3 month check up with Dr. Kim....

  The reason for this blog to begin with was to update everyone about my tongue cancer suregery, recovery, and post op information.
  I had my quarterly check up with Dr. Kim today. I never get nervous until the day I go because at anytime if there is an unusual bump or anything I would call and go in for them to check it out.
  Everything looked good. In 3 months, I will have made it 2 years since the surgery. Two years is a big milestone with any kind of mouth cancer. Dr. Kim also mentioned again that most mouth cancers return within 2 years. Mine was on my tongue, and it was cut out and replaced with a flap from my forearm so I keep telling myself it would be rare for it to return, although I know it's not impossible.
  I hate the "C" word. I hate to hear of anyone having it. I have been so blessed that I didn't have to take chemo or radiation.
 I would like to thank my true and faithful friends who have kept up with me and my progress through this blog, emails, and phone calls. You are and will forever be in my heart. I love you all. Keep me in your prayers.

Happy Valentine's Day to ME!

  I have an old friend that now lives in the Virgin Islands. I haven't seen her in years until we crossed paths on Facebook. I have kept up with her mom because her mom and my MIL used to be the best of friends.
  Hope and her first husband used to play cards with my husband and me when our oldest were babies.
  She has an amazing talent of making jewelry. I will post her link at the bottom. I'm not one who wears a lot of jewelry, but her creations just took my eye. So my husband told me to get her to do whatever I wanted. I love pretty bracelets, and I loved one of hers called Carnival Dangle, but I wanted a few of the other types of beads.

  She made it and surprised me, and I absolutely LOVE it! It is even prettier than these pics. I made a pic of it from 2 angles hoping you could see more of the stones. I had her put an "S" on one of the stones. It's in the bottom pic. That way Shelby can also wear it someday.

 

www.hopegibson.com

It just gets crazier around here!

  It started snowing yesterday (Thursday), and since daycare was not open today (Friday), we chose to keep our grandbabies overnight for my DD since she works for 911. The roads were predicted to be hazardous for travel or we would have gone to their house early this morning. We surely don't mind keeping them overnight, but sometimes it's just easier to be where they have all of their toys and stuff.
  It did snow, and a lot for this area. I think at least 4 in. It was beautiful, and we got to see the kids play in the snow. Cayden had a blast playing with our older grandson and some friends of his. Shelby, the princess, chose to only stay out a few minutes. It just wasn't as thrilling for her.
  Now I know you are probably wondering why there are no pictures? I do have pictures, but my main computer decided to die or something when the lights went off this morning. It won't turn on. Yesterday, my camera card decided to also die, and in order to get pics in the snow I had to delete every pic from my digital photo frame card. I am on my laptop, but I can't upload because I can't find my camera cord, and there are no card slots that fit my card. Bummer!
  Then we take the kids home and decide to go into Shreveport to meet the oldest grandson for dinner. On the way home at a main intersection, an 18 wheeler runs a red light. The SUV next to us swerved into our lane to keep from getting smashed, but they were able to stop 1/2 in. from our bumper, and I am not exaggerating. I am very thankful that my DH is not one to gas it when the light turns green, or things could have been a whole lot worse.
  I have enjoyed looking at everyone's snow pictures from everywhere so when I'm able, I will be posting some here, plus a couple of other things I had on my mind.
  Hugs to all!

I had the scare of a lifetime today!

  I sure don't want to make my daughter feel bad because she couldn't help it. I had just gotten home from Shreveport, and she had called me on her cell phone on her way to go and get the kids.

  All of a sudden - BAM! Someone hit her!  I knew immediately what it was. My knees went weak for what seemed like an eternity before she spoke or hollered, but I know it was maybe 2 seconds. 

  She was making a left hand turn, and a woman ran a red light. Luckily, Emily drives a Hummer. The other car was much more damaged. The Hummer did have some damage, but not in the way the other car did. It seems to be out of line or something. Her air bag didn't even deploy.

  She was shook up quite a bit, and her knee got banged a little. She doesn't even know how. 

  I thank God for protecting my oldest child today. It could have been so much worse.

Life is precious. Live each day as though it was your last. Love your family and your friends, and thank God for every minute you get to do that.

A beautiful website, and a neat giveaway!

http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/2010/02/met-monday-art-blogaversary-and.html

Sewing With Carol Ahles in the Ozarks...

  I am so excited because I am planning a trip to a sewing workshop that will be in Springdale, AR March 25-27.

  I have always wanted to attend Martha Pullen's conferences, but they are always so far, and they usually a involve a lot of walking. Right now, that's just not much fun for me especially if I am lugging a machine.

  This sewing workshop will be taught by Carol Ahles who is the author of the book Fine Machine Sewing. She is also a frequent contributor to Threads sewing magazine.

  

   Since I am going to her class, I decided to order her book, and I can tell by just thumbing through the pages that I have made a great investment. There are so many techniques that I have been wanting to learn in this book. So that makes me doubly excited to be attending her class.

 

  One of them is the Parisian Hemstitch, and of course, joining lace to fabric using hemstitching. There are soooo many techniques that I would like to learn and/or improve upon. I have dibbled in a few, but I've never had the chance to learn from a real pro.

  I know some of you are thinking, "How boring!" LOL I'm sure it is if you don't sew, but sewing is my therapy. I have sewn since I was a kid. I hope the Lord above allows me to sew for many more years. 

  When I return from this class, I will post pics (hopefully) of some things I learned. Here is a link to her website in case you want to check it out.

http://www.carolahles.com/

Pray for my friend, Jerry

 My friend, Jerry, that lives in MS wrote me an email today and said her father-in-law was found dead in his yard.
  Mr. Roberts did have heart problems, but he was at the doctor's office yesterday, and they said he was doing just great.
  We never know what each day will bring. Please say a prayer for their family at this time.

Thanks.

A Neat Blog Giveaway...

I love reading blogs, and this person is from my sewing forum. You might want to check out her giveaway, but I really want to win it myself. LOL

http://www.colescornerandcreations.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday Cayden!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Cayden! I can't believe you are 5 years old. You have brightened my darkest days with your radiant smile. You are a precious gift from God, and I thank HIM every day for blessing us with such a remarkable little boy.
When I hear the verse of this song, I think of you:

"On the day that you were born
The angels got together and decided
To create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moondust in your hair
Of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue ."

I love you little man!

Shoulder report...

I went back to Dr. Googe, my shoulder dr., on Wednesday. He is so sweet. He told me that he had been worried about me, and he'd talked to some other doctors.

The consensus is that "I am one of a kind." LOL It is an unusual situation being that I had the radical neck dissection when I had tongue cancer. They cut through so many nerves and muscles while taking out all of those lymph nodes plus taking out the flap in my forearm. That involved cutting through more nerves and actually removing muscle to rebuild my tongue. I still have some numbness in my hand and wrist which will always be there.

So basically, my shoulder is about as good as it will get. I did have a little improvement, and I do try to keep on using it to reach and stretch those muscles. It will just go so far and that is it!

The pain is not as bad most days. It's been bad this week because I've been cleaning out my sewing room, and I drove to Shreveport 2 days. Driving stoves me up more than anything.

I just have to look at this and realize that things could be much much worse. I go back to Dr. Ghali in Feb. for my tongue checkup, and then again in May which will be 2 years.
They told me that most mouth cancer returns within 2 years, but I really feel I will be fine as they cut all of mine out, and it had not spread anywhere else.
Please keep me in your prayers.
Hugs,
Shirley

Tonya is home at last...

Praise God! Tonya came home on Monday from the hospital after being there for 6 weeks, and 5 of those were in ICU.
She is doing good. She had to bring home a little oxygen to help her when she walks, but all in all, she has made some gigantic improvements.
I went to keep Cayden and Shelby today for Emily to sleep. She worked last night, and will work tonight. Shelby has had a runny nose, and a terrible cough. She started running fever so Emily is taking her to the dr. tomorrow.
Cayden makes me laugh so hard. Shelby asked me to read her a book, and I left my glasses at home so I told her I couldn't read the book, but we could just look at it. Cayden said, "Mimi, I think I have something that will help you read." I had no clue as to what he was talking about. He came out with a toy magnifying glass. LOL Cracks me up that at his age he knows what helps these old eyes.
I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Ours was good. We just missed Tonya being here.

Christmas is coming!!

We have all been very busy as everyone is this time of year. I wish the month of December wasn't so hectic. I had really hoped to enjoy this month since it is the first December after my retirement. Well, I have enjoyed several things. It's just been hard with Tonya still in the hospital.
They moved her to Cornerstone Hospital in Bossier. She is doing a little better, but her lungs still haven't cleared. She is still in ICU, and about to go crazy. They said she didn't have H1N1 after all, but she has been very sick.
She is depressed since she can't be home for Christmas. We just hope she can get into a room soon.
I went with Emily and the kids last weekend to ride the Polar Express in Palestine. That was awesome! We had so much fun, and it just thrilled my heart to watch those babies' eyes when Santa walked in. Cayden is so excited about Christmas. He is almost 5, and this is just a wonderful time for him. He's so smart yet still so innocent. Shelby just cracks us up with her opinionated answers.
We will have Christmas here on Sunday. We're just sorry Tonya can't be here. Cody and the boys will do the best they can to celebrate with her. There is just no room in her ICU room for more than 3.
Please keep her in your prayers.
My shoulder is about the same. No better, no worse.

Have a Merry Christmas Everyone!

Check up with Dr. Kim/Ghali

I went on Monday, Nov. 17th for my 3 month check up. I only got to see Dr. Kim and one of the residents.
He thought everything looked fine, and then he told me the reason for coming every 3 months is because 90% of mouth cancers return within 2 years. That was a shocker! but I feel my odds are way less as mine was on my tongue, and they cut all of the cancer part off.
I discussed my shoulder problems with Dr. Kim, and he said my big surgery could have effected some big nerve they have to cut through in my neck. At least I know there could be a reason for my inability to raise my arm all the way other than the physical reasons.
Pray for my DIL - Tonya. She is critically ill in WK North with double pneumonia, a secondary bacterial infection in her lungs, and H1N1. The H1N1 didn't show up when they first checked her.

Hugs to all.

A little update...

I've still been going to therapy 3 times a week. They have measured my progress weekly now, and I think it is because they are concerned.
I did make a few gains last week, but not like it should be. I think Trent was going to measure me yesterday, but I was having more pain, so he didn't do it.
Please keep me in your prayers. I go back to Dr. Ghali/Kim on Tuesday for my tongue checkup.
I honestly think part of my shoulder problem is from my previous tongue/neck surgery. My therapist is beginning to think the same thing. They cut into so many nerves and muscles that it is effecting my shoulder.
I go back to Dr. Googe on Dec. 2nd, and I will discuss this further with him then. I have decided to quit therapy for December. I just need some time to enjoy myself, and I have always wanted to be off in the month of December.
Thank you all who check on me.

Sort of Discouraging...

I've been going to therapy faithfully, and doing my exercises at home, but when they measured my range of motion on Wed., there was no improvement.

I can raise my arm about halfway up, and to go any further I have to push it up. I think my main therapist was sort of puzzled as to why I can't raise it any farther even when straining.

My shoulder is very tight, and it feels like something pushing down when I'm trying to push up.

Honestly, I can't say that it is any better than before my surgery, and I've been going to therapy since the 3rd week in July.
So please keep me in your prayers. At least I can sew, but sometimes even that is hard. I used to sew for hours and not stop. The "Ole Girl" ain't what she used to be! LOL
Hugs to all.

Doctor Visit 10/2

I had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Googe yesterday. He was pretty pleased with my progress. I told him about my shoulder feeling soooo stiff some days, and he said it was most likely scar tissue. They explained to me that scar tissue will stretch out during therapy, and then tighten back up again. They said it takes about 6 months for it to relax and fall into place. So that made me feel better.
I will go to therapy for 2 more months, and then back to him. They will start me on strengthening exercises too.
He was tickled that I could reach behind my back at all. That is the most painful part, but it gets better every day.
My friend from Kenner, Bettye, has been here all week. We have had a great visit, and shopped a whole lot. I'm ready to get back to my sewing.

Hugs to all.

Just a little update...

My first week in therapy after I got out of my sling was soooo hard. I hurt so bad, and I even cancelled one day so I could let my arm relax and catch up.

I think they just pushed me a little too hard after only having passive exercises for 6 weeks. I keep up with my home routine, and I am able to use my arm a lot more, but I still have a long way to go. Therapy last week was a lot better. None of it is easy, but it has to be done.

I go back to Dr. Googe on Oct. 2. My shoulder still hurts a lot at times, and gets very stiff. I sometimes wonder if it will ever feel like my other one.
I am sewing when I feel like it, and that really helps me a lot.

Thanks to those of you who still check on me.

Another doctor update...

I went to see Dr. Googe today, and I don't have to wear the sling anymore. He told me to start using my arm, but not to lift anything heavy.
Therapy will be a lot tougher, but it has to be done if I want to gain full use of my arm. I hope to be able to reach up and do my hair with two arms!

Hugs

Fifteen month checkup...

Yesterday was my 15 month checkup with Dr. Ghali. I saw Dr. Ringman, Dr. Ghali, and Dr. Kim. They are all so sweet. Everything looked good, and I go back in November.

I finally got an appointment with my shoulder doctor Friday morning at 7:30. Ugh! So early, but I didn't have a choice.

I'm doing a little more embroidering these days. I still have a long way to go in therapy with my arm. It's just hard to be patient and wait. I want it to be normal - NOW!

Hugs to all.

Still wearing the sling...

Dr. Googe's office called and cancelled my appointment for last Friday because he was going to be out all week. I think his wife had her baby.
The lady that called was so snippy and booked me for the 31st. Well, my therapy prescription runs out on the 21st. So I'm going to try and talk to someone tomorrow and see if they will get me in sooner. I'm just really aggravated with how incompassionate some of these people are.
It will be a busy week. I have an appointment with Dr. Ghali on Tuesday, and therapy 3 times. Plus Re-bath is coming to do Clay's shower tomorrow.
I'm ready for fall to get here. I hate this hot weather.
Hugs to all.

Just rolling along...

I went back to Dr. Googe on Fridaay, the 24th, and my shoulder is doing ok. I have to wear the padded sling for 3 more weeks, and then he said he will see about letting me go without it.
He gave me some more exercises to do, and I'm still in therapy 3 days a week. So I'm hoping it keeps doing better and better.
Clay and I celebrated our 38th anniversary on Friday also. We went to eat at Copeland's (it was wonderful), and to a movie. We had a good day, but I was very tired since we had gone somewhere everyday last week.
I didn't get to see Cayden and Shelby this past week, and I'm missing them.
Please keep me in your prayers. Clay goes back to school in a week, and I will miss him being here to drive me everywhere and make our meals. LOL

Dr. appointment

I went back today for my checkup with my shoulder. I still have to wear the padded sling until I go back in 2 weeks, and then he said he would decide if I can take that part off.
I will also start PT on Monday, but he does not want me to raise up my arm on my own. Will be interesting!

Thanks for all of your prayers and concern.

DAY 5 SUNDAY

I HAVE BEEN DOING REALLY GOOD. I HAVE BEEN CUTTING DOWN ON MY PAIN MEDS A WHOLE LOT.
I GO BACK ON FRI. FOR A CHECKUP. I WISH IT WAS SOONER. I JUST GET SO IMPATIENT.
DR. GOOGE SAID THE BALL WAS OUT OF THE SOCKET, AND I HAD A BONE SPUR. I THINK THAT WAS CAUSING MOST OF MY PROBLEMS. I WILL KNOW MORE WHEN I CAN QUESTION HIM ON FRI.
THIS SLING IS SO BUNDLESOME AND HEAVY. I HOPE HE LETS ME TAKE OFF THE PADDED PART SOON. IT'S SURELY TOO HOT TO GO OUTSIDE WITH THIS ON.
I'VE BEEN DOING MY ROTATION EXERCISES TWICE A DAY.

THANKS FOR CHECKING ON ME.

Post Surgery Update/Bad Daughter Confession

OKAY, I am so sorry for all of you that have been wondering about mom. She is as dad says, "home, drugged and fed" lol. He is still not the nurse even after all they went through last summer. But he tries so he deserves a little credit, right?

Yes, it is 7:45 and I do apologize for that. I got home with the kids around 4ish and layed on my bed while they played with legos that I retrieved from storage. Then I messed around a bit in Shelby's new big girl room. Then I uploaded some pictures to facebook. Then Dinner. All of that equals BAD DAUGHTER! I just got an email in all caps from mom saying that I had not updated a special friend via email that mom had requested I do so. I am SOOOO very sorry!

So enough about me. :) The doctor seemed very pleased about the surgery and feels that mom will make a full recovery. She has a pretty high tolerance for pain and obviously after all she went through last summer this is a piece of cake, well almost.

Tonya, Dad and I were waiting for consult from the doctor for about 30 minutes when in walks some OTHER doctor. We didn't know it wasn't our doctor and starts talking about putting a screw in and the toes were all curled under, etc. etc. We obviously realized that he was not our doctor. I had a moment of panic though thinking he had operated on the wrong body part, lol.

Then another doctor walked in and didn't get very far before we realized he wasn't the right doctor either.

We finally got to see mom. Seems like her doctor was having some personal things going on in his life. Please say a little prayer for his unborn son. His pregnant wife was having to have a high risk ultra sound at 31 weeks. He didn't go into detail but just pray that everything is okay and their unborn son is born healthy and happy!

So that is the update. I am sure in no time mom will be typing away, one handed of course!

Another surgery...

On Tuesday, June 30, I will be having surgery on my shoulder to repair my rotator cuff. It's an out patient surgery, and everything should go pretty smooth.

I hate the thought of not being able to sew and miss time playing with Cayden and Shelby. Please keep me in your prayers.

Hugs to all

My Happy Birthday Page...

I have a Happy Birthday Page from the American Cancer Society.



http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/Events/BirthdayPages?pg=fund&fr_id=19690&pxfid=519697&JServSessionIdr011=mxx5xo2vb1.app312b

Our Destin vacation...

We went to Destin last Thursday and came back on Sunday. It pretty much rained the whole time. Everytime I got down to the beach, it would start raining and storming. The kids did get to play a little in the waves a couple of times. The boys all went digging for sand crabs at night which was fun for them.
I love playing with Cayden and Shelby. Shelby stuck to me like velcro, and was constantly saying "My Mimi".
We had a good time and some good food, but we just wish the sun had come out a while.

One year ago - home from the hospital...

Some things you just never forget. I was released from my 12 day hospital stay one year ago today.
I can remember so vividly coming out of the hospital, and the sun hitting me in the face. Even though it was quite warm, it felt so good. A breeze was blowing, and I just wanted to sit there and soak it up.
I started crying and cried nearly all of the way home. Such a relief to be going home.
I thought about people in prisons that will never have that feeling again, and how could anyone want to miss out on the wonderful things in life by committing the crimes that put them there in the first place.
Life puzzles me. People puzzle me, and there are so many things that people do that I just don't understand.
I do know one thing -. I am glad to be where I am and with my wonderful family celebrating life.

One year post surgery checkup...

I went today for my one year checkup. My doctors thought everything looked fine. That's a big relief. I had bloodwork done, and they told me "no news was good news." I go back in 3 months. Dr. Kim likes his patients to come back 4 times a year, and I sure don't have a problem with that.

Please pray for Cody. He found out today that he has Bell's Palsy. He is pretty miserable.

Thanks for all of your prayers.

One year ago today - May 7, 2008

In some ways I can't believe it's been a year since my surgery. In other ways, it seems like yesterday.



When I started thinking about my one year anniversary coming up a couple of weeks ago, I just got weak all over. How in the world did I endure such an ordeal? One thing is for sure. ONLY by the grace of GOD!



Clay even said he didn't know how he made it either having to wait 12 long hours in the waiting room for them to finish. Then 6 days in ICU and 6 more days in the hospital. I know it was hard for him and for my kids. Thank goodness I had them to depend on, and thank God for Robin who stayed with me in the hospital and did all of my medical care after I came home.



Please keep me in your prayers. I go back May 12 for my check up with lab work. I don't foresee any problems, but it always makes me nervous.



Thanks to those of you who have continued to read my updates from time to time. I have enjoyed my retirement immensely. I am still facing another surgery in June to repair my rotator cuff, but my shoulder doctor said that is nothing compared to what I had done last May.



Hugs to all,

Shirley