Hi Friends & Family!
I hope this note finds all of you well, and happy? Hopefully each of you have had a bit of time to reflect on the season and what it means to each of you. I wish good things and good health for you in 2008.
December has been the best month! I say this because the paper, the lights, the mangers, the food, the get-to-gethers, the hugs and the laughter have been the best ever! As crummy as things have been (due to my cancer news/events) I can't be down this time of year. If cancer has taught me anything, its taught me to appreciate-- everything.
I've learned to appreciate cloudy days, to many phone calls, traffic lights, and vacuuming. These are some of the things that used to drive me crazy! Now.... let's just say that "these are the kinds of problems I want to have". Sorry to be so vague, but nobody has the time to read about what used to drive me into a spastic state. I guess I'm trying to say, that (i think anyway!) I worry about the little things, less.
I have to admit, that Steve has been instrumental in my happiness these days. My wonderful husband gives me more hugs, looks of concern, love & pep talks than I can tolerate! He is very supportive, & loving, and I feel blessed to have him in my life. He's also doing a great job of taking care of me. Not only when I'm sick from chemo & the Neulasta, but when I'm down & blue. Steve is cheerful, positive and brightens my moods. (as you can imagine, thats not an easy job!!) Lets just call him my "Sunshine".
I can see that I"m getting long winded now. Lets blame this, and not making any real point, on chemo brain. I just wanted to say that December has been a great month!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
A week after Chemo #5
What to say: More of the same. Round five, came & went, along with the shot that keeps my white count up & fighting. The shot is what makes me feel so bad; I truely hate getting it. However, a week later, I'm feeling better: up and around, even out and about. Steve has been making sure that I rest (when I don't want to) and going about my day easily (even though I don't think I need to!)
I'm really enjoying having my family together for the holiday. The beautiful paper, and Christmas decorations have really brightened my spirits! I find myself just sitting & taking it all in; probably appreciating the meaning of the season "really" for the first time. I'm feeling blessed and fortunate.
January 4, 2008 around 2pm Eastern Time, please take a second to acknowledge my completion of chemotherapy treatment number 6. On the Oncology Infusion Unit, there is a brass Navy bell to ring when one finishes chemo. I've been dreaming about ringing that bell, and what it signifies for months now. Finishing chemo is huge, like completing a marthon; I"m ready to win & finish this race.
I probably wont write again before Christmas, so everybody, have a Merry one. Please remember the true meaning for this season.
I'm really enjoying having my family together for the holiday. The beautiful paper, and Christmas decorations have really brightened my spirits! I find myself just sitting & taking it all in; probably appreciating the meaning of the season "really" for the first time. I'm feeling blessed and fortunate.
January 4, 2008 around 2pm Eastern Time, please take a second to acknowledge my completion of chemotherapy treatment number 6. On the Oncology Infusion Unit, there is a brass Navy bell to ring when one finishes chemo. I've been dreaming about ringing that bell, and what it signifies for months now. Finishing chemo is huge, like completing a marthon; I"m ready to win & finish this race.
I probably wont write again before Christmas, so everybody, have a Merry one. Please remember the true meaning for this season.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Monday, December17, 2007
Dear Family, Friends & Supporters,
I"m writing to let you know that round number five went well. I am very anxious to start number six, so that I can be done with all this chemotherapy business. With each round, I get more and more tired, and even weaker than before. I hate being tired and weak, with not even an excuse of being hung-over to go along with my complaints!
Like four other times before, my symptoms stem from the Neulasta shot I get. This shot keeps my lab values high, ableing my White Cells to fight what they need to. However, this drug alone kicks my butt. However, the alternative isn't an option; especially since I only have one more treatment to go! 8-) yeaeeee Currently, I"m suffering from muscle and joint pain, with a dash of heart palpitations on the side. I've had these same symptoms all along, so at least I know what to expect. They all stink, but tolerable.
January four, around 2pm Eastern time, I hope everybody will take a moment to tell cancer..... Ha Ha from Tiffany Capps!
I"m writing to let you know that round number five went well. I am very anxious to start number six, so that I can be done with all this chemotherapy business. With each round, I get more and more tired, and even weaker than before. I hate being tired and weak, with not even an excuse of being hung-over to go along with my complaints!
Like four other times before, my symptoms stem from the Neulasta shot I get. This shot keeps my lab values high, ableing my White Cells to fight what they need to. However, this drug alone kicks my butt. However, the alternative isn't an option; especially since I only have one more treatment to go! 8-) yeaeeee Currently, I"m suffering from muscle and joint pain, with a dash of heart palpitations on the side. I've had these same symptoms all along, so at least I know what to expect. They all stink, but tolerable.
January four, around 2pm Eastern time, I hope everybody will take a moment to tell cancer..... Ha Ha from Tiffany Capps!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Happy Thursday!
Hi all-
I'm writing just to say "HI". It has been a while since I wrote, and I didn't want people to think I was neglecting my website. As of right now, I have nothing new to report. I'm doing okay, trying to make the best out of each day.
I recently went to Steve's Christmas party, and had great fun! It was nice to see familiar, friendly faces, as well as laugh. My boy is home for the holiday, and I think that is pretty wonderful; I have more family arriving soon, and I'm pretty excited about that also. I'm enjoying all the holiday lights, pretty Christmas paper, and delicious baked goods.
Again, I'm feeling okay. I"m getting ready to receive chemo treatment number 5 tomorrow. I've learned that I need to just go with the flow, and not fight my symptoms. Now, when I get tired, I rest. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat (however, I"m not missing many meals!); going with the flow seems to get me on the other side faster. Does that make sense?
Anyway, "HI" all. I hope each of you are doing well, I am....Tiffany
I'm writing just to say "HI". It has been a while since I wrote, and I didn't want people to think I was neglecting my website. As of right now, I have nothing new to report. I'm doing okay, trying to make the best out of each day.
I recently went to Steve's Christmas party, and had great fun! It was nice to see familiar, friendly faces, as well as laugh. My boy is home for the holiday, and I think that is pretty wonderful; I have more family arriving soon, and I'm pretty excited about that also. I'm enjoying all the holiday lights, pretty Christmas paper, and delicious baked goods.
Again, I'm feeling okay. I"m getting ready to receive chemo treatment number 5 tomorrow. I've learned that I need to just go with the flow, and not fight my symptoms. Now, when I get tired, I rest. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat (however, I"m not missing many meals!); going with the flow seems to get me on the other side faster. Does that make sense?
Anyway, "HI" all. I hope each of you are doing well, I am....Tiffany
Saturday, December 1, 2007
More of the same
Hi All-
Monday's Duke appointment was more of the same, junkie news. In short, Duke doc confirmed the diagnosis of stage four breast cancer of the lungs. Since the drugs I'm currently on are working, she recommends I continue this regiment. Since we weren't going to radiate the lungs, she recommends no radiation to the chest, clavical, & axilla areas. Orignially, I wasn't excited about "having" to have radiation. Hearing what this Duke doc had to say about radiation only confirmed that for my quality of life, I'm not radiating anything in my body. Duke doc was happy that my cancer was responding to the current treatments, and doesn't want to change anything.
I'll finish chemotherapy around January 4th. After that, I'll have scan's every 6-8weeks to see what is or isn't metabolically active. A plan only goes in motion after there is a re-occurence. Duke doc gave me a short time line to "live", however she did say that there are many trials out there that maybe the cure. "Be here for when the cure is found", is what she said. Now, people (mom) don't get mad about the time-line, I asked. I was curious, so she gave me a best guess, along with the be here when there's a cure speech. I shoulda asked....... Anyway, people don' t get upset or hurt or blow off what I was told, I was interested & thought ya'll should know too. (notice I wont give out exact time ''cause I'm gonna be that 1 in 4 who wins the fight)
If anything, my experience should teach others to not to wait "until maybe the next deployment is over", or "maybe in another paycheck or two" to live. Time gets short somehow? I really hope that they're are others out there who know me, know my experience and share it with others. 1)Get your boobs checked. If you have fibrocystic tissue anyway, have a history and are "to young" to have a mammogram, force the issue. 2) Buy, yes give up those few extra dollars for somekind of disability from your jobs. You'll never know when you have to be outta work. I never invested in anything, and that was/is a bad choice. Thank goodness friends on two coasts fundraised for me, but there is nothing like a pay check and over-time! These are a couple of lesson's I hope others learn from my experience.
Until next time, I"m okay. Steve is taking care of me this week; I have a head cold on top of just having chemo on the 27th. Again, I"m okay.
Monday's Duke appointment was more of the same, junkie news. In short, Duke doc confirmed the diagnosis of stage four breast cancer of the lungs. Since the drugs I'm currently on are working, she recommends I continue this regiment. Since we weren't going to radiate the lungs, she recommends no radiation to the chest, clavical, & axilla areas. Orignially, I wasn't excited about "having" to have radiation. Hearing what this Duke doc had to say about radiation only confirmed that for my quality of life, I'm not radiating anything in my body. Duke doc was happy that my cancer was responding to the current treatments, and doesn't want to change anything.
I'll finish chemotherapy around January 4th. After that, I'll have scan's every 6-8weeks to see what is or isn't metabolically active. A plan only goes in motion after there is a re-occurence. Duke doc gave me a short time line to "live", however she did say that there are many trials out there that maybe the cure. "Be here for when the cure is found", is what she said. Now, people (mom) don't get mad about the time-line, I asked. I was curious, so she gave me a best guess, along with the be here when there's a cure speech. I shoulda asked....... Anyway, people don' t get upset or hurt or blow off what I was told, I was interested & thought ya'll should know too. (notice I wont give out exact time ''cause I'm gonna be that 1 in 4 who wins the fight)
If anything, my experience should teach others to not to wait "until maybe the next deployment is over", or "maybe in another paycheck or two" to live. Time gets short somehow? I really hope that they're are others out there who know me, know my experience and share it with others. 1)Get your boobs checked. If you have fibrocystic tissue anyway, have a history and are "to young" to have a mammogram, force the issue. 2) Buy, yes give up those few extra dollars for somekind of disability from your jobs. You'll never know when you have to be outta work. I never invested in anything, and that was/is a bad choice. Thank goodness friends on two coasts fundraised for me, but there is nothing like a pay check and over-time! These are a couple of lesson's I hope others learn from my experience.
Until next time, I"m okay. Steve is taking care of me this week; I have a head cold on top of just having chemo on the 27th. Again, I"m okay.
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