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Family Matters:  We're Home!  |
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julia hayes
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
julia
medical lake
wa
USA
1132 Posts |
 Posted - May 07 2008 : 12:46:25 PM
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Just wanted you to all know that we got home last Thursday! Aria is doing SUPER!!!! She hasn't felt this good in a long long time. She hasn't vomited since Thursday, which is a record for sure! Funny how good you feel once you're off chemo for a while. Her counts are still way low so she can not resume chemo until they come up again and she has a better immune system to work with. If everything goes as planned she begins her last major phase of treatment on May 16th. It should last 8 weeks and it is going to be the worst one yet  I'm scared to pieces and at the same time confident that we'll make it through ok. I feel lucky having gone into the hospital when we did since I was able to establish some wonderful relationships with the nurses there. I am completely confident in the care they give.
While in the hospital I was able to convert at least 2 more people to "The Church of Each Other" aka MaryJane's Farm. I gave one of our nurses the Artists in Aprons magazine, which she devoured and told her all about this site. I found out later that she and another nurse were checking out this site while at work! Totally made my day!! Very lovely people for sure!
After Aria finishes this phase of treatment, then we start the 2 year maintenance chemo treatment, which is still chemo every day but less and fewer clinic visits. In this next phase of treatment she will be taking up to 9 chemo drugs plus other meds to deal with side effects and we'll be in clinic every week and sometimes every day for a week. It is grueling but do-able. The maintenance part of treatment is more like 2 chemo drugs daily with side-effect meds (Aria normally take 2 of these) and monthly clinic visits.
I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit that I'm tired. It's a weird kind of tired too. It isn't the kind of tired you feel after working really hard or doing something really physical. This kind of tired is a lot like airport waiting area tired. It is a bored kind of tired. Aria's counts are so low that she can't go outside, which means neither can I. She also can't be in public places or have friends over and so forth. She's too weak and tired to do many activities so she naps quite a bit. The baby is so busy and demanding that I have barely 5 minutes of uninterrupted time so it's hard to start anything, particularly anything creative. I'm tired because I'm bored and don't quite know what to do with myself. I'm tired because I'm worried and I'm worried because I'm inactive and not creative right now. It is a short-lived aspect of my life right now, but still, there it is! Send me some good "wake up" vibes please!!
Much love to you all, ~julia hayes
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 12:50:51 PM
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Great to hear Julia. All my (((HUGS))), prayers and best wishes are being sent your way. Give Aria a big hug.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 1:02:44 PM
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Smooches from the farm sweetie!!!!! It was so wonderful meeting you! like long lost sisters! I'm gonna try to get over next weekto help you out!!!! love u! Hugs!!!!
"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." Helen Keller |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 1:04:51 PM
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It's wonderful that you two are home and Aria's feeling better. And that's such a blessing that you have good nurses you can feel confident in. Prayers will continue!
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 1:29:56 PM
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Yay for being home! I'm so glad to hear that Aria is doing better. It's okay to be tired and weary. You have been through so much over these past months. Just take each day for what it is and things will work out. And how about you totally rocking at sharing MJF!! Whoo-hoo. More farmgirls!
(((hugs))) to you and Aria!
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
Wherever you go, there you are.
www.madrekarin.blogspot.com
www.madrekarin.etsy.com |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 1:55:40 PM
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I really really admire your strength and your can do outlook. I really think a lot of us could not hold up near as well as you have and are. We are all very proud of you, and for the example you are showing of the strength that is in all of us if we reach for it and not give up. Hope you are getting and asking for some outside help. When someone can be there to stay with the kids for a bit go out and play in the dirt, or for heaven sakes go take a nap.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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chicken necker
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Sherry
Eastern Shore
Maryland
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 5:35:05 PM
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So glad to hear from you! Me, the girls and Mom have been sending blessings everyday.
FarmGirl Sister #123
Crafty Bay FarmGirls Chapter
Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference. |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 6:46:07 PM
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so glad that Aria is doing good again. oh happy dance. now Julia..I know and you know..and evereyone here knows that you have an incredible knack for writing. I suggest that when you are bored..write...write it all out.
This journey you are on is a story worth telling.
I know it is a hard story to be living through..but it can actually wind up being a blessing to others who may one day face the same thing.
blessings to you and your family.
hugs to all.
oh I am so thrilled that Aria is doing better.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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corporatefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
389 Posts
Tamara
Pikeville
TN
USA
389 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 7:22:23 PM
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Julia I am so glad to hear that both of you are home and the Aria is doing better. Know that many people are sending positive thoughts and wishes your way.
I know that hospitals, doctors and illness can be mentally draining. That kind of tired is very different too. I like what Tina said about writing. That would be a great way to get some release. Also take a little bit of time for yourself. You need to recharge so that you can continue to be the guiding light for your family. Meditation - even for a few minutes - can help recharge. Take your shoes off, stand barefoot in the yard and BREATH. There is something that happens when bare feet touch the earth. It is almost like negative energy is pulled out of you and positive energy is brought back.
Positive Thoughts and Blessings to both of you and lots of {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
Tamara
http://smallfarm.about.com small farms give big benefits
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Edited by - corporatefarmgirl on May 07 2008 7:23:47 PM |
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julia hayes
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
julia
medical lake
wa
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2008 : 4:22:29 PM
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You ladies are just tremendous! Thank you!!! your words of encouragement feel like a warm bath for my psyche! I feel soothed and comforted. Tina, you are so sweet to suggest I write more. I am writing...all the time. I have written over 300 pages of this story already. Your confidence in me is powerful and I will continue to write. I will also add that I received my first rejection letter from a magazine. I had submitted an 'article' I wrote about this experience and received the nicest rejection email! I had to take the leap and despite being rejected I feel great and the writing still feels right. It has proven yet another exercise in humility and suppressing the ego, which is something I seek, especially as it relates to me detailing this story. I want it raw, pure and honest. I'm heading in the right direction and fortunately I have your tender fingers gently nudging me this way and that so that I never falter off course.
Nancy, your words are also powerful. Strong....I don't consider myself strong nor do I consider myself its counterpart. I am grounded and perhaps that is a strength of sorts. I'll have to think about it some more. "to be strong...what does this mean?" I have to admit that I'm struggling to ask for help. I need to think about that some more and write about it. I'll include that process here when it comes together. Thank you for the reminder though. I do need help but I need greater humility to ask for it!
Friends, you are so good for me and I thank you! ~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2008 : 8:22:18 PM
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Julie, thanks for sharing the GREAT news!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
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Family Matters: We're Home! |
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