Hospital Stay

Hi this is Heather, checking in for Valerie. She has no internet at her hospital and feels horrible not being able to post on her blog, so here is what she told me to type, give or take.

" I started having a fever Saturday night so Heather drove me to the ER where they admitted me immediately as my fever continued to grow. I have some type of infection and with such a low white blood cell count, they wanted to keep me in the hospital on antibiotics as a precautionary measure till my white blood cell count started to rise again. They say it usually bottoms out 7-10 days after chemo and thats exactly where I am at. So Tuesday is my hopeful release date, i have no fever anymore and am feeling much, much better. I slept great last night, unlike the few previous nights and my white blood cell count is on rise. Things are looking good, Im feeling good, dont worry about me. I will check in when I get out of here. "

Day at the DMV

My drivers license expired so I decided to renew it while I had the time and strength. I woke up early, went to give blood ( which was 2.3..yea!) and headed for the DMV. After about 2 1/2 hours waiting for my number to be called I got a phone call from my doctor. She said my white blood cell count was .08 which means my immune system is not working very well. She said I had to monitor my temperature, stay away from sick people, and avoid large crowds.  I said "I am at the DMV, is this not a good thing?"  She kinda gasped and told me to go home. I was there for another hour and a half.  I did get my drivers license though. 
It was Tammy's 34th birthday on Wednesday... =>  or maybe her 35th...  ;) I lost track.   Anyway Happy Birthday!!  I am excited about her and Lisa and her family coming out to San Diego. I wish it was under better circumstances. I feel better about my surgery knowing they will be here.
I also want to say again how much I appreciate my San Diego family. I don't know what I would have done without their help and support. You are all awsome!!
Oh yea, Becki I got the box you sent. Cute Jamy's!  Thanks!

another good day

I woke up this morning with a icky tummy. I ran out of nausea meds. Albert took me to refill and give blood. After taking my pills we went out to lunch. Its amazing how well  these pills work!  I went to home depot to find a part for the pool that is being refinished in the back yard. I got everything but the correct thing.  I tried.  Anyway results in on blood tests: INR is good at 2.4, but white blood cell count is 1.8 which means my immune system is not working real well.  This is to be expected when going thru chemo. I just need to stay away from germs. Later in the afternoon I went walking with Heather the kids and my dog ozzy. There were alot of dogs at the school and ozzy ran so hard and fast I thought he would pass out, (which he did do when we got home.)  The excercise was good and I must do it more. Next blood draw is thursday. I get a few days off.  YEA!

2.3...YEA!!

My INR is 2.3 today. No more shots in my belly. I was starting to look like I had been shot with buckshot. Now my blood is very thin but that stops blood clots from forming.  I feel good today.

Good News

I received good news today.  My INR (bloods ability to clot) is 2.0....YEAAA!!! It needs to be between 2.0 and 3.0 to be able to stop daily injections. I need to be within these numbers for one more day then I can quit stabbing myself in the belly. Not Fun!  
I started making protein shakes yesterday. I have protein powder that I mix with Ensure and anything else I can put in,( ie. bananas, yogurt, orange juice, milk, strawberries....) I will be healthy for surgery!
Yesterday I had chemo and today I feel very run down and tired. But all in all I feel good. They changed my Thyroid meds again up to 137 mcg.  Because of the cancer and chemo my whole body system is outa whack, so changes are to be expected .
Linda made me a large picture frame that holds many pictures of my grandchildren. It is awsome. It is hanging on the wall at the end of my bed. If I am feeling low I just look at thier little faces  and I instantly grin and feel much better. I miss my daughter and her family very much.
I miss all of you but your always on my mind!!

Chemo day

Today was Chemo Day. Everything went good. I'm a little tired but otherwise I feel fine. Linda went with me. It was probably the most boring 5 hours she has had. My INR count (blood ) is finally going up. It is 1.4, yesterday 1.2, and the day before 1.3. Our goal is 2.0 so I can stop these daily injections. They kinda hurt.
Tammy is booking a flight the day before my surgery, June 27, so she can be with me for the next few days after.  Steve and Lisa are driving out that same weekend. Becky is going to try to come out for a few days after I leave the hospital. I hope you guys know how much I appreciate all your help and support. Though it does make me kinda wonder if I would have so many people come to help me if I lived in Bakersfield instead of San Diego...LOL.

Oh yea, today while I was doing Chemo, I went to the ladies room and discovered my pants were on inside out. Linda and I got a good laugh out of that. Well she is now on here daily walk and just called me to say she just discovered that here shirt is on inside out. LOL. I guess you had to be there.

Well I am still feeling kinda tired, so I am going back to bed.  I love you guys

New Hair

look at me! I grew hair! 

Well the truth is the American Cancer Society gives one free wig to cancer patients.  I like it alot.
The doctor told me that my tumor marker went from 355 down to 168, which  shows the chemo is working? Also my lungs sound good and I have no pain. YEA!! My INR or blood thinning numbers are still low, but I need to get my coumedin level adjusted. I am still giving myself shots in the belly ever day for this but hopefully that is temporary. I started taking steroids today to get ready for Chemo tomorrow.
I also talked to my daughter Jessi and my grandaughter August. YEA!! Today is a good day!