Thursday

February 19, 2009

I am in Colorado. I had to have my PICC placed today so I can begin treatment again on Monday. It was kind of a rough go. The first nurse tried 3 times to get the line to go in--that means that she put a needle about the size of a ball point pen tip into my arm, dug around until she got the vein and then shoved a triple louvered line up my vein toward my heart. The only problem was that I have scar tissue in my vein and she couldn't get it to go through. Finally they called a more experienced nurse in who got it on her first try. But good greif--three shots of litocaine and by the fourth time she didn't even have to numb me up. My wonderful friend Jamica drove me around to appointments today. I told her the PICC should take about 2 hours. it was more like 3 1/2. I'm so tired. I'll bet she is too. She had two kids in a Suburban for that long. My mom and dad are going to be here with me in Denver this weekend and through next week. I'm so grateful for them and their willingness to leave everything behind for me. They drove the long drive while I got to fly this morning. We will all drive home together next Saturday.

I got my hair cut yesterday and the curls are gone. When McCady walked in from school she said, "Wow! You look good . . . what'dya do?" MaLeah patted my head last night and said, "Why'd she have to take them all away? (the curls) I think she should've left 'em." I like my cut. It's short, but it's stylish and I have never been stylish. I hope when I wash it I'll be able to style it again like she did it. However this next week I won't be styling anything. A few days without a shower is something that doesn't lend itself well to style--maybe smell--but not style.

My little McCady has gone on from the council (district level) to the regional level (multi school districts) for the reflections video she made. It makes me laugh that all these judges keep passing it along. But it is her own work and it is pretty amazing to me. I don't understand all of it I just know she keeps getting trophies for the same video. She thinks it's great. I do too.

8 comments:

Penny said...

You'll be in our prayers this week. I'm so glad your parents can both be there with you. I'm sure they are a huge source of strength. I can't wait to see new pictures of your hair. I'm sure you are beautiful!

Shelly said...

Sorry hey couldn't get a vein . That is Very painful. What a blessing to have family and friends near by to help. I am sure they are all very thankful to be able to help. Oh how I wish I was closer. I guess somebody had to stay in Cleveland:)-you know I love it here. I want to see pictures of your hair I bet it is so cute. You are on my mind and in my prayers. You are just an amazing person. You set a really high bar for the rest of us :) best wishes this week.
Congrats to Mccady that is great!

Diana said...

You are so funny. I did not hate you on my wedding day for telling me to stand up strait. I'm so glad you did! I love you and have thought a lot about you this week and how beautiful you are. It's those pictures you took. They are hauntingly beautiful, if that makes sense. I actually took some of myself, but they just don't compare to yours. Be strong this week. I love you and I'll talk to you when you get home. By the way, McCady is awesome and I'm so proud of her cute little creative self.

Holly said...

You'd think that hosptial staff would recognize that you've already been through enough-- and let someone else play guinnea pig for the rookie nurse. YOu are too sweet to demand it- I hope this week is quick for you. I am anxious to see this chic hairdo of yours as well

Becki said...

I agree with Holly - they should have the most qualified gentle capable people putting your PICC in so it's done right the first time! i'm glad you included Ward's journal entry because it's the only way we would really know what you're going through - you are too modest to detail the ordeal. i cannot imagine what this is like to endure but i am soooooooo hopeful that the results will be significant. it's nice that you are on the forefront of new treatment and encouraging that they are always look for more ways to fight melanoma. i believe in miracles and you have the strongest faith of anyone i've ever known. here's hoping and praying the Red Sea gets parted for you! Becki

Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen said...

Anne, I was sooo excited to hear from you. Up until the last few days I'd been checking your blog every day, hoping for an update, and then suddenly, there you were! Yeah! I'm not so sure I want to break into song at group, though. It's not the best venue and I haven't practiced in quite a while and my voice is diminishing from lack of use and . . . I guess we'll see. :)))) Take care. We love you and can't wait to see you again. And I bet your hair will look amazing!

Josi said...

Way to go McCady! That's awesome that she's gone so far with it. Can't wait to see your hair, I bet it's darling. Good luck this week.

Karla said...

I can't blame the judges. Her video is so fun to watch! I love your hair!