Finally Have the Go-ahead

During the last few weeks, I have had some medical testing done with scans, blood tests, and ultrasounds. My ultrasounds are still showing a thick uterine wall, so my Gynecologist will be monitoring it by having me continue to get testing done. My scans and blood tests for Cancer all came back clear, so I have been given the OK to have my operation to remove my Port. Even though I will still be seeing my oncologist every three months, my scans have been moved out to every six months.

It feels good to feel better. Keep the prayers coming. I still have pins and needles 24/7 in both my feet and hands. It makes it hard for me to do things or get around. Even though I have more energy and can do some things for longer periods of time, I still have a long way to go. God is good I am so thankful for every day I have with my family and friends. Hugs.

Hematologist results

 Went to my hematologist on Thursday and she said I am doing well. She increased my B-12 to 5000 a day and added a B-6 100 daily to the lineup. Most of what I take are vitamins, very few are actually medications. I am blessed. It looks like my neuropathy in my hands and feet will be lifelong as well as taking the vitamins I take as my body is not absorbing enough on its own anymore. It felt good to get out but boy was it hot. Also, Dorothy should be coming home on Tuesday. She is doing much better. We have been blessed with more time with our children which many don't get. Hugs and keep those prayers coming.

Quick update. My Vitamin B-12 is more than fine so back to the drawing board on what is causing the never-ending pins and needles in my hands and feet. I was told to keep my Vitamin B-12 where it is 2500 a day as even though my B-12 looks fine what my body is absorbing is still low. At this point, I have to give it to God because he is the only one who can take it away or give the Doctor insight to find what is causing it. Keep those prayers coming. Hugs.

Biopsy, Scans, Results.

 I had my biopsy done on May 11th and I wanted to clarify, that they are not testing for cervix cancer they are testing for uterine cancer. I should have the results in about two weeks. Prayers are welcome.

I had my Catscans on May 12, other than bruising my arm pretty good it went well. Today I got news from both my Oncologist and Gynecologist that the tests look good so I am good until my next set in Three months.

Insurance Form Aggravation

 I have had a few people call or text wondering what is going on with my tests and results. Well, it has been a big mess. We set up appointments back in April and Medical Transportation didn't want to take me out of county to see my Doctors so they had to fill out special forms so I could see them and get testing done. Once they were approved we set up appointments again to be told by medical transportation that the building didn't do what we were going there for, Someone had put the wrong code in so we had to put in another form request and that had to be approved.

While doing all this we noticed the form for my wheelchair/rollater was also expired and had to have that done. Finally, we set up all the appointments again, and bam the Catscan office called and asked when was the last time the Doctors did a Kidney function test on me. After checking with Doctors we found out not since last November so now I have to get a blood test before I can get any scans done which pushes my appointment with my oncologist even further out. With that being said I get my blood workup, my biopsy, and scans all done this coming week and will see my oncologist the following week God willing. I want to thank everyone for the continued prayers and for checking up on me. It means more than you would think. Hugs

Health update

 Hello everyone. I was waiting till we talked to our children before posting here. All of my tests have returned, some good some bad I will give you the good first. The Doctor thought I was in menopause naturally and because of my chemotherapy. I started to bleed last month after going 14 months with nothing. I waited a day before contacting my Hematologist who asked a few questions and then told me to call my Gynecologist which I did and relayed what my Hematologist wanted done which was just blood tests but the Gynecologist also wanted an inner and outer ultrasound done.

While there I also got a thyroid scan done to check to see what was going on there. My thyroid scan came back that it was just enlarged no Cancer. We were so happy. Then my appointment came yesterday. My blood tests showed that I am not in Menopause at all so I am just a rare case that got their monthly back. The Ultrasound showed that the wall in my cervix is twice the size it should be.

My Gynecologist wanted to do a biopsy yesterday. Dennis hadn't gone in with me so I didn't want to make the decision without him so we talked about options and we are going to wait a month to see if I get my period and go through another ultrasound to see if the wall has gotten thinner. If Either I do or don't get my monthly, and the wall is still the same we are going to do the Biopsy on May 11th to rule out Cancer. I am not going to lie. I am scared. Not sure if I have the strength to go through this all over again. Not sure if my body can take it again. Please keep my family and me in your prayers. Hugs.

Well that isn't supposed to happen

 Two nights ago something happened that was not supposed to happen and had to contact several of my specialists. I have to get scans and labs done early next week to see what is going on. I will update more when I know more. Right now I am resting with instructions on what to do if things change. Please keep me in your prayers. Hugs.

Thanksgiving

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Last year this time I was still in the hospital not being able to eat anything due to having and NG tube in from complications after my surgery to remove my Cancer in my colon. 

Since I finished my Chemotherapy back in July I have been getting really excited for the Holidays. My oncologist office adopted our family for Thanksgiving which was really nice they provided pretty much everything we could need for dinner. With prices they way they are on food I also got a free turkey from our local Shop Rite from spending so much money on food during a set period of time. I tried to gift the turkey but no one ever responded so we ended up cooking 2 turkeys. 

Cooking the turkeys was a nightmare. When we moved here my Turkey roaster never made it so we bought one of those counter top roasters that everyone raves about. Well ours never cooked the turkey so when we should have been eating we were just putting it into our oven. I think we just got a damaged turkey roaster and I am not sure when we bought it so I couldn't return it to the store so we just had to throw it away. 

Once the turkey was done the feast was ready to be eaten, and boy did we eat. I had a little bit of everything and enjoyed every bite. So very different from last year. When we were done, and getting ready for dessert my daughter Nesie came with her boyfriend Paul to drop Bean off for the weekend. I get Bean (our nickname for my granddaughter Lillyann) most vacations and holidays so they can work without worrying about her. 

They had thanksgiving with Paul's parents this year and his mom decided to just do a turkey breast. Nesie's favorite part of the turkey is the drumstick and oddly enough it is also Paul's favorite too. Since we made two turkeys they took three legs and left one here for Dorothy to pick at since it is her favorite part too. It was awesome to see the joy on their faces when they were wrapping up their turkey legs to enjoy later at their home. 

I was so excited to have most of my girls home at some point during thanksgiving and just overly thankful to be alive and enjoying time with my family. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

Stepping it up in the world

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. 

Shopping for exercise equipment can be really hard when you are trying to stay within a budget, making sure it will fit in your home, will be low impact, can be moved or stored easily, as well as finding something that fits your weight range. I have fought with weight since I was 11 years old and became very ill. At my highest weight, I was 460 something pounds and at my lowest when I met my husband I was 190 pounds. Last year I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer and had several surgeries, and chemotherapy treatments after having gotten more ill over the past few years to the point that I was sleeping pretty much the whole day away. 

I am now done with treatments, my first set of tests as well as scans have come back and I am getting stronger every day. Instead of using a wheelchair pretty much all of the time I am now using my rollator much more often. I had a physical therapist for a while after each operation and then again after everything because I have Neuropathy (for me that is nonstop pins and needles in both my hands, feet, and legs). I am considered a high risk to fall so I have to be really careful. Between the Neuropathy and other health issues, I have to stick to a low-impact exercise routine. 

I have exercises I do most days for my legs, I added in arm, shoulder, and neck exercises as well once my abdomen was healed. Being in bed I wanted to make sure my muscles did not atrophy, so I have been doing bed exercises since day 2 after the first operation. Most days I am still upset with where I am but if I honestly look back I am in much better shape than I was at the beginning, so I am moving forward. 

I have been wanting to add an elliptical to my routine but sticking to an exercise routine has always been really hard for me. I found that most ellipticals would take up way too much real estate in my home.  Then I found out about desk exercise equipment and my choices greatly expanded. The Cubii is what I decided on. To be honest I have been looking at this particular under-dek elliptical for a while and had it on my wishlist. I was recently contacted by a company to give it a whirl and I almost literally jumped at the chance since it was on the top of my desk exercise equipment list. 

The only pieces of exercise equipment that we had before were a set of aerobic steps (which I can't use presently), one-pound weights, exercise bands (which have gone missing), an exercise ball, a pilates ring, and a recumbent exercise bike which I have yet to get back on to. I have added a Summers Gym Magic, FITNATION Rock N Fit, and now an under-desk elliptical. 

When you get to the Cubii Site you can take a Quiz to see which Cubii is right for you. My Quiz results said that the Cubii Go would be best for me. The Cubii Go has a retractable handle so you can move it and store it easily. Our couches are raised because we are tall so we keep the Cubii right under our couch so it is easy to pull out and use. For me, if it is easy to move and store I am more apt to use it and keep using it. There are blue tooth models but mine is not so I have to manually add my workouts into the app which is free with your Cubii. 

This is how your box will come so if it is a gift make sure you are able to get it wrapped or put it away for later gift-giving. I am very happy with the way it was shipped and packed.

When you take all of the pieces out of the box this is what you should have. Instructions were clear to understand and made it super easy to assemble the Cubii Go. It took under 5 minutes total to put together although my husband said it was more like 2 minutes. It took me longer to download the app and set my profile up than it did to unbox and put the Cubii Go together. The app is included with the purchase. 

Once I was set up with my profile I noticed they have a Gratitude is the Attitude November Wellness Journi which I joined right away. Today's challenge was pretty easy. I had to use the Cubii for 20 minutes while reading, watching, or listening to something informative. After 20 minutes I added in my time and my first workout was logged in graph form and I got an achievement. Tomorrow's challenge is to drink 80oz of water. I am always struggling with getting enough water in. With challenges, I am more apt to keep doing things because it is more like a game. 

Before getting this I was a little skeptical about the foot surface size but as you can see in my picture at the top of this post, there is plenty of room for your feet both bare or with shoes on. I wear a size 9.5 women's USA and there is plenty of room for a much larger foot to fit onto it comfortably.

If you are in your office and are using this under-desk elliptical you can stick your chair wheel into this pull-out slot which is also the expandable handle so that you aren't rolling backward while trying to those steps in for the day. 

Cubii even has free classes that will step up your workout routine. I will be trying these in the next few days. I am so excited to find something that is so easy to use and fits into our home as well as something I can use that my body is actually capable of doing. I love that the Cubii Go comes with a retractable handle and wheels for easy portability, an easy-to-read digital display, and 8 resistance settings. At the Cubii website, you can even order other accessories like weights, mats, foot straps, etc. If you are interested you can get 30.00 off your first order here.

Our family can use this under-desk elliptical at a desk, on the couch, on the edge of a bed, or even on the porch while enjoying nice weather outside. I am so excited to start this new journey with Cubii and my readers. Here is to stepping up in the world. 

Homeschooling for the second year

 

We aren't new to homeschooling (we homeschooled my nephew who we have had since he was a baby) and wish we really did it with our first child and continued with all of them. With that being said on July 27,2021 we made the decision to homeschool our youngest child. Between Covid -19, remote learning, and the public school system doing a great disservice in teaching my children (at least the last two) we felt we needed to take the reigns so our youngest child would be better prepared for what the future may hold for her.

Little did we know I would find out that soon after that I had cancer and then find out it was Stage 3 Colon Cancer. My immune system was horrible, to begin with, Chemotherapy didn't make it any better so it was the right move at the right time. Even though last year threw us curve balls we made it through, seeing our child start to blossom, and finding out what she really enjoyed and what she hated in school was worth it. 

We are of course better prepared than we were last year and so far the school year is going well. 

Where I am today

 I thought I would update everyone on how everything is going. One thing I want to reflect on is my fight for disability. I was told when I was 11 years old that I should never work. Did I listen? No, I held down several jobs on farms, babysitting, and working in mom & pop stores as a teenager. Once I was married I worked in a grocery store, mom & pop store, ran my own child care for many years, worked with mentally and physically handicapped children and adults, worked for a movie theater, and did several freelance jobs. 

 When I was pregnant with our 6th biological child my Dr. made me promise once I had her I would not work anymore. I still tried to do freelance jobs which only caused me to get more sick until I just couldn't even do those anymore. 

 As you can see I have tried to make something of my blog but to be honest I don't make very much not enough to pay the bills but enough to get gifts for my family, but that isn't from what I write. That comes from doing surveys which takes time and you don't get rich from that, at least I haven't found a way to. 

 Then I do product reviews which is fun. I get to try out lots of products and introduce my family, friends, and readers to what is available and how I like it. Along with that, I am able to do giveaways for some of the companies as well as work with a whole assortment of bloggers in helping them with their giveaways. Again no payment just free items but it keeps me busy and I can work it around my being ill so often. 

 So back to my disability fight. It took me getting cancer for them to finally put it through. I am considered disabled for the rest of my life. We thought it would be the answer to our financial needs, and I would feel like I was contributing to our family's income. Sadly I was a wee bit short of the points to get SSI on my own. I know I may mess up the different programs up so I apologize, they are confusing enough. So they tried getting me money from another source and they say my husband already brings home too much in his own disability so I am not eligible. I am also not eligible for Medicare so I have to keep applying for Medicaid. 

 It certainly was not the answer we wanted, but it is what it is and has changed our future plans quite a bit, but we are going with it as the path we are supposed to be on and will keep plugging along. The worse part is my lawyer worked for over 7 years on my case and doesn't understand it all either. These are the only cases she does and has never seen one turn out like mine. She was only to get paid if I got money and I didn't so she literally spent years on my case for nothing in return. 

 I had planned to go see the Ocean which I have never seen when I made it through my treatments. We planned to make a big trip next Spring, but I don't think it will happen quite like we wanted it to. We wanted to stop at different places along the way to visit friends, family, and destinations. I know I'll make it to the ocean someday even if that is my children putting my ashes in the Ocean after I am gone. 

Today I awoke so my time here is not done. Thank you to those who stayed long enough to read and hope you will come back again. Hugs. 

Scan and Test results.

 I haven't really written about my health issues since it all began but will be backtracking and adding in posts and hope to be able to have them in some kind of order if you would like to go back and read from the beginning. If the latter is true then just keep your eyes open for that post. 

 When this all began I wanted to keep an online journal here on my blog but things went so quickly even though at the time it didn't seem quick at all. I thought so many things would happen or I would have time for this or that but to my surprise, it didn't go quite like I would have liked it to. 

 For anyone just hoping on this rollercoaster, I call my life, Welcome, grab something to drink maybe even a snack. My name is Pamela, I have been married to my husband for 32 years and dating him for 33 years. We have 6 children. My son is 31, my daughter Samantha is 28, Bryan is 25, Nesie is 25, Deanna is 19, and Dorothy is 14. We also have 4 grandchildren 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. 

 I was adopted by my paternal Uncle and his wife. They are who I take about whenever I write about my parents if I talk about my biological then that will be the term I use while talking about them. My parents received me when I was two weeks old. 

 I hadn't been feeling well for quite some time (although to be honest I have been getting sick from the very day I was born). I kept losing strength and sleep was taking up most of my days and nights leaving me feeling even more tired. I knew something was wrong and when I found out I had diverticulitis we thought that was the answer but during a colonoscopy to check on my diverticulitis and at the time seeking a surgeon to remove my sigmoid from my colon they found a mass which they cut and removed which showed Cancer. 

 They were pretty sure they had it all and that I was at most stage 1 Colon Cancer but once they were able to do the Cancer Removal Surgery my results came back Stage 3 Colon Cancer. It had spread to my lymph nodes. As I said I am working on getting my notes from the last year or so together and adding them here so we are now going to take a big jump to now. 

 I finished my chemotherapy on July 21st. I had a few appointments after that date that will be added as I go along but we are going to keep our attention on my first set of scans and tests since then. 

 I had my colonoscopy in mid-September 2022. I have hemorrhoids, and my diverticulitis is still there, but where they did my surgery has healed well, and looks beautiful they said. My mammogram came back clean, but I am still waiting on the ultrasound they took of my ovaries. No news is good news, right? I see that Dr. later this month.

 I had my cat scans last Thursday. My Oncologists office called today to go over them with me. There is something on my thyroid (I already have hypothyroidism, and growth in the same area but not attached to the thyroid) that I didn't get the name of but will be confirming what action is needed next with my Primary Doctor who was given a copy of the scans. Called today but he had already left for the day so hope to hear from him by tomorrow. My oncologist is monitoring a few nodules on or in my lungs. Do forgive me I will update you when I know which it is. Instead of having a clear scan and being able to go another 6 months till my next scan I will be getting more scans in three months to check on my lungs.

 I had hoped to give everyone the all-clear for the next 6 months but it just isn't the case. I guess once you get Cancer you are always waiting for it to strike again. I didn't worry about it till I had it and now I can't shake the feeling of dread every time there is a test no matter how positive I try to be. I have a hard time sleeping and want to spend as much time with my family as I can. There is just never enough time to do it all. 

Pump disconnect days are the worst

Another picture from my nephew. 

Monday I was able to start up my Chemotherapy treatments and today I got my pump disconnected. We changed my schedule due to changes in our lives. I had an appetite on Monday, it was Ok yesterday with some nausea in the evening, nausea this morning before going for pump disconnect, then we made a quick trip to Walmart to pick up a bath mat for in the shower so I don't slip, and a thick mat for when I get out of the shower, as well as a floppy sun hat and sunglasses that I will need for when I am out in the sun. I looked in the mirror while trying on sunglasses and saw for the first time some bald spots on my head so it is time to order some hats, wigs, and or scarves. I really thought I would handle this part of it better but it makes me so emotional. I know it will grow back but God gave it to me as a covering and losing it is like losing part of myself. Anyways I also picked up a new nightgown and then home we went where a big box of cooked meals was delivered. They are frozen and just need to be heated up. More on that later. I was able to eat a little lunch and just took another anti-nausea pill hoping it kicks in, so maybe I can get a little nap in. I want to thank everyone who calls, texts, and visits to check on me. It is so much appreciated. Keep those prayers coming. Hugs.

 

My oncologist says Chemotherapy on Monday

 I saw my oncologist today. I start chemotherapy again next Monday. Even though the Surgeon gave the ok she is really worried about my open wounds, so they will be keeping a close eye on me. She also checked the discoloration in my hands which is from chemotherapy, and will also be keeping an eye on that as well as neuropathy. I have some of the use of my left arm and back about 60 % and about 85% of my right hand back. She is hoping chemotherapy won’t set that back but it could. I lost another two pounds even with my good appetite but they say healing after surgery burns a lot of calories, my body must be working overtime, there are so many things it is trying to heal at the same time. So we are a go to move forward. Keep those prayers coming. Love you all. Hugs

Feels so good

 

The other day I got to take my first real shower since before my operation. It felt so good, but boy did it make me tired. Thank you Nesie Alana for my new nightgown.

Can start Chemotherapy again

Health update. Sorry, it has been so long. We have gotten my bowel movements under control at least for now but we are not ready to move the commode back into the bathroom yet. My appetite is pretty good. Still losing weight but not as quickly, at least for now. I saw my surgeon last week and he cleared me to start chemotherapy. He wants to see me in another month to check on my open wounds. I went from one deep open wound to two open wounds due to one of the surface wounds opening up from friction from my breast rubbing on it. My surgeon told me when I start chemotherapy the healing of my wounds will slow down so we have to continue to change the dressing twice a day and keep an eye open for any infection. I see my oncologist Monday if everything is a go I will start treatment up again this week or the next at the latest. I will update again once I see her. I still have a long way to go. Keep those prayers coming. Hugs.

Medical supplies have arrived

 

Most of the supplies for my open wound care is here except the clear covers so I can shower.

Appointment with Primary

 Had my appointment with my primary this afternoon. He said I looked better than he thought I would. Loved the rings my husband got me for Valentine's day, checked and redressed my open surgical spot, filled me up with migraine medication and we caught up on me, and our visit was over till March. At the Dr.s, I ran into one of my cousins from my mom's side and we caught up as well. I literally haven't seen her since my mom died in 2004. I have been thinking of her and praying for her. It was great to see her today. While out and about with my daughter I did a Walmart shop hadn't been in a store since before Christmas. Stocked up on some needed items. Now home resting and getting ready to eat a late dinner with my family. Chili is very mild with Cornbread.

Even though my plates look full I really only eat very little of it but I am still getting nourishment. Some of the meals I have been enjoying are fruit and yogurt, chili, steak, mac and cheese which I have to be careful with makes me feel a bit queasy, green beans, apple sauce, and very mild chili (Dennis Marks Jr. did a good job), canteloupe, scrambled eggs and toast with jam. Tomorrow we are having Cabbage, carrots, potatoes, kielbasi for everyone else, and ham for me. I have had a good appetite so we are taking advantage of it. I am down another 5 1/2 pounds due to the week of not eating between surgery and not feeling well.

While in the hospital

 

They weren’t all gloomy days at the hospital the day after my surgery I had the spa hospital treatment full bed bath, hair wash, that cap is amazing it washes your hair and a rub down with lotion, she even helped me brush my hair. It made me feel so much better. Little things really do make a difference.

Trying something new

 When we did my hair last night we lost a lot of hair so my daughter braided it hoping it will be less stressful on my hair while I am sleeping.

Gallbladder Operation

 My husband did his best to keep everyone updated but got a few things wrong. What Dennis Marks Jr. didn't tell you about my surgery. He wasn't there before they put me out for the operation, things just didn't align. Once he got there he got all settled and after about 5 and a half hours, someone came to my husband and said he needed to go to a conference room. He immediately thought he had lost me. The things that must have gone through his mind in those minutes before the Dr. walked in and asked why he was crying and he said he thought I had died. The operation was over two hours longer than it should have been. Sometime between when I had my scan and when I had my operation my gallbladder burst. Now I have had several operations at this hospital and this was the first time they called him into a conference room, they usually just come right up to him to talk to him.