disconnected...

4 some reason, I can't get my laptop 2 connect 2 the internet! we
switched 2 a wireless cable modem last week & it's been nothing but
trouble since! I've spent 2+ hours on the phone troublesooting with
them (in 2 separate calls), they've already sent a tech out once (he
got it working until I shut down & started back up again)...& they've
scheduled 2 send another 1 out...unfortunately, that won't b til
Monday! Grrrrrr!

Thank goodness 4 my new iPod touch! (early bday present) it's
connecting 2 the wireless just fine so we know the issue isn't the
modem/router, it's getting my laptop 2 connect...& at least I'm not
totally disconnected! ;0)

Hope 2 b back in business on Monday...& i hope u're all enjoying your
holiday weekend!

Sent from my iPod

the aftermath...

i've been off work all week (& will b 4 the rest of this week) - excused by the doctor 2 rest at home due to "complications from radiation treatment"...as i've mentioned several times on this blog, my throat has gotten progressively worse...it's not a sore throat, at the back of my mouth kinda thing - it's deep down my throat, in my neck...i'm pretty horse, not even able 2 speak on the phone cause the person on the other end simply can't hear me...swallowing hurts - simple as that! it doesn't matter if it's solid food or water - it just hurts! & when i experience reflux, i feel it - deep down in my throat, rising up into my throat

i'm taking Zantac regularly 2 avoid the reflux...& luckily, the liquid Percocet prescription (Roxicet) that i switched 2 once i realized swallowing the pills just wasn't working, has done wonders 4 my throat pain...but i have 2 stay on top of it & take my doses every 4 hrs in order 2 stay comfortable...it helps me b able 2 swallow my Coumadin pills (luckily, they're tiny - i take 4 5mg tabs every day), & makes it easier 2 swallow foods like applesauce, yogurt, soups, etc...i vomit every morning - waking up with a sore/dry/swollen/clenched throat causes me 2 gag & then dry heave (cause there's usually nothing in my stomach), no matter how hard i try 2 avoid it - sometimes there's even blood...& sadly, i've gotten used 2 that...but i know that as soon as i'm over it, i can take my 1st dose of pain meds & go about my day

the pics above r of my "burn" site - taken last Friday...i'm still rubbing SBS40 cream on it 4 times a day...in addition 2 that, i'm also now using Neosporin in my fat creases ~lol~ the burnt area started peeling just like a sunburn this weekend, but it's very red & raw underneath - especially in the creases - even 2 the point of bleeding on occasion

i go in 2moro 2 get my levels checked & the radiation doc wants 2 take another look at my neck 2 make sure it's not getting infected (i know it's not, but he just wants 2 make sure)...i know now what he meant about it actually getting worse b4 it gets better...but i'm thankful that i'm able 2 rest at home & recooperate in the privacy of my home

these side effects of radiation r "normal" & i thank God that i only had 2 have 3 weeks of treatment...i can't imagine how people going thru months of radiation therapy deal with these issues & even worse! once again, i recognize that it could always b worse

hopefully in the next week or so, i'll start healing up & will b able 2 get back 2 the real "normal"! i know that from this day forward, it will definitely take a whole lot 2 make me complain about being sick, in pain or uncomfortable!!! ;0)

weekend recap...NC picture marathon

what a stinkin' fabulous weekend we had!!!

i know i say that a lot - but this 1 really rocked!

friday eve, the kiddos & i had dinner at BK - well, they had dinner...i had a chocolate shake (throat is still RAW!)...usually, we do the drive thru thing & eat at home...but they talked me in2 the sit down dinner this time - & i'm glad...it was nice 2 have dinner out with them :0)

she loves those apple fries!

there were probably about 20 of these caterpillars outside in the play area!

saturday morning, we drug the kiddos out of bed & got on the road at about 5am...it's a 4 hour drive to my BFF's house in NC

& we had 2 get there fairly early because i was volunteering 2 help her out with the 8th annual Yadkin Valley Wine Festival...Misty works for the Yadkin Valley chamber of commerce & pretty much heads up the entire festival every year...i volunteered 2 years ago & went down 2 NC by myself...this time, i decided 2 lug the fam along too

the other difference with this year is that i got an EASY job! last time, i was busy selling tickets/tasting bands all day...this time, Misty insisted i sit under the tent & sign in/out other volunteers...most come by for 3 or 4 hour shifts, but we were there 4 the entire day! she knew i wasn't 2 have my radiation site out in the sun 4 too long, so she made sure i was shaded & resting the whole time - she's 1 great friend!!!

even tho there was a threat of thunderstorms that day, we had an amazing turn out! & luckily, the rain held out until the last hour of the festival

there were 28 wineries pouring that day...tons of food & craft vendors...

live music & a little dance floor 4 those feeling the groove ;0)

there were some interesting characters in attendance as well...

this fella & his daughter come out every year...& this year, he was the MC 4 the event

they also had hourly door prize drawings & fun events...1, that i have 2 say was super fun, was the grape stomp...

Misty & her boss kicked off the grape stomp - complete in their "I Love Lucy" garb ;0)

next, Wendy & i went at it...it was a race 2 see who could fill up their jar with juice 1st

the barrel that Wendy was standing in kept winning...i think mine might have been clogged ~lol~

Wendy is Misty's high school friend that traveled even farther than me 2 help out at the festival...she drove 5 hours from MD!

what's that? u're wondering where my kiddos r while we're having a good ole time at the wine festival? well, they're with their father of course - & Shane, Misty's husband...they have a 2 year old daughter, Willow too...so our 2 men watched our 4 kiddos 4 the entire day - & they handled it like pros!

they took a trip 2 the park, & rode Shane's horse Chic (Curt took this pic with his phone)...

they managed 2 feed em breakfast & lunch...keep them entertained 4 most of the day...& even got in a brief nap! all without making too much of a mess of the house ;0)

we brought pizza home 4 dinner...then, Misty was anxious 2 give out gifts...since we haven't seen each other in quite some time, she wanted 2 make up 4 the birthdays she's missed (i know, she's a nut - she totally spoils us!)...she had something 4 everyone!

she got Curtis a deep fryer - something he's been wanting 4 a very long time...but i would never buy him 1, knowing it would only mean more fried foods in our home...she told me about his gift ahead of time - she wanted 2 make sure i wasn't going 2 cuss her out when he opened it ~lol~ he was smitten!
(& yes, she even got him 2 try wine! Curtis doesn't drink - especially not wine...but this blueberry wine from Weathervane Winery is soooo good - he actually liked it! & i came home with a bottle of their Sweet Mountain Bliss 4 when i'm able 2 drink again)

Misty also made this 4 me...the poem below my picture is called "God Heals" & it totally brought me 2 tears!

Remember when you heard the words -
and your mind went blank - you were in another world
God heals
Remember in your darkest hours -
when all that surrounds you is pain and sorrow
God heals
Remember friends' prayers - your family's encouragement
- glimmers of hope from everyday angels
God heals
Quiet...you can hear Him now -
always there - yet never this close
God heals
It's just another day -
yet everything has changed - and you hear yourself say
God heals
Birds are singing -
the sky is a beautiful blue - flowers are blooming...
God heals
Truths that you knew as a child -
awakened again with new understanding
God heals
Remember when others can't -
that life is a gift - each day to treasure
God Has Healed

she's the bestest friend any1 could ask 4!

the boys couldn't wait 2 get out of the house & enjoy some quiet time after a busy day with 4 kiddos! they jumped in Shane's sweet "new" ride & Curtis even got 2 drive!

then next morning, we hung out on the front porch 4 quite a while...it was a cool, rainy morning & it felt really good 2 just relax with our coffee on the porch swing - chatting away, while the kiddos played

Curtis made every1 a big breakfast & then we let the fellas enjoy the day out on their own - they got some fishing in & who knows what else...male bonding - they're such great friends & have a good time hanging out & doing just about anything

Misty's neighbor has a small farm with plenty of petting zoo type animals...so once the rain let up some, we took a stroll next door 2 check em out

goats, ducks, chickens - & lots of babies!

& geese...these 2 baby geese followed us around the entire time! they were so friendly & the kiddos had a ball feeding them clover



then we headed back & paid Chic a visit - he's such a beautiful & sweet horse!

after our outside fun, we came in 2 relax...Wendy & Willow laid down 4 a nap...then Jaden said he'd like 2 take 1 too - totally weird, but fine by me! while they were all napping, the girls got in some finger painting time...& Misty & i got 2 hang out & chat - my fav time of all! ;0)

we had burgers & dogs that Shane grilled 4 us 4 dinner & every1 filled their bellies b4 we hit the road (well, except 4 me - still barely able 2 eat with this sore throat)...Curtis drove us home, while the kiddos & i snoozed the whole way

when saying our goodbyes, Jaden teared up - saying he was really going 2 miss Shane...Willow started crying, saying "i wanna go with u!" - talking 2 the girls...it was so sweet! but definitely made me wish we lived closer 2 our friends - they really r like family 2 us!!!

thank u Misty & Shane, 4 always making us feel so welcome & showing us a good time!
we love u guys soooooo much!!!
♥

we're all space rangers, living on the giant golden star...

Jaden is constantly in imaginary mode - the world is a very fun place when u're Jaden

;0)

up until a couple months ago, we were all island warriors...living on different tropical islands...our cars were actually submarines (i told u about our trip over the smokey volcano last november)...the small town we live in (& it's neighboring town - the 2 r usually lumped 2gether) were called "Nibbs Island"...the larger town near us (where i work & the kiddos have dance/martial arts) was called "Todo Island"...there were also different island names 4 other surrounding towns & areas we visit, but i can't remember them all

now, we're all space rangers...living on different planets/stars...& we drive rockets or space ships! our town (& it's neighboring town) are called "the giant golden star"...the larger town nearby is "mars" (& that's where his pet, "Dino", lives too)...again, there r others nearby as well - "the milky way", "pueblo" (not sure how that's space related tho?), etc.

it's funny, because if i say we're going 2 Harrisonburg - he'll correct me, "u mean mars?"...& when we come over the hill in2 view of our hometown, he'll say "there it is - the giant golden star"...each & every single time!

i've shown u some space ranger pics already - on my recent little artists post...& here's 1 he drew last nite that cracked me up! it's Jaden (as a space ranger of course), with a space ranger devil & angel talking 2 him...he said the devil is saying "don't go 2 school - school is 4 losers" & the angel says "go 2 school so u can learn" ~lol~ oh, & notice the confused look on Jaden's space ranger face - love it! ;0)


oh, if only i could get in2 his head & experience the world thru Jaden's eyes - what a fun place that would b!

*Jaden has an amazing ability 2 b able 2 watch a program/movie/commercial & memorize it after only viewing it a few times...the other week in the car, he started reciting an episode of Fairly Odd Parents - literally from the beginning, including each character's dialogue - the ENTIRE show! after a while, it got annoying - but i couldn't stop him...i wanted 2 see if he really knew the entire thing & he did!

*he also does this really funny thing when he watches Tom & Jerry (1 of his very fav shows!)...u know how they don't actually talk, right? well, in Jaden's mind - they do! he has a DVD of several episodes & 1 morning, i came downstairs 2 find him watching it & inserting his own dialogue 4 both Tom & Jerry...it was the funniest thing ever! i need 2 sit him down & get a video of him doing this - it's amazing!

careful...

since i last updated u, i've completed my last week of radiation therapy!

2day was my last zapping & i'm thrilled!!! my throat got progressively worse this last week - to the point that it's become very difficult 2 swallow my daily Coumadin dose, let alone even more pills 2 take the Percocet...it gags me so much that i end up vomitting...& that sure doesn't help out a sore throat any!!

yesterday, i finally got a liquid Percocet prescription & that's a whole lot easier...i'm still vomiting every morning - cause my throat is just so dry/sore/clogged/nasty when i wake up, i can't help but gag...& even tho the Percocet helps by making it a little easier 2 swallow, i'm still on a soft food/liquid diet - because swallowing anything too hard/solid literally brings tears 2 my eyes...but hey, i'm dealing with it ;0)

the radiation doc explained 2 me that just like it took about a week 4 my skin 2 start getting pink & my throat 2 get sore, it'll continue 2 get worse 4 about another week...almost as if i'm still "cooking" inside...then i should start healing & he says that should happen fairly fast...he said that hopefully in about 2 weeks, i'll b beginning 2 feel "normal" again

yay 4 normal!!!

they let me keep my mask - said they'd just throw it away...i can't wait 2 get it home & show the kiddos...maybe we'll do something fun with it - like kick the crap outta it! ~lol~ i promise 2 post pics ;0)

also, i just got back from meeting with my oncologist...she wants 2 see me back in a month & will most likely take me off the Coumadin at that time...i will get levels checked every week till then

but no PET scan 4 now - she said the radiation can cause inflammation & give them a false positive, so they wait about 3 months 2 do one

the nurses joked with me as i left - saying i needed 2 make sure & remember NOT 2 come in2 the cancer center 2moro! ~lol~ omg, u don't know how glad i am 2 finally get my lunch breaks back - whoo stinkin' hoo!!!

so, i guess i still can't officially call myself "cancer free" yet...i need that final PET scan 2 confirm it...but what r the odds?! i'm pretty confident that the results will say all the cancer cells have been wiped out...i feel confident enuff 2 already say...

i've kicked cancer's ass baby!!!
;0)

change in plans & a wonderful cause...

in my weekend recap, i said i'd let u guys know 2day how my last week of radiation went & what the last plans r (scans, follow-up appts, etc.)...but the appointment they scheduled 4 2day was actually with 1 of the other oncologists, because mine is off...i told em i'd rather wait until mine is back 2moro & meet with her...after all these months, y follow-up with some1 that doesn't know my history? so u'll get an update 2moro

-----


in the meantime, i'd like u 2 head on over & visit my good friend Wendy...as she mentioned in her post 2day, she & her beautiful family r walking in a 5K next week in my honor!

she lives in Concord, NH...& there, they have the Payson Center for Cancer Care which is what your donations will help support...my local cancer center & the wonderful nurses, doctors & techs that work there have become near & dear to my heart...they have become like family to me! it made my treatment so much easier to know that i was not only receiving state-of-the art care, but that i was also being treated in a place that made me feel safe & comfortable...so i know just how important it is 2 have that resource available during 1 of the most difficult times in ur life!

please make a donation & help support this wonderful cause!
u can visit Wendy's page here:
http://giveto.concordhospital.org/netcommunity/wesnlani

thx!
♥ ♥ ♥

spring school photos...

these r some pretty gorgeous kiddos...if i do say so myself!
;0)