Feeling Under the Weather

This hasn't been one of my finer weeks in the health department.  Just getting to chemo this past week was a hazardous chore with the weather (rain, snow, sleet, ice, and more snow) so Mom, Dad and I spent the night at a hotel near Cancer Care for safety's sake.  Since my chemo on Tuesday, I've been feeling awful with a horrible cough, troubles breathing and fatigue.  I've had someone spend the night with me nearly every night this week to help out with the anxiety of not getting adequate air.  It's very scary to struggle for your breath.  Eventually, I know it will come back, but it's nice to have someone by my side patting my back assuring me that everything will be ok.  I still have a terrible cough but it finally feels like it might be breaking up.  Perhaps I'm on the mend just in time to start all over again :)

Mom and Dad took me for a ride today (just to get out of the house).  After days of being stuck inside from the weather, then the chemo I was ready to see a little blue sky and enjoy what sunshine came peeking through the clouds.

Amy is off for another week in Vegas with her military job.  I think she's been gone more than she's been home since this job started.  Have a safe journey Amy and I'll see you in a week.

I'm going to be needing your help one of these days because we're nominating Angie as P.E. teacher of the year.  The award is nationwide and she will win 10,000 dollars for her school and some other neat prizes.  I'll tell you all the details later.  I know with your help we'll get the word out about how deserving she is.

It's time for me to head off to bed.  I haven't been sleeping well lately, so when I get the urge to close my eyes...I need to go for it.

Dreaming Big,
Dor

A few more photos from a fabulous weekend....

Kelly and I on the big screen as she receives her award.

 Lisa Molina, Me and Bonnie at breakfast on Friday morning.  Amazing ladies who've changed my life.

San Francisco Memories

We returned this afternoon from a wonderful trip to San Francisco where we participated in a weekend full of adventures, laughs and making memories. The girls, Scott and Kelly spent Friday shopping and exploring the Fisherman's Wharf while I had the opportunity to visit with Bonnie and our other friend Lisa. We had lunch, shopped and laughed...a lot! If not for the wheelchair and the oxygen tank I would have forgotten all about Lung Cancer for that hour or two. I love those ladies and am thankful that I had the chance to spend quality time with them.

Saturday night was the Lung Cancer Gala. We spent some time during the day helping decorate for the event and then spent a little more time getting ourselves ready to go. It seems like simple tasks such as getting dressed and  doing my hair and make-up now wear me out. I was ready for a nap before we left my hotel room. I was so proud to have been able to introduce Kelly as the "Caregiver of the Year" at the event. She received a large ovation and she deserved every bit of it. The evening was a huge success, with an enormous about of money having been raised for Bonnie's foundation.

After the Gala on Saturday night, Kathryn Joosten from Desperate Housewives came up to my hotel room to hang out with me and the girls. She is hilarious and had us laughing the entire time. She is a two time Lung Cancer survivor and a supporter of Bonnie's foundation.

As much as I loved our trip, I am happy to be home and plan to rest up over the next few days. I have attached a few photos from our weekend. Enjoy!

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Change of Plans (again)

My chemo plans have changed again.  I've gone back on the Alimta plan which is a plan I was on for 28 weeks earlier this year.  I began having severe pain during the time I was on it so we had to make some different arrangements, ie. take me off it and put me on some new pain meds and a new kind of chemo.  But for now, we are sticking with the Alimta and a new kind of pain medicine.  The only problems I've come across are a bad case of feeling overwhelmed from the steroids and needing tums every couple of hours.  I can deal with both of those set backs.

I'm getting excited about next weeks plans in San Francisco.  The only kids not going on the trip this year are Jake and Megan but I understand Megan has her new job and Jake just started up coaching basketball again on Monday.  Busy lives for busy bodies, maybe they can can make it again next year.

I've been using  a wheel chair to get around lately (it really helps keep my breathing under control), I also find that sitting with a fan directly in my face seems to give me a greater sense of air flow.  I don't like any of these devices, but if they work, I need to face reality and just do what works best for me.

It's time for me to get off the computer and think about something for dinner.  Yogurt and cereal?  Maybe...

Sending lots of love to all my friends.

Dreaming Big,
Doreen