Well, it finally happened...last Wednesday (the 15th) my hair started falling out. Actually, I pulled and it came right out. By Thursday it was pretty patchy so I went to Sport Clips (move over guys) and had them take it as short as they could then came home and had Teri shave my head with an electric razor. I look like my brother, without his beard!
Besides not liking the patchy look, my scalp was kind of itchy and just weird feeling -- almost a "crawling" feeling. With it shaved, the scalp doesn't have that feeling...thankfully!
This past week hasn't been bad symptom-wise. Had a couple of days that was like a really bad Fibromyalgia flare up. This next week is a week off. I will have 3 weeks on and 1 week off for 2 more cycles.
Good news today, my son, daughter-in-law, and granddog are coming for Christmas. For the first time in about 10 years my whole family will be together...what a great gift that is!!!
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
Namaste.
Jan
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Chemo Update
Sorry it has been so long between updates...sometimes we just need a break from thinking about all the details.
Chemo started on the 30th of November...Abraxane once a week for 12 weeks...2 down 10 to go. One of the reasons it took so long for me to write about it is because the first session sucked. Isabella (granddaughter) couldn't be in the child care for more than 2 hours. I had to be there at 1pm for a chest xray, 2pm for blood work (where Isabella couldn't be because she isn't 12), then 4pm for chemo. Well, the 4pm for chemo stretched until almost 6:30pm. Hurt like heck when they tried to access my port -- one lady tried twice then called another person who got it the first time. They no sooner got the IV going and I started feeling weird...then I realized that it was withdrawals from the pain meds I take at night. (This wouldn't have been a problem had they been on schedule!) Let's just say I was stressed because it was the first time and even with all my reading I wasn't sure what to expect, then on top of that I was stressed that they were running so far behind and we had Isabella to worry about. It all worked out but I was maxed out on the stress scale.
Second session was the total opposite! I went by myself and there were only 2 patients when I got the the chemo floor...AND they called me back prior to my actual appointment time! The guy accessed my port on the first try and I just hung out. On top of this being a much better experience, I also got the most awesome bag at the gift shop for carrying my quilt and other paraphernalia (shopping always makes things extra special!!).
This Tuesday, Teri thinks she may have a babysitter but the person's kid got quite sick on Sunday so now we aren't sure. It really isn't a big deal for me to go alone at this point because I am not getting real sick from it.
I found out that MD Anderson has a beauty salon/barber shop that provides free hair cuts (don't really need that) and also wigs. I am thinking that I may go early on Tuesday so that I can check out the wig selection...never know, I might like the mullet look that my friend Kristin passed up!!!
As far as side effect from chemo, they have been mild thus far (hopefully I am not jinxing myself by saying that!). Most of the symptoms are ones I have experience due to other health issues present long before cancer (irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia). The FDA in their infinite wisdom has now banned Darvon (MD Anderson's drug of choice for pain relief) so the doc has prescribed tramadol (Ultram) and that pretty well takes care of the fibromyalgia type symptoms. The other is handled by imodium.
The one side effect I was hoping to avoid was loss of taste. No such luck! Everything was fine until the morning after the last session. I got up Wednesday, got a cup of coffee, peeled a banana and sat down for breakfast...the only problem was that if my eyes had been closed I would not have known what the mush was in my mouth. So this week has been about trying to find things that have at least some flavor -- for example, we had leftover potato soup. I put sour cream on top and I could taste that but the only "potato" taste was that of the skins...weird! By Saturday more tastes were coming back but still a little off. I saw a recipe (with picture) of skillet tacos that looked great...Teri made it and I could actually get some tastes. Needless to say I scarfed it down. Payed for it the next day with the ol' IBS flaring up. Was it worth it? You bet!!
Another challenge is fatigue. I am letting myself adhere to my natural body rhythms (I am naturally a night owl so I am staying up late and getting up late -- but still getting my normal 6 hours) but find there is an element of fatigue no matter what. This falls under what I am now calling "chemo normal"...the day after the infusion is the worst.
Today was a GREAT day. I had a lot of energy (must be all that resting I have been doing!) so I went to the Christmas party my dog trainer throws every year and took Abby (the Chinese Crested). One reason I really wanted to go was because Abby needed the outing and I wanted to give her the chance to run the obstacle course again. OMG...we hadn't done that in about 2 years and she was so excited and ran it like she had been doing it every day! It was such a joy to see her joyfulness!! She had never done the teeter totter before but she did it like she had always done it...then she jumped a jump that high enough for a dog twice her size. For me it was great because I could actually run the course with my new knee...prior to knee replacement it was more like a hobble than a run!!
After the party a friend of mine and I went browsing for baby stuff because she just found out she is preggers. She isn't ready to buy but wanted to get some ideas (first baby at 39!). I, on the other hand, bought Isabella's toddler bed and a matching toy chest -- fairies theme of course!! Teri and I went in together to get the toddler bed for her as one of her Christmas presents. Talk about JOY!!! when she saw the box she just started saying "nite nite"...and for her first night in a big girl bed she just went right to bed and to sleep...amazing!! One of the coolest things about it is that Teri and I put both of them together as a team...with Teri doing most of the work but me lending a hand as needed, and of course Isabella was helping too. No really, she was. I would hand her a part and she would hand it to Teri...it was so adorable!!
We have also been busy trying to get Christmas decorations up...slow going with the fatigue factor. The other day I just muscled my way through the fatigue and got the tree in my bedroom up and decorated. It was a good feeling because I have had the tree for 3 years and this is the first time it has been up! A friend came over and put lights across the front eaves of the house. I won't bore you with the details but it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! (And tonight is is feeling like Christmas with lows in the 20s...brrrrr!)
So as I sit here writing this at almost 2am, I am feeling blessed. There is such wonderful love and compassion from my friends, family, and neighbors. I see everything so differently now...and that is such a wonderful blessing.
Namaste!
Jan
Chemo started on the 30th of November...Abraxane once a week for 12 weeks...2 down 10 to go. One of the reasons it took so long for me to write about it is because the first session sucked. Isabella (granddaughter) couldn't be in the child care for more than 2 hours. I had to be there at 1pm for a chest xray, 2pm for blood work (where Isabella couldn't be because she isn't 12), then 4pm for chemo. Well, the 4pm for chemo stretched until almost 6:30pm. Hurt like heck when they tried to access my port -- one lady tried twice then called another person who got it the first time. They no sooner got the IV going and I started feeling weird...then I realized that it was withdrawals from the pain meds I take at night. (This wouldn't have been a problem had they been on schedule!) Let's just say I was stressed because it was the first time and even with all my reading I wasn't sure what to expect, then on top of that I was stressed that they were running so far behind and we had Isabella to worry about. It all worked out but I was maxed out on the stress scale.
Second session was the total opposite! I went by myself and there were only 2 patients when I got the the chemo floor...AND they called me back prior to my actual appointment time! The guy accessed my port on the first try and I just hung out. On top of this being a much better experience, I also got the most awesome bag at the gift shop for carrying my quilt and other paraphernalia (shopping always makes things extra special!!).
This Tuesday, Teri thinks she may have a babysitter but the person's kid got quite sick on Sunday so now we aren't sure. It really isn't a big deal for me to go alone at this point because I am not getting real sick from it.
I found out that MD Anderson has a beauty salon/barber shop that provides free hair cuts (don't really need that) and also wigs. I am thinking that I may go early on Tuesday so that I can check out the wig selection...never know, I might like the mullet look that my friend Kristin passed up!!!
As far as side effect from chemo, they have been mild thus far (hopefully I am not jinxing myself by saying that!). Most of the symptoms are ones I have experience due to other health issues present long before cancer (irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia). The FDA in their infinite wisdom has now banned Darvon (MD Anderson's drug of choice for pain relief) so the doc has prescribed tramadol (Ultram) and that pretty well takes care of the fibromyalgia type symptoms. The other is handled by imodium.
The one side effect I was hoping to avoid was loss of taste. No such luck! Everything was fine until the morning after the last session. I got up Wednesday, got a cup of coffee, peeled a banana and sat down for breakfast...the only problem was that if my eyes had been closed I would not have known what the mush was in my mouth. So this week has been about trying to find things that have at least some flavor -- for example, we had leftover potato soup. I put sour cream on top and I could taste that but the only "potato" taste was that of the skins...weird! By Saturday more tastes were coming back but still a little off. I saw a recipe (with picture) of skillet tacos that looked great...Teri made it and I could actually get some tastes. Needless to say I scarfed it down. Payed for it the next day with the ol' IBS flaring up. Was it worth it? You bet!!
Another challenge is fatigue. I am letting myself adhere to my natural body rhythms (I am naturally a night owl so I am staying up late and getting up late -- but still getting my normal 6 hours) but find there is an element of fatigue no matter what. This falls under what I am now calling "chemo normal"...the day after the infusion is the worst.
Today was a GREAT day. I had a lot of energy (must be all that resting I have been doing!) so I went to the Christmas party my dog trainer throws every year and took Abby (the Chinese Crested). One reason I really wanted to go was because Abby needed the outing and I wanted to give her the chance to run the obstacle course again. OMG...we hadn't done that in about 2 years and she was so excited and ran it like she had been doing it every day! It was such a joy to see her joyfulness!! She had never done the teeter totter before but she did it like she had always done it...then she jumped a jump that high enough for a dog twice her size. For me it was great because I could actually run the course with my new knee...prior to knee replacement it was more like a hobble than a run!!
After the party a friend of mine and I went browsing for baby stuff because she just found out she is preggers. She isn't ready to buy but wanted to get some ideas (first baby at 39!). I, on the other hand, bought Isabella's toddler bed and a matching toy chest -- fairies theme of course!! Teri and I went in together to get the toddler bed for her as one of her Christmas presents. Talk about JOY!!! when she saw the box she just started saying "nite nite"...and for her first night in a big girl bed she just went right to bed and to sleep...amazing!! One of the coolest things about it is that Teri and I put both of them together as a team...with Teri doing most of the work but me lending a hand as needed, and of course Isabella was helping too. No really, she was. I would hand her a part and she would hand it to Teri...it was so adorable!!
We have also been busy trying to get Christmas decorations up...slow going with the fatigue factor. The other day I just muscled my way through the fatigue and got the tree in my bedroom up and decorated. It was a good feeling because I have had the tree for 3 years and this is the first time it has been up! A friend came over and put lights across the front eaves of the house. I won't bore you with the details but it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! (And tonight is is feeling like Christmas with lows in the 20s...brrrrr!)
So as I sit here writing this at almost 2am, I am feeling blessed. There is such wonderful love and compassion from my friends, family, and neighbors. I see everything so differently now...and that is such a wonderful blessing.
Namaste!
Jan
Thursday, November 18, 2010
MD Anderson Oncology Visit
Honor your intuition! Went to MD Anderson today for an oncology consult. Isabella spent the time in the nursery and Teri went with me into my appointment. To quote Teri "it was pleasant and informative"...while I know the oncologist I have been seeing is tops in the field, it just felt right at MD Anderson. Instead of a "chemo corral" with several other women and no room for my caregiver to hang with me, MD Anderson has individual rooms and room for my caregiver. Much more aesthetically pleasing environment!
There are also so many other amenities offered: free childcare, acupuncture, meditations, other wellness modalities, support groups for caregivers (that would be Teri) and so much more.
On top of all that, the protocol they use is much less toxic. It is a bit longer, but more "body friendly"...I like that idea. That isn't to say there aren't side effects, but that longterm it is less toxic.
So, chemo will begin on November 30th at MD Anderson. There is two parts to the protocol: 1) Abraxane once a week for 12 weeks, and 2) cocktail of FEC (Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, Cytoxan) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. That means 6 months of chemo.
All for now...Namaste!
There are also so many other amenities offered: free childcare, acupuncture, meditations, other wellness modalities, support groups for caregivers (that would be Teri) and so much more.
On top of all that, the protocol they use is much less toxic. It is a bit longer, but more "body friendly"...I like that idea. That isn't to say there aren't side effects, but that longterm it is less toxic.
So, chemo will begin on November 30th at MD Anderson. There is two parts to the protocol: 1) Abraxane once a week for 12 weeks, and 2) cocktail of FEC (Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, Cytoxan) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. That means 6 months of chemo.
All for now...Namaste!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Chemo
Because of the problems I have had with yeast infections along my incision (thank you antibiotics and diabetes!) my chemo won't start until Dec. 1 to give me more healing time. The added plus is that I won't be feeling like crap for my birthday!
I have also decided to get a second opinion for my chemo and have an appointment on the 18th with MD Anderson. There are a lot of positives about going there for chemo. On the downside, it is further from home and I will have to pay for parking. Anyway...I also just want to make sure that the course of chemo my current oncologist is recommending is indeed the best. (Oh, my insurance won't pay for any part of the clinical trial so I won't be participating. It is amazing anyone is able to participate.)
Have been going through some withdrawal issues with the medication I have been on. Besides the vicodin, I was also taking a nerve pain med...that is the one giving me the issues. Rather ticked me off because nothing was said about withdrawals. Thankfully, the vicodin has helped mitigate them; however, I also am going to need to ween off of the vicodin as well. Have I mentioned I don't like drugs?
I went wild day before yesterday and scrubbed my kitchen floor. When I say scrubbed, this means I was on hands and knees. Let's just say that my pecs were SORE yesterday. Looks like I am going to need to work out and build up the muscles.
Namaste!
I have also decided to get a second opinion for my chemo and have an appointment on the 18th with MD Anderson. There are a lot of positives about going there for chemo. On the downside, it is further from home and I will have to pay for parking. Anyway...I also just want to make sure that the course of chemo my current oncologist is recommending is indeed the best. (Oh, my insurance won't pay for any part of the clinical trial so I won't be participating. It is amazing anyone is able to participate.)
Have been going through some withdrawal issues with the medication I have been on. Besides the vicodin, I was also taking a nerve pain med...that is the one giving me the issues. Rather ticked me off because nothing was said about withdrawals. Thankfully, the vicodin has helped mitigate them; however, I also am going to need to ween off of the vicodin as well. Have I mentioned I don't like drugs?
I went wild day before yesterday and scrubbed my kitchen floor. When I say scrubbed, this means I was on hands and knees. Let's just say that my pecs were SORE yesterday. Looks like I am going to need to work out and build up the muscles.
Namaste!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
PET/CT Scan and other things...
So yesterday I took matters into my own hands and went to the imaging place and got the report for my PET/CT scan (I do not have the patience to wait until next week to see my doctor). Finally, good news!!! No signs that the cancer has spread...at least nowhere in my torso...YEAH!!! WOOOHOOO!!! ...Haven't checked my brain yet...that, I believe would be an MRI...which hasn't been ordered and not sure what the plan is for that.
Today I went for my echocardiogram to make sure my heart muscle is strong enough to handle the chemo drugs. Again, won't get this result until next week. With this one, I am not so worried because I know my heart is strong.
I am actually going to try to sleep in my bed tonight for the first time in a month...my recliner is sooooo comfy though!! We'll see how it goes.
The other good news is that I went all day yesterday and now all day today without pain meds...YEAH!! I am still taking my nerve pain meds and vicodin at night to ensure I sleep well.
I have a big adventure tomorrow...totally not cancer related but still health related. I am an ambassador for the Diabetes Association and will be speaking at the Red Strider (those living with diabetes) kick off dinner tomorrow evening. Shouldn't be too taxing since I am not speaking long...drive downtown, eat, speak, come home...piece of cake.
That's it for now...no other doctor appointments this week...another YEAH!!
Namaste.
Today I went for my echocardiogram to make sure my heart muscle is strong enough to handle the chemo drugs. Again, won't get this result until next week. With this one, I am not so worried because I know my heart is strong.
I am actually going to try to sleep in my bed tonight for the first time in a month...my recliner is sooooo comfy though!! We'll see how it goes.
The other good news is that I went all day yesterday and now all day today without pain meds...YEAH!! I am still taking my nerve pain meds and vicodin at night to ensure I sleep well.
I have a big adventure tomorrow...totally not cancer related but still health related. I am an ambassador for the Diabetes Association and will be speaking at the Red Strider (those living with diabetes) kick off dinner tomorrow evening. Shouldn't be too taxing since I am not speaking long...drive downtown, eat, speak, come home...piece of cake.
That's it for now...no other doctor appointments this week...another YEAH!!
Namaste.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Yesterday the 3 generations that make up our household went on an adventure to the punkin patch. We decided to go to Halter, Inc.'s patch this year because it was closer to home, smaller, and they are a non-profit providing therapy animals for special needs kids. We had a great time! Isabella went on two pony rides and acted like she had been doing it all her short life! Cows and goats in the petting zoo were well loved by her as she gave them all hugs and left the feeding to grammie and mommie. The best part was that it was small enough that I didn't get too tired, yet big enough that we all had a great time.
I am having a bit of a struggle today because it seems as though I should be feeling much better by now. It feels as though I am wearing a bra that is about 4 sizes too small! Was hoping to be off pain meds by now but not so much ready yet. I am trying to work on arm movements by stretching and reaching...seems to be helping. The whole chest area still feels like a major sunburn...mostly when I move.
Getting my head shaved this past week has been a rather freeing experience...almost thinking this might be the way to go after all this is over...easy care, no worries about your hair blowing into your eyes, shampoo lasts a really long time! There is no end to the benefits!!
I think Teri and I are going to try to do a little halloween decorating in the front yard this week. A friend is coming to help hang the decorations that require a ladder. It is a bit difficult getting into the mood for Halloween when it has been 90 this past week and we are expecting it again this week. Cool front coming this Wednesday -- for those who don't live in Houston that means we will be in the 80s. So those of you in the north, please send some fall-like weather our direction! Oh yeah...pumpkin carving tomorrow...can't wait because that also means roasting the seeds!!
Ok, so I don't recommend this as a weight-loss method, but I have lost about 17 pounds. I think about 10 from the surgery then the rest because I am not drinking sodas and eating reasonable portions...we also haven't been eating restaurant food nearly as much. Teri is cooking delicious, nutritious, healing meals for us and it has been AWESOME!! If the excess fluid that is sloshing around in my chest ever gets re-absorbed, maybe I will lose even more.
For those of my friends who are overweight, do yourself and your families a favor -- LOSE WEIGHT. Not for the looks but for all the risk factors. Did you know it is a risk factor for cancer? I didn't until I got cancer. I knew about diabetes and heart disease...but not cancer. While I make look and sound brave, or strong or whatever you want to say...you do NOT want to go through this. Do what you can to reduce your risk factors...eat right, exercise, and know your health. Ok...I'll get off my soapbox now.
So this week brings an echocardiogram. I am not scheduled to see my oncologist again until the 3rd but I am going to try to get in earlier so I can get the results of the PET scan. Will keep y'all posted!
Night...and Namaste!
I am having a bit of a struggle today because it seems as though I should be feeling much better by now. It feels as though I am wearing a bra that is about 4 sizes too small! Was hoping to be off pain meds by now but not so much ready yet. I am trying to work on arm movements by stretching and reaching...seems to be helping. The whole chest area still feels like a major sunburn...mostly when I move.
Getting my head shaved this past week has been a rather freeing experience...almost thinking this might be the way to go after all this is over...easy care, no worries about your hair blowing into your eyes, shampoo lasts a really long time! There is no end to the benefits!!
I think Teri and I are going to try to do a little halloween decorating in the front yard this week. A friend is coming to help hang the decorations that require a ladder. It is a bit difficult getting into the mood for Halloween when it has been 90 this past week and we are expecting it again this week. Cool front coming this Wednesday -- for those who don't live in Houston that means we will be in the 80s. So those of you in the north, please send some fall-like weather our direction! Oh yeah...pumpkin carving tomorrow...can't wait because that also means roasting the seeds!!
Ok, so I don't recommend this as a weight-loss method, but I have lost about 17 pounds. I think about 10 from the surgery then the rest because I am not drinking sodas and eating reasonable portions...we also haven't been eating restaurant food nearly as much. Teri is cooking delicious, nutritious, healing meals for us and it has been AWESOME!! If the excess fluid that is sloshing around in my chest ever gets re-absorbed, maybe I will lose even more.
For those of my friends who are overweight, do yourself and your families a favor -- LOSE WEIGHT. Not for the looks but for all the risk factors. Did you know it is a risk factor for cancer? I didn't until I got cancer. I knew about diabetes and heart disease...but not cancer. While I make look and sound brave, or strong or whatever you want to say...you do NOT want to go through this. Do what you can to reduce your risk factors...eat right, exercise, and know your health. Ok...I'll get off my soapbox now.
So this week brings an echocardiogram. I am not scheduled to see my oncologist again until the 3rd but I am going to try to get in earlier so I can get the results of the PET scan. Will keep y'all posted!
Night...and Namaste!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sloshing
Ok, I have a new definition for gross: when I move my arm away from my body then back against my side and I hear the fluid gurgle in my chest...now that is gross!! There is nothing worse than hearing fluid slosh around inside you! Ok, there may be worse things but where I am right now...this is it.
I did check with the doctor and it is normal...the fluid will be re-absorbed. There are certain conditions that would indicate he needs to drain it but I don't have any of those right now...fingers crossed!!
I did check with the doctor and it is normal...the fluid will be re-absorbed. There are certain conditions that would indicate he needs to drain it but I don't have any of those right now...fingers crossed!!
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