Well had my robotic assisted davinci hysterectomy, oopherectomy on wednesday and was released home the same day. Besides having some gassiness, everything is fine !
They should have done this last year as I asked them to !@#$!!!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
And the Finish Line
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271 days later I am at the finish line, almost like pregnancy. Here is a picture with one of my September Chemo buddies Paxton, she is from Minnesota and came down to FL to visit her parents.
Interestingly I feel almost as good as I started out this whole ordeal,I do not seem to have that much fatigue ( of course I am not going outand doing 60-70 mile rides and am not running ) but day to day activities with 1+ hour exercises are doable.
My mental state has recovered and I have accepted my favorite motto ' Shit happens' and will try to move on.
A lot of people say that they changed after having the c experience. I am not sure whether I changed but for one thing I will not take my health for granted from now on, or any day that I am feeling good either.
Last day of my radiation I went sculling to watch the sunrise, then headed to my last radiation session, did power yoga at college park yoga, got a manicure pedicure then a facial. Major pamper day !
Now is time to move on, we are planning on moving. Well I can say that my life is never boring !
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Radiation lifestyle
Started the radiation on March 6th I will get 33 sessions 25 to the whole breast, axilla and the back, the last 8 boosts to the tumor site to do a really thorough clean up.
Here is how my daily schedule looked like for a while.
Get up, work for 2 hours, drive 20 miles to the hospital, get zapped, drive 20 miles back. Work .. sometimes take a nap.
I tried to keep up my workout schedule but the driving in the middle of day sapped some energy and time resources even though my mom had been visiting and had relieved me from all housework(shopping! cooking ! tidying) for 3 weeks.
After my 6 weeks post surgery exercise limit was lifted off I changed my radiation session to the mornings and am hoping to go rowing before I get zapped everymorning, since I am already driving all the way up there might as well makethe most of it.
I have been riding thursday evenings with Z and Penny and some of the bobbies in winderemere(27 mile ride) and also try to ride a 30 miler on the weekends. Since my weight is a bit on the heavy side to run, I have been walking ( 163 pounds.. from 146 in August). Started going to weightwatcher meetings that program got me on track always in the past so it should to again now.
No swimming yet since the skin is really sensitive due to radiation I do not want it to blister or act up and have to give a break to radiation.
The sleep problem finally has been resolved by taking Ambien Cr, I hope I am not sleep driving/eating !! It gave me a headache the first day I took it since I had to get up and did not get 8 hours of sleep. But this was the best med so far. Even the nightsweats are not waking me up.
My car is trying to die on me but I am adamant in making it live ! It had poured oil in the driveway changed the gasket cover, changed the spark plugs. Now the gasket chain ?? blew out. I am figuring that if it starts to cost more than 200 usd/month on a regular basis then i am reading to part with it. I can not affort a new one of those and really did not like any of the cars in the market within my price range. If I have to I probably will go with Scion TC. Drove a Scion Xb yesterday, although the boxy look certainly leaves much to be desired the interior was really nice. Road handling and stability though are far off from my dear TG and since they are a high demand car the finance options are not that desirable.
We went to Fort Lauderdale with family and my mom overnight it was really nice, we stayed at the Gallery One Double Tree Guess Suites was perfect with a view of the Marina and the Ocean.
My mom at the terrace:
Here is how my daily schedule looked like for a while.
Get up, work for 2 hours, drive 20 miles to the hospital, get zapped, drive 20 miles back. Work .. sometimes take a nap.
I tried to keep up my workout schedule but the driving in the middle of day sapped some energy and time resources even though my mom had been visiting and had relieved me from all housework(shopping! cooking ! tidying) for 3 weeks.
After my 6 weeks post surgery exercise limit was lifted off I changed my radiation session to the mornings and am hoping to go rowing before I get zapped everymorning, since I am already driving all the way up there might as well makethe most of it.
I have been riding thursday evenings with Z and Penny and some of the bobbies in winderemere(27 mile ride) and also try to ride a 30 miler on the weekends. Since my weight is a bit on the heavy side to run, I have been walking ( 163 pounds.. from 146 in August). Started going to weightwatcher meetings that program got me on track always in the past so it should to again now.
No swimming yet since the skin is really sensitive due to radiation I do not want it to blister or act up and have to give a break to radiation.
The sleep problem finally has been resolved by taking Ambien Cr, I hope I am not sleep driving/eating !! It gave me a headache the first day I took it since I had to get up and did not get 8 hours of sleep. But this was the best med so far. Even the nightsweats are not waking me up.
My car is trying to die on me but I am adamant in making it live ! It had poured oil in the driveway changed the gasket cover, changed the spark plugs. Now the gasket chain ?? blew out. I am figuring that if it starts to cost more than 200 usd/month on a regular basis then i am reading to part with it. I can not affort a new one of those and really did not like any of the cars in the market within my price range. If I have to I probably will go with Scion TC. Drove a Scion Xb yesterday, although the boxy look certainly leaves much to be desired the interior was really nice. Road handling and stability though are far off from my dear TG and since they are a high demand car the finance options are not that desirable.
We went to Fort Lauderdale with family and my mom overnight it was really nice, we stayed at the Gallery One Double Tree Guess Suites was perfect with a view of the Marina and the Ocean.
My mom at the terrace:
Radiation - daily tanning sessions start March 6
Radiation - daily tanning sessions from March 6 to April 21st
( had to repost to delete a spam comment)
The radiation suite is covered with murals of lake views, they are trying to make the place look cute since what happens in there is almost illegal and fatal !! nuking people. Well I look at it as scrubbing with Cholorox.
My radiation oncologist (Dr. S) appointment was on the 4th of March. I started the conversation by saying:
'You did a hell of a job convincing me to do rads despite my oncologists opinion that I might not need to'
He was slightly taken back, but then chuckled and shared some interesting information.
Apparently although I was under the impression that he was trying to blow my Plastic Surgeon Dr. P off about taking my case to the hospitals tumor board he actually did so without giving my name. There were several oncologists and surgeons on the board and given the information about my case all aggreed that radiation was the way to go for me, and that if I was going to get radiation there was no point in overkill by removing the remaining axillary nodes. There is something about this radiation oncologist that I like, and I really trust him in his field.
Secondly another study( which I must have missed somehow ) was published after we last talked which proved the benefit of radiation for people in my condition.
So these facts further sealed the deal about being right about choosing this path.
Dr. S was not against supplements when I asked whether I could take Curcumin which according to some research and actually a trial that was started ( but never completed due to financial reasons.. of course turmeric plants do not have $$$ in banks to sponsor this research !! ) by MD Anderson helps protect skin during radiation and could even enhance the efficacy of the radiation. Interestingly curcumin is also said to be good while taken with Adriomycin, but counteracts with Taxol. These things about supplements are really getting confusing, I am almost getting to the point where my oncologist is where I will not mess with them at all. Dr. S's message wa that he believes that radiation is so powerful that it will zap through anything no matter what I do.. hmm that is good and bad to hear, anyways. Shared my skin protection plan with him which was 2 gr curcumin daily, Pure Aloe gel ( with no alcohol) immediately after each treatment, and Aquaphor at night.
I will be seeing the Radiation Oncologist Dr. S every Monday throughout my treatment they have not done any bloodwork I guess they get it from my Oncologists lab.
In my mapping session(where they take multiple films and determine the position I will be on during every session) I went into treatment room 1 and was taken care by extremely nice radiation technicians and another person who I am suspecting is a supervisor or another rad doctor who was responsible for the mapping of the zap site.
I laid down on a narrow table ( I cannot believe how narrow these scanning, treatment tables are, what happens when a really large person comes it could be hard for them to balance on it I am no twiggie but I am sure there are more impressive butts out there than mine!) there is a round contraption as big as a car/truck tire that is attached to the base that rotates around me. There is a glass window from which the rays are directed for scanning or zapping. In the glass window of that contraption there are multiple leads(which reminded me of hundres of allen wrenches) which open and close, limiting the field of radiation given (OK I am making this up but it certainly looks like the scenario) They make a funny clicking noise as they are aligning between scans/zaps.
They made me lay on an air pillow and raise my right arm above my head to a - as comfortable as one can be when laying beneath a radiation bombardment line - and the air pillow molded to my shape using some kind of vacumming technique, hi Aylin meet your pillow for the next 33 days wonder if they'll let me take it home as a souvenir although I am highly suspecting that I will be more tempted to throw it in a bonfire.
The round contraption zoomed whirred around me technicians going in and out of the sealed room ( there is a curtain that they pass out from but behind the curtain is a lead door - they probably have the curtain so one does not freak out or get claustrophobic of being sealed in a lead room ) they told me that they had a camera in the room and when they go out they see me and can hear me. There were red laser beams aligning the machine with the wall ( I was looking to the left where there was a cross like opening in the wall which matched with the laser that was coming from the machine). I was not allowed to move a muscle or twitch !! for about 50 minutes, I wish I had known this, then I would have worked up to keeping my arm up for that long, it only had been 3 weeks since my exchange surgery and my shoulder mobility was not quite there. They were taking scans marking my chest with sharpies ( my chest looked like an elementary student geometry notebook !) my shoulder started aching, and despite all efforts of trying to relax I started tensing up. they told me to breathe normally so they could do the mapping of the radiation to avoid my heart and lungs but it was really hard to keep a relaxed state while on the verge of having a hissy fit. I almost felt like I was having a panick attack (like I did in my Ironman Swim in Austria last July) hyperventilating, I was sooo close to jumping off that table. If I meet anyone that will be going through radiation my first suggestion would be for them to ask whether it is ok to get something before the session to relax them like Xanax.
It took a lot of willpower to stay in that position for that long my shoulder was aching I was freaking out.. but it was finally over ! And my first treatment was also done at the same time. Usually I hear that they first do the mapping one day, then they do a dry run, then they start treatment, well we got all 3 in 1 ! That must have been because I was freaking out that my radiation should start latest 8 weeks from last chemo which was on March 6th exactly.
The radiation therapists/tech's are really nice with sense of humors I guess you have to be extremely nice to your patients if you are going to see them every single workday for 33 days and nuke them! Almost like working together on a temporary job.
As stated the following sessions were a lot quicker, I would be in and out in about 10 minutes. They did take xrays everyday, I was worried about the increased radiation exposure but my rad oncologist said that all the exposure was accounted for and the total mattered. He said I was getting about 61 greys ?? ( do not know what that means)
I started getting to know the radiation therapists and some patients that come at the same time as I did, everybody is so nice. This place is a lot different than the chemo ward, patients are not as sick, and they are at almost the end of their treatments which is making a huge impact on their morales. The only thing I do not like is being exposed to cookies that are in the waiting room everyday, even if I sit at the other end of the waiting room the vapors of those chocolate chips and vanilla travel across the room directly to my nose. Do not know how much more I can resist without taking a handful. Eating dessert should be fun, and doing something in moderation is NOT fun.. so if I want to have fun with cookies I have to have a lot of them. Warped thinking I know but thats how my brain seems to operate, so I do not take any cookies.
The drive to the hospital is about 20 miles, so I have been taking long lunch breaks from work. It is actually a nice break during the day I like going out listening to good/loud music and driving TG and the traffic is not bad.
The first couple of days I felt a lot of fatigue then figured it was really psychological. About 2 hours after each session I have a feeling similar to that of a 'coming cold/flu' and if I hydrate enough and eat a lot of fruits veggies, basically 'be a good girl' the fatigue goes away in a couple of hours.
My skin is holding up well as of end of the 12th session ( have 21 more to go), and I do not seem to have any nausea either.
In my 3rd day of rads I do not know where that idea came from but I decided that I would try fasting, giving the body a break and a chance to recover on a weekly basis. What a totally stupid thought, I can not believe that I even considered doing it during radiation treatment, I guess all the chemicals got to my brain and are impacting my judgment too. I crashed so badly that day took 2 days to recover from it.
But once the rads are over and my body is recovered from the wars I will do some kind of fasting on a periodic basis cause it certainly makes sense. 2
( had to repost to delete a spam comment)
The radiation suite is covered with murals of lake views, they are trying to make the place look cute since what happens in there is almost illegal and fatal !! nuking people. Well I look at it as scrubbing with Cholorox.
My radiation oncologist (Dr. S) appointment was on the 4th of March. I started the conversation by saying:
'You did a hell of a job convincing me to do rads despite my oncologists opinion that I might not need to'
He was slightly taken back, but then chuckled and shared some interesting information.
Apparently although I was under the impression that he was trying to blow my Plastic Surgeon Dr. P off about taking my case to the hospitals tumor board he actually did so without giving my name. There were several oncologists and surgeons on the board and given the information about my case all aggreed that radiation was the way to go for me, and that if I was going to get radiation there was no point in overkill by removing the remaining axillary nodes. There is something about this radiation oncologist that I like, and I really trust him in his field.
Secondly another study( which I must have missed somehow ) was published after we last talked which proved the benefit of radiation for people in my condition.
So these facts further sealed the deal about being right about choosing this path.
Dr. S was not against supplements when I asked whether I could take Curcumin which according to some research and actually a trial that was started ( but never completed due to financial reasons.. of course turmeric plants do not have $$$ in banks to sponsor this research !! ) by MD Anderson helps protect skin during radiation and could even enhance the efficacy of the radiation. Interestingly curcumin is also said to be good while taken with Adriomycin, but counteracts with Taxol. These things about supplements are really getting confusing, I am almost getting to the point where my oncologist is where I will not mess with them at all. Dr. S's message wa that he believes that radiation is so powerful that it will zap through anything no matter what I do.. hmm that is good and bad to hear, anyways. Shared my skin protection plan with him which was 2 gr curcumin daily, Pure Aloe gel ( with no alcohol) immediately after each treatment, and Aquaphor at night.
I will be seeing the Radiation Oncologist Dr. S every Monday throughout my treatment they have not done any bloodwork I guess they get it from my Oncologists lab.
In my mapping session(where they take multiple films and determine the position I will be on during every session) I went into treatment room 1 and was taken care by extremely nice radiation technicians and another person who I am suspecting is a supervisor or another rad doctor who was responsible for the mapping of the zap site.
I laid down on a narrow table ( I cannot believe how narrow these scanning, treatment tables are, what happens when a really large person comes it could be hard for them to balance on it I am no twiggie but I am sure there are more impressive butts out there than mine!) there is a round contraption as big as a car/truck tire that is attached to the base that rotates around me. There is a glass window from which the rays are directed for scanning or zapping. In the glass window of that contraption there are multiple leads(which reminded me of hundres of allen wrenches) which open and close, limiting the field of radiation given (OK I am making this up but it certainly looks like the scenario) They make a funny clicking noise as they are aligning between scans/zaps.
They made me lay on an air pillow and raise my right arm above my head to a - as comfortable as one can be when laying beneath a radiation bombardment line - and the air pillow molded to my shape using some kind of vacumming technique, hi Aylin meet your pillow for the next 33 days wonder if they'll let me take it home as a souvenir although I am highly suspecting that I will be more tempted to throw it in a bonfire.
The round contraption zoomed whirred around me technicians going in and out of the sealed room ( there is a curtain that they pass out from but behind the curtain is a lead door - they probably have the curtain so one does not freak out or get claustrophobic of being sealed in a lead room ) they told me that they had a camera in the room and when they go out they see me and can hear me. There were red laser beams aligning the machine with the wall ( I was looking to the left where there was a cross like opening in the wall which matched with the laser that was coming from the machine). I was not allowed to move a muscle or twitch !! for about 50 minutes, I wish I had known this, then I would have worked up to keeping my arm up for that long, it only had been 3 weeks since my exchange surgery and my shoulder mobility was not quite there. They were taking scans marking my chest with sharpies ( my chest looked like an elementary student geometry notebook !) my shoulder started aching, and despite all efforts of trying to relax I started tensing up. they told me to breathe normally so they could do the mapping of the radiation to avoid my heart and lungs but it was really hard to keep a relaxed state while on the verge of having a hissy fit. I almost felt like I was having a panick attack (like I did in my Ironman Swim in Austria last July) hyperventilating, I was sooo close to jumping off that table. If I meet anyone that will be going through radiation my first suggestion would be for them to ask whether it is ok to get something before the session to relax them like Xanax.
It took a lot of willpower to stay in that position for that long my shoulder was aching I was freaking out.. but it was finally over ! And my first treatment was also done at the same time. Usually I hear that they first do the mapping one day, then they do a dry run, then they start treatment, well we got all 3 in 1 ! That must have been because I was freaking out that my radiation should start latest 8 weeks from last chemo which was on March 6th exactly.
The radiation therapists/tech's are really nice with sense of humors I guess you have to be extremely nice to your patients if you are going to see them every single workday for 33 days and nuke them! Almost like working together on a temporary job.
As stated the following sessions were a lot quicker, I would be in and out in about 10 minutes. They did take xrays everyday, I was worried about the increased radiation exposure but my rad oncologist said that all the exposure was accounted for and the total mattered. He said I was getting about 61 greys ?? ( do not know what that means)
I started getting to know the radiation therapists and some patients that come at the same time as I did, everybody is so nice. This place is a lot different than the chemo ward, patients are not as sick, and they are at almost the end of their treatments which is making a huge impact on their morales. The only thing I do not like is being exposed to cookies that are in the waiting room everyday, even if I sit at the other end of the waiting room the vapors of those chocolate chips and vanilla travel across the room directly to my nose. Do not know how much more I can resist without taking a handful. Eating dessert should be fun, and doing something in moderation is NOT fun.. so if I want to have fun with cookies I have to have a lot of them. Warped thinking I know but thats how my brain seems to operate, so I do not take any cookies.
The drive to the hospital is about 20 miles, so I have been taking long lunch breaks from work. It is actually a nice break during the day I like going out listening to good/loud music and driving TG and the traffic is not bad.
The first couple of days I felt a lot of fatigue then figured it was really psychological. About 2 hours after each session I have a feeling similar to that of a 'coming cold/flu' and if I hydrate enough and eat a lot of fruits veggies, basically 'be a good girl' the fatigue goes away in a couple of hours.
My skin is holding up well as of end of the 12th session ( have 21 more to go), and I do not seem to have any nausea either.
In my 3rd day of rads I do not know where that idea came from but I decided that I would try fasting, giving the body a break and a chance to recover on a weekly basis. What a totally stupid thought, I can not believe that I even considered doing it during radiation treatment, I guess all the chemicals got to my brain and are impacting my judgment too. I crashed so badly that day took 2 days to recover from it.
But once the rads are over and my body is recovered from the wars I will do some kind of fasting on a periodic basis cause it certainly makes sense. 2
Monday, March 3, 2008
Ongoing Workout Log
Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate reconstruction August 31
Port placement Mid September
Chemotherapy - September 27 2007 - January 11 2008, every other week
Expanders exchange for reconstruction February 14
Radiation start - Thursday March 6 - monday through friday everyday for a total of 33 sessions.
October
10/16 - 1.5 miles walk 27:37 18:20 mn/mile 3.3 mph maxhr/avhr-127/117
..........time in heart rate zone: 13:36
10/17 - 2.25 miles walk 38:26 17 min/mile-3.5 mph maxhr/avhr-138/125
..........time in heart rate zone: 30:26
10/18 - First bike ride after surgery 33 minutes 5-6 miles avhr/maxhr 127/150
10/19 - 3.3 mile walk 56:00 17 min/mile-3.5 mph avhr/maxhr-121/137
..........1.5 hour Kundalini yoga
10/20 -16 miles bike ride on trail avg speed 11 mph avhr 124.
10/22 - 4.5 miles walk/jog 1:13:47 16:10 min/mile avhr/maxhr- 124/154
..........Time in Target Heart Rate zone ( 116-135): 55 minutes
10/23 - Spinning class 43:47 avhr/maxhr - 132/150
..........Time in Target Heart Rate zone ( 116-135):20 minutes
..........1.5 hour Kundalini yoga session
10/25 - chemo
10/26 - 1 mile walk 20 minutes avhr/maxhr - 114 125
..........Kundalini Yoga session.
10/30 - Spinning class 42 minutes avhr/axhr - 132/160
..........Kundalini yoga 1.5 hours
November :
11/2 - 2.8 mile walk 44 min 15:45 min/mile avhr/maxhr- 134/160
..........Kundalini yoga 1.5 hours.
11/3 - Spinning class 40 min avhr/axhr - 142/167
11/4 - 6 mile walk 1:40 mins 16:22 min/mile avhr/maxhr - 129/163
11/5 - 17.2 mile bike ride 11.7mph speed avhr/maxhr-133/147 time in zone 1:00
11/6 - Spinning class 40 minutes avhr/maxhr- 141/169
..........1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
11/7 - 3 mile walk 48:00 mins 16min/mile avhr/maxhr - 134/
11/8 - 1 hour hot power yoga
..........Chemo #4
11/10 - 2.5 hour Kundalini Yoga(mainly meditation and breathing-breath of fire)
11/12 - 3 mile walk
11/13 - 3 mile walk
.........1 hour Kundalini Yoga
11/14 - 17.4 mile bike ride 12mph average 1:27 mins avhr:136 maxhr:151
........time in zone 47 minutes
........1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
11/16 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
11/18 - Horrible Hundred ride- did only 26 miles 2:00 hrs 13 mph average.
........avhr/maxhr - 161/190
11/20 - according to my heart rate monitor did some kind of 44:00 minute cardio, do not recall what !! avhr/maxhr - 146/171 .. looks like spinning.
11/21 - weight training
11/22 - 1 hour indoor cycling/spinning - avhr/maxhr- 150/171
11/23 - weight training
11/24 - 41 mile bike ride with Florida Freewheelers C/D group picnic ride, 14.2 mph, 2:47:00 hrs avhr/maxhr-155/177
11/25 - 6 mile walk/jog shuffle, 1:27:00 hrs avhr/maxhr-160/184-- a bit high have to check whether my red blood cells dropped. 14:30 min/mile. 1.5 minute jog, 1 minute walk. Expanders which are looking like monster boobs might also be compressing my rib cage preventing me from breathing well.( rumor is a gals ribs cracked from the pressure of an expander)
11/26 - Weight training and 10 minute erg - left chest muscle is challenged might need to give a break.
11/28 - 1 mile run 12:40 min/mile. weight lifting
11/29 - 1st Taxol treatment chemo#5/8
December
12/5 - 1 hour lower body weight training, 1/2 mile run. Chest muscle still compromised cannot do any upper body or core.
.......1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
12/6 - 1:08 hr bike ride, 14 mph, avhr/maxhr-158/170 17 miles
12/7 - 1 hour weight training, 1 mile run.
12/8 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
12/9 - 33 mile bike ride, avspd 15mph, avhr/maxhr -
12/10 - 1 hour weight training, lower body, 1.5 mile run
12/11 - Led the 40 minute spinning class(for the first time)avhr/maxhr-163/178
12/12 - 1/2 mile run,1000 meter erg at 2:13 pace. 1 hour weight training ( upper body, the chest muscle did not talk back I was even able to hang )
12/13 - 6/8 Chemo taxol.
.
.
12/23 - 6 mile jog/walk. 1 min run/1+ min walk. 1:30 hours 15 min/mile -
........avhr/maxhr - 158/183.
12/24 - 53 minute spinning class avhr/maxhr - 161/178
12/26 - 51 minute spinning class avhr/maxhr - 154/174 - was able to exert myself really good this time.
12/27 - 43 minute 3 mile jog avhr 166 maxhr 172 14:20 min/mile 2 minute jog at 5 mph 1 min walk at 3 mph.
12/27 - 7/8 Chemo Taxol 1 more to go !
.
.
January
1/2 - 54 minute spinning class avhr/maxhr-151/171 - not able to exert
1/3 - 3 mile jog/walk- 1 min jog at 5mph, then walk until recover(1-2 min)
.......48 minutes 16 min/mile. Avhr/maxhr- 158/174 Treadmill - felt quite wiped out
1/5 - 1:29 hrs easy bike 12 mph 17.3 miles avhr/maxhr -151/171 -- this not sleeping
.......is really getting to me.
1/6 - 7.3 mile walk/jog 16:10 min/mile 1:58 hrs. avhr/maxhr - 151/172
.......Started with 1 min walk 1 minute jog, then the jogs got a lot longer, I am
.......glad that I was able to finish did not feel wiped out, but the knees were
.......a little weak.
1/7 - 45 minute assessment with Personal trainer, going over the machines at the
.......gym.
1/8 - instructed 50 minute spin class avhr/maxhr - 159/180
........1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga Session
1/10 - 1:24 hrs bike ride intervals about 16 miles.. avhr/maxhr - 161/191
1/11 - LAST CHEMO TAXOL yey !!!!
1/12 - 2+ mile walk with Candy- 40 minutes
.......1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
.
.
.
1/16 - 3 mile jog/walk with Candy 41 minutes 13:36 min/mile avhr/maxhr - 163/185
1/17 - 500 yards in the pool(first time in 6 months) my arms are tired.
.......30 minute express weight workout at the gym, 20 minutes elliptical,verytired.
1/20 - 9 mile jog/walk- 2:24 hrs 16 min/mile avhr/maxhr - 156/182
1/21 - 3.5 mile walk with Candy, 1:10 hours
.......1:30 hour bike ride from WaterFront Park at clermont on the trail with
.......rolling hills, about 16 miles. avhr/maxhr - 140/168
1/22 - Lead the 50 minute spinning class, and this time pushed myself.
.......40 minutes power yoga(downward dog pose is not aggreeing with my arm having
.......lymph nodes removed, have to find a pose modification.
1/23 - 40 minute chi kung - AM
.......40 minute light weigths - PM
1/28 - 3 mile jog/walk avhr/maxhr-168/189 -- stressful day reflecting on heart rate
1/29 - Instructed 45 minute spin class avhr/maxhr - 160/180
1/30 - 3 mile jog walk 42:00 min 14 min/mile avhr/maxhr - 153/181
.......30 min light weights pm
1/31 - 2.85 mile jog walk 41:00 min 14:24 min/mile avhr/max-142/185
February :
2/1 - 9.5 mile bike ride 40 minutes avhr/maxhr-?
2/2 - 6 mile - 1 minjog/2 min walk 1:25 hrs 14:10 min/mile avhr/maxhr-153/180
2/3 - 33 mile bike ride moderate effort. 2+ hours
2/5 - lead 50 minute spinning class
2/7 - 3 mile jog/walk on dreadmill 1% incline. 48:30 min/maxhr - 140/169 16 min/mile
2/8 - 40 mile bike ride avspd around 14, planned 53 miles but got fatigued.
2/10- my first 5k race Lady Track Shack, 39:23 min.
2/12 - my first sculling day ! easy rowing around Lake Fairview in about 40 minutes.
.
2/14 Expander exchange surgery ( 2 week minimal activity, 6 weeks no intense workouts allowed)
.
2/23 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
2/25 - .6 mile walk with Candy
2/26 - 50 minute spinning session
2/27 - .6 mile walk with Candy - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
2/29 - .75 mile walk with Candy
March :
3/1 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
3/2 - 2 mile walk with Candy
3/3 - 1.5 mile walk with Candy
3/4 - 40 minute walk with Candy
3/5 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
must have done some daily walks with the pup do not recall.
First radiation session 3/6
3/8 - 42 min spin session -avhr/maxhr -148/170
30 minute swim
3/9 - 28 mile bike 2:12 avhr/maxhr -148/172
3/10 - 3 mile walk with Candy
3/11 - 2 mile walk with Candy
41 min spin class - avhr/maxhr -158/173
3/12 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
3/13 - 1 mile walk with Candy
27 mile bike ride 2:03 - avhr/maxhr - 165/193 ( ????)windermere rolling hills
3/14 - 1 hour hot yoga ( bad idea..!)
3/16 - 30 mile flat ride 2:31 min avhr/maxhr - 155/178
3/18 - Lead the 53 minute spin session avhr/maxhr - 165/182
3/19 - 50 minute walk with Candy
.......1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
3/20 - 27 mile Windermere ride(solo a bit windy) about 2 hours 14.1mph
.......average avhr/maxhr - 160/177
Well I think this workout log served its purpose since I am towards the end of my treatment. I am not keeping a workout log here anymore, cause my workout has stabilized as the following:
Teach spinning class/once a week.
Do 2 outdoor rides about 25-30 miles.
Walk a lot.
Some rowing...
Training plan for the Jacksonville Breast Cancer Half Marathon February 17-not running it but will go to the event.
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
19-Nov-07 chemo break for t-giving before going on to Taxol !
26-Nov-07 Chemo on thurs
03-Dec-07 6
10-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs
17-Dec-07 8
24-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs
31-Dec-07 6
07-Jan-08 LAST CHEMO ON THURSDAY ON THURSDAY JANUARY 10 !!!
14-Jan-08 8
21-Jan-08 10
28-Jan-08 6
04-Feb-08 4
11-Feb-08 Event on Saturday
Port placement Mid September
Chemotherapy - September 27 2007 - January 11 2008, every other week
Expanders exchange for reconstruction February 14
Radiation start - Thursday March 6 - monday through friday everyday for a total of 33 sessions.
October
10/16 - 1.5 miles walk 27:37 18:20 mn/mile 3.3 mph maxhr/avhr-127/117
..........time in heart rate zone: 13:36
10/17 - 2.25 miles walk 38:26 17 min/mile-3.5 mph maxhr/avhr-138/125
..........time in heart rate zone: 30:26
10/18 - First bike ride after surgery 33 minutes 5-6 miles avhr/maxhr 127/150
10/19 - 3.3 mile walk 56:00 17 min/mile-3.5 mph avhr/maxhr-121/137
..........1.5 hour Kundalini yoga
10/20 -16 miles bike ride on trail avg speed 11 mph avhr 124.
10/22 - 4.5 miles walk/jog 1:13:47 16:10 min/mile avhr/maxhr- 124/154
..........Time in Target Heart Rate zone ( 116-135): 55 minutes
10/23 - Spinning class 43:47 avhr/maxhr - 132/150
..........Time in Target Heart Rate zone ( 116-135):20 minutes
..........1.5 hour Kundalini yoga session
10/25 - chemo
10/26 - 1 mile walk 20 minutes avhr/maxhr - 114 125
..........Kundalini Yoga session.
10/30 - Spinning class 42 minutes avhr/axhr - 132/160
..........Kundalini yoga 1.5 hours
November :
11/2 - 2.8 mile walk 44 min 15:45 min/mile avhr/maxhr- 134/160
..........Kundalini yoga 1.5 hours.
11/3 - Spinning class 40 min avhr/axhr - 142/167
11/4 - 6 mile walk 1:40 mins 16:22 min/mile avhr/maxhr - 129/163
11/5 - 17.2 mile bike ride 11.7mph speed avhr/maxhr-133/147 time in zone 1:00
11/6 - Spinning class 40 minutes avhr/maxhr- 141/169
..........1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
11/7 - 3 mile walk 48:00 mins 16min/mile avhr/maxhr - 134/
11/8 - 1 hour hot power yoga
..........Chemo #4
11/10 - 2.5 hour Kundalini Yoga(mainly meditation and breathing-breath of fire)
11/12 - 3 mile walk
11/13 - 3 mile walk
.........1 hour Kundalini Yoga
11/14 - 17.4 mile bike ride 12mph average 1:27 mins avhr:136 maxhr:151
........time in zone 47 minutes
........1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
11/16 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
11/18 - Horrible Hundred ride- did only 26 miles 2:00 hrs 13 mph average.
........avhr/maxhr - 161/190
11/20 - according to my heart rate monitor did some kind of 44:00 minute cardio, do not recall what !! avhr/maxhr - 146/171 .. looks like spinning.
11/21 - weight training
11/22 - 1 hour indoor cycling/spinning - avhr/maxhr- 150/171
11/23 - weight training
11/24 - 41 mile bike ride with Florida Freewheelers C/D group picnic ride, 14.2 mph, 2:47:00 hrs avhr/maxhr-155/177
11/25 - 6 mile walk/jog shuffle, 1:27:00 hrs avhr/maxhr-160/184-- a bit high have to check whether my red blood cells dropped. 14:30 min/mile. 1.5 minute jog, 1 minute walk. Expanders which are looking like monster boobs might also be compressing my rib cage preventing me from breathing well.( rumor is a gals ribs cracked from the pressure of an expander)
11/26 - Weight training and 10 minute erg - left chest muscle is challenged might need to give a break.
11/28 - 1 mile run 12:40 min/mile. weight lifting
11/29 - 1st Taxol treatment chemo#5/8
December
12/5 - 1 hour lower body weight training, 1/2 mile run. Chest muscle still compromised cannot do any upper body or core.
.......1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
12/6 - 1:08 hr bike ride, 14 mph, avhr/maxhr-158/170 17 miles
12/7 - 1 hour weight training, 1 mile run.
12/8 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
12/9 - 33 mile bike ride, avspd 15mph, avhr/maxhr -
12/10 - 1 hour weight training, lower body, 1.5 mile run
12/11 - Led the 40 minute spinning class(for the first time)avhr/maxhr-163/178
12/12 - 1/2 mile run,1000 meter erg at 2:13 pace. 1 hour weight training ( upper body, the chest muscle did not talk back I was even able to hang )
12/13 - 6/8 Chemo taxol.
.
.
12/23 - 6 mile jog/walk. 1 min run/1+ min walk. 1:30 hours 15 min/mile -
........avhr/maxhr - 158/183.
12/24 - 53 minute spinning class avhr/maxhr - 161/178
12/26 - 51 minute spinning class avhr/maxhr - 154/174 - was able to exert myself really good this time.
12/27 - 43 minute 3 mile jog avhr 166 maxhr 172 14:20 min/mile 2 minute jog at 5 mph 1 min walk at 3 mph.
12/27 - 7/8 Chemo Taxol 1 more to go !
.
.
January
1/2 - 54 minute spinning class avhr/maxhr-151/171 - not able to exert
1/3 - 3 mile jog/walk- 1 min jog at 5mph, then walk until recover(1-2 min)
.......48 minutes 16 min/mile. Avhr/maxhr- 158/174 Treadmill - felt quite wiped out
1/5 - 1:29 hrs easy bike 12 mph 17.3 miles avhr/maxhr -151/171 -- this not sleeping
.......is really getting to me.
1/6 - 7.3 mile walk/jog 16:10 min/mile 1:58 hrs. avhr/maxhr - 151/172
.......Started with 1 min walk 1 minute jog, then the jogs got a lot longer, I am
.......glad that I was able to finish did not feel wiped out, but the knees were
.......a little weak.
1/7 - 45 minute assessment with Personal trainer, going over the machines at the
.......gym.
1/8 - instructed 50 minute spin class avhr/maxhr - 159/180
........1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga Session
1/10 - 1:24 hrs bike ride intervals about 16 miles.. avhr/maxhr - 161/191
1/11 - LAST CHEMO TAXOL yey !!!!
1/12 - 2+ mile walk with Candy- 40 minutes
.......1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
.
.
.
1/16 - 3 mile jog/walk with Candy 41 minutes 13:36 min/mile avhr/maxhr - 163/185
1/17 - 500 yards in the pool(first time in 6 months) my arms are tired.
.......30 minute express weight workout at the gym, 20 minutes elliptical,verytired.
1/20 - 9 mile jog/walk- 2:24 hrs 16 min/mile avhr/maxhr - 156/182
1/21 - 3.5 mile walk with Candy, 1:10 hours
.......1:30 hour bike ride from WaterFront Park at clermont on the trail with
.......rolling hills, about 16 miles. avhr/maxhr - 140/168
1/22 - Lead the 50 minute spinning class, and this time pushed myself.
.......40 minutes power yoga(downward dog pose is not aggreeing with my arm having
.......lymph nodes removed, have to find a pose modification.
1/23 - 40 minute chi kung - AM
.......40 minute light weigths - PM
1/28 - 3 mile jog/walk avhr/maxhr-168/189 -- stressful day reflecting on heart rate
1/29 - Instructed 45 minute spin class avhr/maxhr - 160/180
1/30 - 3 mile jog walk 42:00 min 14 min/mile avhr/maxhr - 153/181
.......30 min light weights pm
1/31 - 2.85 mile jog walk 41:00 min 14:24 min/mile avhr/max-142/185
February :
2/1 - 9.5 mile bike ride 40 minutes avhr/maxhr-?
2/2 - 6 mile - 1 minjog/2 min walk 1:25 hrs 14:10 min/mile avhr/maxhr-153/180
2/3 - 33 mile bike ride moderate effort. 2+ hours
2/5 - lead 50 minute spinning class
2/7 - 3 mile jog/walk on dreadmill 1% incline. 48:30 min/maxhr - 140/169 16 min/mile
2/8 - 40 mile bike ride avspd around 14, planned 53 miles but got fatigued.
2/10- my first 5k race Lady Track Shack, 39:23 min.
2/12 - my first sculling day ! easy rowing around Lake Fairview in about 40 minutes.
.
2/14 Expander exchange surgery ( 2 week minimal activity, 6 weeks no intense workouts allowed)
.
2/23 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
2/25 - .6 mile walk with Candy
2/26 - 50 minute spinning session
2/27 - .6 mile walk with Candy - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
2/29 - .75 mile walk with Candy
March :
3/1 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
3/2 - 2 mile walk with Candy
3/3 - 1.5 mile walk with Candy
3/4 - 40 minute walk with Candy
3/5 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
must have done some daily walks with the pup do not recall.
First radiation session 3/6
3/8 - 42 min spin session -avhr/maxhr -148/170
30 minute swim
3/9 - 28 mile bike 2:12 avhr/maxhr -148/172
3/10 - 3 mile walk with Candy
3/11 - 2 mile walk with Candy
41 min spin class - avhr/maxhr -158/173
3/12 - 1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga session
3/13 - 1 mile walk with Candy
27 mile bike ride 2:03 - avhr/maxhr - 165/193 ( ????)windermere rolling hills
3/14 - 1 hour hot yoga ( bad idea..!)
3/16 - 30 mile flat ride 2:31 min avhr/maxhr - 155/178
3/18 - Lead the 53 minute spin session avhr/maxhr - 165/182
3/19 - 50 minute walk with Candy
.......1.5 hour Kundalini Yoga
3/20 - 27 mile Windermere ride(solo a bit windy) about 2 hours 14.1mph
.......average avhr/maxhr - 160/177
Well I think this workout log served its purpose since I am towards the end of my treatment. I am not keeping a workout log here anymore, cause my workout has stabilized as the following:
Teach spinning class/once a week.
Do 2 outdoor rides about 25-30 miles.
Walk a lot.
Some rowing...
Training plan for the Jacksonville Breast Cancer Half Marathon February 17-not running it but will go to the event.
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
19-Nov-07 chemo break for t-giving before going on to Taxol !
26-Nov-07 Chemo on thurs
03-Dec-07 6
10-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs
17-Dec-07 8
24-Dec-07 Chemo on thurs
31-Dec-07 6
07-Jan-08 LAST CHEMO ON THURSDAY ON THURSDAY JANUARY 10 !!!
14-Jan-08 8
21-Jan-08 10
28-Jan-08 6
04-Feb-08 4
11-Feb-08 Event on Saturday
Trying to recap
There is a lot to recap as life is picking up I am having a difficult time keeping up with my blog, which is good I presume.
The Breast Cancer Support Group of my hospital got canceled, I was really looking forward to it. 1 day before the scheduled meeting I received a call from the counselor who heads the support group - aka icequeen ! - saying that since no one rsvp'd they were cancelling the meeting for the month. I thought that was very rude she could have asked whether I still wanted to have a meeting with the counselor even though no one else would be there.. Anyways I did later find the opportunity to give feedback as to her 'not exactly fitting the type ' for heading a breast cancer support group to the other counselor that I really liked at the same institution.
28th of February was our 21st ex-wedding anniversary and we bought ourself a great juicer (Omega 800), I have read a lot of good things about juicing and its benefits. The juicer we got has a ceramic auger that has low rpm 80 so oxidation is minimal while juicing.Eating the veggies is also necessary however there are certain veggies that are easier consumed when blended in with other stuff. So I am focusing on cruciforous vegetables,(broccoli, cauliflower) beets, ginger root, kale - I figured that if I top anything with a couple of carrots the taste becomes OK.. (nothing exciting) These juices also keep me very full which is interesting because they do not have any bulk to them. I add a drizzle of olive oil so that it will stay longer in my system and the nutrients get absorbed.
Ferit also surprised me and made a reservation at Jeffrey's restaurant so we got to eat my favorite dish there the sea bass.
I seem to have acquired a taste of 'beach'ing. Unfortunately when radiation starts I will not be allowed to have that much sun exposure so depo'ed some sunlight, sand the last couple of weekends at Cocoa Beach.
Started the Kundalini Yoga sessions again.
The hot flashes at nights ( night sweats ) are becoming unbearable, the chillow, the ice water that I drink at night do not seem to help. I am being sleep deprived again, have to address this somehow I might even agree to take Effexor which is basically an antidepressant but is stated to tame the night sweats. It is kind of stupid to take an antidepressant without being depressed but pretty soon if I do not catch my zzz ! I will be a basketcase.
My work performance is fluctuating wildly, one moment I am all ramped up and excited the next moment I could care less. I am hoping that this will settle in time.
My second tumor markers were a lot better within normal range although I really would like them to be 0 ! I do not want to have a tumor marker number. Lets see how it goes next time.
The Breast Cancer Support Group of my hospital got canceled, I was really looking forward to it. 1 day before the scheduled meeting I received a call from the counselor who heads the support group - aka icequeen ! - saying that since no one rsvp'd they were cancelling the meeting for the month. I thought that was very rude she could have asked whether I still wanted to have a meeting with the counselor even though no one else would be there.. Anyways I did later find the opportunity to give feedback as to her 'not exactly fitting the type ' for heading a breast cancer support group to the other counselor that I really liked at the same institution.
28th of February was our 21st ex-wedding anniversary and we bought ourself a great juicer (Omega 800), I have read a lot of good things about juicing and its benefits. The juicer we got has a ceramic auger that has low rpm 80 so oxidation is minimal while juicing.Eating the veggies is also necessary however there are certain veggies that are easier consumed when blended in with other stuff. So I am focusing on cruciforous vegetables,(broccoli, cauliflower) beets, ginger root, kale - I figured that if I top anything with a couple of carrots the taste becomes OK.. (nothing exciting) These juices also keep me very full which is interesting because they do not have any bulk to them. I add a drizzle of olive oil so that it will stay longer in my system and the nutrients get absorbed.
Ferit also surprised me and made a reservation at Jeffrey's restaurant so we got to eat my favorite dish there the sea bass.
I seem to have acquired a taste of 'beach'ing. Unfortunately when radiation starts I will not be allowed to have that much sun exposure so depo'ed some sunlight, sand the last couple of weekends at Cocoa Beach.
Started the Kundalini Yoga sessions again.
The hot flashes at nights ( night sweats ) are becoming unbearable, the chillow, the ice water that I drink at night do not seem to help. I am being sleep deprived again, have to address this somehow I might even agree to take Effexor which is basically an antidepressant but is stated to tame the night sweats. It is kind of stupid to take an antidepressant without being depressed but pretty soon if I do not catch my zzz ! I will be a basketcase.
My work performance is fluctuating wildly, one moment I am all ramped up and excited the next moment I could care less. I am hoping that this will settle in time.
My second tumor markers were a lot better within normal range although I really would like them to be 0 ! I do not want to have a tumor marker number. Lets see how it goes next time.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Beach day
Sunday morning we went to the golf driving range where I videotaped Ferit who is trying to improve his swing. Then I sat on a benchand read a magazine enjoying the quiet/busy atmosphere of the golf course, it somehow reminded me of a ski resort, don't know why.
All week I had an intense desire to go to the beach, checked the weather report and headed off to Cocoa beach with Ferit,Elif and Gina(Elif's friend) after dropping my car to the service. Not my favorite one but the closest that would let me breathe sea and feel sand.
Turned out to be a perfect day and for the first time I went commando, it was just too hot and I did not have a solution for swimming. Implemented my 'whatever' motto.
The water was a bit refreshing but felt perfect.
All week I had an intense desire to go to the beach, checked the weather report and headed off to Cocoa beach with Ferit,Elif and Gina(Elif's friend) after dropping my car to the service. Not my favorite one but the closest that would let me breathe sea and feel sand.
Turned out to be a perfect day and for the first time I went commando, it was just too hot and I did not have a solution for swimming. Implemented my 'whatever' motto.
The water was a bit refreshing but felt perfect.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
First of : hair(fuzz) trim, PS visit, Oncologist visit
The Plastic surgeon visit was as I expected, the band that was there with the expander was still there with the implant pushing it up making that side tight/uncomfortable and uneven. He said that he did not see anything when he went in for the exchange and he would do a corrective action (that needed to be done to complete the reconstruction) 5-6 weeks after radiation.
Overall the reconstruction turned out ok(I will give it a 6 out of 10 in its current state and if the band is fixed later might bump the grade up to maybe a 7+ not more) My Plastic surgeon did not use the brand that I heard that was really good (Mentor) but used another one. Still can not complain that much, I just am not as comfortable as I thought I would be.
After looking in the mirror and getting annoyed with the baby fuzz(I have heard some bc gals actually savoring the little duck hair but I certainly am not one of them) asked Ferit to buzz it off, not a complete shave, but as much needed to get rid of the baby feather and leave hair stubs. It certainly looks a lot better/healthier.
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The oncologist said 'hmmm what are you doing here I was expecting you after radiation ?' They took blood (ouch since I had my port out they had to do it the regular way) and sent me off asking me to come back in 12 weeks. When I asked whether any scans will be performed to monitor, he said if he wanted he could do a 'panic' scan, but from what I am reading there is actually not that much point in doing any blood/scan monitoring unless there are physical symptoms. They needlessly panic the patient because they could give signs that are totally unrelated to the bc. My tumor markers have been going all around the place which I was told was normal when one is going through chemo and were not necessarily an indication of anything going wrong.
.
Another lesson for me to let go I guess.
My attitude going forwards will be 'Whatever' and move on.
.
He also shot down any hopes of natural remedies for the hot flashes that wake me up every night 5-6 times.
.
I know that if I go on Effexor an antidepressant that would take care of the hotflashes but I do not want to take medication, will try to see whether I can somehow manage through them.
.
Focusing at work is getting to be challenging, interesting because I thought that as I neared the end of treatment I would feel more comfortable relaxed, not being monitored carefully is making me feel like walking on a tight rope with no safety net
urghh...
.
Friday night went out to celebrate N's birthday and went to Luma on the Park, had a great time, although it is getting challenging to find clothes that I can squeeze myself into something has to be done re: this weight gain. And wearing a wig is getting really old, can't wait till I have a boy cut lenght hair.
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Saturday went to the Kundalini Yoga that I have not attended for awhile, it was a perfect day. The studio is overlooking a garden with large trees, it was raining outside.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I am looking into supplementing my treatment with Dr. Richard Schulze's system, but it seems a bit intense might tone it down a bit and implement some parts if I can.
There is also Johanna Budwig's flaxseed oil and cottage cheese regimen which I am debating on, as flaxseed supplements are a controvertial topic for hormone positive bc's. Found a reputable research that was stating that flaxseed indeed resulted in tumor shrinking, but the study was done with about 40 gals I think.
.
As our wedding anniversary present we ordered ourself a Juicer (omega 8005) will also change my nutrition to include those regimens.
Overall the reconstruction turned out ok(I will give it a 6 out of 10 in its current state and if the band is fixed later might bump the grade up to maybe a 7+ not more) My Plastic surgeon did not use the brand that I heard that was really good (Mentor) but used another one. Still can not complain that much, I just am not as comfortable as I thought I would be.
After looking in the mirror and getting annoyed with the baby fuzz(I have heard some bc gals actually savoring the little duck hair but I certainly am not one of them) asked Ferit to buzz it off, not a complete shave, but as much needed to get rid of the baby feather and leave hair stubs. It certainly looks a lot better/healthier.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The oncologist said 'hmmm what are you doing here I was expecting you after radiation ?' They took blood (ouch since I had my port out they had to do it the regular way) and sent me off asking me to come back in 12 weeks. When I asked whether any scans will be performed to monitor, he said if he wanted he could do a 'panic' scan, but from what I am reading there is actually not that much point in doing any blood/scan monitoring unless there are physical symptoms. They needlessly panic the patient because they could give signs that are totally unrelated to the bc. My tumor markers have been going all around the place which I was told was normal when one is going through chemo and were not necessarily an indication of anything going wrong.
.
Another lesson for me to let go I guess.
My attitude going forwards will be 'Whatever' and move on.
.
He also shot down any hopes of natural remedies for the hot flashes that wake me up every night 5-6 times.
.
I know that if I go on Effexor an antidepressant that would take care of the hotflashes but I do not want to take medication, will try to see whether I can somehow manage through them.
.
Focusing at work is getting to be challenging, interesting because I thought that as I neared the end of treatment I would feel more comfortable relaxed, not being monitored carefully is making me feel like walking on a tight rope with no safety net
urghh...
.
Friday night went out to celebrate N's birthday and went to Luma on the Park, had a great time, although it is getting challenging to find clothes that I can squeeze myself into something has to be done re: this weight gain. And wearing a wig is getting really old, can't wait till I have a boy cut lenght hair.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday went to the Kundalini Yoga that I have not attended for awhile, it was a perfect day. The studio is overlooking a garden with large trees, it was raining outside.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I am looking into supplementing my treatment with Dr. Richard Schulze's system, but it seems a bit intense might tone it down a bit and implement some parts if I can.
There is also Johanna Budwig's flaxseed oil and cottage cheese regimen which I am debating on, as flaxseed supplements are a controvertial topic for hormone positive bc's. Found a reputable research that was stating that flaxseed indeed resulted in tumor shrinking, but the study was done with about 40 gals I think.
.
As our wedding anniversary present we ordered ourself a Juicer (omega 8005) will also change my nutrition to include those regimens.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Can I color my hair ehem fuzz yet ?
It has been about 5 weeks since my last chemo and the fuzz is growing pretty fast but it is almost all white. The wig/bandanna look is getting kind of old and the weather is warming up, so I thought that if I colored my fuzz maybe I might be able to go commando ?? Ferit as usual very politely said ' I do not think so' but I decided to try it out and applied mascara to one half of my head.. urghh.. as always he was right, I do look like I have mange not enough follicles yet. Gotta double up the Nioxin Follicle booster.
Elif said that I looked like her favorite black and white cookies that we buy from Too Jays, in any case seems like I will be fancying head covers for a little bit more.
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Elif said that I looked like her favorite black and white cookies that we buy from Too Jays, in any case seems like I will be fancying head covers for a little bit more.
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