Hey everyone:
Well, Pete and I went to London Tuesday. Actually we left on Monday night because my appointment was early Tuesday morning. I can't handle driving for five hours and do four to five hours of testing in one day. I will tire out and get way too sore. After a hearty breakfast we got to the hospital a bit early and registered in. They right away sent me for blood work (eight tubes) and then I went to get a chest X-ray and last was sent for an ECG. The tech put about twelve stickers on me and clipped on the wires, I was just settling back when she ripped all the wires & stickers off - I was done already!! In between those three tests I had to fill out the same form I do every time I go to London - all about your symptoms and if anything has changed or if you need a social worker etc. Everything was running on schedule and we met the doctor on time to discuss the transplant. First I had to have a physical and than we went over any questions. Apparently I will still be feeling pretty good after I get chemo on the 15th of October. The doctor said I could go out on day passes or out for dinner/shopping whatever. I was surprised. The side effects won't hit until six to eight days later - than I have to be very careful!
I was supposed to have a tour of the 7th floor where I will be living for three weeks, but the nurse was tied up in a family crisis and they don't let people just wander around up there. They did show me where I would get dialysis done. They said don't drink too much water because you can't drag that machine into the bathroom like you would an IV pole! Instead it's the "trusty" bed pan. It looks like I'm able to go through with the transplant from the test results they have so far. There was a nurse that retired in London in the last couple days/weeks and she was in charge of doing the transplants from a sibling to a patient. Now there is a huge waiting list until they hire a new nurse. Thankfully I'm my own donor and there are nurses and doctors to carry out my procedure. Pete and I got out of London a lot sooner than expected and made it home at a decent time. I napped on the way back of course!
The last two weeks I have been getting more sore and achy and the pain begins to burn a bit. My skin feels like it would when you have the flu and it hurts to brush your hair or wear a shirt against your skin. I have a bit of a bloated tummy from the steroids (and maybe my appetite). The other night at dinner the kids eyes lit right up and they squealed "Your pregnant!!". I said "Nooo, the drugs would not be good for the baby - I'm not pregnant". "Well", they said, If you WERE pregnant how far along would you be?". "Four months!" I answered.
It's almost time for the next haircut - Oct. 1 - I'm going short. That will last till I go to the hospital. At first I thought to just shave my head the day before I go in so I don't have to worry finding a razor at the hospital. The doctor told me not to shave it off because they don't want nicks on my scalp. (The nurses will do it when my hair falls out). He did say to go wig shopping. There is a place about half hour away from here where a lady has a business in her home. She books fittings for just one customer at a time so we aren't rushed. The girls want to come with me. It's almost like a bridal fitting except we are just doing the headpieces!
I have one more stretch of steroids (four days) and than I hope to never have to take those again. I'm looking forward to having my own moods backs - which are usually good. I hate what the drugs do to you (for me they make me very grumpy and moody), it hasn't be fun for my family or me! Anyway, the first week in October I will be getting a new drug to get the stem cells moving, healthy and multiplying so that by the 7th of October I can get a permcath and have dialysis and get a good enough harvest. On Oct. 14 (Pete's & my anniversary) we'll be going to London so I'm there for the transplant and the month.
Well, I was reading my daughter a book for bed, but she took over the reading and I fell asleep. Now that the blog is updated I should probably get to bed myself. In all things I leave it with the Lord to see how He sees best to deal with all these tests and appointments. I will show up for everything and know that He will hold my hand and hold my family till all this is done.
Thanks again to everyone for the endless support and love!!
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hi everyone:
Last week I went to my family doctor for a check up and to update him on all the tests and things I've had to do. Basically, I told him I'm a healthy cancer patient!! He said, "Um, okay I'll put that on your charts and let all the other doctors know". He started to laugh a bit. I don't imagine he gets told that everyday! He said he was going to come and do a house visit because he'd been getting a lot of info on me, but hadn't seen me in a while. I said he was welcome any time and actually thought that was quite nice (he's a VERY busy man). The reason I said I was "healthy" was because all the tests were coming back pretty good, my cell count was good, the calcium in my blood is doing it's job, blood work is good etc. So I told him my opinion on the whole situation. Obviously I'm not a doctor, but I'm a good patient!
Last week before all the rain I decided to cut the grass. There was a lot of jolting happening in the back yard and I think maybe I hurt my back doing that (maybe I'm not a good patient). Anyway, the pain seems to be getting worse since Sunday/Monday especially and I figured it might ease up or go away. The steroids are supposed to help with the bone pain and I started those up again today, but the pain is still there. I went to oncology after I got the kids from school just to let them know this was happening (they said to inform them of any different/unusual pain that I might have) and they decided to schedule a MRI on my full spine and back hip bones. Then I have to go to oncology for an update on the MRI. Hopefully they don't have to radiate anything before the transplant because that just won't work out with the stem cell harvest. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
That's the update for now, I have to get dinner on the table. Thanks for the done of cards and emails this week, I really appreciate it. Also a bunch of girls from school might try and come up in the next couple days to visit! All the support is wonderful. Oh, Pete said he can't wait to update the blog - something about my eating habits. Most cancer patients lose their appetite but mine is good....REEEALLY good!!!!
Love from Pete, Sharon & kids.
Last week I went to my family doctor for a check up and to update him on all the tests and things I've had to do. Basically, I told him I'm a healthy cancer patient!! He said, "Um, okay I'll put that on your charts and let all the other doctors know". He started to laugh a bit. I don't imagine he gets told that everyday! He said he was going to come and do a house visit because he'd been getting a lot of info on me, but hadn't seen me in a while. I said he was welcome any time and actually thought that was quite nice (he's a VERY busy man). The reason I said I was "healthy" was because all the tests were coming back pretty good, my cell count was good, the calcium in my blood is doing it's job, blood work is good etc. So I told him my opinion on the whole situation. Obviously I'm not a doctor, but I'm a good patient!
Last week before all the rain I decided to cut the grass. There was a lot of jolting happening in the back yard and I think maybe I hurt my back doing that (maybe I'm not a good patient). Anyway, the pain seems to be getting worse since Sunday/Monday especially and I figured it might ease up or go away. The steroids are supposed to help with the bone pain and I started those up again today, but the pain is still there. I went to oncology after I got the kids from school just to let them know this was happening (they said to inform them of any different/unusual pain that I might have) and they decided to schedule a MRI on my full spine and back hip bones. Then I have to go to oncology for an update on the MRI. Hopefully they don't have to radiate anything before the transplant because that just won't work out with the stem cell harvest. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
That's the update for now, I have to get dinner on the table. Thanks for the done of cards and emails this week, I really appreciate it. Also a bunch of girls from school might try and come up in the next couple days to visit! All the support is wonderful. Oh, Pete said he can't wait to update the blog - something about my eating habits. Most cancer patients lose their appetite but mine is good....REEEALLY good!!!!
Love from Pete, Sharon & kids.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Hello:
Thursday I went to London with my friend for a follow up on the radiation I had in July. It was something I probably could have done over the phone. The doctor wanted to know if the radiation helped - my back does feel much better since the radiation, it doesn't hurt as quickly as it used to. They want me to come back in January for another follow up. We did get to the Mandarin again though!!
On Friday I went to Owen Sound and had a breathing test done. I had to sit in this "plastic bubble" - it reminded me of a mini helicopter cockpit. I thought of all the astronauts practising for space! I had to put my mouth around this big air tube and have a clothespin on my nose and than they shut the door on me. Through the speaker the tech would tell me how to breath. First I had to breath normal and suddenly take a deep breath in and right away blow out as hard and fast as I could. The second set I had to pant like a dog and resistance would build up in the tube so I couldn't breath anymore. The third set they put oxygen through and I had to breath it in and do what I did in the first set but just normal paced. Than it was all done. I also had to do blood work. After blood work I went to the van and I noticed the inside of my elbow where I had the needle was all swollen in a big cone shape bubble and was blue. I went back to the lab and asked the tech that took my blood what she thought of it - maybe an air bubble? She said it wasn't an air bubble, but it would probably bruise (as I'm looking at my blue arm). I asked if I should worry about it and she said no. The kids were quite impressed when I picked them up but also a little grossed out. The next morning the bubble was gone and a few new colours joined in with the blue shades.
Saturday I ended up with a migraine and threw up in Shopper's Drug Mart (an employee managed to get me to the bathroom just in time). What a proud moment. The headache lasted through till Monday.
This morning I went to the Owen Sound hospital for my monthly 2hr IV which every time gets better results. The calcium floating around in my blood is starting to stick to my bones. The oncologist was behind today so I saw the nurse who said I was doing really good with all my tests results so far and monthly check ups. This afternoon I had a muga test - which is a test that checks the blood pumping through my heart. I had a needle (in the other arm!) which had a drug that sticks to my blood cells. Twenty minutes later the tech gave me another needle with a nuclear drug that would stick itself onto the first drug. Than they brought me to the same room that I had my bone scan in and lay me back on that skinny bed that they strap you onto so you don't fall off. The tech put patches on my chest and stomach with wires to monitor my heart while they took three pictures -five minutes per picture. The camera is the big monitor screen that they lay a centimeter from your chest. It's kinda claustrophobic and I couldn't nap like I usually do through all my tests.
Tomorrow I go to my family doctor and there won't be anything to say about that visit. On the 23rd is the visit to London for the rest of the tests. So far so good. Anyway, that's all for now. I still tire easily, but since the kids have gone to school I don't get mentally tired as quickly.
Thanks to you all for remembering our family and we'll see when the next blog is.
Goodnight,
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun.
Thursday I went to London with my friend for a follow up on the radiation I had in July. It was something I probably could have done over the phone. The doctor wanted to know if the radiation helped - my back does feel much better since the radiation, it doesn't hurt as quickly as it used to. They want me to come back in January for another follow up. We did get to the Mandarin again though!!
On Friday I went to Owen Sound and had a breathing test done. I had to sit in this "plastic bubble" - it reminded me of a mini helicopter cockpit. I thought of all the astronauts practising for space! I had to put my mouth around this big air tube and have a clothespin on my nose and than they shut the door on me. Through the speaker the tech would tell me how to breath. First I had to breath normal and suddenly take a deep breath in and right away blow out as hard and fast as I could. The second set I had to pant like a dog and resistance would build up in the tube so I couldn't breath anymore. The third set they put oxygen through and I had to breath it in and do what I did in the first set but just normal paced. Than it was all done. I also had to do blood work. After blood work I went to the van and I noticed the inside of my elbow where I had the needle was all swollen in a big cone shape bubble and was blue. I went back to the lab and asked the tech that took my blood what she thought of it - maybe an air bubble? She said it wasn't an air bubble, but it would probably bruise (as I'm looking at my blue arm). I asked if I should worry about it and she said no. The kids were quite impressed when I picked them up but also a little grossed out. The next morning the bubble was gone and a few new colours joined in with the blue shades.
Saturday I ended up with a migraine and threw up in Shopper's Drug Mart (an employee managed to get me to the bathroom just in time). What a proud moment. The headache lasted through till Monday.
This morning I went to the Owen Sound hospital for my monthly 2hr IV which every time gets better results. The calcium floating around in my blood is starting to stick to my bones. The oncologist was behind today so I saw the nurse who said I was doing really good with all my tests results so far and monthly check ups. This afternoon I had a muga test - which is a test that checks the blood pumping through my heart. I had a needle (in the other arm!) which had a drug that sticks to my blood cells. Twenty minutes later the tech gave me another needle with a nuclear drug that would stick itself onto the first drug. Than they brought me to the same room that I had my bone scan in and lay me back on that skinny bed that they strap you onto so you don't fall off. The tech put patches on my chest and stomach with wires to monitor my heart while they took three pictures -five minutes per picture. The camera is the big monitor screen that they lay a centimeter from your chest. It's kinda claustrophobic and I couldn't nap like I usually do through all my tests.
Tomorrow I go to my family doctor and there won't be anything to say about that visit. On the 23rd is the visit to London for the rest of the tests. So far so good. Anyway, that's all for now. I still tire easily, but since the kids have gone to school I don't get mentally tired as quickly.
Thanks to you all for remembering our family and we'll see when the next blog is.
Goodnight,
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather & Shaun.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
September 3, 2008
Hi to everyone!
It's been awhile since the last blog update, actually a whole month!! August was a quiet month and our family took a couple weeks of camping in. The first week was very relaxing after a busy July of doctor's appointments, but the second week started to tire me out mentally. By the end of summer everything became overwhelming. Phone calls, people asking about doctor's appointments, the kid's bickering, trying to take care of myself and still run the household. (This is when the family ran away to camp - just to get away from everything). When I'm on all these drugs and off again it takes a toll on you mentally and you become very irritable about everything! I seem to snap at everyone, especially my own family, and that's hard to deal with because they aren't doing anything wrong. You can't really control it though, but you feel bad for doing it all the time. It's nice that the kids were looking forward to school and I was looking forward to some down time myself. I seem to be really tired all the time, but now that I can rest during the day again hopefully that will get better too.
This week I have doctor's appointments everyday. London wants to start all kinds of tests on me to see if I'll physically be up to doing a stem cell transplant. In Owen Sound I'll be doing all kinds of blood work, 24 hr urine test, a breathing test and a heart test. My lungs, kidneys and heart have to be in good shape or I won't even be allowed to follow through with the procedure. Later in the month I go to London for another four hours of testing. More blood work, chest x-rays, an ECG and a physical. Than they give me the tour of the area where I'll be living for a couple weeks after the transplant. I'll also be getting a permcap in above my heart for all the meds and will also act as a feeding tube if I can't eat on my own.
Come the first week of October I'll have a nurse come in everyday for a week and inject me with drugs to get the stem cells moving and healthy. At the end of the week they do dialysis (harvest) in London and hopefully they get a good "crop" or else I'll have to stay for another day of dialysis. On October 15 I get a heavy dose of chemo to kill everything off in my body and on the 17th the doctors will transplant my thawed healthy stem cells back into my body. Hopefully this all works because you only get one chance with this transplant in your life. It's nice to have the dates to look forward to and hopefully I can start the long recovery back to good health again.
At first when the doctor called with all the dates, times and procedures I was a bit nervous because everything was suddenly happening. Now I am not nervous, but have peace with whatever happens. I don't look that far ahead, so I have nothing to worry about. It's all about one day of testing at a time. I know the Lord is with me every step of the way and He will guide and protect me in all things. He is our strength when we are weak, our Rock to hold on to!
I almost forgot to mention, I got my hair cut - about 15 in.- and I donated it to the Cancer Society. I'm working my way to baldness. I'm almost due for my next do!! This haircut is about up to my chin I guess. The hairdresser called it a bed-head style, I said "perfect!". The next one is going to be short and wild (I guess another bed-head one!).
Anyway, this is the update for now. By mid October I hope to be on the road to recovery which will still take a couple months, but at least it will be going uphill! I still receive cards in the mail and it's nice to know so many people care about my family and continue to offer help in so many ways. Your prayers keep us going! Thank you to everyone.
Love from Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun.
It's been awhile since the last blog update, actually a whole month!! August was a quiet month and our family took a couple weeks of camping in. The first week was very relaxing after a busy July of doctor's appointments, but the second week started to tire me out mentally. By the end of summer everything became overwhelming. Phone calls, people asking about doctor's appointments, the kid's bickering, trying to take care of myself and still run the household. (This is when the family ran away to camp - just to get away from everything). When I'm on all these drugs and off again it takes a toll on you mentally and you become very irritable about everything! I seem to snap at everyone, especially my own family, and that's hard to deal with because they aren't doing anything wrong. You can't really control it though, but you feel bad for doing it all the time. It's nice that the kids were looking forward to school and I was looking forward to some down time myself. I seem to be really tired all the time, but now that I can rest during the day again hopefully that will get better too.
This week I have doctor's appointments everyday. London wants to start all kinds of tests on me to see if I'll physically be up to doing a stem cell transplant. In Owen Sound I'll be doing all kinds of blood work, 24 hr urine test, a breathing test and a heart test. My lungs, kidneys and heart have to be in good shape or I won't even be allowed to follow through with the procedure. Later in the month I go to London for another four hours of testing. More blood work, chest x-rays, an ECG and a physical. Than they give me the tour of the area where I'll be living for a couple weeks after the transplant. I'll also be getting a permcap in above my heart for all the meds and will also act as a feeding tube if I can't eat on my own.
Come the first week of October I'll have a nurse come in everyday for a week and inject me with drugs to get the stem cells moving and healthy. At the end of the week they do dialysis (harvest) in London and hopefully they get a good "crop" or else I'll have to stay for another day of dialysis. On October 15 I get a heavy dose of chemo to kill everything off in my body and on the 17th the doctors will transplant my thawed healthy stem cells back into my body. Hopefully this all works because you only get one chance with this transplant in your life. It's nice to have the dates to look forward to and hopefully I can start the long recovery back to good health again.
At first when the doctor called with all the dates, times and procedures I was a bit nervous because everything was suddenly happening. Now I am not nervous, but have peace with whatever happens. I don't look that far ahead, so I have nothing to worry about. It's all about one day of testing at a time. I know the Lord is with me every step of the way and He will guide and protect me in all things. He is our strength when we are weak, our Rock to hold on to!
I almost forgot to mention, I got my hair cut - about 15 in.- and I donated it to the Cancer Society. I'm working my way to baldness. I'm almost due for my next do!! This haircut is about up to my chin I guess. The hairdresser called it a bed-head style, I said "perfect!". The next one is going to be short and wild (I guess another bed-head one!).
Anyway, this is the update for now. By mid October I hope to be on the road to recovery which will still take a couple months, but at least it will be going uphill! I still receive cards in the mail and it's nice to know so many people care about my family and continue to offer help in so many ways. Your prayers keep us going! Thank you to everyone.
Love from Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hi Everyone,
I have good news!! Everyone at the Lodge thought I was 22! Then they heard my oldest was 11 and they did the math which didn't add up. They said "You mean your not 22?!" I replied that I was a mature young woman of 34. They were floored (about the age, not the mature part). That made my day. (Remember last time I wrote that I still looked like my kindergarten picture - o.k., plus a few years). Also they radiation departments were fighting over me - actually using bribes and everything! On Wednesday morning we had a huge thunderstorm in London and all the radiation machines shut down. (Some patients were a bit nervous going under the machines during the lighting, thinking that they might get a little more than just radiated!) In the hospital they have two halls opposite each other that both have radiation departments. Anyway, I always go to the same machine with the same techs everyday. On Wednesday though our side was an hour backed up by the time the machine was running again, so the tech took me to the other side. She said "You'll like this side because they have a nice new machine. You might not want to come back to us". Once over there the techs said "You'll like it here better, we have nicer machines...and cookies!". When my radiation was done sure enough there came this warm, sugar coated chocolate cookie that was oozing melted chocolate! I'm not a chocoholic, but that was probably the best cookie I have ever eaten! The techs started bragging about their side and that I would never go back, but I told them "I don't know they may offer me lunch or something when they catch wind of this!" (I wasn't shutting any doors at this point). The next day I went back to my usual place and told the techs about the bribery. They said "We heard, they came running over to tell us about it, so we brought you cookies today". Can you imagine I was being radiated for six weeks, I would probably be moved up the food ladder to muffins and even fine dining! No sooner was my radiation done and I lifted my head up to this huge delicious looking cookie. I love being fought over! Well that's my good news.
Life at the Lodge was good. I got to know the people a little better this week. Everyone has a life story, some are sad, some unbelievable, but everyone was so nice. You just connect to them in different ways. One lady asked why I was there. (No one thinks someone as young as me should be there). When I told her, she said "Such a beautiful, beautiful girl. You keep praying and ask God to forgive whatever sin you did and everything will be okay. I will be praying for you too!". I told her "No matter what happens to me I am safe with the Lord." The next day she saw me again and said "Such a beautiful girl. You keep praying and so will I".
I had a friend come up from Monday to Wednesday which was nice. The time there just flies, I think it's because everything is scheduled and the days keep moving along. My friend took me out to a few places even Costco. (We don't have Costco up here). It was fun and made the week go much faster.
Pete and the kids came up Thursday and met all the people at the Lodge. Then we went to the Best Western with a water slide! I was told by the doctors that when you are being radiated you can't go swimming in chlorine pools. This one was salt water but even then they said only for half an hour and then rinse off. The kids swam for three hours and slept like babies. The next day we went for my last treatment (no cookies or lunch). We waited for the radiation doctor to tell me about the CAT Scan I had taken the day before. He thought he saw something on the X-rays on the left side of my chest in the rib and muscle area. It came back clean.
Since coming home the heartburn has been kinda bad. It hurts to swallow food and drink so I just eat soft food and take my time. It's like the food doesn't want to go past my shoulder level. The techs told me my esophagus will feel burned from the radiation. The other thing is I'm really tired from radiation and that might last a couple weeks. Last week I had the runs and stop the shuttle I took to London three times. Proud moments, but they all said "not to worry, it could be any one of us". Good thing we are all going through the same things. This week I've been backed up again and it got so bad that Pete and I spent the Sunday in the ER. After more X-rays to make sure nothing else more serious was wrong and blood work to see the white blood cell count was up, I had two enemas and they wanted to do a third. I said no thanks. They sent one home with me. With all the narcotics I'm taking it's hard to find a happy medium in the bathroom department. This weekend has been kinda lousy that's why the blog was delayed. Sometimes the side effects of everything are worse than the disease.
Anyway, it's good to be home again and have the month of August to hang around with the kids. I have a follow up in London in the beginning of September. This week I go for my three hour IV in the hospital here. Other than that I think it's going to be kinda quiet. That will be nice. There might not be that much news from now til then, but you never know.
Thanks again for your prayers and support. It's very much appreciated!
Love from Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun.
I have good news!! Everyone at the Lodge thought I was 22! Then they heard my oldest was 11 and they did the math which didn't add up. They said "You mean your not 22?!" I replied that I was a mature young woman of 34. They were floored (about the age, not the mature part). That made my day. (Remember last time I wrote that I still looked like my kindergarten picture - o.k., plus a few years). Also they radiation departments were fighting over me - actually using bribes and everything! On Wednesday morning we had a huge thunderstorm in London and all the radiation machines shut down. (Some patients were a bit nervous going under the machines during the lighting, thinking that they might get a little more than just radiated!) In the hospital they have two halls opposite each other that both have radiation departments. Anyway, I always go to the same machine with the same techs everyday. On Wednesday though our side was an hour backed up by the time the machine was running again, so the tech took me to the other side. She said "You'll like this side because they have a nice new machine. You might not want to come back to us". Once over there the techs said "You'll like it here better, we have nicer machines...and cookies!". When my radiation was done sure enough there came this warm, sugar coated chocolate cookie that was oozing melted chocolate! I'm not a chocoholic, but that was probably the best cookie I have ever eaten! The techs started bragging about their side and that I would never go back, but I told them "I don't know they may offer me lunch or something when they catch wind of this!" (I wasn't shutting any doors at this point). The next day I went back to my usual place and told the techs about the bribery. They said "We heard, they came running over to tell us about it, so we brought you cookies today". Can you imagine I was being radiated for six weeks, I would probably be moved up the food ladder to muffins and even fine dining! No sooner was my radiation done and I lifted my head up to this huge delicious looking cookie. I love being fought over! Well that's my good news.
Life at the Lodge was good. I got to know the people a little better this week. Everyone has a life story, some are sad, some unbelievable, but everyone was so nice. You just connect to them in different ways. One lady asked why I was there. (No one thinks someone as young as me should be there). When I told her, she said "Such a beautiful, beautiful girl. You keep praying and ask God to forgive whatever sin you did and everything will be okay. I will be praying for you too!". I told her "No matter what happens to me I am safe with the Lord." The next day she saw me again and said "Such a beautiful girl. You keep praying and so will I".
I had a friend come up from Monday to Wednesday which was nice. The time there just flies, I think it's because everything is scheduled and the days keep moving along. My friend took me out to a few places even Costco. (We don't have Costco up here). It was fun and made the week go much faster.
Pete and the kids came up Thursday and met all the people at the Lodge. Then we went to the Best Western with a water slide! I was told by the doctors that when you are being radiated you can't go swimming in chlorine pools. This one was salt water but even then they said only for half an hour and then rinse off. The kids swam for three hours and slept like babies. The next day we went for my last treatment (no cookies or lunch). We waited for the radiation doctor to tell me about the CAT Scan I had taken the day before. He thought he saw something on the X-rays on the left side of my chest in the rib and muscle area. It came back clean.
Since coming home the heartburn has been kinda bad. It hurts to swallow food and drink so I just eat soft food and take my time. It's like the food doesn't want to go past my shoulder level. The techs told me my esophagus will feel burned from the radiation. The other thing is I'm really tired from radiation and that might last a couple weeks. Last week I had the runs and stop the shuttle I took to London three times. Proud moments, but they all said "not to worry, it could be any one of us". Good thing we are all going through the same things. This week I've been backed up again and it got so bad that Pete and I spent the Sunday in the ER. After more X-rays to make sure nothing else more serious was wrong and blood work to see the white blood cell count was up, I had two enemas and they wanted to do a third. I said no thanks. They sent one home with me. With all the narcotics I'm taking it's hard to find a happy medium in the bathroom department. This weekend has been kinda lousy that's why the blog was delayed. Sometimes the side effects of everything are worse than the disease.
Anyway, it's good to be home again and have the month of August to hang around with the kids. I have a follow up in London in the beginning of September. This week I go for my three hour IV in the hospital here. Other than that I think it's going to be kinda quiet. That will be nice. There might not be that much news from now til then, but you never know.
Thanks again for your prayers and support. It's very much appreciated!
Love from Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Hi to everyone,
I'm done my first week of radiation, which also means I'm half way done. This first week went well. Not really any major side affects. Half an hour before each zap I take a couple pills to prevent the heartburn and nausea. I've been okay in that department. Actually I feel quite blessed with the treatments. There are others at the Lodge that have open sore, thrush, no appetite, swelling, canes, walkers, oxygen tanks and feeding tubes. Many are side affects from the radiation and\or chemo. It seems the side affects can be more of a downer than the actual cancer. There is always something. For me the worst is a bit a cramping from all the drugs I take and bathroom breaks take a bit longer if you get my drift. This weekend the cramping was bad but turned into the runs and I wasn't sure if I picked up a virus or not. I don't want to pass anything around the Lodge! The doc said I was fine to go back and keep up the last week of treatment. Like I said I have nothing to complain about, I am definitely one of the fortunate ones. Also many of the patients at the Lodge are there for six weeks!! Life at the Lodge is good, the food is amazing and everyone is happy and friendly. All the talk is about the treatments, how is everyone feeling, and symptoms, but that is our life right now. Everyone has cancer. Everyone is being treated for cancer and we all live together in a home for cancer. Everyone is so happy and upbeat though that it isn't even depressing. When you go to the hospital all the hundreds of people you see walking around in the department have cancer and are being treated for cancer. You live in a cancer world literally and you begin to think "Does everyone in the world have cancer or what?". "Is there anyone out there who doesn't have cancer?". It was a new feeling to come home for the weekend and go to the grocery store and bank and realize the world is a bit bigger than the cancer world.
Don't think that I didn't do anything else out in London, the actual treatment is only 15 mins a day. Remember I had my friend with me and we had wheels! (The other patients were jealous - some just stay at the Lodge all day long for six weeks - going home for the weekends). She got her haircut while I relaxed getting a pedicure! My parents also came up at the end of the week and took me out for dinner (sorry to all my brothers and sister for being the favourite one!) and they brought me home the next day. Also with the cancer society they had a seminar at the hospital for women called "Look Good, Feel Better". They started this group because there were two women who were always positive and flying through treatments and doctors would ask them how they did it. They said before treatments we always go get our hair and make-up done and we feel amazing about they way we feel and look, so our outlook on the treatments is positive. The group started asking make-up companies for extra make-up or discontinued lines and would put a box together (worth $300) for cancer patients and teach them how to wear it. So now I have a new line of make-up at home and my girls are very excited to try some on - I'm not one to wear a lot of make-up but I was excited to learn how to do it (and with no hair, some sort of colouring above the shoulders might be nice). After a man came in to talk about wigs and the different types and how to wear and wash them. How to wear hats and scarves. It was interesting. The stem cell doctor told me I would lose my hair which doesn't bother me at all (I can say that now). I have had long hair since kindergarten. Some from school say I haven't changed bit. I don't know if that makes me old fashioned or that I just age nicely!!! Anyway in August I'm going to cut my hair shorter and than September I will go for something short and wild maybe. Might as well play around with it all a bit. The doctor also said my hair will most likely grow back in curly. Perfect I told him, than I'll look like Pete!
Anyway, hopefully next week goes as well as the first week. Another friend is coming with me from Monday to Wednesday if all goes well and than Pete and the kids are coming up Thursday. We are going to show them where I go at the Lodge and hospital and than we will stay at a hotel with big water slides for the last night. A little fun for everyone during a time where there is a bit of waiting and treatments. My children is going camping this week with Pete and his parents. Hopefully the weather holds out for them.
I still love the old fashion mail in my box at the road, all the emails and blog comments. Your prayers, thoughts and help continue to support me and my family. It is all so encouraging!
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun.
I'm done my first week of radiation, which also means I'm half way done. This first week went well. Not really any major side affects. Half an hour before each zap I take a couple pills to prevent the heartburn and nausea. I've been okay in that department. Actually I feel quite blessed with the treatments. There are others at the Lodge that have open sore, thrush, no appetite, swelling, canes, walkers, oxygen tanks and feeding tubes. Many are side affects from the radiation and\or chemo. It seems the side affects can be more of a downer than the actual cancer. There is always something. For me the worst is a bit a cramping from all the drugs I take and bathroom breaks take a bit longer if you get my drift. This weekend the cramping was bad but turned into the runs and I wasn't sure if I picked up a virus or not. I don't want to pass anything around the Lodge! The doc said I was fine to go back and keep up the last week of treatment. Like I said I have nothing to complain about, I am definitely one of the fortunate ones. Also many of the patients at the Lodge are there for six weeks!! Life at the Lodge is good, the food is amazing and everyone is happy and friendly. All the talk is about the treatments, how is everyone feeling, and symptoms, but that is our life right now. Everyone has cancer. Everyone is being treated for cancer and we all live together in a home for cancer. Everyone is so happy and upbeat though that it isn't even depressing. When you go to the hospital all the hundreds of people you see walking around in the department have cancer and are being treated for cancer. You live in a cancer world literally and you begin to think "Does everyone in the world have cancer or what?". "Is there anyone out there who doesn't have cancer?". It was a new feeling to come home for the weekend and go to the grocery store and bank and realize the world is a bit bigger than the cancer world.
Don't think that I didn't do anything else out in London, the actual treatment is only 15 mins a day. Remember I had my friend with me and we had wheels! (The other patients were jealous - some just stay at the Lodge all day long for six weeks - going home for the weekends). She got her haircut while I relaxed getting a pedicure! My parents also came up at the end of the week and took me out for dinner (sorry to all my brothers and sister for being the favourite one!) and they brought me home the next day. Also with the cancer society they had a seminar at the hospital for women called "Look Good, Feel Better". They started this group because there were two women who were always positive and flying through treatments and doctors would ask them how they did it. They said before treatments we always go get our hair and make-up done and we feel amazing about they way we feel and look, so our outlook on the treatments is positive. The group started asking make-up companies for extra make-up or discontinued lines and would put a box together (worth $300) for cancer patients and teach them how to wear it. So now I have a new line of make-up at home and my girls are very excited to try some on - I'm not one to wear a lot of make-up but I was excited to learn how to do it (and with no hair, some sort of colouring above the shoulders might be nice). After a man came in to talk about wigs and the different types and how to wear and wash them. How to wear hats and scarves. It was interesting. The stem cell doctor told me I would lose my hair which doesn't bother me at all (I can say that now). I have had long hair since kindergarten. Some from school say I haven't changed bit. I don't know if that makes me old fashioned or that I just age nicely!!! Anyway in August I'm going to cut my hair shorter and than September I will go for something short and wild maybe. Might as well play around with it all a bit. The doctor also said my hair will most likely grow back in curly. Perfect I told him, than I'll look like Pete!
Anyway, hopefully next week goes as well as the first week. Another friend is coming with me from Monday to Wednesday if all goes well and than Pete and the kids are coming up Thursday. We are going to show them where I go at the Lodge and hospital and than we will stay at a hotel with big water slides for the last night. A little fun for everyone during a time where there is a bit of waiting and treatments. My children is going camping this week with Pete and his parents. Hopefully the weather holds out for them.
I still love the old fashion mail in my box at the road, all the emails and blog comments. Your prayers, thoughts and help continue to support me and my family. It is all so encouraging!
Love Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
July 23rd, 2008
Well hello again!
For those who thought I was just going to do a report ...your wrong! Yesturday I was in London for Sharon, doc visit and all said and done I took her to the Mandarin for supper, in between plate full, she wrote out the blog so it's another journal (and she ate more than me). I would also like to take this time to thank everyone for the cards,calls and e-mails, what a family we have out there far and near, also the people that ask how my children and I are hanging in. It's a tough road, a lot of weight on our shoulders but still manageable. There's one saying growing up that I'll never forget:"Not a hair will fall from your head if it is not HIS will", now Sharon's turn...
So far radiation is going well, not many side effects. Radiating a 3" long by 1" wide spot on my spine. All I feel is a bit of heat spreading through. Radiation Dr. is ordering CAT scan for my chest, he noticed a spot he wants to look at by the sternum. Pelvic x-ray is not bad, holding off any radiation that would be needed there.
Stem cell Dr. met with us yesturday, he was very blunt and upfront which is good. I have to do about 4-5 rounds of steroids before stem cell dialysis can start, so that will probably happen late September-early October. After harvesting and a machine separating white cells away from the red cells and platelets (we want the white cells) than heavy chemo will start. It will probably make me infertile and bring on menopause early, this is ok with us. The Lord has blessed us with a family. The stemcell harvest is a one time procedure, it gives me a remission of 1-4 years before it will come back. Than they hope to have newer improved drugs to help beat it down, there is no cure, just treatments. These are statistics for people mostly in old age. Hopefully being young and healthy will give me a bit more remission time, only God knows. After transfusion which will cathered above my heart and used to feed me (if needed), it will take 3-6 months to get to the point I'm at today! I can only leave the hospital once I can eat and drink on my own. The hospital stay will be about one month with NO kids visiting and ONLY healthy adults. No colds, coughs, sniffels, fever, etc!! or I'm a goner. There's a 5% chance of not making it through the transplant procedure alone. My immune system will be shot for 1-2 years, I can get shingles, cold sores, viruses, etc., very easy. I was told by the doctor to expect a rough road ahead. One day at the time, today is good we'll see what tomorrow brings! Everything is in God's capable hands.
The lodge doesn't have a pool but they do have all you can eat fruits and unlimited gingerale! The elevator doors open before you get to the next floor. There are no locks on the doors but our closets lock. Bingo is Wednesday, Eurchre on Tuesday, movies on Monday, support group on Thursday, Friday check-out. We are having a good time at the lodge though and the service is great and the people go above and beyond what you'd expect. Many patients talk about their treatments but are always smiling. My friend and I go out at night. After treatments all day, I don't really want to hear about it all night. 2 days down, 8 to go.
Much Love,
Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun
For those who thought I was just going to do a report ...your wrong! Yesturday I was in London for Sharon, doc visit and all said and done I took her to the Mandarin for supper, in between plate full, she wrote out the blog so it's another journal (and she ate more than me). I would also like to take this time to thank everyone for the cards,calls and e-mails, what a family we have out there far and near, also the people that ask how my children and I are hanging in. It's a tough road, a lot of weight on our shoulders but still manageable. There's one saying growing up that I'll never forget:"Not a hair will fall from your head if it is not HIS will", now Sharon's turn...
So far radiation is going well, not many side effects. Radiating a 3" long by 1" wide spot on my spine. All I feel is a bit of heat spreading through. Radiation Dr. is ordering CAT scan for my chest, he noticed a spot he wants to look at by the sternum. Pelvic x-ray is not bad, holding off any radiation that would be needed there.
Stem cell Dr. met with us yesturday, he was very blunt and upfront which is good. I have to do about 4-5 rounds of steroids before stem cell dialysis can start, so that will probably happen late September-early October. After harvesting and a machine separating white cells away from the red cells and platelets (we want the white cells) than heavy chemo will start. It will probably make me infertile and bring on menopause early, this is ok with us. The Lord has blessed us with a family. The stemcell harvest is a one time procedure, it gives me a remission of 1-4 years before it will come back. Than they hope to have newer improved drugs to help beat it down, there is no cure, just treatments. These are statistics for people mostly in old age. Hopefully being young and healthy will give me a bit more remission time, only God knows. After transfusion which will cathered above my heart and used to feed me (if needed), it will take 3-6 months to get to the point I'm at today! I can only leave the hospital once I can eat and drink on my own. The hospital stay will be about one month with NO kids visiting and ONLY healthy adults. No colds, coughs, sniffels, fever, etc!! or I'm a goner. There's a 5% chance of not making it through the transplant procedure alone. My immune system will be shot for 1-2 years, I can get shingles, cold sores, viruses, etc., very easy. I was told by the doctor to expect a rough road ahead. One day at the time, today is good we'll see what tomorrow brings! Everything is in God's capable hands.
The lodge doesn't have a pool but they do have all you can eat fruits and unlimited gingerale! The elevator doors open before you get to the next floor. There are no locks on the doors but our closets lock. Bingo is Wednesday, Eurchre on Tuesday, movies on Monday, support group on Thursday, Friday check-out. We are having a good time at the lodge though and the service is great and the people go above and beyond what you'd expect. Many patients talk about their treatments but are always smiling. My friend and I go out at night. After treatments all day, I don't really want to hear about it all night. 2 days down, 8 to go.
Much Love,
Pete, Sharon, Natasha, Heather and Shaun
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)