Last week, due to my constant headaches and related issues (see previous post), I went to my doctor to see if these were symptoms we should investigate. He agreed that we should, and I had an MRI of my brain today, as a result. The test went fine; it was actually a lot quicker than I was expecting.
Anyway, I wasn't expecting to hear anything back about the test until tomorrow, at the earliest. When my phone rang around 7:00 pm with a "doctor's office" number on the screen, I was a little on edge. My attention really focused after I answered and heard my doctor's voice on the other end...at 7:00 at night...personally calling me with the results...
Alright, have I scared everyone enough? Let me just interject here, for all of our sanities, that the problem IS NOT cancer related. The scan showed no signs of any brain tumors or the like. Breathe, friends...breathe.
What the scan DID show was an enlarged pituitary gland. No, I didn't just sneeze. The pituitary gland, as explained to me by my doctor, is the "quarterback" of the hormones. It receives the "plays" from the "coaches" in the brain, and then "passes" the "ball" (signals) to the appropriate "receivers" in the body. The gland also sits on top of the optic chasm (the intersection of the nerves from your eyes), as well as near a bunch of other nerve sources. This probably explains the weird eye issues and lightheadedness I've been experiencing, as well as the random sharp nerve pains. The good news is that this doesn't appear to be an insanely scary problem, although it is something that needs to be studied and fixed in a timely manner. My doctor described this as a fixable problem, although we don't yet have all of the necessary equations to solve the problem.
In order to get the appropriate equations, I am due for more blood tests tomorrow that will check the levels of some specific hormones (my thyroid levels are all normal, as are various other levels, and the test will check some we haven't yet tested). Then, later this week, my family and I will meet with my doctor to go over everything (my symptoms, the scan, and the most recent blood work). After that, I will most likely go see a hormone specialist who can work with me to figure out the "why" and the "how". Why is the gland enlarged and how do we go about shrinking it? As of now, that's all I know, folks! :)
Today, someone asked me how I was feeling, emotionally, about all of this. Oddly enough, I knew the scan was going to show something, although I didn't think it would be cancer (and praise God that it did not show the nasty C-word!!). I'm actually glad it did show something; otherwise, I would feel like a wimpy idiot, blabbering about symptoms that stem from nowhere! Now, I know what is wrong, and I'm working toward knowing what needs to be done to fix it. One thing is certain: While I may not be happy to have another medical issue to deal with, my joy comes from the Lord (see last post). He is so much bigger than any attempt at trying to hinder His plans for my life, and I know that He can use, even this, to bring His name glory. I'm sure someone else has other plans, manipulating this to try and keep me from serving my God. You'd think by now he would learn...my response?
...watch this.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Icky Sicky...........JOY!!!!!!!!
Wow...long time, no see, dear blog...I guess, when I was sick, I felt like blogging was more of a tool than an outlet. When I was sick, I didn't feel the least bit chatty or bloggy...When I was blessed with feeling good, I didn't feel the least bit like sitting still!! Therefore, I used blogging as an update tool to keep family and friends informed, at their leisure. Hence the reason my posts were few and far between...once I finished chemo, I took off like a rocket, and left my blogging "tool" in the corner of the Internet somewhere.
Contrary to how it might seem, I actually do like writing and I do like recording my thoughts. I always keep a journal and I nearly always have something to say. Therefore, I've decided to take up this blogging idea, once again, this time by choice rather than necessity.
All of that said, I need to write a little catch-up with where I am right now. As I said, after completing chemo, I zoomed off into the world, off of my couch and back on my feet! It took a while to re-build my stamina, but before I knew it, I was back in school and back involved. I quickly resumed the hectic life of a senior in engineering school, accompanied by extra work, due to my one-year absence. One semester down, Christmas break, and I was back at it again!
I started feeling really tired a few weeks into the spring semester. After trying to ignore the nagging fatigue (and to pacify the concern of my mother), I went to see my doctor. He ran some tests, being extra-thorough, due to my past, and discovered that I had mono, once again. JOY. The source of this mono, as I've already had it before, was assumed to be my run-down immune system, as I took on the world after being set free. You'd think a girl would learn...Anyway, my oncologist ordered some other tests, and those results suggested that it might not actually be mono but a similar virus that caused the mono spot to turn positive. "A rose by any other name, would smell as..." stinky!! Bottom line, I didn't care what it was called; I just knew how it made me feel. So, at the council of my doctor, I dropped out of everything extra-curricular (and I do mean everything), and focused on school and sleep.
About a month into this icky sickiness, I still don't feel any better. Actually, I now feel a tad worse, as I am constantly light-headed and accompanied by annoying headaches. As a matter of fact, I've been getting really frustrated lately with my immune system. Is it too much to ask to be a normal 22-year-old with a normal amount of energy?? Maybe a cold or a sinus infection every now and then, but coooooooooooome oooooooooon...
This morning, during my quiet time, my Precious Lord had something to say about my frustrations, and I want to share what I learned (and am still learning) with you.
I've been reading in Psalms lately, so I picked up where I had left off. Recently, the verses have been about protection and taking grievances to God. This morning, the two verses (26 and 27) dealt with help and hope from God. In the Psalms, David often cries out to God in frustration and anguish in response to his circumstances, and God hears him. David also refocuses, and acknowledges God as the center of his hope and JOY. Okay, God...I'm with you...You = JOY...got it.
Well, He must have wanted the message to sink in a little deeper. For "some reason", I decided to find a book to read in the New Testament this morning. My hands "somehow" found Philippians, and I read the first verse, in which Paul writes that his JOY comes from the Lord, no matter the circumstances. There is a big difference between happiness and JOY: happiness is based on happenings, whereas JOY is based on Christ. How does this apply? While I am certainly not happy with my present icky-sicky state, my JOY is based on more than my surroundings!
If there's one thing that I can say, without a doubt, about myself, it's that I trust my God completely with the happenings of my life. I know He is working everything for the good of those who love Him. Sometimes, however, I get a little frustrated with the way in which He chooses to work, the most recent being my continual icky-sickiness. (Let me interject that I realize mono doesn't even compare with cancer. My frustrations lie in the fact that I just want to feel good again, for good!) What He taught me this morning is that I don't have to be happy with my circumstances, as happiness is based on happenings. I can, however, have JOY wherever I am, because my JOY is based on Christ, and Christ alone.
As if this post isn't long enough already, the coolness of God continues...I've been thinking a lot, lately, about my future husband and on the attributes I desire from my future life-partner as a Christian woman. Yesterday, God shifted my focus from what I want to what he (future husband) and He (God) want. What qualities do I need to let God hone in me, on my road to becoming a better godly woman? I believe the first quality God wants to work on is my JOY, reminding me of the source of that JOY and teaching me how to experience JOY in all things, based on an eternal focus.
So, here's a question to all of my fellow-single sisters in Christ out there. Where does your fulfillment come from? If you think you will finally find fulfillment and JOY within the confines of marriage (the "June Cleaver Syndrom"), you have been very deceived. No man, no matter how wonderful and Christ-centered, will ever be able to fulfill all of your heart's desires; nor will you, as a Christian woman, ever be able to meet all the needs of your husband's heart. Find your true JOY in the only One who can ever give you complete fulfillment--Jesus Christ.
"I have told you this so that My JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete." -John 15:11 (emphasis added)
Contrary to how it might seem, I actually do like writing and I do like recording my thoughts. I always keep a journal and I nearly always have something to say. Therefore, I've decided to take up this blogging idea, once again, this time by choice rather than necessity.
All of that said, I need to write a little catch-up with where I am right now. As I said, after completing chemo, I zoomed off into the world, off of my couch and back on my feet! It took a while to re-build my stamina, but before I knew it, I was back in school and back involved. I quickly resumed the hectic life of a senior in engineering school, accompanied by extra work, due to my one-year absence. One semester down, Christmas break, and I was back at it again!
I started feeling really tired a few weeks into the spring semester. After trying to ignore the nagging fatigue (and to pacify the concern of my mother), I went to see my doctor. He ran some tests, being extra-thorough, due to my past, and discovered that I had mono, once again. JOY. The source of this mono, as I've already had it before, was assumed to be my run-down immune system, as I took on the world after being set free. You'd think a girl would learn...Anyway, my oncologist ordered some other tests, and those results suggested that it might not actually be mono but a similar virus that caused the mono spot to turn positive. "A rose by any other name, would smell as..." stinky!! Bottom line, I didn't care what it was called; I just knew how it made me feel. So, at the council of my doctor, I dropped out of everything extra-curricular (and I do mean everything), and focused on school and sleep.
About a month into this icky sickiness, I still don't feel any better. Actually, I now feel a tad worse, as I am constantly light-headed and accompanied by annoying headaches. As a matter of fact, I've been getting really frustrated lately with my immune system. Is it too much to ask to be a normal 22-year-old with a normal amount of energy?? Maybe a cold or a sinus infection every now and then, but coooooooooooome oooooooooon...
This morning, during my quiet time, my Precious Lord had something to say about my frustrations, and I want to share what I learned (and am still learning) with you.
I've been reading in Psalms lately, so I picked up where I had left off. Recently, the verses have been about protection and taking grievances to God. This morning, the two verses (26 and 27) dealt with help and hope from God. In the Psalms, David often cries out to God in frustration and anguish in response to his circumstances, and God hears him. David also refocuses, and acknowledges God as the center of his hope and JOY. Okay, God...I'm with you...You = JOY...got it.
Well, He must have wanted the message to sink in a little deeper. For "some reason", I decided to find a book to read in the New Testament this morning. My hands "somehow" found Philippians, and I read the first verse, in which Paul writes that his JOY comes from the Lord, no matter the circumstances. There is a big difference between happiness and JOY: happiness is based on happenings, whereas JOY is based on Christ. How does this apply? While I am certainly not happy with my present icky-sicky state, my JOY is based on more than my surroundings!
If there's one thing that I can say, without a doubt, about myself, it's that I trust my God completely with the happenings of my life. I know He is working everything for the good of those who love Him. Sometimes, however, I get a little frustrated with the way in which He chooses to work, the most recent being my continual icky-sickiness. (Let me interject that I realize mono doesn't even compare with cancer. My frustrations lie in the fact that I just want to feel good again, for good!) What He taught me this morning is that I don't have to be happy with my circumstances, as happiness is based on happenings. I can, however, have JOY wherever I am, because my JOY is based on Christ, and Christ alone.
As if this post isn't long enough already, the coolness of God continues...I've been thinking a lot, lately, about my future husband and on the attributes I desire from my future life-partner as a Christian woman. Yesterday, God shifted my focus from what I want to what he (future husband) and He (God) want. What qualities do I need to let God hone in me, on my road to becoming a better godly woman? I believe the first quality God wants to work on is my JOY, reminding me of the source of that JOY and teaching me how to experience JOY in all things, based on an eternal focus.
So, here's a question to all of my fellow-single sisters in Christ out there. Where does your fulfillment come from? If you think you will finally find fulfillment and JOY within the confines of marriage (the "June Cleaver Syndrom"), you have been very deceived. No man, no matter how wonderful and Christ-centered, will ever be able to fulfill all of your heart's desires; nor will you, as a Christian woman, ever be able to meet all the needs of your husband's heart. Find your true JOY in the only One who can ever give you complete fulfillment--Jesus Christ.
"I have told you this so that My JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete." -John 15:11 (emphasis added)
Monday, August 22, 2011
A New Day Has Come
Today was my first day back at OSU!!! It felt so good to be back on campus, doing exactly what a 22-year-old should be doing. I'm ready to learn and grow and challenge myself. I'm ready for a hectic schedule that keeps my clinging for dear life to my little turquoise planner. I'm ready for late nights and study sessions and LOTS of coffee. This last year has really made me appreciate where I am right now and all that I have. It's taught me to take advantage of all opportunities, whether big or small. I dream big and I go for my dreams. Why? Because I can. I CAN! Ten months ago, my dream was simple: Beat cancer, and glorify God while doing so. Now, my dream is to live, right where I am, whatever that means, and glorify God while doing so. I am so thankful to Him for opening my eyes to all that I have--how very blessed I really am. My hope is that He continues to use me, bringing glory to His precious Name in all that I do. What a wonderful God we serve, people. So get up and get out! There is a big world out there with a lot of life in it. I don't know about you, but I'm more than ready to go live it.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
To Radiate, or Not To Radiate: That Is THE Question.
Well, here it is, folks...the words we've ALL been waiting for: I AM FINISHED WITH CHEMOTHERAPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The final two treatments were slightly rough to endure. With my two lasts came some firsts: first re-viewing of breakfast during treatment, first IV nausea medicine (I'd taken many pills, but never the really heavy stuff), and first refusal of my cold mouth routine during one of the medicines. Nonetheless, here I am standing on the other side of them, and stronger for it! I just really can't believe they are over. The realization didn't fully sink in until the next Tuesday, when I actually didn't have to go get poisoned. Yesterday marked the "one month" mark, and I'm feeling wonderful!!
So, the big question on everyone's mind now is, "What next?" Well, that has been a tough question to answer, but I will try to walk everyone through the sequence of events leading to the final decision.
Exactly one week after my 12th chemotherapy treatment, my family and I again made the journey to T-Town, where we met with my Oncologist, Dr. Keller, to discuss future plans. Ever since my first oncology appointment, there has been a question looming overhead, and that was of radiation. To radiate, or not to radiate: that is THE question. You would think that this would be a simple question with a simple answer, but in my case, it was not. I happen to lie right in the middle of the "radiation decision," meaning that my diagnosis qualified me for both "sides of the fence." We thought that Dr. Keller would give us an opinion, one way or the other, but he did not. He did refer us to a Radiation Oncologist, and we met with Dr. Clark on Tuesday of the following week.
In the meantime, I had another PET Scan scheduled for Monday (one day before my meeting with Dr. Clark). The scan went fine, and my family and I were actually able to spend an enjoyable day in Tulsa. The next day, we met with Dr. Clark in Stillwater (we didn't have to drive to Tulsa again!!!), and we were all excited about receiving a definite answer. Dr. Clark entered the examination room speaking as if I was definitely in need of radiation, which was a bit confusing. After we mentioned the existence of a second clear PET Scan, however, he seemed to change his mind. He told us that he wanted to take a closer look at all my scans (now a total of three), and he would get back to us. Needless to say, my family and I left the office just as baffled as ever.
Another week later, we got in touch with Dr. Clark to find out his opinion after checking all of my scan reports. Again, I thought I would get a definite answer, but he didn't seem to have a clear opinion. (At this point, I was getting frustrated, only because I wanted to know what was in front of me. I still respect and appreciate the thoroughness and honesty of both of my doctors in making this tough decision, and I do not blame them one bit for being hesitant in a final opinion.) It seemed to me that he was leaning against radiation, but he still couldn't say for sure. He then referred me back to Dr. Keller, in order to try and make sense of my case. So, I called and left a message for Dr. Keller last week, and he was to get back with me sometime this week, which brings us up to date.
Throughout this entire journey, I have grown so much in my faith and in my relationship with God. He has carried me through all of this, and I would be nothing without Him. So, as much as I valued and trusted the opinions of my doctors, I also realized that only One Doctor knows everything there is to know about Kaila Sky Reeder. It was He, and only He, who could give me a completely accurate answer for where to go next with my life. That said, I also think that the analytical and thorough search my family and I made, by visiting various doctors, was a necessary step in following the will of God. He gives us free will, to make decisions based on the intelligence and resources He provides, and that is a big part of a relationship with Him.
Anyway, I have been praying for the last six months (and for the month after my last treatment) for guidance in making this decision. I knew that God would orchestrate everything to fit within His will for my life, and I trusted Him to lead me to the correct conclusion at the correct time. The difficult part in this was stiving to keep an unbiased mindset when meeting with doctors, as I "just knew" that radiation was not in my future. I have learned enough in the past year to know that with God, timing is everything. If I was not receiving a clear answer about radiation, it was for a reason. So I waited and prayed and layed everything in His Hands. I may never fully understand why this month of "waiting" was necessary, but I appreciate the thoroughness of my Lord in this decision, as well as that of my doctors. To sum this up, my decision had already been made in my heart; I just needed my doctors to reach the same decision, so that I could reach a decision in my head.
Today, I called Cancer Care, in hopes of talking to Dr. Keller's nurse. The receptionist transferred me back to what I was expecting would be an answering machine, but then she came back on the line. She told me that Dr. Keller actually wanted to talk to me. He came on the line, and asked me what I gathered from my meeting with Dr. Clark. I told him that it seemed as if Dr. Clark had not yet reached a certain decision, and that Dr. Clark wanted me to discuss things further with Dr. Keller. Dr. Keller then told me that Dr. Clark's written report to him seemed much more opinionated and definite, and that Dr. Keller agreed with the decision made by Dr. Clark. (Is anyone getting confused with the "Drs." yet?!) At this point, I'm getting really excited, as I know that I am about to hear an actual decision! Dr. Keller then gave me that definite answer:
NO RADIATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, everyone, for your concern in this matter. I apologize for not having an answer for you all sooner, but I hope you can see the reason for my lack of information. Thank you, also, for your continued prayers; you will never know how much your support has meant to me, and I thank God for placing such wonderful people in my life. Thank you so very much...
As I'm sure you've noticed by now, my posts are quite infrequent. This is largely due to the fact that I have had almost as many "good days" as "bad" throughout this process, which I consider an immense blessing. There have been vacations and hunting trips, as well as time with friends, which was all wonderful. Just feeling good was an incredible light, for which I can never thank God enough. For these past three weeks, the pattern has continued, as my dad and I have wrecked havoc on the lakes of Oklahoma! No fish alive stands a chance this spring! We've also enlightened a few turkeys to the presence of the Reeder pair!
Well, I think I've written plenty to get my fingers tired and to keep your eyes occupied for today. I do hope to write another post sometime soon, filled with pictures and stories of my outdoor adventures, thus far. If nothing else, it should be a nice break from your reading (and my writing) about nausea and poison! Until then, my love to you all.
The final two treatments were slightly rough to endure. With my two lasts came some firsts: first re-viewing of breakfast during treatment, first IV nausea medicine (I'd taken many pills, but never the really heavy stuff), and first refusal of my cold mouth routine during one of the medicines. Nonetheless, here I am standing on the other side of them, and stronger for it! I just really can't believe they are over. The realization didn't fully sink in until the next Tuesday, when I actually didn't have to go get poisoned. Yesterday marked the "one month" mark, and I'm feeling wonderful!!
So, the big question on everyone's mind now is, "What next?" Well, that has been a tough question to answer, but I will try to walk everyone through the sequence of events leading to the final decision.
Exactly one week after my 12th chemotherapy treatment, my family and I again made the journey to T-Town, where we met with my Oncologist, Dr. Keller, to discuss future plans. Ever since my first oncology appointment, there has been a question looming overhead, and that was of radiation. To radiate, or not to radiate: that is THE question. You would think that this would be a simple question with a simple answer, but in my case, it was not. I happen to lie right in the middle of the "radiation decision," meaning that my diagnosis qualified me for both "sides of the fence." We thought that Dr. Keller would give us an opinion, one way or the other, but he did not. He did refer us to a Radiation Oncologist, and we met with Dr. Clark on Tuesday of the following week.
In the meantime, I had another PET Scan scheduled for Monday (one day before my meeting with Dr. Clark). The scan went fine, and my family and I were actually able to spend an enjoyable day in Tulsa. The next day, we met with Dr. Clark in Stillwater (we didn't have to drive to Tulsa again!!!), and we were all excited about receiving a definite answer. Dr. Clark entered the examination room speaking as if I was definitely in need of radiation, which was a bit confusing. After we mentioned the existence of a second clear PET Scan, however, he seemed to change his mind. He told us that he wanted to take a closer look at all my scans (now a total of three), and he would get back to us. Needless to say, my family and I left the office just as baffled as ever.
Another week later, we got in touch with Dr. Clark to find out his opinion after checking all of my scan reports. Again, I thought I would get a definite answer, but he didn't seem to have a clear opinion. (At this point, I was getting frustrated, only because I wanted to know what was in front of me. I still respect and appreciate the thoroughness and honesty of both of my doctors in making this tough decision, and I do not blame them one bit for being hesitant in a final opinion.) It seemed to me that he was leaning against radiation, but he still couldn't say for sure. He then referred me back to Dr. Keller, in order to try and make sense of my case. So, I called and left a message for Dr. Keller last week, and he was to get back with me sometime this week, which brings us up to date.
Throughout this entire journey, I have grown so much in my faith and in my relationship with God. He has carried me through all of this, and I would be nothing without Him. So, as much as I valued and trusted the opinions of my doctors, I also realized that only One Doctor knows everything there is to know about Kaila Sky Reeder. It was He, and only He, who could give me a completely accurate answer for where to go next with my life. That said, I also think that the analytical and thorough search my family and I made, by visiting various doctors, was a necessary step in following the will of God. He gives us free will, to make decisions based on the intelligence and resources He provides, and that is a big part of a relationship with Him.
Anyway, I have been praying for the last six months (and for the month after my last treatment) for guidance in making this decision. I knew that God would orchestrate everything to fit within His will for my life, and I trusted Him to lead me to the correct conclusion at the correct time. The difficult part in this was stiving to keep an unbiased mindset when meeting with doctors, as I "just knew" that radiation was not in my future. I have learned enough in the past year to know that with God, timing is everything. If I was not receiving a clear answer about radiation, it was for a reason. So I waited and prayed and layed everything in His Hands. I may never fully understand why this month of "waiting" was necessary, but I appreciate the thoroughness of my Lord in this decision, as well as that of my doctors. To sum this up, my decision had already been made in my heart; I just needed my doctors to reach the same decision, so that I could reach a decision in my head.
Today, I called Cancer Care, in hopes of talking to Dr. Keller's nurse. The receptionist transferred me back to what I was expecting would be an answering machine, but then she came back on the line. She told me that Dr. Keller actually wanted to talk to me. He came on the line, and asked me what I gathered from my meeting with Dr. Clark. I told him that it seemed as if Dr. Clark had not yet reached a certain decision, and that Dr. Clark wanted me to discuss things further with Dr. Keller. Dr. Keller then told me that Dr. Clark's written report to him seemed much more opinionated and definite, and that Dr. Keller agreed with the decision made by Dr. Clark. (Is anyone getting confused with the "Drs." yet?!) At this point, I'm getting really excited, as I know that I am about to hear an actual decision! Dr. Keller then gave me that definite answer:
NO RADIATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, everyone, for your concern in this matter. I apologize for not having an answer for you all sooner, but I hope you can see the reason for my lack of information. Thank you, also, for your continued prayers; you will never know how much your support has meant to me, and I thank God for placing such wonderful people in my life. Thank you so very much...
As I'm sure you've noticed by now, my posts are quite infrequent. This is largely due to the fact that I have had almost as many "good days" as "bad" throughout this process, which I consider an immense blessing. There have been vacations and hunting trips, as well as time with friends, which was all wonderful. Just feeling good was an incredible light, for which I can never thank God enough. For these past three weeks, the pattern has continued, as my dad and I have wrecked havoc on the lakes of Oklahoma! No fish alive stands a chance this spring! We've also enlightened a few turkeys to the presence of the Reeder pair!
Well, I think I've written plenty to get my fingers tired and to keep your eyes occupied for today. I do hope to write another post sometime soon, filled with pictures and stories of my outdoor adventures, thus far. If nothing else, it should be a nice break from your reading (and my writing) about nausea and poison! Until then, my love to you all.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Snowmageddon............s!!!
I can't believe I haven't updated this thing in so long! I guess I just got in a cycle--go to treatments, be sick, get better, enjoy a week--and I blogging just slipped my mind. Also, my ninth treatment was one that I didn't really want to think about for a while, so I guess I'm just now getting to it..............
In all honesty, nothing too exciting (except the infamous ninth) has happened since my last post. Like I said above, this has pretty much become the norm for my family and I, although we are very ready for a new standard! Anyway, I will delve into the epic that was my 9th treatment, if for no other reason than it makes a really good story!
Two weeks after my eighth treatment, I was "ready" to go back for my ninth (only one way to get to the finish line)..................The weather, however, seemed to have other plans. Snowmageddon #1 hit on Monday night, and all of Tulsa closed down for an entire week! Needless to say, I received an extra week of feeling well. What is more is that I got to spend such a week in the snow!! By the next Tuesday, the snow had ebbed enough that a trip to Tulsa looked promising; trying to catch up from all of the missed appointments, Cancer Care scheduled my Treatment #9 for Thursday morning. My family and I were slightly concerned, however, as I was already a week behind. We called the poor office back (they were completely flooded with phone calls, due to the previous bad weather and the impending storm, scheduled to hit that very Tuesday night), and they decided that the Reeders should make a hasty dash toward Tulsa, in an attempt to out-run Snowmageddon #2. So, about to brack a blizzard, my dad and I loaded up Old White (our affectionate name for the hunting truck--an '80 Chevy box-front, complete with a cable winch on the front) with tools and blankets and clothes and boots and food...Grapes of Wrath, anyone?????
Dad and I arrived in Tulsa around 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon. We dashed into Cancer Care, my port was accessed and blood was drawn, and we went back to see Dr. Keller. As my treatment lasts for a full three hours, and the office closes at 5:00 pm, Dr. Keller made arrangements for me to receive my #9 at the adjacent hospital, St. Francis. I was all for this, due to my involuntary sickness caused by the treatment center smell. After I received the "all clear" from Keller, the Reeder duo headed next door to get this treatment and get back on the road.
I was placed in a room on the Oncology floor around 4:50 pm; we were excited, as it looked like we might beat the storm back to Stillwater! 5:30 came and went, and I hadn't been hooked up to anything. I didn't really mind, however, as there was a marathon on of Law & Order: SVU. By 6:30, I was beginning to get a little fidgety; Dad and I needed to get back on the road, if we were ever to make it home safely. At 8:00, I was still not even hooked up to my pre-meds, and Dad was beginning to loose his patients (honestly, he handled these first three hours quite remarkably!) He finally decided to go find out what was wrong, and after a little investigating, I was hooked up to my pre-meds around 9:00 pm..........miraculously, it was only just beginning to snow in Stilly!
At 12:30, Dad and I clamored back into Old White, tired and slightly ruffled, but braced for the trip ahead of us. The roads in Tulsa were white, and the wind was howling. We drove slowly and were met with very little traffic; it's surprising how much a city shuts down with a little snow! The scariest part of the journey was our trip over Keystone. The wind was whipping through the gap made by the hills at either end of the bridge, and our stout truck was shaking in its tracks, along with both passengers inside!!! Surprisingly enough, we were able to make it all of the way to the Stilly on-ramp before Dad had to get out and lock the hubs. We slipped and slid our way into Stilly, and we were never happier to see 1118 W. Newman! It was a trip for the nerves, that's for sure.
Even though the trip was...ahem, memorable...there were many good things about that ninth treatment. For one, as I mentioned earlier, I didn't have to endure the treatment center, which makes me almost as sick as the chemo. Secondly, the worst of the storm held off until Dad and I got home...literally. It seemed like the snowfall substantially picked up as soon as we walked through the door. My mom said she was watching the storm on the television, and the entire thing was hovering just above Stilly...you call it what you want to, but I call it the power of my beautiful God. Despite all odds, he made a way for me to get Treatment #9, which gets me that much closer to the finish line.
So, I head off to Treatment #11 this morning!! So close to being finished...after today, I can hold up one finger, for there will only be one left! I will try to be better about posting and post a little later in the week...just don't hold me to anything, as this is Oklahoma, and I'm sure Snowmageddon #3 looms somewhere in the future, near or far! :)
As always, I love you all, and thank you so much for your prayers and continued support! Mwah!
In all honesty, nothing too exciting (except the infamous ninth) has happened since my last post. Like I said above, this has pretty much become the norm for my family and I, although we are very ready for a new standard! Anyway, I will delve into the epic that was my 9th treatment, if for no other reason than it makes a really good story!
Two weeks after my eighth treatment, I was "ready" to go back for my ninth (only one way to get to the finish line)..................The weather, however, seemed to have other plans. Snowmageddon #1 hit on Monday night, and all of Tulsa closed down for an entire week! Needless to say, I received an extra week of feeling well. What is more is that I got to spend such a week in the snow!! By the next Tuesday, the snow had ebbed enough that a trip to Tulsa looked promising; trying to catch up from all of the missed appointments, Cancer Care scheduled my Treatment #9 for Thursday morning. My family and I were slightly concerned, however, as I was already a week behind. We called the poor office back (they were completely flooded with phone calls, due to the previous bad weather and the impending storm, scheduled to hit that very Tuesday night), and they decided that the Reeders should make a hasty dash toward Tulsa, in an attempt to out-run Snowmageddon #2. So, about to brack a blizzard, my dad and I loaded up Old White (our affectionate name for the hunting truck--an '80 Chevy box-front, complete with a cable winch on the front) with tools and blankets and clothes and boots and food...Grapes of Wrath, anyone?????
Dad and I arrived in Tulsa around 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon. We dashed into Cancer Care, my port was accessed and blood was drawn, and we went back to see Dr. Keller. As my treatment lasts for a full three hours, and the office closes at 5:00 pm, Dr. Keller made arrangements for me to receive my #9 at the adjacent hospital, St. Francis. I was all for this, due to my involuntary sickness caused by the treatment center smell. After I received the "all clear" from Keller, the Reeder duo headed next door to get this treatment and get back on the road.
I was placed in a room on the Oncology floor around 4:50 pm; we were excited, as it looked like we might beat the storm back to Stillwater! 5:30 came and went, and I hadn't been hooked up to anything. I didn't really mind, however, as there was a marathon on of Law & Order: SVU. By 6:30, I was beginning to get a little fidgety; Dad and I needed to get back on the road, if we were ever to make it home safely. At 8:00, I was still not even hooked up to my pre-meds, and Dad was beginning to loose his patients (honestly, he handled these first three hours quite remarkably!) He finally decided to go find out what was wrong, and after a little investigating, I was hooked up to my pre-meds around 9:00 pm..........miraculously, it was only just beginning to snow in Stilly!
At 12:30, Dad and I clamored back into Old White, tired and slightly ruffled, but braced for the trip ahead of us. The roads in Tulsa were white, and the wind was howling. We drove slowly and were met with very little traffic; it's surprising how much a city shuts down with a little snow! The scariest part of the journey was our trip over Keystone. The wind was whipping through the gap made by the hills at either end of the bridge, and our stout truck was shaking in its tracks, along with both passengers inside!!! Surprisingly enough, we were able to make it all of the way to the Stilly on-ramp before Dad had to get out and lock the hubs. We slipped and slid our way into Stilly, and we were never happier to see 1118 W. Newman! It was a trip for the nerves, that's for sure.
Even though the trip was...ahem, memorable...there were many good things about that ninth treatment. For one, as I mentioned earlier, I didn't have to endure the treatment center, which makes me almost as sick as the chemo. Secondly, the worst of the storm held off until Dad and I got home...literally. It seemed like the snowfall substantially picked up as soon as we walked through the door. My mom said she was watching the storm on the television, and the entire thing was hovering just above Stilly...you call it what you want to, but I call it the power of my beautiful God. Despite all odds, he made a way for me to get Treatment #9, which gets me that much closer to the finish line.
So, I head off to Treatment #11 this morning!! So close to being finished...after today, I can hold up one finger, for there will only be one left! I will try to be better about posting and post a little later in the week...just don't hold me to anything, as this is Oklahoma, and I'm sure Snowmageddon #3 looms somewhere in the future, near or far! :)
As always, I love you all, and thank you so much for your prayers and continued support! Mwah!
Monday, January 17, 2011
It Was Just the Tequilla Talkin'
I know this post is a little late, but I thought I should update everyone on my last treatment before I have my next one...as in, tomorrow...
Anyways, Treatment #7 actually went fairly well, as far as the side-effects go (I'll get to where things went bad in a sec). I was able to keep the smell of the treatment center at bay, thus keeping the nausea from getting too bad. Someone told me of a trick that really works! Just apply Vic's to the inside of a surgical mask, place another mask over that one (to keep from having a Vic's face bath), and wear! It really did work in keeping me less nauseated, which was great! I was just really tired for a few days, but for the most part, it wasn't very bad at all (PRAISE GOD!!). Also, I got some new nausea medication...actually, it's technically the same medicine, but a different method of delivery. The first kind was meant to dissolve on my tongue, but it tasted SOOOOO BAD! I didn't want to take the medicine because it almost made me even more nauseous. I was able to get the same medicine in a swallowing form, and that helped tremendously.
So, everything was going fine after treatment...that is, until my family and I decided to go out to dinner on Friday night (day 3 after my poisoning). I was feeling pretty well, considering it was my first day out of the house in 3 days. I decided that Mexican food sounded really good (I've been on a salt kick...my lifetime of being a chocoholic has been cured!!! Thanks, Chemo! lol). We ended up going to El Vaquero, where we met 4 of our friends. My parents and our 4 friends ordered a pitcher of margaritas. I was very content with my quesadilla, until I noticed an empty and unused margarita glass sitting on the table. I decided that one glass...one...would not hurt me, so I poured myself a glass...MISTAKE!!! Not 3 minutes after I drank the killer drink, I was headed for the bathroom. The tequila made me slightly dizzy, and it was just enough to re-instate my nausea, and I spent the next 15 minutes in the bathroom (the great part was my mother standing behind me, saying over and over again, "Try not to touch the toilet...") When I noticed that I wasn't getting any better, I told my mom to just get me home. She grabbed a clean trash sack out of the trash can, and my sister and my mom flanked me and steered me out of there. It was really great to walk through a restaurant, my face as pale as a ghost, with my mom (holding a trash sack) and my sister holding me up...every eye in the place turned, and I could almost hear what they were all thinking: "What on earth did she order???!" When I got in the car, I grabbed the sack from my mom, and I was finally able to...um...say hello to my quesadilla again, which made me feel better. Anyways, long story short, I learned a valuable lesson: Tequila 3 days after Chemo is not the best idea in the world...duly noted!
Something exciting happened during these past 2 weeks! I got 2 new lab puppies that I absolutely ADORE!!! They are brothers from the same litter, and they are both precious. Only one of them has a name, though (as of about 6:00 tonight), and his name is Ross. The other one is still a work in progress...
So, I go in tomorrow for Treatment #8...66.666666666666666667%!!!!!!!!!!! As always, I'm not really jumping up and down about going back;, however, I know that the only way to get finished is to get #8, then #9...then #12!!!
Thank you, everyone, for all of your prayers!!! I love you all and I would be lost without your kindness to my family and me. I will definitely keep you all posted if my doc tells me anything new. Until my next post, I will be licking my wounds and enjoying puppy breath and cute lab puppy faces!
Anyways, Treatment #7 actually went fairly well, as far as the side-effects go (I'll get to where things went bad in a sec). I was able to keep the smell of the treatment center at bay, thus keeping the nausea from getting too bad. Someone told me of a trick that really works! Just apply Vic's to the inside of a surgical mask, place another mask over that one (to keep from having a Vic's face bath), and wear! It really did work in keeping me less nauseated, which was great! I was just really tired for a few days, but for the most part, it wasn't very bad at all (PRAISE GOD!!). Also, I got some new nausea medication...actually, it's technically the same medicine, but a different method of delivery. The first kind was meant to dissolve on my tongue, but it tasted SOOOOO BAD! I didn't want to take the medicine because it almost made me even more nauseous. I was able to get the same medicine in a swallowing form, and that helped tremendously.
So, everything was going fine after treatment...that is, until my family and I decided to go out to dinner on Friday night (day 3 after my poisoning). I was feeling pretty well, considering it was my first day out of the house in 3 days. I decided that Mexican food sounded really good (I've been on a salt kick...my lifetime of being a chocoholic has been cured!!! Thanks, Chemo! lol). We ended up going to El Vaquero, where we met 4 of our friends. My parents and our 4 friends ordered a pitcher of margaritas. I was very content with my quesadilla, until I noticed an empty and unused margarita glass sitting on the table. I decided that one glass...one...would not hurt me, so I poured myself a glass...MISTAKE!!! Not 3 minutes after I drank the killer drink, I was headed for the bathroom. The tequila made me slightly dizzy, and it was just enough to re-instate my nausea, and I spent the next 15 minutes in the bathroom (the great part was my mother standing behind me, saying over and over again, "Try not to touch the toilet...") When I noticed that I wasn't getting any better, I told my mom to just get me home. She grabbed a clean trash sack out of the trash can, and my sister and my mom flanked me and steered me out of there. It was really great to walk through a restaurant, my face as pale as a ghost, with my mom (holding a trash sack) and my sister holding me up...every eye in the place turned, and I could almost hear what they were all thinking: "What on earth did she order???!" When I got in the car, I grabbed the sack from my mom, and I was finally able to...um...say hello to my quesadilla again, which made me feel better. Anyways, long story short, I learned a valuable lesson: Tequila 3 days after Chemo is not the best idea in the world...duly noted!
Something exciting happened during these past 2 weeks! I got 2 new lab puppies that I absolutely ADORE!!! They are brothers from the same litter, and they are both precious. Only one of them has a name, though (as of about 6:00 tonight), and his name is Ross. The other one is still a work in progress...
So, I go in tomorrow for Treatment #8...66.666666666666666667%!!!!!!!!!!! As always, I'm not really jumping up and down about going back;, however, I know that the only way to get finished is to get #8, then #9...then #12!!!
Thank you, everyone, for all of your prayers!!! I love you all and I would be lost without your kindness to my family and me. I will definitely keep you all posted if my doc tells me anything new. Until my next post, I will be licking my wounds and enjoying puppy breath and cute lab puppy faces!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!!!
First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers for my family and me in the year 2010. We have most definitely had an interesting year, but we are also most definitely stronger and better for it. I cannot thank God enough for all of my family and friends who have been so wonderful through this year, and I love you all to pieces!
Second of all, I would like to share a prayer with you all. Every year, I write a poem for the Reeder Family Christmas card. This year, I decided that a prayer poem was nothing less than perfect, so I hope you all enjoy it. Merry Christmas, from my family to yours!
Second of all, I would like to share a prayer with you all. Every year, I write a poem for the Reeder Family Christmas card. This year, I decided that a prayer poem was nothing less than perfect, so I hope you all enjoy it. Merry Christmas, from my family to yours!
Dear most precious Heavenly Father,
In this time of remembering Your Son,
May You heed this humble prayer of mine,
And as always, let Your will be done.
I pray for peace around the world,
For joy and love and grace.
Please bless Your sons and daughters,
And shine through every face.
I ask for safety in travels
For all who wander from home.
May hearts be open and giving,
And may Your presence be known.
I pray for those in sickness,
And also for those in health,
In hopes that everyone knows and finds
The essence of true wealth.
I rejoice for families together,
But ache for those apart.
I ask forgiveness for past mistakes,
And thank You for new starts.
I pray for warmth in times of cold,
For young eyes wide in splendor.
May hugs embrace and never end,
And every look be tender.
I ask for fun and merriment
To spread like never before,
While keeping in mind that first day of Yule
When the King of all Kings was born.
I pray for my family, my treasured loved-ones,
And for all of my very dear friends.
May they all have the very merriest Christmas!
In Christ Jesus’ name, Amen.
-Sky Reeder, 2010-
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