Hi Everyone!
Wow! It sure is nice to see the response Sharon is setting via e-mail, young and old. I took the kids to see her on Sunday to show them where their mother is staying, we had a nice visit. Sharon was pretty tired but enjoyed our company and the kids loved it too! I went and visited her yesterday afternoon, she is at her low now .5 and will be like this for 4-10 days, everyone's different, then she will start on the UP hill. She was very tired and she had bad diarrhea, which takes a lot out of her as well. She has not been eating very much either, just the smell of food makes her not want to eat (Not like her at all!), so they started feeding her through IV.
We all continue to pray for a good recovery so that she might soon be in our presence as a mother, wife and a sister to all that love her.
I would like to personally thank you all very much for helping us out. Hats off to all of you mothers out there. You do so much for families in need, as well as your own!
God bless and thank you for your continued support!
Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
October 18th, 2008
Hi Everyone!!
So far everything is well with Sharon. She has had chemo on Wednesday and on Friday, they re infused her with her stem cells. She is in isolation and pretty tired but still has good spirits. If you want to send cards to Sharon, the hospital address is:
Sharon Oosterhoff C7-214
Victoria Hospital
800 Commissioners Rd East
London, ON N6A 5W9
She also has e-mail there and probably will not return all e-mails sent to her: sharonoosterhoff@gmail.com
Please do not call the hospital and bug the nurses, they have enough to deal with.You can also call me at 519-374-9911.
The kids and I are fine and making out with everything. Thanks for all your concerns, thoughts and prayers.
Much Love,
Pete, Sharon and kids
So far everything is well with Sharon. She has had chemo on Wednesday and on Friday, they re infused her with her stem cells. She is in isolation and pretty tired but still has good spirits. If you want to send cards to Sharon, the hospital address is:
Sharon Oosterhoff C7-214
Victoria Hospital
800 Commissioners Rd East
London, ON N6A 5W9
She also has e-mail there and probably will not return all e-mails sent to her: sharonoosterhoff@gmail.com
Please do not call the hospital and bug the nurses, they have enough to deal with.You can also call me at 519-374-9911.
The kids and I are fine and making out with everything. Thanks for all your concerns, thoughts and prayers.
Much Love,
Pete, Sharon and kids
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Hi everyone:
Things have been a little busy lately. I have my hair chopped off - almost. We kept some on in case I'm left with a little hair and can "blend" some in with my wig. I don't like my hair like this, I was hoping to get it real short. When my hair starts to grow again I think I'll grow it out. I did buy a wig and now I'm going to be a red head!! Actually it's brown with red highlights and it's a bunt cut just below my jaw. People tell me they like my wig better then my hair cut (so do I). Natasha also got 10 inches cut off her hair to donate to the cancer society. We still have to bring her pony tail away. That was quite a change for her too since she's always had long hair. Now it's just past her shoulders. I also got new glasses. I only need them for driving at night or if I'm in an unfamiliar area and need to see the signs that are far away. I figured I'd get new, updated glasses so that if my eyebrows fall off I can put my glasses on in there place!
The first week of October I had a VON nurse come to the house to give me my Neupogen medication. This medication stimulates my cells for the harvest. She put the needle into my stomach. She had asked me if I was OK with getting the needle there. I just grabbed a handful of my growing "insulation" - a result of my eating habits - and told her to shoot away. The next day she asked if I wanted to give myself the needle. Once the syringe was full I aimed at my stomach and stabbed like a dart (just like she instructed) and it bounced right off my belly! It went in on the second shot. The nurse was actually impressed and said she probably wouldn't come the next day, I could do it myself. The next day all went smoothly. The Neupogen made my bones ache for a couple hours afterwards.
Monday night a friend and I went to London so I could be there early Tuesday morning. I had to fast from midnight on because my permcath was scheduled for 10 am. I was a bit nervous about this procedure because I didn't know exactly what was all involved. The patient before me was supposed to have a 20 minute procedure but it turned out to be 3 hours! You can imagine I was starting to get hungry, it wasn't too bad. They brought me into the operating room and put me on a skinny little table so I asked if the table came with seat belts, the answer was no. Next they put oxygen tubes in my nose, a blood pressure band on my arm, and the heart monitor on my finger. The nurses rubbed pink iodine over my right shoulder and chest (the stuff stains) and paper blankets over my head (which had to be craned to the left) and shoulders. The doctor talked me through the whole thing. Over the bed there was six monitors so the doctor could do the procedures guided by ultra sound and x-ray. I was hoping to watch but my head had to be turned and I had a blanket over my head. The doctor put freezing in the right side of my chest(just above the breast) and another just above my right collar bone. Then he put three 1 cm cuts, one above the collar bone, one just below the collar bone and the other part way down my chest. A tube was inserted in the chest cut and pushed up and over the collar bone and curved back down into a vein right beside the jugular in my neck. I was awake through it all and could feel the pushing, tugging and pulling. There wasn't that much pain - it was bearable. I always expect the worst and than it's never as bad as I think. I was supposed to be in there for about an hour but everything went a lot quicker, apparently I have nice big veins. I wanted to see the tube when the doctor was done but they wanted to bandage it up before germs got in the cuts. When they took everything back off me the last image was still on one monitor. I could see the tube in an upside down "j" and of course my collar bone, ribs and spine. It was kind of neat to see. On the outside all you see is the tube coming out of the skin with two capped three inch tubes off that! No more needles anymore, everything can be done through the permcath. It was over, I could relax again and enjoy a much anticipated lunch! I also had to give myself another Neupogen needle while in recovery. This time I hit a blood vessel, the nurse thinks, because I got a tiny purple bruise. After two hours I could go back to the hotel. Once the freezing thawed it was quite tender. I'm not allowed to get it wet and the dressing gets changed once a week.
At 7:30 Wednesday morning my friend and I went to the hospital for the cell harvest. First I had to give blood (through the permcath!!) to see if I had a good enough cell count to even have a harvest. If the count was below 5 I would be sent home, and I could try again in two weeks. The doctor was looking for a certain cell type, the CD34 . The lab called back and said my count was 83 - so real good! I was hooked up to the dialysis machine which is quite big with lots of dials, tube lines, fluid bags and lights. About four bags had fluid, one had my plasma, another saline, another my harvest and blood thinners combined with calcium in the last one. They rinse my harvest bag clean with my plasma so that when my harvest comes into it - it won't react to any other kind of cleaner. One line takes blood from me and another brings it right back into my body. The machine has layers of tubes in it and a warmer so that the blood I get back is warm again. The machine spins my blood around and takes only the top layer of thin, immature CD34 white blood cells of the immune system. Each time a harvest is made it's only about a tsp amount. Right away after another "tsp" pushes the harvest into the tube so that it makes its way into the bag. I needed to make 18 harvests. You could tell when a harvest was happening because one of the dials would spin around really fast and there was a monitor attached to the machine to tell you. At 1:20 I was unhooked and allowed to go but I had to call back around 3 pm to see if the harvest was good enough. They called me and said the harvest went really well - it was an abundant harvest in their words. Usually people who have had radiation don't make a good harvest, so I've been blessed. Now I wouldn't have to do another harvest on Thursday, we could go home. A social worker took my friend and I up to the 7 th floor where I will be staying next week. She told us things I could bring and expect. She also said visitors weren't really recommended except for some family. Most patients are very tired or not up to visitors and it just puts pressure on them when someone shows up at their door. Also germs are a big issue. All that's left now is the chemo next week and the re-infusion of my harvest. Hopefully its all uphill from there (after some sick time). I'm looking forward to getting the next week done.
Pete's now had some practise at being dad & mom. He even did Shaun's birthday party last Friday. I had another migraine and was throwing up because of it. I called Pete at work and he came to get the van so he could pick up all the kids and take them to the bowling alley. He came home and said "what a work out", I said "welcome to motherhood!". I'm sure he will do fine while I'm in London. There is plenty of back up help too.
Pete and I are going to London next week Tuesday which happens to be our 13 th anniversary. I don't think we will ever forget this one! Fall is my favourite season and it's going to be beautiful this weekend. I'm going to enjoy Thanksgiving before I'm contained to the 7 th floor of a hospital.
Through the past five months though I've been blessed through all of my tests and treatments. Things could have turned out so different, I could have had more side effects, been depressed about things or stuck in bed all the time. All things have gone fairly smoothly and results have been quite positive. So there is much to be thankful for and nothing to complain about (except the steroids maybe - but I've been done them for two weeks!!!). The Lord has been good to me and the family. He has always given me a sense of peace through everything and that's why I'm not worried about next week or what comes after that. The support of everyone has also been a comfort and strength to my family whether by prayers, cards, thoughts, meals, housework, visits etc. It's all been much appreciated. I guess Pete will be writing the blogs to fill you all in on how I'm doing from now on!
As for God, His way is perfect.
All the Lord's promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. Ps. 18:30
Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend and thank you to all for your continued support.
Love from Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun
Things have been a little busy lately. I have my hair chopped off - almost. We kept some on in case I'm left with a little hair and can "blend" some in with my wig. I don't like my hair like this, I was hoping to get it real short. When my hair starts to grow again I think I'll grow it out. I did buy a wig and now I'm going to be a red head!! Actually it's brown with red highlights and it's a bunt cut just below my jaw. People tell me they like my wig better then my hair cut (so do I). Natasha also got 10 inches cut off her hair to donate to the cancer society. We still have to bring her pony tail away. That was quite a change for her too since she's always had long hair. Now it's just past her shoulders. I also got new glasses. I only need them for driving at night or if I'm in an unfamiliar area and need to see the signs that are far away. I figured I'd get new, updated glasses so that if my eyebrows fall off I can put my glasses on in there place!
The first week of October I had a VON nurse come to the house to give me my Neupogen medication. This medication stimulates my cells for the harvest. She put the needle into my stomach. She had asked me if I was OK with getting the needle there. I just grabbed a handful of my growing "insulation" - a result of my eating habits - and told her to shoot away. The next day she asked if I wanted to give myself the needle. Once the syringe was full I aimed at my stomach and stabbed like a dart (just like she instructed) and it bounced right off my belly! It went in on the second shot. The nurse was actually impressed and said she probably wouldn't come the next day, I could do it myself. The next day all went smoothly. The Neupogen made my bones ache for a couple hours afterwards.
Monday night a friend and I went to London so I could be there early Tuesday morning. I had to fast from midnight on because my permcath was scheduled for 10 am. I was a bit nervous about this procedure because I didn't know exactly what was all involved. The patient before me was supposed to have a 20 minute procedure but it turned out to be 3 hours! You can imagine I was starting to get hungry, it wasn't too bad. They brought me into the operating room and put me on a skinny little table so I asked if the table came with seat belts, the answer was no. Next they put oxygen tubes in my nose, a blood pressure band on my arm, and the heart monitor on my finger. The nurses rubbed pink iodine over my right shoulder and chest (the stuff stains) and paper blankets over my head (which had to be craned to the left) and shoulders. The doctor talked me through the whole thing. Over the bed there was six monitors so the doctor could do the procedures guided by ultra sound and x-ray. I was hoping to watch but my head had to be turned and I had a blanket over my head. The doctor put freezing in the right side of my chest(just above the breast) and another just above my right collar bone. Then he put three 1 cm cuts, one above the collar bone, one just below the collar bone and the other part way down my chest. A tube was inserted in the chest cut and pushed up and over the collar bone and curved back down into a vein right beside the jugular in my neck. I was awake through it all and could feel the pushing, tugging and pulling. There wasn't that much pain - it was bearable. I always expect the worst and than it's never as bad as I think. I was supposed to be in there for about an hour but everything went a lot quicker, apparently I have nice big veins. I wanted to see the tube when the doctor was done but they wanted to bandage it up before germs got in the cuts. When they took everything back off me the last image was still on one monitor. I could see the tube in an upside down "j" and of course my collar bone, ribs and spine. It was kind of neat to see. On the outside all you see is the tube coming out of the skin with two capped three inch tubes off that! No more needles anymore, everything can be done through the permcath. It was over, I could relax again and enjoy a much anticipated lunch! I also had to give myself another Neupogen needle while in recovery. This time I hit a blood vessel, the nurse thinks, because I got a tiny purple bruise. After two hours I could go back to the hotel. Once the freezing thawed it was quite tender. I'm not allowed to get it wet and the dressing gets changed once a week.
At 7:30 Wednesday morning my friend and I went to the hospital for the cell harvest. First I had to give blood (through the permcath!!) to see if I had a good enough cell count to even have a harvest. If the count was below 5 I would be sent home, and I could try again in two weeks. The doctor was looking for a certain cell type, the CD34 . The lab called back and said my count was 83 - so real good! I was hooked up to the dialysis machine which is quite big with lots of dials, tube lines, fluid bags and lights. About four bags had fluid, one had my plasma, another saline, another my harvest and blood thinners combined with calcium in the last one. They rinse my harvest bag clean with my plasma so that when my harvest comes into it - it won't react to any other kind of cleaner. One line takes blood from me and another brings it right back into my body. The machine has layers of tubes in it and a warmer so that the blood I get back is warm again. The machine spins my blood around and takes only the top layer of thin, immature CD34 white blood cells of the immune system. Each time a harvest is made it's only about a tsp amount. Right away after another "tsp" pushes the harvest into the tube so that it makes its way into the bag. I needed to make 18 harvests. You could tell when a harvest was happening because one of the dials would spin around really fast and there was a monitor attached to the machine to tell you. At 1:20 I was unhooked and allowed to go but I had to call back around 3 pm to see if the harvest was good enough. They called me and said the harvest went really well - it was an abundant harvest in their words. Usually people who have had radiation don't make a good harvest, so I've been blessed. Now I wouldn't have to do another harvest on Thursday, we could go home. A social worker took my friend and I up to the 7 th floor where I will be staying next week. She told us things I could bring and expect. She also said visitors weren't really recommended except for some family. Most patients are very tired or not up to visitors and it just puts pressure on them when someone shows up at their door. Also germs are a big issue. All that's left now is the chemo next week and the re-infusion of my harvest. Hopefully its all uphill from there (after some sick time). I'm looking forward to getting the next week done.
Pete's now had some practise at being dad & mom. He even did Shaun's birthday party last Friday. I had another migraine and was throwing up because of it. I called Pete at work and he came to get the van so he could pick up all the kids and take them to the bowling alley. He came home and said "what a work out", I said "welcome to motherhood!". I'm sure he will do fine while I'm in London. There is plenty of back up help too.
Pete and I are going to London next week Tuesday which happens to be our 13 th anniversary. I don't think we will ever forget this one! Fall is my favourite season and it's going to be beautiful this weekend. I'm going to enjoy Thanksgiving before I'm contained to the 7 th floor of a hospital.
Through the past five months though I've been blessed through all of my tests and treatments. Things could have turned out so different, I could have had more side effects, been depressed about things or stuck in bed all the time. All things have gone fairly smoothly and results have been quite positive. So there is much to be thankful for and nothing to complain about (except the steroids maybe - but I've been done them for two weeks!!!). The Lord has been good to me and the family. He has always given me a sense of peace through everything and that's why I'm not worried about next week or what comes after that. The support of everyone has also been a comfort and strength to my family whether by prayers, cards, thoughts, meals, housework, visits etc. It's all been much appreciated. I guess Pete will be writing the blogs to fill you all in on how I'm doing from now on!
As for God, His way is perfect.
All the Lord's promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. Ps. 18:30
Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend and thank you to all for your continued support.
Love from Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Hey everyone:
Well, Pete and I went to London Tuesday. Actually we left on Monday night because my appointment was early Tuesday morning. I can't handle driving for five hours and do four to five hours of testing in one day. I will tire out and get way too sore. After a hearty breakfast we got to the hospital a bit early and registered in. They right away sent me for blood work (eight tubes) and then I went to get a chest X-ray and last was sent for an ECG. The tech put about twelve stickers on me and clipped on the wires, I was just settling back when she ripped all the wires & stickers off - I was done already!! In between those three tests I had to fill out the same form I do every time I go to London - all about your symptoms and if anything has changed or if you need a social worker etc. Everything was running on schedule and we met the doctor on time to discuss the transplant. First I had to have a physical and than we went over any questions. Apparently I will still be feeling pretty good after I get chemo on the 15th of October. The doctor said I could go out on day passes or out for dinner/shopping whatever. I was surprised. The side effects won't hit until six to eight days later - than I have to be very careful!
I was supposed to have a tour of the 7th floor where I will be living for three weeks, but the nurse was tied up in a family crisis and they don't let people just wander around up there. They did show me where I would get dialysis done. They said don't drink too much water because you can't drag that machine into the bathroom like you would an IV pole! Instead it's the "trusty" bed pan. It looks like I'm able to go through with the transplant from the test results they have so far. There was a nurse that retired in London in the last couple days/weeks and she was in charge of doing the transplants from a sibling to a patient. Now there is a huge waiting list until they hire a new nurse. Thankfully I'm my own donor and there are nurses and doctors to carry out my procedure. Pete and I got out of London a lot sooner than expected and made it home at a decent time. I napped on the way back of course!
The last two weeks I have been getting more sore and achy and the pain begins to burn a bit. My skin feels like it would when you have the flu and it hurts to brush your hair or wear a shirt against your skin. I have a bit of a bloated tummy from the steroids (and maybe my appetite). The other night at dinner the kids eyes lit right up and they squealed "Your pregnant!!". I said "Nooo, the drugs would not be good for the baby - I'm not pregnant". "Well", they said, If you WERE pregnant how far along would you be?". "Four months!" I answered.
It's almost time for the next haircut - Oct. 1 - I'm going short. That will last till I go to the hospital. At first I thought to just shave my head the day before I go in so I don't have to worry finding a razor at the hospital. The doctor told me not to shave it off because they don't want nicks on my scalp. (The nurses will do it when my hair falls out). He did say to go wig shopping. There is a place about half hour away from here where a lady has a business in her home. She books fittings for just one customer at a time so we aren't rushed. The girls want to come with me. It's almost like a bridal fitting except we are just doing the headpieces!
I have one more stretch of steroids (four days) and than I hope to never have to take those again. I'm looking forward to having my own moods backs - which are usually good. I hate what the drugs do to you (for me they make me very grumpy and moody), it hasn't be fun for my family or me! Anyway, the first week in October I will be getting a new drug to get the stem cells moving, healthy and multiplying so that by the 7th of October I can get a permcath and have dialysis and get a good enough harvest. On Oct. 14 (Pete's & my anniversary) we'll be going to London so I'm there for the transplant and the month.
Well, I was reading my daughter a book for bed, but she took over the reading and I fell asleep. Now that the blog is updated I should probably get to bed myself. In all things I leave it with the Lord to see how He sees best to deal with all these tests and appointments. I will show up for everything and know that He will hold my hand and hold my family till all this is done.
Thanks again to everyone for the endless support and love!!
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun
Well, Pete and I went to London Tuesday. Actually we left on Monday night because my appointment was early Tuesday morning. I can't handle driving for five hours and do four to five hours of testing in one day. I will tire out and get way too sore. After a hearty breakfast we got to the hospital a bit early and registered in. They right away sent me for blood work (eight tubes) and then I went to get a chest X-ray and last was sent for an ECG. The tech put about twelve stickers on me and clipped on the wires, I was just settling back when she ripped all the wires & stickers off - I was done already!! In between those three tests I had to fill out the same form I do every time I go to London - all about your symptoms and if anything has changed or if you need a social worker etc. Everything was running on schedule and we met the doctor on time to discuss the transplant. First I had to have a physical and than we went over any questions. Apparently I will still be feeling pretty good after I get chemo on the 15th of October. The doctor said I could go out on day passes or out for dinner/shopping whatever. I was surprised. The side effects won't hit until six to eight days later - than I have to be very careful!
I was supposed to have a tour of the 7th floor where I will be living for three weeks, but the nurse was tied up in a family crisis and they don't let people just wander around up there. They did show me where I would get dialysis done. They said don't drink too much water because you can't drag that machine into the bathroom like you would an IV pole! Instead it's the "trusty" bed pan. It looks like I'm able to go through with the transplant from the test results they have so far. There was a nurse that retired in London in the last couple days/weeks and she was in charge of doing the transplants from a sibling to a patient. Now there is a huge waiting list until they hire a new nurse. Thankfully I'm my own donor and there are nurses and doctors to carry out my procedure. Pete and I got out of London a lot sooner than expected and made it home at a decent time. I napped on the way back of course!
The last two weeks I have been getting more sore and achy and the pain begins to burn a bit. My skin feels like it would when you have the flu and it hurts to brush your hair or wear a shirt against your skin. I have a bit of a bloated tummy from the steroids (and maybe my appetite). The other night at dinner the kids eyes lit right up and they squealed "Your pregnant!!". I said "Nooo, the drugs would not be good for the baby - I'm not pregnant". "Well", they said, If you WERE pregnant how far along would you be?". "Four months!" I answered.
It's almost time for the next haircut - Oct. 1 - I'm going short. That will last till I go to the hospital. At first I thought to just shave my head the day before I go in so I don't have to worry finding a razor at the hospital. The doctor told me not to shave it off because they don't want nicks on my scalp. (The nurses will do it when my hair falls out). He did say to go wig shopping. There is a place about half hour away from here where a lady has a business in her home. She books fittings for just one customer at a time so we aren't rushed. The girls want to come with me. It's almost like a bridal fitting except we are just doing the headpieces!
I have one more stretch of steroids (four days) and than I hope to never have to take those again. I'm looking forward to having my own moods backs - which are usually good. I hate what the drugs do to you (for me they make me very grumpy and moody), it hasn't be fun for my family or me! Anyway, the first week in October I will be getting a new drug to get the stem cells moving, healthy and multiplying so that by the 7th of October I can get a permcath and have dialysis and get a good enough harvest. On Oct. 14 (Pete's & my anniversary) we'll be going to London so I'm there for the transplant and the month.
Well, I was reading my daughter a book for bed, but she took over the reading and I fell asleep. Now that the blog is updated I should probably get to bed myself. In all things I leave it with the Lord to see how He sees best to deal with all these tests and appointments. I will show up for everything and know that He will hold my hand and hold my family till all this is done.
Thanks again to everyone for the endless support and love!!
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hi everyone:
Last week I went to my family doctor for a check up and to update him on all the tests and things I've had to do. Basically, I told him I'm a healthy cancer patient!! He said, "Um, okay I'll put that on your charts and let all the other doctors know". He started to laugh a bit. I don't imagine he gets told that everyday! He said he was going to come and do a house visit because he'd been getting a lot of info on me, but hadn't seen me in a while. I said he was welcome any time and actually thought that was quite nice (he's a VERY busy man). The reason I said I was "healthy" was because all the tests were coming back pretty good, my cell count was good, the calcium in my blood is doing it's job, blood work is good etc. So I told him my opinion on the whole situation. Obviously I'm not a doctor, but I'm a good patient!
Last week before all the rain I decided to cut the grass. There was a lot of jolting happening in the back yard and I think maybe I hurt my back doing that (maybe I'm not a good patient). Anyway, the pain seems to be getting worse since Sunday/Monday especially and I figured it might ease up or go away. The steroids are supposed to help with the bone pain and I started those up again today, but the pain is still there. I went to oncology after I got the kids from school just to let them know this was happening (they said to inform them of any different/unusual pain that I might have) and they decided to schedule a MRI on my full spine and back hip bones. Then I have to go to oncology for an update on the MRI. Hopefully they don't have to radiate anything before the transplant because that just won't work out with the stem cell harvest. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
That's the update for now, I have to get dinner on the table. Thanks for the done of cards and emails this week, I really appreciate it. Also a bunch of girls from school might try and come up in the next couple days to visit! All the support is wonderful. Oh, Pete said he can't wait to update the blog - something about my eating habits. Most cancer patients lose their appetite but mine is good....REEEALLY good!!!!
Love from Pete, Sharon & kids.
Last week I went to my family doctor for a check up and to update him on all the tests and things I've had to do. Basically, I told him I'm a healthy cancer patient!! He said, "Um, okay I'll put that on your charts and let all the other doctors know". He started to laugh a bit. I don't imagine he gets told that everyday! He said he was going to come and do a house visit because he'd been getting a lot of info on me, but hadn't seen me in a while. I said he was welcome any time and actually thought that was quite nice (he's a VERY busy man). The reason I said I was "healthy" was because all the tests were coming back pretty good, my cell count was good, the calcium in my blood is doing it's job, blood work is good etc. So I told him my opinion on the whole situation. Obviously I'm not a doctor, but I'm a good patient!
Last week before all the rain I decided to cut the grass. There was a lot of jolting happening in the back yard and I think maybe I hurt my back doing that (maybe I'm not a good patient). Anyway, the pain seems to be getting worse since Sunday/Monday especially and I figured it might ease up or go away. The steroids are supposed to help with the bone pain and I started those up again today, but the pain is still there. I went to oncology after I got the kids from school just to let them know this was happening (they said to inform them of any different/unusual pain that I might have) and they decided to schedule a MRI on my full spine and back hip bones. Then I have to go to oncology for an update on the MRI. Hopefully they don't have to radiate anything before the transplant because that just won't work out with the stem cell harvest. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
That's the update for now, I have to get dinner on the table. Thanks for the done of cards and emails this week, I really appreciate it. Also a bunch of girls from school might try and come up in the next couple days to visit! All the support is wonderful. Oh, Pete said he can't wait to update the blog - something about my eating habits. Most cancer patients lose their appetite but mine is good....REEEALLY good!!!!
Love from Pete, Sharon & kids.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Hello:
Thursday I went to London with my friend for a follow up on the radiation I had in July. It was something I probably could have done over the phone. The doctor wanted to know if the radiation helped - my back does feel much better since the radiation, it doesn't hurt as quickly as it used to. They want me to come back in January for another follow up. We did get to the Mandarin again though!!
On Friday I went to Owen Sound and had a breathing test done. I had to sit in this "plastic bubble" - it reminded me of a mini helicopter cockpit. I thought of all the astronauts practising for space! I had to put my mouth around this big air tube and have a clothespin on my nose and than they shut the door on me. Through the speaker the tech would tell me how to breath. First I had to breath normal and suddenly take a deep breath in and right away blow out as hard and fast as I could. The second set I had to pant like a dog and resistance would build up in the tube so I couldn't breath anymore. The third set they put oxygen through and I had to breath it in and do what I did in the first set but just normal paced. Than it was all done. I also had to do blood work. After blood work I went to the van and I noticed the inside of my elbow where I had the needle was all swollen in a big cone shape bubble and was blue. I went back to the lab and asked the tech that took my blood what she thought of it - maybe an air bubble? She said it wasn't an air bubble, but it would probably bruise (as I'm looking at my blue arm). I asked if I should worry about it and she said no. The kids were quite impressed when I picked them up but also a little grossed out. The next morning the bubble was gone and a few new colours joined in with the blue shades.
Saturday I ended up with a migraine and threw up in Shopper's Drug Mart (an employee managed to get me to the bathroom just in time). What a proud moment. The headache lasted through till Monday.
This morning I went to the Owen Sound hospital for my monthly 2hr IV which every time gets better results. The calcium floating around in my blood is starting to stick to my bones. The oncologist was behind today so I saw the nurse who said I was doing really good with all my tests results so far and monthly check ups. This afternoon I had a muga test - which is a test that checks the blood pumping through my heart. I had a needle (in the other arm!) which had a drug that sticks to my blood cells. Twenty minutes later the tech gave me another needle with a nuclear drug that would stick itself onto the first drug. Than they brought me to the same room that I had my bone scan in and lay me back on that skinny bed that they strap you onto so you don't fall off. The tech put patches on my chest and stomach with wires to monitor my heart while they took three pictures -five minutes per picture. The camera is the big monitor screen that they lay a centimeter from your chest. It's kinda claustrophobic and I couldn't nap like I usually do through all my tests.
Tomorrow I go to my family doctor and there won't be anything to say about that visit. On the 23rd is the visit to London for the rest of the tests. So far so good. Anyway, that's all for now. I still tire easily, but since the kids have gone to school I don't get mentally tired as quickly.
Thanks to you all for remembering our family and we'll see when the next blog is.
Goodnight,
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun.
Thursday I went to London with my friend for a follow up on the radiation I had in July. It was something I probably could have done over the phone. The doctor wanted to know if the radiation helped - my back does feel much better since the radiation, it doesn't hurt as quickly as it used to. They want me to come back in January for another follow up. We did get to the Mandarin again though!!
On Friday I went to Owen Sound and had a breathing test done. I had to sit in this "plastic bubble" - it reminded me of a mini helicopter cockpit. I thought of all the astronauts practising for space! I had to put my mouth around this big air tube and have a clothespin on my nose and than they shut the door on me. Through the speaker the tech would tell me how to breath. First I had to breath normal and suddenly take a deep breath in and right away blow out as hard and fast as I could. The second set I had to pant like a dog and resistance would build up in the tube so I couldn't breath anymore. The third set they put oxygen through and I had to breath it in and do what I did in the first set but just normal paced. Than it was all done. I also had to do blood work. After blood work I went to the van and I noticed the inside of my elbow where I had the needle was all swollen in a big cone shape bubble and was blue. I went back to the lab and asked the tech that took my blood what she thought of it - maybe an air bubble? She said it wasn't an air bubble, but it would probably bruise (as I'm looking at my blue arm). I asked if I should worry about it and she said no. The kids were quite impressed when I picked them up but also a little grossed out. The next morning the bubble was gone and a few new colours joined in with the blue shades.
Saturday I ended up with a migraine and threw up in Shopper's Drug Mart (an employee managed to get me to the bathroom just in time). What a proud moment. The headache lasted through till Monday.
This morning I went to the Owen Sound hospital for my monthly 2hr IV which every time gets better results. The calcium floating around in my blood is starting to stick to my bones. The oncologist was behind today so I saw the nurse who said I was doing really good with all my tests results so far and monthly check ups. This afternoon I had a muga test - which is a test that checks the blood pumping through my heart. I had a needle (in the other arm!) which had a drug that sticks to my blood cells. Twenty minutes later the tech gave me another needle with a nuclear drug that would stick itself onto the first drug. Than they brought me to the same room that I had my bone scan in and lay me back on that skinny bed that they strap you onto so you don't fall off. The tech put patches on my chest and stomach with wires to monitor my heart while they took three pictures -five minutes per picture. The camera is the big monitor screen that they lay a centimeter from your chest. It's kinda claustrophobic and I couldn't nap like I usually do through all my tests.
Tomorrow I go to my family doctor and there won't be anything to say about that visit. On the 23rd is the visit to London for the rest of the tests. So far so good. Anyway, that's all for now. I still tire easily, but since the kids have gone to school I don't get mentally tired as quickly.
Thanks to you all for remembering our family and we'll see when the next blog is.
Goodnight,
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
September 3, 2008
Hi to everyone!
It's been awhile since the last blog update, actually a whole month!! August was a quiet month and our family took a couple weeks of camping in. The first week was very relaxing after a busy July of doctor's appointments, but the second week started to tire me out mentally. By the end of summer everything became overwhelming. Phone calls, people asking about doctor's appointments, the kid's bickering, trying to take care of myself and still run the household. (This is when the family ran away to camp - just to get away from everything). When I'm on all these drugs and off again it takes a toll on you mentally and you become very irritable about everything! I seem to snap at everyone, especially my own family, and that's hard to deal with because they aren't doing anything wrong. You can't really control it though, but you feel bad for doing it all the time. It's nice that the kids were looking forward to school and I was looking forward to some down time myself. I seem to be really tired all the time, but now that I can rest during the day again hopefully that will get better too.
This week I have doctor's appointments everyday. London wants to start all kinds of tests on me to see if I'll physically be up to doing a stem cell transplant. In Owen Sound I'll be doing all kinds of blood work, 24 hr urine test, a breathing test and a heart test. My lungs, kidneys and heart have to be in good shape or I won't even be allowed to follow through with the procedure. Later in the month I go to London for another four hours of testing. More blood work, chest x-rays, an ECG and a physical. Than they give me the tour of the area where I'll be living for a couple weeks after the transplant. I'll also be getting a permcap in above my heart for all the meds and will also act as a feeding tube if I can't eat on my own.
Come the first week of October I'll have a nurse come in everyday for a week and inject me with drugs to get the stem cells moving and healthy. At the end of the week they do dialysis (harvest) in London and hopefully they get a good "crop" or else I'll have to stay for another day of dialysis. On October 15 I get a heavy dose of chemo to kill everything off in my body and on the 17th the doctors will transplant my thawed healthy stem cells back into my body. Hopefully this all works because you only get one chance with this transplant in your life. It's nice to have the dates to look forward to and hopefully I can start the long recovery back to good health again.
At first when the doctor called with all the dates, times and procedures I was a bit nervous because everything was suddenly happening. Now I am not nervous, but have peace with whatever happens. I don't look that far ahead, so I have nothing to worry about. It's all about one day of testing at a time. I know the Lord is with me every step of the way and He will guide and protect me in all things. He is our strength when we are weak, our Rock to hold on to!
I almost forgot to mention, I got my hair cut - about 15 in.- and I donated it to the Cancer Society. I'm working my way to baldness. I'm almost due for my next do!! This haircut is about up to my chin I guess. The hairdresser called it a bed-head style, I said "perfect!". The next one is going to be short and wild (I guess another bed-head one!).
Anyway, this is the update for now. By mid October I hope to be on the road to recovery which will still take a couple months, but at least it will be going uphill! I still receive cards in the mail and it's nice to know so many people care about my family and continue to offer help in so many ways. Your prayers keep us going! Thank you to everyone.
Love from Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun.
It's been awhile since the last blog update, actually a whole month!! August was a quiet month and our family took a couple weeks of camping in. The first week was very relaxing after a busy July of doctor's appointments, but the second week started to tire me out mentally. By the end of summer everything became overwhelming. Phone calls, people asking about doctor's appointments, the kid's bickering, trying to take care of myself and still run the household. (This is when the family ran away to camp - just to get away from everything). When I'm on all these drugs and off again it takes a toll on you mentally and you become very irritable about everything! I seem to snap at everyone, especially my own family, and that's hard to deal with because they aren't doing anything wrong. You can't really control it though, but you feel bad for doing it all the time. It's nice that the kids were looking forward to school and I was looking forward to some down time myself. I seem to be really tired all the time, but now that I can rest during the day again hopefully that will get better too.
This week I have doctor's appointments everyday. London wants to start all kinds of tests on me to see if I'll physically be up to doing a stem cell transplant. In Owen Sound I'll be doing all kinds of blood work, 24 hr urine test, a breathing test and a heart test. My lungs, kidneys and heart have to be in good shape or I won't even be allowed to follow through with the procedure. Later in the month I go to London for another four hours of testing. More blood work, chest x-rays, an ECG and a physical. Than they give me the tour of the area where I'll be living for a couple weeks after the transplant. I'll also be getting a permcap in above my heart for all the meds and will also act as a feeding tube if I can't eat on my own.
Come the first week of October I'll have a nurse come in everyday for a week and inject me with drugs to get the stem cells moving and healthy. At the end of the week they do dialysis (harvest) in London and hopefully they get a good "crop" or else I'll have to stay for another day of dialysis. On October 15 I get a heavy dose of chemo to kill everything off in my body and on the 17th the doctors will transplant my thawed healthy stem cells back into my body. Hopefully this all works because you only get one chance with this transplant in your life. It's nice to have the dates to look forward to and hopefully I can start the long recovery back to good health again.
At first when the doctor called with all the dates, times and procedures I was a bit nervous because everything was suddenly happening. Now I am not nervous, but have peace with whatever happens. I don't look that far ahead, so I have nothing to worry about. It's all about one day of testing at a time. I know the Lord is with me every step of the way and He will guide and protect me in all things. He is our strength when we are weak, our Rock to hold on to!
I almost forgot to mention, I got my hair cut - about 15 in.- and I donated it to the Cancer Society. I'm working my way to baldness. I'm almost due for my next do!! This haircut is about up to my chin I guess. The hairdresser called it a bed-head style, I said "perfect!". The next one is going to be short and wild (I guess another bed-head one!).
Anyway, this is the update for now. By mid October I hope to be on the road to recovery which will still take a couple months, but at least it will be going uphill! I still receive cards in the mail and it's nice to know so many people care about my family and continue to offer help in so many ways. Your prayers keep us going! Thank you to everyone.
Love from Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun.
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