Round #6

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
CHEMO IS DONE!
Yes you are reading right. I am done with Chemo. I do not need the 4 rounds of a different chemo.
All the prayers got me to this point. How can the words THANK YOU mean enough? Tears flow like a water fountain trying to express appreciation to you all that have prayed and thought of me and my family during this difficult journey.
The tumor has shrunk so much that it can not be felt by me or the doctor. I have an appointment in three weeks with the surgeon. I will then need to see a plastic surgeon also. I will not be having surgery for at least 5 weeks. 5 weeks it the recovery time needed from chemo. All exciting news.
This last round Paul says was the hardest on me. But I won't talk about that cause today is Saturday and I feel like the road to recovery is in front of me.
Yesterday I did a Survivior Lap in Lowell for relay for life. Lois(mom) was part of Curves' team. I called her at 11 am and told her I wasn't going to make it but then I called her at 3 and said I'd try. Let me tell you that is an emotional thing. And how fitting for it to be on the friday of my last week of chemo. The kids were in awe too. It was good for them to see that others suffer from this disease too and SURVIVE!
Thank you again and I will still post since the journey is still continuing.
Peace to you all!

Round 5

I received news that the spot on my thyroid they saw on the CT scan is signs of a goiter not a tumor or cyst.
Monday when I went to the center just to have my blood counts checked I showed my nurse who administers the chemo a bruised looking vein on the back of my knee that was sore. She right away called someone and scheduled an ultrasound to rule out a blood clot. Well, it showed I have a small Deep Vein Thrombosis starting. Which is a blood clot. So now Paul has been giving me shots every day. I'll find out more in two days what is to come out of all of that.
Well round 5 was better than round 4 but just as bad as the past treatments.
My brother and sister in law took Emily and James for 3 nights. That was a big help and they enjoyed being with there cousins. Rachel stayed home because she had cheer leading camp. Friends took her one night and another friend had her swimming all day another day. My parents left for Alaska on the Sunday before Round 5. They have since returned. Our exchange student Amy left on Thursday of Round 5. Fathers Day was spent at home with my brother Dana and sister in law Deb coming over. I can't be in the sun, so we couldn't go to the beach. And they couldn't go to the beach because their son couldn't go swimming because he has close to 100 stitches in his leg from a baseball accident. So we stayed home and grilled out in the muggy hot weather. But it was nice.
This Monday is my last round of this type of Chemo. After this I should have 4 rounds of another type. I always get updated at my doctors appointment before I receive treatment.
My biggest complaint during my good week is ; I have sores in my mouth. They are under my tongue, on my gums, in my throat. I have medicine called BMX (Benedryl, Maalox, and something else.)that numbs the sores so I can eat. But there is no joy in food. I can't taste it!
This week the kids have an afternoon class they are each taking thru school. Rachel is taking a science class, Emily is taking cooking, and James is taking Jungle Journey. James also will be participating in Soccer camp in the evening. Emily just finished a week worth of basketball camp.
Paul is still keeping up with all he needs to around the house and with the kids.

Even one more round doesn't sound great to me but it is only one more bad week. YUCK!
I do know that with out all of you I would have not been able to cope with all this.
Thank you is due but it could never do enough to show my appreciation!
Hopefully I will be online and happy enough to update you in 7 days. Until then...
Love Kelly

No Internet

Sorry for the delay in the updates. I have been without internet for 5 or more days. I still am not sure what the problem was but an A T T repairman was at my house for 2 1/2 hours and did nothing but play on my computer and left and said I should be all set. Well I wasn't. And the next morning I was on the phone and they got me back on line so now I'll update you all.

Round #4

This was the worse week since starting treatments. My dosage was increased again and I was actually vomiting Tuesday night. Wednesday I went to the chemo center and had a bag of iv fluids. Another 3 hours at the doctors. But it was worth the visit cause my doctors nurse practicioner came in to see me and thinks that we should talk to the doctor again about the dosage and the way I feel. I will be voicing my opinion about the dosage of chemo and the effects it has on me. I want to be human while recieving this treatment. To think that I was told that "most people continue to work while recieving treatment" . I would like to meet one of those people.

Well the most important thing is "its working". The chemo and all the prayers. The tumor has shrunk. Pray for some strength and comfort for me . Can't hurt to ask right? I always believe you ask for it all. Doesn't mean you'll get it but it can't hurt trying. When you enter a tournament you don't just try to win a game.....you want to win the WHOLE D>>> THING! If you buy a lottery ticket you want to win big but your satisfied if you get your 2 dollars back. RIGHT? I know you all are here on this.

Paul is going to need a vacation from all of this real soon. I can't imagine being in his shoes either.

School is out in three days. The children are looking forward to not having to wake up early but we all know they will be crying that they are bored in the next two weeks. They all are signed up for some sort of sports camp. And then they will also take a fun summer class also. This all takes place in June.

I hope you are healthy and that summer treats everyone very nicely.

Never lose HOPE!

Thanks again for the prayers, the thoughts, the dinners, and all the other acts of kindness.

Kelly