Halfway Mark :)

Greetings to all!

June 26 2012 Ready for Round 4

Yesterday marked the halfway point in this rigorous chemotherapy treatment plan.  It is the last of the AC chemo treatment.  In three weeks I will start the weekly Taxol therapy sessions.

Mikayla took a quick picture of us just before Bob and I left for the hospital....this is my "Jenny" look.  The session was uneventful and we were out of there in 2 1/2 hours - best time yet!!  Slept went well last night and so far today things feel ok.  Bob and I are about to take Zoe for a walk while I still have the energy for the day.  Usually during Week 1 a walk will put me on my back for a bit BUT it is so worth it to get the exercise in!  I haven't had a headache yet this morning so that is good news.  Doc altered my meds a bit, to hopefully help with that.  He also prescribed some mouth meds that will keep the swelling I have had in Week 2 away.....wouldn't that be great?!  My appetite is still really healthy...perhaps too much so ;) I feel as though I need to walk double time for what I have managed to scarf down!!  Luckily my in-house trainer and cheerleader extraordinaire Bob is keeping me on track!



June 26 2012 by Rosalie Synk

Yesterday Regina was on severe weather watch and the clouds and sky were loaded with entertainment.  Not as severe as some of our neighbouring communities though. Prince Albert was without power all night and day! Here is a photo of the Regina sky that my good friend Rosalie S took...it is really cool!! The clouds are called Mammatus clouds.

We hope to take advantage of the nice weather and the next two weeks of chemo recovery before the weekly rounds starts by going fishing, biking and visiting family.

To all my teacher friends - ENJOY SUMMER - RELAX - GET REVITALIZED/RECHARGED!

To all our friends and family,
Enjoy the weather rain or shine (....it's not -40 out...yet)
Enjoy your family and friends.
Take lots of pictures and create lots of memories!
Happy Summer!

Lots of love,  Shelley & Bob

p.s.  Thanks to Allison for taking care of the guys in Pittsburgh! :)   They made it home safely!

Summer Solstice

Welcome summer! It's so nice to see the blue sky again!  Everyone just seems happier when the sun is shining!

Not much new here to report.  Chemo #4 and last AC is scheduled for the 26th if all blood works is good.  Blood work and oncology appointment is booked for the 25th.  These past few days have been rather good ones - no head aches, body aches, swollen mouth, etc so I must be ready to go again!  After this chemo, I will start the weekly Taxol chemo sessions for 12 weeks.  These are lower dose to (hopefully) minimize side effects.

What is amazing is I still have hair stubble on my head and on my legs!  Yes!  The warm weather forces me to look closely at the legs and YES I still have to shave them! Hahaha!  Go figure - no hair in other areas (...no, Jim, I am not naming the areas)...let's just say we are saving money this summer :-D

Bob is in Pittsburgh for the draft...he may have another TV appearance with Ottawa.  I wonder if he will be hugging people (in excitement of course) for national TV....again!  LOL!!  It is good for him to get away from me and my serial killer tendencies once in a while...(Darn hormones!!)

Mikayla and Rob are wrapping up high school finals and Alycia is busy working.  Mom and dad are here for a few days too.  So things continue to be busy around here!

All three kids will be working in Regina this summer.  We hope to get out fishing around here since it is nice and close to home.  Bob and Rob went out last week and caught a couple of nice pickerel for supper!  Now that is a great way to kick off summer!!

Now that summer is officially here - ENJOY every minute of it!  We wait all winter for this!

Lots of love, Shelley

Proud

Image from Microsoft Free Clip Art June 2012

Last night was Mikayla's music 20 final at the high school.  Every student is required to perform a song, musical piece, solo or group under the direction of Mr. Hicks. We had no idea what she was doing other than she was "doing" something twice on stage.  Needless to say within seconds of her introducing a "song she wrote for her mom", Bob, Alycia and I were tearing up.  The song she wrote is called "Something Tells Me You'll Be Alright".  The uTube upload is a bit shakey and the camera had to be handed off to Kashtin because we were a mess (a good mess) - proud, honoured and PROUD!  Here is the link to her performance as capture on the iPhone

Something Tells Me You'll Be Alright - lyrics written & performed by Mikayla Lowes; accompanied by Ross

Round 3 - Week 1

Well, I would be lying if I said this round was a walk in the park!  However, I still consider myself lucky with the side effects.  This past week head aches and fatigue seemed to get the best of me.  Thank goodness for Tylenol...( I could do a commercial :) 

Bob & I walked every morning this past week but the afternoons and evenings had me flat on my back. Mornings are great for walks on week 1 because I am jacked up on steriods and it feels like the energy is overflowing! But that is where these darn drugs play mind and body games!  Fatique sets in like no other!After an hour (sometimes more) of napping I would be fine for another hour or so before the head ache came back. It is a bit frustrating sometimes...I think I should be able to do "something" and it takes a bit too much effort.  I did manage to make suchi and fresh rolls on Saturday although I forgot some ingredients (not that anyone noticed - hahaha)!  Yes, I know....it's not about cooking for others.....it's time for me to do my job, take my medical lumps and get better....hahahah!  That is SOOOO much easier said than done!! I am working on it! The way I look at it is, if I feel good enough to cook, bake, or whatever - then do it!  This stuff isn't getting easier so there will be times where Bob and the kids will just have to "do"....ok, there are already times like this if truth be told.

On another note, the garden is growing!  Fresh spinach, lettuce and onions are on the way.....and hopefully a few carrots to boot!! 

Today ends week 1 of round 3 - I am thankful that I feel like I have turned another chemo corner to recovery!

Lots of love, Shelley

Round 3 - DONE!

There was a bit of delay in getting started this time due to the port-a-cath having a clot at the end of the line.  If you recall, the Port-a-cath is a little device insert in my upper chest/neck area when the IV for chemo is administered.  Having one of these things eliminates the need for a pik or IV. So the nurse pulled out the "medical" Drano to unclogged it and in no time we were away to the chemo races!  By the time all this was worked out I was developing a headache - Tylenol is becoming my new BFF too.  We were home by 5 in time to eat left over pizza and a "green" smoothie from the kids as they dashed to work and homework...ok, PlayStation (...Rob).  Then I crashed on the couch for a couple of hours before I went to bed. 

A word on sleep....Sleep is a beautiful thing! However, I am not sure if the fatigue is due to the afternoon at the Cancer Clinic, the reaction to the drugs, or having Reid P. tell endless stories to Bob and I OR all of the above.  Just joking Reid - we love your stories even though I fell asleep during a few of them :-D  Thanks for helping the time pass! xo

For the next couple of days I will be jacked up on steroids....then the crash comes for a couples of days after that.  At least that seems to be the trend!  I need to drink water and more water to counteract the water retention from the steroids....thank goodness I love water but I had to resort to adding lime or lemon wedge to change up the flavor.  Another thing I noticed is water tastes like tin out of my metal water contain so it is back to plastics for now.  That little change changed the flavor back to tolerable.

At the end of the day yesterday I did let out a big "waahoo" - round 3 is done!  Bring it on!

Lots of love, Shelley

P.S. BBB took Rob for his license road test this morning - SUCCESS!  This is your warning....all 3 Lowes kids are now on the road!  Way to go Rob! xo

Pink = Hope

PINK = HOPE

PINK is Hope.
Pink comes in all shapes and sizes.
Pink is fun!

Our good friends out east, the Murphy's reminded us of the power of PINK.  Bob and I weren't brave enough to model these for the blog - lol!!  Not a pretty sight by any means!!

Round 3 of AC is this Tuesday.  Tomorrow is the blood work and oncologist check-in to make sure all is well.  This past week has been fairly good and I feel ready for Tuesday. Bob and the kids continue to cheer lead me through the days/weeks as do all of you.  I hope this round will have minimal side effects too even though I know these side effects are cumulative.

Prince Albert 2012

Thank you to all our family and friends who particiapted and/or donated to the many Cancer Relay for Life throughout the province.  My sister Karen sent me this picture on Friday night. Thank you!

May this post find you all well! Have an awesome Monday!

Lots of love, Shelley & Bob

P.S. Please keep our dear friends the Hamm's in your prayers as they too begin their cancer journey. xoxo