Exciting News

Here is the exciting update.

Yesterday my Dad and I went to the doctors (my family won’t send me to the oncologist alone). And Dr. Larson was actually on time. Dena and I have waited 45 minutes to see him. The exciting news is the lymphoma is gone. I still have three lymph nodes they are watching. I will be one of those people they are always watching. We also got to see my last scan. I do have some lung damage from radiation (I also had some before radiation) and he also said my two lungs won’t look the same any more.

He did ask about my cough and I said some days I cough 5 minutes a day and some days 5 hours a day. He asked if I want some medication and I told him no if it was prednisone. I have been on it long enough and I don’t like the side effects (weight gain).

Also Dr. Larson said I could start working out again. Even with a high heart rate (126 yesterday at the doctors, it should be between 50-90). He told me that I know what I can do. I’m sure my Dad didn’t like that answer, Dr. Larson doesn’t know me very well, and I can be a little stubborn. I have an Echo gram on Monday and a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday to have my heart rate check out.

We have our winter dog Bailey back. I think she is loving life.

It’s nice having a great report right before the holidays and I have a great three-month break from oncology.

Thanks for your prayers and support
Have a great weekend
Anna

The latest

Here is what I have been up to.
My cousins and Auntie Patty (everyone else please call her Pat) came to town for my grandma's funeral. It was great spending time with them. I just hope we don't wait another 9 years to see them. Before we left Austin we went to the Spam Museum, it was actually pretty cool. We (my brother and sister) have asked my dad for years to go to the museum, so we finally got to go. While Pat, Heather, and Renee were in town we went to Stillwater for some tea and shopping. It was a great afternoon on the river. It did take me some time to recover after they left (I didn't get all my naps in and I didn't want to miss anything).

The next weekend was Halloween weekend. Jakob and Kennadi (Bryan and Jessica's kids) came over to show off their cool costumes and to get their treats. The neighbors were excited to finally have some trick or treaters. It's been a few years since we have had any trick or treaters. We did have some excitement in the neighborhood on Halloween night, the kids down the street had a party with about 200-300 people at it and they had a stabbing around 1:00 am. Good times had my all. The police where still there at 8:00 am on Sunday morning.

Last weekend my family finally went out for my birthday dinner. We went to Pizza Juce in Downtown Minneapolis. I highly recommend the Mash potato pizza. I also had my birthday cake. One of my friend's 6 year old nieces was very concerned about me not having a birthday cake. On Saturday I went out for tea and shopping with Dena and Jeanine in Anoka. On Sunday one of the greatest things was having a 3 hour brunch with some of the girls from the pool. I did help my Dad rake the yard a little bit this weekend in the nice weather that we had. Yesterday (Monday) I went to the compost with my dad to help with the trailer full of leaves. While at the compost we had to leave laughing. There were two gentlemen in a pickup and trailer next to us who didn't know how to back the trailer and then they got out of the truck and needed a leaf blower to empty the trailer. It was like being at the boat landing and watching the crazy people. My Dad and I emptied our trailer quick and left as they were about half done.

Overall I'm still doing okay. I'm just fatigued most of the time. I still can't exercise much due to a high heart rate. I'm still coughing a little bit and trying to stay off the meds. I have a PET scan next week and a doctors appointment on Friday (11/20). Dena or my Dad will go with me to the doctor.

Have a great week
Anna,

Good and Bad News

Thank you for the birthday wishes. I had an uneventful day on Friday. It started with my Dad wishing me a Happy Birthday at 5:00 am before I left for work, followed by teaching swimming lesson and a nice long nap in the afternoon. In the evening I went shopping with my Mom followed by many “we need to slow down” and then a dinner at Chili’s.

I heard back from the doctor (she called while she was on vacation) on Monday afternoon. I'm still a "Mystery" right now they want me to wait and see what happens for a few months or I can go back on prednisone for some more fun. I chose to wait and see, but I need to call in right away when my breathing gets bad or I can't handle my cough anymore. What fun.

On Sunday morning Grandma Gabrielson passed away. My dad’s sister is coming to town on Wednesday evening with her two daughters Heather and Renee. David is coming in on Thursday and then we will all be in Austin for the visitation on Thursday evening and the Funeral on Friday morning. It’s been a long time since we have spent anytime together and Bryan (my brother) says he has grown up so he won’t bug you David at the visitation. It’s nice seeing family, I just wish it was for something fun.

Have a good week
Anna

Another Doctor's Appointment

Here is what happened at the doctors. I have been off prednisone for little over a week. And the doctor doesn’t want to put me back on it due to the side effects. That’s great for me. I have been coughing a little more now that I am off prednisone and I get winded when I’m walking the steps at home.

I went to the respiratory doctor on Wednesday and I have two tests on October 15th. The tests are CT scan and a breathing test. Both the test I have had before, to figure out what to do next. My heart rate was back up to 115 but my blood pressure is normal. So they are a little concerned about that. I have to try not to raise my heart rate. So no extra walking and I can't work out. I can go to Target but I can only shop for what's on my list, I can't look around. On the good note I lost 14 lbs in 6 weeks (that was when I was at that doctors last) and they figure most of that was since a week and a half ago due to one of those side effects.

They figure my other problem is a bad cold. And I just need to sleep like crazy. So I’m still 1 for 3 at the doctor’s offices.

Here are some other happenings in my life.

Bailey our winter dog made a one week visit so her owner could go to her class reunion. We also had Sally (one of Bryan’s dogs) the same week we had Bailey. They get along really well. It’s kind of amazing. Bryan and Jessica went on their honeymoon last week so we had their two dogs. Sally and Shadow are funny. Shadow is a puppy so it’s like starting all over again, her favorite place to lay is in the office on the futon. Overall the dogs get along really well, they just like to play like no tomorrow when they are in the mood.

On September 19th I read in a wedding. Good thing the dogs were around to hear me practice. The lovely wig came out one more time. A family friend got married, and then danced the night away. It was a lot of fun. Congrats to Katie and Jake.

Also I went to Stillwater last weekend with a friend (we went to get salted nut rolls but they didn’t have any) and managed to get ourselves in a new knitting store that wasn’t opened yet and I found some yarn to buy. You can check out the yarn shop at http://darnknitanyway.com it’s in a really cute location. Then we went to Aamondt’s and Pine Tree Apple Orchards for lunch.

The pool is back open so I’m working a few hours there. I start teaching Friday morning lessons this Friday. It’s nice to try to get back on schedule.
Work is in full swing of things.

Happy Birthday Anne Karson

Have a fabulous weekend
Go Twins and Vikings
Anna

Radiation Onocoglist

I apologize for taking some time to write, one of my proofreaders was out of town for a few days. Grandma Gabrielson had eye surgery yesterday so my dad was down in Austin taking her to the Mayo Clinic for a check up. So far so good.

First the important news, I’m done visiting my radiation oncologist unless I find something in one of my lymph nodes. Then I need to call right away. He gave me very strict instructions on what to look for. You would think he was talking to a first grader. My doctor is very nice but very by the books. So that’s exciting news. One doctor down two to go.

Overall I’m doing pretty good besides getting a little tired as the days of the week go on. Sometimes it’s my own fault because I try and do too much.

Last Friday I went to Dena’s for the afternoon and we made mosaic balls. It was a lot of fun. You can see a picture of our projects. I still think Chris (Dena’s husband) thinks we are crazy for our talented art work.

Saturday I went to the Osseo Lions Roar Parade with some people from St. Paul’s Lutheran church (the church I used to work at). It was tons of fun seeing Jenny, Jane and Cindy and the weather was nice and hot. In the evening we (my parents, myself, and the Feeny's ) went to the Anoka Crusin for the last time of the year. We did find a place to watch the Gopher Football game. I think we were all wishing that we were at the game.

Sunday, Dena and I went to Austin for Grandparents day to see Grandma Gabrielson. It was the first time Dena and I had been to her new place. It was nice to see her. All I can say is the people that work there are gifted people. I don’t think I would have the patients to deal with what they deal with every day.

School is great, it’s calm before the storm, and the boys in the morning are wonderful especially on Thursday (white frosted donuts with sprinkles).

Sally and Bailey have had a wonderful visit. Sally has had a nice vacation from her home. She actually hangs out with us instead of hiding from the excitement at her house. Bailey is a very sweet dog. We love having her. Both dogs get along great and are leaving on Friday sometime. We weren't friends this morning at 4:45 am. when Sally decided it was time to get up and play.

Have a great weekend
Anna

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school it's always exciting to see the kids. Sorry no first day of school pictures. Overall I'm doing okay and I'm just tired about half the time. I feel like I can never get enough sleep. Things are getting back to normal.

On Thursday night we had a sleepover, Jacob and Kennandi (Bryan's kids) spent the night. I never knew how much fun lighted knitting needles could be in the eyes of two 8 year olds. We went to Como Zoo on Friday morning and had a good time looking at the animals and going on rides.

On Saturday I went bowling for one of the first times since March. I can tell you I was tired after bowling 3 games, who knew that could take so much out of you. I came home and took a nap only to go to Hastings for Saturday night Cruise In for dinner. They have a nice car show in downtown Hastings and some new restaurants we haven't been to. I had my first Supper in a Cup since the first of the year. I can tell you it was super good.

Sunday I did stuff at church counting money and Kids Time (I was supposed to serve Communion but they didn't have enough people in church). I spent much of Sunday afternoon sleeping. Monday was also a nice day to relax.

Sally (Bryan's Dog) is coming to visit for a few days and Bailey (our winter dog) will be coming on Thursday for a week.

Have a great week
Anna

Back to School

Last week I spent most of the week trying to walk for exercise followed by a long naps. I was basically whipped out for the day after walking. It was the first time that I really tried to exercise in a long time. I'm almost back to eating normal foods besides a hamburger. I still can't have caffeine as I get a headache from the smallest amounts.

Over the weekend my dad and I went to Brainerd to race. The weather was perfect for racing and a little cool at night. For me it was a great weekend going down the race track, knitting, napping, and eating ice cream I can't ask for much more. On Friday I went shopping with Vicki Tercero, we went to Among the Pines (one of my favorite yarn shops) and a few other places, on one of our last stops we stopped at the liquor store and saw former Senator Norm Coleman buying wine. They had a lot of nice cars up at the track. MSRA (Minnesota Street Rod Association) rents the track every year for one weekend for the MSRA members. The first picture (the gray car) is of me racing and the second picture is of my dad drag racing.

This week I started back at school. I can tell you that it's nice trying to get back on schedule, but I'm still suffering from fatigue. I come home every night tired. My dad keeps reminding me to go to bed. You can tell who your friends are when they tell you at 10:00 am that you look really tired. I was a morning person prior to March, now I have a hard time moving in the morning (actually anytime I wake up). The doctors told me I can have fatigue for anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 years.

After many questions about the H1N1 virus and myself. I called the doctors office to see what I should be watching for and if I should get the shot. They basically said to use common sense (watch my diet, get enough sleep, exercise, etc.). I can get the shot only if it's a dead virus.

Also last week I was informed that one of the girls (12 years old) that I worked with when I was a youth director at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Osseo was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA). SAA is a condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce blood cells. The bone marrow becomes sick. Blood consists of three basic components that sustain life: white blood cells (to fight infection), red blood cells (carry oxygen), and platelet cells (control clotting). When all three components are affected, this is the development of Aplastic Anemia. She is currently at the University of Minnesota waiting a Bone Marrow Transplant which is the only cure. Her brother will be her donor. She will spend a minimum of 6 weeks in the hospital. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Have a great Labor Day weekend
Anna