Look Good Feel Good

I have a had a lot of questions on how I'm doing this week. For the most part pretty good minus the joint pain. They are telling me I have joint pain a little longer this time due to the lovely weather.

The other question is how have the kids at school responded to me having little hair. Actually only about 10 kids have asked me what happened to my hair and why I'm wearing a hat. Basically is not a big deal to them.

Last night I went to the Look Good Feel Good class (aka Eye Brow class). It was a fun class and it was nice being with other ladies who are going through chemo. I got tons of makeup from almost every different makeup company. The instructor who volunteers her time was a makeup artist and had a lot of helpful hints on makeup. Her two big tips were to wear lipstick when you leave the house and also how to make eye brows when you lose them. I won't be making eye brows on regular bases.

Today at work Linda Hawk had fun making me 5 fabulous eye brow stencils. If your at Hamilton you can check them out they are on my desk.

This Friday I have a doctors appointment first and then chemo. Dena will be going with me on Friday. I think she already has the movies picked out for us to watch. I know we are ordering pizza for lunch.

Have a fabulous rest of the week
I will try and blog again on Friday
Anna

Yesterday's Fun

Yesterday was a big day in my world. First I emailed both my school staffs and told them what's going on with me and I had a hair appointment not knowing if I was coming out with a shaved head or bald. I do have some hair, but basically a buzz cut.
Three days a week I'm lucky enough to get three great boys up in the morning and ready for school. This morning was the first that they saw me without my hair. The first picture is of Joshua and myself. It is the first time that he saw me without hair. They have asked me to wear my real wig. Sorry boys, you won't see me much in my real wig, it will probably be a hat.
Also my dad was a good sport and shaved his head at work today. I think he's trying to pull a Matt Lauer. Thanks dad for the support. My mom also got a very cute hair cut today.
Thanks for all your prayers, well wishes, and support.
Have a great weekend
Anna

Chemo #4 and Joshua's Request

Sorry I didn't blog last night, but I came home super tired from chemo or the week. I slept most of the evening.

Yesterday was the half way point for the chemo treatment if everything goes as planned. So that's sort of exciting. My blood counts were the best they've been in a while. As much as I hate getting my shot, I guess it's a good thing. I have to go in on Sunday morning for my shot this time.

On Thursday morning Joshua had a request that I get some pictures so he could see what chemo looks like. I'm sure some of you would also like to see. The first two pictures are my Nurse Karen injecting meds into my iv. It's sort of like getting a shot, but it is in my iv mixed with solution. The third one is Nurse Karen hooking up an iv with some chemo meds in it. It's a lot of sitting around. I have 4 iv drips(2 are premeds anti nausea and the last two are chemo meds) , and 2 injections (both of these are chemo meds that taste bad) every time I go in. Hard to believe that what goes in my arm tastes bad right away.

This time my dad came with and we watched Anchorman. I can't say that it's a good movie, but it's funny. We spent quality time laughing. Then we watched Oprah. This was the quickest getting in and out of chemo, 4 1/2 hours.

I will say I have had very good nurses. Every time I go in I have had a new nurse and I like the first one, then the second one was good, the third one was good, and the fourth one was awesome. Very educational and helped me out in changing what I do during the injection meds so I don't get so much of the nasty taste . Eating ice chips helps a ton or at least is time.

I'm still on my soup, applesauce, and bread diet for the next few days. Allison, thanks for the soup it will be eaten this weekend. I'm very sensitive to smells the first few days after chemo. I end up eating a lot by myself at home just because it's easier for me.

One last thing, I'm looking for a rainbow clown wig to borrow for the boys in the morning. My hair is falling out a lot, good thing I started with very thick hair. I do have a wig and a bunch of cute hats. Dena brought me back a cool scarf from her vacation a few weeks ago to teach swimming lessons in.

Have a great weekend
Anna

The good and the bad

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

First the bad news, Bailey (our winter dog) is going home tomorrow. She's such a great dog and we enjoy having her during the winter while her owner is in Texas.

The good news, Jill (one of my cousin's) had a baby girl. Here is a public plea for pictures.

This week has been a good week overall. My energy level is still low. I was able to meet someone on Saturday for a 3.5 mile walk. I'm still not up to running. I did get in the water and teach aqua jog this evening.

I have chemo again on Friday at 1:00, this time my dad is going with me. It should be fun getting entertained by him. I think he's hoping we watch some movies, we better check and make sure the player works in the room.

Have a great rest of the week
Anna

Happy Easter

Sorry I haven't updated my blog, but I don't have much to report.

This week has been a pretty normal week for me. I worked Monday through Wednesday and had Thursday and Friday off. It's nice have a few days to rest. I worked more then I should of at the beginning of the week and spent most of today resting. It's still hard for me to manage how much I can do and what I want to do.

I still have some joint pain and bone pain, but it's sort of managed for the most part with meds and a bath before and after work.

Have a Happy Easter
Anna

Zoo and Cycle #2

Last night I spent the night at the Minnesota Zoo in Discovery Bay with 30 plus 4th and 5th graders. The kids did a nice job of behaving themselves and going to bed for the most part. I did get some sleep.

Today I start the first day of cycle #2. Dena came with for entrainment and helping me out. We met with the doctor first all of my issues are normal for chemo. Hot flashes are normal, and body aches are normal because of my age. I did get a change in med for my body aches. I have my shot this time on Sunday morning they didn't have any openings on Saturday afternoon.

So far I'm doing okay the same as every other Friday night on chemo.

I'm going to meet with the people at the American Cancer Society on Thursday to check out their resources.

The picture attached is how I spend most of my weekend. Bailey is my protector.

So far everyone is loving the hair cut. Thanks girls for the hair cut. I'm still in a little shock that it was paid for.

Have a great weekend
Anna

Hair Cut

Yesterday I decided it was time for a hair cut. I was tired of my hair falling out in the shower and I needed something shorter. After calling the girl who normally cuts my hair and I couldn't get in. I made another phone call to get suggestions on who to cut my hair. The suggestion came that I go to Laura at KAI Salon in Champlin. To my surprise when I went to pay, I was told that it was taken care of. I can't thank the girls at the pool enough. Laura did an amazing job and what an awesome treat. I must say that I did smell good all day. The pictures are of the before hair cut and then after the hair cut today before teaching aqua jog.

Overall this week has been a good week. I have had a pretty normal schedule. Thursday night I will be going to the Minnesota Zoo with 30 plus 4th and 5th graders and spending the night in Discover Bay. I will be leaving them early Friday morning and heading back for chemo. Dena is going with me and we have a doctors appointment first then chemo. I will start chemo around 11:00. You are more then welcome to stop by if you are around Robbinsdale.

Thank you girls for the hair cut!!

Have a great Friday
Anna