Fwd: July 13 Update

> Our day started pretty early. Today there were 3 appts back to back, starting with labs. Cute gal there is Kat. She is really easy going and really good at what she does. So far she has gotten me on a first try every time. I appreciate that she doesnt turn me into a pin cushion and that I can know I can do labs at the cancer center vs bouncing back and forth between there and the hospital lab bldg. I went in an hour before my appt, hoping labs would be back for my appt.
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> I popped upstairs to just hang out a bit for my appt. Preston got there just at the same time our cute MA was ready to take me back. We hit a slight snag when I asked her about another lab that was ordered, and hadnt taken care of that yet. Found out the PA didnt get the order in on Monday, so I dashed back downstairs, Kat called upstairs for the order and I was able to take care of that quickly.
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> I was a bit worried about meeting with just the PA -she is new, this is only 3rd time I have seen her - but she was really amazing. She went over all of my labs (including some from Pri Care Dr). She explained everything, answered all of our questions, did my check up, acted as if we had all the time in the world for my appt. For the most part, she said there are no "red flags". I have been on chemo for 2 weeks now, plus the injections. A couple of snags - she commented that my white cell count is "depressed" - but didnt seem overly concerned. She did confirm that our go forward plan is to make sure that I initiate any physical contact, and that I can be at church/teach our class, only if kiddos/others around me are healthy. I am not to go out in public if I am feeling crummy in any way (more on that later). I was happy to know that we are on the same page. My thyroid is still off/too high. Will address that in a couple of weeks with my primary care dr. Big surprise is that I have a UTI - being sick all last weekend may have been stones rolling around/maybe start of infection. Crazy thing is, besides me being sick, that there are no tell-tale signs of it. Both PA and on call dr (my dr out all this week) both said that they are not willing to take chances with big symptoms to show up. I am now on antibiotics to nip things in the bud. Overall, we left our appt feeling very pleased with info/with go forward plan for next 2 weeks until next appt. Good to know what to watch for (fever, throwing up, significant weight loss, increased pain of any kind) before dr is super stressed. Good to know they are there for anything at all. It was a really good appt.
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> Our next stop was to finally have an appt/get to meet with the hospital nutritionist. I have been waiting literally months for this appt - and it only happened because the referral came through the oncology office. Anthony was really nice and answered all of our questions, helped set up some goals and a plan. I will be working on a diabetic diet, totally controlling my blood sugar levels. Easier said than done. This will come in baby steps. Plan is to increase proteins and veggies alot. Most fruits are ok - interestingly enough, grapes are totally out. Most dairy is ok in small amounts. Carbs have to be watched super closely, and I have a specific window I have to keep inside of. Sugar foods, sweets, etc, for the most part will become non existent. Portion control will be a big part, as well as keeping a nutrition journal for Anthony to see at each appt. It will be a big job to learn the difference between "better, best, and not at all". 
> I also committed to a minimum of 1 hour/day of exercise 6 days a week. Also will be baby steps, and a constant work in progress depending on how I am feeling from day to day. I specifically talked with him today about starting back in a beginner class for TKD. Kels & I would take a class before my boys' class. Anthony was very thrilled when I told him I had checked into starting classes again. TKD head instructors were more than supportive when I inquired about starting back and have great ideas of what class would fit best. Also talked about dance etc each day. When Caiden is done being a zombie (he is getting up at 430am to go out to SIL farm to pick berries every day, comes back home exhausted), we have talked about an hour+ of dance etc on the days that we dont have TKD class. Anthony was really thrilled about that option as well. My weight loss goal is to only lose 3-5lbs/month, and no more. That is with intentional goals. Will have to watch my weight loss due to feeling crummy/not eating because of having food taste really yuck since starting chemo. That is the unintentional loss, and he was very concerned about me keeping a close eye on that.
> I really liked that he is very sincere when he says to call/email him with questions. Yesterday and today he really took care and time and made me feel encouraged vs like I was being a bother. One thing for next appt will be to take notes or use a voice recorder so I remember more and not have to call to follow up too much. I think Preston and I both felt like it was a good appt, and a good plan for both of us and eventually our family as a whole.
> Something funny (and not funny) was at the end of our conversation on the phone today...this was his comment "I have never had anyone like you or with concerns like yours before, so be sure to call me with any questions at any time" - I kind of laughed and said "welcome to my world" and then gave a shortened version of all of the medical complications that I have experienced pretty much my whole life, and esp when I went through cancer treatment before. At least he is willing to help vs run screaming in the other direction - lol. Good to have another solid member of our "team"
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> After all the appts we got a treat. With Preston leaving now for AT, and even though we will be "together" for part of our anniversary (he has a concert that night), and with me being down for appts by myself too (recently have had peeps in tow because no babysitter) we decided to use our christmas present (thanx to big girls) and have a nice anniversary lunch at a local, extra yummy, Italian restaurant. It was nice to have time to talk about appts and just have some time for us (totally should have taken a pict, darn..). It was interesting to try to choose from the menu after having just set new nutrition goals.
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> Yesterday I did all of the driving myself - to appts and to take the boys to class - energy levels were good. Today has been mostly the opposite - feel like I have been tackled hard and left to lay on the field. Even though eating has been super hard, and I am feeling yucky, I have been able to at least mostly be up and tucked into my work/reading nook vs being flat down in bed. Tomorrow is pretty quiet so hopefully I will be able to just rest more so I can help the boys get to their classes on Saturday and get us all to church on Sunday (minus preston and the big girls, could be interesting day). 
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> I know that all these changes are going to be VERY hard. I know that I can do baby steps, and I know how to be aware of how I am doing. I also know that I can read my blessings over and over, and heed when they say to do what drs/specialists say, and that baby steps are ok and needed. So very blessed that Heavenly Father knows exactly what I need and knows exactly what counsel to give so I can depend on on those words when things get hard or overwhelming.  The priesthood, and having a worthy and wonderful husband to share it, is truly a precious gift. I know I would be so lost without those blessings at my fingertips. I am grateful every day that Heavenly Father truly is aware of our circumstances and that he sends so many blessings every single day to help us through these trials and difficulties. I know because I have Heavenly Father, and Preston and our kiddos, and because they all love me, I can get through this again. It will be a long, sometimes difficult road, but the light that shines to lead us through will never go out, will always be there to guide us. Truly there are blessings, miracles and tender mercies all around us even in the midst of our darkest days. There is joy in the journey and the opportunities to change lives, and to esp change our own. Come what may, we are learning to love it.