last outpatient treatment

     Going out with a bang!  We showed up early for labs and had a 12:45 doc appt...got done with the doc at 1:50.  That's when they tell me my chair time is 1:30.  I rush upstairs and check in...They are 2 hours behind.  UGH!  That's ok because it's time for lunch.  We go to the cafeteria with a pager.  I had a nice salad and soup.  We met Wayne Ronald McDonald and played euchre.  He is from Holly, MI.  He comes down for 3 months and stays with his son.  I didn't catch what type of cancer he had but his daughter had breast cancer and he just lost his wife in February.  We enjoyed our game and I wished him well.  It was almost 4 with no page so we headed upstairs.  We sat down at a puzzle and met up with Wayne and his daughter again.  This time we built a puzzle.  They call a lady back who I overheard say her appt was at 2, so I go to the desk.  A mistake was definitely made and they got me back within minutes.  The main reason I wanted chemo today and not the 31st was so the $11,000 shot would fall under 2013.  Well turns out they are only open until 4 tomorrow and I can't get my shot until 8pm at the earliest.  So I'm scheduled to get the shot at 8am on the first.  I don't like when things don't work out the way I plan.

     They just told me they are moving me up to 5 north because they have too many patients.  I am regretting not getting treatment on the 27th like my doctor wanted.  I think I have an hour left.  I'd rather go sit out in the lobby and finish that puzzle, than go up to 5 north.  I wasn't excited to ring the bell (you get to ring it on your last treatment) but now I'm feeling like I want to put my fist through it.  I suppose that could be the steroid talking.  I will be so glad when I don't have to come up here anymore.  I'm a patient person but this place can get a little ridiculous.

Merry Christmas

not sure what dad is looking at but this is the 3rd attempt so this is what you get.

Love the turned over trash can at this complex

Santa's stuck

     First Christmas in Florida and it's a beautiful day.  We are missing all the family that couldn't be here but definitely enjoying the easy traffic and weather.  Listening to Christmas music next to the boats on the river was a bit odd but still enjoyable.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas...more pictures to come!

Nutcracker

     Mom and I went to see the nutcracker tonight.  It was good.  It was mostly kids...high school and younger.  It's neat to see how each dance company interprets the story.  Last year there was an adorable caterpillar made up of tiny children.  This year the adults in the beginning danced quite a bit.  I remember going to the Fox to see the nutcracker with mom, Aunt Mary and Becky.  I loved it!  I wish I would have started collecting nutcrackers back then but it's never too late to start a new tradition...I wish it could include the same people every year but life steps in and changes what's possible.  This year I night a little hobbit nutcracker.  It's cute and we did just see the new hobbit movie (imax 3D) which was awesome.  Not a big fan of some of the changes from the book but you can't win them all.

treatment free holiday

     Went in for treatment today and it turns out my neutrophils are low.  I can't say I'm upset about this one.  I do want to get this done but it will be nice to enjoy Christmas with everyone coming down.  So my next treatment is scheduled for the 31st.  Happy New year's eve to me.  This means I'm going to miss Jeff and Vals party but I really can't push it off any further.  it's also going to be another outpatient treatment instead of in.  That way it's just a few hours in the chair and I can spend the rest of the time my folks will be here at home.  So my last treatment will be inpatient in mid January.  I should be back to work by the end of Feb on light duty I'm sure.

Just a few more pics

Banyan trees at Edison Estate

Really cool tree at Edison/Ford

So tiny! and loud!

Beach

Crab

I took many pictures of birds but this was my favorite.  So many species all in the same place!

Next

     I went down to Cape Coral for the weekend.  My plan was to pick mom up from the airport in Fort Myers but by the time I got to Donna's I wasn't feeling up to more time in a car.  I took my temperature once I got there and I was at 100.5!  I'm supposed to call the doctor and they always tell me to come in at 100.6.  Not exactly how I wanted to spend my weekend.  I laid down on the couch and it eventually went back down.  I think it was from driving with the sun on me for 2 hours.  I tried to use the window shade to block the sun as best I could.  How ridiculous is that!  A little bit of sun on my arm and neck for 2 hours and I get a fever.  Cancer is stupid and I am ready for this to be done!

     We had a great weekend though.  We went to see a song and dance Christmas show with dinner that was really cool.  We went shopping and out to eat, of course.  We went to the Edison/Ford house to see the pretty Christmas lights...it is a little odd sweating while looking at lights.  Then we went to Captiva/Sanibel island to drive through the Ding Darling Wildlife Sanctuary.  It was great to see so many birds (and 1 crab).  We ate at a restaurant on the beach called the Mucky Duck.  More pics...

Love mornings on the lanai with a cup of coffee

Awesome restaurant called Fords.  This is the sink in the ladies room.

Restaurant on the beach...I guess you'd rather see a picture of the beach.

I'm back

     I have not had access to something other than my phone for awhile, and that is a pain to blog from so I have lots to tell and pics to show.  Starting with the best part of the last few events, was seeing my family during my nieces birthday party.  My sister in law sent me an invitation to the party, which we all know I can't attend, but on the back she wrote to reserve some time between 3-6 to video chat.  She put me on the tv and I could see everyone in the living room.  I watched Eisley open presents and blow out her candle.  It was such a great idea and I wish we had been doing that all year!  Here's some pics

     It was a great way to spend some time with my family.

I would say more...

But my computer can't seem to connect to the wireless today and this is coming to you from my phone.  So here is a picture of what I did Sunday.

Doing alright

     The last treatment went well.  I was actually done in 3 hours instead of 4.  I no longer need the "red devil" (I can never remember the name of it...doxorubi-something) and other fluids I get can run together, cutting my time in the chair.  I also found out I do not need the neulasta shot anymore.  That is the shot that makes my marrow produce white blood cells faster which causes significant bone pain, so that's a bonus.  This one shot costs more than the treatment, facility, doctor, etc combined.  It is insane!  If you are going to get cancer...you better have insurance, that's all I'm gonna say.

     Today, I am experiencing some weird pain, not unlike the bone pain I would get from the shot.  It's a soreness in a knee, an elbow, an ankle, a few teeth, hips, bicep...totally random places.  It's not constant in each place.  It's moving around my body like I'm a pinball machine and every time the ball hits a spot it lights up.  So I'm uncomfortable.  I took a pill to make me more comfortable...still feel the pains but now I also feel a bit loopty-do.  I was going to do something outside of the house today but I'm not doing that anymore.

     My hair is growing back full force!  At the moment it's just long and white enough that it looks like I stuck my finger in a light socket.  I wonder if that really happens...if you were to put your finger into a socket would your hair stand up? I think it would have to be a pretty serious amount of voltage which might kill you.  Hmm.  Anyways, my hair was wet yesterday after showering and I could see long dark hair laying flat against my head.  As soon as I dried it, I couldn't tell it was dark anymore and you have to tilt your head just right in the light to really see how long it is. 

   

treatment #12

     Starting treatment any minute now.  Actually, I'm not sure what's going on.  I think they forgot about me.  I am in my chair and haven't seen anyone for 20 minutes.  I lucked out this time...private room with bathroom!  I did not luck out on lunch however...

     Doc says if my counts are not good on the 17th for my next treatment we can wait until January 2nd for treatment so I don't have to be in the hospital the week of Christmas.  He actually was about to give me the option of just waiting but I want to get this done.  I've got to get back to work sooner rather than later!  He also said the last few treatments are not as important as the first and that if my kidney values are not good, sometimes they knock off the last treatment.  That is rare though so not getting my hopes up...I'd rather have good kidney values and have to go through all the treatments anyways.  My wish is all my organs hold up and are as strong at the end as they were coming  into this.  

     Ok, it's time to find someone and get some answers...in a nice way :)  This is getting to be ridiculous.