Geting back into routine

fuzzytrouble said:

port
I have a power port and only one time did it have problems. The lab tech told me it may just have a kink in it and to put my arm over my head and see if that would help, it did and it worked. I have seen people have to slouch down in a chair to make it work too. I heard that they have something to unclog it, but it takes about 45 minutes to do. I still love having the port. My veins are terrible, and I like Linda sometimes looks like a pin cushion. Hope from now on that it goes easier for you.

Hugs to you,
Sharon

Thanks Sharon
I really like having the port, but I think it move a little and if whoever is accessing it doesn't have much experience with them,it is difficult for them. They were going to use TPA today to declot it, but we didn't need it. She said the TPA has to sit in the tubing for 30 minutes. This is the second time they had trouble and both were in radiology. I think it is just a bit positional and needs an experienced operator!
It's all good, the CT is done.... next obstacle is chemo on Monday and only 1 more after that!

Walking around bald-headed
I've started going places bald-headed now, too! Up until recently, I'd wear a little cap even at home because I felt cold without it. And when I'd go out, I'd wear my wig or one of my fancier 'jockey' hats, so that I wouldn't look pitiful. But last weekend, (opening day of trout season here in Pennsylvania), I wore my wig up to my son's camper. I was SOOOOO hot and sweaty there by the stream, helping the grandkids re-bait their hooks a million times and taking photos of them with their catches. When I took off my wig, the little liner under it was all wet with sweat. That was it. I washed my wig, put it on the stand, and have been going around bald-headed everywhere since. I will try and draw on eyebrows every day, but hats and wigs, from now on, will be for 'occasions'. It's getting warmer here and the spring air feels tooooo lovely on my bald head, and I refuse to not enjoy that luscious feeling! HA!

Deanna: Sooooo glad the CT-scan went smoothly, comparatively and is over. It is so good to check off each hurdle. I know you will get a NED outcome!

I am enjoying this break before daily radiation (starts 4/30). I planted 6 little trees yesterday (5 tiny red maples and 1 filbert hickory nut tree), for Earth Day. The tiny maples are only 2' tall and I put them in a 'nursery bed' I have to allow them to mature a couple of years before I find them permanent homes. I set the hickory out in my lawn since it was bigger, so planting that one was a little more work, as it needed a bigger hole and protection from the many rabbits that live in my woods. It is good to be able to do physical labor without my heart pounding from low hemoglobin: I think I'm recovered from my chemo!

lindaprocopio said:

Walking around bald-headed
I've started going places bald-headed now, too! Up until recently, I'd wear a little cap even at home because I felt cold without it. And when I'd go out, I'd wear my wig or one of my fancier 'jockey' hats, so that I wouldn't look pitiful. But last weekend, (opening day of trout season here in Pennsylvania), I wore my wig up to my son's camper. I was SOOOOO hot and sweaty there by the stream, helping the grandkids re-bait their hooks a million times and taking photos of them with their catches. When I took off my wig, the little liner under it was all wet with sweat. That was it. I washed my wig, put it on the stand, and have been going around bald-headed everywhere since. I will try and draw on eyebrows every day, but hats and wigs, from now on, will be for 'occasions'. It's getting warmer here and the spring air feels tooooo lovely on my bald head, and I refuse to not enjoy that luscious feeling! HA!

Deanna: Sooooo glad the CT-scan went smoothly, comparatively and is over. It is so good to check off each hurdle. I know you will get a NED outcome!

I am enjoying this break before daily radiation (starts 4/30). I planted 6 little trees yesterday (5 tiny red maples and 1 filbert hickory nut tree), for Earth Day. The tiny maples are only 2' tall and I put them in a 'nursery bed' I have to allow them to mature a couple of years before I find them permanent homes. I set the hickory out in my lawn since it was bigger, so planting that one was a little more work, as it needed a bigger hole and protection from the many rabbits that live in my woods. It is good to be able to do physical labor without my heart pounding from low hemoglobin: I think I'm recovered from my chemo!

Bald is Beautiful!
My husband is getting a kick out of me going around bald. I feel like all of this is giving me an acceptance of myself like I've never had before. I met a couple of my friends from high school today at the park for a walk and picnic lunch. I wore a hat for the walk as I don't want to burn my head, but I took it off for lunch. It feels fabulous, especially when you are hot and sweaty! I have just decided that I am accepting that for now I am bald and people will just have to deal! I get tickled at the look on people's faces. Seems like when they see that I am okay with it, they are okay with it too.

I am happy that you are feeling so well. Planting trees is hard work! It is fantastic that you are feeling well enough to do it! Yeah!!! I think you have conquered the hardest part of treatment.

lindaprocopio said:

I remember what my little grandson said to me.
My 7 year old grandson really made being bald okay for me. He was sleeping over and climbed onto my lap and ran his hand over my bald head, looked me striaght in the eye, and said in his most serious way, "I don't care, Grammy. I just love you so much." And I decided, then and there, that I don't care either. I love me so much, too! HA!

What a wonderful thing for your grandson to say
That would certainly make your day. I am so glad your grandkids add so much enjoyment to your life.

lindaprocopio said:

I remember what my little grandson said to me.
My 7 year old grandson really made being bald okay for me. He was sleeping over and climbed onto my lap and ran his hand over my bald head, looked me striaght in the eye, and said in his most serious way, "I don't care, Grammy. I just love you so much." And I decided, then and there, that I don't care either. I love me so much, too! HA!

It's really not so bad...
Being bald is definately not as bad as I had anticipated and as time goes by, I get more used to it and it just seems a part of me. I am bald, why cover it up if it is uncomfortable. Especially with this fantastic warm weather. It is just too hot to wear a hat or wig all the time. For now... I like my bald head.

Teresa: So glad the internal radiation went so well!!
Thanks for checking in, Teresa! It's good to know that you have that ordeal behind you and that it wasn't that bad. So are you on a complete break from treatment until the 2nd week of May? I'm really enjoying my break between chemo and radiation. It's nice not to be running over to the hospital, and I feel completely recovered from chemo now (last chemo round 3/26; pelvic radiation to start 4/30). Today I spent 3 hours lifting plants (rose campion, black-eyed susans, larkspur, columbine, and sweet williams) that seeded themselves or sprawled into the 8" edging of bare mulch that I like to have outlining all of my flower beds. I plunked some of these little flower plants into bare spots in my borders and moved most of them to along the edge of the woods where I will just let God take care of them from now on. It was so good to work outside and wonderful that it is warm enough at last that it is pleasant. I worked bald-headed and hope I don't have a sunburn on my noggin! I hope that your achiness goes away and that you can enjoy your 'spring break'!

Teresa 61 said:

Finished internal radiation
On the 19th and 20th I was put on a liquid diet. On the 21st I checked into the hospital and under general anesthesia the implant instruments were placed in my vagina.Following recovery I was taken to my hospital room where the cesium was loaded into the implant.I had to lay on my back for 32 hours then at 8 pm on the 22nd the implant was removed and I went home. I'm feeling a little achey but nothing I can't handle, happy it's over with. Will be starting my last 3 rounds of chemo around the 2nd week of May.
Ro, I know your going to be having this done soon and I know you'll be fine. I had a roommate and that helped alot.

Teresa Glad you are home
I have been thinking and praying extra for you this week. I am glad you have the internal radiation out of the way. I am surprised you only had to stay in the hospital one night. That was great for you. Hope the achiness goes away soon for you. Enjoy your break before you start your last three chemo treatments. I figure I will finish my external radiation on May 18th. Then I will have the internal radiation. I don't look forward to having to stay on my back for that long. Could you raise you head up at all? Take care. HUGS to you.