a new year

The scan wasn't a surprise yesterday, it showed shrinkage of tumors and less fluid.  So as we suspected by how much better I'm doing than before chemo, it is definitely working.  I asked the Dr about taking a vacation with Bryan and what to do if it interferes with treatment and she said we'd do the same we did when I was sick and just postpone it, so now we need to plan our trip!

I try not to read the news but when I do I read these depressing stories of people losing loved ones, not even necessarily to cancer but to car accidents or whatever.  It always puts things in perspective that this is really happening and it happens to others and there is no reason why my situation should be different.  Then I go into the hope survival mode of how I can be the lucky one and that if I can stay alive long enough for the right medicine to come along maybe I can be here to see my children grow up.  It's just hard to believe that I could not be here for that, but something I think about every day.  Every hug or snuggle I get from my kids I cherish and every moment I can spend with Bryan is held in my heart, wishing and hoping there are many more to come.

Christmas was really hard for me, I was in pain and couldn't help but wonder if it would be my last Christmas here.  Let's just hope that everything keeps going positively and that I can try to eat healthier, exercise more and kick this thing, here's to 2014!

chemo monday

Scan was ok, I will get the results on Monday when I get chemo.  I did have good white cell count so chemo is on for Monday.  That's all I got!

scan tomorrow

I have my scan tomorrow.  I am a little anxious because I have been having a kind of new intense pressure/pain near my liver.  I am not sure if anything will show up on the scan but it makes me nervous that this happened while I was on a little break from the chemo. It was so nice to not feel the effects of chemo over christmas but I still have an awful cold.  I will get blood work tomorrow before my scan and I am hoping it shows my white count up so that I am clear for chemo monday otherwise I think they will want to give me the shot that I do not want.  So let's pray on that one.

The project my friend Kim was working on is completed and I have posted a picture below.  What looks like lines all around the edge (if you zoom in) is actually everyones name that submitted it to Kim when she asked for it a while back.  I think it came out awesome and I was excited to hang it on the wall for everyone that comes over to see and search for their name.

early christmas gift

I had been talking about how the Dr had mentioned going on breaks from chemo for special occasions and what better occasion than christmas.  Well that isn't exactly what happened, but close enough!  I went Thursday to get my treatment and my white cell counts weren't high enough.  They decided to delay treatment because of that and decided that since next week is Christmas, that we could delay it another week.  I am fighting another cold and they think that is why my count is down, so let's hope that's it and I don't need to get the nasty shot to boost my cell count next time!

I made it home safely and I am very happy to be with my kids and husband again, it was too long to be gone from them!

I need to be extra careful now about germs and being around sick people since my counts are low, so that is kind of a bummer, but good to know!

Band Together for Leah event

(another post form Leah's friend, Kim)

If you are reading Leah's blog, you have already helped by keeping her in your thoughts and prayers, giving her support in many ways, or just by being a friend. These are priceless ways of helping and we all know how much Leah appreciates them.

Leah's coworkers at SEA Corp wanted to help by having a fundraiser and the concept has gained considerable momentum as more and more people have become involved and lent their input. There are spreadsheets and action items and websites - the organization and dedication of these wonderful people amazes me! And we were able to persuade Leah to let us do this for her. So many people have reached out wanting to do more for Leah and her family, and this is one way of allowing them to do so (and have a fun time doing it!).

Here is the event being planned in Leah's honor.

Saturday, January 18th from 6:00pm - 10:30pm
at The Elk's (141 Pelham St, Newport, RI)

For tickets, please call Kevin at 401-324-4117

Tickets are limited due to venue capacity

Feel free to come and leave anytime during the event. If you participate in the raffle, you don't have to stay till the drawing to see if you've won since there will be space to fill out your contact info on the ticket.

All proceeds will go directly to Leah Ploutz and her family.

The Facebook event page ("Band Together for Leah"): https://www.facebook.com/events/538511059567464/

If you live locally and wish to volunteer your time or you cooking for the event, you can sign up here:

If you have any questions, you can email me, Kim, at kmccarthy1040@gmail.com and I'll try to put you in touch with the right person.

aww shucks I'm stuck

My brother and I checked in and were waiting at the gate in Tucson for our flight when they kept calling up people traveling to cities all near Providence from our connection, Chicago.  They were telling them their flight from Chicago to where they were going was cancelled due to snow storms back East.  We finally went up to ask, "what about Providence?"  "Oh yeah" they said, "there too."  No more flights there until Tuesday!  Well chemo Monday will have to wait I guess.  In the meantime I'm enjoying more time with friends and family and missing my husband and kids like crazy, kind of what my son would call a "Happy/sad" kind of thing. 

Last week I met up with some friends I used to play soccer with in middle school and Highschool. We met for lunch and caught up and of course took a group photo!

Saw an awesome view of the moon last night over the mountains, and only having my phone to take pictures, this is all I have to show for it.

And of course it's gorgeous and sunny here so I am soaking up some extra rays!

There is another storm back home tomorrow, so let's just pray we make it this time!

too windy

My mom and I got up bright and early at 5am and then I got a text from the balloon company at 5:30 that it was too windy to do the balloon ride.  Boohoo!  I hear they have them back home and although it is beautiful out here it would be awesome to see Aquidneck Island from a balloon!  Anyway, no pictures to send today with no balloon ride :(

a bench will do

I went on a hike with my mom and we chose a different trail than last year.  I could not find a good rock to lay on..we even traveled over the river....

 through the desert... and saw a road runner!!  beep beep!

 passing tons of saguaro....

 and past lots of benches with good views...

 and one right in the sun..

It was finally HOT, so no need to lay down to soak in the rays, but I did anyway for a rest.  

sitting by the fire

It seems as though it is finally going to warm up a little toward the end of the week, but it's been in the 30s at night here and that's cold!  I went to a restaurant where you can sit outdoors and since it's been chilly they warm you up as you can see in the photo, kinda cool.

I did get reservations for me and my mom to take a balloon ride on Thursday morning, bright and early, they like to go before sunrise so that will be kinda cool to see.  My friend is letting me borrow her camera so I can take better pictures.

It has been relaxing out here, I went to a vegan restaurant last night that is right next door to an Italian restaurant.  They have an arrangement where you can go next door and order the vegan food and have them serve it to you at the Italian place so you can eat with people who are ordering the Italian food.  I thought that was pretty cool!  And to fit in at the Italian place I ordered a vegan lasagna which was really good!

The sun doesn't seem to be out today, but I when it is I will have to find a rock!  I heard it is snowing back home, so I won't complain!

Tis the season

My mom and I arrived safely in Tucson last night, late, way too late.  I am adjusting to the time change and I am still tired from the trip.  Got to go to Trader Joe's today.  I say "got to" because the one at home is not anywhere near my house and I love going to that store and getting fun organic vegan stuff.  Anyway, just wanted to check in and let everyone know I'm alive and well and I hope to have some fun pictures for everyone this week.  Here is one I took down the street from my mom's house, thought this was so cute and seasonal!

I have had a life long dream of going on a hot air balloon ride, they have them here in the winter and I am looking into it but not sure if I can make it happen, that would be some awesome photos, too bad I forgot my camera!  At least I have my Iphone.

Unfortunately it is supposed to be in the 50s here this week, and rain tomorrow, but I am determined to find some sunshine and a warm rock!