Time for the countdown. I shall have to get up early to be at the hospital by 7am. (Not my favorite thing, it's a lot like going to work!) It has really been helpful to me to be going into this with a relaxed state of mind.
I have had SO many people express their love and concern and offering prayers on my behalf, and there is just NO WAY I can feel down. I feel so encouraged, and at peace. I know this is just something I HAVE to go through and there is just no getting around it. I intend to take it one day at a time. That way it doesn't seem so overwhelming. Besides, I have a whole month after the surgery to recuperate and rest!
So please don't make yourselves scarce. I enjoy hearing from you all. I think of you too, you know, and wonder what's up in your lives. Please keep me distracted! LOL! I have a laptop I can use in bed, so I WILL be checking my Facebook and email, etc.
Blessings and Love to you ALL!
Mary
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Counting Down the Hours...
One day to go...this has seemed like an eternity! I am feeling a kind of numb calmness now. I have worked hard to keep myself distracted this week so I would not think about what's coming too much. I really do appreciate all my good friends who have contributed to my distraction! It sure was fun hanging out with you all!
On Friday, I went up to St. Cloud with Sandy, Phyllis, and Chris. We went to Crafts Direct. It's a store the size of WalMart with nothing but CRAFT supplies in it! I was truly in my happy place! Then we joined Sandy's daughter, Sherri for lunch at Granite city, then headed back to the cities.
In the evening, I joined Suzanne at her house while she had the young women over for camp certification. They built a campfire, and cooked shish-kabobs, and corn on the cob and baked muffins inside hollowed-out oranges. Of course, there were marshmallows for roasting, too. John and Kim kept us entertained, and Michelle, Casie and Dorothea were there.
I was so bushed from the day trip, I fell asleep on Suz' couch for two hours, even with all the mayhem around me (I didn't hear a thing!)
Today I had a last-minute call from my doctor's office to come in and have a re-check on my shingles. For a while there, I was sweating bullets, worried he was going to call off the surgery because I still have a few marks on my back. The ones in the front have gone away. He called and talked with my surgeon, and they decided to let me go in on Monday morning and Dr. Schmidt will determine whether she thinks I am good to go ahead with the procedure.
Alright, already! I just want to get this over with! SOON!
Tonight (Saturday) Gary and I stayed home and watched a movie and had a very nice date night. We talked about what's ahead, and I think we are as ready as we can be. He is being so supportive and kind. I truly appreciate it! Tomorrow will hopefully be somewhat restful, even though I feel I still have some last-minute things to prepare.
I have to be at the hospital early Monday morning so they can poke and prod me some more before surgery.
I believe everything will turn out fine. This is just a Bump in the Road, not the End of the Road...
Love you all!
Mary
On Friday, I went up to St. Cloud with Sandy, Phyllis, and Chris. We went to Crafts Direct. It's a store the size of WalMart with nothing but CRAFT supplies in it! I was truly in my happy place! Then we joined Sandy's daughter, Sherri for lunch at Granite city, then headed back to the cities.
In the evening, I joined Suzanne at her house while she had the young women over for camp certification. They built a campfire, and cooked shish-kabobs, and corn on the cob and baked muffins inside hollowed-out oranges. Of course, there were marshmallows for roasting, too. John and Kim kept us entertained, and Michelle, Casie and Dorothea were there.
I was so bushed from the day trip, I fell asleep on Suz' couch for two hours, even with all the mayhem around me (I didn't hear a thing!)
Today I had a last-minute call from my doctor's office to come in and have a re-check on my shingles. For a while there, I was sweating bullets, worried he was going to call off the surgery because I still have a few marks on my back. The ones in the front have gone away. He called and talked with my surgeon, and they decided to let me go in on Monday morning and Dr. Schmidt will determine whether she thinks I am good to go ahead with the procedure.
Alright, already! I just want to get this over with! SOON!
Tonight (Saturday) Gary and I stayed home and watched a movie and had a very nice date night. We talked about what's ahead, and I think we are as ready as we can be. He is being so supportive and kind. I truly appreciate it! Tomorrow will hopefully be somewhat restful, even though I feel I still have some last-minute things to prepare.
I have to be at the hospital early Monday morning so they can poke and prod me some more before surgery.
I believe everything will turn out fine. This is just a Bump in the Road, not the End of the Road...
Love you all!
Mary
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Incommunicado
Several of you have mentioned that you wanted to post a comment to me here on my blog, but couldn't get through the technical part...I can understand that. It took me a number of trys before I could comment on my daughter's blog, too. I am not saavy enough to explain the process to you, but I can give you some alternatives.
Just go on on my Facebook Page (Mary LaBarre Krause) and send me a note if you wish...I LOVE to hear from you! If you aren't on Facebook, then send me an email to marykrause@hotmail.com
It really bolsters my courage to hear your comments!
Love you all!
Just go on on my Facebook Page (Mary LaBarre Krause) and send me a note if you wish...I LOVE to hear from you! If you aren't on Facebook, then send me an email to marykrause@hotmail.com
It really bolsters my courage to hear your comments!
Love you all!
This is FOR SURE
Here's the schedule:
Monday, June 27th 9:00am at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood : surgery
Tuesday, (not sure what time) go home to recuperate for four weeks
July 27th : Appointment with the oncologist to plan radiation and chemo.
I am very happy with my choices of surgeon and oncologist! Things are looking UP!
Love you ALL!
Mary
Monday, June 20, 2011
Checking out Oncology
Today was a good day. I got up and did all my exercises, and did a few things around the house, and then met Diane and Angie to tour the oncology facility over by Mercy Hospital. I even got to meet my oncologist in the hallway. I did not have a formal appointment with her. I had to laugh at myself (I get plenty of opportunities to do that!) Her name is Nagargoje. I assumed I would be meeting a Japanese person by the sound of the name, but she is actually of Indian (India) descent.
Not that it matters in the least, I just had to laugh at that. It was a very nice tour, and Diane got to say hi to alot of the people she knew so well when her friend, Lisa was going through this. I was impressed with the facility, and the friendliness of the people who work there.
It was just plain fun to spend a couple of hours with Diane and Angie, too!
I went home and worked on organizing my room some more...finding places to put everything. I just want to keep busy for the next week, while I wait for surgery.
My niece, Tess called this evening, and wants to do another Benefit for me over at her church in St. Paul. She is planning a spaghetti dinner and a silent auction. I am speechless.
I continually feel so blessed.
Love and Blessings to you all!
Mary
Not that it matters in the least, I just had to laugh at that. It was a very nice tour, and Diane got to say hi to alot of the people she knew so well when her friend, Lisa was going through this. I was impressed with the facility, and the friendliness of the people who work there.
It was just plain fun to spend a couple of hours with Diane and Angie, too!
I went home and worked on organizing my room some more...finding places to put everything. I just want to keep busy for the next week, while I wait for surgery.
My niece, Tess called this evening, and wants to do another Benefit for me over at her church in St. Paul. She is planning a spaghetti dinner and a silent auction. I am speechless.
I continually feel so blessed.
Love and Blessings to you all!
Mary
Saturday, June 18, 2011
ANOTHER Change in Plans...
Saturday we moved my bedroom from the downstairs room to upstairs, and changed the computers around, too, so that I now have the den upstairs for mine, and Gary's computer is downstairs. Gary has been a sweetheart and is helpful in every way...Thanks, Gary!
Thank Goodness for Ben, who came in the morning and made the transition so easy! He unhooked all the wires and cables and had everything up and running in such a short time. I am sure Gary and I would still be scratching our heads, trying to figure out what goes where, and wondering why we can't get on the internet. What a relief.....THANKS BEN!!!!
Happy Fathers' Day to all you Dads out there!
I got a call from my surgeon about her discussion with my oncologist. The surgery WILL come first, after all. She is working on getting me scheduled for Monday, June 27th. It will be at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood now, instead of St. Paul. I don't know any details yet, but will let you all know when I hear.
I am so relieved to have such an attentive physician. It is so amazing to me to deal with a doctor directly, and not through a clinic! She is my kind of Doc.
So now, after all the switching around, I am back to the original plan, just a week later. I'm at the point where I just want this to be over and done, so I can quit thinking about it. It is so much easier to deal with reality, as opposed to my imagination and over-thinking everything.
My oncologist is at Mercy Hospital Clinic, and I chose her on the recommendation of a friend- Diane, and because it is only 15 minutes from home, instead of a half hour. I will be taking a tour of the facility on Monday with Diane. I probably won't have an appointment with the oncologist until a few weeks after my surgery.
I feel like I am making some progress in cleaning out my clutter here at home. This is a good feeling, and I am ready to unload things I won't be using. It has been a blessing to be home these past few weeks to focus on myself and to have time to do what I need to do to feel ready to face what's ahead.
It was also a special treat to see the videos of Tacy's new place... just a beautiful location. Can't wait to visit out there! Fiona is growing so fast, and every day she knows more words! Chuck posted a picture of him and Fiona on a carosel. Tacy said after one ride around, she gave the hand-sign for "more" so Daddy took her for another ride. So Sweet!
Of course, I also enjoy my "other grandchild", Brutus the Bulldog. Beth posts the cutest videos and pictures of him on her Facebook. Makes me smile.
Doug (Gary's brother) and Liza met us at Outback and we had dinner together. Then we continued the visit at home. That was a special treat today, after a long day of moving stuff around.
I feel SO supported and loved by all my friends, and I so appreciate all the well-wishes and prayers. I am truly blessed to know so many wonderful people, who have been there for me at just the right moments.
Love You All,
Mary :)
Thank Goodness for Ben, who came in the morning and made the transition so easy! He unhooked all the wires and cables and had everything up and running in such a short time. I am sure Gary and I would still be scratching our heads, trying to figure out what goes where, and wondering why we can't get on the internet. What a relief.....THANKS BEN!!!!
Happy Fathers' Day to all you Dads out there!
I got a call from my surgeon about her discussion with my oncologist. The surgery WILL come first, after all. She is working on getting me scheduled for Monday, June 27th. It will be at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood now, instead of St. Paul. I don't know any details yet, but will let you all know when I hear.
I am so relieved to have such an attentive physician. It is so amazing to me to deal with a doctor directly, and not through a clinic! She is my kind of Doc.
So now, after all the switching around, I am back to the original plan, just a week later. I'm at the point where I just want this to be over and done, so I can quit thinking about it. It is so much easier to deal with reality, as opposed to my imagination and over-thinking everything.
My oncologist is at Mercy Hospital Clinic, and I chose her on the recommendation of a friend- Diane, and because it is only 15 minutes from home, instead of a half hour. I will be taking a tour of the facility on Monday with Diane. I probably won't have an appointment with the oncologist until a few weeks after my surgery.
I feel like I am making some progress in cleaning out my clutter here at home. This is a good feeling, and I am ready to unload things I won't be using. It has been a blessing to be home these past few weeks to focus on myself and to have time to do what I need to do to feel ready to face what's ahead.
It was also a special treat to see the videos of Tacy's new place... just a beautiful location. Can't wait to visit out there! Fiona is growing so fast, and every day she knows more words! Chuck posted a picture of him and Fiona on a carosel. Tacy said after one ride around, she gave the hand-sign for "more" so Daddy took her for another ride. So Sweet!
Of course, I also enjoy my "other grandchild", Brutus the Bulldog. Beth posts the cutest videos and pictures of him on her Facebook. Makes me smile.
Doug (Gary's brother) and Liza met us at Outback and we had dinner together. Then we continued the visit at home. That was a special treat today, after a long day of moving stuff around.
I feel SO supported and loved by all my friends, and I so appreciate all the well-wishes and prayers. I am truly blessed to know so many wonderful people, who have been there for me at just the right moments.
Love You All,
Mary :)
Friday, June 17, 2011
Doctor Call
I don't remember WHEN a doctor ever called me directly, let alone several times now. Today Dr. Schmidt called me again to discuss how she wants to proceed with my treatment. I really appreciate her letting me in on what she is thinking on my behalf. Most of my other clinics send phone messages, or mail letters to me about such things, or when I call their offices, I have to go through a lot of recordings, and pushing numbers to [hopefully] find out what I need to know.
She had a conference with a number of other surgeons & oncologists. There is a new approach to my kind of cancer which is working well and getting good results. That is, getting chemotherapy started BEFORE the surgery. The advantage of this is that it shrinks the cancer and makes it more defineable as they go in to remove it.
SO, next Tuesday, when I was scheduled for my mastectomy--which I cannot have due to my shingles, I will have a port put under the skin on my right shoulder. This creates an easy entry for administering the chemo frequently without constantly being stuck with needles.
As of today, the Surgeon and the Oncologist have not connected, and they will have to work out the details of when my surgery can be done.
I spent some time getting aquainted with my new laptop, and then went out with my girlfriends to a movie this evening. Thank Goodness for my Dear Friends! Love you ALL!
Mary
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