December 15th...

Apparently my fingers have been broke or I've had little to say. RIGHT! Boy...I neglected this for awhile and need to catch up!
Chemo was cut 4 treatments short due to Taxol causing Neuropathy in my hands. Doctor said that the percentage of 4 more treatments doing any more good were outweighed by the potential damage it would cause further in my hands. In fact "permament" (if not already) would be an issue. I was of course estatic that I was done and moving on to radiation!
Radiation was a breeze for the most part. The Cat scan done prior to the initial radiation treatment showed the area by my collarbone that was a concern from the PET scan in the very beginning of my journey before chemo even started. The radiation doctor could not tell if it was "hot" or "cold", but decided to hit that area hard for the 35 treatments. Got some radiation burns, but was tolerable. I LOVED going in everyday and seeing the radiation techs...they are a wonderful group of women!!! Was very sad when the treatments were over. Happy of course to, but sad that I would not see them everyday...they became family to me.
My hair is growing in wonderfully and I'm having fun with the short style. Who'd have known beings I have had long hair most of my life. Funny how things don't matter as much as you thought they would in the beginning. Just like being without a boob....eeehhh, who cares! I finally went in and got fitted for the bra's with special pockets in them to hold the prosthetic breast....awesome! I feel almost normal now! The funny thing is that the 1 I had been wearing with my normal bra's that was given to me as a joke was 2 sizes smaller than what I was fitted for. You would have never known I was lopsided...I think. Ha!
My right hand has gotten considerably worse and I take pain pills a lot. I'm back to work fulltime and "mousing" all day on the computer is very trying by the end of the day. I've went to 2 doctors and am scheduled for carpal tunnel surgery December 22nd to take care of that. The Neuropathy triggered my carpal to worsen so hopefully this surgery will relieve the pain.
December 27th is the final PET scan "for now" to see if everything is gone...fingers crossed. I'm not worried or nervous though...it's strange. "It is what it is" and I know that I have done everything I was supposed to do so at this point I'm at peace with it.
Hope you have a WONDERFUL Christmas and stay safe!!!!! :)

October 4th....

Happy Monday!!
Had my radiation consultation, my cat scan, radiation tattoo's put on and my port taken out. Today I start radiation and am so stinkin excited to get it going!! Back to work fulltime and today has gone well. Bring on 3:30 so I can dart out to the radiation center!!! :)

Hope everyone is doing well. sorry this is short and sweet, but I'm doing it at work and not much downtime!

September 27th...

Good Morning! Slow moving for all of us I'm sure beings it's Monday and the weather is so crisp and cool...could just cuddle all day!
Had a great weekend watching a lot of football. Went to the West/East game Friday night and met up with the Gerst's. What a fantastic game...congrats West!
Saturday bummed around with Momma and then vegged for the night.
Sunday I went through some things in my dormer to get it prepared for the big clean up day. I tell you what...I will never recommend EIC to anyone. What a poor representation of a "reputable" company. So I thought they were anyway. Live and learn. Needless to say, my dormer is a mess from their roofing job and we will have to get up there and do some MAJOR cleaning and throwing away of insulation and carpet. Went to Sam's football game in the afternoon and they won 30 to 0! Great job boys!!!!
Today is my consultation to set up radiation. I am SO excited for this appointment!!!!
To leave you on a funny note....I tried spiking my hair. HaHaHa....not happening yet!!! Rest little mousse bottle...rest.

Talk soon...have a GREAT Monday!!

September 23rd...

GOOD morning!
Been a VERY long time since I've updated...geez!
Been a happy and frustrating month all in 1.
First...I went back to work part time on the 14th. Yay!!! Will finish the month part time and then it it hard again in October. SO nice to have structure and routine again. Time off was wonderful during all my doctor visits and chemo sessions, but it also gets a tad boring trying to figure out how to fill some of the time.
I've been to several doctor visits this month. Doctor Singh stopped the Taxol chemo treatments after 8 treatments (original number was to be 12) due to the issues it was having on my hands. Being diabetic for 34 years and going through taxol is a tough combination because both are known to cause numbness and pain called Neuropathy in the hands and feet. I am fortunate to have no issues in the feet, but suffer a lot with my hands. He was concerned and sent me to see Dr. Bekavac and Dr. Palma to have this issue checked out. Bekavac says carpal tunnel and Palma says Neuropathy. Mom stated that chemo attacks the weakest areas of your body and it's more than likely a sign of both. Dr. Singh believes it is Neuropathy for sure. So...here's how it went. Dr. Singh "No more treatment and I would like you to see 2 doctors to look into the issue." 2 weeks later...Dr. Singh "I reviewed your chart and beings you had cancer in 4 lymph nods...we have to continue some sort of treatment at least a couple more times." This would either be Taxol T or Adriamycin beings Taxol without the T seemed to be the culprit. He stated that he would consult with his specialists to see which option would be best. "Are you not the specialist?" Hhhmmmmm.
1 week later after seeing the 2 new doctors dr Singh says "I studied your file and didn't realize you had 8 treatments so we will stop treatments all together." Now in my mind I'm thinking "should you not study the files of your patients every time you see them?" This isn't a common cold we're dealing with. Happy, but alittle frustrated that I feel he has been shooting from the hip lately. Do not get me wrong, he has been wonderful through this...all of his staff, but I just got somewhat concerned at that point.
Needless to say, I will have no more treatments and will now start radiation for 6 weeks everyday. I have a consultation appointment at the radiation center on Monday. Woo hoo!!!! SO excited to get that started and be done.
Being back to work has been GREAT! After 4 hours my hands are extremely sore, but I wear a brace and have oral medicine to help with the pain and numbness. Hopefully time will help it slowly subside.
Okay....off to work I go!!!!!! Have a FANTASTIC day!!!!!!!

Benefit.....

Haven't been on in forever! Been really pooped and going downstairs to post seemed like a lot which sounds silly I know. Like the nurse said to me that she hears from other patients "it's a tired you can't explain" and it really is.
The benefit....
It went SO well! There were SO many people...made my heart swell!
Had (at last count) 122 different auction groupings whether it be a basket of items or individual items. The out pour of support was AMAZING! Thank-you to EVERYONE who helped and donated!!!

Decorations were SO stinkin cute! Little paper bra's in sticks coming out of vases with colorful flowers! Little bra's everywhere and "Chemo Sucks" tree's with suckers on them! You gals did a fantastic job! Thanks to Missy, Traci and Aubrey!! :)

A farmer in the community donated a hog and a local meat locker butchered and cooked it as a donation. Randy Randall took a kick from the pig after it was dead! Crazy mad swelling and bruising! Thanks for taking 1 for the team buddy!
Tons of side dishes and desserts were brought in by donators and family and friends. Thanks to all of you who served food, ran up and down those stairs for more and who brought for the occasion!

A group of about 15 young kids had a couple of tables titled "Cookies For Chemo" and had been baking and decorating for a couple weeks. There were a TON of ribbon frosted sugar cookies etc! You kids ROCK!!

There was a table of "LuuLuu" items including t-shirts, koozies, pins, window sticky's, pens, bags, bracelets, key chains etc. Everything had LuuLuu printed on it. Thanks Bill, Nancy, Ashley and Sue!!!! Thanks to mom and Kevin also for helping out during the printing of the T's! :)

We had over a hundred door prizes which the girls gave away. The band "Fushion" played for free which was a lot of fun. Thanks Misha, Sommer, Mikey D and the band!!!! :)

All in all outside of the amount being raised which was wonderful (over $12,000)...it was so much fun seeing everyone! Family, friends, Ol' classmates, coworkers and even Grainger coworkers from Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.

Thank-you again to all for being so fantastic and reaching out to help the benefit be a success!!!

July 30th at 9:33...

I am so wired...benefit tomorrow! Have I said it's like Christmas in July for me lately?! I am so BLESSED, loved and supported by SO many people that I just can't thank-you enough! I could babble, blabble, blabble, but I have to simmer down and relax so that I can sleep well and be my spunky self tomorrow!!! :)

July 22nd....

So much! So much! So much!
I'll start by updating me and then end it with a BANG! LOL
Chemo has been going well...treatment day tomorrow. You know...people always say "TGIF" and although I'm not a fan of treatment....TGIF!!! It's 1 treatment closer to being done and that is enough to celebrate!
I recently noticed that I have hair growing above my top lip! Now as I posted on FB "I know how annoying it is for the most part, but when you have lost all hair due to chemo...it's like Christmas in July!!!!
Tonight we finished up the "Cookies for Chemo" which the kids will be selling at the benefit. Nathan Randall and Katie Wolf wanted to do something to help raise money for my expenses and decided selling cookies would be it. Bless their hearts...they are AMAZING kids and above their ages! Several other young volunteers helped last Thursday and Shelly and Christine baked all night Monday night...you are angels to me and I thank-you from the bottom of my sugar filled heart! (Gotta love when the broken cookies are a free for all!)
We will finish up donation baskets next week, final benefit meeting Tuesday night at Becks, breast cance ribbon pedicures wednesday night, get into Isaac Walton Friday and BENEFIT SATURDAY!! I am SO excited!!! :)
Have a great Friday (TGIF) and a wonderful weekend!!!!

July 10th....

Been awhile!
I started a new chemo "Taxol" 2 treatments ago (yesterday was my 2nd) and it is going very well. The only side effects are either I'm extremely tired or have insomnia. Now I don't know if I can blame it on Taxol or just me. Ha! Luckily I have not been sick or felt nauseous at all. SO happy for that. :)
As with so many people during the downpour on Wednesday...my basement took on a lot of water. Was halfway up my knee's and very dirty. Loaded the garage with most of the totes, pumped out the basement, squeegeed the mud and then power washed the entire basement. In looking at the bright side of the situation, I have a VERY clean basement now and got rid of a lot of things I needed to get rid of anyway. Some things turn out for the best after all.
Today mom, Sue and I went through all of the benefit items thus far and made up the baskets and packages. That was SO much fun! Overwhelming to see how much effort people have put towards this benefit and I want to express how blessed I feel! You all are amazing!!!

June 28th...

WOW...what a fun weekend! :)
Friday was a "think pink day" at work and people were allowed to wear anything pink. I stopped in for a few hours and had such a good time talking with everyone and the potluck looked phenomenal!!!
Friday night was the benefit "come have a drink with Luu Luu" at the Karma bar. Thank-you to EVERYONE who came...it was a GREAT turnout and like above...I had such a good time chatting with everyone. Wish the attached photo was clear so you could make out that I have a sombrero on my head and maracas in my hands. Oh dear god!! What a blast! Thanks to Scott, Julie, Ned, Jolene and Craig for going above and beyond in making it such a successful night. You are truly FANTASTIC friends for caring so much and making the night so friggin fun!!! I mean seriously Scott? Did you really have to blow up your car just to make a grand entrance into Waterloo? LOL! Love ya Chub!!!! Thanks again to EVERYONE for celebrating the night with me!!!!!

Monday June 21st...

Happy day to you!
It was tough to drag myself downstairs to blog, but I had to make a new post! Last 2 days have been ROUGH....so glad this round of chemo was the last. We will see what the next 12 bring.
Saturday was SUCH a special day! Zach Kienol (my niece Emily's boyfriend) and the Gerst family have been taking pledges for the "26.2 for Luu Luu" marathon. They did an AMAZING job and Zach had Emily riding next to him the whole way. Wonder if Emily was rough on him like Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser?! Naw....you were a GREAT team and I am sssssoooooooooooo proud of you! It was a hot, humid and sunny day and the mosquitos on the trail were like miniature vultures, but you did not let any of that stop you from completing one way or another! Thank-you from the bottom of my heart!!!!!! Love you guys!!!!

Today is the BIG run!!!!!

This really wonderful kid I know...(Zach Kienol) :) came up with an idea to help raise money for my benefit...so he started training to run a MARATHON! Yes 26.2 miles...which he will be doing today! If you would like to pledge him per mile or just a donation that would be awesome. He has reeeeeaaaally worked hard! You can also come cheer him on! Thanks!
See More
Location:Waterloo/Cedar Falls Bike Trails (Starting and ending at Pfeiffer Park in Cedar Falls)
Time:4:00PM Saturday, June 19th

Happy Thursday!!!

Got up this morning and decided to go play disc golf in Cedar Falls. Had a lot of fun and would like to think I kicked Danny's ass at it, but...I didn't. Never played before so it was nice trying something new! :)
Been a GREAT week. Energy level has been above 50% and you know when that happens with me...I tend to go go go like it's at 100! Went to the pool with Chris, Whitney and Melissa yesterday. What a MADHOUSE! Sun felt fabulous though!!!!
I have chemo tomorrow and have been dreading it all week...not gonna lie. This is the 4th and the last of the "every other week treatments". After this I start every week for 12 weeks. It's a different "formula" as I will call it, so I'm hoping it treats me as well as these treatments have if not better. To not puke my guts out has been a blessing although I've been real close at times. Cross my fingers!!!
Have a FANTASTIC afternoon and I'll talk soon!!!!!!!!!!! :)

June 9th...

Hope all are enjoying the beautiful day! :)
Where do I start? Well...I'll start first with the fact that I was blown away last night at the benefit meeting. SO much going on and I am amazed at how much time and effort friends and family are putting into it. Danny asked when I got home what was going through my mind and I said "just the fact that I don't know how I am going to thank everyone for all of the wonderful support they are showing and giving." In fact...I'm crying right now typing because it is such an overwhelming feeling.

I had treatment last Friday and am still feeling the yucks from it. Usually it hits hard Sunday and Monday and slowly tapers off, but this time...it has forgotten to taper off and needs a reminder. Geez! I have pushed myself to take walks and tinker in the yard. I figure if I'm going to lay around feeling like shit then I might as well be outside feeling like it. Ha! :)
Luv's!!!

June 2nd...

This entry is so random, but I wanted to jump on quick and express my thoughts. All morning I have been thinking about how blessed I am to have such an amazing family and such amazing friends. Just can't put into words everything that is going through my head. I get texts, phone calls, emails, cards, visitors everyday and ya know...you just can't imagine how special that makes a person feel. :)
Love you all!!!!!!!

BENEFIT MEETING PLANNED

Hello All~
Wanted to let you all know that you need to mark on your calendars Tuesday, June 8th, 6-8 pm to be at Beck's on University Ave., downstairs. We are getting down to the wire and need to get the planning finalized for the July 31st benefit! We will have the large 11x17 posters for you to post in businesses and around town. We also need a list of items that you have collected for donations for the silent auction! If you have large items, (please bring a picture of item.) You can also drop any items off at Karen's Print Rite, 2515 Falls Ave., W'loo between 8:30am - 5pm Mon. thru Fri. If you need something picked up, let us know. If you need more forms to make business contacts let me know and I will see that you get them. I will have extra shirts and other luu luu merchandise at the meeting also. Please keep the donations coming and hit as many businesses as you can! See you there! Thanks in advance for all of your hard work! You can contact me - Sue Randall cell# 319-269-4619 or email suerandall78@gmail.com or Ryan Richmond cell# 319-290-3388 or email isurchmnd@gmail.com
Thank you all in advance for all of your support!!!!

May 25th...

Happy Tuesday! Yes...I can say that NOW, but if you asked me last night if I'd be saying that I wouldn't have been so cheerful.
I told my mom that I would not sugar coat this entry. I know it's been awhile and I got through treatment without vomitting once which I am sssooooo thankful for!!! :)
It was a bit more rough 2nd time around and I have to say that I am still feeling wooped/tired/sluggish, but HEY....I did NOT vommit! Yay!!! :)
Now....as for last night. I went through the worst part of this journey that I myself (not speaking for other cancer SURVIVORS) have experienced thus far. Mom and Kevin stopped over to visit and when they left, I took a shower. Up to this point my hair has been slowly falling out, but last night was the last of holding onto something I could not hold onto anymore. You think "oooohhhh.....it's just hair." Your right if you haven't gone through it and I am by no means knocking anyone for saying it to make others feel better, but it is not just hair...it is alot of who you are. I stood there in the shower and just bawled as it fell to the drain. I called mom and Kevin and asked them to bring their clippers over. Mom put a chair in the kitchen and did you know that Kevin was an fantastic beautician? Anyway...Kevin buzzed it and mom rubbed my back while I held a towel to my face and just bawled. Vain or not...you cannot even imagine unless you've gone through it. Luckily I have a nice round head and as they said "you look like GI Jane!!" Woo hoo...I always wanted to look like a badass!!!! I'm now sporting baseball caps until I "want" to work with my wig. Just not ready for it yet for some reason and I can't explain why.
Today I am good. A bit sad deep down, but I feel like a weight has been lifted. A weight that I knew was going to happen, but was in denial. So I now push forward AS ALWAYS, dry my tears and enjoy the....can't say sun today, but enjoy Tuesday!!!! Hope all of you do as well!! :)

Friday May 21st...

Happy Friday! It's been awhile!
This week was a fun one with having friends over in the evenings. Monday Vonna and Kate visited and we had a "much needed" girls night and decided we needed to make it a bi-weekly ordeal. Tuesday night my girls that I've known since we were teens and Momma came over for another girls night. What a bunch of nuts...we had SO much fun! Crazy girls...I love ya!
Yesterday Danny and I ran around doing errands...picked up Pookies ashes and when the guy called he said "may I speak to Lori Gerst?" I said "this is" and he says "this is Dave from the Humane Society letting you know that the cremation of your brown tiger cat is complete and ready to be picked up." I thanked him, hung up and said to Danny "wonder who's cat I'm picking up because Pookie was Gray." LOL
Went to Visions salon and set up an appointment for next week to have my head sized for a free wig. Heather Taylor mentioned it to Kate that they give away free wigs so I will take advatage of 1. Thanks ladies for the heads up!!! :)
That will allow me to have 2 wigs for alittle variety. Which leads me to my next topic. As of Wednesday night my hair has slowly been falling out. Shed a few crocodile tears for about 2 minutes, but then straighted up. First time I've cried over anything since the 1st Oncologist appointment. You kind of don't think it's happening when it does...just think its normal because we all lose alittle when we brush it out. Well...this isn't normal and have to accept the fact that yep...it's falling out. Of course you always hope you'll be 1 of the lucky ones that don't lose it, but have to be prepared that you will. I've been prepared, but when it happens, you don't want to think it is. Anyhoo...one of the "perks" of this journey and one I will also get through!
Hope everyone has a FABULOUS weekend and enjoy the awesome weather that is to come!!!

Wet Wednesday 05/12

Okay it may be a wet miserable week, but I won't let it bring me down. Had the last 2days to mourn my favorite man...the one as D2 (stepdad Kevin) would say "was the longest man in my life other than male family members". HaHaHa...cracks me up and so true! He's in a much better place and I know I did the right thing.
Now....I think I have officially gone crazy! No comments please, BUT I was up at 4:00 this morning...actually alittle before (sick huh?) and had the dishes done, carpet vacuumed, touched up paint areas in the house that no one else would see and had the yard mowed and sidewalks swept by 8:30 am. Now I'm not saying that I have neighbors that like me anymore, but my yard looks nice. :)
Will admit that I'm alittle pooped and looking forward to lazy time for the afternoon.
Have a great hump day and I'll chat soon!!!!

Sad...

Just put Pookie down...hardest thing I have ever done.

Oh and....

I had 11 inches taken off my hair Thursday night for Locks of Love. Party didn't happen Wednesday night because of the surgery (bummer), but Denise worked it out for me to go in Thursday night after Candi closed!!!! So happy we got it done!!!! :)