Dear Friends and Family’
Sorry I’ve been so long getting back to you. Chalk it up to a busy social calendar!
Actually, my white count was down Tuesday when I saw the Dr. When he saw me he was very pleased with my progress, and I’ve been pleased myself. When I was pregnant, many years ago, I reacted the same way – wanted to sleep all the time. It’s rather like hibernating.
I’ve been with Merlene for vitamin therapy twice, Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The two of us have such a good time doing such silly things as to see whose IV therapy finishes first. By the way, Merlene’s birthday is Friday, so send her happy birthday wishes on the 24th.
Now I must go to the Dr. again for another shot, and then to see Kelly about my wig... Bye, bye for now!
April 23, 2009
April 17, 2009
April 17,2009
Well, the great adventures of chemo! Yesterday, my first full day home,was delightful.Full of pep and energy, I cleaned all sorts of things, strolled around the pool and in the process got too much sun. not a burn, but from now on it's sunscreen, long sleeves and pants and a big straw hat.
Today is another day, and I've paid the price with a sore rear and other not so pleasant symtoms. But some imodium has saved the day and it's clear liquids for a while.
My spiritual journey has been slighlt interrupt by a detour thru the physical world. But good news tonight from Dr. Fredric's office: my bone marrow biopsy was clear!
The hospital stay was fine and got plenty of info and help. I'm grateful that part is over. More another day.
Today is another day, and I've paid the price with a sore rear and other not so pleasant symtoms. But some imodium has saved the day and it's clear liquids for a while.
My spiritual journey has been slighlt interrupt by a detour thru the physical world. But good news tonight from Dr. Fredric's office: my bone marrow biopsy was clear!
The hospital stay was fine and got plenty of info and help. I'm grateful that part is over. More another day.
April 14, 2009
April 14, 2009
This seems to be my lucky day for hospitals! Only this time I won’t be bringing home two darling daughters! But the positive is this is a journey to free me from that masculine invention of the 30’s – the bra.
For anyone concerned about my flippant attitude, thinking I don’t recognize the seriousness of the situation. Please put your mind at ease. Having spent at least 10 years on an oncology floor, I’m well aware of the journey ahead. No, not the journey, but I’ve seen others travel this steep and rocky road so I know there are many thorny and twisted side roads that may occur. I choose to have faith that I’m as prepared as one can be. I know I walk with the One who best knows my pathway and I have faith in His/Her skills as a navigator and guide.
So if I look for the humor or see for the beauty along the way, that’s my choice. Peace for each of us – and for the many others beginning a similar journey today.
And “Happy Birthday to my darling twin daughters”. These two, along with their brothers, are my strong pillars, who are upholding me along with the many prayers from each of you.
For anyone concerned about my flippant attitude, thinking I don’t recognize the seriousness of the situation. Please put your mind at ease. Having spent at least 10 years on an oncology floor, I’m well aware of the journey ahead. No, not the journey, but I’ve seen others travel this steep and rocky road so I know there are many thorny and twisted side roads that may occur. I choose to have faith that I’m as prepared as one can be. I know I walk with the One who best knows my pathway and I have faith in His/Her skills as a navigator and guide.
So if I look for the humor or see for the beauty along the way, that’s my choice. Peace for each of us – and for the many others beginning a similar journey today.
And “Happy Birthday to my darling twin daughters”. These two, along with their brothers, are my strong pillars, who are upholding me along with the many prayers from each of you.
April 11, 2009
Holy Saturday
April 11, 2009
Sorry I haven’t up dated this since the 8th. I met with Dr. Tan on Thursday to prepare for my port to be put in next Tuesday. Being Holy Week and Easter Weekend that was as soon as it could happen. But the good news is, I’ll be able to spend Easter Sunday with my church family. They have been so supportive in thoughts, prayers, cards, etc.
I’ll spend the night at Baylor All Saints and have my first chemo before leaving the hospital. This will give me the opportunity to become familiar with All Saints 7th floor Oncology Unit and staff.
It has been good to visit with Jill and John. Jill spent her Spring Break here sewing PJ’s and embroidering sheets for my room. And John arrived Thursday > He took Jill and I to dinner Thursday and the whole Cariker family, Jill, and me to Macaroni Grill Friday. We celebrated Judy and Jill’s up coming birthdays. I later mentioned to Judy that my gift to her was to give her a day off from teaching to spend at All Saints for my surgery.
Being Holy Saturday, I’m getting ready to go to confession this afternoon. Confession is good for the soul, they say! I cam across a poem I had begun months ago so I’ll share it with you and my new ending:
Sorry I haven’t up dated this since the 8th. I met with Dr. Tan on Thursday to prepare for my port to be put in next Tuesday. Being Holy Week and Easter Weekend that was as soon as it could happen. But the good news is, I’ll be able to spend Easter Sunday with my church family. They have been so supportive in thoughts, prayers, cards, etc.
I’ll spend the night at Baylor All Saints and have my first chemo before leaving the hospital. This will give me the opportunity to become familiar with All Saints 7th floor Oncology Unit and staff.
It has been good to visit with Jill and John. Jill spent her Spring Break here sewing PJ’s and embroidering sheets for my room. And John arrived Thursday > He took Jill and I to dinner Thursday and the whole Cariker family, Jill, and me to Macaroni Grill Friday. We celebrated Judy and Jill’s up coming birthdays. I later mentioned to Judy that my gift to her was to give her a day off from teaching to spend at All Saints for my surgery.
Being Holy Saturday, I’m getting ready to go to confession this afternoon. Confession is good for the soul, they say! I cam across a poem I had begun months ago so I’ll share it with you and my new ending:
Practically Perfect
Why am I so irritated by those imperfect people?
And I am practically perfect in every way!
Why do I have to put up with people who don’t know anything?
When I am practically perfect in everything I do!
God knows I’m perfect!
Why I raised perfect children, didn’t I?
(4/11/09 Holy Saturday)
Oh Lord, I’m glad we can laugh together!
I’m learning, Lord, I’m learning
Little do I know about perfection?
Perhaps when I learn,
It will be when I truly love you.
Why am I so irritated by those imperfect people?
And I am practically perfect in every way!
Why do I have to put up with people who don’t know anything?
When I am practically perfect in everything I do!
God knows I’m perfect!
Why I raised perfect children, didn’t I?
(4/11/09 Holy Saturday)
Oh Lord, I’m glad we can laugh together!
I’m learning, Lord, I’m learning
Little do I know about perfection?
Perhaps when I learn,
It will be when I truly love you.
April 8, 2009
April 8, 2009
I saw the doctor yesterday. The bone scan, pet scan and other tests were clear. The next step is to put in an access line for chem.. I have an appointment on Thursday morning
To see the doctor who will take care of than. Then I’ll be an observation patient for the next 24 hours and will have chemo the next morning, This will be the first of 6 chemo treatments occurring every 21 days. Then there will be a second round of another drug with the same sequence, 6 treatments 21 days apart. I’ll finish with radiation and surgery. So I may be playing “desert mother” for the next year. At least I’ll catch up on all the books I haven’t read and the movies I want to see via Netflix. After that I’ll be a whole new woman! (Or something like that!)
Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming. They really help.
To see the doctor who will take care of than. Then I’ll be an observation patient for the next 24 hours and will have chemo the next morning, This will be the first of 6 chemo treatments occurring every 21 days. Then there will be a second round of another drug with the same sequence, 6 treatments 21 days apart. I’ll finish with radiation and surgery. So I may be playing “desert mother” for the next year. At least I’ll catch up on all the books I haven’t read and the movies I want to see via Netflix. After that I’ll be a whole new woman! (Or something like that!)
Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming. They really help.
April 4, 2009
April 3, 2009
First of all, many, many thanks to my granddaughter Mikha for putting this blog together as I begin this leg of my journey. And many thanks to all those who have lifted me high as if carried on angels’ wings with their prayers, cards, phone calls, etc.
Now about my travels: Mammograms, needle biopsies, visit to an oncologist, tests and more tests. Right now I’m on hold, waiting for my doctor to get the results and plan the next step of my travels. From what he has said it will begin with having an access put in for chemo and then receiving two kinds of chemo before surgery. That, in a nut shell, is all I know presently.
But I’m not wasting time. I’m researching vitamin therapy (Merlene, my friend, has done well with this), nutrition, exercise--- not to mention meditation, relaxation techniques, laughter therapy. Next I’m checking into
massage and then wigs, etc. A fiend of sister Judy’s, Midge Seaver, gave me many good tips the other day.
As I think back on my spiritual journey, I realize how God has prepared me for much of this. As a patient rep at memorial Southwest in Houston, I worked on the oncology floor and was a facilitator for a cancer support group. Those patients and families taught me much about dealing with cancer and caring for yourself on this journey.
Hope I’ve not bored you. Will blog again when there is more to tell.
Now about my travels: Mammograms, needle biopsies, visit to an oncologist, tests and more tests. Right now I’m on hold, waiting for my doctor to get the results and plan the next step of my travels. From what he has said it will begin with having an access put in for chemo and then receiving two kinds of chemo before surgery. That, in a nut shell, is all I know presently.
But I’m not wasting time. I’m researching vitamin therapy (Merlene, my friend, has done well with this), nutrition, exercise--- not to mention meditation, relaxation techniques, laughter therapy. Next I’m checking into
massage and then wigs, etc. A fiend of sister Judy’s, Midge Seaver, gave me many good tips the other day.
As I think back on my spiritual journey, I realize how God has prepared me for much of this. As a patient rep at memorial Southwest in Houston, I worked on the oncology floor and was a facilitator for a cancer support group. Those patients and families taught me much about dealing with cancer and caring for yourself on this journey.
Hope I’ve not bored you. Will blog again when there is more to tell.
April 1, 2009
I hope this is a good sign for the Journey
I hope we all realize that the jesters of the Mossbarger family are christening this BLOG on April Fools' Day. I'm looking forward to a lot of laughs along the way.
You might want to begin the youtube provided at 0:55.
You might want to begin the youtube provided at 0:55.
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