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!