Four Months Post Chemotherapy

Can't believe it's been four months since I finished chemo. This past month has been interesting. I started experiencing a lot of pain and constipation. One night Duane had to rush me into ER because of the pain and the fact that none of the laxatives I had consumed in one evening was working. I felt the same sensation that women feel when they start to push a baby out during delivery. My gastroenterologist ordered another colonoscopy and barium procedure to rule out a blockage. Happy to learn that they didn't find anything. My doctor says that stress can trigger these symptoms. Can't deny that there's been extended family issues that have maxed out my stress level. Oh well............such is life.
I realized another side effect that chemo left. I lost my curly hair. Now, I've always wanted straight hair and now that I have it, I miss my curly hair. Maybe it will change back in time.
I started taking Vitamin B Complex because I was dragging in the evening and that seems to help my energy level out.
Other than this, I continue to do well and express my gratitude daily for all my blessings especially for my husband and family. What's that saying, "we might not have it all together, but together we have it all." Isn't that the truth!

Three Months Post Chemotherapy

I just passed the three month mark since my last chemo treatment. I can't believe how fast it has gone by!! I saw my oncologist this past week. My blood tests all came back normal. I get a CAT scan, more blood tests and a colonoscopy in December before I see Dr. Kornfeld again.
My hair is growing back and for the most part I feel healthy. My only real complaint is fatigue. But it's NOTHING like it was while on chemo. It's funny as time passes I start to forget all the symptoms I experience until I talk to a patient who is going through it. My experience has been so helpful when I come across patients going through cancer treatment. I've been able to be a "cheerleader" as many were for me. There's always that fear in the back of my mind that the cancer will return. I suppose that's normal but I try not to dwell on it.
I continue to find joy each day in spite of family challenges. I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is so supportive and loving. Life continues to be good!!

Two Months Post Chemotherapy

It's two months today since my last chemo treatment. I went back to work part time three weeks ago. Next week I start full-time. The feeling in my fingers has returned. It still isn't all back in my feet but it's getting better. I'm able to walk on the treadmill at a 4 mile/hour pace. I can taste food now. Everyday I feel myself getting stronger.
My granddaughter Rylee's birthday was on Saturday. We ended up playing baseball. I surprised myself when I ran around the bases. Just a couple of weeks ago when I tried running I just couldn't. It's funny how with each passing week I start to forget the symptoms I experienced with chemo. I can't believe at times that that's behind me. I'm so happy!!!!! I hope to never have to go through that again.

Sign Of The End Of Chemo

Last Tuesday, I had my port-a-cath removed. I didn't expect to be emotional but I was. It was the physical sign that chemotherapy was over. I have quite a huge bruise from the procedure. I was so apprehensive. They put me under when they inserted it and now I was having it removed in the doctor's office under local anesthetic. I tried to find information on the Internet about the removal procedure but wasn't successful. One of the infusion nurses said it was a
"piece of cake" and I hoped that was true. Well, it was tougher than I thought. The nurse who assisted my surgeon kept saying, " it doesn't want to come out". I could feel the tugging and cutting to the point that the surgeon have to numb it some more. I know if I weren't lying down I would have passed out. I'm so glad my husband was there because he kept trying to distract me but squeezing my foot which he said kept coming up off the table. In short I definitely don't want to do that again unless I'm out completely. I'm so glad it's over!!!!
So far I'm doing well. Regaining some of my energy. Not so short of breath. I'm still losing hair and hopefully that will stop soon. I have a lot of bruises on my feet and legs. It looks like someone beat me up. I'm starting to taste food and that's exciting! I'm just so grateful that I don't have to do chemo anymore. I had to call my husband the other day when I was at Costco. I was so excited that I actually had the energy to grocery shop and not feel that I was going to pass out by the time I got to the checkout. I notice many more things now for which I'm grateful that I would not have noticed before. I'm so excited to see my daughter and grand kids next Tuesday. They'll be visiting for a little over a month from Alaska and I hope to keep up with the grand babies!! There's going to be some celebrating going on!!

Post 10th Chemo Treatment

Well, it's been a week since they unhooked me from the pump. I pray to God that I will never have to go through this again!! It's weird.....when I walked out I felt like I had just finished a very difficult college course and that I got an A. It felt wonderful but I still experienced a lot of mixed emotions. The last 8 months have been by far the most difficult time of my life. It's amazing how limited you can be when you don't have your health. My post chemo symptoms were a little rougher this time but I'm amazed at how much I've been able to accomplish this past week. Yes, by the time I get to bed I totally exhausted but feel so good at what I was able to do each day. Sure there were a few days I relied on Emergen-C to help me out but for the most part I did pretty good. I'm so glad chemo is over. I don't think I can afford to lose anymore eyelashes. My eyebrows thinned out. I look forward to growing some hair back and losing the discoloring in my hands and feet. . It looks like I did a poor job of cleaning them. I look forward to losing the weight I gained from the steroids. All and all I feel so blessed and happy. I'm grateful for my saint of a husband and my loving family. All of us who travel down this road of chemo need cheerleaders to get us to the finish line. I can't believe at times how many people were there encouraging me. They truly blessed me during this trial. May they be blessed for their kindness. Life is good!!

TIME TO CELEBRATE AND GIVE THANKS!!

I just finished my last chemo treatment today! I can't believe I made it. I look back at those days I "hit the wall" and thought I just couldn't do another treatment. I couldn't have done it without the support of my good husband, family and friends. Thank you so much to everyone who cheered me on. I can't wait till my daughter and grandchildren get here later this month from Alaska so we can celebrate as a family. I feel every emotional today. I'm grateful for the Lord's grace in getting me to the finish line. He truly surrounded me with "angels". I pray and hope that this is the end and I won't have to fight cancer again. It's been quite a learning experience.
I look forward to growing some hair back, tasting food again, getting rid of my "moon face", getting energy back, going back to work, not having "chemo" brain, and hopefully not having indigestion problems anymore. I will miss not having any time demands on me. It was nice not to be in a hurry. (Not that I could be) To be able to visit with people and not worry about having to be somewhere.
I never minded waiting at the doctor's office if they were running behind. I had nothing else to do. I will miss the patients I came to know as we shared our experiences in the infusion room during our treatments. I gained strength from them. I look forward to working with patients again in the lab. I feel that this experience has made me more patient and compassionate and look forward to making their experience easier. My heart is full of gratitude for all the many blessings I received. Thanks again to you all!

THE FINISH LINE IS IN SIGHT!!!!!

I can't believe that my last treatment is Tuesday! Wow, what a journey it's been! I start back to work on June 10th. My last treatment was not too bad. I had about four days that I felt I was in a haze and experienced fatigue. Every treatment brings back the neuropathy in my hands and feet, (it never goes away completely) indigestion problems, hair loss, and fatigue. Boy, am I looking forward to getting my taste buds back!!!!
Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit one of my boys who lives in Portland. He had not seen me since last December before I started chemo. He just laughed when he saw my "moon face" caused by steroids. I hope that goes away soon. As I look back at the past 7 months I see the Lord's blessings. I know that He helps us and will use us at His witnesses of what He can do at the end of our trials. I'm so grateful that He blessed me with such a good husband. His love and support during this time has been so precious!! My family has been so supportive. I especially have appreciated all the phone calls with my daughter Jessy. She has kept me going with her funny stories of the grandkids and her love and encouragement. Friends have never cease to call, send emails or visit. I've been humbled by their continuing kindnessess.
I feel that I have grown in patience. I think that's was a byproduct of going through cancer treatment. I definitely have empathy for others that struggle. I don't think I'll ever forget all those days that I struggled to even get dressed, or walk. I had many "one foot in front of the other" days. I will remember the patients I met in the infusion room. Each one with their own story but basically the same physical struggles that I went through. We were in a league of our own. I hope and pray that I'm healed and can put this behind me except for the lessons I've learned that I could not have learned any other way. May the Lord use me to bless others like I've been blessed.