My First Treatment ( one of eight)

My first treatment was at our beautiful new cancer center at the Portneuf Medical Center.  First I went in to have my blood drawn and then I reported to Dr. Ririe and Nurse Robin.  We were impressed with all of the items that have been donated by the American Cancer Society ( now 100 years old). And other local groups.  Items include hats, warming bags, new wigs, etc.   And of course they have all kinds of events scheduled for the patients such as therapy groups and scarf tying lunch meetings. 

The infusion area for the cancer center has space for 12 patients that can be treated at one time.  I really felt the spirit when I first stepped into that area.  I could feel the love and care that the nurses provide to all of us patients.  Sara Lee is one of the main nurses that works in this area and she does an amazing job!  We were able to catch a picture of her as she dashed around!

During the day some volunteers brought two therapy dogs for us to pet.  They were both beautiful,sweet dogs.

Rick got quite cozy in the two guest chairs.  He would really like his own lounge chair!

We left the cancer center around 2:30 pm after arriving there at 9:30 am.  Unfortunately, as soon as we got home the nightmare started.  Nausea and migraines started immediately and were still not under control until after bedtime.  It was a really scary first night but somehow we made it through!  The week proceeded pretty much the same with lots of nausea and migraines.  I am supposed to drink 64 ounces of fluid per day just to stay hydrated but was not able to take in nearly that much because even water is impossible to get down when you are nauseous.  

The climax hit on Tuesday morning, the eighth day after treatment.  I got up in the morning feeling very nauseous and couldn't do anything but sit in the chair in our bedroom.  Rick was talking to me and realized that I wasn't responding.  I had passed out and me eyes were fully dilated.  He called 911 and got the ambulance here in just a matter of minutes.  They took me to the emergency room and gave me two bags of fluid which was just what I needed.  My white blood cell count was at 300 (mine is normally 8500).  I was able to get additional fluid two more times that week and returned to a normal blood count by the following Tuesday for my next treatment.  Rick was so worried about me that he called our daughter and asked her to come up and stay with me through the weekend.  

My Love For Road Biking and Spinderella

I absolutely love to go road biking.  Right after college, my friend Kathy Harrison and I both purchased bikes and took several long rides along the South Bay beaches and even an overnight ride to Santa Barbara and Solvang.  Family life eventually changed with children and my sweetie Rick that biking went with many other activities such as downhill skiing and scuba diving.

Four years ago I needed a hip replacement and found that biking was a wonderful activity for recovery after surgery.  I started with a recumbent stationary bicyle and used it almost every day after surgery.  Meanwhile, Rick and I purchased some used mountain bikes from Sally and Dell which we used now and then.  Rick really does not like to ride bikes.  He says that he feels like a runner on a bike and they are not comfortable for his rear.

Two years ago I needed a second hip replacement and I knew exactly what I was in for with limited ways to exercise. I ordered an internet road bike so that I could get started with riding as soon as possible.  Meanwhile, several riders in the Pocatello area started an all women's riding event called Spinderella.  I thought some about signing up but my friend Lorie Murray convinced me that we could do it.  Actually Lorie didn't even have a road bike at the time but had been taking spinning classes.  Lorie and I signed up for the 50 mile ride last June with Spinderella.  I bought a new/used bike from LaChelle Hamilton and Lorie bought my old bike.

We had a wonderful time training for the event my taking several rides down towards Inkom and some to the university.  Spinderella was fantastic and we had some a great time riding with so many, many women that we knew and got to know.

This year we decided to sign up for the 100 mile or Century Ride because I really wanted to do it once in my life.  Lorie and I both started taking spinning classes and were looking forward to getting out on the rode as soon as the weather and the streets permitted. 

These pictures are from our very first bike ride.  We decided to ride to Inkom and back which is around 22 miles from our houses.  The day was beautiful and we had a wonderful ride down to Inkom.  As soon as we turned around to head back there was an unbelievable head and side wind.  You could be at the top of a hill, heading down at full speed and the speedometer might say 15 to 16 mph.  There were several times when we felt like the wind was going to blow us sideways off of the road.  We decided to give Rick a call on the way home and have him pick us up at the Tee Box.  It was a great decision because by then, we had had quite a ride!

Love from Friends and Family

The calls, flowers, and cards from friends, family and ward members has been unbelievable!  I was almost embarrassed by all of the flowers that were sent to me by well wishers.  We received many dinners as well and could not fit everything into our fridge.  I actually had to avoid the grocery store until we could get more space in the fridge.  Rick was actually talking about buying an extra fridge for the basement so that we would always have space.

My sisters have been taking turns calling so that I wouldn't be on the phone all of the time.  It has really been an amazing experience to visit with so many concerned friends and family.  Two of my cute nieces actually called and were crying because they felt so badly for me.

Our Relief Society Presidency brought over a huge, huge bag of goodies the night before we went to the hospital for the second time.  The bag included pajamas and a jacket for me and lots of hospital snacks for Rick!

The Primary Presidency gave us a Little Box of Sunshine full of goodies that would spread sunshine throughout our house and it did!  This is a picture of the box.

Faye Bregante came to visit me and brought an afghan that her 96 year old mother in law made for me.  It is absolutely beautiful! Faye also bought me the book - Just Get Me Through This  a Practical Guide to Coping with Breast Cancer by Deborah Cohen.  It has really been helpful because it takes you from beginning to end of the process with what to expect and the decisions that you will need to make.

 I would say that the best part of my cancer experience has been the reaching out from so many people.  It really made me feel badly that I had not been more caring with Rick's mother when she got breast cancer five years ago.  I think that I would be a much better daughter in law today.