Feeling Great!

It has been a while since I updated this, so here is a quick post.

I had my 3rd chemo treatment Wed and things went smoothly, kinda becoming a routine now. I am feeling fine, no nausea. Went to Abby's Field Day today and am finishing up getting things together for my garage sale this weekend.

I have been planning this garage sale for probably a year now. I can't belive how much stuff we have in boxes that we had forgotten about. Baby girl to 4 toddler all going to a new home for someone else to love on.

Good news from my Doctors last week. I was having one of my "Oh, woe is me" days. I told Dr Schmeler at MD Anderson that I wanted to teach my daughter to ski and take her on a cruise on the Big Red Boat and I was worried I was not to going to be around to do either. She told me to go ahead and plan on going skiing next Spring but I should wait until next Summer to take the cruise. And to quit reading the magazines in the waiting room.

Dr Lavalais at the Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Center here in Beaumont told me that my blood tests were looking good. Especially the CA 125, which is a tumor marker. Normal people who do not have cancer will have a test number of about 30. When I started chemo, my number was 365, now it is 81. That means that the cancer cells are not reproducing as rapidly and are not producing the fluid that was causing problems before. Also, my cysts and other stuff (tech term) are shrinking. Mostly it means that I am having a positive response to the chemo therapy.

Other things keeping me busy - Abby's end of the year school programs and rehearsals for her upcoming dance recital. And we are getting a ton of mail. The bills are coming in and I have to be sure that we keep it straight. I am filling out aps for financial assistance and arranging payment plans.

Keeping my calendar is really important now. Drs appts, rehearsal schedule, payment deadlines, playdates and family visits ...

To add to it, there is a condition called "chemo brain" where you tend to lose focus and forget things. Yes, even more than usual!

That's the quickie version. Thanks again to everyone who has been checking in and keeping in touch. Give me a few days after the garage sale and I will try to have more and include some pics.

First Friday in Groves

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again during First Friday in Groves. Be sure to stop by under the blue tent to sample some Spark and find out more about Advocare nutritional products and the financial opportunity.

Advocare helped me get back into shape after my pregnancy and has since kept me and my Family fit and healthy. The additional income that I have earned each month has made it possible for me to be a work from home Mom and enjoy more time with my Family.

My cancer is inherited from my Mom's side of the family. We have cancer back through at least 5 generations of Women. There probably is nothing I could have done to prevent it. But, the excellent nutrition that I get from Advocare supplements has helped keep my body and my immune system strong through this recent health crisis. And the income each month has helped keep our bank account strong, especially during these times of economic uncertainty.

I'm feeling especially good today, and the weather is perfect for some outdoor family fun. So come on out and join us.

First Friday in Groves is three full hours of non-stop family friendly enjoyment. The monthly celebration along Lincoln Avenue offers free entertainment on Friday, May 1, from 6 to 9 pm. Highlights include door prizes in honor of Mother’s Day, a Cake Walk, the Mexican Heritage Folkloric Dancers, and a Community Blood Drive.

There will be door prize drawings throughout the event. Door prizes include gift baskets, gift certificates, plants, and flowers. Entry forms available at participating shops along the avenue. Entrants must be female, 18 years or older, and present at the time of the drawing.

Val Verde will host the Cake Walk and bake sale. Beginning at 6:30 with the first cakewalk at entertainment center.

The Mexican Heritage Folkloric Dancers, group of girls and young women, will begin the Cinco de Mayo celebration by performing several symbolic dances beginning at 7.

The LifeShare bloodmobile will be parked at the intersection of Lincoln and Jefferson from 6:30 – 8:30. Blood donors may credit the community, their church, place of employment, or a family blood plan with their donation.

Healthy donors weighing at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood every eight weeks. Diabetes and hypertension under control will not prevent blood donation. Potential donors must have photo identification and should know what medications they are taking.

First Friday, a merchant sponsored event, is celebrated the first Friday of every month and provides free family entertainment, special sales, food and door prizes. Most stores along Lincoln Avenue will remain open until 9 and The Courtyard Café buffet line is open from 5:30 to 8.

Cutting my hair!

Cutting off my hair!

It wasn't as traumatic as I thought.

Having Brian and Abby cut it, and having cousin Kimmee and Sarah there actually made it fun.

My Second Cycle of Chemotherapy

Dad came in from Dallas last night. Just in case you are looking, we found that the new Ramada Inn at I10 & College is clean, safe, quiet, has a pool, a gym, FREE breakfast & WiFi, and is convenient to our Home and the Hospital, and they gave us a great rate. Oh and here's a bonus, it's right next door to the Harley Davidson store.

He came to spend a few days with us and to sit with me today at the Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Institute while I had my chemotherapy. It was a long day, but I am glad he's here.

I wasn't sure if I would be. I mean, it's not going to be a fun weekend. I'm losing my hair, I've lost alot of weight, we spent all day sitting in a room full off sick people and IV's, and it is possible that I will be throwing up all day Friday. We did get to watch some interesting videos about chemotherapy and cancer. And they fed us lunch.

Abby was in school for most of the day and my dear friend Whitney brought Abby home to play with her son till Brian could pick her up. She also fixed up some homemade chicken soup to send home with Brian.

I'm a little tired.

Dad was OK during the chemo. He got to see why I think that my oncology Nurse, Pam, is just the best. She totally knows what she's doing and explains everything as it is happening and the sticks hardly hurt. (I am fortunate that I have not had to have a medi port, today they just stuck it in the other arm) Since his heart attack and quintuple bypass, rotator cuff surgery, skin cancer and hip replacement, I think Dad has become pretty familiar with hospital stuff. And I think that if you talk about it all in technical terms, it's almost like it's not really happening right there in front of you - or to you.

Dad had his Iphone and a USA Today, I had my cel phone, my calendar & my List and a magazine. We talked in between. Anyone else notice the big elephant in the room? Dad had loaded up some special tunes for me on the Iphone and I listened to ABBA through his very cool Bose headphones.

Dr Lavalais changed my before & after meds to help control my nausea. Last time I didn't get sick until the next day, so she prescribed something that has a longer half life.

Have I mentioned how wonderful the people at the Cancer Institute are? Dr Lavalais is brilliant, and Pam is way more than capable and calm and friendly. Everyone - the RN's, the LVN's, the Aides, the Receptionist even the billing office when they call are very considerate and helpful.

Afterwards, we went to the drug store to pick up my Zofran ODT, picked out a gift for the Birthday party that Abby has been invited to and showed Dad where the Bounce Zone is so that he can take her to the party. Now we're ready for a big high calorie, high protein no sugar added Smoothie King. Then we went home for a rest before Brian's fantastic dinner.

Today was fine afterall, considering. Dad told me not to worry, he came here for just one reason - to give me a big hug and make sure that I am doing OK.

Tomorrow morning I go back to get the infamous $9000 shot! Neulasta helps my bone marrow stimulate white blood cells. Sure, why not? What's another $9000?

Then Abby will get to spend the rest of the day with Granpa.

Integrating Nutritional Supplements into Cancer Treatment Plans

Dr Judith Smith of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the Advocare Sci/Med Board sent me this article that she had written about nutrition. I am going to share it with you here.

Remember that I mentioned that my blood tests were good this week, I just need to be sure to keep eating and get enough good calories everyday.

Well, I'm not a doctor and I cannot make medical claims, but for me personally, this is what I am doing. In addition to Dr Smith's recommendations, I have been trying real hard to stay away from refined white sugar and red meat. Lots of fish, chicken, raw veggies, fruit, good fats and whole grains. I also have been using Rehydrate to keep my electrolytes balanced. I have been thinking that I will try Excel Gel for my electrolytes after this next round of chemo. Keeping fluids down while I was nauseous was a problem this last time, and maybe the gel will be easier. For good easily digestible protein, I drink a Muscle Gain shake for a snack. Sometime I mix a Peaches & Cream Fiber Drink with Vanilla Muscle gain for added calories and to help keep me regular (still not pooping everyday). The branch chain amino acids in Catalyst feed my lean muscle and keep them tight so I don't get flabby. And this week, I have started adding Post Workout Recovery to my shakes because they are higher in good calories.

My Hair Has Started to Fall Out

I was wondering when this would happen.

It's not that bad really, just annoying. I thought it might come out in big chunky patches. But today it's more like you know when you brush your hair for the first time in the morning? Or when you you take your hair down from a ponytail and you just get an extra bunch of hair in your hand?

It's annoying because I was trying to rinse and get out all the loose hair, but it just kept coming.

I was shaving my legs and thought about what other hair I was going to be losing - my eyebrows and eyelashes, legs and underarms, and yes even down there. Losing my eyebrows and eyelashes will be odd, but I sure won't mind not having to shave this summer!

Abby was taking a shower with me. She already knows that I am taking really strong medicne to get rid of the big ball of skin in my tummy. And I have told her that the medicine will make my hair fall out. Really, through this whole orderal, as long as we let her know some of what is going on and don't get too weird and freak out, she just figures it's another event in life.

Abby said it was OK about my hair. It'll grow back and in the meantime, I can borrow her Hannah Montana wig.

Such a Good Day

The weather is fabulous and that certainly helps. I am feeling better than I felt before I started my chemo. I still have to take my painkillers, but the swelling from the excess fluid in my abdomen has gone down, feels like my cyst and enlarged uterus & ovaries are down, I don't have the shortness of breath from having fluid in my lungs, and I'm hungry and eating and have so much more energy.

It has been such a good day that I didn't even mind getting pulled over by the Policeman this morning. It was a goober thing to get pulled over for. He was on a motorcycle and when I turned past him, I could tell he was taking a good long look. I thought maybe it was because I was drinking and driving. I had a Shake and was turning the steering wheel with just one hand. NOOOO, it was my inspection sticker! Hmm so that's 09/08, not 08/09? And of course I had cleaned out my purse so that I could carry Easter eggs this weekend, which means that I had taken out my BIG wallet, the one that has the proof of insurance... At least I wasn't speeding!

Not a problem, it still is a fabulous day!

Continuing on to the Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Institute to get some blood drawn. This is what I now know to be called my "labs". I will be getting them every week while I am having my chemotherapy. It doesn't take long. Parking is easy (it's Beaumont) I check in, they draw 2 vials... "Hello Mrs Burns" "Hi Mrs Burns" "How're you doing today Mrs Burns?" "Right this way Mrs Burns" "Your haircut is really cute Mrs Burns".

I don't want to be part of this club, but they sure are friendly.

"Don't worry this won't a bit" "Make a fist and squeeze".

Quick and easy. Now I need to go get my car inspected. I also need an oil change and a car wash so I can just get it all done in one place. Cross a few more things off my List, pick Abby up from school, have a snack, throw in some laundry, Brian's home.

"How was your day?" "What did you do in school?"

Today was Abby's day for Show & Tell, and the letter of the week is "W". We had gathered up a bunch of things that start with "W" and put them in the big Show & Tell container for her to take this morning. Sometimes you have to be creative - wig, a tiny wagon, a piece of watermelon in a zip loc, wood, wool scarf, t-shirt with a picture of a witch, whale, a picture of a web, wallet, Ariel in a wedding dress, watch, gummy worms, etc.

And, Abby is the leader this week. Which mean that she gets to be in the front of the line and lead the class whenever they go to a new activity.

Time for bed. Flossing, brushing, flouride rinsing, potty, 2 stories, prayers.

This was such a good day!