I saw Dr. Walker for a check-up last Wednesday.  She said I was "the picture of health"!!!  That was very good to hear.  I have felt really good this past week.  I even got ready for a garage sale (with the awesome help of Candice and Abby).  I did the garage sale on Friday (with the help of mom, dad and Thomas) and it was pretty successful so I decided not to do it again on Saturday.  Instead, Emma and I slept in and stayed in our pajamas all day.  It was great!  I think I've decided that number one, I will not be having any more garage sales and number two, I'm going to quit buying stuff.  It just amazes me how much stuff we accumulate that we really don't need.  So, if I quit buying unnecessary stuff, it will quit accumulating and I will not have to have a garage sale twice a year.  That is the plan anyway.

While at the doctor on Wednesday, I found out what the plan will be as far as my care for the next few years.  Since I am on the research drug, I will still have to go for lab work every 3 weeks on Wednesdays and then go to pick up my research pills on the following Friday.   I will continue the drug for two years.  I will have a CT scan every 3 months for the first two years, every 6 months for the next three years and then once a year after that.  That's a lot of driving to SCC.  I'm just very thankful that I live right here in OKC and don't have to drive for hours like some patients.  I still have the incision wound but it is considerably smaller.  Dr. W said I had been doing a good job of caring for it myself.  I think it will completely heal within a few weeks.  I'm losing my eyelashes again....bummer.  Hopefully, though, once they grow back they will stay since I'm done with chemo.  My hair is still growing but not quite as fast as I want it to.  It does save a lot of time though as far as getting ready to go somewhere.

Speaking of going somewhere, I'm starting back to work tomorrow.  I'm excited to see my friends/co-workers/students and get back into a routine.  I just hope I have the stamina to make it all day!  I'm so used to doing very little during the day for the past 6 months and I have to say, it's been nice!  I've kind of gotten used to it!

This is Win Win week for cancer awareness at Putnam City North High School.  I have been asked to say a few words about my experience with cancer before North's football game on Thursday night.  Every year, PCN and other schools in the district raise thousands of dollars for cancer research so I am glad to do this small favor for that cause.

I'm not sure how often I'll update the blog from here on out....maybe once a month or so!  I'll post on FB when I update.

Later, Cathy

Tuesday - went in for blood work.  My levels were good for chemo on Friday.  My magnesium was low again so they decided to give me some in my IV when I get my chemo treatment.

Wednesday - went in to get my wound checked.  It's getting smaller and I'm hoping it will heal completely since I'll be done with chemo this week.  I am tired of having to deal with it every day.  I also got a pneumonia shot while I was there and they gave me a bag of fluids since I've still been experiencing light-headedness every time I stand up from a sitting position.

Friday - This is the day I've been looking forward to since my diagnosis in April.....my last day of chemotherapy!!  My weight was up several pounds today-that always makes me happy.  Thomas took me and Candice was going to meet us there.  They got me all hooked up and I was just sitting there when Candice AND Abby walked in.  Yes, Abby.  She flew in from Idaho to surprise me and I must say I was really surprised.  I got a free cupcake since it was my last treatment.  Bill, the volunteer, brought it to me.  He is the sweetest man and he is always at SCC.

Thomas, Abby and I went to the state fair this evening.  We had calzone, poncho dog, cinnamon roll and strawberry crepe.  There were a lot of people there and the weather was perfect.

I have an appointment with Dr. Walker next week so I will find out then how often I'll have to come in for blood work, port flushing, getting my trial drugs, etc.  I do know that I will continue to take the trial drugs for 2 more years.  I am very glad my chemo treatments are over with.  I'm looking forward to feeling normal again, regaining my strength and going back to work.

And once again, thanks to all of you who have been praying for me since my cancer diagnosis.  Getting the all clear CT scan on August 31 was the definitely the most exciting day of my journey so far.  Not only do I see this as a victory for me, I see this as a victory for all of those who have sent up prayers on my behalf.  God answered YOUR prayers and mine.  I know the journey will continue but for now we are celebrating our good news and praising God for his healing.

Last Friday's treatment was the double dose (Carbo/Taxol) and once again it took its toll on me.  I always feel pretty good on Saturday and then start going downhill on Sunday.  Candice fixed lunch for us Sunday (Garlic Chicken Pasta, roasted broccoli and crescent rolls - YUM!) and it was ready for us when we got home from church.  Then Candice and I did our usual Sunday thing - laid on the couch and watched COPS, Fixer Upper, Bronx 9-1-1 or whatever catches our attention.  We always manage to get a short nap in there at some point too.  All I did on Monday - Wednesday was rest.  I had no energy and was still experiencing the light-headedness, probably because of my low blood pressure.  A while back, after getting some low levels on some of my blood work, one of the nurses told me to walk a few flights of stairs before I go in to have my blood drawn, so I started doing that.  It gets your blood circulating and and helps you get better results.  Well, this past Tuesday it was all I could do to do a few flights of stairs.  I just did not have the energy but somehow I managed to do it.  Blood work came back good so they cleared me for treatment on Friday.

Tuesday evening, I was honored to be asked to throw out the first pitch of the Putnam City North vs. Putnam City High softball game in honor of Cancer Awareness.  September is the official cancer awareness month for several types of cancer, including Ovarian Cancer.   Coach Tony Douglas escorted me out to the pitcher's mound where I pitched the pink softball that had been signed by the team/coaches and given to me to keep.  The ball almost made it to the catcher! LOL  I also saw quite a few PCN teachers at the game that I hadn't seen in a long time which was nice.

Wednesday I did not leave my house.  In fact I slept very late and then transferred to my chair in the living room where I spent the rest of the day.......in my PAJAMAS!!  It was awesome.  I think that was the day it rained a lot too, so that made it even better.

Thursday was a day for good food.  I went and had an awesome lunch with my mom and dad....chicken spaghetti, fried okra, corn on the cob, homemade rolls and homemade chocolate cream pie (which was still warm from the oven when we ate it).  My mom is a fantastic cook so needless to say, it was delicious.  That evening we attended the Great State Fair of Oklahoma (opening day).  The threat of rain probably kept some from going because it was not crowded at all like it usually is on the first day.  We had our usual:  roasted corn on the cob, Calzone, chocolate dipped cheesecake and a cinnamon roll on the way out.

I had chemo this morning (just Taxol).  My boss from Project HOPE, Kimberly Montrose, accompanied me.  We caught up on school stuff!  They were so busy today that all of the chairs in all of the areas were occupied so for the first time, I got a private infusion room.  It was different, I kind of missed being out there with all of the other patients.

ONE MORE TREATMENT TO GO!!  Thomas and Candice are going to go with me for the last one. I think it might be a bittersweet moment for me.  While I'm glad it's the last treatment, I will miss seeing some of my favorite nurses, receptionists, lab nurses, Bill the volunteer who is there every day and some of the patients I've met along the way.  Like I've said from day one, if you have to do chemotherapy, Stephenson Cancer Center is the perfect place to do it.  It is such a beautiful, peaceful facility and everyone there is so nice, helpful, empathetic-just good people.  Just the entire atmosphere at SCC makes why you are there easier to deal with.

We are headed to the OSU-Pittsburg game tomorrow.  If we lose tomorrow, hopefully it won't be AFTER the game is over, like it was last week.  What a bummer that was.  Oh well, it's just a game.

I went in Wednesday for my lab work.  My levels were ok for treatment but I had to go in early Friday morning and have blood re-tested to see if they needed to make some adjustments in my chemo drugs.  The levels they were testing had come up so they didn't have to make any changes.  So I had the Carbo and Taxol treatment on Friday.  My good friend from work, Carrie, took me to my appointment.  So far I have felt fine, maybe just slightly more tired than usual.

On Tuesday I got a call from Dr. Walker's office.  They wanted to know if I would be interested in being in some pictures that they were taking for the Stephenson Cancer Center website and also for some pamphlets for Dr. Walker.  So on Wednesday after my lab work a photographer took photos of me and Dr. Walker in one of the examination rooms.  I felt very honored that she picked me out of all of her patients to be in the pictures with her.

Thomas and I went to the OSU game today.  It was chilly and luckily I took a blanket into the stadium or I would have been miserable.  The game was good until the refs gave Central Michigan an extra play after the game was over, which resulted in OSU losing the game.  Oh well, I guess it's just a game.

Today was a good day.  I went in at 10:30 for my CT scan and then went back at 2:30 to meet with Dr. Walker.  The CT scan shows my chest, abdomen and pelvis are all CANCER FREE!!  Dr. Walker said the results are better than she would have expected.  I will continue with the last 3 chemo treatments and after that will continue with the research trial drugs.

My lab work this morning showed my WBC and my platelets were too low for the chemo treatment this week (Carboplantin and Taxol-the big one).  So, it will be postponed until next week.  That's ok, I don't mind taking a week off!!

We could not be more pleased with today's news.  We know that it is due to all of the prayers that so many people have sent up for us.  We are so lucky in that we have so many friends and family that have kept me in their prayers for the past 5 months.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Emma had a little "party" planned for me when we got home which included balloons, confetti, whistle blowers, etc.  She made Thomas take her to Dollar General on Sunday to get supplies for the celebration.  She had a check list so she wouldn't forget anything.

Once again, thanks for all the prayers said on my behalf.  It worked!!!!

Love, Cathy

Waiting to see Dr. Walker!

Last Friday was a very busy day.  Tessa (my friend from work) picked me up at 8:00 a.m.  I had to be there by 8:30 so the nurse could do my wound care.  It was fun to hang out with her for a while and catch up on school stuff.   She had to go back to work so Chenee, (another friend from work) came to relieve her.  Chenee stayed with me during chemo, which started at 9:30 a.m.  We had fun catching up since I hadn't seen her since school was out in May.

If you are doing chemo during lunch, you get free food.  I ordered the chicken salad sandwich and side salad.  The lady sitting next to me had ordered the same thing and it came about the time she was finishing up her treatment so she kindly offered hers to Chenee.  So we both got a free lunch and it was really good.

My chemo was done about 12:30 so Chenee dropped me off at the building I had to go to for my blood transfusion.  I got 2 units of blood and finished up there at 3:30.  Thomas and Emma came and picked me up but couldn't get there until 4:30.  Needless to say, I was pooped by the time I finally got home that evening.

After the fluids I got on Thursday and the blood I got on Friday, I definitely feel better.  I have not been dizzy or light-headed every time I get up so that is nice.

Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of when Thomas and his mom, Heidi,  moved to the United States from Germany.  So that evening she cooked German food for all of us.  It was delicious!!

Tomorrow is another busy day and a very important one.  I go in for blood work and then I have a CT scan at 10:30.  We are praying that the chemo is doing its job and that the cancer is no longer there.  We meet with Dr. Walker at 2:30 for a check-up and scan results.  We feel really positive about it.  We appreciate your prayers for good results!

Chenee, me and Tessa!

Blood transfusion!

Getting new blood!

I have definitely felt better this week than I did last week.  Tuesday I went in for blood work and they called me in the afternoon and said my hemoglobin was low.  The nurse asked if I had been dizzy and light-headed or short of breath.  I told her definitely dizzy and light-headed for several weeks.  So, she scheduled me for a blood transfusion on Friday after chemo.

Then today I went in to doctor's office so they could do my wound care.  I am currently out of home health visits until they approve some more for me so I have to get it done at the dr. office.  Anyway, Whitney (nurse practitioner) took care of my wound and then when she saw how low my blood pressure was, she had them take it lying, sitting and standing to see if it was going down when I stood up.  Sure enough, it was definitely lower when I stood up - 70/40.  No wonder I almost pass out every time I stand up!!!!  So, she decided I needed some fluids.  I went up to the 3rd floor and received a bag of fluids.  My blood pressure was a lot better after the fluids.  And they left me hooked up to my port so I don't have to get stuck again tomorrow!!  It's the littlest things that thrill me!

After all that, I had to go to a different building to get my blood typed/cross-matched for my transfusion tomorrow.  So I left this morning at 9:00 a.m. and got home at 3:30 p.m.  I was craving Long John Silvers so when I picked Emma up from violin at 6:00, we drove to Edmond to eat!

Tomorrow will be a long day too.  Have to be at dr. office for wound care at 8:30......chemo infusion at 9:30....and then blood transfusion at 1:00!!

And, to top the day off, Biscuit got sprayed by a skunk tonight.  Thomas had to give him a bath with peroxide, baking soda and Dawn!  He smells better but our house still smells like burned garlic (skunk)!

Getting my "fluids" today!!!

Well, they say that all good things must come to an end!  After feeling great for 3 weeks, I had a not so good one this week.  I'm assuming it's due to the chemo treatment I got last Friday (the two drugs instead of just one).  I started feeling bad Sunday evening.  I pretty much stayed in bed or my chair the rest of the week, except for doing the things I had to do (dentist, lab work, etc.).  I had no energy, no appetite, was light-headed and just did not feel good.  My lab work came back good which really surprised me.  Wednesday morning after I got out of the shower I started feeling really light-headed. Next thing I know, I was lying on the floor looking up at the ceiling.  Thomas was at home (thank goodness).  He helped me into bed and I was fine after that.  My blood pressure has been running really low lately and I think that's why I passed out.  Due to this incident and some issues with my incision wound, I had to see the nurse practitioner before my chemo yesterday.

Abby and Kylie left to go back to Idaho yesterday.  We are going to miss them so much.  I don't know what I would have done all summer without Abby here.  My sweet sister-in-law, Stacy, took me to my chemo appointment.  Luckily I did not lose any weight this week (which I thought I would).  Also, my blood pressure was better.  When we got on the elevator to go up to chemo, my sweet friend Toni (who also does chemo) was heading up too.  It was good to chat with her for a few minutes.

While I was sitting there doing my treatment, I looked over my left shoulder and saw one of my friends, Kathy Wester, sitting there with her mother (who is also battling ovarian cancer).  Thomas and I have known Kathy and her husband, Bob, for over 20 years.  We both taught their children at PCN.  We hadn't seen them in years and ran into them at Walgreen's a few weeks ago.  And then I see her yesterday.  She came over to visit for a few minutes and it turns out that Stacy knows her too.  Stacy and her daughter are the same age and attended 4th and 5th grades together.  So they got to catch up also.  Small, small world.

Also during my treatment this lady walked up to me and I didn't recognize her.  Turns out, I taught her daughter, Courtney Nelson, at PCN.  Her name is Tina and she works in Dr. Walker's office.  She is the one who calls me every week with the results of my blood work.  Her daughter, Courtney, was one of my favorite students.  What's really weird is that I had been thinking about her the day before. Courtney was a great runner and went to college on a track scholarship.  As I was watching one of the female races on the Olympics, I thought of Courtney.  And then the next day, her mom comes to say hi to me.  Crazy!!

Emma started back to school on Thursday - 4th grade.  She requested chicken fried rice with broccoli for dinner-her favorite meal.  Candice came over to eat and help Abby get packed up to leave on Friday.  Emma and Kylie played all evening.  They get along so good and really enjoy playing with each other.  Thomas also took them for a bike ride in the neighborhood.

After school yesterday, Emma flew to St. Louis to spend the weekend with Sophie.  It was a surprise for Sophie.  She'll be home tomorrow evening.  So, Thomas and I have the house all to ourselves this weekend and it's really quiet here.  We are going to dinner and a movie tonight!  I'm feeling good today,  I even cooked lunch.  Thomas went to Sprouts and got me some okra, corn on the cob and red potatoes so I had a vegetarian lunch!  It was delish!

Oh yeah, and Thomas ordered all of us a Westbrook t-shirt.  If you want to order one, here's the website:   https://thundertee.com/   They are only $10.00.  It's a nice shirt too - really soft and comfy.

I guess that's it for this week.  Cathy

My Russ Shirt! 

Me and Stacy!

Emma and Sophie!

I continue to feel really good.  I had a great doctor appointment Wednesday.  My blood pressure was much better (it's been running super low lately).  I also gained two pounds last week!!!  My lab work was good.  My incision would is slowly healing.  Dr. Walker says it "has a ways to go".  She also said she doesn't need to see me every week so I will just go every 3 weeks for a check-up.

Thursday evening I went to parent/student orientation at Project HOPE.  I got to see a lot of my students who are returning this year.  They were all so sweet and concerned about me.  I got lots of hugs and should have worn a mask but I didn't.

I got to do chemo yesterday and it went well.  It was supposed to be one of the long appointments but it only took 3 hours.  Abby took me for the last time.  She and Kylie are leaving to go back to Idaho on Friday.  We are going to miss them so much.  Abby's school has agreed to let her come home as often as she needs to so we know they will be back to visit some.  I have five chemo treatments left!!!!  Yay!

I slept in today and it was awesome.  There were several nights when I didn't sleep too well but I did last night and it was great.  Today has been a lazy day for me.  I've spent a lot of time in my chair watching Tiny House Nation and COPS.  Emma and Kyle have been going strong all day and have not had one disagreement.....they get along so well.  Emma will miss her when she leaves.

I had chemo last Friday and it went well.  Got a good nap in while I was there.  The Benadryl they give me (in case of allergic reaction to the drugs) always puts me right to sleep.  It's great!  Tomorrow I go for blood work, so, if results are good, I'll have chemo again this Friday.  Then I will just have 5 treatments to go.  I have met some really nice people while at SCC  for chemo.  And, also, my nurses have been so nice and they always take excellent care of me.  This Friday will be Abby's last time to take me to chemo since she will be going back to Idaho the following week.  I don't know what I would have done this summer without her.  Candice and I have said several times, "Thank goodness for Abby."  Candice is much more squeamish and I don't think she could have given me shots or done my wound care.  She can barely stand to be in the room when Abby is tending to me!!

I attended a meeting at school today for a few hours.  It was our first "team" meeting of the year.  It was so good to see my co-workers again.  I got there at 8:30 and about 10:00 I started feeling tired (and all I was doing was sitting).  It will definitely take some time to build my stamina back up to be able to work all day, especially since I'm up and down a lot and on my feet most of the day.

That's about it for now.  I will see Dr. Walker again this Wednesday for another check-up.  Oh, and once again I'm excited for Thunder season after Westbrook's news conference last week announcing he's staying in OKC.  Yay Russ!!!!

Go THUNDER!!!

I have felt great the past 5 days.  I have had more energy and my appetite has been a lot better.  I gained a pound this week (need to gain about 10 more).  I even cooked dinner last night and tonight.  Cooking two nights in a row is good for me.  And we finally had some fried okra tonight.  Thomas got it at Sprout's and it was delicious.

I saw Dr. Walker today.  The labs I had done on Tuesday were all NORMAL....which I think is a first for me.  My protein level was even higher than normal.  YAY!  Dr. W is also pleased with the way my wound is healing.  And, she does not think there is another pocket of fluid near my incision.  I hope she is right!  I'm starting physical therapy tomorrow for my neck.  And, I will do chemo on Friday as scheduled!

It's "back to school" time and my co-workers went back to work on Monday.  I love my job and I'd rather be at school working than sitting at home.  But, I have to be sure I'm completely healed and strong enough before I go back.

That's about it other than my eyelashes are growing back in and my hair is growing too.  Sometimes it's the little things that thrill me!

Well, the past week has been interesting.  Last Tuesday I had labs done.  Dr. Walker called me Wednesday and said my lipase enzyme levels were way up.  Mine are usually 90-100 and they had jumped up to 900.  That enzyme is usually associated with the pancreas so she thought I might have pancreatitis.  She told me to re-do the labs on Thursday.

When I woke up Thursday I was nauseous (threw up twice), very light-headed and my abdomen was really bloated.  Actually, I had been light-headed/dizzy the past week.  I also felt like there was another "pocket" of fluid near my incision.  So I called the office and filled them in on all of this and asked if I could have a nurse look at my incision when  I came in for labs.  They told me to just stop by desk when I was there.  So, I did.  At first they were gonna have me come back later that afternoon because they were so busy.  Then before I knew it, they took me back to a room and Dr. Walker herself came over (from surgery) to examine me.  She first decided that my wound would drain better if the opening was bigger so she proceeded to take a little lidocaine (not near enough) and a scalpel and "open it up a little"!  She was really puzzled about my symptoms so she asked if she could put me in the hospital for a few days so we could figure out what was going on.  So, we went straight to hospital and checked in.  They did a CT scan, gave me fluids and antibiotics.  I got out Friday evening about 8:30 p.m.  Oh, and my lipase level had dropped down to 600.

Dr. Walker said they didn't find anything "bad" on the scan.  She said it looked like I might have an abscess in my lower abdomen but after examining me, she ruled that out.  She did say there appeared to be a little fluid above my current incision wound and I definitely agree with that.  She had considered putting a wound vac on me but the wound care specialists who came to evaluate me didn't think it was necessary.  Yeah!!!!  I'm very thankful for that!

So, Saturday I woke up, sat on the side of my bed and was not dizzy or light-headed at all.  I felt GREAT......like a totally different person.  It was crazy.  I felt great all day and even went to El Reno that evening for a family get-together.  Then Sunday, I felt good again.  I got to go to church for the first time in probably 6 weeks.  Emma and I made cupcakes in the afternoon.  And again today, I felt really good.  I'll go in tomorrow for labs and then I'll see Dr. Walker on Wednesday.  I'm hoping blood work is good so I can resume with chemo (since I missed the one on Friday).

Last Friday was my first chemo treatment since my surgery.  It went great and I actually felt better afterwards than I had since my surgery.  It has to be the steroids that I take before my treatment that gives me that extra burst of energy.

My incision wound is getting better but not quite healed yet.  Hopefully it won't be too much longer that we have to deal with the daily ritual of caring for it.  And, Saturday night was my last stomach shot for preventing blood clots!  I am so glad that's over with!!

Now that I have been released to drive (thank you!!!!), it makes the days much less boring.  I love being able to get out and go run errands or go to Sonic when I want.  Today I got out and drove to my nail salon for nails and a pedi.....first time in over a month.  I was so excited and got there about 10 minutes early, walked in and did not see my nail girl, Jessica.  Turns out my appointment is tomorrow so I'll be going back after I do lab work.

Good news.....my hair is growing back pretty fast.  Bad news....I just lost all of my eyelashes in the past week or two.  I tried the false eyelash route one day but it's almost more trouble than it's worth.

That's all the news for now.  Eight more chemo treatments and then hopefully I'll be feeling more like my old self.

Cathy

No journey would be complete without some twists and turns along the way.  I've had a few of my own this past week.  First, I had an issue with my incision (I'll save the details for those of you who might be squeamish).  A home health nurse came out for a few days to take care of it.  On the 4th day she came, she taught Abby how to care for my wound.  Abby has been doing it daily and is doing a good job.  And, since Thomas and Emma are going to be in South Padre this weekend, Abby had to learn how to do my stomach injections that I get every night (to prevent blood clots).  I just call her Nurse Abby nowadays!

I spent Saturday from about 6:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. in the ER.  About 11:00 Saturday morning my neck started hurting while I was sitting up in bed.  It got worse and worse.  By 5:00 p.m., I could not move my head at all and was in excruciating pain.  After a few calls to the doctor on call, Abby took me to the ER.  They did lab work, a CT scan and a lumbar puncture (to check for a brain bleed and meningitis).  All of the tests came back with good results (prayers answered).  They sent me home with muscle relaxers.  The first few days were very painful but my neck is getting better every day.  I had no idea that muscle spasms could cause debilitating pain like that.  I am supposed to start physical therapy soon for my neck and that should help too.

My next round of chemo was supposed to start tomorrow.  But Dr. Walker decided to wait a week until I feel better.  I am still so thankful that I was referred to her in the first place.  She is the best doctor....so compassionate and caring.  She always gives me a hug or a pat on the leg or foot.  I am thankful for her.

My next doctor appointment is Thursday and chemo should start Friday if my lab work is good....fingers crossed!

Later, Cathy

test

Here are some pics from yesterday's blog!