The plan,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dr Chharbra's nurse Practicner said the spell that I had before the cath was A Fib,,,,my heart jumped out of rythum and if it ever happened again that I should most diffently go to the ER so they could give me some medicine by IV that would take care of this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

They took me off of the procardia and put me on isobide,,,,,hope it does the trick,,,,,,the chest still hurts but not as bad,,,,The isobide makes me feel odd,,,,,slowing me down,,,so I guess it is doing what it is supposed to be doing,,,,but,,,,,,I stay in a fog most of the time,,,,maybe when I get used to the medicine,,,,it will go away,,,,,

Think I will stop going to the Doctors,,,the more I go the more they fine,,,,,,,yep,,,think they have found enough stuff going on,,,,,,,,,,too much stuff on my plate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The Test,,,,,,

I was at the hospital at 3 to get ready for the test,,,,,,,Platlets finally came around 5,,,got to go to surgery at 6,,,,got out at 7,,,,,,,,,,I was awake the hold test,,,even though they gave  me a big shot of benadryl and predisone,,,because I am allergic to the contrast dye, and needless to say that gave me a huge buzz,,,,WOW.  Even though I was awake I couldnt tell what was going on,,,I could see the screen and it seemed as if he was poking the veins that were little and then became big,,,,,dont know if these were the ones that were blocked or what,,,,finally it was over,,,,and the result was some blockages,,,,,(bad news),,,,but they were only 50 % blocked (good news),,:),,,,,so they think we can treat them with medicine ,,,Procardia,,,,,,and since it was so late of a surgery,,,,and I my blood so thin and I had this huge hole in my arm,,,(they went through the right wrist/arm intead of using the groin) they made me stay over night (darn!) wasnt expecting this,,,,but I had brought a bag (as I always do) in case of an emergency,,,,so I was glad I brought this..still having chest pain,,,,got some medicine for this,,,,,more medicine,,,just what I needed,,,,I think I take about 23 pills now,,,,,,,wow,,,,,,my boys stayed with me and took care of me,,,,,for this I am extremely grateful,,,,,,,,They are trying to fill in for their Daddy not being here to take care of me,,,,,,,,and Ronnie would have,,,,,,he was just like that........

The phone call.....

The Dr that is going to do the cath called and wanted to see me before the cath,,,so I go and he tells me IF I have a blockage I might have to have a stent,,,,and with out a blood thinner the platletes would stick to the metal,,,so since I have low plathletes already,,,the blood thinner is out of the question......so there will be no stent put in today as previously planned,,,,,,,the option would be to have open heart surgery,,,,and again with the plathletes already so low,,,62 today,,,,,I could bleed out......so,,,it looks like if they find a blockage it will be medicine for me,,,Procardia,,,,,,so the cath is still planned,,,,,,I have become a very difficult to treat patient,,,,,,,,,,,,,,My son Jason says that I am a very unique patient,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Gotta love that son :)

The tests,,,,,,,

Well on Monday,,,I got a echo test on my heart and a stress test on the tread mill with isotope radio active solution,,,,,,,,,,that just about did me in,,,the echo test which hurt my chest because she had to push so hard to get inbetween the rib cage to the heart,,,,,then we proceded to the stress test,,I guess because of the knee replacement they didnt have me run at capacity,,,instead it was a nice leisurely paced walk while I received the isotope,,,,,,which pushed me into hypervenilation,,,,,and that is where I nearly passed out,,,,,,and I was only walking but I felt as it I had ran 5 miles,,,,,,my heart was racing,,,,nauseated,,,,,head hurting,,,stomach cramping,,,,,,,,,,,whew,,,was sick for the rest of the day.   You know how you feel when you work out in the yard and get too hot and get sick,,???  Well that is exactly how I felt,,,,,just lifeless....They also took pictures of my heart at rest before and after,,,,,,,I drank a coke and PB crackers.  I felt better when I left,,,,but remained rung out like a dishcloth all day,,,,,,whew


On tuesday I went to Jacobs game, even though I still wasnt feeling well,,,,,,,after the game we went to Cracker Barrel (Matthews favorite place to eat) and on the way I got so sick and my chest was hurting sooo bad,,,,,,I used the nitro spray but it didnt do any good,,,we went inside and I was too sick to eat, so I just order FF and water,,,which is not like me at Cracker Barrel.  Jason kept taking my pulse and sats,,,,and it was bad.  When we got in the car he had me take off the fingernail polish,,,he thought maybe it wasnt registering right,,,even though when he done it with others,,,,it was more correct.  When we got to my house they came in and Jason continued to monitor me,,,,,,Bp was good,,,but the pulse was very variable,,,,,,something very odd about this,,,we debated going to the ER,,,,,,but knew they would be doing the same tests I had just,,,,decided to stay home take some pain medicine,,,,,maybe even do some laundry (as long as I am up and doing around the pain is bearable,,,its when I am resting that it hurts so bad) got to bed at 2:15 and the pain meds were about to kick in,,,,,glad to be in my own bed........the following am I was hurting a little but nothing like the night before,,,,,,Jason had called at 4:30 (as he left for work) to check on me and again at 7:30,,,and which I was doing pretty good,,,,,,,and today was the day to go back and get results of the test,,,,Jonathan drove me to the appt........Dr Pribble said that I may have a blockage and we need to have a cath done(which I figured this)......and after the contrast dye (which I am allergic to) he would give me some medicine which would throw my arteries into spasms and check this,,,,they would also give me medicine to reverse this. (whew)  So he has put me on steroids and benadryl for the contrast dye so I wont have a reaction (hives and shock), so I have another 2 days to wait,,,,,5:00 on friday will be the cath test,,,,,,,not looking forward to it,,,,,,,,,,,nope not at all,,,,,,

Thanks to my boys for taking such good care of me,,,,,dont know what I would do without them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,hugs  HomeComing and decoration at church this weekend,,,,,,hope I am able to go,,,,,,,

report of thyroid biospy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

well good news,,,while there maybe something going on with the thyroid,,,,it is not cancer according to the biospy report,,,and that is good news,,,,,,,,,we are supposed to repeat the ultra sound in six months,,,,in the meantime,,,I am still having chest pain,,,and it is not the cancer,,,,,(lymph nodes),,,,nor acid reflux,,,I thought maybe it was because of upping the thyroid medicine,,,,,,so I went off of it for 3 weeks,,,,didnt phase it,,,so I went back on it,,,,,saw my heart Dr,,,,,, Dr Pribble on Wed,,,,,,we are going to do some tests on Monday,,,,,,,I asked him just what it could be,,,,, anxeity,,,hypertension????   He said it sounded like spasms of the arterys while I was at rest,,,(makes sense),,,but he said it was hard to detect,,,,,,in the mean time he gave me some nitro glycersin spray to use,,,,,,,,so the story of my life,,,more tests,,,,and wait for results,,,,

Day of biopsy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Monday,,,April 1

Well today was the day for the biopsy of the thyroid,,,a long grueling day for sure,,,,Jenni and Hannah took me to Greenview hospital and took care of me,,,,,,,,,,,we had to be there at 8:30 for surgery at 10:00  but at 10:30 the Dr thought things would go better if I received some platelets since my platelets were 49,,,to be on the safe side,,,,so they had to be ordered and then refined and then it took 15 minutes to receive them and then surgery was 45 minutes and recovery was for 30 minutes,,,,There was no heavy bleeding........Thank God,,,,,,and no stitches just a band aid....hey that is a good thing.  Pain was a minimal but I could feel deep pressure,,,,he took 4 biopsy's of nodules and I'm hoping we will hear something before the end of the week and then maybe we will know what we are dealing with.  Can't do anything for the next 48 hours,,,,,,think I will chill out and watch some movies,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and wait,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Thanks to Jonathan and Tiffany for supper tonight,,,,I was starving,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Well I want to start off by saying,,,,MASON is here,,,,,one healthy little boy,,,,,and one proud Mamma,,,love my grandchildren sooo much,,,,I have started watching him two days a week and have sooo thoroughly enjoyed him,,,,,he makes my day,,,,,

Not sure,,,,,,,,,,of what is going on,,,,,,haven't been sick all winter,,,,I have stayed in quite a bit,,,afraid of catching the flu,,,,,,,that would not be good......but something is going on,,,not sure exactly what,,,,,,I have been having chest pain,,,,doesn't feel like a weight on my chest,,,been going on for 10 weeks...and of course the side of my right neck and ear are still achy,,,,had a cat scan done in February,,,it showed no change in the lymph nodes,,,,but showed thyroid nodules,,,,which I know I had always had a goiter,,,and am taking thyroid medicine so it wouldn't grow,,,,Dr suggested an ultrasound on the neck to check the nodules out,,,,now there are several nodules, which is normal of a goiter,,,,,,,,now there are nodules on the right,,,hmmmmmm,,,same side the achyness is on plus the ear that hurts,,,and same side the chest pain is,,,also same side where they biopsied the lymph nodes under the arm and found Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma,,,,wonder if there is a connection here,,,,,,,,,,So now I am scheduled for a biopsy of the thyroid,,,,no surgery as of this time,,,just a ultrasound guided core biopsy,,,,just a one inch incision ,,,,even though the platelets were 47 as of the last blood work, they seem to think it is adequate for the biopsy,,,hmmmmm,,,,which should tell us what we are dealing with,,,could be another goiter,,,,,thyroid lymphoma,,,,,cancer of the thyroid,,(can you imagine having 3 different cancers????? Really now????) (enough is enough----don't even go there). I was taking thyroid medicine so the goiter wouldn't grow,,,,,,,,but something is going on with the thyroid because the Dr increased the medicine in November and again in February,,,,,so wonder what is going on,,,,,,,questions, questions, questions,,,,,,got to remember to get the Dr to prescribe an anti-biotic,,,to protect my knee,,,I mean if I have to take one for teeth cleaning,,,,surely I will need one for the incision, to protect the knee,,,and probably go off the celebrex too,,,,,,(mental note to call Dr and ask about this), The test was scheduled for this Monday 3/25,,,but gonna call and See if we can change to 4/01 while the kids are off on spring break,,,,,they said to bring a driver,,,,hmmmmmmm ,,,,,, Probably will be about 3 weeks before I know

anything....will let you know,,,,,,,(mental note:  think positive thoughts)

Well,,,,,,,,

I don't know what to say......I never got sick,,,.I'm still having little fevers,,,,,and have been having chills too,,,,,,,,,,a little itchy-ness,,,,,,,the side of my face,,,actually my jaw is swollen,,,,on down into my neck,,,the lymph nodes in my neck,,,,,don't know for sure, what is going on.   Glad I went ahead and got that flu shot,,,,,,,also just got a DPT and a shot for shingles.   So that should take care of what ails ya.  ha  Have had several mean night sweats lately, too.  Dr Shadowen suggested the DPT shot,,,he said it seems like whooping cough is making a come back, and if I would be around any kids to be sure and get one,,,,and then Tiffany said her obgyn told her any one that would be around the baby much should get the shot,,,,so thought it would be best to get it,,,and while I was there, I got one for shingles also.   Now, I have already had the shingles once,,,,but my cancer Dr said I could possibly get them again,,,,,,and I was soooooo sick then,,,,so don't want to go that route again,,,,maybe the next time,,,,,well hopefully there wont be a next time.  The shot will last a lifetime,,,,,,so still dont know what is going on,,,,still waiting for more symptoms,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Happy Birthday Ronnie,,,,,,

up in Heaven,,,,,would have been 63,,,,,,,,he was 3 months older then me,,,,My birthday is in January.  He'll be gone 11 years in February,,,,,,,,,where has the time gone?   The things that I would love to discuss with him,,,,,,,,,,tell him,,,,,,,show him,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Busy day for sure,,,,,,,

for a sick person,,,,,,,,emptied dishwasher,,,,washed a few dishes,,cleaned up the kitchen, made bed,,,,,swept garage,,,,rode my bike around the circle,,,,
(twice) ,,,,,,pulled weeds around the borders in front of house,,,,,,trimmed the shrubs,,,laid some mulch around the shrubs on side of house,,,,raked all trimmings up,,,,laid the rest of the mulch in back yard,,,,,,,,,,,,hmmmmmm   Does it sound as if I'm sick????  Maybe tomorrow it will hit,,,,,,,,,,,,better wash the van first,,,,,,,,,,

Something Viral,,,,,,,,,,,

she says,,,,,,,hmmmmmmmmmmm  but I'm not sick,,,,,,,,,,  Went for a 3 month checkup today,,,,,thought everything would be fine,,,,,,,,,,,,,the only complaint I had was of feeling feverish,,,,but thought it was probably mild hot flashes,,,,,,(never occurs to me to take my temp,,,,it is always 96 or 97, that's the norm for me),,,,,,,,come to find out I had a low grade temp,,,,,,,,,hmmmmmmm  My white cells have climbed to 20.8,,,WOW,,,,,,,,a  normal high is 10.8,,,,,,,,3 months ago it was 14,,,,,,,,,,,,hmmmmm   lymph count is 17.9 normal is 2.9   hmmmmmmmm   but she really thinks it is just something viral,,,,but I'm not sick,,,(so far)  so I guess it is wait and see,,,,,,meanwhile I don't want to be around anyone just in case it is,,,,,,,,,,,,,and then again it could be the cancer surfacing,,,,,hmmmmmm  I am feeling pretty good (for me)  Platelets were 63,,,,,,that's normal for me,,,,normal low is 130   hmmmmmm  When I was diagnosed 14 years ago my WBC was 24,,,,,,,, almost back up there,,,,,it was 54 when I took chemo,,,,sure hope that is not the case for me,,,,,,hmmmmmmmm  Will keep you posted,,,,haven't had the flu shot yet,,,,,,,,and if it's something viral,,,quess I shouldn't get it yet,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Into every one's life, a little rain must fall,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,just hope it doesn't create a flood,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thumbs Up!!!!

Well,,,all is well,,,still doing good!!!!!  Still have quite  a bit of pain but nothing compared to what it was before surgery,,,I have healed exceptionally well,,,,,and the iron that I took,,,,I can finally feel it,,,,,I have been having some really good days,,,,,,,,wish it could stay like this,,,,,,,looking forward to summer,,,,,I visit the cancer Dr,,,in a few weeks,,,expecting a good check-up........Hope everyone has a good fun filled summer,,,,,,,,,,,

Good News, Bad News,,,,,,,

visit with Dr Seshradri, cancer Dr,,,,,the iron worked for the white cells, especially the neutraphils,,,,it raised them considerably, (since these are the cells that fight infection,,,that is a very good thing),,,,,but then on the other hand,,,not so much for the platelets,,,,,they are still at 52,,,,and normal low is 134 ,,,,so 52 is real a shortage,,,,,,but I feel pretty good and there is no bruising,,,,so that is a wonderful thing,,,,,,,so I am to return in 3 months,,,,in the meantime,,,if anything comes up,,,I am to call her,,,,,,,,,,wished it had been better.  Of course,,,the protocol is to take out the spleen,,,(ugh),,,,she said sometimes this works and platelets go back to normal,,,,but then again,,sometimes it doesn't,,,,,,and then you don't have a spleen,,,,she says the spleen is eating up the platelets,,,,,,,,(what to do, what to do,,)????  Fortunate for me,,,I have not been sick all winter,,,,,,,,,,and hopefully will stay that way....,,,,?   hmmmmm

Good Going Doc,,,,,,,

visit with Dr Fee ,,,,it has been 2 1/2 months since surgery,,,,,,,,and everything is great!!!!  Who would have thought?   Never got an infection,  (which I was sure I would,,,given the immune system being what it is).  But with Dr Fees help and  Dr.Rebecca Shadowen's given lots of antibiotics,,,and Dr Seshradri lots of iron,,,,and the grace of God,,,,we made it through.  Dr Fee is well pleased and said I didn't have to come back for a year,,,,YEY!!!  But there is still pain and lots of it,,,,not like it was before surgery,,,,just an aching pain,,,,but it feels better when I am active like riding the bike or walking,,,,,when I am at rest,,,there is pain,,,,wonder if it just the weather or if this is just the way it is going to be.     Will have to admit that it is still better then the terrible pain before,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,He said to keep up my therapy that I am doing at home and it will take 6 months to a year to completely recover,,,,,hmmmmmmmmm

No More Therapy!!!!

Today was the last day of therapy,,,,,I have been pulling 120 (degree of motion) for over a week now,,,so that is good.  But they tell me to keep up the exercising at home for about a year,,,(oh great) to keep the knee from freezing up,,,(even more great!)  Nobody told me this,,,,,,,,,I see the Dr next Weds,,,,so we will see if he is pleased with it.  The knee still hurts alot,,,but nothing like it did before surgery,,,,I'm hoping it will get better with time,,,,,,,,and I will adjust better,,,,it has been a big ordeal for me,,,,,,,

I also had taken the last dose of Iron for now,,,I also see the cancer Dr. next Thurs,,,,we are hoping this iron raises the platelets and my white blood count,,,,hoping,,,,hoping,,,hoping,

Ten years ago,,,,,

today,,,was the day Ronnie passed away,,,,,,where has the time gone?  Alot has happened,,,,,alot of changes,,,,,,I'm not the same person I was then.  Things happen that change you,,,,,,,and you can't help it.  But,,on a brighter side,,,,,,,he is far off better than me,,,,or any of us,,,,,,,,and one day,,,,,yep, one day I will get to see him again,,,(Look for me,,,,for I will be there too).

I am still receiving iron by IV on fridays,,,maybe this friday will be the last of it,,,,,and I pulled 112 last week at therapy,,,,closer to 120,,,,maybe it will come this week.  The knee is doing well,,,,the muscles behind the knee hurt alot,,,,I think that is due to the fibromaylgia,,but even that is getting better.  But I think I am still getting feeling back in the knee that makes it hurt.   Wonder how long it will take to get all the sensations back?  Or will I ever?  hmmmmm  We shall see,,,meanwhile,,,,need to go ride my bike,,,,,,,,,

108*

degree of motion  yesterday at PT,,,,,,,way to GOOOOOO!!!  Maybe soon I will make 120*  Check up with Dr Shadowens was pretty good,,,A1c was 5.5,,,,that is real good but cholesterol is still pretty high,,,liver counts are excellent,,,,,,,he added Zetia to the already taking drugs,,,,,hope it helps.  I see Rebecca Shadowen on thursday,,,,wonder how things will be with her.........As far as I know,,,,no infections,,,,yey me,,,,,,,,,

Almost 6 weeks,,,,,,,,,

well,,,on Friday it will be 6 weeks since surgery,,,,,and still doing well and no infection,,,,just can't believe it......the knee looks great, all healed and staples all out.....the bruising is gone except for a little yellow bruising still. Today I got 102 degree of motion,,,that is good but still have 120 to get to,,,but they tell me it will come,,,,I'm looking forward to it. Thanks to Dr Rebecca Shadowen for giving me so much antibiotic that I didn't get an infection,,,,thrush yes,,,,,but no infection of the knee. Since the bone marrow test showed no iron stores,,,,,De Sishardri says I need more iron,,,,so on Friday I will receive more iron by IV,,,I did last Friday also,,,,will do this for the next 3 Fridays. She said this will help with the healing process and the platelets and overall picture,,,, should help. Looking forward to this,,,,but,,,,not looking forward to the leg cramps that followed last weeks treatment,,,,hey,,,,but it will help the cause,,,,,got some terrible bruising from the stick,,,,wonder what the platelets are doing,,,,might ask for a CBC to see what is going on. On a good note my A1c was a 5.5 that is a very good thing,,,,Dr David Shadowen will be glad to hear of this,,,,I see the endocrinologist on Friday.

Going to try and go back to sewing class tomorrow,,,,will miss my good friend Joann,,,,,but will remember all the good times we had. I had so many things lined up to sew,,,,,,but it has been very hard to focus on anything other than my knee,,,this has really surprised me. I found it hard to set so many times,,,but it is getting better,,,,the cane and walker are gone, that is a good thing,,,,,just waiting for the muscles in the back of the legs to finally heal.,,,,,Wonder how long that is going to take,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Hope everyone had a good Valentines Day yesterday,,,,,,,,,,,sure miss my Valentine,,,,,,,,,,

R.I.P. Joann Smith,,,,,

my dear friend that helped me so much on the creation of the wall hanging has passed away,,,,,I will miss her greatly, especially at our quilting meetings. I learned sooo much from her about sewing techniques, she taught me how to use my New sewing machine,,,many good conversations about gospel singing and preaching services and life in general,,,,and we shared a monster of a disease,,,hers with lung cancer and of course mine with CLL. Needless to say we had alot in common. Since we have started our sewing meetings,,,JoAnns health has continue to deteriorate,,,,and now it has spread to her brain,,,and was taking some radiation treatments. Of course to no avail,,,,she didn't get better this time and she passed. It truly is our(my) loss and heavens gain. She's probably teaching everyone how to quilt in heaven,,(tears, tears) RIP my friend Joann.

If I only knew,,,,,,,,

that knee surgery would be soooo rough,,,,I would have taken better care of them.  Today is day ten,,,,and not so good of a day,,,,was up most of the night,,,,,,,,in so much pain,,,,I'm determined to get off the pain meds,,,,,,,,and didn't have any for two day,,,,but PT with home health was pretty grueling yesterday,,,,and I should have taken some meds,,,,but didn't ,,,so I paid for it by getting no sleep.  Therapaists say I am doing well,,,,,,,,,I know I am getting around well,,,,but still can't bend it all the way and I have terrible bruising all around it.  I will have to say that the knee itelf is looking good,,,and,,,,no pain,,,,it has about 20 staples still in it,,,,but I suffered so much pain before surgery,,,it's good not to have any now.  But the pain is where the muscles were tampered with and where the tourequet was.  They say I will have full use before long.  We'll see. 

Today is my 62nd birthday,,,,Happy Birthday to me,,,,never thought I would live to see 62,,,,,,,I thank God for each one that he gives me.  I feel very old today,,,,wonder if it can be because of no sleep issue last night