Radiologist Report for the 26th of Nov

Had to see my radiologist on Tuesday.  He gave me some really good news.  My tumor is now 80% gone. I have another round of Chemo all next week, along with the radiology treatments.  Not sure how all this will go, but am hoping for a good week, just the same.  One more month to go.


I was able to host Thanksgiving Day.  Good news was, I really didn't have to cook much...just engineer it.  I got really tired by the end of the day.  Guess I overdid it, as I always do.  Will do near nothing the next few days...  Don't want to go backwards, now. 


My house quests came and we  had an awesome time, and left early this morning to go back to CA... So sad...

Start of Thanksgiving Week

Today is day 11 of feeling pretty good. I'd get really excited, but I would start coughing, I will just enjoy the moment.  I am walking more and doing a little more real cooking.  Sleeping better, now up to six hrs at night. Still tightness in the chest, but not bad. This week is just Radiation-'til Thursday. Next week is Chemo and Radiation.  My clinic has worked hard to give me the necessary time slots I need for my nephew to take me to and from appts-nearly every day.


 Couple of friends brought us a Papa Murphy pizza the other day...Never had one before.  I really do not eat a lot of pizza, but found my one piece to taste pretty good...they also brought us a couple of pieces of pie and a salad.  Neighbors and friends have been doing this off and on for the past couple of months.  We have been so grateful.  My kiddo has knocked herself out, trying to keep up with the necessary needs.  With family coming for Thanksgiving, means trying to get only the bare necessities done at warp speed...Okay, maybe turtle speed... It will be good to have us all back together.


Pain is still under control, pretty good.  Some foods still tastes pretty, strange--beef taste really bad.  I have not been able to drink coffee for some time...So, whole Milk (by order of the Dr.), certain orange juices, V8, and water are still my best bets for fluids.


I try to keep walking around the house as much as I can.  Can't go out much...air quality makes me cough...fireplaces burning trash and BBQ's fired up, are not my friend--that includes windy days.  Never dreamed I would be so house bound.

Finding ways to breath

Through out this event, I have had to find ways to keep breathing.  Seems my throat was always trying to close.  It is a terrifying feeling to  know that one could actually die of choking.  Key has been drinking huge amounts of water.  I sip just plain water, every time I cough. In the beginning, there was so much cough, that my diaphragm and ribs hurt. I do not like pain killers, so tried not take anything for it.  Dr. finally said I didn't have to be brave...use whatever is offered or I an find that will help.  I have been using Tylenol and that take the edge off the pain. 


From the first hospitalization, I felt as though I was made of rubber.  Lot of wobbling and going from wall to wall, down my hallway. 2nd time around I hit the deck and had to go back to hospital via ambulance.  I was in total distress.  I had lost so much body weight that the Hospital was shocked at the amount of body mass loss.  I was suddenly faced with being an invalid.  I could not stand or walk.


I would create a new way for me to get around... Tried a little walker, the one with two wheels.  It didn't work too well.  My mom had left her Hugo walker and I chose it.  It was high enough for me to get off and on...but still couldn't walk.  My kidneys and liver were in jeopardy.  I had to get myself back together.  I am the matriarch of this family...a mover and a shaker. 


I had to build my couch up by putting 4" memory foam across it--it works.  place another 4" memory foam on the futon I use for a bed--that works.  placed potties over the toilet in my front bathroom and one next to my bed--setting them at the highest level.....hey, they work. 


Purchased a wedge and it kind of helped, if I settled in a special way. Still had to deal with the noise and scariesness of it. 


Everyday was another choice of ways to keep living. I went into a spasm and made my way to the kitchen to bend at the waist and lay on the counter top.  I stopped coughing; stood up and started again.  but it would continue to work for what I needed.


In the middle of all this, I got pneumonia and was back in the hospital...for the 3rd time. 


I am a firm believer that if I can get a good nights sleep, I can beat anything.  That was my goal.  Finally got there a week ago, and the coughing is on day six of being gone.  I still feel a little tight...  my lung is starting take on air where it collapsed and where the tumor live.  That is good news for me.  The tumor has gone to half the size when I was diagnosed. 


Still doing radiation and /chemo for another 6 weeks. Another Chemo coming up 1 Dec.  I have no idea how all this will affect me this go around.  And still one more after the 1st of January.  No one told me I was toxic for the whole week of chemo...until a blood draw from my Power Port... 


 BTW, I survived 2 breast cancers in 2009. First treatment was just starting with radiation when the second breast cancer struck me....huge and twice as mean.  Boom, 2009 became of the year of breast cancer. I was finished with treatment in January 2010.

The Hospital Chemo

Interesting Chemo.  8 hrs at 9 p.m......one bag for water retention, only--Lasik... The rest was for the cancer. Oxygen... numerous rx's. Can you imagine trying to get to a potty with hook-ups.  Next evening same time, much shorter Chemo, no water pill bag. Third night same time, same amount of time as evening two.  Every four hrs, breathing treatment... and so it went.  Food was not what I usually ate... but, finally came a talk with Nutritionist; we were able to resolve it, somewhat. 


All through this time, I was having a really tough time breathing and eating.  Finally, it was time to go home-nearly two weeks. My legs got more and more wobbly. 

TMI for my own good...

Because of in-law family members and Viet Nam- Agent Orange, I was and have been fully aware of oat cell or small cell cancer.  As one can imagine, I was shocked when I received a phone call telling me I needed some further x-rays...and, that my sodium level was low.   Had not felt well, but, thought it was just the COPD acting us, when I went to Dr... I told him what I had... he was stunned.  I was admitted to hospital same day.  From no tumor to 6.1 centimeter hmmmm.  The next two weeks were crazy... in the hospital.

1st Post

This is the beginning of my journey through lung cancer.  Oat cell/small cell is the diagnosis.  I have already beat to breast cancers and this is a next phase.


I was dismayed to find no Chat, support groups so, I decided to start my own. 


It's already been interesting, in that each patient is individual.  I would love to chat with survivors and find what has worked for them.