Graduation and other happenings

I was released from the hospital on Monday, May 11th after I told them I wanted to go home. I didn't think that they could do any thing more for me in the hospital than I couldn't do for myself at home. I continued giving myself home antibiotic iv treatments until Tuesday, the 19th. The home care nurse came yesterday and removed the needle and tubing from my port. I was finally able to take a nice long, hot shower. I am now to say I am allergic to Vankomycin for future medical histories.

On Saturday, May 16th, MFS graduated from Penn State/ State College, PA with a degree in telecommunications. A few months ago I had asked him to sign up to "walk" and I ended up not being able to make it myself. I was still feeling queasy and getting sick from the iv treatments and didn't think that the 2.5 hour car ride up and then back would be good for me. MFD and BDHA drove up for the day to support him. He is staying in State College for the summer as he has two jobs working with local tv networks; one for the university and one for the surrounding county. He's also working as a cook at a bar to help bring in some extra income.

I saw Dr. L. (medical oncologist) on Monday, the 18th. We discussed whether this break from chemo, the last one being April 6th, hurt me or not. BDHA and I wondered if it was worth finishing the last two or just going for the surgery now. Dr. L. thought that it could only help so I'm scheduled for chemo #7 on Tuesday, May 26th and #8 on Monday, June 15th. This actually works out in the long run because now I won't be having the surgery until after MFD's wedding in July. I'll be able to travel to Vegas and not worry about complications.

I also spoke with Dr. Z (surgical oncologist) and we're trying to coordinate everyone's schedule to have the surgery the week after we get back from the wedding. I'm slated to see the plastic surgeon the first week in June. I also have a follow-up appointment with the kidney doctor that same week. I'll have a breast reduction done on the left side at the same time as the mastectomy on the right. Two doctors, two boobs, no waiting! I'll need radiation after and then at some point down the road (if I choose), reconstruction. Here's my chance to get 20 yr old perky boobs!

I hate to say it but getting sick actually worked out better for the wedding. Now I won't have to worry about feeling sick in Vegas since the surgery takes place after. The picnic reception is here in Pittsburgh on July 25th and it's only a 20-minute drive from home. If I start feeling poorly there, I can just have someone take me home. Much better than feeling sick some place that's a 4-hour flight away.

I made our hotel reservations today for the Luxor. We'll be there July 6th-July 10th. For the reception after the wedding, we're thinking about doing the MORE buffet at the Luxor. For $35, it's all you can eat along with domestic beer/wine. It's not formal, but hey, who said we were formal folks? This way everyone can choose what they want to eat.

MFS and I are going to take our chances and fly non-rev to Vegas. Before, because I thought I would be recovering, I wanted to buy tickets just to make sure we got there and didn't have to wait around. Now I'm feeling lucky....

I am off work on disability at least until June 1st. Depending on the doctor's appointments I have that week, it might not be until the week after that. MFD's shower is on June 6th and we need time to prepare for that too. If anyone is trying to find her name in the Target registry, she's listed as Meghan Gardner with the location being in Nevada. Do not pick the Meghan Gardner marrying Ryan Moore in PA. That's not her! The last two days have been spent in getting the wedding invitations ready to go out. We hope to get most of them in the mail today.

I finally feel like I'm back among the living. I was even in my studio yesterday thinking about working on mosaics. I haven't had an interest in that since last summer. I've been off Ativan and Zoloft since I was in the hospital and feel okay without them. I think those were contributing to the "fog".

Again, I want to thank everyone for all the thoughts, prayers, cards and flowers. I especially want to thank Maria and Lori at NL for letting me know it's okay to take time to get through this and that my job will be waiting for me when I'm ready to come back. I couldn't do it without your support. It's something to look foward to. I miss all you people!