What a Beautiful Fall Day

Not a cloud in the sky......temperature in the mid-seventies....wow, what beautiful day!! I'm sitting outside enjoying the sunshine on a fall day with my Lab, Abby. Kyle and I had a wonderful (but rainy) weekend in Knoxville watching the UT football game. How I wish we could have stayed an extra few days and gone hiking in the Smokey Mountains...not that I would have had the energy to go on a hike longer than 100 feet!! When we left, the sun was shining and mild temperatures were expected for the day.

Another couple of days and another treatment....just another bump in the road to a full recovery.

"And this too shall pass......"

It's Now Week 11 since my surgery

It's now week 11 since my abdominal surgery and I'm moving right along.

My 4th chemo treatment is scheduled for next week and I will be half way thru the treatments. The past week or so has not been quite as expected.....a lot more fatigued than I was expecting. Before I've been able to feel almost normal after about day 8 following a treatment but this past week has been a little different. I'm bored and restless but when I try to get up to do things I'm out of breath and easily tired. I've been told that this is just part of the process and it will continue to slowly get worse until its all over and I'm thru with all my treatments. I'm just not used to sitting around watching TV and reading ALL the time. I've never been one to sit around and just "surf then net" either.

Kyle and I are going to get out of town again this weekend and go see the VOLS play in Knoxville. It will be a tiring trip but well worth it for a change in scenery.

Abby is doing great and still growing .... she's up to 70 lbs. now and still only 9 months.....she's going to be a big girl.

All your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. "And this too shall pass......."

Third Treatment Down - 5 to go

Well, I had my third chemo treatment last Wednesday and I'm on the mend. My weekend wasn't too bad.....a little more fatigued than the last time. Going to have some blood work today to see if I need another transfusion or not. If my red blood cells are too low then that would account for the fatigue.

Been rainy here in Memphis, so sleeping while not feeling well worked out well....just look outside, all cloudy and misty and all anyone would want to do is curl up and snooze.

Missing Kyle yesterday and today as he is out of town for work. Abby really misses him when he's not here (so do I).

Hopefully the next two weeks will be uneventful....trying to go to Knoxville again for the UT v Ohio game....have to wait and see how I feel a couple of days before we go. Should be a great time to be in East Tennessee as the leaves will be beginning to turn which always makes the trip more relaxing and enjoyable (I feel like I'm going home......).

My next treatment is scheduled for September 30th so you may not hear much between now and then. I usually just try to exercise per docs instructions and take it easy with house work and laundry....wouldn't figure anyone would want to hear how much laundry I've done today.

"And this too shall pass......"

Well, I made it thru

Yes, I had a wonderful trip to Knoxville.....got to go see my VOLS win and visit with friends we only get to see once or twice a year. I'm feeling almost normal these last several days, but that is about to change. My next treatment is scheduled for tomorrow, so I plan on not feeling good over this up coming weekend.

My friends and family have been continued support throughout my illness and I want to again let them know how much there help and prayers have meant to me. Without your continued presence in my life, whether thru email, comments or personal contact you are there for me no matter what has come up, Thank you.

"And this too shall pass....."

Happy Labor Day Weekend Everyone

Well, I'm feeling good enough to definitely go to Knoxville this weekend. I've been taking it easy and resting a lot. I've been able to get together with friends and visit for a while .... nice to get out of the house for a change.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.

"And this too shall pass......"

Ankle Update - Good News

Well, I got good news the other day in physical therapy. My right ankle has progressed well enough to be able to be released from phyiscal therapy and just follow thru at home. We are making progress in the healing of my many health issues.

As for my chemo and how I feel.....I have recovered much more quickly this time that after the first chemo treatment. I am now able to go for walks and build up my strength and endurance a little more, which should help me in the long run. I even feel well enough and have enough energy (won't know until I try) to go to the opening UT football game on Labor Day weekend in Knoxville. Go Vols!!

My next chemo treatment is scheduled on September 9th and I'm hoping it will proceed much as the second one has....with a little less bone pain if possible.

Only 6 more to go

Well, my second treatment has come and gone. I didn't feel quite as bad after this one as the first. I also didn't start out anemic either. The extra blood that I got the week before my treatment has really helped me out. Kyle didn't feel all alone this weekend...I didn't sleep the entire weekend. I'm already feeling much better and able to get up and do things a couple of days earlier than last time.

Again, thank you to all our friends and family for your thoughts and prayers. Your continued support and thoughtfulness has helped both Kyle and I more than you will ever know.

It's that time again...

Well, today is my second chemo treatment. I'm feeling good right now energy wise and eating well. The 2 units of blood they gave me last week really helped me with the fatigue. Hopefully all will go as it did last time and I will just sleep for about 5 days and then start to feel almost normal again...I can even start to exercise now that its been 6 weeks since my surgery. Just one step closer to all of this being over and being able to get on with our lives. Just one day at a time....................

"And this too shall pass....."

On the mend from Chemo

Well, its day 6 since my 1st chemo treatment. I'm on the mend and feeling better, so hopefully I will have a couple of weeks of feeling good before the next treatment. Days 3 & 4 were rough but sleep took care of those days.

"And this too shall pass....."

One Down - Seven to Go

Well, my first day of chemo is done with. Not too bad actually....will really depend on how the next couple of days go. Had a good nap when I got home. They gave me Taxol and Carboplatin today along with anti-nausea meds and a few other side drugs. My next chemo treatment is scheduled for August 19th, so I should have a couple of weeks feeling good before they hit me with more drugs again.

Abby is still being wonderful and careful around me, she is so sweet (she can be a little devil at times though and drive Kyle crazy!!)

All in all, not a bad day.

"And This Too Shall Pass......"