Your hospital stay becomes a vacation when........

Yes, I am spending New Years Eve in the hospital (wonder if I'll get champagne?!) My kids got me sick, and a high fever plus low white blood cell count = hospital! Just bad timing actually, if I'd of gotten sick a week prior, I prob. wouldn't be here! But, since I'm here, lets go back to the title and tell you how nice it is:

1) No one is yelling "mommy" every five minutes (or at all!)
2) You make a phone call, they bring you food (any time of the day, as much as you want - and you are  not cooking it!)
3) You can watch the Food Network 24/7 (w/o someone asking to watch Tom and Jerry or Team Umizoomi all the time)
4) You ring a buzzer and they bring you water, warm blankets, popsicles, so on and so forth.
5) People are always asking you how you are and what they can do for you.
6) You don't have to deal with sick kids in the middle of the night (your husband does instead......)
7) You have a mini-kitchen across from your room AND it has a shake machine (like the kind in the restaurants.)
8) I got a free hand and foot massage today (did I mention I'm on the cancer ppl's floor??)
9) Last but not least, I just got up to type this on the computer in the "family room" and the nurse said "no, let me bring you a laptop!" Uhh, ok!

Other than that Elena got sick first, then Quinten(and he is still sick), then it was my turn (my temp keeps going up-down-up-down. I can't go home till in 24 hr's no temp though!)
We had a great Christmas, had friends over for dinner (they smoked the turkey - yum!!). We were going to have ppl over for a crab boil tomorrow, but that's not gonna happen....... maybe we'll do a crab boil superbowl?! 

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a great New Years.......until next time!~

And the blizzard came.............

This is actually our back walkway to our garage. See how the snow was ABOVE the snow fence? Lotta good that did! Blizzard warning for two days (wknd), 1 day of school missed, 2 VERY bored kids by Monday!!

This last round went much better. I now start a new drug Taxotere, which I take every three weeks, 4 times. The nausea is supposed to be better (it better be because I'm going to not take my anti-nausea drug anymore (per dr.)), but I'm supposed to get joint pain with this (which I'm used to do). So we'll see!

We are not going to the UP for Christmas this year (as I have Chemo on the 21rst) so the in-laws are coming down to us this coming wknd. We are going to have an early Christmas with them, and then on Christmas we'll be having dinner with friends who decided not to go downstate this year. I'm excited, I get to make two Christmas dinners! (I'm not being sarcastic - I like to cook!) We also decided not to exchange presents this year (except with G'ama and Papa) and instead have asked people to donate to the foundations that have helped me out this past year. The ones I chose are all small, family run (not large corporations) and would appreciate any donation given! Thank you all ahead of time!

My chemo treatments end at the end of March, and of course there will be more treatments to do (possible radiation, hormone therapy, etc.), but I am looking at going to a cancer retreat in the spring. I have found many that are free, and have talked (briefly) with my cancer buddy Nicole about going too, as she will be ending her chemo about the same time.

I'm starting a exercise class for cancer ppl in Jan., and am excited to get moving again. I have switched Elena's preschool to one of the day's I'm doing this, but the other day didn't work for them so (through a website called volunteer spot) I've asked ppl to watch Elena on  Wednesday's while I'm in the class. Thanks ahead of time to those of you helping out!

Last but not least thanks to my friends Carie and Laura who helped me get rid of the rain (on this blog) and get some Christmas  stuff up! I'll also end with a pic. of Elena in her new big girl bed (complete with wall stickers and comforter from IKEA!)

If I don't post before, then everyone have a

          MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

This design is perfect ............

as it is 40 and raining right now! I'm having problems with my template on this thing, if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know! I don't want to look at the rain forever!

Round 4 is Thursday, and I'm a bit trepadacious about it - didn't have a good time after round 3 (which is why I haven't written.) It took a couple days (and lasted 4-5) but I had a weird side effect. I felt (it's hard to explain): drugged, out of body, not right in the head (he he!!),unbalanced, etc. I didn't like it, and the only way to not feel like that was to lay down. Yeah, right - with two kids under 5. Luckily it went away, but I don't want to do that again. On top of that; fatigued, irritable, hearing sensitivity, chemo brain, acky belly, so on and so forth.

James is out of town so the kids and I are getting a tree and putting up Christmas decorations while he's gone (bah humbug!) The kids have finally succumbed to getting a cold, I'm doing my best to not get it. For Thanksgiving we went to my sisters in Holland, then stayed at a hotel in GR (with a pool so the kids could swim). They really enjoyed that. Above are pic's of my latest hair "cut" (Thanks Laura!!) and the kids at the pool. Until next time, Darci

And on to round 3..........

Although I've heard it's round 4 that will kick my butt (just in time for Turkey day!)

All is well in baldy land, I've been wearing it with pride. And yes, I had a lady approach me on day 1 who told me about her breast cancer 16 years ago, and her recent recurrence with new tumors everywhere. 
THANKS! That's just what I wanted to hear! I have had a lot of compliments, and I figure not that many people are gonna lie, so I must look OK.

The good news is I have made a new friend (my husband doesn't call me a friend slut for nothing!), and she is a fellow chemo goer. We met at the Oncologists office (we are both the only ones (almost) who aren't 80 in the office) We have kids the same age, are both going through chemo (and both hate the same nurse in the office) so it was meant to be from the start.  So here is to Nicole!

Thank you all who have been bringing food, it is very much appreciated. I do want to say that there are a couple of new rules (to make it easier on ya'll). You may bring the food by any time in the afternoon, and I will leave a cooler on the front porch, and it DOES NOT have to be warm! I can warm things up myself (I'm not that far gone!? yet, at least - he he) I hope that makes it easier on everyone.

Thank you all also for the hats and gifts. I've even been making my own hats (1 at least) for myself. I will need them this winter!

Time to bring the kids to school, Peace and love and Happy November to all - Darci

Carie, you asked for it..............

Bald is beautiful! (It must be because my hubby was pinching my butt and making lewd comments last night!)

Going, going almost gone..........

OK, here are pic's from day 4-6. The last pic. was this am, and although one of my friends was going to come over on Saturday and we were gonna have a head shaving party, I called her 10 minutes ago, and said "come now, and bring the shaver." When I can't take a shower anymore without rolling a pet hair roller over my body when I'm done, it's time for it to go! (hint, hint: If you were gonna buy me a hot, now is the time!)I'll post the after pic's soon. Darci

Losing hair.......

OK, the ackiness is starting. I feel acky (hungover, but I'm not). My head is getting tender and I'm losing hair too. I've been keeping a photo tally of days 1-3, of my pillow collection and the drain after I shower.

 Day 1

 Day 2

Day 3





I'm going to have a head shaving party with a friend (and James and the kids), everyone gets to take a turn. James said he'll shave his head too! I'm thinking this will take place in two weeks, but we'll see how quick it goes. James says he can't tell yet (my hair is not thinning), but it sure is coming out! Here are some more pic's of our first snow, plus the kids sleeping. Love, D

Chemo, round 2

So, insomnia again! The good news is that I found out it's due to a steroid I'm taking, the bad news is after two different kinds of sleeping pills, nothing works. Luckily, I only get it (for the most part) while I'm on the steroid (4 days after chemo). I'm gonna ask my doc. if I have to be on it at all. At least I'm getting a lot of crocheting done!

I'm including pic's of two things, our new one eyed cat named Gilbert (now we have two black cats, Girdie and Gilbert), and a pic. of a purse I found at a new resale shop here and it looks like a quilt! I love it!

My hair is supposed to start falling out soon. I';m going to chronicle it and post it here (with pic's). Other than that, (Thanks to Laurie Hebert (organizer) and all of the ppl bringing the food, I now will have meals coming EVERY Friday! Thanks everyone! I'm still open to old mag's, old books, books on CD, etc. You can just drop them at the door.

Another funny thing (and this is due to age, not cancer), is that I keep losing my glasses around the house. I need them to see far away, but now my eyesight is better for seeing up close, so I'm always taking them off and losing them. So, thanks to James' second (or third) cousin (once removed, I think) - Janelle, has introduced me to Etsy, which is a scary website for people with a credit card who  love handmade things. So I ordered 2 old lady beaded glasses holders from this site. One was on clearance and was $2.87!


I'll keep ya updated on any other side effects ('cause I'm sure they'll be so interesting to hear about, ya know!) Peace, love, and get ready for winter! Darci

The insomnia is gone!

I saw 2:30 (am), 3:30 and 4:00, but now I'm back to normal! We got our Direct TV, and I never got sick, so I'm quite content right now.
I thought I would update everyone since I was getting lots of phone calls (as to how I was). Not sick yet! They make some pretty good anti-nausea meds out there! I'm feeling somewhat of an aversion to food. I still have an appetite, but nothing sounds/tastes good. Still have hair (I'm patiently waiting to not have to shave underarms/legs for a while!) I have to get some more lymph fluid removed tomorrow. It still likes to accumulate underneath my missing breast (no where else to go?!) Hopefully this will not remain a weekly occurrence. I've been told my white blood cells will bottom out this wknd (I get out of trick or treating!!), so no being near ppl. Everyone here seems to be sick, too, so I think we may just do our own neighborhood (small), then come home to  pass out stuff. I have to go in on TH. to get my blood count done.
My in-laws are coming this wknd - they are gonna take the kids to some Halloween events. That's about it! Everyone have a fun Halloween wknd!  Here is a fun Halloween video to watch:
http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/ product/preview/flash/ bws8Shell.swf?ihost=http://ak. imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/ product/full/el/&cardNum=/ product/full/ap/3125133/ graphic1

My only Chemo side effect so far is:

Insomnia - it's 4am. And, we are switching from Dish to Direct TV so my husband turned off Dish 2 days ago, but of course that's not when Direct TV came, so we've had no TV for 2 days! No GMA! That's OK, I'll wait (patiently) for the Direct because they have local on the 8's. (Those of you who know me well will know what this is - the rest of you will just have to figure it out!) Anyways, the Dr. said if I wasn't sick after 24 hours I prob. wouldn't be. I heard there was a correlation with not getting sick being pregnant (which I wasn't) and not feeling as bad with chemo. We will see.............
Well, other than feeling fine yesterday, I had 2 bad things happen. The first one was kind of funny - it was a "You don't f--k with Darci after she just had her first Chemo treatment!
1)  I went to Meijers to by a butterball turkey. (They were 1/2 off, i had a 1.00 coupon and there is a 5.00 rebate!) I go through the self check out, and the price comes up as the normal price. The staff guy said they were supposed to be labeled "Tom" turkey's and not "Young turkey's" So I turn around, root through the turkey's and find a bunch of others that are labeled "Young Turkey's" with the sale price on them. So I bring one back up to him, and he changes his tactic. Now he states that the birds on sale are supposed to be 16-20 lb's average (in between 16 and 20 lb's). I wanted to tell him "Obviously you didn't go to college ~ and neither did the guy who wrote this ad ~" just because it says average does not mean it is the average of those two #'S, which he seemed to think was the rule, So I had to turn around again, go back and root through the turkeys some more to find the smallest one. ASS! So what did I do the minute I got in the car? Called and spoke with the manager, (who has also had cancer), explained that this guy was a pulling a stubborn man thing, and he needed an attitude adjustment! The manager agreed, and said his attitude would be very adjusted by the end of the day. And to top it off, he is giving me a gift card to cover the turkey. See, bitching is good (can be, I should say)
2)  Babysitter from down the street canceled today, for tomorrow. James will be out of town tomorrow. She made other plans because she didn't know about my port? (But then didn't tell/ask me until yesterday at 4:30?)

Port #2 is doing well - I got a WOMAN Dr. this time and she knew what she was doing! I also met with my surgeon - who id from GR, and is very nice and considerate. Last week I went to a "Look Good Feel Better" class through ACS and got over 200.00 of free makeup, and a makeup lesson! I told them "good, now I can throw away all of my makeup that's been sitting around for 15 years!"

I mentioned this last time, but my friend Laurie is organizing meals for me, the days after my chemo treatments. It's a cool calendar set up, and if you can't bring food on a friday, I think you can just check on whatever day you want to bring it! Also, for those of you who aren't in TC but want to help, you can send a gift cert for a local restaurant or pizza place, and just mark off a day on the calendar. Here is the site: VolunteerSpot — Doing Good Just Got Easier! Laurie is also collecting old mag's for me to go through during treatment (or anyone can just drop them at my door too - 842 Cobalt St) I also like little baby bottles of things - shampoo's, lotions, perfumes, so if ya'll want to clean out your bathroom drawers and pass them on, they'd be appreciated! I'm going to make a collage now on my new "blood cell count treatment book" that I got at chemo yesterday! Love, peace and all of that, Darci

ps - Pic's of Elena with her tomatoes...........

Surgeon update............

Ok, I take my words back, the surgeon I am going to see (today) IS the surgeon who would not come in to the ER to see me. This is for a couple of reasons; 1) a nurse at my Dr's office called the other group of surgeons here in TC and they refused to see me too (amazing, isn't it?), due to the fact that I had a consult with one of their surgeons in the beginning and didn't hire him because he was an ASS. 2) So, my husband, as pissed off as I was, called Dr. Kam (the one who refused to come in), explained the situation, and now I have an appt. today. It was all a "misunderstanding". Don't ya love it?

I ended up going in to the hospital to have my lymph fluid removed from my chest (I would've had to go down to GR, but my surgeon in GR was out of town this week!). They removed almost 100 cc's of fluid, (about 3 1/2 oz., so I wasn't off by much). And I'm glad I have an appt. with a surgeon today because there is already more collecting............

Now the port issue. The nice Radiologist who removed my fluid the other day said the port incision didn't look like it was ready to be cut into again yet, so we rescheduled for next Monday, which is fine with me because if I did it this week, the Dr. who tore it out of me would've been the one to reinstall it (NOT!) We'll see what the surgeon has to say about that too. I guess the issue is that I'm so skinny (funny) in my chest area that there is no fat to surround the port (making it sit on a nerve.) We'll see about that on Monday.

One last thing, a friend who I used to be in a book club with (and who also married my husband's friend's (from Esky) brother) offered to help bring meals, etc., so if anyone wants to help in any way, call or email her (Laurie Hebert), 231-633-0736 or: lauriejhebert@yahoo.com. Thank you, Laurie - YOU ROCK! Peace, D

OOPS - almost forgot, we used our free meal at the Cooks House for our anniversary dinner last night, it was SO GOOD! Everything was local, down to the honey that came with my cheese plate! Thanks Eric!

Friends..........

You know you have good friends when they send you stuff like this:


 LOL Hey look what I found for you on craiglist.....   If you dress this guy up as a doctor, it could work.

Love to you ;)
Shari

Boxing equipment, punching bag man - $96 (traverse city)

---

---

Punching bag man, lightly used (costs $300+ new) and a pair of boxing gloves (like new). The man is silicone and has 4 adjustable heights. AMAZING DEAL!!!!

You know you (are me) and having a bad day when:

Your chest has about 4 oz. of lymph fluid collecting in it, so you 1) call Dr. in GR, she tells you to go to ER. 2) Talk to neighbor, who says go to walk in clinic, 3) Call nurse navigator here, who also said go to ER. I called walk in clinic, they said they didn't do that there. I then go to the ER, they get me in a room, and the Dr. says "We can't do that here!" So he called the on-call surgeon, who REFUSED to come in (due to territorial issues.) Need I remind these ppl that I have CANCER and to get over their passing the buck and territorial issues? Now I have to find a surgeon up here, (obviously NOT the guy who refused to come in to see me) because NO ONE ELSE will remove my lymph fluid. (Or else I have to drive 2 1/2 hours to have my surgeon do a 30 second procedure). I'm getting VERY FRUSTRATED with the medical system up here! Today sucked (except now I'm drinking a beer and am about to make a very good dinner. Then I will finish a good movie, and go to bed with a good book. So my day will end well (smiley face.................). Darci

New Chemo date!!

New date is set for two weeks from tomorrow, on Oct. 21. I have been receiving conflicting information from everyone on where to put my port next, but we are going to let this site heal (from the massacre of last weekend), and try it again in the same spot (right). I got nerve pain meds this time, so I am prepared. If that doesn't work, we'll go to the left, and if that doesn't work, we'll to go a catheter in my neck. Everyone please PRAY for no nerve pain this time around!! I (also) had my last drain removed so am doing self massage, etc. so I don't have to deal with a seroma.

My daily life has become less hectic, although now I'm spending my time researching foundations (financial assistance) or researching/calling ppl about ports, getting opinions, etc. So now instead of reading all of the time (cancer college) I'm now on the computer or phone (still cancer college, just a different aspect.) I do have to say that I feel sorry for all of the people who have to go through this who cannot/will not speak up for themselves. I have to be my own advocate, and I have had to be strong willed (ie; calling the doctor, and his nurse saying I had to speak to her, so telling her to get a pen because I want this verbatim! And I DID make her read it back to me! What am I paying him for if he won't even speak to me?) I've also had to say no to some strong willed nurses, which is not fun. Nobody likes a bitchy nurse.

Another thing good that has come of this - when I had friends over in GR, I had some wine, but it took me until the end of the night. I looked at Barb and said "I haven't wanted a cigarette at all tonight!!!" There's a first time for everything. So, I haven't had one in over a month. Yeah for me!

I want to thank a few ppl for  a few things: Jill, who sent me a brand new pair of Teva's - I'm already wearing them(and I will until it snows - JK) Jen Smock in Petoskey who sent me an Amazon gift card, which I'm saving for later, and Sue Porter who I used to work with gave me some awesome Aloe Vera body wash, which I'm also saving for later! The best one this week was a friend from college's mom sent me at least 20 magazine's (and 2 halloween decorations that the kids promptly took over). Thanks Laura's mom - you rock!! (ps - I'm accepting any old magazine's - things to thumb through during the 2 hours it takes to get  chemo). That's about all for now. Peace, love and all of that........... Darci

The port is now out........

The pain was so intense I made the poor radiology doctor on call come in today. They did an x-ray, unstitched it, said it looked fine. Their fine, to me, was what felt like a pair of pliers twisting my nerve endings under the port. On top of that, as they were removing it they didn't realize that my skin had started to grow around it already. They pulled, I screamed, they jumped, and it took 4 more numbing shots and 5 minutes of the nurse talking me down before i could stop shaking (and bawling.) They said to call back on Monday to talk about putting another port in. I DON"T THINK SO!!
On top of that, due to all of this I canceled my appt. with my surgeon in GR on Monday to remove the last drain, and she said to have someone up here do it. They (up here) said I'm still putting out to much lymph fluid to remove it. My surgeon said if it doesn't come out on Monday there is a huge chance of infection (due to the fact that it's been in there 3 weeks. ) I'm tempted to take the d---n thing out myself.
Until the next time (and hopefully it'll be more positive................) Darci

And I thought the drains were a pain...........

Then I got this d-----n port put in! They told me 2 tylenol would suffice........ 3 vicodin later, I'm still in pain (no, not all at the same time!).
Lots of new stuff to report.
1) A girl I've never met (but who reads my blog) mailed me a gift yesterday. People's generosity still continues to amaze me. On top of that,not only did my friend Carie send me a camera (also from mystery ppl), but a VERY NICE CANON. I still have to figure out how to work it though...........
2) What was thought old blood coming through my drains turns out to be lymph fluid, which really concerns me about the TC Hospital, since 2 nurses and 1 ER doc. told me it was blood. They don't know the difference?! SCARY!! I had a drain removed last Monday (and spent a couple of relaxing days at Barb and Chucks). The only problem is there is still a lot of lymph fluid coming from the 2nd drain (I guess that happens when you remove forty f----g two lymph nodes!) so there is a chance that when we remove the 2nd drain, it will still accumulate in my chest and I'll have to have it aspirated. NICE. Also (just to let you know), nothing stinks more than lymph fluid. I thought cooked beets were bad, now it's lymph fluid. UGGHH....
3) I switched my chemo days to Thursday's (when the kids are in school), so I will start next TH., Oct. 7.
4) My husband will be out of town for my first two chemo treatments. Need I say more?
5) My naturopathic Dr. seems to think I won't need to remove my ovaries in order to take another drug. We'll see. I saw him yesterday, discussed stuff, and he sent me home with lots of herbs. I now have to take 11 pills a day and 45 drops of ackky tasting stuff, to help me with the chemo.
I think that's it. I have to go get an echo somethingorother thing done now. Until next time, Darci (peace out!)

The latest news......

I am so sick of these drains, and that's all I'm gonna say about that.
I met my Oncologist last Wednesday, and we are on the same page regarding (me also using) the Naturopathic Dr.,and he laughed at my jokes, so I told him he was hired. I also like him because he brought up a new thought for me. There is a drug that most women have to take for Hormonal Therapy (because we have not been through menopause yet.) I informed the Dr. I did not want to take this drug due to the (very bad) side effects and asked him what else I could take (or do). He said that a lot of women in Europe have their ovaries removed, forcing menopause, then there are any # of drugs that you can take (for Hormonal Therapy), that have a lot less side effects. So I think I will do this.
For a time line, this is the plan: I have to wait until I have the drains removed (these are causing me some issues) and a port installed, then I'm set to go. My cousin Jennifer is getting married October 16 and I want to be there, so I'm looking at starting Chemo Friday, Oct. 8th. Unfortunately, James will be out of town three times (October alone), but we have a neighbor girl I can hire to watch the kids if I get too tired, etc. So a total of 20 weeks of chemo (8 on two drugs and 12 on 1 other). Then radiation. Then ovary removal. Then hormonal therapy. After a year (or so), my life should be back to normal. No one is keeping me from the beach next summer! 
I've started thanking people with cards, so I don't use up so much space here, but a (last) big THANKS to my friend Nicole's mom who made me a lap quilt to bring with me to Chemo! Thanks Mrs. Gilbert!!

One other thing I wanted to clear up. I guess I didn't make myself clear as to where I actually was the night before surgery when I was cooking and baking and organizing cupboards. I was at the Hospitality House in GR, which is attached to the hospital, and that's where James stayed while I was in the hospital. On an ending note, here is a pic. of my kids on (Elena's) first day of school. Until next time, Darci
ps - as ppl keep buying things off my wish list, I've been deleting them and adding more!!
pss - forgot to say that my "permanent" numbing was pre-empted, I have more feeling back, but the feeling HURTS!! (at least it feels something!!)

Now that I am off the drugs.............

I am not a "Smiley Happy" person any longer. (Beware: this is going to be a bitch session so if ya don't want to hear it, log off now!) While I am grateful that my cancer did not spread, my surgeon decided because I had 1 (yes, one, not three or ten) lymph nodes that had cancer in it to take 42 (YES,  FORTY F-------ING TWO!) of them. Usually if there is  a lymph node with cancer they take 20, NOT 42! Why am I concerned (or pissed off) about this, you say? Well, first of all because all of this is numb: 1/8th of my upper arm, the back of my shoulder, my underarm, my back where the rib cage is, and my chest all the way to my sternum, and then up to my clavicle. PERMANENTLY. On top of that I will always have to watch out for the left arm -see this:
Lymphedema (also see Elephantiasis) may be inherited (primary) or caused by injury to the lymphatic vessels (secondary). It is most frequently seen after lymph node dissection, surgery and/or radiation therapy, in which damage to the lymphatic system is caused during the treatment of cancer, most notably breast cancer. In many patients with cancer this condition does not develop until months or even years after therapy has concluded. Lymphedema may also be associated with accidents or certain diseases or problems that may inhibit the lymphatic system from functioning properly.In tropical areas of the world, a common cause of secondary lymphedema is filariasis, a parasitic infection. It can also be caused by a compromising of the lymphatic system resulting from cellulitis.
While the exact cause of primary lymphedema is still unknown, it generally occurs due to poorly-developed or missing lymph nodes and/or channels in the body. Lymphedema may be present at birth, develop at the onset of puberty (praecox), or not become apparent for many years into adulthood (tarda). In men, lower-limb primary lymphedema is most common, occurring in one or both legs. Some cases of lymphedema may be associated with other vascular abnormalities.
Secondary lymphedema affects both men and women. In women, it is most prevalent in the upper limbs after breast cancer surgery and lymph node dissection, occurring in the arm on the side of the body in which the surgery is performed. Head and neck lymphedema can be caused by surgery or radiation therapy for tongue or throat cancer. It may also occur in the lower limbs or groin after surgery for colon, ovarian or uterine cancer in which removal of lymph nodes or radiation therapy is required. Surgery and/or treatment for prostate, colon and testicular cancers may result in secondary lymphedema, particularly when lymph nodes have been removed or damaged.
Need I say more?
Just a little more bitching......... I ended up in the ER yesterday because one of my drains was accumulating a lot of dark blood (way more than normal). I was told I had a Hematoma from the surgery and that the old blood that had built up in my chest finally found a way to a drain tube. NICE!

\Now for the good part: my thank you's: To my friends Tami, who (of course) brings over a wide array of food; choc. chip cookie dough, miso soup, enchilada's and cinnamon bread (all homemade, of course), and  Nicole, brought lasagna, blueberries, corn and pumpkin bread, Liese who brought a huge bunch of flowers, Laura H. (again), for watching my kids for 5 hours 2 days ago, Lhara for a pizza and pie (and lots of old cookbooks to look at - which I love), Jenny for cash, in which I am buying new winter slippers, spices, eating at my fav. restaurant in GR, etc...., and Patty for a new datebook for my purse (my old one was shredding....) If I forgot someone, please forgive me.

Last but not least, I will be in GR next monday/tues., staying at Barb and Chuck's. Barb has been gracious enough to let me have a "come see my kids and me less one boob" party Mon. evening. There will be pizza and salad, and for those of you who feel as though you MUST bring wine, please do so, as we will be celebrating me getting my drain tubes out. (WE better be, that is!) Their address is:1920 Ravine Ridge in Caledonia, starting at like 4pm, ending??? Call me w/ any ??, 616-634-1916  And to top it off, here are some recent pic's of the kids: I am now off to meet my oncologist and to get this chemo ball rolling!! D

Good news!!

My surgeon just called and the pathology report came back with only 1 lymph node having cancer (out of 42 taken out). I have an appt. in GR in a week to have the drain bulbs removed (thank god, those are annoying little things!)
Thank you all for dinners and gifts, I still have plenty more people to thank personally (but will do so later - time to cook dinner!). Also, both of my freezers are full, so while I appreciate it, can ya'll hold off till chemo time for more meals? I love all of you, and will always appreciate your loving support! Peace - Draci

Beautiful, unexpected things keep happening...........

An old friend from high school just sent me this email:

Carie Bush Frabotta September 17 at 7:08pm

Hi Darci,

I can't believe it! One of the parents from Gabbi's school was touched by your story. Her husband is a Radiologist and they wanted to give you one of their camera's.

It is a Canon EOS 20D. It is a great camera and will work well for what you are looking for! It is a few years old, but I checked it out and it seems to be working well.

I will get it in the mail to you ASAP :)

Also, if you receive a curious gift from an unnamed source that would be me...I sent you a "T" and there was no where for me to put a note..LOL!!!

I'll let you know when I ship this out and how long it should take to get to you!!

Hope you are doing well and feeling a little less pain than from the other day. Aren't those drains a lovely thing to deal with? Yuck.

Sending you lots of healing karma & love!

♥ Carie

What else can I say but wow, there are some pretty beautiful people in this world. Thank You!

I was going to start this post with "You know you are having a bad day when:", (but I had to post the good stuff first, so)......... when you are pulling so hard on your drain tube (to get the big fat blood clot out) that your drain bulb pulls away and you spray blood all over your bathroom sink/walls/mirror. Then you remember that blood stains to you run to get the 409, but by the time you are done wiping up the blood you also realize you forgot to put the bulb back on the tube so now you have blood running down your leg and all over the floor. This is now my life!! (he he)

I have received many gifts over the past couple of days and a big! THANKS - YOU ROCK! Laura H. - Cinnamon Tea and a homemade pot pie, Laura W. - 4 free months of Netflix (I have all of last season's Grey's Anatomy to catch up on), a Crazy Sexy Cancer Goddess T-shirt from Carrie (and the camera!!), a box of lemon verbana soap, lavender lotion, chocolates and at least 50 barf bags (from a real plane - she is a flight attendant and I personally requested them) from Lisa, and 3 pints of Moomers ice cream from Shannon! Last, but not least is a big HURRAH to my in-laws for spending 6 days here with my kids, while I was in the hospital. They also bought food, took them to Old McDonalds (a big treat), took them on hikes, etc. I don't know what I would've done with out them (or let me say my friends here in TC would've been awfully busy ppl!!) Thanks Jim and Marilyn!!

I totally forgot to thank a couple of more people - first, my in-laws won me (in a drawing) a 50-  gift card to Oryana (our local health food store), and 2, Sonya sent me s head cover and shampoo (for my sensitive bald head, when it becomes bald, that is........)  Thanks!!!

Now that I am home........

I am sleeping! Let me tell, you, three nights in a row w/ no sleep does NOT do a body good! We were able to leave yesterday am (except for having to wait an hour because I had a temp), and it was hard to decide whether I wanted Yesterdog or The Pita House, but a gyro won over. It was worth it!!


I wish I had a camera so I could show you my war wounds - my chest is pretty much black and blue. I have two drains (gross), which will come out in the next week or two. I feel fine (as long as I'm on my vicodin!!) As for pain, it feels as though someone took a sledge hammer to my chest. I also have to wear a large ace wrap around my chest (at least it flattens out the other one so i'm completely flat),to help the drainage into the tubes. As for reconstruction, my thought is (right now, at least) that I cannot believe anyone would put their body through this much trauma (again) in order to have boobs. My body is not happy with me right now, and I am doing everything I can to correct this, but to do this again (to me) is unthinkable.

I have received many flowers and gifts - thank you all who thought of me while in the hospital. I know I had a huge "facebook" fan base too, thanks to all of you praying for me! I'll write again soon - D

Update on Surgery

Darci met with her operating surgeon this morning and we learned some positive things, particularly after getting the rather alarming news that there were six tumors on her left breast. According to the surgeon's preliminary post-operative observations, she believes that she got all of the cancer out, and that Darci is at stage 2. This of course is subject to further laboratory analysis of Darci's removed lymph nodes. Once all of the lab work has been evaluated, we will know what needs to be done next, and just how far the cancer has spread. Apart from these clinical observations, Darci is doing very well. Her nurses are commenting on how quickly she has bounced back from the operation. She is staying positive, and the effects of all of the sedative drugs have completely worn off. We are expecting to check out of the hospital tomorrow (Thursday). Please keep Darci in your prayers, and thank you to everybody who has helped us during this difficult time.

James

You know it's the night before your surgery when:

it's 12:30 am and you are wide awake. And you know you are me because you are already talking recipes with the night staff (at the Renucci house) and just printed off a copy of your favorite Butternut Squash Bisque for her.
We had a good dinner at Olive's in EGR, and I was asleep by 9pm (didn't sleep last night either).

I saw my surgeon today and learned something new. She was very nice, showing me all of my MRI reports, and then proceded to do an ultrasound of my left breast. She was measuring the tumors, and repeating the lengths to a nurse who was typing them into a computer. She got to the third, and I said "are you re-measuring the 1rst tumor?" She said no, this is the third." I said "how many are there?" She said "SIX". (I thought there were 2!) Then i said "do most ppl have this many tumors?" and she said "no, but this makes you UNIQUE." So now I'm unique, but I don't really think that's a good thing in this case?!?!

I'm going to go and find some more recipes for my new 3rd shift friend - I'll have plenty of time to sleep tomorrow!! James will post after my surgery. Peace and love, Darci

NEW POST: it's 3 am, and you know you are me when you (still) can't sleep so what do you do? COOK! I made chicken noodle soup and have blueberry struesel muffins in the oven. I've already started organizing the pantry too! One of the other ppl staying here has already called me a saint (a saint with 6 tumors in her left breast, but that's only for 7 more hours!) D

Two days and counting.....................

But at least we got a beach day today! (I think it will be the last). This morning my friend Tami and I took the kids to "Pancakes with Pirates". There was a maritime boat expo thingy dwtn, and this was part of it. The kids really enjoyed themselves. Gama and Papa are on their way here now, and my friend Laura H. is taking me out to dinner tonight (Thanks ahead of time!!). We are off to GR tomorrow. James will post here on Tuesday as to the results of my surgery - everyone just pray for NO CANCER IN THE LYMPH NODES!! I will be home Wed. or Thurs.
I have three people to thank this time -1) Amy, my nurse navigator in GR found me a (post-op.) camisole (not the pretty kind, it has 2 bags for drain bulbs on the inside) FOR FREE! 2) My friend Tami did not want me to get stinky wearing one camisole day after day so she bought me another one! and 3) My friend Jarka brought over a lemon meringue pie (for the in-laws, but it's 1/2 gone already) and some cool, kinetic go green type of tupperware. Just in time for me to put all of my RAW food in! Peace! Darci

And the kids are back in school........

It was a lot easier than I thought, they just said "bye!". Elena did cry on and off through the morning, so we'll see how she does today. What did I do while they were in school - you say? I fall cleaned and moved my bedroom around. Today I'm doing the windows and all baseboards. It seems to have gone from a 92 degree summer to a 60 degree fall overnight (at least over a week!), so I have lots of time to be inside cleaning! (vs outside watching the kids).
One other thing is I had an appt. with a naturopathic doctor yesterday. For those of you (which will be most of you, including me until 3 days ago), who don't know what this is:






























 I have to fill out a 2 week diary of what I eat, a 14 page questionnaire, and he has to read all of my medical stuff. Then he figures out what  millions of herbs and supplements I have to take. What joy! He will also help me be (rhetorical, I know) be drug free during chemo. I'm excited to take this new healthy journey!

Everyone is still asking what they can do. Well, do what you do best! If you like to cook, so be it. If you like to watch my kids, then do so! If you like to buy me new flannel sheets, then go for it! I have taken most of the medical items off of my wish list - most of them are covered by my insurance (thanks to Kristin, who pointed that out!)

Last but not least, my thank you's. To Aunt Jo -Jo, who sent me a large bag of Essiac Tea (anti-cancer fighting tea) and to Amy, my nurse navigator in GR, who got me a post surgery camisole (it has special pockets and such) for free!! Thank you both!!    

5 days and counting until surgery. Then I'll be one boob less.  D

An update - my long lost friend Sonya, whom I found again living in TC, just paid for my visit to the Natruropathist! YOU ROCK,  SONYA!! Thank you!!

Naturopathic Doctors are general medical practitioners trained in family practice with a specialty in natural medicine who treat disease and restore health. In practice, the licensed Naturopathic Doctor has the ability to perform physiological examinations, laboratory testing, nutritional and dietary assessment, blood based allergy testing, and other clinical and physical diagnostic testing.

Naturopathic treatments may include:

1. 
   
   
   
   • Botanical Medicine
   
2. 
   
   
   
   • Homeopathy
   
3. 
   
   
   
   • Hydrotherapy
   
4. 
   
   
   
   • Nutrition
   
5. 
   
   
   
   • Supplementation
   

An amazing person (who happens to be a Chef in this city)................

whose name is Eric Patterson, was kind enough to give me a gift certificate to his restaurant, The Cooks' House. Here is his (and co-chef Jennifer's) bio's:
Biographies of the Authors:
Eric Patterson is current co-owner of The Cooks’ House in Traverse City. Patterson spent much of the past fifteen years at Andre's, Las Vegas' Michelin-starred French restaurant, including a three-year apprenticeship under the legendary Andre Rochat. At the end of his Vegas tenure, Patterson was Andre's head chef. He currently lives in Traverse City with his wife Theresa and their three sons. Eric is a sub-deacon in the Greek Archdiocese.
Jennifer Blakeslee is current co-owner of The Cooks’ House in Traverse City. She is a Traverse City native and culinary school graduate from the prestigious Johnson & Wales University. Blakeslee addressed her travel itch by taking chef positions in Italy and Mexico earlier in her career. She spent three years working at the Michelin-starred Las Vegas restaurant, Andre's, with Eric Patterson, her current business partner. She lives in Traverse City with her daughter Abbie.

I emailed him asking about putting a gift certificate to his restaurant on my "wish list" (on this blog), explaining why, and he was so nice to respond with a dinner for two (a seven course dinner, that is!) Eric, YOU ROCK!! Their book is shown to the right, and by clicking on it you will be taken to their website.

That reminds me, (because so many ppl have been asking what they can do to help), I now have a wish list for those who want to do something for me but live far away. (Those of you that live close are cooking for me and watching my kids - HA!). It's located on the right side of the blog. That's all for now - surgery is 10 days and counting. Peace, Darci

Surgery date

But first I have to start with this:
<You know you live in northern Michigan when: on August 31 it's 92 degree's, and 4 days later it's 62 degree's>
<You know your Grandmother is old (94, actually) when: you call to let her know when you are having surgery and she say's "why are you having surgery?". I say to remove my breast (due to cancer) and she say's "You have cancer?! Oh no!" And I've already told her (two weeks prior).>

OK, enough of that. I have to next go to my thank-you's (lest I forget). Due to Laura W. and Laura H. I was able to go to Meijers yesterday W/O CHILDREN!, and had a pumpkin spiced coffee from Starbucks! Cudos to you two! "  Laura W. also sent me meditation (relaxing) CD's and 2 movies. Thanks! And last night "Miss" Kelly invited me out for one last hurrah before the s---t hits the fan, so thanks to you for initiating it, and thanks to my friend and fellow MOPS mom Nicki for buying my dinner (actually 80% wine, 20% dinner)!

Now on to the important stuff. It's pretty simple, really. Surgery will be at Spectrum Blodgett (EGR) on Sept. 14. I will be getting into GR on the 13th for a couple of things that need to be done before the surgery. I will be in the hospital overnight, but possibly 2 nights. We will stay at The Renucci house (kind of like the Ronald McDonald house but for adults!)  James' cell is: 616-550-7076 if you want info during that time. My MIL and FIL will be staying in TC with the kids. I will be giving them all you local ppl's phone #'s in case they have any questions on the area, etc.

I have had a lot of ppl ask what they can do to help. In the next couple of days I'm going to be adding sidebars to the blog. One will be for local ppl who can sign up for dinners, watching the kids, etc. The other one will be an Amazon "wish list", for things I will need/want after surgery and during chemo.  Everyone (neighbors included!) has been so nice and helpful already - I just feel grateful to ALL OF YOU for your love and support!
If anyone has any questions about any of this just comment or email/call me.
Peace, Darci

My next year looks like this:

(In this order) - Mastectomy, chemo, radiation, reconstruction/mastecomy of other breast, then more reconstruction. I wasn't even going to do that but my surgeon said "you're young" and I'm like "I am?? I thought I was old!" It's nice to be called young when you are over 40!
So I went to Spectrum in GR the other day, and LOVED it! My friend Jill came with me (thanks Jill!), and it was a long day (8-3), but well worth it! I must've met with 8 different ppl, and they were all so nice (except for one, who looked at us strangely when we laughed at something)  and accomodating. Jill and I had some catching up to do, so were were laughing nearly the whole time. So, all of my surgeries will be in GR, and the chemo/radiation here in TC.
I sent my husband up to his Grandma's cabin for some much needed time with his family, and he took the kids (yeah!), so I've been w/o a husband or kids for 3 days! I took a 2 hour nap yesterday (so nice.........). My house is quiet, but luckily I've been helping a friend get ready for her dad's birthday party so that's been keeping me busy.
On another note, Quinten has been accepted into the "Ready for 4's" program they have here, which is like a more educational pre-school. He will be going 4 days a week ALL DAY, so that'll help get him ready fro kindergarten (which just went to all day here last year). I'm glad he got into that so he won't be in the same preschool class as Elena. She will be going just a 1/2 day, Tues-Thurs. School starts on the 7th.
I also want to thank my friends who have already so helpful and kind; I've gotten a pedicure (thanks Tami!), a starbucks gift card (thanks Laura!), a journal (thanks Jill!) and an ionizer water bottle (thanks Liese!) And we can't forget the wonderful 4 days at the cabin (thanks Tammy!) I'm also going to pre-thank Liz, who is coming over on Monday to help me organize my basement before the ---- hits the fan! (thanks Liz!)
That's all for now, I will be making my surgery appt. on Monday, so then we can figure out (all of you local ppl) who can help out when/why, etc. and so on. Love to you all,  Darci

All of these books..........

(represent)  and encompass all of the books I have read SO FAR (it's only been 10 days) about this blasted thing called cancer. And boy do they make it difficult for you. There are 25 different kinds of breast cancer alone, and when you get staged it's not only 1, 2 or 3 (or 4, uugghh), but it's 2 - a, b or c, and so on. And you don't just get to see 1 doctor, you have to have 5! Then trying to get them all on the same page is not fun (why would anyone in their right mind have a general surgeon with no specialty in breast care lop of their breast, w/o even meeting with an oncologist first!) What has this world come to?
Anyways, as you can see, I'm becoming very educated in the world of cancer.
Today I am going to Grand Rapids and staying with my friend Wendy, while my husband is going to take the kids up to his Grandma's cottage near the SOO. Tomorrow I will be meeting with a multi-specialty team in GR at Spectrum Hospital (with an old friend Jill - thank you Jill!!). They are all going to sit down with us (yes, all 5 doctors) to discuss my "case". They will then meet together to figure out what to do with me, then we will all meet again and they will tell me what their decision is. Then on Friday (in TC) I have a chest x-ray and an MRI, and that will tell them  how close the tumor is to my chest wall, and will help them make the decision to do chemo 1rst, or lop boob off 1rst. Granted, I don't even have an appt. with an oncologist here until Sept. 22, so who is going to be making this decision I have no idea?! I still don't understand the  medical world!
That's all for now - I'll let you know the results of all when I find out! Love, Darci