Back on track...

So, yesterday (ok, it was most of the weekend) I was pretty darn crabby! I still was feeling pretty awful on Monday, and it was made worse because I EXPECTED to feel better! I FINALLY called the doctor and made an appointment. Turns out I caught something - virus, cold, sinus infection - and it wasn't just the chemo making me feel terrible! Whew!

I got some medications to make me feel better and am taking it easy. Claire's chicken soup has helped too! I can't believe I got sick... I've been very careful and wash my hands a billion times a day (and I make anyone who visits wash their hands too!) My best friend wants me to wear a mask everywhere I go! I thought wearing hats on a bald head was going to be bad but a mask???? UG!!! Will I loose my image of "fashion librarian"???? What is the world coming to??

I have a few more Christmas presents to figure out for my boys. And I really want to get my Christmas tree put up... just no energy yet! But I am really enjoying the holiday season - I feel good just to be a part of it all. I must say I am missing the "Santa" stories with my boys as they are all BIG boys now! I have always loved the music most - and can be found often napping to country Christmas albums!

I hope you are all happy, healthy and enjoying the season.

Still kicking!

It is Friday morning and considering everything I am doing well. Just a bit tired, a little achy, but all in all feeling ok. Not really wanting to get to far away from the couch! Dinner was "delivered" last night and that was a huge blessing! For me, who usually runs at top speed, this is an odd feeling to want to do nothing!

The worst part? I don't feel like reading - can't concentrate! Maybe I need to try a book on MP3. (There are 1000's available to download from our library through Marmot - I always have to put my "plugs" for library services in!!!) I have always loved being read to.

Isn't the snow beautiful? (Maybe it is only beautiful from the couch view - and not so beautiful if you have to be out driving in it!) Drive safely, stay warm, and happy holidays!

Humor for the morning...

A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.

"But why", they asked as they moved off.

"Because", he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."

Hee hee hee!!!! (Thanks to Ann Peterson for sharing a laugh with me!)

1:59 PM - Chemo, Treatment 1

(***NOTE: I actually wrote this at 1:59 this afternoon but a funny thing happened on the way to the blog..... I have 2 blogs that I am a part of. When I wrote this I posted it on my very cool, very professional, librarian blog with my friends on the front range - who probably didn't even know I had cancer! I checked the computer just now before bed and realized what I had done!! AHHHHH!!! So I am reposting what I wrote here, to the place I meant to!!!!)

I've been here since 8:30 this morning. It has been quite an experience. My nurse, Pam, is amazing... kind, patient, and a very good caretaker. I started out with the few meds... some to help ward off nausea, and some more to ward off nausea!

Yesterday I was feeling pretty scared. The fear of the unknown... of something I had never been through before (in spite of all the stories). But once I met with my doctor, I felt much better. All this chemo & side effects really aren't bad.... considering the alternative!

So after taking the first round of 'oral' meds... I started to get dizzy. A very strange sensation. But let me tell you, the heated, massaging chairs really help! And the nurses also bring you a warmed blanket. Ahhhhhh. (For a "Hawaiian" like me, it was very helpful.)

So I teetered around, feeling odd, but was ok. I am on my 3rd different chemo right now, dripping slowly in my port, and doing well. I haven't felt anything with the chemo. Just a bit tired and "off" - more from the meds I think.

So I have to tell you.... I had my oncologist appointment yesterday. In the great tradition of my dear friend Kate, using a temporary tattoo, I decorated my new "body space". This time it was a smiling faced sun! My oncologist LAUGHED out loud when she began the examination! Perfect! She thought it was so great, she asked me to (discreetly) show the nurse!! Once again I guess I am "sort of" famous (in my own little ways!)

OK - so they just unhooked the last of the chemo. I am feeling good... and headed out of here. I will write more later! Thanks everyone, for everything!

Wow! Those kids can sing!

The event at Barnes & Noble was really fun. What I enjoyed most was the performance by the West Winds! (OK, buying all those books wasn't too bad either!) I highly recommend going to see them perform this holiday season.

I send out a special thank you to Nichole Stoddard for all her hard work putting the fundraiser on. Nichole you are amazing! And to all the students who showed up to help -- thank you. And to all GJHS staff who helped out too. What a fine school community we all belong to.

I am so ready to come back to work! But I am a little afraid of those GERMS!!! So I am going to be a bit more patient and wait until after my first Chemo treatment. I have doctor's appointments and lab work next Tuesday, and on Wednesday the first treatment. I must admit I am a bit scared... it is my impression that the technicians are completely covered to administer this stuff (like they look like they are from some science fiction film or something) so they don't get this toxic stuff on them (yes, the same stuff they are pumping into me!!!). But if I really think about it, I can wrap my head around the fact that this will actually save my life. That makes it all OK. I am really valuing life these days!

Remember... Book Club is next week on Wed (12/12) and Di has some really great books! Keep those reviews coming in... and she is getting ready to give away all the books that she has been collecting, so if you have written reviews start a list of the books you would really like to own and pass it along to her. And don't forget to thank Mrs. Sweetman-McPeek for lunch! Someone could send her a note: leota@mesa.k12.co.us

Y'all have fun!

Welcome back to school!

So how does it feel to be back at school? I stopped in yesterday, to take care of some business and hang out with the Manga/Anime club. Wow, I sure miss being there! I just wanted to run around the library, touching the books, and talking to everyone! I must be healing!

FYI: Bookclub is next week on the 12th at lunch in the library, but remember that we also meet every Wednesday at the Bistro (15th & Chipeta) and Di usually has new books. Last week I picked up Unwind by Neal Shusterman. It was great! A sort of realistic-type science fiction. I could not put it down. I'll try to get it back to Di tomorrow at book club at 4pm in case anyone else wants it.

Please come see me tomorrow night (Wed. Dec. 5th) at Barnes & Noble... NHS is hosting a library fundraiser (isn't that cool?) and the Westwinds will be performing. It is going to be lots of fun. I'll be there to help people choose Christmas gifts and gift wrapping will be available. This fundraiser will benefit the GJHS Library program. Thanks NHS - you are great!