Sunday, 21 April 2013
So long ME-ME
I continue to be feeling pretty good. Hard to believe a year ago this journey all began. It was April that i began to feel so tough and started seeing the Dr. I continue to be so thankful and enjoy the love of my family,friends and life in general. My legs seem to be the only thing that still bothers me. They are very stiff at times and hard for me to get moving when ive been sitting. They tell me its a side effect of the chemo...im not complaining i can put up with that.
Kelly and i had a fun but busy week last week looking after our 2 little grandsons. Mandy and Wes went off to Mexico with thier good freinds Josh and Sheena and they all had a blast. We had a great time too but have to admit we were happy to see thier parents get home.
My hair continues to grow and this week i parted with my bff Me Me!!(my wig) I went out on Tuesday for my daily walk at the Healthy Living Center,then off to the Drs office as i have had trouble getting my port site to heal, then over to see some friends and later to Walmart. As i was driving home i had to pull over and have a big meltdown as i found it stressful being out with out Me Me! Oh well,now its behind me and Me Me is in the bottom cupboard and i plan to pay it forward to whom ever shall need her.
On Friday i went to my dear friend and long time hairdresser Carol and had a real hairdoo!! Wash,condition and cut...then blowdry and curl!! Wow!! Was very exciting and i loved my hair doo! Thanks Carol for always making me feel so special.
Kelly and i have been enjoying our home as always. He just painted our room and Kyles room and the house is pretty much tip top. He wants to have all his work done as i bought him a motorcycle for Valentines day and he can pick it up early May so doesnt want me nagging him to do any thing as he will be out on his bike... Keeping you in the loop Donna
Monday, 1 April 2013
LOVING LIFE!!!
Been a long time since i updated my blog. Our family trip to Toronto was a great getaway. We did lots of touristy things including the Hockey Hall of Fame, CN Tower,Old Maple Leaf Gardens, Rodgers Center, an NHL game. We also got to go to China town and do some sight seeing and of course shopping!! The subway was a real experience as we used it a couple times so felt like real Torontotarians . The grand kids enjoyed the hotel pool and play room. They had a couple bunny rabbits there and they liked seeing them each day. We also got to share a few visits with Wes's family and they were so good to all of us making time to visit and show us around.
Since then ive continued to feel fairly good. My energy continues to improve each day. I have had some pain in my legs but they say thats a side effect to the chemo i was on. Im really happy to say my eyebrows are coming back and i have been able to use mascara again on my short but visible eyelashes. My hair also continues to grow and on Saturday i did my first outing in public without MEME!!!(the wig) Guess where i went....WINNERS!! hahhaa Many of you know i love Winners. I felt very nervous and insecure but i did it. My hair is fairly long(about 2 inches) but is very white. They say the Chemo kills your color pigment and i am not able to dye it for 4 months so i guess i best get use to going out with it the way it is.
I continue going to the Healthy Living Center 5 days a week and walk. I love it and say thanks to God at least once a day while im there. I continue to feel very blessed and appreciate each day with my good health,family and freinds.
I will be going to Winnipeg in May for my first 3 month check up! Im already looking forward to going and getting the reassurance i need. I sure do miss all the staff at the cancer care in Brandon. They truely became my extended family.
Well i will do a better job at keeping you all in the loop more often as i continue to get stronger Always Donna
Since then ive continued to feel fairly good. My energy continues to improve each day. I have had some pain in my legs but they say thats a side effect to the chemo i was on. Im really happy to say my eyebrows are coming back and i have been able to use mascara again on my short but visible eyelashes. My hair also continues to grow and on Saturday i did my first outing in public without MEME!!!(the wig) Guess where i went....WINNERS!! hahhaa Many of you know i love Winners. I felt very nervous and insecure but i did it. My hair is fairly long(about 2 inches) but is very white. They say the Chemo kills your color pigment and i am not able to dye it for 4 months so i guess i best get use to going out with it the way it is.
I continue going to the Healthy Living Center 5 days a week and walk. I love it and say thanks to God at least once a day while im there. I continue to feel very blessed and appreciate each day with my good health,family and freinds.
I will be going to Winnipeg in May for my first 3 month check up! Im already looking forward to going and getting the reassurance i need. I sure do miss all the staff at the cancer care in Brandon. They truely became my extended family.
Well i will do a better job at keeping you all in the loop more often as i continue to get stronger Always Donna
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Up, Up and Away
Wow, this is the
first week since last May that I have not had some form of a medical appt. I
sort of feel lost, but am certain this will pass. All in all, I am feeling
pretty good. I joined the Healthy Living Centre and have been going walking
Monday-Friday. I am treating the excersize as the next part of my treatment.
Chemo and steroids were very hard on me so this is a way to get my energy and
stamina back. Last week I was walking and felt a spring in my step for the
first time in a long time. What a great feeling that was!
I had mentioned on my blog that I had been working on a celebration and to stay tuned for details. I was hoping to plan a splashy affair this spring, but my body isn’t where my mind is in terms of being ready for this. Because of this, I am sad to say that this is not in the works at present. I am wishing to one day do this to thank many people who have been so good to me and our family but don’t feel I can at this point in my recovery.
I had mentioned on my blog that I had been working on a celebration and to stay tuned for details. I was hoping to plan a splashy affair this spring, but my body isn’t where my mind is in terms of being ready for this. Because of this, I am sad to say that this is not in the works at present. I am wishing to one day do this to thank many people who have been so good to me and our family but don’t feel I can at this point in my recovery.
This Friday, our family is off to Toronto to spend some time
together. We are looking forward to this time together. We plan to do skating
at the Nathan Phillips Square, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Yuk Yuk’s comedy club,
the waterslides at our hotel, and we are all pretty excited about going to the
Leafs vs Devils game. (Thanks to Alex Urbom for getting us these tickets!)
Wohooo. The trip will be a great way to have some fun together after this
stressfull year.
My latest docs apt went well. My port has been removed and
my doctors sent me on my way and will check in with me three months down the
road. I will be in touch again soon.
Donna
Monday, 4 February 2013
journey
It sure is a Jorney!
This past week I have done lots of reflecting.... I am so grateful for so many things. Having that last chemo behind me seems pretty great thats forsure. Kelly and Wes were with me for the last round and that seems so fitting as they were with me the day we got the diagnosis. I did the happy dance as we left Cancer Care and Kelly and I had a very emotional ride home. Seems a long time ago and so many things have happened since last May. Promised myself no looking back only looking forward.
Im thinking one of my biggest challenges will be to get my stamina back. I tried to get on my treadmill this week. Monday i did 15 min, Tuesday 20 min, Wednesday 30 min,Thursday 20 min and then i have crashed since then. I thought maybe i could run 30 min by now...not so much. Walking at 3.2 mph is about as much as i can do. So I need some patience thats forsure.
Have been journaling lots and resting every day. Manda continues to visit me lots and bring those beautiful little boys over to see Grammie! Kyle is away this weekend looking at the university in Leithbridge. Hes just looking ahead at what he will do when he graduates from colledge.
Kelly is sanding down our kitchen cupboards and thats our last job for awhile. Seems he has had to keep so busy to get through this.
We are all looking forward to our little get away on March 1st to Toronto. Planning on a few fun things and will be so great to just be together as a family.
Well think thats all for now. I promise i will keep resting and not sign up to run a marathon quite yet...hahhahaha
Keeping you in the loop
Always, Donna
This past week I have done lots of reflecting.... I am so grateful for so many things. Having that last chemo behind me seems pretty great thats forsure. Kelly and Wes were with me for the last round and that seems so fitting as they were with me the day we got the diagnosis. I did the happy dance as we left Cancer Care and Kelly and I had a very emotional ride home. Seems a long time ago and so many things have happened since last May. Promised myself no looking back only looking forward.
Im thinking one of my biggest challenges will be to get my stamina back. I tried to get on my treadmill this week. Monday i did 15 min, Tuesday 20 min, Wednesday 30 min,Thursday 20 min and then i have crashed since then. I thought maybe i could run 30 min by now...not so much. Walking at 3.2 mph is about as much as i can do. So I need some patience thats forsure.
Have been journaling lots and resting every day. Manda continues to visit me lots and bring those beautiful little boys over to see Grammie! Kyle is away this weekend looking at the university in Leithbridge. Hes just looking ahead at what he will do when he graduates from colledge.
Kelly is sanding down our kitchen cupboards and thats our last job for awhile. Seems he has had to keep so busy to get through this.
We are all looking forward to our little get away on March 1st to Toronto. Planning on a few fun things and will be so great to just be together as a family.
Well think thats all for now. I promise i will keep resting and not sign up to run a marathon quite yet...hahhahaha
Keeping you in the loop
Always, Donna
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Yahoo!
I can hardly believe we are here! Last chemo tomorrow. This week was Kyles 23rd birthday, so
happy birthday to you son. I love you so much honey! Seems a very long
time that I have wished for this time of the year to come...means I'm really
close to my very last chemo day...our family is very excited to put
this date Jan 24th. behind us all! It represents the completion of
18rounds of weekly chemo, so 21 chemo treatments in total.
Last week I felt brave enough to say to my Dr so whats next..after chemo I mean. So the plan wll be to have my port out asap and that date will be Feb 12th in Brandon. Then meet with Winnipeg surgeon and drs on Feb 19th. I will be monitored closely and go between seeing Brandon and Winnipeg Drs.
For now,need to get this week behind us. Last chemo day,last calender,last set of steriods,last needles...oh man..Im emotional just thinking about putting this part of it all behind me and the family. Kelly is so excited to not have to give me needles anymore thats forsure!!
Im feeling ok...just really tired and they tell me I am going to need lots of resting for awhile. Not sure what I will do with all my time as I wont need to be at cancer care 2 days a week after this week. Im sure going to miss all those wonderful staff people that I consider my friends..they have become a big part of my support and my life since May. I will never forget thier caring and compasion.
Well think thats all..Kelly continues to be my rock and those little grandsons of our keep us smiling at the world.
Keeping you in the loop
Always, Donna
Last week I felt brave enough to say to my Dr so whats next..after chemo I mean. So the plan wll be to have my port out asap and that date will be Feb 12th in Brandon. Then meet with Winnipeg surgeon and drs on Feb 19th. I will be monitored closely and go between seeing Brandon and Winnipeg Drs.
For now,need to get this week behind us. Last chemo day,last calender,last set of steriods,last needles...oh man..Im emotional just thinking about putting this part of it all behind me and the family. Kelly is so excited to not have to give me needles anymore thats forsure!!
Im feeling ok...just really tired and they tell me I am going to need lots of resting for awhile. Not sure what I will do with all my time as I wont need to be at cancer care 2 days a week after this week. Im sure going to miss all those wonderful staff people that I consider my friends..they have become a big part of my support and my life since May. I will never forget thier caring and compasion.
Well think thats all..Kelly continues to be my rock and those little grandsons of our keep us smiling at the world.
Keeping you in the loop
Always, Donna
Thursday, 17 January 2013
2 more...No more!
Well I can hardly believe that tomorrow morning will be my 2nd last
chemo! What a long haul this has been for not only me but for our
family. Kelly is excited as we only have 4 more needles he has to give
me. I havent seen Kyle this excited for a long time...he was saying
today Mom can u believe it..only 2 left. Amanda, shes rooting me on all
the time... My wonderful son in law Wes gently hugs me and shares his
admiration. My 2 beautiful grandsons are sitting under the
finish line calling me all the time...of course I will keep going!!
The last round was sure a tough one for me. They increased the chemo dose so made it alot tougher to rebound. I slept most of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and woke up just in time for yet another round of chemo tomorrow. My Dr and dear friend has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and I appreciate him and his support so much.
Kelly has been busy around the house as we have our kitchen pretty much all redone and hes done a great job. Hes sanding the cupboards now and will redo them next. I got my new bath tub in and I sure do like it!! I hopped in it for a quick sec to snap a pic for you! Cant wait to have a bath in it! You can see how relaxed I look!!! haha
Well I guess I best hit the bed and be well rested for tomorrow...number 17! Im feeling emotional over putting this part of the journey behind me. Thanks so much to the many of you who keep praying for me,phoning and stopping by and caring about me and our family. Its definetly a journey we couldnt get through without all of you.
Always keeping you in the loop Donna
The last round was sure a tough one for me. They increased the chemo dose so made it alot tougher to rebound. I slept most of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and woke up just in time for yet another round of chemo tomorrow. My Dr and dear friend has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and I appreciate him and his support so much.
Kelly has been busy around the house as we have our kitchen pretty much all redone and hes done a great job. Hes sanding the cupboards now and will redo them next. I got my new bath tub in and I sure do like it!! I hopped in it for a quick sec to snap a pic for you! Cant wait to have a bath in it! You can see how relaxed I look!!! haha
Well I guess I best hit the bed and be well rested for tomorrow...number 17! Im feeling emotional over putting this part of the journey behind me. Thanks so much to the many of you who keep praying for me,phoning and stopping by and caring about me and our family. Its definetly a journey we couldnt get through without all of you.
Always keeping you in the loop Donna
Thursday, 3 January 2013
Happy New Year
Happy New Year everyone!
Today, I had my 15th round of chemo. I now have 3 more to go. I am sure beat up but have enough gas left in the tank to get through the next few weeks. The chemo has given me a few new side effects over the last few weeks. I have a bit of a rash on my face and tingly feet. These are common and not suprising to the Cancer Care team. My hair is growing back, but is definately white. It may/may not get color again once I am done chemo. It also looks like it may have a bit of curl to it. Will share a recent pic again one day soon.
We enjoyed the holliday season and were lucky to enjoy a few nice visits with some great friends. New years was quiet, we spent the night at Amanda and Wes's place and had a nice dinner together.
It was nice to say goodbye to 2012 and welcome a brand new year. Our family is full of optimism and hope that 2013 will be a year full of good health, happy days and a new appreciation for every day.
We have continued working at our party and will let you know the details very soon.
I will be in touch after the next round of chemo. The countdown is on! 3-2-1 wohoooo.
Thats all for now,
Keepin you in the loop-Donna
Today, I had my 15th round of chemo. I now have 3 more to go. I am sure beat up but have enough gas left in the tank to get through the next few weeks. The chemo has given me a few new side effects over the last few weeks. I have a bit of a rash on my face and tingly feet. These are common and not suprising to the Cancer Care team. My hair is growing back, but is definately white. It may/may not get color again once I am done chemo. It also looks like it may have a bit of curl to it. Will share a recent pic again one day soon.
We enjoyed the holliday season and were lucky to enjoy a few nice visits with some great friends. New years was quiet, we spent the night at Amanda and Wes's place and had a nice dinner together.
It was nice to say goodbye to 2012 and welcome a brand new year. Our family is full of optimism and hope that 2013 will be a year full of good health, happy days and a new appreciation for every day.
We have continued working at our party and will let you know the details very soon.
I will be in touch after the next round of chemo. The countdown is on! 3-2-1 wohoooo.
Thats all for now,
Keepin you in the loop-Donna
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