Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Katrina: Well, today is the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. So much has changed since 8/29/05. Some for the better, some for the worse.

Radiation: Twenty-eight down and 8 to go. The area under my arm is starting to bother me. It hurts worse at night than during the day. The other day, my doctor asked if I wanted a script for some pain pills, just in case. I responded in the affirmative. She then asked what I wanted. I told her I was doing some remodeling, so something with a high street value would be appreciated.

Hair: Still growing! It's about 1/2 long - where there is hair. However, about 1/4 of the follicles haven't started growing yet. It looks like it'll be salt and pepper. More salt than pepper however.

Other bathrooms: The downstairs bath is finished. It looks good! We replaced the floor. The floor was the same lovely blue tile that was upstairs.

The upstairs bathroom - before. Note the lovely blue tile.

The floor after. MUCH better! Also replaced the tub and cultured marble.

Labor Day weekend: I'm heading to Chicago for the weekend. Going to EGA National Seminar! Looking forward to it. I'm leaving Friday and coming back on Sunday.

Monday, August 27,2007

Radiation: Let's see, 25 down, 10 to go. Things are going fine. Still a little irritation, but the fatigue is getting better and better.

Nothing is ever easy at the Miller house: We got our counter tops put in. They look great. Still some odds and ends to be done. The back splash needs to be finished and other minor details to tend to, like fix the dishwasher! Yes, you read right, now our dishwasher doesn't work. The counter guys came today and spent several hours trying to fix it to no avail. So, the plumber is going to look at it when he comes tomorrow to finish the upstairs bathroom. And the cherry on the sundae is the check engine light on my car came on.

Before

After (Phase I)

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Radiation: Twenty-two down and 14 to go. Over half way! Woo-who! My strength and stamina is getting better and better. I'd estimate I'm about 95% pre-chemo. Radiation is starting to be a bother however. The skin under my breast is getting irritated. They said it'd be like a sunburn, but they lie. Imagine you wore a wet bathing suit for a week. You know how your skin would be chapped? It's like that. I am using Aloe gel, Vaseline and other lotions on it in an attempt to get it to heal. Also, the hair follicles in the area near my underarm are getting irritated. I'm told that is normal as well. All in all, I'd rather some irritation than fatigue from chemo.



Bathrooms: The tile is finished in the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms. The cultured marble is scheduled to be put in on Friday upstairs and the plumber is coming on Tuesday. This will finish the bathroom remodels. Yea!



Kitchen: I think I mentioned that we are getting granite counter tops put in the kitchen. That is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday). Never knew that getting cancer would be the impetus for remodeling!

Monday, August 13,2007

Radiation: Fifteen down and 21 to go. Overall, I'm feeling better and better each day. I'm almost back to pre-chemo strength. My skin is starting to feel the effects of the radiation however. Using lots of lotion to try to stop the drying out. BUT I'd rather have dry, irritated skin than be tired all of the time!

In-Laws: Tom's parents, brother and grandfather left this morning after an eight day visit. It was too bad they picked the week where we have 100+ degree weather! The heat index is in the 110+ mark. It's brutal. Other than the weather, we had a very nice visit.

Bedroom: We have now moved back into our bedroom and bathroom. Things are about 95% complete. We're still waiting on some odds & ends like the mirror covers for the plugs. Nothing major. We got the bedspread and drapes put up. Looks great!

The Bedspread and drapes


Monogram on the bedspread


Drapes

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Radiation: Ten down and 25 to go. Still no ill effects. Feeling better and better each day. Guess I'm finally getting over the tiredness.

Master Bathroom: The bathroom is FINALLY done and we are moved back into our bedroom - sort of. Most everything is put up, but there are some odds and ends still to be put up.

Upstairs bath: We're "on the list" for the cultured marble to be put in. Once that gets done, the faucet and shower head can be put on and we're done up there too.

Culverts: The culverts are done too. All that needs to be done there is some clean up work and sodding.

Kitchen: Ever the glutton for punishment, we decided to get granite counter tops put in our kitchen. So we are starting that project this week.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Things are never dull around the Miller household! We are almost done! The carpet and wallpaper was put in earlier in the week.

The carpet.


The wallpaper.


The electrician and contractor are here now finishing up! Things are looking good.

Culverts: We are also getting culverts put in the front yard. Yesterday the guy dug up the water line. Which wouldn't have been so bad, but the wallpaper lady and my maid were here. Can't hang wallpaper or clean a bathroom without water! So we took a bucket across the street and got water for the wallpaper lady. My poor maid carried water from the pool to the bathrooms to clean them. We felt like we were in a third world country having to get water from "down the hill"! Fortunately the water company came and had the break fixed in a couple of hours. In the process, they dug up a TV cable. Fortunately, it was a dead line.

Radiation: Seven down and 29 to go. Still no ill effects. Apparently the "sunburn" starts sometime after the second week, which is now. So they gave me some lotion to put on to keep the skin moist.