Sunday, October 24, 2010

Finally Feeling Better

Sorry it took so long for me to update.  This round was much more difficult than the first.  I don't want to go into the details as I was miserable, but I will say I didn't feel good until Friday.  The lingering ailments are fatigue and nausea.  I am wiped out by 9 and the nausea is only in the morning now and goes away with breakfast.  I'll have a scan on November 19 to determine the success of the treatment.

So, I am finally feeling better - thank goodness!  I was able to go into Teya's class on Friday for their Fall party and yesterday we went to Schnepf Farms.  Had a good time at both and was thankful that I felt so good.  Below are some pictures of the past month.

Teya's Sock Hop



Cowgirl ready for Hoedown Party

Fall Party in class 

 Schnepf Farms
 Petting Zoo
 Hay Maze
 She loved the big slide

 I also took a ride down


Teya loved the corn maze


Teya coming down big slide

Friday, October 15, 2010

Round 1, Part 2 done...

Hey all, Todd here. Well, Tina has officially completed Round 1, part 2. She finished last night, completing 11 of 12 treatments...one more than last time! She had some low blood pressure issues at the beginning of the week, but those seemed to clear up and she was able to get through it. She is a superstar!

She will be heading home sometime Saturday, and her mom is staying this time though Tuesday, which is great news. I can be the best care giver I can, but nothing like having her mom here. Sunday and Monday were miserable for Tina last time, with constant chills, sweats, flu like symptoms, and basic drug withdraw symptoms, so hopefully this time those are minimize. Last time by Tuesday things started to get a bit better, hope the same holds true this time around...

Anyway, Tina will update once she is able, but just wanted to give you guys the latest...

Friday, October 8, 2010

Feeling Good

Sorry, I haven't been up for blogging.  I came home on Saturday afternoon and was in bed for the day/night.  Woke up Sunday not feeling well.  I had chills and sweats all day.  And I really mean all day.  I didn't have even 5 minutes when I wasn't cold and sweaty.  This lasted from 5am Sunday morning until 7am Monday morning.  Thank goodness I felt well enough to travel down to Tucson to see Dr. Hersh.  Once there, he informed me that the chills/sweats that I had been experiencing was a great thing.  It means that my immune system is working in high gear and pumping out the good stuff that kills tumors.  This was great news!  Made it easier to deal with the symptoms knowing that my body was fighting.  Also found out that my Lymphocytes counts were up.  These are the cells that target and kill tumors.  Again, great news!

Monday - Wednesday I felt like I had the flu and then coming down from the flu.  Finally on Thursday I felt better.  I was able to take Teya to school - first day driving in a week and a half!  Then spent the rest of the day with my friend Kelly.  It was great to be out of bed and off the couch.  Friday was another good day.  I went in to Teya's class and helped with a paint project and then went back for her last gymnastics class.  She got 2 1st place certificates and 1 2nd place.  She was proud and I was proud of her.  We are now getting ready for a Sock Hop dance at her school.  She is so excited.  I got her a cute pink satin dress with poodle on skirt.  I'll post pictures of her all dolled up.

I don't know how to begin thanking everyone for your support.  Thanks for the phone calls, cards, flowers, emails, texts, prayers, visits, dinners, etc.  All have made the last weeks manageable.  Every word of support and encouragement has lifted my spirits and made me stronger.  This is a difficult treatment and your support has meant a lot to me and my family.  As I gear up for next week, I get strength from the support that you all have given me. I look at the flowers and cards, read the words of encouragement and it helps me get ready.

My mom gets in town Sunday morning and we look forward to spending the day with her before we head down to Tucson on Monday.  Thank goodness she can be there with me.  Couldn't do it without her.

Friday, October 1, 2010

A quick update...

Greeting all....Todd here. Just wanted to give you guys a quick update...

I have been getting the play by play from Tina's mom down in Tucson, and it seems Tina has been a rock star! The overall treatment is suppose to be 14 treatments over the span of 5 days, but according to everyone, no one ever makes it to all 14. Making it to 10 is considered a 'success', and I guess that is Tina's doctors goal. Some only make it 6-8 treatments. Sometimes they will have you skip a treatment so the body can recover, getting other issues in line (low blood pressure, etc)...

Well, up until this afternoon, Tina was 9 for 9 in treatments! As the days have gone on, it seems that the treatments are starting to take their toll though. She seemed to be doing much better the first couple of days than recently...but I guess it is normal that the 3rd day brings more of the side effects. Evidently, she spent most of today just sleeping. Of course...no complaining...as sleep does a body good! She was actually suppose to get a 6PM Thursday night, but they ended up skipping it. She may get one more 2AM Friday, and it sound like that might be it...

Anyway, just a quick update. Once I talk to Tina/Rose, I will give you a better update until TIna can...