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~