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