Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that I am doing very well. The summer is going by so fast! Alison has been here and that has been fun. Aaron and Audra are coming down to see us Aug. 8 and so is Kent's cousin, Heather and her 2 boys. We are really looking forward to that!
I have been looking for part time work (or full time if it is something I love). So, if any of you here about anything I might like, please let me know.
We were in Florida for about a week taking care of Kent's Aunt Carol who had been ill. The rest of the family was at a church conference, so we went to help out. I am glad to report that she is feeling better and improving everyday!
We are enjoying our neighborhood very much. We are all getting to know each other and have had a few gatherings. The last one was here at our house and it was so much fun. This Sunday, we are all going to a Chinese restaurant that is fabulous. Next Thursday, a bunch of us are going to a local auction. It feels good to finally be able to make some friends and have a real social life again!
I will probably not be writing much more on my blog. And, that is a good thing. That means I am well and doing great. I appreciate all of you taking an interest in my blog and thank you all for your prayers and support. Please be safe and be blessed.
Love, Deb
Susan G. Komen Ribbon
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Things are getting back to normal!
Just wanted to let you all know that last week I had my port taken out! That was a big step in getting back to normal. But, the best thing was that I had my mammogram and it came out okay! I was pretty nervous about going, so my friend, Jill, went with me. She has been through this herself and she said she could remember how nervous she was getting her first mammogram. We made a day of it and went out to lunch and to an antique mall.
I have been getting out and walking almost everyday. It feels really good to get out there and do a brisk walk. Today, my friend, Susan and I went to Kennesaw Mountain and hiked the walking trail there. It was great! We plan to do it more often.
Alison is here living with us and it has been wonderful to have her company. We play a lot of Boggle and Scrabble together. We also have some favorite television shows that we love to watch together. I will really miss her when she leaves at the end of the summer.
Our biggest news is that our son, Aaron, has gotten engaged to his girlfriend, Audra. We are so very happy for them and love Audra very much! Looks like the date will be sometime late summer of 2009.
Kent is still not working. Just when he thinks he has a strong "in", it seems like something happens to screw it up! We are trying to keep our chins up, but it gets difficult!
Hope you all have a good summer and I will write an update again soon.
Love, Deb
I have been getting out and walking almost everyday. It feels really good to get out there and do a brisk walk. Today, my friend, Susan and I went to Kennesaw Mountain and hiked the walking trail there. It was great! We plan to do it more often.
Alison is here living with us and it has been wonderful to have her company. We play a lot of Boggle and Scrabble together. We also have some favorite television shows that we love to watch together. I will really miss her when she leaves at the end of the summer.
Our biggest news is that our son, Aaron, has gotten engaged to his girlfriend, Audra. We are so very happy for them and love Audra very much! Looks like the date will be sometime late summer of 2009.
Kent is still not working. Just when he thinks he has a strong "in", it seems like something happens to screw it up! We are trying to keep our chins up, but it gets difficult!
Hope you all have a good summer and I will write an update again soon.
Love, Deb
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
It's Been Awhile!
Just wanted to let ya all know that things are going pretty well as far as my health is concerned. I have a doctor appointment this coming Tuesday. I suppose I will get quite a bit of information at that time, like when I get my port out, how my blood is, etc. So, I will let you know what I find out.
Kent and I had to make a quick trip to Florida a few weeks ago. His Aunt Carol's husband died. He had made a decision to go to Hospice and everyone was told he would probably die in 7-10 days. Instead he died in 3 hours! We were all shocked. But he was ready and now is with God. He was a very nice guy. And, even though the circumstance of why we went there was not good, we did get to see family we do not get to see often and even got to see 2 of the newest additions, Mary Virginia and Lillian. What precious little girls!! On the way home, we decided to drive through Savannah, GA because neither one of us had ever been there. Well, it was really a fun little trip. We stopped and had lunch, took an historical trolley ride, and stopped for ice cream before we left. We enjoyed it so much, that we want to go back for a weekend. Anyone game to go with us?? Aaron is going to post some pictures of us in Savannah. I am sure they are LOVELY!!!!
Yesterday, we helped some neighbors with a screened-in porch they are building. It was hot, but we had fun. That evening, we had a nice pizza dinner at their house. It is great to be meeting people and getting a social life back again! Susan and I have alot in common. She is an interior designer and we like much of the same kind of things. One day last week, we went to a thrift store that was closing and everything in the store was 50 cents!! You should have seen the things we got for a total of $7 and $8!!!
This week, Alison will be here on Tuesday. We are looking forward to spending time with her. I think she is kind of excited too, but it will be difficult for her and her boyfriend, Paul to be apart.
Well, all for now. We still have an extra bedroom and an air mattress! So, if any of you are inclined to visit, we would love to have you!
Bye bye!! Deb
Kent and I had to make a quick trip to Florida a few weeks ago. His Aunt Carol's husband died. He had made a decision to go to Hospice and everyone was told he would probably die in 7-10 days. Instead he died in 3 hours! We were all shocked. But he was ready and now is with God. He was a very nice guy. And, even though the circumstance of why we went there was not good, we did get to see family we do not get to see often and even got to see 2 of the newest additions, Mary Virginia and Lillian. What precious little girls!! On the way home, we decided to drive through Savannah, GA because neither one of us had ever been there. Well, it was really a fun little trip. We stopped and had lunch, took an historical trolley ride, and stopped for ice cream before we left. We enjoyed it so much, that we want to go back for a weekend. Anyone game to go with us?? Aaron is going to post some pictures of us in Savannah. I am sure they are LOVELY!!!!
Yesterday, we helped some neighbors with a screened-in porch they are building. It was hot, but we had fun. That evening, we had a nice pizza dinner at their house. It is great to be meeting people and getting a social life back again! Susan and I have alot in common. She is an interior designer and we like much of the same kind of things. One day last week, we went to a thrift store that was closing and everything in the store was 50 cents!! You should have seen the things we got for a total of $7 and $8!!!
This week, Alison will be here on Tuesday. We are looking forward to spending time with her. I think she is kind of excited too, but it will be difficult for her and her boyfriend, Paul to be apart.
Well, all for now. We still have an extra bedroom and an air mattress! So, if any of you are inclined to visit, we would love to have you!
Bye bye!! Deb
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
A Good Report
Just wanted to report I had a doctor appointment on Friday to check my white blood cell counts, etc., and everything was really good. Actually better than they were the last time! So that is really good. I feel strong and am trying my best to eat right, take my vitamins, and get rest. There is something psychological about not having chemo anymore that is giving me new vitality!!
I had lunch this week with two different women who have also gone thru chemo. We are all doing a little different in our walk, but it is amazing how cancer can create a sisterhood between women. Both women that I met have great attitudes and are really amazing. I am so blessed to have met them.
I have been doing some gardening, so our yard is starting to look like someone actually lives here! I am working on a perennial border. I am doing it in shades of white, pink, purples. It is just so much fun. I also have several pots of herbs that I really enjoy and have already been able to use them in cooking. I also planted an heirloom tomato called "Pineapple". I have no idea what it will be like so it will be fun to watch it grow. Everyday I look at the little blossoms that someday will be tomatoes!
We went to a neighborhood block party on Saturday. It was really a nice party. They had huge grills and did fajita meat, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, sausages, and someone made homemade tamales. It was fun (and interesting) to meet people from all over are neighborhood. Everyone brought a covered dish, the kids had a bouncy thing, the fire department was there and climbed up a ladder about 5 stories high, and took a picture of all of us below. A band played and they gave away door prizes. Next time you see Kent ask him what he won!!
Well, gotta leave for church. Have a great and blessed week.
Love, Deb
I had lunch this week with two different women who have also gone thru chemo. We are all doing a little different in our walk, but it is amazing how cancer can create a sisterhood between women. Both women that I met have great attitudes and are really amazing. I am so blessed to have met them.
I have been doing some gardening, so our yard is starting to look like someone actually lives here! I am working on a perennial border. I am doing it in shades of white, pink, purples. It is just so much fun. I also have several pots of herbs that I really enjoy and have already been able to use them in cooking. I also planted an heirloom tomato called "Pineapple". I have no idea what it will be like so it will be fun to watch it grow. Everyday I look at the little blossoms that someday will be tomatoes!
We went to a neighborhood block party on Saturday. It was really a nice party. They had huge grills and did fajita meat, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, sausages, and someone made homemade tamales. It was fun (and interesting) to meet people from all over are neighborhood. Everyone brought a covered dish, the kids had a bouncy thing, the fire department was there and climbed up a ladder about 5 stories high, and took a picture of all of us below. A band played and they gave away door prizes. Next time you see Kent ask him what he won!!
Well, gotta leave for church. Have a great and blessed week.
Love, Deb
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
yesssssssssssssssssssssssss! We're done!
What a great couple of days I have had! Monday, Teri Nelson and Lucia Hillenmeyer came down from Nashville to celebrate my last day of chemo on Tuesday, May 6. It was just such a wonderful thing for them to come, and boy did we have fun!
Monday, no sooner had they brought their suitcases in, we took off for Trader Joe's for a wine purchase (these poor Nashville people have to stock up while they are here)! Nashville is getting a Trader Joe's, but right now you cannot buy wine in grocery stores so everyone is wondering if that could change! After Trader Joe's, we did a little shopping and then headed out to a new restaurant called Urban Flats. Lucia wanted to try it because her husband's cousin is opening one in Nashville in the Gulch. The restaurant is a new concept with emphasis on Flatbread entrees. They also have wine sampling. It was really good, and I would recommend going once it opens in Nashville. Very hip, very urban, and very uptown! Then we raced home to watch Dancing with the Stars (truth be told, mostly so I could watch it)!
Tuesday, was the really big day! We had breakfast and headed over for the FINAL CHEMO TREATMENT!! My blood work was good, so I got the go ahead for the infusion. Dr. Andrews came in as usual to talk to me and told me that I could get my port out in about 4 weeks. I still have to go in and get lab work done, and a check up on May 28. After that I will see him every 3 months for awhile, and then every 6 months, and so on for 5 years. He explained that with my kind of cancer, if it recurs, it is usually in the first 5 years, unlike estrogen positive cancer which does not get an all clear until 10 years. He really feels my prognosis is good, based on the fact that my margins were clear and no lymph nodes were involved. I am so lucky, because the grade of my cancer was aggressive, so praise God for that! So, after the chemo session, we had a very light lunch, went to Harry's, came home and had a glass of wine, a quick change of clothes, and grabbed Kent as our designated driver and headed to the Buckhead Diner for a great dinner. We had the best waiter, who kept us really entertained! Then on home for American Idol.
Today, we did a little more shopping, had lunch, and the girls went with me for my Neulasta shot. They left after that. It was sad to see them go, but meant the world to me they came to see me and be with me!
Friday is another big day, Alison graduates, so we will be heading to Knoxville for that celebration. We will spend the night and come home Saturday.
Kent and I took a nice 40 minute walk tonight. The weather is so pleasant and I felt pretty good except for a little shortness of breath and indigestion that I always get like clockwork after the chemo. I do know that walking is really good for you, because it helps push the chemo through your body.
Once again, I appreciate everyone who reads my blog and love hearing from anyone who does read it. Hopefully, I will never have to have a blog for this reason again! However, I will be doing periodic posts just to let you know how I am doing and what is going on. If you are a praying person, pray that the cancer cells are completely gone from my body forever! Thank you and God bless all of you!
Love, Deb
Monday, no sooner had they brought their suitcases in, we took off for Trader Joe's for a wine purchase (these poor Nashville people have to stock up while they are here)! Nashville is getting a Trader Joe's, but right now you cannot buy wine in grocery stores so everyone is wondering if that could change! After Trader Joe's, we did a little shopping and then headed out to a new restaurant called Urban Flats. Lucia wanted to try it because her husband's cousin is opening one in Nashville in the Gulch. The restaurant is a new concept with emphasis on Flatbread entrees. They also have wine sampling. It was really good, and I would recommend going once it opens in Nashville. Very hip, very urban, and very uptown! Then we raced home to watch Dancing with the Stars (truth be told, mostly so I could watch it)!
Tuesday, was the really big day! We had breakfast and headed over for the FINAL CHEMO TREATMENT!! My blood work was good, so I got the go ahead for the infusion. Dr. Andrews came in as usual to talk to me and told me that I could get my port out in about 4 weeks. I still have to go in and get lab work done, and a check up on May 28. After that I will see him every 3 months for awhile, and then every 6 months, and so on for 5 years. He explained that with my kind of cancer, if it recurs, it is usually in the first 5 years, unlike estrogen positive cancer which does not get an all clear until 10 years. He really feels my prognosis is good, based on the fact that my margins were clear and no lymph nodes were involved. I am so lucky, because the grade of my cancer was aggressive, so praise God for that! So, after the chemo session, we had a very light lunch, went to Harry's, came home and had a glass of wine, a quick change of clothes, and grabbed Kent as our designated driver and headed to the Buckhead Diner for a great dinner. We had the best waiter, who kept us really entertained! Then on home for American Idol.
Today, we did a little more shopping, had lunch, and the girls went with me for my Neulasta shot. They left after that. It was sad to see them go, but meant the world to me they came to see me and be with me!
Friday is another big day, Alison graduates, so we will be heading to Knoxville for that celebration. We will spend the night and come home Saturday.
Kent and I took a nice 40 minute walk tonight. The weather is so pleasant and I felt pretty good except for a little shortness of breath and indigestion that I always get like clockwork after the chemo. I do know that walking is really good for you, because it helps push the chemo through your body.
Once again, I appreciate everyone who reads my blog and love hearing from anyone who does read it. Hopefully, I will never have to have a blog for this reason again! However, I will be doing periodic posts just to let you know how I am doing and what is going on. If you are a praying person, pray that the cancer cells are completely gone from my body forever! Thank you and God bless all of you!
Love, Deb
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