has been given to <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">post</span>menopausal women only, since 1977. They began testing it on estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. In 2004, an international clinical trial showed that Femara "significantly reduces the risk of recurrence in postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer who are within three months of completion of five years of tamoxifen therapy".<br />They have since discovered that the patient doesn't need to have the tamoxifen treatment first. Compared to tamoxifen it has been found that Femara is 21% more effective at reducing the risk of recurrence than tamoxifen.<br />I like this next part: "For those women who had prior chemotherapy, Femara reduced the risk of cancer returning by 30%".<br />This all sounds great to me. I just trust the doctors and have done a little research on all this and this does sound like the best thing.<br />Here is the bad news. There may be MORE hot flashes and night sweats. No incidence of blood clots or endometrial cancer as there would be with tamoxifen. Joint pain is also a side effect - I'm really planning on skipping that one!<br />Tamoxifen improves bone density. Femara actually <span style="font-style: italic;">causes</span> about 1% loss of bone density in years 1 and 2 then levels off. However, my last bone density (DEXA) scan showed 149% bone density (for what my age would be I guess), so I have a lot of leeway and not much to worry about.<br />There are other, more scary side effects for both treatments, but they are very small percentages, and I promise to not have any of those! ; )<br />If you want even more information than this - please look it up at http://www.femara.com/home.jsp?m=2 . More information that you can shake a stick at!<br />I'm just healing, tender at the site, peeling like a mild sunburn on the radiation site, and beginning to think about starting my walking program again. I haven't been walking for about a year, since my foot began acting up. Then the surgery on the foot, then the next surgery, then the recovery from the chemo. I'm getting there.<br />I'm also growing hair. My cousin Bill was in town and met me for lunch and took a picture. He says he is going to post it on the family web site. Be careful if you don't want to see a head of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">very</span> short and gray hair. I really really do like it short. It is beginning to stick out in different places (OK - not very much sticking out) and so I have to look in the mirror now, to see if the hair is looking funny. Well - funnier than usual.<br />I have put off tinting it back to the natural reddish brown color that the chemotherapy or the cancer changed to gray. ; ) I think if I do color it at this short stage, the balding very high temple spots will show up a lot. So, I'm waiting until the little short hairs begin to thicken and the other hairs are long enough to kind of cover those holes in my head. I mean in my hairline. ; )<br />OK - Enough already. Peace and love and goodwill to all mankind and may we all live happily ever after. Love to you all. Patty : )<br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-71873425564882234972008-01-20T02:58:00.000-07:002008-01-24T15:34:34.034-07:00Jan 21 Another Eclectic Cafe Night on Thursday!!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hey - the party was so much fun that we decided we could head out again and again and find more peeps to come. Or the same peeps. And we will continue on our Thursday Spinach and Artichoke Enchiladas night for as long as any one wants to call me and meet me. I'm game. y. ; )<br />Call me and I'll be there! <br />Love ya love ya love ya. Patty<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-30119635028083622772008-01-20T02:19:00.000-07:002008-01-20T02:57:57.506-07:00Jan 20 Working Hard and Growing Hair<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have now come to the realization that I am not quite as strong as I thought I was. I worked from 9:00 a.m. Friday morning until about 8:30 p.m., then went back in Saturday morning at 8:30 and got home about 6:00 p.m. My doggies were barking! (feet - hurting) ; )<br />I still have more of the stinging, aching, whatever it is, in my thighs and calves. I thought it was almost gone, but it seems to not be gone yet! A client and survivor on Friday told me that it helps that symptom to walk. HMMMM. HMMMM!<br />I now have long enough hair that I can <span style="font-style: italic;">just</span> catch a few strands between my fingers when I run them through the hair 'against the grain.' It is mostly about 1" long! And you just would not believe just how gray it is! </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Very! </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Oh. My. Goodness.<br />Everyone keeps commenting on how thick it looks. Much thicker than before I lost it all. I didn't know that would happen - I'd have done this sooner if I had realized! NOT! ; )<br />I love it short - I know I keep saying that - but it is just so fun to not have to mess with it with the gel and the lotion and the blow dryer</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> and the paste and the</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> hairspray and the color and the haircuts. I <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">WILL</span> be coloring it again, but it has been sort of freeing to not be having to check the regrowth to see if it needs color and then find time to tint. It is hard to find time, even though I work right in a salon.<br />I have been vacillating between being horrified at the gray, and wanting to color it, and wanting to wait until my best friend from college visits me in February, so she and her husband can see it (and never let me live it down, probably). ; )<br />I hit two hair milestones this week. The first one was that I forgot to smooth down the top of my head with the last forward swipe of the towel after my shower, and then later realized when I saw about 4 hairs sticking up that "I forgot to 'comb' my hair"! <br />The second milestone was that I saw someone who had not seen me or heard about me since this whole thing started and when she did see me this week, said, "What did you do to your hair?!" It is no longer a "Oh my gosh she is sick or has cancer" -- it has now become a 'haircut'! A VERY short haircut, but nonetheless, a style statement!<br />I'm feeling good, except for still having sleeping issues (it is 2:30 Sun morning), the weird achy stingy leg muscles and I seem to be more tired than I want to admit to.<br />My radiation tan is fading, except for the still bright pink of the last week of 'focused on the spot' spot. The skin is very slightly peeling, and I am still using the aloe vera on the 'sunburn'. I have a lifetime supply of the gel, as I bought 2 bottles so I could apply it at home and at work, if I needed to do so.<br />I go to the surgeon on Monday, then the Med Onc on Tuesday, and that is all I am waiting on at the moment. I do have the next MRI scheduled, but it is so far in the future I can't remember when it is. I think it is in about 3 more months. It had to be scheduled 6 months after something, but I can't remember what the something is! I remember it also had to be 3 months after the very last radiation, so the swelling will have a chance to go down and there won't be the extra blood vessel activity caused by the healing activity.<br />Bob's dad is not so good. Bob spent Saturday night up there, and his sister is here from San Diego. It is hard to watch. He has such a hard time breathing.<br />I love you all - don't you go and forget all about me, now. I'm still here, and needing moral support!<br />Much love and peaceful thoughts. Patty : )<br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-28022631350186181932008-01-10T23:04:00.000-07:002008-01-10T23:42:41.426-07:00Jan 10 What a Great Party!!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I had so much fun tonight - we were kind of a big bunch of people in the middle of the restaurant and in the way a little and they kept saying it was OK, it is alright. We kept having to bring in or have them find more chairs, and they even brought one in from the patio.<br />How many people got to come? Patty, Cindy, Sharon, Bob, Paul, Helen, Laura, Matt, Joanne, Bev, Amber, Kaydie, Libby, Gary, Chris, Casey, Avery, Katie, Kecia, Regina, Charli, Leah, Donna, and I hope I didn't forget anyone. I should have had people sign a book - or my diploma!<br />I handed out pink ribbon bracelets, even to other diners. One cutie pie older man was just standing looking at all of us and smiling, and so I went over to apologize for being too noisy?? He and his wonderful wife said, "Oh, no, we are enjoying seeing you having such a great time. What is the occasion?" I told them I was celebrating my last Radiation Treatment, and they said "That's what we thought - that it was a cancer celebration, and those were your co-workers from the office. Congratulations" They had been sitting there trying to make a story out of all the clues! That really tickled me. I asked if they would like a bracelet, and they both said "Yes!"<br />Then every one was petting my head - the new hair is so soft and sleek. I heard someone make a sound right behind me, turned around and a man in another booth was 'purring'. I laughed and asked if they would like to pet it, too. I sat with them for a little while, they asked what was going on, who were these people, how did I know them, and then they wanted a bracelet. One of the two men took out his wallet and I said oh no, you don't have to pay for it. He said why not - I said they were free to me, and he said "Can't I make a donation?" "Of course!" He laid down $20 and then the other guy did the same thing! I thanked them profusely, and told them it would go the the Koman Foundation, and then told them about my experience getting free mammograms and sonograms and a biopsy through Koman, Avon and Tucson Medical Center. So many people don't know all the good that is out there in the world.<br />We had a great time - I had an awesome time! I was there a few minutes before 5 (yes - me - early) and no one else showed up till about 5:45. I was a little worried, chagrined, embarrassed, nervous - that's it - nervous! I was afraid not very many people would show up, and I had told the owners that there might be 30 or so, trickling in all night.<br />I said I'd stay till the last dog left and the last 5 of us had to be kicked out at 9:00. Thank goodness they closed or I would still be talking to someone out in the parking lot.<br />Thanks to everyone who came - you made it a great party. I got a couple of calls of people who couldn't come - and so I said - "Let's do it again next Thursday!" They are planning on it. Everyone loved the Spinach and Artichoke Enchiladas!!! I'll eat them every Thursday. <br />Happy happy to everyone. I still can't believe how excited I am for this to be over! I took a few little gifts into the Oncology Center this morning - I wish I had been able to give lots more, to each and every one of them! <br />You all deserve the same - you've been a great cheering team and I will still need you, and I'm not stopping this blog, because there will always be one more person out there who might read something here that might help them. And that is what this is all about. People helping people. Family helping family. Friends helping friends.<br />I am humbled by your love and caring and I thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.<br />(Which has only a little heart burn from some salsa I shouldn't have eaten!) ; )<br />Love to you all, and to all a peaceful night. Patty : )<br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-13374007330740779372008-01-10T14:36:00.000-07:002008-01-10T14:42:40.463-07:00JAN 10, 2008 I'M FINISHED WITH RADIATION<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yes, I am finished with all the radiation treatments. That is all I know that is new since yesterday.<br />I Graduated and got a diploma which says: <br />ARIZONA ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.C. <br />This certifies that<br />PATTY LECOMPTE<br />has successfully completed a course of Radiation Treatment<br />and is now certified to share their knowledge with anyone who will listen.<br />JANUARY 10, 2008<br />A signature below says --- Marilyn Croghan<br />YYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!<br />It's my Cancer Card - just too big to carry in my wallet! <br />Peace and love and goodness shall be in my heart! Patty : ) : )<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-60859719099568103242008-01-09T09:47:00.000-07:002008-01-09T10:20:39.766-07:00Jan 9 Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow Yay!!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Tomorrow is my last Radiation treatment - and now I guess I need something to do at 8:10 every morning! NOT!<br />I go see my surgeon on the 21st, then the Med Onc on the 22nd and then I begin my 5-year-plan. What ever that will be. More pills, but I hear they are small pills and only one a day. ; )<br />The Rad Onc told me this morning that I'll need to wait 3 months before I have the MRI they want, as there will be too much blood flow trying to heal everything and it would be too confusing to try to read. The MRI.<br />I'm anxious to see if life seems to get back to normal now - I'm a little </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">tired</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">, but definitely not like some stories I've heard.<br />The docs told me I'd be tired but not as much as I was during chemo, and sure enough - it hasn't been anything like that. I only had two really bad days after each chemo, and each succeeding one tired me out more and for a longer period of time, but it all comes out even at the end.<br />I just realized last week that the aches and twinges and whatnot that hurt so much in my thighs had lessened a lot! It was very gradual, and I all of a sudden realized I wasn't groaning as loudly or as long when I got up into bed. That was always the worst time. I'm still having a hard time getting back up from down - I have to have an arm or a shelf or something to support me on the way back up. I think it's a little more than just old(er) age. But it certainly is help-I've-fallen-and-I-can't-get-up.<br />My joints are still sore, sore, sore, and they don't seem to be getting better very fast. The worst one is still my right shoulder with the rotator cuff tendinitis and it really didn't like all the window opening and closing during the house trim painting. The Rad Onc this morning said it is still the chemo working it's way out of my system. Still. <br />I think I will be back to work all my regular hours soon - Tues., Wed., and Friday till late and the 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings of the month. That's the plan and that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.<br />Please put your kind thoughts toward Bob's dad - he is not doing well in his cancer battle. The lungs are what are the worst, and he is having a very hard time breathing. We don't know what is next. It's hard. He has been so healthy and full of vim and vigor all his life. He just turned 77 on Dec. 20. That is too young to be struggling this hard to simply breathe.<br />On that note - A </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Happy and Healthy New Year to All My Friends and Family and I wish you Peace and Prosperity. And yet again - and <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">most</span> of all - Health. Love to you all. Patty : )</span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-39193689722849299572008-01-06T11:45:00.000-07:002008-01-06T16:50:29.037-07:00Jan 6 Only 4 More Radiation Treatments!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Everyone that wants to come celebrate The-End-of-the-Radiation, please meet us at The Eclectic Cafe at Sabino Canyon and Tanque Verde on Thursday Jan. 10th beginning at 5:00 p.m. The special that night (and every Thursday night) is Spinach and Artichoke Enchiladas with Tamatillo Sauce. YUM! I'll stay till the last one leaves. Or it is my bedtime.<br />I know there is still another long peroid of medication and Dr. appointments ahead of me, but I'll be really glad to not have to get up and go to radiation every morning at 8:10 a.m. That is something to celebrate.<br />I've been doing well with the radiation treatments - just the requisite 'sunburn-like' discoloration that is within the large area for which they tattooed. There is one other place with a small amount of irritation where the famous surgery-when-I-was-4-years-old-scar is located. We've (I've) been doctoring it, and they are satisfied that it will be OK with just my ministrations, so now I'm happy, too.<br />The area of the lumpectomy has scar tissue, and now that has become a large discrete lumpy feeling mass. I think of it like an overcooked and charred piece of meat from the microwave. That is how I cook in the microwave, anyway. So - no problems.<br />Now they are focusing (pun intended) on the scar area for the last week. It was taking about 15 seconds on each of 3 different alignments and didn't take long. Now it is one exposure on the scar area, for about 15 seconds, and I'm done. Easy peasy.<br />Did I mention I'll be glad to get the getting up and driving over there every day over with. I am spoiled with two days off every week, I guess. Most people do get up early and go to work every day of the week, don't they. Hmmmm. Oops. Thank you for letting me have two days off, world. I've put in enough extra hours over the years.<br />We've just been trying to stay on top of everything here. We just had the house trim painted - turquoise - and are still getting everything back together from that. Put the clock back out on the patio, put the thermometer back out, re-string the lights around the patio, etc. Bob has worked and worked on our front door after the guys painted it too soon, before all the smoothing work was done. He ended up washing off the turquoise paint they had put on, the deep maroon/burgandy? under that, and then the black under that. Then the cracks had to be filled in, every thing resanded, he painted it black, didn't like how it looked, started over again by sanding it off. It is finished now - I think. Black with turquoise and red on the carved sections. Come by and see the specialness.<br />I've also been busily hanging more and more sparkley 'things' from my mesquite tree out front. It has become my breast cancer tree. I have all sorts of pink things out there, and then my new shiny ornaments. I really believe I must be part crow - I love my shiny sparkles.<br />Be careful out there - I know you didn't drink and drive on New Year's Eve - Hope everyone's New Year is starting out great - I know mine is.<br />Love to all you good people. Patty : )<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-645800581391761912007-12-26T22:50:00.000-07:002007-12-26T22:51:41.500-07:00Dec 26 - Six New Posts - Read 'em While They're Hot!Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1575655943106487473.post-35964059940272734232007-12-26T22:44:00.000-07:002007-12-26T22:50:15.473-07:00Dec 26 Today Radiation Day 20 - 10 Days Left!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm still counting on January 10 as being my last day of radiation, then another MRI, then the appointment to talk about my next 5 years of hormone medication therapy. To kill any of the estrogen I might have left!<br /></span></span>Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733957362038094922noreply@blogger.com3