Dear family and friends,
Gabrielle here. Single chemo number 15 was a huge success today! As you recall, number 14 lasted four long hours. Today's single was only two hours and fifteen minutes! This was accomplished by getting my blood drawn the day before and great efficiencies by my nurses and the pharmacy. We were so thankful that on a gorgeous sunny day, we got to leave early! We didn't even have time to watch a movie so we just read, played Canasta, and enjoyed fun banter with our favorite chemo nurses and other awesome Women's Cancer Center employees. We brought them cookies we made last night--oatmeal, walnut, chocolate chip, fruit-juice sweetened cranberry cookies. Needless to say, they were delighted and Daniel and I must be their very favorite patient and chemo buddy duo.
After coming home and resting with our lunches in front of the last half of our movie, Sense and Sensibility, we drove to Elliott Bay Marina to meet Steve and leave a car. Then we drove to our marina in Ballard and took our boat through the locks to leave it overnight at Elliott Bay in a guest slip. Aside from the beautiful weather and stunning views of Mt. Rainier and the Olympics, the most fun was watching a huge fight between one of the Locks attendants and a single guy on his brand new looking motor boat (cruiser? yacht? I still don't know what you call non-sailboats after owning one for two years). The Locks guy told the yacht guy to tie his boat up starboard side in the large locks and the guy said NO--that he wanted to raft onto another boat. A huge fight ensued and after the yacht guy called the Locks guy an A_ _ _ _ _ _, the Locks guy screamed at the yacht guy to get the H _ _ _ out of the Locks and that he was NOT going through the Locks today, no how, no way. Off the yacht guy went in a giant fury. Score one for the Locks attendant! If you are ever going through the Locks, be EXTRA nice to the Locks guy in the bucket hat who is NOT to be antagonized if you ever want to see salt water!
Steve and Daniel have gone to bed early to get up at 5:30 AM for opening day of shrimping. I don't know why it's called shrimping when actually, we'll be catching (I hope) spot PRAWNS. Steve is the captain, Daniel is the "first shrimpmate," Renee is the "second shrimpmate," our friend, Dean, is the "third shrimpmate," and I am calling myself the "first PRAWNmate!" Renee and I won't join in until 10 AM. After being pumped full of steroids during chemo, I am WIDE awake as I write this at 10:30 PM, so will no doubt get to sleep well after midnight and will need to sleep in a bit. Renee and I are hoping when we get on the boat that they will already have caught a bucket load of prawns! The prawning "closes" at 3 PM so then it's home for naps, followed by Daniel's pizza and games party at our house with his friends. Steve and I will steal a slice of pizza and retire to the basement to watch a movie while the festivities take over the main floor of our house. We love having our kids and their friends in the house. It's always a time of joy and blessing.
My counts (white cell, red cell, and blood volume) are sinking pretty low again. They said I can skip the shots this week but will have to do them after double chemo next Friday. And they said that when I start feeling weak, short of breath going up hill, or dizzy, to let them know and I can have what we hope is my FINAL blood transfusion. I still can't believe I have just one round (three chemos) left and that three weeks from today, I am DONE! Praise the Lord! And thanks to all of you for your love, prayers, support, and kindnesses. For instance, thanks to my walking buddies at SPU who did a nice leisurely FLAT walk with me this week instead of our usual "straight up Queen Anne Hill walk," since I am indeed beginning to get weak and short of breath going up hill!
As for other kindnesses this week, thanks to one of Steve's patients--"N may or may not be his or her initial!" who sent home a great card/note and box of pretty flower bulbs to plant that attract butterflies! Thanks to Mike and Colleen for the yummy homemade yogurt and chili! And thanks to Laura and Jerry for a fun dinner and Canasta night at their home next door! Thanks to Tammy and Keith for the May Day flowers and card! Thanks to neighbors John and Georgette for the flowers, wine, and Nanaimo bars (a sweet treat to remind us of our fun in Vancouver)! And thanks to all of you who sent the most wonderful cards, postcards, voicemails, and e-mails this week. You know who you are and you are DEAR to me!
When praying for me this week, I would appreciate your prayers for my friend, Linda, on the East Coast who is going through my exact same cancer. She's about my age, was diagnosed in January, is a single Mom, and is going through ovarian cancer with, it seems, a smaller support network than me. She is suffering a great deal with pain and worry and I would covet your prayers for her. She is half-way through her chemo as they started hers a lot later after her surgery for some reason.
A song I was singing along to on the radio today has this reassuring chorus:
I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies is always by my side
And in my Psalm today (Psa. 121:8): "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." And (Psa. 121:3): "He will not let your foot slip--He who watches over you will not slumber, indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." So while steroid girl here isn't sleeping tonight, neither is the Lord who will be watching over me, and watching over YOU. :-)
Off I go now to take a ring off my pink paper chain (taking off ring #21!!!) and then to watch some Frasier episodes. Enjoy the wonderful weekend wherever you live and those of you in Seattle (or KAUAI, Kristi!!!), put on your sunscreen and have fun!
Love,
Gabrielle
Friday, May 3, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
4/29/13 Hole-In-Wonderfuls Round 3!
Hello! Daniel here! As some of you may know, miniature golf is the new hobby my mom and I have chosen to help occupy our time during chemotherapy. Miniature golf affords my mom and me the chance to explore new places, get outside, test our putting skills, and get our minds off pesky cancer! Our team name is the Hole-In-Wonderfuls, although we have yet to live up to our namesake by scoring a hole-in-one! We are confident it will come! :-)
Our third installment of mini golf brought us close to home, just down in Interbay, off 15th, is the beautiful Interbay Golf Center, which features a lovely 18 hole miniature golf course . Some things we loved about this course:
1. close proximity to our home in Shoreline
2. Wide selection of colorful golf balls to choose from
3. Multiple lengths of putters offered (great for those of us over 6')
4. Great landscaping, including several water features and a faux river that runs through the course
5. Genuine flags marking each hole! Not too common among miniature golf courses, and gives us the false impression that we are actual golfers!
It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were so thankful! It is much more fun golfing in the sun! We had a good round of golfing, mom was especially good today, beating me by several strokes overall. There was a bit of wind, which we tried to factor into our putting, mostly unsuccessfully, but we felt very cool licking our fingers and holding them up to the wind like we knew what we were doing. :-)
Below are some great pictures from "Hole-In-Wonderfuls-Part-3"! Of course, we brought along our team mascot, Mrs. Potatohead! Mom thought we should remove Mrs. Potatohead's hair, to make her resemble mom better! :-)
Our third installment of mini golf brought us close to home, just down in Interbay, off 15th, is the beautiful Interbay Golf Center, which features a lovely 18 hole miniature golf course . Some things we loved about this course:
1. close proximity to our home in Shoreline
2. Wide selection of colorful golf balls to choose from
3. Multiple lengths of putters offered (great for those of us over 6')
4. Great landscaping, including several water features and a faux river that runs through the course
5. Genuine flags marking each hole! Not too common among miniature golf courses, and gives us the false impression that we are actual golfers!
It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were so thankful! It is much more fun golfing in the sun! We had a good round of golfing, mom was especially good today, beating me by several strokes overall. There was a bit of wind, which we tried to factor into our putting, mostly unsuccessfully, but we felt very cool licking our fingers and holding them up to the wind like we knew what we were doing. :-)
Below are some great pictures from "Hole-In-Wonderfuls-Part-3"! Of course, we brought along our team mascot, Mrs. Potatohead! Mom thought we should remove Mrs. Potatohead's hair, to make her resemble mom better! :-)
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| Mom tests out a golf cart, although I don't think we'll be needing it on our 18 hole miniature course. |
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| Although I lost today, I was so thrilled to get out in the sun for a golf adventure with my mom! |
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| Champion of the day Gabrielle, holds up the team mascot with pride! |
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| Hole-In-Wonderfuls Round 3 at Interbay Golf Center in Seattle! |
Saturday, April 27, 2013
4/27/13 A guest piece from Bubba Gump
Hi, y’all! My
name’s Bubba Gump. I just got word of
one purdy l’il miss up in Seattle who’s puttin’ up a good fight against one
pesky ovarian cancer. Seattle’s a long
ways from me ‘n my shrimp boats down here on the bayou, but word travels fast
and I’ve been followin’ her progress with great interest, especially since I
learned that her husband has taken an interest in all things shrimping. To that, all I can say is…what took you so
long? As I was once quoted as sayin’ in
a movie about my life (with a little help from my pal Forrest Gump), “shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil
it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp
gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon
shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad,
shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich.”
But that only touches the surface. There’s shrimp scampi, shrimp salsa, teriyaki
shrimp, shrimp tacos, curried shrimp, shrimp rolls, shrimp fried rice, shrimp
soup, shrimp cakes, shrimp Benedict, Szechuan shrimp, dirty shrimp in beer
butter sauce, shrimp Alfredo, garlic shrimp, shrimp jambalaya, shrimp ceviche and
avocado, bacon wrapped grilled shrimp, shrimp gumbo, shrimp risotto, popcorn
shrimp, crab stuffed shrimp, almond fried shrimp, shrimp bisque, shrimp toast,
hot and sour shrimp, Calypso shrimp, shrimp grits, shrimp Dijon, shrimp
tartare. Heck, for that matter, you can
even make shrimp ice cream!
So, I have sent a special dispatch to Gabrielle’s
husband with instructions not only on how to catch those tasty little gems from
the sea, but also how to whip them up into a tasty meal for the bravest cancer
fighter out there.
I’ve been tellin’ all my buddies about Gabrielle
every chance I get. After a hard day of
shrimpin’, we usually repair to the Twist ‘n Shout, a local hangout made famous
by Mary Chapin Carpenter. We sit around
quaffing a favorite beverage and tell stories.
My redneck pals tell of huge waves, fighting gators, moonshining…all
good fun down here…but none of them have the bravery, moxie, nerve and courage
that Gabrielle has been displaying the past few months.
I usually stroll in to a raucous crowd as the Pabst
Blue Ribbon is busy tellin’ the Rum ‘n Coke about the time he came across an
armadillo in his bathtub when they see me.
It suddenly gets real quiet as they all ask, “What’s the latest about
Gabrielle?” So I tell them. Grand stories of heroic battles, dealing with
horrible drug side effects, wavering white counts, dropping CA 125 numbers, numb
toes, but with amazing family and friends…and their jaws drop. The suds drip from the Coors Light’s mouth,
while the tequila sunrise’s eyes just about pop out of his head in sheer wonder
and admiration. Yep, they love those
stories!! Every last one of them. And that trip to Vancouver! Amazing!
None of us have even been north of the Mason-Dixon line, let alone a
foreign country no less.
As one of my favorite doctors (Dr. Seuss) once said,
“Oh, the places you’ll go!”
You go, girl!
You’re a real hero to all of us down here. A true inspiration of faith and courage. How do you manage? Especially keeping that yahoo husband of
yours in line? And eat those shrimp…that
will help ease the stress. Heck, for all
I know, shrimp kills cancer too. You
ever seen a shrimp with cancer? Rest my
case.
Well, the Twist ‘n Shout is calling. I think Beau Soleil is playin’ tonight…key up
that funky Cajun beat.
Friday, April 26, 2013
4/26/13 Four - Three - Two - One - DONE!!!
Dear Friends and Family,
Gabrielle here. Please bear with me as I share some random thoughts quickly...because Steve is calling me to watch a Foyle's War on this Friday night!
Gabrielle
P.S. Newest prayer request--the nerve pain in my hands and feet. I thought I had missed out on this common side effect of chemo, but it hit hard this week and is quite unsettling, to say the least. Ugh. Let's pray it lessens, goes away, and does not become permanent, which is a risk. Thanks!!
Gabrielle here. Please bear with me as I share some random thoughts quickly...because Steve is calling me to watch a Foyle's War on this Friday night!
- Daniel and I made it safely home from Vancouver late Wed. night. We had the BEST time ever! The weather was sunny and about 65 to 70 degrees. Our four-star hotel, in the center of downtown, purchased through Hotwire where you don't know what hotel you are getting ahead of time, was only $119 and was excellent (The Sutton Place). We walked until we dropped. Probably not the best plan for someone four/five days out from a double chemo, but on the first day we walked about 8 miles, around Stanley Park and shopping on Robson street. On the second day, we walked from our hotel to Granville Island, then over the Burrard St. bridge and down to the beach path that runs back toward Stanley park, up Denman St. through "West End" Vancouver, up Robson for more shopping, over to Hudson Bay Co., then to the hotel and back to the metro skytrain to get to the train station. Probably ten miles total. Need I say, yesterday and today, I am recovering. So tired!!! But it was so worth it. Steve always says, "better to burn out than rust out!" The train ride to/from Vancouver is gorgeous, snaking along the sea for most of the way. We played Scrabble and I read my entire Maine Coast travel book! Lastly, if you go, be sure to eat cod or halibut and chips at "Go Fish" at Granville Island, the blueberry bread at "Terra Breads", and gelato at "Gelarmony Gelato" on Robson street. Thanks to my friend Janet (and probably others) who prayed I would be able to taste and enjoy my food on this trip. I did! :-)
- Next up, Renee's turn. I am about to book a Spa day for the two of us at Willows Lodge in Woodinville. Massages, exfoliation of dry skin (!), manicures, pedicures, jacuzzi, spa cuisine lunch. Here we come on a Monday in the near future (Renee's day off). Will report back! And I can't wait to have Renee spend all of Sunday with us this weekend. I miss my sweetpea.
- While Daniel and I were gone, Steve put our boat back in the water with the help of friend/neighbor Jerry, after spring cleaning it, then Steve attended a seminar to learn how to go "shrimping" for spot prawns. It has a very short season--like two to four days total in a year (!)--and he bought two pots and lines and so much gear that some spot prawns had BETTER be in our future. If he limits at 80 prawns on his first try, they will be about $5 bucks a prawn. Those better be amazing prawns!! He is over the moon with excitement. Daniel and Renee will join us on this adventure that begins at the boat at 6:15 AM the day after next week's chemo. Aaaaahhhh!
- Daniel and I survived single chemo #14 today! It was SO long. The pharmacy at the hospital doesn't seem to like me. They take forever to come back with my blood counts and then forever again to deliver my chemo drugs. We arrived at 9 AM and left at 2 PM...the longest single chemo time yet. But fear not, we made good use of our time watching "Two Weeks Notice" with Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock, playing two feisty games of Scrabble (each won one), and reading up on pop culture and food in various magazines. We came home exhausted, watched an Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa on TV, then made her food tonight--roasted asparagus with hollandaise sauce, artichokes, parmesan chicken, roasted rosemary potato slices. It's good to eat when I'm pumped full of I/V anti-nausea drugs!
- My white blood cell count was quite good after the five days of shots, but the part of the white cells that actually fight infections, the "segs," are below normal still. They also re-did my CA125 without telling me they were doing so. They normally only do that every three weeks. They had done it last week and it had slid up from the 15s to the 17s. Steve thinks that made them nervous so they re-did it (want to see it go down, not up). Today it was 15.6 again. Phew. Anything 0 to 30 is considered normal range for any woman, but cancer patients need to get under 20 to be out of the woods...and stay there.
- Random tears came today when I read an article in a magazine about a woman, 44, with a spouse and three kids, who was diagnosed with ALS and has less than five years to live. Her kids are about 7 to 12. She is living her "bucket list" as quickly as she can. One of the things was she took her 12-year-old daughter out to try on wedding dresses, then to a fancy lunch, so that one day when her daughter does that for real, she will have a memory of doing it first with her Mom. I have cried twice over this story today, knowing that I may or may not have a long life ahead after chemo ends. Believe me, if I ever get the word that my time is limited, Renee and I will try on wedding dresses! I guess what I'm saying is, we all think and hope and pray for a positive outcome, but we can't control it. It's God's plan, not mine. He knows the number of my days and we have to work with and maximize memories in whatever time frame that will be. Not just for me of course, for all of us! And that, my friends, is why I overdid it in Vancouver, despite my friend Dean's admonitions not to do so (sorry Dean)!
- Thanks to all of you who have sent cards this week--they made me smile so much (you know who you are)! Thanks to new friends, John and Nancy, who gave us the most special evening last night at their home, with delicious "foodie" meal outside in the sunshine of their beautiful backyard, and with gifts to take home (homegrown honey, homemade chutney, fresh rhubarb, and some rhubarb cobbler)! All this, and great conversation too. We loved our time with you! And thanks to my MANY friends who send daily prayers, love, and good thoughts my way. I feel them! We all do. I wonder sometimes how many times a day God hears my name in prayer. I hope He never tires of it! ;-)
- Scripture of the day--from Jesus Calling--2 Cor. 4:16-18--"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away (no hair, continually dripping nose from chemo killing off cells and hairs in there, nausea, fatigue, nerve pain in hands and feet), yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
- And fortune cookie message of the day, from recent lunch with my friend Anna, that is taped above my desk in the kitchen, "Do not give up. The best is yet to come." Amen to that!
Gabrielle
P.S. Newest prayer request--the nerve pain in my hands and feet. I thought I had missed out on this common side effect of chemo, but it hit hard this week and is quite unsettling, to say the least. Ugh. Let's pray it lessens, goes away, and does not become permanent, which is a risk. Thanks!!
Monday, April 22, 2013
4/22/13 Vancouver Here We Come!
Dear family and friends,
Gabrielle here. Just a quick note to say that Daniel and I are "going for it" with our trip to Vancouver BC on the train tomorrow...and hoping for the best!
Today I got I/V fluids and anti-nausea medicine to help counteract the double chemo side effects from Friday. This should shore me up for the trip. And I've had three days of the stomach shots of neupogen to bring up my white cell counts, so hopefully, with two more days of shots, my counts will be looking better during the trip.
The bummer, speaking as a foodie, is that pretty much all food tastes like metal or nothing to me right now, which is a shame when going to a great restaurant city like Vancouver. Oh well. I will vicariously enjoy watching Daniel savor the flavors of our food!
And the good news is, the weather report is looking clear and sunny, which will be great for walking around Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the city. Hooray!
Daniel has been really busy this week but eventually will put up our latest golf photos. And hopefully, we'll have some fun photos from Vancouver that we can post when we get back.
Thanks to my friends David and Janet for the wonderful CD of songs that encourage you when you are going through hard times. I turned the CD player up loud while home alone today and let the words and music seep into and touch my soul. Thanks to my neighbor, Cheryl, for the gorgeous tulips that arrived on our porch this week, and to my friend Doris who not only had a long, hilly, sunny walk with me today through Innis Arden, but who also brought us a pot of homemade soup and a loaf of homemade bread for dinner! And as always, thanks to those of you who sent wonderful cards this week (you know who you are and you are dear to me)!
Lastly, I was encouraged by this Bible verse from my friend Ted today: 1 Peter 5:10
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
I am indeed holding out great hope that after five more chemos, culminating five months of suffering a "little while," that God will indeed restore my health and make me strong, firm, and steadfast. Thanks for all your prayers for my family and me toward this end!
Love,
Gabrielle
Gabrielle here. Just a quick note to say that Daniel and I are "going for it" with our trip to Vancouver BC on the train tomorrow...and hoping for the best!
Today I got I/V fluids and anti-nausea medicine to help counteract the double chemo side effects from Friday. This should shore me up for the trip. And I've had three days of the stomach shots of neupogen to bring up my white cell counts, so hopefully, with two more days of shots, my counts will be looking better during the trip.
The bummer, speaking as a foodie, is that pretty much all food tastes like metal or nothing to me right now, which is a shame when going to a great restaurant city like Vancouver. Oh well. I will vicariously enjoy watching Daniel savor the flavors of our food!
And the good news is, the weather report is looking clear and sunny, which will be great for walking around Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the city. Hooray!
Daniel has been really busy this week but eventually will put up our latest golf photos. And hopefully, we'll have some fun photos from Vancouver that we can post when we get back.
Thanks to my friends David and Janet for the wonderful CD of songs that encourage you when you are going through hard times. I turned the CD player up loud while home alone today and let the words and music seep into and touch my soul. Thanks to my neighbor, Cheryl, for the gorgeous tulips that arrived on our porch this week, and to my friend Doris who not only had a long, hilly, sunny walk with me today through Innis Arden, but who also brought us a pot of homemade soup and a loaf of homemade bread for dinner! And as always, thanks to those of you who sent wonderful cards this week (you know who you are and you are dear to me)!
Lastly, I was encouraged by this Bible verse from my friend Ted today: 1 Peter 5:10
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
I am indeed holding out great hope that after five more chemos, culminating five months of suffering a "little while," that God will indeed restore my health and make me strong, firm, and steadfast. Thanks for all your prayers for my family and me toward this end!
Love,
Gabrielle
Friday, April 19, 2013
4/19/13 Five - Four - Three - Two - One...Countdown!
Dear friends and family,
Gabrielle here. This past week has been a good one. The further away from the double drug chemos that I get, the less nauseous and tired I am. So after Monday, the nausea was gone. I was able to host a luncheon here for my Mom, Aunt Julianne, and two sisters, play mini golf (a complete Hole-in-Onederfuls update with photos will be coming from Daniel soon), eat Italian dinner out with Steve and Daniel, eat lunch out with my friend Anna, and attend a baby shower at work yesterday for my colleague, Jessica. What a week! We have also been playing a lot of Canasta...a new game (for us)our neighbors Jerry and Laura taught us last week. It is a little addictive at first!
That said, I was shocked when I arrived at chemo this morning to find that the blood they drew yesterday and sent to the lab showed me dangerously low in my white blood cells and segs (the part of the white blood cells that fight off infections). At first, the nurse and PA told me they would probably have to skip chemo until next week. Our hearts sank. We want so badly to not miss any treatments, both for my best possible outcome and also to just be done five weeks from today. Daniel immediately started to pray as they said "we'll go find the doctor and see what she says since she has the final word." About five minutes later, the doctor came in and said "I'm going to give you the chemo but I'm going to reduce your dose by 10% and you have to start the stomach shots of neupogen again tomorrow for five days in a row this time." As you remember, the neupogen stimulates my bone marrow to make blood cells. Daniel and I nearly leaped out of our chairs for joy at this news that chemo would commence!!! Daniel told me when we got in the car to drive home that this was the fastest answer to prayer he had ever received! Thanks be to our gracious God...and my awesome doctor who is aggressive and willing to take calculated risks in battling my cancer.
On the radio right after Daniel said it was his fastest answer to prayer by God, a song came on that I love, the chorus of which says "I will lift my eyes to the maker of the oceans I can't climb, I will lift my eyes to the calmer of the oceans raging wild, I will lift my eyes to the healer of the hurt I hold inside, I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes, to You." Here is a u-tube link to the song if you would like to hear it and see all the lyrics as it plays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te0hy2YcLgg As my friend Loretta told me right in the beginning (she's a cancer survivor), our mantra has become three important words to get us through--Eyes on Jesus!
Thanks for all your cards this week that cheered me (you know who you are...such caring and faithful friends), for your prayers and texts to ask how I am and remind me you are praying for me, and for other kindnesses such as more fresh homemade yogurt from Mike and Colleen (which we eat every day in our smoothies or with our cereal) and the cutest inspirational children's book called the Large Rock and the Little Yew, sent by our cousins Rob and Becky from Oregon. As you recall, the yew tree is where scientists discovered Taxol, one of my two chemo drugs...and we have planted one in our backyard! I appreciate all of you who read our blog and have encircled us with love, prayers, and support. You have been instruments of God to help us survive this long and taxing ordeal! Which, God willing, will be OVER in five short weeks!!! :-)
Love and blessings,
Gabrielle
P.S. Prayer request--that I not get sick this week and that my white cells increase. Daniel and I had pre-purchased a two-day train trip to Vancouver BC this coming Tuesday/Wednesday BEFORE we knew how perilously low my white cells are. We are still hoping to go...wearing our twin yellow face masks on the train and drugs in tow (not the kind that will get us detained at the border...we'll leave our medical marijuana home with Steve). Thanks for praying that this trip will work out without worsening my health, and that I will have strength for it. And a good appetite...Vancouver is the BEST restaurant city!
Gabrielle here. This past week has been a good one. The further away from the double drug chemos that I get, the less nauseous and tired I am. So after Monday, the nausea was gone. I was able to host a luncheon here for my Mom, Aunt Julianne, and two sisters, play mini golf (a complete Hole-in-Onederfuls update with photos will be coming from Daniel soon), eat Italian dinner out with Steve and Daniel, eat lunch out with my friend Anna, and attend a baby shower at work yesterday for my colleague, Jessica. What a week! We have also been playing a lot of Canasta...a new game (for us)our neighbors Jerry and Laura taught us last week. It is a little addictive at first!
That said, I was shocked when I arrived at chemo this morning to find that the blood they drew yesterday and sent to the lab showed me dangerously low in my white blood cells and segs (the part of the white blood cells that fight off infections). At first, the nurse and PA told me they would probably have to skip chemo until next week. Our hearts sank. We want so badly to not miss any treatments, both for my best possible outcome and also to just be done five weeks from today. Daniel immediately started to pray as they said "we'll go find the doctor and see what she says since she has the final word." About five minutes later, the doctor came in and said "I'm going to give you the chemo but I'm going to reduce your dose by 10% and you have to start the stomach shots of neupogen again tomorrow for five days in a row this time." As you remember, the neupogen stimulates my bone marrow to make blood cells. Daniel and I nearly leaped out of our chairs for joy at this news that chemo would commence!!! Daniel told me when we got in the car to drive home that this was the fastest answer to prayer he had ever received! Thanks be to our gracious God...and my awesome doctor who is aggressive and willing to take calculated risks in battling my cancer.
On the radio right after Daniel said it was his fastest answer to prayer by God, a song came on that I love, the chorus of which says "I will lift my eyes to the maker of the oceans I can't climb, I will lift my eyes to the calmer of the oceans raging wild, I will lift my eyes to the healer of the hurt I hold inside, I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes, to You." Here is a u-tube link to the song if you would like to hear it and see all the lyrics as it plays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te0hy2YcLgg As my friend Loretta told me right in the beginning (she's a cancer survivor), our mantra has become three important words to get us through--Eyes on Jesus!
Thanks for all your cards this week that cheered me (you know who you are...such caring and faithful friends), for your prayers and texts to ask how I am and remind me you are praying for me, and for other kindnesses such as more fresh homemade yogurt from Mike and Colleen (which we eat every day in our smoothies or with our cereal) and the cutest inspirational children's book called the Large Rock and the Little Yew, sent by our cousins Rob and Becky from Oregon. As you recall, the yew tree is where scientists discovered Taxol, one of my two chemo drugs...and we have planted one in our backyard! I appreciate all of you who read our blog and have encircled us with love, prayers, and support. You have been instruments of God to help us survive this long and taxing ordeal! Which, God willing, will be OVER in five short weeks!!! :-)
Love and blessings,
Gabrielle
P.S. Prayer request--that I not get sick this week and that my white cells increase. Daniel and I had pre-purchased a two-day train trip to Vancouver BC this coming Tuesday/Wednesday BEFORE we knew how perilously low my white cells are. We are still hoping to go...wearing our twin yellow face masks on the train and drugs in tow (not the kind that will get us detained at the border...we'll leave our medical marijuana home with Steve). Thanks for praying that this trip will work out without worsening my health, and that I will have strength for it. And a good appetite...Vancouver is the BEST restaurant city!
Friday, April 12, 2013
4/12/13 Two-thirds of the way DONE!!!
Dear family and friends,
Gabrielle here. Today was chemo day #12 (a single, only six to go) and this has been a great day. I say that with all honesty. And I can't believe--wouldn't have ever believed--that I could say that about a day of getting chemotherapy that will hopefully save my life. It just amazes me.
I awoke a little early because I wanted to bake some cookies to bring to my doctors, nurses, and office staff to celebrate the two-thirds done marker. Daniel had made the dough last night--the most amazing chocolate chip peanut butter cookie dough. After baking the cookies and writing a thank you note to go with them, Daniel awoke, we ate our fruit smoothies and muesli and peanut butter toast, packed our chemo bag and headed to the cancer center.
When we handed the cookies and note to our two chemo nurses (whom we adore), one appeared to tear up and both hugged me. Then the one who wasn't teary pulled us aside and said about the other nurse "she really needed that today to know that what she's doing here is making a difference." Later, EVERYONE in the office stopped by our private chemo room (which they always give us due to our loud and raucous movies...and because they love us so much) to exclaim over the delicious cookies and to thank us for them. So that was really fun.
Instead of watching a movie during our three hours there today, we were on Daniel's computer planning our "chemo is over" celebratory trip! We will be going to a place we have always wanted to see in mid-June--the coast of Maine. We will be walking and swimming the beaches, eating lobsters, touring lighthouses, and hiking the trails of Acadia National Park (on the rocky coast). So it was fun to dream about the trip as we picked out our route and hotels.
After chemo, we figured we had better celebrate the two-thirds marker by eating tacos al carbon and enchiladas rancheras at Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant. Wouldn't you agree?! I had forgotten to bring a hat or scarf today and went out to lunch with all my many bald spots in full display. Nobody stared or gawked and everyone was super nice as we practiced our limited Spanish. And the food was magnificent!
When we got home, more excitement! On the porch was the most beautiful basket filled with homebaked banana bread, assorted teas, and a sweet note from my friend, Becky. We immediately made the tea and sliced banana bread which was EXCELLENT! This was so perfect for the traditional "post-chemo crash period" where I need to sit back in my lazyboy and just do nothing for a couple hours. [Oh--and I loved my great phone conversation with Becky's Dad, Chuck, this week too. :-) ]
When Steve got home, Daniel took a nap and Steve and I went for a one-hour walk and short visit to the grocery store. At the grocery store, a woman asked me if I was in treatment (I was wearing a hat) and I said yes and she asked if she could hug me and told me she was one year out from mouth cancer. We had a good chat and then another hug. The kindness of strangers!
Speaking of kindnesses, let me tell you about a few more of them this week! My mother-in-law, Abby, sent me a mystery book signed to me from the author! My friend, Loretta, brought us fabulous Greek lemon rice soup and chicken to put in it! Steve's nurse, Holly, made us homemade healthy whole wheat/date scones. Yummo! My friend, Anna, gave me a cute cotton head turban for spring! And my friend, Nancy, sent us a gourmet great box containing hand-tied teas from France in little cotton muslin sacks, ginger syrup to put in it (awesome for nausea), and outstanding almond/marzipan cookies from Italy! Oh my goodness...I have already devoured three of the cookies with the tea and ginger syrup. Unbelievably good...and unbelievable thoughtfulness from all the people I've mentioned here. And as always, thank you to all of you who KEEP sending me cards! I just can't believe that here we are, three months into this journey and you haven't forgotten me! You know who you are and I just can't thank you enough!
One two last fun things about yesterday...I was feeling so good from the blood transfusion that I went to my office to hug all my colleagues and then we went on our "hills of Queen Anne" walk over the lunch hour. I was able to make it up all those stairs and hills at a reasonable pace without collapsing for the one-hour walk. Hooray! It was SO much fun and SO good to see everyone. I miss them all very much. I also got in good hugs from my friends in another department--Sharleen and Mia. And then last night, our friends/neighbors, Laura and Jerry, came for dinner, bringing us gorgeous red tulips, and taught us to play Canasta! Some of you know the Dudleys love games so we really enjoyed learning a new one. It didn't hurt that Daniel won and I came in second. Beginners luck. Now Renee is over for Friday night dinner and we are going to make her learn Canasta. She hates games so this is taking every bit of persuasion I have ever had in asking for multi-million dollar gifts in my fund-raising career!!
I want to close with a couple of verses from Philippians: "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy...(verse 1:3-4)" and "It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart" (verse 7). When I get a call, email, card, or gift from one of you, I thank God for you! I remember you all in my prayers and when your names come to mind as I pray, I do indeed pray with and feel joy for the blessing of your love and friendship. May God bless you this week, dear family and friends!
Love,
Gabrielle
Gabrielle here. Today was chemo day #12 (a single, only six to go) and this has been a great day. I say that with all honesty. And I can't believe--wouldn't have ever believed--that I could say that about a day of getting chemotherapy that will hopefully save my life. It just amazes me.
I awoke a little early because I wanted to bake some cookies to bring to my doctors, nurses, and office staff to celebrate the two-thirds done marker. Daniel had made the dough last night--the most amazing chocolate chip peanut butter cookie dough. After baking the cookies and writing a thank you note to go with them, Daniel awoke, we ate our fruit smoothies and muesli and peanut butter toast, packed our chemo bag and headed to the cancer center.
When we handed the cookies and note to our two chemo nurses (whom we adore), one appeared to tear up and both hugged me. Then the one who wasn't teary pulled us aside and said about the other nurse "she really needed that today to know that what she's doing here is making a difference." Later, EVERYONE in the office stopped by our private chemo room (which they always give us due to our loud and raucous movies...and because they love us so much) to exclaim over the delicious cookies and to thank us for them. So that was really fun.
Instead of watching a movie during our three hours there today, we were on Daniel's computer planning our "chemo is over" celebratory trip! We will be going to a place we have always wanted to see in mid-June--the coast of Maine. We will be walking and swimming the beaches, eating lobsters, touring lighthouses, and hiking the trails of Acadia National Park (on the rocky coast). So it was fun to dream about the trip as we picked out our route and hotels.
After chemo, we figured we had better celebrate the two-thirds marker by eating tacos al carbon and enchiladas rancheras at Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant. Wouldn't you agree?! I had forgotten to bring a hat or scarf today and went out to lunch with all my many bald spots in full display. Nobody stared or gawked and everyone was super nice as we practiced our limited Spanish. And the food was magnificent!
When we got home, more excitement! On the porch was the most beautiful basket filled with homebaked banana bread, assorted teas, and a sweet note from my friend, Becky. We immediately made the tea and sliced banana bread which was EXCELLENT! This was so perfect for the traditional "post-chemo crash period" where I need to sit back in my lazyboy and just do nothing for a couple hours. [Oh--and I loved my great phone conversation with Becky's Dad, Chuck, this week too. :-) ]
When Steve got home, Daniel took a nap and Steve and I went for a one-hour walk and short visit to the grocery store. At the grocery store, a woman asked me if I was in treatment (I was wearing a hat) and I said yes and she asked if she could hug me and told me she was one year out from mouth cancer. We had a good chat and then another hug. The kindness of strangers!
Speaking of kindnesses, let me tell you about a few more of them this week! My mother-in-law, Abby, sent me a mystery book signed to me from the author! My friend, Loretta, brought us fabulous Greek lemon rice soup and chicken to put in it! Steve's nurse, Holly, made us homemade healthy whole wheat/date scones. Yummo! My friend, Anna, gave me a cute cotton head turban for spring! And my friend, Nancy, sent us a gourmet great box containing hand-tied teas from France in little cotton muslin sacks, ginger syrup to put in it (awesome for nausea), and outstanding almond/marzipan cookies from Italy! Oh my goodness...I have already devoured three of the cookies with the tea and ginger syrup. Unbelievably good...and unbelievable thoughtfulness from all the people I've mentioned here. And as always, thank you to all of you who KEEP sending me cards! I just can't believe that here we are, three months into this journey and you haven't forgotten me! You know who you are and I just can't thank you enough!
One two last fun things about yesterday...I was feeling so good from the blood transfusion that I went to my office to hug all my colleagues and then we went on our "hills of Queen Anne" walk over the lunch hour. I was able to make it up all those stairs and hills at a reasonable pace without collapsing for the one-hour walk. Hooray! It was SO much fun and SO good to see everyone. I miss them all very much. I also got in good hugs from my friends in another department--Sharleen and Mia. And then last night, our friends/neighbors, Laura and Jerry, came for dinner, bringing us gorgeous red tulips, and taught us to play Canasta! Some of you know the Dudleys love games so we really enjoyed learning a new one. It didn't hurt that Daniel won and I came in second. Beginners luck. Now Renee is over for Friday night dinner and we are going to make her learn Canasta. She hates games so this is taking every bit of persuasion I have ever had in asking for multi-million dollar gifts in my fund-raising career!!
I want to close with a couple of verses from Philippians: "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy...(verse 1:3-4)" and "It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart" (verse 7). When I get a call, email, card, or gift from one of you, I thank God for you! I remember you all in my prayers and when your names come to mind as I pray, I do indeed pray with and feel joy for the blessing of your love and friendship. May God bless you this week, dear family and friends!
Love,
Gabrielle
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