Treatment #9 did not go as smoothly as the other treatments went.

My appointment with Dr. Saez was a good one. He decided that we needed to adjust the oxalyplatin by a bit so that the nueropathy in my hands would not linger. He re-adjusted my schedule so that I won't have a treatment on Christmas Eve-whew! My last December treatment will be on New Years Eve. That works fine with me. We don't usually go anywhere on that night anyway.

I had a bad reaction to something in either the chemo, or the pre-treatment. Agitation, swelling in my hands, a bad rash on my hands and wrists, and nausea. Yuck. They stopped the treatment for about 45 min., and gave me more benadryl. That seemed to work. When they restarted the chemo, they slowed the drip down quite a bit. Made for a long day. I got home about 3:30. I'm grateful I didn't have to drive back from Paris!

I still owe everyone Thanksgiving and pre-Thanksgiving stories. Hopefully I will get that done by Friday.

For now I'm going back to bed. Thank you all for your continued prayers. Please remember the sweet Atkinson family, Tynus, Hilary, Worthie, Judy, and everyone else touched by Cancer, or hardship in your prayers.

Hi All,
I'm off for treatment in about an hour. Number 9!!! Three more to go. I'll see the doctor today, and have a few questions for him. The nueropathy is lasting the full two weeks now, so I think he'll probably adjust my dose. I heard last week that this is a marathon, not a sprint. That makes sense. I'm going to have to slow down a little.
I'll post more later. Thanksgiving was a treat! Can't wait to tell you about it.
Pray, Pray, Pray--
Annaleisa

Week after Treatment

I have to say treatments are much, much easier when taken close to home. One of my Dr.s said early on "The best treatment is local treatment, as long as it is the same treatment." He was so right. I drove myself to the hospital, and drove myself home. Of course when I got home I went straight to bed for 3 days!

We had dinner with friends Friday night, and Bryan came in late that night too. He wouldn't miss being here for the first weekend of deer season. I'm just glad none of my boys like to deer hunt! Don and I went to Tyler Sunday afternoon for a quick errand, and Bryan held down the fort at the plant!

This past Monday was a wonderful day! I got a late start, but drove to Dallas to do flower shop errands. I listened to the soundtrack from Evita the whole way over and back, and have to admit that I sang along with most of it at the top of my lungs! I'm sure the other drivers must have thought I was crazy, but I don't care. I never could have put that CD in if Don had been with me. Made a quick side trip to Central Market. It's one of my favorite places in Dallas. Picked up pre-made dinners for two nights, and a quick salad for lunch--yum.

I am suffering from the can't get goings lately. I had an appointment with a friend on Tuesday at 11:00, and didn't get dressed until 10:45! I made it, but I was about 15 minutes late. I hate to be late, but I think I'm going to have to get used to it, I'm calling this the "Paula Syndrome". My friend Paula told me that while she was going through all of her treatments, she just couldn't seem to stay on track, and get going in the mornings. If any of you can think of a better term for this, please let me know.

I went into the shop on Tuesday, and helped process flowers. It was so much fun, just like the old days! Everytime I opened a box, I'd say these are the most beautiful I've ever seen!!! I think I might have been a little too enthusiastic! Deana had to remind me to get a grip! Of course, she is around flowers 4-5 days a week, it was all new to me all over again.

I'm going to make a run to Longview today for more flower shop errands. We (the shop) is doing a dinner on Thursday, with 40 tables to decorate. I'm really excited. They need me!!!!

Joe is coming in on Friday, and plans to stay through Sunday. I'm to have my labs done at the hospital here on Friday, then have to run back to Longview. My next treatment (#8!!!!!!) will be on Monday, the 12th. This is working out well. Thanksgiving week will be a good one. Everyone is coming home, and I'll be doing the cooking. Can't wait. You know I have to have something to look forward to, and Thanksgiving is one of my very most favorite holidays!

I'm sorry I won't be able to see "the girls" on Tuesday night. They are getting together to play Bunko, and I am supposed to be a hostess. I'll still be hooked up to that nasty pump, so I will have to miss this time. Hopefully, next time the timing will be right.

I'm so grateful for all the phone calls I've received the past couple of weeks.

I'm grateful for the sunshine and beautiful fall weather we've been enjoying.

I'm grateful to have such a loving and supportive family and community to surround me at this time.