One Year Later! Happy 2012!

I can't believe this much time has gone by since the last time I wrote. Nothing was happening too quickly, so there wasn't anything to report. Now that 11 months have passed, I have a lot to report. My Cytarabine infusions were stopped in November 2010 because my liver was showing signs of stress (it is back to normal now). They started me on a Chemo Pill December 1, 2010 and my skin broke out with little bumps. They were getting worse and nothing would get rid of them, so we stopped that medicine December 22ND. The rash I had was biopsied and determined to be an allergic reaction. (which took 6 months to go away)

Then somehow, 3 months passed by, I saw my doctor Monday, March 14Th to discuss future treatment options. From this appointment, we determined that the lesions were still active and we should pursue treatment as long as it seemed necessary. So, the next step was to start me on another Chemo Pill which apparently wasn't supported or approved by my insurance company - so that never happened. While I waited for the next plan of attack, my arms (especially the right) got weaker and developed intense pain. Both elbows were incredibly painful to the touch, my grip became weak and the ability to lift a glass of tea was getting harder and harder. One Sunday, I couldn't lift the Hymnal out of the pocket in the pew in front of me. Then at the grocery store I had trouble picking up a bag of marsh mellows from the bottom shelf. David comes to my defense and reminds me that it was JUMBO marsh mellows, so it would have been tough for anyone. (ha ha) But, when I can't lift a full glass of tea or soda at a restaurant, it gets a little depressing. By the evening, I would be so fatigued, I felt like I was 90 years old. I ached all over, I had trouble walking and I just felt icky all over. By the end of the summer, I was truly worried about going back to work and making it through the year.

So, to prepare, I started walking daily, bumped up my vitamin D, and joint pain vitamins and started drinking a little 'Willard's Water' with my vitamins. Surprisingly, come August, I felt 90 percent better...here we are in December 2012 and I would say I am still holding strong at 80 percent better. I am not sure if it was the walking, the vitamins, the Willard's Water or just TIME for the Chemo to really take effect but, people at work even said, "Misty is back!" I am at my best in the morning and fade quickly at night, but who doesn't anymore? Life is so busy with my sons going to High School and my daughter in Middle School. Time just goes faster and faster. To sum it up, I have been in good shape for 5 months and I am not going to ask any questions. I am just happy that I am doing so much better. LCH is known to go into spontaneous remission and what triggers it is not known -but, I think mine is in remission now.

On the family front: a lot has happened this year! We lost treasured pets of almost 17 years. Some of you know them - our dog, 'Demitri' and our cat 'Jasper'.

Tabby started Middle School and the twins started High School. David's office lost their office manager to breast cancer and have been through a major re-structuring. Over-all, it has been a long, tough year. We welcome 2012 with the adoption of 2, cute little kittens. A fresh new start in so many ways.

Happy New Beginnings to You and Yours in 2012!

Starting Round 5!!!!

First of all, I can't believe it! Time is going so fast, I am almost half way done! (Thank Heavens!)

Once again, I am starting treatment with a little cold. This didn't go so well last time and it worries me a bit. I hope for the best and will try to stay positive. But, I am so tiered I ache. Physically, my eyes are really tired and fluctuate between dry and watery, my muscles hurt with the smallest activities and I can't get everything done that I want to. I took a long nap Saturday and still got 12 hours of sleep Saturday night. I am about to go to bed now and hope I will wake up refreshed. (ha, that sorta makes me laugh. Like I would really feel "refreshed".) OK, I realize this is coming off more negative than usual but I promised myself this blog would be truthful, and here it is....my truth.

Sunday morning, during our church service, I was inspired by the minister's story about a mountain climbing accident in his teens...a fall from 50 feet that fractured his head and crushed his legs. He was told he would never walk again, yet here he was standing before us. "I can do this." I thought to myself. "One day, this will all be behind me and I will be fine. Trust in God, Misty...keep the faith." But, for some reason these words make me tear up. Even now as I write this. I don't know why. Maybe my "tired" is more than physical. Maybe it is also emotional. Can I make it through this? Can I really see myself healed and re-building my strength and endurance? On a good day, yes! But, they all aren't good days. As my mom used to say, "We have to have some bad days if we are going to recognise and appreciate the bad ones."

We had a busy weekend! The kids had lots of activities. Tabby performed a duo "Hard Knock Life" and did a great job. I'll upload it later. The boys had band stuff then Sunday was full of things...I have some cute pictures I'll share later, as well.

For now, I just wanted to say, "Here I go again! Wish me luck!"

Love you all!
Misty

The Night Before Treatment #1-new pictures

Today is the day before I start my treatments and it was terrific! Tabby and I took the boys to camp, wished them well, and left for a Girls' night out.

At her request, our first stop was Petco. We saw so many cute kittens and hamsters that we had to take pictures of them. Tabby picked out 2 cats that she would have liked to have taken home. (of course) Michael's was next door, so we had to walk through there also - so fascinating. (cousin Loren works there but wasn't there tonight.) Then, we went to Wendy's for dinner where we both had a cup of chili, fries and a frosty! Yum! With our full tummies, we stopped by Grandma and Grandpa's house to tell them all about the boys' counselors and how much fun we think they will have this week.
Finally, home where we made Oreo, our hamster, our first priority. We let her run around in her ball while we cleaned her cage. Once she was back safe and sound in her clean home, we rewarded ourselves with a night swim. We wondered if the boys were getting to swim tonight, but Tabby thinks they have to wait till the last night for a night swim. We swam some laps, watched out for our dog who keeps falling in the pool and played with a beach ball. What better way to end the evening then to sit in the hot tub and watch the fire-flies. Off in the distance, Tabby saw a lightening storm that became more interesting than the fire-flies. The lightening was flashing every 5 seconds - it was awesome looking. We knew it was a big one but we were surprised to learn that it was way off the coast of Tampa. Wow, I didn't know we could see that far from here. Surprised to learn that it was 10 O'Clock, we have gotten ready for bed and are writing this blog together. What a great day! Thank you Tabby!