December 26, 2009

We stopped by to see Teresa yesterday. Her brother Galen and his family were visiting also. I thought Teresa looked quite good. She was sitting up in bed, and ate her entire supper. Her wound has been packed and is hooked up to a woundvac, which is supposed to accelerate wound healing. She is on a fancy "do-dah" (her words) bed. It is a Clinitron bed, for those who want to know. She is scheduled for another procedure on Monday, to work on her wound. Her oncologist will return on Monday, also, and he and Teresa will decide what to do about her chemo. The chemo tends to slow healing, so they will take that into consideration. She is in room 1019, Building 4 at Wesley. Or the penthouse floor, as Teresa called it.
If anyone is traveling to Wichita in the next several days, give me a call and I'll send her mail (Christmas cards and letters) with you. My number is 620-222-2547. She expects to be there a week or so.

December 22, 2009 Post by Lorri

Teresa was admitted to Wesley Hospital in Wichita yesterday. She has a wound that is not healing well, so they decided she needed more aggressive treatment that is available in the inpatient setting. Some types of chemo can slow the healing process, so I suspect the chemo has played a role in this wound issue. Debby and Eunice are visiting today, I'll be stopping by on Christmas day. I believe that the tenative plan is for her to stay through the weekend.

THE SAGA CONTINUES. LATEST VISIT WITH DR HORBELT ON THURSDAY, NOV 5th.

THE TUMOR MARKER (CA-125) HAS PLATEAUED. 141 LAST MONTH. 150 THIS MONTH.

AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSION WE DECIDED TO TRY A DIFFERENT DRUG. AM NOW TAKING GEMZAR (I THOUGHT HE SAID JIM BEAM ---THAT MIGHT BE WORTH A TRY).

THIS DRUG IS GIVEN ONCE A WEEK FOR 3 WEEKS THEN A WEEK OFF. UNFORTUNATELY IT MEANS I'LL BE BALD FOR CHRISTMAS ( IT WAS JUST GETTING LONG ENOUGH TO THINK ABOUT A HAIR STYLE).

THOUGHT I WOULD ALSO PUBLISH SOME PICS FROM THE BALLOON FIESTA. THE BALLOON WITH BUFFALO HEADS IS THE ONE THEY LOADED ME IN. THE CREW REFERRED TO IT AS RIDING IN THE BUFF. THE LAST PICTURE IS OF THE GROUP---

CHARLES BARRICK, CHARLOTTE AND W A WHEAT, SUSAN WHEAT, ME, AND CHERYL

LUGINBILL.

JUST A QUICK NOTE. I WAS THE HUMAN INTEREST STORY ON ALBUQUERQUE TV SATURDAY EVENING. TRY THE LINK BELOW FOR THE VIDEO. MORE DETAILS LATER.

http://www.koat.com/video/21195475/?taf=alb

LOVE, TERESA

AT LONG LAST AN UPDATE. APPT WITH DR HORBELT ON THURSDAY SEPT 17th.
REPORT ON CT SCAN WAS GOOD (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE 20 LBS OF FAT I SHOULD LOSE). CA-125 TUMOR MARKER ROSE AGAIN TO 252. HE EXCEPTED THIS AS A RESULT OF THE CHEMO DESTROYING CANCER CELLS. HAD ANOTHER ROUND OF ADRIAMIACIN. NOTED JUST A LITTLE NAUSEA.

NOW WITH THE MEDICAL STUFF OUT OF THE WAY, MORE IMPORTANT IS THE UPCOMING ROAD TRIP TO THE ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA. MY UNCLE RAY WILL BE SERVING AS MY CHAUFFEUR AND VALET. WE PLAN TO LEAVE OCT 2nd. WE WILL MEET OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THERE (AUNT CHARLOTTE AND UNCLE W A AND THEIR DAUGHTERS CHERYL AND SUSAN). IT SHOULD BE A GRAND TIME AND THE SCHEDULING COULDN'T BE MORE PERFECT. DR HORBELT HAS ORDERED MORE NEUPOGEN SHOTS. HE FIGURED A HEALTHY WHITE COUNT WHILE SPENDING TIME WITH 100,000 OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL.

MANY PICTURES AND A HOST A OF STORIES ARE SURE TO FOLLOW.

THE NEXT DR APPT/CHEMO IS PLANNED FOR TUESDAY, OCT 13th. HAVE ORDERS TO RECHECK LAB ON WEDNESDAY, OCT 7th.

ITS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL TIME HERE IS WINFIELD. MOST OF THE LOCALS (MYSELF INCLUDED) ARE IN HIBERNATION. TOO MUCH LONG GRAY HAIR AND TIE-DYE AT THE GROCERY STORE.


TAKE CARE, TERESA

NO IV POLE THIS ROUND! HALLELUIAH! A NUMBER OF CHANGES. STARTED A NEW
A DRUG YESTERDAY (ADRIAMIACIN). SINCE THE TUMOR MARKER ROSE DR HORBELT AND I BOTH AGREED THAT THE OTHER DRUGS HAD DONE THEIR JOB. I WILL BE GETTING A CAT SCAN OF THE ABDOMEN NEXT WEEK. HAVE NOT HAD A CAT SCAN SINCE BEFORE SURGERY. I WILL ALSO BE GETTING A SERIES A SHOTS TO KEEP MY BONE MARROW UP AND RUNNING (THOSE LOW COUNTS ARE WORRISOME). ALL MY OTHER LAB WORK IS NORMAL. EVEN THE PROTEIN LEVELS. REMEMBER AFTER SURGERY WHEN MY ALBUMIN WAS 0.8. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT IT IS NOW IN THE NORMAL RANGE AT 3.6. ALL THAT BOOST (AND LEMONBERRY SLUSHES) MUST HAVE WORKED!

THE NEXT CHEMO IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPT 17th. AND YES I'M BEGINNING TO FEEL LIKE AN OLD PERSON. MY ENTIRE SOCIAL CALENDAR (WELL ALMOST) IS DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS. WELL AT LEAST I'M GETTING OUT. MAKES THOSE TRIPS TO SONIC WAY TOO CONVENIENT.

WAY TOO MUCH RAIN LAST WEEK AND COOLER WEATHER THIS WEEK HAS CUT DOWN ON THE WATERING CORES. HAVE EVEN TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER.

HOPE YOU ALL FIND A REASON TO SPEND SOME TIME OUTSIDE THIS WEEKEND.

TERESA

HEY! I'M BACK. COUNTS ARE UP. CHEMO IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY.
WILL PLAN ANOTHER POST AFTER VISITING WITH DR. HORBELT.

TERESA

Technical Difficulties

Post from Lorri
Well, we've had some technical difficulties with the Blog. I got married, changed my name which messed up the email, etc. etc. Obviously, Teresa and I didn't have a teenager handy who could have fixed it in 30 seconds. So after resetting passwords, I think we're back on track. The next post will be from Teresa. Just a hint, you do not need to log in to Blogspot if you don't want to post a comment. If you want to post a comment, then you will need to log in, create a password, etc. I visited Teresa and her herd of animals on Saturday. They are all alive and kicking, some hairy and kicking more so than others.

THINGS ARE WEIRD. MY HEAD FEELS LIKE PEACH FUZZ. I'M EITHER HUNGRY FOR FRESH PEACHES OR MY HAIR IS TRYING TO GROW BACK. EITHER WAY, VERY WEIRD.

HORBELT'S OFFICE CALLED THIS CALLED THIS MORNING AND CHEMO IS A GO FOR THRUSDAY, JULY 30TH. THERE HAD BEEN SOME QUESTION BECAUSE OF THE HIGH FEVERS LAST WEEK. WHITE COUNT IS GOOD AND TUMOR MARKER IS 100.

HIGH FEVERS WERE CAUSED BY A URINE INFECTION THAT WENT INTO THE BLOODSTREAM. SINCE STARTING ANTIBIOTICS LAST THURSDAY THE FEVERS AND SWEATS HAVE SUBSIDED. OF COURSE ALL THIS GENERATED A NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS TO DOCTORS AND NURSES. AT ONE POINT IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT I GO TO THE HOSPITAL. TO WHICH I REPLIED "WHY WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT?" IF I'M GOING TO FEEL CRUMMY I'D MUCH RATHER BE AT HOME SURROUNDED BY CARING CATS AND DOGS. OK SO MAYBE THEY DIDN'T REALLY CARE THAT MUCH, BUT THEY DID MAKE ME FEEL BETTER.

LOVE TO YOU ALL!

ROUND 5 OF CHEMO IS BEHIND ME. FEELING TIRED. COULD BE THE HEAT.

DOCTOR IS CONCERN ABOUT THE EFFECT ROUND 4 HAD ON MY BONE MARROW. WE MAY CONSIDER A CHANGE IN CHEMO DRUGS IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.

WILL DO BLOOD WORK ON JULY 27TH. IF ALL IS WELL CHEMO IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, JULY 30TH.

I HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLLY DISMISSED FROM HOME HEALTH. THAT MEANS I AM NOW FREE TO GET INTO MISCHIEVOUS WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL. THEY WERE OF GREAT HELP AND SUPPORT. I WILL MISS THEM, BUT I DO ENJOY MY INDEPEDENCE. WITH THAT IN MIND I NOW FEEL FREE TO SHARE PHOTOS TAKEN IN APRIL WHEN I WAS STILL UNDER "HOUSE ARREST". I WAS GIVEN A PLANE RIDE BACK IN DECEMBER AS PART OF A FUNDRAISER FOR THE HOSPITAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION. MY UNCLE RAY WAS STAYING WITH ME (SECOND WEEK FROM THE HOSPITAL) AND JOINED IN THE FUN. ENJOY!

GOOD NEWS! LAB DONE ON MONDAY, JULY 6TH SHOWED THE WHITE COUNT WAS 3.8,
MUCH IMPROVED. THE GRANULOCYTES WERE ALSO UP. RECIEVED A CALL FROM
DR. HORBELT OFFICE CONFIRMING THAT CHEMO IS A GO FOR FRIDAY, JULY 10TH.

WHOOOAAA! GOT TO HOLD MY HORSES. BLOOD WORK DONE ON MONDAY, JUNE29 SHOWED MY WHITE COUNT WAS LOW, TOO LOW FOR CHEMO. ACTUAL NUMBERS WERE WBC 2.4, GRANULOCYTES 865 (I KNOW YOU NURSES WOULD WANT THOSE)
SO NO CHEMO THIS WEEK. WILL RECHECK BLOODWORK ON MONDAY, JULY6TH. IF THE GRANULOCYTES ARE AT LEAST 1500 THEN WILL HAVE CHEMO ON FRIDAY, JULY 10TH. ARE YOU CONFUSED YET? I AM FEELING GREAT WITH PLENTY OF ENERGY, BUT NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS SO I DON'T PICK-UP ANY INFECTIONS. AND YES I AM FURSTRATED, BUT AM TRYING TO BE PLEASANT. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT DOESN'T COME EASY FOR ME.

REBECCA DECIDED TO SPEND THE WEEKEND AS WE HAD PREVIOUSLY PLANNED. WE WILL TRY TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE, BUT THAT WON'T BE EASY EITHER.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS GREAT 4TH. STAY COOL!

THE DOGS' PICTURES DIDN'T APPEAR IN THE LAST POST. I WILL TRY AGAIN.
OBVIOUSLY SOME DOGS ENJOYS A BATH MORE THAN OTHERS (EVEN PREFERING TO SHOWER). THE FRIENDS IN THE PICTURES ARE MY SIS REBECCA (WHITE SHIRT) AND KARI ROTH (BLUE SHIRT). KARI IS A STUDENT FROM SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE WHO HAS BEEN HELPING STAY AHEAD OF THE DOG DIRT IN THE HOUSE FOR THE LAST YEAR.

I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ALL YOU LOYAL FOLLOWERS. I'VE BEEN BUSY. THIS LAST ROUND (NUMBER 4) REALLY TOOK THE WIND OUT OF MY SAILS. THE FACT THAT REBECCA AND I WORKED LIKE FARMHANDS ALL WEEKENDS COULDN'T POSSIBLY FACTORED INTO MY FATIGUE. THE TUMOR MARKER CONTINUES TO DROP--NOW BELOW 200. DR HORBELT WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT BELOW 20 FOR TWO CONSECTIVE TREATMENTS. I SUSPECT THAT MEANS I'M LOOKING AT AT LEAST A TOTAL OF 7 TO 8 ROUNDS. AS LONG AS THE STUFF IS KILLING CANCER CELLS I CAN HANG IN THERE.

THE STRAWBERRIES ARE DONE. PUT UP TWO BATCHES OF JAM. REBECCA PICKED GREEN BEANS FROM MY GARGEN ON SUNDAY MORNING (7/14). TOMATOES LOOKIN' GOOD.

I'M POSTING PICS OF THE DOGS. (A DOG PIC ALWAYS BRIGHTENS ONES DAY) THEY GOT BATHS OVER THE WEEKEND. LOUIE ALWAYS ENJOYS HIS MORE THAN LUCY.

3rd round of chemo is history. All continues to go well. Minimal nausea, no vomiting. I think the three days of IV fluids, steroids, and anti-nausea meds must be helping a great deal.

The doc seems pleased with my progress. The tumor marker continues to drop by 50% with every round.

I'm posting a pic of the Tuesday morning Hotline crew (SG county Master Gardeners). This is bunch that helped whip my flower beds into shape a few weeks back.

BIG DAY YESTERDAY! I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE VAN UNDER MY OWN POWER. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT FOR WEEKS. YEAH! I HAD ASKED EUNICE TO HELP ME GET SOME ERRANDS DONE SO SHE WAS MY STANDBY ASSIST. WE SPENT SOME TIME AT WALMART (EUNICE PUSHED THE CART AND I PUSHED ME). MY ARMS ARE STILL A LITTLE SORE THIS MORNING, BUT I SURE SLEPT HARD LAST NIGHT. OF COURSE YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS--THERE IS NO STOPPING ME NOW.

THE HOME HEALTH NURSE WAS HERE YESTERDAY AS WELL. (I THINK SHE IS MY REALITY CHECK) SHE REMINDED ME THE 3RD ROUND OF CHEMO IS ONE WEEK AWAY (MAY 21ST). TALK ABOUT RUIN MY DAY. I SENSE THE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL BE VERY BUSY.

MY UNCLE RAY WILL BE HERE OVER THE WEEKEND. HE IS ALWAYS A GOOD ONE TO HAVE AROUND IF YOU'RE PLANNING MISCHIEF.

OH MY, I NEARLY FORGOT ANOTHER BIG MILESTONE. I CAN GET MY BLUE JEANS ZIPPED!!!

I'VE BEEN DRAGGING MY FEET BECAUSE I SURE DIDN'T WANT TO JUMP THE GUN. SO FAR THE SECOND ROUND OF CHEMO HAS GONE VERY WELL. A LITTLE NAUSEA, BUT NO THROWING-UP. I WAS HOOKED-UP TO IV FLUIDS FOR 36 HOURS AND I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE ANTI-NAUSEA DRUGS EVERY 8 HOURS FOR 3 DAYS (WHETHER I FELT LIKE IT OR NOT). REBECCA SPENT THE WEEKEND HELPING WITH PET CARE, HOUSEHOLD CHORES, AND OF COURSE KEEPING AN EYE ON ME.

REBECCA HELPED ME GET MOST OF THE PLANTS OUT OF THE GREENHOUSE ON SATURDAY. I SPENT A GOOD PART OF SUNDAY AFTERNOON GIVING THE PLANTS A GOOD "HAIRCUT". THE SUNSHINE FELT GOOD AND THE DOGS REALLY ENJOYED BEING OUTSIDE. MY ARMS AND SHOULDERS WERE SO TIRED BY EVENING. A REMINDER I REALLY SHOULD LEARN TO PACE MYSELF. UNLIKELY.

3RD ROUND OF CHEM IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21ST. THE ACCOMODATIONS FOR THE PATIENTS GETTING CHEMO AT DR. HORBELT'S WERE EXCELLENT - PRIVATE ROOMS, BIG RECLINER, FLAT-SCREEN TV. I DEFINITELY PLAN TO CONTINUE GOING TO WICHITA.

WOW, WHAT A WEEK! MY UNCLE RAY (CHARLES BARRICK OF ADA, OK) HAS RETURNED HOME AND I AM FLYING SOLO AS OF SUNDAY MORNING (4/26). THE DAY WENT WELL. LET THE DOGS OUT JUST BEFORE BEDTIME AND LOUIE DISAPPEARS FOR NEARLY HOUR. WHEN HE RETURNS HE HAS EATEN AND ROLLED IN SOMETHING WHICH AHD BEEN DEAD A VERY LONG TIME. I WAS TIRED AND IN NO MOOD TO NEUTRALIZE THE SMELL. LOUIE SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE GARAGE. HE VERY GLAD TO SEE ME THIS MORNING. WITH A LITTLE SOAPY WATER AND A TOWEL HE WAS ABLE TO COME INSIDE AS LONG AS I STAYED UPWIND.

5 MASTER GARDENERS (MY TUESDAY MORNING HOTLINE GROUP) ARRIVED WITH TOOLS, FOOD, AND WINE SATURDAY MORNING AND WHIPPED MY FLOWER BEDS INTO SHAPE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHOW MASTER GARDENERS HOW TO USE A SHOVEL OR WHAT A WEED LOOKS LIKE. ANYTIME YOU CAN SHARE A MEAL WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS IT BECOMES A PARTY. SORRY NO PICTURES.

MY PARENTS WERE IN WICHITA THURSDAY FOR A DOCTOR'S APPT. REBECCA (MY SIS) DROVE THEM TO ASHLAND ON FRIDAY, BUT NOT BEFORE TAKING A BIG DETOUR THROUGH WINFIELD. HADN'T SEEN MY FOLKS SINCE THE HOLIDAYS. IT WAS REALLY REALLY GOOD TO SHARE A HUG WITH THEM.

I HAVE ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT THE GRAY HAIRS ON THE PILLOWCASE ARE NOT DODGER'S (MY GRAY AND WHITE CAT). THINGS ARE GETTING PRETTY BREEZY ON TOP. I'VE TAKEN TO COMBING MY HAIR OUTSIDE. THAT'S EASIER THAN TRYING TO SWEEP THE FLOOR. I CAN ALSO BRUSH THE DOGS AT THE SAME TIME.

MY APPETITE HAS FALLEN OFF. SO MUST REALLY CONCENTRATE ON GETTING THE CALORIES. AND YES, I'M DRINKING MY ENSURE.

JUST CHECKED MY EMAIL (DOCTORJ98@HOTMAIL.COM) AND FOUND PICTURES THAT MUST BE SHARED.
THE BORMANS (EUNICE AND LARRY) CAME TO THE HOUSE ON THURSDAY WITH SONIC DRINKS AND STILL WARM BROWNIES. HOT ON THEIR HEELS WAS DAVA CARRELL (CAT SITTER EXTRAORDINARY).

DAVA HAD PUT TOGETHER A "CHEMO QUILT" WHICH EUNICE THEN QUILTED. BEAUTIFUL!!!!
LOTS OF SAYINGS IN THE QUILT AND OF COURSE A FEW PAW PRINTS.

ENJOY!

SEAMLESS TRANSITION. THE WHEATS HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR HOME IN LUBBOCK, TEXAS.
MY UNCLE RAY (CHARLES BARRICK) OF ADA, OKLAHOMA IS NOW LENDING A HELPING HAND.

NO PICTURES OF THE DOGS TO POST. LOUIE HAS HARDLY SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH TO EAT.
IT DOES APPEAR THEY WERE WELL CARED FOR PERHAPS EVEN SPOILED.

MY ENERGY LEVEL IS IMPROVING ON A DAILY BASIS. MY ARMS GET TIRED IF I DO ALOT OF
PUSHING, BUT THAT WILL IMPROVE. STILL HAVE SOME SWELLING OF MY FEET. THERE IS
FLUID IN MY ABDOMEN, BUT MUCH MUCH LESS THAN BEFORE SURGERY. THAT TO SHOULD IMPROVE.

THE SOUP RECIPE IN THE PREVIOUS POST IS A BLUE RIBBON WINNER. NOT TOO SPICY. WE
SERVED IT WITH SOME GREEN BEANS AND COTTAGE CHEESE. AND OF COURSE IT WAS EVEN BETTER THE SECOND DAY.

Recipe

Teresa,

Here's the recipe for the Lasagna Soup:

1 pound Italian Sausage
62 oz beef broth
2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup onion
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/4 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup mozarella cheese
16 oz bowtie pasta

In medium soup pot, heat beef broth. Add onions, tomatoes, sugar and spices to boiling, reduce heat. In medium skillet, brown sausage, drain, add minced garlic, cook 2-3 minutes. Add pasta. Simmer until pasta is tender. Stir in parmesan cheese. After soup has been placed in bowls, sprinkle with mozarella cheese.

This recipe is from Debby Casad.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15

WHAT JOY IN LITTLE THINGS. LORRI CHANGED ADMINSTRATORS OF THE BLOG SO I CAN NOW ENTER UPDATES DIRECTLY. SIGNED IN FOLLOWERS ARE STILL ENCOURAGED TO ADD COMMENTS
(BE KIND). I FEEL LIKE I'M MADE A HUGE LEAP FORWARD INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.

CHARLOTTE AND W A WHEAT (AUNT AND UNCLE) CONTINUE TO TREAT ME LIKE ROYALTY. WHAT A BLESSING IT HAS BEEN FOR ME TO HAVE THEM HERE. (MONDAY MORNING I GOT UP TO A CRACKLING FIRE AND HOT COFFEE).

I AM CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR ROUND 2 (OUT OF 6) OF CHEMO ON APRIL 30TH. I WANT TO CONTINUE WITH DR HORBELT (THE SURGEON) IN WICHITA IF POSSIBLE. WILL TAKE IT ONE ROUND AT A TIME.

I'VE POSTED OF PICTURE OF ME AND RAMBO (ALL-TERRAIN WHEELCHAIR) TAKEN TUESDAY EVENING
(4/14) AFTER I HAD INSPECTED THE GARDEN AND FLOWER BEDS. ENJOY!

DOGS COME HOME TOMORROW!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Debby took supper over on Monday. Teresa is spending some time in her chair. Regaining strength will take some time. She is supposed to be taking in a significant amount of protein. Home health is now making visits, also.
Tuesday and Wednesday are covered for taking supper, but we are looking for volunteers to take supper in after Wednesday. Debby's computer is ill, so if you would like to take supper, just email me at lorri_price@usd465.com.
Thanks,
lp

rebecca's post from 4-11-09

Wow! Teresa and I arrived at her home Friday evening about 10 PM. She was released at 8 PM from Wesley Hospital, we waited an hour at Walgreen's while they filled her prescriptions, and then an hour later we arrived in Winfield. She was SO glad to be home in her own bed snuggled up with Alice and Dodger (the cats). It made quite a wonderful picture. She was up before me this morning getting all the hospital stuff organized and put away. Her transfers out of bed are going well but getting into bed is still another story. Our aunt and uncle from Texas are with T. now. I believe they plan to stay about a week. Great food was delivered today. Perhaps she will get on-line sometime in the next few days and provide us with her version of this part of the adventure. We both rested great last night.

Lucy and Louie

Teresa's kitty friends

April 9, 2009

I had the opportunity to see Teresa yesterday evening. I always feel better when I can see her in person. As you may have read in Rebecca's comment, Teresa is doing well. She tolerated her chemo well. She said that her chemo will be every three weeks, so that gives her some time until the next treatment is due. As far as we know, she should be able to get her chemo at the cancer center in Winfield.
She even let the nurse remove her feeding tube. ;) I believe that the nurses have had a good time harassing Teresa about putting in her own tube.
The port-a-cath insertion is scheduled for Friday.

When I left, she was sitting in her wheelchair eating meatloaf (smothered in ketchup).

Amazing.

April 7, 2009

I was unable to get into the Wesley email system either. I am going to Wichita after school today to see Teresa. Here's the report from yesterday: Teresa received her first chemo treatment. She still seems to be putting out large quantities of fluid from her abdomen. Prior to the chemo treatment, they gave her a variety of meds to prevent side effects. I don't believe she has received her portacath yet. She maintains that she is coming home Thursday or Friday, "come hell or high water". Her spirits are good.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Today was a good day for Teresa. She is directing her own care, as much as possible. She is experiencing good pain control and is very alert. Debby said that Teresa was “bright eyed and bushy tailed”. She has some puffiness, and still has some fluid retention. She has many different lines (IV’s and whatnot). She now has a feeding tube in her nose. Apparently the nurse was having a little difficulty inserting the feeding tube, so Teresa inserted it herself (of course). The fact that Teresa’s “assertiveness” has surfaced is a good sign.
She asked about the dogs. Debby said her sense of humor has returned also. Our favorite neighborhood preacher, Kevin Hopkins, visited today.

The Dr. has said that he feels the chemotherapy will shrink the pieces that were left behind. She will have a port-a-cath inserted before she leaves the hospital. This is a fancy IV that can be used for chemo, etc. She is still in ICU and will be moved possibly Sunday or Monday. The surgeon returns on Monday.

Surgery Update

1:30 pm
Update from the surgery
The surgeon removed both ovaries; both were quite enlarged. They also removed a large amount of fluid from her abdomen. A central line was placed; this is a special intravenous line that they can give IV fluids and chemo through. The omentum was also removed. There did not appear to be any involvement in the bowel, thank God. Lymph nodes were removed; the pathologist will analyze these.
Teresa will be in the intensive care unit today, tomorrow and possibly Sunday. This is not a surprise as the surgeon had mentioned this to her prior to the surgery. Given the level of care that she needs at this point, this is a good thing.
The surgeon mentioned that they might give Teresa some chemo prior to her leaving the hospital. If I understand correctly, the goal is to reduce the amount of abdominal fluid that she has been producing. The large amount of abdominal fluid was making Teresa pretty miserable, so if they can keep that under control, it will be very helpful.
A positive note here - the CRNA that gave Teresa her anesthesia was a prior surgery nurse from Winfield who Teresa had worked with. I gather everyone was glad to see a positive familiar face this morning. Thanks, Marna!
All things considered, the above report is about the best news we could have hoped for today.
As Teresa will be in Intensive Care for several days, visitors are limited to immediate family. However, all prayers and positive thoughts are encouraged.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Teresa and Eunice (another nurse friend) headed to Wesley today to finish all of the preparations for the surgery tomorrow. Several family members will be arriving soon. Our friend Debby has agreed to serve as the food coordinator. So, if you would like to volunteer to provide a meal at some point, please email her at dcasad13@cox.net.
As this is a major surgery for Teresa, it has been suggested that people should not visit her at the hospital for a couple of days.
The surgery is scheduled for 8:30, so I'm hoping to be posting an update later in the morning.

Teresa and her big and loud friends

Teresa and Lorri looking at Atticus' baby quilt

Teresa's New Blog

Welcome to Teresa Johnson's blog. If you have found this blogsite, then you already know that Teresa is scheduled for surgery on Friday, April 3, 2009. The purpose of this blog is to post information about Teresa. She felt that this would be the easiest way to keep everyone updated.
My name is Lorri, and I am one of the "herd" of nurse friends that Teresa has made over the years. We even made her an honorary nurse once, but as she made a squeal that only dogs could hear, she decided to decline the honor.
I will post more information as it becomes available.