Here is a quick update:
1. After today, I have 9 radiation treatments left!
2. I had my port flushed yesterday, and needed to talk to them about the neuropathy. They doubled my meds in hope it goes away.
3. The doctor is glad they stopped chemo early
4. Please pray that the neuropathy is temporary and not permanent. I need my hands especially in order to play piano. I would like my feet back too.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
Taking the bad with the good
These days, I am learning to take the bad with the good. I'm feeling pretty good for a few days, then BAM!, I feel not so good. Going into the weekend I felt pretty good. Not too sore, the neuropathy was letting me do things and then this weekend was awful. I am REALLY sore from the boost radiations, and my neuropathy is in full swing. I haven't been able to sleep for more than 2 hours at a time. I'm woken up by pain. My hands and feet are in constant pain and swollen.
I hope you don't feel like I'm complaining, I'm just documenting how I feel. In the grand scheme of things, I'll take this over the constant flu-like feeling I had with chemo! Only 12 more to go!
I hope you don't feel like I'm complaining, I'm just documenting how I feel. In the grand scheme of things, I'll take this over the constant flu-like feeling I had with chemo! Only 12 more to go!
Thursday, June 16, 2016
8th Grade Recogntion
If you saw my post this morning, then you already know that I was able to go to 8th grade recognition last night. I presented my awards and I was able to speak to the audience.
As I have been walking this journey, I began to realize the things I have learned and also realized that these things are applicable to anyone facing a new journey(much like the 8th grade getting ready to go to high school).
I wanted to highlight these 5 things:
1. Have a plan
2. Be prepared
3. Perseverance
4. Let others help you
5. Help others
Here is an excerpt:
Let people help you.
I was completely overwhelmed at the people who wanted to help me in any way they could. My friends, my family, the people here at Pioneer, people I didn’t know, and you.
Good people surround me. People who care about me. You need to do the same. Surround yourself with friends who care about you, and care that you want to do the very best you can. I do know that the same faculty and staff here at pioneer that have surrounded me through my journey will surround you as well. They are good people and want you to do your very best.
Help others.
It gives you a good perspective on where you are in this big world and where you fit in. My first day at chemotherapy, I sat in the waiting room with my dad. As I watched the people coming in for chemo or to see the doctor, I noticed this little old lady come in in a wheelchair. She had been brought by a van, and had no one with her. The van driver wheeled her in, up to the counter and said he would see her later when he came back to pick her up. I watched this lady as she signed in, and then began looking at a basket of hats on the counter. These hats were knitted by someone and were put there for anyone to take. She looked through the hats telling the lady at the desk that she would love a new hat to wear to cover her baldhead, as it was very cold. The lady at the desk smiled and told her to take as many as she liked. The nurse soon came and took her back to start her treatment. About 5 minutes later, I went back to start my first treatment with my dad there. I asked the nurse if a lot of people come by themselves, she said sadly, yes. I asked her what things might help people to ease their time at chemo. She gave me a list of things, and the chemo care bag project was born. See, I had received all of the things that the nurse described already from my friends. When people asked me what they could do, I told them, I need things for the chemo bags.
Doing this project made me realize how much I have. I have someone who goes to treatment with me every time I go. I have the things to care and comfort me while in treatment. So, it was time to give to others.
As of today, over 300 chemo bags have gone to the treatment centers and over 1700.00 have been raised. That money will go to things like gas cards to help people who have daily treatment pay for gas.
All of this was possible largely because of this community. Many of you made me cards, but also made cards for those bags. I have received notes back from people who have received those bags and read those notes and were deeply touched.
Keep up that good work. In High School seek out opportunities to help others.
Lastly, You all have the potential to do great things, if you want to. Take the opportunity to start right now. Tonight. Push hard through these last weeks of middle school. Prepare yourself over the summer for going to high school. When you walk in the door on the first day of your freshman year, it’s a new beginning, a fresh start. Get involved in your education, be an advocate for yourself. Set a goal, and work to achieve it. If you struggle with making those goals or struggle with how to achieve those goals, ask a trusted adult to help you. We have had students here at Pioneer go to Ivy League schools, go to 2 year and 4 year schools on full scholarships, go into the military and serve our country proudly, go from High School directly into the workforce, and even graduate from a 2 year college program and high school at the same time. Whichever path you choose, choose it with purpose and become productive members of society. That journey starts now. You are not too young. You proved that to me by your outpouring of kindness to me. You have it in you.
I am so proud of all of you, and I know that four years from now, you will be in this same auditorium preparing for your high school graduation as a class that has accomplished not only a lot academically, but as a class who is ready to embrace the challenges of this world with a heart for others.
So remember, Have a plan, be prepared, persevere through the tough times, let people help you, and help others.
Let people help you.
I was completely overwhelmed at the people who wanted to help me in any way they could. My friends, my family, the people here at Pioneer, people I didn’t know, and you.
Good people surround me. People who care about me. You need to do the same. Surround yourself with friends who care about you, and care that you want to do the very best you can. I do know that the same faculty and staff here at pioneer that have surrounded me through my journey will surround you as well. They are good people and want you to do your very best.
Help others.
It gives you a good perspective on where you are in this big world and where you fit in. My first day at chemotherapy, I sat in the waiting room with my dad. As I watched the people coming in for chemo or to see the doctor, I noticed this little old lady come in in a wheelchair. She had been brought by a van, and had no one with her. The van driver wheeled her in, up to the counter and said he would see her later when he came back to pick her up. I watched this lady as she signed in, and then began looking at a basket of hats on the counter. These hats were knitted by someone and were put there for anyone to take. She looked through the hats telling the lady at the desk that she would love a new hat to wear to cover her baldhead, as it was very cold. The lady at the desk smiled and told her to take as many as she liked. The nurse soon came and took her back to start her treatment. About 5 minutes later, I went back to start my first treatment with my dad there. I asked the nurse if a lot of people come by themselves, she said sadly, yes. I asked her what things might help people to ease their time at chemo. She gave me a list of things, and the chemo care bag project was born. See, I had received all of the things that the nurse described already from my friends. When people asked me what they could do, I told them, I need things for the chemo bags.
Doing this project made me realize how much I have. I have someone who goes to treatment with me every time I go. I have the things to care and comfort me while in treatment. So, it was time to give to others.
As of today, over 300 chemo bags have gone to the treatment centers and over 1700.00 have been raised. That money will go to things like gas cards to help people who have daily treatment pay for gas.
All of this was possible largely because of this community. Many of you made me cards, but also made cards for those bags. I have received notes back from people who have received those bags and read those notes and were deeply touched.
Keep up that good work. In High School seek out opportunities to help others.
Lastly, You all have the potential to do great things, if you want to. Take the opportunity to start right now. Tonight. Push hard through these last weeks of middle school. Prepare yourself over the summer for going to high school. When you walk in the door on the first day of your freshman year, it’s a new beginning, a fresh start. Get involved in your education, be an advocate for yourself. Set a goal, and work to achieve it. If you struggle with making those goals or struggle with how to achieve those goals, ask a trusted adult to help you. We have had students here at Pioneer go to Ivy League schools, go to 2 year and 4 year schools on full scholarships, go into the military and serve our country proudly, go from High School directly into the workforce, and even graduate from a 2 year college program and high school at the same time. Whichever path you choose, choose it with purpose and become productive members of society. That journey starts now. You are not too young. You proved that to me by your outpouring of kindness to me. You have it in you.
I am so proud of all of you, and I know that four years from now, you will be in this same auditorium preparing for your high school graduation as a class that has accomplished not only a lot academically, but as a class who is ready to embrace the challenges of this world with a heart for others.
So remember, Have a plan, be prepared, persevere through the tough times, let people help you, and help others.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Half way!
I am half way through radiation! In general, I'm feeling stronger everyday. I do sometimes over-do it though because I am feeling so good. I played piano a little to much yesterday, and paid for it with swollen, throbbing hands last night. I'll get it figured out.
As far as treatment is concerned, my skin has been tolerating the radiation pretty well. The doctors are happy with how the skin looks. They asked me what I was putting on my skin. I told them a product my sister-in-law(Thanks Ali!) sent me called "My Girls". Its specifically for breast cancer radiation treatments. I recommend it highly! I'm just starting to show some redness and beginning to get sore, but I'M HALF WAY! In the grand scheme of things that I went through with Chemo, this I can handle!
As far as treatment is concerned, my skin has been tolerating the radiation pretty well. The doctors are happy with how the skin looks. They asked me what I was putting on my skin. I told them a product my sister-in-law(Thanks Ali!) sent me called "My Girls". Its specifically for breast cancer radiation treatments. I recommend it highly! I'm just starting to show some redness and beginning to get sore, but I'M HALF WAY! In the grand scheme of things that I went through with Chemo, this I can handle!
Friday, June 3, 2016
14 down and 21 to go?
I had my 14th radiation treatment today. I have 21 to go or so. It should be 35 or 36 total, but the dr. can decide to do more after that if he thinks it's needed. So, I keep going until he tells me I'm done. I'm getting a whole lot better at this one day at a time thing. I've had to.
Yesterday, the scanner broke 20 minutes before my time in the scanner. They called the technician and said they would call me when and if it was up and running. They called and I went in at 1:10 (my original time was 10:50). The radiation technicians were apologetic. I told them it wasn't their fault, they didn't break the scanner. They said quite a few people were upset at them because their day was upheaved. In the grand scheme of things I've been through, a scanner going down is not a big deal. I figured if through 35 treatments it only goes down once, that will be amazing!
I also got to see Nate this last weekend. On Saturday morning, I got in the backseat of my parents car with my pillow and we went to Connecticut. It was great to see him, but it made me miss him terribly. We spent a lot of time at the hotel and had a nice drive around the area. We met my Aunt, Uncle, Cousin and his family and went to a Memorial Day parade that was 2 hours long! We also had dinner with them that night. It was great to catch up! I slept really well that night. I also met Nate's bosses. They love him and would love to keep him forever. At least they have him for the year as he just signed a one year contract with them as Senior Resident Artist.
So, I just keep plugging away one day at a time, and am doing really well.
Yesterday, the scanner broke 20 minutes before my time in the scanner. They called the technician and said they would call me when and if it was up and running. They called and I went in at 1:10 (my original time was 10:50). The radiation technicians were apologetic. I told them it wasn't their fault, they didn't break the scanner. They said quite a few people were upset at them because their day was upheaved. In the grand scheme of things I've been through, a scanner going down is not a big deal. I figured if through 35 treatments it only goes down once, that will be amazing!
I also got to see Nate this last weekend. On Saturday morning, I got in the backseat of my parents car with my pillow and we went to Connecticut. It was great to see him, but it made me miss him terribly. We spent a lot of time at the hotel and had a nice drive around the area. We met my Aunt, Uncle, Cousin and his family and went to a Memorial Day parade that was 2 hours long! We also had dinner with them that night. It was great to catch up! I slept really well that night. I also met Nate's bosses. They love him and would love to keep him forever. At least they have him for the year as he just signed a one year contract with them as Senior Resident Artist.
So, I just keep plugging away one day at a time, and am doing really well.
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