From Dena

My role this weekend was definitely the easy one. I actually enjoy my four day work weeks when I take Anna to chemo. I get to take a day away from the office and spend it with Anna instead. I really just sit and watch TV with her and entertain her for a few hours. It can be exhausting to sit around for all those hours. But it is nothing compared to watching her get sick while they pump poison into her veins.

I try to help by getting the ice chips during the injection chemo and cracking a new heat pack when the last IV burns a little going in. Or I help to re-arrange her blankets after she needs a bathroom break. And lately I have been the one to provide the movie selection so that we have something to watch other than daytime TV.

This weekend, I spent the whole weekend with her while our parents were downtown celebrating an award Dad received. Sometimes it is easy to forget that she is sick. She still wants to be active and is always starting new projects. Her strength amazes me. Not just how well she deals with the initial side effects of chemo with the nausea and all but also how well she deals with the hair loss and changes in her skin and many other changes she has noticed. She doesn’t dwell on these things but is always looking forward. Looking to the next step in treatment and looking forward to when this is over and life can get back to normal.

Anna is dealing well from day to day and she has her routine down after going through this seven times already. She didn’t really need me watching over her but hopefully I provided some entertainment and distraction from the illness for a few hours. I know that I didn’t get as much sleep as I was hoping for during the weekend and Anna didn’t seem to sleep much either. But I’ve heard that since I left she has done more napping so maybe I was too entertaining.

I know that your comments on her blog mean a lot to her. So please sign your name and let her know that you are reading and thinking of her even if you don’t have a comment. She has been surprised by many of you who are reading and how you found her blog. It was great to hear from Aunt Pat and cousin Heather and many of you that have provided comments regularly. Every little bit helps Anna get through this challenge.

Dena

Chemo # 7

First I forgot to report that my white blood cell count was great on Wednesday morning. I think I pray more for the shot then anything. I can't stand the shots. Thank you Judy for taking me, it was wonderful taking with you.

This weekend Dena is spending quality time with me. She took me to my doctor and chemo yesterday and is now spending the rest of the weekend with me since my parents are in Minneapolis for my dad's award banquet. I was a little concerned about having chemo so early in the morning. I usually have my appointments around noon but this time we started around nine. I thought things went pretty good. My dad stopped in to check on me and Dena and watch a movie with us. Dena did let me watch some of the morning talk shows. Love watching Hoda and Kathy Lee in the morning. They are so funny. I also had a few phone calls during chemo so that helped distract me for a while. I had a problem with nausea during chemo so they gave me some more meds and that seemed to help along with peppermint oil. On my way home I made a few phone calls checking to see if any one had peppermint oil.

When we got home I was tired and took a short nap. And got a phone call on where to find peppermint oil. I don't think Dena thought she would be driving around so much for me. We also tried ginger candy. I haven't decided if I like it or not.

Here is the funny part of the evening. My mom called about 10pm to check on us. I answered the phone said a few words, threw the phone to run to the bath room to get sick. Dena told her it was all her fault since I was doing fine until she called. But it seems to be that time of night after chemo since it was the same time as last time.

In 13 days I have my last chemo. Here is the plans for treatment as of right now. I will have my next PET Scan after that and meet with my doctor again and the radiologist. The earliest I can start radiation will be two weeks after chemo. They have to wait for all of my meds to get out of my system.

I will try and have Dena write on my blog this weekend. I also have some pictures to down load and get on my blog. With some cute things I have received from school.

Have a great weekend
Anna

Another Week

Overall, last week wasn't too bad besides having fatigue. I can't believe how little energy I have. My dad keeps reminding me what my body has been through. I can't wait for next four weeks until chemo is over. Not that I wish any time away. I'm hoping to have a little break between chemo and radiation. So I can get back to walking, running, swimming, or biking.

This weekend was nice and relaxing. The weather was great. I spent much of Friday sleeping. Saturday I was able to do the laundry for the one of the first times since I started chemo. Now that's exciting. On Sunday I did go to Church and then my dad and I went to a car show. It's a little tricky this summer that I can't wear sunscreen with chemo or radiation.

This week should be my last week at school for the school year. It seems like we just started school. I'm going to the Twins Game on Tuesday evening with a group from St. Paul's Church. I have my lab work on Wednesday to have my white blood cell count checked. They are almost sure I'm going to have to get a shot this time. I have doctor's appointment on Friday and chemo right after. Dena is going to the Doctor and chemo with me again. Then she's going to spend the weekend with me. My parents will be in Minneapolis for an awards weekend for my dad.

Aunt Patty it was a honor for you to walk for me in Washington. Heather, I usually wear jewelry except for in the mornings. I figure the boys could care less. They are more worried about what's for breakfast and when the donuts are coming.

Have a great week
Anna

Another Day at Chemo

Friday morning I had a doctor's appointment. Everything is normal. The doctor told me I didn't need to get a shot again this weekend, but I will need to go in and get my white blood count tested again the Wednesday before treatment. He said to expect to get a shot on Wednesday and Thursday. I was at 8.0 two weeks ago and yesterday my white blood count was at 3.0 and I need to be at 2.0 to continue with chemo. I don't have a lot of room to drop this time. My parents have been concerned about the amount of fatigue that I have had after this last round of chemo. The doctors and nurses reaction was that it took you this long to get fatigue. I will have another PET scan after my last chemo.

Chemo was faster then normal this time which was nice. Dena and I did have enough time to watch two movies. Cindy Scheevel came with my dad for lunch. It was great having new enterainment. I think we are still laughing, thanks Cindy.

When I got home from chemo, with icee in hand, I was really tired and slept most of the evening. Last night was one of the first times that nothing tested good. I think my mom got tired of running up the stairs changing what I would try to drink. I finally told them to go get another icee. I also had extereme nausau and called the on call doctor. He basically told me to relax and if it's still bad this morning to call and I could go in for an IV. Last night was the first time I got sick after chemo.

This morning so far I'm feeling pretty good. I did have breakfast and a little drink.

Thanks for all the support and cards
Anna

Lab work

This morning I went in to have my white blood cell count. It's low but not low enough for a shot. We are now hoping it doesn't go to low for chemo on Friday.

Thanks for your prayers and support.
Yah for no shot
Anna

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's.

Last week was a little interesting, overall I did okay. It was nice not having to go in and get the shot. I was still tired most of the week and I had some problems with nauseous on Tuesday. I also had a little joint pain but not as bad as normal and that was from not getting the shot on Sunday.

On Saturday, I went to a dinner party at one of the girls that works at the pool. They had a fun time wearing wigs. I think they found out why I normally don't wear my wig. Thank you Cathy for the wonderful food.

For Mother's Day, my brother Bryan came home matching my dad's and my hair style.

I go in on Wednesday morning to have my blood work and we are hoping that my white blood count is up so I don't have to get the shot.

I have a doctors appointment (10:15) and chemo (11:00) on Friday.

Have a wonderful beginning of the week
Anna

Celebrating

On Saturday it was my brother Bryan's birthday. Happy 31st Birthday Bryan. Today we celebrated his birthday with a home cooked meal. I had one piece of chicken, baked potato and a few veg's and of course Dairy Queen ice cream cake.

Overall I'm doing pretty good just tired and a little upset stomach. I was able to make it to church today with my 6 pills for breakfast and an icee on the way home from church. And a good nap in after that.

I'm still celebrating not having to go get a shot this weekend. I'm having a little bone pain but nothing like before.

Thank you for all your support and prayers.
Anna

Chemo-Cycle #3 Day 1

I get requests for pictures. The first is the products from the Look Good Feel Good Class-now you know why I look so good. The next picture is me in chemo with my IV, the next picture is the IV in my left arm.
The next pictures is the TV (yes, I have questions about how big the TV is) and the last picture is my fan club for the day watching a movie after eating pizza (Dad and Dena)

This morning we first met with the Dr. Ross Siemers, my oncology doctor. He checked my lymph nodes and found no signs of any lumps. That is very exciting! Also, my white blood cell count is up so I don't have to go and get my very hated shot this weekend. Instead, I need to have my blood checked the Wednesday before chemo and if it's a problem then I would get a different shot. I'm quiet sure I could of kissed him for not having to get a shot. He was full of good news in my world. I'm hoping to have very little joint and bone pain now. Life is Good!

For Chemo I had the same nurse as last time, Nurse Karen is amazing! Dena (my sister) came with me for chemo and the doctors appointment. Dena has been a rock through my treatments and doctor visits. For lunch my dad brought in pizza from Broadway Pizza and joined us while we watched a movie. It's always nice having visitors. Overall, Chemo was about the same as before just a long day. We got to the clinic at 10:00 and left just before 4:00. It's way to much sitting around for me.

One fun thing is sometimes when I'm at chemo people will walk around handing out cookies and greetings. Today a guy I think his name is Peter, he's friends with one of the staff at the clinic, comes by with the most awesome cookies for everyone and he's so cheery when he comes in. Today he came in and discussed that he was wearing a sweater on top and shorts on the bottom. Winter on top and summer on the bottom, we decided that's Minnesota weather.

Pool Staff, I did see Julia again at chemo. It's to bad we run in to each other at Chemo instead of at fun stuff in the real world. Things are looking up for her and she is truly amazing. It helps me seeing her chemo even though it's not a fun place to met people you know.

Tonight when I got home I was super tired and nauseous. I did take a nap and woke up feeling better or was it from seeing Joe Mauer hit a home run in his first at bat that helped the nauseous.

I was able to eat some chicken noodle soup, and bread for supper. My normal first meal and I'm on the icees for drinks. We stop and get one on the way home and my dad ran and got me another one later. It helps with the nasty taste my mouth.

Have a good weekend
I will try and blog again this weekend
Anna