Two regular days in a row! We did it. We had homemade pizza and played Risk. Michellie thought we were going to torture her, but Sam loves to play Risk. Michelle is always up for a challenge and Risk used to be a favorite as a teen. Well, Michellie started out as the underdog, but her energy sure perked up as she gained more control. There was a lot of smiles and giggles as she knocked her parents out, and then dealt with how to be nice to Sam, but take him down anyway. Well, she overcame that with typical Waines competitive ease. Auntie Char would be proud.
The snow continues to come down, so we hope to just enjoy another quiet, casual day. This may be possible if the two squirrels that have found residence in our walls and floorboards will quite fighting. They are very busy moving something and chattering, and the cats can't understand where they are. They run up and down the stairs looking at the ceiling and the floors. Hunter pounces just cause he can. Very entertaining.
For those people using techniques from the Foot Rub, The Star or the Lion, Michelle has been accepted to present several workshops at the International Touch for Health Conference in South Carolina in July. If you have stories of what you have noticed using these techniques, please email them to her. If you have not used the techniques but would like to try something new with movement, please go to her website at http://www.dancedebut.com/ and look under articles, Move with Ease is the Foot Run info. Michelle will have more material prepared shortly for anyone interested in trying it out and providing feedback.
Also, for those of you who know we are slowly working through renos at the house, the back lean-to finally leaked enough, and the ceiling has started to descend. Everyone will guess where we will be working busily for the next few months. Gotta love "this old house"! We do!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 28th
Today was like a regular day! Wow! Can't remember the last time we could say that - and we didn't really have regular days before that either. Michellie had a great day today. She had her energy back and we headed to Port Hawksbury to get Sam. They waited in the car while I did a little shopping and then we came home for an impromptu dinner party. This was the first opportunity to have friends over and just enjoy company. We had a great dinner and then we played games. This was like summer time when the clock doesn't exist and nothing else matters. Emma, thanks for getting us into "Apples to Apples", we really laughed through that tonight; and then, David R, thanks for teaching us spoons. This is a vicious game, but while we taught everyone the rules we laughed so hard we had cheek aches, head aches and bouncing energy! We introduced Lisa, a friend from Ottawa, how to enjoy a Cape Breton winter evening, while the teens were appalled by some of our adult shinanigans. Christina, you know that life is inevitable, and one day you will be like your Mom! We have a new crazy carpet, so maybe tomorrow we will actually be able to try our front yard for a little "coasting" as they call it here. Two regular days in a row would be awesome!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 27th
Well, we awoke to a blizzard with lots of snow, that turned to freezing rain, then wind, then a little rain, then the temperature rose and it was baumy - All within a few hours. Michellie made it to Inverness for blood tests today and a check as well. Her throat was bothering her and her stomache. Her energy took a dip this morning, but seems to be coming back a bit this afternoon. I prepared the biggest kale and blueberry shake for their arrival back home, and David informed me a bad whisky is easier to get down. Well...I like it! Ok, new plan. Chicken soup - that always works. So, an evening of rest and more relaxation - why are all the shows on repeats?!
Hey Jessica! Congrats on almost tripling your goal! That is awesome. We will keep watching!
Hey Jessica! Congrats on almost tripling your goal! That is awesome. We will keep watching!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 25th
Happy Robbie Burns Everyone! I sure hope Haggis is on your menu, and as we heard in Vancouver - Haggis Egg Rolls (we can hardly wait to try these!:) ).
Michellie's blood counts are back up and she is off the shots! Yeah! All the energy and support she is receiving from all of you is helping to pick her up and dust her off. Her energy is a little less than round one, but she is in great spirits and is eager to get to school today and catch up with her buddies.
The weather here continues to be colder, with a -11 today and a wind chill of much worse. The dormer windows that did not get redone in the fall are full of frost - the kind we used to spray on our windows in Alberta - kind of funny to see it for real. The cats love scraping and licking.
After we went to bed last night - midnight here, 8 pm in BC, Jessica was able to surpass her goal of raising $200 for cancer. In fact, she was able to almost double her efforts. I have posted the site for you to follow beside this post. Jessica never imagined that by cutting her hair to support Michellie she could make such a difference. I am in awe that a ten year old could dream so big and then surpass her own expectations. Thank you to those individuals who have stepped forward to help her realize and magnify her goal.
One of the incredible technological advancements that Michellie has been lucky enough to receive with her treatments is her Port-A-Cath. When Michellie's Grandmother Pat had cancer several years back, she had all of her chemo through her arm and into the veins in her arm by intravenous. The effects of those harmful drugs on her veins have left her with hardened lines up her arm. As well, the drugs had to travel through narrow spaces until they could reach the heart and be more productively distributed. Michellie has the Port-A-Cath in the center of her chest. It is a little device that was implanted into a pocket made just under her skin. When she receives her treatments, she gets extra fluids through this spot, the chemo, blood can be drawn from it, and it can completely seal up when she doesn't need it. This little device allows her to be able to easily be hooked up with minimal trauma to the skin, surrounding tissue, and easily anchored. As well, there is a direct line to the main arteries leading to the heart. The distribution of the chemo is very quick and there is much more opportunity to dilute the drugs in the blood supply here and have it disperse quickly. She can also be hydrated the same way. When the Port is not in use Michellie can change clothes and shower with ease. This advancement has made a huge difference to those patients requiring many days of intravenous use. And both arms are then free for important things like texting, ipod shuffling, xbox games, facebooking - oh, and maybe handwriting homework assignments! You can see more detail about the port at http://www.portadvantage.com/.
Michellie's blood counts are back up and she is off the shots! Yeah! All the energy and support she is receiving from all of you is helping to pick her up and dust her off. Her energy is a little less than round one, but she is in great spirits and is eager to get to school today and catch up with her buddies.
The weather here continues to be colder, with a -11 today and a wind chill of much worse. The dormer windows that did not get redone in the fall are full of frost - the kind we used to spray on our windows in Alberta - kind of funny to see it for real. The cats love scraping and licking.
After we went to bed last night - midnight here, 8 pm in BC, Jessica was able to surpass her goal of raising $200 for cancer. In fact, she was able to almost double her efforts. I have posted the site for you to follow beside this post. Jessica never imagined that by cutting her hair to support Michellie she could make such a difference. I am in awe that a ten year old could dream so big and then surpass her own expectations. Thank you to those individuals who have stepped forward to help her realize and magnify her goal.
One of the incredible technological advancements that Michellie has been lucky enough to receive with her treatments is her Port-A-Cath. When Michellie's Grandmother Pat had cancer several years back, she had all of her chemo through her arm and into the veins in her arm by intravenous. The effects of those harmful drugs on her veins have left her with hardened lines up her arm. As well, the drugs had to travel through narrow spaces until they could reach the heart and be more productively distributed. Michellie has the Port-A-Cath in the center of her chest. It is a little device that was implanted into a pocket made just under her skin. When she receives her treatments, she gets extra fluids through this spot, the chemo, blood can be drawn from it, and it can completely seal up when she doesn't need it. This little device allows her to be able to easily be hooked up with minimal trauma to the skin, surrounding tissue, and easily anchored. As well, there is a direct line to the main arteries leading to the heart. The distribution of the chemo is very quick and there is much more opportunity to dilute the drugs in the blood supply here and have it disperse quickly. She can also be hydrated the same way. When the Port is not in use Michellie can change clothes and shower with ease. This advancement has made a huge difference to those patients requiring many days of intravenous use. And both arms are then free for important things like texting, ipod shuffling, xbox games, facebooking - oh, and maybe handwriting homework assignments! You can see more detail about the port at http://www.portadvantage.com/.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 24th
Notice the quiet, cuddly picture next to this entry? Our two beautiful cats? Yesterday a mouse dared to enter the house. Missy started to growl, Hunter was the copy cat. Michellie coming out of the shower jumps on the bench in the hall screaming. Missy chases the mouse. Hunter chases Missy. David chases Hunter. Missy plays with the mouse. Hunter tries to get it. David tries to get Hunter. Missy brings the mouse up the stairs. Michelle screams and slams the bedroom door. Michellie screams and slams her bedroom door. Hunter chases Missy. David chases Hunter. Missy goes into David's office to play with the mouse. Hunter pursues. David follows. Missy almost kills the mouse. David finishes it off. Missy plays with the mouse. Hunter observes. David looks for rubber glove to fit over bandaged finger and remembers he could put the glove on the other hand. David dangles dead mouse for all to see and takes it downstairs. Missy growls her displeasure at the intrusion. Hunter gets bored and finds pretend mouse to play with. Missy searches the office for the dead mouse and waits. Anybody want a kitty lick now?
All this excitement at midnight when all of us should have been in bed. It seems we are not destined to be early birds to bed.
Other than that excitement, it was a quiet day at our house. Semi-Solitary confinement, self-imposed, is not too bad at this point. Michellie's energy was not too bad, but the nausea continued to rear its head everytime she ate, and she did have a big appetite.
Jessica, we see by your fundraising thermometer that in just a few short days you have already reached half way to your goal. Congratulations on raising $100 so far. You sure are a go getter! We are all very proud of your incredible dedication and enthusiasm!
For those requesting bracelets, we will be organizing that shortly. Morgan has sent us thread and Michellie has been making bracelets with the thread she has here. Morgan is working on the project in Alberta, and Michellie will let family and friends know once we see the design Morgan has worked out. Thank you for your requests.
As well, for those in Alberta who are familiar with Morgan's Mom's event - Carpe Diem. The MacAuley's have been fundraising for alternative cancer treatments since Melody's recovery from cancer 8 years ago (similar story to Michellie's). The Greenwell's and Dance Debut have always played a part in the fundraising and performing for the event, and for the last couple of years Melody has sent the fundraising dollars to a place called Wellspring Calgary. Melody wrote me the following info the other day:
"All of the Carpe Diem Funds for this year will be going to Wellspring Calgary (you can google it), which is a healing centre for cancer patients and their families. It is a very home-like environment in a brand new arts and crafts style "home". They offer support groups, reiki, massage, accupressure, yoga, music therapy, art therapy, nutritional counseling, just to name a few. There are other Wellsprings in Ontario, but none (yet) in the maritimes, unfortunately. Still, you would be able to walk into any of them and receive anything that they have to offer for no charge. It was started privately and is supported privately, mostly by surviviors."
Heather Cornell's cousin is one of the organizers for this facility - for all of you tap gurus reading this. There is no facility or resource place like this in Nova Scotia, so we will be thinking about how we can make a difference for the people here with what we have available. For those lucky enough to be in Alberta and have an invite to Carpe Diem, please support Melody's initiative with an open heart, she has a silent auction that is always looking for great ideas. As we are all looking for ways we can help and support, there is a definite gap between the western medicine world and the eastern healing realm. I have been documenting all of the tools that we have added to help Michellie through this (as well as ourselves for all of you worried about our wellbeing too) and know that one day that material will be helpful for others. As well, all of those people who have sent healing work to us, or have provided more information, we are keeping track. More cancer patients need access to these healing modalities to help them cope with the aggressive western medicine protocols. Perhaps one day Wellspring will be clear across the country so that everyone facing cancer will be abe to access healing help during a trying financial situation!
The snow is blowing straight across the fields today and it is -14 with a windchill of -30. Definitely the coldest day we have experienced so far. I think it is a great day for some baking and cleaning, but we do have to get to Inverness for a blood test. We are hoping Michellie's counts will have risen again and then she can stop her shots and be almost medicine free for the rest of the week.
All this excitement at midnight when all of us should have been in bed. It seems we are not destined to be early birds to bed.
Other than that excitement, it was a quiet day at our house. Semi-Solitary confinement, self-imposed, is not too bad at this point. Michellie's energy was not too bad, but the nausea continued to rear its head everytime she ate, and she did have a big appetite.
Jessica, we see by your fundraising thermometer that in just a few short days you have already reached half way to your goal. Congratulations on raising $100 so far. You sure are a go getter! We are all very proud of your incredible dedication and enthusiasm!
For those requesting bracelets, we will be organizing that shortly. Morgan has sent us thread and Michellie has been making bracelets with the thread she has here. Morgan is working on the project in Alberta, and Michellie will let family and friends know once we see the design Morgan has worked out. Thank you for your requests.
As well, for those in Alberta who are familiar with Morgan's Mom's event - Carpe Diem. The MacAuley's have been fundraising for alternative cancer treatments since Melody's recovery from cancer 8 years ago (similar story to Michellie's). The Greenwell's and Dance Debut have always played a part in the fundraising and performing for the event, and for the last couple of years Melody has sent the fundraising dollars to a place called Wellspring Calgary. Melody wrote me the following info the other day:
"All of the Carpe Diem Funds for this year will be going to Wellspring Calgary (you can google it), which is a healing centre for cancer patients and their families. It is a very home-like environment in a brand new arts and crafts style "home". They offer support groups, reiki, massage, accupressure, yoga, music therapy, art therapy, nutritional counseling, just to name a few. There are other Wellsprings in Ontario, but none (yet) in the maritimes, unfortunately. Still, you would be able to walk into any of them and receive anything that they have to offer for no charge. It was started privately and is supported privately, mostly by surviviors."
Heather Cornell's cousin is one of the organizers for this facility - for all of you tap gurus reading this. There is no facility or resource place like this in Nova Scotia, so we will be thinking about how we can make a difference for the people here with what we have available. For those lucky enough to be in Alberta and have an invite to Carpe Diem, please support Melody's initiative with an open heart, she has a silent auction that is always looking for great ideas. As we are all looking for ways we can help and support, there is a definite gap between the western medicine world and the eastern healing realm. I have been documenting all of the tools that we have added to help Michellie through this (as well as ourselves for all of you worried about our wellbeing too) and know that one day that material will be helpful for others. As well, all of those people who have sent healing work to us, or have provided more information, we are keeping track. More cancer patients need access to these healing modalities to help them cope with the aggressive western medicine protocols. Perhaps one day Wellspring will be clear across the country so that everyone facing cancer will be abe to access healing help during a trying financial situation!
The snow is blowing straight across the fields today and it is -14 with a windchill of -30. Definitely the coldest day we have experienced so far. I think it is a great day for some baking and cleaning, but we do have to get to Inverness for a blood test. We are hoping Michellie's counts will have risen again and then she can stop her shots and be almost medicine free for the rest of the week.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
LOCS - "Love of Chellie Supporters" - Thank you Jessica for all of your Love!
Dear Friend,
Jessica lost her locks in support of her cousin Michellie - they are on their way to Angel Hair for Kids in Toronto to make some lucky child a wig of beautiful blonde curly hair. Michellie had her locks cut off and donated them to Angel Hair for Kids before chemo made it all fall out. We have started LOCS - Love of Chellie Supporters - events and fundraising to help fight and treat teen Hodgkin's Lymphoma, as well as to help raise funds for the support that those fighting the battle against cancer on the front lines.
20 years ago, the outlook for a teen with Michellie's diagnosis was not as good as now. Now we can be hopeful, even confident that she will win her battle, but the fight is long and hard. Maybe 20 years from now, with enough knowledge, we'll be able to say this cancer was beaten. Maybe we will be able to talk about how treatments have improved so much, and those receiving the treatments do not suffer so much, nor so long, as they do now to fight this battle.
Whatever the strides are to hope for, they come with support. We are asking for your support through the LOCS fundraising link we have set up on the Canadian Cancer Society website. We hope to show Michellie and her family what a difference her fight is making for the future of cancer patients. Please help us by supporting this kick-off event of Jessica cutting her prized ponytail! She was willing to go as short as she needed to in order to ensure that she could donate her hair, and make Michellie proud of her. She set a personal goal for us of $200. I know we can reach that.
If you are able, please consider donating $1 per inch of Jessica's donated hair = $10. You can donate online, and request a tax receipt back. If you wish to give us your donation directly, we will collect them, and then send them all in and update the fundraising thermometer for those, too!
Please keep Michellie and her family in your thoughts and prayers. They are feeling the love and energy from all across Canada, and it is keeping them going.
If you have your own idea or event that can be added to LOCS or a challenge we can send out, please let us know! It is amazing what a determined group of people can accomplish. Let's show Michellie and family what we can do from L.O.C.S. - Love Of Chellie Supporters!
Jessica & Charlene & Family
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
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| Step 1 - What does short hair look like? |
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| Step 2 - Gulp! |
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| Step 3 - 4 ponytails to get all the 10 inch LOCS |
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| This one's for you Chellie - short is all right! |
If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=e7168cfaf3e94019af54107632d8841b9110a3fc73043c69
Saturday, January 22nd
Friday was a pure rest day for all of us. Michellie spent most of the day helping her friend Morgan design healing bracelets. With the strings wrapped around her big toe, she was all grins trying to decide on green/blue/white or should she add purple? Anyway, Morgan is launching a healing campaign shortly for anyone wanting to wear the bracelet in support of the healing of Michellie's system.
We also spent the day trying to determine if she should eat fruit, bread, vegetables etc. with her yeast infection. There were so many conflicting reports on what to do. Our final decision was that if we chose food to be healing food, it would do the trick. So, we had fresh strawberries and raspberries with real whipping cream flavored with vanilla and stevia for a treat. (Did you know that Stevia is an anti-fungal herb? Thanks Evelyn Mulders for your herb book of knowledge). And, we followed the fruit with veggies and dip. For supper we made our first home made pizza from scratch, and Michellie declared it the best pizza she had ever eaten. She had put ranch dressing as the base and loved it. So, we finished the night satiated and happy about it.
The night had some challenges with joint pain causing Michellie some problems. With the wind howling outside, Mom got to crawl into Michellie's cold sheets to do some healing work and diminish the pain. Mom fell asleep before Michellie and started the snoring (I am sure she was lying about this - only Dad snores). Michellie was so kindly awoken at 5:30 am when Missy crawled in to share her love with us. Standing on Michellie's shoulders she spent a few minutes licking Michellie's bald held and purring. What a sight! Hunter could not be out done, so he bounded up and joined us to purr at Michellie's feet. With lots of love to go around, Michellie received the benefits of the Pet Reiki treatment. (We are so glad to have these cats! Did you know that cats have a positive energy field that they exchange with us when we need negative or lower energy removed from our bodies? Interesting theory isn't it?! Sure explains all the love we receive each night.)
Michellie's energy this morning has climbed significantly. Her room is once again cleaner than ours and she is all dressed up and ready for action. It is amazing how quickly she can bounce back. Of course, if she is feeling stronger, then Sam can come for a visit, so the incentive is definitely there. Oh, the advantage of having youth on her side. Well Grandma, I think stuffed chicken is in order for tonight - that was always a good feeling recipe for me!
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| Happy Robbie Burns Day Celebrations! This was a long time back! |
For those people looking for a wonderful reference page, Bev Chen sent me the following website: http://www.thecancercrusade.com/. I really enjoyed the layout and the information. There were some great jokes there too!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday, January 20th
Michellie awoke today with a sore throat and she couldn't swallow much. The doctor sent for more drugs and warned us that we could be staying another night. We were devastated. Michellie was so tired of more drugs, more tests and more pains. We had a little cry and held onto some pity for a moment, then we wiped our eyes and aimed for better. After another round of drugs, the throat was better. She still couldn't drink much or eat, but she was gaining color and strength. Yahoo! By midafternoon they decided to let us go! We sprang from there as fast as we could.
Michellie's blood counts are down again, so we will have a quiet and protective weekend until the counts go back up. That's ok, Michellie is now happy as a clam to be home and is busy programming her ipod with more exciting music to carry her through. Thank goodness for the electronics of today!
David and I are sitting with the big bag of meds and trying to get the schedule organized so we don't miss anything. For those of you who knew us with only aspirin and cough medicine in the cabinet, we are now very knowledgeable and stocked up. Right next to the herbs and such...crazy!
PS David was at emergency this afternoon to have his finger looked at and the attachment took. The doctor was very pleased with how it was healing. The stitches were removed, and a CLEAN bandage was added. David even had some sensations while the stitches were removed, so he was happy about that. I'm still on dish duty for a few more weeks, but that's ok if David's mousing hand will work at the computer.
Michellie's blood counts are down again, so we will have a quiet and protective weekend until the counts go back up. That's ok, Michellie is now happy as a clam to be home and is busy programming her ipod with more exciting music to carry her through. Thank goodness for the electronics of today!
David and I are sitting with the big bag of meds and trying to get the schedule organized so we don't miss anything. For those of you who knew us with only aspirin and cough medicine in the cabinet, we are now very knowledgeable and stocked up. Right next to the herbs and such...crazy!
PS David was at emergency this afternoon to have his finger looked at and the attachment took. The doctor was very pleased with how it was healing. The stitches were removed, and a CLEAN bandage was added. David even had some sensations while the stitches were removed, so he was happy about that. I'm still on dish duty for a few more weeks, but that's ok if David's mousing hand will work at the computer.
Wednesday, January 19th
Today Michellie had her 8th day of chemo for Round 2. It was supposed to be an “easy” day – that is what they all begin like. On the first Round and on Day 8, she had an allergic reaction to the chemo. It was a horrifying 24 hours bringing her out of her drug induced stupor afterwards and then the nausea – there wasn’t supposed to be nausea on this day.
So, today, when Michellie awoke from the end of the Benedryl cycle and the chemo drugs, she should have just woken up and begun gaining energy and enthusiasm. Not today. Today she developed “Thrush”, or a yeast infection, as a result of the chemo. Her throat which was a little sore in the morning moved to excruciating by the time she was fully conscious and they had moved us from the oncology ward to pediatrics where she would stay overnight. Pounding her head, punching the bed, pinching her hands and crying inconsolably, it was an excruciating 45 minutes before they could get her prescription from the doctor, through the pharmacy and to the nurse and then into an IV and finally to have an effect on her throat. Through this I was rubbing feet, holding pressure points, talking, crying, anything to keep her from hurting herself. And then, the nurse said it was 3:30 pm. That meant there was still a bit of Oprah on. Perhaps there would be something interesting that could divert my daughter’s attention.
We turned on the television to see Oprah and Gayle climbing the top of the bridge in Brisbane: “Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure”. We had seen the seasons opening show when the audience was given the trip. This was exciting. Michellie stopped pounding her head. We watched Gayle try to take the last 10 steps to the top and Michellie counted with her. Then, the helicopter ran out of gas and we waited as Oprah stated that this would make the show and they would never forget this moment. Well, neither would we. This whole scene had me laughing off of my seat and Michellie beginning to smile and giggle herself. Even all the intense planning that such a trip would take for Oprah’s crew could have a glitch, and we remember many performances we did with similar difficulties. But on the top of the bridge and people afraid of heights!? What was an incident in Oprah’s life and all the other participants breaking the world record, was our incident of breakthrough in pain.
This one incident might have been the end of the story, but then Oprah began showing all the adventures that they were on with the trip. Michellie’s dream and passion is to swim with dolphins. She has snorkeled once, and was intently watching the man who learned how to swim so he could go snorkeling on the trip. Then, Oprah showed all the sails on the boats in the harbor. She exclaimed that coming from a little dirt road in the south of the USA, where there were no key chains or name tags with “Oprah” on them, there was a bigger gift waiting for her name. Oprah exclaimed “There was a Regatta with her name on it”. Michellie’s grin was huge. Her name is not a common one and she is always called by the wrong name, especially here by the nurses. She could so identify with Oprah. So, as the show came to an end, Michellie had found a way to cope, we had laughed intently through one of her darkest cancer moments, and she even had a vision of the future to think about – the day when treatment would be over and she could take a trip like Oprah’s to chase her own dreams. Thanks Oprah!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tuesday, January 18th
Michellie spent Monday trying to get a handle on her stomach. She is not sure if it is part of the nausea or acid reflux. She has developed a sore throat to go with the experience, and last night after some Benedryl it all disappeared. So, I guess we will be working on more of her reactions to all the drugs. We did blood tests in Inverness and all of her numbers are still up. We spent the evening eating a full plate of veggies and dip, and by the end we were all full, full, full. If everyone ate raw veggies like that, the food budget could be decreased, as it was only a few veggies that filled us up. Interesting isn't it?!
Michellie is heading to school for a bit today. She wants to pick up her next assignments and check in with all of her buddies. I am making cabbage and noodles (for those Hungarians who know what that means), and Michellie's sensitive nose is not too happy about it. Oh, well, we all need our comfort foods. To the Harris', I added your canned cherries to the smoothy this morning for some of the red energy balancing forces, and it sure added a punch and bit of extra sweetness, thanks for that! Yum!
Tomorrow morning we head to Antigonish and we are overnight at the hospital. I know Michellie is looking forward to saying that she is done Round 2 and so are we.
Michellie is heading to school for a bit today. She wants to pick up her next assignments and check in with all of her buddies. I am making cabbage and noodles (for those Hungarians who know what that means), and Michellie's sensitive nose is not too happy about it. Oh, well, we all need our comfort foods. To the Harris', I added your canned cherries to the smoothy this morning for some of the red energy balancing forces, and it sure added a punch and bit of extra sweetness, thanks for that! Yum!
Tomorrow morning we head to Antigonish and we are overnight at the hospital. I know Michellie is looking forward to saying that she is done Round 2 and so are we.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, January 16th
Today was a good day to just relax and rest. The weather cooked up some great "flurries" as they call them here, and the wind is picking up speed tonight. Michellie rested and even became a little bored in the process. That was nice to see. David was able to get a fair bit of work done, and Michelle cooked all morning and then napped all afternoon. We have lots of soup and even Michellie is getting the kale shakes down. David and I are actually really enjoying them. Our neighbor Jill sent over fresh kale, and it is fabulous!
Anyone know anything about Vitamin C IV's, and about taking Vitamin C with cancer? Thanks for any suggestions for sites to see or books to have a look at.
Anyone know anything about Vitamin C IV's, and about taking Vitamin C with cancer? Thanks for any suggestions for sites to see or books to have a look at.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14th
From David!
5pm Friday - Hi everyone;
Just a quick not to let you know that Michellie is home from Antigonish and is doing fine. Michelle is exhausted and is already in bed for the night, but Michellie is up and about. Feeling a little off, but not anything as bad as Round One.
The Hospital and staff at St. Martha’s in Antigonish were fabulous, as well as the little motel they recommended. The docs and nurses continue to be impressed with her progress and her strength against what they describe as one of the most aggressive chemo protocols they’ve seen! Plenty of hydration and additional support drugs seemed to have helped mitigate most of the nasty side effects this time around.
The next four days will be spent at home, with just oral meds and injections. She’s due back in Antigonish next Wed am for a short day of chemo and will spend that night in hospital for observation (hopefully not if there’s no adverse reaction...?), and blood work on Thursday.
The next round of treatments is scheduled to begin Feb 1 in Halifax with a PET scan (I don’t know why – we already told them about our 2 cats…!), then Chemo resuming Feb 2.
Can’t believe we’re already almost halfway there!
Thanks as always for all your love and support
David
Saturday, January 15th
We are home safe and sound! Friday was all day in the hospital with Michellie doing well with the last round of the three days. We hit the road with the snow coming down and had a beautiful drive home. The sun peaked out of the clouds and blue sky appeared after we crossed the causeway. It continued to shine on us all the way to Judique where the snow picked up again. David had dinner ready for us, and we collapsed on the couch. Michelle went to bed at 6:30 and did not awaken again until 10 am Saturday morning. She cannot keep up with 3 or 4 hours of sleep a night. Michellie kept her busy each night as the drugs kicked in to keep Michellie going. As well, the prednisone is playing with Michellie's emotions and she goes from highs to lows quickly. There were a few hours on Thurday night, (or early Friday morning!) where Michellie really had to dig down deep for herself. There was lots of hugs and tears and soul searching and dreaming and wishing and snuggling. Precious moments for sure, and hard ones too. This is not an easy ride, and with Michellie more awake this time around, she is feeling her emotions a lot more. We all have a lot more appreciation for those who suffer from depression everyday, and for those who might have manic/depressive episodes or bipolar tendencies. That is not an easy road to walk each day.
Saturday has been quiet with rest and relaxation as the number one priority. There was suggestion made that perhaps Michellie would feel well enough to write something on the blog too. This is a big stretch for the little lady that struggles with opinions for English essays. Perhaps if you have a question for Michellie you could put it on the blog or send an email, and maybe Michellie could answer some of your questions. For any of Michellie's dancing buddies who have questions too, please feel free to ask away.
Tonight Tysen had a wonderful musical gathering at his house, and Michelle and David ran off for a bit to enjoy some fun. Thank you for reminding us why we are in Cape Breton - we had a great time. And, Christina, thank you for taking the time to get ALL the kids at Dalbrae Academy to sign a Get Well Card for Michellie. We all appreciate your effort. If Michellie was the new girl that only some people knew in the fall, now she is known by many more. Thank you for including so many in the wishes.
More stories are coming back to us about how Michellie's Journey has inspired them to do something different or how to approach a situation. If you wish to share these stories with us on the blog or in private, we would love to hear. Michellie really enjoys reading how her journey has spread so far, and it inspires her to dig a little deeper for the really tough times. You are all helping in your own ways to get her through this, and we are all so grateful for everyone's input.
Saturday has been quiet with rest and relaxation as the number one priority. There was suggestion made that perhaps Michellie would feel well enough to write something on the blog too. This is a big stretch for the little lady that struggles with opinions for English essays. Perhaps if you have a question for Michellie you could put it on the blog or send an email, and maybe Michellie could answer some of your questions. For any of Michellie's dancing buddies who have questions too, please feel free to ask away.
Tonight Tysen had a wonderful musical gathering at his house, and Michelle and David ran off for a bit to enjoy some fun. Thank you for reminding us why we are in Cape Breton - we had a great time. And, Christina, thank you for taking the time to get ALL the kids at Dalbrae Academy to sign a Get Well Card for Michellie. We all appreciate your effort. If Michellie was the new girl that only some people knew in the fall, now she is known by many more. Thank you for including so many in the wishes.
More stories are coming back to us about how Michellie's Journey has inspired them to do something different or how to approach a situation. If you wish to share these stories with us on the blog or in private, we would love to hear. Michellie really enjoys reading how her journey has spread so far, and it inspires her to dig a little deeper for the really tough times. You are all helping in your own ways to get her through this, and we are all so grateful for everyone's input.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thursday, January 13th
Well, Grey's Anatomy is tonight and we are going to be watching it from our cozy beds in the Inn. YAH!!!! Michellie could almost run from her spot on the cancer ward at the hospital this afternoon. We started with sullen and tired and desperate this morning with an early wake up, and as the day progressed so did the mood. There is a noticeable shift when Michellie starts to feel better: a look in the eye, the furrowed brow disappears, a "please" or "thank you" returns, a smile, a joke and the texting fingers get faster. It is amazing how she can be a wisp on the pillow and then a dominant force ready to face the world again, all within one shift of a nurse and doctor's schedule. We have a full day of chemo tomorrow, but we know it is all down hill from here - maybe even with a crazy carpet for "coasting" as they say here on the East Coast. Tonight we are going to enjoy the peace, the lack of interruptions for vitals, the fluffy pillows, the internet, and Michellie's second favorite show to ER. Sweet Dreams everyone!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wednesday, January 12th
Wow! Michellie was awesome today. She hydrated immensely throughout the day through her IV, and with the Benedryl as a preventative measure they were able to keep the side effects to a minimum. She had a sore throat near the end, and only one sick bout by evening. What a difference over last time. She had six different chemo drugs today, and she was such a trouper. She is in the pediatrics ward tonight on IV so that they can be ready for her smaller chemo tomorrow.
When we began this journey a month ago it was during a flood situation. Tonight as David and I are spelling each other off, we are in the middle of a huge blizzard. There is already a half a foot of snow in only 2 hours. As long as we can get from the Inn to the Hospital - we will be fine. While waiting this afternoon I had a chance to reflect on a few of the gifts given to us on this journey, and I am going to attach my thoughts to the bottom of this blog. I hope you enjoy and perhaps have thoughts of your own to reflect on too.
Reflections from the Bedside
When we began this journey a month ago it was during a flood situation. Tonight as David and I are spelling each other off, we are in the middle of a huge blizzard. There is already a half a foot of snow in only 2 hours. As long as we can get from the Inn to the Hospital - we will be fine. While waiting this afternoon I had a chance to reflect on a few of the gifts given to us on this journey, and I am going to attach my thoughts to the bottom of this blog. I hope you enjoy and perhaps have thoughts of your own to reflect on too.
Reflections from the Bedside
As I sit here and watch my daughter undergo her second round of chemotherapy, I have to marvel at her incredible strength and courage to go forward. We are a family that has always found a way to see the positives in a situation and to make the most of a learning experience. As I ponder how we got here, I am reflecting on some of my own adventures as a child.
My parents used to love taking us on canoe trips in the summer. We did not have one trip that ended up dry. We always found a way to finish wet. Sometimes we tipped at the start of the trip, and we went anyway. Once I slid down from a cave and over a cliff into the river and sat in a tarp for the entire voyage. Once we overturned in rapids and lost our entire load of coolers, cameras, fire starters, clothes etc. Some of our gear went downstream with some kids and one panicky adult ended up under a canoe and had to be rescued. Sometimes we blamed my poor dad for all of our misadventures (isn't that what girls do). Sometimes we blamed others (or myself in the case of the tarp adventure). But in the end, those adventures are dear memories of adventures taken, opportunities created, and learning accomplished. We learnt perseverance, determination, adventure seeking, courage, hope, teamwork, planning, and so much more, (yes Mom and Dad we did learn something).
Now I am looking at my daughter. Even though she knew what today would be like, (although it couldn’t really be much worse than the first round after surgery), she faced her fears a few days ahead. We prepared her queries, balanced her energies, talked about the days ahead, and planned for when round 2 was to be completed. She spent several days researching the best music for her ipod and collecting shows and movies she wanted to see. The mirror in her room has meaningful lyrics written all over it from her music research. The night before chemo she kept up with her friends on facebook and texting and found her strength, and she distracted herself with movies. She stood strong and proud as we entered the hospital and she looked the treatment straight in the eye. It was going to be a long day, and then it would be over and it would be behind her. Where did she get her resilience from? Where did her courage come from? How did she know how to prepare herself for this?
I looked back at all of the lessons Michellie had learned as a dancer, as a daughter of a studio owner, and as a member of a performing family. She was on stage from before she was born. Our motto was always, “the show must go on”. There were many days when this was a hard learned lesson. Michellie learned how to do her own makeup in a moving car in the dark on the way to a show by the time she was seven. She could do her own bun and prepare her costume bag with lists she created herself by the time she was ten. She hated to have choreography altered once it was delivered, and there was often protest for this, but it was always because she was meticulous with detail and wanted to be ready. When “things” happened before a performance, and they always did, Michellie knew she had to buck up and adapt. There might be tears, there might be tantrums, but she knew she had to deliver to the audience. Michellie was a trouper. She pushed through rough rehearsals, tiring schedules, programs she didn’t want to be a part of, and performances that weren’t always our best. But, her highlights for all of those experiences were her friends. If she got time to socialize with everyone she was happy. After a wonderful performance she would be the talkative one in the car on the way home. She would be the first to convince us of a celebration dinner or after party. She loved to dance, and she loved to dance with her friends.
What does dance have to do with cancer therapy? Firstly, as she prepared for the day, music was her top priority. She has a passion for lyrics, uplifting songs and she is the one in the family who loves country. She knows what music will be her sanctuary. Secondly, she knows that with some bad, there is a lot more good. She knows that she has to look forward into the treatments and get past them to the next adventures in life. Thirdly, while the bad stuff is happening, you need to find laughter. We joke about how she could tattoo hena designs on her head; her dance buddies sent her a list of the top 10 things to do to scare the nurses; the doctor tried telling her jokes; and we have laughed over the silliest things as a family. Lastly, she trusts the world around her to deliver to her only the best situations and opportunities. Cancer is ugly, but treatable. Hair loss is extremely hard and uncomfortable, but temporary. Nausea is nasty, but passes. Chemo is not forever, but new opportunities and adventures are.
When we had our toughest times performing or meeting the hectic schedule of the studio, I often wondered if I was doing the best for my family. But, we shared many wonderful evenings together. We shared friendships and fun together. We were close as a family while we were learning and preparing (even during power struggle arguments and opinion sharing). We traveled to many wonderful places and performed on the most incredible stages. All of our experiences we would not trade. And this is how cancer is now. It is here, and we are facing it together, and Michellie is showing the character of a professional dancer as she moves through the stages and patterns of getting better. As a family we could not have given her more opportunity for being prepared than what we experienced together in the studio. We are so proud of our daughter and the woman she is becoming.
Now, as we all look forward into our future, we just need to find out if her hair will return straight and blonde, or will a brunette take over with massive curls? What we do know is that Michellie will be able to face any challenge that life puts before her with grace, integrity, dedication, sincerity, hope and love. Her courage and strength will find a home in her life that will help others to cope with their own challenges, and the dancer in Michellie will find new music to match the new adventures that will be before her. Anonymous once wrote "To Dance is to Live...To Live is to Dance".
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tuesday, January 11th
We had a successful day. The new drugs for prevention of pneumonia was a breeze for Michellie. She didn't even cough once, they were surprised. We were all done by 12:30 and had a whole afternoon to venture around Antigonish. We are staying at the Antigonish Evergreen Inn and I can say that it is one of the nicest spots I have ever stayed - so it is more than a 5 star in our books for anyone travelling to Antigonish. The hospital staff here is wonderful. They took great care of us and we are very relaxed for tomorrow - as much as we can be! We have hydrated on organic teas all evening - that should be a few trips to the potty in the night! We are ready. There is no internet at the hospital, and no cell phones in the rooms, so remember no news is good news, and we will post for everyone again as soon as we can.
Jessica, thank you for cutting your locks for Michellie today, we do look forward to your new do, and we know that whomever receives your blond curly locks in their wig will be very lucky indeed. That was very brave and strong, and the kids at school will surely be impressed by your compassion and dedication to your cousin. We love you!
Jessica, thank you for cutting your locks for Michellie today, we do look forward to your new do, and we know that whomever receives your blond curly locks in their wig will be very lucky indeed. That was very brave and strong, and the kids at school will surely be impressed by your compassion and dedication to your cousin. We love you!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 10th
With sleet coming sideways from the west, and the wind howling something fierce, we headed to Inverness this morning for another blood test, weight and height measurements, and to take Hunter (our latest cat) in to be fixed. Michellie's blood count was excellent, so they are fine to get going on Wednesday with Round 2. Michellie was excited to get to school and spend the day with her buds for "Hat Day for Michellie". Most of the school supported Michellie's Journey sporting their favorite hat and donations were brought in as well. We are so honored for the efforts of everyone at Dalbrae Academy, and for the incredible support. We truly appreciate your help to make the trips to Antigonish and Halifax the best they can be. Michellie enjoyed her last day for a few weeks, and even is looking forward to working on her projects.
With a stop at the post office this afternoon, there were no less than 3 parcels today. We have hats, hats and more hats! Thanks Grammy and MaryAnne. Michellie is ready to sport some new fashion. As well, the stubble from Fridays #1 shave was more than she could handle, so tonight Dad and Michellie headed to the bathroom for a shaving lesson. David muttered something about when he became a young Dad, he had no idea he would be teaching his daughter how to shave closely! The two of them giggled and joked through the experience, and Michellie's head is now a shining soft crown. Each time Michellie has shaven her head she has risen higher with more confidence and relaxed smiles. We would have expected the opposite. It gives us strength to see her joke and share her experiences with others using giggles and stories.
Beverly, thank you for sharing all the incredible affirmations you have worked with. We are attaching the link for others who might find them helpful on their own journeys. http://www.thecancercrusade.com/ . Harley and Helen, thank you for your words of inspiration today. We find it amazing how the more we share with each other, the more that can be passed forward, and the more people who can benefit. Everyone's contributions to our family has magnified beyond us to help others in so many amazing ways. We cannot even begin to share all of that with you, but please know that what you are sending forward is being shared with others who are also finding strength from your words, and stories, and love.
We may not have access to the internet for several days, we are not sure, so if there is no news posted - take that as good news. We will update for you as often as we can. Tuesday Michellie will have an inhilation treatment to protect her from a pneumonia that can be very hazardous for cancer patients. She reacted to the first medicine they tried, so they are going to try this approach. Wednesday she will begin Round 2 of chemo, and it is an all day process for all of us. They do plan to keep her overnight to make sure there are no adverse reactions and that we can keep her fluids up. Thursday is more chemo, but hopefully with no overnight, and Friday is the last for a few days. If all goes well, we should be home then. We have four days to rest, and then on day 8 she will have another morning of chemo. Wednesday will be a hard day for Michellie as she is very apprehensive after her recollections of Round 1, and it is the most amount of chemo of all of the days. If you are thinking of Michellie on Wednesday, please send stomache calming energy and vitality for a strong finish for her day. Thank you for all your prayers.
For those following the scalloped potatoe saga for David, there is a follow up. Michelle made an aweful job of mashed potatoes the other night in place of the scalloped, and then Linda invited us for ham and scalloped potatoes this evening. David had work to do, so he stayed home and kept an eye on Hunter as well. In the exchange of plates and bags to get the boots on at the door to Linda and Jude's house, Michelle left the dinner plate for David on their washing machine. So, arriving home with no plate, David missed out again. We think it is time to go through Sharon's cookbook and pick a new recipe!
With a stop at the post office this afternoon, there were no less than 3 parcels today. We have hats, hats and more hats! Thanks Grammy and MaryAnne. Michellie is ready to sport some new fashion. As well, the stubble from Fridays #1 shave was more than she could handle, so tonight Dad and Michellie headed to the bathroom for a shaving lesson. David muttered something about when he became a young Dad, he had no idea he would be teaching his daughter how to shave closely! The two of them giggled and joked through the experience, and Michellie's head is now a shining soft crown. Each time Michellie has shaven her head she has risen higher with more confidence and relaxed smiles. We would have expected the opposite. It gives us strength to see her joke and share her experiences with others using giggles and stories.
Beverly, thank you for sharing all the incredible affirmations you have worked with. We are attaching the link for others who might find them helpful on their own journeys. http://www.thecancercrusade.com/ . Harley and Helen, thank you for your words of inspiration today. We find it amazing how the more we share with each other, the more that can be passed forward, and the more people who can benefit. Everyone's contributions to our family has magnified beyond us to help others in so many amazing ways. We cannot even begin to share all of that with you, but please know that what you are sending forward is being shared with others who are also finding strength from your words, and stories, and love.
We may not have access to the internet for several days, we are not sure, so if there is no news posted - take that as good news. We will update for you as often as we can. Tuesday Michellie will have an inhilation treatment to protect her from a pneumonia that can be very hazardous for cancer patients. She reacted to the first medicine they tried, so they are going to try this approach. Wednesday she will begin Round 2 of chemo, and it is an all day process for all of us. They do plan to keep her overnight to make sure there are no adverse reactions and that we can keep her fluids up. Thursday is more chemo, but hopefully with no overnight, and Friday is the last for a few days. If all goes well, we should be home then. We have four days to rest, and then on day 8 she will have another morning of chemo. Wednesday will be a hard day for Michellie as she is very apprehensive after her recollections of Round 1, and it is the most amount of chemo of all of the days. If you are thinking of Michellie on Wednesday, please send stomache calming energy and vitality for a strong finish for her day. Thank you for all your prayers.
For those following the scalloped potatoe saga for David, there is a follow up. Michelle made an aweful job of mashed potatoes the other night in place of the scalloped, and then Linda invited us for ham and scalloped potatoes this evening. David had work to do, so he stayed home and kept an eye on Hunter as well. In the exchange of plates and bags to get the boots on at the door to Linda and Jude's house, Michelle left the dinner plate for David on their washing machine. So, arriving home with no plate, David missed out again. We think it is time to go through Sharon's cookbook and pick a new recipe!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday, January 9th
It has been a quiet weekend at the Greenwell's. We had Sam here overnight, and David made the voyage through the snow to Port Hawksbury to get Sam. Michellie was happy with her new do, but now the last of the stubble is falling out, and it feels like scratchy hair everywhere. Michelle has been fighting off a swollen gland in her throat all weekend, so she did lots of sleeping and relaxing. Those darn Christmas decorations are still all over the dining room floor! David has tried to get some work done, but he is tired too. We do want to thank the little elf that delivered the "Workman's Compensation Package" this morning. "Our Compliments" scalloped potatoes made us laugh and laugh. David is saving them for just the right moment of concentration and skill to make them.
Michellie is starting to worry about Wednesday's chemo. We are trying to think about the next few days as a chance to get the artillery ready so we can just blast through Wednesday. Thanks to everyone who sent ideas about why it is good to have no hair. We will compile these for some good laughs this week. Michellie is not sure about the hena tattoo's but we think it has some great merit.
Thanks again everyone for all of your help and as we gear up for round 2 this week, we thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Michellie is starting to worry about Wednesday's chemo. We are trying to think about the next few days as a chance to get the artillery ready so we can just blast through Wednesday. Thanks to everyone who sent ideas about why it is good to have no hair. We will compile these for some good laughs this week. Michellie is not sure about the hena tattoo's but we think it has some great merit.
Thanks again everyone for all of your help and as we gear up for round 2 this week, we thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Friday, January 7th
Well, a new day and new adventures. Michellie was a little tired today after yesterdays excitement - as were Mom and Dad! She had her blood tests in the morning - which we do not have numbers for yet... and then she was eager to head to school. On our way we made a stop at the post office to find the most incredible quilt gifted to Michellie from Lori O'Brien. It matches her room perfectly and is so incredibly soft. Michellie was smiling all the way into school, while Mom enjoyed a little cuddle under the quilt herself when she got home. Michellie is loving her time at school.
The students and staff of Dalbrae Academy are holding a fundraiser for Michellie on Monday with a hat day - everyone will be supporting Michellie's journey by wearing their favorite hat and bringing a toonie. Monday will be Michellie's last day of school for a few weeks as she begins round 2 of chemo. She feels really great at school and she has been working hard on her studies to keep up to everyone else. Her time in the resource room and with her friends is helping to make this happen.
After school today a huge package arrived from all the Dance Debut buddies and the Forman/Buie gang. The highlight was the chocolate - which Michellie is stashing in secret hiding places until she can eat sugar again. The curly whirly's and the flakes made her giggle and then they were gone! The second highlight was the top ten things to scare the nurses with. We will be posting that at the clinic on Wednesday - it will be sure to give us some good laughs to get through that long day! Thank you everyone for all the fun and thought and creativity that went into the box. Michellie was overjoyed and David and I were so honored by all of your caring! Thank you.
With all of that support under her wing, Michellie declared the hair had to go, and off we went to the hair dressers to see if she could buzz Michellie's pixie cut. We started with the number 4 razor, and we discovered in the short stubble that Michellie actually has some curl hiding there. Hair was pointing out in every direction. It was quite funny. So, to number 2 where her hair is so incredibly soft, but Michellie demanded number 1, and she now boasts and very tiny bit of hair. With her Eeyore hat on, Michellie had a big smile and a relief expression on her face as we headed home. No more picking pieces of hair from her head, off her pillow, and out of her hat.
So, this is not where the story ends for today. We had left Dad to see if he could finish making the Scallop Potatoes he had tried to make yesterday when he sliced his finger. After almost 2 pounds of potatoes, and 2 cups of baked ham, into our new pyrex dish (the one we purchased to be sure our old one would not shatter in our hands from age), into the oven it went. In only a few short minutes the entire dish shattered into a million pieces all over the oven. No one was hurt, but dinner was a goner. When we arrived home, Dad had the funniest look on his face and declared he would be driving to Port Hood to the Galloping Cows to pick up pizza! The funny thing is, Michellie's stomache no longer is bothered by pizza, and she was delighted to dive into it.
The students and staff of Dalbrae Academy are holding a fundraiser for Michellie on Monday with a hat day - everyone will be supporting Michellie's journey by wearing their favorite hat and bringing a toonie. Monday will be Michellie's last day of school for a few weeks as she begins round 2 of chemo. She feels really great at school and she has been working hard on her studies to keep up to everyone else. Her time in the resource room and with her friends is helping to make this happen.
After school today a huge package arrived from all the Dance Debut buddies and the Forman/Buie gang. The highlight was the chocolate - which Michellie is stashing in secret hiding places until she can eat sugar again. The curly whirly's and the flakes made her giggle and then they were gone! The second highlight was the top ten things to scare the nurses with. We will be posting that at the clinic on Wednesday - it will be sure to give us some good laughs to get through that long day! Thank you everyone for all the fun and thought and creativity that went into the box. Michellie was overjoyed and David and I were so honored by all of your caring! Thank you.
With all of that support under her wing, Michellie declared the hair had to go, and off we went to the hair dressers to see if she could buzz Michellie's pixie cut. We started with the number 4 razor, and we discovered in the short stubble that Michellie actually has some curl hiding there. Hair was pointing out in every direction. It was quite funny. So, to number 2 where her hair is so incredibly soft, but Michellie demanded number 1, and she now boasts and very tiny bit of hair. With her Eeyore hat on, Michellie had a big smile and a relief expression on her face as we headed home. No more picking pieces of hair from her head, off her pillow, and out of her hat.
So, this is not where the story ends for today. We had left Dad to see if he could finish making the Scallop Potatoes he had tried to make yesterday when he sliced his finger. After almost 2 pounds of potatoes, and 2 cups of baked ham, into our new pyrex dish (the one we purchased to be sure our old one would not shatter in our hands from age), into the oven it went. In only a few short minutes the entire dish shattered into a million pieces all over the oven. No one was hurt, but dinner was a goner. When we arrived home, Dad had the funniest look on his face and declared he would be driving to Port Hood to the Galloping Cows to pick up pizza! The funny thing is, Michellie's stomache no longer is bothered by pizza, and she was delighted to dive into it.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Thursday, January 6th
Well, we thought we would be writing about Michellie's Journey for you, but alas, we didn't want to give all of the attention to Michellie. After a great afternoon at school, and a few more strands of hair descending from her head, Michellie was settling in to an evening of relaxation when her father decided to slice his finger with the veggie master. They really do know us at emergency now. With the expressive middle finger iced and wrapped, and the end of the appendage also on ice, Michelle rushed David to emergency for reattachment surgery. Another set of prescriptions, more tylenol and some really good alcohol (for Michelle), we are all on the mend now. The damage "could have been worse" (the phrase we have adopted for our anthem), as it was just the end of David's finger. They have attached the piece and will see if it will take - if, in two weeks it has not, then they will have to do a skin graft.
So, there you have it. Just another boring day at the Greenwell household. Oh, by the way - our teenager is back. Michellie has borrowed her brother's stereo while he is away, and she is actually enjoying her ipod with real speakers. Thanks Kenzie! Even though you are not here, the boom, boom, boom is! And, it comes with giggles and smiles, so we are enjoying that.
So, there you have it. Just another boring day at the Greenwell household. Oh, by the way - our teenager is back. Michellie has borrowed her brother's stereo while he is away, and she is actually enjoying her ipod with real speakers. Thanks Kenzie! Even though you are not here, the boom, boom, boom is! And, it comes with giggles and smiles, so we are enjoying that.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, January 5th
Since yesterday's posting, we had the results back from the blood tests. Michellie's counts have all risen past where she was when we started the chemo. We are thrilled. Michellie can stop her shots each day for the hormone's and this makes her and dad very happy. Now she just has to endure the smoothie concoctions from Mom and the extra vitamins while she regains her energy for next week!
Today Michellie made a full day of school happen. She spent the day in the learning center on her own, but she was able to work on her English assignments, connect with her friends, enjoy lunch with everyone, and spend time in a different place. Her head is bothering her at the crown and some of her hair continues to fall, but a little Tylenol and a whole lot of balances from Mom and Michellie is now nodding off for a presupper snooze.
The evening will be a quiet one as we let Michellie regain energy, and eat. She still has a huge appetite. For the first time - probably ever - we are going through the veggies and fruit faster than we can restock. Our diets have never been so healthy!
The snow stopped in the night, and this morning was blue sky and sunshine. It really was a gorgeous day. David and Michelle were able to get out for a nice walk along the river this morning, and it felt great to breath the great outdoors in. Our Christmas tree continues to smell fabulous, and the sound of snow sliding off the tin roof as it melts is grand.
Today Michellie made a full day of school happen. She spent the day in the learning center on her own, but she was able to work on her English assignments, connect with her friends, enjoy lunch with everyone, and spend time in a different place. Her head is bothering her at the crown and some of her hair continues to fall, but a little Tylenol and a whole lot of balances from Mom and Michellie is now nodding off for a presupper snooze.
The evening will be a quiet one as we let Michellie regain energy, and eat. She still has a huge appetite. For the first time - probably ever - we are going through the veggies and fruit faster than we can restock. Our diets have never been so healthy!
The snow stopped in the night, and this morning was blue sky and sunshine. It really was a gorgeous day. David and Michelle were able to get out for a nice walk along the river this morning, and it felt great to breath the great outdoors in. Our Christmas tree continues to smell fabulous, and the sound of snow sliding off the tin roof as it melts is grand.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
January 4th
Winter has hit Cape Breton. Starting at noon yesterday the snow started to fall, and it has continued all night and into today. Our internet went down in the afternoon yesterday and did not return until late last night. We are all settled into the house again, and we are enjoying the tree, the snow and the cats. Michellie took Sam home yesterday after his stay. We had a wonderful Christmas-like dinner with him the night before, and we enjoyed each other's company after finally feeling rested. Michellie rested the afternoon yesterday, and then had a chance to catch up with Justine for a bit.
Michelle finally has the energy to begin the healing work that she can do for the whole family. She began balancing Michellie for hair growth, and minimizing the effects of the chemo. If anyone is interested in knowing more about this, Michelle will be archiving this experience for later. Late in the evening yesterday, Michellie started having pieces of hair descend from her head. This was a little disconcerting, so another balance was instigated to calm Michellie's fears.
Today we headed to Inverness for our first round of the blood tests. They are all set for her and we now know what the drill will be when we head there. Then we headed to the school to give Michellie a chance to catch up with her friends. She was very eager to see everyone, as they were to see her. Michellie wore the hat Hazel had knit for her, and she was all smiles. Michelle and David met with the liason person that will be assisting Michellie with her transitions in and out of school. We feel very confident that Michellie will continue to feel a part of the school and all the friends and teachers that she has gotten to know this fall. Big sigh!
So, home for lunch, vitamins and rest. Michellie is organizing her room to get rid of the clutter (she has always been so organized with her things), and to set up an alter to do meditations at. The back of her head is hurting, and there is hair coming down. We have balanced her again for this. She does not seem so much fearful, as just bothered by the itchiness and the dull ache on her head.
For all of you wonderful souls who have shared healing knowledge, websites, book titles etc. I, Michelle, thank you all for the incredible wisdom you have sent our way. When the internet is up and running, I will be perusing the sites you have sent. I am a voracious reader, and I will try to get through all that you have sent. Any healing wisdom will be applied as needed, and I will be documenting everything to know what may have helped or shifted each of us. All of the wonderful wishes are heard by Michellie and she is always happy to receive any pictures or stories. We have tried to connect with more people by phone as we have felt able, and we thank everyone for messaging, rather than phoning so that we can read and reply as we can. Once again, all of your prayers are making a difference for us, and we appreciate how you have kept us in your hearts.
Michelle finally has the energy to begin the healing work that she can do for the whole family. She began balancing Michellie for hair growth, and minimizing the effects of the chemo. If anyone is interested in knowing more about this, Michelle will be archiving this experience for later. Late in the evening yesterday, Michellie started having pieces of hair descend from her head. This was a little disconcerting, so another balance was instigated to calm Michellie's fears.
Today we headed to Inverness for our first round of the blood tests. They are all set for her and we now know what the drill will be when we head there. Then we headed to the school to give Michellie a chance to catch up with her friends. She was very eager to see everyone, as they were to see her. Michellie wore the hat Hazel had knit for her, and she was all smiles. Michelle and David met with the liason person that will be assisting Michellie with her transitions in and out of school. We feel very confident that Michellie will continue to feel a part of the school and all the friends and teachers that she has gotten to know this fall. Big sigh!
So, home for lunch, vitamins and rest. Michellie is organizing her room to get rid of the clutter (she has always been so organized with her things), and to set up an alter to do meditations at. The back of her head is hurting, and there is hair coming down. We have balanced her again for this. She does not seem so much fearful, as just bothered by the itchiness and the dull ache on her head.
For all of you wonderful souls who have shared healing knowledge, websites, book titles etc. I, Michelle, thank you all for the incredible wisdom you have sent our way. When the internet is up and running, I will be perusing the sites you have sent. I am a voracious reader, and I will try to get through all that you have sent. Any healing wisdom will be applied as needed, and I will be documenting everything to know what may have helped or shifted each of us. All of the wonderful wishes are heard by Michellie and she is always happy to receive any pictures or stories. We have tried to connect with more people by phone as we have felt able, and we thank everyone for messaging, rather than phoning so that we can read and reply as we can. Once again, all of your prayers are making a difference for us, and we appreciate how you have kept us in your hearts.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
January 2, 2011
Well, after 14 hours of sleep Mom feels like she is back in the game. Dad wasn't quite so lucky to get as much sleep, as he was busy downloading the photos we did get this Christmas - The teens are definitely protesting a lot more! Michellie had a wonderful day which included a walk, games, snacks, a raclette dinner, and a few movies to boot. There was no reaction to drugs, no antihistamines, Mom slept in so there was only a few vitamins found and the beets never got cooked for the smoothie - Yah! So, with little to report today, we are happy to share a few pics instead. Enjoy!
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| Our beautiful Christmas tree! |
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| Our family Christmas photo |
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| David after arriving home - remote, couch and Missy - perfection! |
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| Sam and Michellie - notice the new do! |
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
Sorry for the delay in posting, but we really had a full day yesterday. We were on the road for home by 9:30 am, and so eager to get home! By Elmsdale we discovered that in our haste to leave the hotel, we had forgotten the most valuable piece of our lives - Michellie's cancer binder and travelling meds. How could we be so negligent?! David quickly turned back for Halifax, and because we had two cars, Michelle and Michellie headed towards the causeway. There was short stop in Antigonish for greens. Melody you will be happy to know that we were able to get Kale and Beets, and Michellie is very eager to begin the concoction of smoothies that will be prepared for her (okay, so she is not quite as eager as Mom).
Thanks to Linda and Joanne for taking the time to have us stop for a haircut. With New Year's upon us, Michellie did not want to lose the opportunity to donate her hair, as it should start falling out in the next few days. Joanne was wonderful to keep Michellie chatting while she cut, and her new short do is fabulous. It is whispy and fun. Mom tried for a photo, but Michellie was not at all cooperative, so you will all have to wait. After the cut, we were homeward bound. We cannot tell you how relieved and happy we were to cross under the words "Welcome to Cape Breton" at the causeway. It was very nostalgic to think about all the times we have crossed under those words for summer vacations, and last year's Christmas, and after other trips, and now. Memories to the first days with the Ceilidh Revue bunch and the video camera upside down videoing Elaine's leg and the commentary from Deb and Michelle was brought to mind. That seems like yesterday and then again it seems like forever. But, the feeling of home is what we enjoy the most from that sign, and we were all happy to be home!
Our cats left us a beautiful bathroom of litter box frenzy, but the house fared very well with Jill's great care, as well as her balloons and streamers of welcome. Mark and Kate left a huge pot of Chichen Soup, and this was definitely food for the soul!!! We spent a few hours disinfecting everything for Michellie's low immune system, and then we prepared to bring in the new year. At 8 we began festivities with Linda, Jude, and David Rankin, as well as Michellie's boyfriend, Sam. We chatted and laughed and snacked, and at 10 we began watching the festivities from Halifax, (they sure have a huge celebration on the waterfront with a big outdoor concert and fireworks all along the harbourfront). Usually Michelle is all melancholy about the year and saying goodbye to it, but this year was a quick thank you for an adverturous year, and HELLO 2011!
Michellie welcomed in the new year with bright eyes and energy later this morning, until we gave her her first dose of Septra. She is allergic to sulpha drugs like her mom, (which we did not know until today), and quickly she was engolfed with welts like a band of mosquitoes had attacked her. So, more Benadryl, which knocks her out - lots of energy taps, and finally the swelling is going down. We had thought we would go watch the Polar Bear Dip in Inverness, but alas, a quite afternoon on the couch seems to be in order.
Being home, we are so thankful for our wonderful beds and pillows, and we sure missed the tree house effect from the view out our bedroom window. We are happy to be lounging around today and not worrying about being anywhere. Slowly we will try to catch up with family and friends personally, as it is so wonderful to hear voices and see faces on Skype. We hope everyone has a wonderful celebration for New Year's, and we wish you great dreams for 2011!
Thanks to Linda and Joanne for taking the time to have us stop for a haircut. With New Year's upon us, Michellie did not want to lose the opportunity to donate her hair, as it should start falling out in the next few days. Joanne was wonderful to keep Michellie chatting while she cut, and her new short do is fabulous. It is whispy and fun. Mom tried for a photo, but Michellie was not at all cooperative, so you will all have to wait. After the cut, we were homeward bound. We cannot tell you how relieved and happy we were to cross under the words "Welcome to Cape Breton" at the causeway. It was very nostalgic to think about all the times we have crossed under those words for summer vacations, and last year's Christmas, and after other trips, and now. Memories to the first days with the Ceilidh Revue bunch and the video camera upside down videoing Elaine's leg and the commentary from Deb and Michelle was brought to mind. That seems like yesterday and then again it seems like forever. But, the feeling of home is what we enjoy the most from that sign, and we were all happy to be home!
Our cats left us a beautiful bathroom of litter box frenzy, but the house fared very well with Jill's great care, as well as her balloons and streamers of welcome. Mark and Kate left a huge pot of Chichen Soup, and this was definitely food for the soul!!! We spent a few hours disinfecting everything for Michellie's low immune system, and then we prepared to bring in the new year. At 8 we began festivities with Linda, Jude, and David Rankin, as well as Michellie's boyfriend, Sam. We chatted and laughed and snacked, and at 10 we began watching the festivities from Halifax, (they sure have a huge celebration on the waterfront with a big outdoor concert and fireworks all along the harbourfront). Usually Michelle is all melancholy about the year and saying goodbye to it, but this year was a quick thank you for an adverturous year, and HELLO 2011!
Michellie welcomed in the new year with bright eyes and energy later this morning, until we gave her her first dose of Septra. She is allergic to sulpha drugs like her mom, (which we did not know until today), and quickly she was engolfed with welts like a band of mosquitoes had attacked her. So, more Benadryl, which knocks her out - lots of energy taps, and finally the swelling is going down. We had thought we would go watch the Polar Bear Dip in Inverness, but alas, a quite afternoon on the couch seems to be in order.
Being home, we are so thankful for our wonderful beds and pillows, and we sure missed the tree house effect from the view out our bedroom window. We are happy to be lounging around today and not worrying about being anywhere. Slowly we will try to catch up with family and friends personally, as it is so wonderful to hear voices and see faces on Skype. We hope everyone has a wonderful celebration for New Year's, and we wish you great dreams for 2011!
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