Tuesday, December 30, 2008
VERY brief update - Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008
We have been having a very busy Christmas - and a very enjoyable one ! As a result, I have not updated this blog. We are going out of town today as well, so I will get back to it after we return. Last chemo coming up on Jan. 2 ! Lots to tell, just no time to do a proper job. Everything is going well except my blood pressure, which is not coming down adequately. Best wishes for a Happy New Year in 2009.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Update for Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008
We followed the usual routine yesterday - up at 5:15, out of the house about 6:45, in the parking lot in Windsor 3 minutes before 8:00 (as pointed out by my steady chauffeur!), etc. Everything went well at the lab and with the doctor's visit - she continues to be pleased with how I am tolerating the chemo - and then off to the chemo clinic. They always do a 'vitals check' - blood pressure, oxygen levels, temperature - and that's where things started to go off the rails. My first blood pressure was 163/100. I had been sitting in the waiting room for about 20 min. and had only walked about 100 ' into the clinic and laid down on the gurney - not a tremendous exertion. Protocol says I cannot receive the Avastin (the clinical trial drug) if my top number is over 150 because it's purpose is to restrict blood flow. So I tried to 'meditate/calm myself', and it came down to 138/89...better, but still not good, considering that I am already on medication to lower my b.p. Also, the Benydryl and other anti-allergic meds that I am given should relax things and help lower my b.p. I got the Taxol, my regular chemo, lying down and being quiet for the 3 hrs. that took - nice little drifts again - but when the nurse came to take my vitals again before the Avastin, I was sitting up, and my b.p. was 152/89...lying down brought it to 148.87. So the decision was made that I would skip the Avastin this trip and have it again Jan. 2. We also talked about my regular dosage of b.p. meds and increased that from 10 mg. to 15. They were very clear that it is the effect of the Avastin - 'well-documented' was the expression used - and when combined with 'a previously-existing condition', not a surprise. I will have the Avastin Jan. 2 and 15, and after that it will become a 3-week cycle, so that should also help. It will also be interesting these 2 weeks to separate out the effects of the Avastin from the other chemo - I'll maybe know better what I will be dealing with once I am only on Avastin. I also have an appointment Jan. 5 with my radiologist to set up the schedule for that part of the treatment.
So - an interesting day. We were finished chemo about 3:15 but had to wait for a new prescription for my b.p. meds so actually left the building about 4:00. We stopped for supper in Windsor and then did a bit of shopping and got gas - 69.4 !! - on the way home, so it was still about a 12-hr. day. Only one more to go !
I really have to give credit to the nurses in the chemo clinic. They are so good - professional in their approach to their responsibilities but kind and personal in their approach to the patients. I may be cared for by 2 or 3 of them in the course of a visit - one main one but the others cover over lunch or if my main one is busy with another patient. When I think that they do this every day, I am very respectful of their level of competence. I think that there are 24 places in the clinic; I think that there would be 30 - 35 people come through daily - there are morning and afternoon appointments in part of the clinic. There seem to be 8 nurses who look after all of that, plus the charge nurse. It's a busy place !
Thank you again for your prayers. I continue to do well - feeling pretty good today but I'm on my supplementary steroids and anti-nausea stuff. We'll see what Monday brings, when they are done. Regardless, it is continuing to go extremely well and I truly feel that your prayers are a big part of the reason.
So - an interesting day. We were finished chemo about 3:15 but had to wait for a new prescription for my b.p. meds so actually left the building about 4:00. We stopped for supper in Windsor and then did a bit of shopping and got gas - 69.4 !! - on the way home, so it was still about a 12-hr. day. Only one more to go !
I really have to give credit to the nurses in the chemo clinic. They are so good - professional in their approach to their responsibilities but kind and personal in their approach to the patients. I may be cared for by 2 or 3 of them in the course of a visit - one main one but the others cover over lunch or if my main one is busy with another patient. When I think that they do this every day, I am very respectful of their level of competence. I think that there are 24 places in the clinic; I think that there would be 30 - 35 people come through daily - there are morning and afternoon appointments in part of the clinic. There seem to be 8 nurses who look after all of that, plus the charge nurse. It's a busy place !
Thank you again for your prayers. I continue to do well - feeling pretty good today but I'm on my supplementary steroids and anti-nausea stuff. We'll see what Monday brings, when they are done. Regardless, it is continuing to go extremely well and I truly feel that your prayers are a big part of the reason.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Update - Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008
Good morning! Well, here we are at the end of cycle # 6 - going for my 7th treatment tomorrow. Things have gone really well all this second week and I have felt, one might actually say, healthy! Sleeping well without pills, eating well, doing normal stuff around the house - if it wasn't for my bald head, you'd probably not know there was anything wrong with me. Still going out for those lunches with friends, which are a type of medicine in themselves...still keeping up with meals, Christmas shopping and decorating, etc. Biggest effect of this type of chemo seems to be tiredness and dry skin on palms and soles of feet - not big but have to be dealt with. Thanks again for your prayers.
Yesterday, in a book I was reading, I came across a verse from the Bible that I hadn't thought of in a while - "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." That is not to say that everything that happens is good (like my cancer) but that God works to bring good out of the situation (like the people who are praying for me who might not have prayed in a while.) So I wait to see how this upsetting thing is going to be used to expand my life - what will grow out of this after I am through all these treatments ? Time will tell.
Yesterday, in a book I was reading, I came across a verse from the Bible that I hadn't thought of in a while - "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." That is not to say that everything that happens is good (like my cancer) but that God works to bring good out of the situation (like the people who are praying for me who might not have prayed in a while.) So I wait to see how this upsetting thing is going to be used to expand my life - what will grow out of this after I am through all these treatments ? Time will tell.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Update - Friday, Dec. 12, 2008
I'm happy to report that it's been a good week - the changes that were made to my supplementary meds were good for me. It has followed the usual pattern - Fri. to Sun. were fairly normal, since I had my meds; Monday did not start off very well, since I was coming off the steroids. I was very tired in the morning - couldn't even read; just lay on my bed and listened to the radio. By suppertime I had come around enough to go out for supper (neither of us felt like cooking). Then it just gets better as I go along - went out for a Christmas dinner Tuesday, went to a funeral visitation and shopping (including groceries) Wednesday, more shopping Thursday, and today I feel pretty normal and plan on doing some Christmas baking. I go to bed a little later every night - less tired as I go along. So - that's the 'bad' week and I still have my 'good' week to go! I do seem to be adapting to the Taxol and I am thankful. The worst thing about it - and it's not a big thing at all - is that the skin on my palms and soles of my feet is very dry and tender; hard to walk some days and I have to put hand cream on every night to stop the peeling. And I have a couple of days of being tired - not much at all.
We're looking forward to Christmas and some time with some of our kids. Thanks again for your prayers - next treatment is Dec. 18 - second last ! I'm so thankful that this is going so well and I appreciate the prayers of you who have remembered me; it's one of the main reasons why I am so well.
We're looking forward to Christmas and some time with some of our kids. Thanks again for your prayers - next treatment is Dec. 18 - second last ! I'm so thankful that this is going so well and I appreciate the prayers of you who have remembered me; it's one of the main reasons why I am so well.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, Dec.4, 2008
It was another long day, but it went well. Up at 5:15, made breakfast and lunches, cleared the kitchen area of 'stuff' so that the cleaning lady could wash the floor - you know how that goes - set up the dog outside and left the house at 6:50. It's an interesting drive this time of year, because you start out in the dark and the highway is a moving ribbon of lights - yellow towards you, red going away, all against this black background. About Tilbury, the background starts to lighten and becomes grayish - clouds appear in the sky as darker shadows. In another 10 min., the clouds become whiter and there are patches of blue in the sky; by Windsor it is full daylight.
We arrived at the hospital just before 8:00, got a good parking place and were in the lab just after 8:00. Every second time I'm there, I have to have extra blood drawn because I'm in this clinical trial. So, in addition to the 2 tubes that are the regular draw, I have to have another 4. There's always a problem with the extra ones - no vacuum in 2 of them, so it takes longer to fill them and then the other 2 have some fluid in them which cannot get back into me, so they have to be held at a certain angle. Well, the first 2 regular ones were fine, but no so the other 4. The decision was made to get them out of my port in the treatment process.
Doctor's visit was next - she's very pleased with my progress - said I was a 'star'. Always good to hear ! We also agreed on a modification of one of my supplementary meds which should help a lot with the problems I have been having 3 or 4 days into the cycle. Then - pick up my meds at the pharmacy and wait to be called into chemo. I almost forgot to put my name in to register for the chemo!
I was called in about 10:30 and thought I was in good time. My port opened up perfectly the first time they tried it ! But then - had to get those 4 tubes of blood first, then a dose of Benydryl and a second drug which prevent allergic reaction, then a saline flush, then the steroid, then a flush, then order the chemo to be made up...all normal practice. I think I started the actual chemo about 11:30 - 4 hr. delivery because it was only my second time and they do not want to trigger an allergic reaction. This time the Benydryl really made me sleepy, so it was no problem to sit with my hands in the ice instead of reading - I had nice little 'drifts', in and out and a very peaceful afternoon. After the Taxol, another flush and then 30 min. for the clinical trial drug, Avastin. So, actually finished about 4:20, a half-hour earlier than last week.
Of course, all the while that I am getting these treatments, David is waiting, and waiting in the waiting room – from 10:30 until 4:20. It’s a long day for him, too.
We stopped for supper on the way home at what is becoming our regular place, a diner at the corner of Manning Rd. and Essex 42. They had their hamburgers on special and it sounded good, but I was surprised to find that it was just too much meat for me - odd to discover that I just don't eat that much meat at a time any more.
We were taking the mail out of the mailbox at 6:20 - away from home almost 12 hours. The dog was glad to see us and we were glad to be back home. As David said, he got me there and back once again and on time !
I continue to feel that one of the biggest reasons that I am doing so well is the number of prayers that are offered on my behalf and I thank each one of you that is taking the time to remember me. I felt at the beginning of this whole experience that God was bringing it into my life for His purposes - one of them might be to give some of you a reason to pray again and to see His answers. One of them is definitely to show me that He is actively participating in my life and that I can trust His care for me.`He is continuing to shape me into the person He intends me to be, as a potter does with clay.
We arrived at the hospital just before 8:00, got a good parking place and were in the lab just after 8:00. Every second time I'm there, I have to have extra blood drawn because I'm in this clinical trial. So, in addition to the 2 tubes that are the regular draw, I have to have another 4. There's always a problem with the extra ones - no vacuum in 2 of them, so it takes longer to fill them and then the other 2 have some fluid in them which cannot get back into me, so they have to be held at a certain angle. Well, the first 2 regular ones were fine, but no so the other 4. The decision was made to get them out of my port in the treatment process.
Doctor's visit was next - she's very pleased with my progress - said I was a 'star'. Always good to hear ! We also agreed on a modification of one of my supplementary meds which should help a lot with the problems I have been having 3 or 4 days into the cycle. Then - pick up my meds at the pharmacy and wait to be called into chemo. I almost forgot to put my name in to register for the chemo!
I was called in about 10:30 and thought I was in good time. My port opened up perfectly the first time they tried it ! But then - had to get those 4 tubes of blood first, then a dose of Benydryl and a second drug which prevent allergic reaction, then a saline flush, then the steroid, then a flush, then order the chemo to be made up...all normal practice. I think I started the actual chemo about 11:30 - 4 hr. delivery because it was only my second time and they do not want to trigger an allergic reaction. This time the Benydryl really made me sleepy, so it was no problem to sit with my hands in the ice instead of reading - I had nice little 'drifts', in and out and a very peaceful afternoon. After the Taxol, another flush and then 30 min. for the clinical trial drug, Avastin. So, actually finished about 4:20, a half-hour earlier than last week.
Of course, all the while that I am getting these treatments, David is waiting, and waiting in the waiting room – from 10:30 until 4:20. It’s a long day for him, too.
We stopped for supper on the way home at what is becoming our regular place, a diner at the corner of Manning Rd. and Essex 42. They had their hamburgers on special and it sounded good, but I was surprised to find that it was just too much meat for me - odd to discover that I just don't eat that much meat at a time any more.
We were taking the mail out of the mailbox at 6:20 - away from home almost 12 hours. The dog was glad to see us and we were glad to be back home. As David said, he got me there and back once again and on time !
I continue to feel that one of the biggest reasons that I am doing so well is the number of prayers that are offered on my behalf and I thank each one of you that is taking the time to remember me. I felt at the beginning of this whole experience that God was bringing it into my life for His purposes - one of them might be to give some of you a reason to pray again and to see His answers. One of them is definitely to show me that He is actively participating in my life and that I can trust His care for me.`He is continuing to shape me into the person He intends me to be, as a potter does with clay.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Update - Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008
Here we are at the end of the fifth cycle - off to Windsor tomorrow for my sixth treatment ! I'll be finished chemo in a month - Jan. 2. Hard to believe! Anyhow - my take on this second type of chemo is that 1) it makes me more tired that the first kind 2) the skin on the palms of my hands is drier and peeling - have to use LOTS of really good hand cream 3) I don't get 'chemo voice' so much with it and there is less nose-blowing although my throat is still fairly sensitive and 4) I seem to get a little more emotional with it - although that may just be part of the overall process. So - better, overall.
I was able to attend a social event last night out of town and made it to 11:00 p.m.! There's life in these old bones yet. I also had lunch with good friends yesterday- as I did with a college roomate last Saturday. I will take this kind of medicine as often as I can get it! I am blessed with many friends who take me out and cheer me up.
All in all, it's been a good cycle; I'm hoping that my body will adjust to this chemo as it seemed to with the first and that I will see less impact each time. I'm also hoping for a shorter day tomorrow and that my port will be running clear the first time !
Thanks for your prayers.
I was able to attend a social event last night out of town and made it to 11:00 p.m.! There's life in these old bones yet. I also had lunch with good friends yesterday- as I did with a college roomate last Saturday. I will take this kind of medicine as often as I can get it! I am blessed with many friends who take me out and cheer me up.
All in all, it's been a good cycle; I'm hoping that my body will adjust to this chemo as it seemed to with the first and that I will see less impact each time. I'm also hoping for a shorter day tomorrow and that my port will be running clear the first time !
Thanks for your prayers.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Update Nov. 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving to any south-of-the-border readers today! I hope you have a great time with family and friends, in spite of the economic shakings we are all experiencing.
This week on the new chemo has followed much of the pattern of the first type. As long as I am on my supplementary meds after the treatment, I feel OK but when they stop, then I have a reaction to that and then I am OK again. So, Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday I was able to do the things I normally do - shopping for groceries, garbage to the dump, make it to Sunday School, go out for coffee, etc. Sunday afternoon things start to slide and Monday wasn't very good - actually spent the day in my jammies, which is rare. However, by Monday afternoon, things started to improve, and Tuesday was better - went out for supper and had a good visit with a long-time friend. Yesterday I went to get my wig re-styled and several other errands. I missed my afternoon rest and that wasn't a good idea. I'll have to make sure I get it today - or plan to be in bed by 8:00 p.m. like I was last night !
I have noticed that this type of chemo doesn't make my nose run like a tap but I do seem to be more tired and my fingers feel like I have extra skin on them. I will definitely have to put them in that ice water again at the next treatment. I don't want to lose feeling permanently.
So - just truckin' along, doing what I can, starting to think about Christmas and getting the house ready for that. Thank you again for your prayers.
This week on the new chemo has followed much of the pattern of the first type. As long as I am on my supplementary meds after the treatment, I feel OK but when they stop, then I have a reaction to that and then I am OK again. So, Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday I was able to do the things I normally do - shopping for groceries, garbage to the dump, make it to Sunday School, go out for coffee, etc. Sunday afternoon things start to slide and Monday wasn't very good - actually spent the day in my jammies, which is rare. However, by Monday afternoon, things started to improve, and Tuesday was better - went out for supper and had a good visit with a long-time friend. Yesterday I went to get my wig re-styled and several other errands. I missed my afternoon rest and that wasn't a good idea. I'll have to make sure I get it today - or plan to be in bed by 8:00 p.m. like I was last night !
I have noticed that this type of chemo doesn't make my nose run like a tap but I do seem to be more tired and my fingers feel like I have extra skin on them. I will definitely have to put them in that ice water again at the next treatment. I don't want to lose feeling permanently.
So - just truckin' along, doing what I can, starting to think about Christmas and getting the house ready for that. Thank you again for your prayers.
Friday, November 21, 2008
How Thursday went (Nov. 20, 2008)
Just a quick update here to tell you that the day went very well, as far as any reaction to the new type of chemo. It can produce an allergic reaction and I was a little concerned - but they give Benydryl through the IV before the chemo as well as the steroid to help control that. I have had no reaction at all to this point and feel just my normal self. I have 3 days of supplementary meds - antinausea, etc. - so we'll see what happens when they are finished. I was warned about aching joints 36 hours after the chemo that should last for another 36 hrs. as well as tingling on palms of hands and soles of feet, because this type attacks nerves and can cause permanent damage. I sat for a while with both hands in cups of ice water to reduce circulation in my fingers during the chemo admin., so that not as much of it would get to my fingertips. Kind of hard to read and turn the pages...but I just alternated hands eventually.
The day itself was long, though. We were up by 6:00 and left the house by 6:40, arriving in Windsor before 8:00 - I was actually in the lab by then. Got blood drawn, was one of the first ones in to see the doctor - and then found out that my MUGA scan (heart video) had not been sent from the Chatham hospital. Had to wait at least 30 min. for that, sitting in the doctor's examining room . Nice visit with the doctor when that arrived - we are all pleased with how well I am doing - talked about my CT scan and the fact that it is clear - no spread of cancer to any internal organs! Good news ! (I had heard this before but had not had a chance to discuss it with my own doctor.) On the way from Doctor's office to chemo waiting room, I barely had time to go to the washroom before they were calling me in for chemo - looking good, timewise ! However, when they were setting me up, we ran into a big problem. My port wouldn't run cleanly to their satisfaction. It is always flushed out with saline and then they withdraw a little blood, to make sure it is open and that the chemicals will flow in properly from the chemo. You can have some serious problems if there are any leaks. Anyhow - they couldn't get any blood to come out due to a protein buildup or something, and it took them from 10:00 - 11:45 and several different procedures to finally get it open - plus some fervent prayers on my part ! Chemo didn't get started until 12:00 and I'm thinking I'm going to be there til 7:00 or so - 6 hrs. for the first chemo plus 30 min. for the clinical trial drug plus flushing the line every time they have to change IV bags. But a little 'magic' was performed somewhere along the line - helped by me not having any bad reaction to the chemo I think - vitals were checked every 15 min. for the first hour or so - and I walked out at 4:45 ! We stopped for dinner on the way home and were back in town about 7:00 p.m. Long day but it could have been longer !
So - went well - everything's cool - we'll see what the weekend brings. Thanks for your prayers.
The day itself was long, though. We were up by 6:00 and left the house by 6:40, arriving in Windsor before 8:00 - I was actually in the lab by then. Got blood drawn, was one of the first ones in to see the doctor - and then found out that my MUGA scan (heart video) had not been sent from the Chatham hospital. Had to wait at least 30 min. for that, sitting in the doctor's examining room . Nice visit with the doctor when that arrived - we are all pleased with how well I am doing - talked about my CT scan and the fact that it is clear - no spread of cancer to any internal organs! Good news ! (I had heard this before but had not had a chance to discuss it with my own doctor.) On the way from Doctor's office to chemo waiting room, I barely had time to go to the washroom before they were calling me in for chemo - looking good, timewise ! However, when they were setting me up, we ran into a big problem. My port wouldn't run cleanly to their satisfaction. It is always flushed out with saline and then they withdraw a little blood, to make sure it is open and that the chemicals will flow in properly from the chemo. You can have some serious problems if there are any leaks. Anyhow - they couldn't get any blood to come out due to a protein buildup or something, and it took them from 10:00 - 11:45 and several different procedures to finally get it open - plus some fervent prayers on my part ! Chemo didn't get started until 12:00 and I'm thinking I'm going to be there til 7:00 or so - 6 hrs. for the first chemo plus 30 min. for the clinical trial drug plus flushing the line every time they have to change IV bags. But a little 'magic' was performed somewhere along the line - helped by me not having any bad reaction to the chemo I think - vitals were checked every 15 min. for the first hour or so - and I walked out at 4:45 ! We stopped for dinner on the way home and were back in town about 7:00 p.m. Long day but it could have been longer !
So - went well - everything's cool - we'll see what the weekend brings. Thanks for your prayers.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Update - Nov.19, 2008
I've had a wonderful second week of this cycle - have felt like a normal, healthy person and have lived my life like that. Thanks be to God !
Friday: Went out for lunch as planned (terrific time), came home for my nap and then got supper ready for the incoming - son from Texas, daughter form Kitchener, husband from Toronto (homemade lasagna, a family tradition ).
Saturday: Shopping with son and daughter in the afternoon, second son and girlfriend arrive in snowstorm - it's only November ! - with new TV for us; joint present to get us into the 21st C. Later, we all go out for supper and have a great meal and a good visit. We're all about good food!
Sunday: Late breakfast because everyone is leaving later; attend CKSS high school gym rededication to honour a retiring teacher and all kids have a good visit with former teachers they haven't seen for 10 years or more. It was so good to have our kids home for the weekend; their energy and love fill the house. I appreciate their care and just their presence - they've become pretty interesting people and they're just fun to have around. They all went home in a snowstorm again but arrived safely at their home ports.
Monday: General housework - still working on that garage ! Also get out for lunch - again - this time with my dear husband!
Tuesday: Snow and cold weather have finally killed off the last of the flowers in the beds closest to the house; I can now rip out all the remnants without feeling like I have been personally responsible for their end. And - I get invited out for lunch with my husband again ! I'm on a roll !
Wednesday: Over to our GP's office before 9:00 for a flu shot and general errands after that - including breakfast out - just to make a change. By suppertime, there is a car parked in the garage !! Success at last!! Thanks to those who offered to help but it was too grungy and fiddly - had to do it on our own.
Tomorrow/Thursday: Start the second kind of chemo - have to be IN WINDSOR for 8:00 a.m. Because it is the first delivery of this kind, it will be 6 hours, followed by 30 min. of the clinical trial drug. I usually don't get started the chemo part of the day until about 10:30 - 11:00, so it's going to be a long day. However, it will get shortened each time I have it after tomorrow, if it follows the previous patterns. I have learned how to live with the first kind of chemo; not sure what will change now with the second. Time will tell.
So, you see, I had a great week. I feel normal, I look normal (except for the hair - and if I'm wearing my wig, you might not even notice that) and I can live my normal life. (I was going to say I act normal, but that would leave me open to many spurious comments, so I will leave that out!) I need to rest in the afternoon for about an hour but that's it. I am so thankful; I feel so blessed. I think it is largely the result of all the prayers that are constantly being offered up for me and I thank each of you who are taking the time to do that. This may all change tomorrow with the new chemo, but I will know that recovery and return are possible and that will help me deal with whatever tomorrow brings.
Friday: Went out for lunch as planned (terrific time), came home for my nap and then got supper ready for the incoming - son from Texas, daughter form Kitchener, husband from Toronto (homemade lasagna, a family tradition ).
Saturday: Shopping with son and daughter in the afternoon, second son and girlfriend arrive in snowstorm - it's only November ! - with new TV for us; joint present to get us into the 21st C. Later, we all go out for supper and have a great meal and a good visit. We're all about good food!
Sunday: Late breakfast because everyone is leaving later; attend CKSS high school gym rededication to honour a retiring teacher and all kids have a good visit with former teachers they haven't seen for 10 years or more. It was so good to have our kids home for the weekend; their energy and love fill the house. I appreciate their care and just their presence - they've become pretty interesting people and they're just fun to have around. They all went home in a snowstorm again but arrived safely at their home ports.
Monday: General housework - still working on that garage ! Also get out for lunch - again - this time with my dear husband!
Tuesday: Snow and cold weather have finally killed off the last of the flowers in the beds closest to the house; I can now rip out all the remnants without feeling like I have been personally responsible for their end. And - I get invited out for lunch with my husband again ! I'm on a roll !
Wednesday: Over to our GP's office before 9:00 for a flu shot and general errands after that - including breakfast out - just to make a change. By suppertime, there is a car parked in the garage !! Success at last!! Thanks to those who offered to help but it was too grungy and fiddly - had to do it on our own.
Tomorrow/Thursday: Start the second kind of chemo - have to be IN WINDSOR for 8:00 a.m. Because it is the first delivery of this kind, it will be 6 hours, followed by 30 min. of the clinical trial drug. I usually don't get started the chemo part of the day until about 10:30 - 11:00, so it's going to be a long day. However, it will get shortened each time I have it after tomorrow, if it follows the previous patterns. I have learned how to live with the first kind of chemo; not sure what will change now with the second. Time will tell.
So, you see, I had a great week. I feel normal, I look normal (except for the hair - and if I'm wearing my wig, you might not even notice that) and I can live my normal life. (I was going to say I act normal, but that would leave me open to many spurious comments, so I will leave that out!) I need to rest in the afternoon for about an hour but that's it. I am so thankful; I feel so blessed. I think it is largely the result of all the prayers that are constantly being offered up for me and I thank each of you who are taking the time to do that. This may all change tomorrow with the new chemo, but I will know that recovery and return are possible and that will help me deal with whatever tomorrow brings.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Cycle # 4 - Halfway - Nov. 13, 2008
Wednesday dawned a better day and today has been really good. Things settled down for me and I have been feeling much better than on Monday and Tuesday. I guess I just have to accept the fact that there are going to be a couple of bad/unpleasant days regardless of what steps I take to avoid them. But I'll try again next cycle and see what I can do to avoid as much as possible!
Today I was able to go shopping at several locations and go out for lunch with teaching friends I haven't seen for a while. I went out for lunch on Wednesday also but I was moving much more slowly; I get sore on the bottoms of my feet and the palms of my hands as a result of one of the chemo meds. I also had a great visit on Wednesday afternoon with dear friends whom I have known for over 40 years (how can that be ?), who live some distance away but who were passing through on their way to Windsor. So good to be able to have time with all these people who have been part of my life for a long time; it is a different kind of medicine. And guess what ? I'm going out for lunch tomorrow, too ! More time with good friends and good food ! And even better, my son is coming from Texas for the weekend and the two kids who live in Kitchener-Waterloo will come as well, so I will see three out of four of them, plus a lovely girlfriend from K-W, on the weekend. What wonderful medicine that will be !!
So, back on keel and doing OK. Thanks again for your prayers on my behalf. I am always conscious of their uplifting strength.
Today I was able to go shopping at several locations and go out for lunch with teaching friends I haven't seen for a while. I went out for lunch on Wednesday also but I was moving much more slowly; I get sore on the bottoms of my feet and the palms of my hands as a result of one of the chemo meds. I also had a great visit on Wednesday afternoon with dear friends whom I have known for over 40 years (how can that be ?), who live some distance away but who were passing through on their way to Windsor. So good to be able to have time with all these people who have been part of my life for a long time; it is a different kind of medicine. And guess what ? I'm going out for lunch tomorrow, too ! More time with good friends and good food ! And even better, my son is coming from Texas for the weekend and the two kids who live in Kitchener-Waterloo will come as well, so I will see three out of four of them, plus a lovely girlfriend from K-W, on the weekend. What wonderful medicine that will be !!
So, back on keel and doing OK. Thanks again for your prayers on my behalf. I am always conscious of their uplifting strength.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Cycle # 4 continues...Nov. 11, 2008
Well, I was doing really well up to Sunday - went to Sunday School and Church services and out for lunch afterwards...felt good and had a good day. Monday, not so much. I aggravated a 'pre-existing condition', due to one of the anti-nausea meds I am on, and spent most of the day horizontal. Today is not a lot better and there is a list of things I had planned to do that will not happen today either. Just have to listen to my body and not push it beyond what it can handle...and try not to expire from boredom in the process ! Have even returned to watching T.V. in desparation some days - just need a time-filler that doesn't require too much effort. I've read all the books I have on hand, for those of you who know what a reader I am - you can only read them so many times. I have learned to order through Amazon but there are limits for that, too - there are stacks of books all around my bedroom as it is. (We have a good library in town, but you have to get there, and look around, and decide on books, etc. More effort than I can manage right now.)
So - just feeling sorry for myself today - you see that I am not always 'up' ! It will pass, as it has done before, and this is the last time that I have to deal with the effects of these first two drugs. We'll see what the next kind brings - I hear it's not as nauseating and that might help me with this other issue, too. Poor bodies! What we do to them !! And they still keep going, healing themselves as they go.
Thanks again for your prayers.
So - just feeling sorry for myself today - you see that I am not always 'up' ! It will pass, as it has done before, and this is the last time that I have to deal with the effects of these first two drugs. We'll see what the next kind brings - I hear it's not as nauseating and that might help me with this other issue, too. Poor bodies! What we do to them !! And they still keep going, healing themselves as they go.
Thanks again for your prayers.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Cycle # 4 starts - Nov. 7, 2008
Well, yesterday turned out just fine, after all my fussing. I called Windsor and got permission to get an extra blood test done here in Chatham on Wednesday, hoping to avoid a trip on Thursday just to find out that my white blood cells were too low for a treatment. I called Windsor Wednesday afternoon to see how things had turned out - "A nurse will call you." No call came in Wednesday, and fortunately my appointment on Thursday was at 12:30, not the usual 8:00 a.m. So I called again at 8:30 Thursday - same message. We were planning to leave by 10:00 to do some other errands on the way, and when I hadn't heard anything by 9:30, I called the pharmacy and requested my usual meds for a treament day and decided I was going, regardless! Nobody had told me not to ! Also ran around getting things cleared and cleaned for my cleaning lady, who was coming that morning...which is why I missed the little blinking light on the answering machine.
We drove to Windsor and I followed ordinary procedure - start at the lab and have more blood drawn - getting pretty good at that by now! Then upstairs for the doctor's appointment and approval for chemo. Had to wait for the lab results, which were great ! My white blood counts were right back up to normal range ! Apparently, that Neulasta shot that I am also on works more in the second week than the first and was responsible for my rebound. Live and learn. So, after that it was just normal procedure all the way. I had a very interesting chat with the nurse who was delivering my first type of chemo - it has to be injected into the port line from 3 big syringes and takes 30 - 45 min. She had just returned from her 5th Ironman competition - 2.5 mi. swim, bike ride equal to Windsor - London and then a full 26 mi. marathon run. She has children in university, so I'd say she was in her 40's. I was IMPRESSED! Life is full of interesting people.
We left Windsor about 5:30 and drove home. I took David out for supper to thank him for all his faithful driving and support for me. He's been there for me for all of this - I haven't had to do any of it alone. Doctor's visits, surgery, driving back and forth to Windsor, listening to me fuss and fret, reminding me of various doctor comments, waiting patiently out in the waiting room for hours while I have treatments, so many things. One dinner certainly doesn't cover it all, but it also meant neither of us had to cook ! We ended the day thankful for all that had turned out well.
When we got back to the house, I checked for phone messages...and got a message that had come in at 9:31 in the morning (while I was renewing my meds) telling me that everything was fine and that I should come in for my treatment !
Rain was forecast for today but I am sitting here looking out the window at blue sky and white clouds, so I don't know...still a few things to do outside. We are also embarked on the project of clearing out the garage enough to get in one car for the winter...not bad for a 2-car garage ! We are getting close and have thrown out a lot of junk, which will please our children, but there is more to do there, too, plus a lasagna to make today. So - will see what I can accomplish today while those steroids are doing their thing.
Hope your day goes well and that you are blessed in some way today.
We drove to Windsor and I followed ordinary procedure - start at the lab and have more blood drawn - getting pretty good at that by now! Then upstairs for the doctor's appointment and approval for chemo. Had to wait for the lab results, which were great ! My white blood counts were right back up to normal range ! Apparently, that Neulasta shot that I am also on works more in the second week than the first and was responsible for my rebound. Live and learn. So, after that it was just normal procedure all the way. I had a very interesting chat with the nurse who was delivering my first type of chemo - it has to be injected into the port line from 3 big syringes and takes 30 - 45 min. She had just returned from her 5th Ironman competition - 2.5 mi. swim, bike ride equal to Windsor - London and then a full 26 mi. marathon run. She has children in university, so I'd say she was in her 40's. I was IMPRESSED! Life is full of interesting people.
We left Windsor about 5:30 and drove home. I took David out for supper to thank him for all his faithful driving and support for me. He's been there for me for all of this - I haven't had to do any of it alone. Doctor's visits, surgery, driving back and forth to Windsor, listening to me fuss and fret, reminding me of various doctor comments, waiting patiently out in the waiting room for hours while I have treatments, so many things. One dinner certainly doesn't cover it all, but it also meant neither of us had to cook ! We ended the day thankful for all that had turned out well.
When we got back to the house, I checked for phone messages...and got a message that had come in at 9:31 in the morning (while I was renewing my meds) telling me that everything was fine and that I should come in for my treatment !
Rain was forecast for today but I am sitting here looking out the window at blue sky and white clouds, so I don't know...still a few things to do outside. We are also embarked on the project of clearing out the garage enough to get in one car for the winter...not bad for a 2-car garage ! We are getting close and have thrown out a lot of junk, which will please our children, but there is more to do there, too, plus a lasagna to make today. So - will see what I can accomplish today while those steroids are doing their thing.
Hope your day goes well and that you are blessed in some way today.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Just Carrying On...Nov. 4/08
These are my 'good days' and I'm just enjoying them...and trying not to overdo it so that my white blood cell count can recover. We went for groceries Saturday afternoon and went out for supper that night with 'the cousins'. (David has a large group of cousins on his mother's side in the area and some of them try to get together every 6 - 8 weeks or so). Sunday, I made it to church in the morning and then in the afternoon made an apple pie, something I haven't done in a couple of years. I just had a taste for one - and there was enough pastry left over to make a blueberry pie for someone else. Desserts for the week!! Didn't do much yesterday - just a bit of junk removal...throwing out some magazines from 2000 ! Why do we think we will ever re-use some of this stuff ??
So - just putzing along, hoping my white blood cells are doing good things and that when I get to Windsor on Thursday, I will be able to have my next treatment. I am concerned that if my WBC is too low, the treatment will be delayed...and I still have this nose-blowing thing going on. Is it a cold or is it sinus irritation from the chemo? This coming treatment will be the last one of the first type and then on Nov. 20 I switch to the second kind of chemo. The first delivery of that will take 6 hours - it tends to produce allergic reactions and it is delivered slowly the first couple of times. Then still 30 min. for the clinical trial drug after that...but I will move into the room with the beds for this, so it shouldn't be too bad and I can nap if I need to.
My children all think I look good sans hair, but I tell them "Enjoy it while you can !" We have all become Skype converts in the last couple of weeks, so they have all seen me 'au naturel' and are quite complimentary in their relief. It's a scary thought, to see your mother bald. But not as scary as imagined and actually not too bad ! Interestingly enough, my hair seems to be growing back in a bit. We'll see what the second kind of chemo does; still have eyebrows and eyelashes, too.
My thought for the week has been a verse from the Old Testament, from the story of Job chapter 23, verse 10 - "God knows every detail of what is happening to me, and when He has tested me, I will be purified, like gold in a fire." The creative process is ongoing in our lives, making us into the people that God intended us to be.
So - just putzing along, hoping my white blood cells are doing good things and that when I get to Windsor on Thursday, I will be able to have my next treatment. I am concerned that if my WBC is too low, the treatment will be delayed...and I still have this nose-blowing thing going on. Is it a cold or is it sinus irritation from the chemo? This coming treatment will be the last one of the first type and then on Nov. 20 I switch to the second kind of chemo. The first delivery of that will take 6 hours - it tends to produce allergic reactions and it is delivered slowly the first couple of times. Then still 30 min. for the clinical trial drug after that...but I will move into the room with the beds for this, so it shouldn't be too bad and I can nap if I need to.
My children all think I look good sans hair, but I tell them "Enjoy it while you can !" We have all become Skype converts in the last couple of weeks, so they have all seen me 'au naturel' and are quite complimentary in their relief. It's a scary thought, to see your mother bald. But not as scary as imagined and actually not too bad ! Interestingly enough, my hair seems to be growing back in a bit. We'll see what the second kind of chemo does; still have eyebrows and eyelashes, too.
My thought for the week has been a verse from the Old Testament, from the story of Job chapter 23, verse 10 - "God knows every detail of what is happening to me, and when He has tested me, I will be purified, like gold in a fire." The creative process is ongoing in our lives, making us into the people that God intended us to be.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
And then again...Oct. 30, 2008
Well, things were going pretty well, all things considered, until this afternoon. This week is the 'uncomfortable week' in the cycle - don't sleep all that well, throat is tender and my voice sounds creaky, up frequently at night - all part of the chemo effects. They usually start diminishing by the second weekend and then I have 4 or 5 days of 'normal' - what I think of as my 'comfortable week'. This time I have also had a cold - thought for a long time that it was just the sinus irritation that is also a side effect of one of the chemo drugs, but it has declared itself as a cold with sneezing and coughing as well as too much nose-blowing. (I actually had it when we went for chemo last week and I was approved for the treatment.)
Today, I went for my regular bloodwork at the Chatham hospital and then treated myself to a visit at my former school, since I was 'all dressed up'. I had a nice visit in the staff room with quite a few people and talked with some more on the way out - medicine comes in many forms ! I felt pretty good, I thought, and others that I saw today agreed. Then, this afternoon, I got a call from the pharmacy in Windsor saying that my white blood count was 'way too low - down to 1.1 instead of 4.5 - 7 - and that my doctor was putting me on antibiotics. That was a surprise ! (I get a shot 24 hours after my chemo is finished to keep my white blood cell count up.) But I am tired, when I stop to think about it. So - more pills. I hope that they work enough that I can keep on the delivery schedule and receive the next treatment on Nov. 6.
So now I will have to be more careful, wash my hands more, etc. - be more careful who I kiss !! Still up, dressed and going though, so don't think I am out for the count yet.
Thank you for your cards of encouragement - there's one in the mail almost every day - and for your ongoing prayers. I am humbled by the love and concern that so many show me.
Today, I went for my regular bloodwork at the Chatham hospital and then treated myself to a visit at my former school, since I was 'all dressed up'. I had a nice visit in the staff room with quite a few people and talked with some more on the way out - medicine comes in many forms ! I felt pretty good, I thought, and others that I saw today agreed. Then, this afternoon, I got a call from the pharmacy in Windsor saying that my white blood count was 'way too low - down to 1.1 instead of 4.5 - 7 - and that my doctor was putting me on antibiotics. That was a surprise ! (I get a shot 24 hours after my chemo is finished to keep my white blood cell count up.) But I am tired, when I stop to think about it. So - more pills. I hope that they work enough that I can keep on the delivery schedule and receive the next treatment on Nov. 6.
So now I will have to be more careful, wash my hands more, etc. - be more careful who I kiss !! Still up, dressed and going though, so don't think I am out for the count yet.
Thank you for your cards of encouragement - there's one in the mail almost every day - and for your ongoing prayers. I am humbled by the love and concern that so many show me.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Things are going well this time -
Things have continued to go well this cycle. David and I spent a most enjoyable day Friday, just doing 'normal stuff' - went out for lunch, drove to a nearby orchard and stocked up on apples for the winter, did some grocery shopping and eventually went out for supper, too. Not a hospital in sight all day !
Saturday, I wasn't feeling quite so well, so I started adding my extra nausea pills and things settled down. David got a chance to make supper and make cheese sauce for the cauliflower - turned out really well.
Sunday, I woke up feeling well enough to go to church, so off I went and had a good visit with friends there, especially our big Adult Sunday School class. It was good to see them again and let them see how well I am doing.
Today, (Monday) has been a pretty normal day - no extra nausea meds or anything - looking forward to supper tonight. I just have to be careful not to eat too much or too quickly these days - or I am like one of those big snakes and just have to lie down for a while and digest !
Thanks again for you r prayers - I appreciate them so much.
Saturday, I wasn't feeling quite so well, so I started adding my extra nausea pills and things settled down. David got a chance to make supper and make cheese sauce for the cauliflower - turned out really well.
Sunday, I woke up feeling well enough to go to church, so off I went and had a good visit with friends there, especially our big Adult Sunday School class. It was good to see them again and let them see how well I am doing.
Today, (Monday) has been a pretty normal day - no extra nausea meds or anything - looking forward to supper tonight. I just have to be careful not to eat too much or too quickly these days - or I am like one of those big snakes and just have to lie down for a while and digest !
Thanks again for you r prayers - I appreciate them so much.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Catching up - Oct. 16 - 24
Greetings - I didn't want to bore you with an overload if information but apparently I have gone too far in the opposite direction and have not posted as frequently as some would like. So - I will give you a big update now and try to be on more frequently in the future.
Thurs. Oct. 16 - regular bloodwork app't. at the Chatham hospital; I also called Windsor before I left to report some side effects that were happening to me - listed in the section that says 'Call you doctor if this happens'. Returned home to a voicemail that said 'Doctor will see you either today before 2:00 p.m. (not possible at that point) or at 8:30 a.m. Friday'....so, Friday it was.
Fri. Oct. 17 - another early morning trip to Windsor. Practiced wearing scarf and nice cap instead of wig. Turned out that the chemo meds had irritated a 'pre-existing condition' and I came home with even more pills. David is still suffering from a horrible chest cold, so he went back to bed and I did laundry in preparation for a very special trip on the weekend.
Sat. & Sun. Oct. 18,19 - I was able to go away for the weekend with a very special group of friends, a teachers' group who have been meeting for supper once a month for over 10 years. Twice a year, at least, we are able to go away overnight. This trip was up to Huron County on the eastern shore of Lake Huron and the fall colour was gorgeous. Craft Fair in Grand Bend, lunch in Bayfield and then on to our overnight destination, a lovely old farmhouse that belongs to the family of one of the group. I had to have a nap by that time but the girls took care of me. We bring dinner and breakfast and stay in overnight, once we get there. It's so good to be able to just catch up with each other's lives. We had a memorable evening, filled with good food and lots of glorious music. I worked up enough nerve somewhere during the evening to do an 'unveiling' of my bald head and everyone thought it was cool and that I could leave my wig off - so encouraging and loving. After a long a leisurely breakfast on Sunday, we headed back home, touring the Goderich jail (Doors Open Ontario Program of historical buildings) and doing a bit more shopping on the way.
Mon. Oct. 20 - work day around the house - 4 bags of garbage to the dump, made a turkey pie and a big pot of turkey pumpkin rice soup - more little containers of frozen goodness for the 'off days'. As you can see, these are my 'good days' and I am making the most of them.
Tues. Oct. 21 - day trip to Kingsville with 2 friends to visit another friend who has moved there - great times again had by all - 'unveiled' again - everyone is cool with it - so helpful when I feel that I look so different...but I do have a nicely shaped head and flat ears ! Later that night, I had my first Skype conversations with my two children in Kitchener and my children and grandchildren in Texas - more with wig/without wig viewings...everyone agrees that 1) my hairdresser did an exceptionally good job on my wig and 2) that wigless is not as bad as expected. So - we are all coping with that pretty well. David had had a doctor's appointment this morning for an annual physical and came home with a massive anti-biotic prescription - 1/ 500 mg. pill 3 times a day, so between the pills and the cold (bronchial viral infection) he folded pretty early.
Wed. Oct. 22 - lots of little jobs - formalized my Leave of Absence from the Occasional Teaching List for the rest of this school year, ordered my meds form the Windsor pharmacy so that they are ready for tomorrow, went to my old school for a visit for lunch and to thank them for their day in support - pink picture day - Oct. 10, etc and - drum roll - interviewed a cleaning lady in the afternoon who will start cleaning my house on my chemo days for 3 hours so that I can come home to a nice, clean house !!! A little treat for me. David's anti-biotics are working - can see improvement already but he rested all day again today.
Thurs. Oct. 23 - Chemo # 3 - in Windsor for 8:15, at lab for 8:30, picked up prescriptions 8:50, waited for dr.'s app't until 9:30ish - my dr. was away, so saw another one - approved for chemo - then waited and waited - seemed to take longer than I remembered - didn't get called in until almost 11:00 (volunteer who was supposed to get me got side-tracked), did preliminary stuff - hooked up my port, ran saline to rinse it out - didn't actually start chemo until 11:50 but was done by 2:15. Took ourselves to a nice restaurant for a late lunch before we came home - I was feeling fine, with the help of 3 steroid pills and 2 anti-nausea ones - almost like nothing had happened. I was encouraged again by a comment from the young woman who is my clinical trial supervisor; she asks me the same set of questions every time - how is your nausea/appetite/sleeping/mouth sores/shortness of breath/ etc. - and for me most are normal. Her response yesterday was "It's unusual for someone to have so many normals by mid-chemo". I'll take it !!!
So there we are - caught up to TODAY !! As you can see, my second week is very good and I am able to live a pretty normal life. My voice sounds like me again and I have good energy, although I still need to lie down for a while most afternoons - but I read or just lie quietly and listen to the radio or something - don''t have to sleep as much as the first week. I will try using the additional anti-nausea pills again this time after the first 3 days are done - seemed to help last time and I wasn't as 'down'. You can learn how to do almost anything.
Thank you for your prayers, which I am constantly aware of - maybe the reason for all those 'normals' - and for your cards and e-mails and phone calls, which comfort me and fill me with calm and peace - also good medicine. I appreciate your interest in my situation and your concern for me. They are more of a help than you can know. May God be with you today and may you also feel the comfort of His presence in your life in the things that are happening to you. He is always interested in His children and waiting for your call.
Thurs. Oct. 16 - regular bloodwork app't. at the Chatham hospital; I also called Windsor before I left to report some side effects that were happening to me - listed in the section that says 'Call you doctor if this happens'. Returned home to a voicemail that said 'Doctor will see you either today before 2:00 p.m. (not possible at that point) or at 8:30 a.m. Friday'....so, Friday it was.
Fri. Oct. 17 - another early morning trip to Windsor. Practiced wearing scarf and nice cap instead of wig. Turned out that the chemo meds had irritated a 'pre-existing condition' and I came home with even more pills. David is still suffering from a horrible chest cold, so he went back to bed and I did laundry in preparation for a very special trip on the weekend.
Sat. & Sun. Oct. 18,19 - I was able to go away for the weekend with a very special group of friends, a teachers' group who have been meeting for supper once a month for over 10 years. Twice a year, at least, we are able to go away overnight. This trip was up to Huron County on the eastern shore of Lake Huron and the fall colour was gorgeous. Craft Fair in Grand Bend, lunch in Bayfield and then on to our overnight destination, a lovely old farmhouse that belongs to the family of one of the group. I had to have a nap by that time but the girls took care of me. We bring dinner and breakfast and stay in overnight, once we get there. It's so good to be able to just catch up with each other's lives. We had a memorable evening, filled with good food and lots of glorious music. I worked up enough nerve somewhere during the evening to do an 'unveiling' of my bald head and everyone thought it was cool and that I could leave my wig off - so encouraging and loving. After a long a leisurely breakfast on Sunday, we headed back home, touring the Goderich jail (Doors Open Ontario Program of historical buildings) and doing a bit more shopping on the way.
Mon. Oct. 20 - work day around the house - 4 bags of garbage to the dump, made a turkey pie and a big pot of turkey pumpkin rice soup - more little containers of frozen goodness for the 'off days'. As you can see, these are my 'good days' and I am making the most of them.
Tues. Oct. 21 - day trip to Kingsville with 2 friends to visit another friend who has moved there - great times again had by all - 'unveiled' again - everyone is cool with it - so helpful when I feel that I look so different...but I do have a nicely shaped head and flat ears ! Later that night, I had my first Skype conversations with my two children in Kitchener and my children and grandchildren in Texas - more with wig/without wig viewings...everyone agrees that 1) my hairdresser did an exceptionally good job on my wig and 2) that wigless is not as bad as expected. So - we are all coping with that pretty well. David had had a doctor's appointment this morning for an annual physical and came home with a massive anti-biotic prescription - 1/ 500 mg. pill 3 times a day, so between the pills and the cold (bronchial viral infection) he folded pretty early.
Wed. Oct. 22 - lots of little jobs - formalized my Leave of Absence from the Occasional Teaching List for the rest of this school year, ordered my meds form the Windsor pharmacy so that they are ready for tomorrow, went to my old school for a visit for lunch and to thank them for their day in support - pink picture day - Oct. 10, etc and - drum roll - interviewed a cleaning lady in the afternoon who will start cleaning my house on my chemo days for 3 hours so that I can come home to a nice, clean house !!! A little treat for me. David's anti-biotics are working - can see improvement already but he rested all day again today.
Thurs. Oct. 23 - Chemo # 3 - in Windsor for 8:15, at lab for 8:30, picked up prescriptions 8:50, waited for dr.'s app't until 9:30ish - my dr. was away, so saw another one - approved for chemo - then waited and waited - seemed to take longer than I remembered - didn't get called in until almost 11:00 (volunteer who was supposed to get me got side-tracked), did preliminary stuff - hooked up my port, ran saline to rinse it out - didn't actually start chemo until 11:50 but was done by 2:15. Took ourselves to a nice restaurant for a late lunch before we came home - I was feeling fine, with the help of 3 steroid pills and 2 anti-nausea ones - almost like nothing had happened. I was encouraged again by a comment from the young woman who is my clinical trial supervisor; she asks me the same set of questions every time - how is your nausea/appetite/sleeping/mouth sores/shortness of breath/ etc. - and for me most are normal. Her response yesterday was "It's unusual for someone to have so many normals by mid-chemo". I'll take it !!!
So there we are - caught up to TODAY !! As you can see, my second week is very good and I am able to live a pretty normal life. My voice sounds like me again and I have good energy, although I still need to lie down for a while most afternoons - but I read or just lie quietly and listen to the radio or something - don''t have to sleep as much as the first week. I will try using the additional anti-nausea pills again this time after the first 3 days are done - seemed to help last time and I wasn't as 'down'. You can learn how to do almost anything.
Thank you for your prayers, which I am constantly aware of - maybe the reason for all those 'normals' - and for your cards and e-mails and phone calls, which comfort me and fill me with calm and peace - also good medicine. I appreciate your interest in my situation and your concern for me. They are more of a help than you can know. May God be with you today and may you also feel the comfort of His presence in your life in the things that are happening to you. He is always interested in His children and waiting for your call.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Hair Today - Gone Tomorrow !!
Well, yesterday I reached the 'no hair' part of the journey. I had been shedding like a dog in the spring since about Saturday - every comb-through resulted in a handful of loose hair. I was getting very patchy - looked like a little old lady with the skull showing through what was left. So I called my dear hairdresser who has looked after me for 11 years now and went to finish the job. She buzzed what was left off, pretty much, and I am now ' down to the wood'. Quite different in appearance but feels much better - and cooler. I was pleased to discover that I have a nice-shaped head and that my ears don't stick out !! Who knew ??
It wasn't as bad as I had been thinking it would be. It's just quite a change for everyone else - I don't have to look at myself unless I'm passing a mirror but everyone else gets the full benefit.
I have also been discovering just how much heat leaves your body through your head - you hear these things but then you get to experience them. I tried wearing a little knit cap at home after I got back but I had to take it off because I was just melting. So I think around the house I will just be 'au naturel'. Don't be surprised if you drop in for a visit !
I also took my nice, new wig to my hairdresser and she styled it to look a lot like my own hair so I have another good option - plus the hats and scarves that I have bought. Until the weather turns colder, though, I'm not sure how much I'll need them.
So - that's the latest ! Regular blood check-up today - second week of cycle is starting - my voice is coming back and I am starting to sound like myself again - it should be back by tomorrow - starting to get used to the pattern of all of this.
Thank you again for your prayers, which are what keeps me going.
It wasn't as bad as I had been thinking it would be. It's just quite a change for everyone else - I don't have to look at myself unless I'm passing a mirror but everyone else gets the full benefit.
I have also been discovering just how much heat leaves your body through your head - you hear these things but then you get to experience them. I tried wearing a little knit cap at home after I got back but I had to take it off because I was just melting. So I think around the house I will just be 'au naturel'. Don't be surprised if you drop in for a visit !
I also took my nice, new wig to my hairdresser and she styled it to look a lot like my own hair so I have another good option - plus the hats and scarves that I have bought. Until the weather turns colder, though, I'm not sure how much I'll need them.
So - that's the latest ! Regular blood check-up today - second week of cycle is starting - my voice is coming back and I am starting to sound like myself again - it should be back by tomorrow - starting to get used to the pattern of all of this.
Thank you again for your prayers, which are what keeps me going.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Cycle 2 / Thanksgiving
We were in Windsor for 8:00 a.m.Thursday, Oct. 9 for the second cycle of chemo - an interesting exercise for two retirees ! Anyhow - made it in good time and things went much better - I knew more what to expect and it wasn't as unnerving when the administering nurse put on safety glasses and double gloves before she started the chemo! Thank goodness again for my little port - it makes it so simple. We were able to go out for a late lunch before returning to Chatham. Friday was a good day - I made pumpkin pies and tarts for the weekend - but Saturday wasn't so nice. However, Amy had arrived Friday evening and Mike and Lian arrived Saturday afternoon and between them we had a nice Thanksgiving dinner Saturday night. We all enjoyed the meal although David was overtaken by a massive head cold which kind of derailed things for him. Visitors left after lunch on Sunday and things were quiet after that.
So far, I haven't had any days of 'flu-like symptoms' this time - no nausea at all for which I am very thankful. I have to just park myself a couple of times during the day and read or just lie down for a while but that's really all that is happening to me. Things should start to improve now again as I move into the second week of this cycle. Again, I am very thankful for this.
Other signs are a creaky voice - no way I could run a classroom ! - and falling hair. I look like a shedding dog - every comb-through brings a handful of hair with it...I now look like one of those little old ladies whose scalp you can see through their hair. Time to start with the hats, scarves and nice wig that I have accumulated. Unfortunately, I have rediscovered that I don't like the feeling of anything tight on my head - but that's the breaks, I guess. More practice !!
Thank you again for your prayers for me - they support me continually on a daily-life basis and I am able to just keep on doing my thing.
So far, I haven't had any days of 'flu-like symptoms' this time - no nausea at all for which I am very thankful. I have to just park myself a couple of times during the day and read or just lie down for a while but that's really all that is happening to me. Things should start to improve now again as I move into the second week of this cycle. Again, I am very thankful for this.
Other signs are a creaky voice - no way I could run a classroom ! - and falling hair. I look like a shedding dog - every comb-through brings a handful of hair with it...I now look like one of those little old ladies whose scalp you can see through their hair. Time to start with the hats, scarves and nice wig that I have accumulated. Unfortunately, I have rediscovered that I don't like the feeling of anything tight on my head - but that's the breaks, I guess. More practice !!
Thank you again for your prayers for me - they support me continually on a daily-life basis and I am able to just keep on doing my thing.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Yeah, McNaughton Eagles !!
Last Friday, October 9, my staff at McNaughton Avenue Public School
decided to hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Day and to do something
in support of me. They all wore pink and got to school in time for
a group photo at 8:45. Once the picture was developed, they put it
on a large pink bristol board and all signed it. When I arrived for
lunch, there was cake, pink balloons and LOTS of hugs. It was
extremely encouraging.They also went together with the staff at the
Regional Centre next door to raise $450 (at last count) for research.
This was also great news, since I have been able to be part of a
clinical trial and my oncologist is in charge of research at the
Windsor Regional Cancer Centre.
They are such a great group; leaving them in 2007 was a hard thing
to do, when I retired. It was a bonus to have a few months back with
them last spring.
Thank you, McNaughton, for all your encouragement; you have no idea
how much this means to me.
decided to hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Day and to do something
in support of me. They all wore pink and got to school in time for
a group photo at 8:45. Once the picture was developed, they put it
on a large pink bristol board and all signed it. When I arrived for
lunch, there was cake, pink balloons and LOTS of hugs. It was
extremely encouraging.They also went together with the staff at the
Regional Centre next door to raise $450 (at last count) for research.
This was also great news, since I have been able to be part of a
clinical trial and my oncologist is in charge of research at the
Windsor Regional Cancer Centre.
They are such a great group; leaving them in 2007 was a hard thing
to do, when I retired. It was a bonus to have a few months back with
them last spring.
Thank you, McNaughton, for all your encouragement; you have no idea
how much this means to me.
Wednesday Oct. 8 - End of First Cycle
Today is the last day of Cycle One of my chemo, so I am just going to
catch you up on the events since last Wednesday. Basically, I have
felt really well, and there are no steroids involved this time! Last
Wednesday, I felt well enough to do quite a bit of cooking and have a
nice stock of single-serving foods in the freezer - risotto, soup,
casserole, etc. Thursday and Friday, we were able to go out in the
evening, and to a restaurant for supper on Fri. I still have to be
careful what I eat, because the chemo attacks any fast-growing cells
in your body and that includes the linings of mouth, throat and
stomach. As part of that, my voice got 'funny' - sounded like I had
laryngitis - and my taste was off. Perhaps I can use that as an
indicator - when I sound odd, I can expect things to taste differently.
That was only a few days in the middle of last week. By Friday,
I was pretty well back to normal and I have had several very nice days
this week. We decided to make a quick trip to Kitchener-Waterloo on
Sunday and had a visit with Amy, Mike and Lian which was very enjoyable.
(I still have to rest in the afternoons - keeps me going for the rest
of the day.)
The next hurdle will be when my hair leaves. That should be any
time in the next week. Apparently, there comes a day when it starts
coming out in chunks - just having lots of single hairs around on
my pillow now - and I have been advised to have the remainder
'buzzed' once that happens. This will include loss of eyebrows and
eyelashes, too - something that I am struggling with. However, I
have purchased a really nice wig (not the one I brought back from
Windsor) and have a collection of hats and scarves to use. I'm just
not much of a hat person - although this is one of the positives for
David, who has wanted me to wear them for years ! - and trying to
make a scarf look nice is usually one of the things that reduces me
to bad language pretty quickly - but,hey! Practice makes perfect !
The VON sponsored a 'Look Good, Feel Better' workshop here on
Monday and I went to that. I came home with a box of 'loot' and
several good ideas on what to do about the eyebrow/eyelash problem.
It's only for Oct. - Feb., so it's not such a big deal and I have
to keep perspective here. I was speaking recently to a good friend
whose son has 6 months left of a 30-month chemo regimen; what
have I got to feel bad about ?
So, overall, I had 3 'bad days' - Sat. noon - Tues. noon - and the rest
of the time I was able to eat, sleep, cook, read, knit, live life and
carry on as usual. We'll see if that continues as I am exposed to these
chemicals over and over. (3 more doses of this kind and then 4 of the
second). And I'll know to watch out for those steroids from now on !
I'll close with an experience from Monday. I went across town to the
VON workshop that morning and in the afternoon, I went out for
groceries. In the grocery store, I met a friend and we talked about
my situation (as well as some other things!) and I mentioned that
I was staged at 3C - second-last worst - but not 4 !! As I left the
parking lot, I was overcome by the potential of that stage and was
in tears - maybe I am just crazy here to be so confident that God
is in this with me and taking me through this. I got home, parked
(this involves turning and braking several times to back it in) and
went in the house (didn't say anything to David about what I had
been thinking). Half an hour later,he went out to move my car to
use the trailer and when he put his foot on the brake, the brake line
broke and the pedal went right to the floor ...fluid all over the
driveway. Now, you may not look at it this way, but I took that as a
very definite answer to my distress; I am being looked after and
protected in some very practical ways and I will get through this,
by His grace.
I hope your day goes well, wherever you are, and that you are
also aware of God's blessing in your life.
catch you up on the events since last Wednesday. Basically, I have
felt really well, and there are no steroids involved this time! Last
Wednesday, I felt well enough to do quite a bit of cooking and have a
nice stock of single-serving foods in the freezer - risotto, soup,
casserole, etc. Thursday and Friday, we were able to go out in the
evening, and to a restaurant for supper on Fri. I still have to be
careful what I eat, because the chemo attacks any fast-growing cells
in your body and that includes the linings of mouth, throat and
stomach. As part of that, my voice got 'funny' - sounded like I had
laryngitis - and my taste was off. Perhaps I can use that as an
indicator - when I sound odd, I can expect things to taste differently.
That was only a few days in the middle of last week. By Friday,
I was pretty well back to normal and I have had several very nice days
this week. We decided to make a quick trip to Kitchener-Waterloo on
Sunday and had a visit with Amy, Mike and Lian which was very enjoyable.
(I still have to rest in the afternoons - keeps me going for the rest
of the day.)
The next hurdle will be when my hair leaves. That should be any
time in the next week. Apparently, there comes a day when it starts
coming out in chunks - just having lots of single hairs around on
my pillow now - and I have been advised to have the remainder
'buzzed' once that happens. This will include loss of eyebrows and
eyelashes, too - something that I am struggling with. However, I
have purchased a really nice wig (not the one I brought back from
Windsor) and have a collection of hats and scarves to use. I'm just
not much of a hat person - although this is one of the positives for
David, who has wanted me to wear them for years ! - and trying to
make a scarf look nice is usually one of the things that reduces me
to bad language pretty quickly - but,hey! Practice makes perfect !
The VON sponsored a 'Look Good, Feel Better' workshop here on
Monday and I went to that. I came home with a box of 'loot' and
several good ideas on what to do about the eyebrow/eyelash problem.
It's only for Oct. - Feb., so it's not such a big deal and I have
to keep perspective here. I was speaking recently to a good friend
whose son has 6 months left of a 30-month chemo regimen; what
have I got to feel bad about ?
So, overall, I had 3 'bad days' - Sat. noon - Tues. noon - and the rest
of the time I was able to eat, sleep, cook, read, knit, live life and
carry on as usual. We'll see if that continues as I am exposed to these
chemicals over and over. (3 more doses of this kind and then 4 of the
second). And I'll know to watch out for those steroids from now on !
I'll close with an experience from Monday. I went across town to the
VON workshop that morning and in the afternoon, I went out for
groceries. In the grocery store, I met a friend and we talked about
my situation (as well as some other things!) and I mentioned that
I was staged at 3C - second-last worst - but not 4 !! As I left the
parking lot, I was overcome by the potential of that stage and was
in tears - maybe I am just crazy here to be so confident that God
is in this with me and taking me through this. I got home, parked
(this involves turning and braking several times to back it in) and
went in the house (didn't say anything to David about what I had
been thinking). Half an hour later,he went out to move my car to
use the trailer and when he put his foot on the brake, the brake line
broke and the pedal went right to the floor ...fluid all over the
driveway. Now, you may not look at it this way, but I took that as a
very definite answer to my distress; I am being looked after and
protected in some very practical ways and I will get through this,
by His grace.
I hope your day goes well, wherever you are, and that you are
also aware of God's blessing in your life.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Reality intrudes !!
Well, now I realize what the steroids were doing ! And also what the doctor meant when she said that there would be a 'crash' after I was finished with them. Those of you who have been down this road must have been waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I went to a cancer conference on Saturday with David and Amy (daughter) and heard several interesting people, including my own oncologist who talked about research in cancer treatment and how recent some of the drugs are. That was very beneficial, especially for Amy. It was to be a full day conference, but I started 'declining' after lunch and we left. The 'flu-like' days began then and continued until about Tues. morning...woke up still feeling rotten but then, like the weather, things began to clear mid-morning and I started feeling like a 'human bean' again. So - now I know what to plan for. Returned all the election materials yesterday, with apologies - there's no way I can do that. Felt well enough to get groceries in the afternoon and am feeling even better today. Tomorrow is a regular blood check here in Chatham and that will be it for this week.
Also realized that we will not be going out of town for Thanksgiving, based on my 'down days' and that whatever happens will have to happen here. Fortunately, there are 'guest chefs' in the family who are more than able to help out.
So - hope I gave some of you a good laugh ! I'll figure out how to do this eventually!
I went to a cancer conference on Saturday with David and Amy (daughter) and heard several interesting people, including my own oncologist who talked about research in cancer treatment and how recent some of the drugs are. That was very beneficial, especially for Amy. It was to be a full day conference, but I started 'declining' after lunch and we left. The 'flu-like' days began then and continued until about Tues. morning...woke up still feeling rotten but then, like the weather, things began to clear mid-morning and I started feeling like a 'human bean' again. So - now I know what to plan for. Returned all the election materials yesterday, with apologies - there's no way I can do that. Felt well enough to get groceries in the afternoon and am feeling even better today. Tomorrow is a regular blood check here in Chatham and that will be it for this week.
Also realized that we will not be going out of town for Thanksgiving, based on my 'down days' and that whatever happens will have to happen here. Fortunately, there are 'guest chefs' in the family who are more than able to help out.
So - hope I gave some of you a good laugh ! I'll figure out how to do this eventually!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Update for week of Sept. 22 - 26,2008
Tues. - had to go a day early for my CAT scan in Windsor -
interesting experience but no pain involved!
Wed. - had to go for my regular Dr. visit - she promised me
no nausea or vomiting and wrote out a shopping list of meds
to get filled at the pharmacy - filled a whole little brown
paper bag when I picked it up yesterday. Also found out that
afternoon that I have been admitted to the experimental group
for the research drug ! Will receive that over the course of a
year - will slow to 3 week intervals when I'm done the main
ones. This also means that my CAT scan was clear, I think -
at least nothing showed up that would keep me out of the clinical
trial. No official word yet but it's good enough for me! So -
both bone scan and CAT scan are clear = no spread, although of
course it would only take one little cell floating around out there,
hence the chemo + radiation to come. But it's amazingly good news.
Thurs. - first chemo day - nervous. My app't was for 9:30 -
left the house about 8:00, in the cancer clinic for 9:15. Had to
get some blood drawn before the chemo started - problems with that
took over an hour. Some chemo meds are not mixed until you are
ready for them - more time...finally started about 11:00 a.m.
Each med is delivered separately and because it was the first time,
slowly. The first one came in three large syringes - red liquid -
known as the 'red devil' or 'red bull'. The nurse told me that my
hair would start to fall out in a few days - I said that the dr.
had said 3 weeks - she said, "That's when it's ALL gone'" Next one
could just be an IV drip, 45 min (will shorten to 30) and the last one (experimental) was also IV but 90 min.(will shorten to 60, then
30 for remainder.) These meds are all delivered through my 'port',
a little access thingy that was inserted into my right chest 2 weeks
ago - they just clip the connector into it and I have no needle in my
arm. So - it was a long day - left the clinic about 4:00, home about
5:00. But - was feeling well enough to go out briefly for
supper with the teachers' group that have been meeting for over 10
years now. Drove myself and came home early but it was good to be
with them.
Here's the best part: I've had absolutely NO nausea or anything
else - yesterday, I felt sort of heavy and worn out a bit -
like my body was saying "What the heck was THAT that just
happened to me??" but I took it quiet after I got home, slept
well and got up this morning feeling normal again - made my
breakfast, took all my pills, etc. I have to go over to the
Chatham hospital this p.m.to have an injection that will help
my white blood count stay up so that they can keep me on a 2-week
delivery schedule for the chemo. But, I feel GREAT - compared
to some of the stories I have heard,etc. I am doing extremely well.
Amy is here - came down last night and will be here until Sun. I
think. Nice to have the company - I should get sick more often !! ;-)
So - I continue to float on the river of prayers that are being
offered on my behalf and I am at peace.
Fri - needed a diversionary tactic so went shopping in the afternoon
with Amy and also attended a training session to be a Deputy
Returning Officer for the coming election...see ?
I am REALLY doing OK !
interesting experience but no pain involved!
Wed. - had to go for my regular Dr. visit - she promised me
no nausea or vomiting and wrote out a shopping list of meds
to get filled at the pharmacy - filled a whole little brown
paper bag when I picked it up yesterday. Also found out that
afternoon that I have been admitted to the experimental group
for the research drug ! Will receive that over the course of a
year - will slow to 3 week intervals when I'm done the main
ones. This also means that my CAT scan was clear, I think -
at least nothing showed up that would keep me out of the clinical
trial. No official word yet but it's good enough for me! So -
both bone scan and CAT scan are clear = no spread, although of
course it would only take one little cell floating around out there,
hence the chemo + radiation to come. But it's amazingly good news.
Thurs. - first chemo day - nervous. My app't was for 9:30 -
left the house about 8:00, in the cancer clinic for 9:15. Had to
get some blood drawn before the chemo started - problems with that
took over an hour. Some chemo meds are not mixed until you are
ready for them - more time...finally started about 11:00 a.m.
Each med is delivered separately and because it was the first time,
slowly. The first one came in three large syringes - red liquid -
known as the 'red devil' or 'red bull'. The nurse told me that my
hair would start to fall out in a few days - I said that the dr.
had said 3 weeks - she said, "That's when it's ALL gone'" Next one
could just be an IV drip, 45 min (will shorten to 30) and the last one (experimental) was also IV but 90 min.(will shorten to 60, then
30 for remainder.) These meds are all delivered through my 'port',
a little access thingy that was inserted into my right chest 2 weeks
ago - they just clip the connector into it and I have no needle in my
arm. So - it was a long day - left the clinic about 4:00, home about
5:00. But - was feeling well enough to go out briefly for
supper with the teachers' group that have been meeting for over 10
years now. Drove myself and came home early but it was good to be
with them.
Here's the best part: I've had absolutely NO nausea or anything
else - yesterday, I felt sort of heavy and worn out a bit -
like my body was saying "What the heck was THAT that just
happened to me??" but I took it quiet after I got home, slept
well and got up this morning feeling normal again - made my
breakfast, took all my pills, etc. I have to go over to the
Chatham hospital this p.m.to have an injection that will help
my white blood count stay up so that they can keep me on a 2-week
delivery schedule for the chemo. But, I feel GREAT - compared
to some of the stories I have heard,etc. I am doing extremely well.
Amy is here - came down last night and will be here until Sun. I
think. Nice to have the company - I should get sick more often !! ;-)
So - I continue to float on the river of prayers that are being
offered on my behalf and I am at peace.
Fri - needed a diversionary tactic so went shopping in the afternoon
with Amy and also attended a training session to be a Deputy
Returning Officer for the coming election...see ?
I am REALLY doing OK !
Friday, September 26, 2008
First posting and background to date....
For those of you who have not been in the loop, I'll add a little background here. I was diagnosed with breast cancer July 28 and had a meeting with a surgeon July 31. The decision from that meeting was a mastectomy, which was done Aug. 18. As you can tell from the dates, I was swept into a 'different stream' of the river of life and faced with decisons and experiences that were shocking. However, God met me and gave me His assurance that He would be with me in this experience. The day after I found out that the lump was malignant - and not a cyst as I was expecting - the verse of the day in my devotional book was "I am the Lord your God who holds your right hand and I tell you, 'Don't be afraid; I will help you'." That has certainly proved to be the case - the help has come from many different hands and many prayers have been offered on my behalf, providing a strength and a peace of mind that have sustained me through this and continue to do so.
The next step was to get assigned to an oncologist, at either the London Regional Cancer Centre or the Windsor one. I asked to be submitted to both and to request a specific doctor in Windsor whose name kept popping up in various places. When I went to see my surgeon for the follow-up appointment on Sept. 2, the news was not good - tumour was 4.3 cm, Grade 3, and they had removed 27 lymph nodes, 24 of which were 'positive'. I heard later that afternoon that I had an appointment in London on Sept. 30 (with another good oncologist) but I asked them to keep trying with Windsor. Two days later I received a call telling me I had an appointment in Windsor the next Monday, Sept. 8, with the doctor I had requested. I felt that that was another answer to prayer.
And so, my new life began...when I went to see the doctor in Windsor, she laid out a schedule of chemo to be delivered every two weeks instead of the usual three. In order to be able to keep to this schedule, I would also need a shot to keep my white blood cell count up. In addition, I was offered a chance to apply to be part of a clinical trial for a new drug because of the type of tumour that I had - triple negative (not poisitive for either of two hormone receptors or HER2/neu) - lots of new terms to learn ! This chemo schedule would be followed by 6 weeks of radiation. This is a very aggressive plan, because of the number of positive lymph nodes I had and because of the grade of the tumour; I was staged at IIIC. Scary - but those verses kept coming - Sept. 4 - "He is my defender: I will not be defeated" and "Remain calm; the Lord will fight for you". Also, I felt better and better as I recovered from the mastectomy surgery - having the tumour out of my body (and all those lymph nodes !) - seemed to be a very good thing - I could feel myself improving to the point where I felt I was almost lying about having cancer. My sister had the best line - "she's not sick; she just has cancer." And that's pretty well how I felt, too.
Then the various tests began - phone rings - "You are scheduled for a *** at ***" - no question of whether or not it is convenient - one day we had to be at the Chatham hospital for 7:30 for a heart scan then at the first Windsor hospital for 11:00 to sign papers to be admitted to the clinical trial and at a second Windsor hospital for 12:30 to have my 'port' installed for the delivery of my chemo (no IV needed). Left that hospital at 5:00 and went straight to Red Lobster for a restorative supper.
So that brings the story up to date for this past week and that will be another entry.
The next step was to get assigned to an oncologist, at either the London Regional Cancer Centre or the Windsor one. I asked to be submitted to both and to request a specific doctor in Windsor whose name kept popping up in various places. When I went to see my surgeon for the follow-up appointment on Sept. 2, the news was not good - tumour was 4.3 cm, Grade 3, and they had removed 27 lymph nodes, 24 of which were 'positive'. I heard later that afternoon that I had an appointment in London on Sept. 30 (with another good oncologist) but I asked them to keep trying with Windsor. Two days later I received a call telling me I had an appointment in Windsor the next Monday, Sept. 8, with the doctor I had requested. I felt that that was another answer to prayer.
And so, my new life began...when I went to see the doctor in Windsor, she laid out a schedule of chemo to be delivered every two weeks instead of the usual three. In order to be able to keep to this schedule, I would also need a shot to keep my white blood cell count up. In addition, I was offered a chance to apply to be part of a clinical trial for a new drug because of the type of tumour that I had - triple negative (not poisitive for either of two hormone receptors or HER2/neu) - lots of new terms to learn ! This chemo schedule would be followed by 6 weeks of radiation. This is a very aggressive plan, because of the number of positive lymph nodes I had and because of the grade of the tumour; I was staged at IIIC. Scary - but those verses kept coming - Sept. 4 - "He is my defender: I will not be defeated" and "Remain calm; the Lord will fight for you". Also, I felt better and better as I recovered from the mastectomy surgery - having the tumour out of my body (and all those lymph nodes !) - seemed to be a very good thing - I could feel myself improving to the point where I felt I was almost lying about having cancer. My sister had the best line - "she's not sick; she just has cancer." And that's pretty well how I felt, too.
Then the various tests began - phone rings - "You are scheduled for a *** at ***" - no question of whether or not it is convenient - one day we had to be at the Chatham hospital for 7:30 for a heart scan then at the first Windsor hospital for 11:00 to sign papers to be admitted to the clinical trial and at a second Windsor hospital for 12:30 to have my 'port' installed for the delivery of my chemo (no IV needed). Left that hospital at 5:00 and went straight to Red Lobster for a restorative supper.
So that brings the story up to date for this past week and that will be another entry.
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