Wow it has been so long since I have put anything on here. My life really has been uneventful. And believe me that is a good thing. But the reason I am writing today is to say goodbye. Tomorrow I get to have Dolly Porton removed!! This is a huge deal. This means that I am moving right along with my survival. Dr. Draper said I have less than a 5% chance of the cancer returning. Dolly has been a huge player in my road to recovery but I can easily say I will not miss her one bit. My procedure is at 6:40 PM tomorrow. For several different reasons I am just having it done is the surgeons office without being put to sleep. He will be just numbing the area and pulling it right out and stitching me back up. Words can't express how excited I am. Now all I need is for my silly hair to keep growing and faster would be nice :) I would like to say thank you again for all of the love and support. Made my journey a hell of a lot easier. Cheers to life!
Love and Hugs,
Megan
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
My final chemo!!
I first want to say sorry for not keeping everyone updated lately. Was having some what I guess you can call depression. Lots of stress to deal with. My last chemo was on Thursday July 14. Everything went as usual. Except I was extremely groggy the rest of the day. It's never been that bad before. Yesterday (July 15) I went and got my Nuepogen shot I hope that helps battle some of my fatigue like it has in the past. Because I start work on Monday the 18. I have to say I am pretty nervous to go back on so many different levels. I haven't worked in 6 months so I will have to re learn alot and I hope everyone is understanding to that and I don't just mean management. I am also going to be extremely tired. I get tired easily after just caring for Kalli for a few minutes. I know I can push through all of this it is just weighing on my mind. Then there is just silly stuff like not having much hair and all that. But up on the upside my life is on it's way back to normal and that is super exciting to me! It's been well over a year since I have felt any type of normal.
I want say thank you to everyone who took the time out to read these blogs and listen to my stories. I really appreciate all the support that I have received. It really makes me feel great knowing I have so many people that love me.
Lots of hugs - MEGAN
I want say thank you to everyone who took the time out to read these blogs and listen to my stories. I really appreciate all the support that I have received. It really makes me feel great knowing I have so many people that love me.
Lots of hugs - MEGAN
Thursday, June 16, 2011
My hospital stay...
So on the morning of June 7th I woke up with a fever of 99.5 and slight headache. I took some Ibuprofen and slept for several hours. But later that evening I felt fine. The next morning I woke feeling even worse and I took my temp and not too my surprise is was 101.0. Now for cancer patients anything over 100.4 the doctors get concerned. So I called Dr. Draper and he wanted to me to get to the hospital and get a blood and urine culture to check for infection as well as a complete blood count. I quickly got dressed, ran Kalli to the sitters and drove myself to the hospital. After getting my blood drawn and all that I came back home and slept for several hours again. I was woken up by a phone call from Dr. Draper telling me that I needed to head to the hospital. That I had something called neutripenic fever. Which is basically when your white counts are so low that you most likely have an infection and your body will have trouble fighting it off on it's own. He said I needed to go get fluids, antibiotics and a Neupogen shot for a couple of days. So basically called my mom to see if she could take me as Kurt was hard to reach at work. I was pretty sad that I wouldn't be able to see Kalli for a few days and I didn't get to say goodbye. But I knew I needed to get healthy.
Once I arrived at the hospital there was a lot of waiting around before I was really seen by anyone. Once things got settled though they hooked me up to my port and started me on the antibiotics and fluids. They took my temp and at the time it was normal. Luckily I got there in time to get a meal LOL. My mom stayed with me for a few hours while I got settled in and then she left for the night. I was able to talk on the phone with Kalli which made me happy even though she had no idea what was going on. I was pretty wound up that night because I couldn't sleep. I read for awhile and then my friend Amy that works there stopped by after her shift. I think she left sometime after 1AM. I finished my book then finally fell asleep after 2 AM. I woke up around 4 AM freezing with the chills. The nurse came in and I told her I had the chills and would like another blanket. Of course she just said yeah the room is cold and didn't take my temp. But about an hour later the PCA came in and my temp was 101.5 I believe and I said I knew I had a temp! But I didn't get any relief from my fever until the morning nurse came in and I asked for some tylenol.
So day number two at the hospital started out with a chest xray. They were concerned with the fever and wanted to see if I had any infection in my lungs. After that I slept for several hours and didn't really eat lunch I wasn't very hungry. Kurt came and saw me that day after he got off work. It was nice to see him. After he left I fell asleep about 9PM. I woke up at 3 AM sweating like crazy and I had a fever of 102.3 along with a headache again. They gave me something much sooner this time to relieve my fever. And I was able to sleep for a few more hours.
Day three... My mom came to visit I think she got there around 11ish. I found out that I needed to get an Echo on my heart and a CAT Scan to better check my lungs. Oh yeah I forgot to mention that since my counts were so low anytime I left my room I had to where a mask. (not my favorite thing to do). So we spent a couple hours getting those things done and headed back to my room. Oh I also should mention that after the first night I found my breathing to be more difficult and kind of painful when I would try to breath too hard.So they were checking why that was as well. After talking to a pulmonary doctor he determined that my labored breathing was due to the fluids they were giving me getting into my lungs and that I should be taken off the fluids and given a medicine that would basically help my "relieve" the built up water in my body. He said that I would get a dose then and then one in the morning and that they would do another xray a couple hours after that does to see how my chest look. Well I didn't get to go home that day like I had hoped. But Kurt did bring up Kalli to visit so that really made my day! My mom took Kalli for the night and everyone left. I again got another fever of 101.3 I think that night.
Day four.... They stopped giving me my Nuepogen shots today. Said that my white counts looked great and that they were also probably causing the constant headaches I was getting. But anyways I got yet another xray and had to wait to see Dr. Draper and the pulmonary dr. I didn't feel good again and slept for several hours. I had been doing this everyday. So I met with Dr. Draper first and he said that I wasn't going home. Since I wasn't feeling well and still getting fevers. I got really depressed and I was totally bummed. Kurt had taken Kalli to Stricker's Grove so my mom came up to cheer me up and keep me company. Later I spoke with the pulmonary dr and he said that there was still a little something on my xray. So he was going to continue with the meds that night and the next morning and do another xray.
Day five... I did yet another xray and after many hours of anxiously waiting I found out the xray was clear and I was able to go home. That was the best news I had heard in a few weeks. Kurt and Kalli came and picked me up and I was home by 6 PM!
Once I arrived at the hospital there was a lot of waiting around before I was really seen by anyone. Once things got settled though they hooked me up to my port and started me on the antibiotics and fluids. They took my temp and at the time it was normal. Luckily I got there in time to get a meal LOL. My mom stayed with me for a few hours while I got settled in and then she left for the night. I was able to talk on the phone with Kalli which made me happy even though she had no idea what was going on. I was pretty wound up that night because I couldn't sleep. I read for awhile and then my friend Amy that works there stopped by after her shift. I think she left sometime after 1AM. I finished my book then finally fell asleep after 2 AM. I woke up around 4 AM freezing with the chills. The nurse came in and I told her I had the chills and would like another blanket. Of course she just said yeah the room is cold and didn't take my temp. But about an hour later the PCA came in and my temp was 101.5 I believe and I said I knew I had a temp! But I didn't get any relief from my fever until the morning nurse came in and I asked for some tylenol.
So day number two at the hospital started out with a chest xray. They were concerned with the fever and wanted to see if I had any infection in my lungs. After that I slept for several hours and didn't really eat lunch I wasn't very hungry. Kurt came and saw me that day after he got off work. It was nice to see him. After he left I fell asleep about 9PM. I woke up at 3 AM sweating like crazy and I had a fever of 102.3 along with a headache again. They gave me something much sooner this time to relieve my fever. And I was able to sleep for a few more hours.
Day three... My mom came to visit I think she got there around 11ish. I found out that I needed to get an Echo on my heart and a CAT Scan to better check my lungs. Oh yeah I forgot to mention that since my counts were so low anytime I left my room I had to where a mask. (not my favorite thing to do). So we spent a couple hours getting those things done and headed back to my room. Oh I also should mention that after the first night I found my breathing to be more difficult and kind of painful when I would try to breath too hard.So they were checking why that was as well. After talking to a pulmonary doctor he determined that my labored breathing was due to the fluids they were giving me getting into my lungs and that I should be taken off the fluids and given a medicine that would basically help my "relieve" the built up water in my body. He said that I would get a dose then and then one in the morning and that they would do another xray a couple hours after that does to see how my chest look. Well I didn't get to go home that day like I had hoped. But Kurt did bring up Kalli to visit so that really made my day! My mom took Kalli for the night and everyone left. I again got another fever of 101.3 I think that night.
Day four.... They stopped giving me my Nuepogen shots today. Said that my white counts looked great and that they were also probably causing the constant headaches I was getting. But anyways I got yet another xray and had to wait to see Dr. Draper and the pulmonary dr. I didn't feel good again and slept for several hours. I had been doing this everyday. So I met with Dr. Draper first and he said that I wasn't going home. Since I wasn't feeling well and still getting fevers. I got really depressed and I was totally bummed. Kurt had taken Kalli to Stricker's Grove so my mom came up to cheer me up and keep me company. Later I spoke with the pulmonary dr and he said that there was still a little something on my xray. So he was going to continue with the meds that night and the next morning and do another xray.
Day five... I did yet another xray and after many hours of anxiously waiting I found out the xray was clear and I was able to go home. That was the best news I had heard in a few weeks. Kurt and Kalli came and picked me up and I was home by 6 PM!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Days following Tenth Chemo
DAY 1 (June 15, 2011) -
Woke up feeling tired today but not horrible just run down. I went and got my shot and hung out the rest of the day. My taste is of course off as usual. No new news there. Sorry these posts just get more and more boring. But is is just the same ole thing every time. I think you all know what happens to me each week now as well as I do. LOL
Woke up feeling tired today but not horrible just run down. I went and got my shot and hung out the rest of the day. My taste is of course off as usual. No new news there. Sorry these posts just get more and more boring. But is is just the same ole thing every time. I think you all know what happens to me each week now as well as I do. LOL
Chemo Number Ten
After my 5 day stay at the hospital I was able to get my Chemo today. Today is Tuesday and I am used to getting my treatments on Fridays so that did through me a little but oh well I guess. My counts were above normal due to the Neupogen shots I had while I was at the hospital. For anyone that doesn't know Neupogen boosts your white blood cells. Since this was all a last minute deal I had to go to the appointment by myself. I would have been horrible company today anyways because I slept the entire time. My body is still trying to adjust after being in the hospital I believe. I made it home at 11 today and I slept until close to 5PM. I was super knocked out. My appetite hasn't be great since coming home and today was no exception. Luckily though I haven't really lost any weight and I am going to try to keep it that way. I have a touch of the discomfort in my knees and arms again. But it doesn't seem to be as bad as normal. So I am not complaining. Well that is all I got for today. I do plan on writing up a separate entry about my hospital stay here soon. Take care. Lots of love!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Days following Ninth treatment
DAY 1 (May 28, 2011)
Slept quite well last night. Woke up and felt a little worn out and tired. But later on was able to got pick up Kalli and go eat dinner. I am super exhausted now. Taste was of course off. Well sorry this is so short but that is all I really have.
DAY 2 (May 29, 2011)
Woke up today feeling pretty well. Went to Kurt's aunts for a pool party. Did well for a while then the sun and heat just really got to me and I had to go inside and rest. Soon after that we left. I fell asleep about an hour after we got home and slept pretty much the entire night with no issue.
DAY 3 (May 30, 2011)
Woke up worn out this morning. Kalli and Kurt went to hang out with a bunch of people at Delhi Park to play in the water and I slept pretty much the whole time. When they got home Kalli and I lounged in her pool for a bit and then we all went and got ice cream. I am now ready for bed. Taste is still pretty bad and I just can't quench my thirst!! So annoying!!
DAY 4 (May 31, 2011)
Woke up very tired again. Kurt started his new job today so I took Kalli to sitters and slept basically all day. Taste started to return today so i was super excited for that!! Nothing really exciting went on today.
DAY 5 (June 1, 2011)
Woke up feeling okay today. But after getting home from dropping Kalli off at sitters I pretty much slept the entire day again. My whole body ached. It hasn't let up all day. It was very hard to be motivated to do anything. But I did manage to load the dishwasher and give Kalli a bath. Other than that nothing else to report.
Slept quite well last night. Woke up and felt a little worn out and tired. But later on was able to got pick up Kalli and go eat dinner. I am super exhausted now. Taste was of course off. Well sorry this is so short but that is all I really have.
DAY 2 (May 29, 2011)
Woke up today feeling pretty well. Went to Kurt's aunts for a pool party. Did well for a while then the sun and heat just really got to me and I had to go inside and rest. Soon after that we left. I fell asleep about an hour after we got home and slept pretty much the entire night with no issue.
DAY 3 (May 30, 2011)
Woke up worn out this morning. Kalli and Kurt went to hang out with a bunch of people at Delhi Park to play in the water and I slept pretty much the whole time. When they got home Kalli and I lounged in her pool for a bit and then we all went and got ice cream. I am now ready for bed. Taste is still pretty bad and I just can't quench my thirst!! So annoying!!
DAY 4 (May 31, 2011)
Woke up very tired again. Kurt started his new job today so I took Kalli to sitters and slept basically all day. Taste started to return today so i was super excited for that!! Nothing really exciting went on today.
DAY 5 (June 1, 2011)
Woke up feeling okay today. But after getting home from dropping Kalli off at sitters I pretty much slept the entire day again. My whole body ached. It hasn't let up all day. It was very hard to be motivated to do anything. But I did manage to load the dishwasher and give Kalli a bath. Other than that nothing else to report.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Chemo Number Nine
To start this entry off I have to share that I AM CANCER FREE!! It feels great to know that. It will really help me charge through these last few chemo treatments.
I met with Dr. Draper today. Pretty much all we talked about was how my cancer is gone.
I then went on to my treatment. I didn't gain any weight since my last treatment. I got my favorite nurse Kim again. She is super awesome. For some reason the benedryl wasn't on my order so it was given to me a bit later than usual. It put me right out. I slept for like an hour and a half. Other than that the chemo went smooth.
I had a good talk with one of my fellow cancer patients today. I have seen her there several times but today was the first time we talked. She came and introduced herself to me. She is 29 years old and has breast cancer. She has been in treatment since September and has until this December until she is through. She has two kids, an 8 year old and a 1 year old. She just had surgery to have a huge tumor removed and now also to do radiation as well as Chemo. The reason I am telling you all about her because the entire time we were talking she didn't take the smile off her face. She is a strong woman and I admire her for that. Cancer is rough and the treatments are rough but once the cancer is gone we can go on living our lives. And for me I plan to make my life even better and fuller.
My mom took Kalli for the night again. I continued to be quite tired and I took a couple hour nap. My knees and arms are bothering me again. My appetite is normal right now but my taste is already starting to get bad.
Well that's all I got for now...
Again I want to say that I love you all that have supported and prayed for me. It truly means alot!!!
I met with Dr. Draper today. Pretty much all we talked about was how my cancer is gone.
I then went on to my treatment. I didn't gain any weight since my last treatment. I got my favorite nurse Kim again. She is super awesome. For some reason the benedryl wasn't on my order so it was given to me a bit later than usual. It put me right out. I slept for like an hour and a half. Other than that the chemo went smooth.
I had a good talk with one of my fellow cancer patients today. I have seen her there several times but today was the first time we talked. She came and introduced herself to me. She is 29 years old and has breast cancer. She has been in treatment since September and has until this December until she is through. She has two kids, an 8 year old and a 1 year old. She just had surgery to have a huge tumor removed and now also to do radiation as well as Chemo. The reason I am telling you all about her because the entire time we were talking she didn't take the smile off her face. She is a strong woman and I admire her for that. Cancer is rough and the treatments are rough but once the cancer is gone we can go on living our lives. And for me I plan to make my life even better and fuller.
My mom took Kalli for the night again. I continued to be quite tired and I took a couple hour nap. My knees and arms are bothering me again. My appetite is normal right now but my taste is already starting to get bad.
Well that's all I got for now...
Again I want to say that I love you all that have supported and prayed for me. It truly means alot!!!
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