Thursday Thoughts_ What's Up with You?

Hello, everyone:

Well, we went to Hamilton yesterday (Wed) at the Juravinsky Cancer Centre. The first-line nurse takes a patient assessment and then weighs me. I had lost almost 20 pounds..she was not happyI got a lecture that I MUST eat even when I don't FEEL like it and when fighting cancer, this is NOT the time to diet..they want me to' at leasr, maintain my weight. I was surprised, I thought they would be pleased. But I was!

Then we were ushered into the next examination room and saw my surgeon. She noted that thincision is still open & draining and said if she stitched it, this would only cause worse swellings of
fluid. It is her experience that this fluid..."she calls healing fluid", will soon disipate in the next week
or so and gave me a handful of sterile medical pads. She says the other incision is healing well.
Once the second incision is closed, I can return to my social life.

The biopsy of the tumour is complete. Hormone dependent (not a surprise). Two nodes were
removed and biopsied. One node was clear. One node is positive for cancer. This means that
cancer seeds have travelled to the lymph nodes or further. This is referred to as STAGE TWO.

This means chemo.There are several kinds of chemo:
1. by IV - drugs - every two weeks for two months at first (side effects: lose hair, scar arteries,
brain fog, etc)
2. by pills- daily for five years (side effect: osteoporosis) but they will make sure that I get plenty
of vitamin D and calcium to fight this side effect

If I have chemo by IV, this will start in 2-3 weeks and when that is complete, THEN I get radiation
treatments after.
If I get the pills, this will start in approx. 2 weeks, then I get measured and mapped for radiation which
will start in approx 4 weeks.

The surgeon, radiologist team & oncologist will all work together and decide my best options in specific
reference to the "keys" to the cancer cells.

I will be fine..it will just take a bit longer to get thru this than I expected. L had warned that I'd have some
challenges..I am ready to deal with this.

We stopped at "Joey's Only" in St Catharines for an early supper. I had seafood brought half
of it home for the next day. We stopped at WalMart -John needed some synthetic oil for the Caddy..I stayein the car all bundled up and warm. He brought me a present: Andrea Boccelli's newest DVD singing in NYC...
"One Night in Central Park" - he knows I love Andrea Bocelli's singing and has been looking for it..he said there
were only two left and he snagged one *s*

After being home for three weeks, I found the whole excurstion to be very tiring and fell asleep on the couch
before I could drink my tea...so now I'm awake. *s*

Nancy, I think about you alot. I have finished my first round of radiation. I started cheo the Sat. after Thanksgiving. Ended up in the Hospital for a night with a house full of company. Not fun, but they they all came up & brought food with them. At least I had a private room this time. Not too bad. All in all things are ok. I also have lost 20 #. I look 12 yrs. olds. I am wearing a 4-6 & they are baggy. I also have kids clothes that are too big. Tempory setback!!!! We will get through this!!!!!

I also get tired very easily. But at least I am getting a few things done. Maybe only 15 min. at a time, but I found out out I like cleaning house, after 59 years, not too bad!
Nan

 Nan,
I am praying for you.  I hope you know how many people are praying for you.

Hugs,
Trish

Thank you Trish, And I do feel them all.
Nan

Nancy, What a challenge. But I know you and how strong and determined you can be. Take this on like you take every other challenge in your life. Beat the Hell out of it! And if you need any help you have lots of friends here who will line up with you.

Enjoy that new CD. I love his voice also. Wish I had a really go sound system so that I could really crank it up to get the full measure.Your treatment team is right you know. Now is the time to stay nutrient filled with healthy foods. It's hard not to jump with joy at weight loss, but you do your best to eat what you need to ok? Hugs,

Hi Nancy, Nan and Karen, and the rest of my OFF family to follow:

Well, today is the big day. I wound up getting up at 6 a.m., couldn't get back to sleep, too warm (and it's 38 outside!) itchy, etc. I'm sure it's nerves, stress. I'm excited, anxious ... I really want this job. Keep fingers crossed, prayers, swing chickens, etc.

Nancy and Nan, you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are so brave. I don't know if I could go through what you are going through ... Mom had breast cancer, a tiny lump, a few years ago, and she was spacier than usual and got dehydrated (she doesn't drink enough water anyway). So please, keep up your water intake and protein intake. Love you both!

Hope all is well with everyone. I may be online while in Indiana if I can find wireless access but not sure, so if not, won't be online til Saturday again.

Have a good day.

Good luck Eileen!

GOOD LUCK, EILEEN!!!  YOU CAN DO IT!!! 

Eileen good luck with that job! You deserve it and I'm rooting for ya girlfriend! Debbie

 Good Morning Nancy and OFF Sisters to Follow,
Prayers and Hugs to you Nancy.  You are very brave.  A stalwart example to me as I deal with my slight infirmities.  

I missed my 9 a.m. meeting, which I love, because neither alarm went off as I had hoped.  I am currently doing laundry, and straightening up my dining room and living room to decorate for Christmas.  I have some containers to bring up from the basement, but not until I have both rooms ready.

Tonight I have group therapy, which I started back on Halloween.  It is helping me deal with some stuff I am having difficulty with.

Hugs and prayers for all.

Trish