Friday, November 16, 2007

Thank you... and an update.

First of all, thank you SO much for all your birthday wishes. I cried lots of tears reading my sister's post along with all of your responses - they meant a lot to me!! I did have a great day and ended it with dinner with my boys and our new nanny at a wonderful restaurant.

On a sadder note, we dealt with the first anniversary of my Mom's passing on October 31. I knew it would be sad, but I didn't expect it to hit me so hard again. Grief takes funny turns every now and then, doesn't it. Mom, I hope you know how much we all loved you and how much we miss you now!!

Now for an update and the reason for my leaving the blog empty for so long. I had an appointment last week with a radiation oncologist, on the advice of my chemotherapy oncologist. The purpose of the meeting was "just to meet him" so that he had a face to put with a name in case I ever need him. But, I've also been dealing with two issues that are related to tumors that are behind my chest wall - I've had trouble swallowing food and my voice has been changing and getting gravelly when I read to Kurtis. I mentioned these two issues to the doctor and he immediately said that he could fix those issues with just one big blast of radiation to those tumors. So, before we knew it, I was booked in for Friday for a radiation treatment as he just happened to have some space open.

Well, although the radiation went well at the beginning, it has taken it's toll on me since. I'm very very fatigued - those arms and and legs feel like they weigh 60 lbs each! And actually, that's probably what they do weigh as I'm dealing with some fluid retention in the legs and I have tree-trunks for legs right now.

I'm also very restless right now - pacing back and forth as I don't want want to sit. That's probably from the steroid they put me on when I had the radiation. BUT.. just received notice from the doctor to discontinue the steroid and to continue the diuretic (in order to reduce swellling in the legs). I am starting to feel better as well now....this post has been written over 3 days and now that we're into day 3, I can finally finish it.

My sister just left after coming over to visit and treat me to a "homemade" spa - mani, pedi and massage... wow - what a wonderful treat! Thank you Lisa!!

I'll try to update more later, but for now, let's finally POST this piece!! I obviously missed National Down Syndrome Awareness Week and the pieces I wanted to write about... c'est la vie. Hopefully I'll find time to do them later.

Peace and love,
Annette

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

So good to hear from you Annette! I am glad you are off the steroids, they are so nasty (tired, yet can't sit still), yet sometimes necessary. I sure hope this blast of radiation knocks those darn tumors down. We love you tons and are thinking of you all the time!

Laura said...

Sending lots of healing hugs and prayers your way! I am so sorry you've being feeling so sick. Stay strong Sister! We love you!

Clare said...

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. We missed you at lunch the other day, but there will be other chances, I'm sure. I'm always thinking about you, so hang in there.

Jan Steck Huffman said...

So nice to chat on the phone with you, and know you are loved!

Unknown said...

Annette.......I have been thinking about you non-stop, and so sorry to read that you have not been feeling well. You sister is such a blessing and what a wonderful treat to have a 'mini-spa'. I can only imagine how hard it is to have your voice weak and interupting your reading to Kurtis.....I pray that it improves so you can share that very special reading time together.

I'm sending you all of my love and support.....rest and know you are so loved and adored by us all.

Unknown said...

It's so good to hear from you again! And what a sister you have! If I had one, I'd want her to be just like Lisa and you!!!

We all love you!

The Mom said...

Annette - so good to hear from you. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, praying that the radiation does the trick and helps shrink those tumors.

Thinking of you and your family and keeping you in my prayers.

Sending lots of love, hugs, and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Thinking about you today. I'm glad you were able to post an update. I hope that radiation does the trick.
Sending my prayers & hugs.

Michelle said...

Been thinking of you and come here when I can for updates. Hope you are feeling better soon. What a wonderful sister you have! She is very lucky to have you as well.

Have a great Thanksgiving with your family.