Well it seems like by day 6 I am up and about again. Went to the 5:45 am spinning class then went to my kundalini yoga session, went to Nuge who prepared me an awesome lunch,ran some errands and took the girls to the swim practice. I still have nausea however I learned to live with it and am eating well to recover from the treatments.
I will be giving a break from keeping my blog. Just a change of life need to stay away from the pc a bit to enjoy my days off from work between treatments.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Couple of down days
Well it seems like chemo took my 'edge' the 3rd time.
1st day was ok.
Friday I had boundless energy (2nd day )I even took a 1 mile walk and drove to my Kundalini Yoga session was out all day and even had company for dinner.
Distance: 1 mile
Duration : 20 minutes
Average heart rate: 114
max heart rate: 125
Then Saturday the 3rd day nausea/fatigue took over big time so I was kind of dragging in the house and took a big nap. I am taking every anti-nausea med that i am aware of except steroids which I refuse to take, but they are not quite cutting it. No throwing up but just an constant ewww feeling.
Saturday night Ferit took me to see 'Dan In Real Life' it was a cute movie.
I am so lucky that I had completed Ironman events before, this is the exact same feeling I had after each one for about 1 day, fatigue, nausea. I feel for pregnant gals who feel this way for a couple of months !
I read some research papers on Lobular Breast Cancer and felt the need to reach out for another opinion, now I am considering Dr. Massimo Cristofanelli (MD Anderson Houston), www.breastlink.com or Benjamin O. Anderson from University of Washington
I have to do this asap.
The highlight of my weekend was that Sibel came home and is staying until Monday morning.
1st day was ok.
Friday I had boundless energy (2nd day )I even took a 1 mile walk and drove to my Kundalini Yoga session was out all day and even had company for dinner.
Distance: 1 mile
Duration : 20 minutes
Average heart rate: 114
max heart rate: 125
Then Saturday the 3rd day nausea/fatigue took over big time so I was kind of dragging in the house and took a big nap. I am taking every anti-nausea med that i am aware of except steroids which I refuse to take, but they are not quite cutting it. No throwing up but just an constant ewww feeling.
Saturday night Ferit took me to see 'Dan In Real Life' it was a cute movie.
I am so lucky that I had completed Ironman events before, this is the exact same feeling I had after each one for about 1 day, fatigue, nausea. I feel for pregnant gals who feel this way for a couple of months !
I read some research papers on Lobular Breast Cancer and felt the need to reach out for another opinion, now I am considering Dr. Massimo Cristofanelli (MD Anderson Houston), www.breastlink.com or Benjamin O. Anderson from University of Washington
I have to do this asap.
The highlight of my weekend was that Sibel came home and is staying until Monday morning.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Hold on tight for a sample chemo cost table
In a forum post saw the following breakdown for the treatment I am getting, oh boy am I lucky to be insured.
Treatment 1 through 4 ( AC-chemodrugs +Aloxi-antinausea med+Decadron-steroid)
4 X 1200 = 4800
Treatment 5 through 8 ((taxol, decadron, aloxi, benedryl and zantac)
4 X 3074 = 12,296
Treatment 1 through 8 Neulesta shot to boost the white blood cell production.
8 X 5600 = 44,800
This is only the treatments given at the doctors office until end of chemo, I am not even considering all the different the antinausea meds that I am given ( one is 100 usd a pop, the other is 500 usd for 18 tablets)
Total : 61,896
Mind you this is only the cost of chemo.. the presurgery diagnostics cat scans, mris' biopsies, surgery costs are not included.
Plus the antihormone meds that I probably will be taking after chemo are an arm& a leg do not even want to think about that.
Treatment 1 through 4 ( AC-chemodrugs +Aloxi-antinausea med+Decadron-steroid)
4 X 1200 = 4800
Treatment 5 through 8 ((taxol, decadron, aloxi, benedryl and zantac)
4 X 3074 = 12,296
Treatment 1 through 8 Neulesta shot to boost the white blood cell production.
8 X 5600 = 44,800
This is only the treatments given at the doctors office until end of chemo, I am not even considering all the different the antinausea meds that I am given ( one is 100 usd a pop, the other is 500 usd for 18 tablets)
Total : 61,896
Mind you this is only the cost of chemo.. the presurgery diagnostics cat scans, mris' biopsies, surgery costs are not included.
Plus the antihormone meds that I probably will be taking after chemo are an arm& a leg do not even want to think about that.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Chemo week- prechemo burst of activities -Instant Boob job-Bye Toto
Monday I recovered from the busy weekend doing nothing, since my energy levels were kind of low.
Tuesday bounced right back with a vengeance, I was determined to do a lot this week before Thursdays 3rd chemo session:
Tuesday:
Did the 5:45 am spin class, this time I was even able to break a sweat !!
Duration: 43:47
Average Heart Rate: 132
Maximum Heart Rate: 150
Time in Target Heart Rate zone ( 116-135):20 minutes
Later went to the Kundalini Yoga session at Altamonte. This is so different than the traditional Power Yoga I have been going to. There is a lot of breathing exercises that work with body movements to massage theinternal organs(at least thats what it feels like) and one exercise is 'belly laughing' where everyone has a laughing fit, well I found it so stupid that I actually broke into laughing histerically. They say laughter is a healer guess thats what we were doing, got a kick out of it.
The owner never claimed Toto(isnt this so sad) so Erin adopted him. We are already missing the little bouncey rascal !
Wednesday :
Did a walk and threw in a couple minutes jogs here and there. Finally we are back out there with Candy the Irondawg with a long run !
Distance : 4.5 miles - 16:10 min/mile
Duration: : 1:13:47
Average Heart Rate : 124
Maximum Heart Rate : 154
Time in Target Heart Rate zone ( 116-135): 55 minutes
Went to the plastic surgeon who finally was able to start the inflation of the expanders, it is really weird to see your boob swelling while you look at it. They injected 100 cc's saline in each breast. I am up to 250 ccs in each, I think they will go up to 400. Did not have any discomfort from the inflation or afterwards, just the regular feeling like wearing the heart rate monitor strap too tight.
I feel like a kid trying to cut school.. or a cat that is being dragged to a lake, I really do not want to go to chemo this thursday argghh.. I have heard that the 3rd one is hard cause you know how crappy you will feel and it is not the last one either. Just have to suck it up and do it. I will be hydrating like crazy today and take lots of good protein so I can recover quickly from the hit I will be getting tomorrow.
Tuesday bounced right back with a vengeance, I was determined to do a lot this week before Thursdays 3rd chemo session:
Tuesday:
Did the 5:45 am spin class, this time I was even able to break a sweat !!
Duration: 43:47
Average Heart Rate: 132
Maximum Heart Rate: 150
Time in Target Heart Rate zone ( 116-135):20 minutes
Later went to the Kundalini Yoga session at Altamonte. This is so different than the traditional Power Yoga I have been going to. There is a lot of breathing exercises that work with body movements to massage theinternal organs(at least thats what it feels like) and one exercise is 'belly laughing' where everyone has a laughing fit, well I found it so stupid that I actually broke into laughing histerically. They say laughter is a healer guess thats what we were doing, got a kick out of it.
The owner never claimed Toto(isnt this so sad) so Erin adopted him. We are already missing the little bouncey rascal !
Wednesday :
Did a walk and threw in a couple minutes jogs here and there. Finally we are back out there with Candy the Irondawg with a long run !
Distance : 4.5 miles - 16:10 min/mile
Duration: : 1:13:47
Average Heart Rate : 124
Maximum Heart Rate : 154
Time in Target Heart Rate zone ( 116-135): 55 minutes
Went to the plastic surgeon who finally was able to start the inflation of the expanders, it is really weird to see your boob swelling while you look at it. They injected 100 cc's saline in each breast. I am up to 250 ccs in each, I think they will go up to 400. Did not have any discomfort from the inflation or afterwards, just the regular feeling like wearing the heart rate monitor strap too tight.
I feel like a kid trying to cut school.. or a cat that is being dragged to a lake, I really do not want to go to chemo this thursday argghh.. I have heard that the 3rd one is hard cause you know how crappy you will feel and it is not the last one either. Just have to suck it up and do it. I will be hydrating like crazy today and take lots of good protein so I can recover quickly from the hit I will be getting tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Swim to bike transition video and biking pix
Finally snagged the camera from Elif to download the picture/video from my camera. Wetsuit stripper video
Picture of me and Penny after our 16 mile ride.
And another Toto picture I just can not resist !
Picture of me and Penny after our 16 mile ride.
And another Toto picture I just can not resist !
Monday, October 22, 2007
Enjoying days before treatment #3
Well as far as I can tell I am pretty much shot for about 1 week after chemo then slowly start back up.
Enjoying the car show with Ferit and Stephanie on Sunday. They would not even let us TOUCH the cars..
Enjoying the car show with Ferit and Stephanie on Sunday. They would not even let us TOUCH the cars..
Toto Toto Toto !
We had an interesting (to tell the least) start to Sunday. To cut a long story short we ended up with a Yorkie mix(do not think she is fullbred) adorable(not potty trained we are working on that) doggy who wandered into our garage.
This is how she looked when we found her:
Spent the whole afternoon posting posters around the neighborhood to find the owner, at night was advised that it might belong to a house 5 houses down the street. However .. the owner has not claimed her yet even though I left a message on her door. I am tempted to keep her as they play great with Candy( 2 of them look hilarious together .. the little one - Toto as we named it - going on its hind legs to make itself bigger and trying to attack Candy) and it certainly has a spunky character, is not a incessant barker, is extremely social and is very smart. But.. she will have to go :'o(
After some TLC ... here is Toto
with Candy :
This is how she looked when we found her:
Spent the whole afternoon posting posters around the neighborhood to find the owner, at night was advised that it might belong to a house 5 houses down the street. However .. the owner has not claimed her yet even though I left a message on her door. I am tempted to keep her as they play great with Candy( 2 of them look hilarious together .. the little one - Toto as we named it - going on its hind legs to make itself bigger and trying to attack Candy) and it certainly has a spunky character, is not a incessant barker, is extremely social and is very smart. But.. she will have to go :'o(
After some TLC ... here is Toto
with Candy :
GFT Bike Ride and Welcoming Stephanie to Orlando
Saturday started pretty gloomy we drove up to Clermont in heavy rain,so changed our plan to first watch the GFT swim to bike exit, then do a short ride if the weather lit up.
Parked the car in a 'really good ;o) ' spot ! Headed down to waterfront park and watched the sufferfest begin for the Great Floridian and Florida Challenge.
An interesting video to check out if you have never seen what a 'wetsuit stripper' does on the swim to bike exit..hey ! don't get all excited nothing too kinky (although I was secretly hoping that a 'mishap' would happen lol)
Here is a picture one of the spectators who came to cheer their participant on.
At one point we decided to head back to the car and start our ride on the trail, as we approached the spot where we parked the car we saw a commotion.. they were towing cars !! And had the car who had parked in front of us already on the tow truck ! Yikes ! Penny ran up and at the last minute was able to save her car from being towed. Boy would that have been an expensive parking fee.
Started our ride from Waterfront Park to Killayney which was about 8 miles one way keeping the heart rate below 135 was really a challenge at one point I wondered whether I could still balance on the bike at that low speed ! I never worked out at that range and there were very slight hills on that portion of the trail that made the heart rate creep up a bit. A cyclist in front of us saw a bobcat I have never seen one yet. Overall it was a great ride and I was tired, came home and took a 3 hour nap.
Stats:
16 miles
average speed 11 mph !!!!!
average heart rate: 125
max heart rate: 204 --- not true must have crossed some power lines.
Time in Zone ( between 118 and 135 :)
In the evening we went to pick up Stephanie from the airport, I was really excited since I had not seen her in 2 years and we had a lot of catching up to do. From the airport directly headed to the Fundraising party for my relay team (Breast Friends) for the Relay for Life which I am raising funds for. Won an Entertainment book, a Tijuana Flats gift certificate and a Gift certificate from a nail place in the drawing. Did not get that lucky with the Chinese auction.. was trying to get the doggy bag.
Parked the car in a 'really good ;o) ' spot ! Headed down to waterfront park and watched the sufferfest begin for the Great Floridian and Florida Challenge.
An interesting video to check out if you have never seen what a 'wetsuit stripper' does on the swim to bike exit..hey ! don't get all excited nothing too kinky (although I was secretly hoping that a 'mishap' would happen lol)
Here is a picture one of the spectators who came to cheer their participant on.
At one point we decided to head back to the car and start our ride on the trail, as we approached the spot where we parked the car we saw a commotion.. they were towing cars !! And had the car who had parked in front of us already on the tow truck ! Yikes ! Penny ran up and at the last minute was able to save her car from being towed. Boy would that have been an expensive parking fee.
Started our ride from Waterfront Park to Killayney which was about 8 miles one way keeping the heart rate below 135 was really a challenge at one point I wondered whether I could still balance on the bike at that low speed ! I never worked out at that range and there were very slight hills on that portion of the trail that made the heart rate creep up a bit. A cyclist in front of us saw a bobcat I have never seen one yet. Overall it was a great ride and I was tired, came home and took a 3 hour nap.
Stats:
16 miles
average speed 11 mph !!!!!
average heart rate: 125
max heart rate: 204 --- not true must have crossed some power lines.
Time in Zone ( between 118 and 135 :)
In the evening we went to pick up Stephanie from the airport, I was really excited since I had not seen her in 2 years and we had a lot of catching up to do. From the airport directly headed to the Fundraising party for my relay team (Breast Friends) for the Relay for Life which I am raising funds for. Won an Entertainment book, a Tijuana Flats gift certificate and a Gift certificate from a nail place in the drawing. Did not get that lucky with the Chinese auction.. was trying to get the doggy bag.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Going to watch the Great Floridian ! And my tri buddy Stephanie is coming !
Tomorrow saturday October 20 the Great Floridian Ironman distance triathlon and the 1/2 Ironman 'The Challenge' will be held in Clermont.
Me and Penny will ride from Killarney station to Waterfront park to watch the participants exit the 2.4 mile swim and head off to the 112 brutal bike course around 8:30. The energy in these events are spectacular and really is something to experience even as a spectator.
Great Floridian has a special place in my heart because it was my first Ironman event ( completed GFT in 2003 and 2005) I always try to be there, either as a participant, a volunteer or like this year a spectator.
Dug out some pictures from GFT 2005,
My shorts had smiley face reflectors sewed on :0) you can tell that I am extremely happy to start the final leg of the tri after 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike.
Me and my daughters at the finish line after a sufferfest for 15 hours and 40 minutes. It is hard to believe that I was actually hosting the C beast at that time too.
Tomorrow is also very exciting because one of my tri-buddies is coming to visit us for the weekend, Stephanie !!
Here is a picture of me and Stephanie at Santa Cruz ( where I had completed the Big Kahuna Half Ironman) in 2005 it was an awesome event although it was kind of scary being that close to the sea lions !
Me and Penny will ride from Killarney station to Waterfront park to watch the participants exit the 2.4 mile swim and head off to the 112 brutal bike course around 8:30. The energy in these events are spectacular and really is something to experience even as a spectator.
Great Floridian has a special place in my heart because it was my first Ironman event ( completed GFT in 2003 and 2005) I always try to be there, either as a participant, a volunteer or like this year a spectator.
Dug out some pictures from GFT 2005,
My shorts had smiley face reflectors sewed on :0) you can tell that I am extremely happy to start the final leg of the tri after 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike.
Me and my daughters at the finish line after a sufferfest for 15 hours and 40 minutes. It is hard to believe that I was actually hosting the C beast at that time too.
Tomorrow is also very exciting because one of my tri-buddies is coming to visit us for the weekend, Stephanie !!
Here is a picture of me and Stephanie at Santa Cruz ( where I had completed the Big Kahuna Half Ironman) in 2005 it was an awesome event although it was kind of scary being that close to the sea lions !
Kundalini Yoga
Started the day with a brisk walk with Candy:
Distance:3.3 miles
Time : 56 minutes - 17 min/mile - 3.5 mph
Average Heart Rate: 121
Maximum Heart Rate: 137
Went to the Kundalini Yoga Center at Altamonte unfortunately was late due to a horrible accident on I4 but was able to join the session.
This was not an intense session like the Healing Circle and I was able to work on my breathing and meditation. Will try to go there 3-4 times/week this upcoming month.
Stomach is still not 100% up to normal but energy levels are coming up definitely.
Distance:3.3 miles
Time : 56 minutes - 17 min/mile - 3.5 mph
Average Heart Rate: 121
Maximum Heart Rate: 137
Went to the Kundalini Yoga Center at Altamonte unfortunately was late due to a horrible accident on I4 but was able to join the session.
This was not an intense session like the Healing Circle and I was able to work on my breathing and meditation. Will try to go there 3-4 times/week this upcoming month.
Stomach is still not 100% up to normal but energy levels are coming up definitely.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
First Sun Salutation attempts and bike ride
Last night the binge wagon hit again, it seems like the body is trying to compensate for the lack of food intake on the 7th day of chemo when the nausea lightens up a bit. This time the damage was hostess cupcakes (7 of them) and a couple of caramel candies.
Greeted the morning by doing a couple of sun salutations.. to my delight the chest muscles are even allowing me to plank for a couple of seconds woohooo !!! I heard that expansion weakens the pectorals, might take that into considering while inflating the boobs.
Later went on a bike ride with Zeren who turned out to be a 'natural cyclist' she was hauling .ss with excellent bike handling skills even though it was her first time on a bike since several years. Unfortunately my heart rate monitor was dictating my pace and I had to slow her down. The pix is a bit crooked but we- the biker chicks look darn good ! :
Duration: 33 minutes
about 5-6 miles forgot to reset the bike computer
Average Heart Rate: 127 - definitely higher than it was before.
Max Heart rate: 150
It was my first time on my bike since the surgery.. and it felt really good.
Greeted the morning by doing a couple of sun salutations.. to my delight the chest muscles are even allowing me to plank for a couple of seconds woohooo !!! I heard that expansion weakens the pectorals, might take that into considering while inflating the boobs.
Later went on a bike ride with Zeren who turned out to be a 'natural cyclist' she was hauling .ss with excellent bike handling skills even though it was her first time on a bike since several years. Unfortunately my heart rate monitor was dictating my pace and I had to slow her down. The pix is a bit crooked but we- the biker chicks look darn good ! :
Duration: 33 minutes
about 5-6 miles forgot to reset the bike computer
Average Heart Rate: 127 - definitely higher than it was before.
Max Heart rate: 150
It was my first time on my bike since the surgery.. and it felt really good.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Workouts monday-wednesday
Taking advice from Mary Ann keeping the heart rate in check, which requires me to walk not even jog.
Monday:
.75 miles walking with Candy
16:23 minutes - stopped a lot to talk to neighbors who noticed my 'new hairdo'
not much of a workout.
Tuesday:
1.5 miles walking with Candy
27:37 minutes 18:20 min/mile 3.3 mph
maxhr: 127
avhr: 117
time in heart rate zone: 13:36
Wednesday :
2.25 miles walking with Candy keeping the heart rate between 118 and 134
38:26 minutes - 17 min/mile - 3.5 mph
maxhr: 138
avhr: 125
time in heart rate zone: 30:26
hmm so if I keep this pace at the half marathon it will take me 3:45 hours.. it will be interesting to get lapped by the fast marathoners which will happen since it is a 2 loop course.
Monday:
.75 miles walking with Candy
16:23 minutes - stopped a lot to talk to neighbors who noticed my 'new hairdo'
not much of a workout.
Tuesday:
1.5 miles walking with Candy
27:37 minutes 18:20 min/mile 3.3 mph
maxhr: 127
avhr: 117
time in heart rate zone: 13:36
Wednesday :
2.25 miles walking with Candy keeping the heart rate between 118 and 134
38:26 minutes - 17 min/mile - 3.5 mph
maxhr: 138
avhr: 125
time in heart rate zone: 30:26
hmm so if I keep this pace at the half marathon it will take me 3:45 hours.. it will be interesting to get lapped by the fast marathoners which will happen since it is a 2 loop course.
Pleasant Tuesday Afternoon
Had a very pleasant afternoon thanks to Zeren who suggested to go to a movie, and to our delight the movie Jane Austen Book Club had started. We have a pretty volatile (to tell the least) book club and it was quite entertaining to see that similar group dynamics/dilemas which were present in other book clubs too ( the 1st episode of Losts 3rd Season also started with a brawl at a book club - you can watch it online from abc.com it was a hoot ).
Books are so personal that it is really hard to keep the discussions ' not personal' ;o) but I look forward to our meetings every month even though we have met some rough spots I still think it is a great get together.
Went around The Pointe for a while before the movie, did some plastic damage. Got a chuckle when the girl at L'Occitane suggested that I use a certain kind of shampoo- we laughed and had to explain to her that I actually was bald and had a wig on - guess that is proof that the wig looks natural ( or the girl needs glasses.. will take the first one )
After the movie we were both 'Jane Austen'ed, I confess to not having read any of her novels but I do have a Jane Austen Collection at home which I will start asap as soon as I finish 'The Sun Also Rises' - Hemingway which is draggginggg !
Afterwards when I went to pick up Elif from the Aquatic center her friends first said 'Hi' and then they went 'ohhh and came and started touching my wig' when they first saw me they had forgotten that i had my hair chopped off, then realized it. So I think this wig (the long one) passed the test.
My nausea is still continuing but I am just learning to live with it. Found that if I forced some food down it actually helps. The challenge is not to succumb into the urge to gorge on comfort foods all the time because I know too well where that leads to.
Books are so personal that it is really hard to keep the discussions ' not personal' ;o) but I look forward to our meetings every month even though we have met some rough spots I still think it is a great get together.
Went around The Pointe for a while before the movie, did some plastic damage. Got a chuckle when the girl at L'Occitane suggested that I use a certain kind of shampoo- we laughed and had to explain to her that I actually was bald and had a wig on - guess that is proof that the wig looks natural ( or the girl needs glasses.. will take the first one )
After the movie we were both 'Jane Austen'ed, I confess to not having read any of her novels but I do have a Jane Austen Collection at home which I will start asap as soon as I finish 'The Sun Also Rises' - Hemingway which is draggginggg !
Afterwards when I went to pick up Elif from the Aquatic center her friends first said 'Hi' and then they went 'ohhh and came and started touching my wig' when they first saw me they had forgotten that i had my hair chopped off, then realized it. So I think this wig (the long one) passed the test.
My nausea is still continuing but I am just learning to live with it. Found that if I forced some food down it actually helps. The challenge is not to succumb into the urge to gorge on comfort foods all the time because I know too well where that leads to.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Bonfire for cancer books ? Something funny
It's really good to have a lot of resources but I think I am really overloaded with brochures, books, self-help for C.. stuff and today got a sudden urge to make a big bonfire on the lawn and torch them all.
Guess it is time to give a break from researching/reading, need to refocus and start living my normal life asap. Guess returning to work next month after the first part of the chemo is done will be good for me.
Learned that people who did not drink alcohol were more susceptible for chemo-nausea, so as Ferit says : 'Smoking does not hurt you, drinking is good for you'
A twisted way to put things into perspective but right within this context I must agree at least in the literal sense.
Guess it is time to give a break from researching/reading, need to refocus and start living my normal life asap. Guess returning to work next month after the first part of the chemo is done will be good for me.
Learned that people who did not drink alcohol were more susceptible for chemo-nausea, so as Ferit says : 'Smoking does not hurt you, drinking is good for you'
A twisted way to put things into perspective but right within this context I must agree at least in the literal sense.
Relay For Life - I am in the Breast Friends relay team
Every year I try to participate in an event that is benefiting a certain cause. For the past 5 years this has been the MS150 bike ride benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis society.
This year due to apparent reasons I will be participating in events that are benefiting the fight against cancer and cancer awareness programs and have joined the 'Breast Friends' team for the Relay for Life that will be held in Hunters Creek on November 10.
This is an overnight relay walking event where each team will be represented by at least 1 member at all times.
Unfortunately that is the week of my chemo treatment ( all of the events that I want to join seem to be on my chemo weekends ! ) so I think I will still be able to do the opening lap at 3 pm, but am not sure whether I will be able to hang around for a long time.
Here is my web page:
This year due to apparent reasons I will be participating in events that are benefiting the fight against cancer and cancer awareness programs and have joined the 'Breast Friends' team for the Relay for Life that will be held in Hunters Creek on November 10.
This is an overnight relay walking event where each team will be represented by at least 1 member at all times.
Unfortunately that is the week of my chemo treatment ( all of the events that I want to join seem to be on my chemo weekends ! ) so I think I will still be able to do the opening lap at 3 pm, but am not sure whether I will be able to hang around for a long time.
Here is my web page:
Look Good Feel Better program
Monday I went to the Look Good Feel Better program sponsored by:
National Cosmetology Association (NCA)
Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) Foundation
American Cancer Society (ACS)
Here are all the goodies that I got in my bag, woohoo pretty cool stuff from Estee Lauder, Chanel, Aveda, Mary Kay and other brands. Some bags had a Mac brush. Darn ! not that I needed any more makeup brushes but I still was eyeing other participants goodies like a kid looking at other kids halloween candies/ christmas presents.
We were 4 gals facing the chemo challenges, the session was led by a counselor appointed by Florida Hospital Cancer Institute and a lady who helped us do a 'makeover' starting from cleansing to putting on makeup. There was a 77 year old lady who had never done makeup and I suspect who never was exposed to the sun, her complexion was as translucent as a babies !
We were also instructed on how to 'dress' our heads, how to wear the wigs, how to care for them how to manage nails during chemo ( yes nails are also affected, manicures/pedicures are a no-no for infection concerns)
I am not going 'commando' yet and am wearing a wig for the first time, I had it on for total of 7 hours and did not have problems that some people had(feeling itchy.. hot ) although I was extremely relieved when I got home and took it off.
Although it is the 5th day of the 2nd chemo I was not totally over the chemo effects and I think I overdid it again. By leaving the house at 9 am (I am on a mission to find new tableware) coming back at 4:30, I was totally wiped out and fell asleep in front of the tv and slept like a baby throughout the night.
The nausae is continuing but I am showing an effort to get good calories and especially protein in.
Ferit asked whether Feta cheese bills would be considered as a reimbursable medical expense ;o) since I literally have been living on it post-chemo.
National Cosmetology Association (NCA)
Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) Foundation
American Cancer Society (ACS)
Here are all the goodies that I got in my bag, woohoo pretty cool stuff from Estee Lauder, Chanel, Aveda, Mary Kay and other brands. Some bags had a Mac brush. Darn ! not that I needed any more makeup brushes but I still was eyeing other participants goodies like a kid looking at other kids halloween candies/ christmas presents.
We were 4 gals facing the chemo challenges, the session was led by a counselor appointed by Florida Hospital Cancer Institute and a lady who helped us do a 'makeover' starting from cleansing to putting on makeup. There was a 77 year old lady who had never done makeup and I suspect who never was exposed to the sun, her complexion was as translucent as a babies !
We were also instructed on how to 'dress' our heads, how to wear the wigs, how to care for them how to manage nails during chemo ( yes nails are also affected, manicures/pedicures are a no-no for infection concerns)
I am not going 'commando' yet and am wearing a wig for the first time, I had it on for total of 7 hours and did not have problems that some people had(feeling itchy.. hot ) although I was extremely relieved when I got home and took it off.
Although it is the 5th day of the 2nd chemo I was not totally over the chemo effects and I think I overdid it again. By leaving the house at 9 am (I am on a mission to find new tableware) coming back at 4:30, I was totally wiped out and fell asleep in front of the tv and slept like a baby throughout the night.
The nausae is continuing but I am showing an effort to get good calories and especially protein in.
Ferit asked whether Feta cheese bills would be considered as a reimbursable medical expense ;o) since I literally have been living on it post-chemo.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Ok the buzz !
OMG did not realize how comfy and cool is 'da bald' and thank you mom ! I do have a nice scalp !
Ferit did an awesome job of 'da buzz' !
Do not know whether I will go commando since I invested a lot in wigs and headcovers but might pull a 'hot topic day' or Britney spears day ;o) since it is so airy.
Ferit did an awesome job of 'da buzz' !
Do not know whether I will go commando since I invested a lot in wigs and headcovers but might pull a 'hot topic day' or Britney spears day ;o) since it is so airy.
Couple of post-chemo dull days
It feels like the chemo takes my 'edges' off. I feel and act kind of dull.
I also have the cold like symptoms ( congestion ) which is one of the side effects of the chemo agent. Nausea has not tapered yet although it is the 4th day.
I was actually toying with the idea of doing the Breast Cancer Awareness ride on Saturday morning but Saturday when I got up I was not feeling that well. Unfortunately all the events that I would like to go to happen to be on my chemo weekends arghh...
Saturdays highlight was a free facial that was offered by Face Logic Oviedo to Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors, it was really a treat I wish it was not 2 days after my treatment so I could have enjoyed it more. It was not like the usual complimentary spa offerings where they pamper for 15 minutes then you have to listen to sales spiel for the remaining 45. There was absolutely no sales pitch and a full hour of facial,face-arm shoulder-nect massage. And my complexion really looks better ( and if they can make a chemo skin look good and not get irritated I would say their products are pretty good )
The hair fall is getting to the point that I will need to buzz it off very soon no point in holding on.
I have a lot of cute headcovers and 2 wigs, will start making use of them. I also have the Look Good Feel Better appointment tomorrow that is an offering made by the American Cancer Society on Monday. Perfect timing I say.
Trina one of the Bobbies kindly shared the following with me, and I do agree with her it certainly sounds heavenly !
A reflection from an individual that rode cross country as a fundraiser and awareness experience.
I achieved the nirvana I was hoping for on a stretch of highway between Gordon and Valentine Nebraska : Picture gentle rolling hills stretching into the horizon under an infinite blue sky with only a hint of clouds. Crickets, grasshoppers, or locusts are chirping in unison all around you, and occasionally jump from the grass and bounce off your leg. The occasional cow ponders you suspiciously as you enter its territory. The feeling out there is remarkable – remote and serene, yet the road beneath you is a safety tether to civilization somewhere. With heart thumping, lungs expanding, and legs pounding like pistons, your bike moves effortlessly up and down as you weave through the rolling hills. With the wind whipping all around you, it’s hard to imagine that there is a care in the world, or that there ever will be…..
I also have the cold like symptoms ( congestion ) which is one of the side effects of the chemo agent. Nausea has not tapered yet although it is the 4th day.
I was actually toying with the idea of doing the Breast Cancer Awareness ride on Saturday morning but Saturday when I got up I was not feeling that well. Unfortunately all the events that I would like to go to happen to be on my chemo weekends arghh...
Saturdays highlight was a free facial that was offered by Face Logic Oviedo to Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors, it was really a treat I wish it was not 2 days after my treatment so I could have enjoyed it more. It was not like the usual complimentary spa offerings where they pamper for 15 minutes then you have to listen to sales spiel for the remaining 45. There was absolutely no sales pitch and a full hour of facial,face-arm shoulder-nect massage. And my complexion really looks better ( and if they can make a chemo skin look good and not get irritated I would say their products are pretty good )
The hair fall is getting to the point that I will need to buzz it off very soon no point in holding on.
I have a lot of cute headcovers and 2 wigs, will start making use of them. I also have the Look Good Feel Better appointment tomorrow that is an offering made by the American Cancer Society on Monday. Perfect timing I say.
Trina one of the Bobbies kindly shared the following with me, and I do agree with her it certainly sounds heavenly !
A reflection from an individual that rode cross country as a fundraiser and awareness experience.
I achieved the nirvana I was hoping for on a stretch of highway between Gordon and Valentine Nebraska : Picture gentle rolling hills stretching into the horizon under an infinite blue sky with only a hint of clouds. Crickets, grasshoppers, or locusts are chirping in unison all around you, and occasionally jump from the grass and bounce off your leg. The occasional cow ponders you suspiciously as you enter its territory. The feeling out there is remarkable – remote and serene, yet the road beneath you is a safety tether to civilization somewhere. With heart thumping, lungs expanding, and legs pounding like pistons, your bike moves effortlessly up and down as you weave through the rolling hills. With the wind whipping all around you, it’s hard to imagine that there is a care in the world, or that there ever will be…..
Friday, October 12, 2007
Research published by New England Journal Of Medicine
HER2 and Response to Paclitaxel in Node-Positive Breast Cancer
Result:
Patients with a HER2-positive breast cancer benefited from paclitaxel,
regardless of estrogen-receptor status, but paclitaxel did not benefit patients
with HER2-negative, estrogen-receptor–positive cancers.
I am HER2-negative, estrogen-receptor–positive..
The only difference in the test cases are that I am getting Dose Dense ( instead of traditional. every 3 weeks ).
I have 1 month to research on this to see whether I still want to continue with Taxol after my AC finishes.
Result:
Patients with a HER2-positive breast cancer benefited from paclitaxel,
regardless of estrogen-receptor status, but paclitaxel did not benefit patients
with HER2-negative, estrogen-receptor–positive cancers.
I am HER2-negative, estrogen-receptor–positive..
The only difference in the test cases are that I am getting Dose Dense ( instead of traditional. every 3 weeks ).
I have 1 month to research on this to see whether I still want to continue with Taxol after my AC finishes.
Much better this time
Although I did have substantial nausea last night I was able to sleep and did not purge so this time we seem to have gotten it right.
So my new regimen seems to work which consists of :
- Aloxi with infusion
- Steroid amount doubled while getting the infusion.
- Taking Emend for 3 days.
- Taking Compazine every 8 hours for 3 days.
- Over the counter Zantac twice daily.
- Ativan before going to sleep for 2 days ( was warned that this could be addictive so will use sparingly)
Oh and I also have to add that I chomped down a whole bag of Corn Chips that Ferit got me during treatment, I suddenly had a craving for chips luckily he was able to find a vending machine.
But one thing that really helped that I was not able sit down and listen to my nausea Elif had 2 of her friends sleeping over. They made their custom homecoming day t-shirts and they tried to get their hair in a mohawk for the homecoming game. Well first they tried putting on Elmors glue that did not go quite well so we went to Wallgreens begged them to open up ( they had just closed) and bought 5 jars of #10 hair jell. Came home and tried to set it with hair dryer... nada.. it just was not happening there was gel all over the place (luckily we were on the driveway) We gave up and went to bed at 1 am, I think I of them slept in the gel.. dunno how that turned out.
Pictures are worth a thousand words :
Teenagers on a good mission in a good mood are even more fun to swatch then a kitten playing with a yarn... they could get hilarious !
So my new regimen seems to work which consists of :
- Aloxi with infusion
- Steroid amount doubled while getting the infusion.
- Taking Emend for 3 days.
- Taking Compazine every 8 hours for 3 days.
- Over the counter Zantac twice daily.
- Ativan before going to sleep for 2 days ( was warned that this could be addictive so will use sparingly)
Oh and I also have to add that I chomped down a whole bag of Corn Chips that Ferit got me during treatment, I suddenly had a craving for chips luckily he was able to find a vending machine.
But one thing that really helped that I was not able sit down and listen to my nausea Elif had 2 of her friends sleeping over. They made their custom homecoming day t-shirts and they tried to get their hair in a mohawk for the homecoming game. Well first they tried putting on Elmors glue that did not go quite well so we went to Wallgreens begged them to open up ( they had just closed) and bought 5 jars of #10 hair jell. Came home and tried to set it with hair dryer... nada.. it just was not happening there was gel all over the place (luckily we were on the driveway) We gave up and went to bed at 1 am, I think I of them slept in the gel.. dunno how that turned out.
Pictures are worth a thousand words :
Teenagers on a good mission in a good mood are even more fun to swatch then a kitten playing with a yarn... they could get hilarious !
Thursday, October 11, 2007
2 chemos done 6 more to go !
Well I got my 2nd chemo today, they gave me an additional medicine ( Emend)for the nausea ( which is about 100/per pill and I am taking it for 3 days luckily my insurance covers it ) this usually stops any nausea immediately I was told. Plus they doubled the steroids that they gave with the infusion.
Our cute doc did the juggling trick again and one of the gals was telling a joke. The goal is being able to juggle until the joke finishes. First he started juggling 3 plastic cows then went back to regular balls. Time passes pretty quick there with Ferit and watching whats going on.
I got all clear for working out from my oncologist and plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon just wants me to refrain from major upper body movements involving the pecks(like bench presses, pushups- golf is ok) . Oncologist said that I should do whatever I felt like doing and there was no limits.
Have an appointment with a Physical Therapist to asess me and work on any shoulder, chest weaknesses/flexibility issues that are due to the surgery.
The Plastic surgeon still did not inflate me ( the incision sites are still red), and I started losing my hair... joy ! Bald and flat .. hmmm.. will look like one of those aliens in the cartoons, especially when the 'red devil' chemo agent turns my skin greenish the second day of treatment.
Today a research had been published about Taxol the second chemo agent I am scheduled to get end of November..
"The widely used chemotherapy drug Taxol does not work for the most common form of breast cancer and helps far fewer patients than has been believed, surprising new research suggests.
If further study bears this out, more than 20,000 women each year in the United States alone might be spared the side effects of this drug or similar ones without significantly raising the risk their cancer will return. That would be roughly half of all breast cancer patients who get chemo now."
Well I happen to be in the category who will not benefit from this chemo agent.
My oncologist said that the research was conducted by a very reputable person and should be trusted, this study was done on traditional ( not dose dense like I am getting ) chemo, however he said that he thought that the results would probably be same for dose dense patients too.
Ohh.. and we brought up the issue of radiation or further surgery.
He is definitely against radiation, and said that I might want to consider removing additional lymph nodes after chemo if I choose to do so but he really did not think that is really mandatory either.
Hmm.. so maybe I can get away with no additional surgery, no radiation and maybe not get the taxol treatment ? That would free me mid-november. But my hunch is that I will go ahead with the taxol and not risk anything...
Geeshh I thought that I was done with the decision making, here we go again !
Our cute doc did the juggling trick again and one of the gals was telling a joke. The goal is being able to juggle until the joke finishes. First he started juggling 3 plastic cows then went back to regular balls. Time passes pretty quick there with Ferit and watching whats going on.
I got all clear for working out from my oncologist and plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon just wants me to refrain from major upper body movements involving the pecks(like bench presses, pushups- golf is ok) . Oncologist said that I should do whatever I felt like doing and there was no limits.
Have an appointment with a Physical Therapist to asess me and work on any shoulder, chest weaknesses/flexibility issues that are due to the surgery.
The Plastic surgeon still did not inflate me ( the incision sites are still red), and I started losing my hair... joy ! Bald and flat .. hmmm.. will look like one of those aliens in the cartoons, especially when the 'red devil' chemo agent turns my skin greenish the second day of treatment.
Today a research had been published about Taxol the second chemo agent I am scheduled to get end of November..
"The widely used chemotherapy drug Taxol does not work for the most common form of breast cancer and helps far fewer patients than has been believed, surprising new research suggests.
If further study bears this out, more than 20,000 women each year in the United States alone might be spared the side effects of this drug or similar ones without significantly raising the risk their cancer will return. That would be roughly half of all breast cancer patients who get chemo now."
Well I happen to be in the category who will not benefit from this chemo agent.
My oncologist said that the research was conducted by a very reputable person and should be trusted, this study was done on traditional ( not dose dense like I am getting ) chemo, however he said that he thought that the results would probably be same for dose dense patients too.
Ohh.. and we brought up the issue of radiation or further surgery.
He is definitely against radiation, and said that I might want to consider removing additional lymph nodes after chemo if I choose to do so but he really did not think that is really mandatory either.
Hmm.. so maybe I can get away with no additional surgery, no radiation and maybe not get the taxol treatment ? That would free me mid-november. But my hunch is that I will go ahead with the taxol and not risk anything...
Geeshh I thought that I was done with the decision making, here we go again !
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Backing off activities a bit
It is 2 days before my second chemo session I feel totally recovered except for a slight glitch in my sternum.
I guess I overdid my activities, and started having some pain in my lower sternum which I initially had after the surgery but had went away 2 weeks ago. I think the golf swing might have done it or the jog/walk.
My friend Mary Ann helped me come to my senses by sending me a serious email on not jeopardizing my health by exerting myself needlessly at this stage of my treatment. Will take it easier from now on.
Today I went to the 5:45 am spin class and cranked up the intensity(the resistance) a bit controlling the heart rate with my new cute Heart Rate Monitor and felt extremely good. Came home and took an hour nap (this is my new routine, workout - eat - take a nap)
Stats from my spin class:
Time: 46 minutes
Average Heart Rate: 135 ( 77% of max)
Maximum Heart Rate: 159 ( 90% of max)
Calories: 345
In Zone (127-143) time: 22 minutes - I will focus on staying more in the zone.
At lunch met with my friend K at the mall and had a delicious Pizza while we caught up on stuff. Afterwards did some shopping at the mall. Baked some chocolate chip cookies as my friend Seda and her daughter dropped by for tea. I am kind of getting used to the 'Stay at home mom with grown up kids' although I do not think that I can do this for very long.
Yesterday I received 2 large gift bags from my friend Deb at work ( we have the same birthdays so I call her my twin ;o) ). It was such a nice surprise and really brightened my day.
In the bags there were a bunch of running/cyling magazines, an book with inspirational poems, novels, sudoku books, a notebook, matching notepads.... But that was not all.
There was a bag with 40 little rolls, labeled 'Daily Inspiration' "Grab a thought"
I do not know how long it took her to put this together considering the fact that she also does have her hands full with 2 wonderful little munchkins H and V but it was an amazing idea, I will have fun with it !
Started hydrating for the chemo tonight need to go into it fully prepared.
I guess I overdid my activities, and started having some pain in my lower sternum which I initially had after the surgery but had went away 2 weeks ago. I think the golf swing might have done it or the jog/walk.
My friend Mary Ann helped me come to my senses by sending me a serious email on not jeopardizing my health by exerting myself needlessly at this stage of my treatment. Will take it easier from now on.
Today I went to the 5:45 am spin class and cranked up the intensity(the resistance) a bit controlling the heart rate with my new cute Heart Rate Monitor and felt extremely good. Came home and took an hour nap (this is my new routine, workout - eat - take a nap)
Stats from my spin class:
Time: 46 minutes
Average Heart Rate: 135 ( 77% of max)
Maximum Heart Rate: 159 ( 90% of max)
Calories: 345
In Zone (127-143) time: 22 minutes - I will focus on staying more in the zone.
At lunch met with my friend K at the mall and had a delicious Pizza while we caught up on stuff. Afterwards did some shopping at the mall. Baked some chocolate chip cookies as my friend Seda and her daughter dropped by for tea. I am kind of getting used to the 'Stay at home mom with grown up kids' although I do not think that I can do this for very long.
Yesterday I received 2 large gift bags from my friend Deb at work ( we have the same birthdays so I call her my twin ;o) ). It was such a nice surprise and really brightened my day.
In the bags there were a bunch of running/cyling magazines, an book with inspirational poems, novels, sudoku books, a notebook, matching notepads.... But that was not all.
There was a bag with 40 little rolls, labeled 'Daily Inspiration' "Grab a thought"
I do not know how long it took her to put this together considering the fact that she also does have her hands full with 2 wonderful little munchkins H and V but it was an amazing idea, I will have fun with it !
Started hydrating for the chemo tonight need to go into it fully prepared.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Starting jog/walking & went to the golf range
Activities:
Sunday:
2 hours at the golf range, it is definitely a very meditative activity ( can not think of anything else), I thought we were there for about an hour and then realized that I had been trying to whack the ball off the ground towards the flag for close to 2 hours.
No wonder Ferit was checking out with the pro about lessons, he surely is very patient but I am seriously doubting my golf ability, losing the T, or slamming it into the ground.. sometimes breaking it.
If you look at my picture I look more like dusting a rug with a racket, rather than driving a golf ball.
Surprisingly I was wiped out after this.. yes.. and took a 2 hour nap afterwards.
Monday:
I decided to give the jog/walk a try. Did 2 minute jog at 12 min/mile and 1 minute walk at 2.8 mph.Watching 'Tim the Toolman' made time pass quickly, there was barely anyone at the gym at 12 pm.
Here are my stats.
Distance: 3 miles on the dreadmill with 1% incline.
Time: about 43 minutes
Calories: 372
Heart rate average :155
Heart Rate maximum: 175
The heart rate was pretty high but my legs felt really good ( naturally from a major taper since end of August) I am hoping that I will eventually be able to bring the heart rate down to a reasonable number.
Had to take a 1+ hour nap again later, I think I am kind of getting the hang of what my body needs while undergoing treatment.
This Thursday is my next chemo session lets see how I will react this time.
Today I also realized that when managing my 'unwanted hair' the roots were kind of sluggish, guess the mohawk cut that my daughter is looking forward to is coming near. I am expecting it by this weekend.
Other stuff:
Other than that I am gravitating towards the kitchen in my spare time, I am not sure this is such a great idea since the last time I was this involved in baking was 10 years ago and I was about 40 pounds heavier. But my deserts are just 'scrumptious' !!! ;o) Today I am trying out a new marble cake recipe. Yesterday I had baked a strawberry cream tart which was sinful but delicious which we took to my sisinlaw where we had an excellent dinner (as usual !)
Sunday:
2 hours at the golf range, it is definitely a very meditative activity ( can not think of anything else), I thought we were there for about an hour and then realized that I had been trying to whack the ball off the ground towards the flag for close to 2 hours.
No wonder Ferit was checking out with the pro about lessons, he surely is very patient but I am seriously doubting my golf ability, losing the T, or slamming it into the ground.. sometimes breaking it.
If you look at my picture I look more like dusting a rug with a racket, rather than driving a golf ball.
Surprisingly I was wiped out after this.. yes.. and took a 2 hour nap afterwards.
Monday:
I decided to give the jog/walk a try. Did 2 minute jog at 12 min/mile and 1 minute walk at 2.8 mph.Watching 'Tim the Toolman' made time pass quickly, there was barely anyone at the gym at 12 pm.
Here are my stats.
Distance: 3 miles on the dreadmill with 1% incline.
Time: about 43 minutes
Calories: 372
Heart rate average :155
Heart Rate maximum: 175
The heart rate was pretty high but my legs felt really good ( naturally from a major taper since end of August) I am hoping that I will eventually be able to bring the heart rate down to a reasonable number.
Had to take a 1+ hour nap again later, I think I am kind of getting the hang of what my body needs while undergoing treatment.
This Thursday is my next chemo session lets see how I will react this time.
Today I also realized that when managing my 'unwanted hair' the roots were kind of sluggish, guess the mohawk cut that my daughter is looking forward to is coming near. I am expecting it by this weekend.
Other stuff:
Other than that I am gravitating towards the kitchen in my spare time, I am not sure this is such a great idea since the last time I was this involved in baking was 10 years ago and I was about 40 pounds heavier. But my deserts are just 'scrumptious' !!! ;o) Today I am trying out a new marble cake recipe. Yesterday I had baked a strawberry cream tart which was sinful but delicious which we took to my sisinlaw where we had an excellent dinner (as usual !)
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Training plan for the Breast Cancer Half Marathon
Here is a draft of my training plan to walk / maybe jog/walk the breast cancer half marathon that I have registered for in Jacksonville in February.
Every week I will do 2 X 3 mile walk and in addition to these I have scheduled a long jg/walk working up to the distance so the plan is to do walk/jog total of 3 times a week. I do not need to complete a 13.1 mile to prepare for a half marathon my longest walk/jog will be 10 miles.
Long walk/jog will be on the Monday,Tuesday or wednesday of my chemo weeks ( I get mine on Thursdays, that way I will be at my peak of my treatment cycle for these workouts)
Week Start Date Length of long jog and/or walk
08-Oct-07 Chemo on thurs 4
15-Oct-07 4
22-Oct-07 Chemo on thurs 5
29-Oct-07 4
05-Nov-07 Chemo on thurs 6
12-Nov-07 4
19-Nov-07 Chemo on thurs 4
26-Nov-07 4
03-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs 6
10-Dec-07 4
17-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs 7
24-Dec-07 4
31-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs 8
07-Jan-08 4
14-Jan-08 9
21-Jan-08 4
28-Jan-08 10
04-Feb-08 4
11-Feb-08 Event on Saturday
Presently I did a 3 mile walk at 3.2 miles per hour speed on the treadmill with 1% incline.
Every week I will do 2 X 3 mile walk and in addition to these I have scheduled a long jg/walk working up to the distance so the plan is to do walk/jog total of 3 times a week. I do not need to complete a 13.1 mile to prepare for a half marathon my longest walk/jog will be 10 miles.
Long walk/jog will be on the Monday,Tuesday or wednesday of my chemo weeks ( I get mine on Thursdays, that way I will be at my peak of my treatment cycle for these workouts)
Week Start Date Length of long jog and/or walk
08-Oct-07 Chemo on thurs 4
15-Oct-07 4
22-Oct-07 Chemo on thurs 5
29-Oct-07 4
05-Nov-07 Chemo on thurs 6
12-Nov-07 4
19-Nov-07 Chemo on thurs 4
26-Nov-07 4
03-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs 6
10-Dec-07 4
17-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs 7
24-Dec-07 4
31-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs 8
07-Jan-08 4
14-Jan-08 9
21-Jan-08 4
28-Jan-08 10
04-Feb-08 4
11-Feb-08 Event on Saturday
Presently I did a 3 mile walk at 3.2 miles per hour speed on the treadmill with 1% incline.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Feeling almost normal again 8 days after my 1st treatment
Activities:
Friday :
3 mile walk on the dreadmill, average heart rate 125 at 3.2 mph speed. Can not wait until the Plastic Surgeon gives me the go ahead to start jogging. Luckily this gym has tv's on each treadmill ( thats why I got the membership) so I get to catch up with whats going on.
Afterwards came home and took a 2 hour nap.
Saturday:
Friday :
3 mile walk on the dreadmill, average heart rate 125 at 3.2 mph speed. Can not wait until the Plastic Surgeon gives me the go ahead to start jogging. Luckily this gym has tv's on each treadmill ( thats why I got the membership) so I get to catch up with whats going on.
Afterwards came home and took a 2 hour nap.
Saturday:
40 minute RPM ( spinning class at the gym) kept the RPE ( Perceived exertion level ) 5/10, Heart rate less than 140
Was not able to put on much resistance and mainly did high cadence spinning. Felt awesome after the ride although I did not even break a sweat. During the ride I was imagining that as my heart rate increases any stray cancer cells are exposed ( they stay black whereas the good cells start glowing with endorphins) and my immune system was sweeping them away.
I am feeling better with each passing day the throat is a lot better although I still have difficulty swallowing solid stuff. I do not have the metallic taste that everyone had warned me about having when going thrugh chemo and my appetite is back( at least as of now). I do not have fatigue that affects my daily activities but I do not think I can go and ride my bike for 2+ hours either. Well I can live with this for 4 months.
Friday night Went out to dinner to Red Lobster, forgot my throat and ordered a spicy dish.. yikes.. Ferit had to switch his entree with mine.
Sibel and 4 of her friends from UF came over and we watched the movie 'Troy' together. It is so uplifting/fun to hang out with 17 year olds ( ONLY when they are in a good mood ). I had made 'Better than Sex Chocolate cake' - weightwatchers recipe ) luckily they wiped it out pretty good before I had a chance to inhale all of it.
My father who is visiting ran into his room scared from the overdose of estrogen of 8 gals ( me + Elif and her friend + Sibel and her friends ) Ferit as usualy braved us all and hung out.
Saturday night was a different version of Friday.After seeing the movie 'Game Plan' went to Applebees for dinner had a really nice steak I have been craving red meat lately. Then came home to the same group of gals watching the UF and LSU game .. had to run outside to the patio they were a bit loud even for my taste. My father hid in his room again. lol...
I am playing 'Monk' at the restaurants, cleaning the table with Antibacterial wipes, wiping the silverware with the wipes and constantly putting on hand sanitizer. I must look pretty weird, but better safe than sorry.
A very sad day
This is a roller coaster ride indeed, having a support group and connecting with other BC patients has immense benefits, however this also makes one exposed to very unfortunate events.
One of the girls from the breast cancer internet forum passed away due to complications from chemo. She was 34 years old had to little kids ( 2 and 3 years old), had gotten her 2nd chemo and got exposed to a virus and came down with pneumonia her immune system was challenged from the chemo and her family lost her within 2 weeks. This came as a shock to all of the forum members.
Here is a link to her posting on utube getting her first chemo, ( it is very sad, you might not want to watch it ) her spirits were so high !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdMbrGMTF-o
although probably none of you know here here is her online obituary link in case you want to light a candle:
http://www.normandean.com/?p=obituary_view&id=45280
They have to find a better way to cure this shit other than breaking down all parts of ones body.
One of the girls from the breast cancer internet forum passed away due to complications from chemo. She was 34 years old had to little kids ( 2 and 3 years old), had gotten her 2nd chemo and got exposed to a virus and came down with pneumonia her immune system was challenged from the chemo and her family lost her within 2 weeks. This came as a shock to all of the forum members.
Here is a link to her posting on utube getting her first chemo, ( it is very sad, you might not want to watch it ) her spirits were so high !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdMbrGMTF-o
although probably none of you know here here is her online obituary link in case you want to light a candle:
http://www.normandean.com/?p=obituary_view&id=45280
They have to find a better way to cure this shit other than breaking down all parts of ones body.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Paid dearly for a binge
By Wednesday I was feeling really good ( if not 100% back to normal) around 5 pm I went through a lot of comfort food, literally stuffing them down my throad happy that I was able to consume large amounts of food again ( a sign that I have somewhat recovered from the toxins of the chemo) At night we ordered Pizza and I ate some of that too, afterwards I got the feeling 'something is stuck in your throat but actually nothing is there- or - I just ate a potato which decided to hold on to my throat fighting not to go down ' which just did not go away and got worse and started hurting.
I am not sure what irritated my throat(while eating pizza I do recall something cracking in my mouth) but I guess from now on I have to be careful about chewing foods thoroughly before inhaling them whole like my irondawg Candy as the chemo meds are supposed to impact my stomach, mouth and digestive track making it vulnerable.
All day long I was only able to eat soft foods and liquids.
Sleep is still not settled I was on an online chatroom until 4 with other bc gals who are sleep challenged as well.
I am not sure what irritated my throat(while eating pizza I do recall something cracking in my mouth) but I guess from now on I have to be careful about chewing foods thoroughly before inhaling them whole like my irondawg Candy as the chemo meds are supposed to impact my stomach, mouth and digestive track making it vulnerable.
All day long I was only able to eat soft foods and liquids.
Sleep is still not settled I was on an online chatroom until 4 with other bc gals who are sleep challenged as well.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
My oncologist is my home boy
Hehe.. thats a pin that one of the patients of my oncologist has -- I was told, found it was pretty accurate since he will be controlling my life at least for the next 4 months.
I went to a chemo training class at the office tuesday evening and gathered some information from the nurse who did the presentation regarding the different oncologists and their treatment styles.
So I am getting to know Dr. Molthrop and his treatment style now.
No vitamins no complimentary medicine.. Actually no medicine other than the chemo unless I really prove that I need it. ( other oncologists prescribe and instruct their patients to take the antinausea medications proactively even if they do not feel nauseaus, I think he is trying to limit the meds given which I can understand.. but in my case they ARE necessary)
His point is simple regarding vitamins/supplements. " Cancer cells are your cells, if you take antioxidants and other boosters they will boost the cancer cells also not only your good/healthy cells, we are trying to kill the c cells with the chemo"
So all I can do is to rest, and eat sensibly not piling on junk calories and maintain my current weight. I am really being thankful that I did all my long distance endurance training, the discipline for it is basically the same.
I went to a chemo training class at the office tuesday evening and gathered some information from the nurse who did the presentation regarding the different oncologists and their treatment styles.
So I am getting to know Dr. Molthrop and his treatment style now.
No vitamins no complimentary medicine.. Actually no medicine other than the chemo unless I really prove that I need it. ( other oncologists prescribe and instruct their patients to take the antinausea medications proactively even if they do not feel nauseaus, I think he is trying to limit the meds given which I can understand.. but in my case they ARE necessary)
His point is simple regarding vitamins/supplements. " Cancer cells are your cells, if you take antioxidants and other boosters they will boost the cancer cells also not only your good/healthy cells, we are trying to kill the c cells with the chemo"
So all I can do is to rest, and eat sensibly not piling on junk calories and maintain my current weight. I am really being thankful that I did all my long distance endurance training, the discipline for it is basically the same.
First spinning class
Tuesday:
I attended the spinning class that I used to instruct and had a great time. Since my heart rate monitor did not come yet I really had to listen to my body to make sure that I kept the effort in zone1 very easy, barely breaking a sweat. I think I did a good job of pacing myself no sprinting, no major hills. It was great to see the group again ! I had to wipe the bike with antibacterial wipe, from now on I will be playing 'Monk' I guess.
I might consider wearing a t-shirt saying :
WARNING -- IMMUNE SYSTEM CHALLENGED PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.
Because one of my dear friends gave me a huuugggeee hug and a very warm kiss.. could not stop her but got pretty scared.
Wednesday :
Walked on the dreadmill for 3 miles at 1% incline at 20 min/mile pace, and interestingly I felt kind of tired this is really weird. It took FOREVER !
The Plastic Surgeon did not inflate me since the necrosis was still not healed, he cut off some parts to help it heal quicker and gave me another appointment for next tuesday, he said that he wanted to make sure that everything was ok before starting expansion and he was not in a hurry. I tend to agree I am not looking forward to the expansion process and going on for Dolly Parton yet. They can only do the inflation the week that I have the chemo ( before chemo) because that would be the time when my immune system will be at its peak during treatment cycles.
The chemo feeling so far has been similar to a major hangover ( if I can recall what a hangover is from decades ago since I have not been wasted since then ) nagging headache (like a dehydration headache- do not want to go into details but I know very well that I am fully hydrated ;o) ), sinus pressure and queasy stomach just feeling BLAH .. altogether.
I have not been getting adequate protein that is essential for my body to rebuild the healthy good cells destroyed by chemo so bought couple of high protein EAS bars. The meal replacement drinks were another option but even thinking of downing one made me gag.. ewww. I hate those. For 5 days after the chemo I have basically been living on soup, feta cheese, tea and toast, with an occasional craving for corn chips. I do not think I had major fatigue, but the nausea sucked on my energy.
Actually the feeling is exactly the same as the feeling that I had after my Ironmans.
I attended the spinning class that I used to instruct and had a great time. Since my heart rate monitor did not come yet I really had to listen to my body to make sure that I kept the effort in zone1 very easy, barely breaking a sweat. I think I did a good job of pacing myself no sprinting, no major hills. It was great to see the group again ! I had to wipe the bike with antibacterial wipe, from now on I will be playing 'Monk' I guess.
I might consider wearing a t-shirt saying :
WARNING -- IMMUNE SYSTEM CHALLENGED PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.
Because one of my dear friends gave me a huuugggeee hug and a very warm kiss.. could not stop her but got pretty scared.
Wednesday :
Walked on the dreadmill for 3 miles at 1% incline at 20 min/mile pace, and interestingly I felt kind of tired this is really weird. It took FOREVER !
The Plastic Surgeon did not inflate me since the necrosis was still not healed, he cut off some parts to help it heal quicker and gave me another appointment for next tuesday, he said that he wanted to make sure that everything was ok before starting expansion and he was not in a hurry. I tend to agree I am not looking forward to the expansion process and going on for Dolly Parton yet. They can only do the inflation the week that I have the chemo ( before chemo) because that would be the time when my immune system will be at its peak during treatment cycles.
The chemo feeling so far has been similar to a major hangover ( if I can recall what a hangover is from decades ago since I have not been wasted since then ) nagging headache (like a dehydration headache- do not want to go into details but I know very well that I am fully hydrated ;o) ), sinus pressure and queasy stomach just feeling BLAH .. altogether.
I have not been getting adequate protein that is essential for my body to rebuild the healthy good cells destroyed by chemo so bought couple of high protein EAS bars. The meal replacement drinks were another option but even thinking of downing one made me gag.. ewww. I hate those. For 5 days after the chemo I have basically been living on soup, feta cheese, tea and toast, with an occasional craving for corn chips. I do not think I had major fatigue, but the nausea sucked on my energy.
Actually the feeling is exactly the same as the feeling that I had after my Ironmans.
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