As promised...

Here are the pictures I promised in the last post. I found some other ones, too. I dumped all the pics from my phone's camera and had over 450 on there. Sheesh. So here:

The donuts from Erin:

The (delicious, homemade) ribbon cake from Cheryl:

I posted this a long time ago...bald from radiation. The pic underneath is it growing back. Most of it is all grown out now...

These are some more drawings from Erin. She would have them done by the Monday morning after my chemo treatments.

And this is the pumpkin log that Erin made for my last treatment.

If I come across anymore, I'll post them. I have a long list of goals to accomplish in 2010. I'll post them soon. Now I have nothing else to write. I was told by a close friend to put something very inappropriate on this. Even my threat of this being a public blog didn't quite dissuade him. But, in the end, my stubbornness (and ownership of this blog) win. As usual. ;)

Time to run. Go COWBOYS!!!!

1 year down, 4 more to go...

Today is my one-year anniversary for officially being in remission. I planned on writing about it, but now...I don't know what to say. Actually I have so MUCH to say, I'm not certain how to condense it. A year ago I was told to "live my life again". And I have tried, certainly not without fail, to do that. I've had 2 scans that came back clean. I had my oh-so-precious mediport out. I overcame my ultimate fear--flying. My hair is almost back to being one length. I've had victories. I've been defeated. And now I've got one year down. And four more until I'm out of the woods.

When I came in to work today, I had treats waiting for me on my desk. A box full of donuts from Erin and a purple ribbon cake from Cheryl! I took pictures and as soon as I find the SD card adapter for my phone, I'll post them. I went out to dinner last night with my family and out to lunch today with Mom. And I talked to a creepy, 1-900 elf. Ha! All in all...a good day.

So I'll end on this: we've been having a tough time at work lately. I won't go into detail, but I'm frustrated beyond end with the politics of public school. And then I hear stuff like this and my heart melts. My kids actually DO listen to me! From one of my 3rd graders via his mom: "Hey, look Mom-it's Mrs. Riggle's very favorite sky outside!" ...to which he was referring to the very ominous looking rain clouds out. :)

Thanks for reading. Good night.

Good grief.

Right. Let me apologize for not updating sooner. This seems to be a recurring theme.

I finally got my results of my CT scan. They're NEGATIVE! We had a wee bit of a scare with it, though. When I called to get my results (like I always do), I didn't get them over the phone (like I always do). My nurse called me back on Friday (October 23rd...yeah, yeah--I procrastinated a bit) and said the doctor hadn't had a chance to look at them yet. She asked when my appointment was (November 2nd) and wondered why it was so far away. My oncologist's office is the one who makes the appointments and sends the date to me. I usually don't have a say in when it is. I told her I didn't know why it was so far after the scan. She suggested we make the appointment for the following Monday. She had 3 openings-all during the day-and knows that I teach, but urged me to come in during one of those times. I picked the first time available.

Let me explain now why this worried me. I've had several scans in the last year and a half. PET and CT. For every other CLEAN scan I've had, I called the next day, left a message with my nurse and she's called back to let me know the results. Yes, the doctor looks at them first. My nurse is just the messenger. But nonetheless, I get the results via phone. So when she didn't give them over the phone, I panicked. Now...I realize that a rational person might not have done so. I never claimed to be rational. :) Here's the thing though: I worried. And I had every right to. Unless you've been in my position, you have no idea what it feels like to wonder. I worry about it coming back. It's not constant, but seems to increase when I have a scan or check-up.

When I went to my appointment, I had a long talk with my doctor about this. She asked me if I worry about it. I said yes, isn't that normal?? To me, it is. It's real. It happened. And no matter how ridiculous it is, they're still my worries, feelings and thoughts. My doctor seemed to agree with this and pointed out that she has no idea how it feels...she's never been through it. Exactly.

Let me pause here: I wrote this earlier today. I just reread it before publishing it. Wow. I sound defensive. I'll apologize if I offend anyone, but I'm not changing it. The perks of writing your own blog. :)

So to finish. What we did find from the scan is that a gland in the right side of my neck is enlarged. Most likely due to radiation and should go away. I have to start getting mammograms in 5 years. Just a precaution since I had radiation on my windpipe. I get another scan in 6 months. Then, depending on the results, no more after that unless I have symptoms. Yippee!

Hopefully that's it. We did several Light the Night walks. Thanks to everyone who came out to walk with us. I have some pictures and will post those later. Also had a wonderful turnout at Chick-Fil-A! I'm waiting to get an exact total, but there were so many people there. The drive-thru line circled around the building consistently throughout the night and I heard there was no parking outside. Awesome!

Okey doke. Goodnight for now. 7 more days... :)

Cats.

Yesterday was my CT scan. I wanted a PET scan instead but since my last one came back negative (good), they suggested a CT scan (bad). Then if anything is abnormal on these results (bad), next will come a PET scan (bad). Ha! I only say the CT scans are bad because nothing showed up on mine. My cancer, and to what degree it had spread, only showed up on the PET scan. Remember the whole "I'm stubborn" thing. But I'll take what I can get. I actually started this post yesterday, but didn't get a chance to finish it. At the time, I was in the process of fasting. I couldn't even have water. I had to drink these starting at 2: One at 2, the other at 3, and my scan at 4. At least it was spaced out...the last time I had to drink them both in 30 minutes! Ick!

I had the apple one first: Then I shared with Mom: Then I finished with berry: I had a full scan-neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. I had to do the scan without dye first and then with dye. This is not my favorite part...they have to prep the IV (which isn't really a needle, but a small tube) before my scan starts. Then for 3/4 of it, my arms are up over my head. Which takes a bit of talent with a needle stuck in it. I thought I had described the sensation of the dye, but looking back, I don't think I did. It creates a warm sensation everywhere. The first time I had it, I was warned that it might feel like you wet your pants, but you really didn't. Well...that joke was on them! Kidding, of course. But it really does feel like that and it makes you wonder if you actually did.

I called to get the results today, but they didn't have them yet. I'll call again tomorrow morning. Even though the lady I talked to said my doctor would go over the results at my November 2nd appointment. Really? Like I'm going to wait that long?? Not so much.

Don't forget about all of this. I've booked the Chick-Fil-A by my school tentatively for November 5th. Once I get all the details, I'll post them. Come eat chicken and support autism research!
Must do something to help this.

Thanks for reading. Good night!

Money, money, money. Give me some of yours.

Ha! Yes. Tis that time of the year I'm asking for donations. To two worthy causes. The first is for Light the Night. This is a walk that raises money for Leukemia and Lymphoma research. Something very close to my heart. If you'd like to walk, we have a team for this weekend and for next. Go here to register for the 18th. Or here to register for the 24th. Both have information on times and locations. If you'd like to donate to my page, go here.

Also, in November, is Walk Now for Autism. I posted info in my last blog about it. If you're interested in joining, this is our team link. If you're interested in donating, go here. I'm still in the process of setting up a fundraising night at Chick-Fil-A. Details to follow...

I've had a change in appointments as well. I'll be having a CT scan on the 21st. I need lab work prior to that to check my kidney function and then my check up is on November 2nd. Yippee! More time to wait. I'm learning, with the help of some very close friends, to break out of my shell and overcome some fears. We shall see...

For now, that's it. Stay tuned...

I love rain.

This will be the most random blog post by me ever. Maybe. I was drugged on some of the previous ones, so...

To start, there are some Light the Night walks coming up in October. We are doing the Dallas one again this year. It's on October 18th. Short notice, I know. I'll get a team set up soon and post if you're interested in joining. My extended family did the one in Colorado again this year. I posted pictures under Light the Night-Colorado 1.

Also coming up is Walk Now for Autism. Autism is my passion and by doing this walk, I feel like it spreads the awareness a bit. I have a team every year. Last year, I hosted a fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A. I'll get that going again and post about it, as well. If you're interested in joining, this is our team link. If you're interested in donating, go here. I hope you'll do both. I mean, I did have cancer and all. ;)

Speaking of, I have some appointments coming up. I'm in the process of getting a scan scheduled and I have a check-up on the 19th. I feel better and better with each passing day. Except for the nightmares, which have returned in full force. I know it's due to the upcoming appointments and I'm hoping once they're over and done with, they'll slow down or stop. And you should see my hair!!! It's almost completely grown back. Yippee!!! On the topic of hair, a friend and co-worker, Susana, grew her hair out to donate to Locks of Love. I love that people do this. It's such a great organization and cause. Thanks, Susana!!!!

For even more random topics...I'm obsessed with this: Playing for Change. Matt showed it to me and I can't get enough of it! I love the music and the message. I'm also obsessed with Dexter. Just thought I'd throw that out here. I tried to post my Jamaica video on there, but kept getting an error. Ah well.

Now I must go. I have to finish decorating for Halloween. It takes a couple days at my house. I have a village and everything! I'll post pics of that next time. And the Cowboys play at 3. Against Denver. My cousin, Jeff, and his wife, Stephanie, will be there. She's for the Cowboys (she's the sane one in the family) and he's for the Broncos. HOWEVER, he is painting himself in blue and silver because he's a good sport. Watch for them in the endzone...they'll be holding a sign with all of our names on it. Go COWBOYS!

Something I Don't Like...

I've had a case of writer's block lately. I used to write as therapy. Now anytime I sit down to do so, my screen stays blank. Just like now...I try to write and eventually just leave it and come back. I started writing the last post 2 weeks ago. I just finished and published it the other day. Eh...oh well.

I've hit some milestones lately. For one, every year we go to Nokia Theater for our convocation for the district. We end up parking a good mile away due to the traffic. Last year, it took me FOREVER to walk to the building. We had to keep stopping on the way just for me to catch my breath. This year, it took me no time. My lungs are finally building strength and I'm able to walk a distance without my usual huffing and puffing. Yea! I'm still doing yoga amongst other things. My legs are still tingling, though.

Another milestone...on September 9th, I've been in remission for 9 months. I have another PET scan and check-up in October. I'm trying hard to focus on other areas of my life instead of this one. Not working out so much.

I was going through pictures and found this video. I took a ton of little clips when we were waiting for baby Jacob to be born. This was from the first night. For some reason, it makes me laugh. Thought I'd share. Oh...and check out the jersey. ;)

Must stop writing now. I've got things to do before noon. Brad and Jill are coming over to watch the Cowboy game. Oh...and I love the rain out now. So soothing.

Go Cowboys!