Today I finally got my sleeve and glove!!! I think I can FINALLY see that light at the end of this long road that I have been going down!!! When I started this, I never dreamed it would take this long or especially take me to surgery....but I always seem to take the long route to get things done.
It will definitely take practice to get this glove and sleeve on....sorta like being "fluffy" and trying to put on a girdle and pantyhose at the same time!! I do have a gadget called the "butler" that helps. ..I still think it will be alot easier than wrapping with all those layers of foam and bandages. I already have more flexibility in the use of my hand. I was actually able to sign the papers for the glove and sleeve!!
As my sweet Mother would say..."If the Lord is willing and the creek doesn't rise", I will get to go back to work next week!!!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
March 28th
March 28, 1978 was the happiest day of my life...the day my precious Jennifer Suzanne was born. I have so many precious and happy memories of her. She was most definitely the light of my life...and she still is. On March 28, 2006, she just thought it was awesome that she turned 28 on the 28th. She was so beautiful and happy the night we celebrated her last birthday! None of us would have ever guessed that in just twenty-four days she would be gone forever from our lives here on earth.
I miss her more and moe each day. I do realize that I had her with me longer than anyone thought I would. I am very grateful and thankful for that....how I treasure those memories. I feel her with me all the time...sometimes I smell her hair and really feel like I can just reach out and touch her.
This year Jennifer would have been thirty years old on her birthday!!! I am a member of a wonderful group of women called the art ya ya's!!! We get together and scrapbook and make cards. This is an awesome group of talented and diverse women...we even have a member in Washington state that came to Arkansas last year and we all got to meet in person!! I am always thinking of ways to honor Jennifer and keep her memory alive....thus the advent of the "Jennifer Project"!! When a Cystic Fibrosis patient is hospitalized, they are in isolation in their hospital rooms for two weeks...no playroom visits or visiting other patients. You can only imagine how quickly boredom could set in. With the help of Kimberly and my wonderful ya ya sisters, we are going to provide gift bags with craft projects for the kids while they are in the hospital. My Aunt Toots in Tyler, Texas has already hand decorated about 100 bags for us. On March 28th, we will make our first delivery of 30 bags to Arkansas Chikdren's Hospital. We will deliver more bags every three months or sooner if need be. Happy Birthday, Jennifer!!!
I miss her more and moe each day. I do realize that I had her with me longer than anyone thought I would. I am very grateful and thankful for that....how I treasure those memories. I feel her with me all the time...sometimes I smell her hair and really feel like I can just reach out and touch her.
This year Jennifer would have been thirty years old on her birthday!!! I am a member of a wonderful group of women called the art ya ya's!!! We get together and scrapbook and make cards. This is an awesome group of talented and diverse women...we even have a member in Washington state that came to Arkansas last year and we all got to meet in person!! I am always thinking of ways to honor Jennifer and keep her memory alive....thus the advent of the "Jennifer Project"!! When a Cystic Fibrosis patient is hospitalized, they are in isolation in their hospital rooms for two weeks...no playroom visits or visiting other patients. You can only imagine how quickly boredom could set in. With the help of Kimberly and my wonderful ya ya sisters, we are going to provide gift bags with craft projects for the kids while they are in the hospital. My Aunt Toots in Tyler, Texas has already hand decorated about 100 bags for us. On March 28th, we will make our first delivery of 30 bags to Arkansas Chikdren's Hospital. We will deliver more bags every three months or sooner if need be. Happy Birthday, Jennifer!!!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
ARM STATUS
I think we have found the source of my infection --my infusaport!! After thinking about it, the pain and redness was in my shoulder and in my chest in the area of my port. I saw Dr. Hagans on Tuesday and we will say goodbye to the port next Thursday, the 13th. I have had it in for eight years and thank God that I haven't needed it for chemo. I have only used it for infections. Since any foreign object in the body can cause infection, it is best that it comes out, my new skinny arm won't need it. I was able to start my therapy back on Monday and the fluid is going down once again.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Monopoly Game Piece
In one of Jennifer's journals, she said that sometimes she felt like a game piece on a Monopoly game board.....always getting set back before she could pass "Go"!!! Well, yesterday I had a much better understanding of her analogy. I was so happy to get fitted for my sleeve and glove and to be able to clearly see the end of this part of my therapy and have use of my hand and arm again....be back to work and card making. I even had a few hours after getting measured before I had to go and get wrapped again.
When I got up yesterday morning, I didn't feel really great...just hoping that I was not getting the flu....then when I was getting dressed to go for therapy after taking a wonderful bath (without a plastic bag arm), I noticed that my shoulder and top of my arm was red and hot to touch. I showed it to Troy when I got there, and he had me call Dr. Hagans right then. I was able to pick up a prescription for antibiotics when I left. I was only able to have my arm wrapped up to my elbow and couldn't have the drainage therapy, Troy explained that the drainage therapy could spread the infection. He said that my arm will swell again where it is not wrapped. As long as I don't have redness or pain, I will be able to keep my hand and lower arm wrapped.
I know that this is just a minor setback...but sure is frustrating!! I can hear my sweet Mother telling me "Life's hurdles make us stronger."
When I got up yesterday morning, I didn't feel really great...just hoping that I was not getting the flu....then when I was getting dressed to go for therapy after taking a wonderful bath (without a plastic bag arm), I noticed that my shoulder and top of my arm was red and hot to touch. I showed it to Troy when I got there, and he had me call Dr. Hagans right then. I was able to pick up a prescription for antibiotics when I left. I was only able to have my arm wrapped up to my elbow and couldn't have the drainage therapy, Troy explained that the drainage therapy could spread the infection. He said that my arm will swell again where it is not wrapped. As long as I don't have redness or pain, I will be able to keep my hand and lower arm wrapped.
I know that this is just a minor setback...but sure is frustrating!! I can hear my sweet Mother telling me "Life's hurdles make us stronger."
Monday, February 18, 2008
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE
IF I could play the drums right now, I would. Just got back from therapy and my arm is down 65%!!!! Amazing...I am thrilled with these results. It has been a hard road for me, I will admit that I have been frustrated and whiny at times. I can see the end of the road now. I will get measured for my sleeve and glove on Thursday. It will take about two weeks to get it back from Germany and then I will have the use of my right arm and hand. I will be able to return to work, write and make cards. I am so grateful that God sent me to Troy - the best physical therapist ever. I am ever so grateful and thanful for all the love, encouragement, prayers and support from my family, friends and co workers.....thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Week Three
I am now in my third week of treatment for my lymphedema. My arm is now reduced by 57%.....pretty awesome. I will admit that I have been pretty whiny at times. I truly thought that I would be able to work while in therapy, but it would be pretty difficult to do patient care with the use of only one arm and hand. I have gone to therapy seven days a week....have had some major skin breakdown, but that is improving.
Through all this, I have felt my precious Jennifer at my side cheering me on......the things she went through keep me looking ahead....she was such a trooper. I hope that when I grow up, I can be as strong as she was.
Through all this, I have felt my precious Jennifer at my side cheering me on......the things she went through keep me looking ahead....she was such a trooper. I hope that when I grow up, I can be as strong as she was.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
WEEK ONE
Just finished my seventh treatment today.....Troy even saw me on the weekend. He is wonderful and so encouraging. I must admit that this has been alot harder than I had expected. I truly thought that I would be able to work during this but am unable to use my right hand at all. I have had some major issues with skin breakdown causing pain and burning. It is all worth it when the bandages come off each day and I can see my arm shrinking.
When I start to feel sorry for myself going through this, all I have to do is recall some "Jennifer Inspiration" and I am fine. I just have to remind myself of all that she endured without ever complaining...she will always be my strength, inspiration, and light.
When I start to feel sorry for myself going through this, all I have to do is recall some "Jennifer Inspiration" and I am fine. I just have to remind myself of all that she endured without ever complaining...she will always be my strength, inspiration, and light.
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