Here's more!

Hi everyone!  Sorry I didn't finish more off last night.  I'm not going to try and remember what else I wanted to say then, because I'm living life day by day, and always looking forward so I'll write about my day today.  Since they took the NG tube out they had me slowly start a liquid diet.  I didn't have much: couple bites of jello, a little broth, and juice.  Yesterday I handled it fine but barely had any because I know my body needs to adjust.  So this morning I woke up really nauseas which is expected.  The stomach acid that builds up isn't being drained by my NG tube anymore, and it still doesn't know north from south.  The only real way to fix that is walking.  So after I tried some meds in the morning with not much relief I finally forced myself to walk despite how I felt.  It really does help.  It's so weird because you feel soo horrible, and walk, and then you feel better.  So I walked twice today and they helped, my stomach felt fine afterwards.  I also did some balance work with the physical therapist.  He said we did things that are usually outpatient work, so he's thrilled with how I'm doing.  Now that I'm breathing easier everything is becoming simpler.  The more I walk also, the more I'll be able to tolerate food.   Today another great thing happened.  I've had a 'central line' in with many places to hook up IV's but since I'm starting to be on less things we're finally able to move forward from that.  Central lines can also be dangerous b/c if they're left in too long you can get an infection and thats bad bad news that I would NOT want to deal with.  Since I still have my double port from chemo we were able to use that! So today we took out the central line (a big needle in the side of your neck that is so uncomfortable and constantly moves and feels horrible) and accessed my port.  I might also need a peripheral IV (in my arm or hand) but that is no big deal at all.  

    A few things: I'm so grateful for how well my siblings are doing at home.  They are acting soo mature and handling everything by themselves so well.  They amaze me and make it easier b/c I don't have to worry about them, I know how great they're doing.  Also thank you for everyone helping them out with everything, especially food.  I love them all and can't wait for them to visit soon :)  Also obviously my parents have been so great.  They both come everyday and stay all day.  I know it has to be so boring, and maybe a bit of slave work.. haha woops.. I constantly need things that they help me out with that I'm not able to do myself.  Also there were 2 nights recently that I didn't feel comfortable by myself at night and they each stayed over 1 night in the uncomfortable hospital chairs, and barely got any sleep.  My dad even stayed over the night that turned into his birthday.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!  Speaking of him, we're going to watch the hawks game together now on the comcast thing we bought so we can watch them on my computer, since we don't get them out here.  It's really a bummer that we don't get to see the bears games.  We found a site where it updates every play what happened, but of course thats not the same.  But hey, I guess I have some other more important things to worry about.  :)  Thanks for all the support as usual, from letters in the mail (uncle Joe that was the best ever)  to packages, to friends at U of I throwing fund raisers for me.  Can't tell you how much it means.....

Lots of love,

Sammy