Angie's law states that if you need for things to go smooth, you will hit every possible bump!
Week three of radiation went very well... until today! My doctor and team were all on the same page to get my treatment and status check done as quickly as possible so that Kimber and I could get on the road because Kimber and Karlene had photo shoots scheduled for 5:00. I got to my appointment a few minutes early and they went ahead and called me back. I'm on the table and the machine breaks! So I end up lying on the table for over an hour while the techs attempt to fix it. For those of you who have never had radiation treatments - you are to lie completely still and your arms are above your head. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get back up after staying in that position for that long. Yes I did get my treatment!! It just took a lot longer than we expected. The doctor did come right in for my check so that I could get on my way!
So a busy pageant weekend! Girls are so excited to get to wear pretty clothes/dresses and have their pictures taken! So proud of my two beautiful daughters for being brave and getting on the stage in front of an audience. I think it is such a wonderful experience and a great way to cope with stage freight. Good luck to all the pretty girls that are competing!! Hope most of all they have FUN!!!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
chapel hill/radiation week 2
Made the trip home for the weekend... still not sure that driving 9-10 hours in less than 48 hrs falls under the smartest things I have done! Karlene was super excited that I made it home in time to pick her up from her after school activity and that made it worth while. Didn't see her much other than Friday ~ my little social butterfly had plans of her own for the weekend. Not that I mind... I am just glad that she is being a "normal" kid. It probably bothers me more than it ever would her, but I still feel like the worse mother in the world for taking one child while leaving the other.
Kimber and I went to the NC state fair on Monday afternoon. Probably not one of my brightest ideas either! Don't get me wrong it was a blast! I haven't been since I was in the eighth grade, but my feet haven't walked that far in a LONG time! Of course, it seems even longer when you have a certain four year old princess on your back!
When I came out of treatment on Tuesday there was a surprise waiting for me in the waiting room... Mr. John Cullop! He and Ms. Cathy were in town visiting their daughter, Hannah, whose baby was a patient at UNC children's hospital. It was very nice to get to visit with them and to see Hannah. Great news ~ the baby was allowed to go home that afternoon!
Wednesday started out with a bang! Kimber was up before 7am throwing up :( I think it was more related to allergies than a stomach bug or virus. By 8:30 she was feeling much better and wanted to go get her usual blueberry bagel for breakfast and then go on to school. We made it to the bagel shop, but we didn't make it to school! After eating absolutely nothing she reported that her stomach didn't feel well again. Thank goodness for Nanny! If she hadn't been with us I'm not sure what I would have done about treatment. Don't think when the nurses at the hospital offered to help with her if I ever had to take her with me included a day when she had been throwing up :)
Today when I went for treatment it ended up being almost a complete repeat of the very first day. My doctor had ordered some slight changes to the beam angles. Even slight changes require quite a bit of leg work to make sure that you get the full benefit of radiation and still minimize the impact on other body parts. It takes even longer for me because I am a bolus every other day patient. So when changes are made they have to line me up with and without the bolus to make sure that the angles work both ways. It's all good as long as it's doing what it's supposed to!
I witnessed something in the parking lot of Sam's Club today that made me realize that we never know when someone is watching us and we never know when we may have the chance to make either a positive or negative impact on others. To the man who was so ugly, rude and just plain out mean to that lady who accidentally tried to take his parking spot (he was backing in to the spot and she didn't realize that's what he was doing because we obviously are supposed to be able to read his mind!) you better be glad I'm not your mama... cause I don't think you were too big for your mama to smack you across the mouth for the nasty filth (he would have made a sailor blush) coming out of your mouth. And by the way the lady apologized, but I bet after the way he acted she wished she hadn't!
Now that I have vented...the hospital was able to make my appointment a little earlier in the morning so we can get an early start on the way home! Lots of celebrating to do this weekend!! So excited to get to spend time with family and friends! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Kimber and I went to the NC state fair on Monday afternoon. Probably not one of my brightest ideas either! Don't get me wrong it was a blast! I haven't been since I was in the eighth grade, but my feet haven't walked that far in a LONG time! Of course, it seems even longer when you have a certain four year old princess on your back!
When I came out of treatment on Tuesday there was a surprise waiting for me in the waiting room... Mr. John Cullop! He and Ms. Cathy were in town visiting their daughter, Hannah, whose baby was a patient at UNC children's hospital. It was very nice to get to visit with them and to see Hannah. Great news ~ the baby was allowed to go home that afternoon!
Wednesday started out with a bang! Kimber was up before 7am throwing up :( I think it was more related to allergies than a stomach bug or virus. By 8:30 she was feeling much better and wanted to go get her usual blueberry bagel for breakfast and then go on to school. We made it to the bagel shop, but we didn't make it to school! After eating absolutely nothing she reported that her stomach didn't feel well again. Thank goodness for Nanny! If she hadn't been with us I'm not sure what I would have done about treatment. Don't think when the nurses at the hospital offered to help with her if I ever had to take her with me included a day when she had been throwing up :)
Today when I went for treatment it ended up being almost a complete repeat of the very first day. My doctor had ordered some slight changes to the beam angles. Even slight changes require quite a bit of leg work to make sure that you get the full benefit of radiation and still minimize the impact on other body parts. It takes even longer for me because I am a bolus every other day patient. So when changes are made they have to line me up with and without the bolus to make sure that the angles work both ways. It's all good as long as it's doing what it's supposed to!
I witnessed something in the parking lot of Sam's Club today that made me realize that we never know when someone is watching us and we never know when we may have the chance to make either a positive or negative impact on others. To the man who was so ugly, rude and just plain out mean to that lady who accidentally tried to take his parking spot (he was backing in to the spot and she didn't realize that's what he was doing because we obviously are supposed to be able to read his mind!) you better be glad I'm not your mama... cause I don't think you were too big for your mama to smack you across the mouth for the nasty filth (he would have made a sailor blush) coming out of your mouth. And by the way the lady apologized, but I bet after the way he acted she wished she hadn't!
Now that I have vented...the hospital was able to make my appointment a little earlier in the morning so we can get an early start on the way home! Lots of celebrating to do this weekend!! So excited to get to spend time with family and friends! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
chapel hill week 1
Radiation treatments are going very good. The visits at the beginning of the week took about 45 minutes but once everything was all set and lined up now the treatments only take about 10 minutes. My treatments are done with me holding my breath... something I'm a little out of practice with! I have done pretty good though, I haven't had to make them stop treatment yet to take a breath. The longest I have to hold my breath is about 45 seconds, which is probably not really that long but it sure feels like a lot longer when your doing it. Every other day I am covered with this thick sticky piece of flexible rubber or bolus. This is mainly due to the fact that I have a mastectomy scar that needs to be able to receive the max amount of radiation, and your skin limits how much you could get if you didn't have the bolus covering it. I have lots of marker drawings all over that the technicians use to make sure that all the beams line up in the same place each day. After the few treatments I've had this week I know that I am in the right place, and that I have the best team of caregivers!!
Kimber is making new friends at preschool, maybe even a new boyfriend!(ssshhh! don't tell her I told you that!) I am so glad that she is fitting in so well. She was a little disappointed the first few days because she couldn't go outside and play on the tire swing. It has rained here all week :( Today it didn't rain until after I picked her up so they did get to go on the playground for a little while. Our plans to go to the pumpkin patch didn't work out so well though. Maybe one day next week we will be able to do that.
With lots of extra time on our hands we have been out exploring. Sometimes we just ride around to see what we can find. Hoping for a few sunny days next week so we can do some fun outside activities. Thinking we may do the state fair one afternoon, and we would love to visit some of the parks/playgrounds. There are also a few museums that I think would be really fun. After the temper tantrum Kimber had at the mall I'm not sure that I want to show my face back there again. I guess it's a good thing Crabtree Valley isn't all that far from here!
Looking forward to coming home tomorrow!! Not looking forward to the drive but I'm sure glad that I won't have to take the ferry! I have a feeling traveling back and forth is going to wear me out more than the treatments! Can't wait to see family and friends! Why didn't I want to be a pilot??
Kimber is making new friends at preschool, maybe even a new boyfriend!(ssshhh! don't tell her I told you that!) I am so glad that she is fitting in so well. She was a little disappointed the first few days because she couldn't go outside and play on the tire swing. It has rained here all week :( Today it didn't rain until after I picked her up so they did get to go on the playground for a little while. Our plans to go to the pumpkin patch didn't work out so well though. Maybe one day next week we will be able to do that.
With lots of extra time on our hands we have been out exploring. Sometimes we just ride around to see what we can find. Hoping for a few sunny days next week so we can do some fun outside activities. Thinking we may do the state fair one afternoon, and we would love to visit some of the parks/playgrounds. There are also a few museums that I think would be really fun. After the temper tantrum Kimber had at the mall I'm not sure that I want to show my face back there again. I guess it's a good thing Crabtree Valley isn't all that far from here!
Looking forward to coming home tomorrow!! Not looking forward to the drive but I'm sure glad that I won't have to take the ferry! I have a feeling traveling back and forth is going to wear me out more than the treatments! Can't wait to see family and friends! Why didn't I want to be a pilot??
Saturday, October 8, 2011
all packed up
After a very long and trying week, I believe I have Kimber and myself all packed up and ready to go. OK, maybe we're not exactly ready, but we are all packed up! Kimber seems excited about the adventures of going to a new preschool. Her teachers sent us an e-mail welcoming her into their class. It doesn't hurt that they have a tire swing ~ which is her favorite thing to play with on the playground. Honestly I am a little excited about being in a new place, and getting to do some new, fun things with Kimber. Just wish that Karlene was getting to go with us. No, I'm not worried about her ~ I am well aware she can take care of herself.
Radiation will start on Monday. Actually the first day doesn't really count. It is more like a dry run to make sure that everything lines up how the doctors want. Ready to get started so that we will be closer to finishing!
Looks like tomorrow may be the last time that we have to take the ferry. By the time we come home for the weekend we should be driving on the new bridge! I am so thankful for the ferry that has made it possible for me to get to important doctor appointments while the road has been out, but I will be so glad to knock two hours off the trip to Chapel Hill.
Once we get our week started I will update and let everyone know how we are both adjusting to our new schedules.
Radiation will start on Monday. Actually the first day doesn't really count. It is more like a dry run to make sure that everything lines up how the doctors want. Ready to get started so that we will be closer to finishing!
Looks like tomorrow may be the last time that we have to take the ferry. By the time we come home for the weekend we should be driving on the new bridge! I am so thankful for the ferry that has made it possible for me to get to important doctor appointments while the road has been out, but I will be so glad to knock two hours off the trip to Chapel Hill.
Once we get our week started I will update and let everyone know how we are both adjusting to our new schedules.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation FUN RUN!!
Please come out and support the HICF!!
| Time | Saturday, October 8 · 9:00am - 12:00pm |
|---|---|
| Location | SUN REALTY IN AVON, NC |
| Created By | |
| More Info | Registration will begin at 9:15 am. The Fun Run is a 5 k run (3.1 miles) Come and walk, run or just join us for the fun and festivities for a good cause. The tri-villages have been through a lot. Let's show them a good time. We are going to make a donation from the money we raise to the flood victims. PLEASE wear LOTS of pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! It can be anything from socks to tutus to boas!! A prize will go to the person the most "PINKED OUT"! Music • BBQ by the container or sandwich • Bake Sale • Prizes • Face Painting/Tattoos and much more from local businesses and organizations! The entry fee is $25 for adults and $15 for children 18 and under. Your entry fee will include a Fun Run T-shirt. Children in strollers are free. Follow this link for an entry form: http://hatterasdesigns.net |
Monday, October 3, 2011
ZUMBAthon
| Time | Friday, October 7 · 5:00pm - 7:00pm |
|---|---|
| Location | Fessenden Center 46803 Hwy. 12 |
| Created By | |
| More Info | I am planning a Zumbathon to celebrate three members of the Hatteras Island community who are battling cancer and to raise funds for their incurred expenses. Clyde Stowe is battling Leukemia, Angie Ballance is battling breast cancer, and Sheila Charrette is battling breast cancer. To show support of these three awesome members of our community, I invite everyone to come out and have a great time with two hours of ZUMBA Fitness. There is no registration fee, but donations will be greatly appreciated, as all proceeds will benefit Clyde, Angie, and Sheila. ZUMBA is a latin-inspired, easy to follow dance fitness class. You don't need to be a dancer to do ZUMBA. Just come out, have fun, participate/watch, and support these three islanders. There will be a raffle and bake sale as well. If you would like to bake something for the bake sale or donate an item for the raffle, please contact Mariah James at 216-8204. |
radiation is about to begin
Granny update: She is still in the ICU at Norfolk General and will probably have to be there for about a week. Please continue to keep her and my family in your prayers. The doctors are waiting on test results. I will update when I know more.
So per my last post you know that radiation treatments are going to be done in Chapel Hill. Let me tell you a little about why...
This was not a decision that I came by lightly... let's face it ~ it's my life we are talking about here! Even though this was an important decision as for as my treatment goes, it was a difficult one. From a medical standpoint ~ my case is a little complicated because the cancer was close to the chest wall and I had positive lymph nodes. The area that needs to be radiated is larger and the major organs are a concern. Knowing all this my doctors in Chapel Hill felt that my case should be treated there. I felt that if my treatments could be done in Nags Head (which is a great facility with really good doctors), without compromising my care why should I have to do them at UNC. What I can tell you is that the final decision was really a personal preference and had nothing to do with either facilities ability to treat me and do it well. You see, our facility in Nags Head is undergoing some changes. The doctor that has been there is retiring, and they are in transition for the new doctor to start. If treatments were done there I would start the first two weeks with one doctor, the next two weeks with yet another doctor, and then finish out with a third doctor. Too many doctors for me! When you are dealing with something that is this important I just wasn't comfortable having my case passed off that many times. All the doctors are very good and if I would have been seeing only one of them my decision may have been different. So the end result was that my treatments will be done in Chapel Hill, and they will last about 6-7 weeks. Radiation treatments are done daily Monday through Friday, and it takes about 10-15 minutes.
Making this decision from a personal point was what made it so hard. In order to have treatments at UNC I would have to live out there during the week for the duration of treatments. Which would mean that I would only see my family on the weekends. What I had to do was put this is perspective ~ really what is two months away from my family if it means that I will have the rest of my life to be with them!
After the decision was made things moved rather quickly. Friday I had a scan done. This is what the doctors use to come up with your plan. Wish I could tell you more about that, but all I really know is that it takes someone with a lengthy education in physics. Not my thing at all! During this visit you get tattooed... actually I got three. This is how the nurses make sure you are lined up in the exact same position for each treatment. Not really the way I wanted to get my first tattoo! Treatments are scheduled to start in exactly one week.
When I made the decision to have treatments at UNC I had complete faith that everything would work out the way it should. Well I haven't been disappointed... we are blessed with a place to stay! After much distress over what to do about the girls, we have decided that Stewart and Karlene will stay here, and Kimber is going with me. No, I'm not sure this is a great idea, but we are going to do our best!! I found a wonderful preschool that is only a mile from the hospital that looks like it is going to work out perfect. I am waiting to hear back from the director, so please pray that it all comes together. The nurses at the hospital told me that they would work with me if I ever needed to bring her with me. (They haven't met her yet!!) I'm still having a hard time having to leave Karlene here, but I know that for her it's best. I am thankful for the Rodanthe/Stumpy Point ferry but I sure hope the road is open soon. That trip every weekend would be much easier (and faster!) if I could drive the entire way!!
Stewart and the girls stayed here while I was out in Chapel Hill this weekend. I got to have a much needed "mom only" time. Haven't been away from all of them ever for that long, and I enjoyed it but was glad to get back to them yesterday. While in Chapel Hill a good friend of mine celebrated her birthday and I got to be a part of her special day... you see it is extra special because she is a breast cancer survivor! She has been such a wonderful friend for me through this journey and I wish her many, many, many more birthdays to celebrate together!! So I had a wonderful weekend alone, I got to spend time with friends, and then I got to come home to the best family ever! Life is good!
So per my last post you know that radiation treatments are going to be done in Chapel Hill. Let me tell you a little about why...
This was not a decision that I came by lightly... let's face it ~ it's my life we are talking about here! Even though this was an important decision as for as my treatment goes, it was a difficult one. From a medical standpoint ~ my case is a little complicated because the cancer was close to the chest wall and I had positive lymph nodes. The area that needs to be radiated is larger and the major organs are a concern. Knowing all this my doctors in Chapel Hill felt that my case should be treated there. I felt that if my treatments could be done in Nags Head (which is a great facility with really good doctors), without compromising my care why should I have to do them at UNC. What I can tell you is that the final decision was really a personal preference and had nothing to do with either facilities ability to treat me and do it well. You see, our facility in Nags Head is undergoing some changes. The doctor that has been there is retiring, and they are in transition for the new doctor to start. If treatments were done there I would start the first two weeks with one doctor, the next two weeks with yet another doctor, and then finish out with a third doctor. Too many doctors for me! When you are dealing with something that is this important I just wasn't comfortable having my case passed off that many times. All the doctors are very good and if I would have been seeing only one of them my decision may have been different. So the end result was that my treatments will be done in Chapel Hill, and they will last about 6-7 weeks. Radiation treatments are done daily Monday through Friday, and it takes about 10-15 minutes.
Making this decision from a personal point was what made it so hard. In order to have treatments at UNC I would have to live out there during the week for the duration of treatments. Which would mean that I would only see my family on the weekends. What I had to do was put this is perspective ~ really what is two months away from my family if it means that I will have the rest of my life to be with them!
After the decision was made things moved rather quickly. Friday I had a scan done. This is what the doctors use to come up with your plan. Wish I could tell you more about that, but all I really know is that it takes someone with a lengthy education in physics. Not my thing at all! During this visit you get tattooed... actually I got three. This is how the nurses make sure you are lined up in the exact same position for each treatment. Not really the way I wanted to get my first tattoo! Treatments are scheduled to start in exactly one week.
When I made the decision to have treatments at UNC I had complete faith that everything would work out the way it should. Well I haven't been disappointed... we are blessed with a place to stay! After much distress over what to do about the girls, we have decided that Stewart and Karlene will stay here, and Kimber is going with me. No, I'm not sure this is a great idea, but we are going to do our best!! I found a wonderful preschool that is only a mile from the hospital that looks like it is going to work out perfect. I am waiting to hear back from the director, so please pray that it all comes together. The nurses at the hospital told me that they would work with me if I ever needed to bring her with me. (They haven't met her yet!!) I'm still having a hard time having to leave Karlene here, but I know that for her it's best. I am thankful for the Rodanthe/Stumpy Point ferry but I sure hope the road is open soon. That trip every weekend would be much easier (and faster!) if I could drive the entire way!!
Stewart and the girls stayed here while I was out in Chapel Hill this weekend. I got to have a much needed "mom only" time. Haven't been away from all of them ever for that long, and I enjoyed it but was glad to get back to them yesterday. While in Chapel Hill a good friend of mine celebrated her birthday and I got to be a part of her special day... you see it is extra special because she is a breast cancer survivor! She has been such a wonderful friend for me through this journey and I wish her many, many, many more birthdays to celebrate together!! So I had a wonderful weekend alone, I got to spend time with friends, and then I got to come home to the best family ever! Life is good!
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