My Journal
August - 2001


August 5th
I thought it was about time for me to update this site for all those friends that have been with me from the beginning and all the new ones to come.

I went through the additional chemo I mentioned on Decembers journal. I didn't seem to be working very well because I had to have lower doses than usual because my counts would constantly drop to very bad levels. So, the doctor decided to have me try radiation again.I had to wait until my counts came back up which took about four weeks. I did the radiaition for 6 weeks, once a day and it worked!!!!! It totally removed the tumor without any complications. I was officially diagnosed cancer free on June 29th.

My doctor encouraged me to come back in three months for a check-up but I told her no. I want to not worry about it for awhile. I was suppose to have only 2 months in '99, then again 3-4 months in 2000, then I was for sure dieing in October. I just want some time to be free from all of it, so I don't go back until December. I have used this time to get my house done and ready to sell, I have had a few people call about it.

I also got my mother back home on April 13th. The NH had just gotten too bad to leave her there. She came up to the house for Easter and had a band-aide on her leg that was over a week old, pusey and infected. They hadn't even told me she got injured. I took her to the doctor that Monday and found that she had staff infection. So, home she came. This time around though I am smart enough to realize I can not do it by myself so I hired a lady, Jean, to come in four days a week for 20 hours. She does moms laundry and bathes her on Wednesdays and she tries to keep her active. It gives me time to do what I need or want to do and removes a lot the stress that goes with 24/7 care. I wish I would have done this sooner. Mom really likes her too.

I have new worries too. My dog Koko was diagnosed with diabetes and has gone blind from cataracts caused by the diabetes. She gets insulin shots twice a day and has special food. The other dogs are being her 'seeing eye dogs' and she is adjusting well. I love them so much, they have always been there for me, when I was sick from chemo, crying or just needing to talk to someone, they would listen. I can do nothing but take care of them, illness and all.

I will try to update every so often, I miss all of you so much. I am planning on getting a motor home when my house sells and would love to travel and meet you guys. I've you're of mind to, send me your addresses and I will see if this can be worked out. I know for sure I will hitting California first.

LOVE TO ALL

August 21st
Well, I had a realtor come to look at my house and was told I should try to sit on it for awhile or I wouldn't get anything out of it. Our market is so bad right now with all the mill closures and Reynolds being down, everyone is trying to sell out. I don't know if I'll be able to hang on to this place or let it go into foreclosure, I'm just hoping someone will decide to buy it. I have my sign hung up and am going to leave it. I have to go to the doctor tomorrow. I have some kind of thing on my leg which is numb and causes a real buring sensation. I'm thinking maybe the chemo. did something to the nerves there. Mom is doing great. She gets up by noon, sleeps through the night most of the time and is usually happy. She looks forward to Jean getting here also.

August 27th
I went to the doctor and now have to go back down to Portland for another PETScan. She wants to rule out any chance that there may be cancer in my spine causing the problem, I then have a brain scan for the same reason. If it isn't one thing it is another. She also put me on Welbutrin for depression and to help me sleep, seems to working but it takes some time to really get into ones system. My mom is doing wonderful. She goes to bed by 9:30 every night gets up by 1:00 in the afternoon. Her diarreah has improved greatly and she no longer takes Imodium for it. Her doctor had me get some wheat germ to put in her food everyday to add fiber/bulk and it worked. HURRAY. My dog Koko is doing pretty good. Her glucose level is staying within reason and she isn't having to go to the vet twice a month now. I got a sponsor for part of her bills through IMOM.org and they are helping also, now to find a pharmacy that will accept IMOM payments. No luck on the house yet but I am still hopefull.


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