Wed , Thurs , and Fri 24th thru the 26th

Well this last week has been a full one for me . I did a little bit more than normal , but hey I thought I was feeling good . On Wed. 24th I took my friend Mike out on a bro date since his fiancee was out of town . What did the bro date entail ? Hot dogs at Nathane's , A Burlesque show featuring my friend the Talented Ms. Jessica who dance to " Put the lime in the coconut " . The M.C. was witty and the crowd was encouraging . I don't think I have the balls ( or tit's ) to do what they did . It looked like fun but I am not that brazen . Learned a trick or two though ;-0 . Love new experiences ! Then after all the fun in Seattle we stopped by the Ale House to see a few friends and try our luck at Trivia . Bryan has been waiting for the day for me to start drinking again for a year and a half . Now me knowing this I have been cafeful to use that against him only a few times . Once on the 4th of July ( which was a good one he dropped his 18 pack and pumped both arms in the air and was sooo happy , kinda felt bad to burst his bubble ... ) then there was Wed. night . He and his friend both got a Washington Apple shot . So I ask the bartender to pour me a watered down cranberry juice . Well Bryan makes his rounds grading the trivia papers and when he was done he came to take his shot . Him and his friend go to cheers and I tell them wait for me ! Bryans eyes light up and say's to Tumors and other terrible things . We take our " shots" and then Bryan looks at me and asks your not messing with me again are you ? I try and play it off but in the end I cave . I just can't help to try and mess with him . He gets all annimated and happy . He is a good trooper . I guess I have another 8 months till I can mess with him again .
Well mom told you about Thursday , day . On Thursday night I went out to dinner with Carolyn . She had just finished a competion and did better than she has expected . So we went out to celebrate . There is this great little place around the corner from my place called The Upper Crust . We walked down there frome my house it was a nice night the ugly weather from earier in the day had gone away and made for a cool crisp night . We ordered a salad and some caprese bread to share . Then it was down to the serious stuff . Cribbage . She won both games .... I swear she was cheating if I hadn't dealt the card my self . She had sooo many 12 point hands and other amazing hands I was so jelouse and some what mad . She is a good card player . We walked back to my house and went our seperate ways her to go and celebrate some more and me to bake some peanut butter cookies .
3:30 AM I wake up not feeling so good . Like I haven't felt this bad in a few years . I thought I had a upset stomache at first due to the fact that on Wed. and Thur. I ate things I haven't ate in awhile . Well I am just glad that I had a good plastic bag in the trash . I threw up and just couldn't stop . I would think it was over and go back to bed ony to wake up an hour or so later with the same compulsion . At about 7ish I was done heaving at this point it was all dry . I was try to find another bag for the trash . I was squating in front of the sink when all I got this weird feeling , my first thought was quick lay down . I wasn't fast enough . I fellover and woke up few minutes later ( ?) laying on the bathroom floor right next to the toilet and the trash . I look around and kinda freak out a little . I have a mini panick attack thinking that maybe I had a seizure . ( It is a possible side effect from the tumor removal but a slight one . I was in panic mode and all alone and no sleep in my defence it has been about 12 years since the last time I passed out . ) I finally get myself up off the floor and call Sister . She is over in no time . Her 1st question is did you drink enough fluids ? I try not to roll my eyes cause I am still afraid of falling or passing out again . As I am walking up the stairs from letting her in I point to the full trash bags and tell her she can look to see if I drank enough fluid . I can feel the dager eyes . I ask her to come help me and here I am being mean . I go lay down and Karyn takes inventory . She starts me off sipping on some water to help rehydrate me . Then she starts calling all my doctors . They finally decied to have me come in to get blood work done before they proceed with Radiation that day . Karyn , dad , and I all pack into dads car and take off to the hospital . I am feeling a little better at this point . I have had some yogurt a little apple juice and was able to take a small nap . I get into the blood work room the lady want to use my port . I say no it is still healing , the port area is a little bit tender has bruising and the cut area is sensitive . The nurse was another needle ninja . She draws 3 viels of bllod in seconds flat . Tells me to wait for Barb to come out and tell how we are going to proceed . Dad and I take a nap . We are good at that . Power napping . Karyn takes a " blackmail " photo . How little does she know the ability to fall asleep just about anywhere is a talent to be proud of . I wake up from my little nap and get up to go to the bathroom . I make it about half way across the waiting room and I feel it coming on again . That weird feeling . Karyn sees me being funny . My legs start shaking like Elivis Presley's and again all I can think is I am having a seizure . Then I remember that I have to go to the bathroom . I really don't want to make a mess of myself . Thank Buddha ! I don't . By the time I actually feel my self stop shaking I have a nurse and a few other looking at me . They are going to take me down to the ER and make sure all is right with me . After a few long moments and me feeling kinda stupid ( I know I can't controll the whole passing out thing but YOU do it and tell me how you feel about it ) we get a room . They give me an I.V. drip to rehydrate me and tell me to drink Gaterade . I look at sister and said that was big fun . We all take our spots in dads car and go back to my house . Karyn had callled mom and sent her on a shopping trip of things I am allowed to eat . =) It's good because I am starting to get hungery I.V. drip is only so filling . Mom made one of my favorites Green Jello and cottage cheese Yummers ! If I was allowed I am sure it would of had pinapple too . Mom made me some chicken noodle soup so I had half a cup and a banana . I look at mom and tell her I am going to lay down . I took almost a 3 hour nap . When I woke up Mom was passed out on my couch . She looked all cute squished up on my love seat size couch . Sister came back over and stayed the night just to make sure I was ok . Love her !

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Man, I had one job today. To pick up Elizabeth after her radiation. I needed to be there about 11:30. So I gather my computer, it's plug, the headset and portable mouse, my water bottle and the trash from my computer room. I check my phone... it's charged. I have my only set of car keys... I'm ready. I round up the dogs and tell them "car". Rusty responds enthusiastically, HannaH just stares at me. Down the stairs we go... if the dogs keep pace we'll get there on time. Then it happens. The bag is too heavy to lift, so I'm dragging it... thump, thump, thump, down the stairs, when something in the trash makes a noise (I think it was a light bulb) and HannaH spooks and turns and heads back upstairs to the computer room (their room).

Now faced with dwindling time constraints I hurry through the living room and dining room, and down another set of stairs... the trash thumping along behind me. Rusty runs back to me from the back door where he was prancing to check out the noise but is irritated that I'm slow. He wants to go in the "car".

I can't leave HannaH on her own... we have motion sensors on our alarm, but more than that, when I leave I won't be back for several hours and I don't trust her that long alone in the house with no restrictions. So back I go... up two flights of stairs and find her in the overstuffed chair, tail wagging its apologies. I tell her "car" and help her out of the chair with a gentle but swift sweep of my arm.

Now we're all heading the right direction, sans bag, HannaH is clipping along very speedily. Outside she dashes. Now my concern is she'll duck behind a shed I have and not come when called. It's a rainy day and that's all I need. But to my disbelieving eyes she stops at the Japanese Maple and sits to watch me. Rusty has emptied his bladder and is ready for the car ride, now to get HannaH to just not run off. I call Rusty and he skips along very excited. HannaH picks up on it and comes too. I'm so close...

I leave the garage doors down, as they might both bolt if it's open. I tell them to "hupt, hupt" and they jump into my car... I open the doors and we're away!

I have about 5 minutes to get there by the time Karyn told me to be there. I pull into the parking garage at TG and there are three radiation parking spaces... sweet, but I have no pass. So I take the ramp up floor after floor to the top. Not ONE space is available. The parking attendant at the top tells me I can wait in the reserved parking until Lizzy is ready... then Karyn calls, "Where are you?" I'm here in the garage I tell her and she tells me she's waiting for me inside.

Whoa. I didn't know she was waiting. So I drive down the ramps and now there's only one open radiation parking spot, so I take it. And Karyn is right behind me leaving. I just need to go inside and wait for Liz. Last time I was here there were large signs telling people to use the second floor entry. So I wait for the elevator and ride up to Two. Walk into the hospital and take the elevator down to One.

I ask at the desk about a parking pass and ask if I need to run out with it. I'm assured they don't patrol that rapidly and besides Elizabeth has the pass. So I go over to the puzzle and begin finding pieces. One, two, three, time ticks away. I'm thinking it has been a long time. Suddenly a sharp rap on the glass by me and there's Liz. She must have come out while I was riding the elevator, 'cuz she tells me she's been waiting over half an hour. (But then so was I.)

I explain the fiasco with parking and she gives me my "pass" and I'm very happy. She says it is all okay. And I feel terrible. I think I'm waiting for her and am there for her, but really she's waiting for me.

Too bad I was in such a hurry I left my phone in the car. Neither of us would have needed to wait long had I just gotten myself organized. Well, looking on the bright side. I did have my keys. I had my phone AND it was charged. I'll work on getting all the parts together at the same time next time.

It's not easy being me. Thank God Elizabeth is so understanding.

Elizabeth's Mom

Olympics at Farrelli's

You are invited to join us on Saturday at the Tacoma Farrelli's to watch the Olympics with Liz.  A time for fun, fellowship, family and friends.  It will be $15 for Pizza, salad and other delicious goodies. There will also be select beers on tap for which the proceeds will go directly to Liz and raffles through out the event.  We hope to see you there.

When: Saturday February 27th
Time: 11AM to 3PM
Where: Farrelli's 3618 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA

Feb 23 rd Port surgery

Wow talk about early ! I set my alarm for 5 am . Sister was picking me a up at 5:45 to take me to S.C.C.A. to have a port put in . The reason for the port is to save my veins and me some stress . It also makes it easier on the medical staff . Instead of try to find a vein they just feel the bump on my chest ( no not my boobs ! ) and they have a good vein for shots , blood draws , and I.V.'s . Ialso gibes me a sense of ease . I am not a big needle fan , even though I have been blessed with great nurses and I.V. therapy crews . Well I don't wake up to my alarm , I guess the pre-surgery chill pill was a little bit of a sedative . Whoops ! So I wake up when Karyn calls to tell me she is leaving her house . Eeeak ! I jump in the shower to wash the erea that is going to be operated on , the soup that I have to use smell awful ! But want to make sure I do my part to get things right . Luckily I had laid out my cloths the night before . ( I still have some brain power ! yeah ! ) I am ready and out the door in 10 minutes . I think that might be a personal best . Yes ! Sister and I get on the freeway and traffic was pretty smooth , Thank you car pool lane !
I get checked in and they have me changed in to scrubs and robes . I have a seat on one of the beds . The 2nd " chill pill " I had taken was starting to kick in . The guy who was explaining the proceedure to me was super nice and let sister sit there till I went in . I was the 1st customer of the day . The staff was all running around with coffee cups and chatting about their weekends . I like hearing that kinda stuff if they can talk about their personal life with each other it generally mean that they work well together .
I get wheeled in to the smalllest operating room I have everseen ! I have had hospital rooms larger than what they had to work with ! There was 5 of us in this little room . S.C.C.A is a learning hospital . So 2 of the people where students watching . One watching how a port is placed and another on how to do the Awake Sedation . I slept through almost all of it . I kinda scared the guys when I added my 2 cents to one of their conversations . They said I was baby snoring all the was through just about . so when I talked they wern;t sure if I was still sleeping or not . They finished me up and I got wheeled in to the recovery room for about 45min. I was given a long choice of snacks to have . I settled on gramcrackers and some applejuice . Sister and I sat there and chatted with the nurse for awhile then before I knew it I was discharged .
It was about 10am at this point my surgery took a little longer than expected . So sister had to drive kinda fast so I could make it to my radition treatment . I had been worried that the gauze from the port would get in the way of the plastic mask . It was no problem . Now that they are doing the spine it takes a little bit longer than before . I fall back asleep I think I still have some seditives in my system .
With a long morming of hospital stuff out of the way I welcome home . I grab what I call my chemo shall but others call a blanket and lay dowm on my couch . Paul came over to take care of me for the day . With the port in I needed 12 hours of supervision . It was nice to just relaxe with Paul . We went and grabed a bite at Wendy's Veitamese . Yummers ! Then came home and ended up taking a 2 hour nap !! I felt like a little kid almost I was all curled up next to him . Paul is a walking heater , I think he's natural temp is like 123 . He keeps me toasty . Dreams come quick and before I knew it I was off to sleep again . I am starting to enjoy sleeping again . For a bit there it was starting to feel like a chore . Now I welcome it . It helps heal all parts . I can actually feel the difference now when I take a nap and days that I don't . The way my body responds to it all is interesting . The human body is a pretty cool thing . If you get tha chance speaking of bodies and you don'y get grossed out to easily check out the Bodies exibit in seattle , It is truely amazing !

feb. 22nd Chemo

Well today started like most . Did my am routine then jumped into sisters car and was whisked off to radiation . I walked into the back and small talked with the nice older couple that have an appointment either before me or after depending on who gets there first . I sit down and read a zine for a bit then my name gets called . I get in the radiation room and they inform me that today is the day that they add the spine into the treatment . Not only do they add the spine but they also zap my brain a few beats more than before . Mmmm I love the taste of bromide in the morning !!
After my treatment sister and I hop in to her car and head to Seattle for my first chemo treatment . First I get blood work done . The nurse is a needle pro , Lizzy likes a painless needle ! Then it was up to Dr. Chaberlains office for a touch base about the chemo and my port surgery . He told me that the side effects that he told me about didn't happen all that often but they do so they need to warn us about the side effects . All I could think was you didn't make it seem so hum hum the first meeting . I thought I was going to come out of this whole thing like the female pinguin . Eeek ! Well he gives a some meds for my surgery tomorrow so that I will be more mellow and easier to seddate . I am not fond of things that make me bleed .
We finished up with the doc then head over to the injection area . ( i have no idea what they actually call it - pppsst I like to make up my own names for the stuff in the hospital ) I was assighned room 26 . The room smelled like cleaner and everything looked brand new , came to found out it was . The nurse comes in and greets us and takes us for a tour . She showed me where the snacks and juice box's where and where to send someone if I wanted a warm blanket . I love those warm blankets , They have machines that look like they belong in th ekitchen that keep the blankets all nice and toasty . I get settled in to the bed . I wished T.G. had beds like that one . It had memory foam ! Sooo comfy . They come and find a good vain and get my I.V. in . I get a saline drip going and wait for the chemo shot . It takes awhile for the shot to arrive . They can't mix the shot till they getthe order from the dr. so if the pharmacy is busy it can take awhile . Karyn and I watched cash cab and tested our combined brain power man we be smart ! The chemo shot arrives and it takes a second for the shot and another second for the saline solution and done ! Till they tell me they need more blood work for my surgery tomorrow =( almost made it out ! We go down to the blood drawing area and I am the only person there . I get in right away and this time the nurse is a needle ninja i didn't even feel it ! She gets the two vials of bllod in less than a minute and then I was really done . Yippy ! Karyn dropped me off at home . Now for some reading and maybe meditate myself to sleep . Life starts early for me tomorrow . 5am baby woohoo ! Liven the dream baby !

Feb. 20th Sunny day !

What a great day ! I love this weather ! Woke up all sorts of early and felt ok . I got ready for the day and walked up to Proctor and met a few friends for a cup of joe . Then strolled back home . I have been enjoying watching a few different plants along my walks grow . Then their are a few that I have no idea what they are , So I have been taking snap shots of them then comparing them in a gardening book I have . I know I am a dork but it gives me healthy things to do . Gets me out in the fresh air and keeps the grey matter from going black .
Mom came andf picked me up to do a few arruns . We had both the dogs in the car with us . They are pretty darn cute . They just love car rides ! Rusty sticks his out the window and looks like he is a wolfman . Then Hanna just wants to curl up on your lap . We ended up at an estate sale . ( I told you I love them ) I found the ugliest it is so ugly it is cute swim tank top . It is yellow like super yellow with 3 tulips on it and it is made out of rayon . I swear it is UGLY but soooo cute because of it . I can't wait to wear it . ( as soon as I am allowed in the sun ) After our treasure hunt we went the the Met to grab a random lunch . We sat at on eof the little buddy bars and chatted it up for a bit . Mom droped me off at home and I felt ready for my nap . It must be 2:30 .
The rest of my day was spent fake reading my books on tumors and treatment . I just couldn't get into them . I call sister to bug her before her and her friend go to Heart ball . She asks if I want to hang out with them before they go . I said sure . I mean who would take their prom like photo in front of the fire place if I didn't . ( They grow up so fast you really have to capture these moments ) The girls droped me off and I went up to my place looked around and weighed my options and deciced to call it a night . So I curled with Breakfast with Buddah read a few chapters and drift off into a better place in my mind . Sleep is good . =)

Fri. Feb. 19th

Well I didn't sleep well last night . I kept waking up and I had a headache almost all day . I have has small headaches that feel kinda like the pain you get before you get a headache but thats as far as they have got . Not the case . I was happy though when waking up to find my headache no be nil . I finally gave up on sleep and got out of bed at like 7 am . Took my shower and was ready for a big day of treatment . I think the thought of starting chemo was weighing heavy on me . Yet today was the day , time to put the best foot forward and remember my meditations . I made breakfast went for a walk then was ready for Sister to come and get me . While I was waiting dad called me and told me he had my allowence for the week . Yippy ! I go down stairs and theres Karyn . The two of them were hashing out details of Heartball or some type of foundraiser . I tuned them out and went to pet Rusty ( my parents dog that they call our brother .... oy ) .
I get a phone call , it's Seattle Cancer Care the nurse is tellig me there was confusion and they had to move my appointment to Monday . That way they would be able to do the test they need and I would be able to talk more with the Dr. . I have to admit I was kinda excited about this news . I really wasn't ready to start chemo I am having a hard time with it for some reason . I understand why I am doing the radiation but even after being explained to me a few times from mutiple people I still don't get why I need to do the chemo . I just think I am being stubern on the subject . =)
Radiation treatment went pretty quick as soon as I got in . The plastic mask that they click me into is starting to feel less evasive to me . When they give me the treatment , I tell myself that what is happening is making me better . It can be a real distrubing process if you are not in the right mind frame . ( I think that is my problem with chemo I just can't find my mind frame for it , maybe I should go shopping for frames .... ) My first treatment I got a weird taste in my mouth this time it kinda smelled like bromide ( like hottub chemicals ) it just smelled no taste . About 10 minutes afterwards I had a headache . I find it somewhat ironic that the whole reason I came in was due to headaches and now the treatment they have me on a side effect is headaches , at least I still have a bunch of aleve from before still . ( got to find the silver linings )
I ask Karyn if she wanted to go up to Seattle with me to see the McKay's , she said she would love to . So we wwent up there at about 2ish . I tild her that we were going to be way early so we took a detoure at the Westfeild mall area . We did what Whitacre women are really good at shopping ! We went into the Dress Barn to see if we could find her a dress for some thing she was going to on Satuerday . I love the hunt ! I found her this super cute gold and black dress . It had black lace and a gold satin under it , Super cute on sister ! Plus it was 60% off so it was a steal ! I found a warm up jacket for 8 bucks ! ( I know exceedes my $5 limit but some things are worth it ) While we are shopping S.C.C. calls again and tells me that they had a opening on Tuesday if I want to move up my port surgery . I take it , I think that people are more focased on their 2nd day at work . Plus I would like to try and keep all the stuff that makes me feel like poo to the early week that way on my weekends I will be a bit stronger going into them and feeling better on the Monday before the treatments start again . It's all bout maintaining optimal health .
Sister and I finsh up shopping and head to Pip's house . We took the express lane think it would work in our benifit . It would have if we would of been able to take the exit we needed . We ended up having to drive a bit more but it was a nice drive around the Fremont / Ballard area . We sat around for a few minutes and played catch up then everyone agreed that they were hungry . While grabing coats Pip asked my sister do you want me to drive or for you to drive . Karyn says you can you know where we are going , ask Liz who she want to drive . Pip says she hates my driving . Sister responds she hates everyone driving . I chip in Thats because you all try and KILL me ! Plus Pip I only hate your highway / freeway driving in town you are great ! With that we all pile in to Pip and Louise's car . We went to Korean B.B.Q. I had never been . It was awesome ! The 4 of us shared a combo meat platter and a extra side dish . It all was good ! The Teryaki sauce was a little spicey which I liked . My favorite though was mixing the bean sauce and the teryaki it was supper good . I will definitly go for Korean again .
The drive home was nice not to much traffic . Karyn told me to try and count how many planes were lined up for landing , I have never done this before . At one point there was 8 that I could count . That's a lot of people on the go . Wonder where they all go ? Mmmmm ....