I am gaining strength back daily. I was able to exercise yesterday, plan to tomorrow... I just might go for a walk today too. I am thankful that I only have a few days where I am "too pooped to pop!" This last weekend I was able to assist Preston in putting away hoses as well as cutting down some dead flowers and such. It really feels good to be out in the fresh air & moving.
We also made a trip to the TriCities mall to shop for soft, comfortable, cotton, no underwire, with fasteners (not pullover) bra. (at the radiation dept's suggestion) That was a frustrating & exhausting experience! They are scarce, not very well made or fitting or they add something silly like an itchy trim! I went to Sports Authority, thinking they would have a great selection of sport bras. NOPE! I will be doing my shopping online I guess.
We did enjoy the trip over there.. seeing fall colors and checking out what is going on around us.
I met with Dr. Quackenbush yesterday, They drew blood as usual, they do lots of that. At least the gal that does it is efficient and quite pleasant. She has a funny little voice, but her heart is good and she is entertaining. (She did suggest a bra she buys at K-mart I will have to check it out.)
Blood Work
My white blood cell count was 23.2 (normal 4.0-11.0) Dr was practically giddy about how good that was and asked me what secret food I was eating. I am clueless. Lately I have only been eating what is easy to fix, sounds good, and feels good going down. That hasn't been particularly nutritious or magical. Ramen Cup of Noodles (which I NEVER eat because it is too salty) had really hit "the spot", and cottage cheese with salt and pepper on it. Spicy or flavorful food seem to enhance the chemo taste in my mouth.
Anyway back to white count and immune system. He jokingly told me I could go to a TB ward and not get sick when I mentioned that Daniel had come home from Indianapolis with a cold. So I guess I don't need to be overly worried about the flu. I am washing my hands and being wise, but it appears my body is able to do a great job of fighting off whatever comes my way. I believe the "secret" ingredient is prayer. I am incredibly thankful for each of you holding me up before our Lord Jesus. I have had more blessings than I can count! You are the biggest one! Just one more Chemo treatment to go! :)
Physical Therapy
I have also started Physical Therapy per Dr. Q.'s instruction to combat fatigue. The PT gals I am seeing are focused specifically on Breast Cancer & Lymphedema prevention. I have had not lymphatic problems at all (arm swelling) but in her initial assessment she found scar tissue and swelling in the breast tissue related to biopsy & lumpectomy. She also found restricted range of motion, which is nothing new to me. But apparently if you do use your complete range of motion your are not activating the lymph system fulling which can cause problems. She wants all that resolve before radiation starts because it can cause more scar tissue and swelling. PT will also prevent future lymphedema that might come through radiation or unknown triggers. I am learning how to massage the lymph system. I am sure this will be helpful information. It is not what I thought I was getting. I envisioned a full body, relaxing, deep tissue massage. Deep tissue massage collapses the lymph system. Lymph system massage is very gentle and on the surface. The therapists will be seeing me twice a week for the next three weeks. She has hinted that we will be massaging breast scar tissue & lymph system and exercise training, maybe some tai chi instruction. I don't know what the plan is after radiation gets underway. The research the Dr. is pushing is brand new and the PT Dept is as blow away by it as I am. 90 min. of exercise a day is.....overwhelming. I was the first patient they saw with those orders from the doc. They aren't quite sure what to do about it.... It is almost comical to be a part of this whole thing! I can tell you this, my breast is more tender than it has been, but then all this massage would do that I think.
Radiation
I have an appt on Thursday for the radiation prep. 1. Visit with Dr. Nigrin 2. Radiation Simulation including tattooing for accurate targeting 3. CT scan. It is supposed to take all morning. I will update you on it when it is done.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I'm pooped.
Today I am much more tired. I am succumbing to laziness. I have more achiness, and just generally feel like a worn out, wet dishrag. Part of me says if I would just get moving I would feel better, the other part says "What ARE you thinking!!?"
My niece (Allyson), daughter (Kendra), and sister-in-law (Suzanne), suggested that I get a good book and curl up on the couch and read. The problem with that is .... you have to keep your eyes open, hold the book up, and turn the pages. Inspiration struck at the end of my morning rest. Books on CD!! I went to Weston Public Library and check one out. I shall put it in the player... and listen to Lisette Lecat read "Tears of the Giraffe" by Alexander McCall Smith
Prayer request: Daniel is in Indianapolis, Indiana for National FFA Convention. Pray that he comes home healthy, pretty please.
My niece (Allyson), daughter (Kendra), and sister-in-law (Suzanne), suggested that I get a good book and curl up on the couch and read. The problem with that is .... you have to keep your eyes open, hold the book up, and turn the pages. Inspiration struck at the end of my morning rest. Books on CD!! I went to Weston Public Library and check one out. I shall put it in the player... and listen to Lisette Lecat read "Tears of the Giraffe" by Alexander McCall Smith
Prayer request: Daniel is in Indianapolis, Indiana for National FFA Convention. Pray that he comes home healthy, pretty please.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Chemo #3
Short Version: Blood levels were perfect. Chemotherapy Treatment went without a problem. The nurse did have a little more difficulty getting the IV started, it took two tries this time. But, still not bad. Afterwards, I felt good enough to go to Daniel's football game in Irrigon, OR. The weather was great, no wind, and about 50 degrees. WM won, and Daniel got to play in the 2nd half. Well worth the effort of going. I have continued to have a fair amount of energy and have been able to check several things off my "to do list". I have yet to experience the nausea and vomiting that is historically associated with Chemotherapy. I am thankful for each of you and your prayer. I am certain this is a huge factor in my ability to go on this "journey" with the amount of grace and strength I have been given.
Long Version: and it is long....
Hair Loss:
Last Wednesday I attended a "Look Good, Feel Better" class, at the cancer center, hoping to get some suggestions on head covering and applying makeup to minimize the hair loss affects. It wasn't as helpful as I had hope. This may be a bit arrogant on my part, but with a little research, I think I could do a better job of teaching scarf tying for the head and share other ways to cover the head. But a couple of good things came out of the class. The gal I bought my wig from brought in wigs for the other gals in the class to try on, I asked her about the fit of mine. She indicated that she needed to remove 2 rows of hair and then it would fit great. At the same time she would wash and condition it. :) So we left it at her shop on the way to Chemo. Afterwords we stopped back by and picked it up and at the same time I asked her if she would shave off the remnants of hair left on my head. It was fussy, and weird, and reminded me of Gollum from "Lord of the Rings". She graciously took her razor to my head. I had tried to use my leg razor... but it just wasn't working. It felt much better, but was still a bit nubby, so the next morning I took my leg razor to it in the shower. AHHH.. now nice and smooth. Lotion goes on much nicer, and I feel better about it.
I still have a few eyelashes, albeit sparsely distributed. A little mascara helps accentuate them. Maybe I will be lucky enough to not lose them all completely. Eyebrows are thinning. I have purchased an eyebrow pencil to fill that in a bit. While I do have to shave my legs, it is not anywhere near as frequent as normal, which is kinda nice. Also, those pesky chin hairs that grow faster that I can keep up with.... they are gone as well. :)
Nausea:
I have not experience any of that. I am certain prayer and medications are instrumental in this blessing. I did have some sort of allergic reaction to something Saturday morning.. rashy, hot, sorta itchy all over my body. It wasn't particularly irritating, just got my attention. Preston insisted I call the Dr. He suggested not taking the nausea med. I had already taken it that morning, along with the loratadine I take for allergies. After that. the symptoms seemed to fade and it was not problem. I continued with the meds and have had no other problems.
Gastrointestinal Irritation:
This seems to be one of the main symptoms I deal with. It is just a mouth, esophagus, stomach, gut irritation. Feels "burny" & slows down the "plumbing". The Dr. reiterated to me that I need to rinse my mouth with soda water 5 times a day. The saliva glands excrete the chemo drugs and it then drains throughout the rest of the system. It has helped my tremendously to more fully understand this. Not that it makes it any easier to remember to do it. I try... I really do... but I just get busy and distracted. (I think I will go do that now :) He also suggested a nutritional supplement "GlutaSolve" that is supposed to enhance GI health. I have been using it for the last few day and it seems to be help.... I think. It isn't too bad. I am adding it to my breakfast yogurt and berries. The "slow plumbing" immediately following Chemo is continuing to be a concern. It takes a while to get that straightened out again.
Fussy Brain:
This symptom cropped up this last week. Just a few examples:
1) I left the keys in the car, on ACC. Needless to say the battery was VERY dead. I have never done that kind of thing before.
2) Lost a favorite hat for a while, practically tore the house apart looking for it. Found it in my underwear drawer, I am sure I had some good reason for putting it there ;)
3) I had some money given to me for a special purpose, I put it in an envelope in a "logical" place, subsequently could not find it for the life of me.
I discussed this with the Dr and nurse. They both assured me this was Chemo Brain and is temporary, BUT brand new research indicates a new treatment plan for this malady. Here is what I remember of it: (I believe this is daily)
I have an appointment with the Hospital's Physical Therapy Dept for a massage, and a friend is loaning me a DVD of the basics of yoga stretching. The meditation piece I believe I already do with my prayer, study and meditation on God's Word. This has, and continues to be of tremendous comfort and encouragement to me, not to mention the challenge to live outside of "myself".
Thank you again for all your prayer and encouragement. Pray that I am able to keep exercising and find the right balance in caring for myself, meeting family needs & doing God's work. (Oh, and that the plumbing gets going again :)
Long Version: and it is long....
Hair Loss:
I still have a few eyelashes, albeit sparsely distributed. A little mascara helps accentuate them. Maybe I will be lucky enough to not lose them all completely. Eyebrows are thinning. I have purchased an eyebrow pencil to fill that in a bit. While I do have to shave my legs, it is not anywhere near as frequent as normal, which is kinda nice. Also, those pesky chin hairs that grow faster that I can keep up with.... they are gone as well. :)
Nausea:
I have not experience any of that. I am certain prayer and medications are instrumental in this blessing. I did have some sort of allergic reaction to something Saturday morning.. rashy, hot, sorta itchy all over my body. It wasn't particularly irritating, just got my attention. Preston insisted I call the Dr. He suggested not taking the nausea med. I had already taken it that morning, along with the loratadine I take for allergies. After that. the symptoms seemed to fade and it was not problem. I continued with the meds and have had no other problems.
Gastrointestinal Irritation:
This seems to be one of the main symptoms I deal with. It is just a mouth, esophagus, stomach, gut irritation. Feels "burny" & slows down the "plumbing". The Dr. reiterated to me that I need to rinse my mouth with soda water 5 times a day. The saliva glands excrete the chemo drugs and it then drains throughout the rest of the system. It has helped my tremendously to more fully understand this. Not that it makes it any easier to remember to do it. I try... I really do... but I just get busy and distracted. (I think I will go do that now :) He also suggested a nutritional supplement "GlutaSolve" that is supposed to enhance GI health. I have been using it for the last few day and it seems to be help.... I think. It isn't too bad. I am adding it to my breakfast yogurt and berries. The "slow plumbing" immediately following Chemo is continuing to be a concern. It takes a while to get that straightened out again.
Fussy Brain:
This symptom cropped up this last week. Just a few examples:
1) I left the keys in the car, on ACC. Needless to say the battery was VERY dead. I have never done that kind of thing before.
2) Lost a favorite hat for a while, practically tore the house apart looking for it. Found it in my underwear drawer, I am sure I had some good reason for putting it there ;)
3) I had some money given to me for a special purpose, I put it in an envelope in a "logical" place, subsequently could not find it for the life of me.
I discussed this with the Dr and nurse. They both assured me this was Chemo Brain and is temporary, BUT brand new research indicates a new treatment plan for this malady. Here is what I remember of it: (I believe this is daily)
- 30 minutes of warm up exercise
- 45 minutes of resistance training (weights...I think Curves will work nicely)
- 15 minutes of cardiovascular training
- Massage! I said "Yes I would like that"..... Doc said... "I can arrange that for you", and he has!! Would it be nice to do this daily!!! HA
- Meditation & Stretching (Yoga, or something like that)
I have an appointment with the Hospital's Physical Therapy Dept for a massage, and a friend is loaning me a DVD of the basics of yoga stretching. The meditation piece I believe I already do with my prayer, study and meditation on God's Word. This has, and continues to be of tremendous comfort and encouragement to me, not to mention the challenge to live outside of "myself".
Thank you again for all your prayer and encouragement. Pray that I am able to keep exercising and find the right balance in caring for myself, meeting family needs & doing God's work. (Oh, and that the plumbing gets going again :)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Blood Work and Chemo #2 Followup
Short Version:
My blood work at the mid point between treatments was well within normal range. Dr. thinks everything is going well.
Long Version:
That is much better than where it was at the first midpoint. I asked for copies of the lab results and this is a summary of the white count... the one they are most concerned about.
The Normal Range is 4.0 - 11.0
9/14 1.3 (the first midpoint when white count will be the lowest)
9/25 6.5 (2nd treatment day)
10/5 11.6 ( I guess that shot they gave me worked! This is quite an improvement!)
The lab report has many other things it measures, which problably tells somebody something... but I don't get it. At this point the white blood cells are what I am most concerned about, because those are the ones that fight infection. There are many viruses going around and it is comforting to know I have fighters ready to go!
I mentioned to the Dr that I was very tired. He suggested taking Vitamin E and a dietary supplement "GlutaSolve" He indicated it was spendy. It is available at Home Medical. Apparently it is high is glutamin, which is an amino acid that good for GI health. I have started doing the vitamin E... but not sure if I will to the Glutasolve. Both are up to my discretion.
I have felt increasingly better each day and am able to do more. Yesterday and today I have been able to do a little bit of gardening and housework. I went to Curves on Monday, and should go today... but the day's projects made the day slip away and now I think I will conserve energy for Pioneer Clubs and Choir this evening.
I worked outside for a little while today with a bare head. It felt great to be natural.... absorb some sun on my scary white head. I promise you all I will not over do it. :)
My blood work at the mid point between treatments was well within normal range. Dr. thinks everything is going well.
Long Version:
That is much better than where it was at the first midpoint. I asked for copies of the lab results and this is a summary of the white count... the one they are most concerned about.
The Normal Range is 4.0 - 11.0
9/14 1.3 (the first midpoint when white count will be the lowest)
9/25 6.5 (2nd treatment day)
10/5 11.6 ( I guess that shot they gave me worked! This is quite an improvement!)
The lab report has many other things it measures, which problably tells somebody something... but I don't get it. At this point the white blood cells are what I am most concerned about, because those are the ones that fight infection. There are many viruses going around and it is comforting to know I have fighters ready to go!
I mentioned to the Dr that I was very tired. He suggested taking Vitamin E and a dietary supplement "GlutaSolve" He indicated it was spendy. It is available at Home Medical. Apparently it is high is glutamin, which is an amino acid that good for GI health. I have started doing the vitamin E... but not sure if I will to the Glutasolve. Both are up to my discretion.
I have felt increasingly better each day and am able to do more. Yesterday and today I have been able to do a little bit of gardening and housework. I went to Curves on Monday, and should go today... but the day's projects made the day slip away and now I think I will conserve energy for Pioneer Clubs and Choir this evening.
I worked outside for a little while today with a bare head. It felt great to be natural.... absorb some sun on my scary white head. I promise you all I will not over do it. :)
Friday, October 2, 2009
On my feet all day!
My body woke me up at the early hour of 8:30 this morning. By that I mean it told me it was time to get out of bed. This week I have been awakened many times through out the morning, but my body didn't get the message until about 10:00. I take this as progress toward feelin' better :)
I was able to go to Curves today and exercise, not to my normal level, but I did the circuit 2 times and made all the machines move. That is more than I could have done on Monday by a long shot! It felt very good to move. I was a little tired when I was done... but not bad.
After that I did some banking, went to JoAnn's to get some fleece for some warm head coverings, and to WalMart for groceries and scrunchies. I found a couple of cool long scarves while I was there. I also found a cool hair clip that I thought would hold a scarf nicely.
The scrucnchies are for an idea I have for wearing scarves on my head. Rather than knotting them, use a scrunchie...kind of like you would long hair. Worth a try don't ya think.
This is the scarf and hair clip I wore to the football game tonight. (red and black are the school colors, and we tend to like plaids because we are TigerScots... emphasis on the Scottish heritage in the area) I put a cotton knit cap underneath it for warmth. It sorta stayed in place and was warm. A little fun... and crazy maybe.
The football game was long (two overtimes) and I still have enough stamina to blog. I had a great! day. I wonder what tomorrow will hold!
I am thankful for the strength for today!
Thank you for your prayer!
God is Good!
I was able to go to Curves today and exercise, not to my normal level, but I did the circuit 2 times and made all the machines move. That is more than I could have done on Monday by a long shot! It felt very good to move. I was a little tired when I was done... but not bad.
After that I did some banking, went to JoAnn's to get some fleece for some warm head coverings, and to WalMart for groceries and scrunchies. I found a couple of cool long scarves while I was there. I also found a cool hair clip that I thought would hold a scarf nicely.
The scrucnchies are for an idea I have for wearing scarves on my head. Rather than knotting them, use a scrunchie...kind of like you would long hair. Worth a try don't ya think.
This is the scarf and hair clip I wore to the football game tonight. (red and black are the school colors, and we tend to like plaids because we are TigerScots... emphasis on the Scottish heritage in the area) I put a cotton knit cap underneath it for warmth. It sorta stayed in place and was warm. A little fun... and crazy maybe.The football game was long (two overtimes) and I still have enough stamina to blog. I had a great! day. I wonder what tomorrow will hold!
I am thankful for the strength for today!
Thank you for your prayer!
God is Good!
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