Just hit the four week marker from my last chemo. My immune system should be getting back to normal and stronger. However last Friday I came down with a virus. Fortunately it is not the full blown flu, a that has hit so many people. Anything I pick up now is a bit more worrisome, but today I feel like I am on the mend and do not have any fever. I saw my doctor yesterday, and he said to wait until tomorrow to decide to see how I am doing.
I had already kissed off our trip to Maui. We are supposed to leave on Friday and I had resigned myself that this trip was just not happening. Today so far I see that we might still go and if I can get through the day with no fever or other symptoms popping up, things are looking up. Jeff and I are rather laid back about all this for two reasons. We have been through so much in the last months that Maui or no Maui doesn't seem that important. We were also smart and took out insurance for this trip which we normally don't do.
Before I got the virus, I was doing great and starting to get back to exercise at my club. I even took my first zumba class last Friday but couldn't get through the whole class. I attributed it to not being fully back to my pre-chemo strength and endurance but I know now that the virus was brewing. By the time I got back from class, I had chills and had to rest in bed.
I keep looking for signs that I am getting back to my old self. Every day I check in the mirror for new fringe. I am really looking forward to my hair starting to come back in the next weeks. I will also enjoy my new eyebrows and eyelashes. I wish I could speed up that process, but it will take time. How I have learned from this whole ordeal. Pre-chemo the thought of being bald seemed devastating, but once I was enveloped in the difficulties of the chemo and the unexpected side effects, baldness went way down on my list of concerns. In face it became irrelevant.
It is fun to think of whether my new hair will be a different color or texture which sometimes happens. Between my wigs, caps, hats,creative head coverings and a little make up, I have managed well and tried to look my best.
Radiation will start later in February. Some of you have offered to drive a day to SF.I will put out an email later when I know my schedule. I have also figured out the best BART/Muni schedule to SF.
I will keep you posted...next blog from Maui (or Oakland!!)
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
Back to Life
It is good to feel I am getting back to somewhat of a normal life again. This week for the first time in months I got together with my mahjong crew to spend a fun afternoon. I am a latecomer to mahjong and only took it up in the last couple of years. Many of my friends have been playing for a long time and urged me to learn the game but I resisted. I kept associating it with gossipy old ladies sitting around a card table, but I have been pleasantly and surprisingly proved wrong.
I find the game to be challenging, and I am still learning strategy. Every year the particular card, with the various hands we try to make, changes so it keeps the game fresh. The best part is getting together with friends catching up on what everyone is doing and having some laughs. Some days I can't win a single game and other days I am "lucky." That is how it goes. The past months with my debilitating chemo, I was not able to play so I am delighted to be back.
I had another check up with my oncologist whom I now don't have to see for four months (yeah!). Another part of my treatment plan, besides the surgery, the chemotherapy and the upcoming radiation is a drug that I have started taking. It is part of a special class of drugs to further fight the cancer. It is a tiny pill but like everything can have side effects. So far, so good... I am doing well with it. However, it does cause bone weakening so the doctor said I need to have a special bone strengthening infusion every six months.
I had it today and went up to one of the infusion centers again. It was the same place I had my last chemo and I was hoping not to be in those rooms again but I needed to get this treatment. It was only fifteen minutes, and I was glad to leave there for hopefully a long time.
This week I also took advantage of two of the services the breast cancer center at UCSF provides as resources for cancer patients. I attended a class on nutrition last Wednesday night and Jeff shlepped along with me. It was very worthwhile and gave me some guidelines for nutrition to further enhance my recovery The recommended diet is heavily plant based meaning my diet should be primarily vegetables and fruits with small amounts of meats, poultry, dairy products. With the effects of chemo, sometimes just eating anything at all, chicken soup, ice cream or oatmeal was the most I could stomach and salads and fruits and vegetables have not been palatable.
There are many studies and theories for post cancer patients and I suppose the path of moderation is still the best way to go. I will try to cut down on sugar which will be a challenge since I have a serious sweet tooth. One of the class participants asked about alcohol. Here also moderation seems to be the most important guideline (Yikes, no one wants to give up everything enjoyable!!) One article I read say no soy but the nutritionist encouraged soy so I am back to tofu. I found out that I need to take regular calcium and Vitamin D.
Ii also met with an exercise counselor this week. She does nothing but work with cancer patients and this too was very interesting and helpful. The bottom line is that I need to get active again and try to do something, even just walking, almost on a daily basis. She also recommended balance exercises strength training and taking time for relaxation. Fortunately I belong to a gym which has everything I need.It just requires me to get off my tuches and go there. She said that the zumba class that I had been taking before I started chemo was terrific and hit many of the areas that I need to work on.
What I realized this week is that cancer recovery is a serious business, and I need to be an active participant in seeking the proper nutrition as well as maintaining my exercise program. My best exercise this week was taking my grandson Shaya for a long walk . He was a little doll and was chilling in his stroller enjoying his neighborhood and not making a peep during our walk.Walking with him also counts towards my daily exercise!
I find the game to be challenging, and I am still learning strategy. Every year the particular card, with the various hands we try to make, changes so it keeps the game fresh. The best part is getting together with friends catching up on what everyone is doing and having some laughs. Some days I can't win a single game and other days I am "lucky." That is how it goes. The past months with my debilitating chemo, I was not able to play so I am delighted to be back.
I had another check up with my oncologist whom I now don't have to see for four months (yeah!). Another part of my treatment plan, besides the surgery, the chemotherapy and the upcoming radiation is a drug that I have started taking. It is part of a special class of drugs to further fight the cancer. It is a tiny pill but like everything can have side effects. So far, so good... I am doing well with it. However, it does cause bone weakening so the doctor said I need to have a special bone strengthening infusion every six months.
I had it today and went up to one of the infusion centers again. It was the same place I had my last chemo and I was hoping not to be in those rooms again but I needed to get this treatment. It was only fifteen minutes, and I was glad to leave there for hopefully a long time.
This week I also took advantage of two of the services the breast cancer center at UCSF provides as resources for cancer patients. I attended a class on nutrition last Wednesday night and Jeff shlepped along with me. It was very worthwhile and gave me some guidelines for nutrition to further enhance my recovery The recommended diet is heavily plant based meaning my diet should be primarily vegetables and fruits with small amounts of meats, poultry, dairy products. With the effects of chemo, sometimes just eating anything at all, chicken soup, ice cream or oatmeal was the most I could stomach and salads and fruits and vegetables have not been palatable.
There are many studies and theories for post cancer patients and I suppose the path of moderation is still the best way to go. I will try to cut down on sugar which will be a challenge since I have a serious sweet tooth. One of the class participants asked about alcohol. Here also moderation seems to be the most important guideline (Yikes, no one wants to give up everything enjoyable!!) One article I read say no soy but the nutritionist encouraged soy so I am back to tofu. I found out that I need to take regular calcium and Vitamin D.
Ii also met with an exercise counselor this week. She does nothing but work with cancer patients and this too was very interesting and helpful. The bottom line is that I need to get active again and try to do something, even just walking, almost on a daily basis. She also recommended balance exercises strength training and taking time for relaxation. Fortunately I belong to a gym which has everything I need.It just requires me to get off my tuches and go there. She said that the zumba class that I had been taking before I started chemo was terrific and hit many of the areas that I need to work on.
What I realized this week is that cancer recovery is a serious business, and I need to be an active participant in seeking the proper nutrition as well as maintaining my exercise program. My best exercise this week was taking my grandson Shaya for a long walk . He was a little doll and was chilling in his stroller enjoying his neighborhood and not making a peep during our walk.Walking with him also counts towards my daily exercise!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
No more port
It is a great feeling to be done with chemo. Every chemo appointment was a source of anxiety and dread but now that is all behind me. We also never knew the side effects and as you know I experienced many. Jeff laughs and tells me how much better my coloring is...no more Casper the ghost.
Yesterday on a beautiful cold morning with the moon still hovering, Jeff and I trekked to San Francisco to have my port removed.We left at 6:30am because the traffic to SF on our recent early morning drives has been awful, and we have been late. Yesterday traffic was post-holiday light and we got there for once before the appointment. Jeff stayed in the lobby while I went up to the interventional radiation department where they installed the port so they could remove it. Having a port has been a godsend. It saved me from so many extra sticks and pokes.
The port resided in my upper left chest area and was hardly noticeable.It has been used for the last five months both to draw blood which has happened frequently as well as for the administration of the chemotherapy. I was lucky with my port as I never had a problem with it such as an infection.
When it was inserted it was more of a delicate procedure but this time they told me it would be quick, and I would not need to fast or have anything more than local anesthesia. Despite what they told me, every time I have any procedure I get nervous. I suppose this is normal. I was greeted by a friendly nurse who showed me where to change and promptly gave me some warm blankets while I waited on a gurney. The halls were cool and I was glad to have them.She congratulated me for getting the port out.
While I waited for the surgeon to come to talk to me, I reflected on my "detour." Sometimes it is overwhelming to think of the unexpected twists and turns I have endured and how far I have come since my cancer diagnosis. Yet now that I can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, I am very grateful. My five week course of radiation will begin in mid February.
I saw a woman the other day in Berkeley struggling to get out of her van in to a wheelchair then pushing herself forward with crutches. Watching her reminded me that my situation (g-d willing) is temporary and I will be able to move forward and get on with my life. Her situation is permanent.
The young Asian surgeon came in and told me this would be a quick procedure, probably 45 minutes. He likened it to a dental procedure...(great, I hate going to the dentist.) He would give me a local anesthetic then remove the port. I signed a release and then the nurse came and we walked to the operating room. A technician cleaned the area and the surgeon came in. I chatted with him as I was completely alert and awake. The shot hurt for a second but the procedure was simple. I felt some pressure and pulling but that was it. He removed the port and showed it to me. It looked like a small round microphone with a chord. Then he spent ten minutes stitching me up and I was good to go. It went quicker than he anticipated, only a half hour.
Though I thought I would get back to my gym this week, now I have to wait another week. I am looking forward to resuming my old activities. Next week I start my beloved Thursday morning writing workshop. I hope to resume Zumba and regular gym visits.
It will take time as I gain strength and my resistance gets back to normal, and I am trying hard to stay away from anyone with a cold. At the end of the month we are booked for Maui and we can't wait. Aloha! Mahalo!!
Yesterday on a beautiful cold morning with the moon still hovering, Jeff and I trekked to San Francisco to have my port removed.We left at 6:30am because the traffic to SF on our recent early morning drives has been awful, and we have been late. Yesterday traffic was post-holiday light and we got there for once before the appointment. Jeff stayed in the lobby while I went up to the interventional radiation department where they installed the port so they could remove it. Having a port has been a godsend. It saved me from so many extra sticks and pokes.
The port resided in my upper left chest area and was hardly noticeable.It has been used for the last five months both to draw blood which has happened frequently as well as for the administration of the chemotherapy. I was lucky with my port as I never had a problem with it such as an infection.
When it was inserted it was more of a delicate procedure but this time they told me it would be quick, and I would not need to fast or have anything more than local anesthesia. Despite what they told me, every time I have any procedure I get nervous. I suppose this is normal. I was greeted by a friendly nurse who showed me where to change and promptly gave me some warm blankets while I waited on a gurney. The halls were cool and I was glad to have them.She congratulated me for getting the port out.
While I waited for the surgeon to come to talk to me, I reflected on my "detour." Sometimes it is overwhelming to think of the unexpected twists and turns I have endured and how far I have come since my cancer diagnosis. Yet now that I can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, I am very grateful. My five week course of radiation will begin in mid February.
I saw a woman the other day in Berkeley struggling to get out of her van in to a wheelchair then pushing herself forward with crutches. Watching her reminded me that my situation (g-d willing) is temporary and I will be able to move forward and get on with my life. Her situation is permanent.
The young Asian surgeon came in and told me this would be a quick procedure, probably 45 minutes. He likened it to a dental procedure...(great, I hate going to the dentist.) He would give me a local anesthetic then remove the port. I signed a release and then the nurse came and we walked to the operating room. A technician cleaned the area and the surgeon came in. I chatted with him as I was completely alert and awake. The shot hurt for a second but the procedure was simple. I felt some pressure and pulling but that was it. He removed the port and showed it to me. It looked like a small round microphone with a chord. Then he spent ten minutes stitching me up and I was good to go. It went quicker than he anticipated, only a half hour.
Though I thought I would get back to my gym this week, now I have to wait another week. I am looking forward to resuming my old activities. Next week I start my beloved Thursday morning writing workshop. I hope to resume Zumba and regular gym visits.
It will take time as I gain strength and my resistance gets back to normal, and I am trying hard to stay away from anyone with a cold. At the end of the month we are booked for Maui and we can't wait. Aloha! Mahalo!!
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