It has definitely been a while. Andy and I had a nice quiet Christmas Break. Everyone was here for Christmas Eve and a good time was had by all.
I will definitely be starting the 'page' three next entry. The last few weeks have been rough again, more of an emotional issue than anything else. The reality of possibly not being around next year, or the following year, or maybe the year after that is a very scary issue. The Lord knows what he wants me to do, who he wants me to help, and I'm sure that I'll do my part when the 'time' is 'right', but this is so scary at times. You want to be here for your children, and hopefully someday grandchildren, but you never know, and having had cancer makes this all so much more real and threatening. I've got to dig myself out of this hole I seem to have fallen into, God will help me if I ask. I've been asking, but wow what a hole. I thank God for the rest that I managed to get over break to give me strength to tackle the new students I now have again. Remember January is like August to me, new classes and a new bunch of kids to get settled into the routine. On January 19th I start a Finance class for 6 weeks, and when it is finished I will have only one more to go. Can't wait for all of this to be over! The light at the end of that tunnel is getting brighter all of the time.
This is a link to a really neat video on youTube. A hospital bought pink latex gloves for everyone and they danced to a song for Breast Cancer Awareness. Enjoy the link.
It has been a while, but I'm doing well. I started another class, Finance. It is really difficult, but I only have 2 more weeks to go and it will be over. Then there is only one more class in this quest for a second master's degree. I will hopefully start that class on March 31st.
I can't believe I have begun having 2 year anniversaries, for my diagnosises, and procedures. February 28th makes 2 years from my double mastectomy. February 7th was a little rough, we celebrated my grandmother's 87th birthday, while I remembered a phone call telling me that I had cancer. Some days bother me, most do not. I guess keeping busy helps to not think or dwell on these things that have happened.
Good Morning Wednesday. Today I go to visit with the Oncologist in Crown Point after school. Just a 3-month check -up, I should be doing well. I feel better than I have in a long time and I'm hoping that it continues. This past weekend was the 2 year anniversary of my first surgery. It was a little difficult dealing with that during the week, but school and everyone kept me busy for the most part.
Saturday is Andy's 51st birthday - I haven't planned anything yet, as I'm waiting for Nick and Amanda to tell me what day is best for them. They are almost half way finished with their master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan (online). I'm so proud of them for doing this now and together. It is funny to hear them comment on who is finished with the week's homework, or ahead of the other.
Well, after my visit with the Oncologist, I will now be on 6-month check-ups. It sounds scary, as now doctor appointments and blood checks will be farther apart. Now Spring and Fall will be check-up times for this. I have to remember to make some phone calls in a couple months for appointments in June with my OB/Gyn and my Plastic Surgeon. It seems like it has been so long since I saw them. Sometimes, time flies and other times it drags by. You worry, but try not to because worry and stress are not good for you. Keeping yourself busy seems the only answer, but trying to find what works now is difficult. I used to enjoy crocheting, but this doesn't seem to keep my brain occupied anymore. I enjoy turning ink pens on my wood lathe, but one cannot do that when you are tired, way too dangerous.
Today, my garage arrived at the house. I cannot believe that there will be mo more cleaning snow off from my truck in the moring on those wintery mornings when it snowed the night before. (That is if I remember to put the truck in the garage!) I am sure that I will remember to use the garage. I actually cannot wait for it to be finished, but I'm sure after looking at it all, that this will be a project that takes a few weeks for sure.
I know it has been a while. Next week I go to the OB/Gyn and the Plastic Surgeon again. Today I'm at the Coroner's Conference with Andy, in Indianapolis. I'm feeling really well this year. Just tired when I do not get enough good sleep. The school year finished well and I have completed the coursework for the second master's degree (Business Administration) from the University of Phoenix - online. This has proven to be a challenging group of classes, that I have learned a lot from. I understand Andy's business better, and have worked to optimize the inner workings. We are doing fine.
Some one asked me if I had to do it all again, what would I do. I'd pretty much do everything that I've already done. The only part that I might not do is the implants. This really depends on what you want, and at the time you have to make some hurried, but educated decisions. You can wait with this, but if you do then it is another couple of surgeries to go through, which makes it that much more difficult. Having 4 surgeries in 16 months and chemo, left my brain a little 'foggy' as I have decided to call it. But this was for a brief period of time and my brain/memory is working well again - other than for those 16+/- months.
Well, received good results on the pap's test. Also, good news that the implants help Dr's feel for lumps too. So I guess all is well and that everything worked out as it should.
In case anyone has missed it - I started a newspaper for Wheatfield - the Wheatfield Gazette - not sure I really like the name, but no one was helping me think of one or researching if we could use an older one. The first edition went out this week and I'm working on the next edition. Don't know if this will be a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly paper just yet. Most of this will depend on when I have time and if anyone helps me with the information/news. The next edition will have a memories of Wheatfield theme.
Went to the plastic surgeon today, Dr. Mike. All is well, and I'm doing like everyone else at this stage of the 'game'. Some movements are strange. Still feels really weird when I use my chest muscles too much or for something too heavy.
July 20, 2010, Happy 31st Anniversary Andy - Love you!
Today I received a wonderful phone call from Phoenix. My enrollment and academic counselor called to make sure I had received my diploma and that all was well. It is so wonderful to have so many truly caring people in this world. I know that this is what has kept me going these last few years. Brett you have gone from a fiend taking classes with me to a wonderful counselor who helped guide and encourage me to keep going, yet understood that I still needed some surgeries or other procedures and time was needed inbetween classes. Thanks so much for helping everyone at Phoenix understand that I would get this degree, but had to do it on my terms. Samantha, thank you for being there and understanding that I could not take classes consecutively at the end. You also helped me to take classes with new friends as I progressed down this journey.
September 6, 2010
Labor Day
School began August 17, 2010, with students. This year will sure be different teaching 5 'book' classes and 1 computer class. Usually it is, 5 computer classes and 1 book class. I'm sure that I will be feeling like a first year teacher again. Lots of work to do, but I'll get through this. Glad that I did so much Finance work as soon as school was out in June.
Later this month I go to the Oncologist, Dr. Drasga, in Crown Point. This will be the first 6-month check-up, so it will definitely be different. I know it has been a while since I've seen them. Sometimes I miss them, and other times I do not. It is a constant reminder of something most people would rather forget.
My grandmother, Mary Bruechet passed away August 6, 2010, which left a lot for me to handle with little help from others.
It has been a while since I've written everyone. Teaching school is keeping me really busy this year. Teaching 'book' classes like Business Foundations, Personal Finance, and Business & Personal Law and only one computer class, is really different, and yet very similar. It is just that I've not taught these classes before and needless to say it takes more work when you have not taught a class before. I'm really enjoying teaching these classes, especially the finance class as students are realizing just how important it is to save, plan and prepare for the future.
Healthwise, I'm doing pretty good. Went to the oncologist in October and will return in March for a 6 month check-up. I believe I see my original surgeon at that time too. The plastic surgeon and Ob/Gyn are both due in June again. I don't know how Andy and I kept going to all of these Dr's separate and didn't miss an appointment before.
I'm wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
It has been a while, but this will be a long month. This makes 3 years now since my first original surgery, so check-ups are in order with Dr. Tom and then later with my Oncologist, Dr. Ray Drasga during spring break. I've been doing well, but have been tired. It is something how 5 or 6 hours of sleep catches up with you, when you are one of those who needs 7 or 8 hours of sleep. One of these days I'll learn that the 10 o'clock news isn't the one I should watch, and pay more attention to the earlier news. Or better yet, I should be home to watch it, not at the funeral home. Ya, right - paperwork to do there and help get everything ready for each service. Andy's had a cold, and I'm hoping that I do not get it. Many of the kids at school have had some sort of flu or something. Many are out for 2 to 4 days before they come back to school.
Andy had his 52nd Birthday the other day - March 6th. We tried to have a quiet weekend, but that was not to be. We are both so tired from last week.
Andy made it to one day of the Funeral Director's Conference, then he needed to stay home to do some things.
Well, all too soon it will be time to visit the plastic surgeon (Dr. Mike for short) at the end of the month. I'm glad that school is out and for the first time in a long time, summer vacation is feeling like just that. We are enjoying some R&R at our lake cottage, but just seems like we can't get more than a couple of days in a row off. Maybe later. ;-)
Coroner's Conference was good. One of these days I will finish that Certificate too. What's one more at this point in my life. Might as well keep collecting them as I go along and the opportunity presents itself.
Well, it has bee 3.5 years and all check-ups this month went well. Bone density test came back sound. Still waiting for comfirmation on my blood test, but I'm sure they would have called me if there were something wrong. Feeling good, but not looking forward to this winter. The almanac predictions do not sound good.
Blood counts are good. Someone asked lately "Aren't you feeling well? Then you are just fine!" Well, I wish it was that simple. I felt just fine when they found the cancer several years ago. Feeling good isn't always an indication of cancer.
