WHAT THE YUCK?!
WHAT THE YUCK!?
Written about 3/10/10
I's a little harder to write these right now since I am feeling pretty "yucky" (i.e. nauseated) a lot of the time. We have decided that it is mainly due to the radiation - which ends today!!! - but the high-powered meds are probably partly to blame too, so I am trying to cut back on them to more over-the-counter painkillers like Ibuprofen instead of the Oxycontin's. That seems to be working; now I'll have to see if my taste buds get a little back to "normal," whatever that is. The one thing I seem to have a taste for is hummus. Wegmans (our local super-supermarket) makes their own and I think it's really good so we stopped for some last week. I'm also drinking a lot of San Peligrino fizzy water - in fact, TONS of it. I'm surprised I haven't explode! Other than that I'm pretty sure I am losing weight. I have a badly calibrated bathroom scale but I know when it says 117 I am actually about 122; right now it is registering about 10 lbs. less than that but, believe me, this is not how I prefer to lose weight! It's hard on me and it's equally hard on Bob, in fact all of this is. As Michael says, "I hate to think of you in pain, or with nausea," and I can see Bob just totally frustrated by not being able to do anything to help me.
So where do we go from here - post radiation? The plan now is to meet with Dr. Peroutka (Oncologist) this Friday and to discuss my options... continue with the chemo I started with or change to a different one, or ?? I have an appointment next Tuesday with another breast cancer specialist in Philadelphia for a second opinion. I would like to know what he says before we decide anything definite. So stay tuned.
Continuation - AFTER THE MEETING WITH DR. PEROUTKA...
Several things to report...#1 - Spoke to my dear Step Daughter-in-Law, Theo, at great length today about my meds, nausea, suggestions for eating, etc., etc. Both Theo and her brother, Mike P., are nurses; Mike still practices and has been at it a long time so he knows the meds generally in use now. Keep in mind that they live in the Portland, Oregon area so their cancer centers there are a bit different than here - probably more progressive, which is a good thing. Anyhow, I am truly grateful for their input.
#2 - Now, the consult with Dr. P.: As some of you know (and others don't), Dr. P. said that my nausea symptoms could be being caused by the cancer in my liver AND she confirmed that she thinks the "spots" on my lung probably are cancerous as well. That is bummer news, as you may imagine. However, I did ask her about a drug that Theo said is in wide use in the Portland area (Dexamethadone) for nausea and she did prescribe that as a "booster" along with the Compesine which I have been taking. Voila! Today I ate my first sandwich (altho only 1/2 but I did eat it!) and Jenn Halpin (Dickinson College Organic Garden Guru and Pres. of our Farmers Mkt.) stopped by with a pint of LEO'S Ice Cream!! What a treat that was :>) We chatted for awhile, particularly about her Mother's Breast Cancer, now past the 5 yr. cancer-free mark, I think. What she said that interested me was that while her Mother was going through treatment her Oncologist worked in conjunction with a local MD/Naturepath (don't know where she lives...) which she felt was very helpful to her. The important message here is that there is an increasing acceptance of such dual treatment, but I have not heard of that in this area. I want to look into that a bit. I did make an appt. with a local acupuncturist who I have heard good things about and am looking forward to working with her (Nancy Ksinski, Boiling Springs).
As far as resumption of my chemo is concerned, Dr. P. wants to wait about 10 days so that I am beyond the effects of my radiation, which would mean I would start around the end of March. I am glad to have that time off to recuperate and get myself back somewhat to normal. That brings you up-to-date with the latest news in this journey of mine. I am including a couple of pictures to brighten a rainy day.
P.S. Cut it out, Sunny - no sniffling allowed!!! Love and huge thanks to all who have fed us, helped us (me in particular), sent cards, letters, lent their support in any way. You are a God-send :>)
My Screensaver - Lerici, Italy We spent two absolutely amazing vacations with our friends, Tom & Ky Colestock, one in Provence, the other in Tuscany and the Cinque Terre. This picture is from our little yard overlooking the the Bay beyond the little town of Lerici. You should have seen it as the sun set and the lights began to come on in all the little villages! Priceless
Herbal Tea & Biscotti thanks to Jean!!
A Very Rainy Day

