Good Start to 2010

Hope that everyone had a great Christmas and New Year’s! We had a very quiet New Year’s!!!! We were both in bed by 10:30!! What can I say, we were tired. We did go out for dinner with family - Brian’s nephew is a Dec 31 birthday!

Well, have been on the new drug for two weeks and then one week off. Have had lots of the side effects – nausea, diarrhea, redness and swelling of hands and starting on the feet (at least no skin peeling or coming off!), more headaches and stabbing pain in the head - Dr. P wants to keep a check on this. Some lower back pain, but this could be stress. Been using Badger Balm for my hands - they get extremely dry and painful - and this helps big time - smells good too!

Had my blood work done today – and the one thing with not seeing the chemo nurses, is that I don’t get my exact numbers! But Dr. P said they were in the normal range – my last set were dropping so, will just have to wait and see – I can always get a copy of the report. Gave him my list of aches and pains. I had been wheezing a bit last week – Friday I believe – and had to use the inhaler. He listened to my lungs and said they sounded ok, but would keep an eye on this. He is sending me for a bone scan just to make sure that everything is ok. Also setting up the next CT scan which will be after treatment 3 which will be 6 weeks from now. Weight has gone down again, but he doesn’t seem too concerned (and neither am I!). We discussed the compassionate club and I will have to go online to find out more info – the BCCA does not say yes or no regarding this, but if a patient wishes to try it, the doctors will say yes. Would help the nausea and possibly help with the appetite. And of course, this is not covered by medical – LOL. There is also a pill that has the main ingredient of marijuana and agency will give that to you – to help control nausea and vomiting. So, out of curiosity - what do you think about the use of pot for helping pain, nausea and the like? Or do you think the BCCA's pill would be better?

The abdomen ultrasound was good, no real change. There are still the cysts on the liver and on the kidney – so will probably get another one done around the time of the CT scan.

I asked him how many tumours I actually had. By that point, he didn’t have my file handy – so he couldn’t remember. But he said after 3 or 4 tumours, they really don’t count – they look at the size and density. We just know that there are lots of them in both lungs – more so in the right one as well as having the larger ones. I would just like to see a copy of the ct scan or lung xray just to see - and throw darts at it!

Then had to sit around an additional 30 minutes to get my medication. Why is it in doctor's offices you wait for ever and for perscriptions at the cancer clinic!!! So it was 5 by the time we got out of there – I had been there since 2! But at least I got to visit Samantha, who was in having her chemo today – was a short visit, but that is ok – we talk all the time on Facebook! She is such a remarkable young lady and has gone through so much and is still has a powerhouse of energy!

So that is it for the medical update – there is progression and we will deal with it as it goes along. The cancer just has to remember who it is up against! And I will not back down!

On another note, I know that people are reading the blog, we have a counter – but so few reply. I have heard from people they don’t know what to say. Hell with the cancer – tell me what is going on with you! Some people have clued into this and I think it is great to hear about a baby getting his first tooth or walking, weather where you live (and for some of you it sucks!), what you are doing for holidays. Anything – just say hello.

Same as giving me a phone call. I would love to hear from you – some of you I haven’t heard from in a year – I have had to call you instead. And the same reason comes up – we don’t want to bother you, don’t want to upset you or don’t know what to say - same thing applies. Or come on over for a cuppa tea or a glass of wine – I can still have wine, just drink smaller amounts. You can always find me on Facebook too!

Brian has started a new job which is great – finished his contract on Wednesday last week and started on the Thursday! He and I will not see much of each other during February with the Olympics! He will be busy with his work (Commissionaires) and I will be doing two volunteer events. I will be driving for Molson House/Hockey Canada and being a roving greeter for CHMC Granville Island. Sounds like it will be a lot of fun! Hmmmmm – wonder if I will get to drive around any hockey players!!!!

My kids are all doing great! Shannon is back to work after having a relaxing month off - need to ask her how yesterday was! She works so hard at her job and is passionate about it!Meghan and the kids are doing fine - they are actually on their way over here for a visit. Had to believe Madelynn is 2 and a half months already. Patrick is getting ready to set off to his new adventure. He will be sworn into the Military on the 11th of February and then off to training on the 20th. So, what do you think of that! Or what do you think about my son joining the military - we are all very proud of him.

All for now – next blog will probably be February 5 when I go back to see Dr. P.

Hugz to all

Roni