Today's treatment was great, because the port was accessed successfully yesterday, there was no delay. It took until 2:00 pm but with 3 hours of paxel, 30 minutes of hercerprin and the premeds and flush, I guess the time was right.
When I received my next appointments today, I saw that in addition to my genetics appointment next Monday, they have scheduled a surgical consult. I am thinking that this is because the results are positive and they are suggesting a double mastectomy. I guess I will know Monday.
We headed up to the cottage, and arrived to find two more trees across the driveway. The first is smaller than last week, but the other is at last 20" across and about 50' tall. it snapped off about 8' up and is hanging there, so we will deal with them in the morning. I will post pictures tomorrow, as it is cold and dark out there.
I have my blood numbers for this week, but they are in the truck until morning as it is too cold to go out there again. I will post them tomorrow with the photos of the trees.
~Inez
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Success at the Port
Today we visited DRCC for blood work and to see the oncologist. In an effort to avoid the delays that occur with the port problems, the nursing supervisor has decided to have my blood taken via my port and and to leave it access overnight.
After waiting 40 minutes for blood work, we were send down to the chemo suite, as the blood techs can not access ports. We waited down there for about another 15 minutes, and then I was called in. I explained the problems that occurred the last time and Tracey assured me there would not be a problem. With in minutes, she had accessed the port and drawn the blood. I did not feel a thing. When I told her about being told the problem was how I had sleep on the port, she wanted to know which nurse had said it. I did not say anything at the time, but before I left, I told it it was Nurse Cratchett (I told her her real name).
We then returned to the waiting room. I raced off the the ladies room, and when I returned Kyle informed me they called me as I went around the corner. But she was waiting for me and we got in to see the doctor very quickly.
Now, tomorrow's treatment should be a breeze, with no delay due to access and I hope to be out of there by Noon at the very latest.
I am sending out positive thought for Ed tonight, as he had a bypass done this morning. Take care buddy.
~Inez
After waiting 40 minutes for blood work, we were send down to the chemo suite, as the blood techs can not access ports. We waited down there for about another 15 minutes, and then I was called in. I explained the problems that occurred the last time and Tracey assured me there would not be a problem. With in minutes, she had accessed the port and drawn the blood. I did not feel a thing. When I told her about being told the problem was how I had sleep on the port, she wanted to know which nurse had said it. I did not say anything at the time, but before I left, I told it it was Nurse Cratchett (I told her her real name).
We then returned to the waiting room. I raced off the the ladies room, and when I returned Kyle informed me they called me as I went around the corner. But she was waiting for me and we got in to see the doctor very quickly.
Now, tomorrow's treatment should be a breeze, with no delay due to access and I hope to be out of there by Noon at the very latest.
I am sending out positive thought for Ed tonight, as he had a bypass done this morning. Take care buddy.
~Inez
Friday, December 26, 2008
Boxing Day 2008
Mandy and her boyfriend finally made it yesterday afternoon. After some snacks, everyone was too full to eat Christmas Dinner, so we delayed it until almost 8 pm. Every seemed happy with their gifts. I got a gorgeous embroidered black fleece cardigan, red snowflake sleep pants and a matching red top, a 5 qt. Kitchen Aid enamelled cast iron casserole with lid, and my premium membership to Recipezaar. (http://www.recipezaar.com)
I am feeling better about Christmas now that it is passed, but I still am not super happy about the holiday. It is a whole lot of work, and now that the kids are 21 and 19, I think it is time they start doing more. I have to chase them both down to get them to do their Christmas shopping and this year I had to buy their gift for their Dad, and give them what I had gotten him. I bought mine own gift and gave it to Mandy to give to me and placed the online order for my gift from Greg. I guess for a chance, I would like to see them take the inititive for Christmas. I told Kyle we (he and I) are going away next year, and I am not doing anything.
I guess I should be thankful, that we still have an income, and that Mandy and I have access to no cost medical care, and that both our prognoses are good. I guess that when I look at what other people are going through, I should be more thankful.
I say a prayer tonight for everyone around who needs it and pray that they be successful in their battles. And if you are out there Ellie - hugs.
~Inez
I am feeling better about Christmas now that it is passed, but I still am not super happy about the holiday. It is a whole lot of work, and now that the kids are 21 and 19, I think it is time they start doing more. I have to chase them both down to get them to do their Christmas shopping and this year I had to buy their gift for their Dad, and give them what I had gotten him. I bought mine own gift and gave it to Mandy to give to me and placed the online order for my gift from Greg. I guess for a chance, I would like to see them take the inititive for Christmas. I told Kyle we (he and I) are going away next year, and I am not doing anything.
I guess I should be thankful, that we still have an income, and that Mandy and I have access to no cost medical care, and that both our prognoses are good. I guess that when I look at what other people are going through, I should be more thankful.
I say a prayer tonight for everyone around who needs it and pray that they be successful in their battles. And if you are out there Ellie - hugs.
~Inez
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Effing Christmas
Here we are at the cottage for Christmas. We arrived Monday night to find that the driveway had not yet been plowed, but the snow was soft and fluffy and we powered through it. However, the tree that had fallen across the driveway brought us to a quick stop. But Greg raced to the shop, and brought the chain saw out, and cut it into manageable pieces and we were able to continue in. There was about 15” of snow up here.
Tuesday we ventured into Renfrew for some last minute shopping. As soon as we started out, things were strange in the truck. First, the ‘Service air bag” warning was displayed. In 5 vehicles with air bags, we have never seen this warning before. By the time we got to Griffith, things had gotten much worse. The dash electronics had gone goofy. All indicators and gauges were out, but every couple of minutes, the dash would come back to life and I would know my speed and the radio would come back to life. The heater and wipers were working. I stopped, and Greg got out to check that the lights were working, and they all seemed alright, so we continued into town to the GMC dealer. When I arrived at the dealer, we realized it had not recorded any mileage from the cottage to Renfrew.
At the dealership, they witnessed the strange behaviour of the truck. At one point, after we turned it off, they could not even start it. After watching the gauges come to life, I was able to start it. They took it into the shop and hour later, they reported they could not get it to screw up again. It did not report any error codes from the incident. It seemed OK the rest of the day. We finished our shopping and headed home. The truck was fine all the way home.
After supper Greg and Kyle got the tree and decorations down from the attic.
This morning 2/3 of the tree went up along with some garlands and a few Christmas kick knacks are also set up. While the tree is mostly decorated, I am leaving the box of tree stuff out in case Mandy wants to put some more on.
Mandy and her boyfriend were going to be up today as he does not have to go back to work until Boxing Day. But she called at supper time to tell me it was too late and she still did not have her laundry done, so they are going to come up until tomorrow (Christmas Day). At this point I will believe it when I actually see her. I guess that I should put the rest of the tree decorations away; I don’t see her doing much to the tree tomorrow.
Right now I feel pretty shitty about Christmas. This is the 3rd year that Christmas Eve has been fucked up. I have decided that next year either we go away for Christmas, or if we stay home (or here at the cottage), someone else can do all the work, all the shopping, wrapping, decorating and cooking all the bloody meals. At this point I have had just about enough of this merriment. Merry effing Christmas
Tuesday we ventured into Renfrew for some last minute shopping. As soon as we started out, things were strange in the truck. First, the ‘Service air bag” warning was displayed. In 5 vehicles with air bags, we have never seen this warning before. By the time we got to Griffith, things had gotten much worse. The dash electronics had gone goofy. All indicators and gauges were out, but every couple of minutes, the dash would come back to life and I would know my speed and the radio would come back to life. The heater and wipers were working. I stopped, and Greg got out to check that the lights were working, and they all seemed alright, so we continued into town to the GMC dealer. When I arrived at the dealer, we realized it had not recorded any mileage from the cottage to Renfrew.
At the dealership, they witnessed the strange behaviour of the truck. At one point, after we turned it off, they could not even start it. After watching the gauges come to life, I was able to start it. They took it into the shop and hour later, they reported they could not get it to screw up again. It did not report any error codes from the incident. It seemed OK the rest of the day. We finished our shopping and headed home. The truck was fine all the way home.
After supper Greg and Kyle got the tree and decorations down from the attic.
This morning 2/3 of the tree went up along with some garlands and a few Christmas kick knacks are also set up. While the tree is mostly decorated, I am leaving the box of tree stuff out in case Mandy wants to put some more on.
Mandy and her boyfriend were going to be up today as he does not have to go back to work until Boxing Day. But she called at supper time to tell me it was too late and she still did not have her laundry done, so they are going to come up until tomorrow (Christmas Day). At this point I will believe it when I actually see her. I guess that I should put the rest of the tree decorations away; I don’t see her doing much to the tree tomorrow.
Right now I feel pretty shitty about Christmas. This is the 3rd year that Christmas Eve has been fucked up. I have decided that next year either we go away for Christmas, or if we stay home (or here at the cottage), someone else can do all the work, all the shopping, wrapping, decorating and cooking all the bloody meals. At this point I have had just about enough of this merriment. Merry effing Christmas
Saturday, December 20, 2008
4 More Sleeps
We are 4 days away form Christmas and nothing is going according to plans. Greg is being Greg and does not want to get off his butt and get his stuff ready. Mandy and her boyfriend were coming up Christmas Eve after having dinner at his Grandfather's, but now he isn't coming up (although that could change tomorrow). If he doesn't go up, she is thinking of coming up a couple days after us, but I really do not want her driving up there alone this time of year. And that means that Mom gets to drive home Christmas Eve probably to pick her up, something I was so happy to see end, since she no longer has to work Christmas Eve.
It is snowing, again. We had a full day of snow Friday, and now it is snowing again, They are also forecasting snow for Tuesday, and get this, rain on Wednesday. This should be fun.
~Inez
It is snowing, again. We had a full day of snow Friday, and now it is snowing again, They are also forecasting snow for Tuesday, and get this, rain on Wednesday. This should be fun.
~Inez
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
More Surgery and What Do Mother's (your own) know?
Mandy had her surgery on Thursday, the 12th. We arrived at Sunnybrook at 7:00 am. She checked in, then we headed to nuclear medicine for a series of injections and a scan. The first scan did not show anything and they had to wait another 15 minutes for the dyes to travel through her system.
By the time we got to day surgery, they were looking for her. After her IV was put in she wanted her cell phone and when I said no, she told me to get out, if she couldn't have her phone, she did not want me around either, so I joined Kyle in the waiting room. After about 10 minutes, we were called to the surgery area, as she changed her mind and wanted us to go up to the OR with her. After she was taken to surgery for 10:15, we went for a coffee and started to wait, she was finally back in recovery at 1:30. After a an incident with a nurse where Mandy was admonished for not wanting a suppository before her surgery, and a mixup with fast acting oxy instead of the regular she was supposed to receive, she was finally on her feet and we were able to go home.
When we got home. we had to stop at Shopper's for Seniors Day, so Kyle could use his discount to buy makeup for Mandy. She flitted about the store, visiting with past co-workers.
In the house by 6:00 pm she lays down, but her first visitor is here by 6:30. Later she goes out with Troy, who has redeemed himself by bringing her flowers. Before she went out, I reinforced the advise given to her at the hospital, limit yourself to clear fluids for balance of today, eat light small meals for a day or some, and take it easy for a couple of days getting lots of rest.
BUT WHAT DO I KNOW! Someone else's mother told her that since her surgery was so low, she could eat whatever she wanted, provided she chewed it really, really well. So what did she have to eat that night, pizza and again the next day.
And last night, Troy bought a big screen TV - just like ours - for her room, it makes his PlayStation games look better.
She returns to Sunnybrook in 3 to 4 weeks to see the surgeon and they should have all the pathology back by then. Hopefully, that will be our last visit to Sunnybrook.
It's All About Me
This last week seems to have taken a lot out of me, with my last treatment and the chaos that followed, and Mandy's surgery, I feel done in. This last week, I only left the house about 4 times, and one of them was for Thursday's hospital adventure. I find it too cold out, and just do not want to leave my cozy blankets on the couch. My fingers and toes are either frozen (to me) or numb and tingly.
I had to call the hospital a 2nd time about last Friday's treatment and hopefully that will go somewhere. I have re booked my January chemo session, as to not interfere with CSM training for work.
Last night I ventured out to the mall with Sherry for a couple hours of retail therapy. And we stopped at Tim's for coffee on the way home. I so miss William's. I can not believe that they closed the Townline location.
Today is the family Christmas but we are not going. Between my general malaise, and Mandy's surgery, I think I am better off staying home. Dad and Lois are taking us out for breakfast tomorrow.
To make everyone feel better about staying home today, I am going to roast a beef tenderloin in bacon, make smashed new pototoes roasted with olive oil and some nice veggies. I am going to try my hand at a red wine reduction with thyme and it looks like someone bought a chocolate cake for dessert.
~Inez
By the time we got to day surgery, they were looking for her. After her IV was put in she wanted her cell phone and when I said no, she told me to get out, if she couldn't have her phone, she did not want me around either, so I joined Kyle in the waiting room. After about 10 minutes, we were called to the surgery area, as she changed her mind and wanted us to go up to the OR with her. After she was taken to surgery for 10:15, we went for a coffee and started to wait, she was finally back in recovery at 1:30. After a an incident with a nurse where Mandy was admonished for not wanting a suppository before her surgery, and a mixup with fast acting oxy instead of the regular she was supposed to receive, she was finally on her feet and we were able to go home.
When we got home. we had to stop at Shopper's for Seniors Day, so Kyle could use his discount to buy makeup for Mandy. She flitted about the store, visiting with past co-workers.
In the house by 6:00 pm she lays down, but her first visitor is here by 6:30. Later she goes out with Troy, who has redeemed himself by bringing her flowers. Before she went out, I reinforced the advise given to her at the hospital, limit yourself to clear fluids for balance of today, eat light small meals for a day or some, and take it easy for a couple of days getting lots of rest.
BUT WHAT DO I KNOW! Someone else's mother told her that since her surgery was so low, she could eat whatever she wanted, provided she chewed it really, really well. So what did she have to eat that night, pizza and again the next day.
And last night, Troy bought a big screen TV - just like ours - for her room, it makes his PlayStation games look better.
She returns to Sunnybrook in 3 to 4 weeks to see the surgeon and they should have all the pathology back by then. Hopefully, that will be our last visit to Sunnybrook.
It's All About Me
This last week seems to have taken a lot out of me, with my last treatment and the chaos that followed, and Mandy's surgery, I feel done in. This last week, I only left the house about 4 times, and one of them was for Thursday's hospital adventure. I find it too cold out, and just do not want to leave my cozy blankets on the couch. My fingers and toes are either frozen (to me) or numb and tingly.
I had to call the hospital a 2nd time about last Friday's treatment and hopefully that will go somewhere. I have re booked my January chemo session, as to not interfere with CSM training for work.
Last night I ventured out to the mall with Sherry for a couple hours of retail therapy. And we stopped at Tim's for coffee on the way home. I so miss William's. I can not believe that they closed the Townline location.
Today is the family Christmas but we are not going. Between my general malaise, and Mandy's surgery, I think I am better off staying home. Dad and Lois are taking us out for breakfast tomorrow.
To make everyone feel better about staying home today, I am going to roast a beef tenderloin in bacon, make smashed new pototoes roasted with olive oil and some nice veggies. I am going to try my hand at a red wine reduction with thyme and it looks like someone bought a chocolate cake for dessert.
~Inez
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Day from Hell
Today started with a wave of nausea, and went downhill from there. Thanks to the marvels of pharmacology, I had a great sleep, released from the ever constant joint pain.
I woke, made a pot of coffee and sat down to check my email. I was overtaken with a wave of nausea. This was the first time I experienced this in all my treatments. I took a pill and waited for it to pass, it didn't. Within 30 minutes, I was hanging on to the sides of a bowl. Thankfully, all I had all morning was water. I was back in bed soon and with the exception of a couple of hours, spent the rest of the day there. Finally, by 6:00 pm, I felt well enough to eat and Kyle made me soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.
~Inez
I woke, made a pot of coffee and sat down to check my email. I was overtaken with a wave of nausea. This was the first time I experienced this in all my treatments. I took a pill and waited for it to pass, it didn't. Within 30 minutes, I was hanging on to the sides of a bowl. Thankfully, all I had all morning was water. I was back in bed soon and with the exception of a couple of hours, spent the rest of the day there. Finally, by 6:00 pm, I felt well enough to eat and Kyle made me soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.
~Inez
Sunday, December 7, 2008
I have been pretty quiet on here late. I have a few housekeeping issues.
Lunch With Anne
First thank you to Anne for taking me to lunch on her trip through town on November 21. It was excellent company and good food. We went here www.avantifood.com. We had a antipasta platter, and bread and olive platter and then yummy pastas.
And a real huge thank you to Scott for the beautiful flowers. But a hint, next time you buy flowers for a woman other than your wife, you should buy her some too (especially when you need her to deliver them for you) LOL
Treatment from Hell and Nurse Cratchett
Yesterday I had what was probably my worst treatment to date. It wasn’t that the drugs caused a reaction or that I was sick, it was the incompetent nurse. When we first went in, the first nurse introduced herself and said she was just back from her 10 month maternity leave. As she prepared the trays, I explained that my port was difficult to access and that I would prefer one of the nurses who has actually accessed it before to do it. She said none of them where available and processed to miss it by about an inch. She called Nurse Cratchett, the nurse she was shadowing, one who screwed it up before. She then to a poke at it, missed and claimed it was because she was pretty sure it was flipped and upside down that she missed. Then another nurse took a try and missed before they decided they had to do something else. Cratchett called for Dr. Zalewski and asked that I be sent to radiology to have an x-ray done to see if had flipped over. Cratchett then suggested that it couldn’t be accessed because I was sleeping on it wrong (huh, like can you explain that to me).
They called x-ray and they made an appointment there for me. After lots of confusion and waiting we made it down to radiation and waited some more. The doctor there assured me that it was not flipped or twisted and that there was nothing I was doing it to cause it to turn. He was able to access it, but it did take him 3 tries. In fact he actually bent 2 needles. He had to give me a freezing because it was so sore, since the Emla cream had worn some 90 minutes earlier. I guess my balling my eyes out was causing his some trouble too, along with my moans and screams.
He said that he knows why they were having trouble, that the port had to be held very tightly and accessed, and if you let it go, to say pick up the needle, it would move and you would have to start it again. He suggested that I request only the 3 nurses that had found it before be allowed to do it, and if he was available he would be willing to do it. He also assured me that it was nothing I was doing wrong, like sleeping the wrong way.
The rest of the treatment was uneventful, but it made for miserable day. In addition, now a procedure that was supposed to last 4 hours again stretched to 7 hours. Added with the fact that I was going out at 6:30 pm and still had to put a salad together for the evening, every minute that ticked by just pissed me off more. I was in such a foul mood that Irene, one of the nurses who accessed the port first try asked me what was wrong when she saw me on one of my trips to the bathroom. Oh, apparently she was there when I first asked in the morning.
Blood Numbers
LKC (white) Dec 5 - 6.8 Nov 13 - 4.8 Oct. 23 -5.7 October 2-6.0 Sept 11-5.5
ERC (red) Dec 5 -4.04Nov 13 - 3.92 Oct. 23-4.44 October 2-4.51 Sept 11-4.60
HB (hemoglobin) Dec 5 - 113 Nov 13 - 110 Oct. 23-123 October 2-123 Sept 11-128
PLT (platelets)Dec 5 - 333 Nov 13 -326 Oct. 23-320 October 2-259 Sept 11-272
Neut# Dec 5 - .75 Nov 13 -.73 Oct. 23-3.9 October 2-4.4 Sept 11-3.6
The Block Christmas party was great, and I bought home a gorgeous Christmas platter.
Hardwood Flooring and Gas Leaks
Saturday, Kyle, Mandy and headed over to Rona for a seminar on hardwood flooring. First, there was no one around, and then they paged someone how was going to collect us and take us to the seminar area. Like put up a sign people, don’t keep us guessing. While wondering around looking for the seminar area, I spotted to Rona employees looking up at the ceiling, discussing where the shutoff value was. I did not see anything dripping, and continued on my way. A few minutes later, they started evacuating the store, as they had a gas leak. We waited around for about 40 minutes, watched a fire truck and 4 police cruisers attend and then decide we would try our luck at Sunday’s seminar – hell maybe they will even now where it is going to take place.
On top of everything else on Fridady, we have Mandy's surgery coming up on Thursday, and that for me, is making me even more weepy.
~Inez
Lunch With Anne
First thank you to Anne for taking me to lunch on her trip through town on November 21. It was excellent company and good food. We went here www.avantifood.com. We had a antipasta platter, and bread and olive platter and then yummy pastas.
And a real huge thank you to Scott for the beautiful flowers. But a hint, next time you buy flowers for a woman other than your wife, you should buy her some too (especially when you need her to deliver them for you) LOL
Treatment from Hell and Nurse Cratchett
Yesterday I had what was probably my worst treatment to date. It wasn’t that the drugs caused a reaction or that I was sick, it was the incompetent nurse. When we first went in, the first nurse introduced herself and said she was just back from her 10 month maternity leave. As she prepared the trays, I explained that my port was difficult to access and that I would prefer one of the nurses who has actually accessed it before to do it. She said none of them where available and processed to miss it by about an inch. She called Nurse Cratchett, the nurse she was shadowing, one who screwed it up before. She then to a poke at it, missed and claimed it was because she was pretty sure it was flipped and upside down that she missed. Then another nurse took a try and missed before they decided they had to do something else. Cratchett called for Dr. Zalewski and asked that I be sent to radiology to have an x-ray done to see if had flipped over. Cratchett then suggested that it couldn’t be accessed because I was sleeping on it wrong (huh, like can you explain that to me).
They called x-ray and they made an appointment there for me. After lots of confusion and waiting we made it down to radiation and waited some more. The doctor there assured me that it was not flipped or twisted and that there was nothing I was doing it to cause it to turn. He was able to access it, but it did take him 3 tries. In fact he actually bent 2 needles. He had to give me a freezing because it was so sore, since the Emla cream had worn some 90 minutes earlier. I guess my balling my eyes out was causing his some trouble too, along with my moans and screams.
He said that he knows why they were having trouble, that the port had to be held very tightly and accessed, and if you let it go, to say pick up the needle, it would move and you would have to start it again. He suggested that I request only the 3 nurses that had found it before be allowed to do it, and if he was available he would be willing to do it. He also assured me that it was nothing I was doing wrong, like sleeping the wrong way.
The rest of the treatment was uneventful, but it made for miserable day. In addition, now a procedure that was supposed to last 4 hours again stretched to 7 hours. Added with the fact that I was going out at 6:30 pm and still had to put a salad together for the evening, every minute that ticked by just pissed me off more. I was in such a foul mood that Irene, one of the nurses who accessed the port first try asked me what was wrong when she saw me on one of my trips to the bathroom. Oh, apparently she was there when I first asked in the morning.
Blood Numbers
LKC (white) Dec 5 - 6.8 Nov 13 - 4.8 Oct. 23 -5.7 October 2-6.0 Sept 11-5.5
ERC (red) Dec 5 -4.04Nov 13 - 3.92 Oct. 23-4.44 October 2-4.51 Sept 11-4.60
HB (hemoglobin) Dec 5 - 113 Nov 13 - 110 Oct. 23-123 October 2-123 Sept 11-128
PLT (platelets)Dec 5 - 333 Nov 13 -326 Oct. 23-320 October 2-259 Sept 11-272
Neut# Dec 5 - .75 Nov 13 -.73 Oct. 23-3.9 October 2-4.4 Sept 11-3.6
The Block Christmas party was great, and I bought home a gorgeous Christmas platter.
Hardwood Flooring and Gas Leaks
Saturday, Kyle, Mandy and headed over to Rona for a seminar on hardwood flooring. First, there was no one around, and then they paged someone how was going to collect us and take us to the seminar area. Like put up a sign people, don’t keep us guessing. While wondering around looking for the seminar area, I spotted to Rona employees looking up at the ceiling, discussing where the shutoff value was. I did not see anything dripping, and continued on my way. A few minutes later, they started evacuating the store, as they had a gas leak. We waited around for about 40 minutes, watched a fire truck and 4 police cruisers attend and then decide we would try our luck at Sunday’s seminar – hell maybe they will even now where it is going to take place.
On top of everything else on Fridady, we have Mandy's surgery coming up on Thursday, and that for me, is making me even more weepy.
~Inez
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