February 28th, 2015 Update

Like the light that shines on this tiny flower, my light shines through to you that stop by here to visit!

Words Escape Me!

I guess I am having one of those moments. I wrote a really cool saying on the photo above, and somehow it is not there! Where did it go? I could have sworn that I did something! I have no idea where it went! They call this chemo brain! I re-wrote another saying on this photo, but it was not the one that I originally wrote, which still escapes me!

The second try at this!

Well, on Wednesday I went in for the 3rd of 12 treatments on the “Maintenance plan.” We divulged to the Dr. that I do indeed have neuropathy as the neurologist diagnosed. He passed it off as if he knew it all along! I opted not to have the port put in, and the Dr. agreed with me, stating it was a convenience only to the nurses and he was glad I did not do it!

It only took two sticks to get the gizmo into a vein…thank God! All went OK. And, I emerged loopy, and ready to go home to crash!

Here today, the last day of February, I feel that I have lost more feeling in my hands. I ended up with a cold too. I am feeling a bit better today, but still wheeze a bit on the intake of breath. I am also really tired…

Heading to bed! May you all be well and take care!

Hugs–
Jane

February 18th, 2015 Update

Plum blossom

Happy Wednesday to you all! I am a bit late in this post, but thought that I would wait until after seeing the neurologist to do this post.

Well, I was right! I do have neuropathy in my hands! Not only that, I have carpel tunnels syndrome too! Heavy sigh…The good news is that I am not at a point for surgery on my wrists! For right now I just need to wear wrist braces.

Of to the local Rite Aid, and I find that they do have the wrist braces. Most of them in size small, and most for the left hand only! Questioning someone there, they told me that there was an order for the right hands coming in tomorrow! Figures! So, I bought the only large lefty they had and will have to return another day for one for the right!

I return to the oncologist next week. Four days…four Dr.’s appointments!

Until next week, hugs and be well!
Jane

February 11th 2015 – Purity

Beauty

For this week, just some cool quotes!

“What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.” — Henri Matisse

“I’ve never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can… But I still believe in peace, love and understanding.” — John Lennon

“Purity is not imposed upon us as though it were a kind of punishment, it is one of those mysterious but obvious conditions of that supernatural knowledge of ourselves in the Divine, which we speak of as faith. Impurity does not destroy this knowledge, it slays our need for it.” — Georges Bernanos

Have an amazing week! Hugs and be well!
Jane

February 5th, 2015 – A Rosy Day!

Rosy day!

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” — Alphonse Karr

Just a quiet week. I see my regular Dr. tomorrow. No changes to report regarding the hands and feet…

Hugs!
Jane

January 26th, 2015 – A Beautiful Day!

Beautiful Sunrise

I woke up this morning, put on a pot of coffee, and when it was ready, I headed outdoors to greet the day. I was met with this lovely sunrise! Seeing such beauty at the beginning of my day, I just know that today will be a good day!

The health update: I have been taking the medication to help with the depression and the neuropathy now for almost 2 weeks now. I must say that it is helping with the depression, but not helping with the neuropathy or the shaking hands.

I met a friend for lunch this last week and while trying to eat salsa on chips, I was spilling everywhere. The shaking is getting worse. I do see the neurologist on the 17th of February. Hopefully, we can figure out what the issue is.

May you have an amazing week! Hugs and be well!
Jane

January 19th, 2015 – Finding Inspiration!

Finding inspiration

Well, hello there! I am sorry that I have not posted sooner and within the week as promised. It has been rather hectic with construction here on the house, Dr.’s appointments, and being involved in the community. I have also been painting individual boards of the wainscoting that we will be putting on the wall in our new room.

So, what’s new?

I went to see my primary care person. When I described to her the issues with the oncology clinic and my Dr. there, she laughed. Her father-in-law is having treatment at a major facility and research center, one that I considered transferring to, and he is having the same issues! What the heck?

She also laughed when I told her what my oncology Dr. said about the issue with my hands and feet being all in my head. She replied that our minds are our bodies! So, yes, it is in my head but also in my body!

She has been receiving updates from the oncology Dr. and told us that she too thought originally I would have only 3 treatments. And, she told us she was surprised there was no road map. She also thought he should have told me about the inductive phase through the maintenance phase and was this meant.

She prescribed a drug for me that might help with the neuropathy in my hands and feet. It is a drug that will take time to work, if it does, and it will also help me with depression as it effects the serotonin levels in the brain.

Other than this, nothing else to report!

This week’s challenge for you is to look inside yourself so that you can discover your source of inspiration.

Hugs and be well!
Jane

January 8th, 2015 – The Daily Affirmation

Spread the love

I truly enjoy walking through my garden, watching the bees drift from flower to flower. How about you?

I have decided to make a change to this blog. Rather than write daily, which I have been having a hard time keeping up with, I will post once a week.

January 3rd, 2015 – The Daily Affirmation

Dream

We are all dreamers. We dream of love, success and good health. If we are patient, we persevere, and give our strength to our dreams we can make them become a reality. It takes determination. It takes dedication. It takes effort.

What do you dream of for 2015? My dream for 2015 is to redeem my health.

Hugs and be well!
Jane

Day to Day – January 2nd, 2015

Good morning to you! I have not posted in a bit and I wanted to write an update.

I saw the Dr. back on the 23rd of December, and got the answers to questions that I had. We questioned him regarding the chest and pelvic CT scan he wanted done. He told us he did not order this for me! What do you make of that? If you remember, I got a phone call from his assistant telling me that he ordered this for me.

The Dr. was very abrupt on this visit. He still is of the belief that the neuropathy in my hands is not a result of the treatments I have been receiving. He told me that he thinks I am suffering from anxiety. Who would not be with the big C in their life? He thinks anxiety is the cause of the neuropathy in my hands, the rash I have on my scalp, the depression, the diarrhea and the nausea. I looked up the drug to see the side effects which include numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips. As I sit here writing this I am experiencing this in both hands and feet.

My infusion was scheduled for the 30th, and on the 29th I received a phone call at 5:00 from the clinic asking me what they were doing with me the following day as they had no order from the Dr. What???? Why should I be telling them what they are doing for me?

On the 30th, it took 5 sticks to get into a vein, and the nurses suggested putting in a port, which is a device surgically inserted under the skin. This device is fed into a vein, and for treatments they use the center of this device to administer the drugs. It looks like this:

Port

The aftereffects of the treatment I had on Tuesday, these over the last few days, have been bouts of diarrhea, stomach cramps and headache. Yesterday I took Imodium, Pepto Bismol, and Advil. I have also had increased tingling in my hands and feet. Instead of this being just in the tips of my fingers, I now have this throughout my hands and feet.

I see my primary care person on the 13th for a referral to a neurologist. I will speak to her about the ongoing depression, and some of these other physical issues…

Hugs and be well!
Jane

December 27th – The Daily Affirmation

Home

Pliny the elder said, “Home is where the heart is.” And isn’t that the truth? I find comfort here. I find joy here with my husband and pets. It is my special place for healing!

Hugs and be well!
Jane