Update!

It's been over 3 months since I completed radiation and life is good. I still have some residual "Pec" muscle pain, and Dr. Myers says it from the extra boost they gave me the last few days of radiation. For now I am using ice packs, and if it continues he wants me to go the physical therapy. I really don't want more "appointment" days. I can tell it's better already. My repeat mammogram was
"NO sign of cancer"!!!! I will have another on in 6 months. Wow, that will be after Christmas. What happened to this year! Mom warned me that time would fly as I got older. I've been to the dermatologist and had two "things" removed and they were non-cancerous. Tomorrow I go to the gastro doctor to do the over 50 procedure. I should now have a clean bell of health.

Rick is doing great !! After having surgery for cancer in his kidney, he has rallied and is back at work and feeling great! He doesn't have to have any treatment. The docs say that they got it all! Praise God.

We are praising God that a dear friend of ours received a kidney this summer and he is doing great and feeling MUCH better !! Yeh.

Radiation is over, and my journey forward starts !

I had my last radiation treatment (#33) on April 30th, my birthday. It was MORE than just a regular 'ole birthday! I worked on Friday, May 1st and we left for vacation on Saturday. I can honestly say it was "the vacation of a lifetime". I have never enjoyed a vacation like I did this one. We went with 2 other couples on a catamaran in the BVI. (aka: British Virgin Islands) We had a captain and a cook that could out do any cruise, or all inclusive vacation. We were on the boat for a week and enjoyed every single moment. I have over 700 pictures to prove it! My open skin areas have almost healed and other than feeling really tired I am looking straight ahead to living my life to the fullest. My radiated skin is very dark and I am quite "lop-sided" if you get the jest. I think I can deal with that for the time being. I will see Dr. Ibach, the oncologist, next week to find out if I will be taking Tamoxifen, and then will have a mammogram in a couple of months, as a follow up.

Rick is doing great! He just found out this week that is will be able to start back to work, part time. The best news is that he got transferred from the Nashville FDIC office, to Knoxville. The office location is a MILE from his house. He is so excited. This week, he and Vickie are at their condo in Myrtle Beach, and he sounds great. He is still going to Rehab for skills to improve his short term memory. He will have a EEG this next week and then hopes to take a driving test, so that he can finally get back to being more self sufficient.
Thanks to each and every one of you for all your prayers, phone calls, letters/ cards, food and encouraging words.

OUCH !!!

Almost to the finish line... and... OUCH! On Saturday night I tossed and turned all night long and felt "itchy" and "burning sensations" where I shouldn't be feeling itchy and burning. I got up early, braved the bathroom lights,(those of you who know I hate mornings) and YES I had several RAW skin areas from tape on my "radiation spot". I wanted to cry, and actually did when I got in the shower. It felt like fire instead of cooling water. I called Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, and several nursery's and NO ONE had aloe plants yet. I called my cousin and she happen to have one, and Rachel had just bought one the day before. I kept all the "weeping" skin areas covered with aloe all day and night. Today I was seen by the nurse and the doctor and they decided to move forward with the radiation, because I am in an important accumulative phase and I too want to just get this over with. I now have only 4 more treatments. I will go tomorrow and then they will decide if I will skip Wed or continue and finish on Thursday. I think I can see the end of the road...it's just sort of curvy. Look out British Virgin Isle's,.... here I come !!!!

I think I've past 3rd base...and I can see home !

To my friends, family, and supporters:
The road ahead is getting shorter. I can finally see home plate. Today's radiation was the beginning of what they call the "boost". It's a little more intensified and apparently more centralized around the cancer area. Up until now, there is a square area about the size of a large dinner plate that has been the target zone for the radiation. My skin looks like I've been tanning. I haven't had any skin break down, thanks to the cream that's prescribed. That entire area has started itching and I've been told that is to be expected. My last "zap" will be on April 30th. Couldn't ask for a better birthday present than that. The staff at Thompson Cancer Survival Center are TOPS !!! Every single person I have come in contact with has gone above and beyond anything that I expected. I can't say enough about how great they have all been. I actually think I will miss them. They have made my journey thru dealing with "C" a very tolerable experience !
Last week I took Rick to rehab and they discharged him from physical therapy. He is really doing great and they gave him exercises to continue working on. He will continue to go to rehab for speech/cognitive skills. He is working hard to improve his short term and "thinking" skills. He works lots of math problems and cross word puzzles. He has continued to keep a positive outlook on all of this, and knows he has come a long, long way. He hopes that with warmer weather that he is going to be able to get outside and walk, and to work up his endurance. He thanks all of you who have continued to keep him in your thoughts !

A small bump in the road...and hoping that's all !

Radiation has been going smoothly until a small bump... well it's really all how you look at it. This week the "machine" was "down" and I missed a treatment...doesn't sound too bad. Then today they called about an hour before my treatment and said it wasn't working again. I have to have 33 treatments in all. WELL... the problem is that 2 days after my treatments will be over I am "out of here". Jim and I are going with two other couples for a week on a Catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. We had planned this trip before I found out about the "C". SO.... being the sweetheart that my therapist Karen Myers is, she talked with Dr. Meyers (no relation) and he let me go out to the West office. They gave me an hour to get from my house, to Ft. Sanders, to pick up my mold (it's this contraption I have to lie in ), papers and get back out west. Well, I did it in one hour & 10 mins in bumper to bumper traffic. They were able to wedge me in and will also be doing my treatment in the morning. I hope the machine at Ft. Sanders is fixed by Monday. I really like the people who see me there. Let's just say they are "really friendly" and supportive ! I sure am thankful for nice people in this world. Jim and I are going over night tomorrow to Atlanta to meet up with some dear friends. We will be back Saturday and look forward to Easter Sunday at church.

I appreciate everyone's support !

I'm getting over that mid-way hump. I've got 18 more radiation treatments. All the staff at Thomas Cancer Survival Center are great. Jim went with me and he has a lot better understanding of what all is involved. They let him ask all the questions he wanted to and explained everything in detail. I think he had a whole different idea of what it really was. I see the doctor once a week and he is pleased with the progress. So far, no skin burns or irritation. I am feeling the fatigue that I was told would happen. I thought I could outdo it but I have had a rough week. I think sleeping 13 hours says that I am more tired than usual. I also was told I would loose my appetite. They don't want me to loose weight, which I need to, but I don't have much of an appetite right now. Once I sit down to eat, I have no trouble eating. I've never had to be hungry to eat ! Thanks a million to the night Circle at church for the wonderful meal, which we spread out to two nights, and for the second meal we were able to freeze and can use this week. "Comfort food at it's best". You need to know that you brought it on the hardest day I have had !!! Thanks and I love each and every one of you. I have had so many sweet cards with wonderful Bible verses of inspiration, which helps me keep my head up and thank God every day for the life he has given me.

We went out Friday night to Jimbo's play at Powell High School with Rick and Vikie. He is doing great. He was using his cane, but just for security mainly. He has decreased from 3 days a week to 2, for therapy. He is staying positive and knows that he is progressing. He is so very thankful that God has been by his side and keep him strong.

Thank you for keeping me and my family in your prayers.

Keep on Keeping on...

We had a great trip and a wonderful time with friends in Panama City. The weather was great, which provided us with great boating and wave runner days. We had breakfast with the Kleins, our Romanian friends, shopped, ate, had a wonderful dinner with the Proulx's and friends, and had an "old neighborhood" party and dinner with the Brites. It couldn't had been better....and it kept my mind off the reality that RADIATION was waiting at home for me. I am now "8" down and "25" to go. Every week day I have to stop my day and be at Ft. Sanders at 3:40pm. I am very grateful that the time wasn't smack in the middle of the day. So far I feel good, not too tired, and all skin remains intact. I got a prescription yesterday for a cream that is suppose to help my skin and hopefully keep me from burning. Jim is going with me today so that he can see just what this is all about. We both are off from work today. Our son-in-law, Brittany's husband Dave, was deployed with the 844 Engineers Reserves this morning. If anyone reads this before 5 they will be on "LIVE At FIVE" today and Dave and Eva's picture is on the front web page of WBIR.COM. We are SO proud of him and know that he is in GOD'S hands.

Rick and Vickie came over for dinner on Tuesday night. We brought oysters and shrimp from the beach. He is still going to therapy 3 times a day, and doing great. He is using a cane, but says he thinks he's about to get rid of it. His balance is very much improved. Continue to uplift Rick in your prayers. He is a miricle !

On your mark..get set...GO !

It was a breeze !! Not like a summer breeze, or the ocean breeze, but I plugged in the ipod and took myself somewhere else besides that cold room and cold table they make you lie on. I was finally glad to get this "show on the road" and make some steps forward. My time for the daily routine for the next 7 weeks will be 3:40pm, with exceptions as needed. I was just glad they didn't sign me up for an early morning time. I DO NOT do well early in the mornings. It took 10 minutes or so to set the machine up and to line it up with the "markings" they have made around the site. Then it took only about another 10 minutes to finish the radiation. Everyone has been really kind there and compassionate. The biggest complaint is that being that I am a punctual person, and like things done in a timely manner, I waited an hour to get started yesterday and 30 minutes past my appointment today. I understand, being in the medical field, but I vision all the things I could be getting accomplished, while I'm sitting there. I will keep everyone updated ! THANKS !
My friend who had surgery yesterday did great. I stopped by to see her yesterday afternoon and she was awake and in good spirits. She went home today. Thanks for your prayers for her.

Prayer !

This morning my dear friend Martha is having a bilateral mastectomy. Please hold her dear sweet soul in your prayers today. She has a very postive attitude but stated last night the she is apprehensive about today. She is married, has children , step-children and lives in Knoxville.
I go back to the Radiologist Oncologist today to be "marked" for radiation and start therapy tomorrow.

Finally a PLAN !!!

The wait is over and I finally have some direction and a plan. I saw Dr Meyers, the radiologist/oncologist yesterday. It was a very long day. I was there a 10:30a and left at 4:30pm. I had a two hour break and went over to sweet Kay Fillingim's house to visit. She was just what I needed and a strong cup of coffee. Dr. Meyers was an extremely compassionate man and talked with me for over an hour about two different options for treatment. One would take a week, and the other 6 weeks. We discussed all the pros/cons and after having a CT scan (to make the story short) I was not a candidate for the one week treatment. He then explained, step by step the 6 week process and with my "calendar" close at hand we mapped out the plan. I had to have another CT scan to so that they could "mark" me. They actually make marks on my skin that stay until the radiation is over. I will go back on Tuesday the 10th for another CT scan and the radiation will start on Wednesday. I will go once a day for 33 treatments total. He is going to let me skip 3 days so that we can take Isabella and Rachel to Panama City for a few days, and so I can visit with my dear friends, who mean so much to me. I will resume therapy the day after we get back.

Today, I saw Dr. Ibach, the Oncologist. Again, I very, very nice man, who took his time, explained options, the whys and why not's and made the whole process painless. He talked to me about an "experimental study" that Thompson Cancer Center is doing, which I fit the criteria for. After much discussion and again looking at my calendar I decided not to do it. It would be studied up to 15 years and the treatment plan he has is efficient at this time. They took 8 tubes of blood, which is more blood than most of the babies I take care of have in their whole system. He is going to determine from this blood work if I will be able to take the drug TAMOXIFAN, which is indicated for my cancer. I won't know that for a couple of weeks, but I wouldn't start taking it until about the 6 weeks of radiation anyway.

I think for the first time yesterday I felt like something was really wrong. It was the first time that I felt unsure of what decisions to make. I called my buddy Donna as soon as I was presented with options and she helped me to process it all. Thanks for the support WD! When I went to bed last night I was tearful, not boo-hoo, but just tears of "I guess this is real". Wow, who would think that life was smack you in the face with this. I know that I have a lot of living to do, and this is only going to be a temporary thing. I will march on, do what the doctors tell me to do, and maybe for once I will "try" to rely on support from others. Thanks for all your love !!!!

I went to see Rick and he is doing great. He is progressing to a cane for part of the time. He is working on short term memory skills, cognitive thinking, (math problems) and is staying positive. He is very aware of when he can't complete his sentences or when he can't find just the right word. Your prayers are working and the magic and healing is occurring everyday. He thanks you and so does the rest of our family. I will keep you posted.

Love, ANNIE

Update from surgeon and the next plan.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I went back to Dr. Brown last Thursday the 26th. He was very pleased with the way my incision was healing. He said that he took out a little more than "golf ball" size tissue, and that there were actually two spots of cancer removed. Sure hope he's confident that he got it! He certainly seemed confident. He now has referred me to Dr. Myers, who is a radiologist at Thomas Cancer Center. I will see him this Thursday and to Dr. Ibach ( not sure on that spelling) the oncologist, who I will see on Friday. So now it's another week of
"let's wait and see". Dr. Brown says he thinks I will have a total of 33 radiation treatments, but I guess I will know the real answer after I see Dr. Myers. And the rest of the story will come after I see the oncologists. It seems that every thing I see now is about Cancer. Today while at the grocery store the LEAN CU SINE box was pink for cancer, the news paper had a whole article about a lady with the same DCIS cancer and over the weekend I found a piece of jewelry in Maggies jewelry box that was a gold circle with the pink ribbon, and I never ever saw her wear it, nor had I seen it in there before. I guess she was trying to tell me something. That's just how she would do it too. Tomorrow I am going back to work. I worked on Friday, but teaching a class. I am ready to go back, but I have some anxiety, and I'm not sure just why. Just keep praying for me.... It's working!

Feeling Better !

It's been a week since surgery and I am finally feeling back to my 'ole self. I don't know what that was that threw me in the bed, but it wasn't nice. I go see my dear doctor, Lytle Brown, tomorrow to see what the next step is. My incision is healing well, although I still have a lot of tenderness and discomfort in my upper chest. I think it's whats to be expected. I'm anxious to find out just what the pathology report said, when I will start radiation, when I will see the oncologist, and what the plan will be if I don't take tamoxifen. I plan to go back to work on Friday and I'm looking forward to it. I love being at home, but I miss the babies, my friends and the $$$$. I have gotten lots of cards, beautiful flowers, phone calls, visits and hugs. I thank each and everyone of you! This experience, if that is what you want to call it, makes me ever so grateful and is a very humbling feeling. For cancer to be such an ugly word it sure can make a person see life as a true gift and make each day a blessing. I wake up each day now with renewed hope for each precious moment and count ALL my blessings !!!
Rick come over to see me this weekend, as his first outing. He is walking with a walker, but getting stonger everyday. Right now he is going three times a week to outpatient rehab and continues to keep a positive attitude. Thanks for all of you who have sent get well wishes, cards, etc to him. He needs to stay focused and remain positive. Continue to keep him in your prayers.
I LOVE YOU ALL !

What hit me???

At the time of my last blog I was feeling great and within a few hours I started feeling achy all over and chilling like I have never done before. To make it short, I think I have had a some virus/flu. I am now starting to feel better, although I have no energy. Imagine that,.. me with no energy. Isabella saw me lying around and said, "Annie, are you feeling OK"? She is not in the know of what is going on. She is very sensitive to a lot of things right now and we felt the word "cancer" didn't need to upset her at this time. My surgical incision is a little tender and very bruised, but I think it is healing as it should. I sit here thinking of all the things I could be doing instead of sitting here, and then I have to remind myself of how very, very lucky I am that my cancer is treatable, and that I have a lot of living to do !!

Rick started rehab at Baptist West yesterday. He is progressing and is keeping a positive attitude. His daughter Megan works at a doctors office out there and after his rehab he made a surprise visit to see her, by walking in the door, which she had not seen him walk since his surgery. Praise be to our loving GOD ! >>>Thanks for the flowers Meg-a-lina!

I go back to the doctor next Thursday 26th. I will find out the plan for the next step of this journey I am on. I hope to work on the 25th and 27th. Radiation should start in 2-3 weeks, once my incision has healed. I am so very grateful for all the wonderful friends I have, and thank you for all your love.

The Boog-a-booo is gone!

Yesterday was a day to celebrate and everything went smoothly. I had to go to the Breast center at 7:45am to have a wire placed in the "spot" so the surgeon new exactly where to take out tissue. Then we went over to Park West and I went straight to surgery. The first case of the morning was cancelled, so that took me early. I told them I had one problem with having the surgery early. All my prayer buddies were going to be praying at 10:00, not 9:00. They got a good laugh out of that. Everyone single person went above and beyond to treat me as if I was the only one there. Everyone introduced themselves, and made me feel completely at ease. I knew two of the nurses there that had previously worked at Children's. Anesthesia doctors were very, very kind and listened to me when I told them how violently ill I get from being put to sleep. They gave me a special drug and I had "NO" nausea. Thanks be to GOD !!!! Jim made all my phone calls to update everyone following the procedure, and by 1:00 I was home and feeling great. I slept off and on most of the day. Today I rejoice that "it" is out and I can move forward to radiation in a few weeks. I am achy all over today, which could be part my fibromyalgia kicking my rear end, and the other part my recovery from surgery. I thank GOD for taking care of me and being with my surgeon Dr. Lytle Brown. He is such a loving and caring man.
I thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and for all the cards and phone calls. Thanks to my buddy, Lauri Brites for the beautiful flowers today. I love you!!

Rick went home from the hospital yesterday and is doing so much better. He thought he would have to sleep down stairs, but Vickie says he made it upstairs and was able to sleep in his own bed last night. He is fighting this full steam ahead with a positive attitude. He will be going to therapy at Baptist West for a while. He is still having short term memory difficulties but is improving. Continue to pray for his recovery and that hopefully he will be able to return to work.

What a GREAT vacation!!!! Surgery is Tomorrow.

It seems like much longer than a week since I updated my blog. I went to Key West with 3 of my girlfriends for a MUCH needed vacation. We absolutely had a blast !!! It's been quiet some time since I have laughed as hard as I did in one weeks time. We had great food, the sun was out with temperatures over 80 all week, did some shopping, saw some shows, and walked our legs off. We stayed in one of those old homes that has been renovated into a Bed & Breakfast. It was a really nice place, with a full buffet breakfast every morning. I haven't weighed since I got home, and don't think I should.
I stayed at Rachel's last night when I got home because Jim was sick with a virus that he got from other family members. I came home today and LYSOL sprayed everything. Now Rachel is feeling like she is getting it. I hope and pray I can avoid it.
I had to go this morning to Park West Hospital for all the pre-op stuff. (labs, x-ray, EKG, and paper work). They insisted that I had to take off all my jewelry, but I have one ring that won't come off. They said they would have to cut it off. This ring was my Grandmother Kennedy's that I have worn since 1977 & I have not been able to take it off since 2000 when I injured that finger. They tried to tell me the reason was that I may be getting a lot of IV fluids and my hands could swell. SORRY,,,,, not good enough for me. I've had two surgery's with it on, and it will stay on tomorrow. My fear tomorrow is that every time I am put to sleep for surgery I wake up violently sick. I talked to them about that today and they said they would give me medication to help with it. I have been told that before.... I guess only time will tell.
Now for the update on Rick... While I was gone this past week I talked to Rick several times and each time I could tell that he sounded better. Yesterday was Rick and Vickie's 23rd wedding anniversery and he got a pass to leave, come home for a visit and to go out to eat. He will be coming home tomorrow. He is very excited about coming home, after being in the hospital for 4 weeks. He will be going back to rehab 3 times a week, then it will decrease to 2 times, then once a week, until he is fully recovered. He still has to use a walker, or cane to walk, but says he is getting stronger every day. I didn't go to see him today for fear of giving him the "virus" that is learching on my house.
Thanks for all the cards, phone calls, good wishes and prayers that have continued to come my way. I treasure each and everyone of you !

Quick update !

Nothing new with me .... except I have leaving for a week vacation with the girls and it can't come fast enough. It will be great to get away. I am not afraid of what I am facing and know that with all the prayers out there that my back in covered. Or maybe I should say "my front". Oh well, which ever, I am covered.
I visited with Rick this afternoon. They are working him hard in therapy and he does feel some progress. He is walking with a walker to maintain his balance and to support him. He know that this is going to take a while and I can see the frustration in his eyes and hear it in his voice. He says that he's bored in the evenings and is having some trouble sleeping. I'm sure that don't want to sedate him too much at this point. He is in C484 at St. Marys and is allowed visitors from 4-8pm.
I will update you as soon as I get back, on the 15th, and then it's time for surgery for me.
Thanks again to all of you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do get your emails and don't have time to answer everyone.....Thanks.... and thanks for all the cards! What would we do without our friends and family ????

A Quick Update with good news!

Today Rick was moved to St. Marys Hospital Rehab unit. He was very appreciative of the care and nurses at UT, but was ready to move "one step up the ladder" toward going home. He will now have therapy at least twice daily and therapy to improve is cognitive (thinking) skills. His short term memory needs a little touching up. The neurosurgeon says that the latest CT scan shows that the fluid is moving like it should in his head. This is certainly a step forward and we all are excited about his improvement. He feels the prayers and knows the he will heal in God's own time. We are happy that Dr. Wooten, (our family doctor from Dad's office) will be close by now. He thanks all of you for your love and support. Keep him close to your heart!

Taking it ONE DAY AT A TIME !!!!!!

SNOW !!!!! Can you believe it.... in Knoxville ! I worked yesterday and it was really pretty watching it cover the ground. On the way home from work I saw snowman after snowman, and kids sledding on hills. So many have never experienced that. It made me smile.Isabella had a blast !
Rick is improving everyday. He walked about 30 feet this morning. Every step he takes is a step forward and toward moving out the door. It is going to take some time to get his strength back. He has a bladder infection, which is being treated with antibiotics, which has caused sores in his mouth. Eating has been sort of difficult. They have started him on coumidin.
I haven't really swallowed this "cancer" thing. It's a strange feeling to have something that "I can't feel" and it doesn't hurt or get in the way of my daily activities. My fibromyalgia is something that hurts and bothers me everyday, but it isn't going to kill me. I know that I am going to be fine, and that I am sooooo blessed that I caught this devil early. My cancer is estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, which means that tamoxifin would be recommended. It blocks the effects of estrogen on breast tissue, but allows estrogen-like effects to occur in other parts of the body. The treatment is 5 years of oral tamoxifen, to reduce the risk of developing metastatic breast cancer. WELL.... there's one little problem, you aren't suppose to take it if you've had a blood clot, and I had one in 2002 after I tore my hamstring. My doctor said he is "thinking on it", and we will discuss it after my surgery and they have a look at the pathology report, and talk with the oncologist. For now... I can't make myself crazy worrying about it. I'm going on vacation to Key West with the girls on Sunday & I'm going to try & have a week of not thinking about all of this. I have gotten so many sweet cards and notes in the mail and thanks to all of you that are lifting me up !!

Moving Forward !

Rick was moved out of critical care and into a room today. He was alert, although very tired and weak. He looks and feels like a human pin cushion. Due to the anticoagulants he is on he is bruised and sore. I told him of all the phone calls, emails and prayers that so many of you have sent his way. We can only hope of moving forward one day at a time, with continued improvement. His "burr" haircut makes him look like the "Ricky" we use to call him, but it is growing fast. I told him that as soon as he has cravings for his favorite foods that I will be glad to provide. Thanks to all of you !

A day to rejoice and praise God !

Today brought much hope ! My MRI didn't show any additional cancer cells and my lymph nodes look clear !! Dr. Brown talked with me, Jim (& Peggy, my support) and gave me my options. He answered several questions I had and I have decided to have a lumpectomy, followed by radiation. I will have surgery on Feb 17th, than have 2-3 weeks to heal, followed by radiation. Since I have to go Mon-Fri for about 6 weeks I will go to Thompson Cancer Center so that I hopefully will be able to leave from work and return, without missing days of work. I am so blessed that this was detected early with my mammogram, and because it is a aggressive cell, I know to count my blessings.
Rick is still in critical care, but was better. He was alert, asking to shave and brush his teeth. They were able to get him up and sit in a chair for the first time in 12 days. He is very, very weak and quiet down in the dumps. I think that due to the fact that he is more alert he realizes how sick he has been, and it has upset him. We all are trying to encourage him and tell him that he is healing and doing much better. I have told him about each and every phone call, and words of encouragement that many of you have sent his way. I told him of the hundreds of prayers that are out there. Please continue to life him up in your prayers as his days ahead will still be rough.
Thanks to all who have sent cards and phone calls with encouraging words and your precious wisdom to keep me straight during this crazy time in the Kennedy family. I've had a few moments that I wasn't sure what my name was, and you don't know how much your love has meant to me.

A VERY long night & day, with much hope !!!

Once again, I cannot thank ALL of you for your prayers. I felt that power each time I sat with Rick over that last 24 hrs. We (myself, Vickie, Megan and Jimbo) took shifts during the night and stayed by his side all night. He was in a some pain, but the problem was that he was very agitated and confused. After about 3am he finally went to sleep and when he woke around 7am he was much more oriented. The labored breathing he had all night has gotten much, much improved and his oxygen saturation's are improved. (Which means the oxygen is getting to his lungs and brains like it should). After a 11 days in the hospital he is finally eating and keeping it down. He needs the nutrition to heal, so we are giving him what ever he wants. Although he wanted "NORVELL", as in my Jim, to bring him a big steak. His birthday was yesterday and I think it is all a blur. We will certainly have a big celebration when we get him home. The doctors are encouraged and are thinking positive at this point. We are too !!!!! Keep those prayers coming and again we love you and thank you !!!!

I haven't had time to even think about my doctor's appointment. I think I will just go take a hot bath, go to bed and face that decision when I see the doctor.
Save the Ta -TA's.......ANN

It's hard to take what life throws at you sometimes !

We are told that God only gives us what we can handle, and today has been a test for our family. Rick had to be moved back to ICU. He has several blood clots (pulmonary emboli) in his lungs. One which is large and in the pulmonary artery. At the time we are not worrying about his head but putting our energy and prayers to healing of his lungs. He is still very confused and gets easily disoriented. As you read this please say a prayer for Rick. Our family appreciates all the love, support, prayers and concern you have shown.

Was I in a time machine ?

I had the MRI today, and what a trip that was. I've had an MRI on my knee before but laying on my stomach with the Ta-Ta's in two holes, with my arms stretched out over my head, felt like and sounded like I was going to another world. There was NOTHING that felt familiar about that experience. I've been off of some of my "fibromyalgia" meds, since I will be having surgery, and I don't move very fast these days. Well, when the test was over the tech said you can jump up when you are ready. I thought, "Do you see any part of me that looks like I can move any faster than a snail?? I needed an oil can to move after being in that contraption. I'm just glad it's over !!! ...... Now for the part that told me I had GOD right there with me, and all of you wishing me well.... when I got in the car my favorite song, "What a wonderful world" was on the radio. For the first time the tears came, ... not a boo-hoo but a few tears of knowing I was being taken care of.
Tomorrow is Ricks 55th birthday. He was moved to a room today. He is still a long way from recovery. We are not sure that he is out of danger of facing another surgery. I'm asking each of you to pray for Rick's healing, patience, and strength. He has not been out of the bed in a week and he is very weak.
Next adventure is at 8 a.m. on Friday morning. I see Dr. Lytle Brown to make the plan for my surgery. It will depend on my MRI report, but if nothing else shows up it will certainly make my decision much easier. I will keep you posted..... as soon as I know what the heck is going on.

I spent most of my day today worrying about Rick, my brother. He had a brain tumor removed a week ago today, and has been to surgery 3 times this week. Finally today, he is doing better and more alert. It looks like he has finally turned the corner, and we are hoping that he will get out of ICU tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will have my MRI at noon, to find out if there are any more cancer bugs in there. I feel positive vibrations from all the prayer and encouraging words you all have sent my way. Then, it will not be until Friday, when I meet with the doctor at 8am, to make our plan. I have my chin up, and know that God is in control.
I still haven't figured out how to put my picture on this Blog, but maybe once I can take a breather I can figure it out.

I didn't think that I would do a BLOG after finding out my diagnosis, but it seems that if I don't, my phone will ring off the wall, and my cell phone bill will "go out the roof". I more than appreciate all the phone calls, cards and hugs I have gotten in this past week. Last Thursday (1/15) I got the phone call that you never expect will be for you. "Yes it is cancer, and we need to refer you to a surgeon". The cancer I have is DCIS. (Ductal carcinoma in situ). I went for my annual mammogram and there it was. There is no lump or tumor, that I can feel........

so.... ladies GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS. I will have an MRI on Tuesday the 27th, and see the surgeon on Friday morning. (1/30). It there are no other findings it will be my choice for treatment options. ** lumpectomy followed by radiation and oral meds, or mastectomy and oral meds. He told me that the survival is equal for either choice. I had planned to wear my " SAVE THE TA TAS" T-shirt to the doctor, but it had a stain on the front. This journey is new for me, and it still hasn't exactly sunk in, so I don't really know how I feel about it, how I will handle all this, and what I will decide. Please pray for me to make the right decisions and for my strength. I've never tried this Blog Stuff before, so my site may be confusing.