It’s Friday, the day of chemo which is over, but I feel pretty good! We will sit around watching some good basketball tonight and for the next few days. We will return on Sunday to the cancer care center for preventive fluids and anti nausea drip drugs to insure a good vs. bad next week. The trip to FL did me good! We arrived home last night before chemo. Moderate sun intake, moderate Malibu rum intake (with every healthy juice mix available-including digestive friendly PLUM JUICE)…trying to be good! I was very relaxed and when TIM wasn’t snoring, I slept very well…as did the rest of the house guests. Developed some migraine headaches down there which COULD have been due to the MU WARRIOR loss!! I even had my ‘Buck the Fadgers’ t-shirt ready in case MU met UW in the sweet sixteen…back on the shelf until next season.
April 10th, Good Friday, I will be having a CT scan of my chest, liver and other body organs and also a brain MRI to see if we are making progress with the chemo. Since everyone I know MAY be in prayer mode on this day, please say one for me…that I get some really needed good news after these diagnostic tests.
Read a great book in FL that I highly recommend to all…’The Shack’…Great story and you will see God in a whole new light!!
Tim’s family will be coming to visit at Easter…we have never been home for Easter, always in FL so this will be new to us. We will welcome Maggie and Tim, Beth with son Matt and new fiancé Shannon, Charlie (Anne) and maybe Charlie and Franny…Jake and Abbey and Tim and I can’t wait to see you! Danny is gearing up for graduation and cannot make the trip.
I came home to some great cards from the loyal crew that sends them every week to keep up my spirits!! THANKS to Jaki & Mike, Patricia, Mary A., Aunt Evie, Aunt Dorothy, and Joanie B. (Mrs. B)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Creative Happiness 24/7
I am finding how hard it is to always stay happy and positive these days. YOU have all done such a great job of lifting my spirits (even though I cry when I am happy now-HAPPY TEARS) and have shared some really powerful prayers from a variety of sources. I keep your individual names on each of these prayer snipits or books and smile with thoughts of you as I pray each day.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
CHEMOTHERAPY---2 DOWN, 4 TO GO
CHEMO #2------ONE WORD-IT’s OVER!!!!!!!!!! Here is the clinical update first. The FIRST chemo cycle was one bad week, one great week and one so-so week. I was able to work steadily during my good week but only sporadically the other times. I have been able to stay healthy between #1 and #2 but have had to sacrifice my social life for it and staying away from people!! It’s hard to do! But my Blood count stayed healthy.The so-so week was NOT due to the chemo but due to the continued healing process of my surgical site where the lung was removed. And this pain continues. All the nerves and muscles are starting to regenerate and come back to life from numbness…all at the same time---OUCH---BUT GOOD that this is happening!!! Tim went off to a silent retreat last weekend while I had my chemo #2. My girlfriends, sister and I do NOT understand this quiet concept for 4 days. My second session chemo escorts were Sherry and Mary and we laughed, talked and the 8 hours we were there went pretty quickly.chemo #2 had 2 new drugs and one similar drug to chemo #1 so I have been experiencing better physical results without the horrible nausea stuff. We are so confident of this continuing, we booked a flight to Florida for mid March and will stay a week and return for my next #3 chemo treatment on March 27th. I hope my only complaint in Florida is that I ran out of ice in my “whatever-tini” I am drinking that day. God willing with me AND good weather, I should have a nice tan and a relaxed body for chemo #3. After the next chemo, they will be doing another (CT) Scan to see where the treatment has been effective and where it is trying to hide next!! Thanks again for the continued flow of cards, I seem to notice more deeply, the added written words, more so than in the beginning when my brain was too crowded with medical stuff. I am going back and re-reading them again. I received a beautiful card from my Aunt Evie this week------one of my many faithful weekly writers------and her last line was, "Remember Lynnie, SPRING ALWAYS COMES”. How simple, how true, how relevant to so many issues in our lives.These words and so many of the words you send me carry me for hours and days---and then more hours and days and I re-read all of my cards again. I find your “words” of encouragement at this time are more meaningful than entire books I read. It took me so long to post this update because I anticipated the same chemo experience and was pleasantly surprised that in this cancer business, it’s not always what you expect, sometimes better, sometimes worse, you need to just remain open for change.
A little added update. Our kids are all doing very well! Abbey is home this weekend from St. Mary’s University in Winona…she arrived with books trying to impress me!!
Danny is 7 weeks away from graduating from Regis University (Denver) with a double major in English Literature and Visual Arts and has many requirements to fulfill before we see him receive that diploma in 7 weeks. He is already exploring opportunities for after graduation.
Jake lives in Chicago and is with UNUM insurance company and finished his 9 month training program and has started his sales position in his Southern IL territory where he will be a few days a week calling on brokers who need his products for their clients.
This cancer/treatment/cure process takes a heck of a long time. Thanks for sticking it out over the long haul. I feel like I am in a time warp right now and appreciate how many tell me they think about me every day! Thank you, thank you, as I know how your days fill up and become overloaded…thanks for keeping me in that busy day.
Hope you all go to watch (Joe King's of Irish Fest) St. Patrick's Day Parade in Milwaukee and stop by a few places for a few green beers!!!!
A little added update. Our kids are all doing very well! Abbey is home this weekend from St. Mary’s University in Winona…she arrived with books trying to impress me!!
Danny is 7 weeks away from graduating from Regis University (Denver) with a double major in English Literature and Visual Arts and has many requirements to fulfill before we see him receive that diploma in 7 weeks. He is already exploring opportunities for after graduation.
Jake lives in Chicago and is with UNUM insurance company and finished his 9 month training program and has started his sales position in his Southern IL territory where he will be a few days a week calling on brokers who need his products for their clients.
This cancer/treatment/cure process takes a heck of a long time. Thanks for sticking it out over the long haul. I feel like I am in a time warp right now and appreciate how many tell me they think about me every day! Thank you, thank you, as I know how your days fill up and become overloaded…thanks for keeping me in that busy day.
Hope you all go to watch (Joe King's of Irish Fest) St. Patrick's Day Parade in Milwaukee and stop by a few places for a few green beers!!!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Cancer and Chemo Update 2/20/09
OH BOY, THAT CHEMO!! I guess the good news is that chemo sure was working because my body was beat to heck by it. The usual drugs that block the nausea receptors did not work in me so I am just coming out of a 24/7 nauseous state since last Friday…long week. So, let’s hope for two good weeks before that next ‘cocktail’ is scheduled to be mixed.
We also found out that my cancer is a very fast moving type. Since that last Ct scan (post-surgery) until now, the cancer has already moved into my liver—but only a little bit. Dr Choong says, “The faster the cancer moves, the easier it falls.” So it is a race right now. This advancement means an additional two rounds of chemotherapy (total 6) and the addition of another chemo drug.
My social life still pretty much sucks! Thanks for keeping all the cards coming, I am not usually able to sit and read a book so the cards are very welcome during my inhouse time. I still have to stay somewhat secluded so my immune system stays healthy, I cannot handle germs at this time in the cycle…so hugs from a far to each of you!! But I am checking email again and returning all that I can. Feel free to send your PICTURE and I’ll put it up on the refrigerator with your cheery card and prayerful message!
Love to you all and a HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY to ABBEY Steinle on 2/22/09!! You were a great help to me this week!!
We also found out that my cancer is a very fast moving type. Since that last Ct scan (post-surgery) until now, the cancer has already moved into my liver—but only a little bit. Dr Choong says, “The faster the cancer moves, the easier it falls.” So it is a race right now. This advancement means an additional two rounds of chemotherapy (total 6) and the addition of another chemo drug.
My social life still pretty much sucks! Thanks for keeping all the cards coming, I am not usually able to sit and read a book so the cards are very welcome during my inhouse time. I still have to stay somewhat secluded so my immune system stays healthy, I cannot handle germs at this time in the cycle…so hugs from a far to each of you!! But I am checking email again and returning all that I can. Feel free to send your PICTURE and I’ll put it up on the refrigerator with your cheery card and prayerful message!
Love to you all and a HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY to ABBEY Steinle on 2/22/09!! You were a great help to me this week!!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Chemotherapy 1 Down---3 to go
It was a busy week in my recovery. I had a port implanted for all the future blood draws, ct scan dye injections and for all the chemotherapy and associated drugs they need to use. This port insures they never miss the target and leaves both arms available to do anything I want to do for all those hours...or just sleep and be able to bend your arm. I am also receiving some PT services for the muscle damage left behind from the lung removal and the excessive tension and stress on muscles across my shoulders and back....Donna Butz and YOGA, here I come!!
One thing I didn't fit much of any in this week was work! Needed most of my time for recovery.
As far as the actual chemotherapy, it went fine. They have these drugs almost perfected to avoid all the old nasty side effects, so it’s only the mental you must conquer. Tim was along and my sister, Sherry stopped in for lunch and a bit of conversation. Our analogy for the chemo is 'weed killer' which is my job out in the gardens…sometimes… to keep them beautiful.
The most special time of all my weeks are the 'people' supports I receive-the woman at the hospital who is much further along in her spinal cancer treatment (yeah) who stops me to ask my name so I CAN BE THE OBJECT OF HER PRAYERS while she is in the MRI machine for the next 1/2 hour.
Like the letter I received from someone I had never met (a competitor) who heard I was a good person having a rough time and I would be in his prayers.
My gifts are too numerous to list but a few thanks!! For Aunt Evie, and Dallas Jaki & Mike, and Patricia B. and Pat K. and others who send me cards and write me notes, send prayers each and every week to me. It is very special to me to continue to receive support as this process is so long and it gets lonely down the road for others, not so for me with all that I m receiving. Molly TY for the kind words and flowers. Thank you Nancy B. for the worm scarf that I wear during chemo as I am always chilled. TY Tammy Laurie, my BFF diamond pin always sparkles on whatever I wear...along with the mini-purple tiara that I wear only on the way to chemo...didn't want to scare the nurses while they were working on a real 'sweet potato queen'. TY Brahm Kids for the flowers. TY Marsie & LBJ for driving Miss Daisy. TY Cento kids for the flowers. TY Jen for the vitamins, TY Alison for the healing lavender. TY Helen for the Hibicus but more for the story behind it. Lydia, Patricia B for time in the adoration chapel. Everyone for all the rosaries. And a special TY to the Girls at NDMS-Jazmine, Thania, Esmeraldea, & Jessica for the sweetest Valentine cards I have ever received. TY Paula, chocolate and cancer soap...what treats.
And LORA!! The ONLY person who understands that I can have a glass of wine each night who brought over the FIRST bottle we have received (we of course made her stay and drink it with us).
I hope to list every special one of you in the next few months because everyone of you is so special to me. New blog in about a week. Love to you all. Lynn & Tim
One thing I didn't fit much of any in this week was work! Needed most of my time for recovery.
As far as the actual chemotherapy, it went fine. They have these drugs almost perfected to avoid all the old nasty side effects, so it’s only the mental you must conquer. Tim was along and my sister, Sherry stopped in for lunch and a bit of conversation. Our analogy for the chemo is 'weed killer' which is my job out in the gardens…sometimes… to keep them beautiful.
The most special time of all my weeks are the 'people' supports I receive-the woman at the hospital who is much further along in her spinal cancer treatment (yeah) who stops me to ask my name so I CAN BE THE OBJECT OF HER PRAYERS while she is in the MRI machine for the next 1/2 hour.
Like the letter I received from someone I had never met (a competitor) who heard I was a good person having a rough time and I would be in his prayers.
My gifts are too numerous to list but a few thanks!! For Aunt Evie, and Dallas Jaki & Mike, and Patricia B. and Pat K. and others who send me cards and write me notes, send prayers each and every week to me. It is very special to me to continue to receive support as this process is so long and it gets lonely down the road for others, not so for me with all that I m receiving. Molly TY for the kind words and flowers. Thank you Nancy B. for the worm scarf that I wear during chemo as I am always chilled. TY Tammy Laurie, my BFF diamond pin always sparkles on whatever I wear...along with the mini-purple tiara that I wear only on the way to chemo...didn't want to scare the nurses while they were working on a real 'sweet potato queen'. TY Brahm Kids for the flowers. TY Marsie & LBJ for driving Miss Daisy. TY Cento kids for the flowers. TY Jen for the vitamins, TY Alison for the healing lavender. TY Helen for the Hibicus but more for the story behind it. Lydia, Patricia B for time in the adoration chapel. Everyone for all the rosaries. And a special TY to the Girls at NDMS-Jazmine, Thania, Esmeraldea, & Jessica for the sweetest Valentine cards I have ever received. TY Paula, chocolate and cancer soap...what treats.
And LORA!! The ONLY person who understands that I can have a glass of wine each night who brought over the FIRST bottle we have received (we of course made her stay and drink it with us).
I hope to list every special one of you in the next few months because everyone of you is so special to me. New blog in about a week. Love to you all. Lynn & Tim
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
TREATMENT UPDATE
Hello! It's LYNN again with my medical update. I have been steadily recovering since my 2 week check up and yesterday's appointment was on the 3 week post surgery date. Seems likes months already, not weeks. Yes, all agree I have been very impatient with my recovery progress even though I guess I do know I am ahead of schedule at this point. We met with Dr. Choong, the medical oncologist, yesterday and in addition to discussing what the chemotherapy schedule would be, they also added a new update to the previous pathology report we had received during our last post surgery appointment. They let us know there are a number of additional lymph nodes involved/cancerous that are in locations near my heart and other vital organs which made it impossible to remove them during the surgery in which they removed my lung. This means that I will also need to have radiation therapy for six weeks following my recovery from chemotherapy.
My chemotherapy schedule will start on Friday, February 13th and will be ONE day of chemo every 3 weeks, and I will have 4 total treatments. That will take me out to Friday, April 17th which will be my final treatment. I will then be off a few weeks at the perfect time to attend Danny's graduation from Regis University in Denver on Sunday, May 3rd. After that, we will start the six weeks of radiation which would continue daily until just about the middle of June...and we now know that these things can always change. So our current saying, "Is it what it is". And that is how we are handling each new challenge we are given, "We'll deal with it".
There were 2 unexpected bright pieces of information we received during our appointment, there is a very good chance that I will NOT loose my hair during my specialized type of chemotherapy and I will continue to be able to have my NIGHTLY glass of RED WINE!!! LIFE IS GOOD!
I think I will be returning to work, on a part-time basis starting next week. I am still not allowed to drive so my work will be limited to what I can accomplish in the office. And I am exhausted by mid-day and need my naps right now. But I know I need to get out of this house on a regular basis. A couple of other things I have learned, my one lung will expand and do some of the work of the one I lost, but this process takes about two years to complete so I have to remain SOMEWHAT calm during all these very exciting MU basketball games because I run out of breath quite quickly right now. And this BELOW 0 weather has also been very difficult when I try to catch my breath or even take ONE breath outside. As the weather and I improve, I hope to get back to a little bit of social life outside my house in the future. I do need to stay healthy but haven't moved to the 'blue mask' idea yet.
I am thankful for all the people at Froedtert who are taking very good care of me. I am also thankful for all of you sending me card after card, and note after note, email after email, helping me to keep my positve attitude of gratitude. I thank God everyday for all that I have been given and ask for your continued prayers that I can accept and cope with all that I need to in the upcoming months and years.
I will probably not add another posting until after the start of my chemo on February 13th. A number of friends have responded that they were unable to post comments on this blogspot. I have changed the settings so see if it is easier now. For those of you who don't have it, my personal email address is lynnsteinle@aol.com PLEASE understand that I cannot respond to each and every email I receive, I am having a hard enough time trying to keep up with THANK-YOU cards and don't know if I will ever finish the ones on which I am behind!! BUT each and every piece of correspondence lifts me and my spirits so please keep up the communication on your end if that's not too much to ask!! I have not needed meals at this time but thank you for all the offers. Your words, thought and prayers have kept me feeling fantastic and they are what I need right now, and it's easier than cooking, right?? As I have needs arise in the future, I will let you know. I love you all!!
Lynn
My chemotherapy schedule will start on Friday, February 13th and will be ONE day of chemo every 3 weeks, and I will have 4 total treatments. That will take me out to Friday, April 17th which will be my final treatment. I will then be off a few weeks at the perfect time to attend Danny's graduation from Regis University in Denver on Sunday, May 3rd. After that, we will start the six weeks of radiation which would continue daily until just about the middle of June...and we now know that these things can always change. So our current saying, "Is it what it is". And that is how we are handling each new challenge we are given, "We'll deal with it".
There were 2 unexpected bright pieces of information we received during our appointment, there is a very good chance that I will NOT loose my hair during my specialized type of chemotherapy and I will continue to be able to have my NIGHTLY glass of RED WINE!!! LIFE IS GOOD!
I think I will be returning to work, on a part-time basis starting next week. I am still not allowed to drive so my work will be limited to what I can accomplish in the office. And I am exhausted by mid-day and need my naps right now. But I know I need to get out of this house on a regular basis. A couple of other things I have learned, my one lung will expand and do some of the work of the one I lost, but this process takes about two years to complete so I have to remain SOMEWHAT calm during all these very exciting MU basketball games because I run out of breath quite quickly right now. And this BELOW 0 weather has also been very difficult when I try to catch my breath or even take ONE breath outside. As the weather and I improve, I hope to get back to a little bit of social life outside my house in the future. I do need to stay healthy but haven't moved to the 'blue mask' idea yet.
I am thankful for all the people at Froedtert who are taking very good care of me. I am also thankful for all of you sending me card after card, and note after note, email after email, helping me to keep my positve attitude of gratitude. I thank God everyday for all that I have been given and ask for your continued prayers that I can accept and cope with all that I need to in the upcoming months and years.
I will probably not add another posting until after the start of my chemo on February 13th. A number of friends have responded that they were unable to post comments on this blogspot. I have changed the settings so see if it is easier now. For those of you who don't have it, my personal email address is lynnsteinle@aol.com PLEASE understand that I cannot respond to each and every email I receive, I am having a hard enough time trying to keep up with THANK-YOU cards and don't know if I will ever finish the ones on which I am behind!! BUT each and every piece of correspondence lifts me and my spirits so please keep up the communication on your end if that's not too much to ask!! I have not needed meals at this time but thank you for all the offers. Your words, thought and prayers have kept me feeling fantastic and they are what I need right now, and it's easier than cooking, right?? As I have needs arise in the future, I will let you know. I love you all!!
Lynn
Saturday, January 17, 2009
I AM BACK!!!
Words on paper cannot express the gratitude I have for all that has been given to me, not only over the past two weeks during my recovery, but in my lifetime. That gratitude for life and all of you has been the focal point throughout my healing.
Thanks to each of you for the flowers, and the food (awesome chicken noodle soup), the toys, trinkets and tiara, the poems, books, magazines and movies, and one very special angel pocket charm. I am interested in knowing more about the gift and giver-ANONYMOUS-of the cross of St. Benedict??? Tim said he is sworn to secrecy or the prayers that come along with it will be voided??? Very intriguing.
Most of the “things” I have received are not “things”. I want each of you to personally know that every single prayer said, offering made, and sacrifice given-up has been an aid to me in my healing process. I have felt each one!
Thanks to each of you for the flowers, and the food (awesome chicken noodle soup), the toys, trinkets and tiara, the poems, books, magazines and movies, and one very special angel pocket charm. I am interested in knowing more about the gift and giver-ANONYMOUS-of the cross of St. Benedict??? Tim said he is sworn to secrecy or the prayers that come along with it will be voided??? Very intriguing.
Most of the “things” I have received are not “things”. I want each of you to personally know that every single prayer said, offering made, and sacrifice given-up has been an aid to me in my healing process. I have felt each one!
It is such a gift to be sitting here looking at “MY CANCER ROAD TRIP” as I have been calling it…looking back through the rear view mirror with my surgery becoming smaller and smaller. Looking straight ahead and coming up fast is my chemotherapy. Please continue the prayers that there are not many nails on the road causing flat tires, and that I don’t run out of gas before I reach the final destination in my drive toward cancer freedom.
And finally, the technical “stuff” about my surgery and future treatment. Not any surprises during surgery except they did find more lymph nodes involved along my sternum which were removed successfully. Also, they initially thought my cancer was the squamous cell type and it is actually the non-small cell adenocarcinoma type which is the type more often found in people who do not smoke.
Nothing found during the surgery will change my treatment course which includes chemotherapy once I am sufficiently recovered from surgery.
As I continue to recover over the next few weeks, I look forward to reconnecting with you all. But until then, my primary “job” continues to be healing, resting and staying healthy enough so I can get this chemo stuff started and finished. The majority of our blogs are most likely past but I will add a few once the chemo process starts.
I love you all very much!! God is good all the time. I am good, too.
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