June 12, 2009

• Happy Birthday, Stephanie!!!

  Today my oldest daughter, Stephanie Joyce, is having ANOTHER birthday!!!  Where do those years go???!!!!!  She was a baby, not that long ago, and now she is 31 years old!!!

                                          
                                       (Back in the days when I used cloth diapers and plastic pants!!!!)

  Stephanie is coming over late this morning to do some laundry and open presents from her sisters and a paltry gift box from Jesse and I.  She said she’d stay and watch her sisters while JoAnn takes me to get my shot this afternoon, and then she has to leave.  Her long time friend (Jenni, from high school) said her mom and dad wanted to have a nice birthday dinner for Stephanie, since I’m not able to do that this year.  I’m happy for her.

                                                      
                                                             (Age 2 1/2, at Christmas)

  I’ve thrown 29 birthday parties for her.  Some parties, some dinners with just family.  When she turned eight, I was in the hospital after loosing a baby and having a C-section.  I think this is the second time I’ve NOT done something for her and it feels weird, but she is being wonderful about making me feel NOT GUILTY!

                                       
                                                                            (Age 6)

  Her sisters took great delight in picking out gifts this year for their oldest sister.  Nothing expensive, just some things that she will like using on a daily basis – at least they HOPE she will like everything they bought!  JoAnn took them shopping for gifts and cards before she left to go home for 2 weeks to Tacoma.  I like getting things done ahead of time – otherwise, I stress.  I especially stress since I’m homebound and have no control over making purchases!

                                     
                                                          (Junior Prom – age 16)

  I raised her as a single parent for most of her life.  We’ve had our struggles and we’ve had our happy times. 

          
          She was with a friend when the snack machine gave her Gold Fish (something she hates)
                                                             instead of chocolate cookies!

  I’m seriously thinking of making a batch of chocolate cupcakes and making a “cupcake cake” for her today.  Five cupcakes on the bottom in a circle, then 3 cupcakes on top of that, and one cupcake on the very top with a candle.  That can’t be hard if I use a mix and pre-made frosting.

                                
                                                       Me and Stephanie on her 21st birthday.

  She’s been concerned these past few months, and a comfort – especially these past few weeks.  And, she’s offered to take her sisters a couple days a week so they have a fun summer (parks and her apartment pool, etc.) and get out of the house a bit.

                                  
                                               Stephanie on the top left next to step-sister Nikki,
                                                              then an UN-happy Rissy
                                            (Rissy was reprimanded for pulling Annamarie’s braid!)
                                                    Luci and Annamarie on the bottom row.

  Yesterday’s oncology visit was good AFTER I talked myself into being grateful that someone invented chemo therapy!!! 

  The doctor said she couldn’t feel the lymph node tumors at all, the long, thick cord shaped tumor had shrunk a WHOLE BUNCH, and she felt the bigger mass in the left side was also shrinking.  She thought the large mass shrinkage was remarkable enough to take a measurement.  She will continue to measure it on each visit  based on yesterday’s size.

  My red blood count showed me to be slightly anemic but good enough to have another round of chemo.  So far, no side effects from the new chemo drug.  The oncologist (as did the chemo tech nurses) reiterated that I had done marvelously well on the two harsh drugs and she thought this new one wouldn’t cause me many problems.  I’m praying that I will NOT suffer from neuropathy in my hands and feet, and I am taking the L-Glutimine that the doctor recommended to make those side effects minimal.  I don’t know when to expect the effects to appear. 

  I was there a little over six hours yesterday.  That’s ONE reason I don’t look forward to chemo therapy.  This current drug takes 2 hours to run and they give me FOUR things to take away side effects before beginning the chemo drug.  PLUS, yesterday, I had to receive the bone building medicine.  That’s a long time sitting hooked to an IV.  I read my Bible – Matthew, and I think I got to the 18th chapter!!!  Jesse brought me an Arby’s roast beef sandwich at one point and I ate half, started the test of the new drug (to be sure I’d tolerate it okay) and so I put my sandwich away because one side effect is extreme nausea.  Like I said, so far – so good.  I finished the sandwich with no ill effects.

  Well, I think I’ve talked myself into making those cupcakes for Stephanie.  If I’m gauging things right, there may be enough batter left to make us one round layer cake!

  My good friend (met online), Lori K,  arrives this week-end for church camp.  Why they come from Ohio to Oklahoma is beyond me.  This is the Church of Christ group I’ve mentioned before that is filled with absolutely awesome people.  Maybe that’s why Lori’s family makes the long trip each year!  She plans to visit me on Sunday afternoon.  I can hardly wait!

                             
  HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY, STEPHANIE!!!!!!

  Be Blessed  ~

  • 10:23 am
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