I Bought Two New Books Today - I never buy books!

I went to Barnes & Noble this afternoon with my sister and actually bought two books - wait, I bought three books!  I've been a library goer and anti book buying for years now so this really is monumental day for me.  I bought Jillian Michaels - Master Your Metabolism, David Servan-Schreiber - AntiCancer a New Way of Life and I bought "Just Like Daddy" - a kid's book about a border collie and his puppy.  I bought the last one for my hubby.  Our soon to be 14 year old dog is a border collie and we love her so much!  I had never seen a kid book with a border collie in it so I had to buy it!

Regarding the other books, I'm trying to figure out why in the world so many people are getting cancer.  I also wanted something I could give my mom that would help her try and take some control over her body in this fight she is in with this ugly disease.  I read bits and pieces of AntiCancer on Amazon and decided it was worth shelling out some bucks to purchase it.  I'll let you know what I think as I make my way through it.  As for the Jillian Michaels book, it just intrigues me and I was in the buying mood so it now lives at my house.

Mom had a CBC done on Friday as she was on the schedule to return to work on Monday.  Needless to say she won't be performing her nursing job on Monday as her WBC count was low.  I also came down with a sore throat on Thursday and Sam had a bit of a snotty nose.  We were planning on going over to see her but I called and talked to her nurse and she advised we postpone our visit.  I'm so scared I'm going to make her sick.  Will I ever get over that?  We'll see if she is good to go for her next round of chemo on Thursday.

Training for the Goofy is coming along.  Saturday was a 12 miler which I ended up running on the treadmill at the Y.  ICK!  It was raining and about 52 degrees out.  Travis ran the whole thing outside but I'm not that tough.  I think we do 14 next Saturday.  I got some new shoes about a week ago and I can really tell the difference.  My legs feel so much better now. 

Quick Sam update, she really started walking this week and she is everywhere.  It is amazing how quickly they go from just a few steps to full speed non stop all throughout the house!  I like that I don't have to carry her everywhere and she seems to have stopped shoveling every little speck of dirt she sees on the floor into her mouth so that is nice as well.  She has started throwing a little temper tantrum or two though.  She will just lay down on the floor and kick her legs.  I try not to laugh but it is rather funny to watch.

I have a Habitat for Humanity build tomorrow so I get one more day of not doing my day job - gotta love that!  I think I'll be doing some interior painting which should be fun.

Fall is Awesome

I love this time of year! The crisp mornings, low humidity, leaves turning colors, everything about it is great except one thing.....it means winter is coming! :-(

Marathon training is going ok. I was sick for about a week and a half. I finally went to the doctor after a week of horrible sinus issues and a productive cough. He told me I had bronchitis and sent me home with an antibiotic. 24 hours later I was feeling 100% better & today for the first time in 2 weeks I didn't need to blow my nose thousands of times a day. One health related remotely disgusting fact to share....towards the tail end of the illness I was blowing out Tang colored snot. That is disgusting!

I did my second tri of the season the last weekend of August. I didn't do as well as I did in the July race but I still finished 6th out of 31 in my age group which isn't too bad. My run was horrible though and I killed myself on the bike course. For some reason I refused to shift into my smaller chain ring until the third and final lap. If I would have done so during the first lap I would have finished the bike quicker and probably saved my legs for the run. One of the really frustrating things was that I could not find my spot when I came into T2. Seriously, I spent an extra minute just trying to find my spot on the rack. My sister-in-law joined us in the race and completed her first tri. Nice job Kris.

Sam is doing great. I should take her in for a weight check. Something tells me she is nudging her way up on the the weight percentile charts. She is eating everything in sight and feels like she is packing on the pounds. She is talking more and says "hi, bye, mama, dada, puppy, and her newest thing is no-no". The no-no comes complete with the index finger wagging. The first time she did it was after I told her "no biting". We have never said no-no and wagged a finger at her though. She must have picked this up from daycare. It was hilarious. I managed to get a video of it and posted it on FaceBook.
My mom is doing good. She had her second chemo treatment today. The first one wasn't too bad. She had a little bit of a queasy stomach but never threw up. She had her first round on a Thursday as well and she felt ok that day, pretty good the next day, totally wiped out Saturday and then gradually started to gain back some energy. We expect the same this time around. She gets a shot the day after chemo to help keep her white blood cell count up. They did blood work this morning and her counts were a little low but not low enough to postpone chemo today. They expect the shot tomorrow to help out. So far her hair is still attached to her head but they tell her to expect it to start falling out soon. She says she won't cry when it does. I told her if she did that was ok. Since I've been sick I haven't been able to go see her. I'm paranoid I will make her sick. I think I'm probably being too concerned. I wanted to go over today for her treatment but she doesn't want me taking time off work to come over now. She wants me to save my time until she needs me. I want to hang out with her some while she feels good though.

Thanks to all who have posted concerns about me and what my mom is going through. You are all awesome and I appreciate it soooooo much.

I noticed some people posting "a day in the life". I think I should do that too. Thanks to MomRunningFromCancer for tagging me for the Cherry on Top Award. I really don't have time to see who I could tag who hasn't already been tagged but I will answer question # 1.

1) Answer this question: if you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be? I would know more about what I wanted to be when I grew up when I entered college. I started out as a pre-physical therapy major, which I think I would have loved if I could have handled the chemistry courses. I don't get chemistry and I gave up too easy. I changed to dietetics but hit the science problem again and then changed to advertising. I now work in banking & finance. How did I get here? I make too much money to quit and go back to school and I'm good at what I do but to be honest I don't think it is my "passion". I would love to work in public health and wellness. I would really like to work in a medical setting helping people who have chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes and even cancer make changes to their diet and exercise. We need to get people in this country to take control of their own health! Our kids are becoming diabetic everywhere we turn. This shouldn't be happening. We are smart people. We need to fix this!!!!! We need a way for this to be affordable. I'm not saying it should be covered by insurance but if mental illness is covered couldn't health and wellness guidance be covered as well. I don't know but I do know that what we are doing now isn't working.

Mom's Boyfriend Visits the Hospital

River, Sam & Mom

Mom is still in the hospital recovering from an infection in her left breast. She's been there since Tuesday evening and as long as things go well, she should be headed home tomorrow.

When talking to my sister on Friday morning, she mentioned how drab mom's room was. There were no flowers (it drives mom crazy that people spend money on flowers) and it seemed do dull. I started wracking my brain, what could add a little color to the room and make mom smile whenever she looked at it. What does she like???? Then Johnny Depp popped into my head. I thought about a Pirates of the Caribbean poster. He is one of her favorites - particularly in that movie. We could have a movie night at the hospital on Friday night. Then I thought some more, a poster just wouldn't cut it....where could I find a life size cardboard cut out of Captain Jack Sparrow in an hour and a half. Thank you to "The Theatrical Shop" in town. I called, they had it and I immediately left work. It was approx 6 foot tall and folded over once. It barely fit in the trunk.

Assembly Time

When we got to the hospital, my sister and her family met us in the parking garage. We carried Jack to the family room on the 4th floor where we assembled him. Then we headed to mom's room. Travis hung back with Captain Jack. I had the theme from Pirates ready to play on my cell. Sam and I walked into the room and gave mom a hug and a kiss and made a little small talk. She then asked where Travis was. We told her he had stopped off at the bathroom. I headed out into the hall to "let him know what room we where in". I told him we were ready & to give me 30 seconds to get the song rolling and my camera ready.

I started the song and got out the camera and mom just looked at me funny. Then Travis made his entrance with Captain Jack leading the way. Here are some pictures of mom's reaction.

With all of the stuff we have had going on, I've still managed to squeeze in workouts but I'm not following my training plan. We'll see how much I suffer for this next weekend.

Sam Update: She fed herself with a spoon on Thursday night. She still isn't walking but she also doesn't want to crawl much anymore. She likes to grunt until you get up and walk with her holding onto your hands. It is fun but tiring!

We also picked mom some wild flowers on our run this morning. I'm sure some of them are actually weeds but oh well they looked pretty.

Spin Class

Travis & I did another spin class at the YMCA tonight. Wow - these things are tough. We did a flat road warm up then did sprints first and then did steady hills. She had us ride at 200 watts for 5 min, 4 min, 3 min, 2 min, & 1 min with one minute recovery between each pedaling at 120 RPM on the recovery. I was sweating bullets and my hubby was barely breathing hard. Actually, he said he got in a good workout but he looked much better at the end than I did. He rode the hills at 250 watts. He is the shiznit!

Does anyone out there use spin classes as part of their tri training? It seems like it would make me a stronger biker but when I googled it most of the info I found was negative. They say the intensity is too high. I figure it is a speed workout that I don't normally do so it should be good but then again, what do I know.

We took Sam to the child watch area when we got to the Y and she has stranger danger pretty bad right now. About a half hour into our class one of the day care ladies came up to get me saying she wouldn't stop crying. I immediately got irritated. I didn't believe that she was having that tough of a time. I didn't say a word to the lady. I led the way down to the room and when I opened the door she wasn't crying and she didn't look like she had been crying. She was sitting with another lady and whimpered a bit but when I made eye contact with that lady she nodded her head and said she seemed fine now. I went back upstairs and finished the workout. When it was over we made a beeline for the child watch room. Sam was on the floor playing with toys. I asked the lady who was with her if she had been upset and hard to deal with and she said not really, she wasn't really crying, she had no tears and was just whimpering a bit on and off. Once she acclimated (which took her about a half hour) she was willing to play and she was fine. I feel guilty dropping her off at child watch after she has been at daycare all day but it does let us get a solid workout in and we don't have to alternate which seems to take all night. Has anyone taken their child to child watch at the gym? It is the only way we can get in a good bike ride right now.

Mom Update: She met with the oncologist this afternoon. The great news is there was nothing on the CT scan that looked suspicious. The bad news is that they sent her to the hospital because she has an infection in her left breast (the side that had the tumor). She is in the hospital to get intravenous antibiotics and to see if a drain tube needs to be put in. I think this has to be wearing on her a bit, it certainly would be if it were me. If you are the praying type please keep praying and thanking God for healing her. She was supposed to start chemo this week but had to have the surgery last week to remove some dying skin. Now she has the infection. Chemo plans may be on hold again but healing of the breast tissues is the most important thing right now. Keep plugging away mom - we love ya lots!!!!!

Sam Update: She moved up to the young toddler room at day care on Monday. She seems to like it but it is wearing her out. They have a nap schedule now and she is so busy all day long. She has come home with more bumps and scrapes over the past 2 days then she had in the past 13 months in the baby room. I guess that is what happens as they grow. We bought her some blocks this weekend and she loves them. She still isn't walking but now she doesn't seem to want to crawl. Whenever she wants to go somewhere she grabs your hands and grunts until you stand up and walk with her - it is wearing me out!!!!

Blogging via my Droid

It works! Sort of. And I can upload pictures too! Look out!!!!!! The picture above is Sam showing her excitement over the tiny stick she has in her hand! Aren't kids awesome!

Surgery #2

River, Julee, Mom, Logan (in front), Sam & Me

First off, thank you all for your very supportive comments to my last post. It is so great to hear stories of survivors! The past month has been incredibly busy. Mom lives with my sister is two hours away but I have been trying to make it to some of the doctor appointments and we were also there a few weekends ago so I haven't had much time to write any updates. I've been trying to post via my iPod & via my Droid but neither one lets me do anything except create a title. If anyone knows if there is a way to make it work on the iPod or Droid let me know.

The mastectomy went pretty well. The pathology confirmed the cancer had spread to 5 of the 17 lymph nodes they removed. I was really upset for a while. I called my hubby and he got in the car and drove over then we both took the next day off and spent some time at my sisters. Mom did great. She was pretty sore for a few days but her demeanor has been great. She is my hero! Oh, and my sister's day care didn't charge me for the 2 days Sam spent there. That was awesome. Just when you start to think there aren't any caring people out there something like that happens and it just makes you feel so good.

Mom's sisters flew in two weeks ago and are going home tomorrow. They have kept her really busy so I hope she does well when they leave. I know she could stand to catch up on some sleep. It was great seeing them and I hope they can come out again soon.

Aunt Bobbi, Aunt Jeannie, Mom, Sam, Me, Logan, Julee & River

Mom had surgery this past Tuesday afternoon to clean up some dying skin where her incisions are. I had never heard of such a thing but apparently it happens from time to time. If she wasn't going to start chemo soon they probably would have just let it heal on its own but they want to expedite the healing process and apparently removing the dying tissue does just that. Surgery went well (although it was scheduled for 3pm and didn't start until 5:30pm). She was in recovery by 7pm and then in the car headed for home by 8:30pm. I drove home and was in bed shortly after 11pm. It was a long but good day. I took mom scotcharoos (one of her favorite treats) which she appreciated! She meets with the oncologist on Tuesday afternoon when they will review the CT scan she had so please keep us in your prayers!

My little sister has been amazing throughout this whole thing. I love you Julee & you are doing a great job!

One of the good things I see happening is the time we are spending with mom, Julee, Marty & my niece and nephew. On Tuesday at the hospital my niece actually came to me for a hug and a kiss. She is two and has never done that before. I'm really thankful for this, I just wish we would have done it under better circumstances.

Now, on to working out and tri training. I've been plugging away. Normally I follow a training plan to a "T". That hasn't been happening lately. I've given myself some leeway to get the workouts in whenever and in whatever order I can. We also joined the YMCA this week. I really want to work as a fitness/nutrition advisor to senior citizens when I retire (and maybe before that if the finances would work out) and I want to take as many classes and get as much training as I can. My short term goal is to teach a spinning class.

Speaking of spinning class..........oh my goodness!!!!! I've heard people call these classes "sufferfests" and now I understand why. I took two classes last week and boy were they tough. I think I threw up a little in my mouth during the last class. Sorry if that grossed anyone out! My sister tells me I need to try a kickboxing class. Travis is going with me to spinning tomorrow morning. I told him how tough it is. I'm sure he'll breeze through it and I will look like a wimp. Oh well.

Sam update: She is doing well. At her 1 year check up she had dropped to the 8th percentile for weight. The doctor still isn't too concerned but said to keep giving her formula and add an extra scoop. She eats well, sometimes I swear she eats more than I do, but it doesn't seem to stick. Oh and she absolutely loves watermelon. We made the mistake of feeding her a bit too much with dinner two nights this week and paid for it the next morning. She was soaked, her pj's were soaked, and her sheets were wet. Two emergency morning baths followed. She didn't seem to mind though.

Today was her last day in the baby room at daycare. She had been spending a lot of time in the toddler room lately anyway and she loves it so I am sure she will do great.

Sam giving Uncle Marty some love!

Waiting.....waiting......waiting......I don't like waiting

I'm sitting in room 22 at Mercy Hospital right beside my mom. She is having a double mastectomy with reconstruction today at noon. I've only cried 3 times this morning so far. She seems fine, I need to get fine as well. My younger sister is here as well.

I've prayed more in the past 2.5 weeks than I ever have in my life. I hope God is listening. I know he is listening. We are listening to her new iPod touch here is what is playing........"My Savior, he can move the mountains, my god is mighty to save he is mighty to save. Forever, author of salvation, he rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave. Shine your light and let the whole world see, singing for the glory of the risen king". My sister just walked back in from going the bathroom and started dancing. We will not ever be gloom and doom - I'm not gloom and doom, I'm just scared of the unknown. I have faith. He is going to take care of mom, she is in his hands.

We took Sam to the daycare my niece and nephew go to. Julee just called to check on her and she is doing fine. She was having some Cheerios for a snack.

Pray for us now if you have a moment. I'll post more later!