A Day at a Time

Life is good!

2008-11-23T22:41:00.003-05:00

I know that there are a few that check here for updates and I apologize for my extended "blog-break." At the urging of a sweet creative soul , here is what is going on. As the title says life is good! I am feeling great and have had minimal side effects to the long-term medication. Every day I feel more like "me" again. As far as looking like myself, my hair is growing and I haven't worn my wig since July. I will have CT scans repeated after the first of the year.

Dan and the kids are doing great also. The school year is keeping Jack and Lauren busy and I have enjoyed helping out in their classrooms...something I really missed being able to do last year.

We are looking forward to the holidays and spending time with family and friends.
I will do my best to update here more often, if only to share a recipe or some pictures of the kids.
Thanks you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

xo

Lisa

Great news!

2008-03-24T17:04:00.005-04:00

Yes, you are at the right place.
I just jazzed up the old blog a bit to celebrate.

My CT scans looked great and chemo is officially over!
I am looking forward to my "new normal" which includes:

taking an oral drug (Femara) which is supposed to continue to hold off the nasty cancer. I am expecting minimal side effects.
physical therapy on my arm to maintain the progress I have made. Wearing my compression sleeve and glove.
continue visiting Dr. Kreg (my chiropractor) for my emotional and physical wellness.
the return of my hair...which actually is over 1 inch long already!
the return of energy to enjoy walking and biking with the kids on warm spring days.

I can't express how thankful I am for all of the prayers, calls, cards and well wishes that I have recieved. They have made this journey much easier.
Thank you all!

Holding pattern...

2008-03-18T17:24:00.006-04:00

My last chemo treatment may have been my last!

At my appointment yesterday we decided to hold off on another treatment. I was able to get in for CT scans and I will go back next Monday to hear the results of those. The results will help us decide if I am done with chemo. I think it is catching up with me...I am tired.

The kids start their spring break on Friday and we are busy planning play dates and activities to keep everyone entertained. We will be spending Easter weekend with Eric, Blake and Erica.

Thank you for the prayers and good thoughts...have a wonderful Easter.

Snow!

2008-03-10T21:45:00.006-04:00

For all of you outside of Central Ohio here is what we did this weekend:

The "Blizzard of 08" began on Friday and lasted until Saturday evening with a reported snowfall of 20.4 inches. The drifts in our yard and driveway made for lots of fun with the snowblower. School was cancelled today and the sun came out so it was a great day for sledding and building snowmen. Yes, that is our mailbox behind the kids.

I didn't have chemo today as planned. The discomfort in my hands seemed to get worse last week so after talking to my Dr. we decided to wait until next Monday the 17th. I am hoping it will be the LAST one! My hands do look and feel better today.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Finally...

2008-02-11T22:27:00.000-05:00

i had another chemo treatment today. It has been delayed for the last 2 weeks because of increased redness and sensitivity in my hands. It doesn't help that the temperature is only 15º!
One of the side effects of this new drug I am receiving is that it effects hand and feet. Other that just being annoying, I haven't had any other problems with it. We are decreasing the dosage and plan on doing the next treatment March 10th . Scans will then be repeated and based on those we will take the next step...whatever that may be. I do know that I will most likely be done with chemo!

My arm is slowly improving. I have a much greater range of motion after being tortured (not really) by my very caring and competent physical therapists. The swelling is down and I can now begin wearing a compressions sleve during the day. It should be much more comfortable than 5 layers of bandages that I have been using for the past 5 weeks.

Dan and the kids have been well and keeping busy.

Here is a sweet treat I recieved today...an "Edible Arrangement."

Very cute. Heart and flower shaped pineapple and chocolate covered strawberries (my favorite)! We "attacked" it after dinner and it is delicious...something for everyone.
Thank you dear friends.

A Happy New Year...

2008-01-08T23:54:00.000-05:00

we are having so far.

The holidays were so much fun and went way too fast. Ice skating, Guitar Hero, a new ping pong table, Sing It and New Years Eve at Dave and Busters were a few of the things that kept us busy. We hosted the Hirschfeld family Christmas on the 26th. A day of fun, delicious food, playing with cousins and wonderful gifts. The kids are back to school and I am still putting Christmas away.

I have been feeling great, just needing that occasional afternoon nap. Follow-up CT scans were done last Friday and I recieved the results yesterday at chemo. There is continued improvement in the area affected. That's GOOD NEWS!!! My oncologist did change one of the chemo drugs and I will again receive 3 rounds every three weeks with a follow-up Ct scan. Next treatment is the 28th.

The swelling in my arm is still present but I have been going to physical therapy since early December and have greatly improved the range of motion. Yesterday I also began lymphedema therapy which is a 3 week series of daily appointments with a specialized physical therapist trained in techniques to decrease the swelling. These include massage-yea!!! and the wrapping of my arm with graduated bandages to help force the fluid back into my lymphatic system -not fun!!! I am looking forward to see how my arm improves from this.

I have also been visiting our family chiropractor weekly which I feel has been very beneficial. It has been helping provide a balance of care for my mind and body.

It was wonderful to hear from so many friends over the holidays. Please know how much I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers...they ARE WORKING! I wish all of you a happy and healthy 2008!

feeling good...

2007-12-03T10:10:00.001-05:00

Where do the days go??? I thought I had better let everyone know I am doing well. Chemo last Monday went smoothly, in fact Mom and I spend ALL of the next day shopping. Some of the post-chemo meds were changed and the nausea is under control and I have a pretty good appetite. My energy level is still low but I am trying to get the Christmas decorations up a little at a time. The next chemo is schedule for December 17th. Dan, Jack and Lauren are doing well and excited for the holidays. My continued gratitude to everyone for the calls, cards, prayers...and the caroling and cookie suprise!
I will leave you with this...
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9560973480

(Don't laugh too hard!)

here's the scoop...

2007-11-05T10:26:00.000-05:00

Some changes were made at my appt. last Friday. My CAT scans showed some improvements but I am still have swelling in my right arm. We have decided to try a different drug "cocktail" and see where that takes us. I will be receiving it every three weeks x 3-4 treatments. The side effects are a bit different than what I was getting, more chance of nausea and fatigue. Although this means more total chemo treatments , I am glad we are switching to find one which is more effective for me. Overall, I am encouraged.

Halloween was fun here in the new neighborhood. The kids really put on the miles trick or treating and got a ton of candy.

We were able to enjoy a fun weekend here despite me sneaking away for a nap now and then. My Brother and his kids came and visited
Lauren loves having Erica stay for sleep overs. My nephew Blake brought his Guitar Hero game alone and now Jack is HOOKED!!! He caught on quick and is really good at it. Speaking of Jack, his stitches came out last week and his knee looks great. Mom and Dad also visited yesterday. Knowing the kids were entertained and me being distracted from my "post -chemo" state made the weekend fun.

It was great to join Britton friends for breakfast and dinner last week. I continue to be overwhelmed by your concern and are grateful for all of the thoughts and prayers. They are working!
Enjoy your week!

Just me...

2007-10-23T09:42:00.000-04:00

I guess there is a cumulative effect to chemotherapy...add on another day of not feeling so great for every treatment. It took me until last Thursday to finally come around after my tx on the 12th. Fortunately it was just in time for some wonderful visits with my DeGraff gal pals. It was great to catch up. We then decided since the weather was nice to have an informal open house for Dan's co-workers and our group of friends from Nationwide on Sunday. The turnout was great on a beautiful day. Jack's day didn't turn out so well. While playing football in the backyard attempted a heroic catch and ended up coming down on his knees...on the storm drain! A three hour wait at Children's Urgent Care and 3 stitches later he is fine. It did shut the party down rather quickly though. Lauren is doing great - came home yesterday with news that she was selected as a 2nd grade representative to student council. She had to write a speech and give it in front of her class who then voted. She was so excited.

I did have a chemo treatment yesterday but it was just one drug. I don't anticipate any real problems and look forward to a "normal" week. My continued thanks to all of you for your kind comments, calls, food, prayers and offers of help.

Overwhelmed and speechless

2007-10-13T05:02:00.000-04:00

The past week has been filled with so many acts of love and thoughtfulness for me and our family. I am hoping to personally thank everyone but want you all to know how grateful we are for the delicious meals, gift cards, notes, books, and other special gifts. It has been so nice hearing from all of our friends and beloved teachers at Britton and Saddlebrook neighbors ...we miss you all. Our new neighbors and Washington Elem. friends and teachers have been wonderful also. The cards from dear friends in DeGraff are nonstop. And there is the "gang" that left the trail of pumpkins and "heart full of goodies" the other evening. That brought lots of smiles and giggles to everyone. I just want you to know how much we appreciate all of your generosity. It is helping to make this challenging time easier for all of us.

Now on to that "cancer stuff"...
I had a treatment yesterday - the works with a flu shot as a bonus. My lab work was good and I saw my oncologist. Our plan for now is to finish this cycle (#3) and get a CAT scan on the 31st to evaluate how the drugs are working. He may change some drugs according to the results of the scan. That may mean adding another cycle of chemo or two as long as I am tolerating it well. So I guess things are going as expected at this point. I am feeling fine now but anticipate this round hitting me tomorrow evening and keeping me down for Monday and Tuesday. My next treatment (the short one) will be a week from Monday...I changed the dates since the kids don't have school this Friday.

The kids are keeping busy with school and friends. Lauren finishes gymnastics this week and will be going to a Cheerleading Camp on her day off school next week. Jack just has 2 more soccer games. I am sure we will enjoy watching him today in the more fall-like weather that has finally appeared here. Dan has been busy with quarter-end at work, but it hasn't meant too many late nights so far (knock on wood). He has the flexibility of working from home which makes it nice on my post-chemo days...and he loves his new home office. We got to go on a date to the Blue Jacket's game this week which was alot of fun...they won! I am looking forward to visits with my bff's later in the week.

Thank you again for your gifts and keep the thoughts and prayers coming...I can feel them!

Look what I made!

2007-10-01T13:11:00.001-04:00

Came across this fun make your own video site. http://animoto.com/play/55bbbb9325bf1957d7e2e3d9f675c144

Last Friday's treatment was uneventful...my white blood count (the one that helps fight infection) was really down so I was only given about 1/2 of the dose of chemo I should have gotten. We had a great weekend... the kids were really busy with sleepovers and playdates. The big news here is that Jack's new basketball hoop is up - he loves it and I will post some pictures soon. I have this week off of treatment so I am hoping I have enough energy to accomplish some long overdue "house stuff". Thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers and delicious treats that keep appearing!

I'm back!

2007-09-26T16:32:00.000-04:00

It has been a rough couple of days but I think I have turned a corner today. Just feeling exhausted and very achy since the treatment last Friday. I was given the same drugs but I am sure they beat you down more every time. My lab work was good so I got a full dose. Just can't wait to go back on Friday for more :). Dan was able to take the day off yesterday. He got the kids too and from school, kept me company, got me some lunch and painted the den. He said it is much easier to go to work! His new office furniture arrives tomorrow so we are actually making some headway on the home decorating front.

I will check in again soon.

Hair today...

2007-09-16T21:39:00.000-04:00

Another week has gone by...a week without any Dr. appointments, tests, or treatments. I felt pretty good but seem to be in need of a daily nap (or two). This coming Friday brings a check-up at the oncologist and another cocktail of Taxol and Gemzar. I anticipate feeling their effects next Monday and Tuesday. We will hopefully learn what the rest of the treatment schedule will be.

I had to also deal this week with that "other" side effect of chemo - hair loss. Yep, it started going on Wednesday and I ran to a darling little shop in Upper Arlington called Over My Head. There I met the owner Bethany who was put on this earth to help all of us dealing with hair loss. She helped me select what I think is a very cute wig...shorter than what I have been wearing but she matched the color perfectly. I have had it on most of the day today with many compliments from both those who know and those who didn't until I told them. Jack and Lauren are being good sports about it...Lauren loved trying on my new hair. I feel that the hair loss is almost harder for those who care for me than for myself. Yes, I wish it didn't happen but I am glad there are the drugs that I hope are knocking that C out of me. It's a small price to pay.

As a family we are doing very well. We have heard from so many family member and friends who are great about offering their support, meals, play dates, etc. We appreciate all of you and promise to take you up on your offers when needed. We closed on the Seattle Slew house on Friday which was quite bittersweet. We needed so much to sell, but it was difficult leaving that house for the last time. Lots of happy memories there. Now we can focus on our new home which we all just love.

Hello Friends and Family

2007-09-09T22:30:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for your thoughtful words, continuing prayers and offers of help. It means so much to Dan and me.

I have told many that it is if a fast moving train stopped by about 2 weeks ago and I boarded for a long journey. The Drs. appointments, tests, and treatments have been nonstop and we are now just trying to digest all we have to face.

I began chemotherapy on Friday Aug. 31st. and seemed to tolerate it well. The first 48 hours post-tx were fairly normal and then the fatigue and aches and pains set in. That lasted for about another 48 hours and then I was pretty much back to normal. I returned last Friday Sept. 7th for just one of the 2 drugs I was given the week before. Yesterday was a bit of a rough day but I did manage to see Jack score 2 goals at his soccer game. He was on fire! I have felt much better today and have enjoyed visiting my family in DeGraff this afternoon. Tonight Dan and I celebrated our 12th Anniversary with a relaxing dinner (yes, there was football on in the background) while the kids were at a church activity. It was a great day.