Category: 1-Just the Facts

Specifics, dates, info, only

April 15

Well, good news and ok news… i am hopefully over the most serious of nausea  and usual SE. (please!)

The oncology team keeps telling me that i know when i’m dehydrated. Evidently i do not. i haven’t been eating much, but i still thought the weakness, lightheadness and fatigue may have had something to do with being dehydrated. Nope! That test came back negative. So no, i am not an expert on my dehydration. 🙂 One of more positive effects of not eating, is i have lost a few more pounds. i’ll admit, not the best way, but i’ll take it! There was a part of me that hoped i was not dehydrated. When they give you fluids, you gain a couple of pounds back. So yay!

Today they ran my labs, and my numbers were around the level they usually are on day 14. (To put that in perspective, today is day 7.) Not sure if that means that my numbers are at their lowest now, or if they will still get lower as i get closer to day 14.  For those who are interested in actual numbers, i have included a section on the bottom over the past few weeks, so you can see what i’m talking about. Tomorrow i am going to move a copy of the numbers to the Facts section.   If you just want it in english, here it is:
My history for this chemo is: Monday i get infusion. That is usually when my numbers are the highest. The second week, my numbers have dropped about 1/3’sh of the totals. The third week i usually have my lowest numbers. That is when we pull out the masks and avoid crowds. Then my numbers start climbing, and we start it all over again. With my numbers so low today, we are starting the mask thing early – which will make Easter week very interesting for me.

So overall report: If i am sitting down, i can talk for hours (i know, nothing new.) But getting up and walking takes a bit more. i start off ok, but wear out quickly! Really quickly. i sit for a few minutes, then off again. For food, i eat a few bites, then stop for a while. So, if you see me do any of these things over the next couple of weeks, i’m ok. If i am laying on the ground with my eyes closed, i made need help! (just kidding!!)

All things considered, it was a good report! Just being careful, avoid stress, and not pushing myself too hard. (There seems to be a lot of repeating in todays post!)

The Great Physician has got this. He had it way before i was even born. This is Easter week, and it is also a time when we realize that the same power that raised Jesus from dead, is still working today. All Praise to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit! He is risen! He is risen indeed!!!

Section of numbers for those interested:
WBC Normal Range 4.5-11
ANC Normal Range 2.0-8.8
March 11 (  WBC 1.47, ANC .05)
*March 18 (WBC 3.42, ANC 2.18)
March 25 (  WBC  1.07, ANC .5)
April 1 (       WBC .87,    ANC .05)
*April 8 (      WBC 3.79,  ANC 2.45)
April 15 (      WBC 1.3,    ANC  .76)

March 4

Good news so far! Last week i did not have any severe side effects! YAY! i was “upright and able to eat” all week. i did have a few minor issues, and the fatigue/sleepiness is brutal, but all things considered, this past week was a success.

i went to the oncologist this morning to get my blood levels checked. i have a low WBC, but that is to be expected. They said i should wear a mask when i’m going to be in crowded areas. So i’ll be a little careful this week. 🙂 and next. i now have two weeks to build back up before my next chemo.

Unless something changes i do not have to go to doctors office again until March 18. i have not received the final results of my endoscope, so i am hoping to get that information then as well.

February 25

First chemo DONE! i had the first of my chemo infusions today. The pre-meds (anti nauseau, etc.) were great, and i was able to eat lunch and dinner today! The chemo went in without any issues, and i am still feeling pretty good. i have three weeks until my next infusion. (March 18)

2 of the 3 main side effects are things i have already been living with recently. i hope that means i will barely notice them. The third one is low WBC. For that reason i will have a blood test done next week to keep an eye on my counts.

Thank you all for the prayers. The first day of any chemo series is stressful. You never know how the chemo will affect you, as you receive it, or even in the hours and days afterwards. So far this one is already better than the series in the fall. Praise God!!!

February 18

Here’s what i found out this week:

i met with the oncologist this morning, and basically i will be getting some more chemo. Six rounds. (we knew that was coming). The first one will be this coming Monday, February 24. And there is some good news, the chemo they are giving me will be be administered once every three weeks. That will give my system some time to build back up between doses. When the chemo is done, then i will get radiation. Then hopefully done, closer to summer!?. (Since i won’t be doing radiation for a few months, i cancelled the appointment i had with radiology today.)

Regarding the notes from the endoscope, the doctor didn’t see any indicators of stomach cancer or ulcers. There was some inflammation – to be expected – but he also took tissue samples to biopsy. Evidently they have gotten some of the results back, as they want me to stop by their office this week and give them more blood. This is to rule out, or confirm their findings so far. So i don’t have anything concrete yet.

More as more develops!

February 13

So the endoscope went really well this morning. The doctor, nurses, techs, were all really great! i was able to come out of the procedure without any side effects from the anesthesia! Praise the Lord!

The doctor said everything looked good. He took some biopsies, but won’t get the results for about 2 weeks.

Another interesting wrinkle also came about in the last few days. Earlier in the week i was at my PCP (Primary Care Physician) for my annual physical labs. They found an infection, and i am on antibiotics now as well. Hmmm. How much could this be involved in the nausea issue?

i have my meeting with my oncologist on Monday. She will have all the info from the tests, and the team will have already met and figured out the options going forward.

We are truly seeing Gods hand in all this. There are so many stories! Praying for good news on Monday!

Soli De Gloria!

February 11

So this Monday, i didn’t have any cancer related doctor’s appointments. But midweek i am going to have an Endoscope. This is the first test to try and find out what is causing all the nausea issues. The appointment is very early in the morning on Wednesday. i don’t know if i will get any answers on Wednesday, or on Monday when i go to see my oncologist again. i will certainly let everyone know when i find out.

Sometimes it seems like doctors, test results, appointments, exams…it all becomes a blur. Time going by way to fast, and making my head swim. Other times it seems like i do a lot of waiting. And waiting, at least for me, usually gives my very creative mind a lot of rabbit trails to follow.

Thankfully i am back at work! i don’t know what i would do without it. (Thank you Lord!!!)

i am also meeting with my Radiation Oncologist on Monday. The last time around, the radiation didn’t make sick, it just made me more tired (as if that is possible!). i’m good with starting on that. Hopefully by the time i am done with radiation, we will know what is causing my stomach issues, and have fixed them.

The journey continues…more information as it develops!

January 29-Great News! (short version)

i had surgery last Wednesday, (January 23) and it went great! i know it was from all the prayers, and God moving. There is no other explanation!

Going into the surgery, i knew that the best case scenario was that the marker was all that was left, and it was a done deal. But i also knew the worst case scenario was that i could wake up with a masectomy. So i did my best to prepare myself for either outcome. Everyone was great! They got everything done faster than expected, and have a followup with the Surgeon this coming thursday at 4:30 pm to find out if it’s all gone! (pray!)

i came out of anesthesia better than any other time in my life. i woke up quickly with no real pain. Was able to eat some peanut butter with graham crackers right away without getting sick, and we even picked up some chinese food for me to eat when i got home. However nausea has started back up again, sometimes really debilitation. i am hoping that if i don’t have to do anything else, it will start to fade away as well.

In the mean time, i am being very good – following the docs orders very explicitly! Check back on thursday night, i will be posting the results of the biopsy are, and if there is going to be any followup treatment. You know, in words of that great philosopher we need to “nip it in the bud!” 🙂

Thanx for the continuing prayer for dad and i. We went to his hearing aid appointment yesterday (Monday, January 28), and when we got home he twisted around to say hi to someone, and rolled right down. Thankfully he went down over by the side steps, so we were able to stand up him up pretty easy. i am not able to lift anything over 5 lbs until cleared, so i helped with my right arm, acting more like something he used to balance on. He is still a little sore today, but nothing a couple of tylenol can’t help. We are both keeping an eye on him right now as well.

Please pray for the clear nodes! Very little, if any, followup treatment. My strength to return quickly, and everything needed to finish this fall into place!

Thank you all again for your prayers! Hoping we are approaching the end of this journey. And starting my next journey!

November 26

A short post full of good news!

-Thanksgiving – was Amazing! The food tasted really good, spent some time with some family members i hadn’t seen for a while, and got to bring home leftovers!!
-At today’s appointment my numbers were good, so i was able to get chemo! (never thought i’d say yay for that, but “yay!”)
-Since my insurance company won’t pay for the meds to help build WBC, my doctor is continuing to adjust my chemo dosage as needed so that my body has more of a fighting chance. That is helping my blood test levels stay closer to normal, and keeping the SE manageable. (“yay #2”)
-When the lump was originally found, it was measured at approximately 2 centimeters. Today it is estimated to be around  1 1/2 centimeters. So the size is going down! (Praise the Lord! Yay!!!)

God is good!

Thankful! (Nov 19)

This past week was a little different. Wait. i can’t start all my posts with that! If anything, i am learning the only thing that is “consistent”, is that it is not consistent. Or the only thing that is the same, is that it is different! ha ha.

Don’t get me wrong, so far the chemo seems to be much easier on my body overall. However, this time i started with a body that was still weak from last year, so i guess i can’t really compare the two. i feel great as long as i’m sitting or laying down. Almost normal! Then i decide to walk in the kitchen to get a drink, and i get winded and shaky. So i’ll continue to sit whenever possible!

So this last monday i had an infusion. The next day, some of the SE started. Surprise! Made for an interesting week. i found out that applesauce is a pretty good main course. But i am very excited that i am on the way back up, on the same week as Thanksgiving! i am so looking forward to turkey with all the trimmings.

i’m thankful that i don’t have to cook the turkey – my brother and his youngest daughter make a great meal. i’m thankful that i’ll get to see at least some of my brothers kids and grandkids. i’m thankful that i’ll be bringing leftovers home, so i can enjoy the meal on Friday too! There are so many things i am thankful for. Things i never took the time to think of before.
Family. Snuggle time with Cuddles and Casper.
Friends/Neighbors: Always there. Helping and encouraging.
Work. It’s been the wildest 20 months ever, and their support has been amazing.
Hair. Yes, even when it is out of control.
Home. Power. Blankets. Fireplace. Reruns of NCIS. Being able to go to the grocery store without help or using a motorized cart.
Dad & technology. i really need to write that book! ha ha.

This is just a short list. We all have our own list. And it makes my heart hurt when i think that there are those who don’t have these comforts. Thank You Lord. Forgive me Lord. Soli Deo Gloria.