Well, after feeling the best ever on Tuesday and walking all through the hospital I had a major relapse Tuesday overnite and Wednesday. I ended up in bed all day Thursday and am now feeling back to normal (as I define normal post op 6-8). My body is slow to react to my mind's specs. I want to be exercising and rebounding but I now see it will be a lot slower than I would like. The home nurse yesterday said it will take up to a year for the inside tissue to heal. Bah humbug!!
It appears that chemo is in the future-starting late July for me. Everyone I talk to recommends it. We'll see if my insurance agrees but I am gearing up for a nice vacation and then back to work and chemo.
My return to work day is July 21 and as friends have told me, the time so far has gone by like the wind. Hmm... I thought I would be having fun and relaxing. It turns out I have been actually in bed, resting and recovering from the surgery. I guess that's why the doctor said it would be 6 weeks disability.
That's all for now!
love
Franny
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Dr. visit 6-23
Kate and I talked to the oncologist today. He is pleased with my recovery. I am also pleased-it's good to feel more like myself again (much thanks to my sister, Kate, and Chrissie and Lauren's care as well as my other family babysitters). Yesterday was the first time I was alone for a few hours. It was a big step forward for me!!!
He has put forward the options of chemotherapy and/or scans every 4 months to monitor and make sure nothing suspicious shows up. There are no studies or much to guide me since this is a very rare form of cancer even worldwide. He did assure me that the cancer was confined to the kidney which is a good thing.
It's a tough decision and one that I will be thinking and praying about over the next few weeks.
Kate and the girls, my sister Maggie and I will be going on vacation next week to Memphis to visit our brother Kevin and family. That will be a good time to just rest and have fun!
My appetite is still much less than normal which I am very happy about!!!! Hoping to lose some weight in the process in preparation for the vacation.
love and hugs to my family and friends!!!
franny
He has put forward the options of chemotherapy and/or scans every 4 months to monitor and make sure nothing suspicious shows up. There are no studies or much to guide me since this is a very rare form of cancer even worldwide. He did assure me that the cancer was confined to the kidney which is a good thing.
It's a tough decision and one that I will be thinking and praying about over the next few weeks.
Kate and the girls, my sister Maggie and I will be going on vacation next week to Memphis to visit our brother Kevin and family. That will be a good time to just rest and have fun!
My appetite is still much less than normal which I am very happy about!!!! Hoping to lose some weight in the process in preparation for the vacation.
love and hugs to my family and friends!!!
franny
Sunday, June 22, 2008
P.S.
I forgot to say that I have a dr's appt on Tuesday morning at 830 with my new kidney oncologist, Dr. Appleman, to discuss treatment options. I will go to work with Kate and we will meet with him together.
It's Sunday afternoon. I have been lazy and napping often and not much on the internet. So here is my report of Saturday-big day!!!
We had blueberry coffeecake for breakfast-mmm!!!
Friends of mine stopped by for a visit during the afternoon. I took a 1 1/2 hour nap in preparation for their visit and the girls and I played Tripoly!
We picked up my mail from my landlady and also pizza for dinner!!!
That was all it took to tire me out and I went right to bed. Kate and I watched "27 Dresses" and part of "Garden State" and both fell asleep.
After such a big day, I slept in til 1130 today to recover.
I am trying to always remember that I am a recovering person and I try not to overdo. With the support of the pain pills, I am doing well. I try to cut back some pain pills every day.
It's a wierd life for me. It's so strange to be living the veggie life!
Today I went thru many emails in my inbox going all the way back to March. I am cleaning up pieces of my cluttered life.
love and blessings to all!!
Fran
We had blueberry coffeecake for breakfast-mmm!!!
Friends of mine stopped by for a visit during the afternoon. I took a 1 1/2 hour nap in preparation for their visit and the girls and I played Tripoly!
We picked up my mail from my landlady and also pizza for dinner!!!
That was all it took to tire me out and I went right to bed. Kate and I watched "27 Dresses" and part of "Garden State" and both fell asleep.
After such a big day, I slept in til 1130 today to recover.
I am trying to always remember that I am a recovering person and I try not to overdo. With the support of the pain pills, I am doing well. I try to cut back some pain pills every day.
It's a wierd life for me. It's so strange to be living the veggie life!
Today I went thru many emails in my inbox going all the way back to March. I am cleaning up pieces of my cluttered life.
love and blessings to all!!
Fran
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Dr visit
Went to the dr with my sister, Kate, today.
Most importantly, yes they took the cath. I'm a free woman!!! I should have asked to burn it. I was very passionate about getting rid of it!!!
Dr. M says they got all of the cancer with good margins. (That's good!! I had plenty of surgery, no more desired - Thanks very much!!!)
She was kind of in a rush and we didn't get to talk much. She is sending us on to the oncologist. So I will have more detailed info after we talk to him. Kate will set up an appt for asap.
There is the threat of chemo but it sounds like I may get away with no further treatment. The oncologist will give us our options and explain more.
I can drive again after 2 weeks out from the operation if I am off of pain pills by then. Watch out world, I'm coming back!!!
Still very tired but much better than last week!!!
love
Fran
Most importantly, yes they took the cath. I'm a free woman!!! I should have asked to burn it. I was very passionate about getting rid of it!!!
Dr. M says they got all of the cancer with good margins. (That's good!! I had plenty of surgery, no more desired - Thanks very much!!!)
She was kind of in a rush and we didn't get to talk much. She is sending us on to the oncologist. So I will have more detailed info after we talk to him. Kate will set up an appt for asap.
There is the threat of chemo but it sounds like I may get away with no further treatment. The oncologist will give us our options and explain more.
I can drive again after 2 weeks out from the operation if I am off of pain pills by then. Watch out world, I'm coming back!!!
Still very tired but much better than last week!!!
love
Fran
Monday, June 16, 2008
Thanks for the comments!
I am just so exhausted! The 6 weeks st disability seems about right. I have started reading but am not able to concentrate much. My recommendation-read the Sophie Kinsella books. Most are one ups but there is a series of "Shopaholic" books that are really side splitting. My favorite of hers is "The Undomestic Goddess"-for those of us who work in an office and may not be the neatest with our papers.
Anyway, Tuesday is the big day for my dr appt. I hope to post results tomorrow later in the day.
I'm staying at my sister's in Mt. Lebo with the nurse and her 2 girls. We've had some laughs and have been watching DVDs! this is so wierd for me! I'm not the relaxing type.
So, good bye for now
franny
I am just so exhausted! The 6 weeks st disability seems about right. I have started reading but am not able to concentrate much. My recommendation-read the Sophie Kinsella books. Most are one ups but there is a series of "Shopaholic" books that are really side splitting. My favorite of hers is "The Undomestic Goddess"-for those of us who work in an office and may not be the neatest with our papers.
Anyway, Tuesday is the big day for my dr appt. I hope to post results tomorrow later in the day.
I'm staying at my sister's in Mt. Lebo with the nurse and her 2 girls. We've had some laughs and have been watching DVDs! this is so wierd for me! I'm not the relaxing type.
So, good bye for now
franny
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Update June 14, 2008
I give up. I just cant keep up letting you all know what is going on with me. I have made the huge decision to set up a blog (with the help of my techie niece, Chrissie)!
Having never had major surgery before, I am feeling like a person who is relearning how to walk and move. I tried to get up by myself today and landed \on the floor. Chrissie heard the thud and came right up. Everything is peachy now but my confidence is a little too much and my sister the nurse, Katy, has been having trouble with her sickest child.
I'm staying with my sister Kate and nieces, Chrissie & Lauren. I have my cell but I dont always answer due to exhaustion!!!
We wont have results from the pathology lab until Tuesday. Meanwhile, I am sleeping a lot and every morning I say to myself, "Only 3 or (whatever#) days left until they take the catheter off." Yes, life is simple! I'm not very hungry-not the usual for me!!!!! So, I'm happy about that!!!!
I really appreciate all you all's notes of encouragement and I will try to keep in touch as much as possible. It's these times that really let me know how much I am loved.
Thanks!!!!
fran
Having never had major surgery before, I am feeling like a person who is relearning how to walk and move. I tried to get up by myself today and landed \on the floor. Chrissie heard the thud and came right up. Everything is peachy now but my confidence is a little too much and my sister the nurse, Katy, has been having trouble with her sickest child.
I'm staying with my sister Kate and nieces, Chrissie & Lauren. I have my cell but I dont always answer due to exhaustion!!!
We wont have results from the pathology lab until Tuesday. Meanwhile, I am sleeping a lot and every morning I say to myself, "Only 3 or (whatever#) days left until they take the catheter off." Yes, life is simple! I'm not very hungry-not the usual for me!!!!! So, I'm happy about that!!!!
I really appreciate all you all's notes of encouragement and I will try to keep in touch as much as possible. It's these times that really let me know how much I am loved.
Thanks!!!!
fran
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