Hi Everyone, had chemo this am. Everything went smoothly. My platelets were low, 55 and the cut off was 50 so that was close. My dear friend Joan took me today. Thanks Joan, so good to spend the am with you. The best part about this crazy cancer is that it renewed our friendship, and that is so special. Thanks for the lunch at Shiraz Grille, a Persian Restaurant in GR. It was great. I had a cup of wonderful lemon chicken soup and humus. I would recommend it to anyone looking to try a new kind of place.
The best part about chemo today was the beautiful giant snow flakes that were coming down the whole time I was in the recliner. It stopped when we were leaving, and nothing here in Holland. Crazy, Stan called it reverse lake effect.
We have had a couple of very relaxing days. Sunday we attended church at 11am. It was a great service, Mieke sang a beautiful song with a quartet and Ross and Rumy accompanied. I loved the song, and hope I can get a copy of it.....Hint Hint Ginger :) Ross and Rumy had a few other wonderful pieces that added to worship, and then a big thanks to Norm for hauling our the timpani for the last big hymn. I said to Mieke that am, " I sure hope they use the Timpani today, so she requested it, and Norm made it happen. It adds so much! Thanks to our pastor Jim for the great sermons.
I think I agree with Alden when he said, I think Mom, this was our best Christmas ever! I know it was on my mind, and I know it was on the mind of lots other family members we didn't know if we would be celebrating together this year. I don't know if it was because my priorities are now so different, but I didn't get stressed about anything. Little things don't seem important, I didn't have to have things wrapped perfectly etc. Good enough was good enough. We had my parents and my in-laws and an old friend from church join us for left overs after church. It was a great day. We watched lots of public television concerts that day.
Monday Stan had off work, we went out for breakfast with my Mom and Dad to Russ'. Ran into some friends who had some extra coupons, so we ate pretty cheap. The sunshine was amazing on Monday, clear skies all day. We did stop at Dittos store, because all clothes were a $1. Stan got 3 pair of jeans, he was so proud of himself. We mostly went for 100% wool skirts and pants for my mother-in-law. She makes the most beautiful braided wool rugs with them. She gives them to all the grand kids when they get married. I hope she teaches Mieke that art, so we can continue the tradition. Everyone else went home, just Stan and I left at home, I was kind of tired and spent most of the day on the couch watching movies.
I have to tell you about a very special gift Mary and Alden gave to me. Before I got sick, I found this beautiful paint color called "hydrangea blue" in a magazine. I had wanted to paint my kitchen that color, but figured it wasn't going to happen any time soon with all this happening. Well, I received a gallon of that color paint along with them saying they were going to paint our kitchen while we are gone for the week in Hawaii. It hit me emotionally and I cried, wasn't that special?? The other kids all gave us such wonderful, thoughtful gifts too and help with our Hawaii fund. We leave on Wed. Jan.18 at 5pm to attend my nephew's wedding in Kauai. We will be gone for a week. We bought the tickets last June for a great deal. I am so excited to be able to go. I will have chemo that Tues. and then miss the next week. Please pray that I feel good and have some energy for traveling?? We are flying with my parents out of Grand Rapids to LAX and then spending the night there and the rest of the trip the next day.
I thank everyone again for their Christmas cards and letters. I have them all hung up and I enjoy them all. I hope you all had a special time with family and friends. Our plan is to go up north for New Years. I love sitting by the fire with a good book. I would love to have a little snow up there too.........Deb
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!!
I am sitting watching the Lions game with the family. I don't remember ever watching football on Christmas Eve before?? Is this something new? anyways, it is perfect for us this year because we had our present exchange last night. Alden and Mary left today at noon to celebrate with her family in Traverse City. We are happy to have my parents with us this year. We are going to attend both services at church tonight.
I want to update you with the final days of the 12 Days of Christmas:
10th Day I received a CD with 10 beautiful Christmas Songs. Thanks Ashley, I love it, and I have been listening almost constantly to it! The artists are Avalon, Sara Groves, Mariah Carey, and the Bethlehen Children's Choir.
11th Day I received a cute cloth tote bag with lots of guess what on it?? You guessed it - doggies!! It you know Char, you know she has a real love for all dogs, especially her Newfie Lilley. She also gave me something to warm my heart. It is a beautiful "MSU green" beach glass from the Carribean made into a necklace. Thanks Char, I love it. I will think of you fondly whenever I wear it!
12th Day was just delivered by Cami and her little girl Skyler. It is a dream come true, 12 different chocolates from the Holland Peanut Store. My favorite is the double dipped chocolate malt balls! I am sharing with my family and they are loving them too. Thanks so much Cami!!
I had a nice visit with a co-worker Camille and her kids on Thursday, they delivered a gift basket full of goodies. Thanks for coming over Camille, I miss working with you on nights.
I have been feeling pretty good today, yesterday was a different story, I had some nausea all day. Can't quite figure out why some days are better than others. My kids were wonderful with all the meal preparations last night, we had homemade pizzas done on the grill. They were wonderful!
It is now Christmas Day, and we enjoyed two beautiful church services last night. The marathon Christmas Story movie is on (all day) and we will go to one more service today at 11am. Have a great day everyone!
I want to update you with the final days of the 12 Days of Christmas:
10th Day I received a CD with 10 beautiful Christmas Songs. Thanks Ashley, I love it, and I have been listening almost constantly to it! The artists are Avalon, Sara Groves, Mariah Carey, and the Bethlehen Children's Choir.
11th Day I received a cute cloth tote bag with lots of guess what on it?? You guessed it - doggies!! It you know Char, you know she has a real love for all dogs, especially her Newfie Lilley. She also gave me something to warm my heart. It is a beautiful "MSU green" beach glass from the Carribean made into a necklace. Thanks Char, I love it. I will think of you fondly whenever I wear it!
12th Day was just delivered by Cami and her little girl Skyler. It is a dream come true, 12 different chocolates from the Holland Peanut Store. My favorite is the double dipped chocolate malt balls! I am sharing with my family and they are loving them too. Thanks so much Cami!!
I had a nice visit with a co-worker Camille and her kids on Thursday, they delivered a gift basket full of goodies. Thanks for coming over Camille, I miss working with you on nights.
I have been feeling pretty good today, yesterday was a different story, I had some nausea all day. Can't quite figure out why some days are better than others. My kids were wonderful with all the meal preparations last night, we had homemade pizzas done on the grill. They were wonderful!
It is now Christmas Day, and we enjoyed two beautiful church services last night. The marathon Christmas Story movie is on (all day) and we will go to one more service today at 11am. Have a great day everyone!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Cop out Christmas Card
Upon reading all the nice cards that have come to our house I feel a little guilty doing ours in this form but this year this is how I am going to do it due to the many things we are facing right now. As you know for many years I (Stan) have enjoyed writing the annual Christmas letter, sticking it in an envelope, and sending out some sort of greeting. This year the card is a little harder to write. It seems to me that the uncertainty that comes with all of the recent events can overwhelm a family and the normal energy is not hanging around as it relates to finding cards, envelopes and the like. I did send a donation to the post office because I know they are hurting this year so given that "fact" please accept this offering as this years Christmas greeting.
I am going to choose not to write about the "c" word. I think we have had enough of that and perhaps we and the people who read this have heard enough so let me go forward with some other things going on in our lives. Some of this stuff has appeared in the blogs so please also pardon the redundancy.
Highlight of the year is the fact that Mieke and Aaron have agreed to be married. I think the date is June 1. I am kind of looking forward to this day as Aaron has become an accepted and loved person around here now for some time. I have been a little surprised by the amount of work it is to plan one of these weddings. It seems to me that all of the decision are made and modified several times. I was not particularly aware that colors, cards, flowers, pictures, rings, bridesmaids, dresses, save the date cards, guest list, flower girls, caterers, wedding shoes and the like had as much thought behind them as they do. I am learning a lesson about a world I did not know. I kind of remember showing up and at some point saying "I do" and I was married. I was going to invite the President but the Holland airport does not have a long enough runway. So I think we will just stay with some relatives and friends and let the Pres watch it on TV. He did that for the Kate and Harry event so it will be good enough for me. It is nice that Aaron's parents have helped with some of the work related and are fun to work with. Conrad and I are going to give a speech. They are coming over on Christmas eve so we will start to get those together. Then if it goes like all the rest of the stuff we will get together a couple of more times and change them.
Mieke is on the verge is getting her teaching degree. One more semester of student teaching and then I will bet that she lands the job of her choosing. She seems to be connected and liked by the people she has worked with. Of all of life's events Mieke's unquestioned pursuit of a career in this education field has been something to behold. We have been happy with her education at Hope. By the way, Hope has been very helpful in working with us to adjust Mieke's schedule so that she could have a lower profile in semester 1 this year. That way she could help Deb around here as she has needed the help recently. Also I think the Hope bandit is about done. I am not sure it is fair to call it that but somehow money is not hanging around here that long with Mieke at Hope. One more semester!
Ross is playing more for the GR Symphony. They take care of him pretty well and they call him all the time. He and Rumy are finishing their Doctoral degrees at MSU and I think they see the light at the end of the tunnel. They found a piano which they needed for Rumy to teach her lessons and now is located in their house. It was a stage Piano and it was really banged up so Grandpa and Grandma Vermeulen took on the project of restoring the piano. Now it shines and sits in their living room. Rumy plays the instrument endless hours as the demands of performing at her level are quite large. They are not sure where things are going after they get the degrees but at this point it would appear that they will not have a hard time finding work. After lots of work Rumy got her green card to stay and work in the States this year. Then they went to Bulgaria where they did a wedding ceremony with her family and friends. Rumy's parents wanted to host a ceremony there for their only daughter. Deb and I were supposed to go and we had the tickets. We had to cancel as the timing fell right at the time when Deb had her surgery. We do have a nice video of the event and their Bulgarian friends treated them very well during the three weeks they were there.
Alden and Mary have had a good year. Both with good years at work. Unfortunately, Mary lost both of her Grandparents on her mothers side this year. I think this was hard for her as she was close to them and will miss them. Being the proactive person that she is, Mary organized something for us that really helped us during this recent time. She set up a plan where people could sign up to bring meals as Deb recovered from the surgery and is going through the Chemo process. I think she might have been worried that if this were left up to me disaster could occur. As it worked out this was one of the largest helps we could ever have received. Both Deb and I cannot thank people enough for what they did in this area. We would generally get a meal every other night and make it last two days. It turned out just right and very frankly taught us a bunch about how nice people are. Kind of lifted the spirits in time they needed to be lifted. Alden has turned into quite a fisherman and really enjoys this. Mary runs and really stays in good shape. Their house fits lots of people and they have recently hosted 2 large gatherings with many family members present. Again a big help in a time we cannot do that.
Deb and I used to not understand how people could morn a pet. This year our little dog, Spencer reached the end of a life that was lived in a way that brought lots of joy to our family. Deb and Mieke and Aaron made the dreaded last car ride to the vet and we spent a sad day or two recalling the 14 years of him being an almost perfect dog. Now we do understand as this was not easy for any of us. We have decided to not get another dog. We do not think we could do better plus we are seeing that at our age it is nice to not have to worry about provisions when we travel or are away from home for long hours. We do miss him though, sleeping quietly on the floor.
I want to close with a couple of wishes. Of course there is the wish that medical events of late will result in healing and restore life as we used to think as normal. It seems as though people that go through what Deb is now moving through somehow define a "new normal". Another wish is that we can learn from all of this and in some way pass on the kindness that we have experienced from so many friends and relatives. If you get sick I promise to not bring over a meal but I will figure out something nice to do for you. It means so much as we have learned firsthand. We make a wish that you and your family experience a fine Holiday Season. Finally we pray and wish that the "new normal" becomes something that our family can endure and understand in a way that holds us together and provides the strength and understanding that only God can give.
Merry Christmas from Stan, Deb, Ross, Rumy, Alden, Mary, Aaron, Mieke and the ghost of Spencer past.
I am going to choose not to write about the "c" word. I think we have had enough of that and perhaps we and the people who read this have heard enough so let me go forward with some other things going on in our lives. Some of this stuff has appeared in the blogs so please also pardon the redundancy.
Highlight of the year is the fact that Mieke and Aaron have agreed to be married. I think the date is June 1. I am kind of looking forward to this day as Aaron has become an accepted and loved person around here now for some time. I have been a little surprised by the amount of work it is to plan one of these weddings. It seems to me that all of the decision are made and modified several times. I was not particularly aware that colors, cards, flowers, pictures, rings, bridesmaids, dresses, save the date cards, guest list, flower girls, caterers, wedding shoes and the like had as much thought behind them as they do. I am learning a lesson about a world I did not know. I kind of remember showing up and at some point saying "I do" and I was married. I was going to invite the President but the Holland airport does not have a long enough runway. So I think we will just stay with some relatives and friends and let the Pres watch it on TV. He did that for the Kate and Harry event so it will be good enough for me. It is nice that Aaron's parents have helped with some of the work related and are fun to work with. Conrad and I are going to give a speech. They are coming over on Christmas eve so we will start to get those together. Then if it goes like all the rest of the stuff we will get together a couple of more times and change them.
Mieke is on the verge is getting her teaching degree. One more semester of student teaching and then I will bet that she lands the job of her choosing. She seems to be connected and liked by the people she has worked with. Of all of life's events Mieke's unquestioned pursuit of a career in this education field has been something to behold. We have been happy with her education at Hope. By the way, Hope has been very helpful in working with us to adjust Mieke's schedule so that she could have a lower profile in semester 1 this year. That way she could help Deb around here as she has needed the help recently. Also I think the Hope bandit is about done. I am not sure it is fair to call it that but somehow money is not hanging around here that long with Mieke at Hope. One more semester!
Ross is playing more for the GR Symphony. They take care of him pretty well and they call him all the time. He and Rumy are finishing their Doctoral degrees at MSU and I think they see the light at the end of the tunnel. They found a piano which they needed for Rumy to teach her lessons and now is located in their house. It was a stage Piano and it was really banged up so Grandpa and Grandma Vermeulen took on the project of restoring the piano. Now it shines and sits in their living room. Rumy plays the instrument endless hours as the demands of performing at her level are quite large. They are not sure where things are going after they get the degrees but at this point it would appear that they will not have a hard time finding work. After lots of work Rumy got her green card to stay and work in the States this year. Then they went to Bulgaria where they did a wedding ceremony with her family and friends. Rumy's parents wanted to host a ceremony there for their only daughter. Deb and I were supposed to go and we had the tickets. We had to cancel as the timing fell right at the time when Deb had her surgery. We do have a nice video of the event and their Bulgarian friends treated them very well during the three weeks they were there.
Alden and Mary have had a good year. Both with good years at work. Unfortunately, Mary lost both of her Grandparents on her mothers side this year. I think this was hard for her as she was close to them and will miss them. Being the proactive person that she is, Mary organized something for us that really helped us during this recent time. She set up a plan where people could sign up to bring meals as Deb recovered from the surgery and is going through the Chemo process. I think she might have been worried that if this were left up to me disaster could occur. As it worked out this was one of the largest helps we could ever have received. Both Deb and I cannot thank people enough for what they did in this area. We would generally get a meal every other night and make it last two days. It turned out just right and very frankly taught us a bunch about how nice people are. Kind of lifted the spirits in time they needed to be lifted. Alden has turned into quite a fisherman and really enjoys this. Mary runs and really stays in good shape. Their house fits lots of people and they have recently hosted 2 large gatherings with many family members present. Again a big help in a time we cannot do that.
Deb and I used to not understand how people could morn a pet. This year our little dog, Spencer reached the end of a life that was lived in a way that brought lots of joy to our family. Deb and Mieke and Aaron made the dreaded last car ride to the vet and we spent a sad day or two recalling the 14 years of him being an almost perfect dog. Now we do understand as this was not easy for any of us. We have decided to not get another dog. We do not think we could do better plus we are seeing that at our age it is nice to not have to worry about provisions when we travel or are away from home for long hours. We do miss him though, sleeping quietly on the floor.
I want to close with a couple of wishes. Of course there is the wish that medical events of late will result in healing and restore life as we used to think as normal. It seems as though people that go through what Deb is now moving through somehow define a "new normal". Another wish is that we can learn from all of this and in some way pass on the kindness that we have experienced from so many friends and relatives. If you get sick I promise to not bring over a meal but I will figure out something nice to do for you. It means so much as we have learned firsthand. We make a wish that you and your family experience a fine Holiday Season. Finally we pray and wish that the "new normal" becomes something that our family can endure and understand in a way that holds us together and provides the strength and understanding that only God can give.
Merry Christmas from Stan, Deb, Ross, Rumy, Alden, Mary, Aaron, Mieke and the ghost of Spencer past.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Time for the Happy Dance again!!
Hi Everyone, well great news again, the CA-125 went down again to 48. It was 57 3wks ago. I am so happy, maybe next time it will be in the normal range of below 35??
This am I received my 9th Day of Christmas gift. It is a plate of cute little chocolate mice and more chocolate covered cherries. Thank you so much Mary L. They won't last long in this house. The face's are made with striped Hersey kisses, so cute!
I am feeling so much better now. Stan and I are meeting my parents and my mother's best friend tonight at the GRS for Cirque De Noel. Ross is playing tonight and the next two nights. It is aerialists flying overhead and stunning acrobatic feats being performed to classical and seasonal favorites. Can't wait!
I have been wearing my wig all day today, and doing better with it. I am wearing it maybe a little higher in the back and it feels better. Maybe because I feel better, I am not as irritated by it. Anyways, it is kind of nice not "looking sick" all the time. When you wear the hats, you just look like you have cancer.
I am looking forward to this weekend. Our kids are all going to be home on Friday for our gift exchange. My parents will be joining us too. Lots of church services, two on Sat. on one on Sunday. Ross, Rumy and Mieke will be active in all the services. I will be a proud Ma Ma.
I thank you for the continued prayers, they are so working. I also thank you all for the beautiful cards, I know I have been added to a few peoples Christmas list this year, and I love them! Stan has promised me that he is going to write a Christmas letter soon and post it here....Still waiting......
This am I received my 9th Day of Christmas gift. It is a plate of cute little chocolate mice and more chocolate covered cherries. Thank you so much Mary L. They won't last long in this house. The face's are made with striped Hersey kisses, so cute!
I am feeling so much better now. Stan and I are meeting my parents and my mother's best friend tonight at the GRS for Cirque De Noel. Ross is playing tonight and the next two nights. It is aerialists flying overhead and stunning acrobatic feats being performed to classical and seasonal favorites. Can't wait!
I have been wearing my wig all day today, and doing better with it. I am wearing it maybe a little higher in the back and it feels better. Maybe because I feel better, I am not as irritated by it. Anyways, it is kind of nice not "looking sick" all the time. When you wear the hats, you just look like you have cancer.
I am looking forward to this weekend. Our kids are all going to be home on Friday for our gift exchange. My parents will be joining us too. Lots of church services, two on Sat. on one on Sunday. Ross, Rumy and Mieke will be active in all the services. I will be a proud Ma Ma.
I thank you for the continued prayers, they are so working. I also thank you all for the beautiful cards, I know I have been added to a few peoples Christmas list this year, and I love them! Stan has promised me that he is going to write a Christmas letter soon and post it here....Still waiting......
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Chemo Day #15
Chemo went well today. Had exam with Dr. Harrison first. The exam was negative for feeling any tumors which is a good thing. I have not been feeling the abdominal pain lately which is also a good thing. This is what he said:
1- They did not give me the Avastin drug today. They will not give it until they decide if I will benefit from more surgery. It decreases the blood supply to the cancer tumors, and would decrease wound healing after surgery.
2- I will received chemo at least until at least the end of January.
3- I will be have a CT scan the end of January, and possibly a PET scan to visualize if there are tumors that could be removed (debulked)
4- I will meet Dr. Harrison's partner , Dr. Downey on Jan.9 , just to see if I may want to switch to see him in the future. Maybe our personalities may match a little better.
I received a prescription of Z-pack for my URI from my Primary care Dr., thank you Mary!! I think I am feeling better already!!!!!!
For the 8th Day of Christmas tonight I received the most beautiful 8 red carnations with Christmas Greens from Nikki H. Thank you so much Nikki, they are cheering me up already.
Thanks Nancy for being with me today at chemo, you are the best!
I can't wait to wake up tomorrow am a new woman..........
1- They did not give me the Avastin drug today. They will not give it until they decide if I will benefit from more surgery. It decreases the blood supply to the cancer tumors, and would decrease wound healing after surgery.
2- I will received chemo at least until at least the end of January.
3- I will be have a CT scan the end of January, and possibly a PET scan to visualize if there are tumors that could be removed (debulked)
4- I will meet Dr. Harrison's partner , Dr. Downey on Jan.9 , just to see if I may want to switch to see him in the future. Maybe our personalities may match a little better.
I received a prescription of Z-pack for my URI from my Primary care Dr., thank you Mary!! I think I am feeling better already!!!!!!
For the 8th Day of Christmas tonight I received the most beautiful 8 red carnations with Christmas Greens from Nikki H. Thank you so much Nikki, they are cheering me up already.
Thanks Nancy for being with me today at chemo, you are the best!
I can't wait to wake up tomorrow am a new woman..........
Monday, December 19, 2011
7th Day of Christmas
Chemo is a go for tomorrow. My lab work is OK. Stan is going to take me to my appt. My sister-in-law Nancy is going to meet me there, be there for my meeting with the Dr. and then take me home after chemo. It will be a long day. I am anxious to know what my CA-125 number will be?? Please pray it comes back in the normal range.
Last evening I received my 6th Day of Christmas gift basket from Sara T. It was full of goodies from J.P.'s coffee shop, a coffee mug, Bag of Holiday Blend Coffee, Gift card, biscotti and 2 Ghirardelli chocolates. Thanks so much Sara, I love it!
Tonight, Claudia brought over Dinner featuring Lucky #7. It included: 7 layer Salad, 7 layer dinner, 7-Up and 7 dipped cookies. Stan and I just finished dinner and it was wonderful! Thanks so much, it was so nice seeing you and catching up on what's going on with you and your family. Have fun at work tonight!
Tonight is the last of the many many meals that you all have delivered for the past 4 months. How can I express our sincere thanks for them all? It has meant so much to us. We feel that with the holidays coming up and the kids home a lot we will be just fine. People have asked if we will need more help with meals. I will say that if I have more major surgery in March than we will see at that time. It has been a tremendous help to not have to shop and prepare meals. They have all been so delicious, please know how much it meant to us. Deb and Stan
Last evening I received my 6th Day of Christmas gift basket from Sara T. It was full of goodies from J.P.'s coffee shop, a coffee mug, Bag of Holiday Blend Coffee, Gift card, biscotti and 2 Ghirardelli chocolates. Thanks so much Sara, I love it!
Tonight, Claudia brought over Dinner featuring Lucky #7. It included: 7 layer Salad, 7 layer dinner, 7-Up and 7 dipped cookies. Stan and I just finished dinner and it was wonderful! Thanks so much, it was so nice seeing you and catching up on what's going on with you and your family. Have fun at work tonight!
Tonight is the last of the many many meals that you all have delivered for the past 4 months. How can I express our sincere thanks for them all? It has meant so much to us. We feel that with the holidays coming up and the kids home a lot we will be just fine. People have asked if we will need more help with meals. I will say that if I have more major surgery in March than we will see at that time. It has been a tremendous help to not have to shop and prepare meals. They have all been so delicious, please know how much it meant to us. Deb and Stan
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Hi, I have this song running through my head because we sang it in church and the little kids sang it too. Mieke leads a group of kids and they sang a couple of songs and did a little Christmas pageant and readers theater. The kids dressed up as angels, shepherds and different animals.......so cute! Aaron helps her with the kids and I am so proud of them both.
We had a wonderful time with my families Christmas party last night. It was in Rockford at my brother Ken's house. We had a lot of fun eating, stealing gifts away from each other at the gift exchange game, played "Christmas Jeopardy", and a wonderful tradition we have started of going around in the circle and everyone giving a quick update on what is happening with their life. Stan and I commented how quickly the kids grow and now our nieces and nephews are married with their own kids. We have so much to be thankful for this season.
My 5th Day of Christmas gifts were waiting for me on the porch when we arrived home last night. Gifts inspired by Hawaii!! I guess my BBC friends remembered that we bought tickets to go to my nephews wedding in Jan. prior to my cancer diagnosis. We are still hoping and praying that it all works out to go. Looking forward to that trip is one main thing that is getting me through this chemo journey. So thanks Shelly for the 5 "Hawaii Inspired Gifts": some blue nail polish (she says she had a pt this week who had pretty blue toe nails), a Yankee candle called Beach Party, some aqua blue Sea Mineral hand soap, tropical coconut body wash and a framed print of a white sandy beach, aqua blue ocean and sky and tiki huts (which I will be sitting under 'cause they tell me I can't be in the sun). This is too fun!
Yesterday I had lots of visits from friends. Nancy M. is a nurse that I used to work with. She brought over 3 cute Christmas ornaments that are on the tree. Thanks Nancy, so good to see you and catch up on how life as a traveling nurse is going. I wish you the best in Arizona.
Thanks Karen for the toffee bars, they are so good. Jackie has been keeping me supplied with cappuccino filled Irish coffee mugs to give as hostess and other gifts. Thanks so much!
Tomorrow am I get my lab work done at Holland Hospital and find out in the afternoon whether chemo is in the cards or not. Thanks everyone for the ideas to help with the mouth sores. Libby is sending me some stuff that really helped her. Thanks Lib!
Some people have asked for my email address to write me directly. It is deb.hoksbergen@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from people and writing you back. I have wanted to respond to many of the comments on the blog, but I didn't know how to do that. If you email me, I will be able to do that. This little red laptop has been my friend and companion through this journey too.
We had a wonderful time with my families Christmas party last night. It was in Rockford at my brother Ken's house. We had a lot of fun eating, stealing gifts away from each other at the gift exchange game, played "Christmas Jeopardy", and a wonderful tradition we have started of going around in the circle and everyone giving a quick update on what is happening with their life. Stan and I commented how quickly the kids grow and now our nieces and nephews are married with their own kids. We have so much to be thankful for this season.
My 5th Day of Christmas gifts were waiting for me on the porch when we arrived home last night. Gifts inspired by Hawaii!! I guess my BBC friends remembered that we bought tickets to go to my nephews wedding in Jan. prior to my cancer diagnosis. We are still hoping and praying that it all works out to go. Looking forward to that trip is one main thing that is getting me through this chemo journey. So thanks Shelly for the 5 "Hawaii Inspired Gifts": some blue nail polish (she says she had a pt this week who had pretty blue toe nails), a Yankee candle called Beach Party, some aqua blue Sea Mineral hand soap, tropical coconut body wash and a framed print of a white sandy beach, aqua blue ocean and sky and tiki huts (which I will be sitting under 'cause they tell me I can't be in the sun). This is too fun!
Yesterday I had lots of visits from friends. Nancy M. is a nurse that I used to work with. She brought over 3 cute Christmas ornaments that are on the tree. Thanks Nancy, so good to see you and catch up on how life as a traveling nurse is going. I wish you the best in Arizona.
Thanks Karen for the toffee bars, they are so good. Jackie has been keeping me supplied with cappuccino filled Irish coffee mugs to give as hostess and other gifts. Thanks so much!
Tomorrow am I get my lab work done at Holland Hospital and find out in the afternoon whether chemo is in the cards or not. Thanks everyone for the ideas to help with the mouth sores. Libby is sending me some stuff that really helped her. Thanks Lib!
Some people have asked for my email address to write me directly. It is deb.hoksbergen@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from people and writing you back. I have wanted to respond to many of the comments on the blog, but I didn't know how to do that. If you email me, I will be able to do that. This little red laptop has been my friend and companion through this journey too.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Finally some snow on the ground! and a few flurries. I love it! Feeling about the same. I continue to need a Kleenex box where ever I go. I have those sores on my tongue again which is not fun. They look like red blisters on the sides. I have to remember to stay away from salsa! ouch........ We had a good time at some friends from church last night. Even wore some makeup and a wig all night. My eyebrows and eye lashes are getting very thin, so I figure I might as well enjoy them while I still have a few.
Thursday night at the Christmas Pops concert was wonderful. I felt pretty good all night, couldn't sing very well with the sing a long or the Hallelujah Chorus, but it was still fun. Went over to my Aunt Margie's with my Mom and Dad for some Christmas cookies and coffee afterward. Her house looked great all decorated for Christmas. My Mom delivered a gold glittery Christmas ornament from a friend of hers. It is of a butterfly, and she wrote, "A Butterfly gives flight and Joy". Thanks so much Louise and Bill. It is on my tree and I love it.
Yesterday for the 4th Day of Christmas, I got a package with 4 soft cozy Christmas socks. The card was signed by the BBC gang. Thanks whoever delivered it! I wore a pair to bed last night! This is too fun anticipating what's next.......
I also received another surprise package from my friend Vickie. Four beautiful Lenox Christmas plates to complete a set I had started. Thanks so much Vickie, you are too kind. Now everyone in the family gets to have a "real" plate on Christmas Eve. I keep my dining room table set with the Christmas plates all month.
My friend Lori came over to visit and brought over a big plate of thumb print Christmas cookies. Thanks for sharing a tradition you had with your Mom.
Stan came home from work with a beautiful Poinsettia plant from Tim and Marge. Thanks so much for thinking of me. I love it! I think I also forgot to mention a couple of gift cards I got the other day from Dave and Shannan and the gang at TMI where Stan works. The cards are to Panera Bread and Bigbee Coffee. They will be enjoyed!
I am so thankful to be around this Christmas. We often talk about how after the surgery, we didn't even know if I would make it till Christmas. Well, I am here, enjoying the season, my family and friends, so thankful for the successful treatment to the chemo, and I plan to be here for many, many more.
Thursday night at the Christmas Pops concert was wonderful. I felt pretty good all night, couldn't sing very well with the sing a long or the Hallelujah Chorus, but it was still fun. Went over to my Aunt Margie's with my Mom and Dad for some Christmas cookies and coffee afterward. Her house looked great all decorated for Christmas. My Mom delivered a gold glittery Christmas ornament from a friend of hers. It is of a butterfly, and she wrote, "A Butterfly gives flight and Joy". Thanks so much Louise and Bill. It is on my tree and I love it.
Yesterday for the 4th Day of Christmas, I got a package with 4 soft cozy Christmas socks. The card was signed by the BBC gang. Thanks whoever delivered it! I wore a pair to bed last night! This is too fun anticipating what's next.......
I also received another surprise package from my friend Vickie. Four beautiful Lenox Christmas plates to complete a set I had started. Thanks so much Vickie, you are too kind. Now everyone in the family gets to have a "real" plate on Christmas Eve. I keep my dining room table set with the Christmas plates all month.
My friend Lori came over to visit and brought over a big plate of thumb print Christmas cookies. Thanks for sharing a tradition you had with your Mom.
Stan came home from work with a beautiful Poinsettia plant from Tim and Marge. Thanks so much for thinking of me. I love it! I think I also forgot to mention a couple of gift cards I got the other day from Dave and Shannan and the gang at TMI where Stan works. The cards are to Panera Bread and Bigbee Coffee. They will be enjoyed!
I am so thankful to be around this Christmas. We often talk about how after the surgery, we didn't even know if I would make it till Christmas. Well, I am here, enjoying the season, my family and friends, so thankful for the successful treatment to the chemo, and I plan to be here for many, many more.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Rainy Thursday
Well, I need to keep you up on my fun gifts from my BBC gang for the 12 Days of Christmas.
Day #2 was two jars of home made raspberry jam Thanks Karen K. It's our favorite!
Day #3 was three Christmas bells on a lighted glass block Thanks Susan I love it! It looks so cute!
I wish to tell you that I was feeling great these past days, but I am continuing to feel run down. I have "stayed home, resting on the couch" for long enough. It has not worked, so I am going to do the opposite. I am going out tonight to the symphony. It is the Holiday Christmas Pops and I need to get in the mood. I am going to take a Vicodin and a cold tablet and I should be good to go. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks to Barb H. for the white chicken chile and the great Christmas cookies. We are enjoying it all!
Today was the first of the 4 free house cleanings from "Clean for a Reason". What a nice service this is. She was here for 2 1/2 hrs. and was very thorough. She will be back next month.
I just got a book delivered from Barnes and Noble. It is from my sister Krista, she warned me it was coming. I am so excited. It is the book "One Thousand Gifts".. It is the book my niece Libby has mentioned in her blog. I am so glad I now get to read it, it looks wonderful.
Mieke is finished with her semester at Hope. She is all ready to start student teaching next semester in Zeeland - 4th grade. I miss her already thinking about her living back with her friends at Hope. But, I am so thankful that I have had her here with us this past semester. She says she will be so busy she won't be around much anyways............. :(
Day #2 was two jars of home made raspberry jam Thanks Karen K. It's our favorite!
Day #3 was three Christmas bells on a lighted glass block Thanks Susan I love it! It looks so cute!
I wish to tell you that I was feeling great these past days, but I am continuing to feel run down. I have "stayed home, resting on the couch" for long enough. It has not worked, so I am going to do the opposite. I am going out tonight to the symphony. It is the Holiday Christmas Pops and I need to get in the mood. I am going to take a Vicodin and a cold tablet and I should be good to go. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks to Barb H. for the white chicken chile and the great Christmas cookies. We are enjoying it all!
Today was the first of the 4 free house cleanings from "Clean for a Reason". What a nice service this is. She was here for 2 1/2 hrs. and was very thorough. She will be back next month.
I just got a book delivered from Barnes and Noble. It is from my sister Krista, she warned me it was coming. I am so excited. It is the book "One Thousand Gifts".. It is the book my niece Libby has mentioned in her blog. I am so glad I now get to read it, it looks wonderful.
Mieke is finished with her semester at Hope. She is all ready to start student teaching next semester in Zeeland - 4th grade. I miss her already thinking about her living back with her friends at Hope. But, I am so thankful that I have had her here with us this past semester. She says she will be so busy she won't be around much anyways............. :(
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Chemo Day # 14
Just a quick update to let you know that I had chemo today. Everything went well and I was only there 2 1/4 hrs. Yeh!! Thanks Karen K. for taking me. It was so fun catching up with you, thanks for the chocolate bark and the Zoup bowl of soup.
I woke up this am and felt much better than I have been feeling. My throat didn't hurt as bad and I had more energy. Thanks goodness!! I am really ready to feel better. My labs today were OK, my Hgb was up a bit, but my WBC is kind of low, so they are thinking I may not be able to have chemo next week. So........I will have my CBC with diff done next Monday, and they will tell me what the decision will be. It's kind of like my week of Thanksgiving, if I have to have a week off, not bad to have Christmas off.
Thanks so much to Anna and Norm who brought over a wonderful dinner last night. It was delicious. Loved the Christmas cookies too. My favorite baker Gorgeous Gayle delivered the best apple bread with caramel and nuts on the top. Too Good!
Jackie made up the cutest Irish coffee mugs with Cappuccino Mix in them for me to give out for Christmas gifts this year. I gave my chemo nurses a couple today. They loved them. Thanks so much Jackie for doing this!!
I found out today that Rainbow International, a cleaning service in town is offering me 4 free cleanings of our house. This is a service that they offer through the American Cancer Society. So nice!! That is starting on Thursday.
I had a fun surprise visit from Amy a co-worker of mine from the Boven Birth Center tonight. She brought me the cutest hand stitched star on a little wooden stand. The card with it said the following:
Your twelve days of Christmas
has now officially begun.
BBC will be bringing you daily gifts
-not just one.
On the first day of Christmas
BBC brings this star
to let you know
we so appreciate who you are!
What fun!! I would love to share with you what comes next. I loved visiting with Amy and catching up with her. We first met 22 yrs. ago when I helped start a ministry at Beechwood Church called "Beacon Ministry". Amy was working as a nurse at the Migrant Health Center at that time. She and the other nurses there saw a real need to help supply maternity clothes, cribs, car seats, and newborn supplies to the large migrant population we have here in Holland. Jackie DeGroot and I met with Good Samaritan Center and they told us they hoped a church on the northside of Holland would feel called to meet this need. And the rest, as they say, is history, for 22 yrs. we have helped thousands of families. It is probably one of the things I am most proud of.
Stan's brother Roland had surgery in GR today to have his other ankle fused. He had his first one done this past summer with good results. The pain was getting very bad and he decided it was time to do the Rt. one. Just talked with him and so far so good. Not experiencing too much pain yet. Please say a prayer for healing and an uneventful recovery period. We will be having the Hoksbergen Christmas get together the week between Christmas and New Years when Roland will be a bit more mobile.
I woke up this am and felt much better than I have been feeling. My throat didn't hurt as bad and I had more energy. Thanks goodness!! I am really ready to feel better. My labs today were OK, my Hgb was up a bit, but my WBC is kind of low, so they are thinking I may not be able to have chemo next week. So........I will have my CBC with diff done next Monday, and they will tell me what the decision will be. It's kind of like my week of Thanksgiving, if I have to have a week off, not bad to have Christmas off.
Thanks so much to Anna and Norm who brought over a wonderful dinner last night. It was delicious. Loved the Christmas cookies too. My favorite baker Gorgeous Gayle delivered the best apple bread with caramel and nuts on the top. Too Good!
Jackie made up the cutest Irish coffee mugs with Cappuccino Mix in them for me to give out for Christmas gifts this year. I gave my chemo nurses a couple today. They loved them. Thanks so much Jackie for doing this!!
I found out today that Rainbow International, a cleaning service in town is offering me 4 free cleanings of our house. This is a service that they offer through the American Cancer Society. So nice!! That is starting on Thursday.
I had a fun surprise visit from Amy a co-worker of mine from the Boven Birth Center tonight. She brought me the cutest hand stitched star on a little wooden stand. The card with it said the following:
Your twelve days of Christmas
has now officially begun.
BBC will be bringing you daily gifts
-not just one.
On the first day of Christmas
BBC brings this star
to let you know
we so appreciate who you are!
What fun!! I would love to share with you what comes next. I loved visiting with Amy and catching up with her. We first met 22 yrs. ago when I helped start a ministry at Beechwood Church called "Beacon Ministry". Amy was working as a nurse at the Migrant Health Center at that time. She and the other nurses there saw a real need to help supply maternity clothes, cribs, car seats, and newborn supplies to the large migrant population we have here in Holland. Jackie DeGroot and I met with Good Samaritan Center and they told us they hoped a church on the northside of Holland would feel called to meet this need. And the rest, as they say, is history, for 22 yrs. we have helped thousands of families. It is probably one of the things I am most proud of.
Stan's brother Roland had surgery in GR today to have his other ankle fused. He had his first one done this past summer with good results. The pain was getting very bad and he decided it was time to do the Rt. one. Just talked with him and so far so good. Not experiencing too much pain yet. Please say a prayer for healing and an uneventful recovery period. We will be having the Hoksbergen Christmas get together the week between Christmas and New Years when Roland will be a bit more mobile.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Great Family Day!!
We were all together to celebrate 3 birthdays today. Alden and Aaron's was yesterday and Mary's is tomorrow. We took our Christmas Card picture in front of our tree which you see above. We were all together in church this am. Stan picked up his girlfriend for church today (96 yr. old Ruth). He has had lots of "girlfriends" since he taught this senior Sunday school class years ago. She was happy to be there and people were thrilled to see her again.
Wish I could say I am better from this cold, but still not over it. I think I did have more energy today, or at least I was diverted from sitting on the couch by having the kids over for dinner. Stan is loving the new grill the kids gave him for his birthday. If you want a good suggestion for a Christmas gift ask us for details. How about those Lions today??
Friday night Stan enjoyed seeing many friends at our neighbors Phil and Martha's Christmas Open House. I stayed home trying to "get over this virus" and he was kind enough to bring me a plate of goodies home. Thanks so much for hosting this nice event.
Loved a visit from my friend Joan Sat. who brought over the most delicious bruschetta and dessert. What a treat, we need that recipe.
Just had a surprise visit from David Blauw, friend and chaplain at Holland Hospital. He brought along a gift from Barb his wife. Thanks so much Barb, I love my angel decoration that you stitched for me, it is on my "angel" table. I can't have enough of them surrounding me these days. David, I'll take another one of those homemade pizzas any day!
People have been asking me when chemo will be this week because of the change to Thursday last week. The plan is to resume with Tuesdays again.
The line out of Jesus Calling from yesterday has been sticking with me.........."Accept the value of problems in this life, considering them pure joy." My niece Libby talked a lot about that word "joy" in her recent blog. Choose joy. Joy was the word in church today for Advent. I am joyful when I think about how much I have to be thankful for including you for caring enough to read this blog.
Deb
Wish I could say I am better from this cold, but still not over it. I think I did have more energy today, or at least I was diverted from sitting on the couch by having the kids over for dinner. Stan is loving the new grill the kids gave him for his birthday. If you want a good suggestion for a Christmas gift ask us for details. How about those Lions today??
Friday night Stan enjoyed seeing many friends at our neighbors Phil and Martha's Christmas Open House. I stayed home trying to "get over this virus" and he was kind enough to bring me a plate of goodies home. Thanks so much for hosting this nice event.
Loved a visit from my friend Joan Sat. who brought over the most delicious bruschetta and dessert. What a treat, we need that recipe.
Just had a surprise visit from David Blauw, friend and chaplain at Holland Hospital. He brought along a gift from Barb his wife. Thanks so much Barb, I love my angel decoration that you stitched for me, it is on my "angel" table. I can't have enough of them surrounding me these days. David, I'll take another one of those homemade pizzas any day!
People have been asking me when chemo will be this week because of the change to Thursday last week. The plan is to resume with Tuesdays again.
The line out of Jesus Calling from yesterday has been sticking with me.........."Accept the value of problems in this life, considering them pure joy." My niece Libby talked a lot about that word "joy" in her recent blog. Choose joy. Joy was the word in church today for Advent. I am joyful when I think about how much I have to be thankful for including you for caring enough to read this blog.
Deb
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Chemo Day #13 Thursday for a change
Hi Everyone, You know I am feeling better, it's the first time in a while I even had the gumption to write anything. I am sitting in my recliner getting chemo. Thanks to Laurie, (Aaron's mom) and my friend who took me today. We have lots of fun talking about our kids, the wedding and dreaming about our future grandkids. Laurie is so good at keeping me stocked with vitamins, iron, cold meds etc. I do so appreciate this.
My chemo nurses told me today that I look SO MUCH better today than I did on Tues. So it is a good thing we waited, and I got the unit of blood yesterday. That went very well at Holland Hospital in the ambulatory care unit. I was there for about 3 1/2 hrs. They took good care of me, even fed me a lunch tray. It is a strange thing getting blood for the first time in ones life. I have administered it to patients so many times, but this time it was for me. I always used to donate blood, and now I am glad someone gave me some of theirs.
I am now continuing this writing at home on the couch. It is a beautiful clear day, and I am thankful for the sunshine. There were a few snow flurries for a minute we saw out the window at chemo. I have canceled almost all my plans for the next week. I am going to really try and get over this cold, so I can enjoy Christmas.
We also made a big decision regarding Friday night. Ross and Rumy have decided to postpone walking for their graduation until spring. They had decided to move it up to December just for me, to make sure I was able to see them graduate with their DMA (doctor of music arts) degrees. Because I am not feeling well, have this cough and limited energy, we are going to look forward to that event on May 4. Ross said the speaker will be better at that graduation event. I was looking forward to this, but it will be very special in May, because they will really be ALL DONE!!
I need to catch up on a few thank yous since I last blogged. My friend Marcia brought dinner over last Wed. Stan was not going to be home until later that night, so I asked if she wanted to stay and eat with me. It was quite a sight, a couple of "baldies" enjoying dinner together. I love my Woof Poof angel Marcia, she joins the angel collection set out for Christmas.
Thanks to Candy for dinner last Friday, it was wonderful. Mieke made some muffins and brought them over to our new neighbors two doors down. We will miss Jim and Lori who built a new house on the north side. We moved in within 2 days of each other 23 yrs ago. We raised our kids together, attended their weddings, births of grandkids, hundreds of three mile walks, mission trips to Europe, snowmobile weekends, the list goes on and on. We will still be friends, just not two doors down :(
Karen thanks for the DeBoer bread and cookies. You are a great friend, thanks for keeping tabs on me.
A huge thank you to Judy for the generous gift certificate to Crazy Horse. We will love using it!
Sunday, I finally had to get off the couch to attend church where Ross and Rumy were worship leaders. So enjoyed having them use their talents to enhance our worship. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast after church at The Biscuit, a gift of the owners. Thanks so much Tracy!
Dave and Nancy brought over an amazing dinner Sunday evening. The brisket was wonderful, thanks so much. Turns out we were both going to Vespers at 5pm that night. Thanks Jane for my ticket, it always gets me into the Christmas spirit attending that service. I could have enjoyed it more if I felt better, and I had to fight off a coughing jag, but I made it through. Thanks Vickie for bringing over the raspberry sherbet and the candy cane to help get the metallic taste out of my mouth, you are so sweet.
Monday I was signed up for a Cancer Society session "Look Better, Feel Better". I felt so awful, I thought about canceling, but, then thought maybe I would feel better, if I looked better. They give you this bag full of make up and teach you how to use scarves and hats. I did look a little better with some make up on, but I sure still felt lousy. When I got home, there was a gift bag from Deb B. In it was the cutest pink knit cap and also a little Christmas ornament, a white sweater with a teal (ovarian cancer) ribbon on it. Thanks Deb, it is on my tree!
Thanks Mary Lou for the chicken tetrazzini and the talk.
I feel like I am wearing out my leather love seat sitting on it so much.
I did finish a book given to me by David Blau, the caplain at Holland Hospital. It is entitled The Anatomy of Hope, How People Prevail in the Face of Illness. It was written by an oncologist about patients he has treated and how hope and emotional outlook affects a pts prognosis. I do believe this.
I thank everyone for their kind comments and support during this "sick time". I covet your prayers. I really want to get over this virus. I believe I am on the rise. Looking forward to the kids all coming home Sunday. Alden and Aaron both have birthdays on Sat. and then Mary's is Monday!
My chemo nurses told me today that I look SO MUCH better today than I did on Tues. So it is a good thing we waited, and I got the unit of blood yesterday. That went very well at Holland Hospital in the ambulatory care unit. I was there for about 3 1/2 hrs. They took good care of me, even fed me a lunch tray. It is a strange thing getting blood for the first time in ones life. I have administered it to patients so many times, but this time it was for me. I always used to donate blood, and now I am glad someone gave me some of theirs.
I am now continuing this writing at home on the couch. It is a beautiful clear day, and I am thankful for the sunshine. There were a few snow flurries for a minute we saw out the window at chemo. I have canceled almost all my plans for the next week. I am going to really try and get over this cold, so I can enjoy Christmas.
We also made a big decision regarding Friday night. Ross and Rumy have decided to postpone walking for their graduation until spring. They had decided to move it up to December just for me, to make sure I was able to see them graduate with their DMA (doctor of music arts) degrees. Because I am not feeling well, have this cough and limited energy, we are going to look forward to that event on May 4. Ross said the speaker will be better at that graduation event. I was looking forward to this, but it will be very special in May, because they will really be ALL DONE!!
I need to catch up on a few thank yous since I last blogged. My friend Marcia brought dinner over last Wed. Stan was not going to be home until later that night, so I asked if she wanted to stay and eat with me. It was quite a sight, a couple of "baldies" enjoying dinner together. I love my Woof Poof angel Marcia, she joins the angel collection set out for Christmas.
Thanks to Candy for dinner last Friday, it was wonderful. Mieke made some muffins and brought them over to our new neighbors two doors down. We will miss Jim and Lori who built a new house on the north side. We moved in within 2 days of each other 23 yrs ago. We raised our kids together, attended their weddings, births of grandkids, hundreds of three mile walks, mission trips to Europe, snowmobile weekends, the list goes on and on. We will still be friends, just not two doors down :(
Karen thanks for the DeBoer bread and cookies. You are a great friend, thanks for keeping tabs on me.
A huge thank you to Judy for the generous gift certificate to Crazy Horse. We will love using it!
Sunday, I finally had to get off the couch to attend church where Ross and Rumy were worship leaders. So enjoyed having them use their talents to enhance our worship. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast after church at The Biscuit, a gift of the owners. Thanks so much Tracy!
Dave and Nancy brought over an amazing dinner Sunday evening. The brisket was wonderful, thanks so much. Turns out we were both going to Vespers at 5pm that night. Thanks Jane for my ticket, it always gets me into the Christmas spirit attending that service. I could have enjoyed it more if I felt better, and I had to fight off a coughing jag, but I made it through. Thanks Vickie for bringing over the raspberry sherbet and the candy cane to help get the metallic taste out of my mouth, you are so sweet.
Monday I was signed up for a Cancer Society session "Look Better, Feel Better". I felt so awful, I thought about canceling, but, then thought maybe I would feel better, if I looked better. They give you this bag full of make up and teach you how to use scarves and hats. I did look a little better with some make up on, but I sure still felt lousy. When I got home, there was a gift bag from Deb B. In it was the cutest pink knit cap and also a little Christmas ornament, a white sweater with a teal (ovarian cancer) ribbon on it. Thanks Deb, it is on my tree!
Thanks Mary Lou for the chicken tetrazzini and the talk.
I feel like I am wearing out my leather love seat sitting on it so much.
I did finish a book given to me by David Blau, the caplain at Holland Hospital. It is entitled The Anatomy of Hope, How People Prevail in the Face of Illness. It was written by an oncologist about patients he has treated and how hope and emotional outlook affects a pts prognosis. I do believe this.
I thank everyone for their kind comments and support during this "sick time". I covet your prayers. I really want to get over this virus. I believe I am on the rise. Looking forward to the kids all coming home Sunday. Alden and Aaron both have birthdays on Sat. and then Mary's is Monday!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
What the blog does say....
What the blog does say....Mom's numbers of cancer are continually decreasing every time she has the CA-125 test taken.
What the blog doesn't say....Mom is extremely sick.
It has been a very hard couple of weeks around here. I have NEVER seen mom this sick in my life. She developed a cold after Thanksgiving and since then her energy has been very low. She really hasn't left the couch much in days. I've been explaining it to people like that first day of a cold when you feel like your head is going to explode, your nose won't stop running, your throat is killing, your body aches....this is what it has been for her for over a week.
She went in to have chemo today and her hemoglobin was too low. They weren't able to administer the drugs with her body in this condition. She needs to have a blood transfusion tomorrow morning. I really hope that this does something to help her get better because I won't lie, it has been very scary to see her like this. Please say a prayer that she can shake this cold. It needs to go away!
I love that my mom keeps people updated with all of the good news from her treatments but right now I think it is important that people know how sick she is because we can feel when prayers are being lifted up for her and she needs that right now. Thanks everyone.
Love, Mieke
What the blog doesn't say....Mom is extremely sick.
It has been a very hard couple of weeks around here. I have NEVER seen mom this sick in my life. She developed a cold after Thanksgiving and since then her energy has been very low. She really hasn't left the couch much in days. I've been explaining it to people like that first day of a cold when you feel like your head is going to explode, your nose won't stop running, your throat is killing, your body aches....this is what it has been for her for over a week.
She went in to have chemo today and her hemoglobin was too low. They weren't able to administer the drugs with her body in this condition. She needs to have a blood transfusion tomorrow morning. I really hope that this does something to help her get better because I won't lie, it has been very scary to see her like this. Please say a prayer that she can shake this cold. It needs to go away!
I love that my mom keeps people updated with all of the good news from her treatments but right now I think it is important that people know how sick she is because we can feel when prayers are being lifted up for her and she needs that right now. Thanks everyone.
Love, Mieke
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