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Photos of the Day: A Fire, A Ham and a Present

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A few photos of the day. My mom arrived yesterday! We had a fun evening with Boo and Grandma playing with the nativity scene. Brett put on the “DVD fireplace” for some instant ambiance:

Virtual fireplace

I made my first ham. I glazed it and everything…..everyone is excited about the leftovers. A sweet woman named Char helped us with our special order last night. She just found out her cancer is in remission after 5 years of treatments……that’s an amazing Christmas blessing. We hugged as I left the store and she made me cry. I’m so happy for her.

We woke up bright and early this morning to eat at our favorite breakfast place: Keedy’s. Grandma wore her reindeer antlers. Boo and Grandma wrapped a gift for Jesus to put in the offering plate at church tonight:

Photos of the Day Wrapping present for Jesus

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas Eve. I’m going to rest today so I can spend tonight with the family.

A Family Photo

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With all the chaos this month there was just no way for me to get out Christmas cards, so at the end of last week I asked Lisa to take our family photo. So here’s my virtual Christmas card to everyone…..even Diesel made it into the photo (and my super-hero jeggings):

Ashley Hackshaw - The Cancer Chronicles

Boo wasn’t too thrilled at first as you might remember from the outtake post but she eventually came around. I wanted a photo before my hair falls out…..it’s not permanent but it will take a while for this much hair to grow back:

Family Photo - Choose Joy - Ashley Hackshaw

I have no idea where yesterday went. I think I went to sleep at about 6pm last night and don’t remember anything until waking up this morning at 7am. I needed that. My mother flies in today for a few weeks. I’m so excited to have her help……but I know it’s exhausting for her as well.

I’ve got some last minute wrapping to finish  today and tomorrow and the rest of the family has taken care of all the cooking and get-togethers for Christmas. I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I couldn’t imagine a more wonderful Christmas.

I’ll be around but wanted to make sure if things got to hectic around here that I remembered to tell you all: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS! CHOOSE JOY!


Photo of the Day: Sleepy….and Itchy!

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Chemotherapy side effects are the topic o’ the day. First, thank you so much for all the sweet thoughts and encouragement yesterday.  Gicela helped watch Boo most of the day out in the studio and I spent the day sleeping after I got back from chemo:

emaco chemotherapy side effects

I only slept about 2 hours last night. My body was just wired and restless. I felt like every nerve in my legs and arms were going crazy. I ended up being able to sleep a little on the couch last night with my feet tucked tightly in the cushions and with a cool-feeling lightweight down comforter. And I was so itchy! I felt like Boo when she says that she “itches, but the itch keeps itching back!” I took three showers from last night until this morning trying to get rid of the “toxic” smell that I felt kept coming out of my pores. Even my pee smelled toxic. My joint and muscle pain went away this morning.

I DID remember to take the “take or die” drug this morning at 7am sharp and JUST took my 2nd dose a few minutes ago. The nurse’s scare tactics worked. Today’s chemo was only a few hours but my legs were so restless I couldn’t relax in the chair….I just sat leaning forward.  I can’t even remember what I got except for Etoposide which I lovingly refer to as the “hair loss drug” …..but I do know they gave me Benadryl with my pre-meds to stop the itching. It worked a little. I’m going to try to get scheduled to have a port put in my chest before next week’s chemo and blood draws because both my arms are so sore and tender now.

Boo is acting out today. While I slept and she was playing in the studio with Gicela….. she cut every thread from every machine…..which only makes more work for Gicela tomorrow. I haven’t felt well enough to make it to daily prayer circle at school with her the last few months and that was her reason for doing it…..I guess she thinks when I don’t take her to school I’m sitting around here sewing. I tried to explain to her that I am just resting when I don’t take her. My MIL is taking her to a movie tomorrow and my mother flies in on Friday for a few weeks so that will help tremendously.

My appetite has been really good this afternoon. I can’t lose anymore weight. My friend Mandy brought me Tabouli from Costco which has been my “go to” snack right now. Everything they do to me is only getting me closer to being better……and as I always say, at least it’s not Boo.

My HCG levels were a huge drop this week too: around 500….but I can’t remember the actual number. That’s progress!

 

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