Happy To Be Home
I’m sitting out on our new patio with Mom and Kelly. It’s so beautiful out here!!! The temp is warm, and it’s really breezy. Mom’s knitting, so we’re paging through a few of her knitting magazines for funky knit hats for me once I lose my hair from upcoming chemotherapy. We’ve found a few designs with bead embellishments, fuzzy yarns and different textures that might be fun to wear. The three of us have already decided it’s a good idea to have an array of different colored hats to coordinate with various outfits!!!
Since coming home yesterday afternoon, I feel leaps and bounds ahead of where I was only a few days ago. I am out of pajamas and in normal clothes. I have walked in our neighborhood, shaved my legs (that’s a really big deal!!!) and plucked my eyebrows (another big deal!!!) Of course, after each burst of energy, I settle into a nap, but at least there are some indications of my normal life returning.
Presently, my pain is being kept at bay with two different narcotics – one that I take every four hours and another I can take as needed every three hours. Although very effective, I have no pleasure in taking either of these drugs. I am happy for the relief from pain they bring me, but I don’t like the fact that my eyes start to cross only minutes after ingesting either of the drugs; I don’t like that I fatigue to the point of totally zoning out, and I really don’t like the way-too-bizarre dreams that I have. Hopefully, I’ll be decreasing the frequency of taking these in the next couple of days.
Nat and Kelly have been fastidious about the notes they’ve been recording: when I take each of my medications, when I nap, what my pain number is at any given time, my drain tube output, my temperature, when my drain tube was stripped, doctor’s visits, etc. Their next plan is to input all this information into a spreadsheet so they can run statistics and conduct further research! Seriously though, their attention to my care is much appreciated. Answering doctors’ questions have been so much easier when we could rely on their notes rather than my recollection of events – considering that I’ve been in a drug-induced state for a number of days.
Kelly is heading back to Michigan tomorrow morning. I am going to miss her terribly – as I always do when we’re apart – but I will treasure the time we had together over the past week. Despite the reason that we all came together this week, Kelly and I managed to be normal together; we laughed about how she would run and slide down our hallway past our bedroom door while I was laying in bed, and she even helped organize a few things for me!!! We’re both hoping that she’ll be able to make her way back down to Houston once she’s done at the university for the summer and stay for a while. Before signing off for tonight, I want you to know that I continue to appreciate all the support and well-wishes you’ve all offered so far. Hearing from you is a bright spot in my day! Lots of love, Lisa
--MESSAGES--
Make Kelly Stay!!! I think that we should start a “Make Kelly Stay” campaign. We could all sign a petition and send it to the university. I also have some “Return to Work” slips at the counseling center. I could make it super official and come up with some sort of diagnosis that prevents her from working for the next 6 weeks! Let’s see…I could create a diagnosis like “Dissociative due to Sibling Cancer”. Another one might be “Histrionic over Chemo”. Thanks so much, Kelly for all you’ve done! I know you are going back home with a new circle of friends…and you haven’t even seen our faces! Much love, M.
Thinking of You Lisa, I am so thankful that you have this website. I have been thinking of you and looking forward to an update! You have been, and will continue to remain, in my thoughts and prayers. It is great to hear how positive and upbeat you are being, that is so like you! G had her very first Easter! And even though I was concerned with bringing a five-week-old (six weeks today) around to all of the different places, she did terrific. In fact, she stole the show! She looked around at everyone and just watched and watched. People have said that since she is so good now, we will have our hands full when she is a teenager. I figure after teaching junior high – I can handle it! I want you to know that it snowed in Huntsville, Texas, this past weekend. Can you believe that? I was driving up from Houston (where it was just miserable weather), and I missed the snow! There were huge flurries that hit the ground and mostly melted, but Mom said that you could definitely see the flakes. That would have been something! If you need anything, just holler! I am here! Have a great day, C. A.
Organized you? I so enjoy reading the updates, and it is such a great way for all of us to keep up with your progress. When you said Kelly organized you… she is as awesome as she seems! I can still remember you in M. E.’s office getting it organized. Amazing! I think you and your mom have a wonderful “thang” going with the knitted cap idea. You are both so creative… please keep your day job when you are rich and famous for your creative “headgear”!!! We (the counselors) are having a very ‘TAKSing’ week. You should be glad to be resting at home! It is a bit shaky at our place! ha! We miss you and think of you daily. You are in my prayers daily and just know that you are being taken care of in all facets of your life. Love you! R.
Thinking of you. Hello Lisa, I’m a friend of Nat’s and I just wanted to wish you well and tell you that I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. M. R.
Weather in Michigan Kelly, If I were you, I would figure out a way to wrangle a few more days in Houston. It was supposed to snow today in our lovely state. It does sound like you have all gotten Lisa on the right track and back to health. I’m so glad that you, Lisa, are feeling better and hopefully the cause of the crossed eyes and crazy dreams will be going away as you can lower the meds… thinking of you from here. Prue and Ami
Hive girlfriend Well, things are a little quiet today and tomorrow – P.H. is in interviews at ISC today and Principals meeting tomorrow. I’m so glad to hear that you are getting up and around – wow that landscaping came just in time! Isn’t it great that you are really getting to enjoy it? It sounds like you are being very well taken care of – who could ask for a better husband? You’re a very lucky girl. As bad as that pain medication makes you feel you know you will heal faster with it – like you need me to tell you that! Anyway, I still miss your smile so smile a little at home for me and send it my way. I’ll be needing it. Can’t wait to see the beautiful caps! Keep getting stronger! Love, S.
Good Morning, Lisa Hi Lisa, I was so glad to read your message today! You definitely sound like you are feeling more like your old self. I laughed when I read about Kelly sliding past your bedroom door. Sisters are great, aren’t they? Hey, write those crazy dreams down…they might mean something…or at least make for a good story! I know when your mom finishes with her knitting, you will be stylin’ with all of her creations! Stay positive and enjoy the beautiful weather. Love ya, M.
Hi, Lisa! Hope you’re feeling OK today. I am thinking of you! We miss you & your bubbly personality! I know your loved ones are taking good care of you. My prayers are with you. Love, C.
just saying hi Wow is this the coolest invention ever? All of this technology scares me, but for you, I will give it a go. I hope that this message finds you feeling the best that you possibly can. Last night I found myself thinking about all the things you have done for me and I was overwhelmed with gratitude and admiration. Just wanted to share that with you today. I will try and call you later to chat. B.
Good morning, Lisa! I hope you are having a great morning. Just wanted to say hi and let you know that I was thinking about you. You are a strong, wonderful woman and your positive attitude really shines through in all you say and do. Hang in there. We miss you!
Thinking of You Lisa, I am glad to hear that you are feeling better and better daily. We miss you around here. Come back soon! I’ll be praying for your pain-free recovery. I’m glad you have such a great support system there with you.
Glad to hear about your progress Lisa and Nat, My email has been down for several days, so I just discovered your website. Thanks so much for including me. I have been thinking about you both and reflecting on my own mother’s journey through the cancer world. I know how it seems as if you have been transplanted into a whole other world and life takes on such a different perspective. I am glad to hear that things are progressing as well as they could. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. If you need am ear please let me know. Sincerely, J.
Thinking of you in Kalamazoo Hi Lisa and Nat, I’ve been thinking about you ever since I heard. I hope you have a quick recovery. Lisa – if you ever need cheering up, you should ask Nat to do that little jig he always did to “The Polka Polka” by Mojo Nixon whenever I played it when we were juniors at U of M. Good luck, and I hope to see you soon. Love, D.
A big hug & hello Well, just finished another wonderful day here at Goodson (and I’m not being sarcastic). The kids’ behavior for the last 3 days as we do some TAKS Review has been super – they really seem to be taking things seriously. I wish I was with you on your back patio sipping lemonade and exchanging funny “sister” stories – aren’t sisters the best? Take care of yourself, watch a funny or romantic movie (might I suggest Pride & Prejudice w/ Keira Knightly?) and know you are loved by many!
What’s your pain number today? This is a wonderful technology tool. You are so smart to track your progress each day. It looks like one of the big hurdles is over for now. I hope you get the pain under control soon. I’m sure they miss you at school. I told Phyllis to call me if I can do anything to help you close out the year. You’re so lucky to have S. there. I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Take care. J.