Somewhat difficult today!

WOW! I received so much help yesterday to set up my classroom for the 2009/2010 year! Sister, Israel, Brittany, and my assistant, Nasreen all worked so hard we were finished in less than four hours! Thank you all of you! The bonus was the dinner we were able to enjoy at Nareen's burger place! Thank you Nasreen and family, especially Matthew!

The help was so needed as it was day 8 after my Neulasta shot (Builds white blood cells) and I usually run a fever, am exhausted and don't feel very well. Fever ended up being low and I am not in the hospital as of today. Blessed again!

"The strength of the heart comes from the soundness of Faith!" Brittany made a card for me with this saying and I am finding myself reading it over and over today especially! Some recent family events as well as how crappy I feel today, have dampened my spirits a little. Fever is still low enough (Thank goodness), but I am battling a sore throat, a little bit of nausea, and I have zip for energy! Frustrated because I have lots to do on the computer for school and don't want to do a thing! Here's the beauty of the whole situation, I, me, myself and I, get to decide how I am going to react or feel about my crappiness! So, I will do my best today and will update you in the next few days! You are all amazing and I appreciate you all every minute of my days! Thank you!

Thank you Brother Josh for coming to visit me today. It has been awhile and it was good to see you and share some good conversation.
Reminder:

For especially those new to my bloggin.... October is upon us and I want to remind you of the "Dig Pink" volleyball match on October 21st (Wednesday night) at 7:00pm over at South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard. Cost is only $5.00 for a cool T-shirt and entrance to the high school match. There will also be a silent auction with autographed pink stuff. Proceeds support the Sideout Foundation, a breast cancer foundation connected to volleyball.

I continue to be blessed and amazed!

It's been six days since treatment number three! Because I apparently have less healthy cells than when I started this process, I get apprehensive and brace myself for the worst of the side effects! Much to my amazment and surprise, my side effects are less than the previous treatment! I am able to eat normally, sleep well, and am just slightly tired, especially at the end of a busy day! "Thank you, Jesus, for my continued strength!"

In addition, to feeling okay, I continue to experience the benefits of my chemo baldness! I don't have to worry about getting my hair wet when I brush my teeth or wash my face! Getting ready to walk out the door, now takes me 1/2 the time it used to take! My naturally curly hair, on a good hair day does not freak out and become a Simba look alike when it rains! And, I have saved so much money because I am not buying mousse, shampoo, conditioner and leave-in! Can you imagine?! My head, by the way is the only place where I am bald! Let me tell you how excited I am to still have my eyelashes and eyebrows! "Thank you again, Jesus, for blessing me!"

What's next?????
I will have the last of my first phase of treatments on Thursday, September 3rd. Then, I will have four weeks off (The month of September) and will start phase two which is every week for twelve weeks! My famous last words, "BRING IT!" Thank you, all of you, friends, co-workers, family, all of you, for your continued support! Please continue to pray for me and my family!

Prayers answered again!

Following treatment yesterday, I was not feeling too well. Very nauseous, NO appetite and exhausted. TODAY, I have felt great.... No upset tummy and ate well! Ate three meals! YEAH!!!!! Spent a couple hours out and about and don't feel any more tired than usual. Had an awesome lunch with friend, Angela at Panera. Have enjoyed spending the day with friends! Please continue to pray for strength, focus of my chemo brain, and of course healing! GOD DOES ANSWER PRAYERS!

Over the past two months, I have enjoyed meeting fellow breast cancer survivors that have been a tremendous support and source of information as well as resources.

"We know that suffering produces perserverance..."

...perserverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us!" Romans 5:4 I chose this verse to convey my response to my physcial, emotional, and mental condition. I completed my third round of chemo therapy today. One more treatment (Sept. 3) completes the first phase. The side effects I am experiencing are increasing in severity with each treatment. In addition, the war within my body continues to terorize my spirit! There are required medications (a lot of them) that are given to minimize side effects from the chemo alone. Then there are medications that are prescribed infection or every day ailments like headaches, body aches and other common issues I experience simply because I don't have normal blood while undergoing Chemotherapy. They too, bring their own side effects! This battle attacks me physically which in turn temporaily taints my character and leaves me with my hands in the air wondering how I am suppose to have hope...

BUT, as usual, I preservere because that alone lifts my character, makes me better, and leads me closer to hope! I CAN ONLY PRESERVERE WITH Divine intervention and prayer, Friends, and family that continue to support me through cards in the mail, text messages, emails, gifts, visits to the hospital, and offers to bring meals. Friend, Colleen brought lavendar spray, a heat and cold pack, beautiful lucky plants, and yummy brownies! Grandma Bev bought me a beautiful lady statue with pink ribbons all over her dress. Angela visited me during Chemo with little Ellie, who was way more interested in building a relationship with my mom rather than taking time to say Hi to me! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

My mom, my rock, is always with me despite making sure her own health is taken care of. She is so unselfishly by my side 24/7! I love you mom! Dad, Brittany, nurse Taylor and sister, have continually supported me with love, meals, transportation, finances, wiping of tears, and attending appointments. I Love you all so much!

Remember: in all you do today, you cannot personally change any person or any circumstance, BUT I(YOU) can change how you feel, think, and act towards that person or circumstances! What a blessing that we have that opportuntiy!

New Day

Well here I am again, 12:30AM and just getting around to blogging. It has been a fairly long day, but a pretty good day for Teri. Although the fever has been somewhat inconsistent...up and down throughout the day...her spirits have been good. She was moved downstairs this morning to ironically enough the same room that she was in after surgery. She was excited to see that many of the same nurses who cared for her and joked with her were still around.

She wanted me to give special thanks to visitors she had today...Jean T. who brought her some wonderful chocolates and good conversation, Sandy W. with her bright smile and flowers (complete with M&M adornments), Robyn with a "breast cancer" box of goodies, and Carol with a lovely willow tree girl labeled "courage" and last but not least Jenny W. who brought balloons and some good reading material.

Dad, Mom and I have been with Teri throughout her day; friends Cindy and TJ had to take on the Yankees and Safeco field. We passed the time with a couple games of cribbage and of course discussion to solve all of the world's problems. lol!

Dr. K will be in to see Teri in the morning and of course make a decision regarding her discharge. It sounds like the deciding factor will be managing that fever. We have heard Saturday as a possiblity, but we have also heard looks more like Sunday...poor thing just wants to go home and take her bath!

Thanks for continued love and support and please remember the rules! No visitors who are sick or even feeling a little under the weather! Love to all!

Cancer SUCKS!

Sister here reporting on the latest events in the journey...Teri went to work at Safeco on Sunday and Monday and then tried to work again on Tuesday. Keep in mind that she had her second Chemo treatment and a blood transfusion on Thursday and Friday before. At about 8:30, we sent Teri home from Safeco whereas she blazed a fever and pretty much crashed physically. She ended up calling the doctor made it through the night and was instructed to see her oncologist the next morning (today Aug. 13).

Upon drawing blood, and listening to Teri's lungs, it was determined that her Red blood cell count was too low, she still had a fever and she would be admitted to St. Francis. So myself, Mom, Dad and Joey treked on over to Fed Way and got her set up at the hospital. Needless to say, she is very irritated with having to be admitted much less having to stay until Saturday at the earliest. BUT, we should be thankful that Dr. K is treating this as a possible infection situation and is taking NO chances. Because of Chemo treatments, Teri is very suseptible to infection.

Again she appreciates all of your support, thoughts, prayers, cards, notes etc. She can have visitors of course but please...no one with colds, flu, or just not feeling well...we need to be sterile and cautious!

Thanks ahead for everything! Teri sends her love!
Sister

Teresa Tuttle Medical Fund

The Teresa Tuttle Medical Fund has finally arrived! Please get the word out to anyone who would like to make a donation to help offset Teri's medical related expenses.
A contribution can be made at any US Bank to the "Teresa Tuttle Medical Fund." If you are not near a US Bank, you can send a check to:

TTMF
c/o Merianne Jordan
2429 SW 326th St
Federal Way, WA 98023

Include your email address with your check and I will send you confirmation that your check was received and deposited.

If you have any questions about the fund or making a contribution, please call me at
253-686-8033

Thanks, Merianne

God continues to bless me!

Here we are three days following my second treatment of Chemo therapy and a five hour blood transfusion to replenish my red cells and I feel great! Once again, no real side effects other than the low energy. I even made it through my 25th class reunion last night! It was great to see friends that we only see once every five years or so. A good time was had by all and better yet, my hair held up! yeah!

This morning, I am losing my hair! The clumps are coming out faster and thicker. Not sure what the plan is going to be due to the fact that I am returning to work at safeco for a couple of hours today to see if I can handle it! Wear my hat I suppose and pray that it holds whatever I have left! Will definitely go for the clean shave tonight or tomorrow am! The bible says, "God knows every hair on our heads." He will have to be extra busy with me because he will have to know every new hair on my head too! Again, God continues to bless me!

Please continue to pray for my emotional and physical strength. The hair is temporary but effects me psychologically. I also need the physical strength to try and work a little during this 10 game homestand at the safe! Thank you all my friends, family and followers! Without you, I am lost!

Drip Drip Drip

Well, here I am receiving my first pint of red stuff! Nothing hurts, the nurses are wonderful and very personable! I love that! (Another blessing) Sister, nurse Tami is here with me and nurse Taylor will be here later! Total time for the transfusion will be 6 hours so I am going to try and get some planning done for school! Can you believe it is here already.... Can't wait to see the kids and my friends!

No real side effects from the second chemo yesterday. Feel a little woozy but no vomiting. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support through your comments on my blog, your consistent "Im thinking of you!" text messages, phone calls, and cards! I love you all so much!

Hopefully, if I continue to feel better, I am going to work a few hours at Safeco starting Sunday! I miss my friends and those Mariners! I have been gone so long over half the boys are new!

Until this weekend, love and thanks to all!

2nd one DOWN!

Received the 2nd treatment of the first phase today, and seem to be doing okay...Sister, TJ and Britt were with me and friend, Kathy came by to visit. Treatment itself was uneventful, and I haven't even taken a nap yet. I also got some news that was a little bit unsettling; as I went in for my CBC (blood count test), the doctor discovered that I was extrememly anemic. The chemo drugs are tough on the healthy cells, and are killing the red blood cells, so I have to go in and receive 2 pints of blood on Friday. Hopefully the transfusion will help and even improve the shortness of breath problem I have been experiencing.

The pictures you all see here with this blog are the result of going to see Tina for a total shave! Over the course of the past 2 days, I have lost little bits of hair, so I went to see Tina and told her to just shave it off. Welll as she grabbed a handful and cut it off, I decided that I liked this short cut, so Tina shaped it up really nice (she didn't think it was falling out much at all)and here I am with short hair! Honestly, I can't remember last time I had short hair.

REMINDER... October 21st is not far away!

Just another word regarding the "Sideout Foundation." This is a breast cancer organization offiliated with Volleyball and they are hosting a "Dig Pink" match at South Kitsap High School on Wednesday, October 21st at 7:00pm. A $5.00 donation buys you a cool pink T-shirt as well as your admission into the High School match where the SK Wolves will battle the Central Kitsap Tigers! There will also be a silent auction for additional fund raising. You should see the items collected so far! Please consider joing us that evening for a good cause, some great HS volleyball, fun and family and I will get to see your faces! Thank you in advance!

"God is Good, All the Time!"

Okay, so it's been awhile since we talked last! Sorry and Happy both that there has been nothing to report. Sorry, because all of you AWESOME blogger fans out there keep seeing the same post everytime you log on! Happy because life is so full of blessings and new days that I am feeling great! Since my first treatment, July 23rd, I have felt stronger and less "Chemo-effected as each day comes. The only side effect that continues to slow me is my low energy. But, please observe, it is after midnight and it is my second wind (I often get it at bed time) that is providing me the fuel to update! In addition, I eat when I feel good enough to eat so a little snack is adding to the mix! (Sister makes great potato salad, not to mention Rose Marie's delivered painted sugar cookies!) MMM!

This past weekend, Sister, Mom (My traveling nurses) and I took the kids, Brittany, Brandon, and Jessica over to Cheney to go through their "First Step" orientation and pre-registration process at Eastern Washington University! They completed all the necessary steps to start classes on the 23rd of September! Yep it's official, they are entering college and we are old!

Not knowing ahead of time how I would handle the 6 hour car ride, we headed out on Wednesday afternoon in order to be at Eastern on Friday morning at 8. We stopped in Ellensburg to visit overnight with a past college professor, Carol Carrothers and her husband Dave and sons Ryan, Remington, and Choco! They provided us an Awesome dinner, company, comfy room and board, and breakfast to send us on our way. Thanks guys! We were in Spokane by about 2:00 or so. (Stopped quite a bit because we could!) Mom and I were more than ready to get out of the car and rest the sitters but I handled the trek with very little disruption to my insides! Yes!

After spending a busy, very hot day at Eastern, we headed back to the hotel. Mom ended up crashing very early after not eating dinner because of flu like symptoms and a slight fever that we nursed through out the evening. She was a little better for the ride home but still is not recovered. I, too ran a slight fever (Nothing to bring me a fast ride to the E room!), but was fine on Saturday. Thinking it's just a bad case of dehydration since it was over 100 degrees for the two days we were in Spokane. None the less, we made it home, using most of Saturday with many stops! (Still love that Rossows U-tote Em in Eburg!) My faith, strength and patience were slightly tested with my nurse down :) She continually works so hard to care for me that when I was doing better and she was able to relax even a little, she got broad sided by a bug! Halleluja for back up nurses! Love you all!

Finally, I am to the part you are all searching for... I STILL HAVE ALL OF MY HAIR! Regularly, I tug at it to make sure and my evenings with my eyes closed are occupied by thoughts and dreams related to my hair, but it is all still there! With God's grace, and my stubborness, I will still have hair in December! (If God has other plans, it will be okay because I will join my fellow "Bald Eagles" at FW.... hopefully they don't mind girls in their group!

Next up... Round two! Chemo 2 will be August 6th. I have to go in on Wednesday prior for a CBC (Complete blood Count) to make sure my whites and reds are cooperating in order to have treatment. Then I will go in for my three hour treatment on Thursday. (Love nurse Monica!). Friday, I will be back in for the Neulasta shot which is an injection in my belly to boost my white blood cells. I just pretend on my own Island and get to "Win Immunity" every week! So, on your knees, bow your heads, raise your hands, cross your fingers, and rally the troops... I am depending on your support once again! Please and Thank you! My famous words, "Bring It!" Love to All!