Saturday, April 7, 2012

The Falls And An Update

Happy Easter Weekend! Can you believe it? Easter? Already? The kids got out of school early for Good Friday and because I was feeling pretty good, we headed to 'The Falls' on the outskirts of Joplin. We typically like going here during the fall time because the trees that are now green turn fantastic fall colors and I love the contrast of of the blue/green water and orange/brown colors.....but these complimentary colors are fine by me too :) Everything is completely leafed out and growing here in MO, we are completely submerged in spring.






I've had some doctor appointments and blood work done this past week...white blood cells are 1.7 (normal: 4.4-11.3), hemoglobin is 10.9 (normal is 12.0-15.6) and some other important 'number' that I can't remember what it's for is 815 but needs to be around 1,000. But they told me that all of that is normal after the chemo. So no crowds, stay away from sick people and become a hand sanitizer junkie....which I am anyway. I've been slowly come around, recouping from the chemo...I'm sleeping normally now (instead of all the time) and the headaches and nausea have past. Fatigue is really what is getting me down right now, but that's probably because of the low numbers above.





*Is Logan too cute or what!! I could hardly keep up with him!*






Also, during spring break two weeks ago, I had an appointment with an endocrinologist. After an ultrasound, we discovered I have an enlarged thyroid and a cyst...so they extracted cells from the thyroid, called 'aspiration'...not the most pleasant procedure...which included a huge bruise on my neck and sickness because of over stimulating the thyroid. Anyway, the results are finally back and they think that it is the cancer too. SO we asked what to do next....surgery to remove the cyst is typical, but because of the chemotherapy (and low white blood cells) surgery will have to wait.







In happier news: My sister and niece are coming to visit all next week and I am super excited to have both of them here!
I was recovering from surgery the last time they were here, so this time I'm glad to be able to truly visit and do things together.






Check out this moss, the kids think I'm crazy for photographing moss and the precarious place I had to perch in which to get this close...but totally worth it. You know what this says to me? God is awesome!






I'm an ocean girl, but when I see stone, water, sky, trees together...it's like a bonus. I know, I'm a geek.
I've started thinking about planning some kind of getaway after chemo is over...I'm not sure if that's healthy or not (mentally). But I feel like I need some incentive to get me through the next six months. I've only had one round of treatment and I can already feel myself thinking (picture someone pulling stubborn donkey) "I don't want to do that again" and "it's going to take a lot to actually go back knowing what is going to happen afterwards" so it seems like an incentive is a good idea....to me anyway :) Like if you make it through ALL your treatments you get to go whale watching in ALASKA! Ha, total dream of mine.
It might work.





I hope all of you have a wonderful, wonderful Easter and a great weekend!













26 comments:

  1. Happy Easter Michelle...you are continually in our prayers.

    Judy

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  2. A wonderful memory making adventure with the kids. Thanks for taking us along. I lift you in prayer and pray the the Lord will pour his favor on you during your incredibly hard journey. Have a blessed Easter. Cherry Kau

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  3. Happy Easter to you and your family Michelle. I think a getaway, big or small is definitely deserved after the battle you are in.
    Hugs and prayers.
    Diane

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  4. What a beautiful spot - so glad you were feeling well enough to take an outing with the boys.

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  5. Michelle, I keep trying to imagine what this must feel like to go through chemotherapy. But then to hear your recent news. Well I pray for you to feel better, get better, make it through all this chemo, the surgery and come out on the other side renewed and healthy. Carol

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  6. What beautiful images--and your little guy is a doll! Sorry there is more cancer to deal with-but you know it means they are catching it all. Take care of yourself--I think of you often!

    Happy Easter! --Sandy

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  7. Michelle: I love seeing your pictues of The Falls. I grew up in Webb City and Joplin, but it has been a long, long time since I've been to this pretty place. I'm glad that you enjoyed it with your boys. I like your idea of a post-chemo getaway. You deserve some happy planning time. Have a wonderful Easter! Tricia

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  8. Your photos of the Falls are beautiful and the moss one could be framed. I'm also glad you were feeling well enough to spend some outdoor time with the family. Keeping you in my prayers, Michelle.

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  9. I think you are amazing to be so upbeat throughout all of this. What an amazing survivor you are going to be! Hugs from Texas. :)

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  10. Michelle: You plan that trip because when all the chemo and other crap is over with then you will be ready. Keep fighting and it's so good you could have the time with the boys. Your pictures made me able to smell that beautiful creek. You are always in my thoughts..Happy Easter Day..Judy

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  11. Praying for you during this difficult time. May Easter be a peace filled day for you. Ps- I love moss too! -Tanya

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  12. I am so happy Klair and Victoria are able to come out for a visit. She has been so worried about you and feels so bad she hasn't been able to be there with you. I am glad you made it through your first round. But, sorry to hear about your thyroid. I keep you in my prayers, and I know this is the hardest fight of your life - but you fight the fight. You are so full of life and beauty and you have so much to share and look forward to. Hang in there, and know people who have never even met you care about you and are praying fervently for you. May you have a beautiful and blessed Easter, Barb

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  13. Are they talking about neupogen or neulasta to help your white counts? I had some success with both and they did help with fatigue but they added in bone pain so it's a bit of a tradeoff. I hope you start getting better news soon. Have a good Easter!

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  14. Happy Easter Michelle...
    dee dee

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  15. I don't know you personally but feel like I do in your ability to share your life with us on the web. I will continue to hope and pray that your cancer treatments go smoothly for you. When you finally kick cancer to the curbside it will be a "Well done and good my friend" to you from everyone out here in webland. You deserve to be planning a trip after all that you will be going through.

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  16. I think you absolutely deserve to go Whale watching! Glad you were feeling up to going on this outing. I hope you and your family have a lovley Easter. Sending good thoughts and wishes your way!!!

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  17. Thank you for sharing so openly with those of us who don't know you personally but would love to. I sincerely hope things go well for you.

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  18. I am right with you on the moss, so beautiful!! And I am an ocean girl too {live in San Diego, makes sense right?} I am glad to hear you are doing a bit better, so happy you took the time and energy to get out and see so many beautiful things. Hope your Easter is full of love and family and happiness.

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  19. God is awesome. He's awesome that He created this amazing world that is not only beautiful but has intricate functions. I love that you see that stuff too.

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  20. Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter! God bless you and your family.

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  21. You are always in our thoughts and prayers! Keep up your positive spirit. You can BEAT this cancer, girl!

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  22. God bless you in this fight! I have a brother who has been in chemotherapy since September for Blastic T-Cell Lymphoma. Its a tough fight but it can be won! Hang in there and know that many people are praying for you!

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  23. I've been following your blog for about a year, and you have been a source of creative inspiration for me as I made my way through the sometimes draining experience of graduate school. I'm from Alaska! My husband is too, right now the US Coast Guard has us stationed in northern Michigan. We hope to be back in AK within 5 years, specifically, Cordova Alaska. I grew up commercial fishing out in western Alaska. One of my closest female friends there is a commercial fisherman in Prince William Sound And she owns her own boat. And she's a thyroid cancer survivor! So when you feel like you need a reward, you think about how much fun your going to have in that great state, and once you feel better, I'll help you plan your trip. Heck, if we've moved back up there and have the walls of our house built, you and yours can stay with me and mine! Though I might ask you to help choose window treatments ;)

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  24. Go get those whales! You can do this.

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Thank You for taking the time to comment! Because of the insane amount of spam comments, I had to stop anonymous comments-sorry for the inconvenience.
Michelle