In Need of a Sitter

I'm sorry if you have already given me this info, but i am in desperate need of a sitter until school starts in September. I need a person who can drive, who can come to my house, and can sit on Mondays all day and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 until 3 ish. If you know of anyone please let me know. I have this Monday covered this week but then i am SOL.

We had a great time at the beach. It was nice to have a week off from hospitals, doctors, and i did cheat some on food. I am paying for it now, but it was great last week. Travis and our sitter "YaYa" were so great. I spent many days just lounging in a chair, reading, and relaxing. My hair is cumming out in massive clumps, but not willing to shave it just yet. Gavin gave me his cold and cough and i have really bad mouth sores from my meds. Not sure how to brush my teeth with out lots of pain, but Travis said my breath might kill someone so i need to figure something out. Not feeling so great today, but need to get to Whole Foods to make my chicken broth so i don't become frail, sickly looking and bald.

We are off to Emory for treatment tomorrow. Hopefully i can get the mouth sores under control.

Hugs and Kisses
Laura

Day Three

Things are going much smoother at Emory and my heart infraction is looking better per the cardiologist. Still need to see the doc about some other heart issue, but the nurse wasn't sure what it was. We are headed to the beach for our annual trip with Travis' family. I love that we are at the beach every year for my birthday. It makes it so special. We also have some friends coming over to stay a few days and our sitter is going so I am very excited. We were just realizing how much easier it gets every year that the kids get older. Sammy packed for herself and we don't need any baby stuff this year, YEAH. We can actually fit the sitter in the car this year. The alternative treatments are going so great. Although I spend about 18 hours a week at the doctors, i have so much more energy than last time. I think i might be loosing my hair, but I'm not barfing so always good things coming my way.

I wanted to thank everyone again for all your donations to help me fight this disease. The bills are out of control, but with all your help they are manageable. Also to all those who did not get a thank you note we did attempt, but about 20 got returned. Please accept our sincerest apologies.

Much love, Laura

Day two of Trial

Today went much better than the first day. We were able to cut off four hours since we didn't have to see the doctor. The meds are not making me sick, just waiting to see if my hair is going to fall out., so sad if it does. The only real issue at the moment is the steroid hunger. I am having the same grumpy, starving feeling as before. I had to give in and just eat normal food today. I will keep eating my really healthy food the rest of the week and give in to temptation on Mondays. I have to fast before my blood work and then don't eat until 2 ish. You add the steroids and i am an eating machine. I even had sugar today, OMG i feel so guilty. It is kind of hard to find a fast food restaurant that servers all organic, no sugar, no dairy, no wheat or gluten, no alcohol, and only grass feed meat. I just have to do my best and am doing really good so far.

Not sure if i mentioned in the past posts, but we found an alternative to this treatment if i get kicked out of the trial due to my heart or i decided to back out my self due to my heart. My ejection fraction rate is what is giving me the problems http://www.answers.com/topic/ejection-fraction. Mine went from 69% a year ago to 50. I saw the cardiologist on Thursday to get a baseline so he can monitor my heart rather than the trial telling me i am still fine. Don't have much faith in "their eyes." Anyways I found a method called IPT http://www.answers.com/topic/ejection-fraction. It uses less chemo and goes to the cancer cells instead of all the cells so it keeps my immune system in tact to help fight the disease. It sounds wonderful and it is, but it is not FDA approved and traditional doctors are scared of it, but it they have no more options for me what do i have to loose. I have spoken with several patients that have done it and they love it and it is working. I feel much better that i have options now and wont have to just keep searching for new trials if this one fails.

Had a great forth in the mountains with our friends. Hope yours was great also.

Much love
Laura

First Day of Trial

We arrived at Emory at 8:00 AM this morning and first thing was to get an EKG, but they didn't have my orders so I went to another building had blood work and got paper work for EKG and went back to get it done. This made me 20 minutes late for my Doctors appointment, but didn't really matter since they made us wait an hour for just a 3 minute visit. We finally go to the infusion room at 10:30 and got in trial ward at 11:40. There were many issues so they didn't start my chemo until 1:00. We finally left at 5:40. It was a very long day with may "issues" that could have been very bad, but of course they covered their asses and made it out to be nothing. My heart infraction keeps getting lower and lower and the meds i am currently taking and the "issue" today will not help this problem in the least. Travis and i are researching other ideas since my last doctor said i would have to get off these drugs if my infraction was below 50 and i was at 50 today. The current trial doctor doesn't seemed to worried but i am not not sure if she is looking out for me or the trial. Don't have much confidence in these doctors. Two huge errors in 3 weeks. Not good odds. Keep praying that Travis and i can made a decision and then be able to manage the process. Thanks for all the text, emails, posts, etc. It is so nice to hear from all of you.
Thanks again,
Laura

As Sammy says, "It Was Awesome"

Not only did we vacation with Shaq, but the weather was perfect. We snorkeled, dived, kayaked, went down numerous water slides, basked in the sun, swam in the eight pools, played in the waterfalls, watched moves under the stars, sailed, ate, drank at the swim up bar, Sammy got her hair braided, slept really well in our amazing room, and had a blast. We are so grateful to our special friend who flew us first class and everyone else who contributed to our amazing vacation. It was so much fun to have a "cancer free" week. Glad to be back and am ready to start chemo on Monday. Travis' dad is so gracious to come again since our sitter is leaving for Cali for the month of July. We look forward to our beach trip in a few weeks, but really what can beat Sammy's dream vacation.

I will post on Monday and let you all know how it goes...

Turks and Caicos

Well thanks to a few friends we are able to take the trip of a life time to Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean and all of us get to go first class...We are so excited to get away, lay on the beach, and play with the kids. A little worried what i am going to eat, but i hear the fish is amazing. They have a huge water park, it is all-inclusive, and they have child care. Cant wait to post some pictures. Will start the trial when we get back.

First Day...NOT

Got up at 6:15 AM, had the sitter spend the night, trucked 40 minutes to Emory, had blood drawn, saw the doctor, spent the next two hours in a chair waiting for my drugs to come and then got the news...I can't start for another week or so. I was to say the least not very happy. Luckily my friend came to visit while Travis was at work and was able to take me home. Thanks Cindy. I am feeling great and am loving Progressive Medicine. They have given me new life. Will let you know when i will actually be starting the meds. Should be June 22nd or 29th. We will see

More soon