Monday June 30, 2008 No news is good news

I was able to get to church yesterday, and it felt good to be among friends. Your encouraging words and support are overwhelming, but appreciated. Thank you all. (Jenn I appreciate the distance if you weren't feeling well. That could really create a mess!)

I have had a few episodes of feeling nauseous but nothing too bad at this point. Each day it is getting a little better and my appetite is improving.

Kevin received notice that his application for Eagle has been accepted by the committee. The next step is to set up an Eagle Board of Review. Looks like we are almost there!

Tom and Kevin will leave for Philmont, New Mexico on Wednesday AM. They are both looking forward to the trip. One of my sisters will be here with me for most of the time. I'm looking forward to some "girl" time.

Andrew is finishing up a summer course at the community college, and working part time at NSA.
Till next time :-) Bets

Saturday June 28, 2008 Short and sweet

Had my first outpatient chemo on Thursday, a transfusion yesterday, and I'm feeling pretty good this morning. I am taking medication as recommended to prevent nausea and so far I'm doing okay!

My sister will be here for the next chemo date on July 16th. After that I will need transportation every 3rd Wednesday. I will give the dates to Jane M from Holy Apostles.

Have a great weekend! Till next time :-) Bets

Friday June 27,2008 HI, HO! HI, HO! I started my chemo!

Good morning all! I started chemo yesterday, it went well and so far this AM I am feeling good. I must return today for transfusion to treat anemia, but otherwise all else is looking very good!

The offers for transportation have been overwhelming, thank you! My church group is taking the lead on this; it will be 1 day, every 2-3- weeks, all day, beginning @ 8 AM and ending @ about 4 PM, pick up and drop off only. It will be @ AAMC Donner bldg. I will keep in touch through the blog if I need anyone. I will get next schedule date today.

Must get started early this AM, maybe I'll add a note later depending on how my day is going.
Till next time :-) Bets

Wednesday June 25, 2008 Timing is everything

I had a wonderful but brief visit from 2 friends from New York as they traveled between Virginia and their home. Again, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise. It was so good to see them, and we promised not to keep our visits an annual event but to make them more often.

My hair has begun falling out! My shoulders look like I have a fine angora shawl across them. The good news is that my wig is in, so I am going to pick that up today. Still not sure if I'll wear it. I'll have to play with it a little, and if my hair loss gets bad enough I may have to.

I start my chemo tomorrow and Tom will take me for the day. The bad news is that will exhaust his leave time completely. I will need some help getting to and from chemo (take me in the AM and pick me up in the PM). I will have a much better idea of timing and frequency after tomorrow. I believe it will be 1 day every 2nd or 3rd week. I will see how tomorrow goes and let everyone know. I do appreciate your help with this. I will be getting too many meds during the day to allow safe driving.

Till next time :-) Bets

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Taking advantage of opportunities

We had an opportunity to get down to Cambridge for 3 days and enjoyed every minute. Physically I was feeling good, not well enough to sit on a tractor, but enough to finish reading a book and catch up on local newspaper and magazines. And I napped every afternoon in a glorious cool breeze.

The weather was ideal - in the 70s during the day and in the 50s at night. Tom and Kevin took delivery of a new "Zero Turn Radius" (ZTR) mower on Friday and used it all day Saturday and Sunday AM. They had a great time, and did a great job cutting around 2000 plus lob lolly pines that Tom planted over the years. Kevin watched the crab pots, and we brought home 9 of the best crabs ever.

My job was to plan the menu and prepare lunches. We ate very well; grilled every night and had wonderful leftovers on wraps for lunch. We visited with neighbors on Saturday morning, who "knew something was wrong" because the grass hadn't been mowed. They had even mowed part of the property once for us. We do have some exceptional people in our lives, and again find ourselves thanking God for all the blessings we have.

Ginger continues to improve. Tom laughs because she is totally in sinc with my R&R. She naps when I do and sleeps until after I get up in the morning. She still expresses some discomfort if we pick her up wrong, but the spring is returning to her step.

Monday, I had my mediport placed, so that is the next step to getting into a regular schedule for chemo. We are hoping that will be this week. I promise to keep you posted.

Your cards and prayers are always appreciated. Till next time :-) Bets

Wednesday, June 18,2008 Easier said, than done

Trying to keep things even, waiting for procedures and dates; I guess I have to be willing to go with a step back occassionally. As I mentioned, I have been retaining some fluids, but so far the lasix seems to be keeping it to a reasonable amount. My port insertion has been changed to this coming Monday morning, so we are gaining 5 days time there which I am happy about.

Also, been trying to do little things around the house, like unload the dishwasher, etc. I even put a casserole into the oven today, trying to help Tom with dinner. I have to hand it to him for not killing me today, as the whole pan ended up on the floor because I didn't keep it even pulling it out of the oven! Not a big help! What a mess! Tom said very little, but cleaned up my mess. He is a special person, and I am lucky to have him. He makes my days better everyday!

Love hearing from all of you. Till next time :-) Bets

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Betsy's good and Ginger's better

To all who have been asking about Ginger, I thank you. I got her to the vet today and other than old age aches and pains in middle spine, she seems to be in good shape. We are giving her some pain meds and letting her rest for a couple of weeks. (ie: no long walks, only in the yard, no jumping or running) It sounds like her recovery is going to be right in line with mine.

I am doing okay as well. Had some delicious crabsoup in the past 2 days, which has caused a little fluid build up (oops!) I'll have to watch that and make corrections in my diet. I am scheduled to have my port inserted on Saturday, June 28th. So my job right now is to keep everything balanced and moving in the right direction.

My cranial prothesis was chosen to be as inconspicuous as possible. The style and color are as close to mine as I could get. I know "How boring!" I haven't even decided if I will wear it yet. I did get my hair cut last weekend and have received a favorable response from most people. Think Jamie Lee Curtis! Yeah! I might just keep this as is, and forget the wig altogether!!! I also have an assortment of hats to choose from.

As for having a wig made from someone's hair, well I think that would be time consuming and expensive. My niece Kristen has the most gorgeous thick, curly auburn hair, and has offered to donate it to have a wig made specifically for me. Thanks, that's very sweet, but I don't think it could be a direct match like that. I am not sure what the requirements are except that the hair must be free of chemical treatment and most be a certain length. If you are interested, any reputable beauty salon should know what to do.

Tom has returned to work, and is feeling good about that. Kevin is working on his summer routine and schedule. They are both planning their trip to Philmont Boy Scout camp in New Mexico next month.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. Till next time :-) Bets

Monday June 16, 2008 Simple freedoms

Yesterday and today brought some "firsts" that were notable for me.

My family has all returned safely from their weekend travels. Tom and Kevin returned exhausted, sore and tired from their weekend hiking in Harper's Ferry. My sister Margaret and niece Amanda returned to Delaware on Sunday AM.

We have accummalated an assortment of containers and crock pots from all the generous folks who have brought meals, desserts, and assorted goodies. From ziti to crab soup to chicken and potatoes, and kielbasa, we have feasted! So yesterday I decided that I would make an attempt at returning at least 1 item to it's owner. I picked up a small container that came from a neighbor. The house is only 2 doors around the cul-de-sac, and I thought this should be an easy one. Well, first I'm glad I wasn't in any hurry, and second that the weather was great! My stroll down our driveway was slow but not too bad, but getting up the neighbor's driveway was too much like work. By the time I got to the porch had to sit and rest so I would have the energy to return. I didn't expect that I would have to worry about whether I could get back!!! I think I will assign the remaining returns to my boy scouts. :-)

Today I ventured out in the car for the first time. I had to get lab tests done, and it worked out that this was a good day. Things went well and without incident. I had my buddy Kevin with me for company. With Kevin, there's always a catch... He is the new recipient of his learners' permit. Yeah, I actually gave him some drive time, but limited him to the parking lots at the middle and high schools as this was his very first time behind the wheel. I figured I'm losing my hair anyway... He actually did quite well.

As to my recovery, I am good today. I continue to move forward; no news on next procedures, etc. , but will keep everyone posted.

I appreciate your continuing prayers and support, and I'm loving my blog! next time :-) Bets

Monday, June 16, 2008

Sunday, June 15,2008-- While the cat's away...

Good morning all! I am not going to begin by apoligizing for missing 2 days.
Margaret was here with Amanda and we had a great weekend!
Tom and Kevin took off this weekend for a Boy Scout hike through Harper's Ferry. It was a much needed respite for them, and I am thankful they had the opportunity to get away for a couple of days.

I am making progress... I feel a little stronger each day, and am following the exercises that PT has recommended. Post-op I feel really good, with just a few aches and pains. As you know, I started on the Neopoygen and completed that on Saturday.

My plans for the weekend were not huge but they were exhausting. We went to Kmart to shop for some personal care items, and things like hats to leave in the car, to walk the dog, etc.
My primary goal was to ride on one of those motorized carts for shopping, but once again Kmart left me empty handed! There were none to be had, so Amanda found a wheel chair and we shopped till I dropped.

Saturday's agenda included Cranial Prosthesis (Wig) shopping, a haircut, and a visit from our dear friends Fr. Michael and Sr. Angela from Holy Apostles, who brought Mass and the anointing of the sick to me. As 6 of us prayed for God's grace and strength to get through the challenges ahead, Arundel High School delivered a pizza fundraiser kit ordered several days before! I planned coffee and tea after mass, but suddenly we had pizza and beer. What a party!!!

As I crawl into bed each night, I am thankful for each of you. Next time :-) Bets

Thursday, June 12, 2008 – I’m up; the dog is down.

I’m brand new at this blogging thing so bear with me.

First I want to thank my family for all of their support. Tom, Andrew, Kevin, my mom and siblings have just been tremendous over the past couple of weeks.

Each of you has played a big part in getting me back on my feet.

The care that you all and my medical care givers have provided has been second to none.

While I wish I could change the fact that I have cancer I wouldn’t change a thing about how everyone has helped me through this.

I’m doing fine with the care I’m getting with showers, meals, getting around and just doing regular things.

Today I started a three day regimen of the drug, Filgrastim also known as neupogen. This will build up my white blood cells so when the next round of chemo therapy lowers my white count it won’t wipe me out…at least that’s the theory. We’ll see how that goes.

I met with my physical therapist today. She’ll be coming a couple of times a week for the next several weeks to help me build up strength, especially in my legs so that it will be a little easier to get up the stairs in the evening. Coming down isn’t so bad and Tom and the boys are very watchful both coming and going.

I had great coverage today, Kevin is home from school and a school health colleague, Kathy came over for the day so I sent Tom back to work. But that was only after he dropped Ginger off at the vet for x-rays early this morning. Those x-rays show that Ginger has something abnormal in her abdomen. The next step is a sonagram to get a better picture.

There are still some lingering effects from last weekend’s chemo. One of them in particular will have me looking at a cranial prosthesis sooner rather than later.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support and I’ll try to keep up with this like Tom did.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 – OK Betsy is home, but the dog is still depressed

Lest I suffer eternal damnation, I should confess that Betsy did indeed come home yesterday afternoon.

Today we got an early start for x-rays and a doctor’s appointment. The x-rays showed very little fluid around Betsy’s lungs and Br. Boice removed her PICC line.

Now this may not sound like much but it took close to six hours to do these two things. By the time we got back home in the early afternoon Betsy was pretty much shot for the day.

But all’s well that ends well. In this particular case, ending well included a long overdue shower later in the afternoon. I’m also pleased to note that Betsy’s appetite for dinner was pretty good.

I’m encouraging Betsy to take the next couple of days “off” from all forms of medical practitioners, just chill out and start to maintain this blog!

Anyway, just like the 1935 Albert de Courville movie Things Are Looking Up.

Please keep the prayers coming.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 – It’s what we Roman Catholics call “a mystery”.

Betsy’s shitzu dog, Ginger, turns 10 this month. To make a long story short, just about the time that Betsy started feeling punky Ginger so did Ginger. Over the weeks I’ve watched her become more and more lethargic and I became more and more concerned for her well being.

By yesterday afternoon I’d had it. So right after I left the hospital I stopped by the Gingers’ vet, explained the situation and made an appointment to have Ginger examined a little later in the day. I’m happy to report that a physical examination and various blood tests didn’t discloseanything out of the norm.

My best guess is that the dog is depressed. After all, his whole thing is wearing us all down. What do you all think?

I went to work today just to bring back some other sense of normalcy. Don’t be harsh, I told Betsy yesterday that if she planned to stay in the hospital then I planned to go into the office. So I did…

…and managed to put in a full day before Betsy called and said that she was being discharged form AAMC.

Yeah, right.

I’d heard this same line last Sunday. So I asked a few probing questions like, “Are you in bed or not?” (not); Are you in street clothes or not?(not); Do you have discharge orders in hand? (no). Besty has an appointment with Dr. Boice first thing in the morning after she gets a set of x-rays done.

So is Betsy home or not?

There you have it. Please post your answers and a well used copy of “Clue” will be awarded to the first correct respondent.

Monday, June 09, 2008 – Don’t shoot me, I’m just the piano player.

Betsy didn’t come home to today. Feel free to ask “why” and I’ll let Betsy respond.

Mari-- Thanks for the offer of your tractor. I'm covered - I have a Kubota that is used to do the rough cutting. The little John Deere is used for the easy stuff and trimming around the trees.

Sunday, June 08, 2008 – Homeward bound, almost.

First I’d like to say a huge thank you to Betsy’s sister Margaret who watched over Betsy while Kevin and I attacked six weeks of growth over on the Eastern Shore. It was hot as hell but we did get things chopped back significantly. On a side note, I have decided to sell the “classic” John Deere STX-38 tractor that Kevin operates and upgrade to a ZTR. So if any one’s in the market for a great lawn tractor, let me know.

So here’s the scoop on Betsy. Over the past couple of days she’s had some pretty intensive chemotherapy which has pretty much wiped her out. On the upside, it looks like the chemo has resolved the problem of fluid accumulating around her left lung so this morning when he visited Dr.Boice removed the chest drain and gave his OK for her to be discharged from AAMC. Betsy has an appointment with Dr. Boice this Wednesday and there has been some discussion about more chemotherapy being done that day.

Though one Doctor cleared Betsy for release, the medical team that has been caring for her for the past week felt it would be prudent to keep her a little while longer to monitor her recovery from her treatment. We both agreed that staying another day would be better than coming home today.

We’ll see what happens when tomorrow gets here.

To my colleagues at ICES: I hope to return to the office for at least a couple of days this week. Many of you have covered for me in various ways and I truly appreciate your assistance.

Friday, June 06, 2008 – That’s What I’m Talkin About: Part II

One of Betsy’s colleagues, Becky, was at AAMC when I s stopped in earlier today. She, like many of you, thaked me for doing this blog. So to Becky, and everyone else, I’m delighted that Betsy has such a following. Please know that when there is information to report, I will.

Here’s something that we all may wish to consider, Betsy has Type II diabetes which she’s held in check with diet and exercise. I screwed up the other day by bringing her these awesome chocolate chip cookies provided by our neighbor, Kathleen. They did not go to waist (get it) at least not Besty’s ‘cause she made it quite clear that all the great sweets were verboten.

The second part of Betsy’s chemo, Cisplatin, kicked in today. So far no ill effects.

One of Betsy’s sisters, Margaret, is here (from Wilmington, DE) for the weekend so Kevin and I are over at the Eastern Shore to do some maintenance. Having said that, Robyn, Stacy, Annette, Greg and Sean --5603 Condon Rd 21613 come on down! (BTW why is it mostly women offered to cut grass?) Bring weed whackers if you do decide to stop by. I'll provide the fuel!

Regardless, this evening while Betsy hydrates on her chemo cocktails I have license to hydrate with Gin and Tonic….and I am.

Kevin baited the crab pots which a couple of nasty chicken necks (and his cell phone --- that’s a whole other story) and with luck we may even steam some crustaceans before the weekend is up.

Stay tuned and please keep up the prayers.

Thursday, June 05, 2008 -- Now That’s What I’m Talkin About

Betsy has been moved from the CCU to a regular room in the oncology unit. Nice room, nice view and nice people. If I haven’t said it before, I’ll say it now; all of the staff throughout AAMC have just been fantastic.

Betsy’s oncologist, Dr. Boice, met wit us last evening. A number of positive things came out of that visit – Betsy’s surgical staples were removed and we discussed getting down to business with a full blown systemic infusion of chemotherapy.

It looks like the previous infusion of chemo into the pleurel cavity did not do much to inhibit the buildup of fluid there, so the next step is to attack the real cause through a systemic infusion. That will commence sometime this evening with a 24 hour period of Taxol followed by a period of Cisplatin.

Dr. Boice hopes to have Besty home maybe by Sunday. Betsy made it quite clear that she wasn’t going to go home until the fluid issue was resolved once and for all. She was quite adamant that this time, when she goes home, she wants to stay there. Now that’s what I’m talking about!

As always I’ll post updates as new information rolls in.

In the meantime please keep up with your prayers and comments.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008 – Really Great News

Now that Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic nomination that means that Hillary Clinton won’t have a shot at being President any time soon!!

Right about now you’re thinking what’s this got to do with Betsy. We’ll anything that cheers her up is good for her over all well being.

Yesterday’s chemo therapy was placed in the left side of her pleural cavity.

Next a chest drain will be placed on her right side. Accumulated pleural fluid will be drained then chemo will be infused into that area. As previously noted the potential benefits to this are twofold: chemo to fight cancer and pleurodesis to prevent fluid buildup. This procedure and chemotherapy will likely come to pass in the next day or so.

Betsy continues to “feel better” and regain strength. She had a pretty decent lunch today which is the first time she’s really had anything significant to eat in weeks. In a word, her overall attitude is positive.

We expect a visit from her oconolgist, Dr. Boice at some point today and anticipate that when that happens he’ll remove the line of surgical staples that right now resemble a huge zipper up her abdomen.

As things develop I'll post updates.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008 – Cleared for take off!

Around 10:00 PM last night all of Betsy’s care providers reached agreement that her medical signs were favorable to begin her chemotherapy.

Early this morning she was infused using the same catheter which has been draining the liquid from around her lungs. Proceeding in this manner not only provides chemotherapy but the chemo may also result in the pleurodesis that could prevent fluid from reentering Betsy’s diaphragm.

Betsy has been receiving a diuretic causing a significant reduction in edema. Now, she’s actually able to bend her legs and move around in bed with some ease, relatively speaking.

For the first time since this ordeal began, Betsy said she felt like she was getting back some strength. I've asked Betsy to rate how she feels. On the suckiness scale of 1 to 10 - going from least to most suckiness - today comes in at about a one.

I’ve been reading the postings and your comments to Betsy and she wants me to let everyone know how much they have meant to her and bolstered her spirits. I’d be a liar if I didn’t say how much they’ve helped me as well.

Please keep the prayers and comments coming.

PS: Congratulations to Tennie for being the first to correctly identifying yesterday’s title as being from Genesis. Please stop by the house to claim your prize.

Monday, June 02, 2008 – Evening came, and morning followed.

Betsy had a relatively comfortable night. She isn’t hooked up to anything other then oxygen and only got some pain medication to take the edge off the catheter in her back.

She’s still pretty wiped out, and her dance card is full today with her undergoing a Nuclear Cardiac Stress Test.

We suspect that though she may not be in the ICU much longer, she may be here at AAMC for awhile to get her strong enough to undergo the chemotherapy that she needs to fight the cancer.

Stay tuned.

PS: Bonus points will be awarded to the reader who can tell everyone were today’s title comes from.

Sunday, June 01, 2008 – Can we rotate your tires while you’re here?

As many faithful readers might note I didn’t post an entry on Sunday. Here’s why…Around 2:00 PM Sunday afternoon Betsy experienced a continuous sharp chest pain. Since neither of us could attribute it to the continuing problem of fluid building up around her lungs, I called 911.

Anne Arundel County Emergency Services responded quickly and professionally. Nitroglycerine administered by the paramedics did much to help reduce Betsy’s immediate distress and she was transported to the Anne Arundel Medical Center Emergency Room without the hoopla of lights and sirens. Its so typical of Betsy to stay low key.

Neither the EKG done by paramedics in transport or the two done by ER staff indicated that Betsy had a heart attack. So this was really most curious.

However, a chest x-ray at the ER did show that significant fluid had again amassed around her left lung. Can you say pleural effusion? Once again she was tapped – making for a thoracentesis hat trick and qualifying Betsy for free tire rotation the next time she visits the ER.

This time a catheter was inserted in her lower back and remains in place so the fluid can fully drain. Odds are she will have Pleurodesis performed to resolve this problem.

In additional to vexing heart and lung issues, the ER staff was also concerned with Betsy’s continuing post operative swelling, increased white blood cell count, decreased red cell count, general malaise and the overall suckiness of things.

So all things considered, around 9:30 it was decided that the best option was to admit Betsy to the ICU which happened about a hour later.

But prior to going up to ICU Betsy had to be poked and prodded a little more and get a CAT scan to look for any potential blood clots and a few other things. The scan results were unremarkable.

So around midnight or so Betsy was tucked in under the careful watch of the ICU staff.