Gamma Knife Surgery - from the patient's perspective

Monday AM ..5:45

Rich will be with me.

One last try before invasive Brain Surgery

Thanks for praying it does the job this time.

I am NOT afraid.. but I don't need four more

holes in my head.!! LOL

A Wonderful Surprise

Venice

Ireland

Some of you may know (from my post last year) my dream to go to Ireland.

My wonderful hubby, Rich has done all the planning

and arrangements ..and WE ARE GOING.

We'll be leaving in September..going to Italy & Ireland.

I've never been out of the country before and I am so

excited.

Our flight going to Italy and coming back

from Ireland are long. I know I can do it. I told

my Oncologist we were going and she gave me some

meds to take with me.

We'll be gone for quite a few days..our fat kat will be

staying with my older daughter, so we don't need

to worry about her.

I am not taking my laptop with me, Rich is taking his.

I will have my camera and a cell phone that works

abroad. (so will Rich)

I feel sooooooo blessed to be able to live my dream, we are

not wealthy by far, but we found a way to fund the trip ..I may not live

forever, so we want to go now.

We'll see Vatican City , kiss the Blarney Stone & lots of

fun adventures.

Please pray for safe travel for us.

Please also continue to PRAY FOR HUNTER

You can see his updates HERE

Much love to all of you and thanks for your prayers that

have made me healthy enough to travel.

Please Pray for Baby Aaron

Update   April 23.. 

Baby Aaron is home and doing well

CLICK HERE

to see him and his family!!! He's a sweet lil guy!!

He's a teeny tiny guy & he needs some prayers to

keep him strong

You can see pics of him  and read about him here.

He's the nephew of my friend Joyce, The Secret Gardener

JOYS

friends who care

a warm day

finding cardinal feathers

Update and Prayer Request

Hi Blog Friends

Letting you know, I am still continuing to feel well. I'm eating a bit more, still driving, staying out of bed during the day.. getting a bit more hair..and even got out this weekend. Rich and I went to the movies..Slumdog Millionaire (Great Film) out for lunch..and to my son's for my grandson's 13th birthday on Sunday.

I know LOTS need prayers, but I ask for prayers for Pat, Andrina and Amy. Pat & Andrina are suffering from long term pain and illness. Amy is having her implants removed from her breasts on Feb 6th ( MAYBE ..she has pneumonia now).. Amy is a Breast Cancer survivor who's implants have caused her pain for too long.

Bless you my dear friends

TODAY

Surgery today at 1.15. my step mom is not expected to make it through today
Dee's hubby had a stroke & ot doing well

please pray for us.

Sunday October 19th

aRt of my friend Sally Smith, lives in my home now

Ok my breakfast..but the color version is gone, trying again tomorrow

lunch was chips & chili cheese dip my BFF Marcia made for me, so GOOD

OH my gosh..did I say no more?? I don't think I should have..but tis true yesterday was a bad poke day, they didn't schedule my blood test, so I went right to the treatment pod, they called me in..said they needed blood test on my kidneys first, but they would do it ,they'd take it when they stuck for the IV line..that went well..but NOT blood would come out..the IV was in correct would drip so they put Saline through to make sure the vein just wasn't goof,no blood, so they called the tech to come up & draw it stick in the vein...oh hurt,kept pushing in, pushing in I asked Rich to come hold my hand Tech said my vein was rolling..Finally gave up then she stuck again..one stick , no hurt..got blood..that came out soooooo slow.. Kidneys were fine..of course we got me a big old bruise , and had to do a new mix because my weight had changed(^)

This comes home with me 10/20/08 My Halloween costume, but no kids except my grands I love these on the wall at Komen

On to my mammogram, it's 10/17/08 national mammogram, I didn't try to make the appt. for

this day

visit http://foursistersinacottage.blogspot.com/

sharing my experience only !!!I totally agree

Dressed well, looking good , Cancer Center always has treats never saw any at this part of my dream team (Dr Denise Mammolito, Dr Glyn Jones, Dr Diane Prager, Dr Patrick Elwood, Dr McGhee, Methodist Hospital, St Francis Hospital, )

Starting out getting treats for Radiation Oncology staff

ONE SMALL STEP FOR MANKIND ONE GIANT LEAP FOR DEENA.MONDAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. YOUR LAST TREATMENT. WILL BE THINKING OF YOU DEENA, HUGS Thanks Connie..I didn't think of that, makes my day REALLY GLORIOUS, they all are

do you all know you can come visit me???

me casa su casa, any time we went to Joe's football game yesterday afternoon, second loss for the team this season, they are so good! Won'te be going to Zack &Jon game today, I have a sorethroat, cough, fever & some bites that look infected waaah. I have to protect myself.

Did anyone see the movie "Living Proof" last night?? I DVRd it on two TVs, watch some but fell asleep

Ok..where did those pics go??

It's Thursday, Day Three

Oh my, yesterday was NOT good. I hurt so bad, lost a bit more left eye vision and couldn't eat.

My jaw swelled up on the sides by my ears..it hurt so bad..I couldn't chew at all. I talked to the doctor today and he said..it happens with some folks, salivary glands swell..hurt and then it goes away. Well it is much better today. I was a baby yesterday. I think it's the worst I''ve felt except after surgery. Wish they'd told me to expect it. I'm taking steroids to bring the swelling down in my brain..so the headaches should get better.

My pastor, Beth came to pray with us yesterday afternoon. I started feeling better when she arrived. She's so full of love and I see Jesus shine in her face.

****************************************

I have about a week, before my hair departs again. WAAAH..how silly to worry about hair loss when your brain is being radiated..but I am. It may come back slower too. I guess I'll be wearing all my cosy cute hats again this winter.

My friend Sally came over with FOOD and her baked bread. YEAH!! I didn't have to cook.

I talked to my BFF Marcia today!! That's always a treat, talked to Church, she is so easy to talk so frankly to.

My next chore, which I have started is to find out the lifetime cap on an illness and how close am I from reaching that cap. The won't pay any claims after I hit that amount. EEEEKKK .

I've talked to the Cancer Center of America in Zion IL to see if I can get approved for an evaluation after my radiation is done. I've been saving them for a rainy day..and that day is here.

I did a bit of housework, some laundry..but Nicole did the work for me yesterday. She's been taking me to my appointments each day . 17 more to go!!!!

Tomorrow I get radiation, then on to get my Herceptin (and Zometa IV's so I'll be gone about half the day.

It is so great to read all your comments and I am slowly getting around Blog Land.

If I don't visit you quickly.. please know..I DO read EVERY post.

fondly,Deena

SIGN UP FOR THE AUTUMN OPEN HOUSE HERE, I"VE MADE AN AUTUMN JOURNAL FOR SOME LUCKY PARTICIPANT TO WIN

JOYS

cool nights

`a Carolina Wren singing outside each morning before I leave for radiation

good friends

fresh Sally bread

feeling human again

prayers

The Latest Doctor Report

This is NOT me..it's someone else, but it's the mask I was fitted for today. It's plastic, heated to soften then put over your face tight to mold and cool. I can't open my eyes or move my lips while it is on. I am NOT claustrophobic , thank you Lord.

******

Our trip to the doctor's was not fun. I have developed 8 more tumors in my brain. Doctor says it's time to try "whole brain radiation."

"(Whole Brain Radiation Therapy
Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is used for treatment of multiple metastases. It is the most frequently used therapy for breast cancer brain metastases. WBRT has been shown in research studies to extend life and improve quality of life.
Seventy-five to eighty five percent of patients will experience some improvement or stabilization of their symptoms, especially headache and seizure. Motor loss (problems with walking, coordination, balance, etc.) is less successfully treated. Thirty to forty percent will achieve a complete reversal of all symptoms. Whole brain radiation can also be used after surgery or radiosurgery to help prevent new metastases from developing in other areas of the brain. Sometimes, chemotherapy will be held during treatment because some drugs given at the same time as radiation can increase the side effects of radiation
The possible immediate side effects of whole brain radiation are fatigue, temporary alopecia (baldness), dermatitis (skin rash), and otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear), and hearing loss due to fluid and/or wax build up in the ears.
Long-term side effects begin to occur in six months to two years. They include deficits in cognition (understanding) and memory losses, urinary and bowel incontinence (difficulties with controlling bladder or bowel) and cerebellar dysfunction (lack of coordination). Radiation doses given over a longer period of time lessen side effects. Some doctors will give a lower dose of radiation to women whose cancer outside the brain is well controlled to lessen long-range toxicity.) "

I will be doing 4-5 weeks of 5 days a week radiation. I will probably have short term memory loss. I currently have some loss of peripheral vision which may come back as it is not eye damage but pressure on the brain.

Click here for some of the side effects of Whole Brain Therapy..

do I REALLY want this?? I don't want to, but I will for my family.

Alas..I did cry..I wonder, will they( the brain tumors) keep coming back??

Please pray for good results..for my friends who have cancer , for my family, for my mother who has been very ill in Florida, since my dad passed away the first part of August. She's in the hospital now, but is scheduled to be released to a Nursing Home on Friday.. She can't live alone anymore ...WAAAAAAHHH

I am not up to losing another parent ..

I'm tired, going to get lots of water to drink, a shower and then bed.

love to you all, Deena

JOYS

a wonderful husband

a cozy bed

being a stay at home wife

A bit of Nature & Doctors Appointment

Road side wildflowers in blue

Where I stole an apple YUMMY
Open Space Project , I saw about 15 bluebirds here on the fence Sunday

Our Little Nestle in the Singing Woods, shutters are ALL painted finally

I've been trying to take a walk each day. The two days it rained all day, I stayed in. Today is such a lovely day, I set out with my NEW camera. ( I used my Best Buy Rewards to get it after the doctors yesterday)

Yesterday was my plastic surgeon appt. I will get the rest of my reconstruction surgery on Nov. 6th..an outpatient procedure, but I will be asleep. I'm excited about getting it all over with.

This coming Monday the 15th, I have another head MRI. I will find out those results on Wednesday afternoon the 17th. Even though I'm on the road to recovery, I still need your prayers.

I 'd like to ask for prayers for my friend Dee who is having a bi -lateral mastectomy , this Friday , Sept 12th, she is very anxious about it and needs some peace in her life. I know how much your prayers helped me, so thank you for praying for her.

Life continues to be a bit hectic with all of us here, but I must say, each day I seem to feel better and stronger, despite the hub bub..

(teehee)

JOYS

juicy apples on the roadside tree

my new camera

the bluejays chattering

my Walk to Emmaus friends visited last evening

presents in the mail

Today is God's Gift

The Latest News!! IT's Better Than We Thought

All I can say, is thank heavens for headaches!!

That headache that started 2 weeks ago was a warning

sign. I had it for over a week, told my Dr. Mammolito

when I went to her for my follow up (she's my breast surgeon)

Last Tuesday,

she had me go THAT day for a head MRI & had my results

sent to my oncologist (Dr. Prager) that same day. I got a call that late

afternoon.

The headaches are from edema (swelling).. I for sure have tumors

in my brain , they will search for more tomorrow.

Today Rich and I went to "Gamma Knife Center" for

our appt. Tomorrow at 6 AM we will go in for the

radiation procedure. Most of the day, it will be VERY precise

radiation to destroy just the tumors. The docs will do a head MRI

every 8 weeks for about 2 years to watch for more developing tumors.

We are delighted it will be a one time procedure..the outlook is excellent & we are praising God for the ease of it.

Please pray for us tomorrow..I know God will be with us nd all will be fine.. I'm only a BIT cautious of the CROWN

I will get screwed to my skull!!
EEEK, but it will be fine.

Thanks to all of you for caring!

With Love In Him, Deena

Please Pray

For my friend, Sandra Dias, who begins her
chemotherapy tomorrow . Sandra has breast
cancer & we have prayed for her before!!

Sandra, may God lift you up tomorrow, know
we'll be praying for you & let us know
how you are.

Also, pray for Cathy a dear friend of Nonnie's daughter Cassie.
Nonnie says she was like a second mom to Cassie when Cassie lived in Albuquerque...as none of our family was there...Cassie met her thru school as Cassie was a 3rd grade teacher and Cathy 4th.

Cathy is scheduled to have a double mastectomy on the 29th......she doesn't have a blog for people to leave comments.....keep her in their thoughts and prayers.

AMEN
and
AMEN

Check my Nestle Blog for
news in nature


JOYS

Every day
something new peeks through in the garden of life

Deena

Tis just ME

I went to Dr. Jones this AM, just for a follow up.

He did my reconstruction.  He told me

anything that isn't great he'll fix when I get

my nipple!!  woohoo

I go back to see him June 2nd, which is after all my

chemo is done!! Praise God, tis NOT that far off.

I drove myself and it felt GOOD to be out

and independent. 

 I just wanted to show you

how cute my hat is!! *Made & gifted to me  by Lallee's Cottage*

Rich said, I see you over there taking pictures of 

yourself.. Made me Laugh!! 

He's on the couch , I'm about to go take a nap. I had 

lunch & it's 11.30..good time for a nap.

I might make THIS later..when I can get out to shop for 

some supplies

Check it out

Hope today  is good & please pray for my friend Church.

Joys today

driving around

hugs from  handsome Dr. Jones

feeling so good

a cute hat to wear, made by a blog friend

a bit warmer today

a BIG hawk in a little tree

bird songs

naps

cold milk & red velvet cake

ice water

lipstick

cute jeans

a tender heart

God's word

enjoy the day