Busy morning.....

Page got in last night safe and sound. We got up early this morning for my appointment at Duke. We weren't surprised when it was decided I'm still not healed enough to start my treatments. I'll be honest and tell you I was so relieved since this past week wasn't one of my best ones.  I made the mistake of trying to extend the time between when I take my pain meds.  HUGE mistake - took three days to get back on top of it.  I also found out I have thrush on my tongue (got new prescription for that) and I had to be hooked up to an IV because my blood work showed me being very dehydrated.  I need to work more food into my daily intake and have an appointment for next Wednesday to probably receive fluids again. They will see me weekly until I start the treatments.  She also wants me to work with a physical therapist and I'm guessing I'll find out more about that next week.  We were there so long I was over an hour late getting my pain meds and now I'm having to work on getting on top of that again.  Next week I will take food and meds with me so that doesn't happen again.  The pain in my ears when I drink, eat and take meds is coming from the area where my saliva glands are.  They aren't working yet which is why I have to take a sip of water with every sip of Ensure.  Tired.....

Good Day...

I think I can honestly say today was a good day.  Not just because Roseanne came which always makes for a good day but because I could actually feel a difference - a little better.  While we were studying for the meeting I had a surprise visit from one of Page's old friends and her beautiful son.

I haven't seen them in a long while so we spent some time getting caught up. She brought a nice plant, lovely gift and another gift for Page when she comes. When she told me the other bag was for Page, she mentioned that she had gotten to go home to Ecuador for a visit so I'm thinking she brought her something from there. Her son has gotten so big and is still gorgeous beyond belief. BigD went for his treadmill test today and it looks like he is going to have to have a procedure. He doesn't want to talk about it so suffice to say, Page is going to be a very busy woman in 2 weeks when I start my new treatments and he has his procedure in that time period. Page flies to Europe to work for a week this weekend and will then drive up that next weekend and work from here and their Raleigh branch to help us. I know - we don't know what we would do without her.   We hope she realizes how much we appreciate it.  Here's hoping tomorrow is a Good Day also - and the next, and the next, and the next....

Touch base...

Decided it was time for a brief post to touch base. Not been on the computer too much lately - went on to check emails a friend told me she sent but didn't find anything. Had a nice visit with Roseanne yesterday. Got my hair cut today and it really needed it. Keith got back in town Thursday and came by to check on me today and share a few pictures of his cruise. Looked like everyone had a great time.

Gail snatched this picture of Princess Miya doing what she does best and as you can see, the tulips are still holding on to their color. Most of the petals have fallen so they will more than likely be gone by tomorrow. Have totally enjoyed them. Rie came by with the car group and CO's wife yesterday with a fresh bouquet for the kitchen table. I'm going to miss her and her little family so much but know this is going to be a very good move for them. Talked with all my babies except Page2 today so that was nice because they all sounded good. TIME -

Email sent out tonight.....

Decided to put my email here so as to catch everyone up on where things are as of today.
Had follow-up with radiation/oncologist today. 3 weeks tomorrow since last treatment and was so hoping to be much better but alas, it isn't to be. He went into detail as to why - extreme aggressive nature of the cancer requiring aggressive treatment and surgery which was planned out by the surgeon and radiation oncologist together to give me the best chance of success. Examination of mouth and throat show they are still very raw, extreme mucous (there is a formal name for the condition) combine to cause almost constant nausea.
He really hopes I will see significant change in the next two weeks but asked me to change my perception of a very important 4 letter word = T i m e. He wants me to stop thinking in terms of days and think in terms of a week at a time. He wants me to stop and think next Wednesday how I feel today as compared to then. He said I have to let TIME do it's work - and because of how extensive everything has been so far, it will take TIME.
He did say that if I don't see a lot more improvement, he will suggest my follow-up treatment be moved back a few weeks.
Overall - it was a good visit - he saw nothing in the examination to cause alarm in any way and told me I will be seeing the surgeon in a few months and then him - going back and forth between the two of them from now on. I told him about my upcoming surgery in March to have the cancer on my nose removed and we just looked at each other and I said - "I know, just shoot me". He laughed and said that was exactly what he would be thinking if it was him. From the things he suggested, it was obvious I have to stay on top of my day to day attitude.
Eileen came by this afternoon with some pretty yellow roses. It was so nice to see her and have her stay for a visit. She told me she thinks I need to start sending little update emails again - even if just a line or two. She said the reason she came by today was she figured things weren't going well because I had pretty much stopped communicating. That I need to put just a sentence or two up every so often - that people start worrying if they don't hear from me. A little later, I had one of Gails's wonderful support phone calls with some good ideas to keep my spirit up. SO - I hooked up the computer and lo and behold - there were about 5 different emails addressing the situation of not hearing from me ---- SO - I will try to do better. Plan to put this in my blog for those who follow me there.
I do so appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers and encouragement and count on them every day. Don't give up on me yet.

Much love to all of you.....