Friday, July 3, 2009

Moving forward

I failed to mention in my last post about the last weekend we got to go home, of course it was Father's Day on Sunday. I was glad we all got to be together with Clay that day, he is that special man in my life. Andrew grilled out and we all had a good visit and several even enjoyed the pool. Jonah (grandson) actually enjoyed the pool for the first time on Saturday, he came back for more fun on Sunday. He and his grandpa enjoyed playing in the pool, I am unable to get in the pool due to the chemo line I have in, there will be next summer. I had mentioned that I worked on Monday and Tuesday, but then Tuesday night the kids all came by and a few friends dropped by. We were packing to head down here for who really knows how long, it was a tearful, very emotional time for me. I am trying to pull myself together but it is a real trying time right now just in the beginning of treatment.


Now actually moving on, I feel we are moving forward torward positive things now, after all the testing and prelimanary findings we are moving forward. It has been a busy week here at UAMS for us. Soon after the thyroid biopsy I developed a really sore throat, lost my voice and started with a cough. They thought it might have something to do with the biopsy since I wasn't running any fever. So they set me up to see an ENT so he could swab and scope my nose and throat. I guess it must be Little Rock allergies. I am still coping with it but it seems to be getting somewhat better. I continue to go in everyday for fluids for my kidneys, and now I am taking antibiotic through my line everyday.


As of Wednesday I have been hooked up to a bag of chemo 24 hours a day, I carry it everywhere I go, yes, everywhere. I will have this with me until Sunday morning then I will get to be unhooked for sometime. I have started also started getting blood thinners shots each day as well taking a vast number of pills. I started taking steroids this week and today I look like a blimp, not a good feeling or a pretty site. They say the swelling will go down fairly soon, I am ready , I don't like the puffy look. I have really been tired today, hope to get a good nights rest to get up and do it all over again. One bright note Jeremy, Adrienne & Jonah are coming to see us to celebrate the 4th in a different style this year. I don't know how much fun I will be but I do look forward to seeing them. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

4 comments:

  1. I'm so glad J & A and baby Jonah are going to come up this weekend! I know that will lift your spirits. We are praying for you!

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  2. I just wanted to let you know that we're praying for you! Brooklynn has added you to her "prayer list" at night. I have such a great admiration for you--you're a VERY strong woman!

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  3. Barbara,
    I am praying for you too. I have a friend, Lois, in Springdale who has multiple myeloma that is in remission. She has been down the road you are travelling. She said Little Rock has the best care in the world for Multiple Myeloma.
    She also told me that the treatment was VERY difficult, but she is doing MUCH better now. Her hair has grown back. She lives alone, gardens, and goes to the Jones Center to swim to build her strength.

    We are having lunch together this Thursday with another woman, Martha, from Rogers who also has multiple myeloma. I have not met Martha yet, but her friend and I went to a Video Teleconference about Multiple Myeloma last week. We organized this luncheon so we can meet for a prayer and share time. We'll be remembering you in prayer too.
    Do you have a snail mail address at UAMS? When I was going through chemo for breast cancer, I really appreciated the cards, so I'd like to send one to you.
    Love,
    Fink Holloway

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  4. Hi! I would like to say while maybe you 'felt like a blimp' you did not look like one at all! You looked really good and got around exceptionally well considering all the lines, ports, meds, and shots. I hope we didn't wear ya out too much this weekend! We hope to visit again soon as soon as your doctors approve! We think about you every day and are praying!

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