IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

YESTERDAY (11/28), was Kenny and my 25th Wedding Anniversary as many of you know.  We felt so romantic spending it in the chemo infusion chair.  Our kind oncologist encouraged us that what better place to prove our committment was being their that day together after all these years, and he promised us another 25 years.  We're believing for that too.  Kenny as usual and even more so, was right by my side holding my hand.  I'm blessed.

I'VE STOPPED BETWEEN MEDS today to update you all on how it went and how its going.  So many of you have sent thoughtful comments on FB and otherwise letting us know you're holding us up.  The infusion itself was about 2 hours long once in the chair, the total visit including waiting, drawing blood, seeing the oncologist, then the infusion took about 5 hours.  A little scare at the beginning when the nurse could not get my chest port to access via a needle.  She said it was a small port, and she ended up enlisting the help of another nurse to give it a shot.  After about 4 sticks they reclined me back and finally got it!  I said a quick prayer right before that.  Failure to access would have meant a possible surgery replacement of that port and delay of chemo for that day.  So we were all relieved at results.

LAST NIGHT  I began to feel the waves of nausea starting around 7 pm.  Other than that just a dizzy, yukky, headachy type feeling all over.  I tried to eat something simple, not much.  Keeping the liquids in me.  Today, I felt pretty sluggish so far sleeping a lot.  Meds every 6 hours to help.  Stomach upset, getting worse, time to take the meds and hit the bed.  Till next time.  Thanks for the prayers.

THANKFUL

THANKSGIVING day was a true blessing to me.  Cayler my resident chef/son made an amazing 23 lb. turkey.  I made cornbread dressing and other fixins'.  Priscilla (Kenny's mom) and I spent HOURS on Wednesday making her famous pecan tarts...well, I just helped.  My sister and her family brought tons of delicious food to join with ours and our good friend Jim blessed us with two homemade pies.  Needless to say we ate and ate!

Everybody enjoyed the 74 degree Florida weather with some archery in the backyard.  Our niece, Brittni, gained a new nick name of "Zena Warrior Princess" from her impressive  archery skills.  We finished the evening with a fire ring on the back deck and, yes...you guessed  it...another plate of food.  One of the highlights of my day before bed was browsing through one scrapbook after another with my oldest son Tyler by my side.

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!  As I've said on my blog several times already...my supportive and wonderful husband, my rock; our sons who make us laugh and who make us proud; peace in our home; all of our other family members, upstanding, strong Godly people; a church family whom we love and who loves us; a job, home, transportation, opportunities to serve, good friends, pets that love us; and health, yes health.  I could go on.

I FOUND MYSELF soberly aware and thankful one day this week for a cancer that is treatable.  If you have to get the dreaded "C" word, what a blessing it is to have a disease that has treatment options which provide hope.  To some people that may sound like an odd thing to be thankful for, but I am.  I know there are people diagnosed, even some around me, who are not given much hope short of divine intervention, and I know that there are no guarantees even with breast cancer Stage IIB.  Even though, I believe by the grace of God, I've remained peaceful about my future prognosis and outcome, my mind WILL go there from time to time to the "what if's".  Its in those times that I try to just hand off those thoughts and fears to the Lord like a child who pushes into his parent's arms what he doesn't want to tote around anymore.  It doesn't make the realities go away, but it acknowledges that someone bigger than I  is there to carry the load should He not take it away.  Which I guess leads me to my final and most important "thanks".

I'M THANKFUL THAT GOD CHOSE ME AND GOD LOVED ME EVEN BEFORE I LOVED HIM.  I don't pretend to understand and be able to answer all the "what if's" about my faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.  And I'd be lying if I told you that I feel Him every minute and can explain all the mysteries of God and life.  But you know, the older I get in Him, the more I don't feel like I have to.  He is God and I am not, for that I'm THANKFUL. 

                 

THE BUCKET LIST

AS MOST WOMEN on this day before Thanksgiving, I'm checking my list for the last minute grocery items needed for the big day tomorrow.  I've also been focusing on, what I call, my "bucket list" before chemo starts Monday.  It doesn't involve skydiving or anything else on that level, more like getting a real Christmas tree purchased and decorated, cleaning the house, getting the frig cleaned out, updating my cell phone.  I also want to download some audible books for chemo when I don't feel like reading.   I know...I'm a real exciting person, right?  No, actually I have spent the last couple of weeks while I'm feeling the best yet, trying to enjoy and do the things I probably won't feel like doing in another week.  I can't say I've accomplished all of them, but have enjoyed my family and look forward to that  especially tomorrow on Thanksgiving.  We are hosting my sister's family and her inlaws, my mother-in-law, and a single friend from our church.  I'll know its really Thanksgiving when the smell of celery and onion fill the house and the Macy's Day parade plays on TV while I cook, followed by the Dog Show which is a tradition to watch in our house.  Everyone will bring more food than we can possible eat! EAT, EAT, EAT...FOR MONDAY NIGHT, I PUKE!

YESTERDAY Kenny and I headed to Tampa early for another reconstruction appt. with my plastic surgeon, then onto a follow-up appt. with my general surgeon to recheck everything.  He's been a true blessing to us, takes a lot of time with us, not getting in a hurry.  He's actually a surgical oncologist and Kenny and I enjoy asking him about the latest research project he is working on in cancer surgery and treatment.  He's always willing to share this fascinating information with us.  His latest study is focusing on isolating breast cancer patients who, because of their genome, would benefit most from chemo BEFORE surgery and possibly in place of surgery, and those who wouldn't.  That is a very simplistic explanation, but its nice to hear that cancer research is continuing to improve in hopes of giving women like myself more options, more tools, in making the hard life-saving decisions that have to be made.

MY SURGEON did concur that I was experiencing slight lymphedema in my right arm which I'd hoped I would avoid.  Its been slightly swollen and sore and the condition will come and go when I'm up and active and when flying due to the altitude.  He wrote me a script for an arm compression-type sleeve which I can wear when needed.  This particular kind (Lymphediva.com) comes in every possible wild design you could wish for.  I guess some women choose to make it a fashion statement.  I'm not sure that I want to advertise to the world with my leopard design sleeve, "HEY LOOK AT ME, I HAVE LYMPHEDEMA!"

Regardless...so much to be THANKFUL for, I dont' know where to begin.

CANCER AND FITNESS

I'VE BEEN ASKED to pass to my blog readers (especially the cancer patients) the following article about Cancer and Fitness.  I hope you will find it helpful and beneficial.

Cancer and Fitness- The Benefits Are Endless

There remains little doubt to this day as to the importance of fitness and exercise for a healthy mind and body. The vast majority of doctors recommend exercise as a vital addendum to an all over health regime. There are many known and well-studied benefits that exercise has on all bodies: lower blood pressure, improved cardiovascular endurance, better flexibility and more muscular strength. Exercise has a whole other effect on our mental capacities as well: it reduces the occurrence of depression and low self-esteem, and increases confidence and motivation.

Despite these known benefits, often the last thing that cancer patients of any kind want to do is exercise. Whether one is suffering from a more common disease like breast cancer or a rare one like mesothelioma, exercise does have some tremendous benefits if done properly and to one’s own level. But, it is of the utmost importance, as physical fitness can play a vital role in fighting the disease and getting you back into health. The harshness of traditional cancer treatments of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery can be alleviated by engaging in a total health program - with proper diet and exercise, these treatment can be made much more effective. Exercise not only improves your health, but also gives patients a sense of control over their bodies during a time when many feel things are out of their control. This is an important psychological effect to consider when medical physicians are prescribing treatment.

Physical exercise can strengthen the bones, which cancer (and old age) more often than not take a toll on. If your bones are stronger and healthier, then the negative effects of cancer will be very lessened. Exercise also provides an opportunity for patients to engage in social activity - another important component of full body health. Social engagement, in a healthy environment such as exercise classes or the gym, provides another important component, and that is a social support web.

With much research having been focused on the benefits of exercise specifically for cancer treatment, it has been found that any exercise is the best exercise. Patients need not go through the perceived hassle of signing up for and joining a gym - walking out the front door and going for a brisk walk (or run if you are up to it) is considered moderate exercise. Patients can easily purchase personal free weights to lift in the comfort of their own home. Yoga mats, and home yoga video programs, make it easy to do in the living room. Many exercise beginners may want to find a workout partner - this often makes it easier to find the drive to exercise, as the partners motivate each other and can provide a push if one person finds their drive flagging.

Many patients think that rest is needed to regain strength - but the truth is that rest can make one weak. Exercise is the best answer. And given the many physical, physiological, and psychological benefits, as well as the ease with which a broad range of exercise can be had, there remain no excuses to be inactive!

STILL HERE, STILL KICKIN!

STILL HERE, still kickin'!  Actually having more and more energy over the last couple of weeks.  A lot going on last week taking care of business around here...college registration with the guys, house appraisal, my dentist appt. which I'd postponed twice...just boring stuff.   Grocery shopping for myself has resumed (though I'd just as soon leave that to my capable husband...I already hate Walmart again!); choir practices, family get-togethers, even a little shopping here and there.  For all of you reading this facing breast cancer and mastectomies, be encouraged that things do get better with time.

TODAY was my weekly plastic surgeon appt. in Tampa to continue the slow-but-sure reconstruction.  This one a little more uncomfortable than the last two, but I expected as much.  Physical therapy going slow.  Its those right arm tendons that are as tight as the bottom string of a guitar.  I'm probably wanting to see results after 3-4 days and its just not realistic.  Getting comfortable for sleep is still aggrivating, but, again, much better than the pain in the earlier weeks.  Chemo starts in a couple of weeks which brings about its own challenges for sure, but I'm SO looking forward to Thanksgiving with my immediate family, extended family, sons' girlfriends (who are already part of our family), and special friends.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW has arrived from Kentucky to stay with us for three weeks.  We were excited to pick her up from the airport Sunday after church.  This was her first time ever flying by herself and she was so nervous.  She arrived with a survival story which I may let her share in her own words.  VERY FUNNY!  She's already been a blessing to me and to all of us.  Its been good for her to see me doing so well, I'm glad she's come during this time.  She accompanied me to my plastic surgeon today and I drove myself for the first time with her in the passenger seat.  I guess my driving in Tampa traffic scared her to death, but she survived yet again!

PHYSICAL THERAPY

TWO POSTS in one day is not my norm...but I'm kind of catching up, I guess.  Besides time with friends and family this week, it was a busy week in other ways as well.  Tuesday was an appt. with my plastic surgeon again moving to the next phase of the reconstruction process.  It was pretty non-eventful and painless and hopefully will be again tomorrow when we go.  It was more uncomfortable for Kenny to watch what he called a horse needle and syringe go in.  Truthfully, one little stick was all I felt.

A LARGE PART of my time was spent working on refinancing our mortgage to a better lower rate....talking about a pain, but its done now!  Choir practices, mailing birthday gift cards, rescheduling dentist appts., running to Walmart, and of course, wasting time on Facebook when I felt unmotivated to do anything productive.

MY YOUNGEST SON, Cayler and I checked out a local culinary program that he plans to start in January.  We enjoyed touring the commercial training kitchen and talking with the chef/director about the program.  Cayler is already a fabulous cook and enjoys being creative in the kitchen.  At 19, he's already a better cook than his mom, insisting on fresh pressed garlic over garlic powder and even grows his own basil.  He's hoping the year long program will help him determine whether he would enjoy this as a career as well.

I'VE ENLISTED some physical therapy this week to help improve my right arm's mobility which is still pretty limited and has become more and more sore over the last two weeks.  A physical therapist friend was kind enough to come out to the house and give me her opinion.  There is some concern that the soreness and slight swelling of the right arm might be lymphadema related rather than mobility.  She gave me some various exercises to work on, in addition to the "fingers up the wall" one I had known of.  She also encouraged and instructed me on how to massage the scar tissue that has built up on the sides of the breasts and under the arms.  This cleared up for me why everything was so tight and at times feels like the tissue expanders were moving up under my arms which my plastic assured me they were not.  It feels  gross and I don't like doing the massaging, but I'm hoping it will help the constant discomfort and tightness.  Kenny assists by massaging lotion up my arm each night beginning at the wrist and ending at the shoulder.  I wish I could say it feels great...its not every woman who gets a nightly massage from her husband.  Unfortunately, it is quite uncomfortable as my arm feels bruised and very tender, but I appreciate him anyway of course.

   

YOU GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS!

Eagles Cover Band 2/12

THIS PAST WEEK was a great treat for me with friends and family.  I guess you could call it the "perfect storm" of spending quality time with several of my gracious friends several days in a row.  I enjoyed catching up with my dear friend, Marla, at lunch over a Wendy's Apple Chicken salad...awesome pomegranate dressing, BTW!  That same evening I was blessed with a surprise lasagna from Janis, another dear friend of many years, which came at just the right time as I started some home physical therapy that afternoon.  Friday found me wig shopping for my first time with Bev, another fun great friend of many years.  That was comical and interesting with my own thick hair still present.  I named the Asian wig shop owner the "Wig Nazi" (if you're familiar with the old Seinfeld episode of the "Soup Nazi"...you'll understand the analogy).  It was fun, but I'm leaning more and more to my son Tyler's opinion that I should just have fun with it and don a different style every other day...or better yet, skip the wig all together!  We ended that night with a spur-of-the-moment ticket to a local civic theater performance of "Steel Magnolias" joined by our men folk.

SATURDAY I was pampered beyond what I'm used to by my classmate and new dear friend, Nicole, who treated me and another friend, Amanda, to pedicures, which my poor abused feet sure needed.  I've been lucky to get my toenails clipped lately so my feet were in heaven.  Why don't we microwave hot towels at home more often and wrap them around ourselves?  That is one of the greatest feelings in the world and so simple!  It was good to catch up with Nicole on what I'm missing in the radiography school realm these days.  Its amazing how being out of it for just three months makes it sound so foreign.  Amanda, a young cancer survivor herself, was encouraging to talk with and get advice on chemo.
Saturday night, my sister and brother-in-law invited us to where they were camping about an hour away for grilled hamburgers with all the fixins.  They provided everything, we just showed up and enjoyed sitting by the campfire sharing stories and laughing.  By Sunday with full day of church, I was one tired puppy, but it was a good tired and I enjoyed every minute and was so very thankful for the love and care of each one.

NOBODY in their right mind wants to go through breast cancer or other similar physical trials.  But it sure does make you feel loved and even fortunate when God wraps his arms around you through the kind hearts of your friends and family members as in a week like this one.