A big HELLO to family members, relatives, friends and other readers of this blog,
Well, Karen had her second PET scan last Tuesday (07/24). Unlike the first one, this scan did not take as long. When Karen advised the nurse that the first scan took at least 45 minutes, the nurse told Karen it would only take 15 to 20 minutes. Because Karen already had a PET scan done making her an expert on the scanning procedures, Karen reiterated her concern about the time frame. Lo and behold, this scan only took about 20 minutes. When completed the nurse commented to Karen that indeed Karen was a tall woman. As of this writing, Karen has not heard from her oncologist regarding the results (readings). Although Karen was sitting on "pins and needles" regarding the outcome, she has chosen not to worry about it anymore. No news might indeed be "good news."
Karen did see her oncologist on Wednesday (07/18). As most of you know, prior to the doctor seeing you, the nursing staff generally perform certain functions such as taking your BP, pulse rate, etc. As usual, Karen was weighed and walked back to exam room to have her BP taken. Now the nurses are terrific people and oftentimes very serious. When Karen sat down in the chair to have her BP taken, the nurse put the BP cup on Karen's left arm and remarked to Karen, "Is this the right?" Thinking that she was being intellectually and mentally challenged, Karen told the nurse, "No, that's my left arm." Following Karen's comments, the nurse, and Karen and her mom all began to laugh. Unfortunately for Karen her BP was being taken while all were laughing. Karen's BP was slightly elevated. Oh well, the nurse left the room still laughing as Karen and her mom were still laughing when the doctor came in. Upon leaving, the nurse told Karen that she indeed was funny and had made her day. At the conclusion of the doctor's visit, Karen was now placed on a hormonal pill regime.
When Karen finally picked up her new prescription (hormonal pill) two days after her doctor's visit, you guessed it, she was required to have a consultation with the pharmacist. Now, this pill is a 1 mg tablet and the pharmacist informed Karen that it is prescribed to women only who have breast cancer. (Sorry guys it is not for men). The two items the pharmacist discussed with Karen were the likelihood of experiencing "hot flashes" again and the time duration of taking this medication (5 years). Karen asked the pharmacist if she could tell the difference between a hot flash versus the triple digit weather the area was currently having. The pharmacist just laughed. Anyhow, Karen read more about the medication and discovered that the side effects (which according to the clinical studies affected only 5 to 10% of women taking it) were equal to or worse than the chemotherapy treatment Karen had received. Oh well, Karen is waiting for the hot flashes to occur. Yes, Karen has talked to other females regarding the signs/symptoms of a hot flash. One item specifically reiterated by those women who have had hot flashes was taking all of their clothes off and standing in front of a fan to cool off and/or down. Karen assumed that this stripping maneuver occurred in the privacy of their homes. Ha, ha, ha.
Even though Karen had her last infusion in June, Karen is experiencing the healing process or as she puts it, going through chemo withdrawal. Her days are usually upbeat and Karen is slowly getting back to her exercise routine (riding her stationary bike, etc.). Karen is learning to deal with some of her limitations (neuropathy in her hands, the pain in her ribcage, etc). Karen and her mom have begun to resume some of their routines together (grocery shopping, banking, etc).
Anyhow, thank you to everybody who has kept Karen and her family in your thoughts and prayers while reading this blog. Without the prayers and positive thoughts, the journey would have been more difficult for Karen and her family.
Tip of this blog: Life's journey may be long and arduous but you'll never walk alone when you believe in your angelic friends.,
Monday, July 30, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Hello one and all,
As you know, Marghi, the wonderful caregiver, returned home on July 1, 2012. Karen and Mom are doing okay and getting out to do grocery shopping and other chores around the house. They are living one day at a time. During the first week of July, Marghi had to learn a new computer system at her place of employment (40 hours). Like she said, it's hard to teach "an old horse" new tricks. However, at the conclusion of the class, she thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ironically, last Thursday, (07/05) Karen was scheduled to renew hew driver's license at the local DMV office. Karen drove mom and herself to DMV and stood in line to be told she was to early for her scheduled appointment. The clerk told Karen to come back and stand in line at 9:15 AM. Karen went back and stood in line at 9:15AM for her 9:20 AM appointment. Unfortunately, the clerk was dealing with an elderly gentleman for over 20 minutes and the waiting line continue to grow longer. Eventually, another clerk came up and called out Karen's last name. When Karen answered up, the people in line of ahead of Karen were upset, but the clerk handling the appointment line nodded that it was okay for Karen to leave the line and proceed to the other clerk's window. Karen provided the necessary documentation and paid the appropriate fees to the clerk and past the vision test. Karen was instructed to proceed to another window for her new photo. Fortunately, Karen was not required to take the written examination even though she had studied the driver's handbook for weeks. Karen's driver's license photograph shows her wearing her wig. The clerk would not allow the picture be taken with the hat on. Karen and mom were delighted that this milestone had been completed.
Since the last chemo session on Thursday, (June 14), Karen still goes in on a weekly basis to the
infusion lab for either shots and/or labs. Karen's blood counts continue to improve. She is scheduled for blood tests this Friday (7/13), Additionally, the medical staff is working with Karen's insurance provider to acquire approval for another PET scan. Karen's doctor would like this to be performed before their next scheduled visit (07/18). Although the nursing staff has told me that that lab tests are important, they really have Karen come in to brighten up their day. On the last visit (07/06), the nurse, Jill, called Karen in and before the two entered into the infusion room, the laughter had begun. As Karen sat down in one of the chair with her mom in chair next to her, Jill commented that she is delighted to see Karen and her mom. Hugs was given. However, the laughter continued as one of the other nurse, Kathy, chimed in about her new duty of caring for the bouquet of flowers which had been given to them two weeks ago by Karen and other family members. Karen jokingly said to Kathy that her"green thumb" and watering the "artificial flowers" are doing the trick. Both Jill and Kathy related that they have received so many compliments from other patients about the flowers. As the laughter continued on, Karen noticed out of the corner her left eye, the Head Nurse was giving the look, so Karen immediately toned down the laughter. Karen put her hands over her mouth, but Kathy and Jill kept egging Karen on. The only good part about the infusion room is there were only four women in there receiving shots and/or infusion. There were more nurses there than patients.
Karen will keep us updated with regards to her upcoming PET scan. She is still suffering with neuropathy in both of her hands and she is losing some parts of her fingernails. This condition makes it hard for her to open simple items like a plastic bag, buttoning her blouses, etc. With time it will eventually diminished. Karen, however, will not be modeling for any well known jewelry companies. Marghi refers to Karen's right fingers as "snausages." Ha, ha, ha!!!! Karen has taken up riding her stationary bike for about 8 to 10 minutes (approx. 3 miles per days) over the last two weeks. She is slowly getting back to her exercise routine,
For all the readers and family members, Karen and Mom are very appreciative of your thoughts and prayers. It most certainly has made a portion of this journey easier to travel. Thank you and love to each and everyone of you. We will keep you in our prayers also.
P.S. We stand as tall as angels when we kneel to help a friend
As you know, Marghi, the wonderful caregiver, returned home on July 1, 2012. Karen and Mom are doing okay and getting out to do grocery shopping and other chores around the house. They are living one day at a time. During the first week of July, Marghi had to learn a new computer system at her place of employment (40 hours). Like she said, it's hard to teach "an old horse" new tricks. However, at the conclusion of the class, she thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ironically, last Thursday, (07/05) Karen was scheduled to renew hew driver's license at the local DMV office. Karen drove mom and herself to DMV and stood in line to be told she was to early for her scheduled appointment. The clerk told Karen to come back and stand in line at 9:15 AM. Karen went back and stood in line at 9:15AM for her 9:20 AM appointment. Unfortunately, the clerk was dealing with an elderly gentleman for over 20 minutes and the waiting line continue to grow longer. Eventually, another clerk came up and called out Karen's last name. When Karen answered up, the people in line of ahead of Karen were upset, but the clerk handling the appointment line nodded that it was okay for Karen to leave the line and proceed to the other clerk's window. Karen provided the necessary documentation and paid the appropriate fees to the clerk and past the vision test. Karen was instructed to proceed to another window for her new photo. Fortunately, Karen was not required to take the written examination even though she had studied the driver's handbook for weeks. Karen's driver's license photograph shows her wearing her wig. The clerk would not allow the picture be taken with the hat on. Karen and mom were delighted that this milestone had been completed.
Since the last chemo session on Thursday, (June 14), Karen still goes in on a weekly basis to the
infusion lab for either shots and/or labs. Karen's blood counts continue to improve. She is scheduled for blood tests this Friday (7/13), Additionally, the medical staff is working with Karen's insurance provider to acquire approval for another PET scan. Karen's doctor would like this to be performed before their next scheduled visit (07/18). Although the nursing staff has told me that that lab tests are important, they really have Karen come in to brighten up their day. On the last visit (07/06), the nurse, Jill, called Karen in and before the two entered into the infusion room, the laughter had begun. As Karen sat down in one of the chair with her mom in chair next to her, Jill commented that she is delighted to see Karen and her mom. Hugs was given. However, the laughter continued as one of the other nurse, Kathy, chimed in about her new duty of caring for the bouquet of flowers which had been given to them two weeks ago by Karen and other family members. Karen jokingly said to Kathy that her"green thumb" and watering the "artificial flowers" are doing the trick. Both Jill and Kathy related that they have received so many compliments from other patients about the flowers. As the laughter continued on, Karen noticed out of the corner her left eye, the Head Nurse was giving the look, so Karen immediately toned down the laughter. Karen put her hands over her mouth, but Kathy and Jill kept egging Karen on. The only good part about the infusion room is there were only four women in there receiving shots and/or infusion. There were more nurses there than patients.
Karen will keep us updated with regards to her upcoming PET scan. She is still suffering with neuropathy in both of her hands and she is losing some parts of her fingernails. This condition makes it hard for her to open simple items like a plastic bag, buttoning her blouses, etc. With time it will eventually diminished. Karen, however, will not be modeling for any well known jewelry companies. Marghi refers to Karen's right fingers as "snausages." Ha, ha, ha!!!! Karen has taken up riding her stationary bike for about 8 to 10 minutes (approx. 3 miles per days) over the last two weeks. She is slowly getting back to her exercise routine,
For all the readers and family members, Karen and Mom are very appreciative of your thoughts and prayers. It most certainly has made a portion of this journey easier to travel. Thank you and love to each and everyone of you. We will keep you in our prayers also.
P.S. We stand as tall as angels when we kneel to help a friend
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)