Olympic Glory

Well this has been a hard week. Three days of chemo, a Nuelast shot on Friday, and recovery. The recovery this time has been a little harder. I have been so tired. For most of you who know me very well you know I am not one to stay down long. But I did finish the 6th Harry Potter book in record time. Just one more book of that to go, have to wait on paperback though. I hate hardback books. But that is okay, I can wait. This was the first one that I have read before the movie was out.

So I have been having problems with energy and my stomach a little. Heartburn is a killer. Amazing how in my life, before cancer, I had only had heartburn once. Now it can come without any thoughts, mostly since the radiation. Scary that the radiation got rid of the spot in my neck that popped up toward the end of chemo but now I have problems with drainage and heartburn.

I have also had breathing problems today pretty good. Kevin and I got out today, taking stuff to the post office, having lunch at Wendy's and going to one of his favorite scavenger hunt places for records, GOOD WILL. We found a Paul McCartney album and since Barbara and Sid speak so highly of Allison Krause he pick up a cd of her's as well. He loves finding new music and getting recommendations from people. So if you got a great suggestion let us know! But anyway by the end of these short excursions (I sat down the whole time at good will) I was exhausted and couldnt breath well. So I have been having little crackles in my lung again the last two days and now shortness of breath.

I still did the dishes tonight though, go figure. I am a gluten for punishment I guess. But that is okay, I feel better mentally doing that so that is why I do it. I have had so much support from so many people the last few days that I felt I needed to get my butt up and do something. I want to thank everyone who has brought me food, ordered me food, and prepared me food. Kevin and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity. It has been great and transferred over to lunches as well. Thanks to Sandy and D'anah from work for the food. It was delicious. Thanks from Kathy, Christie, Patty, and the Itailian food gooddess (I didnt get your name). And thanks to Caron and Maria for getting it all organized. It has been a life saver.

Kevin and I have also been Olympic freaks, watching it most of the day, all day. Never seen some of the sports, like archery. Pretty cool. Make sure everyone checks it out. It needs our support.

So tomorrow I head to my oncologist and get my blood checked. I hope to get an update on the dates I will be having my next pet scan, transplant orientation, and when BEAM will be and then of course transplant. I will keep everyone updated as I continue my journey down at Baylor of Dallas. Love to everyone.

Roxanne

Start of Something Special

Welcome everyone to my blog. I hope to be able to keep this up and let everyone know how I am doing and where I am at with my chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. This will be a pretty open and honest blog through my journey. I look forward to hearing from anyone and everyone.

I am currently on my second round of ICE chemotherapy. I had 1 hour of chemo last night with one drug. Tonight I will get all three drugs. Its the hard night for me because it last so long. So much chemicals going through my body as well as saline. I will be up way to much going to the bathroom for sure. The side effects mostly are extreme exhaustion, some nausea, and hair loss as you will see below if you missed me at work on Friday. Other than that it hasn't been too bad yet. The next round will be a chemotherapy package called BEAM. That will be the bad set. It will eliminate my entire immune system. From the research I have done I will get pretty sick. But if it will help to keep it from coming back again I am all for it.

As you see I have lost my hair. It started falling out only two weeks after chemo. I have lost about 75% of it and Kevin shaved off the rest on Thursday. Thank goodness for him. We went to the circus on Thursday night and had a great time. I have to enjoy these few moments I get while I can. My best friend Danielle came up to see me on Saturday from Houston and that was such a treat. We don't get to see each other as much as we would like so I treasure every time I get to see her. And my sister will be coming to stay with me during transplant while my parents go on a cruise to Alaska to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. I am looking forward to getting to spend some time with her even if it is when I wont be feeling well. And my friends Chris and Peter sent me a beautiful scarf from to cover my head with. They live in Vegas and I am jealous of that. Chris and I have known each other since 1993 at college(we shared a dorm room our Sophomore year) and she is the reason that I first met Kevin and was reunited with him.

Well I hope everyone is doing well. If you think I didn't send this blog to someone that would love to see it just forward it on and let me know whom to add to my distribution list. I love the feedback and support from anyone and everyone. Take care all and I miss you.