Well, I've moved up to the #4 position!
I forgot one important part of my invitation to join me in Nashville....the link! DOH!
So, here it is!!!
PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE FIGHT AGAINST PANCREATIC CANCER!!!!
Love y'all! I love you more! Infinity! No take backs! <3
http://purplestride.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1070525&lis=0&kntae1070525=F388CDA14462466FBD80AF3586FD3C66
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
PurpleStride-Nashville...JOIN ME! :)
Woo hoo! I'm in the top 5 for fundraising for Purplestride-Nashville! And if you know me, I'm super competitive! I need your help! Actually, everyone I've met on this journey battling the evil witch we call, pancreatic cancer, needs YOUR help! I'd love for my friends in Kentucky & Tennessee to walk with me! Actually, I would love to see all my friends & family & work family from all over the country to come to the Music City on October 12th to a) give me a hug b) walk with me to raise funds for research in pancreatic cancer & c) CELEBRATE LIFE!!!! As Charlie Daniels says, "Ain't it great to be alive and in Tennessee?" That will be me with YOU on October 12th!
The Vols are off that weekend, so no excuse for the Volunteer Nation! If you can't walk, how about a small donation, please? Pancan is an organization my Oncologist believes in. It's an organization I believe in and it is an organization that makes a difference in every pancreatic cancer patient's life and their family.
Thanks you!
Love y'all!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
11 down, 7 to go
Well, the good news is: I've completed 11 gemcitabine infusions and only have 7 to go!
The not so good news is: yesterday was the worst infusion day to date. MUCH worse than last week. I'm not sure if it was anxiety or what, but prior to getting my labs, I was overcome with nausea and vomiting. First time ever for that to happen PRIOR to my infusion. It continued through the day. I still went through with my infusion, with a little prophylactic help of Tylenol and IV administration of Zofran and Ativan, plus extra fluids. Geez, it was a hard day and today, more of the same with the Gemzar headache.
TBtoG for my amazing Oncologist who checks on me. I was under the assumption that chemo gets easier as time moves forward. Unfortunately, that is not the case. He let me know that it will get harder.
Some additional news from yesterday is that, along with my rare hair loss with gemcitabine, I seem to have a knack for the rare side effects with this drug. From my blood work; and remember, everything relies on it, I now have "thrombocytosis". You ask, "What is thrombocytosis?" Well, it is where you have too many platelets and it can cause a little problem called a clot. Yea, kind of a big deal. I'm not going to lie to you. It freaks me out completely to worry about a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. NOT the way I want to go! So, I am Ms. Compliant with my aspirin therapy and super vigilant for any hint of a symptom pointing to a clot.
Still waiting on my genetic tests. So, I'll fill you in on that and we'll also have a little education on the CA19-9 and it's utilization as a diagnostic tool in pancreatic cancer.
Time for bed, as this Princess slept like the Princess and the Pea, last night!
Sweet dreams... <3
The not so good news is: yesterday was the worst infusion day to date. MUCH worse than last week. I'm not sure if it was anxiety or what, but prior to getting my labs, I was overcome with nausea and vomiting. First time ever for that to happen PRIOR to my infusion. It continued through the day. I still went through with my infusion, with a little prophylactic help of Tylenol and IV administration of Zofran and Ativan, plus extra fluids. Geez, it was a hard day and today, more of the same with the Gemzar headache.
TBtoG for my amazing Oncologist who checks on me. I was under the assumption that chemo gets easier as time moves forward. Unfortunately, that is not the case. He let me know that it will get harder.
Some additional news from yesterday is that, along with my rare hair loss with gemcitabine, I seem to have a knack for the rare side effects with this drug. From my blood work; and remember, everything relies on it, I now have "thrombocytosis". You ask, "What is thrombocytosis?" Well, it is where you have too many platelets and it can cause a little problem called a clot. Yea, kind of a big deal. I'm not going to lie to you. It freaks me out completely to worry about a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. NOT the way I want to go! So, I am Ms. Compliant with my aspirin therapy and super vigilant for any hint of a symptom pointing to a clot.
Still waiting on my genetic tests. So, I'll fill you in on that and we'll also have a little education on the CA19-9 and it's utilization as a diagnostic tool in pancreatic cancer.
Time for bed, as this Princess slept like the Princess and the Pea, last night!
Sweet dreams... <3
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Wiped out
Well, here I sit at the family farm.
That's as far as I made it yesterday. I had to pick up my pups before I go home & I'm wiped out from this chemo session.
My awesome Oncologist said I could have a CT scan, if I like. Since my CA19-9 was down to 15 in May, I'm opting to wait for another 6-8 weeks. That's when I have another CA19-9. I thought it will be closer to 6 months post diagnosis/whipple & that was the original plan.
My bloodwork, at least my white blood cells looked good, but my red blood cells are struggling. Hence the reason for my exhaustion. Platelets are going a little off, too. Chemo is interesting. That's all I can say. It's interesting how everyone reacts so differently to chemo....genetics.
At least it's a beautiful day in Kentucky! Some vitamin D is in order! :)
Much love y'all!
That's as far as I made it yesterday. I had to pick up my pups before I go home & I'm wiped out from this chemo session.
My awesome Oncologist said I could have a CT scan, if I like. Since my CA19-9 was down to 15 in May, I'm opting to wait for another 6-8 weeks. That's when I have another CA19-9. I thought it will be closer to 6 months post diagnosis/whipple & that was the original plan.
My bloodwork, at least my white blood cells looked good, but my red blood cells are struggling. Hence the reason for my exhaustion. Platelets are going a little off, too. Chemo is interesting. That's all I can say. It's interesting how everyone reacts so differently to chemo....genetics.
At least it's a beautiful day in Kentucky! Some vitamin D is in order! :)
Much love y'all!
Life with "this" diagnosis
Well, sorry I haven't been on in a bit, but life gets in the way...or should I say, life with a cancer diagnosis gets in the way.
This was my second month of a "normal" break in my cycle of chemotherapy. I keep hoping I'm going to get my energy level back and sadly, I don't. Which leads me to the real topic of the day: depression+no energy=no bueno!
I'm quite the Polly Anna, most of the time, but what I've learned from my uber fabulous Gastro & Oncologist, depression is very much a part of pancreatic cancer. Even more so than other cancers. It's part of the pathophysiology, but unknown as to why. There are studies on this & of course, I plan to do a little pubmed research this week. :)
All I know is that I live and breathe (a good thing with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer) by my bloodwork. The biggest challenge I seem to be having now, is my energy, which of course is tied to red blood cells. To add to this, for today's fun-filled adventure in chemotherapy, my platelets are starting to be off. Although not low, but high which I am told is related to being anemic and on chemotherapy. Still need to verify that with my Oncologist. Who, by the way, one an award last week! Back to my blood. I attempted to ride my bike this past weekend. I've been doing some walking trying to build up some stamina, but hadn't been on my bike. Well, I tried and "kicked ass" for about a mile...lol! Huge accomplishment! Then I had a little "episode" while talking with my neighbor. I thought I was hypoglycemic because my vision was going, but apparently I was having a little problem because of my anemia. I checked my bloodsugar and it was actually, 129. My hemoglobin is low, duh...chemo & I learned, I really can't exercise much. Bummer! I was so wanting to ride my bike everyday! I have to remember, baby steps. Bummer=depressed :(
I'm still hoping to go back to work, soon! I was hoping for the first of July, but I have to get my bloodwork & energy levels consistent before I could travel for my job like I need to. Plus, my Oncologist is like the great and powerful Oz! He makes most of my major decisions now, or it just seems that way. Like IF I can travel and WHEN I can return to work. Again, Bummer! I'm not used to letting someone else make my decisions for me, but I kind of have to have him in charge since he's kind of a big deal & an expert on pancreatic adenocarcinoma & he's trying to keep me alive for many years.
So, BUMMER is my word for the day...and yet, I understand that for a pancreatic cancer patient, I'm doing really well and grateful to be alive 4 months post diagnosis.
Yes, it's been 4 months now! Sadly, about 80% of people like me have metastatic disease and are told they only have about 90 days to live. So, I realize how blessed I am...but I'm still fighting the most lethal cancer on the planet and my odds of being here in 5 years are about 10-20%...
So, I'll end on a Positive Pancreatic Cancer Princess note:
I'll beat you, you witch! You may knock my energy levels down, but I'll find a way to bounce back.
I am NOT the kind of girl to lie down and give up. There's a solution and a silver lining...TO EVERYTHING in life.
Much love & TBtoG...We have been given another day!
This was my second month of a "normal" break in my cycle of chemotherapy. I keep hoping I'm going to get my energy level back and sadly, I don't. Which leads me to the real topic of the day: depression+no energy=no bueno!
I'm quite the Polly Anna, most of the time, but what I've learned from my uber fabulous Gastro & Oncologist, depression is very much a part of pancreatic cancer. Even more so than other cancers. It's part of the pathophysiology, but unknown as to why. There are studies on this & of course, I plan to do a little pubmed research this week. :)
All I know is that I live and breathe (a good thing with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer) by my bloodwork. The biggest challenge I seem to be having now, is my energy, which of course is tied to red blood cells. To add to this, for today's fun-filled adventure in chemotherapy, my platelets are starting to be off. Although not low, but high which I am told is related to being anemic and on chemotherapy. Still need to verify that with my Oncologist. Who, by the way, one an award last week! Back to my blood. I attempted to ride my bike this past weekend. I've been doing some walking trying to build up some stamina, but hadn't been on my bike. Well, I tried and "kicked ass" for about a mile...lol! Huge accomplishment! Then I had a little "episode" while talking with my neighbor. I thought I was hypoglycemic because my vision was going, but apparently I was having a little problem because of my anemia. I checked my bloodsugar and it was actually, 129. My hemoglobin is low, duh...chemo & I learned, I really can't exercise much. Bummer! I was so wanting to ride my bike everyday! I have to remember, baby steps. Bummer=depressed :(
I'm still hoping to go back to work, soon! I was hoping for the first of July, but I have to get my bloodwork & energy levels consistent before I could travel for my job like I need to. Plus, my Oncologist is like the great and powerful Oz! He makes most of my major decisions now, or it just seems that way. Like IF I can travel and WHEN I can return to work. Again, Bummer! I'm not used to letting someone else make my decisions for me, but I kind of have to have him in charge since he's kind of a big deal & an expert on pancreatic adenocarcinoma & he's trying to keep me alive for many years.
So, BUMMER is my word for the day...and yet, I understand that for a pancreatic cancer patient, I'm doing really well and grateful to be alive 4 months post diagnosis.
Yes, it's been 4 months now! Sadly, about 80% of people like me have metastatic disease and are told they only have about 90 days to live. So, I realize how blessed I am...but I'm still fighting the most lethal cancer on the planet and my odds of being here in 5 years are about 10-20%...
So, I'll end on a Positive Pancreatic Cancer Princess note:
I'll beat you, you witch! You may knock my energy levels down, but I'll find a way to bounce back.
I am NOT the kind of girl to lie down and give up. There's a solution and a silver lining...TO EVERYTHING in life.
Much love & TBtoG...We have been given another day!
Monday, June 3, 2013
ACTION NEEDED...PLEASE!!!!
**ATTENTION EASTERN KENTUCKY/CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5 FRIENDS***IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, PLEASE PASS THIS ON!!
And everyone else......PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!
Don't forget! PLEASE, contact your Congressmen/women
Pancreatic cancer CAN NOT afford to have funding cuts to research.
It is the only major cancer killer that survivability statistics HAVE NOT changed in over 40 years! It's on the rise. Please help me in stopping this cancer from knocking on YOUR family's door.
Thank you!
Love y'all!
http://www.pancan.org/email/gaa/3WC/3week_challenge_2013_week1.html
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