Half Way.... a good place to be!!

Good afternoon everyone! HOpe this finds you doing well. Gonna try to give you a quick update on the past few weeks!!

Yesterday (monday) was Chemo #3; officially the half way point!! YAY!!! I am so hoping that means it is down hill from here. (But, preparing for it not to be!)

My blood count continues to stay at good levels, so that is good!! I also continue to have good energy levels, except for the week of chemo.

I see no reason that this won't continue to go as well as it has so far. Time will tell.....

I also saw the plastic surgeon yesterday. The leaking issue with my incision that we've battled for several weeks is still there; however, it is improving. She has kept it stitched for several weeks in hopes that will promote the healing necessary. yesterday, she unstitched; then re-stitched. She says that the place is closing up; just taking time.

There is STILL NO SIGN OF INFECTION from this site; and that is a huge relief. She was concerned with chemo I would be 'compromised' but that hasn't been an issue so far.

I will see her again early next week.

I have adjusted to my new hair cut pretty well. I have worn both my 'new' hair and doo rags; and each have been fine. I was worried that my new hair would look fake. It does not. A couple of people commented on my new cut, etc and wanted to feel of it... and I have had to do some heavy ducking!! (And, explaining!) So, it has passed the 'real looking' test several times!! So, that is good!!

I think this catches you up on all the 'excitement' from the Miller's household.

I will return to school in the next few weeks; and in that time will also prepare for our oldest to graduate. So, I am afraid this next hurdle will be quite the emotional roller coaster (but, I've kind of gotten used to that!!)

Thank you for your continued prayers/support!!! Until next time.....

A Week Of Firsts

Well, this has been an interesting week or so. It has been a lot of 'firsts'.....
~The sun was shining and the warm temperatures were around for the FIRST time in a long time!! Ahhhhhh..... spring!!
~First time I had to really 'defend' myself with someone trying to talk me into being sick. (interesting story; I might share it sometime, not today)
~First time I've laughed really hard in a long time (thanks, Grandmother!!)
~First time I'd ever gotten a haircut with a set of clippers.
~First time I've worn my 'other' hair.
~First time I've been to the grocery store in a really long time (my children are thankful)

In my last post (I think), I mentioned my 'hair situation' and was, at that time, having a really hard time. At this point, I am doing much better. Still adjusting, but MUCH better.

The 2nd Chemo wasn't nearly as bad as the first. I'm so thankful for whatever made it that way. Maybe I knew better what to expect? Maybe I knew how to better take my meds? Maybe it just wasn't as bad! Wouldn't that be cool if, instead of getting worse with each time, God would let it bet easier with each time?? How cool that could be!!!

I think I also mentioned that I was still having incision difficulties. It is healing well, but apparently, not fast enough to 'hold back' fluid that my body nautrally produces. There is still no sign of infection, but since I've begun chemo, they are watching extra close! I will go on Monday for another appointment with the Plastic Surgeon.

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement! I love reading your comments.

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Easter weekend. What an overwhelming time for me this year. To know Jesus endured much worse than Breast Cancer so I could have eternal life!! Man o man!!

Chemo #2

As I update this time, I'm sitting here hooked up to some part of my chemo regimen. (Don't know what, just early in the process!! :)

As I saw the Doctor this morning; she reports that all looks good. Blood counts have been great for the three weeks between treatments, so THANK THE LORD for the shot that I did for that!!

Keri (for those of you who don't know, is my AWESOME sister) is with me today. We have lots to keep us entertained!! (magazines; the computer; and each other!!)

The other hurdle that I face today is the hair issue~ It has started to 'thin' more and more each day that goes by. So; not sure what will come of the rest of the day!! As this is happening, it has become more difficult than I thought it would be. I am a tough girl; and hair is not going to 'get me down' however, the initial adjustment period is going to be the hardest part, I fear.

It isn't the fact that my hair is coming out. And, those of you who see me all the time know that it isn't because I'm really particular about my hair. BUT, I THINK it is the fact that it is such a prominent part of me. It doesn't define who I am; nor does it take away from who I am.

I also dread the 'looks' from people. And, the comments for those well meaning people who try to make me feel better. ("It's JUST hair"~which is very true; however, these kinds of statements aren't always the most comforting!!)

I do have 'back up hair'' and a couple of hats, and doo rags~ so I'm ready. Just see the hurdle in front of me and know that the form is being taken to jump....

I am feeling much better about Chemo #2 today. I have knowledge to be able to ask questions; therefore the nurses/doctor are able to better help and direct me! So; I feel confident that (while it won't be fun) it will be more tolerable this time. We'll see.....

Thank you, friends, for your prayers. Please feel free to leave comments and thoughts!! They really mean a lot to me!!

Don't waste opportunities today!! God has you in places for His Divine appointments~ so; don't be wasteful!!!

Lovin' you~

In Between...

There hasn't been much to update lately; but I thought I"d give you what there is.....

Chemo #1 went fine. It was a learning time and I think we figured out/asked enough questions to help #2 go a little smoother. Having said that, it wasn't nearly as rough as it could have been and we are very thankful for those things!!

Last week when I went to the Plastic Surgeon; she did a procedure to try to help my leaky incision to heal better and to stop the fluid leakage. That was on Monday and it was doing really good; until Sunday morning! It is not leaking to the extent it was before, but still has not completely stopped. I am not sure what the next step will be in this process and will see her again tomorrow (Thursday).

I really have wanted to try to go back to school. However, the way the Sick Leave Bank is set up, if I do go back I will be docked each day I have to miss from now to the end of the year. So, we are in the process of deciding what to do!!

Many of you know that I am not a good 'stay at home' person... Physically I am doing great; but still cannot do a lot (I would love to clean out some things in the basement, but cannot lift and pull on boxes, etc). So, this staying at home thing is getting old. I miss my students and friends that I work with terribly and I am having a hard time being content!!

So, friends.... that is the update! Not much to report; but that is what is going on. Chemo #2 is next Tuesday.. and I am thankful to kind of know what to expect!!

Is there something going on with you that you are finding it hard to be content with? Do you find yourself questioning God and asking Him why? Can you see that perhaps He may be using this time to grow you?

Chemo #1; Day 4

Well. I haven't updated here because there really has been nothing to report. I have been thankful for a roof over my head these last 4 days, because I'm sure buzzards would have been circling had I not been inside!!

I have been on the couch, in the recliner or in the bed since Wednesday afternoon; and understand that is quite normal. I have learned to take my nausea meds even if I think I don't need to. That helped a lot once I realized to do that.

The shot I got to boost my White Blood Cells; and it was a booger. It 'can' give you flu-like symptoms; but the thing for me was soreness in my legs (just achy). SO.... thank goodness it wasn't all over!

So~ IF I am on the downhill side of this; then I have much to be thankful for!!
~No huge side effects
~return of energy
~rest
~no sickness :)

I am still not back to 'normal' but this evening, I've done more than I have in the last few days put together (and that still isn't saying much!!)

I will have an appointment for more Herceptin on Monday morning, then an appointment with Plastic Surgeon on Monday afternoon. So, obviously, Monday will be busy.

I was hoping to return to work this coming week. Please pray that I make a wise decision about the return!!

Please also pray for the following items:
~energy to return to normal
~good rest at night
~good reports on MOnday (Still battling the leaky incision but it is much better!!)
~whatever else you can think of!!

Thank you, my blog friends. You are precious to me!!!

Chemo 1; the day after....

Hey everyone!!
HOpe you have enjoyed the beautiful sunshine today!!
Just wanted to give you an update on my day.

I actually slept well last night!! Along with the steroids, I took some Tylenol PM and that helped me to sleep! Thank the LORD!!

I woke up this morning with a little nausea, and took one of the medications they gave me and it eased off. Never completely went away, but did ease up.

I had to get a shot today to help my White Blood cell count to stay up; this will help my immune system not be so compromised.

I have mainly been VERY tired today, and that is alright. I am not complaining. I have not be 'sick'; I have not had any other 'complications'... mostly just tired.

Thank you for your prayers and your kind words. Please keep praying that these side effects will remain mild!!!

1 down, 5 to go!!

Well.  Nothing really new to report.... except that we actually got home alright!!  The roads were much easier to travel on the way home than on the way this morning!!
The ladies continued to take good care of us!!  Chris got some meds for his sinus fun he is having.  Had supper in the fridge waiting for us when we got home!!  The kids had a good, relaxing day at home.  (Even did some chores!!)

As we understand it, I can begin to 'reap' the effects anywhere from a few hours to a few days, and there really is no way to tell when 'they' will hit.... So~  again we wait!!

I have to go back tomorrow for a shot to help keep my white blood count up.  I have a follow up and another dose of Herceptin on Monday of next week; then off to the Plastic Surgeon that afternoon (I sure hope there is time to stop at Target in there somewhere.  The trip would not be complete without that!!)  THe appt with the PS is to make sure the leakage issue is doing alright and there are no signs of infection.  Long drive, but thankful for a doctor/staff that cares enough to want to keep that close of an eye on me.

In my post late last night, I asked if any of you had any suggestions for a 'catchy' name (The doctor was trying to come up with one yesterday.... )  And, the winner is my precious friend Channy~ She thinks that "FLO" would be GREAT, and I have to chuckle and agree wholeheartedly!!!!!

So, friends.... as we end this day, end it thanking our FAther that you (again) have been a huge part of the smoothness of our day today!!! Thank you for the prayers; comments (I LOVE reading the comments); emails; texts, etc.....

I will update as there are items of newsworthiness..... right now we just kind of wait to see if I"m going to be sick, or tired, or feverish, or whatever else they told us to watch for.