It's Cancer - Another cold

I don't know if my head cold was brought on by my weakened immune system (thanks, chemo) or by the constantly changing of weather (hot, cold, hot, cold) or a combination of both, but I have another one. The cold I had two months ago was severe and lasted for three weeks. My doctor postponed one of my chemo treatments because I was so ill. I'm not ready for another cold like that.

I must be sick because I've decided to take a day off from the Internet (after I post my blog) because I just can't stomach all the political crap. My disconnect might even last through the weekend. If I'm not back online until Monday, have a good weekend.

Today I'm celebrating Chinese New Year 2017. The myth beyond the holiday is that, long ago, a monster named Nian (which also means year) would come on the first day of the year and eat the crops and the livestock. But the people learned that Nian was afraid of red and loud noises, so people started decorating their homes in red and using fireworks to keep Nian away. Since the Chinese invented fireworks, this makes sense.

It's Cancer - Hats off to Mary

I try to rest during the day so I can be with the family when everyone gets home. Yesterday I came home after chemo, got in bed and slept for seven hours. When a loud little boy came into the bedroom, sweetly called me name, and used gentle hands to pat me I had to get up. I woke up just in time for Big Daddy Nick to return home from the road, at which moment TLP forgot about everybody and everything except his Dada. Adorable!

This morning I have chills, achy joints and some pain in my chest. The achy joints and pain in my chest are related to the chemo meds. I like to think the pain is the chemo attacking my cancer. The chills are partially due to the chemo, but it's also cold (in Houston terms) outside and in the house.  This morning I got dressed and got back under the bedcovers with socks on my feet and a cap on my head. No heat is leaving my body through my extremities.

Today I'm celebrating Mary Tyler Moore. She had not been well for some time and now
she is at peace. I thank her for her smile, even during her personal pain. She will remain an inspiration.

It's Cancer - Chemo Part 2, Halfway

I received my sixth dose of 12 chemo treatments today. I was at MDA at 6:15 a.m. for blood work. (My blood has to be tested and the results must be reviewed and approved before the chemo drugs can be administered.) Today there were technical problems with processing the blood, so chemo was delayed by 2.5 hours. I thought I would be home and resting when the nurses were just beginning chemo.

On Tuesday I had a tender conversation with a long-time acquaintance who thanked me for blogging my journey through cancer. He has had cancer twice, but never felt ready or able to talk about it. He talked to me about my ability to express what is happening to me. Trust me that this is the best compliment you can give a woman who made her living trying to create meaningful communications through written words! I believe my blog helps others understand cancer treatments, or at least the one I'm experiencing. Just as important to me, I know writing about my cancer is helping me, just as journaling is helpful to people who do that.

Today I'm celebrating Mitzie. I was impatient waiting at MDA and poor Mitzie, who was my chemo buddy today, had to peel me off the walls while we waited. I'm not sure that people who haven't had chemo know what it's like to sit and anxiously wait for hours before an appointment or treatment. Or maybe it's just me who has a short fuse when waiting to have chemicals pumped into my body. Thanks (again) to Mitzie for always being there.

It's Cancer - Day before chemo

I have to stop looking at the media postings about what Trump is doing. It's driving my crazy, and so are the Facebook postings from both parties. The drama is too much and is another good reason to keep reading books!

The once-a-week chemo drugs are building up in my system, so it takes me longer and longer to recover from the treatments. When I first started round two of chemo, I was fine after a couple of days. Now my ankle, knee and hip joints ache all the time, which makes it painful to walk or stand or sit or lay for any amount of time. I keep reminding myself that this will pass. I'm getting close to the mid-point of this chemo.

Today I'm celebrating Maureen. Our daughters have been friends since high school and our grandsons are also buds. Today Maureen brought so much good, home cooked food to the house. I've been snacking on the deviled eggs all afternoon and I know Mr. B will be excited when he sees the brownies, which were still hot when delivered. And she drove from her home in Alvin to deliver the goodies. Thanks, Maureen!

It's Cancer - Women's March

What an amazing day. Social media is filled with photos and videos of people all over the country standing up for their rights and the rights of others. So proud, yet so disappointed that people are still fighting for civil and human rights. And angry that the 45th POTUS and many of his cabinet appointees are ready to turn the clock back and limit and/or eliminate the rights of many based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age and gender. Sad and tragic.

Instead of civil and human rights, what should we get rid of? How about bullying, good old boy politics, hatred, lying, misogyny, racism and xenophobia, to name a few things.

Today I'm celebrating unity. I want our great nation to mend and come together. However, I'm a republican (but not a Trump supporter) who is very concerned about the future.

It's Cancer - Inauguration Day

Health wise I'm feeling about the same today as I did yesterday. I wanted to sleep late this morning to avoid some of the day-long coverage of the inauguration festivities, but I was await at 7:45 a.m. I've had HGTV and the Cooking Channel on television.

Yesterday I started reading The Known World, but only made it through about 50 pages. There were tons of characters who were difficult to follow. The dialogue jumped backward and forward, and sometimes I was confused about who was speaking. Very disjointed. As I thought might be the case, I'm not in the mood for a heavy read.

Today I'm celebrating promises and hoping that our new president will keep his to propose on his first day a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of Congress. Instead, the first action taken by the Trump administration was to remove climate change, veteran's issues and LGBT rights from WhiteHouse.Gov.

It's Cancer - What to expect

After five doses of the current chemo (Taxol), I'm prepared for what happens to my body in the following days. For example, I know that the day I receive the chemo, I'll have insomnia. Sure enough, I didn't sleep last night, so I finished a book I had been reading. My neighbor, Mary, had recommended books by Katherine Center who writes about love and family. I enjoyed Happiness for Beginners. Come to find out, the author graduated from the University of Houston's creative writing program, which I also attended (albeit I graduated years before her).

Today and tomorrow I'll have tingling in my hands and feet, aches in my joints (mainly in my hips), and some pain in my chest around my injection and tumor sites. I probably won't sleep today, so I have another book ready to read. I don't remember who recommended The Known World to me. Written by Edward P. Jones, this book about slavery won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize. I hope the subject isn't too "heavy" for me to read right now.

Today I'm celebrating love and family. I'm so thankful to have both in my life because they make my cancer treatment, and everything else in my world, so much more tolerable.

It's Cancer - Chemo Part 2, Number 5 of 12

It was raining and flooding this morning so much that I wasn't sure I could get to the medical center for chemo today, but Big Daddy Nick got me there. Unfortunately, Mitzie was supposed to be my chemo buddy and her area of town was flooded so badly she didn't make it.

The hospital was crazy busy and the wait times were long. I waited about 1.5 hours to get blood work done. I waited about the same amount of time to have my port accessed. Surprisingly, chemo started pretty much on time. I'm always ready to get home and in bed under blankets when chemo is over. Sometimes it seems like the longest part of the day is the trip home, which only takes about 20 minutes. After I've been at MDA for six hours you'd think the 20 minute ride home would go by quickly. I guess I'm tired and cranky by then, and the aches and pains are starting to develop.

Today I'm celebrating TLP. I don't write about him that much any more, but it's not because he isn't in the forefront of my mind and thoughts. I love him and his smiles more than ever. And I especially love it when he says my name in his sweet little voice.

It's Cancer - It's summer again

I went outside this morning and thought I should have had on shorts. I'm ready for at least a month of cold weather, but I think the temperatures are supposed to be in the 70s for the next 10 days. This just isn't right.

There is an annual luncheon with high school girl friends that should have taken place today, except two of the organizers have medical issues they are dealing with so this year's luncheon was canceled. Several of my high school friends live in Houston, and I had lunch one (Lynn) today. So good to sit one-on-one and talk about life since high school. Thanks, Lynn.

Today I'm celebrating Debbie W. This morning she dropped off a care package. I'm so lucky to have such caring friends as Debbie and Lynn!

It's Cancer - Happy 2nd birthday John Robert

My outing yesterday turned out to be about three hours, which was probably twice as long as I should have been gone. I did some retail therapy and came home a happy girl, but exhausted. I took two Tylenol because my hips were killing me. The good news is that I had a good time while I was out!

Then came the Texans game last night. At half time the score looked OK, but then came the second half. The best part of the night was that Dr. Mc made yummy queso, pizza and brownies. At least we ate well during the lousy game.

Today I'm celebrating John Robert Stallings. My goddaughter's son turned two, so I went to a kid's birthday party at 10 a.m. Lots of little kids, but none cuter than the birthday boy and TLP.

It's Cancer - An outing

I'm feeling so much better today that I think I'll run a couple of errands. I haven't really been out of the house (other than for chemo) since last Saturday. Cabin fever! I have to run my errands before the Texans' game tonight. The people who predict the results of sporting events aren't giving the Texans much love, but I love an underdog.

I'm sure I'll get some grief from Mr. B about running errands, but it's part of me trying to be normal. Maybe he'll volunteer to drive me.

Today I'm celebrating feeling better. When I'm not feeling well, I know it will only last for a couple of days, at least during this phase of chemo.

It's Cancer - Still not feeling well

Every part of my body aches. I swear that my arms must weigh 100 pounds each. And I have pain in my chest that makes it hard to breathe. Let's face it ... I'm a mess.

Best wishes are going out to Candy M. who recently had foot surgery. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Today I'm celebrating Kate H. There was a knock at the door yesterday afternoon and when I opened it a florist handed me a beautiful deep pink orchid plant. So kind of Kate!

It's Cancer - Asking for help

I read a Facebook post from a young man today who said he was learning to ask for help, but wasn't good at it. He wondered if he was the only one who failed this part of being an adult. Nope! 

It's hard for me to ask for and/or accept help, and I'm well into adulthood. This just isn't something I'm used to doing, but sometimes I need it. For example, I'm not doing well today after yesterday's chemo. Every part of my body aches. Yet when Big Daddy Nick came home from jury duty and asked me if I needed anything, I said no thanks. I would have liked more water and lunch, but I said I didn't need anything. I need to remind myself that accepting help doesn't make me weak or take away my independence. 

Today I'm celebrating the accomplishments of women. On this day in 1932, Ophelia Wyatt Caraway, a Democrat from Arkansas, became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate. She had been appointed to the Senate two months earlier to fill the vacancy left by her late husband, Thaddeus Horatio Caraway. In 1938, she was reelected. 

It's Cancer - Chemo Part 2, Number 4 of 12

Once-a-week chemo is going by quickly. I receive a good amount of steroids before my infusion, which are given to help avoid allergic reactions to the chemo and to help with my energy level. When I receive the steroids, my face turns red, I get jittery, and I have insomnia, but these reactions fade away in day or two. Thirty minutes after receiving the steroids, the chemo starts, which comes with more side effects. I wish there was a better way to treating cancer than pumping a body full of chemicals.

This morning while receiving my treatment I watched on television the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the cabinet nominations. This takes me back to watching the Watergate hearings, which were just as boring. I'm not sure how the Senate can confirm Senator Sessions, but I have not doubt that he will be rubber stamped.

Today I'm celebrating the road called life and taking the good with the bad. Things can go wrong, but the ride goes on.

It's Cancer - Pre-chemo day

Tomorrow I have to be at MDA at 6:15 a.m. for blood work. Next I'll have my port accessed before chemo at 9 a.m. This is the schedule, although the departments normally aren't running on time. Blood work is usually fast, but I've had to wait as much as an hour a couple of times to get my port accessed. I've waited more than 1.5 hours for chemo to start. With the current treatment I'm receiving, I get a steroid drip first and then have to wait 30 minutes before the chemo medication can start. These delays are why I always have a book with me.

I try to get as much as possible done on the day before chemo. I go to the grocery store to ensure there is food in the house. I wash clothes, especially the bedsheets. And I pick up the house. I haven't done such a great job with my chores today, but the day isn't over yet.

Today I'm celebrating the ability to let go. I've written about having a people-pleasing personality, which can translate to kissing ass and later kicking myself for doing it. I took a step forward yesterday in letting go of a relationship that hasn't been in a good place for years. Respectfully giving my opinion and considering myself first, instead of worrying about someone else, was a positive experience.

It's Cancer - Cold in the house

Today isn't really a good day or a bad day on the cancer front. I don't feel too bad, except I have some chest pain, which is a common side effect with the chemo treatment I'm receiving now. It kind of feels like heartburn, with more of a ache than burn. I also have one mouth sore and a few red spots have returned to my arms. So far the mouth sore isn't keeping me from eating and the red spots aren't itching.

Although it seems like a million years since Christmas, I'm still finding Santa remains throughout the house. Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Today I'm celebrating my friend Sandy. Her father died Saturday morning in Florida. A woman's age doesn't matter when the first man in her life passes. It's always a painful life event, even when we think we are prepared. I'm sending Sandy strength during this difficult time.

It's Cancer - Go Texans

It's Mr. B's turn to have a cold and sleep most of the day, so the rest of us had to have our private, indoor tailgate party without him. We had all the fixin's before the Texans started playing, but our bellies ran out of room after the queso and chips, pimento cheese, plus pigs in a blanket.

I guess we're already stocked for the next playoff game. Still available for consumption are two thin crust frozen pizzas, more queso fixin's, brownies, and chili. Well, maybe the chili and brownies will get consumed tomorrow while watching the Golden Globe awards. Watching ladies in beautiful gowns is my favorite sporting events.

Today I'm celebrating the Texans. Great game and win.

It's Cancer - Cold and reflective day

I recently blogged, with excitement, about attending an upcoming annual reunion in New Braunfels with high school girlfriends. Unfortunately, due to health issues of two organizers, the 2017 event has been canceled. Then we found out that another woman, who had hip surgery in December 2016, isn't recovering well. I wish the best to Candy, Karen and Katie as they seek treatment(s). The annual event is already on my calendar for 2018.

Thinking about Candy (who is dealing with knee and hip issues) and Karen (who has heart issues) takes me back to my cancer diagnosis and the wonderful support I have received from friends and family. I sent them the best advice I've received so far: (1) stay positive; (2) accept help from friends and family; (3) ask questions and get the answers you need; and (4) good books and music help to pass the time. I hope these tips help Candy and Karen and Katie as much as they have helped me.

Today I'm celebrating the return of Dr. Mc, Big Daddy Nick, and TLP. They have been gone from the house for a week and it's good to have these chickies home.

It's Cancer - Some different side effects

The Paclitaxel (or Taxol) drug I'm receiving now is presenting some different side effects from the other medicine I received during Phase 1 of chemo. I've noticed tingling in my hands, joint and muscle aches, and some pain in my chest around my injection and tumor sites. These are all listed as possible side effects that usually occur on days1-2 after chemo and then go away. For the most part, these are just irritating and not a concern unless I get a fever of 101 degrees or higher. Also, last night I didn't sleep a wink, which fits with insomnia that is listed as a possible side effect.

My red blood cell count continues to be low (causing me to tire easily and become short of breath). Although they haven't occurred so far, the mouth sores and red rash I had during Phase 1 may return. And my nails may become darker and develop white streaks and ridges. I'm happy to report that my white blood cell count is good, as is my liver function and platelet count. I haven't had much nausea. All in all, I'm doing OK. For sure chemo is taking its toll on my body, but it could be much worse. I'm not in bed in the fetal position with severe nausea and stomach cramping as I was for days after chemo during Phase 1.

Today I'm celebrating cold weather. I don't think it's supposed to get above 60 degrees today, and it will be even colder through Sunday or Monday. I love being able to layer up and forego a bra.

It's Cancer - Chemo Part 2, Number 3 of 12

Weekly chemo started this morning at 11:15 a.m. with blood work. The technician was so fast that I barely had my sleeve up before she was done. Great job! Next was port access where I had to wait an hour. Bad job! And then to chemo. I'm home now and feeling fine. This round of chemo is much easier on my body than the first six treatments I had.

Sweetness was my chemo buddy today. She has gone with me when I only had doctor visits and when my chemo was cancelled because I had a bad cold, but this was her first time to sit through chemo. I sleep on and off during chemo, which makes it easy for me. I feel sorry for the person who just sits in the chair and watches me or television. It must be extremely boring.

Today I'm celebrating Diane. I can't say enough good things about this wonderful neighbor who is always leaving goodie packages and notes on my front porch. This morning she left a jar of peppermint bark and a gift box of lip balm. She is such a sweetheart!

It's Cancer - And it's Kendall's birthday

Tomorrow is my first chemo treatment of the new year. That means that I wash the bedsheets and quilts today. I like coming home from chemo and crawling in bed with soft, clean sheets.

I've had the most incredible craving for sweets lately. Last night I was going through every cabinet in the kitchen looking for something sweet. I finally found two small pieces of chocolate in a gift basket.

Today I'm celebrating Dr. Kendall Elyse McCarley. I'm so proud that my oldest is a caring person who has accomplished so much in her life. Keep up the good work, Dr. Mc.

It's Cancer - Beautiful day after heavy rains

If I didn't have a bald head you'd never know I have cancer. I have energy. An appetite. And not an ache anywhere. Oh happy day! It's a good health day.

I have such an appetite that I'm eating mixed leftovers. I have two crab cakes left from Friday night (they should still be OK to eat, right?). Plus, I have two quesadillas from last night. Now, just thinking and writing about this food combination has made me sick to my stomach. Maybe the second crab cake isn't such a good idea.

Today I'm celebrating a quiet day at home. I didn't realize that Mr. B had the day off and the kiddos are still out of town.

It's Cancer - Happy New Year

I'm pretty sure I was having a good year until September 2016. My family was close and doing well. I had taken several wonderful trips. I was learning to enjoy retirement. And I was having a good time creating. Then there was the diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer.

My New Year's resolution is that I will remain positive and move forward with the strong belief that I will beat breast cancer. I don't know if I will finish my journey in 2017, but I'm positive that I will be cancer free in the future.

Today I'm celebrating all my friends and family who have supported me and given me encouragement since my diagnosis. I'm sure this won't be the last time I write and/or say that I couldn't do it without all of you.