Christmas 2010

I had a great holiday with the family.  My energy is coming back little by little.  I even managed to make all my Christmas treats and go shopping a few times and didn't feel like death warmed over after.  My hair is even coming back.  It just looks really short .. but I have stopped wearing the bandanas.  I am thinking of making something out of them.  They are dear to my heart and I can't bear to part with them.

The whole family gathered for our annual Christmas breakfast.  My sister and myself did all the cooking.  It was a pretty nice spread.  Lots of food and goodies and lots of left overs.  We were sending everyone home with goodie bags.

Here is our Tree:

I made quite few of these for decorations around the living room. My niece Alex came home with one and I fell in love with it. She gave me a lesson in making them so off I went.

Mikey helped me glitter them. He was a glittery cocoa covered mess after but he had such a good time.

My beautiful babies ... I am a lucky Auntie

 

Let's see ....

Keilbasa, Bacon, Pancakes, Eggs, Peanut butter Balls, Oreo Balls, Peanut Butter fudge, Chocolate fudge, Mini Pecan cups and Butterscotch Haystacks.

Quite a display eh?

Thanksgiving

We all packed up the van and drove the nearly 2 hours out to my our sisters house in Fort Plains.  We had a great meal.

I wore my 2 dollar Target Halloween wig .... I had my sister fooled for about 90 seconds.  She gave me a strange look and I told her ... ''well you know after Chemo it can grow back curly''

She caught on pretty quickly .. but I had her going for a minute.

I think I can pull off an afro ... if only it was still the 70's lol!

Our lovely Turkey. My sister did a great job with it. It was so moist and tasty

This was the best Thanksgiving ever. I have so many things to be thankful for. Every day is a blessing. I won't ever take them for granted again.

A little update

Here is a pic where I am down to Steri Strips .. now I just have to wait for them to fall off.

Not too much bruising but lots of swelling and its still a little tender but not bad at all.

It's so nice to have it gone!!!

The scar is looking better ... but one of the stitches has worked through ... but still knotted under the skin and it's driving me batty lol ... sort of itchy :p

Port Removal

I had my port taken out today ... not much to see right now. It was much easier coming out vs going in. After everything I've gone through this was a piece of cake.

No More Chemo!!!

As of today I am clear.  My PET/CT scans I had done on Monday have come back and show no signs of cancer.

The scans did show nodules on my Thyroid but they have been there. But, given the family history.  I will be having another ultra sound on that in January but I've been through that before .. no biggie ;)

I have to have blood work and see the Doc every three months for a while.  They will be monitoring me for at least a year.   But for now .. no more Chemo and no more freaking needles every week! :D

... oh and the damn port is coming out Monday!!! That's a good sign right??

The sense of relief is overwhelming..... once he told me I was clear I started to say something and completely lost my train of thought ... so much going through my mind ... now I'm worried he might think I have Alzheimer's setting in lol.

I'll post back after I'm up and around from the removal.

Now I can look forward to the Holidays and New Year with renewed hope and full of thankful blessings.

PET/CAT scans today

I had my scans today.  It's a good thing I am not claustrophobic.  I was in the tube for nearly 30 minutes.  It was freezing cold too.  They had two blankets on me but I was still frozen.  Nothing new about that though ... I'm always cold. 

I go to see the Doc on Thursday and get the results.  *Fingers Crossed*

My Last Chemo Treatment!!

Today was my last Chemo treament!!!  Six months sure does fly by sometimes.

Now I have to wait three weeks.  Then I get blood tests and PET/CAT scans and find out what the scoop is.  Hopefully this will be the end of it.

No Egg - No Oil Chocolate Cake

Now that it is getting colder I am getting into baking mode.  I decided to try something new since I was low on ingredients.  I had no oil and no eggs so, I consulted my old friend Mr. Google and I found this recipe ... Not exactly low cal ... but no fat for sure.  I have to say I was skeptical but it wasn't too bad .. it turned out to be a bit like a brownie.  Moist and a bit chewy.  I will say this is very rich so a small piece goes a long way.  But when you are having a chocolate attack and no sign of chocolate in the house this came in very handy. ☺  I do adore a bit of chocolate now and again ♥

3 cups Flour

2 cups Sugar

6 tbs Cocoa powder

2 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Vinegar

2 tsp Vanilla

3/4 cup Applesauce

2 cups cold Water

Mix dry ingredients.  Make 3 wells in the dry mix.  Pour vanilla in one well, Apple sauce in the other, Vinegar in the 3rd well and then pour water over all.  Mix until just blended and pour into a 9 x 13 pan.   Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.  I used a glass pan and I went the full 40 ... I think I could have pulled it out at 30 or 35 and gotten an even moister cake.  I'll try that next time. 

Ovens and pans will always vary a little.   

This cake is so rich a small piece really is all you need so this will serve quite a few people. 

Enjoy! ♥

2010 Adirondack Balloon Festival

Another year ... Another Balloon Festival. I go each year weather permitting in the hopes of seeing a huge lift off. Once again Mother Nature would not cooperate. I woke up with huge hopes. NO RAIN!!! I was still hopeful waiting in line for nearly 2 hours of stop and go traffic.

Seeing the sun coming up on the horizon ... seeing a few clouds but not too many ... I thought this is the year! So did every other person from here to Canada. I saw license plates from Canada, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts & New Hampshire. Traffic was horrendous. For those that live here we promptly came to a standstill in front of Glens Falls Animal Hospital. We have always been able to make it to at least Cronin road before the crawl begins lol! But that was ok ... There was excitement in the air.

Everyone walked around with huge smiles just waiting for the balloons to hit the field. There had to be 1000's of people on that field, I haven't seen so many in a few years. Then as the wind picked up those smiles waned. It was not to be.

Once again another year with no balloons

...... but wait!

Some pilots took pity on us poor balloon fanatics. They decided to at least fire up the burners and bring a few of those magical Balloons to life. It was wonderful to see them rise against the odds. Even though a few handlers nearly went flying while holding on to those lines.

So, we didn't get to see them all .. but we got to see a few and that made the wait worthwhile.

And yes .. next year I will trundle out the house half asleep at 4 am in hopes of seeing a full flight once again. ♥

The first kiss of the morning sun

A kind gentlemen asked if I would like a picture of "my daughter" and me .. who am I to argue ☺


 

My sister and her whole crew ..... a good looking bunch I would say. ♥

I love this pic ... the little Pirate giving an approving Arrrrrrrr!!!

It's Coming Back!!

I'm sprouting hair!!! I just wish my eyebrows and eyelashes would start to fill back in .. it's getting increasingly harder to pencil the brows in lol ..I'm going to look like bozo the clown pretty soon lol!


ONE MORE TREATMENT TO GO!!!

Treatment 5 Down ... One More To Go!

I am just getting around to posting this today I have been down for the count after this one.  I'm not sure if it's because they ramped up the Taxol ... I got it in 3 hours this time vs the normal 4 hours. 

I have been so nauseous and wiped out.  I spent most of the last 3 days in bed.   I just started feeling human today.  The pills help with the sickies .. but I've taken more over these past 3 days than I have taken all the way through this I think.

But, today is a new day! I managed to get up, take a shower, get dressed and go shopping with my sister this morning.  I did pretty good but once again .. yep you guessed it ... I'm beat now. 

I am just so excited that I only have one more treatment to go on Oct. 7th.  Then I will have some testing and get the word as to what is what.  Hopefully it will mean I am good to go ♥

I had a burst of energy...

I felt like making Lemon Squares.  I cheated and used a box mix .. but they were still good :)

Uggh...

I had my 4th treatment last Thursday.  Not going to post much I just have no life left in me.  I am so tired.  Actually the word tired doesn't begin to cover it.  Making a cup of Tea and carrying it to my room exhausts me.

As tired as I am I am not sleeping so great either.  I either can't sleep or can't get out of bed.  Blech!

I took a little trip to Cape Cod

I needed a girlie weekend ... I was so happy when I got invited by Diva and Rachella to go with them and Lexi to the Cape for a few days.  Even though it rained most of it ... it was still wonderful.  I was rather amused that for once I didn't have to worry about the rain ruining my hair doo lol!

Treatment 3

I'm halfway there now.  I see some light at the end of the tunnel.  I just wish I had more energy.  Little things tire me right out. 

I'm not going to complain about what I am going through however ... after seeing some of the folks in the Cancer Center .. it really broke my heart. I feel like I have gotten off lightly compared to what some are going through. While it's no piece of cake I think I am doing pretty good all things considered.

Here are some pics of my rig: 

 








That's quite a needle eh?





Me and Jess - She has been with me every step of the way.  I don't think I could have coped without her strength and encouragement.  I love you Sis ♥

Aww...

I love this pic. Mikey loves my bald head .. he rubs it all the time.  How cute is he?? ♥

Treatment 2

Treatment number 2 has come and gone. I think I am doing ok. Thursday went smoothly. No reaction this time. They are giving me oral Benedryl. I had my shot on Friday - no issues.

I have a little pattern developing.  Seems the Sunday after my treatment seems to be my worst day so far. This Sunday like last time I had horrible waves of nausea.  But the pills help right away. 

Still no side effects such as mouth sores or skin issues.  I'm just tired. 

Nothing like a wool cap in 90 Degree Heat!

Well here is the wig ...

BUT..... I just can't wear it.  It's itchy and feels like I am wearing a wool cap.  It's just too uncomfortable.  God bless the gals that can do it .. but I have decided to go with the Pirate look.  I'm now the proud owner of a dozen colorful bandanas. 

I had a talk with myself wondering why I was torturing myself with a wig.  Who was it for.  I really think I was wearing it for others benefit.  I didn't want to make others uncomfortable.  How stupid is that?

If I ever had a right to completely focused on me and my comfort level now would be the time.  So I stuck the wig up on a stand on my closet and learned how to tie a bandana on my head so it wouldn't blow off.   Thank you to all the Bikers our there ... your dew rag instructions rock!

This is what I look like on a daily basis now.

here are a few more silly shots -  I have to have a sense of humor about all this or I will just curl up in bed in the fetal position and not come out until it's all over.

My lovely turban lol 






Styling in a big hat:





Look out Norma .. I'm ready for my close-up too!!

It's Gone ...

Hair today ... Gone tomorrow ...

After grocery shopping today and having wind literally blow gobs of hair out of my head while driving - I had my sister get out the clippers. 

It's been 2 weeks to the day and right on schedule it started falling out in gobs.   I had to shave it ... I just couldn't bear seeing it clumped in my brush or on my shoulders.  It was falling out so fast I wouldn't have been able to even cook dinner.  I didn't want to get hair all over everything so I took matters into my own hands.   Or put it in my sisters I guess lol 

The pics aren't too great.  The lighting was bad but Miss Alex did a pretty good job.  










Here lies my hair ... it lived a good life ... One day it shall rise again!

4th of July Rib Recipe

This works great for pulled pork or just for Ribs ... they were so tender they nearly melted in my mouth :D 

4 cups apple cider vinegar
2 cups dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons peppercorns
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 teaspoon mustard powder
whole pork shoulder (~14 pounds)

Combine all the dry ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until a fine powder.

Add the cider vinegar and process again until mixed.

Rinse the pork and place fat-side-up in a large pan. Pour the sauce over.

Cover tightly with foil, and place in a 250°F oven for at least 7 hours.

Remove the foil and check the internal temperature. Return to the oven until it is 190°F.

Put under the broiler to crisp the fat on top.

Pour off and reserve the liquid. Separate the grease out and discard.

Remove the fat layer and pull the rest of the pork apart with forks or tongs.

Pour the de-fatted liquid back in.

I put it in the oven at 8 am this morning and pulled it out at 3:30

My only variations .. I didn't have mustard powder .. but I added a few glugs of Worcestershire sauce and a few splashes of Hot Sauce and cut up two big onions as well.  When I pulled it out I removed the ribs from the juice and placed them on a baking sheet - covered them with Sweet Baby Rays bbq sauce and then baked them for another 30 minutes 350 to set the sauce.

Mmmmmm.....

My niece Rachel made these for me for my Birthday.  YUM!!!

 She made these delicious little morsels for my birthday. They were so tasty and so colorful. I think they are just beautiful. She did an amazing job. Even with the blazing sun trying to kiss the frosting off them they still looked amazing ♥

Happy Birthday To Me

I am 46 years old today .... 220 pounds lighter than last year and going through Chemo .... what a life eh?

It has been quite a ride for the past two years.  No one can say I lead a dull life.

First Chemo Treatment

I am just going to copy this from a forum I posted on .. I'm too tired to write it all out again lol ... forgive me.

I'm home ... finally ... I knew the first day was going to be long but holy schmoly!

I had 3 hours of consultation with the team and had to watch a video .... get an EKG or EEG I guess they call it now... had to have a series of blood work and then Chemo finally started about 11:30  That lasted till 4:30.   My sister had to leave to take my brother in law to work so she didn't get back to the hosp until 5:15 so I just hung out watching TV lol

It wasn't too bad ... I can say that now because it takes a few days for the bad stuff to start if it does start.  The only sure things is I will be very very tired and I will loose my hair .. all the other symptoms may or may not happen depending on how my body handles it.

I had a bit of a reaction to straight Benedryl to the blood stream ...my hands and feet started twitching .. that was a site lol.   So then came a shot of Adavan and I was out like a light .. I slept through the whole thing.  They woke me up when it was over.

And yes the Port was awesome.  It was a pretty damn good pinching feeling when the hook needle went in .. but then it was over and didn't hurt through the entire procedure.

I went out so fast I forgot to tell my sis to take a pic of the rigging - I will next time

Now I have to be back tomorrow morning for a Nulasta shot .. that will help keep my white blood cell count up. 

Then I have to have blood tests called NADIR's every thursday through out this treament series so they can keep a close eye on my levels.  The biggest worries are infection and anemia.  Either can drop to fatal levels in a heartbeat .... that was a comforting thought.

But I have my Germ X right beside me and and a purse full of masks ... I will look like Jacko back in the glory days :D

So that's the scoop! ♥

Wig Fitting

I had a wig fitting today at GFH.  It was quite a relief to know that they donate the wig.  They are an all encompassing Cancer Center and gift all initial wigs so you don't have to worry about having no hair.  That came as quite a relief since all wigs I have seen are 75 - 300 dollars depending on what you want and length.   I thought I might have to break out the straw wig from Halloween lol!

The Gal that helped me was very friendly and helpful.  I found a style that isn't too bad.  I thought I would have to wait 2 weeks for it but she let me take it then and there.  She also gave me a few turbans.  Not sure if I will wear them.  I'm not really a turban type gal. 





I have to thank my sister who made the calls and figured this all out for me.  I haven't been dealing so well with everything and the day is looming closer and closer.  So she made a few calls and told me to be ready to go first thing in the morning lol .... she loves me ♥

The Steri Strips are off

The steri strips came off the port itself but they are still stuck pretty good to the vein incision.  It looks like a bottle cap got stuck under my skin.  You can see the bruising below my tattoo ... but a lot of the swelling has gone down and I can move my head around fairly well again.