After the storm always comes a rainbow!

I was released from Norfolk Heart Hospital yesterday afternoon.  My husband Mike had trouble getting to the Hospital because they were blocking the entrances due to a bomb threat.   It was on the news when we got home, thankfully it was not a bomb but an unattended package of fruit.

I was admitted Tuesday and released Thursday.  The reality of it all is, most people with this bug have this operation to remove the bug and move back into their life.  I now realize that in my case this is just the first step in the fight.  I was never in the easy line!   While lots of people are getting tattoos these days, I received my first battle scar on my collar bone neck area.  Yes, he went in from the front, removed some cartilage and then cut out a piece of the bug.  I also had a scope put down my throat.  The procedure itself was not too bad since I was out of it, but the after surgery recovery was not a walk in the park.  I had a drainage tube in my chest, IVs in each arm, repeated shots of blood thinner in my stomach during the day and at 2 am, along with finger pricks twice a day and at night.

I often think how I never saw this coming.  I can't wait to get back to the old me with a new and improved outlook on life.

Glad to be home and ready for the next step.

I want to thank everyone for their support, prayers, food, gifts, love, etc.

Especially for everyone in my family, who have always been there for me at every turn in my life, we have always been very close.

sending some love back xoxo
me 1959

Today was my 3rd Chemo treatment.

Feeling very tired the last week, hoping to feel better after I start my chemo trip this weekend. It certainly doesn't seem like three weeks have gone by. I heard that the treatments are not as rough after the first three. I am scheduled for 3 more treatments so far. Before  my next one I am going to have a bone scan and pet scan (detects cancer cells from the neck down) this will let us know if the chemo is working or not, I pray it is. I have seen how the other half lives, people go about their days and life's without a care and then the other half spend their days and weeks and years fighting for their lives. The offices are always so full. I meet some of the most amazing people, we share a different type of conversation than one has in a regular day.

Many different bugs different journeys yet all fighting the same fight and still there is always laughter, and joy. When you have hours to sit and visit with strangers, I think about how fast life moves outside of lounge. I would have never met these new friends I have found. Thank you Lord for giving me joy in the most unlikely place, it is just like you to turn fear into cheer. In this life, pain is inevitable, but misery is optional!

Thank you so much for all the cards, prayers and love you have really filled my heart!

Week two after the chemo trip!

Good news... my blood counts have recovered well, and I am starting to feel better. As my nurse bluntly said, good you are ready for us to hit you again next week...Really!!

It is hard for someone like me that is always go, go, go. I can only handle a 1/2 a day at work, due to my energy level. I must stop myself when normally I would keep going, realizing I must rest to recover and again take one day at a time. As my good friend Dave, from highschool, said its like a quarterback sitting on the bench injured during the Superbowl. and that is really what its like, I count on my teammates and friends to help Topiaries carry on until I am able to get back in the game. As of right now I have 4 more treatments until I get my next steps.

Again thanks to all for the prayers and love.

Chemo Vacation

After a great Wednesday and good Thursday, it was time for my chemo vacation. A trip no one wants to book, but a must for survival! The weekend starts with flu like symptoms that get progressively worse as the weekend moves on. The trip includes a cocktail of poison to kill off good and bad cells, and if you think that sucks, add a bonus boat ride for a dash of nausea that feels like sea sickness, and a couple other bonus amenities. So far as I know I have booked 4 more weekends. The very good thing is I get 18 days to catch up on life and work. Unfortunately I had to miss my brother Gary's wedding to his college sweetheart Carol. I hate to miss any family time!
  

Thanks for all the love and prayers. xoxo

Thanks you Lord for having a strong grip on me no matter what the size of wave!

Kudos !

Thank you to my good friend Bernie for sending me a beautiful Gift box filled with goodies on the day I found out I had the Bug. xoxo

Thanks my friend Judy for bringing over so many homemade goodies to the house, you are so thoughtful and kind.

Thank you Mary Paul for bringing me alkaline water supplies to me every three days to keep me hydrated, I believe it has made a huge difference in my treatment success.

Still enjoying the kiwis that Mary Reid was so kind to bring me.

Carolyn, thanks for my special gift and being there on my first day at chemo, so thoughtful. xoxo


Thank you so much Suzanne for all the great books and flowers you brought over, that lasted 2weeks!!

A huge thank you to Kate for bringing my whole family prepared dinner for 10  Christmas Eve from Cuisine and Company including dessert tray!!! Amazing.
Thank you Kate!

Erica thanks for taking Layla all day yesterday to play....the dogs didn't care that it was raining...:)

Megan thanks again and again for setting up my blog! xoxo

Thanks for all the cards. I have them on display to remind me of all your love and support. xoxo

Great day at work, it sure feels good to feel good!

Today I went back to work at the shop, it felt great!!  It was as if I never had the bug.  I had to stop myself from working all day. Sooo much to do, but really displaying is what I really enjoy.  Topiaries and all that comes with it is truly a big joy in my life, from the wonderful people I have met, the buying, the florals etc..  The shop is going on 19yrs.  I truly believe today was such a dramatic change for the good, it must be all those prayers.  I mean dramatic. I have not felt this good since September. It sure feels good to feel good!

Thanks so much for all the cards and prayers. xoxo

Update after Jan. 12 blood work

Courage is not the towering oak that

sees storms come and go;

            It is the fragile blossom

                        that opens in the snow.

                                                                                                                        a card sent by my friend Maddy..

Ok here is where I am....

I have not been working do to the constant coughing I have endured since Sept.. I have been resting and eating. Some very small good things due to the bug are, I have lost weight so I now must gain weight, REALLY who would have thought....and I am working on my 6 pack due to coughing its like doing a hundred sit ups a day and no fat to cover the muscle. 

I went in for my blood work yesterday, which needs to be checked between treatments to make all of your blood counts are good. All of mine checked out good. While I was there I talked to the nurse about my coughing and breathing problems, (which all along everyone had said I would have to live with until there is some shrinkage of the tumor) they prescribed a new cough medicine which knocked me out for about 15 hours but gave my lungs a rest. I also went for a chest x-ray to check for anything that might be brewing in there. I am hoping to work for a bit tomorrow.

P.S. Please try posting again, Megan has made it easier to leave comments.

Thanks for your love and prayers! xoxo

Kudos!

Thanks so much to everyone for your prayers, gifts, cards, and food!

A Special Thanks goes out to Gary and Frank from S. Carolina

(incredible designers and the best friends any girl could ask for)

They heard I was sick, not yet diagnosed with the bug and wanted to help, I was too sick and having so many tests at that time to go into work.  I usually refill the store as it sells thin throughout the season.  I was wondering what was going to happen to all the inventory that would not be made up or put out or made up into wreaths or arrangements in time.  Well they got in their car, loaded up for three days, got a hotel and took over the shop!!!  Amazing!!!

They not only refilled and refilled but redisplayed like a beautiful showroom, and did I mention how much fun they are. I never really came in, I was able to rest and take in the news of what my near future would hold. 

They ended up staying 8 DAYS!!

They saved Christmas!

4th day after Chemo

Thanks so much for all the well wishes and love....

4th day after Chemo: I am starting to come out of the flu like symptoms.

I am still coughing a ton and tired but, I had a nice visit from My nephew Keith and his wife Jessica that perked me up. They have been living in Africa for the past year, also announcing they are expecting twins...very exciting since they will be settling in DC and I (being the cool Aunt that babysit Keith for years) will be close enough to help out:) My next treatment is in 2.5 weeks, and hopefully I will be building my good cells up this week for the next punch. xo

Please keep me in your prayers.

Thanks for the Blog!!!

Thank you sooooo much Megan for setting up this awesome blog for me!!!! Xoxo