I am surprised at how many compliments I get for my writing... I failed 11th grade English not once, but twice, and I had to go to night school to graduate... I guess I'm a late bloomer.. I wish my English teacher was till here, unfortunately he lost his battle with cancer right around the time I found out about mine. I wish I would have reached out to him. When I was 17, I couldn't stand him. He was trying to push me, to help me achieve. I was still in idiot mode, so all I did was push back. I still regret that 22 years later...
I wen t to the oncologist today. It was a nice visit. There were no tests before hand, so I knew it was mostly a formality... He poked around my stomach, and talked about how cancer can take multiple forms, but the thought we were on the right track. He asked me how I felt now compared to BEFORE I started chemo. I told him that my stomach is much better now, and I said "I guess that the chemo shrinking the tumor?" He said "Oh, certainly!" I noticed a change in his disposition after that. He was genuinely happy, and so was I. Nothing like a happy doctor!
He told me that my CT scan will be after my 8th chemo treatment. That means I'll be half way after next Thursday. He also said that he was looking forward to how good the results were. I said I like the way you think! I'm looking for the same thing. He got serious for a moment and said "I mean it, I expect good thing when we do the scan!" That was all I needed to hear. I'm happy that he is happy....
This last round of chemo was a breeze! The nurse suggested that I start taking Prilosec and a B-complex vitamin. All I know is that I feel much, much better this time around, and I have very expensive urine... But, whatever works!!! I told Calvin that the doctor was really happy with whats going on, and he was really happy to hear that,
It's hard on the kids to go through this. Angela and I just soldier though like we're supposed to, but the kids still freak out every now and then.. I can't blame them, I never dealt with anything like this. I watched my grandpa die when I was 10 or 11... I can't remember exactly, but your grandpa and dad are two different things. I was very sad, but I didn't even cry when he died... I know it will be very different when MY dad passes on. That's the natural progression. A son is supposed to bury his father not the father bury the son...
Anyways, enough doom and gloom. Doc says all is going well, I say all is going well. Heck, I haven't even missed much work! I pulled a service call straight from chemo last Thursday. Freaked that customer out... God is good. That's all there is to it. If you're a believer, you know what I'm talking about, if not; well... There's still time...
There's no way you can have so much peace about such a serious situation without faith! I don't usually go for the beat you over the head method, but I mean it...I've lost exactly one night of sleep over this ordeal. Just one, and that was the night I was told I have two years! After that, I got my composure, and said to Angela "I can't wait to see how God gets me out of this one!" I mean it, too. I wait on God for an answer. I also trust my docs and nurses, and all the staff to do their jobs, but I have total piece about the ordeal I'm in...
God is good.
P.S.
I found a blog for a woman that had a very similar situation to mine. Take a look if you're so inclined...
http://karenscancer.blogspot.com/
Cheers!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
3 is the magic number
Anybody remember that School House Rock song? I used to actually stop and listen to those, I can't say how much I learned from them but I know that the function of a conjunction is "hooking up words, phrases, and clauses!" They even made an album in the '90's of School House Rock cover tunes with the popular bands of the day. (I wasn't too excited about that)
Anyway, today is treatment Number three. I'm sorry for not updating more frequently, but truth be told, I can be pretty lazy. There hasn't been a whole bunch of new developments either, so at least I have an excuses! For the most part, it hasn't been to terrible to deal with. I get hooked up on a Thursday, go back on Saturday to get it removed, and then basically laze around and sleep for the next two days. By Monday I'm feeling good enough to go to work (haven't missed a Friday either).
The cold sensitivity is the biggest problem, it really makes things difficult. I can't get the milk out of the refrigerator without a pair of gloves, I can't go outside without a hat, I can't wash my hand without waiting for the water to warm up. That can take a while depending on where you are. And by the way, do you know how you find out if it's warm enough? You keep sticking your finger in the cold water (that hurts!) until it's ok... To describe the sensation; you know how your pinky and ring finger feel when you hit your elbow? That's how whatever part of your body touches cold feels. It effects your feet on a cold floor (wear socks), the big one is food and drink. Nothing cold at all! No milk, certainly no ice cream, no ice water or iced tea, soda, you get the idea.
I am honestly not complaining. I have found my way around most of the problems, so far. A new side effect just showed up last weekend, though. They told me it would happen, but I had forgotten at first. The wrinkles on the back of my hands are getting darker. The creases on my palms will start doing this as well I am told. It no big deal, but if you see my hands, trust me that I have washed them! It looks like I have been working on the car engine, or something.
Anyway today, being the third treatment puts me at the quarter way point. It also means I'm in single digits on remaining sessions. I am happy to say both of those things!
On a personal note (like what part of this is not personal, right) Calvin has started to play 3 on 3 cross ice hockey. He has worked really hard to get to this point, and I am so proud of him. We got him a new (to him) pair of skates last weekend from Play It Again Sports. Only $20.00, so not bad, and they look really nice this time. The old one looked like garbage. Also the girlfriend is playing as well. Yes, my boy has a girlfriend already, and it is so cute to watch them awkwardly interact with each other... I was particularly proud of him last Sunday when we took her home from church, he waited outside the car in the cold for her to get her stuff for a while so he could open the door for her. (Lady's first, he told me later) I'm glad he's listening.
Andrea was on the front page of the Holland Sentinel last Wednesday. Just a small picture for being at the library during a special event, but it sure made her day!
Abi is as smart as ever, she is able to dig herself into and out of trouble with amazing ease with her quick wit. I have no idea where that comes from...
Well it's time for another adventure. I will try to be more diligent in update going forward. Thanks for all the prayers and support! You have no idea how much it means to me.
Anyway, today is treatment Number three. I'm sorry for not updating more frequently, but truth be told, I can be pretty lazy. There hasn't been a whole bunch of new developments either, so at least I have an excuses! For the most part, it hasn't been to terrible to deal with. I get hooked up on a Thursday, go back on Saturday to get it removed, and then basically laze around and sleep for the next two days. By Monday I'm feeling good enough to go to work (haven't missed a Friday either).
The cold sensitivity is the biggest problem, it really makes things difficult. I can't get the milk out of the refrigerator without a pair of gloves, I can't go outside without a hat, I can't wash my hand without waiting for the water to warm up. That can take a while depending on where you are. And by the way, do you know how you find out if it's warm enough? You keep sticking your finger in the cold water (that hurts!) until it's ok... To describe the sensation; you know how your pinky and ring finger feel when you hit your elbow? That's how whatever part of your body touches cold feels. It effects your feet on a cold floor (wear socks), the big one is food and drink. Nothing cold at all! No milk, certainly no ice cream, no ice water or iced tea, soda, you get the idea.
I am honestly not complaining. I have found my way around most of the problems, so far. A new side effect just showed up last weekend, though. They told me it would happen, but I had forgotten at first. The wrinkles on the back of my hands are getting darker. The creases on my palms will start doing this as well I am told. It no big deal, but if you see my hands, trust me that I have washed them! It looks like I have been working on the car engine, or something.
Anyway today, being the third treatment puts me at the quarter way point. It also means I'm in single digits on remaining sessions. I am happy to say both of those things!
On a personal note (like what part of this is not personal, right) Calvin has started to play 3 on 3 cross ice hockey. He has worked really hard to get to this point, and I am so proud of him. We got him a new (to him) pair of skates last weekend from Play It Again Sports. Only $20.00, so not bad, and they look really nice this time. The old one looked like garbage. Also the girlfriend is playing as well. Yes, my boy has a girlfriend already, and it is so cute to watch them awkwardly interact with each other... I was particularly proud of him last Sunday when we took her home from church, he waited outside the car in the cold for her to get her stuff for a while so he could open the door for her. (Lady's first, he told me later) I'm glad he's listening.
Andrea was on the front page of the Holland Sentinel last Wednesday. Just a small picture for being at the library during a special event, but it sure made her day!
Abi is as smart as ever, she is able to dig herself into and out of trouble with amazing ease with her quick wit. I have no idea where that comes from...
Well it's time for another adventure. I will try to be more diligent in update going forward. Thanks for all the prayers and support! You have no idea how much it means to me.
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