I think the good news we got on Wednesday gave me a sudden burst of adrenalin/energy.  My day started Thursday with dropping Emma off at tennis at 9:30.  Then I had to go to SCC to pick up some meds.  I got almost all the way there and realized I didn't have the papers I needed to pick them up, so had to drive all the way back home and then back to SCC.  At first I was mad at myself for forgetting the papers, but then  I convinced my self it was really not a big deal in the scheme of things.  The remainder of my day consisted of a mani/pedi, going to Wal Mart, Home Depot and Crest.  I got home at 5:30 and was not exhausted at all.  I even cooked fried chicken, roasted broccoli and corn on the cob for dinner!!  Oh, and Emma got to go Granny's and pick her first tomato!  That was a BIG deal!

Friday morning I dropped Emma off for a 3-day church camp.  She was so excited to be there.  Once we got her bed made and all her stuff put up, she was ready for me to leave.  After going to camp last year she was not super pumped about it so we didn't even know if she would want to go back this year but she did.  I'm sure she's having a great time.

Also, yesterday was our 10 year anniversary!!! We celebrated at Mahogany Steakhouse.  The food    was excellent.  We got dessert to go - Creme Brûlée and Key Lime Pie.  Yummy!

And today, Candice, Abby, Kylie and I spent the afternoon in the amazing pool/lazy river of Candice's boss (Beto and Denise Garcia).  We had an awesome time floating the river and hanging out in the pool.  I hope I got some sun on my bald head! (but not too much)  Thanks Beto and Denise for inviting us over!!

TEN years!

Floating does a body good!

Candice, me and Abby!

Kylie swam hard today.

 

I have been waiting weeks to be able to make this post!  Had my doctor appointment today to get a check-up and CT scan results.  Thomas, Candice and Abby all went with me.   The first thing Dr. Walker said when she walked into the room and started my exam was, "Well, are you ready to do this surgery thing again?"  It kind of set me back for a split second....I wasn't expecting that to be the first thing she would say to me.  We were all ecstatic!  That is the news we have been waiting to hear for weeks - almost ten weeks to be exact.

She was so positive about everything, including how much the tumors have shrunk and/or disappeared and the fact she thinks I will have a great recovery because of my current good health.  She told me I looked like a million bucks as she patted me on the leg!!  She said, "I don't know how you could be doing any better."  She explained the surgery to me in detail and told me about what to expect as far as the recovery process.  I am so thankful that I was sent to her for my treatment.  I am 100% confident in her and I also like her as a person....added bonus!  She is very down to earth and personable.  I'm glad she is the one taking care of me.  She instructed me to start walking every day and eat, eat, eat!!  I need to build up my stamina as much as possible before surgery.

The surgery will be next Thursday, June 23 at 7:00 a.m. at OU Medical Center.  I am glad it was able to be scheduled so soon....less time to worry about it.  I've had a lot of surgeries in my life and I have to admit I am not looking forward to this one.  I know this is a huge surgery and the recovery will take some time.  Thank goodness I have a great family surrounding me that will take excellent care of me once I get home.

We also met with my research nurse today.  I'm not sure if I ever shared this or not, but I am participating in a research trial study at the SCC.  I also agreed today to donate tissue from my surgery for future cancer research.  I figure anything I can do to help find a cure for cancer in the future is what I should do and want to do.

Thank you to the hundreds of people who have been praying for me since my diagnosis in April.  I know a lot of people that have been praying for me every day don't even know me personally but are friends of my friends or family.  Trust me when I say that we have felt all of the prayers and love poured out for me and my family the past few months.  We would just ask that you thank God for answering your prayers and continue praying (it's working).  Please pray specifically for a successful surgery and a full recovery.

Thomas and I celebrated after the 3 hour doctor appointment by going to Mamasita's for dinner.  It was delicious as usual and we had the best server, Tori, one of Abby's former students from PC High. And thank you to sis-in-law, Stacy, for entertaining Emma all afternoon.

It has been a great day.  Thank you all for following my journey and for all the prayers!

Cathy

I'm always cold!!!

Getting an Emma pedi last night! 

Mamasita's after our good news!!

Not much to report this week!  I did not have much energy at all so I did a lot of resting.  Abby took me for chemo yesterday.  For the first time ever, I became nauseous during the treatment.  Luckily I had my medication for nausea and it took care of the problem pretty quickly.

This Monday morning at 7:30 is my next CT scan.  We are praying that the tumors have shrunk and that Dr. Walker will be able to do surgery soon.  Even though I'm not looking forward to surgery and the recovery that follows, that is what we are hoping for.

I have an appointment with her on Wednesday afternoon to find out the results of the scan.  So we will definitely know more then.  If surgery is not an option at this time, I will be doing another three rounds of chemo.  And that will be fine too.

Emma has been wanting to cook a meal for us.  So, last night she made mini homemade pizzas.  I think her favorite part was putting flour (lots of flour) on the countertop.  They were pretty tasty and she was so proud of herself!

We went to church this morning and after we came home and had lunch, I decided to take a nap.  I laid down at 12:30 and set my alarm for 2:30, figuring that would be long enough.  At 4:00, I was still sound asleep.  I feel pretty good now after three and a half hours of good sleep!

In my last post, I had said that my upcoming CT scan was on June 3.  That was a typo and is now corrected.  It is actually Monday, June 13.

Have a good week everyone!

Cathy

Quick recap of my week:

Monday - I rested all day and watched the Thunder game that evening.  What a disappointment!  We should have won game 6 and should be in the finals now.  I guess there is always next year.

Tuesday - Had a dentist appointment and then went to do lab work.  That afternoon I went to memorial service for a sweet lady from my Sunday school class, Sandra Canada.  Our church was packed with family and friends.  

Wednesday - I worked all day and came home and rested.  I started watching a movie that I hadn't seen in years, Sophie's Choice.  Meryl Streep won an Oscar for Best Actress for the movie.  I enjoyed it but it would not be for everyone.  

A former counselor/friend, Rhonda Malahy,  from Putnam City North dropped off a little sleeping cap that she made.  It is the softest, most comfortable little cap.  Thanks Rhonda!

Thursday - I got a mani/pedi and it was wonderful.  On the way to the shop I happen to look in the mirror.  I looked horrible and then I realized not only had I forgotten my blush, I had forgotten to put on my "eyebrows".  So I called Thomas and he gladly brought the items I needed to me.  I know that is a very trivial thing but when you don't have hair or eyebrows, it's pretty scary.  Speaking of hair, it is growing back in.  It actually started growing in shortly after I buzzed it.  It will take a long time for it to get as long as it was before chemo but I look forward to that day!  I have finally gotten comfortable going out in public with just a headband.  It was hard at first but the more I do it, the easier it gets.  When I went to SCC on Tuesday for lab work, a lady on the next level up in the parking garage yelled to me when I got out of my car.  She complemented me on my cute headband.  She also told me she had battled cancer 17 years ago.  I love hearing stories like that.....it is very encouraging.

I also had to go in to the doctor as a follow up to my ER visit.  Temp was normal and chest was clear. WBC (actually neutrofil count) was back down again to 724.  But, since I was on the second week of Round 3, it was high enough for me to get treated.  When I'm doing week one of a round and getting the two medications, it has to be at least 1000.

After dr. appointment I went in and worked a half-day.  It was my last day so my summer has officially began.  

Friday - We went to my mom's Friday at lunch for beans and cornbread!  Yummy!  My brother, Russ, took me to chemo after we ate.   It only took 2 hours for my infusion this time.  It usually takes a little longer.  I felt great last night and this morning.  About noon my throat started getting sore again.  I'm not running fever though.  I hope the soreness is from drainage and not another infection.

Next week is my last chemo treatment of my 3rd round.  I go in Monday, June 13, for another CT scan.  and have a doctor appointment on June 15.  We are praying that Dr. Walker will then be able to do surgery.  If the tumors haven't shrunk enough to where she can remove them all, I will do another 3 rounds of chemo and then re-check it again.  If she does do surgery, I will do the 3 rounds of chemo afterwards.

I saw the coolest cloud from NW Expressway and Council today.  I had to take a picture.  It looks like a huge tornado!

Saturday - We went to a cookout at my nephew house today (Rusty).  It was fun and the food was delicious.  We got to meet his fiancee's family.  He and Mary are getting married on Sept. 2 at the Boathouse downtown.  Congrats you two!

Emma is cooking dinner tonight, homemade pizza.  She is beyond excited and assures me she will need "no help"!!!  She made some ice cream in a bag on Thursday.  She only used two ingredients - milk and hazelnut creamer.  It was very interesting to say the least.  

Later, Cathy  

Emma loves my new cap!

No eyebrows or blush!

With eyebrows and blush!

8th treatment.

Awesome cloud.