Here we go...

I've decided to restart my blog. Not sure what the focus will be, but I'll just start somewhere and see where it takes me.

A lot has happened since my last post. Some of it has been chronicled on Facebook, but I don't go into much detail there. It's really not the place to ramble. I can ramble all I want here. :D

July will be 4 years since my breast cancer diagnosis and I remain in remission. Incredibly grateful for that. Just had the 6-month check-ups and all is well. Arthritis got the better of me this past spring and I underwent a total hip replacement March 21st. There were some complications, but I am past them and doing well. Getting the rest of my body to catch up has been a challenge. Years of walking, standing, sitting to alleviate pain in my hip left a lot of muscle weakness. I joined the Y and started aquatics which has been very beneficial, once I get past the soreness the next day!

Back to the hip surgery....I tried to prevent people from knowing/seeing how much pain I was in prior to surgery. The folks who saw me regularly or semi-regularly saw me at my worst. I have never had such intense pain before. It was not pretty and I hope to never experience that again. I cried, screamed in pain and walked around the house for hours at a time because sitting or lying gave me no relief. Not even strong pain meds helped. It sucked. I honestly thought I would never make it to my surgery date. At this time, I also had a roommate I invited to stay with me to help her out, but it went horribly wrong and just added to the stress. I won't go into the ugly details, but I will tell you that I was totally unprepared to be a caregiver for someone who was far more needy than I ever imagined. Ugh.

After surgery, my heart rate was elevated and I spiked a temp. That afternoon/evening consisted of blood work numerous times, a myriad of tests to rule out a blood clot and/or pulmonary embolism or infection. Going for CT scans and ultrasounds in the middle of the night did not help my level of anxiety. Fortunately, nothing was amiss. My hemoglobin and hematicrit, however, were not bouncing back and I got all sorts of concern and lectures about anemia, and that I needed to follow-up and determine why these blood counts were so low. I was not permitted to walk by myself because of this, but I was never dizzy or lightheaded.

Because of lymphedema in my right arm, I cannot have blood draws, IVs or blood pressure readings on that arm. So my left arm took the brunt of it all. I was only supposed to be in the hospital 4 days, but because of my blood counts, they kept me one day, then another. They were hoping to avoid a blood transfusion, but the day before my discharge they gave me 2 units of blood. Normally IVs sites are changed on the 5th day, so sure enough, the vein decided to collapse. Twice during the transfusion, I looked down and saw blood puddling all over the place. Not my blood, but the donor's. Lovely. My arm was so beat up and bruised that there really wasn't a good place to start another IV and I definitely didn't want a line put in. They called Rapid Response, which I understand means that a nurse from ICU will quickly appear and find a way to start another IV. Well, I'm not sure what constitutes "rapid," but my nurse got tired of waiting and just went for it. She found a spot and viola, they were able to restart the transfusion. Which, by the way, takes HOURS. Sheesh.

So, finally on Saturday, I was released to an inpatient rehab facility closer to home. I decided to go that route since I live alone and I am so glad I did. I stayed there a week and a half, returned home and had about 2 weeks of home health care. A physical therapist came to my house twice a week and a nurse once a week. At this point, my recovery was speeding along nicely. I saw my surgeon 5 1/2 weeks after surgery and he was very pleased with the implant. He released me to most activities and I continue to improve. I dumped the walker shortly after I returned home and used the cane for about two more weeks. I am walking unassisted and doing things that normal people do. I have been told that it takes about 6 months for the hip, associated muscles and tendons to heal. I have virtually no pain, except for the other muscle aches I've experienced since resuming a more active lifestyle. I am so happy I was able to have the surgery.

My sister-in-law was an incredible blessing, staying with me the first two nights I was home and doing so much for me that I was unable to do. And, of course, the prayers and support of my family, church and friends were essential to my recovery. Thanks to you all!

I wanted to mention that my brother John passed away two years ago today. He was a wonderful brother and I miss him very much.

Does anyone still look at this thing?

Debating whether or not to quit writing here since I haven't since last November!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a safe, blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving. There is much to be thankful for: Family, friends and even our pets! Of course, I can't leave them out. Enjoy!

So neglectful

In my mind I assume the entire world is on Facebook. I am on there regularly (okay, what I really mean is TOO MUCH!) and I completely forget about my blog. I forget that people read blogspot and not necessarily Facebook.

I have had trouble getting into a healthy, consistent routine since returning from Pennsylvania in August. I have been very apathetic about everything. I see my shrink later this week as I have been told that apathy can be a side effect of the meds I'm taking.

Good news: I am doing freelance transcription work. I got the all clear on my annual PET scan earlier this month. YAY and praise God for both things!

My sister Van visited at the end of October. We walked for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides 5K and got in some nice beach time. Becky came to visit towards the end of Van's visit. I really enjoyed their company. It was fun!

The holidays are quickly descending on us and I am already starting to get a bit blue about all of it. Missing my brothers John, Ed and my folks. The holidays just seem to intensify the loss. I'll figure out a way to muddle through it.

I have a lot of catching up to do on those of you who blog here. I've missed reading about how you are all doing! :(

P.S. I've added a "captcha" step for posting comments. I think we can all do without the Viagra spam. :P

Bon Voyage!

My niece Marissa left for Spain on Monday. She's on a scholarship to teach English in middle school. She'll return sometime next June. She hopes to enter graduate school not too long after. I'm sure this is going to be quite an adventure for her!

Also on Monday, I brought Stella to the vet. She had some blood oozing from her scar, not a lot, but it concerned me. In addition, I was concerned about a thick lump that my sister-in-law Linda discovered next to the scar. Fortunately the scar is okay and the lump is a hemotoma from the surgery. Another sigh of relief.

This weekend I'm going up to the Villages. My friend Maxine arranged a mass for John Saturday evening.

Good news!

For a change.

Stella's mast cells came back as grade 1, thank you Jesus! Benign would have been the best outcome, but this is second best and I am grateful. We just have to be on the lookout for any new growths. I was literally making myself sick with worry. I couldn't take another piece of bad news.

Linda came with me to my oncologist appointment yesterday. Everything went well. He congratulated me on 2+ years post-lumpectomy. I'll continue to see him every 6 months. I asked him about having my yearly PT scan, but he said I don't have to have it, but if it would give me piece of mind, he'd order it. I opted to have it done next month.

Marissa sat with the dogs while we were gone. Thank you!

Is it the middle of September already?

Stella's doing well. She's eating, drinking, pooping, peeing. She still is moving a little gingerly and I have to keep her from licking her scar, but she's good. I give her a pain pill once a day and an antibiotic twice a day. She really doesn't seem to be in pain, so she may not need the pain meds tomorrow. I hope and pray she will be fine going forward.

Thursday I have my long-delayed appointment with my medical oncologist. I have an MRI scheduled for early December and I should have my yearly PET scan in October. I'll ask him about that.

I was worried about leaving Stella since I'll be gone for 2 or 3 hours, but my sister-in-law Linda will come over and hang out with her. THANK YOU!

Now the wait

Back home with Stella. She has a big, ugly scar with lots of stitches. He removed 3 other growths near the one bad one. Hopefully they are just fatty tumors. Histopathology report should be back by Friday. Now we just have to wait. I'm not very good at that. :(

Out of surgery

Stella's out of surgery. She did well. She was going to be ready to go home at 2:00, but I want to speak with Dr. Bailey, so they told me to come at 3:30. He removed 5 growths. I don't know if he thought they were all mast cells or not, which is why I want to talk to him.

Trusting

I dropped Stella off at the vet's this morning and spoke to the doctor briefly. They will call me when she's out of surgery. They probably won't release her till the end of the day. I'm a nervous wreck, but trying to trust God. Sigh.

Waiting for rain, sweet Vinnie and Stella stuff

A lot of rain is in the forecast today. I hope it starts soon so I have an excuse to crawl into bed and read a book. C'mon rain!

Picked up Stella Thursday afternoon. My vet says a bump we have been watching for awhile looks very much like a mast cell tumor under the microscope. Another one looks suspicious but is inconclusive. The other ones look like normal cells. Mast cell tumors are a very common type of skin cancer in dogs. Usually, surgical removal is the only treatment needed. They tend to continue to pop up so the ongoing treatment is to remove them if and when they do. He believes the cells are a grade 1, which would be great, since that has the best prognosis. We won't know for sure until it's removed and pathology takes a look. I'm very worried, but yesterday the vet called me with the results of the bile acid test and although it was elevated after the test, he consulted with a specialist who said she considers the level to be in a safe range. One of the things my vet was concerned with was the possibility the liver was involved with the skin cancer. The specialist assured him it is highly unlikely this is the case. She advised him to remove the mast cells, see what grade they are and retest the liver enzyme in 6 months. I am feeling a little bit better about it all. Stella has surgery Tuesday. Please keep her in your prayers!

Today is a sad day. Joe's family's Italian Greyhound passed away around 1:00 a.m. this morning. He just turned 14 last week and his health had been failing for quite some time. He spent the last 2 weeks sleeping a lot and not eating or drinking much. The dogs and I saw him Thursday and yesterday. He was a sweetie and Stella and Bella have known him since they were born and they loved him. We will all miss him. :)

Blue

Time flies. I can't believe it's September 9th already. I also can't believe I haven't posted here since August 26th.

I've been kind of blue lately. Not exactly sure why, but I just am. I've been busy with Inspiretees. I like working on the site. I'm learning a lot about managing a website. I'm thankful for the opportunity.

Stella goes to the vet tomorrow for a bile acid test. One of her liver enzymes is elevated. She has to fast for 12 hours. A real challenge with her appetite. The doc will draw blood then feed her something high fat, and several hours later, draw blood again. She is also developing a lot of little bumps under her skin. So between these two things I'm nervous. My little pumpkin.

P.S. I just realized something. Today is 09-09-09. Weird.

Two years and counting

In the midst of all that happened this summer, I almost missed a milestone. My breast cancer surgery was July 2007 so I have passed the 2 year mark. Had a mammogram earlier this month, all clear. Saw my radiation oncologist who told me since I see my medical oncologist and surgeon regularly, there is no need to see him going forward unless I'm having issues related to radiation treatment. I see my medical oncologist next week and my surgeon the week after. Sometimes I feel as if it's been many years since diagnosis and treatment. Needless to say, I am grateful.

My friend Joyce accompanied me to South Florida this past weekend. We visited with my cousins and Aunt Jean and Uncle Sam. I also finally got to meet Grace, my cousin Kimberly's baby. What a cutie. She has quite an intensity about her. Very observant. And very cute.

Monday I had my appointment with the Italian Consulate in Coral Gables. I submitted my translated and certified long form birth certificate. In a few months I'll receive my certificate of Italian citizenship and can then apply for an Italian passport. Funny, since I don't even have an American one! And who knows when or if I'll ever make it to Italy. At least I'll be prepared.

Marissa heads to Spain for a year soon. She'll be in Toledo teaching English. She's pretty excited about the whole thing. When she comes back she wants to look into grad school, maybe Penn State. My youngest niece started her first year at University of South Florida in Tampa, the same school that Joe, Angela and Marissa attended. She actually had enough credits to enter as a sophomore. Our little girl is growing up! :(

Oh I have been so remiss

Thanks Rachel, for nudging me to update my blog. I am spending an inordinate amount of time on Facebook, therefore neglecting my blog.

The trip back from PA was uneventful, but it was LONG. Jeff, Lili and I stopped often for the dogs (and us). Levi did better than the trip up, but cats really don't travel well. At least not in my experience.

While in New Castle, I hooked up with an old friend who has been expanding her business. I think I mentioned this in a previous post. I am working as her PR person and we've got a lot of avenues we're pursuing. Check out the link to her website here.

Keeping busy is helping me work through the grief of losing my brother. If I dwell on things too much, I can get really down. Everyone's prayers, encouragement and support has been vital to my emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. Thank you. xo

Finalizing plans....

to return to Florida. Jeff and Lili will drive back with me and the critters on August 4th. They'll have a few days for sun and beach before flying back the following Monday.

I have accumulated a bunch of stuff as my one month visit grew into five. I've accumulated lots of mixed feelings too. I am, however, anxious to get back. Need to settle into a new routine, take care of my house, yard and reconnect with family and friends in FL. I also have a slew of doctors' appointments and a mammogram spread out over 2 weeks. It will be very hectic which will be good for me.

I'm stepping into a business opportunity with a friend looking to grow her inspirational tee company. I have a link to her site on the right, but you can also go here to Inspiretees. She's here in Pennsylvania but I'll be able to do my thing in Florida or wherever I hang my hat. I am still very restless so where I end up is anybody's guess.

Eddie Jr.

Today, July 22nd, marks 22 years since my oldest brother, Eddie, lost a brief but excruciating battle with cancer. I really, really miss him. And of course, my brother John is always on my mind. The death of a loved one is such a deeply profound loss.

I didn't get to sleep until 3:30 last night then dreamed of Eddie. He had cancer in my dream but he was functioning and pretty much himself. I dream of my folks often. In some way it's comforting, but in another it's sad.

Well

I still don't feel like posting, but I'll try.

I've been trying to keep occupied. In various ways. Going to Presque Isle (Lake Erie) about once a week. Went to see a local production of "Fiddler on the Roof" which was very good. Bible studies, church, family and so on. Jeff, Lili and I are leaving for Florida August 4th. With the dogs and cat in tow. I've accumulated a lot of stuff in 4 months so it looks like I'll be renting a minivan again. Jeff and Lili will stay in FL until Aug. 10th. They need a fun break.

Hope everyone is having a nice summer.

Sigh

Once again, I don't feel like posting. I'll try to update this later.

Sisters Day

I still don't feel like posting, but I have 26 minutes to get a post in before midnight, therefore, keeping my promise.

I have been trying to keep busy. On Thursday Van, Anita and I had a "sisters" day. We went to Pittsburgh....shopping and lunch. Went to The Waterfront in Homestead, had lunch at P.F. Chang's, went to South Side Works, had dessert at The Cheesecake Factory, then went to Station Square, then finally on the way home stopped at my nephew's house to wish Steve's and Kim's son Matthew a happy 3rd birthday. I was tired, but we had a nice time. Friday Van and I went to see my friend Denise. Had lunch, went to Wal-Mart and had a very nice visit. Today Van, Aunt Esther and I went to New Wilmington to spend the 4th of July with my Aunt Anita and Uncle Arthur, cousin Fred and his family. It was also Aunt Anita's 90th birthday today.

So, like I said, trying to keep busy and trying to figure out how/when I'm going back to Florida.

I promise...

...to post something on here tomorrow. And reply to a bunch of emails waiting in my inbox. Not motivated to do much of anything.