Drama--Drama--Drama

You never know what a day will bring. On Monday the 16th of January I went to the doctors office for a "Normal" visit. I planned on getting my blood counts, my port flushed, a shot to make my bones strong and a shot to combat the cancer and keep it at bay. I also had major difficulty breathing. So the doctor ordered a CAT scan for my stomach, lungs and spine. He also ordered an MRI due to the headaches that have creeped back into my life. The doctor at first thought we could start the scans and get them going and all the results would be in by Friday. He also had an idea--If -I were admitted to the hospital we could do all the scans in a few hours and have the results by tomorrow. The doctor felt it was best for me and my "lungs" or should I say "pleural cavity", to be admitted. I went into the hospital thinking.. No big deal.. I'll be home tomorrow and everything will be great. Boy--was I wrong!!
(Above is a picture of the lungs) The CAT Scan showed that I had about 2 1/2 liters of fluid in the plueral cavity. Incidental, the Friday before I had a liter of fluid taken out. It showed that my left lung was partially collapsed. No wonder I was having trouble breathing! I just thought I was out of shape;). So the doctor gave me the options of coming in once or twice a week and have the fluid drained (by the way - to do this they put a needle in your back that is over 1 foot long to drain the fluid) or they could surgically put a catheter in the plueral cavity which would have to be drained daily. I chose the latter! Still not sure it was the best decision. Either one would be very ouchy!!! The doctor that put the catheter in is a "dipstick"! He didn't wait for the drugs to kick in before he started shoving the catheter in! I was out of it just enough that all I could do is cry and moan. It was incredibly painful!Oh, and by the way, the doc said, "the MRI on your brain is good - no cancer" (and yes, they did confirm that there is a brain ,it's matured to a 10 year old level- just in case you were wondering). I confirmed being about 10 by pointing out to the doctor that I was watching Phineas and Ferb on the Disney Channel while he was talking. My doctor is such and academic ( and he likes Phineas and Ferb). He began to explain how good and evil offset each other in the show. Wow!



So, to get on with it - I asked about the fluid. It seems that there are breast cancer cells in the fluid - actually they ooze and cause the fluid - gross! Good news - the CAT Scan also showed that the cancer in the liver and the sacrum are not active. Yeah! It seems like the shots are working. There is a war going on inside my body - the bad cancer cells are warring with the good cancer blocker shot. Cancer cells - you're going down! So after 2 sleepless nights in the hospital, I got to go home. The home health care people come and visit me every day. Drama, drama, drama we'll see what is next on "As the Richardson's Live Turn".

Wishing all of you health and love and good family!and friends!

Staying home for a few days

I have had difficulty breathing the past few weeks. On the 30th of November the Hospital took just less than a liter of fluid off my lungs. I thought I was doing pretty good. Lately if feels like I have a 50 lb weight on my chest. So--when I was at the Dr.'s this week we had an X-ray done. The X-ray revealed that I had pneumonia. Yet, NO fever?? The doctor wanted to get me started on antibiotics. I had a difference of opinion. I suggested that they drain more fluid off my lungs to see how I felt and then if I got a fever... lets get going on the antibiotics. This doctor actually listened to me.
Yesterday I had just over a liter (1300 milliliters) off my left lung. Today --I have feel like I have been hit by a truck. The chest area is sore. Coughing is good... My lungs can now expand. I still DO NOT have a fever. Terry is checking it every few hours. He is so good to me. I have decided to stay home for a few days to recover. If I do have pneumonia (which I don't) but I wouldn't want to spread my germs. I also need to stay away from bad germs. So No church this week. My ward is full of kids. Love them..... but bad germs.
I have an appointment with my oncologist this coming Monday. I will get the bone strengthening shot, along with my cancer preventing shot. I am sure all will be good.

Betty A Richardson

It has been two years since Terry's mom has passed away. Terry's dad (Haskell) had a nich put in a cemetery in Orem. Janell research and found these vases for the flowers. Haskell was so excited to go to the cemetery with a few of us and have a quiet prayer on her behalf.

We are grateful for Betty and the example she was to our family.

Terry lost a mom, but we all gained a father who is much closer now.

God Bless Betty!

Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year Catch up

Well a lot has happened between Thanksgiving and the New Year. The pictures basically say it all…. Physically, I have started a new drug to combat the cancer that has returned. On November 30 the PET scan reported more cancer in the liver and the sacrum. They also removed almost a liter of fluid out of my left lung. Reports came back to say that there are cancer cells in the fluid. SOOOOO--- the doctor is trying a shot that is given in the Toshie. It is suppose to attach itself to the cancer receptor cells so the cancer cells won’t reproduce. I have the shots every two weeks for the next few months and then every month after that. I am still taking a shot that makes my bones strong. That way the cancer cells will stay away from my bones.. So basically I am working on getting stronger and keeping the cancer at bay!! I am feeling stronger. I am very tired but I have good days and fair days. I say.... that I am fair to partly cloudy. I haven’t had a real stormy day for a long time… Kinda like UTAH Weather.
Enjoy the pictures and have a wonderful NEW YEAR!
This is what life is All about!! Family!!

Thanksgiving

Janell made an incredible meal. It was FANTASTIC!! Mom and Dad came from Wyoming and spent Thanksgiving with us. Terry's Dad was here as well. Brickman even played the violin.

Forgotten Carols

We have a tradiation to go to the "Forgotten Carols" each year. They are having there 20th anniversary this year. Janell, Jenni and I have been going for 19 years. When we didn't go to the performance we listened to the story on tape. (YES Cassette TAPE) Remember those...

Bar J

Terry and I took Haskell (Terry's Dad) to the Bar J Wranglers for one of his 12 days of Christmas... We had a lot of fun.

Christmas

Terry and I did the 12 days of Christmas for each of our kids, grandkids and Haskell. We enjoyed waiting each day for the kids to open their presents. We wrote poems each day for them to read and then they opened their presents. We then had a party on the 23rd of December to Celebrate Christmas.

Grandma Glori and her Kids

Terry with Mickey

I Saw "Grandma Glori kidding Santa Claus"

The Girls with their PJ's

The Boys with their PJ's