kimne's Journal

Week in Review
Nov 08 2009 16:43

Here is my journal entry from Caringbridge.

Where has the last week went? I sat down twice to update everyone but got distracted. Its another beautiful sunny day here in Georgia. The move went well. Oh, except for the major stress Thursday and Friday (right before we left). Of course I was going to be stressed out.

Friday my sister made me go back to my doctor (in Waldorf) to get fluids. I'm glad that she did. I could really tell a difference. Saturday we got up early and got the car packed in no time. Had breakfast at Bob Evans and was on the road by 8:45am. The drive was so boring. Tucker handled it great. He was pretty quiet for the most part. Every now and then you would hear a tiny meow. When we got to Tammys and I let him out of the carrier he ran directly under the bed. He did come out to sleep with me.

Saturday night I got to spend with Tammys family. I was glad to be able to spend some time with my little nephew. I got to see him dressed in his costume to go trick or treating. They weren't out long since it started to rain. Then my nephew handed out candy while we sat on the front porch. I still smile when I think of this one little boy that came up and had the strongest southern accent.

Since its only a few hours between my sister & brothers houses, we didn't have to leave until 1pm on Sunday. Then we met Gary and my older nephew part of the way there.  I drove my car with Nathan (my older nephew) from there to my Gary's house. I wanted to drive after a day of riding (on Saturday). We talked alot (or maybe I did) and got here in no time.

I was a little disconbobulated the first night. Getting some stuff out of the car. Getting Tucker settled. Trying to think of this as my new home and having a doctors appointment the next day with a new doctor.

Everyone (Gary, Bonnie & Nathan) went with me to the new doctors appointment. Dr F seems nice and professional. I guess I just don't get excited any more. He listed to my story and my long list of side effects. He answered all our questions. He decided to run blood tests and get a new PET scan. They took the blood in his office and set up an appointment for the PET scan. I'm scheduled for chemo tomorrow. We are staying with what I've been on for now. I'll get the test results  back tomorrow and decisions will be made on what to do (or change) from here. I'm actually looking forward to it. I have to admit that I was crying yesterday. My stomach is getting big. I can tell its from the tumor growing. I'm getting shooting pains in new places that I worry are where the tumor has spread. I'm sure the size of the tumor is why I have a hard time laying down. I guess the results from the PET scan will confirm what I think or make me realize that I'm just imagining things. Sometimes its hard to stay positive. I feel like every time I am (when getting results) I just get bad news.

So after a week of no chemo you think I would be feeling great. Physically I feel crappy. I constantly feel like I'm going to throw up. My hair is falling out. I have patches of skin that itch and patches of really dry, rough skin that is breaking and bleeding. It burns when I try to put lotion on my skin. I've tried lots. Last night Bonnie gave me some Burt Bees that doesn't burn. My face is breaking out. (I never had bad skin as a teen) The doctor did give me a prescription to help clear it up. I have to sleep sitting up most of the time. I can't lay on my back without pain. Laying on my side is uncomfortable at best. I don't want to start taking pain pills yet.

So, good news. Nathan & I are getting along great. I spend most of my time with him since we are both home during the day. Thanks to him I got a great recliner to sleep in from Lazy Boy. (I was going to buy the first chair I liked at the first store by he talked me into looking around.)

I'm getting along well with everyone really. I've felt comfortable here all along. Only woke up one night and didn't know where I was. Tucker is still kept in my room. Every day I let him out to wander and get used to things. He is a big wimp and hasn't ventured to far. He has been very good and has been a big comfort to me too. He makes me laugh every day.