Appointments after Radiation - March 30, 2011

Wow, what a long month!!!!! Maybe I will start off by telling you about the last few weeks. When I got home from my radiation treatments, I knew there was going to be a few weeks of recovery. The one thing that I really had a problem with was that I couldn't talk. What? No voice???!!! Yes, I know what you men are thinking! HAHAHA Robbin didn't have to listen to me. Oh how quite it was for him!! The first week was hard because I had to get use to carrying a bag around every night for 12 hours. Yes, I slept with it!!! I got to the point where I slept better because of the noise it made. Weird but it gave me a sense of comfort. The second week was the hardest because of the malfunction in the pump which meant I didn't get the nutrition I need for the night. That morning my body felt like it was melting down. Robbin knew he better start getting something done fast. After several phone calls he had me hooked back up to the nutrition drip and had saline solution on the way. By noon or so I was beginning to feel like a person again but it really pushed me back as far as my recovery. My home health nurse came by to check on things and found me in a very weak and dehydrated state. Robbin knew that was happening and had me on the saline solution before the end of the day. From that point on all I could do was rest and take care of the radiation sight. I was not able to swallow anything yet. Seems all I did was rest, put silvandine on my skin and swallow medications. That is how many days went. It was not until the last week in March that I decide it was time to start eating something beside broth. As most of you know Robbin is a great cook and was trying everything he could to see if I could eat. Great support!!! I would try and ouch!!!!! So a couple days later I would try again. It wasn't until March 22nd that I could really eat a meal. A bite of chicken and a spoonful of mashed potatoes. Of course I tried chocolate. No it didn't go down smoothly. So I really am trying to eat more of a bland diet because my stomach is so sensitive to any spices.

March 29th Robbin and I returned to CTCA to see all my doctors. Today was my appointment with the oncologist. One thing I discovered while on the nutrition drip was that my port was painful. So I had an ultra sound done today and there is no blockage. That was good news but I'm still confused as to why it hurts. So tomorrow I will have my other doctors look at it. I will see my radiologist and gastro doctors. They want to make sure I am healing right and my blood levels are where they should be. I feel like that will be a good report also. I really do feel good just run out of energy fast. My body is still healing and as long as I listen to it and get lots of rest I will be back to normal or my normal soon.

I want to thank everyone again for all the thoughts and prayers. You are my reason for high spirits and my need to keep going!!! God has been my great healer and is always giving me strength. I feel Him close all the time!! God Bless You!!

We have to return quickly because Marian, Robbin's mom, fell and will have surgery friday. Please pray that she has a fast recovery.

Our Last Night February 28th

Seems like this last week was the longest week I've had. There has been lots of events going on. My journey here is coming to an end and I am so thankful for that. The radiation has been very hard on me but I met with my doctor this morning and he tells me that the treatments did just what he wanted them to do. This has been so worth our time and effort and pain. My side effects haven't been to bad. My skin where the radiation went in is red and feels like a sunburn, the area where my port is has several sores around it because I'm allergic to tape! Since I have been on chemotherapy, I'm not healing as well so this will take awhile to heal. I return for follow ups March 30 and I will also have my infusion of zomada. I didn't get that this trip because of my reaction to radiation. My doctor felt I didn't need to go through anything else at this time. She has also taken me off of the chemotherapy pill until I can start eating again. This should happen in about 2 weeks. Since I am not eating yet, I have an IV drip every night that gives me the nutrition I need. As soon as my throat heals and I start eating I can wein off of the IV. At 3pm everyday I have the antibiotic IV drip. Patti has been so good to fix my bag of nutrients every night. There are 2 different additives to mix then it gets hooked up to me. Robbin will continue this when we get home. I couldn't do this without them!!! I received a certificate for completing 14 days of radiation and had to share it with you.

Robbin, Patti and I finished packing tonight so we are ready to go for my last radiation in the morning then head to the airport. We will arrive in our driveway around 4:00 tomorrow. YEA!! It's been a long haul and I know that God has taken care of me and with all the thoughts and prayers from my supporters, I got through it!!!

We are staying at the Candlewood Suites with Molly and the manager loves her. She brought a tee shirt today and asked if we could take a picture of her with the tee shirt on. They want to use it in the corporate advertising brochure. LOL The picture is on the right.

We have met some wonderful new friends out here that have taken us into their home, took Robbin out for an evening, stayed in contact with us, and always offered to help in any way. We want to thank them for their friendship!! It means the world to us!! We also want to thank all of the supporters back home who never give up on prayers and are there to help in any way also. God blesses us each day with you!! Thank You!!!

Saturday Night And Nothing To Do

Or maybe I should say, don't want to go out with my new backpack full of nutrients. Every night around 6:00 I have Patti or Robbin hook me up to the IV drip. It will stay hooked up for 12 hours. The doctor started me on this because I am not able to eat or drink. I can't even take my pills by mouth. What I have discovered is that I sure took a lot for granted. When I have to depend on a bag of nutrients and someone to help mix it and hook it up, it brings me to reality!! This really is happening to me! I do and always will feel that God is my healer and I know He is working overtime on me this time. I have been through so much this trip and it has taken a toll on my body. Today is the first day I feel like I am beginning to heal. My throat is healing, my skin is feeling a little better and I'm getting some strength back. My voice is still cracky and if I talk to much my throat hurts more. I so badly want to call my grandkids!! I miss them so much!!! Robbin, Patti and I are packing tomorrow. We had to ship some of our things. My last radiation is Tuesday at 8:40 then straight to the airport. We will be home around 3:00. I can't wait! Our friends that are watching the home and dogs have been such a blessing in our lives. We don't even think about or worry about things there. Our thoughts are all here while I go through all the doctor appointments, blood tests and radiation treatments. So thank you Joe and Andres!! I hope our dogs will still know us when we get there. We left February 7 and will get home March 1st. 29 days!!!! Ok, maybe I shouldn't have counted the days. Now I'm wondering why I didn't get more sewing done. I did get some things done that I really wanted to finish. Once again, I want to thank everyone for all the thoughts, prayers, gifts, blog comments, cards and phone calls. All this helped me keep my spirits high. Love to all.

February 24th and Back to the Hotel

It feels so good to sleep in my own bed. Well, my 2nd home bed. Yesterday I had number 10 radiation and then was discharged with the agreement that I would have a nutrient bag dripping for 12 hours every night. I had another today so that leaves 3. YEA!!! As fas as we know, it looks like we will come home Wednesday 2nd. I'm packing and shipping some things tomorrow and will finish over the weekend. Wow I brought lots!! My days are so full of medications and lots of rest. Mornings are radiation treatments then afternoons are an antibiotic drip that takes an hour then 6pm I start the nutrient drip for 12 hours. This will be my schedule for the next, at least, 2 weeks. In the nutrient drip we put multi vitamins & nexium. I am not able to take any pills by mouth so fortunately they can be added to the drip. Robbin and Patti got a lesson last night on how to "hook me up" to the drip bag. They will be my life line for the next few weeks. Thanks to them for all the work, mentally and physically, that they have gone through while here. Patti has decided to stay until we go home. I really appreciate that because Robbin needs a brake!!! She can help us get packed and carry luggage. Thanks to everyone who has sent books, gourmet breads, fabric, goodie bags, starbucks card, get well cards, and prayers and thoughts!! I'm getting through this because I have so many supporters and God is my healer.

February 23rd and Still in Hospital

As I woke up this morning, I felt like "It's time to get out of here"!!! All is going well as the doctors, nurses and entire team are taking great care of me. The good part is I'm not being stuck every time someone comes in. With the port they can excess whenever they need and believe me they are on top of things. I have a team of doctors and nurses which work together to insure I get the most out of my treatments and care. When I was brought into the hospital, I was not very happy, as you can imagine. I was in pain that I never want to feel again. The radiation has burned the inside of my throat in two different areas. Because I am who I am, I ate what I wanted..chocolate, popcorn etc. Robbin was very sure I was going eat a square meal too. Anyway, my burned throat got infected! With all the up to date medications that are available, I had relief in one day!!! But this has put me two day behind on my radiation and I will finish those before I come home. Today I will start them again, which puts me at a finish date of March 1st. As far as I can tell, I will be home around the 3rd of March.

Day 11 of Radiation-Monday 21st

Today is February 21st. Happy Birthday Andreas and Merigrace!!!!!

This was a tough weekend for Gwyn. The 10 doses of Radiation to date has burned the trachea and esophagus to the point where she was unable to swallow, not even water. The prescriptions to help deaden the pain had little affect. We arrived at the hospital this morning and after an evaluation by the doctor, she was admitted. She was becoming dehydrated so she has been on IV fluids ever since. The new drug (Xeloda) had to be stopped as well because it has to be taken in pill form.
Radiation is now on hold until the medical staff can bring the pain under control. The most important thing right now is to keep her comfortable and push fluids. The doctors are also treating her for a secondary infection, which is common when patients receive treatments that involve the throat. They are not overly concerned with this because it is easily treated with IV medication. For me, it is tuff to watch her suffer and not be able to do much for her. All I can do is ask for guidance and I know He will provide!!

Patti and Rob flew in to Milwaukee today and are on their way to the hospital. I know Patti has been anxious to see her mom and to be here to help pack things up to come home. At this point I don't know when that will be. We will just wait and see how she responds to the IV overnight. I know she wants to come home and all of us want her to be home, but not until she is finished with what the physicians have prescribed.

Gwyn and I would like to say thank you for all the well wishes and prayers!! Please continue to send them our way. And Rena thanks for the goodies for Molly and I!!

YOUR DESIGNATED BLOGGER,
ROBBIN

Day 9 of Radiation

Getting closer to being finish with this radiation stuff. Only 5 more treatments and Robbin & I will be flying home. I'm still feeling lots of pain in the throat, the pain in my bones is gone and all I can think about is real food!! It isn't fun being on a liquid diet but I will do what it takes to be pretty much free from pain. We now have the weekend off and not much is planned. I may be able to sew all day. Wow that would be nice. Robbin has been so patient with all of this. He is at my side for whatever life gives us. I'm very fortunate that I have him!

We have a friend, Rena, who hooked us up with some harley friends, Sandy & Jeff, Margarita & Mike, that live close to where we are staying. Tonight Robbin and I drove to Sandy & Jeff's house for a home cooked dinner that was sooooo good!!! These friends are people that we all need as friends!! They invite us into their home, feed us, send a bunch of home made food with us, and gave us their cell numbers. I'm so amazed at how they are so willing to help us! We didn't know them!! We are now life long friends and can't wait for them to come to colorado to stay with us!! We want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts and tell them that they give us hope!!! And for Rena, you are amazing also!! You gave us comfort in finding someone here that we could call if we need anything. Thank you for that!! We are so fortunate to have friends like all of you!!

Have a wonderful weekend and again Thank You!!!