2nd Day ~ Usual Side Effects

Well...nothing out of the ordinary for my 2nd day after chemo; pretty much the same side effects as last time. "Sunburn" on my chest, and flushed face which usually goes away by the 3rd or 4th day. Orange juice and lemonade seem to taste best; iced tea I can tolerate without too much dislike or discomfort, but I believe the Cokes are gone from my list. Not sure what is on the menu for dinner since I slept through breakfast and lunch; probably one of my Lean Cuise or Smart Ones pasta dishes; always good!

Tomorrow is a movie day here at the house with a dear friend; looking forward to that!

Love to all ~K~

4th Round Chemo ~ Let's Go!

Well, I know it's been a while since my last post, and I apologize; let's see where I left off.

I made it through my previous three rounds without any complications, and those weird side effects from the Oxaliplatin are really, really not that bad; the sensations to touching cold things is bearable, and the odd mouth sensations...well, they are usually the same; I've basically given up Cokes due to the fact that they now are way too sweet. Iced tea and lemonade are my standard choice of drink now days; didn't need to be drinking those Cokes anyway! LOL

No aversions to foods or them tasting different, which is nice! With the exception of jaw spasms after the first bite of something, everything is still pretty much the same!

Note: People really shouldn't bring in Panda Express while you are going through treatment! Makes the peanut butter crackers I brought in look like day old bread! Bring enough for me, or be prepared to share! LOL

Love to all ~K~

Today Was Spent Mostly In Dreamland

Yesterday was my third and final (for now) chemo session. Had the usual "chemo headache" after I got home, but nothing unusual. Tim and I went to eat Mexican food for lunch; and I took to the "light side" of the menu w/ my usual order of rice, corn tortillas and guacamole. Since I am allergic to that wonderful herb cilantro; which is used in just about every Mexican dish, I had to take my Benadryl afterwards. Between by anti-nausea med, Bendaryl, and some Advil PM for my headache, it was time to put on the pj's and crawl into bed. Slept well, and woke up somewhat refreshed this morning.Today, was spend mostly in bed; after breakfast, it was back in bed to read and watch television. At some point, I fell asleep, and didn't wake up until 6:00; didn't even know Liz had come home from school; or if she did wake me, I don't remember. Good 'ole chemo brain!
Managed to fix some mashed potatoes and tomatoes and okra for dinner, but after that was ready to crawl into bed......AGAIN!
Oh well! Tomorrow is a brand new day, and I know that by the end of the week, most of my side effects will have diminished. Here's to a new day!

Love to all ~ K~

"Repeat Patient" Button

For those who remember what three ring circus I went through during my last hospital stay, then you'll know what I'm talking about when I mention my "Repeat Patient" button!
So in order to commemorate my last said hospital visit, and so that I will be at the ready for any future said hospital visits, I have decided that I am going to design one of those buttons you can wear! I do believe that the said button would compliment those beautiful designer hospital gowns that we all know and love! Here is what I think I will put on that said button......
Proud bearer of the...
"Repeat Patient" button!
Being told you have cancer = Frightening
Living, laughing and loving each day = Awesome
Having wonderful family and friends to support you = Beautiful
Surviving those 4,674,932 irritating questions every time you
grace the hospital doors, and having yahoos look at you like
you don't know what is wrong with you or what is going on = PRICELESS!

And while I'm at it, I think I will add a tiara to the design!
Queen Repeat Patient will not be accepting questions today!

Rise Up

Eddie Vedder's song "Rise Up" is one of my favorite songs to listen to especially now in this time of my life...to me the song says don't look back, but rather rise up, and move forward so that you can truly enjoy every moment.

The lyrics are below, or you can click on the highlighted "Rise Up" link above to listen to the video clip from YouTube......

Such is the way of the world
You can never know
Just where to put all your faith
And how will it grow

Gonna rise up
Burning back holes in dark memories
Gonna rise up
Turning mistakes into gold

Such is the passage of time
Too fast to fold
And suddenly swallowed by signs
Low and behold

Gonna rise up
Find my direction magnetically
Gonna rise up
Throw down my ace in the hole

Second Round And A New Chemo

I know it's been a while since my last post; everything has been going well, and I have been feeling good! I had some additional fatigue with my first round of chemo, but nothing too major; I was able to enjoy working out in the yard and planting new plants for the season (although I managed to pull something in my back), and it was a blessing to be able to enjoy time with my family during Easter.

Tomorrow (Monday) starts the second round of chemo with a new one being introduced. Avastin will be added, and much like Oxaliplatin, it will work in the same way by cutting off blood supply, which is what those nasty little cancer cells love!
Basically, here is a little lesson in how this particular chemo works ~ Avastin binds to the target VEGF (Vascular Epidermal Growth Factor), rendering it unable to then bind with its receptor which in turn by blocking the formation of new blood vessels then interferes with the growth of the tumor. When cancer cells spread to another part of the body they try to form a lump or tumour mass. In order to do this, they need to rapidly stimulate the local blood vessels and capillaries to grow into the tumor mass in order to nourish the cancer cells with food and oxygen (a process called angiogenesis). They achieve this by releasing a chemical into the surrounding tissues called Vascular Epidermal Growth Factor. Avastin, being a monoclonal antibody which attaches to circulating VEGF, effectively blocks its ability to bind to its receptors in the tissues of the body, most importantly those surrounding tumors. Avastin, therefore interferes with the tumors ability to recruit new blood vessels reducing their ability to grow and spread to other areas of the body. There is also evidence that Avastin enhances the effect of chemotherapy. It is thought they make tumour vessels less "leaky" and so allows chemotherapy to reach the tumour more effectively.

So now you know how Avastin works......class dismissed!
~K~

Weird Science......Weird Sensations

Okay......picture this if you can. You think an apple for dessert after lunch would hit the "sweet spot" right? Well, Nina goes to take a bite of what should be a sweet something, and I would expect a sweet taste in return, right? Oh no!!! It was like biting into the most sour lemon you could find! Thank goodness though, consecutive bites returned to normal.
Then just "for grins", and Nina being Nina and pushing that envelope, (those of you who know me well, know what I'm talking about), I thought I would get a glass of homemade iced tea with chipped ice and some fresh mint; oh so good, and just what a Southern girl likes! Well, talk about the sensations of sensations! The iced tea upon reaching my lips, felt like I was drinking something carbonated...then as it entered the good 'ole mouth and I swallowed, it felt as though I had eaten a few York Peppermint Patties...oh that cool sensation! I felt like my mouth had packed its bags and taken a trip to the North Pole while packing some fizz to go with it!

Oh the joys of chemo side effects! From what I've been told, and what I've read, this is one of the most common side effects of Oxaliplatin.

~K~

A Few Chemo Room Etiquette Rules

I recently read a blog about chemo room etiquette, and it was hilarious! The chemo rooms are usually pretty nice; dim lighting, comfy over-stuffed recliners, blankets, extra reading material, the whole nine yards. But here are a few Chemo Etiquette Rules and Guidelines for those who may wonder what really goes on "in that room"!

Rule #1 ~ If you are not a chemo patient, you don't get a big, over-stuffed comfy recliner. There are other non-comfy chairs around the room, or you can have a seat via the floor Indian style!

Rule #2 ~ Please eat your Whopper, Big Mac and Fries before you step foot into the chemo room; even if you have to cram it down in the parking lot or elevator. Some patients border between nausea and hunger; those good 'ole greasy foods may cause a stampede to the nearest bathroom!

#3 ~ Never come in looking cuter than the patients. The chemo room is not your style show; don't come in wearing your UGGS, bling bling shirts or designer jeans. And if you see us staring at you, it's not really because of what you're wearing, we just want your milkshake that you brought in from your Mc Donald's or Burger King run! Give it up nicely, and no one will get hurt!

#4 ~ If you decide to get a drink, or the latest snack that the drug rep companies have brought by, then by all means, bring me some too!

The chemo room is an inner sanctum, a world unto it's own with its very own kind of etiquette. Even though today was my first session in this "special room", people are very personable, and before you know it, you are striking up conversations about this and that. It certainly makes those 2 hour drips go by faster!

Oh yeah........finally, the chemo room is all about us and what we want. Whatever we want, we can get it! So don't forget to leave the milkshake with me, along with your bling bling shirt. Thanks in advance!

More to come!
~K~

Let's Get This Show On The Road

Tomorrow I will finally start my chemo sessions; checked with the Dr.'s office on
Friday, and was told that the meds would be there and ready to go.
Tim will go with me and stay home once we're back to make sure everything goes well. I love him so, and he's such a good guy!

They Live, They Ride, They Are...Texas 4000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f__vLDEV6ag ~ Texas 4000 Summer 2008 Tribute Video

The miles are long...the schedule intense. On June 5th, the 2010 Texas 4000 riders will begin their journey from Austin, Tx. to Anchorage, AK. My daughter will be among them. It is the longest annual charity bike ride which raises money and awareness in the fight against cancer. The cyclists which will be divided into teams, will take two routes; the Rockies route, and the Pacific Coastal route, riding an average of 75 miles a day, over 70 days. 4,500 miles.
Participants who are mostly students from The University of Texas, are chosen by application. Most of them have had direct experience with cancer, whether having survived it themselves, witnessed friends and or family fighting it, or through the loss of a loved one from this terrible disease. Commitment and enthusiasm are also important in the application process.
Once chosen, it is each riders goal to raise $4000.00 for cancer research, and log many, many hours in training. Along the way, the cyclists will present programs in cities to help raise cancer awareness, talk to experts in the field at hospitals, keep personal blogs, take pictures, and talk with the media.
Every day, ride dedications are priority before setting out; the cyclists dedicate their ride to a different person each day. A Haka chant is performed during this time; an ancient traditional dance that originated in New Zealand. A circle is formed with each cyclist inter-locking arms, after one person giving a name dedication takes their place inside the circle. The chant that is said and the way it is performed is awe inspiring and grounding. Just imagine, the inner strength one would receive, being surrounded by those who are on this ride for the same purpose, who can relate to your feelings about your friend, or loved one!
Yes......the miles will be long, and the schedule intense. But the experiences that each one of these cyclists will carry with them from this trip, I bet you, will stay with them long after the ride is over.
They will ride to help raise awareness in the fight against cancer......they will ride for those who can't......they will RIDE!

www.texas4000.org

See What Meds Will Do To You???

Click on the link below from youtube to get a good laugh. Thanks to the wonderful epidural and Daulaudin meds I had for pain after my recent surgery, I thought this was the coolest commercial; I love that sock monkey! LOL
My Mom and Tim can tell you a couple of stories as well; let's see, there was the time I decided to put on my mascara with the remote while watching TV, my Mom can attest to that one! Then there was the time I was adamant that Tim was balancing something on his head; it being the shelves on the wall in the hospital room. My, oh my! The things we do when we're on those lovely meds!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBh3r2mVFR8

~K~

Yes, We Have No Chemos

Well......no chemo today. Still hacking with "the crud". Dr. said I can wait a couple of days to see how I feel, or start on it next week. Going ahead and starting my
pill-form Xeloda though to get that going.
Come on body, get rid of "the crud" already!

~K~

Come on Oxaliplatin and Avastin

Xeloda, you didn't own me; come on Oxaliplatin and Avastin......you don't scare me! The latter of the two will be the new chemos I will start on tomorrow. Avastin will be on the second and third weeks.

More to come...

~K~

Another Bump In The Road Is All

Well, as most of you know, I will soon be starting a regime of 2 additional chemotherapies; I already take a pill-form chemo, and have been for some time. However, in January after another "debulking" surgery at MD Anderson, it was decided
that I should add two more chemos to my repertoire; Oxaliplatin and Avastin.
I thought I would create another blog so friends, family, and other readers could
follow as I travel down the chemo road.

Today was the day I had my chemo port put it; port-a-cath, power-port, it goes by
several names. A pretty purple port as you can tell by the picture above. However,
if I had my choice, I would have chosen pink. Oh well! Only kidding, it is hidden
underneath the skin, so it's not like anyone will be seeing it! It even came with
my own "power-port" ID card, so I guess if I set off any alarms be it in the malls
or airport, I can flash them the card. LOL Just what I need; to be setting off
alarms and having to add something else to my wallet to carry around!
There is a tiny piece of metal on top of the port, but doubt seriously there will
be any alarm ringing!

The procedure was done here in town on an outpatient basis, and I came home this
afternoon. A little sore and I feel as though I have been micro-chipped like
Rufus and Wilson, our dogs. LOL The whole procedure took only about 45 minutes
with some good twilight meds, and then I was done.
Will have to take it easy for a few days; no strenuous activity, or heavy lifting for
a few days, but other than that, pretty much back to normal. It was placed on the left side of my upper chest, just below the collarbone, and I being one who sleeps
on her left side, will probably find out during the night that won't work anymore
for a while. LOL

'Tis been a long but beautiful day, and I hope you had a wonderful day as well!

Until next time...

~K~