Out with 2009 and in with 2010

Well, 2009 was both a good and a bad year. Good in that we had a new granddaughter born in November – and she is growing like crazy and smiling and laughing now. She brings a smile to all 5 grandparent’s faces when they see her and hold her. Good in that Brian got work till mid January, 2010 and saved us from the poor-house. Brooke and Ryan both turned 2 this year. Hard to believe!

We had a small and quiet Christmas this year – only 13 and that included 2 kids. My three kids were here as well as some friends we have had before and a new set. Brian’s son, CW and his wife Leina and their two girls, Brooke and Ayla came over in the afternoon to exchange gifts and visit – was great to have the little girls here! And then went to Matt & Britt’s for brunch on Boxing Day and it tasted very yummy indeed – but food made by others usually does! But this really was good!

Bad in the fact that the cancer doesn’t quite know what to do. With each round, the first three treatments go great and often in the CT scan show shrinkage, but for some reason the last three treatments do no fair as well.

I saw Dr. Pansegrau this morning to get my results of the CT scan taken on the 21^st of December. My last chemo was on December 3^rd. Brian actually asked me last night what I felt the outcome would be today – and I hate being right when it comes to my cancer. I said I thought there was some growth in the tumours. He thought maybe they had just stayed as they were. Well, guess we were both right, as there was growth in some tumours – 8mm to 15mm, 5mm to 9mm and I can’t remember the sizes of the others that grew. For the most part, they had just stayed the same. Not really what we wanted but at least they all hadn’t grown. Told Dr. P that I had been very tired of late, not wanting to eat – feel hungry but once I start after three or four mouthfuls I am full. I have been dropping weight and this was noted by him as well – he said I was this weight in July, but I don’t remember looking like I do now back then. I am waiting for a call for an ultrasound of the liver – they want to keep checking on that to make sure the cancer hadn’t spread.

He talked about two different therapies – one hormonal and the other chemotherapy. I mentioned that each time Iam on hormonal, it does not work and he agreed. So, I am now starting the 4^th round of chemo – this one totally different from all of the rest. This one is an oral chemotherapy called Capecitabine, that I take twice daily – albeit each time I take the meds – I take 4 pills – so eight a day. 112 for a week and 224 for two weeks. And then a week off and two on and one off. They only give you one treatment at a time and that is fine by me – the blister packs are huge.

There are some doozy side effects – some of which I have already had and well, the others are brand new. Heart problems is a side effect and with me having the left bundle branch block and a rapid heart rate, will have to watch out for any signs of heart issues – and the nurses and pharmacist have all said, if it is going to happen, it is normally in the first 24 to 72 hours and if it does, call the nursing hot line or get to emergency. Risk of infection of course is always in the background; just have to keep an eye on my temperature which I have been the past few days. Increased risk of bleeding and bruising. I just have to remember, no cutting myself!!! Nausea and vomiting – I have meds for those. Hair loss is very rare – wahooooo – though possibly thinning. Mouth sores are a big time problem, not just. The two worst side effects are hand-foot skin reaction and diarrhea – the later needs no explanation! The skin reaction does not sound at all fun. Your palms of your hands and soles of your feet can tingle, become red, numb, painful or swollen. Skin can become extremely dry, itchy and fall off in patches or come off in sheets – yech! I need to get some good lanolin-containing cream and also some Vitamin B6 (50-150mg) per day. Brian has said not hot tub for me…. Laughing of course! And my hot tubbing could be limited if the skin reacts like they have said – I use if to relieve the pain and soreness of my joints – so rather than being in 15 or 20 minutes, could be 5 to 10 minutes.

I go for lab work on Jan 18 at 2pm and then see Dr. P at 3:40pm, to see how the numbers are and how I am reacting. Ohhh speaking of numbers!!! Neuts are 3.17, Whites are 1.75 and hemoglobin is 114 – which have come down since the last blood work – it was 124 on Dec 3. But all in all, great numbers. I don’t have all the rest of the numbers as the lab was taking so long in getting them to the pharmacy that the pharmacist just told me to go home with the meds and if there was anything strange about them, she would call me. She just called to let me know they had been found!

So that is all for 2009!

To everyone – may you have a Happy and Healthy 2010 and have lots of fun on New Year’s Eve – but do drive safe, want to see you next year!

Cheers

Roni & Brian

Last chemo of round 3 and Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone

Well, had my last chemo of round #3 yesterday. I thought it was chemo #20 but I kind of forgot how to add! It was actually round #24 - no wonder I am tired!!!

Sandy came with me again and as usual, we have a lot of fun! Did the lab work and then headed to Timmy's for a cuppa hot chocolate - and it was yummy! Sat and talked for a while and then headed to her car to get my quilt bag and my box of ornaments for the nurses and went into the cancer clinic! I ran into Whitney in the waiting area, so she got her ornament first! I got Olivia as my nurse, and of course, I have never had her, and didn't have an ornament for her (but will on the 21st). She hooked me up right away and got the premeds into my system and then as soon as that was done (20 minutes) she hooked up the chemo drug. Now during all of this, all the other nurses are coming to get their ornaments and they all loved them. 14 ornaments for 13 nurses and 1 wonderful volunteer. Dr. P's will have to wait till the 21st as he was on holidays! I go in for a CT scan on Dec 21st and then see Dr. P on the 29th. Kinda hard having to wait for the results over Christmas, but what can you do, right! Once we get the results, then shall see what will happen next. I am hoping for a month or two off from the chemo just to give the body a time to recoup. And after the chemo, Sandy and I went for lunch at one of the local pubs by my house and I had the best hamburger....LOL... it just tasted so good and nothing fancy, just a Samz burger!

The holiday season has begun! The house is all decorated for Christmas - Meghan and Patrick helped me get the tree up and decorated on Tuesday. Doesn't look too bad - if I do say so myself! Got my Christmas cards done - to mail them tomorrow! Luncheons and dinners are coming up over the next few weeks. And then Christmas dinner! That will be a lot of fun - with family and friends - the more the merrier!

On the local news last night, there was a feature on a young cancer patient. I had the opportunity to be her room mate when I was in the hospital the first time. She is an amazing 18 year old (almost 19 I believe) and when we were in the hospital together we talked and laughed - took turns seeing what we had as a meal - taking the lid off and giving it a yay or nay. More nays than yays!!! There was an article on her in the Vancouver Sun today and she will be co-hosting on the news on one of the radio stations tonight - I will listen to it! Like me, her cancer has spread into her lungs. I love her attitude - a quote from the paper - "Eventually I will pass away.....but just because I'm sick doesn't mean anything else has to change. I am just a regular person." We have become Facebook friends, so will keep up with her on there, she is a busy young lady!

My son Patrick was accepted into the military and will be joining the Navy. He will do his basic in Quebec (cold) and he should be gone by the end of January. Once his basic is done, takes 4 months I believe, he will be posted in Esquimalt (outside of Victoria) and that made me very happy to hear. He has some of his aunts and uncles in Victoria, so that will be nice for him and for them as well. Gives me an excuse to visit the island a little more!

Well, that is it for now...... have a very Merry Christmas everyone and will have a new blog on the 29th of December!

Love and hugs to all!

Roni

PS - pictures to follow - having problems uploading them to here! May not get pictures here , have been trying to load them since Friday and no luck at all.