tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68253505502461751512024-03-08T11:01:24.530-08:00Cheryl Campbell Future Cancer SurvivorAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-36101340556964795542016-01-02T16:00:00.000-08:002016-01-04T22:14:59.656-08:00...And More ChangesI returned from Germany on a Saturday and was just having a fit to get to church for worship. I am not sure why it was particularly emotional for me, personally! I was just to grateful and blessed to be home with people that love me. <br />
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After about 3 hours I returned home and flopped on the couch. The pain began to increase. I have a few options to handle the pain, but since I am unable to swallow anything (not even water)...the options are only a few. By Monday my daughter and big sister had made the decision to take me to hospice. They helped get the pain under control, but not without being 24/7 on a morphine drip.<br />
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I fought to go home for christmas, with much resistance. I finally got to go home on an I.V. pole of morphine and Nutrition.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-86955630309656270262015-12-18T11:34:00.000-08:002016-01-03T17:19:13.386-08:00And Things Do Change Fast. I did extremely well with the lower dose of Gemzar through the use of Hyperthermia. Wonderful!<br />
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But I had to get a traditional dose of Gemzar just one week later. Now, hold on. I am positive that I vomited my toes up. I am so weak and really pretty depressed after what this session of chemo has done to me. The protocol is to get the Gemzar once a week for three weeks and then take a week off. At this point, we are not sure if I can take it two weeks on and two weeks off. Maybe a can take a dose once a month and that at a reduced rate. <br />
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Additionally, I have had fluid drained from my abdomen 4 times since I have been here. It is not that different than the protocol in the U.S. Except for one old doctor that showed up whose training did not include any kind of numbing medication. He could have had be bight down on a nail or something. It took two nurses to hold me down. We got the job done, but I hope that doctor understood what I thought of him in my southern English vernacular. <br />
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I am returning home with a very heathy liver and a very healthy lymph system. It takes some time to see if the chemo is the right one for this cancer. However, I remain unable to eat or drink anything. This is a depressing state of affairs since Christmas is coming up and all of my favorite dishes will be served.<br />
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It has been suggested that I puree the food. But I can not even get water through. It will sit in my tummy for a short amount of time and then come right back up. <br />
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All I want for Christmas is for my cancer to go away! There are so many around the world that are suffering far worse, but my reality for me is very difficult for me to deal with right now.<br />
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Keep Praying.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-89984383289474579832015-12-06T18:34:00.000-08:002015-12-06T18:34:43.737-08:00I Almost Lost My Marbles!As you now know, I made it through the renewal of my lymphatic system and my immune system is in fighting shape. The Extreme Hyperthermia comes with very few side effects. The Doctors in Germany agreed on the same chemo as the doctors in the U.S. This is important so that I can go between Germany & the U.S. for treatments without conflict. We chose a bit of a strong dose of Gemzar that came with some pretty strong Nausea that lasted only one evening. This is a far cry from the week/s or so of nausea and vomitting that I suffer from the traditional chemo infussions in the U.S. <br />
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Chemo and cancer has compromised my production of blood cells. You know that it wrecked my white blood cell count for a while and that is how I ended up in Germany. Well, now it is wrecking my red blood cell count. This causes extreme exaustion and can also become very dangerous. Transfussions of red blood cells are the best way to combat this in the short run. I quickly became lethargic and was barely able to walk or sit up on my own. So, no big deal...right? Just a few units of blood and I will be back up and running. NOT QUITE!<br />
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Tough little Cheryl had a panic attack that would not go away. I could rationalize the necesity, safety, etc. of having the infussions, but something simply freaked me out about it. So after I talked them into sedating me through the procedure and covering the blood with a towel, two units of blood later and I am feeling better. <br />
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I can watch open heart surgeries on t.v., I can watch needles go in and out of my veins and I can almost enjoy a root canal, but this... I prayed for strength, handed it over to God and sent satan to where he belongs and I still needed medication to get me through this. <br />
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As you can see, I still desperately need your prayers, even for the little stuff. Thank you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-69176662577863466252015-12-02T18:33:00.002-08:002015-12-03T09:42:10.158-08:00Great Success?I complete my second round of Extreme Hypothermia here in Germany. I am sorry to say that it took a week to fix what the doctors in America screwed up between treatments. They managed to shut down my lymphatic system which caused extreme swelling all over my body. If you have been reading my blog you will know that extreme pain put me in the hospital. All though the doctors did what they were trained to do...pump pain killers and antibiotics in me...it put me on death's door. The American docs discussed that I have from 2 months to 6 months to live and at some point told my family that I had only days left. They sent me home with nutrition in a bag that I would have to feed myself through a port, every day. <br />
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Of course, I had resigned myself to settle down and let God take me. After one hell of a faith and fight lecture from daughter, we re-booked the flight tickets to Germany that we had cancelled and we made it back to Germany only about 5 days later than originally planned. After about a day of treatment, I felt much better. After a few days of treatment the lymphatic drainage treatment started working. After a few more days I was ready for the big guns, again. Based on how I felt a week ago (throwing up blood, etc.) I am experiencing a MIRACLE. <br />
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The doctors were amazed that I did not even have to have any anethesia. I stripped my clothes off and hopped up on that machine. About 13 hours later I feel like a new person. <br />
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Prognosis from previous treatment to now....See Next Post!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-20489788481432764152015-11-28T18:44:00.001-08:002015-12-02T18:21:31.279-08:00Oh! How That Bucket List changes!Make a list, now, of the things that you would want to do before you die. Do not consider money or any other barriers in your life. Go ahead, just start writing. Go back to that list every year and assess it then start all over with a new list each year. Over the years you will be surprised at the things that you can check off of that list as having completed in some way. At some point, you will start to see real growth in who you are and your outlook on what is important in life. <br />
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I started doing this years ago. I have missed a few years here and there, but I still go back to that list at some point. My bucket list is at a very interesting cross-road, as you can imagine. The most important observation is how close to God I have become and how God is a much bigger part of this bucket list every year.<br />
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May I share some of this list with you?<br />
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<li>Write a book (it does not have to be a novel, but a legacy of some sort)</li>
<li>Travel more (oh! how I would love to go on a mission trip and see the look on people's faces when they understand what God's Grace means)</li>
<li>Cook more (Ya'll come on over after church for a bite to eat and a card game - socialize more with my brothers & sisters in Christ)</li>
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You can steal my ideas for your bucket list. Many of the items on the list are outrageous stuff that one would never think could happen in my life time, but I don't worry about that. I just move forward with my hopes and dreams.</div>
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Keep dreaming and praying...and for goodness sakes, WRITE!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-87448014224131772602015-11-28T18:24:00.001-08:002015-11-28T18:24:33.141-08:00"You Are One Tough Lady!"I got this comment from the most intimidating German, Female doctor here at Frachclinic after she looked at sonograms & CT scans that have been produced over the last year. The more test that are run in the U.S. and in Germany, the more I get that comment. They know the true severity of my cancer, the pain that it causes and the terrible side effects. I take this opportunity to explain how Jesus Christ suffered a heck of a lot more than this. <br />
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As feeding tubes remain in and the tummy & lungs continue to be drained every few days...I remain strong as an example of a child of God...I remain strong for an even stronger daughter who is always at my side...I remain strong for little cousins that are looking up to me...I remain strong for my twin sister that is left to pick up some of the pieces of my life, not to mention trying to be a surrogate mother to my daughter...I remain strong for all that have carried a burden. I am not a victim in anyway and refuse to be labled that way. <br />
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Again, I say that God has blessed me by choosing me to carry this. This particular cancer is a furious one and is proving to be one heck of a ride.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-85774523600144269572015-11-27T00:58:00.000-08:002015-11-27T20:45:08.127-08:00Financial Burden!These trips to Germany are proving to be very expensive, but I knew that going in. I just thought that the vague wording from the insurance company would help out a little more. So far, I have not received a receipt that is usable for them and at that they will only pay 60% of any treatment that they would normally pay for in the states. Most of the treatments that I am getting are alternative by U.S. standards.<br />
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The first visit cost over $25,000 U.S. dollars and this visit will be about the same. <br />
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I am posting this because some of you have asked. <br />
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A precious friend has set up a way that you can help. Go to the St. John's County Pink Heals website. You will find a link there. They also have an address that you can mail a check to, that will make the donation completely tax refundable. Or you can pay by credit card right there on the website. To the best of my knowledge, I can't see who has donated and 100% of the donations go toward my medical bills. At a later date, St. John's County Pink Heals will host a fund raiser to collect the cost of doing this. On the website, you will see other St. John's County residents that are also fund raising for their cancer treatments.<br />
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www.sjcpinkheals.com<br />
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Thank you for your continued prayers!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-76496001639434170552015-11-27T00:38:00.001-08:002015-11-27T00:38:48.868-08:00First Snow!I am such a Florida Girl!!! I have only been in snow a few times for the odd snow ski trip...but that was years ago. We took a direct flight from Orlando to Frankfurt and had a driver from the clinic waiting for us. This was a good thing, as I was a sick puppy when I left the U.S. <br />
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The Autobahn was fairly clear and fast. Now, that is an amazing ride if are with daring drivers. WooHoo! On the very fast ride to the clinic we saw areas that had been blanketed with snow just days before. The white trees and landscaping was so beautiful. Since, I have been house bound by treatments, I have not ventured out to experience the freezing cold. <br />
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The nurses were standing at the door with blood pressure cuff and thermometer to get me started, even before I have registered as a patient. But they all already know me and were excited to see how I am doing.<br />
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I do not know how long I will be here, as we have not purchased a return flight ticket. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-56911317887243541782015-11-27T00:14:00.000-08:002015-11-27T20:38:57.687-08:00What To Post and What Not To Post!I am not big on posting my life when I am out of town, unless Spud is highly armed and dangerous. Since he has his partners in crime staying with him, I will post. <br />
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After listening to a host of doctors give me little hope, my daughter and I decided to salvage our trip to Germany. They kept telling us that there is still a lot that they can try. Everything that the local docs wanted to do was only palliative. Even a chemo that they wanted to try, was not expected to help much, but may have reduced some of the cancer burden. A few ticket changes and we are in Germany only a few days later than originally planned.<br />
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Within 12 hours of being here, I had local Hyperthermia to the small bowels and about 5 I.V. infusions to help my liver, lymph nodes and immune system. I immediately felt much better. After two nights here, I have had a lot of treatments. <br />
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Today, I expect my second lymph drainage that includes lymphatic massage and the wrapping of my little swollen legs. This will go on for several days and has already improved my ability to move and dress myself. I will get blood transfusions today due to a low hemoglobin count. I will get the additional multiple infusions and local hyperthermia that I get everyday.<br />
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Due to the tumor burdened small bowel blockage, I am still on a liquid diet. There are times I venture out and try some soft food that ultimately ends in a severe tummy ache. <br />
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As the internet permits, I will keep you posted...you know, since Spud and the armed guards are in charge.<br />
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Keep praying. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-30337787644959399032015-11-17T04:25:00.000-08:002015-11-17T04:25:33.005-08:00Challenging Week!I have been through the ringer this past week or so. Holy Cow! I don't know where to begin. I have had my abdomen drained three times, vomited a fair a amount of blood, suffered a significant tumor burdened blockage that took me completely off of anything by mouth for days. <br />
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It is pitiful when the ER and the rest of the hospital knows me by name. Yes! this has included a few hospital stays and tons of tests. I have had so much fun with these dedicated caregivers....WOW! WOW! WOW! Pray for them.<br />
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I get a port placed today. It is a bit shocking that I have been fighting cancer for two years and everything has been done through my little bitty veins. This port is a direct line into a major artery that is placed under a muscle in my chest. No more needle sticks!!! yeah! But to be honest, the needle really does not bother me at all, it is just that my veins are done helping me out here. <br />
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My daughter, twin sister and I have spent some teary late nights at the hospital trying to say everything to each other that we think needs to be said. What a blessing this is. Many people don't get that chance and then spend years wishing they would have had that last conversation. <br />
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What I haven't explained yet is that the doctors have given me 2 - 6 months to live. But certainly less than a year. <br />
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I am not believing a word of it. I have many more treatments in Germany to go and God still has some really big plans for me. Although, I am excited beyond words to go see my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ....I simply have got some work to do that only I can do.<br />
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Keep praying like crazy in any way that the Holy Spirit leads you! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-50392825996045631412015-11-09T15:20:00.001-08:002015-11-09T15:20:37.628-08:00After The Fact!You all don't get to hear what is going on until it is all over with. On Thursday, I had another paracinticis. I ended up in the Emergency Room with extreme pain, again. I was screaming and throwing up blood...thick blood. We may have figured out that the morphine is killing my little stomach. I know you all will want to make suggestions and believe me I am doing it. There is nothing like a big glass of buttermilk to soothe an achey tummy...and the 1/2 dozen other things I am taking, just for the stomach. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-49783915951788882962015-10-29T12:48:00.000-07:002015-11-09T15:15:58.681-08:00Paliative Care!So, remember when I called a meeting with Hospice? It kind of sobered all of us up. It got real for me at that point. Hospice does provide paliative care, but not quiet to the level of this doctor. I wish I would have found her a year ago. She spent an hour interviewing me and sorting out all of the medicine, symptoms and side-effects that I have been dealing with. She prescribe some new medicines to help with my tummy. I had gotten to the point that I could not eat much more than a few tablespoons of food at a time and everytime I took my pills they wanted to come back up. <br />
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Now, she come to see me once a week to determine what is working, or not, and will make some adjustments to my prescriptions. <br />
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Oncologists treat the cancer and they try to treat the pain and other side-effects, but they really only care about the cancer. The pulmonologist only treats my lungs and makes sure I am getting the oxygen that I need. This doctor looks at the entire body and suggests solutions for everything that is going on. <br />
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I look forward to more comfortable days ahead. God is so Good!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-90168234202721040172015-10-29T12:28:00.002-07:002015-10-29T12:28:50.057-07:00What's The Good Word? I am sorry that I have not blogged since my return to Germany. I have been catching up on the 3 weeks of my life that I missed, but mostly recovering from the long trip. <br />
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Other than being tired, I don't feel much different. Pain is still increasing. I personally feel like the cancer is not growing since the treatment. The doctors in Germany told me that I probably would not be able to tell if it is working for a few months. I got the big Hyperthermia treatment on October 1st. There was what I thought to be an unbilical hernia coming out of my belly button. But the doctors in Germany said that it was a tumor. It is a lot smaller...that's encouragaing. I also have a knot on the left side of my neck, about the size of a small grape, that has not changed in size. So I kind of judge the growth of the cancer by those two things.<br />
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There is a lot going on inside of my belly. That is where all of the pain is. Monday afternoon, I could no longer take the pressure and pain and had 2.2 liters of fluid drained off of my abdomen. That felt so much better.<br />
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Monday night I could not get the pain under control and I did not want to over medicate with Morphine, etc... So my daughter took me to the ER. I did not want to do this because I knew they would want to admit me...and they did. They ran a few tests and scans and could not find the sorce of the pain other than cancer. So they increased my morphine and a few other things and sent me home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-16856657379495604532015-10-16T12:33:00.001-07:002015-10-16T12:33:33.308-07:00Cutting The Cord!We leave here tomorrow and return home with chemo pills, anti-estrogen pills (tumors where estrogen senstive), an adiquate amount of morphine, Immune system shots (that I have to give to myself in my belly...eweeee!), sublingual drops, and a handful of other meds and vitamins. I hope that I can keep it all straight. I have gotten used to the nurses doing that for me. <br />
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I am going to miss the other inmates. We have had a great time sharing our stories and giving each other advice. Our prayer sessions have continued. I can't tell you how exciting that has been for me.<br />
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I have instructions to rest and to not over do it. As usual, the doctors are surpirsed how well I bounce around inspite of the severity of my cancer. I keep telling them that as long as I am not in pain, I can do anything. <br />
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That being said, I am looking forward to going back to the office and meeting with students. Part of what we have been doing in Germany is helping my white blood cell count...done! As long as my blood cell counts are good, then catching a little cold should not kill me. I don't have to avoid crowds and all that stuff. <br />
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I will return here in two months for a two week stay and another round of chemo with extreme whole body hyperthermia. I should really be able to see the difference by that point. <br />
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I wish I would have started with this treatment. I would have saved myself a lot of illness. <br />
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Thank you for continuing to lift me up to The Lord! He is answering your prayers. Hallelujiah!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-14567099249028044022015-10-15T13:14:00.003-07:002015-10-15T13:14:37.001-07:00Art Therapy!Part of my therapy here in Germany is Art Therapy. I love art! This was always my favorite class in school. Over the years, I have painted a few paintings. I am my own biggest critic and I do not hang my art on the walls. I have actually donated some of it to a thrift store. <br />
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So, here in this cancer clinic we have pre-planned crafts or we can dig arount in the art room and find supplies to do our own thing. I always participate in the planned craft and then scurry off to find something to paint. It feels so good to dip a paint brush into colors and blend them. When a paint brush will not do, I have my fingers all in it. <br />
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The idea is to help us get our minds off of treatment for a while and to use a different part of our brain. Some people find their creativity and go off in life to create beautiful work. My goal is to open that part of my brain, again, and see what I can do. Good or bad it will be fun.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-16086985779536272862015-10-13T15:11:00.001-07:002015-10-13T15:11:33.987-07:00Why Am I Here?Until tonight I thought I was here to heal my cancer. But tonight may have revealed to me that I am here for something else.<br />
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As I started to settle in for the night, 8pm, I heard the faintest sound. Something did not seem right. I was not completely sure that it was not someone's television. Nosey me started to explore. And I found my friend Joque screaming. Her husband had just, moments before, passed away.<br />
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As I sat there with one arm around Joque and one arm around her deceased husband, Steve, I searched my heart and soul for the words to help. All I knew was to start praising God and to lead Joque in that direction as well.<br />
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I met Joque and Steve my first day here. They were here from Nigeria. Steven was an attorney there and they have four school aged children. I could tell that Steve was pretty sick and had learned over the last few days that he was on a little more morphine than I am on. I have spent several hours over the last few weeks cheering them up and helping them see God's grace in all of this. I was happy to know that they were very strong christians.<br />
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So, tonight, I knew that Joque would want me to stay with her. What I did not know until a few minutes ago is that Joque is a pastor of a church in Nigeria. I could not believe it. Why had she not told me this and why have I been counseling her? Either way, I was honored to be there to help her through the worst moments of her life. <br />
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My heart breaks for my new friend and I sure hope that I said the right words to help.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-13758636413383784752015-10-13T05:52:00.002-07:002015-10-13T05:54:37.164-07:00Continued Treatments!I have been asked for more details about my treatments. So here it goes:<br />
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I start everyday with Local Hyperthermia. This is a machine that heats up a very specific part of your body. We have been alternating between my liver and my lower abdomen. This machine does not feel hot to the touch as it rests on my body, but my head always starts sweating a lot. I do this for an hour for 6 days per week.<br />
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While I am tied down to that machine they start my infussions. I get I.V. bags of medicine for my lymph system, body cleanses, vitamin Bs, vitamin C and the sort. I do this every day and sometimes I am dragging the I.V. pole around with me, from treatment to treatment. </div>
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After that, they slide a big ring around my body...it is a bit like an open MRI machine, but smaller. This is the Magnetic Field Therapy. They turn it on and I sit in that for about 20 minutes for 6 days a week.</div>
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The nurses that attend to the therapies, above, are all German. Some understand me when I am talking to them and others don't. I can tell you not to mess up your I.V. or you will get into trouble. And you had better be on time for your therapy or they will hunt you down. </div>
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I love love love the 3 days a week that I get reflexology (a bit like a massage for my feet) and the upper body massage. I always fall asleep. A beautiful Phillipean girl named Rochelle do these treatments. She speaks excellent German and hates the winters here. </div>
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I have physio therapy three times a week. I have a trainer that directs me working out on weights. This is a pitiful attmept to strengthen some muscles. I like my German therapist. He is quite young and was raised in Koln. </div>
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I get ozone treatments twice a week. I think that I explained this in an earlier post. </div>
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I get shots in the belly a few time each week. I take a hand full of pills 3 times each day. This includes my chemo pill every morning. I have sublingual drops that I have to do once each week. I have given up asking what each pill is. It is usually something in German that I have google.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-70181379776193515472015-10-12T03:27:00.000-07:002015-10-12T03:30:17.541-07:00Gifts Go With You!My passion for leadership is with me in Germany. After two weeks of getting to know the other inmates, I decided that we were in need of a prayer meeting. I invited my new friends to the chapel. So I went into the chapel early to see what bibles they have. They had a few copies of the Quran, many books on different religions and one New Age Bible on the New Testament that was not exactly correct (in my opinion). So there would not be any bible verses to look up...the internet was down. That's o.k. I will pull from memory.<br />
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Our meeting was hugely successful, I had 4 other people attend. I started with a silent pray/confession of sins. We then went around the circle and prayed out loud. And finally we went around the circle and talked about a blessing or miracle that we each had experienced or discovered in our battle with cancer. It was fun to hear people from other countries and the way they pray and worship God. (we were all christians)<br />
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Everyone left my little prayer session asking if we could do this every day. Every one agreed that they felt more positive, blessed and supported when they left the room.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-62883759196861280282015-10-12T02:23:00.004-07:002015-10-13T05:30:54.660-07:00Charades!As we start our third week at this clinic in rural Germany, I continue to be amused at my daughter's ability to make new friends and to talk to anyone. It does not matter if they speak English, she still tries. I see a lot of hand and body movements much like a game of charades. <br />
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Here is a good example. I had about a two hour break between treatments the other day and we decided to go for a walk. In about a block or two of walking we were in a large field that was bordered by a row or two of apple trees. There were two old men and an old woman picking apples. Kristin and I walked over to them and asked if we could pay them to let us pick an apple. They spoke almost no english, but they understood when we said, "America". After a game of charades we figured out that they had flown on a big plane to Chicago and then on to Fort Wayne, Indiana to see their children. They now know that this is our first trip to Germany and that we have orange trees. <br />
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I have another humorous observation. When someone does not understand my daughter I hear her speaking English with some sort of accent. It is as if they will understand her better if she talks like her native language is not English. I laughed so hard when I first heard this. She did not even realize what she was doing, but when I pointed it out to her she got a big laugh out of it too.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-47175969670756502072015-10-08T08:13:00.000-07:002015-10-10T11:49:46.679-07:00Holy Cow! The Holy Spirit!I am trying so hard to listen to God for guidance. I know that as a Christian I should strive to live the 10 commandments, confess my sins, walk as Christ walked, keep short accounts with God, be in God's Word (the bible) every day, forgive others who have hurt me, etc... I am so excited when God reveals something new to me. <br />
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I had been praying and asking God to let me know where my mistakes are in this current battle. About 30 minutes later an acquantance here walked up and handed me the book "Healed of Cancer" by Dodie Osteen. This book is full of prayers and scriptures that she used and continues to use to realize her miraculous cure. She was given two weeks to live. She is still here over 30 years later with no medical treatment. Although, she does not suggest denying treatment if it is available, she does give a lot of insight into her spiritual life. <br />
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The thing that struck me is that I thought that God's WILL for me would be to let me live or to take me home with him. But, NO! His WILL is for me to live a long abundant life on this earth. How to do that is what is being revealed to me, now, by the Holy Spirit.<br />
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The second thing that struck me is that while it is o.k. for me to depend on other people's prayers and faith...it is really all about my relationship with Christ that is healing me. There is no question that God hears and answers all of your prayers for me, but he wants me to come to the reality that I should be leaning on him and not you and your prayers. (We still must pray for each other)<br />
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As you read this you may tell yourself, "well yes, Cheryl, where has your head been?" Well, I thought my relationship with God was where it needed to be. It is really like peeling away the layers of an onion. When you master one part another layer is revealed for you to master. There is never an end to the complexity and richness of God's love for us. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-40122531700778678242015-10-07T03:12:00.000-07:002015-10-07T03:12:38.329-07:00A Little Fresh Air!Since I am not well enough to travel around Germany, I have to be happy with a short waddle out and about Bad Salzhauzen. I did make it out to Frankfurt this past weekend, but to the dismay of my doctors. They spoke with Kristin and told her not to push me so much. "But I wanted to go," i said with my bottom lip out. <br />
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I am waddling as my stomach is increasing in size. At first, I thought it was due to the long air travel here and that it would go down in a few days. The doctors did a sonogram and saw multiple pockets of fluid and air with no real way to remove it. They would have to stick me in dozens of different places to get it out of there. <br />
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More about my waddlings about this beautiful little country town, later, as I have been summoned to local hyperthermia and multiple infussions.<br />
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Tata for now!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-49143871592564513192015-10-07T03:05:00.002-07:002015-10-07T03:05:54.296-07:00Are You Feeling Any Better?Since I have been here just over a week the new comers are asking me how it is going. <br />
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My mind & spirit is healthy and happy. My poor little body is exhausted and in more pain than ever. My morphine was doubled yesterday and so were the number of other pills I take. The doctors want me to take more time resting. They understand the severity of my type of cancer. I have been given no hope or dreams of success. But God answers my prayers for happiness and quality time with my daughter. <br />
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We are getting to have the reputation of being the fun patients amoung the doctors and nurses. There is always something funny to laugh about especially when Kristin is vidoeing everthing I am doing and getting done. I am happy that my experience is being documented, but it is being done at the cost of any privacy at all. Well, if it helps others...then O.K.!<br />
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On top of all of the treatments I can not believe they are making me lift some weights. I thought that was for the healthy people. But since they also consider me a healthy patient with cancer they are putting me through the paces. <br />
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Today, a new treatment was added. They start an I.V. and remove some of my blood, add ozone, mix it all around and return it to my veins. It is a good thing that I am not scared of the sight of blood.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-37891794584962659432015-10-06T11:05:00.001-07:002015-10-06T11:05:35.167-07:00New Campers!Some of the precious people that I met last week had been here for a while and have gone home. They all took a part in showing me the ropes and telling me their cancer stories. I have found that most of us have deep christian roots...except for the patients from the Middle East whom all seem to be Muslem. <br />
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This week we are meeting new families getting the tour and settling in for their two to three week stay. I am trying to pass on the helpful hints that were passed to me on my first few days. There are things like: the secret to making the washer and dryer work right; how to get ice cream brought out of the kitchen; never to ask the cafeteria for anything after closing time; or how to get a ride into Nidda for free.<br />
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All of this goes on between our rigorous days of treatments. Each new person/family has a story of someone they know from home that have had successful experiences here.<br />
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We all remain hopeful and continue to encourage each other. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-47909181559087468112015-10-04T12:19:00.000-07:002015-10-06T10:50:18.873-07:00Slang!I have realized that I use a lot of slang in my language. There are patients & families from all over the world at this clinic. Most of them know some English. Working with international students at the University has made me realize that I need to speak slowly to people that are not fluent in English. I can manage that, but the other day I told someone that my daughter had a "ball". After I saw the look on their face I realized what I had done. I told them that meant that she had a "great time". My daughter in not as aware and I find myself stepping in to correct what she is trying to communitcate. She is catching on and adjusting language, but not as much as she needs to.<br />
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"Ya'll" is another coloquial slang word that we use a lot. That causes people to wrinkle their foreheads. I end up explaining that one too. <br />
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There are other cultural differences that I am having fun taking note of. I will try to update you as I think of them. <br />
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I think I have made the best friends with a couple from Nigeria and a few groups from Australia. So far I have met couples from the U.S. from Missouri and New York. <br />
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God is definately preparing me for something great. This experience is nothing less than Grace. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825350550246175151.post-55021125593584025962015-10-04T12:06:00.002-07:002015-10-06T10:52:12.360-07:00Happy Birthday To Us!The word got around that it was my Birthday on Friday. Everyone in my office knows how that happened, because every year I tell absolutely everyone I see that it is my birthday. I also usually wear a tiara. I did not have my tiara with me, but I made sure that everyone knew that it was my day. Of course, the clinic gave me a beautiful little bouquet of pink flowers. I also had a precious friend send me a huge bouquet of flowers. Although, there was no celebration, cake or presents it was still very special to be at a place like this getting a chance at a remission that the U.S. could not give me.<br />
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The sad part is that I have never been so far away from my twin sister on our birthday. But we know that because of this trip and many others after this, I will have a great birthday next year with her. We are getting very home sick for each other. We stay intouch every day, but getting to hug each other is really what we need. I think I am going to hug her for 30 solid minutes when I get home. <br />
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I am pretty sure that I survived a lonely birthday because my daughter is with me. If she can't cheer you up then no one can. She is amazing. She found a shop and bought me a card that says something in German that we do not understand. It probably says Happy Anniversary, but who cares. It is special anyway. She also bought me a bag of my favorite candy...Haribo Gold Gummy Bears. They are very different flavors, but still so good. I will definately bring some home. <br />
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I wish you all were here with me. <br />
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Our God is an awesome God!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763157413246835235noreply@blogger.com1