4/23 to go. Reached the hump day of week 1 with no adverse effects. Just wanted to say thanks to some of my goofball friends who have found a way to send me humour through email. I have had some really good chuckles from a few of you! Believe me, I have not lost my sense of humour! Today I was coaching my radiation technician on running the St. Patrick's Day 10 Km run. I told her she better show up to work stiff tomorrow! Each day I go in they draw a bull's eye right between my breasts with a sharpie! It is really quite disconcerting to get up in the morning and see it when you look in the mirror. I feel like someone is going to shoot me which I guess they are technically doing. I am now referring to the technicians as the chefs who are microwaving me. Sick, sick sense of humour I know but I can't help myself!
Sleeping at night is becoming a bit of an issue. Think it might be some of the medications they are feeding me. In the past three days I think I have had more meds than I have ever had in my entire life. Bill has taken on the role of being my personal organizer. For those of you who know him you can appreciate my color coded binder complete with spread sheets, appointment schedules, etc. etc. I carry it to and from the hospital in a Lulu Lemon bag!
Got a lovely note today from my dear teaching partner Rebecca. I guess they have told the kids about me which I am grateful for. I do want to go and see them but need to time my visit for a time when my immune system is not compromised. That could be a bit of a challenge but I will see how it goes.
Stay tuned…..all is good. Love you
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Probably won't update this everyday as some days like today are basically a non event. 4/23 to go! Second day of radiation and other than the fact my appointment was 45 minutes late because one of the machines was down it was basically a non-event! Hoping I can continue to have days like this when my biggest problem is a small wait! Geoff and Lindsey got back from Whistler last night and brought me some more cinnamon buns from a spot Lindsey loves in Vancouver. Must confess they are delicious but I am starting to worry I am going to start looking like a cinnamon bun! Still feeling good.....working out, walking Boomer, feeling guilty I'm not at work! (well just a little).
Monday, 9 January 2012
Well, had my first full day at the hospital. Started the day off with my $30 a pill anti nausea drugs followed by some steroids. For a girl who hates taking even tylenol this was tough but as promised I am doing as told. We arrived at the Tom Baker at 10 AM where I had my first round of chemo. A very weird experience to be sitting there amongst very sick people and thinking "I just don't fit". This experience took about 2.5 hours then we headed across to Tim Hortons for lunch. Back to the Tom Baker for radiation. Longer today because I had to meet with a couple of people to hear the side effects etc. The radiation itself only takes about 10 minutes and they beam you from many directions, all beams guided by my tatoos! Whoever would have thought I would have tatoos??!!! I finished the day feeling totally fine. No side effects, no nausea......having said that I am not naive enough to think I am going to sail through the whole five weeks like this. The hard part is believing what they are predicting for me starting as early as next week! Hmmmm....won't go into those details until they happen. In any case I will take every good day and enjoy it to the max!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every one of you who has taken the time to phone, to email, to visit,to bring me books and other assorted treats, to cook, etc. There has not been a single day that I have not had a positive message from friends.
I am overwhelmed by your support but I am positive that all your prayers and positive vibes are going to do the trick. Many of you have offered to help out with ANYTHING and I do appreciate it. One of the most popular offers is to walk Boomer. At the moment I am enjoying doing this myself and a few friends have joined me on my loop around Nose Hill. I do know, however, there may come a point that I may take you up on this offer if you are totally serious. I know that on days 8-11 following my chemo days I will have compromised immunity. These are days I need to be careful to stay away from people who are not well, to wash my hands frequently, to avoid excessive contact with pets etc. They may also be days when I may not be feeling as well as I do now. Who knows, but these may be days when I could use some help with my beloved pal! He is quite puzzled by all of this and has been a little strange. Dogs really do have a sense when things aren't right.
So, five chemos, down one, four to go (As Edie pointed out to me!) and 25 radiations, one down, 24 to go! Will keep you posted!
Kelli is coming back on the 15th to be home for a month. She has managed to arrange to do her Emergency Medicine round in Calgary.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every one of you who has taken the time to phone, to email, to visit,to bring me books and other assorted treats, to cook, etc. There has not been a single day that I have not had a positive message from friends.
I am overwhelmed by your support but I am positive that all your prayers and positive vibes are going to do the trick. Many of you have offered to help out with ANYTHING and I do appreciate it. One of the most popular offers is to walk Boomer. At the moment I am enjoying doing this myself and a few friends have joined me on my loop around Nose Hill. I do know, however, there may come a point that I may take you up on this offer if you are totally serious. I know that on days 8-11 following my chemo days I will have compromised immunity. These are days I need to be careful to stay away from people who are not well, to wash my hands frequently, to avoid excessive contact with pets etc. They may also be days when I may not be feeling as well as I do now. Who knows, but these may be days when I could use some help with my beloved pal! He is quite puzzled by all of this and has been a little strange. Dogs really do have a sense when things aren't right.
So, five chemos, down one, four to go (As Edie pointed out to me!) and 25 radiations, one down, 24 to go! Will keep you posted!
Kelli is coming back on the 15th to be home for a month. She has managed to arrange to do her Emergency Medicine round in Calgary.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Not much to report but again thanks to all for your support. I can't tell you how much your emails, cards and phone calls mean. My good friend Maureen arrived today with 6 large (high caloric) cinnamon buns from my very favorite cinnamon bun spot in Kihei, Maui. She carried them all the way back to Calgary, arrived home today at 5:30 AM and found the energy to deliver them to me this afternoon!
Today I had another endoscope and a bronchoscopy. The surgeon had told me he would want to do these before my treatments began but to be honest I was secretly hoping he had forgotten. No such luck. Got the call yesterday that I needed to be at the Foothills Hospital this morning at 7 AM! No coffee!! No food!! That makes for a grumpy patient. This time I was prepared. Arranged my ride and had my arm out for the full sedation! Much, much better when you are asleep! I was out cold for two hours and even when I came too I was out of it, legally impaired for 24 hours. No driving, no cooking (bohoo), take it easy! All was fine and as expected and I am now ready to start things moving at 10:15 AM, Monday morning! As strange as it might sound, I can hardly wait!
Today I had another endoscope and a bronchoscopy. The surgeon had told me he would want to do these before my treatments began but to be honest I was secretly hoping he had forgotten. No such luck. Got the call yesterday that I needed to be at the Foothills Hospital this morning at 7 AM! No coffee!! No food!! That makes for a grumpy patient. This time I was prepared. Arranged my ride and had my arm out for the full sedation! Much, much better when you are asleep! I was out cold for two hours and even when I came too I was out of it, legally impaired for 24 hours. No driving, no cooking (bohoo), take it easy! All was fine and as expected and I am now ready to start things moving at 10:15 AM, Monday morning! As strange as it might sound, I can hardly wait!
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Well...first of all Happy New Year to all! We celebrated our New Year as we often do...with my cousin Trish, her husband Gerry, kids, John and Heather and Kelli and Mike. We were all in Whitefish at Trish and Gerry's new place! Geoff and Lindsey also were down for a couple of days but had to return to Calgary on the 31st as they worked bright and early on New Years Day!
Kelli and I decided that a blog might be the good way to go with me as many of you are wondering what is going on. I always knew I had lots of friends but when something like this happens you really start to realize how much people care about you and how much you care about them! Honestly, everyone, the most difficult part so far has been telling each of you this awful news.
It has been a busy couple of weeks to say the least. Despite it being the holiday season I have been cruising through the Medical System in high gear. On my first visit to the Tom Baker the doctor seeing me glanced at my file and said "My goodness....you are on the fast track! This is how the medical system should work!" I know everyone does not have this experience so I am very grateful that things have been working for me in this regard.
My family have been wonderful. Kelli came home as soon as she heard and spent three weeks with us. It was nice to have her come with us to the many appointments because she often thought of questions that neither Bill nor I considered. On the downside I think she knows a little more about what is in store for me which makes her worry more. I have done very little reading on the subject of my condition, my attitude being they are going to what they are going to do and I am going to respond the way I am going to respond so reading and being prepared isn't going to make one speck of difference. Geoff and I are much alike in this regard! He is very positive and never have I appreciated his positive attitude more than I do now.
Bill is looking after me and trying so hard to "plump" me up! This is the first time in my life I have had a goal to gain weight! It is a very weird thing to purposefully order french fries and then eat every last one!
The Christmas baking everyone has been bringing me has gone to good use this year! I have so many friends that are excellent cooks! Funny how we all want to feed each other in times like this. I am the same way but am now on the receiving end!
OK...so the purpose of this blog is to keep you posted on what is going on. I have had four CAT scans, a PET scan (which tells if the cancer has spread), a pulmonary function test (I blew their machine out of the room performing at 160% of normal), a ECG (abnormal....my hear rate was 40 BPM which is normal for me) The scariest test for me was the PET as this was the determiner of what happens from this point forward. This was the best news for us as the cancer is localized which means I am going for the CURE!!! It is not going to be easy but it is doable! I had my PET scan on December 30. Scariest thing I have ever done. Bill and I then got in the car and headed for Whitefish. When we reached the US border the alarms were going off. I was told to step out of the car and three big customs officers came out of the building and escorted me inside while Bill had to drive the vehicle through a sensor to see if there were radioactive substances in the vehicle. Once inside the building I was scanned with a machine to determine what "substance" alerted their alarm system. This entire process took half an hour and they finally agreed to let me through warning me that in the future I should travel with a letter from my doctor. I guess I will be radioactive for some time!
We had such a nice time down in Whitefish. I feel so healthy right now I sometimes have to shake my head when I know what really is going on. Sometimes I think they are going to tell me they made a mistake and mixed me up with someone else. Wishful thinking. My PET did come back clear though so now I go onto the next step which is five weeks of radiation and chemotherapy combined. My first treatment starts on January 9. I will have my chemo on Mondays for five weeks and radiation five days a week for five weeks. Should have just shaved my head at the Terry Fox Head Shave.....am regretting now that I didn't as I am going to lose my hair! On the good side I already know what I look like bald and it wasn't that bad! My short term goal is to be healthy enough to be in Mexico in May for Geoff and Lindsey's wedding and believe me this is not a party I want to miss!!! I will be doing EVERYTHING in my power to be there.
Thankyou to each of you who has said prayers for me, to all of you who remembered to say your White Rabbits on January 1 (for the first time ever Bill said it and meant it!), to all of you who phone me just to talk,to those who drop by for a visit, to all of you who have brought me goodies, for the email messages, for the many offers to do absolutely anything from driving me to appointments, to walking Boomoer, to cleaning and cooking. Right now I don't need any of these favours but it means a lot that you have offered. Thankyou to all the people in my life. I am truly blessed and I know it!
Kelli and I decided that a blog might be the good way to go with me as many of you are wondering what is going on. I always knew I had lots of friends but when something like this happens you really start to realize how much people care about you and how much you care about them! Honestly, everyone, the most difficult part so far has been telling each of you this awful news.
It has been a busy couple of weeks to say the least. Despite it being the holiday season I have been cruising through the Medical System in high gear. On my first visit to the Tom Baker the doctor seeing me glanced at my file and said "My goodness....you are on the fast track! This is how the medical system should work!" I know everyone does not have this experience so I am very grateful that things have been working for me in this regard.
My family have been wonderful. Kelli came home as soon as she heard and spent three weeks with us. It was nice to have her come with us to the many appointments because she often thought of questions that neither Bill nor I considered. On the downside I think she knows a little more about what is in store for me which makes her worry more. I have done very little reading on the subject of my condition, my attitude being they are going to what they are going to do and I am going to respond the way I am going to respond so reading and being prepared isn't going to make one speck of difference. Geoff and I are much alike in this regard! He is very positive and never have I appreciated his positive attitude more than I do now.
Bill is looking after me and trying so hard to "plump" me up! This is the first time in my life I have had a goal to gain weight! It is a very weird thing to purposefully order french fries and then eat every last one!
The Christmas baking everyone has been bringing me has gone to good use this year! I have so many friends that are excellent cooks! Funny how we all want to feed each other in times like this. I am the same way but am now on the receiving end!
OK...so the purpose of this blog is to keep you posted on what is going on. I have had four CAT scans, a PET scan (which tells if the cancer has spread), a pulmonary function test (I blew their machine out of the room performing at 160% of normal), a ECG (abnormal....my hear rate was 40 BPM which is normal for me) The scariest test for me was the PET as this was the determiner of what happens from this point forward. This was the best news for us as the cancer is localized which means I am going for the CURE!!! It is not going to be easy but it is doable! I had my PET scan on December 30. Scariest thing I have ever done. Bill and I then got in the car and headed for Whitefish. When we reached the US border the alarms were going off. I was told to step out of the car and three big customs officers came out of the building and escorted me inside while Bill had to drive the vehicle through a sensor to see if there were radioactive substances in the vehicle. Once inside the building I was scanned with a machine to determine what "substance" alerted their alarm system. This entire process took half an hour and they finally agreed to let me through warning me that in the future I should travel with a letter from my doctor. I guess I will be radioactive for some time!
We had such a nice time down in Whitefish. I feel so healthy right now I sometimes have to shake my head when I know what really is going on. Sometimes I think they are going to tell me they made a mistake and mixed me up with someone else. Wishful thinking. My PET did come back clear though so now I go onto the next step which is five weeks of radiation and chemotherapy combined. My first treatment starts on January 9. I will have my chemo on Mondays for five weeks and radiation five days a week for five weeks. Should have just shaved my head at the Terry Fox Head Shave.....am regretting now that I didn't as I am going to lose my hair! On the good side I already know what I look like bald and it wasn't that bad! My short term goal is to be healthy enough to be in Mexico in May for Geoff and Lindsey's wedding and believe me this is not a party I want to miss!!! I will be doing EVERYTHING in my power to be there.
Thankyou to each of you who has said prayers for me, to all of you who remembered to say your White Rabbits on January 1 (for the first time ever Bill said it and meant it!), to all of you who phone me just to talk,to those who drop by for a visit, to all of you who have brought me goodies, for the email messages, for the many offers to do absolutely anything from driving me to appointments, to walking Boomoer, to cleaning and cooking. Right now I don't need any of these favours but it means a lot that you have offered. Thankyou to all the people in my life. I am truly blessed and I know it!
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