On May 14th the residents at Stoneybrook Retirement Center in Riverdale held a yard sale in behalf of my family. One of my previous students, her grandma's sister is the director. When she heard our story of my husband losing his job and me being diagnosed with cancer, they decided to make it a service project. I was so touched when they called me this week asking me to come see them so they could present me with the funds they raised.
There were about 8 residents waiting when I got there. They are very elderly and most are in wheelchairs. The director said they worked on the yard sale for weeks, pricing and organizing. One man in particular took most of the tasks on himself. He told me he was a little worried that they wouldn't be successful that day, but in his words they were "really busy". The director also told me it was so good for them because it gave them something to work for that had meaning. I was so touched. For most of the day they sat out in the parking lot selling items that had been donated. Most items were priced at 25 cents. They even sold baked goods and cotton candy. Some stayed outside the entire day selling things.
You can imagine my surprise when they handed me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a card signed by all the residents and a jar filled with $453.00 that they had raised. My eyes filled with tears. To see these people who have so many limits themselves, raising money in behalf of my family. I was speechless. I had so much love in my heart for them. It makes me feel so good to know what kind people there are in the world. To show so much love for my family that they have never even met. I just hope that my children can see the examples of all these kind people and that someday we can return the favor to someone in need.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
5th Chemo treatment
I feel badly it has been so long since I updated my blog. I didn't realize how many people have actually been reading it. Several people have made comments about it not being updated in a while...so here is the update.
I had my 5th chemo treatment on Monday, May 16th. I moved my treatment to Monday instead of Thursday because my brother got married on Saturday, May 22nd and I was afraid I wouldn't be feeling well in time for the wedding. It was the first of my 4 Taxotere treatments. I feel like it was another hurdle to cross in being finished.
At the beginning of the treatment they gave me Benadryl in case I had a reaction to the drug. I think I might of had a reaction to the Benadryl because instead of being tired I felt like getting up and running around the room. My legs were having involuntary muscle spasms. The nurse assured me it would go away, but I think it was the longest 1 1/2 hours of my life. Needless to say, I didn't like having this treatment.
Weeks before the doctor had told me that this treatment was more mild and that other patients had done "better." In fact I was looking forward to getting this treatment hoping it would actually be a week off of relaxation and not being sick. I guess I was wrong. The first and second day I felt pretty good. I wasn't nauseated at all. In fact I drove myself back to the doctor's office the next day to get my shot. Maddie and I even went to lunch. But the rest of the week I was in extreme pain. My whole body ached. All my joints and muscles were throbbing. I could barely get out of bed or even walk. My doctor recommended taking Loritab and Ibuprofen 800 together. I guess I am not prone to being addicted to drugs because I don't like the way they made me feel. They make me very sick to my stomach. I tried to make it on just the Ibuprofen but it was very difficult. Yes it was a long week. Friday I tried to go back to school, but they ended up calling in a sub after about an hour because I was still in so much pain.
The following Sunday morning I woke up and both sides of my neck, from my ears down to my shoulder, were burned. It looked like I dropped my curling iron on my neck. My arms have itchy rashes all over them and now I have burns on my face. I called the doctor's office and they said it is from the Taxotere and to take Benadryl. Oh joy...not Benadryl again. I did however try it and I was up all night. So I guess I will just let it take its course. I'm sure it will go away just in time for treatment #6.
It has taken me about 2 weeks to get feeling better and now my next treatment is just around the corner. But hey 5 down...3 to go. YAY!!
I had my 5th chemo treatment on Monday, May 16th. I moved my treatment to Monday instead of Thursday because my brother got married on Saturday, May 22nd and I was afraid I wouldn't be feeling well in time for the wedding. It was the first of my 4 Taxotere treatments. I feel like it was another hurdle to cross in being finished.
At the beginning of the treatment they gave me Benadryl in case I had a reaction to the drug. I think I might of had a reaction to the Benadryl because instead of being tired I felt like getting up and running around the room. My legs were having involuntary muscle spasms. The nurse assured me it would go away, but I think it was the longest 1 1/2 hours of my life. Needless to say, I didn't like having this treatment.
Weeks before the doctor had told me that this treatment was more mild and that other patients had done "better." In fact I was looking forward to getting this treatment hoping it would actually be a week off of relaxation and not being sick. I guess I was wrong. The first and second day I felt pretty good. I wasn't nauseated at all. In fact I drove myself back to the doctor's office the next day to get my shot. Maddie and I even went to lunch. But the rest of the week I was in extreme pain. My whole body ached. All my joints and muscles were throbbing. I could barely get out of bed or even walk. My doctor recommended taking Loritab and Ibuprofen 800 together. I guess I am not prone to being addicted to drugs because I don't like the way they made me feel. They make me very sick to my stomach. I tried to make it on just the Ibuprofen but it was very difficult. Yes it was a long week. Friday I tried to go back to school, but they ended up calling in a sub after about an hour because I was still in so much pain.
The following Sunday morning I woke up and both sides of my neck, from my ears down to my shoulder, were burned. It looked like I dropped my curling iron on my neck. My arms have itchy rashes all over them and now I have burns on my face. I called the doctor's office and they said it is from the Taxotere and to take Benadryl. Oh joy...not Benadryl again. I did however try it and I was up all night. So I guess I will just let it take its course. I'm sure it will go away just in time for treatment #6.
It has taken me about 2 weeks to get feeling better and now my next treatment is just around the corner. But hey 5 down...3 to go. YAY!!
May is a month of Ethan
Looking back at the month of May, I realize now how much was focused on our dear sweet Ethan. To begin we were so proud of him at how well he did at his piano recital. He loves taking lessons and rarely complains when I ask him to practice. In fact it was his idea to even start taking piano 3 years ago. when he asked if he could start taking lessons we didn't even own a piano. He practiced on a keyboard for the first year so we could see if he was going to take it serious enough to purchase a piano. 3 years later he is still loving it.
We were again proud of Ethan this month when he received his Webelos and his Arrow of light in the scouting program. He earned 19 out of 20 activity badges, which shows how much he really enjoys it. I can't believe he will be in the Boy Scouts now. When the boys receive their arrow of light they cross a bridge showing their advancement into the Boy Scouts. Then they get to sign their name on the bridge. It was a special day for Ethan. They also presented him with a shadow box that holds all of his badges he has earned as a boy scout.
Ethan also had his 11th birthday. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He was just dying to get an air soft gun so he can battle with the neighbor kids.
This is Ethan and his friend Kaden posing as Wilbur and Orville Wright for school. The 5th grade had the kids dress up like someone in American History. Then they posed like wax figures as we walked through their "wax museum." I was amazed how well the kids did at holding still acting like they were wax figures.
We are very proud of Ethan and all his accomplishments. He is such a joy to have in our lives. He definitely keeps us laughing.
We were again proud of Ethan this month when he received his Webelos and his Arrow of light in the scouting program. He earned 19 out of 20 activity badges, which shows how much he really enjoys it. I can't believe he will be in the Boy Scouts now. When the boys receive their arrow of light they cross a bridge showing their advancement into the Boy Scouts. Then they get to sign their name on the bridge. It was a special day for Ethan. They also presented him with a shadow box that holds all of his badges he has earned as a boy scout.
Ethan also had his 11th birthday. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He was just dying to get an air soft gun so he can battle with the neighbor kids.
This is Ethan and his friend Kaden posing as Wilbur and Orville Wright for school. The 5th grade had the kids dress up like someone in American History. Then they posed like wax figures as we walked through their "wax museum." I was amazed how well the kids did at holding still acting like they were wax figures.
We are very proud of Ethan and all his accomplishments. He is such a joy to have in our lives. He definitely keeps us laughing.
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