Friday, April 11, 2014

Updating you #Cancer journey

Poor Prometheus. I'm starting to know how he felt...

But I'm starting at the end. For those of you who have been following along, I had a liver biopsy a few weeks ago. You can follow that link if you want to refresh your memory. Anyway, the following Tuesday (April 1) I went in for my second chemotherapy treatment and learned that yes, there is cancer in my liver, too. And I'm anemic. I'm taking daily iron supplements, I eat lots of broccoli, and I'm still anemic. So, they added two new drugs to my treatment - one was just an iron supplement, but the other was specifically for the liver cancer. It apparently constricts the blood vessels, which will hopefully starve the tumors. Of course that means I'm ending up with a lot of headaches. The doctor recommends caffeine, since I can't have anything with aspirin or ibuprofen in it. Apparently the caffeine will dilate the blood vessels again and help stop the headache.

Anyway, this last chemo treatment was tough. Once again my hands started to cramp, and then my feet started to cramp. It was so bad, and it lasted three days this time. It was late on Friday before I could walk with any sort of a normal gait. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning I could only walk very slowly, taking very small steps, and sort of waddling. Which was actually kind of funny to see, I imagine... But hey, my legs HURT, and so did my arms.

My next chemo treatment is coming up on Tuesday, which is tax day. That seems strangely ominous, doesn't it? I have my nice, warm Huf socks that someone was kind enough to buy for me from my wishlist (they came without any paperwork, so I have no idea who sent them), and some nice fingerless gloves to keep my hands warm and still let me use my computer if I wish, plus my healing blanket sent by Schledia Benefield from Mississippi and my plush Cthulhu (which another kind person sent to me), so I'm all set to keep warm, since the weather is supposed to cool off dramatically that day. And also my doctor said that the chemo treatment itself might make me feel cold, which increases the likelihood of more cramps.

I continue to receive so much support and encouragement from folks on-line, and I really appreciate it. I appreciate those who have sent me things off my wishlist, and I appreciate those who are thinking of me, praying for me, and/or sending me healing energy and positive vibes. I do want to mention that a number of items show as purchased on my wishlist but have not arrived. I try to thank people publicly when I receive a gift, so if you sent something and haven't heard from me, please check on the status of your order.

I generally update much more regularly on Facebook, but I'm still very far behind on posts there. So, if you want to keep better track of me, friend me on Facebook!

20 comments:

  1. You are a star trooper Katy! I think about your demise often and when I do, I try and send you strong healing thoughts. I have too much experience with loved ones who have done battle with this monster and I know that positivity is a fierce contender! Keep your boxing gloves on!

    Sending you healing thoughts xo
    Debby Gies

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    1. Thanks. I completely agree. Staying positive will definitely make a difference, and having the support and encouragement of my friends helps even more.

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  2. Hi, Katy.

    I had cancer in 2002 and the combined process of daily chemotherapy and radiation for two months was tough; but are chemo nurses angels or are they not? :)

    My thoughts and prayers are with you daily; I wanted you to know that.

    Hang in there----with your strength of attitude, you will kick this in the patootie!

    All the best,

    Rob

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    1. Oh my goodness! Well, originally they were going to use radiation on me, with oral chemotherapy, and that would have been a daily thing, but the radiation oncologist said that things were too advanced to putz around with radiation. Apparently the cancer is throwing out little tumors that attach to the abdominal wall or wherever and start growing... kind of like a spider plant. That means stronger chemotherapy, but only ever other week, Which makes things much easier on my husband with his work schedule.

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  3. Your positive attitude will take you a long way. Keep us posted. We ARE with you.

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne. I have the strength to remain positive due to people like you.

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  4. Katy, you are awesome. You've helped so many people and we're all behind you. Hang in there, girl!

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    1. Thanks, Lacey. You have no idea how much I appreciate the support and encouragement I've been receiving.

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  5. Don't you worry about having to be polite. All anyone cares about is you getting well, completely and soon. Keep your mind and strength focused on that, and know there are people out here who care deeply and are pulling for you always.
    Much love.

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    1. Thanks, Glenn. As to where your comment went, I have the comments set to moderate to keep spam off the blog. And I was taking a nap, so it took me awhile to approve the comments.

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  6. Katy, I hope you don't mind that I call you my friend, seems like I have been seeing your post and #1 them for so long, so we are friends. You are one tough cookie and I am proud of you, keep the faith and fight the fight. I pray for you every night as many others do. God be with my friend. Jack Jenkins

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    1. Thank you, Jack. You are a true Christian and someone I am happy to call friend.

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  7. You are in our hearts and prayers, Katy. Thank you for posting your progress; they're inspirational. Peace, Seeley

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    1. Thanks, Seeley. I figured maybe I could use my blog to sort of keep track of what's going on.

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  8. I hope the next lot of chemo goes well. I sent you a food supplement from the early list I think so I hope it got there. Ammy has asked me for feedback.

    Thinking of you and putting positive stuff your way.

    Cheers

    MTM

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    1. The multi-vitamin Alive? I've received 4 or 5 bottles of them and a couple did not have names attached, so I probably received it. I have the same number of bottles as are showing sent on the wishlist, anyway :-) What I'm concerned about are the two cases of Lemon Ginger Echinacea juice that have not turned up, despite at least one of them being ordered almost a month ago by my calculations. It was an expensive gift and I want to be sure whomever sent it isn't ripped off.

      I so appreciate your support!

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  9. Katy, I've been following your progress and thinking about you. Sadie the Sadist would like to offer you homemade chicken soup, but she's deranged--don't open any packages from her!

    Seriously ... I'm sending healing thoughts and prayers.

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    1. Thanks so much; and thanks for the tip! I'll watch for that...

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  10. You amaze and humble me, Katy. I wish I had half your strength.

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    1. Oh pish tosh. You didn't see the steady stream of waterworks that first couple of weeks... Or the constant whining when the chemo makes me feel bad... I tell ya, I'm a complete whiny butt. And I'm so fortunate to have friends like you to support me, 'cause there ain't no way I could do it alone.

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My apologies for the moderation, but I am spending almost an hour a day deleting spam messages. I will approve all comments as quickly as possible.