Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Round 3 of 12 today

Greetings!

Today marks round 3 of 12...1/4 complete....next week will be 1/3 complete.  I have resorted to math versus Snoopy's Work Week Calendar because I seem to be stuck on Week 2.  You see, the thing with these weekly rounds is that there really is no chance to get energy back therefore there is no Week 3...the week that made me feel almost normal...the week where I would jam pack lunches, visits, shopping, house work and all other things normal. But not all is bad.....really!

Things I have noticed with weekly Taxol....
  • Multitasking is no longer a part of my daily activities...  LOL! A huge accomplishment these days is putting the correct ingredients into the bread maker and hoping the phone doesn't ring!
  • When I am tired...I am tired.  That is all.  A nap is required.
  • Night Sweats....what the heck!!  Gentleman....you have NO idea how lucky you are!! These things wake me up consistently between 3:30 - 6:30 AM.....no wonder I am tired!
  • Taste.....some days I can taste...yesterday, I had no clue what my food tasted like!
  • Red meat.....I am craving red meat.  I actually ate 2 steaks in the past two weeks!  I can't recall ever eating a steak by myself....no more leftovers here!
  • Hair...the little bit of stubble on my head is disappearing!  HOWEVER, I did shave my legs AGAIN this past week....@#$@#*(!!
On the positive side.....THANKFULLY, I am not sick....like the vomiting, nauseated kind of feeling.  For that I am thankful!  I am just more tired and foggy.

Here's to being 1/4 of the way done! Cheers to all!  Shelley & Bob

Monday, July 23, 2012

Week 1 of 12 in Review

Tomorrow is week 2 of 12....this can't go fast enough!! Today is blood work :)

In reflecting on the week, Friday and Saturday were days where it felt like I had a piano tied to me....and I broke out in hives around my ankles!  Nothing that a bit of Benedryl couldn't handle!  We walked every day (except Sunday)...we sweat through the humidity and felt great for it!  All in all, I am very lucky!

Thank you all for your continued prayers & support! Shelley & Bob xoxox

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Week 1 of 12 Complete

Greetings to all!

Today's chemo session was uneventful - even successful!  We were at the Alan Blair Cancer Clinic for about 3 hours today. I slept through most of the session :)  Once Benadryl was in my system it was lights out for me....I'm such a light weight when it comes to that stuff....oh yeah, and booze.  BBB always said that was one of the reasons he married me....I had a 2 drink limit and he always had a ride home!  (I don't know what happened after those university days!)

There are no follow up steroids or anti nausea meds to take with Taxol. So here's hoping all will be good.  There are only 6 days "rest" before the next session. For those of you interested on what Taxol is and side effects, here is a link from the Canadian Cancer Society and the Mayo Clinic.  From what the doctors have told me the most common side effect of this treatment is the numbing of the hands and feet. Hopefully this will be minimal or nonexistent! 

Back on the "Eat, Pray, Walk" trail to recovery!

Cheers to all!  Shelley & Bob xoxo

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Northern Air

Greetings!

The past two weeks we were fortunate to have vacationed up at Emma Lake! Thanks to Karen & Rich for letting us use their cabin while they were away! It was fun-filled with family and friends....and lots of fish!

A few highlights of the trip include:
    July 7 = 22 years
  • Celebrating our 22nd anniversary - wow! Where did the time go? As Aunt Eunice said, Bob hit a home run when he stepped up to the plate during this cancer journey!  I think I hit a home run when I said " I do!" In a RARE photo op, Aly managed to capture a PDA :)  Happy Anniversary!

Mom, Bob & Deb (aka Mrs. Pooner)

  •  Celebrating Rider Pride with family and friends.....having a fish fry and loads of fun! ....and the Riders won!  Wahoo!!
  • Fishing, fishing & more fishing.....


Pickeral in Emma Lake
 


Dad with morning catch!
 

Hot summer days!


Chilling with Babes!

Pooner prepping for the ride home :)

It was a great 2 weeks.....now it's time to begin Phase 2 of chemo...Taxol every week for 12 weeks.  Bring it on!  We are ready!

Hope summer is treating everyone super!  Love, Shelley & Bob