Things are smooth as ever. NOT! Ended up with an allergic reaction to the antibiotic they put me on for the superinfetion, so now I am on a different one. The new one seems to be doing fine.
I have had a killer toothache for a couple of days now. I am hoping the tooth just dies and gets it overwith. Actually it is two teeth, but all the same.
The doctor is figuring I should be over this cold, that is still making me miserable, by next Monday and she has scheduled chemo #7 for that day. She says it would not be in my best interest at all to put too much time in between these last chemos and that I need to get them done to have the best odds. She says she will try to figure out something regarding my teeth, but I just might have to just deal with it. Oh, yea! Sure hope they give me plenty of pain pills!
I am going to be such a wimp in regards to pain by the time this is all over. And if the pain doesn't do me in the high blood pressure being brought on by the Taxol, will!
Actually, I know I will be fine once I get through all this, but damn, it just seems to take forever.
On a bright note, some very wonderful people did a spagetti dinner benefit recently for me and my family to help with expenses that have been hitting us left and right since the beginning of all the doctor appointments etc. These people were truley God sent! The timing was incredible. It wasn't a huge sum of money, but it was enough to get some bills caught back up that I was starting to panic about. We were facing shutoffs left and right! I have made sure to thank each of them, but I would also like to put a thank you here. THANK YOU to everyone, who organized, donated to and attended the benefit. Your kindness is very much appreciated. Once again I feel very blessed to have some great people in my life!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Time Out
We will start this post with a note to self: from here on out, don’t speak of things going so well, it seems to become an omen.
Ok, now with that done and as you are sitting there going, oh, no, now what happened, here is the rest of the story:
As I mentioned in the last post, I caught a cold, two days after receiving chemo #6. It moved rapidly into my lungs and has been causing its own share of havoc. Then on Sunday, I started becoming much sicker and by yesterday, Wednesday, I had become quite weak and in an almost disorientated state. I called my oncologist and they arranged for me to go to urgent care fifteen miles from here to get tested and find out what the problem is.
My daughter called into work and then took me over there. Good thing I went. It turns out I now have a superinfection. The end result of either being on antibiotics since July 18th because of my teeth, or the chemo, Taxol, or a combination of both. So now I am off the antibiotics for my teeth and am being put on another antibiotic to get rid of the superinfection.
Needless to say, chemo #7, originally scheduled for this upcoming Monday is now canceled until further notice from my oncologist. I will have labs and my appointment with her on Monday and we will discuss at that time what the future holds from here. And as far as my teeth…. Heaven only knows what is going to happen.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Chemo #6 done and how it went ....
Thought I would bring my posts up to date with what has happened since my Chemo #6 on Monday (
And had I not come down with a cold two days after receiving the chemo, I think I would have done great this time. It is a nasty cold and moved deep into my lungs almost immediately, but I have been doing everything I can to knock it out as fast as possible. I sure don’t want it lingering around and ending up postponing my next chemo!
With chemo #6, I have had minimum nausea and have not thrown up once! THAT has been great! I got the stabbing, punching nasty pains again, but at least this time I had enough Morphine on hand to get it under control early. I have the fatigue, but that could easily be both the cold or the chemo or a combination. The metallic taste is still here and the alterations of food tastes is still happening, but in the big picture, that is something that can be dealt with easily, because I know it won’t last forever. All in all, I feel this has been the best “after chemo” that I have had! More good news…. So far I am getting the tingling, numb feeling that Taxol can cause, but it is in only a few finger tips and none in my toes. And it isn’t painful at this point. So with only two more Taxol sessions to go, I think there is a really good chance I am not going to get that as bad as some people do and it will end up being short term only.
I did receive some bad news though with this chemo. The pathology department at the cancer center where I am currently going disagrees with the staging the original place did on my cancer and have staged it at Stage III instead of Stage IIB. Granted, it isn’t a huge difference, but it is just enough to make a difference when it comes to statistics. Plus, the original place never did the blood tests for markers, so I won’t ever know via markers, how my body is doing, because a baseline was never established. After chemo is over, I will always have to be very aware of my body and changes in my body. I am hoping I don’t become over paranoid on this, but I also know I will never trust my body again. So even if I had the marker tests to compare with, I don’t know if I would truly rely on them anyway.
Due to various information that I have studied and various people I have talked with in regards to radiation after my chemo is done, I have decided to not do radiation. It would take a very long post to explain all that I have found regarding this subject and all of my reasons as to why I am not going to do it, so I won’t bore you with all of that…..(not today anyway). I have spoken to some top experts in both the radiation and cancer fields and have made my decision based on facts and how they pertain to my particular case. I will be doing the hormone treatments, but even there, I am now considering having my ovaries shut down as an added precaution. My cancer is estrogen based/fed and if there is a way to deal with minimizing the estrogen levels in my body, I feel this is another way to keep/minimize the cancer from ever coming back again.
And now……only two more chemos to go! I am actually getting excited! Then I get to take a little time off before I get my teeth pulled. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel is starting to beam through and it is getting a little brighter by the day.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
From my daughter's point of view .....
This week has had its ups and downs but as the week has gone forth, I have been feeling better and better. But then again that seems to be the pattern, chemo, sick, better a few days and then bam it is time for chemo again. And true to form tomorrow is chemo #6. For some reason I haven’t really been in much of a mood to post this week. Sometimes I get really tired of everything cancer. So in lieu of my own post, I would like to share a post my daughter (19) posted on her blog back on July 17, (which seems so long ago now). I found it to be very touching and would like to share her comments for those to have a glimpse of what a person close to a person with cancer goes through.
“My mom has cancer. She was officially diagnosed May 4th, the day after my birthday. I haven't completely kept it to myself (as a handful of my friends have known about it), but haven't really released it in any public way. I didn't want to...I labeled it as "keeping my private life private". The real label, as I've come to realize, is my own form of self-denial.
Two parents, one disease. One's dead already, this one is battling. To have already gone through this struggle once, and to have reached a dead end (so to speak), makes it difficult to accept the scenario for a second time.
My mom and I have definitely had a rocky and peculiar relationship throughout my lifetime. But nested inside all of it was still unconditional love. And now, that we've both matured, we've both invested time and energy over the years into our relationship, we are so solid. It's still a peculiar relationship, no doubt. And we have our moments of anger, and rage, and we have our disputes. But we are solid, we are strong, and there is a tightly fused bond of love that will never break. She's the truest form of a best friend.
Now, watching her go through this agony...the treatments, the surgeries, the medications...watching her suffer just like my father did, it's the most horrible case of deja vu I've ever had the displeasure of experiencing.
I was supposed to be out of here this September. I was set up to pack and leave for New York. I was working on getting the place, I had the money saving up, I was ready. Now, in a tragic change of events, here I remain. And selfishly, in the beginning, all I could think about it all the chances I was now going to lose. Career, education, location. Now...the tables have turned. As she winces in pain from the mere sight of lamp light, as she lays in bed void of all energy, as she can't even leave the house without it being torture to all her senses...all I can think is that I may have lost opportune moments, but, dammit, she's fighting just to keep from losing her life.
Priorities change. Life lays down a losing hand sometimes. But you just have to grab the next cards and hope for the best. Hope, and pray, and surround yourself in all the positive energy you can. So that's what I'm trying to do, because she needs it. Strength and support are two words you learn, understand, and live by religiously when you get dropped into this situation. And right now, for one of the very few times in my life, I admit that I need it too.
Some of my friends have been absolutely phenomenal. However, as much as I love all of my friends, some are so stuck on negativity, that's its almost painful to be around them. And some, though I believe their intentions and hearts are usually truly good (otherwise I wouldn't call them my friends), take actions and speak words that seem so selfish that I'm starting to step back. They offer assistence, but they do things that contradict their care. And I'm not asking for a pity party, or attempting to use a crutch, I just want a hand to hold on if I need it. To these people, I just want to grab them and scream at them to realize just how fragile this all is, everything you have, everything you do, and everything you are. But right now, my energy and time is devoted to someone else...and I just can't. So I just take a step away.
I've just found myself becoming a firm "believer", I guess you could say, in good and bad energy. It's so contagious, so effective, and infectious. All I want is good surrounding my mom. The light, and the positive. So right now, all I want is the same surrounding me, so I can give it to her three-fold.
My Mom started a blog online, to keep note of her daily happenings, and to be helpful if not inspiring to the next woman who has to battle through this. She tries to be as light-hearted as she can, and I give her so much credit for facing this straight on and trying to be positive for OTHER people, in a time when she's the one in need of others positivity.”
Due to the fact my daughter posted this back on July 17, there of course, have been so many things that have happened since that time regarding my treatments, doctors and more. They have also fallen into various categories: some good, some bad, some positive, some negative. When I started my blog, I was in a totally positive mode to help others and I hope that I have been able to do so. At times I feel that I have not been able to keep as positive of a theme as I originally wanted. Cancer in itself is not a positive item which makes it hard to always write about it in a positive manner. The treatments are a positive step in becoming a long term survivor, but they also can be a difficult experience, which makes writing about them in a positive mode all the time, very difficult.
I feel it is important for me to become a survivor. I refuse to let my daughter lose another parent to cancer. She has actually lost two very important people in her life to cancer already. Along with her father, she lost a very close adult friend when she was 13, whom she had loved dearly since her toddler years. These two important people in her life died on the exact same date, two years apart of each other. She has also dealt with the death of schoolmates and another close adult whose lives were taken suddenly in car accidents. There are other deaths that have touched her life deeply as well. She has had to deal with way too much, way too soon, in her young life. Thus, there is no alternative but for me to become a survivor. And I will.
My daughter has been very happy to see so many of you, my readers, who leave very positive and helpful comments to my posts. I also receive email on a regular basis from a number of you... also, always, very positive and helpful. I feel very blessed. There have been so many times that your words have helped me through the difficult times. Thank you for being here for me. And thank you for also showing my daughter there are very good people in this world. Among my readers are so many of you that, even though we haven't met in person, have still impacted my life forever.
“My mom has cancer. She was officially diagnosed May 4th, the day after my birthday. I haven't completely kept it to myself (as a handful of my friends have known about it), but haven't really released it in any public way. I didn't want to...I labeled it as "keeping my private life private". The real label, as I've come to realize, is my own form of self-denial.
Two parents, one disease. One's dead already, this one is battling. To have already gone through this struggle once, and to have reached a dead end (so to speak), makes it difficult to accept the scenario for a second time.
My mom and I have definitely had a rocky and peculiar relationship throughout my lifetime. But nested inside all of it was still unconditional love. And now, that we've both matured, we've both invested time and energy over the years into our relationship, we are so solid. It's still a peculiar relationship, no doubt. And we have our moments of anger, and rage, and we have our disputes. But we are solid, we are strong, and there is a tightly fused bond of love that will never break. She's the truest form of a best friend.
Now, watching her go through this agony...the treatments, the surgeries, the medications...watching her suffer just like my father did, it's the most horrible case of deja vu I've ever had the displeasure of experiencing.
I was supposed to be out of here this September. I was set up to pack and leave for New York. I was working on getting the place, I had the money saving up, I was ready. Now, in a tragic change of events, here I remain. And selfishly, in the beginning, all I could think about it all the chances I was now going to lose. Career, education, location. Now...the tables have turned. As she winces in pain from the mere sight of lamp light, as she lays in bed void of all energy, as she can't even leave the house without it being torture to all her senses...all I can think is that I may have lost opportune moments, but, dammit, she's fighting just to keep from losing her life.
Priorities change. Life lays down a losing hand sometimes. But you just have to grab the next cards and hope for the best. Hope, and pray, and surround yourself in all the positive energy you can. So that's what I'm trying to do, because she needs it. Strength and support are two words you learn, understand, and live by religiously when you get dropped into this situation. And right now, for one of the very few times in my life, I admit that I need it too.
Some of my friends have been absolutely phenomenal. However, as much as I love all of my friends, some are so stuck on negativity, that's its almost painful to be around them. And some, though I believe their intentions and hearts are usually truly good (otherwise I wouldn't call them my friends), take actions and speak words that seem so selfish that I'm starting to step back. They offer assistence, but they do things that contradict their care. And I'm not asking for a pity party, or attempting to use a crutch, I just want a hand to hold on if I need it. To these people, I just want to grab them and scream at them to realize just how fragile this all is, everything you have, everything you do, and everything you are. But right now, my energy and time is devoted to someone else...and I just can't. So I just take a step away.
I've just found myself becoming a firm "believer", I guess you could say, in good and bad energy. It's so contagious, so effective, and infectious. All I want is good surrounding my mom. The light, and the positive. So right now, all I want is the same surrounding me, so I can give it to her three-fold.
My Mom started a blog online, to keep note of her daily happenings, and to be helpful if not inspiring to the next woman who has to battle through this. She tries to be as light-hearted as she can, and I give her so much credit for facing this straight on and trying to be positive for OTHER people, in a time when she's the one in need of others positivity.”
Due to the fact my daughter posted this back on July 17, there of course, have been so many things that have happened since that time regarding my treatments, doctors and more. They have also fallen into various categories: some good, some bad, some positive, some negative. When I started my blog, I was in a totally positive mode to help others and I hope that I have been able to do so. At times I feel that I have not been able to keep as positive of a theme as I originally wanted. Cancer in itself is not a positive item which makes it hard to always write about it in a positive manner. The treatments are a positive step in becoming a long term survivor, but they also can be a difficult experience, which makes writing about them in a positive mode all the time, very difficult.
I feel it is important for me to become a survivor. I refuse to let my daughter lose another parent to cancer. She has actually lost two very important people in her life to cancer already. Along with her father, she lost a very close adult friend when she was 13, whom she had loved dearly since her toddler years. These two important people in her life died on the exact same date, two years apart of each other. She has also dealt with the death of schoolmates and another close adult whose lives were taken suddenly in car accidents. There are other deaths that have touched her life deeply as well. She has had to deal with way too much, way too soon, in her young life. Thus, there is no alternative but for me to become a survivor. And I will.
My daughter has been very happy to see so many of you, my readers, who leave very positive and helpful comments to my posts. I also receive email on a regular basis from a number of you... also, always, very positive and helpful. I feel very blessed. There have been so many times that your words have helped me through the difficult times. Thank you for being here for me. And thank you for also showing my daughter there are very good people in this world. Among my readers are so many of you that, even though we haven't met in person, have still impacted my life forever.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Monday Blues
So much for thinking this chemo was going to go better. I had my blood draw today and it is all over the place again. This time things are high in places they have never been high before (and shouldn't be) and the same with the low stuff. Very confusing. And since this morning today has been a downward slide of getting sicker and sicker and more pain. I called oncology and they told me this is Taxol doing a job on me and that it is likely I will feel like this for a few days.
So now all I keep thinking is only three more chemos to go and then I am done. Only three more chemos to go and then I am done. Only three more chemos to go...........
So now all I keep thinking is only three more chemos to go and then I am done. Only three more chemos to go and then I am done. Only three more chemos to go...........
Sunday, October 09, 2005
So Far after Chemo #5
Chemo #5 has left me wiped out after the steroids wore off and the pain set in. Pain? Oh, yes, when they say there is a certain percentage of those that will get stabbing, aching, muscle, bone, joint, cursing, you are getting beat up type pain, I got it. But when I called them at 3:00 a.m. they understood right away from my description and a few hours later captain morphine had come to my aid. I have had a few bouts of nausea and vomiting but nothing compared to what it was like after each A/C. I am extremely tired and I am sure the morphine isn't exactly helping with that any right now. And I would rather have the morphine than the pain. Over all my mental state seems to be better. It isn't dragging me down as far as the A/C did. I like that a lot. My concentration level has been far worse though. It is a major effort to get anythng done, but that is working out ok because half the time I can't remember what it was I was supposed to be doing! :>) I do go through periods of feeling really good and then within minutes I feel really bad, completely drained and weak and all I can do is go lay down. The metallic taste in my mouth is different and a little nastier, but I am using Biotene toothpaste several times a day and that seems to help some. Overall, either I am getting used to the way chemo is or this chemo is one that I can deal with a little better. Which ever it is, I hope it stays that way!
Am still having one problem that was consistant from the start with A/C. My blood pressure jumps all over the board. The doctor doesn't have an answer for it. For the first six to seven days after each chemo it goes as high as 189/123 then down to 155/109 then back up. Then it starts a decline until it gets down to around 109/78, before it starts to get to my normal range. It seems when it is low like that my blood count has also dropped out. (My normal blood pressure is 130/85...and it is a controlled blood pressure as I have been taking blood pressure pills for about seven years now. When I was put on blood pressure pills, my blood pressure was 200/120 and I had a non-functioning kidney that was later removed). Sure wish I knew what is causing the variances in the pressure. It scares me sometimes.
Am still having one problem that was consistant from the start with A/C. My blood pressure jumps all over the board. The doctor doesn't have an answer for it. For the first six to seven days after each chemo it goes as high as 189/123 then down to 155/109 then back up. Then it starts a decline until it gets down to around 109/78, before it starts to get to my normal range. It seems when it is low like that my blood count has also dropped out. (My normal blood pressure is 130/85...and it is a controlled blood pressure as I have been taking blood pressure pills for about seven years now. When I was put on blood pressure pills, my blood pressure was 200/120 and I had a non-functioning kidney that was later removed). Sure wish I knew what is causing the variances in the pressure. It scares me sometimes.
Messin' with my template
As you can tell I have been messing with my template. Am really tired of the massive quantity of pink. Never have been a girlie pink sort. Breast cancer awareness or not. So....I'm trying to get blue all the way down the sides, and leaving the pink at the top, bottom and in the center, but it isn't working! Will come back when I am not so tired. Off to rest/nap for a bit......
I'm back. Ah, how a nap and a few hours difference makes. Now the blue comes all the way down and I have made various other tweaks that I am happy with. Changed the heading...to just sunnyside2day. It is just so much easier than some long title up there. Also added my picture. This is actually the picture off my drivers license taken this year at time of renewal on my 53rd birthday. (Me? Procrastinate in things like waiting until the last minute to get my drivers license renewed? I'll have to get back to you on that tomorrow.) Rarely do I get a picture that I like, but this one is fairly good and it is the only one I have with just me in it...so it does the job.
Hope you like the tweaking on my template. I do for now. But knowing how I am I'll like it for a while and then get tired of it again and have to make more changes. Until then...this will do.
I'm back. Ah, how a nap and a few hours difference makes. Now the blue comes all the way down and I have made various other tweaks that I am happy with. Changed the heading...to just sunnyside2day. It is just so much easier than some long title up there. Also added my picture. This is actually the picture off my drivers license taken this year at time of renewal on my 53rd birthday. (Me? Procrastinate in things like waiting until the last minute to get my drivers license renewed? I'll have to get back to you on that tomorrow.) Rarely do I get a picture that I like, but this one is fairly good and it is the only one I have with just me in it...so it does the job.
Hope you like the tweaking on my template. I do for now. But knowing how I am I'll like it for a while and then get tired of it again and have to make more changes. Until then...this will do.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Cancer Awareness
October brings us Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over the years, I have been aware of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but only on a very light scale. Through the Breast Cancer Awareness program though, I did learn some time ago how to correctly do a self breast exam at home. Without that resource and knowledge, there is a good chance I would never have found the first lump of three in my left breast. The other two lumps were not even seen on the mammogram that followed after I found the first lump, but they where there, the second one was found when the lumpendectomy was done and the third was found against my breast wall when the mastectomy was done. If I had not found that first lump myself, in the relatively timely fashion that I did, I can only speculate what the outcome would have been. I have also been informed by two of my doctors that more women find their own lumps by doing the self exam than any other method of testing that is done. So it is obvious the education put forth by Breast Cancer Awareness month has been successful.
In the process of learning about breast cancer, I have also been learning about other cancers and paying closer attention to them. In doing so, I have found some issues that I feel need to be addressed. There are over 200 different types of cancers, yet there are only a few that you hear about in the media with publicity to increase awareness, early detection, donations and funding. Breast Cancer seems to be the leader and Prostate Cancer is starting to pick up speed. There is a smattering of awareness programs for Ovarian Cancer, Colon Cancer and Leukemia, but from there it seems to drop off, with others only being mentioned on occasion. For many types of cancers, the only time you will hear about them or they take front stage for a time, is when a celebrity announces they have a cancer of one type or another. And then often, even that fades into the background.
To give you an idea of the different types of cancers, I have provided a list of some of them. This is not a complete list, but it is does start to give you an idea of how many types there are and their names. If you are like most people, I am sure there are names on here that you have never heard of. Further information on many of these cancers can be found atOncolink
Adrenal Cancer
AIDS-related Lymphoma
Anal Cancer
Ataxia-Telangiectasia
Bladder Cancer
Brain Tumors
Brain Tumors (Childhood)
Brain Metastases
Breast Cancer
Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
Cervical Cancer
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Colon Cancer Ovarian Cancer
Craniopharyngioma
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma/Mycosis Fungoides
Endometrial and Uterine Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Ewing's Sarcoma
Fallopian Tube Cancer
Gallbladder Cancer
Gastric Cancer
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease and Choriocarcinoma
Hairy Cell Leukemia
Head and Neck Cancer
Hodgkin's Disease
Kaposi's Sarcoma
Kidney Cancer
Laryngeal Cancer
Leukemia-- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
Leukemia-- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
Liver Cancer (Childhood)
Liver Cancer (Hepatoma)
Lung Cancer
Lymphomas: Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Childhood)
Lymphomas: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Childhood)
Medulloblastoma
Melanoma
Mesothelioma
Metastases
Myelomas
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Neuroblastoma
Non-Hodgkin's Disease
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Oropharyngeal Cancers
Osteosarcoma
Pancreatic Cancer
Parathyroid Cancer
Penile Cancer
Pituitary Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Rectal Cancer
Retinoblastoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma and Other Soft-Tissue Sarcomas
Sarcomas: Osteosarcoma
Sarcomas: Rhabdomyosarcoma
Small Intestine Cancers
Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Thymoma
Thyroid Cancer
Urethral Cancer
Vaginal Cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Wilms' Tumor
Each type of cancer has its own set of symptoms. How many can you name along with their symptoms? Symptoms for some of these cancers are as follows. The following information was obtained from:The Cancer Cure Foundation - Symptoms
Bladder cancer: Blood in the urine, pain or burning upon urination; frequent urination; or cloudy urine
Bone cancer: Pain in the bone or swelling around the affected site; fractures in bones; weakness, fatigue; weight loss; repeated infections; nausea, vomiting, constipation, problems with urination; weakness or numbness in the legs; bumps and bruises that persist
Brain cancer: Dizziness; drowsiness; abnormal eye movements or changes in vision; weakness, loss of feeling in arms or legs or difficulties in walking; fits or convulsions; changes in personality, memory or speech; headaches that tend to be worse in the morning and ease during the day, that may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting
Breast cancer: A lump or thickening of the breast; discharge from the nipple; change in the skin of the breast; a feeling of heat; or enlarged lymph nodes under the arm
Colon/Colorectal cancer: Rectal bleeding (red blood in stools or black stools); abdominal cramps; constipation alternating with diarrhea; weight loss; loss of appetite; weakness; pallid complexion
Kidney cancer: Blood in urine; dull ache or pain in the back or side; lump in kidney area, sometimes accompanied by high blood pressure or abnormality in red blood cell count
Leukemia: Weakness, paleness; fever and flu-like symptoms; bruising and prolonged bleeding; enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, liver; pain in bones and joints; frequent infections; weight loss; night sweats
Lung cancer: Wheezing, persistent cough for months; blood-streaked sputum; persistent ache in chest; congestion in lungs; enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Melanoma: Change in mole or other bump on the skin, including bleeding or change in size, shape, color, or texture
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin; persistent fever; feeling of fatigue; unexplained weight loss; itchy skin and rashes; small lumps in skin; bone pain; swelling in the abdomen; liver or spleen enlargement
Oral cancer: A lump in the mouth, ulceration of the lip, tongue or inside of the mouth that does not heal within a couple of weeks; dentures that no longer fit well; oral pain, bleeding, foul breath, loose teeth, and changes in speech
Ovarian cancer: Abdominal swelling; in rare cases, abnormal vaginal bleeding; digestive discomfort
Pancreatic cancer: Upper abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss; pain near the center of the back; intolerance of fatty foods; yellowing of the skin; abdominal masses; enlargement of liver and spleen
Prostate cancer: Urination difficulties due to blockage of the urethra; bladder retains urine, creating frequent feelings of urgency to urinate, especially at night; bladder not emptying completely; burning or painful urination; bloody urine; tenderness over the bladder; and dull ache in the pelvis or back
Stomach cancer: Indigestion or heartburn; discomfort or pain in the abdomen; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea or constipation; bloating after meals; loss of appetite; weakness and fatigue; bleeding - vomiting blood or blood in the stool
Uterine cancer: Abnormal vaginal bleeding, a watery bloody discharge in postmenopausal women; a painful urination; pain during intercourse; pain in pelvic area
There are many advanced tests available for early detection. Please check the out the following website for information on tests as well.
The Cancer Cure Foundation
I recently came across a blog of a woman who goes by Elnser.
She has Ovarian Cancer. Her post, titled “I Think I Got the Wrong Cancer (a vent/opinion)” has further insight into how it feels to have a type of cancer that doesn’t get the fan-fair that another cancer does. I agree with her thoughts. It is a very isolating feeling to have a cancer that doesn’t seem to be as important to the world as another type of cancer.
In as much as I am very grateful that Breast Cancer is being addressed so heavily at a time when I have it, I feel it is important for equal attention to be given to all cancers. Yes, of course, I feel my life and my becoming a survivor is important, but the saving of my life should not take precedence over also saving the life of someone with Ovarian Cancer or Brain Cancer or any Cancer for that matter. Cancer is cancer. Awareness, early detection information, equal funding for research and cures of all cancers needs to be made and put in the public eye for all to become informed.
So here is my tribute and promotion to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But let us consider a new agenda. An agenda for an overall ongoing Cancer Awareness program that brings forth information, early detection knowledge, funding, donations, and fund raising events for ALL cancers on a regular basis. Every one, no matter what type of cancer, what their age, or their status in life, rich or poor, well known or not, should be entitled to have the same chance to live and become survivors of this horrid disease called Cancer.
In the process of learning about breast cancer, I have also been learning about other cancers and paying closer attention to them. In doing so, I have found some issues that I feel need to be addressed. There are over 200 different types of cancers, yet there are only a few that you hear about in the media with publicity to increase awareness, early detection, donations and funding. Breast Cancer seems to be the leader and Prostate Cancer is starting to pick up speed. There is a smattering of awareness programs for Ovarian Cancer, Colon Cancer and Leukemia, but from there it seems to drop off, with others only being mentioned on occasion. For many types of cancers, the only time you will hear about them or they take front stage for a time, is when a celebrity announces they have a cancer of one type or another. And then often, even that fades into the background.
To give you an idea of the different types of cancers, I have provided a list of some of them. This is not a complete list, but it is does start to give you an idea of how many types there are and their names. If you are like most people, I am sure there are names on here that you have never heard of. Further information on many of these cancers can be found at
Adrenal Cancer
AIDS-related Lymphoma
Anal Cancer
Ataxia-Telangiectasia
Bladder Cancer
Brain Tumors
Brain Tumors (Childhood)
Brain Metastases
Breast Cancer
Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
Cervical Cancer
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Colon Cancer Ovarian Cancer
Craniopharyngioma
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma/Mycosis Fungoides
Endometrial and Uterine Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Ewing's Sarcoma
Fallopian Tube Cancer
Gallbladder Cancer
Gastric Cancer
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease and Choriocarcinoma
Hairy Cell Leukemia
Head and Neck Cancer
Hodgkin's Disease
Kaposi's Sarcoma
Kidney Cancer
Laryngeal Cancer
Leukemia-- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
Leukemia-- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
Liver Cancer (Childhood)
Liver Cancer (Hepatoma)
Lung Cancer
Lymphomas: Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Childhood)
Lymphomas: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Childhood)
Medulloblastoma
Melanoma
Mesothelioma
Metastases
Myelomas
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Neuroblastoma
Non-Hodgkin's Disease
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Oropharyngeal Cancers
Osteosarcoma
Pancreatic Cancer
Parathyroid Cancer
Penile Cancer
Pituitary Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Rectal Cancer
Retinoblastoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma and Other Soft-Tissue Sarcomas
Sarcomas: Osteosarcoma
Sarcomas: Rhabdomyosarcoma
Small Intestine Cancers
Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Thymoma
Thyroid Cancer
Urethral Cancer
Vaginal Cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Wilms' Tumor
Each type of cancer has its own set of symptoms. How many can you name along with their symptoms? Symptoms for some of these cancers are as follows. The following information was obtained from:
Bladder cancer: Blood in the urine, pain or burning upon urination; frequent urination; or cloudy urine
Bone cancer: Pain in the bone or swelling around the affected site; fractures in bones; weakness, fatigue; weight loss; repeated infections; nausea, vomiting, constipation, problems with urination; weakness or numbness in the legs; bumps and bruises that persist
Brain cancer: Dizziness; drowsiness; abnormal eye movements or changes in vision; weakness, loss of feeling in arms or legs or difficulties in walking; fits or convulsions; changes in personality, memory or speech; headaches that tend to be worse in the morning and ease during the day, that may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting
Breast cancer: A lump or thickening of the breast; discharge from the nipple; change in the skin of the breast; a feeling of heat; or enlarged lymph nodes under the arm
Colon/Colorectal cancer: Rectal bleeding (red blood in stools or black stools); abdominal cramps; constipation alternating with diarrhea; weight loss; loss of appetite; weakness; pallid complexion
Kidney cancer: Blood in urine; dull ache or pain in the back or side; lump in kidney area, sometimes accompanied by high blood pressure or abnormality in red blood cell count
Leukemia: Weakness, paleness; fever and flu-like symptoms; bruising and prolonged bleeding; enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, liver; pain in bones and joints; frequent infections; weight loss; night sweats
Lung cancer: Wheezing, persistent cough for months; blood-streaked sputum; persistent ache in chest; congestion in lungs; enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Melanoma: Change in mole or other bump on the skin, including bleeding or change in size, shape, color, or texture
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin; persistent fever; feeling of fatigue; unexplained weight loss; itchy skin and rashes; small lumps in skin; bone pain; swelling in the abdomen; liver or spleen enlargement
Oral cancer: A lump in the mouth, ulceration of the lip, tongue or inside of the mouth that does not heal within a couple of weeks; dentures that no longer fit well; oral pain, bleeding, foul breath, loose teeth, and changes in speech
Ovarian cancer: Abdominal swelling; in rare cases, abnormal vaginal bleeding; digestive discomfort
Pancreatic cancer: Upper abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss; pain near the center of the back; intolerance of fatty foods; yellowing of the skin; abdominal masses; enlargement of liver and spleen
Prostate cancer: Urination difficulties due to blockage of the urethra; bladder retains urine, creating frequent feelings of urgency to urinate, especially at night; bladder not emptying completely; burning or painful urination; bloody urine; tenderness over the bladder; and dull ache in the pelvis or back
Stomach cancer: Indigestion or heartburn; discomfort or pain in the abdomen; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea or constipation; bloating after meals; loss of appetite; weakness and fatigue; bleeding - vomiting blood or blood in the stool
Uterine cancer: Abnormal vaginal bleeding, a watery bloody discharge in postmenopausal women; a painful urination; pain during intercourse; pain in pelvic area
There are many advanced tests available for early detection. Please check the out the following website for information on tests as well.
I recently came across a blog of a woman who goes by Elnser.
She has Ovarian Cancer. Her post, titled “I Think I Got the Wrong Cancer (a vent/opinion)” has further insight into how it feels to have a type of cancer that doesn’t get the fan-fair that another cancer does. I agree with her thoughts. It is a very isolating feeling to have a cancer that doesn’t seem to be as important to the world as another type of cancer.
In as much as I am very grateful that Breast Cancer is being addressed so heavily at a time when I have it, I feel it is important for equal attention to be given to all cancers. Yes, of course, I feel my life and my becoming a survivor is important, but the saving of my life should not take precedence over also saving the life of someone with Ovarian Cancer or Brain Cancer or any Cancer for that matter. Cancer is cancer. Awareness, early detection information, equal funding for research and cures of all cancers needs to be made and put in the public eye for all to become informed.
So here is my tribute and promotion to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But let us consider a new agenda. An agenda for an overall ongoing Cancer Awareness program that brings forth information, early detection knowledge, funding, donations, and fund raising events for ALL cancers on a regular basis. Every one, no matter what type of cancer, what their age, or their status in life, rich or poor, well known or not, should be entitled to have the same chance to live and become survivors of this horrid disease called Cancer.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Chemo #5 Administered!
Today went well. Mega dose of steroids, benadryl and then the chemo, Taxol. No allergic reaction of any type. Long day, but good day over all.
My daughter went with and I am so glad she was there in case something went wrong. It was very comforting to have her there. I know she started to get anxious with the long time frame.....a seven hour day of being there plus the travel time of over four hours because we had to make two other short stops also.
When we got there we noticed a strange noise coming from the front left wheel area. We weren't able to check it until after we left though due to getting there in the nick of time, and after the session I was flying high on the steroids. Full steam ahead enough that I told her I have a brilliant idea for checking out the wheel. Feeling invincible and very strong at the moment, I told her I would just lift up the front of the car and she could look underneath! She had already been observing how the steroids were affecting me so she got a good laugh on that one. Don't worry, I didn't try it! :>)
Sorry about all the misspelled words in my last post. I guess I was even more tired than I knew! I will get around to (maybe) making proper corrections one of these days, but right now it isn't a top priority. Hopefully when I look at this post I am posting right now, tomorrow, I won't find the same problem! Typing on steroids makes for some strange writing! Sleeping ought to be a blast tonight too!
My daughter went with and I am so glad she was there in case something went wrong. It was very comforting to have her there. I know she started to get anxious with the long time frame.....a seven hour day of being there plus the travel time of over four hours because we had to make two other short stops also.
When we got there we noticed a strange noise coming from the front left wheel area. We weren't able to check it until after we left though due to getting there in the nick of time, and after the session I was flying high on the steroids. Full steam ahead enough that I told her I have a brilliant idea for checking out the wheel. Feeling invincible and very strong at the moment, I told her I would just lift up the front of the car and she could look underneath! She had already been observing how the steroids were affecting me so she got a good laugh on that one. Don't worry, I didn't try it! :>)
Sorry about all the misspelled words in my last post. I guess I was even more tired than I knew! I will get around to (maybe) making proper corrections one of these days, but right now it isn't a top priority. Hopefully when I look at this post I am posting right now, tomorrow, I won't find the same problem! Typing on steroids makes for some strange writing! Sleeping ought to be a blast tonight too!
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Chemo # 5
Tomorrow morning, (Monday), is Chemo #5. New chemo: Taxol with steriod chasers! Or is that steriods with chemo for the chaser? Whichever, it is the start of something new and also the start of the second half of my chemo. After this only three more to go. I can't even begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to the end of chemo!
My daughter is going with me. I know it is going to be a very long rather boring day for her as it would be for most 19 year olds. We have to be there by 10:00 a.m. for labs, (which means leave here by 8:00 a.m.), 11:00 for the doctor appointment and noon for the chemo. I was told this chemo takes even longer that the A/C.
I feel bad for my daughter, money is so tight around here there isn't even enough for me to give her to buy pop or food or anything tomorrow to get through the day. And she is in the same boat right now with all the hassels going on in trying to buy a car. (Nope, we still haven't been able to solve that dilema.) So, tomorrow will be a very long day in many ways.
It is going to be a wonderful thing to get on the other side of all this! Course, in January I get to have my teeth pulled, so there is still a long road ahead. I saw the oral surgeron this last Wednesday and he explained all that needs to be done and what fun I will have afterwards for a while. I know it isn't going to be the best time of my life, but at least I won't be going through chemo at the same time, so that is a relief!
I feel like I am rambling here. Sorry about that. I am really tired tonight. If I wait a little while the steriods that I took already might kick in, but then I could be in a world of trouble and no sleep before I need to take the next batch. And that doesn't sound like a good plan to me. So, I'm off to bed.
My daughter is going with me. I know it is going to be a very long rather boring day for her as it would be for most 19 year olds. We have to be there by 10:00 a.m. for labs, (which means leave here by 8:00 a.m.), 11:00 for the doctor appointment and noon for the chemo. I was told this chemo takes even longer that the A/C.
I feel bad for my daughter, money is so tight around here there isn't even enough for me to give her to buy pop or food or anything tomorrow to get through the day. And she is in the same boat right now with all the hassels going on in trying to buy a car. (Nope, we still haven't been able to solve that dilema.) So, tomorrow will be a very long day in many ways.
It is going to be a wonderful thing to get on the other side of all this! Course, in January I get to have my teeth pulled, so there is still a long road ahead. I saw the oral surgeron this last Wednesday and he explained all that needs to be done and what fun I will have afterwards for a while. I know it isn't going to be the best time of my life, but at least I won't be going through chemo at the same time, so that is a relief!
I feel like I am rambling here. Sorry about that. I am really tired tonight. If I wait a little while the steriods that I took already might kick in, but then I could be in a world of trouble and no sleep before I need to take the next batch. And that doesn't sound like a good plan to me. So, I'm off to bed.
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