11-5 update

Sorry I have been a bad correspondent and blogger....guess all that election stuff just lulled me into a stupor!

The side effects from my treatment 9 days ago were surprisingly manageable. Maybe it was that expensive pill the doctor gave me (see previous blog entry). I had none of the bad "body and mind" reaction. Worst was the often-excruciating foot pain. And when they were not painful, they were numb. During many nights I was in the tub running hot water on my feet - the only way I could get relief. I had 24 hours of bad bone pain but that was managed with the "big drugs" as one friend calls them.

I am sleeping okay, not great....I am into a pattern of going to bed at midnight, waking up at 5, then dozing off and on until 10 AM. Not the best scenario, and I am still pretty tired, but that is what is working.

I have kept busy this week with lunch out one day, some light errands, visiting the library twice (I just cannot stay away) - everything I did all week would have been done in a day (before cancer) and now I have to spread these things out over a week. Next week I am planning three lunches out. Yippee!

Charlie arrives in a few minutes - he is staying with us for the weekend while Laura and Ken go to yet another wedding, her dear friend Meckenzie's, near Bethlehem. We are looking forward to having our little guy all to ourselves.

He was the cutest little elephant ever for Halloween. You can see great photos on Laura's blog...click here: http://laurakurz.typepad.com/on/2010/11/halloween-in-pictures.html

Comments

[BibliophileBytheSea]

JoAnn....I am so proud of you. You are being a trooper and seem to be tolorating things as well as could be expected. OMG...That furry elephant costume looks adorable on Charlie!

Hope the rest of your treatments go well. Think of you constantly!

[gail]

JoAnn, Iam so glad to hear from you.....It's great that you're going out and seems like the treatments are at least bearable. That Charlie is the cutest little boy......Loved the elephant costume.....He could be a mascot for Alabama....ha.

Love and prayers to you. Have fun with Charlie......

[[email protected]]

JA, Great to hear from u. You`re still in my prayers. Hang in there, and let me know if u come to the beach, we`ll save u a WAD. kenny

[Margaret]

J - So glad things were a little better during the last one. And even though you are not sleeping great, at least you are sleeping some. More to you when back from NC.

L,M

[Carl Silverman]

JoAnn, You are doing great! One step at a time, one day at a time, little successes, but big promise. Thank you for sharing, your progress and your stream of consciousness, and that includes the one last Halloween picture of the worn-out Elephant Stomper, Mr. Charlie.

[Linda]

I'm so glad it seemed a little easier. Won't be long until the treatment is over. We will all be glad-especially you. Enjoy that grandbaby!

[[email protected]]

I just had to post on Laura's blog how cute Charlie's costume was.

I am glad things are slightly better this go round of treatments.
Thanks for including me on the update.

Have a great time with Charlie.

[Lisa Adams]

Charlie is adorable, just like his grandmother. Hope you enjoy your weekend and your feel-good time. Glad that the meds helped this time.

[Melissa (Betty and Boo's Mommy)]

This election season of ours could put anyone in a stupor, that's for certain. :)

Glad you are doing a little better this time around.

Enjoy your little elephant this weekend!

[Jean Austin]

You have more of a social life that I do. Going out for lunch three times in one week. I can only imagine what you are like without chemo drugs tying you down. In fact I do know. Please you are making me feel bad. What you do in a chemo week is about all I do and then I am tired. Stay warm and cosy. Jean

[Eloise]

You are AMAZING, JoAnn! I am so proud of you for enduring your pain and discomfort and continuing to enjoy your friends, books and family in spite of the havoc that chemo is wreaking on your life.

Have a great time with that precious little elephant this weekend!

Hugs and love to you.

[Donn]

Amazed at all you're able to take on. Hang in there, gal, with our prayers continuing.

[Mary Ann Morrison]

I've had a terrible flu all week, so I've been quiet but I've been thinking of you. Didn't like your silence, so don't do that again! Just one word is fine.
Charlie is so adorable. God, I love them at that age :)

[Rosely Robinson]

Thank you JoAnn for keeping writing, you are an amazing lady. Let me know when we get have lunch...love to see you. Great pictures of Charlie, he made the cutest elephant yet. Miss you!

[Susan]

Glad to read that it was a bit better this go around. Oh my goodness, your grandson is so adorable. I'm pleased to know that he is delighting you this weekend. The proverb says that a merry heart does good like a medicine - I think that should count double when it comes to darling little guys like Charlie.

[Morty]

JoAnn

Don't apologize for not writing. I think you've had other stuff to get through. I'm glad to hear the side effects were manageable last week. Let's hope things continue that way.

Charlie made a terrific elephant and is adorable. Next November you'll be saying the same thing about Linda and my grandson. Mason James is due March 3 and we're all very excited.

Keep battling and keep us up to date. you're in my thoughts every day.

Morty

[Leslie McLeod]

Love that elephant costume. Good choice! Roll Tide!

[Di]

I'm thinking about you! Every time Kim and I go to Duke, I picture you at your chemo destination of choice. I hope the place you go is as nice as Duke. They cornered the market on amazing staff.

[Vicki Morgan]

Glad your last treatment was a bit better. I was about to email you as it's been awhile since hearing from you. I was getting anxious. I know Charlie will be the best drug ever for you this weekend! He is so adorable! Stay strong and keep in touch when you can.

[Barbara]

J - so glad that this last round was kinder to you. Hooray for "big drugs" like the $24 pill. Hang in there, you're nearly done. (and Elephant Charlie is just too adorable - enjoy every minute with him - they grow up all too fast!)
BG

[Barbara Morris]

You're amazing. Glad to hear you're last treatment was somewhat bearable. Have fun with that adorable little elephant. Stay strong - you're in my daily prayers.
Barbara Morris

[JoAnn Kirk]

thanks, Barbara. I am hoping that in the spring we can all have a celebratory lunch or dinner.

L,J

[kay schoeneman]

JoAnn,
So glad to hear you are managing better with your treatments. As Thanksgiving approaches, may the blessings of the season be showered on you and next year may you look back at this and give thanks you have beat this disease. We are all rooting for you
Kay