It has been almost two months since my last chemo and my fur is growing back. It really is like fur. My head is extremely soft and fuzzy. I had heard that my hair would grow back a different texture...possibly curly. It will eventually go back to normal.
It will all fall out again after the next round of chemo, but I don't mind. I am proud of my bald head. It is a symbol of my struggles and strength.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Why More Chemo?
If the doctors can not find the cancer then why are they going to continue with chemo?
The typical protocol is to follow surgery with chemo to get any cells that they may have missed. Just because they did not see anything does not mean that it is not there, somewhere.
Additionally, this cancer is a highly aggressive and recurring cancer. Remember in an earlier blog when I said that only 18% of patients live 5 years with this type of cancer. Well, they want to give me the very best chance of being in that 18%.
This is the #1 cancer center in the world...I am going to do what they tell me.
The typical protocol is to follow surgery with chemo to get any cells that they may have missed. Just because they did not see anything does not mean that it is not there, somewhere.
Additionally, this cancer is a highly aggressive and recurring cancer. Remember in an earlier blog when I said that only 18% of patients live 5 years with this type of cancer. Well, they want to give me the very best chance of being in that 18%.
This is the #1 cancer center in the world...I am going to do what they tell me.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Too Sore for a Happy Dance!
Monday, February 3rd I had surgery to remove the cancer.
One small problem... the doctors could NOT visibly find any cancer. Not anything! They "looked and looked" and still could not see anything.
Since the source of the cancer was the ovary, the doctors did a complete hysterectomy and removed the omentum. The surgery was somewhat laparoscopic with only 4 separate incisions around my abdomen. I think most of the holes were for the camera, with the largest cut only a few inches long. The one that hurts the most is one at my left rib cage at the top of my abdomen.
They are sending the tissue to the lab for further investigation, but expect to find nothing.
The next morning, 4 doctors told me that they are "AMAZED". I told them that it was a God Thing! I think that I am a science project for them, now. They are trying to figure out why I have responded so much better to chemo than any other stage 4 patient.
Chemo will start again in a few weeks.
I spent one night in the hospital...stay tuned for a few humorous stories that I plan to recall in future posts.
One small problem... the doctors could NOT visibly find any cancer. Not anything! They "looked and looked" and still could not see anything.
Since the source of the cancer was the ovary, the doctors did a complete hysterectomy and removed the omentum. The surgery was somewhat laparoscopic with only 4 separate incisions around my abdomen. I think most of the holes were for the camera, with the largest cut only a few inches long. The one that hurts the most is one at my left rib cage at the top of my abdomen.
They are sending the tissue to the lab for further investigation, but expect to find nothing.
The next morning, 4 doctors told me that they are "AMAZED". I told them that it was a God Thing! I think that I am a science project for them, now. They are trying to figure out why I have responded so much better to chemo than any other stage 4 patient.
Chemo will start again in a few weeks.
I spent one night in the hospital...stay tuned for a few humorous stories that I plan to recall in future posts.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Ever Wonder?
Those of us that have lost someone very close to us will always wonder if they are o.k., where they are or if they know what we are going through.
I lost my precious husband 3 years ago. I would like to believe that he would communicate with me if he could...maybe to just let me know that he knows I am fighting cancer.
Maybe this is just a coincident (but is worth sharing):
My last chemo was on the 3 year anniversary of his death.
My surgery is, now, scheduled on our 13th wedding anniversary.
I do believe that if he were alive and helping me, that I would not dig down so deep and pull out all of my strength. I would probably lean on him and not as much on God. I would not ask others so much for help. I would not KNOW that I can do this.
I lost my precious husband 3 years ago. I would like to believe that he would communicate with me if he could...maybe to just let me know that he knows I am fighting cancer.
Maybe this is just a coincident (but is worth sharing):
My last chemo was on the 3 year anniversary of his death.
My surgery is, now, scheduled on our 13th wedding anniversary.
I do believe that if he were alive and helping me, that I would not dig down so deep and pull out all of my strength. I would probably lean on him and not as much on God. I would not ask others so much for help. I would not KNOW that I can do this.
Maybe Not!
Many of you have not heard that my surgery was postponed due to my low Neutrophil levels. This has something to do with with my White Blood Cells. All I know is that it increases my chances of infections.
Normal Neutrophil levels are 1.5 or above...mine were at 0.9.
We will try again next week to have surgery.
After a conference with 4 doctors, they still do not know the extent of my surgery until they go into my abdomen.
You can imagine my frustration about the entire situation. My mother reminded me, quickly, that everything happens for a reason. So I have gone to God to thank HIM for the blessings that will come out of this change in schedule.
I have to focus on the positives.
Normal Neutrophil levels are 1.5 or above...mine were at 0.9.
We will try again next week to have surgery.
After a conference with 4 doctors, they still do not know the extent of my surgery until they go into my abdomen.
You can imagine my frustration about the entire situation. My mother reminded me, quickly, that everything happens for a reason. So I have gone to God to thank HIM for the blessings that will come out of this change in schedule.
I have to focus on the positives.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Last post for a week or so!
I go into surgery this week with renewed energy that all is well. The doctors still do not know if I am facing a laparoscopic surgery or if they are going to zip me open. Thus I have no idea if I will stay in the hospital or not. This is a bit frustrating, but I will know tomorrow. The doctors wanted time to review all scans, etc....
I have never had a sponge bath before and I hope I don't get one now. Wait! I wonder if it is a male nurse or a female nurse. I better take my lip stick to the hospital. You never know who I need to impress. That is funny to think about. Do I have a conversation with someone that is bathing me? Should I talk about my favorite soap or my favorite vacation? At least I don't have to worry about if my legs or arm pits are shaved...because I don't have hair there, either. teeheeheehee!
No matter what, I can assure you that I am going to have a good time. I try so hard to be a blessing to all of the healthcare workers that I come across. I look for the insanity and humor in all of it. It is just part of my way of staying positive.
I have never had a sponge bath before and I hope I don't get one now. Wait! I wonder if it is a male nurse or a female nurse. I better take my lip stick to the hospital. You never know who I need to impress. That is funny to think about. Do I have a conversation with someone that is bathing me? Should I talk about my favorite soap or my favorite vacation? At least I don't have to worry about if my legs or arm pits are shaved...because I don't have hair there, either. teeheeheehee!
No matter what, I can assure you that I am going to have a good time. I try so hard to be a blessing to all of the healthcare workers that I come across. I look for the insanity and humor in all of it. It is just part of my way of staying positive.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
A Miracle!
After triple contrast CT scans the doctors can not find any cancer anywhere in my body except my right ovary. How can this be? I started Chemo on November 5th. I was stage IV with disease around my heart, in my lungs, in all connective tissue, in my colon, in my small intestines, implants of cancer cells in dozens and dozens of places, and the list goes on. In just 2 & 1/2 months I am down to stage 1.
This is proof of the power of prayer. The doctors do not have an explanation for why I am healing so quickly. This is the #1 cancer center in the world and they are amazed at my progress.
I have had only 3 sessions of chemo. My chemo nurse told me that he has never seen a stage IV patient go to surgery after only 3 sessions. He stated that I would need at least 3 to 6 more sessions.
The doctors are ready to do surgery. It should be only laprascopic. This means no hospital stay and only a few days of recovery instead a week in ICU and a month in the hospital. UNREAL! I was not supposed to live through Christmas.
God must have big plans for me. I can't wait to see what that is.
Please join me in praising and thanking God for this miracle.
This is proof of the power of prayer. The doctors do not have an explanation for why I am healing so quickly. This is the #1 cancer center in the world and they are amazed at my progress.
I have had only 3 sessions of chemo. My chemo nurse told me that he has never seen a stage IV patient go to surgery after only 3 sessions. He stated that I would need at least 3 to 6 more sessions.
The doctors are ready to do surgery. It should be only laprascopic. This means no hospital stay and only a few days of recovery instead a week in ICU and a month in the hospital. UNREAL! I was not supposed to live through Christmas.
God must have big plans for me. I can't wait to see what that is.
Please join me in praising and thanking God for this miracle.
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