Does it ever stop?

New indignity of the week -Gross but true-some of my toenails are coming off. The side effect list said "nail changes" and I assumed it meant the lovely ridges I already have in my finger and toenails. Now I get to lose my toenails? Mind you, I am not all that attached to my toenails, never thought much of, or about them... I just find this gross and slightly uncofortable. I wonder if this will extend to my hands?
Chris is still here... He changed his ticket so he can be here for my last Chemo - he leaves on Wednesday. I hope that gives him enough time to do what he needs to do to the house before I can go home.
I haven't been home since September 11! I understand it is going to be different, but I want to go home! My ticket is for December 7.
I'm starting to feel better after Chemo #11. Reminder, I only have one left!!! I will have had 16 in all, counting the AC. This chapter is almost over.

One chemo left!!!

Had the birthday Chemo - most people do cocktails on their birthday by mouth... Then we went to Cancun Mexican & Cuban Restaurant and had some decent Cuban food. Came home and had a nap. Watched Dancing with the Stars finale - yay Brooke.
My doctor wants to give me some Neulasta after I have my last Chemo to boost my immunity for my trip back to Galveston December 7th. I don't need the Neulasta because my blood levels have been good, but Dr. Berry wants to make sure that the plane trip doesn't make me sick.
Today Chris and I are going to Target to fill my prescription for Coumadin (I have to get a lower dose) Sad when a trip to Target is the big excursion for the day.
Big news and celebration - ONLY 1 CHEMO LEFT!!!!!!

Only 2 left!

Sorry it's been so long - yes, I've been avoiding blogging. I find myself too depressing.

Chris is here!!! Some VERY generous people bought him a ticket to come visit me in Florida for Thanksgiving and my birthday. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love having him here and have missed him terribly. Guess I married the right guy, huh?

Yesterday we went to get a massage and had some Peruvian food(yes, Peruvian). Chris is taking a class right now about alternative medicine so he also went to see a acupuncture/Chinese medicine guy this morning. Sandi, Mum's friend and mine will do some hypnosis and Reiki on him today or tomorrow. So, he's working on this vacation...

Tomorrow, Tuesday, is my birthday. I will be 45. I am grateful to have gotten here, but HOW did I get here? I will celebrate by starting my day with Chemo #11! That means I have only 2 left. After tomorrow, only one!!! I have also made a request for a Cuban food birthday celebration.

Before Chris came to Florida, he 'found' my surgeon and cancer OBGYN! They are both practicing near Galveston and he has made appointments for me for after I go back on the 7th. The hospital in Galveston opened today (300 less beds!) so I don't know if I will have my surgery there or on the Mainland. I don't know if my doctors will return to Galveston...there were big layoffs at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Surgery is the next step.

Tonight is Dancing with the Stars finale...guilty pleasure soon to be over.

Chemo #9

I have only 3 left! Had #9 on Tuesday, which went well, with the following exceptions: they went in through my hand (IV) and i could feel EVERYTHING going in and my blood is too thin. I have an appointment this morning to go get my levels checked because I've been off the Coumadin for 2 days and they may have regulated me. In future I may have to take a half tablet each day.

Had a bit of fun last night. It was a good day for me and I had a craving for Thai food. Mum and her friend (and mine) Sandy went to Thai Palace and had Crab Rangoon, Tom Kha Gai, and Pad Thai and then went to Perkins and had coconut cream pie. We had everything family style, shared and stuff and chatted a lot. We talked about my job and I started to miss it... Then I came home and watched the premier of Top Chef - love that show.

The Galveston news said that my school suffered $17.1 million dollars in damage from the hurricane. They have crews in there now trying to get everything back to order so we can go back in January.

Chris had a terrible horrible no good day yesterday - seems a transformer was throwing sparks near our house, then the power went out, he stayed up all night to make sure that our house would not catch fire 'cause the transformer was still sparking. Then it rained soaking some of the new duct work in our house (roof isn't repaired yet). Then he went out to the car to find a flat tire. Called AAA to change the tire. Went to FEMA and was told the resubmitted request to pay for the generator needed a note from the doctor saying he really does have asthma. Then we were turned down for a FEMA loan. Then he couldn't find a place to fix the tire. Please continue to send your prayers and good wishes his way. Right now it sucks to be him.

keep on...

It's me. I am still alive - blood clots didn't get me. Just now feeling decent after chemo #8. As Mum said, while I was in the hospital they took out my port and my arm swole up. They did a variety of tests that determined I have several blood clots - none in my lungs. They have put me on Coumadin( a blood thinner). The arm is back to normal and Mum took out my stitches yesterday. The neck is still a little stiff... I'm trying not to be paranoid about the blood clots, but now I know they are there... Hard to believe, but that was my first time in the hospital - admitted and stuff.

I'm growing hair! It looks mostly white and feels kind of like the soft side of Velcro.

Chris is in Galveston working on the insurance lists and cutting drywall to get rid of the mold. The mold is not good for anyone, but Chris' asthma makes it hard on him. Send some love his way.

Chemo #8

Mum Notes: Great news! Selena's INR was therapeutic and so she had paclitaxel #8 today. This is the one she was scheduled for last Thursday but it was interrupted by blood clots. All went well and the swelling seems to decrease daily. She said today she could tell that she had knuckles in her left hand and she continues to admire the French manicure she had last week.
Dr. Berry said she could have the rest of her root canal next week. What fun! But she is feeling in good spirits and all your messages have rejuvinated her. Joel, I had to tell you I made my famous chocolate cherry cake tonite and it was yummy!! D

Blake Hospital Bulletin

Mum Notes: Well the news is finally better. Today the surgeon and oncologist both saw her and feel that she is out of immediate danger of throwing clots. The blood thinners have taken hold and she is allowed to get up. Tommorow she can come home!! Will be on the coumidin for 6 months but can continue the chemo immediately. We were worried yesterday about swelling but it seems to have gone down and today she has mobility in her left hand as well.
So!! onward.....
Thank you to the flower fairy. When I arrived home from the hospital this am there was a pretty pot of mini mums at my door for Selena. Will take them in to her tonite. There is a card but of course I didn't open it. D

Bulletin from Blake

Mum Notes: Selena came thru the surgery to have the port removed very well. She didn't throw any travelling clots. Afterward she had a CT scan and the lungs are clear. So now just the usual post surgery pain with two IV's, one a heparin drip and the other potassium, as it was low.
Her biggest concerns were having a couple of women lift and haul her from bed to gurney and back several times as she went for procedures. You all know how she feels about being heavy.
Today she can lift her head and eat by herself without too much pain, yesterday I had to feed her soup, and her "sparkle" is back. She has on those pressure boots to move the blood flow in her legs and is on bed rest with bathroom privelidges only. She is in a private room due to her immuno compromised status. Left arm is swollen and hard with fluid buildup but today has more mobility in fingers. Just now have to get the existing clots dissolved.Doctor is thinking she may go home Mon or Tues if all goes well.
We all appreciate the prayers and I will let her know when I go back to hospital that you all called and posted. D