Monday, December 20, 2010

Thank You

I've taken 4 self injections of interferon so far and am still doing well.  I take them at night so that I can just sleep off the symptoms then wake up feeling good.  I still get tired and have to make sure I'm drinking enough water, but overall I'm doing great!
I'm BEYOND excited about going to school, praying that I'll be able to get right back into the swing of things! Cannot wait!! :)  I hope that my mind stays clear while taking the interferon.  I really need to watch the first month or so to make sure that my grades wont suffer from the low dose.

Well, my "unplanned semester" is now over!  Saying this doesn't seem real. Its almost a bitter sweet thing (much sweeter) but I knew this blog would have to end sometime and there's really not much I have to say on a daily or even weekly basis. Even though this is my final blog I'll be sure to keep in touch. If you have any more questions PLEASE write me an email (raabewl@indiana.edu), facebook message, call, text, ect...I would love to hear from you!

Looking back to the first day of this rollercoaster I never thought this day would get here and now it's come faster than I expected.  I've grown so much during this semester at home and have learned how important family and friends, patience, and faith truly are.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to lean on you. I have felt so much love from all of you and couldn't be more blessed. Thank you for the love and support given not only to me but to my family as well.  We have felt so comforted in your constant thoughts and prayers.

I love you more than you could ever know.
THANK YOU
Rachel

Thursday, December 16, 2010

More Energy!

Today I spent most of the day looking through old pictures for a slideshow I'm making and being outside in the snow.  I can definitely tell my energy level is going up.  I stayed outside and shoveled our driveway for over 45 minutes.  (Don't really know if I was supposed to having the lymph node surgery) I don't have any swelling yet, so I think I'll be fine. I do have to be more aware of it though.  Its hard to know what I can and can't do.  I also went to a jean party today and got a new pair of jeans! Because I lost so much weight with treatment I've dropped a pant size so now I have pants that fit. :)
I'm excited to see Zionsville friends tomorrow. It will be great to have people my age around!

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers.  They are what have gotten me through this semester.
I love you!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Prayer Request

I found out today that a family friend's daughter was diagnosed with colon cancer.  She is 17, a junior in high school.  PLEASE pray for her and her family.  Pray for comfort and healing in this scary time.  Thank you.

Fear of needles is gone

Today I went to physical therapy then to the hospital for the second interferon injection.  My physical therapy is going well.  My range of motion gets better and better each time.  Hopefully I'll be pain free soon.  At the hospital I was able to inject myself for the first time.  I washed my hands, then rubbed the alcohol swab on my stomach, waited for my skin to dry, pinched my stomach, stuck myself, let go of the skin, and injected the interferon.  I'll be such a pro by the end of this.  One nice thing about these injections is my fear of needles has been eliminated. I can also can tell a difference in my energy level already.  Instead of going to bed around 9:30 or 10 and getting up between 8:30 and 9 (10-11 hours of sleep) I wasn't tired until 11 and was wide awake at 7:30 this morning (8 1/2 hours!)  That's more reasonable for a college student's schedule.

I'm still feeing good tonight, took some tylonol before the injections, but the true test comes once the tylonol wears off.

Thank you so much for your love and support!
Love always
Rachel

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

No Hospital Today!

Its a Tuesday at 2:30 and I'm not at the hospital!!!!! :) Ahh! It feels so good to be out of there on a daily basis. The sun is shining and the snow looks beautiful! Its a good day.

Last night was fine.  I started feeling feverish and got a headache around 9:30 so I took some more tylonol then went to bed.  I woke up this morning feeling fine.  I still have a lingering headache, but its not bad enough to take anything for it.  If I keep hydrated the headache lessens.  I've been busy doing things for my sorority today.  So excited to live in the house next semester!

Happy Tuesday!
Love and Blessings
Rachel

Monday, December 13, 2010

1st injection done!

I went to the doctor and had my first injection out of many today.  I was a bit nervous for it because the last shot I had in my stomach was a painful one.  This one didn't hurt a bit though! The nurse did it for me today and I watched so that she could explain what I would be doing.  I'll go back on Wednesday and hopefully be able to do it myself.  I'll probably have a headache and might get some fever and chills tonight because my body isn't used to getting the interferon through a shot yet.  Right now I feel ok though.  I'm excited to have more energy than I've had for a month! The dosage is reduced to 10 million units instead of 17 million and its only 3 times a week. :)

I'm feeling good. SO excited to get back to school next semester!  I can't believe its already so close!

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers!
With love
Rachel

Friday, December 10, 2010

DONE DONE DONE! :)

I finished the infusions today!!  Couldn't be happier! Praise God! :) I am so looking forward to doing things other than sit in a chair with an iv from 2:30 - 5.

I go back on Monday to learn how to give the self injections but that shouldn't take too long.

I'm so thankful for the nurses at the hospital, they have been so great through all of this.
I want to thank everyone who took me to and from the hospital.  It helped tremendously! And thank you all for the thoughts and prayers as always.  I truly believe that the reason I handled this treatment so well was because all of you.

I love you so much!
Rachel

Thursday, December 9, 2010

ONE DAY LEFT!

Tomorrow will be my last day of infusions!  I'm SO EXCITED! I'll have to start figuring out what I'm going to do with all the extra time I have.  I'm feeling pretty good still.  Sleeping a lot as always, but doing great.  Next week I'm planning on starting my training for the summer.  Last summer I wanted to finish all 3 legs of a sprint triathlon but couldn't because of the cancer and surgeries I was having.  My goal is to finish one this coming summer.  I know its not going to be fast. I'm incredibly weak and out of shape from all of this. I just want to finish.  I'm planning on having enough energy to train even with the self injections. :) Hopefully that will be the case.

Thank you all SO much for the thoughts and prayers through all of this.  I've been blessed beyond belief and couldn't ask for better friends and family.
I love you!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Well, I've made the decision to continue with the low dose treatment. (self injections 3 times a week for a year)  While I made the decision I don't think it will feel official until I start them.  My blood pressure is still good and my liver enzymes are getting back to normal.  I've been feeling pretty good the past couple of evenings. Last night I had some body aches along with my headache, but its still not bad enough to take any extra medicine.
Today I had physical therapy as well. My arm is getting more and more flexible each day.  I can now raise my arm all the way up and am slowly getting to the point where I can move it in a circle.

Thank you for everything
I love you all!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Home stretch!

Each day I seem to feel better. Last night I didn't even take my second round of tylonol.  I had a slight headache, but nothing I couldn't handle on my own.  I'm still sleeping a lot, about 10 hours a night, but overall I'm feeling great.  Tonight I'm still feeling good.  My blood pressure was at 101/70 and they will get my liver tests read tomorrow.  I have a bit of a cough but don't feel any sicker than I do normally with this.  
I can't believe I only have 3 more days of the high dose! This has gone by much faster than expected. Even the nurses can't believe that I'm on my last week.  I am very ready to not base my schedule around my treatment anymore!

I'm making my final decision about the self injection, low dose, of interferon that the doctors want me to take 3 times a week for a year.  I am more worried about the cancer coming back than I am the side effects to the interferon while my mom is more worried about the side effects.  I'm needing extra prayers on this decision. I know whatever I decide God will be right there with me.

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers! I'm so blessed to have the friends and family I do.

LOVE!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Wonderful Weekend!

This weekend was wonderful! (Hence the title :)) My parents drove me to IU friday night because I wasn't feeling up to the drive right after treatment. I stopped by and visited some friends from my floor last year then I stayed the rest of the weekend at my sorority, AGD, for recruitment.  I am SO thankful I felt well enough to come help.  Loved seeing all my sisters!
I can tell a big difference in my energy level each day that I'm off the treatment.  I felt better on Sunday than I did Saturday because there was another day between me and the treatment.  I'm SO looking forward to getting off this high dose! ONE MORE WEEK!  :)

Lots of thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

Friday, December 3, 2010

IU BOUND!

Yesterday was good. I've been getting a bit more tired as the week goes on but overall I'm doing well.  My headaches come like clockwork and I just have to take a couple tylonol to get rid of them.  This weekend is recruitment (19 party) for the sororities and I'll be going down to IU to help with that. :) I can't wait to see everyone!  I'm hoping that I'll wake up Saturday and have a bit more energy than I do now.  We'll see.  I'll just be happy to be there.
Because I don't feel well enough to drive myself after treatment today my parents are driving me down.  SO thankful for them!

I hope all of your weeks have been great!  As always, thank you for the thoughts and prayers! One week to go!!!!!! (after today)

I'm still trying to decide whether or not do continue with self injections for the rest of the year.  Hopefully by next week I'll have made a decision.
Lots of love!!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Today I went to the mall in the morning then took a nap before going to treatment.  I still have lots more energy than before.  Getting out of the house feels great!  My blood pressure was down again today so they aren't as worried about it but are still going to monitor it closely.  I'm feeling good, just a small headache. My interferon buddy (the lady who started it the same time as I did) is doing much better too.

Thank you for the love, thoughts, and prayers!

Half Doses = Amazing

I can already tell that I have so much more energy than I did last week and the week before.  My headaches are being controled just by a couple of tylonol instead of the high dose meds I was taking and I'm able to go out and do things before my interferon without feeling exhausted.  Very excited!

Yesterday when they took my blood pressure it was at 124/94 compared to monday (102/77).  The nurses are a bit concerned because it jumped that much in just one treatment.  They are going to keep a close eye on it the next couple of days to make sure it stays under control.

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers!
And HAPPY SNOW! :)  I love waking up to snow on the ground, so beautiful!

Love
Rachel

ps I have a new favorite song.  I Will Follow - Chris Tomlin
SO uplifting :)