Big Week at MDA

It is Sunday and we are getting ready to go to MDA on Monday. We are cleaning house and have been washing clothes, so when we get back everything will be clean. My mom has been here, so she is a great motivator. I get a blood workup then that evening I'm getting a CT Scan on my abdomen. Then, I see Dr. Yao on Tuesday at 1:30 for him to give me my results from the tests. Our wish and hope is that the tumors are shrinking. I'll take any little bit of good news that I can get.

We are still staying at the Rotary House that is connected to everything that I go to, so we are not waiting on shuttles and sometimes it is so late when I get through with chemo the shuttles are not running. It is very convenient to stay where we are. Last time it was when the hurricane came through and I was so glad we stayed there. People were complaining that they didn't have their umbrella with them and I was just thanking my lucky stars I didn't have to get out in the rain. I'm always concerned about my immune system, especially after chemo. I can't get sick!!

I want to thank everyone for the phone calls, cards, sweet thoughts and prayers sent my way. Prayer is what is going to save me.

Have a good week everyone!!
Susan

Getting ready for Houston

Hi Everyone,
I am getting ready to go to Houston again. We leave next Monday and I want to feel better organized this time. I left half of my makeup in Marble Falls and that just seemed to set things in motion.

Thank you all for your prayers on Facebook. Someone said I needed to have a sense of humor that it really helps. If you could see me without my hair and just my little cap, you really need a sense of humor. It is pretty funny.

Monday I have my blood testing and my CT scans of my abdomen. Please pray that everything is shrinking and that I get a good report. I've been having problems with my stomach and I hope it's not my liver. I'm probably just very anxious about my trip to Houston.

Thank you for your prayers and cards. They mean so much to me.

Susan

2nd time to MDA

Before I went to MDA the second time, I got very sick with fever and we didn't know where it came from. I just know I didn't feel well at all.

Dr. Yao said my liver function was improving, so he thinks the chemo is working. I really hope so. I feel so much better this time after chemo than I did the first time. I have so much more energy and I am not near as weak. My chemo is still 8 hours long for three days which is long, but I sleep most of the time.

Next time I go, we take blood work, then we take CT scans of my abdomen. My prayers are that the tumors are shrinking. After I talk to Dr. Yao, I take my treatments. I asked him how long my treatments would be and he said we would evaluate every two months. He is all business!!!! As his PA's say, he is all cancer doctor.

We are staying at the Rotary HOuse which has a skyway and is connected to everywhere I need to go. Even when I shut a building down, I just go to my room, and if the gold carts are running, then Travis pushes me in a wheel chair.

I don't know if I told everyone, but I did try to save my hair, but the girl who cuts it tried to save it short, but it kept coming out. It is as short as you can get. When I was in Houston, I bought some cute little hats that color coordinate with my clothes. Sometimes, I'm self conscience, but this is real life and I can't worry about everything. A friend gave me a small cross before I went to MDA and I'm all about prayer. It is called a Clinging Cross and it fits into your hand. It is the coolest thing. I know I don't have to use it to pray, but it seems to make me stronger.

I am very fortunate that both of my kids, Jennifer and Travis went to MDA with me this time. I didn't want Gary to miss work. My kids are super supportive and are very positive. Right now the plan is to go to MDA every three weeks to get my chemo.

I will refer people back to my blog on FB. Thanks for reading.

Susan Hall