Feb. 8, 2012 and Feb. 12, 2013 - An Update from SJRH - Last Chemo Treatment

Feb. 8, 2013 - An Update from the St. John Regional Hospital

 Well I thought I would give an update before the big storm hits later this evening here.  It sounds like a huge storm.  Last huge blizzard I got my first ambulance ride ever to the hospital.   Peter had to come plow me out so the ambulance could get in the yard to get me.  THANKS PETER!  I am glad I am all tucked in at the hospital.  I arrived last Tuesday and had my last chemo treatment Wednesday!  ZERO LEFT, PRAISE THE LORD.

This place has kept me hopping today.  At 7:00 am they came in and told me I was going to have an ultra sound at 8:00, so I got up out of bed quickly and at least got my face washed and brushed my teeth and got to the bathroom just before they showed up at 7:40 to get me.  When they got done doing the ultra sound of my organs they took me to nuclear medicine and injected me with radio active dye.  Then they brought me back to my room by 9:00 and I got my breakfast.  Then they came back up to pick me up and take me back to nuclear medicine for my complete body scan.  Dr. Burnell ordered these tests today.  They are the same tests Dr. Scarth had ordered after he got my biopsy results came back to make sure the cancer was no where else in my body.  Dr. Burnell ordered the tests to because I have finished my chemo.  They will probably do them all again when I am done my radiation.  They certainly go the extra mile here to be sure every thing is done.  Everything is done so fast when you are in hospital.  Just think about it, I have had an ultra sound of my heart, and EKG and these tests today since I have been in here.

Keep my bowels in your prayers because they are what seems to not be working.  I haven't gone since Tuesday when I left home.  I should have suspected that chemo would affect my bowels, as they have always been a weaker area in my body.  I am hoping when I start radiation that my bowels will NOT be affected.  I am counting my blessings as radiation is the last phase of this journey.  I have to have 30 radiation treatments.  I will stay at the hostile here in the hospital.  There will be 5 radiation treatments a week so it will take 6 weeks.  But I have 3 to 4 weeks to recover from this chemo treatment.  I think they count this week I am in the hospital as one of the recovery weeks.  I will work on building my strength on the treadmill when I get home and am ready.  I want to be in as good a shape as I can before I start the radiation treatments.

From my grandson, Ethan 

(7 years old).  “Dear God please make Nana feel better.” 

My anti-depression meds seemed to have kicked in bit and for this I am thankful.  They have a great professional team who works with you here.  They felt one of the medications I had been taking was triggering anxiety so they took that medication away this treatment.  It will mean a little more bone and muscle pain but that is certainly better than anxiety.  There is enough natural anxiety that occurs at times on this journey without adding one that is caused by medication.  Elaine thank you for coming to stay with me when I was going through my rough patch.  That really helped me while Jamie was away.  What a blessing it was to have you there.  Dad I really enjoyed our afternoon together too.  You see you at times you want to see people but you have to be so careful to not pick anything up so you can get your freenamee treatments behind you.  Elaine & Dad came at a time when I really needed some company.  Too much time alone can be hard on the spirit at times too.  Mom, Dad, Lindsay & Cindy have been that great moral support by phone too.  You all have been such blessings.  God is amazingly good to surround me with friends and family like you who support me through emails etc. too.  Each of those emails arrive at God's perfect time and touch my heart so deeply.  For your many kindnesses I thank you.

I had a private room Tuesday and Wednesday when I arrived at the hospital. Thursday they moved me to a semi private room and I have a great roommate who has been a nurse for 40 years and has bowel cancer.  God has had much for me to learn.  She is a sweetheart and we are good for each other.  It is always nice to have someone to talk to.  God is amazingly good.  I just praise his name for walking with me on this journey.  I feel blessed to have all of you walking with me on this journey and for your prayers.  They truly have made a difference on this walk with cancer.  Never think, all I can do is pray for you because that is the biggest gift you can give me on this earth.  If God places someone on your heart, there is always a reason for it, so just pray for them.  I love you all and appreciate you more than I can express in words.  

My love, (((((HUGS)))) and may God bless,

Paulette

Feb. 12, 2013 - An Update from Jamie

Morning 

Paulette is still not feeling too well.  She is very sick to her stomach again 
today and she had a fever last night.  They did blood work and took an x-ray but 
we haven't heard if she has an infection or not.  I suspect she must have as 
they have her on an antibiotic drip or maybe they just are taking precautions.  
Needless to say she doesn't get to go home today. Possibly not for a couple 
more. So we're disappointed but know she is better to be here where she can get 
the care she needs. As you have probably figured out this is Jamie not Paulette.  
She is resting but asked me to answer her emails.  Not sure if this answers any 
of your questions but at least you all have an update on whats going on.  Now 
the job will be to figure out how to send it to multiple addresses.  Hope all is 
well with everyone.   

May God bless