November Review

I can hardly believe that November is nearly over and I have neglected updating my blog. I have been on a little "roller coaster" ride since my treatment on October 30th.
The week following the first round I was really fatigued, sleeping 12 hours a day (very unusual for me!) Dr. M. prescribed meds for the nausea which really helped, but I still felt queasy - unsure if my stomach was hungry or I was nauseated. I did go to work the next week, but I was so fatigued, that I cut the work time short and headed home for Girard and family support. My blood counts were okay the next week and I recieved Gemzar only on November 6th. Over that weekend, I caught a little virus and become hoarse and started coughing. Alot of coughing! I went to work again, kept to myself in my office (away from students) and was able to work that week. This week was my "off" week from chemo, but I felt pretty lousey because of the cold. During that week, I experienced nose bleeds 4 days in a row, a side effect of Avastin. I saw the physician on November 20th - still a little hoarse, but the cough had subsided. My blood counts were too low for chemo, which was to be the next round of all three medications. I returned to the cancer center on Monday, November 23, but my white blood cell count was still "borderline" low, and the Dr. recommended that I postpone chemo until Monday, November 30th. I was secure in the knowledge that this was meant to be - that the Lord had intervened so that I would have a good Thanksgiving holiday with my family.
My sister from Texas arrived on Monday to stay a week. My sister (and husband) from Glen Ellyn (Chicago) and my sister (and husband) from Billings along with my brother's family will be at my home for a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday.
We will be traveling to Grand Lake (Oklahoma) on Thursday to have dinner with Marlin's family - his brother has a home at the lake. This has been a tradition for several years. Grant will be spending the day with Tosha's family in Kansas City. (Did you know we are planning a wedding for March 6?)
Lindsay and Aaron will be at the lake, too.
I have much for which to be thankful - family, friends, colleagues, a comfortable home, a country I love. Take a few minutes and ponder those loved ones and creature comforts that you have in your life. Thanks be to God!
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report -- I will think about such things. The things I have learned and received and heard and seen in those who walk with Christ, I will practice, and the God of peace will be with me. Philippians 4: 8-9.
Blessings to you -
Love to you -
Ellen

Beginning again

I had chemo on Friday, Oct. 30th in Pittsburg. Dr. M. had discussed my treatment with Dr. Bose in St. Louis and they agreed to change the plan a bit from what they originally told me. I will be getting all three drugs, Avastin, Gemzar and Cisplatin on day one - which takes about 4 hours, then the next week, I receive only one drug, Gemzar. Week three, I have no drugs, just do blood studies. The plan is to do this rotation three times and repeat the PET scan. Depending on the results, one drug may be changed. Since the cisplatin causes nausea and vomiting, I was prescribed several drugs to combat this - I take them by mouth for three days following treatment. I have been able to eat meals and have been pushing water to maintain hydration.
Need to update everyone on the diet I've been eating. My version of anti-cancer - no refined sugar, very little refined flour (eating whole grains), very little meat - chicken about 3 times a week and lots of vegetables and fruits. I have been on this diet since mid-August and do not feel deprived, although "no sugar" has been the most challenging. I have lost about 22 pounds and feel well. I haven't been walking as much as I probably need to, so I am sure if I had been exercising more, my weight loss would be more. Most people, me included, believe that chemo will cause you to looses weight. Because the anti-nausea meds are so much better than in years past, most people gain weight because they are able to eat, yet are fatigued and don't exercise.
I am experimenting more in the kitchen and using soy in some of my dishes. I get some funny looks from the family, but they have been supportive and do try the dishes.
My sister, Luanne, from Chicago, will be here today for a brief visit. I look forward to seeing her and catching up on the family.
Thank you again for continued prayers, cards, calls, visits. My support system is wonderful! Blessings to you -
Love to you -
Ellen