I like popsicles.

Let me catch you up. Last Tuesday I had an appointment with my plastic surgeon. He took a sharpie and drew on me. He used a tape measure and marked where he needed incisions to be made. He gave me the sharpie to keep in case it needed to be redone. 

Pastor also stopped by. It was great to hear the promise that God was with me and was going to be with me. He brought the Lord's supper and I was told my sins were forgiven and God loves me. Messages that I needed to hear before I went to the hospital. I am so thankful my pastor was able to come over before my surgery. 

The next day I got up and drove to the hospital. (Yes my parents were in the car with me) Jovi was not happy being left at home alone. But she couldn't come to the hospital with me. 
I checked in and they have volunteers to take you to the floor and room you need to be at. I love that I didn't have to find my way around the hospital. I would've gotten lost I am directionally dysfunctional.  I got to the room and the very nice nurse came in to get me ready. Not for surgery. That would come later. She got me ready to go to get isotopes injected. The gentleman who took pictures of the isotopes was very chatty. I know I had him before for my heart scan. They watch where the isotopes go so they know what lymph nodes to test . They want to find the first one it goes to, that is called the sentinel lymph node. Then they take a couple of others. So I had to lay down with my arm over my head then get scanned, and they had to do it for both sides. 

After they were done, they took me back to the first room. I got my IV started and my surgeon came in to check on me. The anesthesiologist came in and chatted with me. He told me they would monitor my vital signs and keep me out for the whole time. That was good news to me. I also had to sign something that said he had chatted with me. 

They got me prepped for surgery and that was the last thing I remember. 

 Apparently after I got out of surgery I asked for a cherry popsicle. Now the surgery lasted about 6 hours. Once my surgeon was done on one side, she moves to the other side and the plastic surgeon goes to work on the first side. The surgeon went to speak to my parents after she was done and the plastic surgeon spoke to them after he was done. They went home and Jovi was happy to see them. 

I spent the night and woke up quite a bit. Part of it was the breathing thingy went off a couple of times. Because the tubes had moved out of my nose.  That was because I had itched my nose and moved them by accident. 

Nurses came in to check on me and see how I was feeling. I didn't feel too much.I was sore and couldn't move my arms a lot. Which I knew would happen. 

My rockstar surgeon came really early in the morning. I think she came before the sun was out and asked how I was doing. She said the surgery went well. Something you always want to hear from your surgeon.   I ordered breakfast. I had a bagel with peanut butter. I had to eat breakfast and lunch before I could go home. 

I will confess. I was worried about if I could put my right hand behind my back. I couldn't at first and needed help for certain necessary bodily functions. The nurses were great in helping me with that. Not something I was excited to ask for help with. I am able to put my hand behind me now. 

I had a ham sandwich for lunch. It was good. and I didn't have any nausea. Which was great. 

My plastic surgeon came in and said things went really well. I was glad to hear that from him also. 

I did have four drains put in. Which I still find icky. I know they have a really good purpose, but I still find things like that icky. 

  

I learned how to take care of the drains and that they need to be emptied and measured multiply times during the day. Yucky. I had about 5 pages about what was needed after I left the hospital. 

I have a corset and a camisole to wear. The camisole has pockets for my drains. The Hawaiian men shirt I brought was great. It was festive and big enough to cover my corset and camisole. 

I got home and Jovi was so happy to see me. I was happy to see her. I went to lay down and sleep. I had pillows to prop me up. Jovi wasn't happy she wasn't able to sleep with me. She has been my protector during this whole journey. 

I had a step stool next to my bed for me to get in bed with ease. The next morning, my mom took Jovi outside, Jovi pushed open my door and jumped on the step stool and then landed on my bed. She walked over my legs and laid down. She was so happy to be next to me. I was so shocked she was on my bed I never thought her little legs would be able to get on my bed without someone lifting her. She showed me. 

I was taking my meds and  napping when tired. I have the best people around. I have people who have volunteered to bring meals while I am not able to get around. My parents and I have been eating some great meals. I am so thankful for everyone who has helped me. 

I had taken my pain meds and I became really itchy, not a little itchy, like can hardly stand being in my skin itchy. It was really bad. I called the nurse and talked about what was going on. I thought it was an allergic reaction. She said it was a side effect. I was told I could just take an over the counter and if that didn't work, then I should call to get a different prescription.  The over the counter has been working great. 

I had limited mobility with my arms. Slowly it has gotten better. I have exercises to do everyday. I am listening to my body and making sure I don't over do it. 

Tomorrow is my appointment with my plastic surgeon. I'm looking forward to see what my next steps are. I know whatever steps there are, God is with me. 

Soon and Sooner

I had a great week. It was my bonus week. 

Well, I had a "chemo" treatment on Tuesday. It's not the full chemo that I was having. This treatment I get every three weeks from now to end of March. This treatment doesn't make me tired or nauseous.  And it doesn't take as long. What took so long was that my hemoglobin was 6.6 which is not good. And since I have surgery coming up next week, they decided to give me a blood transfusion. So after I was done downstairs, I went to the fifth floor to get blood. That took about two hours to get a unit of blood. The nurse asked if I wanted to lie down. No thank you. I would rather sit up and knit. I finished one hat and worked on the second hat. 


Jovi was happy to see me when I got home. Then I had to work on my presentation for Thursday. It was about Google Draw and Google Slides. I had made scratch off cards for those coming to my section. 

I was so excited to work the hospitality desk for Summer Learning Academy. It was so nice to see the LMS and catch up with them. They are an amazing group of people. They asked how I was doing and said if I needed anything to let them know. I am blessed to work with such amazing people. 

My presentation went well. I was glad. Then I went to the Keynote about Internet safety for students. I learned a lot and was reminded about some things. I even won a prize. (ok everyone got a parting gift, but I was the first one called). 

I had my appointment with my rock star surgeon. She went over what I should expect before and after surgery. She kept telling me I am young and will be great. She's so amazing and to tell me I'm young was really kind. She showed me what my drains will look like and looked at all my follow up appointments. My surgery is coming up soon. As I told her I'm ready for the surgery, (even though I find the drains icky). And she gave me all the notes she wrote so I can go back and look at them again and show them to anyone who wants to know. 

With this week I had a lot of random thoughts go through my head. One night I was tired, did that mean my hemoglobin went down again?  I have to remove my nail polish before surgery. What do I need to do yet? What sub notes do I need to write? I sneezed, Am I getting sick? Am I drinking enough? Am I asking too many questions? Should I be asking all these question? Should I do laundry? 

My poor sewing machine had issues this week. It is in the shop being cleaned. Three weeks until I get it back. I still have some hats to work on.So I have something else to work on besides my quilts.  At least I had Cookies to help me feel better. 

These are really good cookies!!

Jovi was growling when she was looking out my patio doors. I thought someone was walking their dog in the park. She usually doesn't growl at people who are playing disc golf in the park. I looked out the window to see. 

They were right by my patio. And they stayed and looked around. I stood there and watched them. They were probably watching me and Jovi. Who was still growling at them. She never barked, just growling protecting her property. 

So this Wednesday I go to the hospital in the morning. I can't eat after midnight and no liquids either. Ugh, I like eating! I have to have some injection of isotopes and wait. After lunch (which I don't get to eat) is my surgery. As soon as my rock star surgeon is done on one side, she moves to the other side and the plastics doctor starts on the side she is done with. After the surgery, they get me up and walking. I was promised a popsicle after I wake up. I am going to make sure I get my popsicle.

 So Wednesday I will need plenty of prayers. Pray also for my surgeons (both of them) and the nurses. I know My God will watch over me. Which is one reason I'm not scared to go to surgery. God is already there and he will guide the surgeons hands. 

I stay overnight in the hospital and get to go home as soon as I have two meals without throwing up.  I'm wondering if my parents can bring me some french fries maybe some chicken nuggets? And that will count? 

Ta Ta

I'm at the end of my good week. I have a bonus week next week. 

I am blessed. I had a great week. 

Friends gathered with me to celebrate the end of my chemo. There was also cake. It was so much fun to be surrounded with great people who support me and my journey. I know at any time I can call on them and they will be there for me. The food was good, the cake was good, the cookies were good.

         

I wore my purple hair. I had to wear my purple hair. It matched the cake and my outfit. 

I love my good week. I was able to go to a conference in Oshkosh. I learned some helpful hints that I can pass on to the teachers next school year. I'm so excited to share what I learned. 

We have had some scary weather. Monday we had bad storms and Wednesday we had bad storms. God has made sure I stayed safe during the storms. I saw many big trees down along with power lines down. 

I was so grateful to have some friends visit. We walked around the Botanical Gardens in Green Bay. I was able to walk around the Botanical Gardens. I had the energy to do that. It was a great day spent with great people.  And we went to the Butterfly exhibit. 

           

God has blessed me with great people in my life. I know I sound like a broken record when I talk about how God has blessed me. I realize how blessed I am when I am with my friends and hear from my friends. They have been supportive and have cheered me on and have encouraged me to keep a positive attitude. 
I also am glad they are willing to meet me for supper, lunch or just to take a walk. 

                  

And I got some new stickers!! I still have more room for stickers. 

I am preparing for my double mastectomy.  I have a ton of doctors appointments. My phone rang and it was the doctors office, my heart sank I had thought I had forgotten a doctor's appointment. No they were calling because they needed to reschedule an appointment. I was having issues with my account. It said I had no appointments scheduled, when I actually had appointments scheduled. I felt bad because I work with tech, I should know how to set up an account and figure it all out. When I asked about it, I was told everyone was having issues logging in, that made me feel a lot better. 

I have next week that I will still feel good. I drank tea! it tastes really good. I had missed tea. I'm glad I can have tea again.  I might have to go back to the grocery store and get more tea!!

A new day!

My low days are done! My really low days lasted until Friday. Friday I still took two naps. I pinned some quilt triangles, I worked on school stuff. I kept busy. Busy is good. I was busy sitting on the couch. Wow, there is no tired like chemo tired. 

I did have the TV on while I napped and worked. I binge watched some shows. I think I can rescue any bar now. ( from watching Bar Rescue) and cook for a competition. (watching Hell's Kitchen and Guy's Grocery Games). 

Saturday I got out of the house to pick up food. It was so nice not to eat my cooking. You would think I would have better food after watching cooking shows. That was a big outing for me. I was still tired. But after six chemo treatments, I'm sure my body was tired. 

Monday I had an appointment to get my hemoglobin checked. If it wasn't above 7, then I would need a blood transfusion.  The number came back 7.7  The very nice nurse asked how I felt. I said I was Monday tired. Then I explained that Monday tired was not as tired as my Thursday. She still look confused and wondered why I was still tired. I told her by Wednesday I would be fine. She was ok with that. I was just excited that my number had gone up. And she said it would continue to go up. 

Now that my tired week is over, there are some things I will not miss. Washing dishes with gloves on, flushing the toilet twice. I won't miss that especially in the middle of the night. Going to bed at 8pm because I'm so tired. Washing my hands all the time. Being tired walking up the stairs. 

 

I am thankful for all the friends who messaged me and kept my spirits up and focused on the end goal. I am so blessed! I am also thankful for technology. Seriously. I remember when I first started teaching and I had to wait until the weekend to call long distance or after 9pm. Now friends from all over are calling, messaging, texting, snapchatting and I appreciate everyone taking time to check on me. 

Tuesday I went to school to record book talks. It was great to get out and get to work. Of course I love being in front of the camera. And in case you are wondering, when I recorded the book talks, I did not wear the tiara. I know some of you are shocked. 

I also went to see The Lion King. It was really good. There was still one part that I couldn't watch. I covered my eyes. 

Yesterday I sat outside and worked. I love sitting outside listening to the birds. Jovi also loves being outside. I'm glad she does. I was also able to grill outside today. I love grilling. I haven't done it as much as I would've liked to. I'm a fair weather grill person. I usually don't grill in the winter. Maybe some year I will try it. Oh and I got a hand and foot massage. Wow that was amazing. 

And today is the Titletown Nighttime market. If you haven't visited Titletown, you really need to. It is a great place to visit. They have so many activities for adults and children. I like that they have ping pong tables and other games to play. 

I'm presenting at the Summer Learning Academy, I'm going to an EdCamp conference.  I'm so looking forward to these opportunities.  I also have many other fun things planned. And yes, I am resting, drinking fluids and getting ready for the next step.  

And. Drum roll please........I get to drink tea next week!! I'm so looking forward to drinking tea!!! That was the one thing I really missed. 

When I started this journey, my last chemo seemed so far away. And now it is here. Now I'm going on to the next step. My journey is continuing to a new phase.  Which also has paperwork that I need to do. There is always paperwork.