Christmas time

I have tried to figure out how to load pictures to this page from my iPad for at least an hour and I am destined to never figure it out:) so I finally get a pic uploaded and then the font is all so crazy, so we will see how this post turns out....I had a fabulous time being with my family this weekend- my nieces and nephew were giddy with anticipation for Santa to visit, my parents were gracious hosts to the whirlwind weekend of visitors, my sisters are always so fabulous, and my brother in laws were champs for playing trivia( which I did not answer one question right, yet the girls still won, admit it Derrick, haha!)  I have been giving Matt a hard time about his lack of Christmas spirit, no fear he wore an ensemble of bright red pants and a tacky green sweater to my parents house.... "you want Christmas spirit, I will show you Christmas spirit!" :) I am thankful for my spectacular family.  I am pleased how much progress I have made in this whole "baby step healing process." Thinking back to thanksgiving holiday and comparing it to how I feel now- what a difference!!! I still have the random stomach pains, an occasional old lady  wobble, some dark circles beneath my eyes, but I am on my way to being my old self again:) Cheers to remembering the true reason for the Christmas season, gearing up to going back to work (fingers crossed in about a week!!!!), and complete healing! Merry Christmas!
So the pictures never uploaded and the font is still crazy:)  I will do some tutorials and then be able to show off my adorable nephews and nieces, Matt and his sweater, and my beautiful sisters! Xo

One month

It is crazy to think that I have been home for a whole month! A month of pajamas, tv watching, doctors appointments, family, friends, and healing! I actually went to the gym with Matt tonight... Walked on the treadmill for a whole 45 min:)  It was seriously at the speed that my grandmother and her walker could have kept up with, but I guess I have to start somewhere:) It felt great to get a tad sweaty and somewhat back to being normal, but ask me tomorrow and I probably be so sore I won't be able to move!
I had a moment today of feeling sorry for myself as this ostomy bag started leaking after only being on one day...  I totally picked the wrong person to complain to: Matt and his response "you could have a leaky ostomy bag and stage IV cancer." Nothing like reality to realize this ostomy ordeal isn't so bad!
I did some present wrapping this evening and it only makes me more giddy to see my whole entire family this weekend!!!! The new goal: to actual be able to play instead of laying in my Dad's recliner the whole time and to have some red wine with my Mom and sisters! Cheers!
*thanks for the continued love and prayers of complete healing!

Delinquent

Yes, I am a delinquent..., I told myself that I would update more, and here it is almost a week since the last update.  I went back to the doctor on Thursday for a quick checkup...incision looks good, draining minimally, ileostomy is a ok, pain control is in check (still moving like an old lady, wobbling around), and most exciting: I got the ok to drive! When I asked Dr. Pelta if I could drive, he responding with "could you drive well before surgery?" Matt said no..  Jokes all around:) I mean I have only ever hit stationary objects:)

I'm thankful for friends who drive way south to visit with me only to turn around and drive back north to their original destination, for a fresh hairstyle and color by one of my closest friends (I mean I have no idea why my hair was so unhealthy and grays sprouting up everywhere?!?!?!) I'm thankful for cards in the mail with subway surprises, and always thankful for the oh so many prayers.  I was re -reading some of the cards that I received while I was in the hospital and it makes me realize how lucky I am: for my loving family, my supportive friends, my awesome coworkers and bosses, and even friends of my sisters who sent notes just to let me know they were praying for me.  Somedays I try and piece my hospital stay together, but realize that some things are just a blur ( probably better that way). I continue to thank God for the life he chose for me, for the people he surrounded me with, for the courage and strength to fight this cancer mess and to heal.

Drain free!

Short and sweet... 

Finally got the drain out of my butt (the last time I had one removed I was sedated, which made it a whole lot more tolerable!!!) BUT it is out! I also got the Picc line out and they stopped the Hyperal! So no more lab draws= no more home health:) I go back to Dr. Pelta's on Thursday for a follow up appointment and then a radiology exam in a couple of weeks to check out this anastamosis.  So, things are going in the right direction, just slowly! 

Went to dinner last night with some friends, the first time that I put real clothes and boots on and even some make-up! One of my friends even said I look "normal" so I guess that is a good thing.  Ha! This diet that I'm on is ridiculous! I miss salads, fresh fruit, veggies, wheat bread...my sister did say that this is the only time in my life where it is ok to eat white bread, hamburger helper, pizza, chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, and French fries on a weekly basis.  I feel like this it most likely the diet of my nieces and nephew minus hotdogs:) 

I continue to be grateful for all of the love, prayers, and well wishes!

Debacle

Today I had my first experience with home healthcare.... I say experience, yet that word could be interchanged with debacle or cluster.  Two nurses showed up, one wearing warmup pants and a tank top with a shirt over it, neither with name tags. Where did the professionalism go? Is it appropriate for them to use my bathroom?!?! To wash your hands before you touch me: yes, to actually use the bathroom: no.  I'm pretty sure my jaw hit the floor when I heard the toilet flush. My picc line wouldn't draw back blood for my labs, flushes fine, but no blood.  Their response: we didn't bring any supplies to stick you since you have a picc line. Really???? In my head I was thanking God that Matt was sleeping (working the nightshift gig) and that my Dad was golfing because I'm pretty sure they would have imploded. My Mom and I just kept looking at each other with that look of "you have to be kidding me?!?" Before they left she took my blood pressure and pulse and then informed me that my hr of 104 was elevated.  I was thinking that was pretty good considering the situation.  :) Needless to say I left a message for Dr. Pelta's nurse saying that we have to rid this home healthcare mess.
Some of my girlfriends came to visit on Friday-what breaths of fresh air my friends are.  It was nice to chat about stuff other than medicine, hospital jazz, or how I was feeling.  I'm on the road to feeling like a normal human again(with an ostomy, a dressing on my abdomen, and a drain in my butt) but I'm moving around better, taking less pain meds, and eating slightly more.
The next entry, fingers crossed, I will be drain less and maybe even dancing a little. ;) new goal: able to go to the falcons vs. giants game in a couple of weeks...I can't bare to look at Matt's sad face if we have to miss out on another game! Ha (Thanks Cathryn for selling our saints tickets)
Cheers to online Christmas shopping, wearing pajamas till 2013, and complete healing!