Whirlwind weekend...

Doubleheader for weddings yesterday, two different locations and only 2 hours apart and rain threatened both as they were outside. Fortunately, when it was all over, everyone that was supposed to got married and they both were outside and nobody got wet! Lots of little snafus, but nobody was the wiser and everyone I worked with pulled together as a team and got it all done. My wedding crews are FABULOUS!!!!!

I thought I would be super tired today but I am holding my own. I think staying in Thursday and Friday was smart. Went over to Bella's birth parents and they joined us for puppy cake and celebrations. Then off to the groomers for a good bath and pedicure...and home again. Luckily they were not super busy so it did not take as long as usual. A good thing I think because I was getting a little tired.

No weddings for me for 2 weeks, so this week will be filled with computer work. I have several projects I am working on for a couple of people so I hope to get them all wrapped up before next weeks chemo  (which will be the next to last one!!!). Hoping to hit Gator Growl and maybe meet Joel McHale Friday night.. let's see if Karl pulls it off for me!

Hope everyone has a great week : )

Seriously.......

So I now have a cold (cause I am so out and about to get germs right?) and I had a Dr. appt scheduled yesterday anyway so it worked out. While I am sitting in the waiting room there is a guy there with a service dog...he had a brain injury (yes he told me). He also told me how nice I looked bald and how so many women don't, how MSG had caused my cancer and feeds on it so I should not eat Cheez-Its or Pringles or things like that (which I don't.. not really a chip person) and how there was a cure for cancer in 1938 and that the Dr. who invented it was mocked and how the companies that make the things with the MSG that causes the cancer also make the chemicals they give us to kick the cancer... so it is just a big conspiracy. Ok, so I know he can't help it, but seriously....I had to sit there and listen to it for 25 minutes while waiting for my appointment?!?!?!? Oh yea and he was eating Taco Bell....yes in the waiting room at the Dr. office. Wonder if that had MSG?

So anyway... Bella and I are laying low this week, trying to get better for the weekend. Tim has a game Friday night which I am hoping to go to, I have 2 weddings on Saturday and of course we will be celebrating Bella's birthday on Sunday...hopefully if her Mommy is pregnant she will hold off a bit on giving birth so we can celebrate with our favorite dogs and people! Oh and of course, Trick or Treating Monday night!

Wordless Wednesday.....

Ugh part two...

I guess it is times like these that I am grateful to live near family. I still have no septic system that is functioning. So that means.. no bathroom, no kitchen sink, no dishwasher, no washing machine and basically anything that drains.....thank goodness Mom and Dad live next door!

Hopefully my wonderful brother and father will be able to fix the problem later today.

However thought it would be a good idea to put a filter on a septic tank to keep the "particles" from going into the drain field is a genius NOT! So now the filter has to be removed and washed of said particles....wont they go into the ground then? Sheesh!

Monday madness

One of the joys of living in the country is a septic tank. Mine is currently having problems....whether it is full or just clogged is yet to be determined. Had to go out to the store today and came home just plain beat.

Had to do all kinds of applying for assitance today. It would be nice when they send you the letter they would give you a few days before your deadline... they gave me 3 and I will be the fist to admit that my mind is not fabulous for a good week after chemo, makes mundane computer work difficultfor sure! Thank goodness I know a lawyer who loves me and was able to give me some guidance on this task.

The pain is a bit less today, but still there. Hopefully it will subside in the next day or so.....

The one thing I wonder about is this... Why do people, who I do not know, think it is ok to ask me such personal questions? It does not bother me somuch when I am in the cancer center, I guess because the asker is most likely in a similiar situation.....but the guy carrying out my groceries (I was not at Publix)? He was sweet don't get me wrong... but sheesh!

Weekend Woes...

So yesterday I had a wedding, fortunately it was small and low-key. I was able to sit a lot more than I usually do thanks to those 2 facts. Super sweet bride and groom and the families and friends were as nice as can be.

Still having more bone and joint pain that in the past. I really think this is the fibro and the chemo combined more so than just the chemo.

I am having a true dilemma today.. I am a long time Dolphin fan, since childhood and today they are playing the Broncos and Tebow is starting QB today. While I love him I will be cheering on my Dolphins....I stand behind my Gators always (even the last three weeks) and I will stand behind my Dolphins today too.

Go FISH!!!!!

Funky Friday....

Well it is same old, same old here.....chemo week means, bone pain and food issues. Wednesday was pretty good, but then Thursday brought lots of discomfort and not being able to eat.

Mom made me a hamburger around 8 and I was able to get that down, but awoke this morning with the same feeling. It is not that I am sick to my stomach, it is that I just can't handle the thought of food.

The cold weather is nice, but it is making the discomfort a bit more pronounced. I am trying to take it easy today as I have a wedding tomorrow. I really want to go to "girl's night" with Sue ad the girls, but I am not sure the cold is going to allow it. :(

We shall see......thanks to those who have checked in on me here or at home the past couple of days. I am now officially 2/3 of the way done!

Wordless Wednesday.....

Chemo Tuesday

A prety uneventful day...Dr. appt ran way behind but they got me an hour ahead of schedule for chemo so I was actually done by 4:30.Look like they finally have all my pre-meds worked out so I don't have the reaction anymore...it only takes 4 pre-meds to get to the 2 chemo meds.

The tumor is now down to about 2 cm!!! Dr. feels that it may be totally gone by the time my treatments are done. Mastectomy is still scheduled for the second week of December, surgeon wants me healed by Christmas. Radiation will start about a month after surgery for 6 weeks, daily treatments M-F.

Tomorrow's picture will feature pictre of "Team Denise" that ran in the Run for the Cure in Virginia Beach last weekend. It still makes me cry!

In other news....

I saw the radiation oncologist today to see what will happen after surgery. Looks like 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments starting in mid-January about a month after surgery.

She also felt my tumor had shrunk tremendously, so that was good news too. We will see what Dr. Carroll has to say tomorrow in my appointment prior to chemo.

Looks like that holy water prayer from my baby girls did some good!

Here is a clue folks.....

it is not "bothering" me to call and check on me! If I am laying down, the phone that is in my room has the ringer off, so it does not disturb me. I am kind of sick of people saying that they did not call because they didn't want to bother me. If you have been reading the blog you can tell that I have a rough week and then 2 fairly normalish ones. Sure I am tired, who wouldn't be in my condition? But by not calling (especially when you used too) it says you don't care or can't handle this. If you can;t handle, it just say so... I would understand...... everyone handles illness differently.

I have a friend who I am extremely close to who said to me shortly after my diagnosis.. You know I don't handle these things well and I don't know what to do or say, but know I am here just tell me what I can do.

My outings are limited due to my doctors not wanting me exposed to situations where I may be exposed to lots of germs, due to my immune system being compromised. This is extra important during flu season. So most evenings I am sitting here hanging out with Bella chilling out and watching bad TV. TO those of you that have called me to check on me.... THANK YOU.. it means the world to me.

Today I am humbled..

by Terri and Katie and what they did for me. They participated in Run for the Cure in Virginia on the Oceanfront in my name. Terri has been a dear friend since high school and her daughter has met me twice.. once this past summer when they came to visit and once when she was about 6 when I went to them (and she does not remember that!). Kat finished in a little less than 30 minutes and Terri in 49 minutes...pretty good time for both of them I would say! My only complaint is that they were not close enough for me to go and cheer them on.

I think that is the thing I am struggling with the most is that the friend who offer me the most emotional support are too far away. I will admit that this has been a rough week for me emotionally, I think things are finally hitting me as to what is in store in the next 2 months and that fact that I am dealing with it all pretty much on my own has smacked me in the face this week on many levels. Everyone says "Call me if you need anything" but quite honestly those who really know me know that I don't ask for help and they are the ones calling and emailing and texting me. They are the ones who are telling me "I am off work Tuesday and want to take you to chemo, or bring me lunch during chemo or come visit me during chemo, or calling me in the evenings and letting me vent and checking on me.....and you are the ones I could not do this without and I love all of you so much more for knowing me well enough to do these things. Some of you have known me a long time and some of you a shorter time...but you have me figured out. Just taking those few minutes to send me a text to let me know you are thinking of me means so much. I hope I never have to do these things for any of you, but know that I would.

In other news.. Bella got fixed yesterday and was very stoned last night and a bit hungover today still. She also had a retained baby tooth removed. A quiet weekend in store for both of us.. her recovering and me resting up for me week ahead. On Monday I have the appointment with the radiologist to find out what will be in store after my surgery, which will take place the second week of December. My surgeon says I will be healed up by Christmas, I hope he is right. Now that Bella is fixed she will be able to go stay with her birth parents during my hospital stay. What would I do without my amazing other family the Boehleins?

So I wish everyone a great weekend.. happy camping to the Bryan family and my brother and nephew, Go Gators to all my Gator friends... and happy fall to everyone else!

Wordless Wednesday.....

Wet weekend...

I know we needed the rain, but it can stop any time now! Things are pretty much status quo here. Back on the steroids as of Thursday due to the expected hives returning right on schedule. At least I had the prescription this time and was ready for them.

On the food front I still don't like chicken but seem to be doing ok with beef for now. Although my digestive system is just not happy, which mean slots of loss of sleep these past few days. Have not gone out too much lately.

I did get out for  abit last night to see some of my favorite people to celebrate Emily's birthday.. one more teenager in my life now! I can't believe it.... it was great to have everyone together and catch up for sure.

That is pretty much it from my end of the world... sorry I don't have anything more exciting for you all, but thanks for checking in on me!

Quiet week here....

Not too much going on this week. A few meetings for some weddings at the end of the month and early next year. Doing a bit of cleaning as my energy allows. Picked up the yard a bit this morning while Bella ran around. I was beat after 20 minutes and I guess she was too since she is now sleeping at my feet.

Looking forward to Tim's game tomorrow evening, big rivalry against Oak Hall from what I hear. They have lost a couple of games so I am hoping that by going they will win again! The sweet Emily has a big birthday this weekend.. 13! I can not believe it....it seems not so long ago she was just a sweet little girl. Still sweet but not so little now!

I really need to make a Wal-Mart trip to pick up some household things....thank goodness a slightly decent paycheck is in store tomorrow from my wedding weekend. Trying to figure out the best time to go when it is not so crowded and I can find a cohort to help me out. I am afraid I am going to tired out part way through! It is crazy how low my energy level has become after last week. At a meeting the other night a local florist that I have worked with quite a bit was going on about how much energy I have.. I laughed at her. she has not seen me in action recently that is for sure!

Wordless Wednesday.....

Lots of reflection ....

today is my cousin Addison's birthday.. sadly we lost him when he was 19 in a motorcycle accident. They say the good die young and in his case it is so true. A truly smart, handsome and engaging young man.... I have a picture of him, his brother Cody (who we also lost 6 months later) and his sister Brittney on my fridge and look at them every day. I hope they know how much I love them and miss them every day. Brittney is one strong young lady..and I am so happy that she has found happiness even if it did take her across the country. I feel the same about her Mom, my cousin Kathy, miss them both and love them more than I think they know.

I guess all this nice weather and being able to have the windows open is starting to clear some of the cobwebs from my head.... Just wish I could do something to stop all this thinking sometimes.

It sounds like many of you have had a nice fresh air filled weekend too! Thanks for taking a few to check-in on me!

I miss food...

and the enjoyment it used to bring me. Apparently chicken and I will be parting ways for awhile. Mom went and got Grandy's last night and it sounded really good until it was in front of me and then I choked down 2-3 bites and that was it.

Currently I am thinking of home made applesauce. If I can manage to come up with some apples I may try it.

I have not been out of the house since Wednesday and am a bit shack whacky, but am not sure I have the energy to go anywhere anyway so I guess it doesn't matter much.

My mother is amazing... she has been here every day and has done every stupid little task I have not been able to do for myself. I am not sure what I would do without her.

After 2 days..

without food, I managed to choke down a couple of pancakes this morning. Not sure my stomach is too happy about it, but hopefully soft and spongy will work.

Going to try and plod through some work today and looking forward to the Gator/Bama game tonight!