FORTY-SIX

Yes, my CAT 125 (Cancer markers) is at a 46. I started at 1175. After surgery and one chemo, my score was 300. After the second chemo my score is FORTY-SIX! I asked my chemo nurse today if to get to a forty-six this quickly is unusual, and she said, yes. Even she cried tears of joy! Thank you all!!!! Thank you all!!! Your prayers, kind words, support have enabled me to further done the path to recovery. We are "kicking cancers ass"

Next Chemo

My next chemo is Thursday. I am full of anticipation, good and bad. I can not wait to get my new CAT 125 numbers to see how much more cancer has been eraticated. My situational depression appears to be gone. I am going to try to participate in some wellness groups. I exercise each weekday morning at 6:30 a.m.with "Body Electra". They use weights on TV, I use cans of corn. I have gone to the YMCA once and hope to go again soon. I am thinking gentle yoga and the cross trainer.

Thanksgiving

I am feeling pretty good. Most of my surgery pain is gone. I can drive. Both my girls were in town for the holiday. We shared the holiday with my husband's family and my family. It was great seeing everyone. I look forward to the rest of the holiday season. I have not laughed that much in a very lond time. I also ate and ate. We all did.

Saw Dr.

Good news! I saw Dr. DeP yesterday. I can drive, exercise moderately and resume most of my activities. Relief! He, also, said that I might only have to have 6 chemo treatments. I asked if the chemo would get stronger, and he said no. If this is all chemo has, I can take it! My blood counts are good.

I complained that cancer was depressing. He assured me it was situational and asked what thing I missed the most. I said the children, work! He did not declare me insane for missing my job. He said, I still can not be around children who could be sick. He did suggest I try to get out a bit, but try to avoid germs and sick people. He suggested I try to do more things that I enjoy. I certainly can do that; beading, sewing, cooking and playing with my friends and family.

I am also the proud owner of 2 blue bottles on milk of magnesia. I can remember grandmothers having this sitting by the sink or displayed in the bathroom. Yes, I eagerly embraced this laxative. The good news is, it works. Amen. If you do not remember the grandparents blue bottles, perhaps you remember metal ice trays? What an event that was to get an ice cube! My sisters and I reminiscensed about these torturous tryas when I was in the hospital. Your hand would stick to the bottom of the tray, you had to run them under water and the ice would melt, or worse, it would fall into the dirty sink or the floor. Yes, if you could conquer getting ice, you were prepared to take on the neighborhood. Our poor icetrays were so beat up! I think mom employed a hammer to get her ice.

tolerated

I spent the weekend making fur pillows. I was doing this in my sleep. Yes, my hair is shedding like a dog. I have what I would call duck down left on my head. Now, I guess I am in the market for some head covering. I see a wig in my future.

So, I think I have tolerated my second chemotheraphy pretty well. I had very little nausea, which could be a result of a drug called Kytril. I am down to one nap a day. I have less and less surgery pain. My daughter MAB says I am kicking cancer's ass!

Greeat Day

The best news! My CA 125 (ovarian cancer marker blood test) was a 1175 beffore surgery and the initial chemo. Today it was 300. Now that is progress. Thank you everyone for you support, prayers and medical workmanship.

Also, I got my second chemo today. Good-by cancer cells. Good-by other fast growing cells. I am psyched to get well. Truthfully, I was an anxiety mess this am. I get nervous with every first time thing. Today Chemo was in a new space for me. I also thought I would see my doctor. That dr. visit is at chemo #3. I weeped. Three nurses came to listen to my sad story of not appeciating the dr. assistant. After I got over the whoa of me, the procedure began and it was all good.

Getting ready for the fall out

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Originally uploaded by momblau.

Sunday and Monday morning I carried a paper tape lint picker upper with me. My hair has begun to thin. I got this cut Monday afternoon. There is less fall out now. Husband offered to go to his parent's house and get the clippers his dad used on him growing up. I pointed out that the only clipping experience he had, was our dog, once. I politely declined his offer. He seemed a little too excited. I play a new game every morning, now. First I feel if I have hair, and then I check to see if I have eyebrows and eyelashes. My husband usually makes a statement each morning validating that I still have hair. I get my next chemo Thursday! Good-by cancer cells! Who cares about hair?

My sisters

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Originally uploaded by momblau.

There they are cheering me up and providing support. RAD doing my insurance work and CBM finishing my chemo blanket. CBM even put a pocket on the blanket so it folds into a pillow.

Blanket

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Originally uploaded by momblau.

This is the blanket my sisters and I made so I can be warm when I get my chemo.

Is this particular?

1. I do not want to hear stories about people who are presently dying of cancer or died from cancer.
2. I do not want people telling me a forecast of nausea and weakness from the chemo.
3. I do not want to envision my death either, thank you.
Do you think it is particular of me to tell people I do not want to hear the above stuff?

If it is ok, I will take my battles one step at a time and try to stay positive! I can use a lot of positive support. I am going to win this battle!

sisters day

Friday my sisters came to the house and helped finish a chemo blanket. We were informed the chemo room is cold. We put 2 rectangular peices of fleece we had purchased at a fabic store together. You cut strips a long both sides and try the 2 peices together. We did a lot of laughing. It turned out pretty good. Carloyn is putting the finishing touches. A pocket on the back so it will turn into a pillow.

My hair is falling out. Best laugh of the day was, when I said something "catty" to Carolyn and she blew on my hair. I quick pretended I was gathering up hair out of the air and putting it back on my head. We do have fun!

Just some facts

Everyday I get stronger.
I have lost 25 pounds.
Everyday I feel better.
I loose more hair too.
My resolve strengthens with the help and will power of my family and friend circle.
I believe the cancer is loosing.
I am grounded.
But come spring, I will be up and out!!!!

Typical day

Wake between 6:00 and 7:00 Drink 10-12 oz. of water.
Watch the first 1-1 1/2 of the Today show from in bed.
Out of bed and into the living area of the house. I putz around and eat my cheerios and a warm decaf coffee milk (I cooould oly enjoy the smell of coffee until recently).
Turn off the TV. Shower at 10:00 or so and start planning my morning nap.
I try to be up by 11:30 to see the Price is Right (Showcase show down)and the noon news.
Then some very kind people come and visit and usually bring lunch or a supper. Oh, I like that. Sometimes there is even a dinner. You know, I am blessed with people who care and show it everyday!!!
Nap time is usually 3:30 and I awaken for the 6:00 news.
Ray comes home and we have dinner. Then I vegetate on the couch and can make it to 10:00. My daughter says, our family are champion sleepers. I get up at 3:00 am to go to the bathroom and then right back to sleep.