Five weeks and I’ve been silent. So much has gone on in those five weeks. First, I’m down to 162 as of this morning. That’s just a couple pounds more than I weighed as a Sophomore in High School. Yes, the weight keeps dropping, and not always because of chemo.
I had my latest chemo treatment on the 10th. I have done so well up to that point that people have accused me of not really going through chemo. (Of course they were kidding). Last week (7/13/09) I got sick at work. Around 10 a.m. I was suddenly very nauseous and started dry heaving. That lasted about half an hour. I was so nauseated, and the dry heaves made it worse. I finally gave up and decided to go home around 10:30. I closed my desk and started out of the building. One of my co-workers saw that I was not doing well. She made me promise that I would sit on a bench and wait she was going to drive me home and have someone follow her so she could get back to work. Minutes later she and another coworker were back. They got my car and her car and took me home. That’s where I stayed for the next 6 days. I felt so bad I couldn’t even think of going back to work. I’m so blessed to have a good vacation package from my employer, I didn’t miss any pay, and was able to just concentrate on getting well.
Yesterday I returned to work, feeling weak, but no nausea. I worked the day through with no real problems. Went home and collapsed into my recliner and spent the evening watching DVDs. Today I’m feeling much stronger and not nauseous at all. My strength is returning, and with it my humor. Hooray!
My Bariatric Surgeon had my nutrition tested earlier this month. He says the tests came back good. He wants me to take a little more B complex, but other than that I’m doing great nutritionally. I saw something on-line this morning about a study in England that has shown that chemo patients, and especially those with breast cancer seem to do much better with nutritional supplementation. I’ve been saying all along that the nutrition has helped me, and now, here’s a study that proves me right.
Well, I’m going to say that Chemotherapy, while not fun, isn’t the horrible experience I thought it would be. After nine weeks of chemotherapy, I’ve had one, yes, just one week of discomfort. That’s not a bad average. My appetite is coming back faster and faster after every treatment, and that is helping with my strength as well.
KJ came by last week and got pictures of me after weight loss and hair loss to send to her sister. KL is anxious to see them as she hasn’t seen any of me since I was there over a year ago. She knows I’ve lost weight, but I’m told that if you don’t see it you can’t imagine it. I’m hoping to get copies of the pictures as well so I can put them here and let you all see how much I’ve changed.
Till next time, take care and God Bless.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Hi All
I’m sorry it’s been so long since I posted. It wasn’t for things to say, just for the energy to get up and post.
The weight loss is continuing. I’m up to 68 pounds gone now. This morning it was official. I now weigh in at 172, that’s the least I have weighed since 1997. Actually since before that. In 1997 I weighed in at 175 when I came home from Nebraska, and I hadn’t weighed that little since before my kids were born, so it’s been at least since 1977 that I was this light. I gotta tell you that it feels strange. I get dressed in the morning and it takes me at least 3 tries. I go to the closet and choose something, and then put it on only to find when I step in front of the mirror that it’s way too big. So it’s back to the closet again for another try. After 3 tries I go with the last decision and head out the door. Sometimes the clothes fit, but most of the time they are very big on me. I really should go shopping. Just hate to spend money only to have the clothes too big in a couple of weeks. Maybe it’s time to go to Good Will or Salvation Army.
Now to the fight against cancer. The first round of chemo was a real learning experience.
First, the chemo treatment itself isn’t bad. Just like having an IV and they pump you full of anti-nausea drugs first, so you’re already primed to be great when they push the chemo. I had only one problem with nausea and that was because I ate entirely too much one night, and ate it real fast so caused myself some dumping. IF I will stay with the bypass rules I don’t have that problem.
The meds I’m taking seem to keep the worst of the nausea at bay, and that’s great. My only problem during the first round of chemo was to remember when to take the pills. I took some twice daily when I got up and when I went to bed. Only problem with those are when my bed times change. If I go to bed early I have to set an alarm to wake me to take the meds. Getting up isn’t as much of a problem as going to bed early.
Next I have one that must be melted in my mouth. That one seemed to work fine the first day or two, but by the end of the first week it was making me so nauseous to take that one that I quit to see how I would do. I did much better so I decided to ignore that med and I had less problems. When I told my oncologist about that, he said “don’t take them” and I told him I had quit and he said good.
The final med is in pill form and I take two every 6 hours. Now you can’t ask for anything easier than that. At 6 and 12 I take two pills. Easy to remember, easy to do, and I’m usually awake around those times. Nice.
Had my second round of chemo last week on Friday (6/19/09) The port worked well for me that time, and I sat there in the treatment chair, feet up, covered with a warm blanket, a drink by my side, and read a book. Now that truly is easy.
I told my oncologist that if this was what Chemo is all about I could do it with one hand tied behind my back and both eyes closed. He laughed. He does think I’m doing much better than he expected me to. He credits a large part of that to my attitude. I’m very positive about this treatment, and it’s not going to get me down.
I do seem to need more sleep now than I did before starting Chemo. That shows up in days 4 through 14 usually. Then on day 15 I start to regain my strength and want to do something other than sleep. Those 10 days I’m sleeping more than awake. I go to work, get my job done and get home as soon as possible. I stretch out in my recliner, by the fan in my living room and drop right off to sleep. Em wakes me when it’s time to take meds, or go to bed. Otherwise I sleep soundly until the alarm wakes me to go back to work. I’ve even fallen asleep at my desk a couple of times. I told my boss about it, and he’s very understanding.
Only 3 more treatments to go and I will start the Radiation therapy. Have no idea what all that will entail, but I’ve heard more horror stories about the Chemo, so am hopeful that the radiation will go well.
My bariatric surgeon ordered a blood nutrition study last week. I got the results and they were all excellent. Even the oncologist (I showed him a copy) was thrilled. Evidently the supplements are helping keep me going while in Chemo. I’m so blessed that I had that surgery first.
Oh, and I had my first experience with hair loss last week. I ran my fingers through my hair and came out with a hand full of hair. None of that for me! I went to the beauty shop and had my head shaved. I love the bald look, and evidently others think it looks good too. I can’t tell you how many people have said I had the right shaped head to be bald; I even heard from several people that it makes me look younger.
I’m pairing the bald head with chunky earrings and hats and scarves, and having fun with the new look. Only thing I don’t like about being bald is it’s cold. I didn’t realize how much body temperature is regulated by your hair, or lack thereof. Sure my hair was thinning even before Chemo, but now that I have no hair, I notice I’m cold a lot more easily than I used to be.
Well, that’s about all I can share with you right now. Going to be time for a nap real soon.
Kate
I’m sorry it’s been so long since I posted. It wasn’t for things to say, just for the energy to get up and post.
The weight loss is continuing. I’m up to 68 pounds gone now. This morning it was official. I now weigh in at 172, that’s the least I have weighed since 1997. Actually since before that. In 1997 I weighed in at 175 when I came home from Nebraska, and I hadn’t weighed that little since before my kids were born, so it’s been at least since 1977 that I was this light. I gotta tell you that it feels strange. I get dressed in the morning and it takes me at least 3 tries. I go to the closet and choose something, and then put it on only to find when I step in front of the mirror that it’s way too big. So it’s back to the closet again for another try. After 3 tries I go with the last decision and head out the door. Sometimes the clothes fit, but most of the time they are very big on me. I really should go shopping. Just hate to spend money only to have the clothes too big in a couple of weeks. Maybe it’s time to go to Good Will or Salvation Army.
Now to the fight against cancer. The first round of chemo was a real learning experience.
First, the chemo treatment itself isn’t bad. Just like having an IV and they pump you full of anti-nausea drugs first, so you’re already primed to be great when they push the chemo. I had only one problem with nausea and that was because I ate entirely too much one night, and ate it real fast so caused myself some dumping. IF I will stay with the bypass rules I don’t have that problem.
The meds I’m taking seem to keep the worst of the nausea at bay, and that’s great. My only problem during the first round of chemo was to remember when to take the pills. I took some twice daily when I got up and when I went to bed. Only problem with those are when my bed times change. If I go to bed early I have to set an alarm to wake me to take the meds. Getting up isn’t as much of a problem as going to bed early.
Next I have one that must be melted in my mouth. That one seemed to work fine the first day or two, but by the end of the first week it was making me so nauseous to take that one that I quit to see how I would do. I did much better so I decided to ignore that med and I had less problems. When I told my oncologist about that, he said “don’t take them” and I told him I had quit and he said good.
The final med is in pill form and I take two every 6 hours. Now you can’t ask for anything easier than that. At 6 and 12 I take two pills. Easy to remember, easy to do, and I’m usually awake around those times. Nice.
Had my second round of chemo last week on Friday (6/19/09) The port worked well for me that time, and I sat there in the treatment chair, feet up, covered with a warm blanket, a drink by my side, and read a book. Now that truly is easy.
I told my oncologist that if this was what Chemo is all about I could do it with one hand tied behind my back and both eyes closed. He laughed. He does think I’m doing much better than he expected me to. He credits a large part of that to my attitude. I’m very positive about this treatment, and it’s not going to get me down.
I do seem to need more sleep now than I did before starting Chemo. That shows up in days 4 through 14 usually. Then on day 15 I start to regain my strength and want to do something other than sleep. Those 10 days I’m sleeping more than awake. I go to work, get my job done and get home as soon as possible. I stretch out in my recliner, by the fan in my living room and drop right off to sleep. Em wakes me when it’s time to take meds, or go to bed. Otherwise I sleep soundly until the alarm wakes me to go back to work. I’ve even fallen asleep at my desk a couple of times. I told my boss about it, and he’s very understanding.
Only 3 more treatments to go and I will start the Radiation therapy. Have no idea what all that will entail, but I’ve heard more horror stories about the Chemo, so am hopeful that the radiation will go well.
My bariatric surgeon ordered a blood nutrition study last week. I got the results and they were all excellent. Even the oncologist (I showed him a copy) was thrilled. Evidently the supplements are helping keep me going while in Chemo. I’m so blessed that I had that surgery first.
Oh, and I had my first experience with hair loss last week. I ran my fingers through my hair and came out with a hand full of hair. None of that for me! I went to the beauty shop and had my head shaved. I love the bald look, and evidently others think it looks good too. I can’t tell you how many people have said I had the right shaped head to be bald; I even heard from several people that it makes me look younger.
I’m pairing the bald head with chunky earrings and hats and scarves, and having fun with the new look. Only thing I don’t like about being bald is it’s cold. I didn’t realize how much body temperature is regulated by your hair, or lack thereof. Sure my hair was thinning even before Chemo, but now that I have no hair, I notice I’m cold a lot more easily than I used to be.
Well, that’s about all I can share with you right now. Going to be time for a nap real soon.
Kate
Monday, June 1, 2009
First Chemo Down
Well, I had my first chemo last Friday. It took a bit longer than the 3-4 hours I was told. We ran into problems with my medi-port.
For those who don’t know, I have a small appliance under the skin just beneath my left collarbone. It is a Medi-Port. It allows my medical team to start an IV with out having to stick my veins. The doctors want to use this mediport for several reasons.
First, it allows less of a chance for the chemo medicines to spill out on my skin, which is a good thing because it is very toxic. From what I understand if allowed to sit on my skin for any time at all, it would start to eat away my skin. That’s the magic of this chemical combination, it attacks living tissue, the fast growing kind most (which is what cancer is). It also attacks things like hair folicles, they grow constantly and are good targets for takeover. When the hair falls out the follicles go dormant. After the chemo is finished, the follicles wake up and begin growing hair again. Cancer cells grow very fast, and they will react to the chemo and die. This part of my adventure is a balancing act, kinda like a walk across a ravine on a fallen tree. Walk steady and straight, and you get across fine. Pay no attention or go too fast and you stand a bigger chance of falling off.
Second, the appliance that sits under my skin is less likely to get an infection. It’s part of my body in a way and takes care of that problem.
Next it has a longish tube that follows my collarbone over to a rather large vein on my right side, which speeds the chemo to the bloodstream and allows it to work without causing me problems.
When the port is placed and the tube is run, the skin is sutured closed over it. When a patient needs chemo, the tech starts it in the port, but they have to verify placement of the port by first washing it with saline, then attempting to do a draw, which means pull blood out of it. Mine would flush OK,, but they couldn’t get a back flush. Finally after trying several meds to clear the line (none of which worked) we gave up and put the iv into my arm.
The actual receiving of chemo medicines isn’t a big deal. You just get hooked up to IV bags and they drip, drip, drip away. Then the nurse/technician comes over and adds to the IV with two large syringes that push a very strong drug slowly into my veins. Finally another drip, drip, drip bag and I’m done. Came home and had a wonderful day.
Saturday was a good day as well. The prescriptions for anti-nausea drugs worked as it was supposed to and I had almost no nausea at all. Sunday followed suit, with still very little nausea. Today (Monday 6/1/2009) was a bit different. I went back to work, and because I was concentrating on work I was late with my anti-nausea drugs. The nausea hit at lunch when someone warmed a lunch in the microwave and to me it smelled like they were heating old gym shoes….really nasty. I got my anti-nausea drugs out and took them and things got better. By the time I got back to my desk I was sleepy, but no longer nauseous. Hip Hip Horay!
Tomorrow I have an appointment at 9 a.m. to get my medi-port checked. IF it is plugged, they will remove this one and place another. Thankfully it is day surgery and I will be able to go home afterwards. Unfortunately it will use up another full day of vacation, and that’s no fun. I have 96 hours right now, and every hour away counts down, so I’m hoping this will be a 4 hour ordeal rather than the full 8.
I’ve decided that if this is all that Chemo is going to do to me, I’m truly blessed. If not, I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me….
Kate
For those who don’t know, I have a small appliance under the skin just beneath my left collarbone. It is a Medi-Port. It allows my medical team to start an IV with out having to stick my veins. The doctors want to use this mediport for several reasons.
First, it allows less of a chance for the chemo medicines to spill out on my skin, which is a good thing because it is very toxic. From what I understand if allowed to sit on my skin for any time at all, it would start to eat away my skin. That’s the magic of this chemical combination, it attacks living tissue, the fast growing kind most (which is what cancer is). It also attacks things like hair folicles, they grow constantly and are good targets for takeover. When the hair falls out the follicles go dormant. After the chemo is finished, the follicles wake up and begin growing hair again. Cancer cells grow very fast, and they will react to the chemo and die. This part of my adventure is a balancing act, kinda like a walk across a ravine on a fallen tree. Walk steady and straight, and you get across fine. Pay no attention or go too fast and you stand a bigger chance of falling off.
Second, the appliance that sits under my skin is less likely to get an infection. It’s part of my body in a way and takes care of that problem.
Next it has a longish tube that follows my collarbone over to a rather large vein on my right side, which speeds the chemo to the bloodstream and allows it to work without causing me problems.
When the port is placed and the tube is run, the skin is sutured closed over it. When a patient needs chemo, the tech starts it in the port, but they have to verify placement of the port by first washing it with saline, then attempting to do a draw, which means pull blood out of it. Mine would flush OK,, but they couldn’t get a back flush. Finally after trying several meds to clear the line (none of which worked) we gave up and put the iv into my arm.
The actual receiving of chemo medicines isn’t a big deal. You just get hooked up to IV bags and they drip, drip, drip away. Then the nurse/technician comes over and adds to the IV with two large syringes that push a very strong drug slowly into my veins. Finally another drip, drip, drip bag and I’m done. Came home and had a wonderful day.
Saturday was a good day as well. The prescriptions for anti-nausea drugs worked as it was supposed to and I had almost no nausea at all. Sunday followed suit, with still very little nausea. Today (Monday 6/1/2009) was a bit different. I went back to work, and because I was concentrating on work I was late with my anti-nausea drugs. The nausea hit at lunch when someone warmed a lunch in the microwave and to me it smelled like they were heating old gym shoes….really nasty. I got my anti-nausea drugs out and took them and things got better. By the time I got back to my desk I was sleepy, but no longer nauseous. Hip Hip Horay!
Tomorrow I have an appointment at 9 a.m. to get my medi-port checked. IF it is plugged, they will remove this one and place another. Thankfully it is day surgery and I will be able to go home afterwards. Unfortunately it will use up another full day of vacation, and that’s no fun. I have 96 hours right now, and every hour away counts down, so I’m hoping this will be a 4 hour ordeal rather than the full 8.
I’ve decided that if this is all that Chemo is going to do to me, I’m truly blessed. If not, I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me….
Kate
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tomorrow, Another Big Day
Tomorrow is another big day in my life. After the diagnosis of Invasive Ductile Carcinoma, it seems that everything in my life revolves around cancer…Treatment plans, chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and even surgery. It’s an amazing amount of information to digest, and be able to converse about. Tomorrow I go for my first chemotherapy treatment. I’ve met my Oncologist (a very nice man) and agree with him that treatment should be aggressive, so I opted to start right away.
I’ve been dumbfounded at the number of people in my sphere of influence who have either had breast cancer or know someone who has. Fortunately for my peace of mind they have all survived after various forms of treatment, some for a long while, and others for only a short while. People at work want to tell me about their spouses (usually wives) who have battled this disease and not only survived, but in at least 2 cases, gone on to have additional children and are living fulfilling lives. People at church are the same..survivors. There are 3 people in my Sunday School class who are currently battling other forms of cancer. I feel like I’m in good company.
Over the past 3 days I have received e-mails from many places that all say to me…Hang in there Kate, It’s going to be OK…It’s like God is sending me personal messages of hope and confidence. I don’t remember a time when I felt so supported and loved.
The people around me are positive, and offer me support. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “If there is anything I can do, please call me” or something to that effect. I’m thinking of making a list of chores around the house that I could use help with, and when someone offers that, give them a copy with the advice “IF there is anything on that list that you can do, please don’t hesitate to come by and do it. I’ll need as much support and help as I can get, and I would appreciate your help with any of these things.” That will do three things for me, and at least one thing for each of them. First, it will help me stay focused on what needs to be done, and give me a feeling of control (I can control something). Next it will give well meaning friends and family something concrete they can do to help me, and that will help them feel a part of my healing, without being involved in the “icky” parts. Finally it will get my surroundings cleaned, mowed, washed, swept, or whatever, and that will make me feel better just knowing things look nice. Win/Win situation for everyone!
My weight continues to go down, although not as quickly as before. I’ve begun eating a little more frequently in preparation for the chemo. Everything I’ve read on-line suggests that to combat the negative effects of chemo I should try to eat 4 to 6 times daily, and eat small meals. The small part isn’t hard, and so far the 4 times a day isn’t either. I’m branching out to things like granola bars, and yogurt for the 4th meal. Gives me a variety I didn’t have before. I don’t miss things like that as much. Also, I have a meeting with my Bariatric surgeon this Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. to discuss my nutrition needs and the differences between eating for chemo and eating for gastric bypass. I know I’ll continue to take my supplements, might even double up on some of them.
I’m not anticipating any real trouble with the chemo. From everything I’ve been told by both friends and my Oncologist, they will give me drugs to counteract the nausea caused by chemo, and (here’s the big one) most of the side effects seem to come in a cumulative way. That is, they may not strike the first treatment, or even the second. We just have to wait and see how things go.
More about all of this during the weekend (I hope) after my first treatment. Then I’ll have something definite to report.
Meanwhile, have a wonderful Friday, and coming weekend.
I’ve been dumbfounded at the number of people in my sphere of influence who have either had breast cancer or know someone who has. Fortunately for my peace of mind they have all survived after various forms of treatment, some for a long while, and others for only a short while. People at work want to tell me about their spouses (usually wives) who have battled this disease and not only survived, but in at least 2 cases, gone on to have additional children and are living fulfilling lives. People at church are the same..survivors. There are 3 people in my Sunday School class who are currently battling other forms of cancer. I feel like I’m in good company.
Over the past 3 days I have received e-mails from many places that all say to me…Hang in there Kate, It’s going to be OK…It’s like God is sending me personal messages of hope and confidence. I don’t remember a time when I felt so supported and loved.
The people around me are positive, and offer me support. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “If there is anything I can do, please call me” or something to that effect. I’m thinking of making a list of chores around the house that I could use help with, and when someone offers that, give them a copy with the advice “IF there is anything on that list that you can do, please don’t hesitate to come by and do it. I’ll need as much support and help as I can get, and I would appreciate your help with any of these things.” That will do three things for me, and at least one thing for each of them. First, it will help me stay focused on what needs to be done, and give me a feeling of control (I can control something). Next it will give well meaning friends and family something concrete they can do to help me, and that will help them feel a part of my healing, without being involved in the “icky” parts. Finally it will get my surroundings cleaned, mowed, washed, swept, or whatever, and that will make me feel better just knowing things look nice. Win/Win situation for everyone!
My weight continues to go down, although not as quickly as before. I’ve begun eating a little more frequently in preparation for the chemo. Everything I’ve read on-line suggests that to combat the negative effects of chemo I should try to eat 4 to 6 times daily, and eat small meals. The small part isn’t hard, and so far the 4 times a day isn’t either. I’m branching out to things like granola bars, and yogurt for the 4th meal. Gives me a variety I didn’t have before. I don’t miss things like that as much. Also, I have a meeting with my Bariatric surgeon this Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. to discuss my nutrition needs and the differences between eating for chemo and eating for gastric bypass. I know I’ll continue to take my supplements, might even double up on some of them.
I’m not anticipating any real trouble with the chemo. From everything I’ve been told by both friends and my Oncologist, they will give me drugs to counteract the nausea caused by chemo, and (here’s the big one) most of the side effects seem to come in a cumulative way. That is, they may not strike the first treatment, or even the second. We just have to wait and see how things go.
More about all of this during the weekend (I hope) after my first treatment. Then I’ll have something definite to report.
Meanwhile, have a wonderful Friday, and coming weekend.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A New Road to Walk
Hello from Texas
What a unique greeting, right?
Seems that Kate’s Grand Adventure has taken a turn down a new road. Yes, I’m still dealing with the gastric bypass, and all that means, but I have a new challenge to tackle and subdue, or overcome. Friday I had an appointment with my doctor and I got some “not so good” news. Seems I have something called Invasive Ductile Cancer, or IDC. What that translates to in plain everyday English is Breast Cancer. Mine is “stage 2” which means that my cancer is not only in my right breast, but also in the lymph glands under my right arm.
My breast surgeon (and I never thought I would write that particular phrase) is in a hurry to start treatments since I am at stage 2. She said I’m not stage 1 which is the earliest diagnosis, and means the cancer is only in the milk ducts of the breast and has not spread. Stage 2 means that the cancer has decided to spread out and has invaded at least one lymph node under my right arm. There are two more stages after this, but fortunately for me I got a guilty conscience when my heart doctor lectured me and went for the dreaded mammogram.
I go tomorrow (Monday) to have a port installed in my chest wall just below my collar bone on the left side. This will allow my oncologist (another phrase I didn’t think I’d ever say) to inject the chemo therapy directly above my heart, and that will allow my heart to disperse the chemo more quickly and efficiently. Evidently I am being scheduled for chemotherapy treatments weekly for the next 4 to 6 months. Up side to that is I get to start a new fashion trend at my work. Since I’ll be loosing my hair (at least that’s what the paperwork my doctor gave me said) and I have a whole wardrobe of hats and big earrings, my new look will be hats and gaudy ear rings. Can hardly wait!
After the chemo I will have 6 to 8 weeks of radiation therapy on a daily basis. The paperwork says that this won’t make my hair fall out. Not too sure why she put that since my hair will be gone if not from the chemo then from the bypass! The radiation is, evidently, very finely focused and will only be aimed at 4 to 6 sites within the breast, and several sites in the lymph node.
After these two treatment “Modalities” I will go through several tests including MRI, bone scans, and CT of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. These will be to see if the tumors have been reduced, and to be sure the cancer has not spread to any other sites. These tests may be combined with a newer test called a PET scan, but I’m not too sure about this test. I’ll learn more as time goes by. Other things my doctor is going to be watching is my bone density, I don’t want to develop osteoporosis, and my heart, as evidently chemo and radiation can be heard on the old ticker.
After all these treatments (it looks like at least 6 months to a year of various treatments) I will be evaluated for surgery. If the treatments have successfully reduced the tumors, I may only need what is called a Lumpectomy. That’s where they go in and only remove part of the breast tissue. If not they will do a complete mastectomy. One of the concerns I have is if they only do a lumpectomy, will there still be cancer cells floating around in there that could settle again in my breast? If there is a chance of that happening I’d rather they just take the whole breast.
I’m also thinking about reconstruction. According to my Mother, (who faced most of these questions 2 years ago when she was diagnosed with Cancer), reconstruction is a lot of pain for something you don’t really need (the breast). But then again she is 80, and was 78 when facing those questions. She is also a “mini”, which means that although she is 5’6” she only weighs less than 120 and has never had more than a 36B. I, on the other hand, am 2 inches shorter but have always been buxomy. I asked my surgeon if it was possible to take tissue from my remaining breast (or tummy) and build another breast. I really don’t want silicone. She said that was a possibility. I must admit, I like the idea of being a B cup instead of a DD cup, so IF I decide on reconstruction, that is something I’m going to think about real hard.
According to everything I’ve read so far my attitude can have a very profound impact on my treatments, both in the success and the amount of nausea and pain I encounter. I’ve always been a very positive person so I’m thinking that I’ll not have as much pain, etc as some of the horror stories I’ve heard. Besides my positive attitude, I have a strong support group, and a very strong faith in God. The way I look at it, I’m almost 60 and in those years God has always taken superb care of me. There’s no reason he won’t do so now either.
Before you point out that I have cancer, and some people don’t consider that superb care, I must remind you that everyone has free will. Free Will has as much to do with how we care for our bodies as how we act in other arenas. I looked down a list of things that can contribute to a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer. There were 14 or 15 items on that list, including smoking, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, among other things. On that list I can claim all but one and that was drug usage. So my attitude is, IF I did the crime (not taking care of myself) then I have to pay the time…(or walk the line of cancer therapy).
Lastly for today, I figure that IF the cancer takes my life I’ll be in heaven with my Savior, and that’s a Win situation for me….WHEN I beat the cancer, I get to stay here and have more fun with friends and family…That is also a WIN situation for me. So whatever happens, I’m getting a win/win situation …who can argue with that?
Stay tuned for the next blog. Don’t know for sure when that will be, but I think I may be writing you a bit more often than I did before. Pray for me…I need it and you probably need the practice!
Kate
What a unique greeting, right?
Seems that Kate’s Grand Adventure has taken a turn down a new road. Yes, I’m still dealing with the gastric bypass, and all that means, but I have a new challenge to tackle and subdue, or overcome. Friday I had an appointment with my doctor and I got some “not so good” news. Seems I have something called Invasive Ductile Cancer, or IDC. What that translates to in plain everyday English is Breast Cancer. Mine is “stage 2” which means that my cancer is not only in my right breast, but also in the lymph glands under my right arm.
My breast surgeon (and I never thought I would write that particular phrase) is in a hurry to start treatments since I am at stage 2. She said I’m not stage 1 which is the earliest diagnosis, and means the cancer is only in the milk ducts of the breast and has not spread. Stage 2 means that the cancer has decided to spread out and has invaded at least one lymph node under my right arm. There are two more stages after this, but fortunately for me I got a guilty conscience when my heart doctor lectured me and went for the dreaded mammogram.
I go tomorrow (Monday) to have a port installed in my chest wall just below my collar bone on the left side. This will allow my oncologist (another phrase I didn’t think I’d ever say) to inject the chemo therapy directly above my heart, and that will allow my heart to disperse the chemo more quickly and efficiently. Evidently I am being scheduled for chemotherapy treatments weekly for the next 4 to 6 months. Up side to that is I get to start a new fashion trend at my work. Since I’ll be loosing my hair (at least that’s what the paperwork my doctor gave me said) and I have a whole wardrobe of hats and big earrings, my new look will be hats and gaudy ear rings. Can hardly wait!
After the chemo I will have 6 to 8 weeks of radiation therapy on a daily basis. The paperwork says that this won’t make my hair fall out. Not too sure why she put that since my hair will be gone if not from the chemo then from the bypass! The radiation is, evidently, very finely focused and will only be aimed at 4 to 6 sites within the breast, and several sites in the lymph node.
After these two treatment “Modalities” I will go through several tests including MRI, bone scans, and CT of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. These will be to see if the tumors have been reduced, and to be sure the cancer has not spread to any other sites. These tests may be combined with a newer test called a PET scan, but I’m not too sure about this test. I’ll learn more as time goes by. Other things my doctor is going to be watching is my bone density, I don’t want to develop osteoporosis, and my heart, as evidently chemo and radiation can be heard on the old ticker.
After all these treatments (it looks like at least 6 months to a year of various treatments) I will be evaluated for surgery. If the treatments have successfully reduced the tumors, I may only need what is called a Lumpectomy. That’s where they go in and only remove part of the breast tissue. If not they will do a complete mastectomy. One of the concerns I have is if they only do a lumpectomy, will there still be cancer cells floating around in there that could settle again in my breast? If there is a chance of that happening I’d rather they just take the whole breast.
I’m also thinking about reconstruction. According to my Mother, (who faced most of these questions 2 years ago when she was diagnosed with Cancer), reconstruction is a lot of pain for something you don’t really need (the breast). But then again she is 80, and was 78 when facing those questions. She is also a “mini”, which means that although she is 5’6” she only weighs less than 120 and has never had more than a 36B. I, on the other hand, am 2 inches shorter but have always been buxomy. I asked my surgeon if it was possible to take tissue from my remaining breast (or tummy) and build another breast. I really don’t want silicone. She said that was a possibility. I must admit, I like the idea of being a B cup instead of a DD cup, so IF I decide on reconstruction, that is something I’m going to think about real hard.
According to everything I’ve read so far my attitude can have a very profound impact on my treatments, both in the success and the amount of nausea and pain I encounter. I’ve always been a very positive person so I’m thinking that I’ll not have as much pain, etc as some of the horror stories I’ve heard. Besides my positive attitude, I have a strong support group, and a very strong faith in God. The way I look at it, I’m almost 60 and in those years God has always taken superb care of me. There’s no reason he won’t do so now either.
Before you point out that I have cancer, and some people don’t consider that superb care, I must remind you that everyone has free will. Free Will has as much to do with how we care for our bodies as how we act in other arenas. I looked down a list of things that can contribute to a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer. There were 14 or 15 items on that list, including smoking, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, among other things. On that list I can claim all but one and that was drug usage. So my attitude is, IF I did the crime (not taking care of myself) then I have to pay the time…(or walk the line of cancer therapy).
Lastly for today, I figure that IF the cancer takes my life I’ll be in heaven with my Savior, and that’s a Win situation for me….WHEN I beat the cancer, I get to stay here and have more fun with friends and family…That is also a WIN situation for me. So whatever happens, I’m getting a win/win situation …who can argue with that?
Stay tuned for the next blog. Don’t know for sure when that will be, but I think I may be writing you a bit more often than I did before. Pray for me…I need it and you probably need the practice!
Kate
Monday, May 11, 2009
Returning to work
Good morning and Happy Day after Mother’s Day
I’m sorry I didn’t post last week, but it was an extremely stressful week for me.
First, I returned to work after being off for 5 weeks. If you don’t think that was stressful, try stepping away from your job for 5 weeks with no one filling in and then go back! I had over 1500 e-mails to check out first thing. Almost 90% of those e-mails had to be logged in, and information from them had to be manually copied and posted to various logs. Then I was back only 2 days and I got 2 new projects assigned to me. My Boss told me he had been holding them for when I came back because he knew I could do them with a minimum of supervision, and could provide direction to the others on my team. Gee thanks, Boss!
Actually, returning to work was a wonderful thing, for several reasons. First, because getting out of the house and doing something constructive has made me begin to feel stronger, and my lack of strength was something that was really beginning to bother me. I’ve always been a strong woman, and not being able to do those things that I usually can was bugging me. The other reason, was because it confirmed that I was missed, needed, and still had a job. In these trying economic times that is always a concern.
Went to see my surgeon for my second post-op appointment. He is pleased with my progress overall, but he wants me to get more exercise. I told him that now that I’m back at work I’ll be getting at least 6 blocks of walking in daily. It’s 3 blocks from where I park to my building, so I figure going to and from will be a big improvement. I’m also going this week to check out a new Gym in the neighborhood. It’s called Planet Fitness. The price is right, the location is right, and if it’s pleasing on the inside I’ll probably join just so I have someplace to get some exercise on the weekends. Besides I think I might be a little more consistent with exercise other than walking if I’m paying for it.
Now for the statistics….I’ve lost another inch on my neck, another 2 inches on my hips, but, unfortunately nothing on the waist. Surgeon says that is probably due to the size of the cyst on my kidney. It isn’t shrinking as I loose weight. I can tell the difference between my right and left sides. The cyst makes my left side look larger, and feel harder. The right side really shows the weight loss, and everything seems to be much mushier. You know, when you are heavy your belly feels kinda hard, but when you loose it gets soft and almost mushy? Well I have the hard on the left and the mushy on the right. I haven’t started buying new clothes yet, so you can’t tell, but I can feel it. Surgeon says I should contact my kidney doctor and see about having it drained. The kidney doctor said that was a possibility back last year when I saw him. I may do that, depending on what happens next Friday.
Next Friday has the other stressor for me, and the big news for you. Last Friday I had biopsies taken from my right breast and the lymph node under my arm. This coming Friday I will receive the results on whether or not I have cancer. Strangely I was more afraid of the biopsies than I was of the cancer verdict. I guess that’s because about 30 years ago (when I was pregnant with my younger daughter) the OB/GYN discovered that I had the beginnings of uterine cancer. He wanted me to have an abortion and immediate hysterectomy. I said not only no but HELL NO. I carried my daughter almost full term, but in the 7th month of my pregnancy the cancer started to grow, and we decided to do a hysterectomy near the middle of the 8th month. So I checked into the hospital, and a couple days later I had a beautiful baby girl, and no more baby-factory.
Anyway, I’ve faced the Big C scare already, and weathered the storm. Even more than that, my faith will sustain me. I truly believe that whatever is God’s will for me, will be completed, and I know both from experience and from His Word that He won’t give me more to deal with than I can handle with him. So, next Friday I get the word. Either way, I’m confident that it will work out, and I’m not scared.
Younger daughter LH wants more pictures, and some full body shots, so I’ll try to get someone to take some this week. Then you’all will see what 55 pounds of weight loss looks like on me. Mostly I think it shows in my face, but you will be able to judge.
Till Friday, or perhaps next weekend, I’ll be loosing weight and praising God for ALL his blessings.
Kate
I’m sorry I didn’t post last week, but it was an extremely stressful week for me.
First, I returned to work after being off for 5 weeks. If you don’t think that was stressful, try stepping away from your job for 5 weeks with no one filling in and then go back! I had over 1500 e-mails to check out first thing. Almost 90% of those e-mails had to be logged in, and information from them had to be manually copied and posted to various logs. Then I was back only 2 days and I got 2 new projects assigned to me. My Boss told me he had been holding them for when I came back because he knew I could do them with a minimum of supervision, and could provide direction to the others on my team. Gee thanks, Boss!
Actually, returning to work was a wonderful thing, for several reasons. First, because getting out of the house and doing something constructive has made me begin to feel stronger, and my lack of strength was something that was really beginning to bother me. I’ve always been a strong woman, and not being able to do those things that I usually can was bugging me. The other reason, was because it confirmed that I was missed, needed, and still had a job. In these trying economic times that is always a concern.
Went to see my surgeon for my second post-op appointment. He is pleased with my progress overall, but he wants me to get more exercise. I told him that now that I’m back at work I’ll be getting at least 6 blocks of walking in daily. It’s 3 blocks from where I park to my building, so I figure going to and from will be a big improvement. I’m also going this week to check out a new Gym in the neighborhood. It’s called Planet Fitness. The price is right, the location is right, and if it’s pleasing on the inside I’ll probably join just so I have someplace to get some exercise on the weekends. Besides I think I might be a little more consistent with exercise other than walking if I’m paying for it.
Now for the statistics….I’ve lost another inch on my neck, another 2 inches on my hips, but, unfortunately nothing on the waist. Surgeon says that is probably due to the size of the cyst on my kidney. It isn’t shrinking as I loose weight. I can tell the difference between my right and left sides. The cyst makes my left side look larger, and feel harder. The right side really shows the weight loss, and everything seems to be much mushier. You know, when you are heavy your belly feels kinda hard, but when you loose it gets soft and almost mushy? Well I have the hard on the left and the mushy on the right. I haven’t started buying new clothes yet, so you can’t tell, but I can feel it. Surgeon says I should contact my kidney doctor and see about having it drained. The kidney doctor said that was a possibility back last year when I saw him. I may do that, depending on what happens next Friday.
Next Friday has the other stressor for me, and the big news for you. Last Friday I had biopsies taken from my right breast and the lymph node under my arm. This coming Friday I will receive the results on whether or not I have cancer. Strangely I was more afraid of the biopsies than I was of the cancer verdict. I guess that’s because about 30 years ago (when I was pregnant with my younger daughter) the OB/GYN discovered that I had the beginnings of uterine cancer. He wanted me to have an abortion and immediate hysterectomy. I said not only no but HELL NO. I carried my daughter almost full term, but in the 7th month of my pregnancy the cancer started to grow, and we decided to do a hysterectomy near the middle of the 8th month. So I checked into the hospital, and a couple days later I had a beautiful baby girl, and no more baby-factory.
Anyway, I’ve faced the Big C scare already, and weathered the storm. Even more than that, my faith will sustain me. I truly believe that whatever is God’s will for me, will be completed, and I know both from experience and from His Word that He won’t give me more to deal with than I can handle with him. So, next Friday I get the word. Either way, I’m confident that it will work out, and I’m not scared.
Younger daughter LH wants more pictures, and some full body shots, so I’ll try to get someone to take some this week. Then you’all will see what 55 pounds of weight loss looks like on me. Mostly I think it shows in my face, but you will be able to judge.
Till Friday, or perhaps next weekend, I’ll be loosing weight and praising God for ALL his blessings.
Kate
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuff Week!
What a tuff week! Introducing new foods into a very restricted diet is a real challenge. I’ve been trying new things and having some luck, but mostly bad, so I’m pretty much back on chicken with spaghetti sauce and grated parmesan cheese. It seems to be the “good Old Standby” that tastes good and doesn’t bother my pouch. It also doesn’t interfere with my weight loss. This week I’ve not lost anything. My scales say I weight 192 this morning. Up one pound from last week. I credit that to all the new foods I’ve been trying this week.
Speaking of new foods, I’ve discovered that some cheeses do very well, and some don’t. The softer cheeses don’t seem to sit while the harder cheeses do. I think it has something to do with the fat content. My pouch really doesn’t like high fat content anything. That’s why avocados are verboten right now, and celery isn’t. You would think that the celery would be hard to digest with all that fiber, but the fat seems to be harder still. I’ll be very happy when I reach the point where I can enjoy a salad again. My pouch is still so small that I don’t want to waste room on non-protein, but I know that someday I’ll be able to enjoy a salad again, even if it’s a small one.
I did have one “treat” yesterday. I had some Jarlsberg cheese sliced thinly on roasted garlic Triscuits. It was a wonderful treat, and didn’t mess up my pouch at all. I’m hoping the fiber in the Triscuits helps get my elimination moving again. I don’t feel comfortable going a couple days between bowel movements, but that seems to be what’s happening. Yuckky!
At least the roasted garlic flavor was wonderful. I didn’t realize how much I would miss flavors. His diet has been on the very bland side, and that garlic really woke my taste buds up.
Been working hard on the back bedroom of my house. Now that JW has moved out, I’m trying to get things cleaned up and organized because I’m having a house guest for about 10 days. A couple of friends of mine and AVs have come from Germany to spend a month. They have been here since the beginning of Fiesta. (You remember Fiesta, don’t you?) Well, it seems that the lady who rented our friends a room has given them notice that her next renters are coming early and she wants to have the room 10 days sooner than she expected. AV asked if they could stay with me for the last days, and of course I told him yes. So I’ve been making the room that was supposed to be my library into a guest room. One of them is going back to Germany on the 1st, but the other is staying until the 12th or 13th. It will be nice to get to spend some real quality time with him. The room is almost ready for them to move in tomorrow. I can put the finishing touches on it today, and it will be ready.
The remainder of my time off will be spent on my bedroom. I need to go through my closets and clear out the clothing that is already too big for me. I plan to either take them to Goodwill or call Salvation Army to come get the boxes. I have three boxes filled already, and that is with my winter things. I have a metal storage closet in the garage where I store coats, sweaters, and clothing that is too warm for summer. Now I have to go through all my cooler clothing. That will be a bigger challenge, but once I try on an outfit, it will either be OK or too big!. I am looking forward to moving out those things in the later category.
Speaking of clearing out closets, I found some clothing that KJ had given me when she lost so much weight just prior to getting married. I thought I had given away most of those things as they were just too small when she gave them to me. I tried on a shirt that I had liked a lot and low and behold, it fit! I took a picture of it and sent it to KJ asking, do you remember this shirt? Her answer ”I wondered what happened to it.” Seems strange to be wearing hand-me-downs from my daughter.
Another interesting thing along those lines, CH (my next to the youngest sister) came by last week, and we decided to go out for a while. I was going stir crazy. She didn’t have anything to wear with her, except her scrubs, so we went through my new clothes and found her a dress and shoes. Now I gotta tell you it was really strange to see my sister, who has always been much smaller than me wearing a dress that I had worn a couple of days before. First I thought it must have shrunk in the laundry, but then I realized that it was washed in cold water so shrinking wasn’t an issue. Anyway, we had a great time, and I finally got used to seeing her in my clothing. Next time she’s in town she is bringing the dress back, the shoes she keeps as they are now too large for me.
Now for this week, I’m sorry I’m a day late posting this, but I’ve been fighting off what I hope is NOT Swine Flu. So far I have a persistent cough, a sore throat, and no energy. No fever, and no muscle aches, so I’m hopeful it’s only a bad cold.
Next week I go back to work. I have very mixed feelings about that. A part of me really likes staying home (that’s the lazy part). I can stay in bed until I feel like getting up, which is usually around 7:30 a.m. I can take a nap when I want, usually around noon, and I can do housework, or not as I feel like it. Going back to work puts me on someone elses schedule, and that I’m not so crazy about. However, I do love the steady income, and don’t think I could make it without that bi-weekly paycheck. Disability has informed me that my time is up on 5/4 and I must return to work 5/5. Oh well, the days of relaxation are over, or soon will be. I can’t say that I have missed the job, but I do enjoy it when I’m there so returning will be OK I guess. I know I’ve missed the people at work. Last Friday I went down to the office to pick up my paycheck. I saw a couple of the folks I work with and both of them made a big deal out of saying how much weight I’d lost and how much better I look. While that was nice to hear, I realized that I’ve missed those folks a lot more than I had thought.
No pictures this week, and no crowing about pounds gone. But I’m recovering my strength, and that is a plus. Next Thursday 5/8 I have an appointment with the surgeon. My second one post Operative. I’m hoping he has good things to say, but I suspect he won’t. I’m not loosing right now, and that isn’t good. I’ve cut the carbs out again, and we’ll see what kind of change that makes. It is, after all, 9 days away.
Until I have something new to report. Take Care and God Bless.
Kate
Speaking of new foods, I’ve discovered that some cheeses do very well, and some don’t. The softer cheeses don’t seem to sit while the harder cheeses do. I think it has something to do with the fat content. My pouch really doesn’t like high fat content anything. That’s why avocados are verboten right now, and celery isn’t. You would think that the celery would be hard to digest with all that fiber, but the fat seems to be harder still. I’ll be very happy when I reach the point where I can enjoy a salad again. My pouch is still so small that I don’t want to waste room on non-protein, but I know that someday I’ll be able to enjoy a salad again, even if it’s a small one.
I did have one “treat” yesterday. I had some Jarlsberg cheese sliced thinly on roasted garlic Triscuits. It was a wonderful treat, and didn’t mess up my pouch at all. I’m hoping the fiber in the Triscuits helps get my elimination moving again. I don’t feel comfortable going a couple days between bowel movements, but that seems to be what’s happening. Yuckky!
At least the roasted garlic flavor was wonderful. I didn’t realize how much I would miss flavors. His diet has been on the very bland side, and that garlic really woke my taste buds up.
Been working hard on the back bedroom of my house. Now that JW has moved out, I’m trying to get things cleaned up and organized because I’m having a house guest for about 10 days. A couple of friends of mine and AVs have come from Germany to spend a month. They have been here since the beginning of Fiesta. (You remember Fiesta, don’t you?) Well, it seems that the lady who rented our friends a room has given them notice that her next renters are coming early and she wants to have the room 10 days sooner than she expected. AV asked if they could stay with me for the last days, and of course I told him yes. So I’ve been making the room that was supposed to be my library into a guest room. One of them is going back to Germany on the 1st, but the other is staying until the 12th or 13th. It will be nice to get to spend some real quality time with him. The room is almost ready for them to move in tomorrow. I can put the finishing touches on it today, and it will be ready.
The remainder of my time off will be spent on my bedroom. I need to go through my closets and clear out the clothing that is already too big for me. I plan to either take them to Goodwill or call Salvation Army to come get the boxes. I have three boxes filled already, and that is with my winter things. I have a metal storage closet in the garage where I store coats, sweaters, and clothing that is too warm for summer. Now I have to go through all my cooler clothing. That will be a bigger challenge, but once I try on an outfit, it will either be OK or too big!. I am looking forward to moving out those things in the later category.
Speaking of clearing out closets, I found some clothing that KJ had given me when she lost so much weight just prior to getting married. I thought I had given away most of those things as they were just too small when she gave them to me. I tried on a shirt that I had liked a lot and low and behold, it fit! I took a picture of it and sent it to KJ asking, do you remember this shirt? Her answer ”I wondered what happened to it.” Seems strange to be wearing hand-me-downs from my daughter.
Another interesting thing along those lines, CH (my next to the youngest sister) came by last week, and we decided to go out for a while. I was going stir crazy. She didn’t have anything to wear with her, except her scrubs, so we went through my new clothes and found her a dress and shoes. Now I gotta tell you it was really strange to see my sister, who has always been much smaller than me wearing a dress that I had worn a couple of days before. First I thought it must have shrunk in the laundry, but then I realized that it was washed in cold water so shrinking wasn’t an issue. Anyway, we had a great time, and I finally got used to seeing her in my clothing. Next time she’s in town she is bringing the dress back, the shoes she keeps as they are now too large for me.
Now for this week, I’m sorry I’m a day late posting this, but I’ve been fighting off what I hope is NOT Swine Flu. So far I have a persistent cough, a sore throat, and no energy. No fever, and no muscle aches, so I’m hopeful it’s only a bad cold.
Next week I go back to work. I have very mixed feelings about that. A part of me really likes staying home (that’s the lazy part). I can stay in bed until I feel like getting up, which is usually around 7:30 a.m. I can take a nap when I want, usually around noon, and I can do housework, or not as I feel like it. Going back to work puts me on someone elses schedule, and that I’m not so crazy about. However, I do love the steady income, and don’t think I could make it without that bi-weekly paycheck. Disability has informed me that my time is up on 5/4 and I must return to work 5/5. Oh well, the days of relaxation are over, or soon will be. I can’t say that I have missed the job, but I do enjoy it when I’m there so returning will be OK I guess. I know I’ve missed the people at work. Last Friday I went down to the office to pick up my paycheck. I saw a couple of the folks I work with and both of them made a big deal out of saying how much weight I’d lost and how much better I look. While that was nice to hear, I realized that I’ve missed those folks a lot more than I had thought.
No pictures this week, and no crowing about pounds gone. But I’m recovering my strength, and that is a plus. Next Thursday 5/8 I have an appointment with the surgeon. My second one post Operative. I’m hoping he has good things to say, but I suspect he won’t. I’m not loosing right now, and that isn’t good. I’ve cut the carbs out again, and we’ll see what kind of change that makes. It is, after all, 9 days away.
Until I have something new to report. Take Care and God Bless.
Kate
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