Hello friends!
Back in September this day seemed like miles and days away but we celebrated today as Bonnie finished her last chemotherapy treatment! All of the usual stuff happened and it was really quite uneventful and a huge relief.
So in the next few weeks there will be an ultrasound, an echo cardiogram plus a few more blood tests and a doctor visit before the 31st and surgery. Bonnie is so proud that she has made it through the hard part and is looking forward to getting on with the rest of the treatment.
So that's it for today and we are looking forward (OK I am looking forward) to a little storm tomorrow!
Helen
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Good News!!
Greetings!
The good news is that Bonnie is beginning to feel better from the pneumonia. It has been a slow recovery that is attributed to her getting beaten up by the chemotherapy every 3 weeks since September. Today for the first time since Thursday she was up and about and up to Portland to see the doctor.
The first appointment today was with Dr Molin who is the breast surgeon. The GREAT news is that the tumor can not be felt at all and that means there is very little that will need to be removed and only a couple of lymph nodes as well. The first doctor Bonnie saw in August had told her she would have a complete mastectomy and a large section of lymph nodes removed so she has come a long way in regards to the surgery! The surgery is scheduled for December 31 which will then give her a longer weekend for recovery. The surgery will be done at the new Mercy hospital as an outpatient, Dr. Molin said it will take approximately 1.5 hours from start to finish which seems pretty good. Carolyn (the chemo nurse) did say the recovery will be a little longer again because of all the chemo over the last few months and that Bonnie needs to really rest and give herself time to heal.
The next step after the surgery will be the radiation which will begin about a month after the surgery. For now Bonnie's sight's are on next Tuesday, the 8th which is when she will have the last round of chemo! YEAH!!
In the meantime work has been progressing on the new H.B. Cafe 2 which will be opening around the 16th of December. The new Cafe is located at the new Goodall Hospital/Quest Fitness facility on Livewell Drive in Kennebunk. Bonnie has been trying to find someone to run the Cafe and I have been looking for a job so it seems a good fit that I will run and manage the Cafe.
If you are here in town this weekend, we hope you have tons of fun at Prelude and if you are not here in town we wish you were because Prelude is one of the best events of the year!!
Helen
The good news is that Bonnie is beginning to feel better from the pneumonia. It has been a slow recovery that is attributed to her getting beaten up by the chemotherapy every 3 weeks since September. Today for the first time since Thursday she was up and about and up to Portland to see the doctor.
The first appointment today was with Dr Molin who is the breast surgeon. The GREAT news is that the tumor can not be felt at all and that means there is very little that will need to be removed and only a couple of lymph nodes as well. The first doctor Bonnie saw in August had told her she would have a complete mastectomy and a large section of lymph nodes removed so she has come a long way in regards to the surgery! The surgery is scheduled for December 31 which will then give her a longer weekend for recovery. The surgery will be done at the new Mercy hospital as an outpatient, Dr. Molin said it will take approximately 1.5 hours from start to finish which seems pretty good. Carolyn (the chemo nurse) did say the recovery will be a little longer again because of all the chemo over the last few months and that Bonnie needs to really rest and give herself time to heal.
The next step after the surgery will be the radiation which will begin about a month after the surgery. For now Bonnie's sight's are on next Tuesday, the 8th which is when she will have the last round of chemo! YEAH!!
In the meantime work has been progressing on the new H.B. Cafe 2 which will be opening around the 16th of December. The new Cafe is located at the new Goodall Hospital/Quest Fitness facility on Livewell Drive in Kennebunk. Bonnie has been trying to find someone to run the Cafe and I have been looking for a job so it seems a good fit that I will run and manage the Cafe.
If you are here in town this weekend, we hope you have tons of fun at Prelude and if you are not here in town we wish you were because Prelude is one of the best events of the year!!
Helen
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tis the Season
Well it seems that everywhere we turn these days folks are coughing and sneezing and trying to get rid of that darn cold. Well Bonnie has also joined in with the coughing and stuffy nose and although she spent a couple of days resting on the couch as soon as she felt a smidge better she was up and running again. That was all fine and dandy except she woke up yesterday morning feeling worse than ever. The terrible cough, feeling achy all over and finally a temperature. After a few chats with the nurse at Mercy we were off for chest x-rays which showed that Bonnie has a touch of pneumonia. She started on antibiotics immediately and the doctor says she should be feeling better in a day or two. The good news is that she is sleeping well and this morning is beginning to feel a little better.
The good news in all of this is that Bonnie's white blood count is very high from an extra drug she takes. This has been her saving grace in this little cold because she has the cells that help her fight off the infection.
I will say Bonnie has the most devoted little dogs who spend all their time sleeping on her or next to her and only leave her when I pick them up to take them out and then Lily growls at me until I get her outside!
I will keep you posted on how she is doing. Thanks again for all your kind words, thoughts and prayers.
Helen
The good news in all of this is that Bonnie's white blood count is very high from an extra drug she takes. This has been her saving grace in this little cold because she has the cells that help her fight off the infection.
I will say Bonnie has the most devoted little dogs who spend all their time sleeping on her or next to her and only leave her when I pick them up to take them out and then Lily growls at me until I get her outside!
I will keep you posted on how she is doing. Thanks again for all your kind words, thoughts and prayers.
Helen
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Chemo Treatment Number 5
Here we are at Mercy for treatment number 5. Bonnie has a wonderful seat with the sun streaming in and a beautiful view of the bay. The Benadryl has put her to sleep which helps to pass the time. Of course in Bonnie's head she is already finished with treatment number 5 and only has one more to go! It is quite an interesting journey with ups and downs along the way.
After her 4th treatment getting postponed because of her blood work she was given an additional medication that helps improve her blood count and as well helped her to feel better. Bonnie has been feeling pretty good for the last 2 weeks and has been quite active including a trip to upstate New York and Ohio to visit my daughters. Well she feels good but keeps doing nutty things like wearing her slippers all the way to Ohio (we drove) and insisting that the gray hairs growing in are blond!! We are all humoring her and having fun despite all the stuff she is going through.
The highlight of most of her days is going to the beach in the morning with the dogs. Not only does it get the dogs out but she loves walking on the beach and the sunrise is an added bonus too.
So the pattern after treatment is that on Wednesday she feels great (still on the steroid high) and from Thursday through the weekend she usually lays low. By Monday she will be ready to get on with things and will be busy with the approaching holiday so the timing is all good.
So while Bonnie is sleeping away the day here I am going to go for a walk.....
Helen
After her 4th treatment getting postponed because of her blood work she was given an additional medication that helps improve her blood count and as well helped her to feel better. Bonnie has been feeling pretty good for the last 2 weeks and has been quite active including a trip to upstate New York and Ohio to visit my daughters. Well she feels good but keeps doing nutty things like wearing her slippers all the way to Ohio (we drove) and insisting that the gray hairs growing in are blond!! We are all humoring her and having fun despite all the stuff she is going through.
The highlight of most of her days is going to the beach in the morning with the dogs. Not only does it get the dogs out but she loves walking on the beach and the sunrise is an added bonus too.
So the pattern after treatment is that on Wednesday she feels great (still on the steroid high) and from Thursday through the weekend she usually lays low. By Monday she will be ready to get on with things and will be busy with the approaching holiday so the timing is all good.
So while Bonnie is sleeping away the day here I am going to go for a walk.....
Helen
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
4th Chemo
Bonnie had great day today as she got her 4th chemo treatment.
Although she looks a little bit like a smurf today with her blue hat and sweater! She continues to work and take care of things while she is getting her treatment.
We are hoping the side effects aren't too bad although she usually takes it easy for the first week after treatment. I'll keep you informed of how she is doing.
Helen
Although she looks a little bit like a smurf today with her blue hat and sweater! She continues to work and take care of things while she is getting her treatment.
We are hoping the side effects aren't too bad although she usually takes it easy for the first week after treatment. I'll keep you informed of how she is doing.
Helen
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Chemo Gets Stalled
I know it has been a while since I have blogged, it seems as though time has been flying by between stuff in the store, traveling and of course dealing with cancer.
This morning Bonnie and I arrived right on time for her 4th chemo treatment armed with all of our various snacks and books to help pass the time. They did all the usual vitals and the blood draw and then we went in for Bonnie's appointment with Dr. Inhorn (she sees him before each treatment). He wanted all the details of how things have gone in the last 3 weeks since her last treatment which of course between the two of us we were able to give him an earful of all the little details of Bonnie's health. Dr. Inhorn is very pleased with Bonnie's progress and the tumor has shrunk so that it is no longer palpable. I of course insist if you can't feel it then it must be gone and do we really need 3 more treatments? He explained that there can still be millions of cancer cells there that you can not feel and that all the studies have indicated that 6 treatments is the magic number. He and I have gone over this before but I just like to make sure Bonnie is not having any unnecessary treatments!
Then we were free to go to the infusion room and get all comfy. They have these wonderful comfortable chairs for the patients and the usual straight backed chairs for the care giver. Really I don't mind because I am up and down a lot getting drinks or food and then just my usual wandering around! Bonnie's nurse, Caroline kept walking back and forth saying hang on there is going to be a change. Bonnie is thinking oh something good is going to happen, I am thinking here blood work isn't good enough and we are going home. Well I was right (yes I had had this sense she would not get her treatment all morning) her blood levels were too low which means her immunity is too compromised for her to get the chemotherapy. Bonnie responded with "UGGHHH" and I believe her real thought is this may happen to others but I am strong and healthy and it is not supposed to happen to me. So we packed everything back up and made a new appointment for next Tuesday when her blood levels should be much better.
From there we went to Whole Foods and got some Vitamin D, which they are saying helps boost immunity. Then Bonnie called for an acupuncture appointment and is already going in for her chiropractic appointment tomorrow. She is resting now and as well is admitting that she has been a bit more tired lately. So if you see her in the next few days please know she is not hugging and is keeping her distance from everyone to make sure she doesn't pick up any extra bacteria. Her birthday is tomorrow, Wed Oct 21 and she usually goes away over her birthday but with all the treatments and such we have made no plans to go anywhere except maybe a trip to Freeport!
A few weeks ago Bonnie was on interviewed for a piece on channel 13 that aired on September 30. They were talking about the trial she is in and her excellent prognosis. If you missed the show here is the link http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_747.shtml.
So what have we been doing in the last month since I blogged?
We went to Napa to her niece's wedding. Bonnie had fun trying on hats! and she enjoyed being with her three sisters too.
Sherry, Pat, Bonnie & Barbara
Then we went to the unveiling of the anchor honoring President Bush.
President Bush invited everyone over to Walker's Point and we all had a great time visiting!
We have been walking at the beach every morning, not only do we love it but the dogs do too!
Everyone is making scarecrows and this is Bonnie's, she calls him 'Storekeeper 41'
And that is my daughter Audrey sitting with them!
And this is what Bonnie is doing now while I am writing this blog.
I am so glad that she is resting and taking care of herself as it is hard for her to do that.
Thanks again for all your kind wishes and prayers, Bonnie is very appreciate of all the well wishers and the love she feels from the entire community.
Helen
This morning Bonnie and I arrived right on time for her 4th chemo treatment armed with all of our various snacks and books to help pass the time. They did all the usual vitals and the blood draw and then we went in for Bonnie's appointment with Dr. Inhorn (she sees him before each treatment). He wanted all the details of how things have gone in the last 3 weeks since her last treatment which of course between the two of us we were able to give him an earful of all the little details of Bonnie's health. Dr. Inhorn is very pleased with Bonnie's progress and the tumor has shrunk so that it is no longer palpable. I of course insist if you can't feel it then it must be gone and do we really need 3 more treatments? He explained that there can still be millions of cancer cells there that you can not feel and that all the studies have indicated that 6 treatments is the magic number. He and I have gone over this before but I just like to make sure Bonnie is not having any unnecessary treatments!
Then we were free to go to the infusion room and get all comfy. They have these wonderful comfortable chairs for the patients and the usual straight backed chairs for the care giver. Really I don't mind because I am up and down a lot getting drinks or food and then just my usual wandering around! Bonnie's nurse, Caroline kept walking back and forth saying hang on there is going to be a change. Bonnie is thinking oh something good is going to happen, I am thinking here blood work isn't good enough and we are going home. Well I was right (yes I had had this sense she would not get her treatment all morning) her blood levels were too low which means her immunity is too compromised for her to get the chemotherapy. Bonnie responded with "UGGHHH" and I believe her real thought is this may happen to others but I am strong and healthy and it is not supposed to happen to me. So we packed everything back up and made a new appointment for next Tuesday when her blood levels should be much better.
From there we went to Whole Foods and got some Vitamin D, which they are saying helps boost immunity. Then Bonnie called for an acupuncture appointment and is already going in for her chiropractic appointment tomorrow. She is resting now and as well is admitting that she has been a bit more tired lately. So if you see her in the next few days please know she is not hugging and is keeping her distance from everyone to make sure she doesn't pick up any extra bacteria. Her birthday is tomorrow, Wed Oct 21 and she usually goes away over her birthday but with all the treatments and such we have made no plans to go anywhere except maybe a trip to Freeport!
A few weeks ago Bonnie was on interviewed for a piece on channel 13 that aired on September 30. They were talking about the trial she is in and her excellent prognosis. If you missed the show here is the link http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_747.shtml.
So what have we been doing in the last month since I blogged?
We went to Napa to her niece's wedding. Bonnie had fun trying on hats! and she enjoyed being with her three sisters too.
Sherry, Pat, Bonnie & Barbara
Then we went to the unveiling of the anchor honoring President Bush.
President Bush invited everyone over to Walker's Point and we all had a great time visiting!
We have been walking at the beach every morning, not only do we love it but the dogs do too!
Everyone is making scarecrows and this is Bonnie's, she calls him 'Storekeeper 41'
And that is my daughter Audrey sitting with them!
And this is what Bonnie is doing now while I am writing this blog.
I am so glad that she is resting and taking care of herself as it is hard for her to do that.
Thanks again for all your kind wishes and prayers, Bonnie is very appreciate of all the well wishers and the love she feels from the entire community.
Helen
Monday, September 14, 2009
So after the second chemo treatment last week it has been a week of ups and downs for Bonnie. A couple of good days but more harder days with stomach issues and just feeling crummy. Saturday was a three dog day.
Greta managed the right side, Lily had the middle and Ali took charge of Bonnie's left side :-)
Fortunately Sunday was better and a little retail therapy helped! Bonnie found a couple of soft fleece hats at Kittery Trading Post which put a smile on her face!
Today we went back to Mercy for the weekly blood draw and as well Bonnie was interviewed by Kim Block from channel 13. They are doing a segment on breast cancer at Mercy that will air on September 30 between 5 and 6:30pm (we will know exactly when it will be on and remind you closer to the date).
Getting wired for sound!
Bonnie with Kim Block after they did the interview.
Bonnie, Kim Block, Mike (the Camera Guy), Dana and Dr Inhorn having a discussion of what they would film next.
They wanted a shot of Bonnie talking with her oncologist, Dr Inhorn
It was a busy day at the hospital and then we hurried back to Kennebunk to meet with the interior decorator for Bonnie's new cafe.........H.B. Cafe 2
That's another story for another day!!
Oh and by the way, the doctor was very happy with Bonnie's blood work today!
Helen
Greta managed the right side, Lily had the middle and Ali took charge of Bonnie's left side :-)
Fortunately Sunday was better and a little retail therapy helped! Bonnie found a couple of soft fleece hats at Kittery Trading Post which put a smile on her face!
Today we went back to Mercy for the weekly blood draw and as well Bonnie was interviewed by Kim Block from channel 13. They are doing a segment on breast cancer at Mercy that will air on September 30 between 5 and 6:30pm (we will know exactly when it will be on and remind you closer to the date).
Getting wired for sound!
Bonnie with Kim Block after they did the interview.
Bonnie, Kim Block, Mike (the Camera Guy), Dana and Dr Inhorn having a discussion of what they would film next.
They wanted a shot of Bonnie talking with her oncologist, Dr Inhorn
It was a busy day at the hospital and then we hurried back to Kennebunk to meet with the interior decorator for Bonnie's new cafe.........H.B. Cafe 2
That's another story for another day!!
Oh and by the way, the doctor was very happy with Bonnie's blood work today!
Helen
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