GOOD REPORT

Had a Dr. day again yesterday. Well, in the morning I had therapy and she tried to get my leg back to feeling good again but didn't quite get it all. It is some better than it was though. Then in the afternoon I went to get another mammogram done. They looked at it and said it was looking like it should. Nothing looked unusual this time. I have to go back in 6 months for pictures of the one I had cancer in and then the next 6 months for pictures of both again. Hooray! I go to the surgeon Dr. next Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday will be my last therapy treatment.

I am looking forward to the grandkid's birthday party this weekend. It will be nice to get away from the house.

It has been an icy week. It gets slicker each day where the ice hasn't been able to be removed. We can get in and out of our driveway ok but it is very smooth and slick if you stop on it. But, I can pull into the garage if I keep it going. A lot of the schools north and south of us cancelled all week but our school has been able to keep going. Guess our road graders were able to get the roads better around here.

We are going to be changing our cell phones to T-Mobile next week. We are keeping our same cell phone numbers.

It is slow at work today. Talk to you later...

MESSED UP AGAIN

I thought I was done with therapy and my leg was feeling so very very good & normal almost when...WHAM...I messed up and stepped off a step like it was level. Now my left leg and hip are hurting again as well as my right elbow, arm, and hand that I used to catch myself with on a half wall. There was a sign that said "watch your step" but I didn't see it soon enough. I am so mad at myself! I couldn't get to my Friday therapy session(which would probably have been my last one) so now I go next Wednesday and Friday. And when it rains, it pours. My surgeon called and wanted me to make an apptmt to have another mammogram done. That will be on Wednesday also. Then following week I have an appointment to see the surgeon.

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It is in the 20's today and cold. We had sleet most of the day yesterday and last night. It quit for the morning but came back this afternoon. Hope you all are somewhere warm and safe.

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Jeff stopped by this week on his way home from Coffeyville. He had an appointment there and stopped in to see his cousins April and Brian while there. He came here in the evening and did some work on my computers for me. I still don't have it all figured out though. I probably need another lesson.

2007 BEGINS

The New Year came without a lot of fanfare with us. We watched the Dick Clark New Year's Eve show. We watched the ball come down and we went to bed just before midnight got here in our time zone. Whoopee! We did stay awake till midnight though and kissed Happy New Year and said goodnight.

I went to the podiatrist today and he has released me but said I can come back if the bone spur starts bothering me a lot again. I think the exercises and treatments that I have taken were good for me after all. I still have some zinger pains in my heel now and then but basically it feels ok most of the time. I do still have pain up the back of my left leg, in my knee, & the ham strings are tight. I may have to go to an orthapedic Dr to see about that now. I have at least one more therapy session on Friday. If I had wanted to, the podiatrist would have let me do water therapy in the hospital pool for a set of sessions. I love doing the exercises in the pool but I don't feel I have the time to spare to do it.

I had some sad news today. My friend from high school passed away this morning. She was one of my bridesmaids...Georgia Griffin. She had cancer pretty much throughout her whole body. In her Christmas card to me, she wrote that she was in a lot of pain now and was ready to let go. Please say a prayer for her and her family.

FYI for those who knew her, I found out that Vivien Stroup, the former school nurse, passed away. She had just come in and talked to me a few weeks ago about her cancer after she found out I had it.

I hope you all have a good year. Take care.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

AND MORE DOCTOR TIME

I went to my family doctor and he listened to me, did a few pokes and tells me I have fibromyalgia. He is sending me for therapy treatments for that which is body massages and my legs wrapped to get the swelling down in them. Luckily I am still only going two times a week but I have to stay twice as long in order to get my foot treatments and the new treatments. The gal wrapped my left leg and foot on Wednesday and I couldn't find a shoe big enough. I even went to WalMart...zilch. I stayed home Thursday and elevated my leg most of the day. It doesn't feel too bad today. I had to take off the bandages though cause they started coming off and since I didn't know how to redo it myself, I will wait til Monday for the therapists to do it again. I am supposed to have both legs bandaged next week so I hope they give me some of those velcro hospital shoes or I'm going to have to stay home from work again. This is costing me!

Well, I hope you are all ready for Christmas. I have the gifts but it is the wrapping I dread! Ho, Ho, Ho.

MORE THERAPY

I went to my Podiatrist today after therapy and he thinks I need to keep going with the therapy because my pain level has gone down. My leg pain is better too. I still have to stand still when I get on my feet because my foot hurts when I stand on it and I limp when I walk. I guess that therapy is better than having an operation. So now I am continuing the therapy 2 times a week and go back to the Podiatrist in a month. More time off work and more cuts in pay. (sigh)

HOPE YOU ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON. REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

IT IS 14" DEEP AROUND HERE!

Well the big ice and snow storm hit us Wednesday evening into Friday morning. Thanks to David's brother we have our driveway scraped off. David took a vacation day and spent it shoveling snow off the sidewalk and cars for about two or more hours. He also went in and got a few groceries for my mom & scraped off her car too. She hasn't been feeling well all week. I felt sick & had a headache so stayed home from work Thursday & Friday. I didn't go for my therapy today b/c of feeling ill and, besides, the roads were bad also.

Jen & Decovin came Tuesday night. Jen was going to go to Bunco Wednesday but the weather caused them to cancel it. She couldn't go home b/c of the weather.

I was supposed to get a haircut Thursday night but we had to cancel due to the weather. So here I sit with the same cruddy hair you saw me with last. I feel a bit dowdy today.

AFTER THANKSGIVING BUMMER!

We had a very good Thanksgiving dinner at Janette & Danny's. We enjoyed seeing everyone. There was a good crowd but Janette's house is big enough to accomodate all of us.

However, by the time I woke up Friday morning, the turkey was fighting with the side dishes I had eaten. I spent all day & evening going between my bed and the bathroom. My ribs are very sore and my stomach is still tender. David ended up being host to my family a day early. Jeff, Marianne, Katrina & McKendra, Marianne's folks-James and Nancy spent the night Thursday. My Mom, Judy, Melodie, Quentin, & McKinley & Christy came Friday to go ahead and fix our turkey as Jen,Bob, & Decovin weren't coming down. I just stayed quarantined in my room and slept when I could. I am sorry guys...hope no one else got my bug.

David said Katrina came and sat on his lap and asked where Grandma was and he told her Grandma was in the bedroom because she had a bug. He said she looked at him really seriously for a long moment thinking about it and then said, "We have to go get that bug out of Grandma's mouth. My doctor kit is at home though." I talked to all of them by phone before they left and Katrina asked me about my bug. I didn't know about the previous conversation so I didn't understand her at first other than she sounded really worried about me having a bug in me. She was also trying to tell me she would bring her doctor kit and take the bug out. She was so animated and matter of fact talking about it. It was really sweet of her to think about me.

I go back to the radiologist Tuesday morning and my therapist Tuesday afternoon. I talked to the therapists about my leg and ankle last time and one of them did a new manipulation of my foot, plus the ultra sound and the steroid machine. It has felt better this week so hope this means it will go away and no operation!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

WHY...? I DON'T KNOW!!!

I don't know why but it seems the more I exercise my ankle, the more my ankle & leg hurts. I have another 2 weeks of therapy before I see my doctor. Hope I can still walk by then. I may have to call him tomorrow.

David's back is hurting from digging and hefting on the Church Time Capsule yesterday. He may have sprained it.

We are going to David's sister's on Thursday and then my side of the family will be here at our house on Saturday. Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!

THERAPY....

I have 4 exercises to do 2-3 times a day and a boot to wear at night. It actually felt better this morning after wearing the boot all night. It keeps my foot at the angle it needs to be kept to keep from pulling my tendonitis apart all the time.

They put some new fangled unit on the back of my heel and the ground patch was put on the back of my ankle. Then they hooked it up. It got hot and tingly and hurt a bit at first but she turned it down and it felt better. It put some kind of steroid through my skin to help the swelling. I will have a heat sonagram tomorrow. I will go Tues. & Thurs. afternoons for 4 weeks. Fun! Not!

For those of you who know Dr. terminology, he officially diagnosed me as Retro Calcaneal Exostosis (a type of spur) & Inertional Dextro Tendonitis. It has started to make me limp somewhat and now the left side of my leg hurts and it makes my balance when I first get up really wobbly. If it hurts too badly, it makes me wince and I get set right back down.

I get so tired at work. Not used to working I guess. lol

AND THE DR. SAID...

I have a fractured bone spur growing into my achilles tendon. He said therapy was reccomended but that it was a 50/50 chance it would work but he wants me to try that first. If it doesn't work, then an operation to remove the spur will be the way to go. That would be a 3 mo. recovery time line. I start therapy next Tuesday.

My radiation areas look like I have been to a tanning salon on that side only. I am brown. It looks a bit wierd!

I feel like I am out of the loop on my grandchildren. I haven't seen them for 2-3 weeks now. Jeff is gone so much now that we haven't gotten any updated pictures. The ones of Decovin have been cute and even entertaining with his different faces.


David has been working long hours but he did have a holiday yesterday so we visited all the parents in one day. My mom in the morning. His dad & Loree at mid-day and his mom & Sam in the mid-afternoon. We had about a two hour visit with all of them. Not long but it has been so long since we have had time to go anywhere together, it was now or never!

This afternoon we are going to visit with our nieces at Linda & Eddie's. We actually visited with Les & Wade yesterday morning when Linda invited us up for breakfast with them. Michelle & Troy & boys are coming today. We haven't seen them since the family birthday get together in August. We got back home at 8:30--Kim & Keith came with their kids too. It was a nice afternoon. Michelle is looking good. She has just one more chemo treatment left on Monday.

I'd like to thank my sister-in-law Linda for all the meals she has made for us. They were appreciated very much. I also thank those of you who have sent cards. They always made my day whenever I received them.

I am going back to work on Monday. I didn't get to talk with my boss on Friday but assume I can come back then. I'll let you know...

A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

I am feeling better. Thanks for all the prayers and encouraging comments. David & I met Jen, Bob, & Decovin at Powell Gardens yesterday. It was a bit too windy but it still was nice out. They had lots of scarecrows along the walkway and all were dressed different. Interesting. The fall foliage was pretty and peaceful but we are anxious to go back when the flowers are in bloom. Today my calves and achilles tendonitis are telling me that perhaps the mile walk I took was a bit much for first time out in a long while. Oh well, I enjoyed the day tremendously. How did you like the pictures we took that I sent out?

I am going to put off going back to work for another week. I want to make sure I am not going to be sore wearing a bra all day. My boss has hired another agent to help him and I have helped her with computer problems by phone so I will go back next week for sure.

Have a good week.

ANOTHER DR. VISIT

One visit leads to another...I went to see my family Dr. so I could get my prescriptions redone but he also wanted to see how I was doing with the radiation and all. That was nice of him. He told me to get some Eucerin lotion for the burned areas and that does make it feel better. (just wonder why my radiologist didn't tell me about it???) He also gave me something to help me sleep and something for the pain of the burn. I have been groggy all day today. He said it would take 4 days to get used to it so I will give it 4 days I guess. I said something about the achilles tendonitis still hurting me and that I have to stand a minute before walking to get used to the pain plus my knees to start working so I can walk. He is sending me to a podiatrist who may put a brace on my foot to help the tendon tear heal up. So I have an appointment for that next Thursday.

Ruth, my cheery attitude is slipping away...lol.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween last night. We went to Christy's in town and took Mom too. Jen & Bob brought Decovin down in his bumble bee costume. He was cute as could be. They didn't stay long as they went up to see Bob's folks and Grandparents also. All in all, Christy had over 135 trick or treaters. We had them come in and show off their costumes to all of us. It was fun.

Well, my meds are making me sleepy again. Nap time!

STILL HEALING

I saw my radiologist Dr. Smalley today and he said I am healing slowly but surely. I am still peeling and have a raw spot under my arm and am red, but healing, under my breast. The Dr. said again that due to how my skin reacted to the radiation, it was best to stop the treatments and just watch me closely. I have to go back for a recheck the week after Thanksgiving so he can check my skin again. He said he would talk with my surgeon and let her know what has happened and have her do another mammogram and sonagram in March of next year. I am hoping to get back to work next week.

Thanks Linda, for taking me today and Thanks Jen for taking me the weeks before. Jen & Decovin went back with Bob on Sunday. It sure was quiet this morning when we got up. I do miss you both but I know how you feel about being in your own home.

We were invited up to Jeff & Marianne's on Saturday. Mom came with us. James & Nancy cooked several dishes for us to try. They had rice, a chicken & vegetable dish, a noodle dish, sweet & sour chicken, curried beef, ham, seasoned chicken wings, chocolate coconut jello, sweet potato donuts & Marianne had requested my cranberry salad which I brought. It was all very tasty and we were all stuffed. Thanks James & Nancy. We met Jeff & Marianne's neighbors who came over for a short visit. They are from Sweden and have been here for about 6 months now. They have a 3 yr old girl & 5 yr old boy. The little girl doesn't understand or speak English much yet.

We are going to Christy's tomorrow night for Halloween. We will take our treats there to give out. Mom is going to come over also I think.

I have an appointment tomorrow with my regular Dr. in Paola. The office called today and made the appointment. He wants to do a check up in order to go over my medications and renew prescriptions. Aaargh! I am tired of Dr. appointments!!!

May you all have a good week and stay healthy. Thanks to all who have made comments on my blog.

OH HAPPY DAY!

I went to the radiation doctor today and I was ready to tell him I had decided to do the mastectomy if they wanted to do anymore radiation on me. Well, he started out by saying he was very sorry that I was in so much pain. He looked at my burns and said that my skin didn't react to radiation like other people. He said that I should stop the "neosporin plus pain" ointment and use only the vaseline gauze this week and gave me a prescription for Hydrocodone. He still wants me to come in next Monday so he can check me again to make sure I heal up. He also said he thought I should not have any more radiation b/c of how my skin reacted. When we first started all this he had told us that because my surgeon got the cancer out, I could probably do ok without radiation but they would have to watch me really close to make sure the cancer didn't come back so he suggested stopping the radiation and doing just that. He said the other choice was mastectomy. Well, I was so relieved. Guess which one I chose? Yeah, I'll play the "wait and see" game for now. Just pray for me please. Thank you God....OH HAPPY DAY!

WISH I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW!

Decovin's growl is cute and sort of sums up how I am feeling. It seems the burn is spreading and hurts more than it did the first of the week. I don't think I can handle any more treatments. I would like to have had it cut off yesterday b/c it was stinging and burning so much. I could use some mail from some of you to try and take my mind off things. I go back to the doctor tomorrow to let him see how it is doing. I don't think I can stand another round of radiation burn. I will have to ask what other alternatives I have now. I don't know. Yes, I am a whiner when it comes to pain. I'm sorry but I can't handle it very well after this long a time.

Grandchildren

Grandchildren are wonderful little people. Here I am covered with mine. They are all beautiful but, of course, I am predjudiced. I was able to get them all on my lap for a picture on Jeff & Marianne's moving-in day. It is great to have them all so close to us now.

AND THE BURN WINS...

I have been given a weeks hiatus from radiation treatment due to my burns. If I heal enough, I will get to continue again the following Monday.
I have also, as of Tuesday, taken a leave of absence from work until this is all over. I hate doing that to my boss but he said he understands.

Decovin has started trying to stand on his own now. Hard to catch him on camera as by the time you see him do it and you get the camera ready, he sits down. Jen has a cold. Bob has come down for the weekend. There is a Long Family Reunion tomorrow at Rick Long's place. Jeff & Marianne & her folks are coming down for it also.

RADIATION BURN

The bad news is I have a radiation burn plus a yeast infection which has begun under my left arm and breast. It is tender as well as uncomfortable. The good news is that the radiation is doing what it is supposed to be doing to the cancer area. He said that it was doing the job perfectly. Whatever! He also said they will just keep a closer check on me now. I wasn't supposed to burn so quick. I don't seem to do things like I'm supposed to. Today will be my 13th treatment. Jen is not feeling good & didn't sleep good last night. I had hives again so I stayed home from work. Decovin is teething and has been cranky which is a big change from his usual happy disposition. Jen got to feeling better by the time we had to leave & so did Decovin. He entertains all the other people waiting in the waiting room while I am in getting treated. They just love him. So do I.
P.S. I got in and out of the treatment room really quick today. It took less than 20 minutes. I still have the hives though.