Today my baby BJ would be 27 years old. But instead of celebrating, I am feeling blue. This is the start of my depression month.
I have been really tired lately. I am not sure why. I have plenty of energy at work, but when I get home, I am exhausted. The hot flashes are bad at night, and I am awake almost every hour. Maybe that is why I am tired.
I have been feeding the ducklings cracked corn. They are so cute to watch. They dive under the water at times, and sometimes just put their head under the water with their little butts sticking up. I had a nest of bunnies in my flower bed by the lamp post. But the day after I discovered them, they were dead. I haven't seen the momma, so I guess something happened to her. I buried the five little bunnies in the next door yard.
My patient Peggy Lietz passed away this weekend. She came to me when she found a lump in her breast. It turned out to be a metaplastic breast tumor, very rare, and very deadly. We were diagnosed at about the same time.
I am looking forward to the next shop hop.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Lazy summer
Summer so far has been pretty quiet, except for nobody feeling the best. I had a relapse of my sore throat, to the point that I have an appointment for a videostroboscopy next month with Ed McCammack in ENT. My voice is still a little raspy, not noticeable. Thank goodness that horrible pain is gone.
I asked LeAnn Young at the cancer center about breast MRIs, as I seem to get some conflicting answers. She told me that Dr. Fernandez wants you to be off tamoxifen and Femara 3 weeks before a breast MRI, and that she personally didn't think that being off that treatment was a very good idea. I don't either, but I couldn't understand the why, so I contacted Dr. Fernandez about this. She told me that she wants ladies off SERMs and estrogen 3 weeks before the breast MRI, as they make it more difficult to read. But the aromatase inhibitors, of which Femara is, actually make it easier to read the breast MRIs. She feels that I should have breast MRI. So does Dr. Collins, so I will see if I can get the insurance company to pay for it.
The East Central Illinois Quilt Shop Hop is over, and I am almost done with the quilt top. This is a record for me. The proceeds from this shop hop goes to breast cancer research, so I especially wish to participate. The Illiana shop hop is next month, I am looking forward to it. I will be going to some new shops. Kathy at the Needle 'n I in Rantoul gave me a peek at the blocks, and I like the look. Very country. Unfortunately, there are only 10 shops, thus only 10 blocks, so to make a rectangular quilt, I need to make 2 more 12" blocks, or one 12"x24" block. I saw what Kathy had done, and I am getting some ideas already.
I was sorely tempted earlier this week to get a new sewing/embroidery machine. I was at the shop in Danville, which is solely a Janome dealer, and they have the 11000 there set up. And of course, on sale. Wayne had went with me. It was gonna be over $6000 out the door. I can't justify the drain of my savings account. I don't think I would use that embroidery aspect enough to make it worth the while. But I might in the future. Thank goodness I am such a cheapskate. Wayne offered to help with the cost, but I just can't justify it. Maybe someday.
We have more company coming, but at least I had some warning. Just don't know exactly when to expect them. I thought they would have been here by now. This is Todd, Julie's oldest son, his fiancee, and two kids. I hope he isn't bringing his pit bull!
I asked LeAnn Young at the cancer center about breast MRIs, as I seem to get some conflicting answers. She told me that Dr. Fernandez wants you to be off tamoxifen and Femara 3 weeks before a breast MRI, and that she personally didn't think that being off that treatment was a very good idea. I don't either, but I couldn't understand the why, so I contacted Dr. Fernandez about this. She told me that she wants ladies off SERMs and estrogen 3 weeks before the breast MRI, as they make it more difficult to read. But the aromatase inhibitors, of which Femara is, actually make it easier to read the breast MRIs. She feels that I should have breast MRI. So does Dr. Collins, so I will see if I can get the insurance company to pay for it.
The East Central Illinois Quilt Shop Hop is over, and I am almost done with the quilt top. This is a record for me. The proceeds from this shop hop goes to breast cancer research, so I especially wish to participate. The Illiana shop hop is next month, I am looking forward to it. I will be going to some new shops. Kathy at the Needle 'n I in Rantoul gave me a peek at the blocks, and I like the look. Very country. Unfortunately, there are only 10 shops, thus only 10 blocks, so to make a rectangular quilt, I need to make 2 more 12" blocks, or one 12"x24" block. I saw what Kathy had done, and I am getting some ideas already.
I was sorely tempted earlier this week to get a new sewing/embroidery machine. I was at the shop in Danville, which is solely a Janome dealer, and they have the 11000 there set up. And of course, on sale. Wayne had went with me. It was gonna be over $6000 out the door. I can't justify the drain of my savings account. I don't think I would use that embroidery aspect enough to make it worth the while. But I might in the future. Thank goodness I am such a cheapskate. Wayne offered to help with the cost, but I just can't justify it. Maybe someday.
We have more company coming, but at least I had some warning. Just don't know exactly when to expect them. I thought they would have been here by now. This is Todd, Julie's oldest son, his fiancee, and two kids. I hope he isn't bringing his pit bull!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Life update
Well, my laryngitis is improved. I thought for a while there I was going to have to see Ed McCammack. But it is starting to be but a bad memory.
Of course, Wayne had to catch what I had. His ear was very inflammed, and I started him on Ceftin. Because Wayne has a habit of snotting in his hands rather than a tissue, and he never washes his hands, he gave himself conjunctivitis. So one more thing I have to do for Wayne, give him his eyedrops (of course, he can't give them to himself.)
I am sooooooo missing Steve. I could feel his presence Saturday afternoon. It was so remarkable. If I had smelled his Polo, I would have sworn he was physically there. I talk to him in my mind, wandering what he would have to say about things that are going on. I pray that Carol and Gilvie are doing well.
Wayne failed to tell me that his friend Julie was going to be stopping by for a few days visit. Well, he did tell me about 4 hours before she got here. That would not be acceptable if that had occured to him.
Of course, Wayne had to catch what I had. His ear was very inflammed, and I started him on Ceftin. Because Wayne has a habit of snotting in his hands rather than a tissue, and he never washes his hands, he gave himself conjunctivitis. So one more thing I have to do for Wayne, give him his eyedrops (of course, he can't give them to himself.)
I am sooooooo missing Steve. I could feel his presence Saturday afternoon. It was so remarkable. If I had smelled his Polo, I would have sworn he was physically there. I talk to him in my mind, wandering what he would have to say about things that are going on. I pray that Carol and Gilvie are doing well.
Wayne failed to tell me that his friend Julie was going to be stopping by for a few days visit. Well, he did tell me about 4 hours before she got here. That would not be acceptable if that had occured to him.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
My ears!
Well, I am having no pain in my ears, but when Wayne got up this morning and turned on the television, I thought I was going crazy. It sounded like the sound was vibrating. It sounded funny when I brushed my teeth with the sonic care. I had Dr. Browder look in my ears, and she said my left is starting to look red. I have started on Ceftin, once again. Hopefully I will get over this without incident. I do not want to be on steroids.
Tracheitis
Wow! I didn't realize that I hadn't posted in 6 weeks! A lot of things have happened!
Our new neighbors moved in. Al and Clara are sweet, hard of hearing, and bewildered at times. Al is 91, a retired surgeon, and Clara is 86. Al is pretty disabled with his back and hips, also very poor hearing. Clara does everything, like I do, for Al. Their daughter Kathleen is a sweetheart and she and her husband help them out a lot. Clara likes me, and says that she feels good just knowing I'm next door.
Wayne's daughter Donna was here for a week in June. She was bored the whole time. She did like the quilt I gave her. We went up to Naperville to visit Laurie and her family. Ken came down and visited with us. Laurie got on my case about Wayne. I don't know what to do. Wayne has got to be motivated to make his own changes. I try to support his good habits, and discourage his bad. But I can't make him be more active if he doesn't want to be.
Poor Scooter! We kenneled him at the vets for the weekend we went to Laurie's. I picked him up on Sunday night and the vet said he had been fine. The lady who picked up just in front of me had an animal who had developed diarrhea while there. She was told it was stress, but they had put it on antibiotics. Well, we got home, and Scooter promptly pooped on the living room rug. I was getting gas in my car at that time. Scooter later went on to have more poop on the rugs. I called the vets the next morning, but thought it was just stress, not to feed him until it had been 12 hours from his last poop, then boiled hamburger and rice. By that evening he had had 2 or 3 more poops, pretty mucuosy, and Scooter was looking pretty punk. We took him to the emergency animal clinic. No fever, but he did have an overgrowth of bacteria in his stool. They placed him on metronidiazole for a week. And I started fixing him boiled hamburger and rice (thankfully, I had a bunch of rice leftover from earlier in the week.) He started perking up pretty quickly, and best of all, no more poops on my carpeting. Thank goodness we had purchased a Spotbot right after we moved in. It has paid for itself!
We have also had our back patio enclosed to make a sunroom. I love it, and all the neighbors have complimented us on it. Of course, Donny Robinson is going to get one just like it (although he says his will be better...right). We had Jason and Angie make a strip two foot out from the back side of the house, edged with brick and filled with river rock. We have brick pavers for steps outside the three doors. I have planted two red roses so far. These went in front of the white porch bannister on the patio that we did not enclose. I bought some pleated flag bunting to hang from the bannisters for Fourth of July. I have received a lot of nice compliments on that. Nina from across the pond said I had stolen her thunder, as she was going to do the same. I told her I think it would look great for her to have it also, and gave her the brochure from the website that I used to order it. I couldn't find any in town.
Which brings me up to today's title. I have been feeling pretty good. Really no fatigue. June 27 I rode my scooter home from work in the rain. Didn't get chilled, and stripped and took a hot shower immediately when I got home. Felt well on June 28. June 29 I started feeling lousy, headache, bodyaches, fevers, chills. I laid around the house all day, worried that I might not be able to work on Sunday. Felt better on Saturday June 30. Had a slight sore throat, and little nasal congestion. Started coughing Saturday night. Not a deep cough, more from the back of the throat. By Sunday morning, I am feeling great, but I am pretty hoarse. I managed to see 40 patients in 6 hours and still stayed cheerful. The next day, yesterday, I go to work, but I am even more hoarse. But I feel great otherwise. Last night while fixing supper, I started to chill and have the body aches. My left ear also started to hurt. Took a Vicodin and went to bed.
Woke up this morning at 4:30 and couldn't stop coughing. Cough is coming from the back of my throat. My ear feels a little better. I'm thinking I have tracheitis. Makes sense, as I had esophagitis from the radiation, the trachea is right there, and LeAnn said I could be at risk from pneumonitis for 6 months after I was done with treatments. I started myelf on Advair on Sunday. I see Dr. Chaudry this Friday. I don't see LeAnn for another 2 weeks.
I am starting to get some sensation back in my left breast that I had lost during radiation. I am getting a pulling sensation when I lift, reach with my left arm and shoulder. I am trying to keep it supple.
I have been praying for God to help me with patience with Wayne. I am praying that I keep a good attitude, that I don't be sarcastic. It is a horrible struggle for me. That is why I need God to help me.
I got the new Janome sewing table! It is wonderful! Well worth the money spent. Next weekend is the East Central Illinois Quilt Shop Hop. I am also signed up for the Illiana Quilter's Shop Hop in August. Can't wait!
Our new neighbors moved in. Al and Clara are sweet, hard of hearing, and bewildered at times. Al is 91, a retired surgeon, and Clara is 86. Al is pretty disabled with his back and hips, also very poor hearing. Clara does everything, like I do, for Al. Their daughter Kathleen is a sweetheart and she and her husband help them out a lot. Clara likes me, and says that she feels good just knowing I'm next door.
Wayne's daughter Donna was here for a week in June. She was bored the whole time. She did like the quilt I gave her. We went up to Naperville to visit Laurie and her family. Ken came down and visited with us. Laurie got on my case about Wayne. I don't know what to do. Wayne has got to be motivated to make his own changes. I try to support his good habits, and discourage his bad. But I can't make him be more active if he doesn't want to be.
Poor Scooter! We kenneled him at the vets for the weekend we went to Laurie's. I picked him up on Sunday night and the vet said he had been fine. The lady who picked up just in front of me had an animal who had developed diarrhea while there. She was told it was stress, but they had put it on antibiotics. Well, we got home, and Scooter promptly pooped on the living room rug. I was getting gas in my car at that time. Scooter later went on to have more poop on the rugs. I called the vets the next morning, but thought it was just stress, not to feed him until it had been 12 hours from his last poop, then boiled hamburger and rice. By that evening he had had 2 or 3 more poops, pretty mucuosy, and Scooter was looking pretty punk. We took him to the emergency animal clinic. No fever, but he did have an overgrowth of bacteria in his stool. They placed him on metronidiazole for a week. And I started fixing him boiled hamburger and rice (thankfully, I had a bunch of rice leftover from earlier in the week.) He started perking up pretty quickly, and best of all, no more poops on my carpeting. Thank goodness we had purchased a Spotbot right after we moved in. It has paid for itself!
We have also had our back patio enclosed to make a sunroom. I love it, and all the neighbors have complimented us on it. Of course, Donny Robinson is going to get one just like it (although he says his will be better...right). We had Jason and Angie make a strip two foot out from the back side of the house, edged with brick and filled with river rock. We have brick pavers for steps outside the three doors. I have planted two red roses so far. These went in front of the white porch bannister on the patio that we did not enclose. I bought some pleated flag bunting to hang from the bannisters for Fourth of July. I have received a lot of nice compliments on that. Nina from across the pond said I had stolen her thunder, as she was going to do the same. I told her I think it would look great for her to have it also, and gave her the brochure from the website that I used to order it. I couldn't find any in town.
Which brings me up to today's title. I have been feeling pretty good. Really no fatigue. June 27 I rode my scooter home from work in the rain. Didn't get chilled, and stripped and took a hot shower immediately when I got home. Felt well on June 28. June 29 I started feeling lousy, headache, bodyaches, fevers, chills. I laid around the house all day, worried that I might not be able to work on Sunday. Felt better on Saturday June 30. Had a slight sore throat, and little nasal congestion. Started coughing Saturday night. Not a deep cough, more from the back of the throat. By Sunday morning, I am feeling great, but I am pretty hoarse. I managed to see 40 patients in 6 hours and still stayed cheerful. The next day, yesterday, I go to work, but I am even more hoarse. But I feel great otherwise. Last night while fixing supper, I started to chill and have the body aches. My left ear also started to hurt. Took a Vicodin and went to bed.
Woke up this morning at 4:30 and couldn't stop coughing. Cough is coming from the back of my throat. My ear feels a little better. I'm thinking I have tracheitis. Makes sense, as I had esophagitis from the radiation, the trachea is right there, and LeAnn said I could be at risk from pneumonitis for 6 months after I was done with treatments. I started myelf on Advair on Sunday. I see Dr. Chaudry this Friday. I don't see LeAnn for another 2 weeks.
I am starting to get some sensation back in my left breast that I had lost during radiation. I am getting a pulling sensation when I lift, reach with my left arm and shoulder. I am trying to keep it supple.
I have been praying for God to help me with patience with Wayne. I am praying that I keep a good attitude, that I don't be sarcastic. It is a horrible struggle for me. That is why I need God to help me.
I got the new Janome sewing table! It is wonderful! Well worth the money spent. Next weekend is the East Central Illinois Quilt Shop Hop. I am also signed up for the Illiana Quilter's Shop Hop in August. Can't wait!
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