It's been four years and three months since I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, stage III-C.
That first year my slow recovery from debulking surgery (major surgery!) followed by six months of chemotherapy just about put me under. I was weaker than a newborn kitten for such a long time and recovery was slow. Each time I made a trip to the post office I had to climb 8 steps and then, returning to the car, climb down those same 8 steps. I carefully placed my hands on the handrail to steady myself for fear I might take a tumble. I stepped carefully and purposely.
Nowadays, even while undergoing yet more chemo, I walk up and down those steps with ease. I seldom use the rail. Frankly, I'm amazed.
But, still, every time I go to the Post Office I remember that weakness. And it humbles me that I am doing so well, all things considered.
I firmly believe that all my days are numbered, that God holds me firmly in His hands, that nothing happens to me that is outside of His providence (His provision) for my life. He has set me in a time and place where medical care is available and I diligently cooperate with my primary doc, my oncologist and a naturopathic doctor in trying to stay as healthy as possible. I am grateful for this time and place.
I thank God daily for each new day.
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Showing posts with label Ovarian Cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ovarian Cancer. Show all posts
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Taking a Look at My Innards
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| A mobile scan truck much like ours. |
I'm talking about my PET/CT scan taken a week ago. If you have medical issues, I hope you realize that you have a legal right to copies of every test and report in your med files. Our small town hospital is very obliging with my requests for copies. I just popped that disk into the computer and "voila!", multiple images popped up on my screen. Images of me, slice by slice, inside out. Not that I understand them...I never went to medical school. But my Oncologist who is treating my ovarian cancer will glean valuable information.
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| Nope, this is not me! |
Problem is...once I inserted the disk into my computer...I realized it was in black and white. And the PET portion of the scan should be in color! So I'll be going back this afternoon to get a color copy for my Onc.
I'm including a pic to show you what the images look like. Yah! You guessed it! That is NOT my body! hahahahahha! I confess that I grabbed it from the net. (I knew you would know that this is not the real me, but thought I'd tell you so that you would know that I, myself, know this, too! Wouldn't want you to think I am a dunce.)
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| Nope, this isn't me, either! |
On another note...we got 4 to 6 inches of snow a couple days ago. I got out the snowblower to do the side driveway and my neighbor came over and took it right out of my hands, finishing the job for me. Thanks, Neighbor! You are a true blessing! And I pray God blesses you right back, over and over again.
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Saturday, February 9, 2013
I Have Fallen in Love With My Feet! They are Beautiful!
I love my beautiful feet! That may sound strange, but it's the truth. I am in love! With my beautiful feet! (Unless you are repulsed by the photo, you can click for a closer view!)
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| Healthy skin February 2013 |
Look at that healthy pink glow (does pink skin glow?)!
You see, not too long ago, August of last year, they looked like the second photo. I was on Lipo-Dox, a drug with the side-effect of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE), otherwise known as hand-foot syndrome. See these poor toes? I insisted on my daily one or two-mile walks in hot August weather. Since heat and friction aggravate the hand-foot syndrome, this wasn't exactly the smartest thing I've ever done.
The combo of hot summer days and long walks caused my toes to turn an angry red. Soon the skin between my toes blistered and sloughed off. Was that painful, you ask? Oh, My, Yes! I wrapped them daily in gauze until they healed but for the duration, while on Lipo-Dox, I had to be very careful with them.
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| August 2012 hand-foot syndrome |
Thankfully, once I quit that drug the skin healed easily.
After Doxil failed, I moved on to oral Hexalen which was marvelous because Hexalen does not have the skin side-effects! My toes, my feet, my hands, my armpits, all healed!
Today my toes look like the first photo! I am having lymphedema in the left leg, hence the wrap. I belong to an online forum of ovarian cancer patients and learned there (didn't learn it from my Oncologist!) that there is such a person as a LANA certified lymphedema therapist. I found one 35 miles from home! (Or click here re: LANA certification)
After five daily sessions with her I have the lymph in my left leg almost under control. She showed me how to do a lymph massage, how to wrap the leg at night, and has provided me with properly sized compression stockings.
Did I say I am in love with my feet! It is so good to have the skin back in good condition. I hope to be out walking again this summer and am already doing half a mile a day, working into it gradually!
The Bible talks about beautiful feet. Romans 10:15 says this: "....As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” I'm bringing good news in this post for cancer patients suffering from lymphedema about how to find a certified lymphedema therapist....but I also like to share the good news that God loves His people and watches over them day and night, through all circumstances, through life and beyond our earthly death - into eternal life with Him. Can't get any better news than that.
May your week be blessed!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Whereupon I Tell You I Continue to be a Druggie
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| Lotsa veggies on this diet. Lots! |
So here I am, four years later, still doing one chemo drug after another, with each dropping my tumor marker (CA-125) a few notches before it begins rising again. Right now I am on oral hexalen but that may be short-lived and I may be going on my eighth (8th!) chemo regimen soon.
Just call me a druggie. I consume one drug after another. The only meds I refuse to take are pain meds. Because, frankly, I haven't needed them. Amazingly!
Anyway...I belong to an online forum of several hundred other ovarian patients. And on that forum are a few members who are working with a naturopathic doctor in addition to their medical team. Some of them have attained stability or even remission. Maybe they would have anyway, I don't know, but I decided I would try what they are trying.
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| My bedside table after tidying it up. |
Along with various supplements I am going to spend a few months following a very low carb diet. No dairy. No grains. No grain-fed meat. Organic and grass-fed.
My family doc is interested in seeing how I do on this regimen. My Oncologist just shook his head. On the other hand, he was agreeable to letting me have a PET/CT scan sometime this month...so....here we go.
In other news...which is not really news...I spent a few minutes this morning tidying my bedside table. I had it so piled high with books that I was afraid I would have a book landslide any moment. You've probably guessed I read in bed.
Another thing that is keeping me busy these days is Sunday School. I'm teaching a group of nine high school boys and girls. I can't tell you how much I like these kids! And they seem to like me right back. I'm hitting them hard with lots of questions as we read through the Gospel of John. Hey! The first 5 verses of chapter 1 are astounding! And that's where we began. Chapters 6 and 10 are favorites of mine because they hold key verses so essential to any Christian...sadly, many Christians are unaware of these two chapters.
Specifically, John 6:37-40 and John 6:44-45.
And specifically, John 10:27-30.
(If you hover your cursor over the scriptures, they should pop up in a little window.)
To sum up...hubby and I are doing well (all things considered). And we continue to have joy in our faith and in the promises of scripture.
May you be blessed this day.
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Monday, September 24, 2012
Ears That Hear
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Every woman knows about breast cancer. Very few know the symptoms of ovarian. Last month I was a guest blogger at the Scope Blog published by the Stanford School of Medicine. I've printed my column almost in its entirety. Please read on.
Several years ago we moved back to the Midwest, and I needed to find a family physician. I opted for a female doctor, hoping that as a woman she might be more tuned to my aging female body and to its potential health problems. Potential, I say, because I thought I was in good health. (Disclaimer...my new doctor was practicing in the Bigger City, not here in our hometown.)
I liked my new doctor and enjoyed my annual physicals and other visits. But looking back, I wish she would have listened more closely to my seemingly minor complaints. I may have been ignorant about the subtle and near-silent symptoms of ovarian cancer, including rib pain and the frequent need to urinate, day and night, but my doctor should have known. I expected her to know.
It was in 2007 when I first mentioned nightly pain under the edge of my bottom right rib. I told my Doc I couldn’t sleep on my right side. Six months later I mentioned it again, and in late 2008 I once more mentioned the nagging discomfort. During that visit my doctor did a two-second rectovaginal pelvic examination and, as part of my physical, a full blood work-up. The results were still at the lab so before I left I asked her to send me a print-out.
Several days later my blood results arrived in the mail. Three pages. At the top of the first page my doctor had written, “Looks great!” endorsed by an inked smiley face. I casually scanned down the first page. Everything looked normal. But when I got to the third page I noticed my alkaline phosphatase reading was abnormally high, and I did what any normal person does these days: I Googled. Possibilities included problems with the gall bladder or liver and that dastardly word “cancer.” (Note! Always ask for copies of blood labs and other tests and read them.)
Naturally, I opted to think it was a gall bladder problem and asked for an ultrasound, which showed a large gallstone that I went in to get removed.
My gall bladder surgeon was the one to give me the bad news. As I came out from under the anesthesia, his face swirled in the white light above me while he told me he had found cancer in my abdomen and on my liver (right where I had been experiencing pain). I remember distinctly the photos he showed me. Still under the influence of anesthesia, I replied quietly, “That is not good news.”
Fortunately for me, my surgeon referred me to a Gyno/Onc who debulked me, removed 95 percent of the cancer, tied my intestines into little “animal balloons” (I jest only slightly), returned them to my ab cavity and put me back together with 43 metal staples. I had just endured the “mother of all surgeries.” It was a brutal surgery but without it I would be long dead. The official diagnosis was ovarian cancer (stage III-C), and chemo followed. And followed. And followed.
Three and a half years later, I’m on my 5th chemo regimen. All things considered I’m doing fairly well: I lead an active life, do some volunteer work, take care of my home. I’m grateful to be alive. (Yes, I've been bald. Three Times!)
But I can’t help but think that if my doctor had listened more closely, more sharply, with “ears that hear,” to my ongoing complaints about rib pain, or if she had provided me with a simple informational brochure so I would been more knowledgeable, perhaps I would have been diagnosed long before Stage III-C.
Every woman knows about breast cancer. But very few know about the symptoms or diagnostic tests associated with ovarian cancer – which could be why most of us are diagnosed late in the game, when statistics for survival are grim. Awareness is the most important piece of diagnosis – awareness by both the medical professional and the patient – and so I ask doctors to educate themselves and their patients about this deadly cancer.
Perhaps it was unfair, but I "fired" that female doctor. Now I work with a family practitioner in our small town. He watches over my overall health and follows my progress (or lack of it) in regards to my chemo. I like it that he's one of my neighbors and now and then I catch a glimpse of him riding his bicycle home after a long day at the clinic. Without using his hands on the handlebars! Yikes! I like it even more when he takes the time to sit and really listen as we discuss what is going on in my "health".
And those "silent symptoms" of ovarian cancer? They can be easily mistaken for digestive and other problems. But if symptoms are persistent, YOU be persistent with your Doc. Symptoms can include:
.
Several years ago we moved back to the Midwest, and I needed to find a family physician. I opted for a female doctor, hoping that as a woman she might be more tuned to my aging female body and to its potential health problems. Potential, I say, because I thought I was in good health. (Disclaimer...my new doctor was practicing in the Bigger City, not here in our hometown.)
I liked my new doctor and enjoyed my annual physicals and other visits. But looking back, I wish she would have listened more closely to my seemingly minor complaints. I may have been ignorant about the subtle and near-silent symptoms of ovarian cancer, including rib pain and the frequent need to urinate, day and night, but my doctor should have known. I expected her to know.
It was in 2007 when I first mentioned nightly pain under the edge of my bottom right rib. I told my Doc I couldn’t sleep on my right side. Six months later I mentioned it again, and in late 2008 I once more mentioned the nagging discomfort. During that visit my doctor did a two-second rectovaginal pelvic examination and, as part of my physical, a full blood work-up. The results were still at the lab so before I left I asked her to send me a print-out.
Several days later my blood results arrived in the mail. Three pages. At the top of the first page my doctor had written, “Looks great!” endorsed by an inked smiley face. I casually scanned down the first page. Everything looked normal. But when I got to the third page I noticed my alkaline phosphatase reading was abnormally high, and I did what any normal person does these days: I Googled. Possibilities included problems with the gall bladder or liver and that dastardly word “cancer.” (Note! Always ask for copies of blood labs and other tests and read them.)
Naturally, I opted to think it was a gall bladder problem and asked for an ultrasound, which showed a large gallstone that I went in to get removed.
My gall bladder surgeon was the one to give me the bad news. As I came out from under the anesthesia, his face swirled in the white light above me while he told me he had found cancer in my abdomen and on my liver (right where I had been experiencing pain). I remember distinctly the photos he showed me. Still under the influence of anesthesia, I replied quietly, “That is not good news.”
Fortunately for me, my surgeon referred me to a Gyno/Onc who debulked me, removed 95 percent of the cancer, tied my intestines into little “animal balloons” (I jest only slightly), returned them to my ab cavity and put me back together with 43 metal staples. I had just endured the “mother of all surgeries.” It was a brutal surgery but without it I would be long dead. The official diagnosis was ovarian cancer (stage III-C), and chemo followed. And followed. And followed.
Three and a half years later, I’m on my 5th chemo regimen. All things considered I’m doing fairly well: I lead an active life, do some volunteer work, take care of my home. I’m grateful to be alive. (Yes, I've been bald. Three Times!)
But I can’t help but think that if my doctor had listened more closely, more sharply, with “ears that hear,” to my ongoing complaints about rib pain, or if she had provided me with a simple informational brochure so I would been more knowledgeable, perhaps I would have been diagnosed long before Stage III-C.
Every woman knows about breast cancer. But very few know about the symptoms or diagnostic tests associated with ovarian cancer – which could be why most of us are diagnosed late in the game, when statistics for survival are grim. Awareness is the most important piece of diagnosis – awareness by both the medical professional and the patient – and so I ask doctors to educate themselves and their patients about this deadly cancer.
-----------------------------
Perhaps it was unfair, but I "fired" that female doctor. Now I work with a family practitioner in our small town. He watches over my overall health and follows my progress (or lack of it) in regards to my chemo. I like it that he's one of my neighbors and now and then I catch a glimpse of him riding his bicycle home after a long day at the clinic. Without using his hands on the handlebars! Yikes! I like it even more when he takes the time to sit and really listen as we discuss what is going on in my "health".
And those "silent symptoms" of ovarian cancer? They can be easily mistaken for digestive and other problems. But if symptoms are persistent, YOU be persistent with your Doc. Symptoms can include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain (including under the bottom right rib)
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Need to urinate urgently or often (day and/or night)
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach or heartburn
- Back pain
- Pain during sex
- Constipation
- Menstrual changes
- (in my case, a mild anemia with no known cause)
.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Whereupon I Almost Obtain a Medical Degree and Also Extol Bag Balm
Sometimes I think I should have a medical degree. I kid you not. In the three and a half years since being diagnosed with ovarian cancer I believe I've Googled every symptom under the sun and also every drug combo available for treatment.
I've learned that caffeine may slighty inhibit the efficacy (I love that word) of topotecan. I didn't know that after my first dosage. But by my second, I had come across that little tidbit of information and for the duration (of the topotecan treatments) I gave up my morning coffee which consists of two or three cups of instant Folgers. I'm not a caffeine fanatic as such...it's the ritual of selecting a cup, scooping and stirring the coffee granules, nuking in the microwave, sitting down with my Bible or sometimes yesterday's newspaper still lying unread on the table. I love that morning ritual. But I gave up my coffee for the duration until the topotecan, like all my previous chemo drugs, stopped working.
Thanks to Google I'm quite well versed on peripheral neuropathy, ocular migraines, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE), and other side-effects of chemotherapy. PPE, otherwise known as hand/foot syndrome, is a widely known side-effect of the chemo drug Doxil. I'm not on Doxil, but I am on its virtual twin, a drug called Lipo-Dox imported from India. (Doxil, the American drug, is currently unavailable.)
I've learned that the lowly Bag Balm, a veterinary product originally intended to soothe the udders of milk cows, is a soothing balm for hand-foot syndrome. I buy mine at the local farm store on the edge of town and the past three weeks have slathered it twice daily on my poor, tender, reddened feet. Thanks to Bag Balm my toes healed and are now merely "red and tender" this time round.
Thanks to an online forum for ovarian cancer patients I've become knowledgeable about various treatments, supplements (some advised, some not advised, some ill-advised), the importance of staying active, and maintaining a positive attitude.
It's that last one that is difficult. Some compare attitude to the half-full/half-empty glass. But frankly, at my age, and with my diagnosis, I don't see the "half" as quite accurate. I figure my glass, in terms of future longevity, is nearing "empty". Yes, I may have a few years left. Three? Two? Four? Seven? Who knows. My cancer can metastasize...any time!
Lipo-Dox is my fifth chemo regimen (sixth if I count the few weeks of tamoxifen taken jointly with my third regimen). I use one drug until it stops working. When my tumor marker begins rising quickly, we know the chemo is no longer working. And we try the next drug.
Frankly I'm amazed. I've been on carbo/taxol, carbo/taxol/avastin, carbo/gemzar, topotecan, and now Lipo-Dox. I'm amazed my body is still in decent condition. Up until recently I've been walking two miles several times a week. Last month's hand-foot syndrome put the kibosh on walking. At least temporarily.
I'm trying to remain positive...not that the drugs will cure me. I know they won't. Not after so many recurrences, not unless there is a miracle from God Himself. Nevertheless, I remain positive that treatment will keep me stable for a good while yet.
Some of my online friends have achieved long months or even years of remission. But more of them are like myself, going through one chemo regimen after another, hoping for a few months in between to rest up for the next drug.
Many of these friends are Christians and recognize that the Bible tells us that God knows our every day before we are even born (Psalm 139:16). They know that Christians, like everyone else, go through the ordinary travails of life in this world, including cancer. They know, too, that God is the giver of courage and of faith itself (Ephesians 2:8-9). As Christians we know that God is with us as we walk through the fire (Isaiah 43:2). We will not be overwhelmed. Instead we will praise God until that very last drop of water in that proverbial half-full/half-empty glass is gone.
May your day be full of good things. As is mine.
I've learned that caffeine may slighty inhibit the efficacy (I love that word) of topotecan. I didn't know that after my first dosage. But by my second, I had come across that little tidbit of information and for the duration (of the topotecan treatments) I gave up my morning coffee which consists of two or three cups of instant Folgers. I'm not a caffeine fanatic as such...it's the ritual of selecting a cup, scooping and stirring the coffee granules, nuking in the microwave, sitting down with my Bible or sometimes yesterday's newspaper still lying unread on the table. I love that morning ritual. But I gave up my coffee for the duration until the topotecan, like all my previous chemo drugs, stopped working.
 | |
| Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia. Day 28 of Cycle 3 |
Thanks to Google I'm quite well versed on peripheral neuropathy, ocular migraines, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE), and other side-effects of chemotherapy. PPE, otherwise known as hand/foot syndrome, is a widely known side-effect of the chemo drug Doxil. I'm not on Doxil, but I am on its virtual twin, a drug called Lipo-Dox imported from India. (Doxil, the American drug, is currently unavailable.)
I've learned that the lowly Bag Balm, a veterinary product originally intended to soothe the udders of milk cows, is a soothing balm for hand-foot syndrome. I buy mine at the local farm store on the edge of town and the past three weeks have slathered it twice daily on my poor, tender, reddened feet. Thanks to Bag Balm my toes healed and are now merely "red and tender" this time round.
Thanks to an online forum for ovarian cancer patients I've become knowledgeable about various treatments, supplements (some advised, some not advised, some ill-advised), the importance of staying active, and maintaining a positive attitude.
 |
| Bag Balm, the farmer's friend (and mine) |
Lipo-Dox is my fifth chemo regimen (sixth if I count the few weeks of tamoxifen taken jointly with my third regimen). I use one drug until it stops working. When my tumor marker begins rising quickly, we know the chemo is no longer working. And we try the next drug.
Frankly I'm amazed. I've been on carbo/taxol, carbo/taxol/avastin, carbo/gemzar, topotecan, and now Lipo-Dox. I'm amazed my body is still in decent condition. Up until recently I've been walking two miles several times a week. Last month's hand-foot syndrome put the kibosh on walking. At least temporarily.
I'm trying to remain positive...not that the drugs will cure me. I know they won't. Not after so many recurrences, not unless there is a miracle from God Himself. Nevertheless, I remain positive that treatment will keep me stable for a good while yet.
Some of my online friends have achieved long months or even years of remission. But more of them are like myself, going through one chemo regimen after another, hoping for a few months in between to rest up for the next drug.
Many of these friends are Christians and recognize that the Bible tells us that God knows our every day before we are even born (Psalm 139:16). They know that Christians, like everyone else, go through the ordinary travails of life in this world, including cancer. They know, too, that God is the giver of courage and of faith itself (Ephesians 2:8-9). As Christians we know that God is with us as we walk through the fire (Isaiah 43:2). We will not be overwhelmed. Instead we will praise God until that very last drop of water in that proverbial half-full/half-empty glass is gone.
May your day be full of good things. As is mine.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The Red Devil or How I Make Do With Linen Toe Wraps
Remember my previous mention of the "Red Devil"? My new red Kool-Aid of a chemo?
Well, today is day 16 post chemo and the Red Devil is living up to its name. Doxil (or in my case, Lipodox) is well known in chemo circles (betcha don't want to join THAT clique, do ya!) for its vicious side-effect to the skin.
I belong to an online ovarian cancer forum and some of my friends tell me their skin blistering is so severe they can wear only the loosest of clothing, a muumuu type dress, with no bindings or restrictions on the skin. That means no undies, either upper or lower! Just a muumuu! So far I am not needing to do that! I'm still wearing my normal clothing including undies.
In my case I get red welts and blistering on the palms of my hands and between my toes. The skin turns an ugly purple-red and unless protected will blister badly. After about a week it begins to heal (and peel) just about the time I get my next infusion. So the cycle seems to be about ten days of really sore skin...then ten days of healing...then sore again after the next chemo.
I used to think that those "old people" you see hobbling about do so due to knee or hip problems. But no...very sore feet cause the same hobbling gait. Fancy that!
The toes seem to be the worst where they rest against each other. I've used bandages on some but don't like to have the sticky part of the bandaid on tender red skin.
So yesterday I had one of my amazing, brilliant, lightbulb moments. Remember last week's blouse project? The one where I shortened the sleeves? That blouse is linen. I took the cut-off sleeves and cut one-inch strips of fabric and tied them around my toes. Of course, I can't wear shoes with them. (I can't wear shoes without them, either, due to the skin problems.) The linen fabric protects the sore sides of the toes from rubbing up against the next toe, causing friction. I know it's weird. But it works.
Other remedies? I use cold packs on my hands and feet (and chew on ice chips) during the chemo infusion. I soak my feet and hands in cold water now and then in the days following chemo. And I take a couple cold packs to bed with me. Wrapped in a linen tea towel they comfort my feet and my hands. And, in theory at least, they reduce the amount of doxil seeping into the capillaries under the skin, thereby reducing the blistering.
I'm thinking by tomorrow or the day after, the healing will begin. I must be patient, I must be patient, I must....Wait a minute! I AM a patient! Just not a very patient patient!
Well, today is day 16 post chemo and the Red Devil is living up to its name. Doxil (or in my case, Lipodox) is well known in chemo circles (betcha don't want to join THAT clique, do ya!) for its vicious side-effect to the skin.
I belong to an online ovarian cancer forum and some of my friends tell me their skin blistering is so severe they can wear only the loosest of clothing, a muumuu type dress, with no bindings or restrictions on the skin. That means no undies, either upper or lower! Just a muumuu! So far I am not needing to do that! I'm still wearing my normal clothing including undies.In my case I get red welts and blistering on the palms of my hands and between my toes. The skin turns an ugly purple-red and unless protected will blister badly. After about a week it begins to heal (and peel) just about the time I get my next infusion. So the cycle seems to be about ten days of really sore skin...then ten days of healing...then sore again after the next chemo.
I used to think that those "old people" you see hobbling about do so due to knee or hip problems. But no...very sore feet cause the same hobbling gait. Fancy that!
The toes seem to be the worst where they rest against each other. I've used bandages on some but don't like to have the sticky part of the bandaid on tender red skin.
So yesterday I had one of my amazing, brilliant, lightbulb moments. Remember last week's blouse project? The one where I shortened the sleeves? That blouse is linen. I took the cut-off sleeves and cut one-inch strips of fabric and tied them around my toes. Of course, I can't wear shoes with them. (I can't wear shoes without them, either, due to the skin problems.) The linen fabric protects the sore sides of the toes from rubbing up against the next toe, causing friction. I know it's weird. But it works.
Other remedies? I use cold packs on my hands and feet (and chew on ice chips) during the chemo infusion. I soak my feet and hands in cold water now and then in the days following chemo. And I take a couple cold packs to bed with me. Wrapped in a linen tea towel they comfort my feet and my hands. And, in theory at least, they reduce the amount of doxil seeping into the capillaries under the skin, thereby reducing the blistering.
I'm thinking by tomorrow or the day after, the healing will begin. I must be patient, I must be patient, I must....Wait a minute! I AM a patient! Just not a very patient patient!
As Christians we know that we are not exempt from the ailments of this fallen world. But we do not despair! In the midst of affliction, physical and otherwise, we know that when we leave this earth, we will forever be at home with the Lord. That is where we must keep our focus. I will leave you with these encouraging words in James 1:2-3 " Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." Endurance! Ah, that is what I need! And patience, too!
.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Parrot Died...Onward to Red Kool-Aid
I can only say that today was an "adventure". But today's adventure is not the subject of today's post. No, no, that would take much too long.
Instead I just want to tell you that the colorful parrot (of previous posts) has died, so to speak. Topotecan (or the "colorful parrot" as I called it) stopped being effective in holding my ovarian cancer at bay.
So I am moving onward...to the next drug cocktail.
I am now on Lipodox which very much looks like red Kool-Aid.
If you've been following the news about chemo drugs (which you probably don't unless you yourself are a chemo druggie) you know that Doxil has been unavailable in the United States since late last year. It seems the contract manufacturer was found to be not properly maintaining its facility. But that's old news...if you wish, you can read about it here.
Happily, the FDA is allowing a supposed duplicate of Doxil called Lipodox to come into this country from India. I've had three treatments now.
I call it "Red Kool-Aid" because...well...it looks like red Kool-Aid. Some patients call it the "red devil" because of a nasty side-effect that causes ferocious blistering of the skin.
Fortunately, the skin healed before my 3rd infusion...and here I am, day eight of this third cycle, still doing well. The next few days will tell whether or not the skin problem comes back.
Today? A stressful day. A long day. Has nothing to do with my cancer. Let's just say it is a good thing in our lives...but with a long and stressful learning curve.
God bless all of you who are reading this...and most of all, those who are going through difficult situations, health or otherwise. Each day is good...no matter what. And God is good, no matter what.
Heading to bed. Perchance to sleep.
.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Colorful Parrot - Part Two
Yesterday I received the second in a series of four infusions of The Colorful Parrot (the chemo drug topotecan).
Did I tell you I have a power port? It makes the chemo so easy. Nurse D just hangs the bags of saline and drugs and just "plugs" into the port on my left shoulder. Easey peasey. No searching for veins for an IV. Have I told you I Love My Port!
You can read more about my Port here!
Yesterday I asked my Onc nurse why the neulasta shot is given 24 hours after the last infusion. I thought it had something to do with the "appropriate and most opportunistic" time to jump-start the bone-producing marrow. That would make sense, wouldn't it? That there is a particular point in time when the shot works to its optimum?
But, no, her answer was that insurance won't pay UNLESS you have the shot at the 24 hour point OR at the 10-day point after the last infusion of the Colorful Parrot. And at the 10-day point we would risk my bloods being too low for the next cycle which is scheduled at 4 weeks after this one.
Well! I'm a bit miffed about that. How dare the insurance company tells us the opportune time for MY BLOOD COUNTS! We all react differently to the chemo drugs and each of us will have a slightly different reaction in terms of what happens with our blood counts. Wouldn't you think my Oncologist, after watching my bloods for the next two weeks would have a BETTER IDEA than they?
Some Colorful Parrot needs to fly over them and drop a few nuggets of wisdom! Or something like that...to get their attention.
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Did I tell you I have a power port? It makes the chemo so easy. Nurse D just hangs the bags of saline and drugs and just "plugs" into the port on my left shoulder. Easey peasey. No searching for veins for an IV. Have I told you I Love My Port!
You can read more about my Port here!Yesterday I asked my Onc nurse why the neulasta shot is given 24 hours after the last infusion. I thought it had something to do with the "appropriate and most opportunistic" time to jump-start the bone-producing marrow. That would make sense, wouldn't it? That there is a particular point in time when the shot works to its optimum?
But, no, her answer was that insurance won't pay UNLESS you have the shot at the 24 hour point OR at the 10-day point after the last infusion of the Colorful Parrot. And at the 10-day point we would risk my bloods being too low for the next cycle which is scheduled at 4 weeks after this one.
Well! I'm a bit miffed about that. How dare the insurance company tells us the opportune time for MY BLOOD COUNTS! We all react differently to the chemo drugs and each of us will have a slightly different reaction in terms of what happens with our blood counts. Wouldn't you think my Oncologist, after watching my bloods for the next two weeks would have a BETTER IDEA than they?
Some Colorful Parrot needs to fly over them and drop a few nuggets of wisdom! Or something like that...to get their attention.
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Monday, February 20, 2012
The Colorful Parrot
Topotecan! The name reminds me of a colorful parrot.
Today I get Topotecan. And tomorrow. And the following two days as well. Topotecan four days in a row.
So, what is Topotecan, you ask?
In one word, chemo.
Yep, my ovarian cancer has recurred for the third time. I don't know why we call it "recurred" because it has never once left my body. Oh, the scans have shown "no evidence of disease" a couple times, but everyone knows the scans cannot pick up miniscule areas of the disease.
Those ovca cells lurk here and there until they are once again ready to proliferate. Proliferate. Sounds like warfare, doesn't it? Yeah, it's warfare, all right. The battlefield is my body and the guns are chemo drugs. We do battle after battle, using one drug or another. When one drug fails (runs out of ammo) we try the next one.
They work, you know. Those drugs work (for awhile). They're spewing deadly shots at those cancer cells. The problem is that some of my other body cells succumb to "friendly fire" causing all kinds of symptoms...baldness being the most observable and well-known. I used to have a lovely white bob. I'll never wear my hair that way again. Sigh!
Oh, I'm not complaining. These drugs are keeping me alive.
The "colorful parrot" is my fourth chemotherapy regimen. In three years' time I've "enjoyed" the benefit (and side-effects) of the following:
Today I get Topotecan. And tomorrow. And the following two days as well. Topotecan four days in a row.
So, what is Topotecan, you ask?
In one word, chemo.
Yep, my ovarian cancer has recurred for the third time. I don't know why we call it "recurred" because it has never once left my body. Oh, the scans have shown "no evidence of disease" a couple times, but everyone knows the scans cannot pick up miniscule areas of the disease.
Those ovca cells lurk here and there until they are once again ready to proliferate. Proliferate. Sounds like warfare, doesn't it? Yeah, it's warfare, all right. The battlefield is my body and the guns are chemo drugs. We do battle after battle, using one drug or another. When one drug fails (runs out of ammo) we try the next one.
They work, you know. Those drugs work (for awhile). They're spewing deadly shots at those cancer cells. The problem is that some of my other body cells succumb to "friendly fire" causing all kinds of symptoms...baldness being the most observable and well-known. I used to have a lovely white bob. I'll never wear my hair that way again. Sigh!
Oh, I'm not complaining. These drugs are keeping me alive.
The "colorful parrot" is my fourth chemotherapy regimen. In three years' time I've "enjoyed" the benefit (and side-effects) of the following:
- Carboplatin and paclitaxel (carbo/taxol) (Yep, bald!)
- Carboplatin and paclitaxel and avastin followed by 10 months of avastin as a maintenance drug. (Yep! Bald again!)
- Carboplatin and gemzar (Maintained my hair on this one!)
- Now - Topotecan. (Thinning hair - really thinning!)
In the past three years I've had 6 months drug-free.
I'm a walking druggie! (hahahahahaha....sorry, not funny) Thankfully, I take very few prescription meds. I seldom use ibuprofen or tylenol, preferring to roll through the difficult times. They used to tell us that as kids...roll through the punches. That's what I do. I roll through them. I'd rather put up with discomfort (spelled p-a-i-n) than toss something else into the cocktail for my liver and kidneys to deal with.
I belong to an online forum of other ovarian cancer patients. Some use supplements. Some don't. Some eat organic foods only. Some enjoy their chocolate and the occasional glass of wine. Reading their stories it seems to me that whatever diet/supplements they use does have a placebo effect....but not much. And so I just try to eat in a healthy manner and avoid junk foods.
Today I begin cycle three of the colorful parrot and will receive four consecutive days of the drug. Because the drug does a number on my blood counts, on the fifth day I will receive a neulasta shot. That's a bone cruncher! What I mean is that in jump-starting the blood producing areas in the bones, the drug also causes bone pain. But thanks to my online ovarian friends I've learned that taking a claritin the day of and the day after the shot greatly reduces the flu-like symptoms that are side-effects of the neulasta.
The next few days I will experience fatigue and malaise and perhaps some dizziness (assuming this 3rd cycle will affect me as the first two have done). By this time next week I'll be moving back to "normal" and I will be "drug free" for three weeks until cycle four.
Is the parrot working? So far. My blood tumor marker is improving.
How long will it work? Given the experience of prior chemos I can guess maybe 6 months. And expect in 9 months to be doing my 5th regimen, using yet another drug. Doxil is the drug of choice by my Oncologist...but you know the story there....there is no doxil available. The manufacturers claim a problem at the plant. Sure! We believe anything they say! Sure! Sure!
All in all, this has been one interesting journey. As a Christian I believe that all our days are known by God before they ever happen. (Psalm 139:16). And I believe that God knows everything about us, even the number of hairs (that fall out) on our head. (Luke 12:7). I figure I'll leave all of this in God's hands.
I'll do the things I'm supposed to do. I get up each morning, toss my legs out over the side of the bed, and recognize that this day is another day that God has given me. I'm going to enjoy it to the utmost. And I do.
P.S. Don't you think that topotecan parrot, wearing his straw hat, looks a bit like my profile pic? hahahahaha
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Monday, January 16, 2012
Deadly Advice From a Deluded Young Woman
A couple years ago I joined a members-only online forum with hundreds of other ovarian cancer patients (and a few caretakers or family members).
This past week I got really angry. Really, really angry. (I don't think it is grammatically correct to use two "really" words, but you get the picture.)
A young woman posted on our board as well as eight other forums (eight other diseases) that food is the "only" remedy for our health problems. She insisted that if we all ate raw fruits and raw vegetables only (organic, of course) that we could be "cured" of our ailments.
She insisted that to remove the cancerous tumors was to remove our body's defense against the cancer...that the body had deposited the cancer into our ovaries instead of into the heart for instance. The "logic" behind this was that the heart is more vital to the life of the body and hence, the body had taken toxins that might damage the heart, so to speak, and deposited them in the ovaries without which the body can still survive.
As I mentioned already, she advocated this "raw fruit, raw veggie" diet as a "cure-all".
Regardless of the numerous replies disputing her "unscientific" or even "unsensible" idea, she is still insistent today, some two weeks after her original posting.
Generally, I limit my responses to the topic at hand...ovarian cancer...and all the subtopics involved...side-effects, surgeries, personal experiences, new ovca drugs, new trial drugs, etc. Those are the things we ovarians discuss. We sometimes digress to humor or personal anecdotes of life itself. While we mention faith (of whatever kind), we do not use the forum as a "preaching platform".
But this particular discussion was so false and had such a false concept of how we can be "cured". This deluded young woman is .... well...she's deluded. What more can I say. Today she accused us of "fearing death". And I could not let that pass.
Today I responded thusly:
She wrote this:
"May not the 'FEAR' of death guide you into short-sighted decisions to remove your organs or take dangerous drugs under the 'myth' that you will be cured and live 'happily ever after '."
I responded with the following: (I changed the name to protect the "not-so-innocent".)
First of all, SallyAnn, there is NO MYTH that we ovarian cancer patients are believing. Those of us diagnosed at stage III and IV are under NO ILLUSION that we will live, as you say, "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" if we faithfully do our chemo or any other regimen other than YOUR "food only" policy.
And, personally, SallyAnn, I do not FEAR DEATH.
You see, as a Christian, a follower of Christ, a believer of the Bible, I believe that Jesus was telling the truth when he promised eternal life to those who hear and believe. John 5:24. Here are his words....“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."
The verb tense of "has" is present tense. Our eternal life begins "right now". And the verb tense of "has passed" is past tense. We have already passed out of death. Into eternal life. It begins right now, here and now, not at some "point of death" when our souls leave our bodies.
He also said such words as "I go to prepare a place for you" and "I will come again". And in the last two chapters of the Bible, in the book of Revelation, we hear his promise, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
And again in verse 6 Jesus told John, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost."
I do not live in fear. Yes, I love this life here on earth. Life here is (can be) very, very good. We love our families, we love the beauty of nature, we love the goodness of common blessings with which God blesses the earth. But we also hate death. Death is the common enemy of all mankind. Thanks be to God, He has provided life beyond our physical death.
I seldom discuss my faith here on this forum. But I figure it is fair to do so, considering how you have shared your "non-medical advice" to those of us ovarian cancer patients who will die soon if we follow your "food only" advice.
Bottom line? We are born. We live. We die. But in Christ we have eternal life. He promises that in John 5:24. No ifs, ands, or buts. No special diet necessary. Simply believe that God is who He says He is, and that He has done what He says He has done, and that He WILL do what He says He will do. And then live what you believe.
If you want to eat raw fruits/veggies only, go for it.
If I want to, or anyone else here wants to do the same, go for it.
But don't believe the LIE that we ovarians can discontinue all medical care and that raw foods will CURE you.
It won't happen.
But eternity? Yeah. It's there. And I am not afraid to die.
End of discussion.
Disclaimer: This is not a denial on my part that a healthy diet is a good diet.
This past week I got really angry. Really, really angry. (I don't think it is grammatically correct to use two "really" words, but you get the picture.)
A young woman posted on our board as well as eight other forums (eight other diseases) that food is the "only" remedy for our health problems. She insisted that if we all ate raw fruits and raw vegetables only (organic, of course) that we could be "cured" of our ailments.
She insisted that to remove the cancerous tumors was to remove our body's defense against the cancer...that the body had deposited the cancer into our ovaries instead of into the heart for instance. The "logic" behind this was that the heart is more vital to the life of the body and hence, the body had taken toxins that might damage the heart, so to speak, and deposited them in the ovaries without which the body can still survive.
As I mentioned already, she advocated this "raw fruit, raw veggie" diet as a "cure-all".
Regardless of the numerous replies disputing her "unscientific" or even "unsensible" idea, she is still insistent today, some two weeks after her original posting.
Generally, I limit my responses to the topic at hand...ovarian cancer...and all the subtopics involved...side-effects, surgeries, personal experiences, new ovca drugs, new trial drugs, etc. Those are the things we ovarians discuss. We sometimes digress to humor or personal anecdotes of life itself. While we mention faith (of whatever kind), we do not use the forum as a "preaching platform".
But this particular discussion was so false and had such a false concept of how we can be "cured". This deluded young woman is .... well...she's deluded. What more can I say. Today she accused us of "fearing death". And I could not let that pass.
Today I responded thusly:
She wrote this:
"May not the 'FEAR' of death guide you into short-sighted decisions to remove your organs or take dangerous drugs under the 'myth' that you will be cured and live 'happily ever after '."
I responded with the following: (I changed the name to protect the "not-so-innocent".)
First of all, SallyAnn, there is NO MYTH that we ovarian cancer patients are believing. Those of us diagnosed at stage III and IV are under NO ILLUSION that we will live, as you say, "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" if we faithfully do our chemo or any other regimen other than YOUR "food only" policy.
And, personally, SallyAnn, I do not FEAR DEATH.
You see, as a Christian, a follower of Christ, a believer of the Bible, I believe that Jesus was telling the truth when he promised eternal life to those who hear and believe. John 5:24. Here are his words....“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."
The verb tense of "has" is present tense. Our eternal life begins "right now". And the verb tense of "has passed" is past tense. We have already passed out of death. Into eternal life. It begins right now, here and now, not at some "point of death" when our souls leave our bodies.
He also said such words as "I go to prepare a place for you" and "I will come again". And in the last two chapters of the Bible, in the book of Revelation, we hear his promise, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
And again in verse 6 Jesus told John, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost."
I do not live in fear. Yes, I love this life here on earth. Life here is (can be) very, very good. We love our families, we love the beauty of nature, we love the goodness of common blessings with which God blesses the earth. But we also hate death. Death is the common enemy of all mankind. Thanks be to God, He has provided life beyond our physical death.
I seldom discuss my faith here on this forum. But I figure it is fair to do so, considering how you have shared your "non-medical advice" to those of us ovarian cancer patients who will die soon if we follow your "food only" advice.
Bottom line? We are born. We live. We die. But in Christ we have eternal life. He promises that in John 5:24. No ifs, ands, or buts. No special diet necessary. Simply believe that God is who He says He is, and that He has done what He says He has done, and that He WILL do what He says He will do. And then live what you believe.
If you want to eat raw fruits/veggies only, go for it.
If I want to, or anyone else here wants to do the same, go for it.
But don't believe the LIE that we ovarians can discontinue all medical care and that raw foods will CURE you.
It won't happen.
But eternity? Yeah. It's there. And I am not afraid to die.
End of discussion.
Disclaimer: This is not a denial on my part that a healthy diet is a good diet.
Monday, October 24, 2011
It's An Ill Wind That Blows No Good
We've had at least two hail storms this past spring and summer that might be considered "ill winds that blow no good".
That's an old saying, "It's an ill wind that blows no good." Meaning, of course, that even bad things sometimes bring about good. In this case, eleven out of twelve homes on our two-block street have new roofs. Homeowners are happy...new roofs paid for by insurance. Insurance companies are probably not so happy. Not just on our street, but all over town, new roofs have been going up all summer. (Our own roof was only a year old and did not sustain damage.)
Life itself is like that. We see the storms of life and often fail to see the "good" that come of it. Cancer could surely be called an "ill wind". But whether it be cancer, or stroke, or heart, or simply the vagaries of old age, we are all tested with some "storm of life" before we leave this world.
This morning I was reading in Romans 5 where Paul writes that we, as Christians, "exult in hope of the glory of God." He adds something that seems confounding to us, and something that we would rather not hear. He says that we should be exulting in the the difficulties life brings, but who wants to exult in difficulties? Let's go back to Paul's words...."we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5).
Often, when reading these verses, we might think Paul, in speaking of tribulations, is speaking of those trials and persecutions experienced by Christians at the hands of unbelievers. But tribulations are tribulations, and age and ill health are part of the tribulations of this earthly life.
It is good to remember to "exult", knowing that tribulations will bring good things to us, regardless of initial appearance.
Paul continues with a third exultation in Romans 5:11, "...we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconcilation (to God)." Through the work of Christ on the cross, we have been reconciled to God. We who were once alienated are brought back into right relationship to God. (You can read more about this reconciliation in 2 Cor. 5:17-19).
The storms of life hit everyone sooner or later. It is good to know that in the midst of the storm, God is working good on our behalf. Thanks be to God.
.
That's an old saying, "It's an ill wind that blows no good." Meaning, of course, that even bad things sometimes bring about good. In this case, eleven out of twelve homes on our two-block street have new roofs. Homeowners are happy...new roofs paid for by insurance. Insurance companies are probably not so happy. Not just on our street, but all over town, new roofs have been going up all summer. (Our own roof was only a year old and did not sustain damage.)
Life itself is like that. We see the storms of life and often fail to see the "good" that come of it. Cancer could surely be called an "ill wind". But whether it be cancer, or stroke, or heart, or simply the vagaries of old age, we are all tested with some "storm of life" before we leave this world.
This morning I was reading in Romans 5 where Paul writes that we, as Christians, "exult in hope of the glory of God." He adds something that seems confounding to us, and something that we would rather not hear. He says that we should be exulting in the the difficulties life brings, but who wants to exult in difficulties? Let's go back to Paul's words...."we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5).
Often, when reading these verses, we might think Paul, in speaking of tribulations, is speaking of those trials and persecutions experienced by Christians at the hands of unbelievers. But tribulations are tribulations, and age and ill health are part of the tribulations of this earthly life.
It is good to remember to "exult", knowing that tribulations will bring good things to us, regardless of initial appearance.
Paul continues with a third exultation in Romans 5:11, "...we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconcilation (to God)." Through the work of Christ on the cross, we have been reconciled to God. We who were once alienated are brought back into right relationship to God. (You can read more about this reconciliation in 2 Cor. 5:17-19).
The storms of life hit everyone sooner or later. It is good to know that in the midst of the storm, God is working good on our behalf. Thanks be to God.
.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Waiting....In the Waiting Room...and Contemplating The Gospel
Recently I read a post by Mike Pohlman whose 40-year-old wife is fighting stage-4 breast cancer. He writes his thoughts from the oncology waiting room, a place where cancer patients spend much time. And do much thinking.
I want to quote just one paragraph...
Mike writes this....
"If we have eyes to see and ears to hear, the cancer-clinic waiting room reminds us that our lives are a vapor; that our days are all numbered; that He gives us life and breath and all things, and, therefore, we are utterly dependent creatures; that sin is real and has a million tragic consequences; that pride is ridiculously ugly and meekness wonderfully beautiful; that we are called to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping; that people are either saved or lost; that God’s grace is real, His Son all-sufficient, and through the cross, cancer will one day be no more."
You can read all of Mike's post here.
As for me? I have stage 3-C ovarian cancer, just one stage short of metastasization (invasion of other organs), and I've spent more hours than I care to count sitting in an oncology waiting room. I'm on my third chemo regimen, having had six months off the first time, and eleven months off the second time (using a maintenance drug during that time). Now I'm trying a third cocktail, carbo/gemzar (carboplatin and gemcitibine). I'm doing well, all things considered. No major side-effects on this regimen other than low blood counts and a bit of nausea the day after treatment...and a bit of arthritis aggravated by the drugs. But I'm well. I'm doing well.
It's been two and a half years since my diagnosis. I'm grateful for this time that God has given me and I hope he gives me many more years. But the truth of the matter is, my life is utterly and completely in God's hands. Just as Mike mentioned at his post, we are dependent upon God for all things...the air we breathe, the blessings we have in this life, and the promise of the life hereafter.
Mike Pohlman is senior pastor at Immanuel Bible Church in Bellingham, Washington. In addition to his post at Ligonier Ministries, his article also appeared in Tabletalk Magazine, a daily devotional publication by Ligonier that is a great resource for your daily walk.
.
I want to quote just one paragraph...
Mike writes this....
"If we have eyes to see and ears to hear, the cancer-clinic waiting room reminds us that our lives are a vapor; that our days are all numbered; that He gives us life and breath and all things, and, therefore, we are utterly dependent creatures; that sin is real and has a million tragic consequences; that pride is ridiculously ugly and meekness wonderfully beautiful; that we are called to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping; that people are either saved or lost; that God’s grace is real, His Son all-sufficient, and through the cross, cancer will one day be no more."
You can read all of Mike's post here.
As for me? I have stage 3-C ovarian cancer, just one stage short of metastasization (invasion of other organs), and I've spent more hours than I care to count sitting in an oncology waiting room. I'm on my third chemo regimen, having had six months off the first time, and eleven months off the second time (using a maintenance drug during that time). Now I'm trying a third cocktail, carbo/gemzar (carboplatin and gemcitibine). I'm doing well, all things considered. No major side-effects on this regimen other than low blood counts and a bit of nausea the day after treatment...and a bit of arthritis aggravated by the drugs. But I'm well. I'm doing well.
It's been two and a half years since my diagnosis. I'm grateful for this time that God has given me and I hope he gives me many more years. But the truth of the matter is, my life is utterly and completely in God's hands. Just as Mike mentioned at his post, we are dependent upon God for all things...the air we breathe, the blessings we have in this life, and the promise of the life hereafter.
Mike Pohlman is senior pastor at Immanuel Bible Church in Bellingham, Washington. In addition to his post at Ligonier Ministries, his article also appeared in Tabletalk Magazine, a daily devotional publication by Ligonier that is a great resource for your daily walk.
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Saturday, July 23, 2011
In Which I Publish a Photo of My Glow-In-The-Dark Freckles
Well, I managed to get a photo of my glow-in-the-dark freckles. (See my post of July 21 about my PET/CT scan).
You can click for a closer view. I had to darken the photo so the glowing freckles would show up better. (I do hope you know I am being completely facetious...not to be confused with infectious, of course. You'll have to get your own PET/CT scan if YOU want glow-in-the-dark freckles. You cannot be infected by mine.)
I like to think that my (imaginary) glowing freckles are a teensy slight foretaste of what our heavenly bodies will be like. What will that be? Scripture gives us these hints...our bodies will be like Jesus' resurrected body. Read on.
In the Gospel of Luke we read of three disciples seeing Jesus in his transfigured (changed) body prior to His death on the cross:
The apostle John, who in his Gospel testifies that Jesus is the Son of God ( John 1:34 ) wrote the following:
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
and again he writes of his vision of Jesus in his heavenly body as thus:
Blessings to all of you this weekend morning. May God's light shine in YOUR life!
.
You can click for a closer view. I had to darken the photo so the glowing freckles would show up better. (I do hope you know I am being completely facetious...not to be confused with infectious, of course. You'll have to get your own PET/CT scan if YOU want glow-in-the-dark freckles. You cannot be infected by mine.)
I like to think that my (imaginary) glowing freckles are a teensy slight foretaste of what our heavenly bodies will be like. What will that be? Scripture gives us these hints...our bodies will be like Jesus' resurrected body. Read on.
In the Gospel of Luke we read of three disciples seeing Jesus in his transfigured (changed) body prior to His death on the cross:
Luke 9:28-29 28 .... He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.
The apostle John, who in his Gospel testifies that Jesus is the Son of God ( John 1:34 ) wrote the following:
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
and again he writes of his vision of Jesus in his heavenly body as thus:
Revelation 1:12-18 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me.....I saw one like a son of man (Jesus), clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
- He (the Apostle John) saw a representation of the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of the golden candlesticks; for he (Jesus) has promised to be with his churches always to the end of the world, filling them with light, and life, and love, for he is the very animating informing soul of the church. And here we observe,
- The glorious form in which Christ appeared in several particulars.
- He was clothed with a garment down to the foot, a princely and priestly robe, denoting righteousness and honour.
- He was girt about with a golden girdle, the breast-plate of the high priest, on which the names of his people are engraven; he was ready girt to do all the work of a Redeemer.
- His head and hairs were white like wool or snow. He was the Ancient of days; his hoary head was no sign of decay, but was indeed a crown of glory.
- His eyes were as a flame of fire, piercing and penetrating into the very hearts and reins of men, scattering terrors among his adversaries.
- His feet were like unto fine burning brass, strong and stedfast, supporting his own interest, subduing his enemies, treading them to powder.
- His voice was as the sound of many waters, of many rivers falling in together. He can and will make himself heard to those who are afar off as well as to those who are near. His gospel is a profluent and mighty stream, fed by the upper springs of infinite wisdom and knowledge.
- He had in his right hand seven stars, that is, the ministers of the seven churches, who are under his direction, have all their light and influence from him, and are secured and preserved by him.
Blessings to all of you this weekend morning. May God's light shine in YOUR life!
.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Upon Which I Again Glow in the Dark!
Sooo! Again! I experienced Freckles that glow in the dark!
This time I took my camera along so you can see how I get my glowing freckles. (To read my previous post on this topic, go here.)
Periodically, every six months or so, I get a combined PET/CT scan to determine what my pesky ovarian cancer cells are doing. Last November the scan showed no activity whatsoever. That was good news, indeed! But for most of us, ovarian cancer is a chronic disease...it hangs in there, even when knocked down by chemo, waiting for a time when the cells will again begin growing. Some women attain remission for long periods of time. Most of us, however, will have short remissions followed by chemo and, hopefully, followed by another period of remission. Each individual is different, but one thing is certain...ovarian cancer is a nasty, deadly disease.
The PET/CT enables the oncologist to get a fairly decent assessment of progression (or lack thereof) of the disease.
So I presented myself to the clinic. No prep needed other than abstaining from food and liquids the prior evening and avoiding red meats and some other foods the prior 24 or 48 hours.
The procedure is simple. The nurse injects a small amount (doesn't look that small in the photo!) of radioactive material (tracer). As you can see the cartridge is rather large and I'm assuming the metal prevents radiation from emitting out the sides...but perhaps I'm wrong about that...after all, it still must surely radiate through the window of the cartridge.
Note the metal box at my elbow which is used to transport and store the cartridge. I can tell by how the nurse handles it that this is a heavy box...most likely, it is lined with lead which protects from radiation...I think.
The tracer travels through your blood and collects in organs and tissues, and particularly collects in actively growing cancer cells. Once you have received the injection, one must wait for about an hour for the tracer to travel throughout the body. A small waiting room is dedicated to this hour...they want you to be resting AND they don't want your radioactive body wandering around bothering other people with its radioactivity. Or at least that's my assumption. (The radioactivity dissipates in about 6 hours.)
After the hour, comes the test itself. Some people are intensely claustrophic while in this chamber but I find it to be quite relaxing, really, and usually catch a short catnap while undergoing the test. No Problemo!
When finished, I go home, turn out the lights and look in the mirror! Yep! Glowing freckles! Really! Truly! (I posted a photo later...here)
At the end of the day, the radiation is gone, and I am again a normal human being. One without glowing freckles. But still, one with cancer. This time two small lymph nodes that have previously glowed in the dark are found to be glowing again. Pesky things.
By the way, the nurse/technician who injects the tracer wears a badge that monitors and measures her exposure to radioactivity. I'm not certain I would like to have her job. Sure, I get radiated every time I do one of these tests, but if I were younger and thought I still had long life ahead of me, I'm not sure I'd be so care-free about receiving the radiation.
(My current chemo schedule is pretty easy....carbo/gemzar every other week. Pretty benign side-effects so far, for which I am grateful.)
This time I took my camera along so you can see how I get my glowing freckles. (To read my previous post on this topic, go here.)
Periodically, every six months or so, I get a combined PET/CT scan to determine what my pesky ovarian cancer cells are doing. Last November the scan showed no activity whatsoever. That was good news, indeed! But for most of us, ovarian cancer is a chronic disease...it hangs in there, even when knocked down by chemo, waiting for a time when the cells will again begin growing. Some women attain remission for long periods of time. Most of us, however, will have short remissions followed by chemo and, hopefully, followed by another period of remission. Each individual is different, but one thing is certain...ovarian cancer is a nasty, deadly disease.
The PET/CT enables the oncologist to get a fairly decent assessment of progression (or lack thereof) of the disease.
So I presented myself to the clinic. No prep needed other than abstaining from food and liquids the prior evening and avoiding red meats and some other foods the prior 24 or 48 hours.
The procedure is simple. The nurse injects a small amount (doesn't look that small in the photo!) of radioactive material (tracer). As you can see the cartridge is rather large and I'm assuming the metal prevents radiation from emitting out the sides...but perhaps I'm wrong about that...after all, it still must surely radiate through the window of the cartridge.
Note the metal box at my elbow which is used to transport and store the cartridge. I can tell by how the nurse handles it that this is a heavy box...most likely, it is lined with lead which protects from radiation...I think.
The tracer travels through your blood and collects in organs and tissues, and particularly collects in actively growing cancer cells. Once you have received the injection, one must wait for about an hour for the tracer to travel throughout the body. A small waiting room is dedicated to this hour...they want you to be resting AND they don't want your radioactive body wandering around bothering other people with its radioactivity. Or at least that's my assumption. (The radioactivity dissipates in about 6 hours.)
After the hour, comes the test itself. Some people are intensely claustrophic while in this chamber but I find it to be quite relaxing, really, and usually catch a short catnap while undergoing the test. No Problemo!
When finished, I go home, turn out the lights and look in the mirror! Yep! Glowing freckles! Really! Truly! (I posted a photo later...here)
At the end of the day, the radiation is gone, and I am again a normal human being. One without glowing freckles. But still, one with cancer. This time two small lymph nodes that have previously glowed in the dark are found to be glowing again. Pesky things.
By the way, the nurse/technician who injects the tracer wears a badge that monitors and measures her exposure to radioactivity. I'm not certain I would like to have her job. Sure, I get radiated every time I do one of these tests, but if I were younger and thought I still had long life ahead of me, I'm not sure I'd be so care-free about receiving the radiation.
(My current chemo schedule is pretty easy....carbo/gemzar every other week. Pretty benign side-effects so far, for which I am grateful.)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Upon which I Talk About Crossing the River
When we were young (half a century ago!!!) we thought our life paths would go straight forward to job, marriage, children, and someday...so far down the road it was almost invisible...to old age and death. In fact, according to our youthful thinking non-thinking, old age and death would never arrive. It was simply too far away. Eons, centuries, and eras so far forward that effectively the day simply would never arrive. When we were young we were so busy thinking of "living" that we just knew we would never arrive at the "dying".
I hope you do not think I am being morbid. But, frankly, when you have been living with ovarian cancer for two years, unless you live in intense denial, you are quite naturally going to think about the end result of your nasty disease. At first with weeping. And prayers. And questioning. And googling. (Please note the order here...to my way of thinking, prayers naturally have prior place to googling.)
All of this to simply mention (for those of my readers who have cancer) a blog I ran across a couple months ago. You see, cancer patients have much to offer other cancer patients. And so, today, I point you to a blog by Joe Hendricks and his wife, Heidi. When You Both Have Cancer is their story. They write with grace, strength, love, and courage.
And now I'm jumping back to my own blog. At our house we, too, both have cancer. Oh, Hubby's disease isn't specifically labeled "cancer". But the doctors tell us it is "like cancer". His "light chain deposition disease" has knocked his kidneys out...perhaps for the duration...so he's on dialysis three times a week as well as trying various chemo drugs to slow the damage to other organs in his body. Needless to say, his body is not happy about these medical events. Frankly, he struggles daily with the fatigue and pain and other effects of disease and drugs.
Hubby and I find ourselves in a strange place. We find ourselves residing in the land of the enemy (death) as we approach the River Jordan and the Land of the Promise. We take new joy in the words of that old hymn, "Shall We Gather At The River" for it reminds us of the words in the last chapter of the Bible.
This is our hope. We rejoice in this promise. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, has taken our sins to the Cross where He died for us. In return He gives us His Righteousness. When we stand before God we are seen by Him as "clean, forgiven, justified, made holy" by the work of our Redeemer in giving us His Robe of Righteousness. This is a precious promise that we take "by faith" while we reside here but which we will experience in full on that final day.
P.S. You can read how Joshua led the people of Israel across the River Jordan into the Promised Land in Joshua Ch. 3.
.
I hope you do not think I am being morbid. But, frankly, when you have been living with ovarian cancer for two years, unless you live in intense denial, you are quite naturally going to think about the end result of your nasty disease. At first with weeping. And prayers. And questioning. And googling. (Please note the order here...to my way of thinking, prayers naturally have prior place to googling.)
All of this to simply mention (for those of my readers who have cancer) a blog I ran across a couple months ago. You see, cancer patients have much to offer other cancer patients. And so, today, I point you to a blog by Joe Hendricks and his wife, Heidi. When You Both Have Cancer is their story. They write with grace, strength, love, and courage.
And now I'm jumping back to my own blog. At our house we, too, both have cancer. Oh, Hubby's disease isn't specifically labeled "cancer". But the doctors tell us it is "like cancer". His "light chain deposition disease" has knocked his kidneys out...perhaps for the duration...so he's on dialysis three times a week as well as trying various chemo drugs to slow the damage to other organs in his body. Needless to say, his body is not happy about these medical events. Frankly, he struggles daily with the fatigue and pain and other effects of disease and drugs.
Hubby and I find ourselves in a strange place. We find ourselves residing in the land of the enemy (death) as we approach the River Jordan and the Land of the Promise. We take new joy in the words of that old hymn, "Shall We Gather At The River" for it reminds us of the words in the last chapter of the Bible.
Revelation 22:1-4 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb...."
and again in the previous chapter, Rev. 21:4
"He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death (our old enemy) will be no more,
neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away."
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb...."
and again in the previous chapter, Rev. 21:4
"He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death (our old enemy) will be no more,
neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away."
This is our hope. We rejoice in this promise. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, has taken our sins to the Cross where He died for us. In return He gives us His Righteousness. When we stand before God we are seen by Him as "clean, forgiven, justified, made holy" by the work of our Redeemer in giving us His Robe of Righteousness. This is a precious promise that we take "by faith" while we reside here but which we will experience in full on that final day.
P.S. You can read how Joshua led the people of Israel across the River Jordan into the Promised Land in Joshua Ch. 3.
.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
In Regards to My Previous Spitting of Nails And In Which I Give you More Advice in a More Lucid Manner
In regards to yesterday's post, I want to say that there is ample room in the world of cancer treatment for alternative methods in addition to the medical treatment we might be receiving.
With my stage III-C ovarian cancer, the routine (for most) is debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy. Chemo brings its own problems but hopefully the benefits outweigh the problems.
Statistics with ovarian cancer are not good, so you will bear with me when I say that ovarian patients get a teensy bit anxious about their future. I'm one of the fortunate 4 out of 10 that has made it to the two-year mark. And in their anxiousness they desire to have the best chance possible for not only long life but also quality life. And so many of us do a certain amount of research about established medical treatments as well as alternative methods.
But enough of that. This post is about alternative treatments...the world of supplements, special teas, special diets, and the sale of a multitudinous number of books with titles similar to "How I Cured My Cancer and How You Can Too!" (This is a title I made up...but similar to those on the market.) Many of these books are written by people with no medical background and who have a financial stake in selling their book, so excuse me if I get a bit skeptical about their personal recommendations for my life (and or death).
Basically, I try to eat well. I take calcium, Vit D3, and magnesium (which is doctor ordered) in addition to my meds. I do not use other vitamins/supplements/teas/yada. That's my personal preference after doing much reading.
Others use supplements after their own period of study in hopes that their use may be beneficial. And it may. That is each one's personal decision. (I hope they run those past their Oncologist for while some supplements can be of benefit, other supplements may actually work against the effectiveness of chemo/radiation/yada.)
Having said all of the above it concerns me when cancer patients swallow the idea that "doctors are in this for the money".
To refute that, I will say that I doubt there is an Oncologist out there who, if his most beloved came down with cancer, would tell them to NOT use the established medical treatments. I'm betting he would advocate good medical care because he thinks that is the very best option. He might or might not include supplements/dietary changes, etc. But he would NOT advise his beloved wife/child/parent to EXCLUDE medical care IN LIEU of relying solely on an alternative treatment.
I've browsed the internet in regards to Essiac tea, the Budwig protocal, various cancer gurus, and now in regards to a book by Kelley Eidem, "The Doctor Who Cures Cancer". His book is apparently a biography of a Dr. Emanuel Revici who researched diet in regards to cancer during the 1940s-1990s.
Those enticed to try Eidem's method should check Eidem's personal claims carefully. First of all, he claims (according to his words) to have discovered, almost overnight, blotches on his skin that he apparently self-diagnosed to be cancer stage IV. And he claims to have cured his Stage IV cancer in two weeks with use of garlic/hot peppers/oils etc. I'll leave it to you to check out his exact methods. He desires to sell you his book about Dr. Revici wherein this method is supposedly laid out...I haven't read it myself so I'm just guessing this by his website. The book sells for approximately $27 for softcover or $21 download.
Cancer patients should be aware that many of the websites that "recommend" Eidem's book are somehow tied to him and/or his book sales. I have not found an established medical website that recommends this method as a cancer cure.
Those interested in reading Eidem's book can buy it and decide for themselves. However, I would ask them to FIRST read what the following medical websites have to say about the man that Eidem wrote about, Dr. Emanuel Revici.
The Univ. of California, San Diego, Moores Cancer Center writes here:
http://tinyurl.com/6hla693
The MD Anderson Cancer Center mentions Revici here:
http://tinyurl.com/6jahx2z
The American Cancer Society mentions Revici here:
http://tinyurl.com/65hocua
AFTER you have read these three reviews, THEN if you are still interested, you can google Eidem to find where you can buy his book.
At least the medical establishment (and your Oncologist) will tell you the truth about the statistics. Alternative practitioners who have not followed appropriate research methods cannot give you accurate statistics. They can only say things such as "a 23-year-old woman was cured" or "a 55 year old man with brain tumor was cured". They will not tell you of the large number who died while under their care. Nor how soon they died.
I hope my words do not sound harsh. It is extremely important, that if one wishes to make an educated decision, that they carefully research BOTH what the medical people can do and what the alternative caretakers can provide.
Many alternatives are beneficial. For instance, if acupuncture was available close by, I might consider it for my neuropathy. I wouldn't mind doing some juicing of veggies/fruits to enhance my diet. There are probably supplements I could take for neuropathy but if I take them, I will first run them by my Oncologist.
But while many alternatives might be beneficial, you should also use some skepticism when reading claims by those out "to sell something". "Something" being their book or their personal brand of vitamins, teas, supplements.
This is my opinion only. And I hope you won't think I'm being harsh in my words.
I wish all my fellow ovarian cancer patients (and other cancers, too!) well and pray that each might have a full, long life instead of dealing with this disease.
Now. It's past my bedtime. And this is long enough. Bless you all. And may you seek God in the midst of your affliction, asking him for peace of mind, wisdom, reassurance. Remember that even Job, that righteous man of God, was not spared affliction.
.
With my stage III-C ovarian cancer, the routine (for most) is debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy. Chemo brings its own problems but hopefully the benefits outweigh the problems.
Statistics with ovarian cancer are not good, so you will bear with me when I say that ovarian patients get a teensy bit anxious about their future. I'm one of the fortunate 4 out of 10 that has made it to the two-year mark. And in their anxiousness they desire to have the best chance possible for not only long life but also quality life. And so many of us do a certain amount of research about established medical treatments as well as alternative methods.
But enough of that. This post is about alternative treatments...the world of supplements, special teas, special diets, and the sale of a multitudinous number of books with titles similar to "How I Cured My Cancer and How You Can Too!" (This is a title I made up...but similar to those on the market.) Many of these books are written by people with no medical background and who have a financial stake in selling their book, so excuse me if I get a bit skeptical about their personal recommendations for my life (and or death).
Basically, I try to eat well. I take calcium, Vit D3, and magnesium (which is doctor ordered) in addition to my meds. I do not use other vitamins/supplements/teas/yada. That's my personal preference after doing much reading.
Others use supplements after their own period of study in hopes that their use may be beneficial. And it may. That is each one's personal decision. (I hope they run those past their Oncologist for while some supplements can be of benefit, other supplements may actually work against the effectiveness of chemo/radiation/yada.)
Having said all of the above it concerns me when cancer patients swallow the idea that "doctors are in this for the money".
To refute that, I will say that I doubt there is an Oncologist out there who, if his most beloved came down with cancer, would tell them to NOT use the established medical treatments. I'm betting he would advocate good medical care because he thinks that is the very best option. He might or might not include supplements/dietary changes, etc. But he would NOT advise his beloved wife/child/parent to EXCLUDE medical care IN LIEU of relying solely on an alternative treatment.
I've browsed the internet in regards to Essiac tea, the Budwig protocal, various cancer gurus, and now in regards to a book by Kelley Eidem, "The Doctor Who Cures Cancer". His book is apparently a biography of a Dr. Emanuel Revici who researched diet in regards to cancer during the 1940s-1990s.
Those enticed to try Eidem's method should check Eidem's personal claims carefully. First of all, he claims (according to his words) to have discovered, almost overnight, blotches on his skin that he apparently self-diagnosed to be cancer stage IV. And he claims to have cured his Stage IV cancer in two weeks with use of garlic/hot peppers/oils etc. I'll leave it to you to check out his exact methods. He desires to sell you his book about Dr. Revici wherein this method is supposedly laid out...I haven't read it myself so I'm just guessing this by his website. The book sells for approximately $27 for softcover or $21 download.
Cancer patients should be aware that many of the websites that "recommend" Eidem's book are somehow tied to him and/or his book sales. I have not found an established medical website that recommends this method as a cancer cure.
Those interested in reading Eidem's book can buy it and decide for themselves. However, I would ask them to FIRST read what the following medical websites have to say about the man that Eidem wrote about, Dr. Emanuel Revici.
The Univ. of California, San Diego, Moores Cancer Center writes here:
http://tinyurl.com/6hla693
The MD Anderson Cancer Center mentions Revici here:
http://tinyurl.com/6jahx2z
The American Cancer Society mentions Revici here:
http://tinyurl.com/65hocua
AFTER you have read these three reviews, THEN if you are still interested, you can google Eidem to find where you can buy his book.
At least the medical establishment (and your Oncologist) will tell you the truth about the statistics. Alternative practitioners who have not followed appropriate research methods cannot give you accurate statistics. They can only say things such as "a 23-year-old woman was cured" or "a 55 year old man with brain tumor was cured". They will not tell you of the large number who died while under their care. Nor how soon they died.
I hope my words do not sound harsh. It is extremely important, that if one wishes to make an educated decision, that they carefully research BOTH what the medical people can do and what the alternative caretakers can provide.
Many alternatives are beneficial. For instance, if acupuncture was available close by, I might consider it for my neuropathy. I wouldn't mind doing some juicing of veggies/fruits to enhance my diet. There are probably supplements I could take for neuropathy but if I take them, I will first run them by my Oncologist.
But while many alternatives might be beneficial, you should also use some skepticism when reading claims by those out "to sell something". "Something" being their book or their personal brand of vitamins, teas, supplements.
This is my opinion only. And I hope you won't think I'm being harsh in my words.
I wish all my fellow ovarian cancer patients (and other cancers, too!) well and pray that each might have a full, long life instead of dealing with this disease.
Now. It's past my bedtime. And this is long enough. Bless you all. And may you seek God in the midst of your affliction, asking him for peace of mind, wisdom, reassurance. Remember that even Job, that righteous man of God, was not spared affliction.
.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
I'm Spitting Nails Today!
I'll be the first to admit that current medical experts do not know EveryThing! Not about cancer! Not about a lot of ailments. But they do know Something! And they know an awful lot more than I know.
So I go to the doctor. And I have an Oncologist. And I get my scans/bloodtests/exams.
And so far, my Onc is keeping me stable.
I visit an online forum for cancer patients. Members ask questions, provide answers, share informa
tion, and encourage one another. I've learned a lot from that website.
However, today my blood boiled. Someone shared a link to a fellow that I adamantly believe is a Quack (with a capital "Q"). This guy (Kelley Eidem) self-diagnosed stage IV cancer from splotches on his skin, without ever seeing a doctor, and claims to have "cured" his (supposedly) stage-IV cancer with two weeks (or less) of eating garlic and jabanero peppers and oil or something like that. Of course, since he is altruistic and wants YOU to be cured of your cancer, he wants you to BUY his BOOK!
Well, do tell! He sells a book! I wonder how many people he has convinced to forego medical treatment in lieu of garlic/peppers/oil. Get in line, Mr. Quack, with all those other Quacks who sell false hope and call it a cure.
I'm mad enough to be spitting nails.
P.S. The photo is NOT an advertisement by this particular Mr. Quack. But it may as well be...in my humble but not stupid opinion.
.
So I go to the doctor. And I have an Oncologist. And I get my scans/bloodtests/exams.
And so far, my Onc is keeping me stable.
I visit an online forum for cancer patients. Members ask questions, provide answers, share informa
tion, and encourage one another. I've learned a lot from that website.However, today my blood boiled. Someone shared a link to a fellow that I adamantly believe is a Quack (with a capital "Q"). This guy (Kelley Eidem) self-diagnosed stage IV cancer from splotches on his skin, without ever seeing a doctor, and claims to have "cured" his (supposedly) stage-IV cancer with two weeks (or less) of eating garlic and jabanero peppers and oil or something like that. Of course, since he is altruistic and wants YOU to be cured of your cancer, he wants you to BUY his BOOK!
Well, do tell! He sells a book! I wonder how many people he has convinced to forego medical treatment in lieu of garlic/peppers/oil. Get in line, Mr. Quack, with all those other Quacks who sell false hope and call it a cure.
I'm mad enough to be spitting nails.
P.S. The photo is NOT an advertisement by this particular Mr. Quack. But it may as well be...in my humble but not stupid opinion.
.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Dancing in the Night and Doing a 180
I dunno what was up with the blankets last night. I had a difficult time maintaining control. Somehow during the night they did a complete 180. All three of them. I'm thinking they had a fine time, dancing and twisting, flying up in the air and rotating before landing again atop my semi-sleeping self. It must have been quite a sight!
Tossing and turning myself, I continue to struggle with a rash that is a side-effect of the drug Avastin. Sometimes the rash is quiet. I do not notice it. Other times one area of my body will begin an intense burning/itching. The palms of my hands insist on a repeat performance of heavy itching every morning.
The Avastin is a relatively new drug in terms of treating ovarian cancer. When I experienced recurrence in January my new oncologist (Dr. W) put me right back on carboplatin and paclitaxel which were the drugs used the first time round. And he added avastin to the mix. I finished the six rounds of carbo/taxol in July and have continued with the avastin every 3rd week since.
Dr. W (should I call him Dr. Who?) would like me to stay on the avastin. But I dunno how long I can continue with the rash symptom. Neither antihistamines nor steroid creams seem to help.
On the other hand, with a clean PET/CT scan in August and again in November I'm reluctant to give up on the drug. The current statistics show longer remissions for those who continue on the drug. It's not a cure-all. But it does extend the time of non-recurrence.
So I'm hanging in there. And I'll tuck my blankets in a bit more securely when I make the bed today.
As for Thanksgiving? I'm thankful for today's medical profession. And I'm thankful for family. Most of all I'm thankful that I can trust all to a loving God...one who provides for His people all that they need here and in the hereafter.
Disclaimer: For any readers who may be using the drug Avastin, my rash is an unusual side-effect of the drug. Don't let my experience cause you apprehension about treatment with Avastin.
.
Tossing and turning myself, I continue to struggle with a rash that is a side-effect of the drug Avastin. Sometimes the rash is quiet. I do not notice it. Other times one area of my body will begin an intense burning/itching. The palms of my hands insist on a repeat performance of heavy itching every morning.
The Avastin is a relatively new drug in terms of treating ovarian cancer. When I experienced recurrence in January my new oncologist (Dr. W) put me right back on carboplatin and paclitaxel which were the drugs used the first time round. And he added avastin to the mix. I finished the six rounds of carbo/taxol in July and have continued with the avastin every 3rd week since.
Dr. W (should I call him Dr. Who?) would like me to stay on the avastin. But I dunno how long I can continue with the rash symptom. Neither antihistamines nor steroid creams seem to help.
On the other hand, with a clean PET/CT scan in August and again in November I'm reluctant to give up on the drug. The current statistics show longer remissions for those who continue on the drug. It's not a cure-all. But it does extend the time of non-recurrence.
So I'm hanging in there. And I'll tuck my blankets in a bit more securely when I make the bed today.
As for Thanksgiving? I'm thankful for today's medical profession. And I'm thankful for family. Most of all I'm thankful that I can trust all to a loving God...one who provides for His people all that they need here and in the hereafter.
Disclaimer: For any readers who may be using the drug Avastin, my rash is an unusual side-effect of the drug. Don't let my experience cause you apprehension about treatment with Avastin.
.
Friday, November 12, 2010
About Avastin, Quilts and John Owen
None of the items in today's title are related. Not in any way. Except that they are part of my experience today.
Even though I don't really consider today's treatment "chemo", that's where I'm headed. Chemo. Actually I'm getting an infusion of avastin into my Power Port. I'll be in the chair for at least three hours while the drugs trickle into my veins.
The avastin doesn't really affect me except I am highly suspicious that the drug is causing the light rash that began slowly in March and is a continual aggravation. There are little pin dots of single hives here and there. All over. Except for my face! Oh, I am thankful for no rash on my face! What's the biggy, you ask? They itch, Folks! They itch!
Along with the avastin I get pre-meds...decadron, aloxi, benedryl, and zantac. None of this five-drug cocktail seems to bother me (other than the aforementioned rash) except the decadron. Oh, Man! That Decadron! It has me in a whirl for the next couple of days, boosting my energy level, AND my vocabulary level. UNTIL! Until I CRASH somewhere around mid-Sunday.
But chemo is not what I meant to write about. I'm writing about my just completed quilt. You can see it in its pre-completed form by clicking here.
I make quilts. I make quilts from recycled cotton shirts and blouses. I was making them before Bonnie Hunter (a woman who makes lovely shirt quilts and writes books about them!) began making them and I have several in the closet. And another waiting to be quilted.
(If you like vintage sewing machines, you can click on the photo of this 1940s Singer 201 which is much beloved by quilters for its reliability and power...and perhaps because of the aura of being "old-fashioned". Oil this baby and keep the bobbin area free of lint and dust and it will run forever! Well...perhaps not into Eternity itself, but you get the picture. The Queen Anne cabinet is pretty nifty itself.) Ooops...edit here. This is a Singer 15-91, not a 201. My error! I do have a 201...it sits on a shelf in the basement.
This double 4-Patch is the shirt quilt I finished last night. I especially like the striped binding. Actually I would have preferred a plaid fabric for the binding but didn't have a plaid shirt in a color suitable. So stripes it is. (The corner of the quilt is folded back over the backing which is a Calvin Klein cotton sheet - 80 percent off sale - that works great with the masculine shirt fabs.)
Hope your day is great. I'll be reading in the chemo chair...I'm taking John Owen's work on the Holy Spirit with me and will enjoy digging into his thoughts...until the benadryl kicks in...at which time I will have a good nap.
.
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Even though I don't really consider today's treatment "chemo", that's where I'm headed. Chemo. Actually I'm getting an infusion of avastin into my Power Port. I'll be in the chair for at least three hours while the drugs trickle into my veins.
The avastin doesn't really affect me except I am highly suspicious that the drug is causing the light rash that began slowly in March and is a continual aggravation. There are little pin dots of single hives here and there. All over. Except for my face! Oh, I am thankful for no rash on my face! What's the biggy, you ask? They itch, Folks! They itch!
Along with the avastin I get pre-meds...decadron, aloxi, benedryl, and zantac. None of this five-drug cocktail seems to bother me (other than the aforementioned rash) except the decadron. Oh, Man! That Decadron! It has me in a whirl for the next couple of days, boosting my energy level, AND my vocabulary level. UNTIL! Until I CRASH somewhere around mid-Sunday.
But chemo is not what I meant to write about. I'm writing about my just completed quilt. You can see it in its pre-completed form by clicking here.
I make quilts. I make quilts from recycled cotton shirts and blouses. I was making them before Bonnie Hunter (a woman who makes lovely shirt quilts and writes books about them!) began making them and I have several in the closet. And another waiting to be quilted.
(If you like vintage sewing machines, you can click on the photo of this 1940s Singer 201 which is much beloved by quilters for its reliability and power...and perhaps because of the aura of being "old-fashioned". Oil this baby and keep the bobbin area free of lint and dust and it will run forever! Well...perhaps not into Eternity itself, but you get the picture. The Queen Anne cabinet is pretty nifty itself.) Ooops...edit here. This is a Singer 15-91, not a 201. My error! I do have a 201...it sits on a shelf in the basement.
This double 4-Patch is the shirt quilt I finished last night. I especially like the striped binding. Actually I would have preferred a plaid fabric for the binding but didn't have a plaid shirt in a color suitable. So stripes it is. (The corner of the quilt is folded back over the backing which is a Calvin Klein cotton sheet - 80 percent off sale - that works great with the masculine shirt fabs.)
Hope your day is great. I'll be reading in the chemo chair...I'm taking John Owen's work on the Holy Spirit with me and will enjoy digging into his thoughts...until the benadryl kicks in...at which time I will have a good nap.
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