Having a pretty good day! Hooray! Made it through a full day at work, met up with Kristin for a delicious dinner at Bob Evans and I'm not in any pain! Don't want to jinx myself because last time I had a good Monday and Tuesday then a few bad days in a row.
Wednesday is the kick off for Light the Night at the Rathskellar. Kate, the hubby and I are planning on going. If you'd like to join us walking or make a donation, you can do so at Lightthenight.org and search for redteam. :)
Also my friend Missy has organized a kickball game fundraiser for two great cancer organizations for children at Sahm Park in September. For 5$ you can play kickball on Sept. 18. AWESOME. :) http://www.kick-it.org/events/sahm-park-annual-kickball-tournament has more info.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thunderdome!
I realize my thunderdome references have been lacking lately. that could be because I picked an analogy for something I know little about. I know there's a thunderdome in the Mad Max movie, but only because of the title. I have more knowledge of thunderdomes based on the classic 1995 rap song "California love" by Dr. Dre and Tupac. Still may favorite rap song and yes, I still know most of the words...
but i'm pretty sure that contraption they were driving to was a thunderdome.
Are thunderdomes supposed to be futuristic? When are we going to have to start fightin one another in thunderdomes for supremecy? I'm thinking 2200 or maybe 2016.
but i'm pretty sure that contraption they were driving to was a thunderdome.
Are thunderdomes supposed to be futuristic? When are we going to have to start fightin one another in thunderdomes for supremecy? I'm thinking 2200 or maybe 2016.
Why going through chemo is like being pregant
Disclaimer. I've never been pregnant and make the following comparisons based on stories moms have told me and books, tv, and movies.
1. Nauseau- Pregnant ladies' nausea usually lasts a trimester and may be more frequent where as I am only constantly nausaus for a couple weekends a month. But my nauseau is around for 6 months.
2. Trouble sleeping - Pregnant ladies can't get comfortable later in the baby-baking process. I have problems sleeping after chemo. For example I passed out around 10pm last night but then woke up at 11:30, 1:20 (popped another AN pill) and was up until after 2. Hubby's alarm went off at 5, and I was up until nearly 6:30. Woke up at 7:45 and popped another pill. My mind races for some reason and I can't sleep. That's how I thought of this blog topic and several to follow. Be prepared for some creative genius.
3. Constipation - i'm not sure why this happens to expecting ladies but it happens to me! I think I've combatted it with a healthy dose of Miralax each night. Which brings me to...
4. Hemroids and tears, oh my! Women in the family way get these from pushing out that baby-shaped watermelon. I get them from trying to go to the bathroom after not going for 3 days to the extreme of going too much. I don't have hemorids but doc things I got a tear. So now I get to put medicine in my butt to heal it. Joy. Isn't having cancer glamorous?
5. People do things for you because of your condition - Pregnant laides have big bellies; I have scars and a bald head. That's how you know we are the way we are. I get cut some (needed) slack for not being able to stand very long or not going camping with Jonathan's friends because I can't be in the sun, in skeezy lake water and Don't want to haul around 4 different medicines with me. But I will only be able to us this excuse this summer...then I'll have to go back to my "I need indoor plumbing" excuse.
6. Going to the doctor a lot - Preggos go a lot, especially toward the end. But I trump them! I see my doc every other week for 6 months, maybe longer depending on what I do after treatment.
7. Strange cravings - Who knows why, but ladies with babies in them want pickles, ice cream, and other things. I have had a strange craving for nacho cheese a lot. Not when I'm nauseaus, but nearly every other time. It sounds so delicious!
8.New life - women have their babies, and I have a new life once this is all over. Cancer free and moving on. Perhaps I'll have a baby and be able to see how true this list is in the future. WAY in the future. :P
So there you have it.
1. Nauseau- Pregnant ladies' nausea usually lasts a trimester and may be more frequent where as I am only constantly nausaus for a couple weekends a month. But my nauseau is around for 6 months.
2. Trouble sleeping - Pregnant ladies can't get comfortable later in the baby-baking process. I have problems sleeping after chemo. For example I passed out around 10pm last night but then woke up at 11:30, 1:20 (popped another AN pill) and was up until after 2. Hubby's alarm went off at 5, and I was up until nearly 6:30. Woke up at 7:45 and popped another pill. My mind races for some reason and I can't sleep. That's how I thought of this blog topic and several to follow. Be prepared for some creative genius.
3. Constipation - i'm not sure why this happens to expecting ladies but it happens to me! I think I've combatted it with a healthy dose of Miralax each night. Which brings me to...
4. Hemroids and tears, oh my! Women in the family way get these from pushing out that baby-shaped watermelon. I get them from trying to go to the bathroom after not going for 3 days to the extreme of going too much. I don't have hemorids but doc things I got a tear. So now I get to put medicine in my butt to heal it. Joy. Isn't having cancer glamorous?
5. People do things for you because of your condition - Pregnant laides have big bellies; I have scars and a bald head. That's how you know we are the way we are. I get cut some (needed) slack for not being able to stand very long or not going camping with Jonathan's friends because I can't be in the sun, in skeezy lake water and Don't want to haul around 4 different medicines with me. But I will only be able to us this excuse this summer...then I'll have to go back to my "I need indoor plumbing" excuse.
6. Going to the doctor a lot - Preggos go a lot, especially toward the end. But I trump them! I see my doc every other week for 6 months, maybe longer depending on what I do after treatment.
7. Strange cravings - Who knows why, but ladies with babies in them want pickles, ice cream, and other things. I have had a strange craving for nacho cheese a lot. Not when I'm nauseaus, but nearly every other time. It sounds so delicious!
8.New life - women have their babies, and I have a new life once this is all over. Cancer free and moving on. Perhaps I'll have a baby and be able to see how true this list is in the future. WAY in the future. :P
So there you have it.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Woooaaaah, we're half way there...
Tomorrow is the halfway point friends! No. 6 of 12, hooray! I am looking forward to it but yet dreading the craptastic way I'm going to feel for a while afterward. It's a lot of a mental game.
I had the quickest blood draw today! I made a 4 p.m. appointment and I was taken by 4:05. THAT NEVER HAPPENS. I was out by 4:15. I usually have to sit for 30 minutes. One time I didn't get out until 5 p.m. I'm at the mercy of the PICC team to draw my blood out of my port.
I'll keep you posted on my thoughts and feelings. ;P
I had the quickest blood draw today! I made a 4 p.m. appointment and I was taken by 4:05. THAT NEVER HAPPENS. I was out by 4:15. I usually have to sit for 30 minutes. One time I didn't get out until 5 p.m. I'm at the mercy of the PICC team to draw my blood out of my port.
I'll keep you posted on my thoughts and feelings. ;P
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
No rain, no rainbow
I saw that phrase on a bumper sticker in my parking lot today. It really made me think about my situation. After I'm through with all this cancer crap, those rainbows are going to look so much better. I wonder why sometimes it pours more on some people than others. I just want the rain to move out quickly!
Had a stomach ache for most of the day. boo. Normally I'm fine by now. My last stomach ache was after I had pizza sauce...today I had pizza for lunch. Coincidence, maybe. It definitely makes it hard to concentrate and want to do stuff when I feel bad. At least work kept me busy most of the day. Feeling a little better now.
Got a doc appointment Thursday morning for the painful poo issue. OK, here's what i find funny. I have no shame in typing for the whole world to see forever that it hurts for me to poop and I may have hemoroids. Pre cancer Jennifer would NEVER do that. Cancer Jennifer does. Why? I think I have a disconnect from my symptoms and side effects from what is me. Stuff that is caused by cancer seems foreign and like it's the cancer, not me that is having the problems.
I forgot to mention earlier that the hubby was sick this weekend, which worried both of us. He went to immediate care Saturday morning to try to nip it in the bud. He had a sore throat, cough and slight fever. Normally, not a big deal, but right now I cannot get sick. I don't want to put off chemo or have to be hospitalized becuase my body can't fight an illness. So, if you know you are sick and i'll be around, stay away from me. :P
Had a stomach ache for most of the day. boo. Normally I'm fine by now. My last stomach ache was after I had pizza sauce...today I had pizza for lunch. Coincidence, maybe. It definitely makes it hard to concentrate and want to do stuff when I feel bad. At least work kept me busy most of the day. Feeling a little better now.
Got a doc appointment Thursday morning for the painful poo issue. OK, here's what i find funny. I have no shame in typing for the whole world to see forever that it hurts for me to poop and I may have hemoroids. Pre cancer Jennifer would NEVER do that. Cancer Jennifer does. Why? I think I have a disconnect from my symptoms and side effects from what is me. Stuff that is caused by cancer seems foreign and like it's the cancer, not me that is having the problems.
I forgot to mention earlier that the hubby was sick this weekend, which worried both of us. He went to immediate care Saturday morning to try to nip it in the bud. He had a sore throat, cough and slight fever. Normally, not a big deal, but right now I cannot get sick. I don't want to put off chemo or have to be hospitalized becuase my body can't fight an illness. So, if you know you are sick and i'll be around, stay away from me. :P
Monday, July 5, 2010
Gardening in 90 degree weather is not a good idea
Nor is attempting to break up a tree root. For the first time since I've been diagnosed, I've done hard, physical labor. In humidity and heat. Probably not my smartest move, but I felt good. At least, until the end of planting. My chest started hurting BAD.
I have a radius of pain - goes around my chest to my mid back. at first it felt like I had a huge air bubble that just needed to come out. Now it's mostly in my back that it hurts.
I immediately thought bad things because my particular chemo can cause heart and lung issues. If i get too much of one drug, it can really mess with my lungs. So, of course I start thinking the worst. Now that a few hours have passed, I think i just pulled muscles, am incredibly out of shape, and the chemo is just a minor part.
I did get that tree root broken up though. :)
Another issue I'm having is pain when going no. 2. :( Based on WebMD, I'm pretty sure it's hemroids or a fissure.Ugh. Both very common and treatable, but still, it's just one more thing to add to it. I'm not sure how I would have gotten this - if it's a delayed reaction from the first two chemo treatments when I was constipated, or if it's because i've just been so irregular. going too much can also cause problems. I can't win! I may have to sneak in a trip to el doctor before chemo thursday.
In a non cancer note, we got our backyard and front yard looking very nice. I moved our wicker chairs to the front porch because our back yard has a dinning set and a brand new two-person chaise lounge! AWESOME. But we don' have a big porch, so it's looking cluttered. Our new flowers look pretty and it's just a nice place to go and relax. It's much cooler because of the trees.
The evil trees. We are going to have to take at least one down because it hates us. TWICE a branch has broken and fallen and landed on our roof and our neighbors'. (In case you don't know, our houses are very close together). Twice we've had to get the branch down, which is not easy. If you have a good, reputable tree service you can recommend, let me know!
I have a radius of pain - goes around my chest to my mid back. at first it felt like I had a huge air bubble that just needed to come out. Now it's mostly in my back that it hurts.
I immediately thought bad things because my particular chemo can cause heart and lung issues. If i get too much of one drug, it can really mess with my lungs. So, of course I start thinking the worst. Now that a few hours have passed, I think i just pulled muscles, am incredibly out of shape, and the chemo is just a minor part.
I did get that tree root broken up though. :)
Another issue I'm having is pain when going no. 2. :( Based on WebMD, I'm pretty sure it's hemroids or a fissure.Ugh. Both very common and treatable, but still, it's just one more thing to add to it. I'm not sure how I would have gotten this - if it's a delayed reaction from the first two chemo treatments when I was constipated, or if it's because i've just been so irregular. going too much can also cause problems. I can't win! I may have to sneak in a trip to el doctor before chemo thursday.
In a non cancer note, we got our backyard and front yard looking very nice. I moved our wicker chairs to the front porch because our back yard has a dinning set and a brand new two-person chaise lounge! AWESOME. But we don' have a big porch, so it's looking cluttered. Our new flowers look pretty and it's just a nice place to go and relax. It's much cooler because of the trees.
The evil trees. We are going to have to take at least one down because it hates us. TWICE a branch has broken and fallen and landed on our roof and our neighbors'. (In case you don't know, our houses are very close together). Twice we've had to get the branch down, which is not easy. If you have a good, reputable tree service you can recommend, let me know!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
tummy troubles
I felt pretty good Monday and Tuesday. I didn't want to acknowledged it for fear of jinxing myself. Yesterday and today, felt worse, but still functioning. I'm having those weird stomach pains, especially after I eat. I've noticed I've been going to the bathroom alot. Ugh, chemo plus all the drugs really mess me up. I fear sometimes I may have a bladder infection. I know the monitor my kidneys because you filter out chemo through them.
the hubby hurt his back recently so hopefully his visits to the doctor will heal him! We are such a broken family. :P
the hubby hurt his back recently so hopefully his visits to the doctor will heal him! We are such a broken family. :P
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