May 31, 2012
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Catching Up
Wow! I've been "gone" a long time. Got hooked on Facebook and forgot about Xanga. Today it is almost a year since my last entry. Husband had surgery in June of 2011 and had to sit in one of those "moving" chairs that our daughter loaned us. It works great "helping" you get up and down, but it's no fun sleeping in it all night. I slept on the sofa near by so I could help with anything if my husband woke up in the middle of the night. Since it was his right shoulder it was difficult for him to do anything.
I was supposed to have a mammogram in June, but because of my husband's surgery and need for help, I delayed it for 2 months. (I usually have one every year.) This time, in August, I received bad news. I had to have a lumpectomy because of cancer in my breast. One cell was found in one of two lymph nodes that were removed. That meant chemotherapy was needed. Unfortunately I had a horrible reaction to the first one of 6 that I was to have and ended up in the hospital for a week with pancreatitis. That was no fun lying in the hospital bed for a week, tied up to all those wires, etc. and feeling "crappy" to say the least. I could no longer have any chemotherapy and if cancer returns I will not be a candidate for any again. Even with just one chemo infusion...I lost my hair a few weeks later. It is now growing back...but gray with a little black mixed in, and very curly and kinky especially in the back. I don't know if I will color it again or just leave it gray. When I look into the mirror, I wonder who that lady is that is looking back at me.
Now I am in "remission" and having blood tests and seeing the oncologist every 3 months. I did have 35 sessions of radiation and that was long and tedious. Only uncomfortable holding my arms above my head...but only for a minute or two. Thankfully I had no side effects from it, except some burning of my skin where it folded at my neck. I had to have a portocath put in for the chemo infusions, but it was only used once and since it won't be used again I had it removed. It's nice to have it gone.
I am back to enjoying ukulele. My friends there were so supportive...sending me e-mails and messages...showing their concern. Music is good for the soul...and I'm happy to be back. I don't know what the future has in store for me, but no one does. I'm trying to enjoy each day that God gives me. Sadly I have lost two friends recently from cancer and have another dear friend who has cancer and is in hospice. Cancer sucks and is a horrible disease. It's been a miserable situation for me, but definitely a learning experience. I have learned that I'm human after all...and anything that happens to anyone else can happen to me.
My beautiful grand children are now two years old, and are like sponges learning from everyone and everything around them. I hope life treats them well! I miss them terribly!!!
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