ahhh November...

Autumn is my favorite time of year. The leaves are changing color and the world is just an amazing place to be! If I were to ever have a car accident it would be in the Fall. So hard to keep my eyes on the road and not the beautiful landscape.

So here it is November. We've had a few birthdays pass by and a few more to come. Happy Birthday!

11/3 - Terry & Rhonda
11/ 5 - Wendy (Mama of that beautiful baby boy pictured below)
11/26 - Harry
11/20 - Happy Anniversary to Dan & Wendy!

and in case December gets crazy as always....

12/2 - Abby's 14th birthday! She's really starting to show her age but still loves cookies!
12/5 - Howard
12/6 - Devin
12/11 - Summer
12/18 - Casey
12/22 - Mike
12/27 - Joseph
12/18 - Happy Anniversary Dad & Shirley

Went to Art in the Highlands on the 25th. There were some really beautiful paintings! It was so good to see so many friends that I haven't seen in such a long time!

We'll be having a big Thanksgiving this year. Mom, Jeff, Harry, Patty, Wayne, Lisa & the 4 of us. Marty just finished building us a new dining room table cuz our other table just wouldn't have been big enough! After I get it painted (I'll post a picture) I'm finally going to get started on the hall bathroom. It's been screaming for help for years and I just can't ignore it anymore. I'm thinking venetian plaster...

It's nice spending time at home, getting things done & starting to feel more normal (in my sense of the word).

love you ALL!

Happy Halloween!

A NEW Birthday!

Conner Daniel Strohschein was born on September 28, 2008! Welcome to the world, little guy!

Thanks Wenny!

A quote I read and liked...

I didn't make it thru chemo just to end up on the couch!

Talk about men getting in touch with their femine side...

Well, I'm in touch with my masculine side. He just happens to be gay!

So, I asked Hannah "How do you vent anger?" Her reply...

"I blow up balloons on a trampoline with an elephant while humming the ABC's."

the love stuff...

I want to thank all the wonderful people in my life for the visits, the calls, the care & support, the love shown, the cards & gifts & all the emails. I'm one lucky girl to have you in my life!

The fun stuff...

I missed a few birthdays...
9/1 Happy Birthday Chuck! Hope it was the best!
9/7 Wayne's Birthday
9/19 Papa's Birthday (he woulda been 85!)
Of course Marty's Birthday was on 9/28
Hannah turned 21 on 10/8! (more on that later)
10/9 Jane's Birthday (She was here!)
10/10 Susan's Birthday!
10/18 Robin's Birthday. Happy Birthday, Rob!

Upcoming Birthdays & Stuff....
10/27 Happy Birthday, Cerra!
10/28 Happy Birthday, Gabby!
10/28 Happy Anniversary Steve & Alysia!
10/30 Happy 32 Jane & Tommy!!!!!!!

I'll stop there. Hopefully I'll post again before November and get those birthdays up then. Let me know if I left any one out. It wasn't meant to happen! Honest!

Wayne & Hannah went to Birmingham for Wayne's birthday and she took him to a Bama game. He can't help that he's from there! = )

Stix was a part of the "Taste of the Town" this year and won Gold for Entree and Silver for Appetizer! How cool is that??? He served Hibachi Shrimp and Sushi. I was so excited for him! The only other category was dessert and he only had fortune cookies for that or I'm sure he would have won that, too! So that's what we did for Marty's birthday, went to the "Taste of the Town! Had a great time sampling food from different restaurants and mmmm the wine!

On 10/3 I went to the "Arts in the Park" festival. It was my first big outing and I had a blast and was VERY tired when I got home! It was a good tired.

On 10/6 Jane came! We had so much fun! We went to Beale Street for Hannah's birthday. Hard Rock for dinner. Left the young'uns there to party the night away. Hannah had a great time! Took Jane to Stix the next night for her birthday. I need to scan that pic and post it. *mental note* On the 10th Hannah and Wayne left for Vegas. She was completely amazed! She's gonna send me a few pics to post of her trip but hasn't yet. (hint) They went to see Phantom and she said it was amazing! Jane helped me get started on some photo albums. What a project this is turning out to be! Try organizing 50 years worth of pictures! Oh my gosh! Jane went home the 12th = (

Hannah & Wayne got back the 14th and while Marty & waited for them to fly in, we went and bought me a new car! = ) I'll post a pic *another mental note*

Had lunch with Mir on the 17th (Friday), she's such a busy girl! She gave me a couple of tickets to this years Vesta so Marty & I went Saturday.

The Horse Auction (see previous posts) was Saturday. Gary's & Mir's horses earned big bucks for the charity! I'm so happy for them both!

Today was the Stix/Bonefish luncheon "Fishing for a Cure" for Relay for Life. Hannah, Ian & I went. All proceeds including gratuity went to Relay for Life & the American Cancer Society. All of the servers and cooks VOLUNTEERED their time for this event. Way to go guys!

Up coming dates...

This Friday & Saturday (October 24 & 25) is the private showing of original paintings by Johnathan Harris at Fran's house. That should be good. Probably go Friday cuz....

Saturday October 25th is Art in the Highlands from 3-8 A private showing of the art of MIR & GARY!!!!!!!!!! Now seriously, folks! How cool is THAT???

As much as I've typed I'm sure I have left things out. I'll try not to go so long without posting this time.

Love ya!

Last Chapter

I have put this off long enough, I guess. Now that it's over, I want to believe it was all a dream and pretend that it didn't really happen. That's why it has taken me so long to update. This will be my final post about my lost weekend. After this one, it will be normal (hopefully fun) things I will write about. This doesn't mean I won't nag you to give blood and update you on fund raisers blah blah blah. = )

Okay, the beginning is the only place I know to start and my memory is not the best, so a lot will be left out, I'm sure. My last post was August 21st so I'll start there.
Went back into the hospital for my last round on August 25th & came home on the 28th. The time I spend getting chemo is really not too bad once you get passed the PICC and anxiety. I saw my Leukemia twin (She was right across the hall, in for a fever. She was about a week ahead of me thru all this) She was going home the next day but that night we were running back and forth between our rooms visiting and the nurses thought it was funny. = )
So chemo went well, I did more research on AML and messed with the nurses. One of the techs got me interested in a show you can watch on your comp called "LOST". It helped pass the time and now I'm in Season 4. Too funny. I DON'T WATCH TV! Anyway, I slept for the first 3 days home (as usual). My counts sucked when I had them checked on the 2nd of September so I got a shot of nulasta and they told me they were going to set it up for me to get blood and platelets at St. Frances (Germantown Methodist doesn't do outpatient transfusions anymore. go figure.) on the 4th. Oh goody. A new hospital where I don't know anyone or the way they do things. my favorite. I got there on time. They put me in my room immediately....and I sat there. For 2 hours I sat there without even a hello from the nurse. I'm like uh-uh. So I get up and go find one and with a carrot in my mouth and leaning against the wall, they got a "What's up, doc?" "Oh! Your nurse is getting someone ready for surgery and will be with you as soon as she can." Yeah. Thanks for letting me know. I'm already in a strange place...been poked and prodded till I'm crazy. Just give me a break and let me know what's happening. That's all I ask. After that when my nurse finally came in, what a sweetheart!!!! Did I feel bad for getting upset? nope! But I really did like her a lot and the rest of the day was a breeze.
Went back to FCC on the 5th and my counts still sucked even after the transfusions. sigh. Started feeling pretty bad on the 6th, started running a fever on the 7th, back to Germ. Meth. the 8th. This was probably the worst week of the last 4 months. On the 8th I got more blood and platelets, on the 9th another transfusion & a CT Scan, on the 10th more platelets, a chest x-ray and IV Magnesium, on the 12th more platelets and a Cat Scan on the 14th 2 more units of blood and they set me free. Marty says I was out of it thru most of it. I don't remember much but I do remember feeling horrible and that it was never gonna end. But it did and here I am back to my ole pain in the ass self. = )
On the 15th I went back to FCC for my CBC and although it wasn't great, it was better. Saw Dr. Weeks (God love him!) on the 16th and got released until the 30th. yeehaaaa! On the 30th things were looking good so he gave me another week off. I went in on the 7th and he started to give me a 3 month reprieve but I opened my big mouth and told him about a few concerns I had and he ran some blood tests and told me to come back in 6 weeks. STILL! 6 weeks is a lifetime! I was happy. Still don't know the results of the blood work cuz I got so caught up in Jane being here I forgot to call until today and Loretta (Dr. Weeks' nurse) will call me tomorrow. So...there ya go. All caught up on that subject, I'll start a new post for the fun stuff. = ) Oh! One more thing. I can't say enuff good about G'town Meth nurses! Most wonderful bunch of caring, loving women in the world!

Random Quotes

Finish every day and be done with it. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~ Herm Albright 1995

I can handle reality in small doses, but as a lifestyle, it's much too confining. ~ Lili Tomlin

Parting your soup is not a miracle. It's a magic trick. A single mom who is working two jobs and still finds time to take her kid to soccer practice...that's a miracle. A teenager that says no to drugs and yes to an education...that's a miracle. What people don't realize is...they have the power. You want to see a miracle? Be the miracle. ~ God (from Bruce Almighty)

The biggest disservice you can do your kids is to give up who you are to raise them. ~ Susan Sarandon

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~ Elizabeth Stone

Update

After I got this all updated (August 10), I went out to the screened porch and sat down to call Susan, looked down and discovered a bad case of petechiae on my feet and lower legs. That prompted a phone call to Dr. Weeks which landed me in the hospital over-night and 12 buttons platelets, 2 units of blood and a bag of neupogen. sigh. Back to the doc the 12th and my numbers were up so they said, "If no problems - be here Monday to check numbers and go in for round 4." I had my numbers checked Monday (the 18th) and, alas, they were low (I had a feeling) so we put it off until the 25th. That's where we are now...waiting for the 25th. Jane, on the other hand, went in on the 18th (without me) and had her other hip replacement surgery. All went well and now she is enjoying her percocet. Way to go, Goldie!

now that I'm caught up...

...let's talk about blood. In just my first stay at the hospital I was given 8 bags of Red and 13 bags of Platelets. I can't give it back. I would if I could. They don't want my blood. go figure. So here I am asking all of my friends and family to help me and others like me by donating blood. I'm not gonna go on and on about it, I'll just say, it would mean a lot to me (and others) for you to do what I'd like to but can't. For those of you that are local:
Germantown
2095 Exeter
901.756.8585

Collierville
875 West Poplar
901.850.9291

Bartlett
7505 Hwy. 64, Suite 109
901.384.9898

East Memphis
920 Estate
901.767.8585

Tennessee Medical Center
Paul W. Barret, Jr. Center
1045 Madison Ave.
Memphis
901.522.9198

give blood. give life.
http://www.lifeblood.org/

Upcoming events...

Goldie goes into the hospital on 8/18 for her other hip replacement.
I go back the same day for Round 4 (and hopefully final). I should (hopefully) come home on the 21st.
Marty turns 55 September 28th.
Hannah turns 21 (Lord help the world!) on October 8th.
Goldie has a birthday (see how nice I am not telling which one?) on October 9.
Poosie has a birthday (see above) on October 10.

And here it is...August

I spent the first 2 days of August asleep. Doesn't get any better than that. = ) I felt perdy good on the 3rd and came out of the cave. Hannah left for Pensacola for a few days of rest with Moo. Thinking this one's a breeze! Had to start neupogen shots on the 6th thanks to a low WBC. Felt really good until the 7th. Platelets dropped and had to go back to the hospital for a transfusion. Not too bad. Platelets only take about 15 minutes! (Once they get started!) Was there in Same Day Surgery for 4 hours. Thanks to the premeds, I slept the rest of the day. Ms. Peggy wanted me to get blood, too, but there is such a shortage here they wouldn't give me any until my number reached 21. More about blood later. Okay so 3 days of neupogen shots, platelet transfusion, felt a little dizzy, tired, a little nausea, all in all, not too bad this round. My numbers (except WBC) were up on the 8th. Felt about the same today. Tired, but not enuff to sleep, a little dizzy, a little shaky, a little nausea. For the type chemo I'm on, this is really good! That brings us up to date! (finally!)

the rest of July...

Went home the next day 7/9. Beth had to go home on the 12th. Of course I started feeling tons better after. = l The following 3 weeks were absolutly the BEST! I almost felt normal. Had energy! So, I did what I would normally do, I painted the screened porch! = ) I love it! I'll post pics here when....ahhh you know the story.On the 28th, back for Round 3. It was kinda hard to go after feeling so good for the last 2 weeks! But I removed myself, as usual, and did it. This time I was a little more coherent and spent most of the time doing research on AML INV (16). Any questions? Just ask! haha! Since I ODed on chemo last time, Dr. Weeks cut my chemo back to 6 bags over 3 days. What a difference that made! Went home on the 31st feeling pretty good...just tired.

Annie...

While i was in the hospital the most unbelievable thing happened. Annie turned 15 on 7/8!!!! I have never had a pet live so long! Nice to break the curse!

Beth...

Beth came on 7/5! Was suppose to be home for this planned visit = ( but it was good to have the company at the hospital and she cooked for my family. = )

the rest of June...

Back in the hospital on 6/23. Round 2. I know I said I was clear. My leukemia is in remission. There are 2 phases to the chemo. The first (3 weeks in the hospital with chemo 24/7) is call the induction. Then you have 3 more rounds to make sure none of those little bad cells are hiding and those 3 rounds are called consolidation. Dayum I've learned a lot = ) This time I get 2 bags of chemo a day for 4 days. On the 24th I get the surprise of another bone marrow biopsy! My favorite! My third one. great. I can't remember why, don't want to.Went home on the 27th. Sick as a dog on the 28th, 29th, 30th, 7/1.No wonder! I need more transfusions! Yeah! Do that on the 2nd. Was at the hospital 6 1/2 hours.But! There's more! I get readmitted on the 3rd! So sick. When your White Blood Count is low, you're prone to infection becuz the white is what fights it off. Apparently, I got infected with some random germ. Lots of antibiotics. Who knew?

Poosie...

Poosie came up (drove straight thru from Orlando) on 6/12. I felt pretty good (just grumpy due to hives from being allergic to one of my meds) the week she was here so we did quite a bit of shopping. = ) Didn't buy alot but it was fun getting out and hanging with her.
Found out which med I was allergic to & the hives finally cleared up.

The horses are coming!

In all my glory (see photo below) Marty & I went to the Germantown Charity Horse Show on 6/10. Had a wonderful time! Was there with Gary, Tina, Mir & Robert. So nice to be out of the house (& hospital!) not to mention all the horses on display painted by such talented artists! Mir & Gary both were chosen to paint a horse. How cool is that?? Only 20something artists were chosen! There are some links to the right. I'll also be posting some pictures here when I get around to retrieving them from the hard drive disk of my last comp. = ) Or (becuz we all know how slow I am) maybe I could get Mir & Gary to email pics of their horses to me. = ) (hint)

On and on and on...

I've had a break (and stemed veggies from Wei Chwen!) and I'm back at it. I thought you guys might like to see a picture of me after chemo, steroids, hives and tons of other intrusive things.

Lovely, eh?

To pick up where I left off...

I was admitted to Germantown Methodist on 5/12/08. Due to a few PICC problems and low platelet count, I didn't start chemo until 5/13. I got chemo (Cytarabine) 24/7 (literally) and finished up on the 20th. Before I go any further just let me say...the nurses on 3South ROCK! Samantha was my nurse that first night and she was incredible! Let me tell ya folks, that first night's perdy scary.
During my initial 3 week stay at the hospital I found out how blessed I was. Marty, Ian, Hannah & Wayne, Moo, unbelievible friends - Mir (came by with tulle and other things and decorated my room with color), Gary, Tina, Fran, Jeff, Allison, Lisa, Mir's Dad, Karen, Jeff, Carol, my sisters, the nurses, Doc Gina, Dr. Weeks, Jan, Chaplin Jack.
The initial 3 weeks also consisted of lots of platelet & blood transfusions, balloons, lots of blood tests, flowers, lots of drugs, lots of cards, lots of sleep, lots of hot flashes, lots of prayers, lots of heartburn, bone marrow biopsies, hairloss.
Goldie came on 5/27! So excited! Loved her being here!
Also on 5/27 I got the results of my 2nd bone marrow biopsy - CLEAN! It took about half the day for that to sink in.
May 30th was Hannah's recital. Needless to say, I couldn't go and I think that was the first time I cried since this adventure began. I was so glad Moo and Goldie were here to go! Hannah dedicated her solo to me = l
Went home on 6/3!

still coloring...

So here i am again, almost 2 months later. I had such good intentions of posting and keeping everyone informed but, my definition of chemotherapy is a "drug induced temporary lobotomy". So there you have it. It's a good thing I never got around to sending the blog to anyone! haha! So now that this whole leukemia adventure is drawing to a close, I'll give it another go and try to catch up.

A few things I'd like to hit on...

I missed the Family Reunion in May and didn't realize just how bad until now.

My best friend from childhood, Debbie, turned 50 on May 30th. = )

Latest Adventure...

Normally, I can't sit still. I have to be doing something all the time. And I love being with people. Love socializing. For the last, oh I don't know, it's been almost a year now I guess, I've been tired. Real tired. Wanna just sit and stare tired. Everything hurt. Lower back, hips, knees - all my joints! I attributed the tired and hurting to my job and age and the abuse I have put my body through over the years. Then this rash appears. I blame it on too much sun. I had decided to go to Doc Gina (the best doc ever!) with my list of complaints after we finish this lawyer's office job downtown. Then i get an Upper Respitory Infection. So I went to see Gina on 5/5/08 and gave her my list of complaints with emphisis on the URI. She checks out my list and orders some blood work and tells me to prepare myself to go into the hospital. I look at her like she's crazy. Next thing I know she's sending me to another doc, a specialist, across town. "go now". (Turns out to be an oncologist/hemotologist.) So I head over there, more blood work. Says come back Wednesday (5/7) for a bone marrow biopsy. um...okay. Wednesday I go back and get the biopsy - not something I recommend to do for fun. Go back Friday (5/9) for the results. Diagnosis: Acute Myeloid Leukemia with INV(16). Which means my 16th chromosome is inverted. Who knew? Prepare to go to the hospital on Monday (5/12) for 3 weeks with 24/7 chemotheropy. excuse me?

GREAT NEWS!

Beth is clear! = )