Health Update: December 16, 2011

It has been almost two months since I updated my blog.  Sad to say, I have been rather lax in updating my health blog for several reasons, which I will not mention.  Most of it was just avoiding it or just not feeling up to writing it for one reason or another. I have thought about it, I just did not quite get around to it.  I do apologize for that part.

Anyway, it is almost Christmas, can you believe it! Another year is almost over, and where did it go?  On November 30^th, I had my last chemotherapy treatment.  It went fast! It seems like I had just found out about it all (cancer, surgery, chemo, etc.) and WOW; it is over.  Well, the surgery and chemo part are over, however; the recuperating time is still yet to come. I have had a few rough patches these past several weeks (more than a few if I am honest), mostly of the tired and depressed kind.  It appears that this time of year only makes that part of my life and recovery even harder to deal with...  I was thinking earlier that if I had to name the top five things of chemo that bothered me the most. Well, I decided that number one is the being tired part all the time (which really, really sucks), depression (truly a downer, no pun intended) comes in a close second, and then third is the nausea (admit it, which is never good), next is that no ambition which occurs on most days, and then there is the lack of a life or so it seems to me.  I am not whining, just getting it all straight in my head and this post. 

On the good side, I feel very lucky to have my family and friends around me, especially around this time of year.  We all need family and friends to keep us on the right track and to remind us that we are special in many ways.  I would truly be lost without them, especially my family.

I go to the doctor for a check-up next week, so I am hoping that all is well with my recovery from surgery, blood counts, etc.  I will try to inform you sooner than this last time -- that is my plan anyway.  Happy Holidays and have a wonderful Happy New Year!

All for now, so remember to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LEARN, AND LISTEN!!!!

  

Connie

Health Update: November 1, 2011

WOW, can you believe that it is November already! We had our first snow last week!  It did not last long, but it was very pretty while it lasted. Anyway, It is time for my next chemotherapy session this week.  This will be my fifth one, which means, only one more to go.  So far, I have been lucky with side effects (or lack of them at times), so I am hoping it will last throughout the next month or so.  I know that it will take some time to get over all the chemotherapy and drugs that they are pushing on me to get well, but that is only a part of my recovery. The other part of my recovery happens in my head (mind), heart and soul.  Cancer is such a scary disease, and I know each day, just how lucky I am to have such great doctors, family, and friends.  I see so many who are not so lucky and I wish I could pass on to them my belief, my ability to stay strong and my willingness to go with the flow and laugh whenever and wherever I can… even when, it hurts!

When I first started with this cancer in June, just before my surgery, I was afraid, scared beyond understanding as to why this was happening to me again.  I admit to having a “pity me” party of two, but then it dawned on me, “Hey, wake up girl! Not all is lost!”  Anyway, I wondered what I did to deserve this again, but then, I realized that having cancer is not “the end” of my life; it is the beginning of me being a better, stronger, and more-positive person.  To be honest, I needed a boot (virtual or otherwise) in the behind, I was feeling left behind by life.  Oh, I was lucky in many ways, but I did not realize just how much.  Now, I do know! I guess this time it was cancer that had to supply the “kick” in my ass, but did not really “kick my ass”, if you know what I mean.

On the good side, I got my new glasses today.  I need some time to get used to them, still cannot wear them at the computer, but I am hoping that will change in time.  After all, I just got them an hour ago!  Wish me luck!

All for now, so remember to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LEARN, AND LISTEN!!!!

Connie

Health Update: October 14, 2011

I had my 4^th chemotherapy session yesterday.  It went well except for one little mix-up when the nurse forgot to turn the IV on for my last part of the treatment—one of the main parts, I might add.  I had to have the needle reinserted into my Mediport again.  Oh, what fun!  Overall, it went quickly.  I definitely like having my appointment early in the morning at 8 o’clock.  It seems to go faster and there is more of the day to do things like have lunch and relax.  I also try to catch up on things like homework, laundry and such when I get home, just in case; I do not feel that great in the days to come.  I seem to be wired for the next day or so with all the medications and chemo demons running around in my body, with lots of energy and a huge lack of the ability to sleep.  Then, a few days later, all I want to do is sleep! 

Everyone is so nice in the chemo unit, and they make you feel important and special.  Each patient has their own little area, which can be curtained off for privacy, but most of the patients do not close the curtains.  The patients have massage and heat in there reclining chairs, which feels great.  You also have a television, earphones, and access to the Internet and power sources if needed for recharging, etc.  You can even get blankets and pillows if you want or need them.  I would love to have one of those chairs at home!

I have two more sessions to go; I cannot believe that I am this far all ready.  This all started the end of May (although, I started feeling sick in January), and it will soon be over – almost.  By the end of November or the beginning of December, I should have my last chemo session over.  Of course, it will take some time to get over it all and get it out of my system, but that is normal.  I have been told that takes at least 6 months to a year or more.  Therefore, I am still looking at some further recovery time and being off work (which truthfully is not big deal), but I am going to school which helps me keep busy. 

I am staying positive and doing my best to keep busy.  All for now, so remember to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LEARN, AND LISTEN!!!!

Connie

EDU-652 -- October 6, 2011

This week, we are learning about JING.COM and  blogs.  I have had my blog since February for another class.  So, I have been keeping it up about every two weeks or so on both the educational and medical (health) sides of my life.  I enjoy writing, so this is just another way of expressing myself.  

I also used JING for the first time this week.  JING is a computer software program used to capture pictures, screenshots, etc.  JING can be used for business and personal reasons.  (Dang, I don't know why but I kept on trying to put JINX instead of JING!! Where is my mind? My chemo brain is alive and working well!)  :+_)  I hope I got them all spelled the right way!

The picture I captured for JING can be found at: 

http://www.screencast.com/users/geminiladyinred2011/folders/Default/media/701494a9-84f0-4e98-965b-0962165f8e2a

Keep writing!  Connie

PS -- The question was:  What is my favorite Chinese food?  This picture was in my local newspaper a month or so ago. 

Health Update: September 24, 2011-- Saturday

Well, this week I had my third chemo treatment.  I admit to feeling a bit more than a little “icky” and such yesterday and today.  It is usual though, along with the hot flashes from the steroids and the woman thing making me feel like the ‘wicked’ witch melted into a puddle at the end of the movie, “The Wizard of Oz." For the most part, I am doing fine.  I am hanging in there and keeping my sense of humor.  I am reminding myself that I am halfway there already, just three more treatments to go!

 

For instance, a few other things that I have realized about being bald with no hair due to chemo:    

(1) No hair anywhere, so NO need to shave, although the hair on my head is looking a bit like a porcupine now—guess, I do need a shave,  

(2) Smooth skin, again NO hair,

(3) Did I mention no need to shave anything, (Ah, I am beginning to see a pattern here, aren’t you?). 

(4) Then, there is the constant ringing in my ears, another effect of the chemo I am told.  Although, I have had that for quite some time, I wonder what that means! 

(5) I am cold; I am hot!  I am chilled; I am sweaty!  I am lightheaded; I am not! I am tired and exhausted; I am energized like the bunny!  Talk about not being able to make up my mind – and I say -- welcome to my world!

 

No, I am not complaining, just being truthful and I hope a bit funny too. I am also bordering on the TMI (too much information) area of my life, but that happens when you are alone a lot and dealing with certain things in life.   Furthermore, anyone who truly knows me already knows that I am the type of person that shares a great deal of her life with those around her, even the private things! 

    

Funny stuff aside, I am doing all right, and I am so very glad to say that I am half-way done with chemo.  I hope the last three treatments go as well as the first three have done so far!  In that case, I will have it made as they say.  I can then, start learning to live ‘after’ chemo, growing my hair back (maybe I will be a blonde-haired woman with straight hair this time or a curly-topped redhead again), and going back to work at the place everyone loves!  In addition, I will be getting on with life ONCE AGAIN as a cancer survivor. I will always be a survivor. I am just getting better at it each day!

  

Remember to live, do not simply exist!

Learn something new each day!

Listen, especially to the silent things people do not or cannot say!

Laugh until you cry, and most of all,

Love for all -- it is worth!

CONNIE*

HEALTH UPDATE: Friday, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

I had to delay my chemotherapy session this week due to a head cold and not feeling that great.  Although the past few days have been filled with quite a few naps, I am doing fine now.  I am still a bit stuffed up and due to some odd light-headed feeling in my head; I have decided that it was a good idea not to drive at all this week.  Truth be told, it could be an allergy at this point.  Just in case, I was living –not driving in this case-in a “precautionary” mode this week.  The good thing is that there was NO fever involved, so that is what makes me think that it could simply be an allergy rather than a cold.  Anyway, just in case, I had to go for blood tests on Wednesday to make sure that nothing else was wrong.  Thankfully, my blood tests all came back great; my counts (white, etc.) are good so far.  So next week, my third chemotherapy session is scheduled for Wednesday.  I am almost at the half-way point with my chemo all ready, my how time does fly!

I am slowly getting used to having no hair.  Last week, I put all my shampoos, conditioners and hair contraptions (blow dryer, straightener, brushes, etc.) away until I need them again.  I also got a few more hats in different colors, which I will admit to wearing – not only -- because of having no hair, but also because I like the way that they look on me.  Oh well, that may be just in my mind, but it is my choice to wear them at this point.  When I am finished with the hats, etc., I may keep a few, but for the most part; I will have them properly cleaned and donate them to the cancer center near where I live. 

On another note, I took a few weeks off from class again, but will begin again next week with one called “Instructional Design and Delivery”.  I am not sure what it involves yet, but I will find out very shortly.  I know that it has something to do with a slide presentation for the first week, so that will be lots of fun.  I have done several of those productions before and I have enjoyed them immensely.  So, wish me luck! On that note, I shall close for this time by wishing you all well in all aspects of your life!

Remember to live, do not simply exist!

Learn something new each day!

Listen, especially to the silent things people do not or cannot say!

Laugh until you cry, and most of all,

Love for all it is worth!

CONNIE*

Health Update: September 3, 2011, Saturday

Health Update:   September 3, 2011

This past week or so has flown by with little to no side effects after my second chemo treatment.  I am so glad that was what happened for this go around the chemo-mobile.  I did feel a bit ill today when I first woke up along with being light-headed and a bit nauseous.  However, after a long nap, I felt much better.  Napping is another one of my hobbies these days, along with reading and just trying to stay busy.  

I am slowly getting used to the idea of having NO hair, but I am still rather shy about going outside without a hat or something on my head.  I am slowly figuring out a few more interesting things about having no hair.  It is interesting and quite funny at times -- some of the things a person thinks about -- when going through something like chemo and being bald for the first time in their life.  Some of those ideas, I will not share with you.  I will just let you think of them on your own since they can be a bit TMI for this type of blog. :+_)

I have been out a few times in several of the cute hats (one at a time, of course) that I got from TLC Direct.  I ordered a few other colors; I am going to be quite the fashion icon (or fashionista, a term that Damien Spinelli uses for one of the female characters on GH) in the coming months.  I will donate them to the cancer center here in town when I am finished with them.  I have never been much of a hat person in recent years, but I am finding that I like to wear them.  It is a change in my appearance -- along with the having no hair deal --that is a positive inspiration and reinforcement for my ego and attitude. 

Yesterday, I did a computer search for cancer chat rooms.  I am not sure where the idea came from, it just popped into my mind as so many other things do these days. I found several sites, joined one, and talked for a bit in one of them.  I found so many people going through much worse than I am and to be truthful, I got a bit depressed and very concerned in regards to their situations. Honestly speaking, I had to leave the room because I was getting too emotional about what I was hearing in the room.  It made me realize just how lucky I am and that what I am going through is a “precautionary” chemotherapy and many of theirs is for life- sustaining measures.  Everyone in there was so helpful and even upbeat with advice for others and even some joking involved.  I think that is what is most important in all this, being upbeat, positive and even joking and laughing as much as you can.  After all, isn’t laughter the best medicine?

Remember to live, do not simply exist!

Learn something new each day!

Listen, especially to the silent things people do not or cannot say!

Laugh until you cry, and most of all,

Love for all it is worth!

CONNIE*