Now...

Hello Friends... I hope this finds all you doing good. I want to update since things are better for me. I have had a very bad time of it, and didn't want to be a cry baby. I started Taxotere, Carboplation and Herceptin on April 17. I had the last one on Aug 1st...(6 total, every 3 weeks). Now I will have just the Herceptin for 13 treatments. "H" doesn't have near as many side effects as the other two. I feel that I have this cancer beat!! I don't know why the side effects were so hard on me, unless its my age but I spend days and days every treatment unable to eat or drink, or barely walk. If it could happen...it did. There were times I didn't think I was going to make it...or know if I wanted to. Yes, I know how that sounds but sometime you don't feel you can take any more. If it haden't been for my wonderful husband and children I would never have made it. My husband did every thing for me. I keep telling myself I wanted to make it for him and my grandbabies! The 26th of this month I go to get Radiation started. I will have it for 5 days a week, for 33 treatments. Its major side effect is fatigue, since I all ready have it I don't know how bad it will get. But, I will get through it! I had a very aggrestive cancer...the same kind that killed my baby sister. I am thankfull for all my blessings. There are many! I found out last Wed that my treatment plan has changed so I up dated this post. The Dr put me on a cancer pill for five years(or until another one comes alone that is better). She said I will be on one kind or another the rest of my life.

The call.

I have got many calls in my life...most welcome!  Or at least expected (bill collectors come to mind) .  On Feb 22nd I received one that while expected, changed my life.

I had found a lumb in my breast several weeks before. I went for a Mammogram and Ultrasound on Feb 15th.  I expected it wasen't anything....just the usual benign thing. But, it looked "bad" to them.  On Feb 19 they did a needle biopsy and on the 22nd called with the news that it was cancer.

I talked with a surgeon on the 25th and he operated the next day. The cancer was 3cm and I had one lymph gland involved. I will be starting Chemo in a couple of weeks, followed by radation.

Ladies, please do your monthly breast exams and yearly Mammogram. Early dedection makes a world of difference.

This cancer make indeed take me out, but it will be after I have fought it tooth and nail....kicking and screaming!!  As my favorite poem by Dylan Thomas goes...I will not go gentle into that good night!!!

                                           Loretta

The older I get, the  more I enjoy Sunday mornings. Perhaps it’s  the quiet solitude that comes with being  the  first to rise.   Or maybe it’s the  joy of just being alive!  Or that first cup of coffee. Either way, the first  few hours of a Sunday morning are most enjoyable.

I remember so well the Sunday morning of my childhood.  Jumping up and eating a quick breakfast, and dressing for church, taking extra care to look good. Maybe polishing my shoes  or spending a few miutes looking over my Sunday school lessons. Making sure I knew my bible verse.  Southern Sundays were wonderful family days. Beautiful memories! I hope you all have a wonderful Lords day.

                                     Loretta

Hello all....My Goodness its hard to believe its been over a year since I've posted. Time marches on for sure! I've all ways heard it passes fast if your having fun. The last year has been interesting, I guess... Dear hubby, Pete, retired last June so its been different that any year I've ever lived!!! He took an early retirement due to health reasons. We've been married nearly 44 years but had spend very little real time together....now its 24/7. Certainly different for sure! The first months few by, what with working in the yard. This winter is going slower though. We got up to 16 degrees this morning...have had more snow than usual too. Pete did bundle up and go outside and use his chain saw for a while on some dead limbs out in the side lot. He's making progress...slow but sure.




The grandchildren are all doing good. They are all in school now. Lorie (daughter)got her Nurses degree and has worked for a year now. Peter (son) bought a home and is busy working on it.



Sure doesnt look from this like much happened this year...but life has a way of marching on. I hope all of you have had a wonderful year. I hope to write more this year.

                                                           Loretta

Happy New Year!

May God make your year a happy one!


Not by shielding you from all

sorrows and pain,

But by strengthening you to

bear it, as it comes;

 Not by making your path easy,

But by making you sturdy to

travel any path;

Not by taking hardships from you,

But by taking fear from your heart;

Not by granting you unbroken

sunshine,

But by keeping your face

bright, even in the shadows;

Not by making your life

always pleasant,

But by showing you

when people

need you most,

And by making you anxious to

be there to help.

God's love, peace, hope and

joy to you for the year ahead.
 
I wish all my friends in Blogland 
 
the best year ever.
 
           

The last couple of weeks has been crazy to say the least.   We had a snow that bought a tree top over on my power lines, causing a power surge that fried my computer.  I put another one in line that lasted two days and started acting crazy.  I am now on my very old , small screen laptop!  I am having a hard time typing on it. It's running slow and I am about to start pulling my hair out!   


The big truck has been in the shop again, a really bad time right here before Christmas.  Maybe (cross my fingers) it's fixed for awhile. I am trying to buy Christmas on a limited budget, but am thankful  for what I do have.  Our seven Grandchildren will get less this year,  but I'm not going to let it depress me.  It will be ok!

On a positive note, I read something today that is so true.... no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.  I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

If I don't make it back by Christmas....Merry Christmas!!  I wish you all much joy, health, and happiness in the New Year. 

                                                     Loretta

Katelyn and Fall colors.

 Oh my! Winter is slowly appearing....our trees are turning such beautiful colors of gold, red, yellow and brown. We've been down to the mid 30's all ready. About a week ago my breaker box started making a noise like it was frying bacon. Scared me to death! I turned it off and did with out heat (except for a space heater) until Pete came home Friday. It had burnt one of the prongs all most in two. We put a new breaker in it, using another slot like the salesman told him to do, and its doing fine. I've got my fingers crossed. It was such a helpless feeling, but I am so glad that I was home to turn it off. Fire scares me to death. Our house burnt down in the middle of the night when I was five years old and it sure put a fear in me


Today was my son's oldest daughter's birthday. Katelyn is five today! When she was two weeks old she had to be air lifted to Little Rock. The police in Walnut Ridge called every town ahead and told them we were coming and not to stop us.  I drove a trip that usually takes over 2 hours in 85 minutes.  Her other Grandmother and parents were in another car.  They had let us kiss her good by, we didn't know if she would be alive when we got there.  She had quit breathing twice but was hanging on and fighting when we got there. We didn't know if she was going to live  for a week. She had a stroke and she even now has some physical problems, (speech and swallowing, and a limp) but is a smart little girl! She is in pre school and plays soccer. She had a party at Burger King today and had a ball! She is surely a blessing.  God was watching out for us all that night.

Halloween was fun, Hannah had a ball! She has ate candy all week. Of course, I have to admit I ate several pieces too.  It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only 19 days away. Time to clean and cook! I want to try some different dishes this year, alone with the old standbys that everyone loves. Time to get ready for Christmas too.