Quick update

I just wanted to post a quick update. Last Monday the 23rd I went up for a test that looked at my heart. They put a IV in and put more nuclear dye that would surround my heart. It showed a 3d picture of my heart and how it was beating. It is just another test to make sure my heart is working good and ready to take the chemo. And of course it is. I have to say I hate IVs . They have had such a hard time finding a good vein, so they keep trying.This week my arm and hand look so bruised and I feel like a wimp saying this but it still hurts after they have made so many attempts.
The next day the 24Th I went back in the hospital for a same day surgery to put a port in. A port is a device that they put under your skin. It is a cylinder with a soft spot on the top for a special needle to be inserted. Then it has a small tube that is connected to one of my large veins that delivers blood to my heart. This basically means now that this device has saved my veins in my arm. Through this device they will insert my IV in every time I have chemo or they can take blood samples from it also.The Dr's put mine under my clavicle bone on my right side. On Tuesday I went back in to the hospital they gave me one more IV in my hand after attempting 5 times(hopefully that is last time for awhile). They put me out and walla two hours later I had to wake up. It was not to bad just alittle pain for about two days.
This week I go back up for a couple more Dr appointments and then next week I start chemo!
I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have been able to enjoy the holiday weekend. I have to say I have, it is only 6:20 in the morning and I having a pie in the fridge screaming my name!

What a Day!

What a day! I left this morning for St. George at 9am and returned home at 5:30 pm. Don't think I was out shopping or out eating lunch or hanging with family and friends. I spent the day visiting 3 Dr's and at the hospital doing lab work for two of my doctors. They all agree I am healing well and keep reminding me that I had a very serious surgery so stop being so impatient with the healing process. When I came home I was feeling pretty good just really sore but my the weekend I was in severe pain. I think I just did more then I was supposed to. Today is the first day that I actually feel good and not so tired. My chest still hurts, especially at night when I lay down and today my Dr's told me to buck up because it was actually going to hurt for at least the next 6 months maybe even up to a year. I just looked at one of my Dr's and at his notepad and said"what new pain pills would you like to perscribe me " (I did say it smiling). Maybe these new pain meds will help.

I spent 2 hours with my chemotherapy oncologist. He is really nice and explained what chemo I will be taking, apparently there are several different kinds even for people with the same type of cancer. I will start out for 4 months and go every 2 weeks. Next Thursday I go into the hospital and they will put a port in my chest. This a a device that will hook up to my IV to run the medicine in my body which is basically poison. It is better then going every two weeks and trying to find a vein to put the IV in.

This Friday I go back up to do more testing. I cant remember what the test is called I just know it is going to tell the Dr's how or if I can handle the chemo. I will start my chemo treatments Dec 8th and due to the type of medicine and it being my first time I will be pretty sick. Apparently it will take 5-7 hours the first time . The medicine is administered slowly through the IV and then the Dr's are able to monitor me to make sure I don't have some bad reaction to it.

I am nervous but so ready to get started. I hate the wait!!!!!!!

By the way yesterday you may have heard how the guidelines are changing to change the age of when you should get a mammogram. DON'T LISTEN start going when you are 40. In the waiting rooms today and all the medical personnel were talking about how foolish it is. Many of the patients think that it is a strategy from Obama to cut health care reform?But for whatever reason please don't listen and get checked. This has been a very emotional roller coaster and if I hadn't gotten checked I would not have felt the lump for probably another year and it would have been to late. I can't even imagine.

Home Again !

I am now home. I came home late Wednesday night. It was so fun to see my kids, I had really missed them. They were so cute they kept putting their arms around me (very carefully) and telling me how much they missed me and loved me. When tucking Rudy into bed he said"it sure is nice to have you home and be the one to say my prayers with and tuck me in." My youngest was already asleep but when waking up in the middle of the night and coming in she was so excited that I was there. She jumped up in the middle gave me a hug and told me she missed me and loved me.She then held my hand and when I tried to move she would grab it again. As I lay by her and still in pain I would try to shift a little,she would squeeze tighter with her hand. I laid there forever looking at her and out my window I couldn't help but tell my Heavenly Father thank you, thank you for these wonderful children and being able to come home to them.
My surgery went well, more painful then I wanted but I am recooperating just fine. Next week I go back for several Dr's appointments and then will hopefully get the date of my chemo. I just checked this surgery off so on to the next thing. Maybe I won't have to do chemo(positive thinking).
I can never say Thank You enough to so many of you for the burdens you lifted from me and my family. Thank You!

I apologize for not being as quick to this as I had hoped to be. Shaquel has had a few (7 days to be exact) rough days. After going through 7 long hours of surgery, she made it through. Shaquel has proven

to be quite the fighter. We all know how determined and positive Shaq has been, but I have

to be honest, this is the first time that I have seen a little doubt and fear in her

eyes.

In Shaq's words," This surgery is definitely

worse than the first one." The doctors couldn't get her pain under control. The day

she left the hospital she had a variety of pain medication to take.

There wasn't just "one" magic pill.

She is now recovering in St. George at her mom's house until

the middle of the week. We ALL are taking good care of her! I don't think that she has had a day where she hasn't been visited or checked on .

She is in excellent hands. What an awesome family we have!!

She misses her kids bunches and thanks you all for your generosity

and kindness you have rendered to her family.

Jim, I have heard how awesome you are doing at being MR. Mom! Keep on going!

We are rooting for you too.

I love my Dr's

A woman with terminal cancer returns to religion with fervor. She knows that God will help her get better.

Early in her sickness, a surgeon proposes radical surgery.

"No", she says, "I don't want to get mutilated and suffer pain. It's not necessary, God will help me".

A while later, she sees a radiologist and he proposes radiation to treat the tumor, which by now is uncomfortably large. "No", she says, "I don't want radiation burns inside and out. It's not necessary. God will help me."

A year later, the cancer has metastasized. It's painful and she is referred to an oncologist. Chemotherapy is advised. "No", she says, "I don't want to be sick all the time and lose my hair as well. It's not necessary. God will help me".

Soon after, she dies. She goes to Heaven and demands an audience with God. "Why didn't you help me?," she whines.

"What do you mean? I sent you help three times: a surgeon, a radiologist and an oncologist. What more did you want?"

Shaquel wanted to add this because she has loved her Drs. She did say that she needs to find a joke or story that adds a plastic surgeon and family physician. She is so grateful to her family physician who started her on this path of great Doctors.

Time for Surgery

Tomorrow is the big day. I am excited,nervous,anxious,tired and ok, fine a little scared but who wouldn't be right? I really can't wait to have this over with I think the anticipation is always the worst. Thank you once again for all your prayers,phone calls, cards,flowers, watching my kids, etc. It has definitely helped.
Kristen will try to update on any info. for the next few weeks.
I cant't even think what to write because I keep thinking of what I still need to do before I go to bed. So i guess thats it.
You all have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!