Smooth Sailing - I'm Not in Control!

I sailed through the first doses of Herceptin and Taxol. Some people experience allergic reactions to both of these medications, but I didn't feel a thing. The nurse gave them slow this time, so it took from about 9:30 am to 1:30 pm today to finish. I was fortunate to have my friend (and nurse practitioner) Cheryl take me and pick me up today. A big Thank YOU! I am so grateful to have friends and family to drive me to Pittsburg for my treatments. I know that some patients drive themselves, but I feel a little "hazy" after my treatments and I would fear I might be unsafe driving the 20 miles home.
I got a big dose of "I'm not in control" today. In the plan to receive the Taxol and Herceptin, Friday was going to be "the day" for 12 weeks. So I planned the next 12 weeks (and school starts in 5) schedule around Friday as my chemo day - well!!! Now that treatments were postponed until Monday (today), I have 12 weeks of Mondays to reschedule!!! I was really mad at first - I might have waited to start the medicines this Friday, to keep on MY schedule. I was really mad at myself for not asking the question about keeping Friday, but I assumed (yes, I know - ass-u-me). Oh, well. Killing this disease is my number one priority and I just needed a healthy dose of "you're not in control". God wants me to go on Mondays and I have to be open to the reason, after all - he planned my life a long time ago and He keeps a date book!
You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's womb. I praise You because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What You have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old. Psalm 139:13-16
Love, Ellen

Bump in the Road

I was to get the first dose of Taxol and Herceptin today, however, the cancer center was very short staffed and they postponed treatment until Monday. I was disappointed, but grateful that they are thinking of my safety, rather than my schedule. Another bump today was that my oncologist told me he had resigned from the cancer center and that he wouldn't be with me to complete my treatment. Oh, what to do? Marlin and I talked about possible options - change doctors now, wait and see who might replace him, go to another cancer center? I'm asking for prayers again - no decision has to be made immediately, so pray and wait for an answer.
I am feeling good. Last week my white cell count was very low again and I took another Neulasta injection - makes my bones hurt, so quite a bit of pain last weekend. However, I bounce back pretty good and have been busy around the house and working on the computer doing Washburn projects.
Marlin, Grant and I are going to Wichita for a short weekend to see Lindsay and Aaron - this will be the extent of our vacation trips this summer. We haven't been to Wichita for several months, since Lindsay and Aaron were making the trip to Girard about every weekend after my diagnosis. We are going to "the body" exhibit downtown - so it will be fun and educational for me and - no doubt - boring for my family.
Keep me in your prayers in this "bump" of treatment.
Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:3-4.
Lord, give me patience!
Love, Ellen

Error in email address

Okay, my sister's email address is incorrect in the post below -
it's cmarie620@yahoo.com.
Sorry -
Ellen

Progress

I had my last Adriamycin & Cytoxan chemo on July 3! I will begin Taxol and Herceptin on July 18th, as long as my blood counts are good. I will get these drugs every Friday for 12 weeks. My latest MUGA (heart scan) revealed an ejection fraction of 59%, so that is still within normal range and just under my first reading - this is good.
I have added nutritional supplements to my diet. I heard about this product from a friend of mine who got great results with immune health issues. I have heard and read testimonials about the product and believe that it will be beneficial to my health. It's called ReLiv and it is a soy-based product, a powder mixed with water or juice to drink as a shake. I have been drinking the shakes twice daily for about 2 weeks. I'll let you know my results as I experience them.
For those people who don't know me well, I collect Longaberger baskets - and have since 1984! Each summer, the Longaberger company makes a basket "Horizon of Hope" to promote breast cancer awareness. A portion of the profits from the sales of these baskets are given to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research. If you are interested in participating in this campaign, contact my sister Carol Shaw, who is a Longaberger consultant. If you order before July16, you'll get a 20% discount, yet the same donation will be forwarded to the ACS. Her email address is cmaire620@yahoo.com. If you're not into baskets, then get the travel coffee mug - pink with the breast cancer ribbon - really cute!
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Love,
Ellen

Bless the Family

June 22 my family had a reunion at the family farm - my brother's farm. We had 28 in attendance! You can see some of the activities in the photos. The second photo shows Grant cranking homemade ice cream with me holding the freezer down with my foot. (I was blonde that day!) Several of my great - neices & nephews are helping. Lindsay is blowing bubbles with her cousin, Jackie. In the first photo the group is gathering to begin the best tradition - eating! Phil cooked Shipman beef hamburgers and everyone else brought family favorite foods. My sisters are under the tent preparing for the crowd - Joyce, Luanne, Nora and Carol. We also had a hay ride and toured the farm. It was a great day!

I hope each of you are enjoying family and friends this summer - and every chance you can. I am fortunate to have a close-knit family that I love spending time with.

I am feeling good and preparing for July 3rd treatment. My sister, Carol, will accompany me, since she is here from Montana for another few days. She will "represent" the Shipman family at my mother's family reunion on July 6th.

Happy Independence Day! Bless YOUR family and God Bless America!

Love,

Ellen