Posts

Showing posts from December, 2012

Tuesday--December 18, 2012--home again

We left Stevens RV Park around 11am.  Seemed like it took a long time to get home.  As I was unpacking Dr. Bernsten called to tell my MRI had shown that the cancer was contained in my right breast.  She had called for results on the BRAC test and they were waiting for insurane approval.  I called BCBS and they had no record of a request so I called Tall Grass again and they are calling tomorrow morning.  So I wait some more.  Gary is happy.  I came to the family room to watch evening TV.  He is settled in for his nightly sleep fest.

Monday--December 17, 2012--Preparing for KS Return

I got up around 9am.  Had the nagging fuzzy head with weak eyes.  I piddled around and drug all my shoes out of the closet and counted them.  Gary started installing the shower door for Donna.  I ended up going back to bed (slept with over 12 pairs of shoes) and napped until 1:00pm.  Prissy tried on her new Christmas dress and we went to show Angie and Gary.  No one was home in the "big" house so we went to the office area and checked on Gary.  He was just finishing his project.  We then drove over to Daddy and Ruth's house.  He was glad to see me.  He kept patting my leg and saying "I'm sure glad you came to see me.  I've been missing you----and then he precedes to ask where Sandra was."  I told him I was here and then he asked where Deb was working now.  After I told him, he said "I remember that.". Sharon and Clem came over and visited with us.  Sure enjoyed the visit. Back to Donna's for Chinese food and we watched "White Chirs

Sunday--December 16, 2012--DeOrnellis Christmas

Yes, I had my camera in my purse.  Yes, I forgot to get it out and take pictures.  Yes, I'm aggravated at myself.  BUT, yes I agree with Barry.  He made the comment on the way back to Centralia that it was one of the best family reunions that he had ever attended, He should have been to the Christmas that we had growing up under Grandma Carrie's wings.  Barb Nobis had us to gather in a square and we went around telling about some of the memories we had from past Christmases.  It was great.  One thing I did learn, I wasn't the only one that Grandma Carrie made feel special   Everyone of her grandchildren felt the same love and care. After we got back to Donna's I headed straight up to the bedroom and took an hour and half nap.  We then headed to Columbia to celebrate Angie's birthday. We had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays.  Most of us had salad and soup.  Angie and Barry and steak and lobster.  They didn't seem to be stuffed like the non-dieters.  After dinner we dr

Saturday--December 14, 2012--Day at Deb's

Image
Donna and I got up early and drove to Fishhook.  We delivered the camper chairs to Deb. After that we went to the beauty shop and somehow Donna got funky.  She won the style of the day.  We ate lunch in Naples, Illinois.  A wonderful place along the Illinois River.  Food was great.  We then stopped at Dollar General and ended up in the Amish store.  Back to Fishhook and back to the Missouri side.  Donna and I baked pies, Gary made Deviled Eggs, and Donna fixed veggies for the Crigler Girls' Christmas at Debs place on Saturday.  Pooped and slept well.

Thursday--December 13, 2012--Family is Great

Monday--Met with Dr. Beristen at 8am.  Dana went with us.  It is a good thing because the old man and I can't remember anything and he hears black and I hear white.  I had the BRAC genetic test taken so we could determine my surgery options.  If I have the inherited gene, we will do a double mastectomy and if it is negative most likely a lumpectomy will take place.  Follow-up treatment will be determined on if the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes. I've been busy.  Tuesday we went to Stormont-Vail in Topeka for the dreaded MRI.  I hated it.  Didn't even want to put my coat on afterwards and have not had it on much since.  When I got out Gary looked at me and declared that my blood pressure must be over the top.  I was red all over.  Usually my face just gets red.  Oh, well, that part is done.  After the MRI we drove to Columbia, Missouri (Home of the Tigers) and met Barry, Donna, and Barry for dinner at Ruby Tuesdays.  I ate too much.  Angie asked me as soon as she si

Sunday--December 9, 2012--Still Waiting

This morning was pretty tough.  I got up around 6am and made coffee.  Gary and Prissy got up later.  For some reason sadness was on my shoulders today.  Later I made french toast, took a shower, and got ready to go to Chaney's dance recital.  It was a nice program.  It went smoothly and quickly.  Calvin, Gary, and I went to KFC and got two buckets of chicken and the goodies to go with them. We had dinner with Dana and the kids.  Brad had gone to work.  Chaney read her sight words to us over her microphone. Back home to wait one more night for the appointment tomorrow morning.  I'm anxious to know what stage, what treatment they recommend, and WHEN can I get this growing "killer" out of my body.  When can the surgery be done (sooner the better)? Rob called while we are the program.  They had gotten an offer and their house and was probably going to take the bid.

Saturday--December 8, 2012--Still Waiting

It has been a busy day.  We got up and drove to Topeka.  Calvin had a game at 11am and Chaney at 1pm.  At least they were in the same building.  We then had dinner at Applebees and came home.  Calvin was coming with us -- but he wanted to go to a fundraiser for one of his classmates.  Already the grand kids are starting to outgrow their "old' folks. A lot of information was thrown at my pea brain today.  At least I'm learning some terminology and options that will probably be presented to me on Monday. Donna went to Vandalia and told my dad and Ruthie.  I wanted someone to be able to make sure he understood and could answer his questions without interruptions.  Pretty sad state of affairs when your 95-year-old Daddy has to worry about my health. We got home around 3:30pm and I took a long nap.  Got up and Gary was watching RFD-TV.  It is sure good to have our channels back for our viewing pleasure. Doing ok, trying to have an open mind and a positive outlook.

December 7, 2012--Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

If you know me, I've never been a patient person.  Something that I might need to improve upon.  As always things are worse in the dark of night.  I got up around 6:30am and washed the popcorn pans.  If the dishwasher is empty, I get really lazy and put them in for a quick wash.  Gary cleaned the garage and put all the boxes away that we were packing to sell and keep.  I did a little paper work, went to the bank, about ran over someone trying to get my "sporty" car into gear, went to the grocery store, and stopped by the school.  We put the Charlie Brown Christmas tree on NaNa's table and called it our 2012 decorations.  Neither of us feel like celebrating too much.  Thank goodness we have our Christmas over with our kids.  I won't be doing cards this year.  But I sure enjoy the ones that are being sent to me. Nurse/Friend Judy Kocher stopped by for a visit.  She has been through a similar situation.  I received a message from a high school friend.  She was diag

December 6, 2012--A Whole Different Path

Image
Thursday evening (November 29, 2012) I found a lump on my right breast.  No matter how much pretending, it wouldn't go away.  The next morning I woke up and thought maybe I had a bad dream.  Nope, the lump remained.  I called the Onaga Clinic and made an appointment for that morning.  The doctor examined me and made an appointment for Monday morning while the Manhattan Radiology team was on staff.  They did a sonogram and didn't like the shape and appearance so I was scheduled to go to Manhattan on Tuesday morning to have a biopsy.  That procedure took about two hours.  They tried to drain the mass but there was no fluid.  The tech made the comment that it was not a typical cyst.  I didn't want to watch so I had them to cover my head with a towel.  I got hot and uncovered my eyes and was able to see the sonogram screen.  They then took samples with a large needle that sounded like a drill with a vacuum on it.  We finished that and headed back to Onaga to wait for the result