Feeling pretty good!

Hello Friends,
I just wanted to let you know that this last round of chemo (5th) has gone pretty well. For the first time since I started, I did not get anemic! Yippee! I guess I didn't realize how much the anemia was adding to the chemo effects. I wasn't terribly anemic, so didn't think it could make such a difference. But, apparently it does. My doctor had encouraged me to take more iron, which I had been hesitant to do. Those who know me very well (and if you've read this entire blog from the beginning - you do), I struggle with constipation, so did not want to take extra iron or vitamins. But, I think I'm finding a concoction that works for me. I take fiber pills, eat high fiber cereal and foods, and take stool softeners. Holy cow. I've never taken so many pills in my life. I know I should do this all the natural way, but when your appetite isn't so great, it's just easier to take a pill. So, I take the iron. My other alternative is to get extra iron through my infusion when I get my chemo. I may still do this if the constipation gets too bad, or I get tired of fighting it.

My next chemo is this Thursday. Hopefully I will still be not anemic and it will go fine.

I did feel really tired today, so laid down for a while. I woke up 2 1/2 hours later!!! I guess I was more tired than I thought. Oh well.

All the boys are doing great. Hudson broke his wrist about 2 weeks ago - did I mention it? He's doing fine, though it's feeling better so he doesn't feel he needs his splint anymore. Tucker has started his baseball games. He got some pregame jitters during his first game, but did well. This year will be a huge learning year for him. The kids are pitching now, so he has to learn what a good pitch to swing at is. Tom is busy busy busy. Jack, the dog, is only getting stronger and smarter. I think he's smarter than I am. What to do?

That's it for now. I have to go pick up the kids. I love to do that.

Love,
Karen

Hi everyone!

My computer has been acting very strangely for a couple of weeks now. So, it's been a while since I've been on the blog. Hello to all of our friends! Here's the latest. I had chemo yesterday - round 5! I'm almost half way - yippee! The neuropathy (cold sensitivity in fingers) is worse this time. Just washing my hands make them tingle - yuck. So, I'm wearing my gloves more often.

Tom took the boys camping to a Vintage Airstream rally. I wanted to go, but it's supposed to be cold and maybe rainy. I figured that the chemo effects will be settling by then, anyway, so opted to stay home in my nice warm, comfy house. Tom will reconnect with some old friends there. Most of them haven't seen Tucker since he was 2-3 yrs. old and have never met Hudson, so it should be fun. They will get spoiled by many adopted grandparents there! There a car museum close by, so there will be something to do if it rains. I packed coats, hats and mittens.

We went up into the mountains last weekend and enjoyed a snowball fight together! It was so fun to see the pure joy the boys had with the snow. We live in a desert and rarely get to see snow. It snowed pretty heavily last weekend, so we packed up and went. We built a tiny snowman and they "body surfed" down a small snowy hill (we don't own sleds). I was enjoying watching them so much, that I didn't want to leave. The wind picked up, however, and the boys were wet so we went home. They want to got back ASAP!

I found a support group through an agency called Gilda' club in Cathedral City. If you know anyone with cancer, or is a caregiver, or even has a friend with cancer - they can join the club. The club is free and so are all of their services. They have support groups for cancer patients in treatment, cancer patients 1 or more years post treatment and one for caregivers of cancer patients. They also have a great group for children whose parents, grandparents, etc... have cancer. They also have fun things like painting with water colors, quilting, knitting, yoga, tai chi, and relaxation classes. It's really great, so I would encourage anyone to look in to it. It's a great environment as well.

Well, I'm looking forward to my quiet weekend. I can stay in bed as long as I want and not feel guilty! I would much rather be camping, but it's nice to be home alone as well. I have lots of leftovers in the refrigerator, so I will be all right.

My next chemo is March 30th. I have been struggling with anemia and may need an iron infusion. We'll see. I'm trying to take the iron orally, but my constant battle with constipation may make the infusion necessary.

Love to you all.
Love,
Karen

Settling in, sort of

Hello Friends,
We are kind of settling in to some kind of weird new rhythm. I guess the ups and downs are expected and accepted more, by now. The kids know that Mom needs to rest and sometimes they use it to their advantage! Tom expects little from me, which I'm not sure I like. I feel pretty useless sometimes. I try to contribute when I can. He really is getting anal about the house. It's too funny. He never used to be that way. I suppose it's a way to control your surroundings, when you have little control over other things. I was really proud of myself the other night. I actually made dinner (spaghetti - big deal), cleaned up afterward and got the kids to bed myself. I didn't want Tom to have to come home from a late meeting and face having to clean up. This may seem little to you all, but I felt pretty darn good about it. I hope to start going to jazzercise again the rest of this week.

Things that make me feel good: mint tea, tai chi, jazzercise, finishing laundry, accomplishing any household task, spending time with friends.

Things that make me feel bad: seeing my hair come out in the shower.

The hair falling out has been a slow process. Fortunately, I have a lot of hair. I wonder what will be left by the end of my treatments in July. It's taken me a long time to grow my hair long, I would really hate to have to start over. Oh well. All of the yucky things mean only that the chemo is doing its job. I just have to think of it that way. I think I would worry more if I didn't have any side effects - I would wonder if it's working.

Those are just a few thoughts. I"m not as eloquent as my dear husband.

Love,
Karen