Diane Craver - Blog

First Maintenance Treatment!

11/13/2019

I had my first maintenance therapy . I was supposed to have it when oncologist went over the CT scan results on Oct. 30th but they messed up and hadn't submitted the drug for approval. Then it wasn't submitted correctly or something because insurance did not approve it and said it was for maintenance therapy and I was getting it for lymphoma now. I am in remission. It was approved last week so glad I had it on Tuesday. Usual difficulty with getting IV in my small veins. Nurse said she is going to suggest that I get a port. Why now? I will have maintenance every other month for 2 years. It was a problem during my whole chemo with trying to get IV in and CT scans and each time it takes 2 or 3 nurses to get IV in. Anyhow the 1st bag of steroids and Benadryl took 20 minutes, then I got the bag of Rituximab. It took 2 and half hrs. My WBC is very low and platelets too, but unlike chemo treatments, I could still have the Rituximab. I was thankful my husband took me to appointment because I felt lightheaded and weak. I was very tired when I came home and wanted to take a nap, but didn't happen. My face is flushed from the steroids.

I received my edits from my agent Lesley a little over a week ago. I was surprised with all the edits because she had said originally there were minor edits. She doesn't like the title Her Mother's Deception so it will be The Amish Mother's Secret. She thinks Amish needs to be in the title for branding me. Of course, I already have self-published books but I'm okay with the change. I pray I can do the corrections and make it a better book and I'll be offered a contract in the new year. Lesley is sweet and helpful.

CT scan results and More!

10/30/2019

Tom and I went to see my oncologist about my CT scan results. I had the scan on Monday. Dr. Herms said I am in remission and nothing showed up in the lymph nodes. My spleen has also shrunk more and is only a little bigger than normal. I wish he would have told me the exact size. The first nurse had difficulty in getting blood for the three tubes necessary for lab. After sticking me with the needle a few times, she got another nurse. A second nurse did something different and put a blood pressure cuff on my arm and pumped it up. That worked and she found a vein to use.

I was told at my survivorship visit earlier this month that I'd have my first IV maintenance infusion today. I didn't! They didn't get it submitted to the insurance when they should have, so I have to go back next Wednesday to get the infusion. The insurance will probably approve the request by then. It was disappointing because I wanted to get two treatments in by the end of the year. Now the second one will be in the new year and I'll have to pay out of pocket again. I decided to do the maintenance because it should extend my remission. I won't have to get blood work done again next week, so that's wonderful. I'm thankful to God for being in remission!!!

I babysat Lila on Tuesday and put Dillon and Elena on the bus. Dillon and Elena are amazing and get up quickly to get dressed for school. I'm sharing their school pictures and also one of Dean. We have such cute grandkids.

Author Event at Library

10/12/2019

My daughter Amanda went with me to the Writers Festival last Saturday at the Miami Branch Library in Clermont County. It was great sharing a table with Rebecca Waters. I bought her book, Libby's Cuppa Joe, and it is a wonderful Christian book! It has many surprises and isn't preachy but shows how drawing close to God is possible after making wrong choices.

Survivorship Visit!

10/3/2019

Tom and I went to my appointment yesterday to meet with my Nurse Practitioner, Lisa. Before I got to see her, I had to have blood drawn. The first nurse stuck me twice but couldn't get enough blood. She left to get another nurse. She stuck me in my hand on other arm and nothing there. A third nurse came and she got 3 tubes filled with my blood on the first try. Unfortunately, my white blood count is very low. Lisa said my bone marrow is having trouble recovering from my chemo. She called an antibiotic in to the pharmacy because of a concern that I'll become ill with an infection. I haven't had a fever yet.

She told me that I'm at higher risk to have other cancers because of the chemo treatments. I knew this from my previous research. I should have a mammogram and etc. I am not worried and have faith that I won't get other cancers.

I will have a CT scan in a few weeks before my next appointment on October 30th. I'll see Dr. Herms and he will go over the scan's results. I also start my maintenance therapy on this date. I'll have maintenance for 2 years but only every other month and just one drug IV infusion. It should only take 3 hours at the most. Yes, I've decided to do the maintenance therapy but hate the expense for it.

Priscilla's Escape!

9/26/2019

New Review by Norma Den and she posted it on Amazon!

5 stars Excellent series

"Diane has created two wonderful series, featuring new and old friends. As the family grows, spreads it’s wings, but remains true to their Amish faith and traditions, despite temptations, heartache and tragedy. I would recommend reading both series in order to keep the flow of the whole story going in the right direction."
~~~
Priscilla's Escape is available to buy on these online stores: (in print and ebook)
Amazon
B & N
Kobo
Apple!

Writers Festival that I'll be attending!

9/23/2019

Writers Festival
Miami Township Branch Library
Saturday, October 5, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Book lovers and writers connect at our first area Writers Festival! Meet Tristate-area authors and poets at the Miami Township Branch Library on Saturday, Oct. 5. Published works will be available for purchase.

AMISH BABY SNATCHED - Awesome Review!

9/12/2019

Norma Den posted this review the other day on Amazon.

5 stars We meet old friends in this new series. Excellent story.

What fun to meet up with old friends from the first series set in Fields Corner Ohio. When Beth & Chloe meet, one Amish & the other “English”, their paths cross. Both pregnant, one unmarried, they form a special friendship. Throughout their pregnancies they support each other through heartache & despair. This book goes into the pain of having a stillborn baby, the sorrow of having to make decisions between keeping or having a baby adopted. Well written, clean & altogether a good story.

Purchase here:
Amazon

A Christmas of Hope Review

9/7/2019

Christmas of Hope is a delightful Christmas tale centered around the lives of Rachel and Samuel Weaver residing in Fields Corner. Diane Carver knows how to captivate readers quickly with her characters and action within the first page or two. I appreciated catching up with the beloved characters from Carver’s earlier books, The Bishop’s Daughters and Dreams of Plain Daughters series, which were mentioned in this novella making this an extra special read any time of the year.

This story brought life to the challenges each character was facing in the various stages of their lives. With an accident happening near Christmas the true meaning of hope was discovered in a new way for characters needing renewed hope and peace. There’s a gentle faith message with interspersed Biblical principles along with dimensional characters, realistic life issues to conquer and even a budding romance of a young couple.

I look forward to reading many more of Craver’s books as they are released. I enjoy how she has crafted extra-ordinary stories mixing the Amish and English worlds together through her characters.

By Reviewer, Marilyn R.

Last Chemo Treatments!

9/6/2019

On Wednesday and Thursday, I received my last chemo treatments. I didn't feel well after them. Very lightheaded, weak, and other side effects.. I'm a little better today. I go in October for a survivorship visit with NP. In December, I start my maintenance plan.

I lost blog posts when I switched to a new theme for website. I did copy some of my posts and reposted them here.

September is Lymphoma Month!

9/3/2019

I recently joined a FB Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma group. I have gotten some feedback from others about the 2 year maintenance plan. I'm considering doing it. First, I have to get the last cycle of chemo treatments finished. Hopefully, I will this week!!!!

Author

I write Amish fiction, Christian fiction, Historical Christian fiction, Contemporary Romances, and Chick-Lit Mystery. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother. I have 6 wonderful children and 4 adorable grandchildren.

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