Day 44 without an event.  Four more radiation treatments... Still do not know about the 6th Chemo.  All anyone can tell me, "a CT--without contrast, and a blood draw, by the 13th of January." 


I feel pretty good and sleep pretty well.  Eating very well.   Starting to do bits and pieces of housework.  Still doing the major cooking (as my kid says, "you do magic when you cook.)"


I plan to start my exercise, again.  While doing chemo, I don't try.  Next two weeks will let me know where I am.  All this down time is allowing me to organize my office and filing cabinets...  I do genealogy, when my brain is screwed in straight.  Plenty of time to look it over and see how much I have duplicated. 


Really bored with TV... Do enjoy reading the Washington Post on my Kindle HD Fire...I can pick and chose what I want.  VBWG.


Time to go check out the NFL and see who is playing today....My favs are Green Bay, Patriots, Broncos, and Seahawks... Sometime hope for Cardinals...

Christmas Post

41 days without any real problems.  I find that people do not want to know about "no burn days."  I watch the news pretty close so that I do not get caught in the inversion and other bad air.  I also carry masks with me, along with water or something to drink.  The only time I have coughed, is on the inversion/no burn days.  I am sooooo glad I have an air scrubber.  Keeps me in pretty good health and allows me to sleep better at night.


I had enough energy to can 24 jars of quince jam, as gifts for Christmas.  Yup, I have a quince tree. I really haven't canned anything in some 50 years... I did pretty good and it turned out great.  I will do this again.  I took 12 jars to the radiation dept... along with fresh belly button oranges and grapefruit... in a pink wig, green Christmas shirt, red nose and black tights... Plan to take a load of fresh fruit to the chemo side of the clinic...same outfit.  Makes them all smile. Makes me feel good.


Almost to the end of my journey.  Best gift I could ever have is to finish all the treatments and be the miracle I am... No cancer.  At this time, there still is no lung cancer showing on the quick CT's that are done each day I go to radiation.  I finish on the 2nd of January. Hopefuly my last chemo is tomorrow.


I wish each person a Merry Christmas, and a Healthy Happy New Year.  Live each day as if it were the last day of your life... Do the best you can each day, even if it is a bad day.  Fight hard and laugh a lot.


More later,

Who said Santa only wears a red suit?

Interesting end to this week.  All my radiations were normal...  I am on 29th consecutive days without any breathing problems.  Makes me keep on thinking I have won this race.  However, Friday morning was a topper. 


I had an Air Scrubber installed on my heat pump, but could not afford the vent filter replacement unit.  It was not a good install when we built the house, back in the early 90's.  Anyway, it was strongly suggested that the filter frame be replaced to do a better job with scrubbing our air.  I was considering sometime the in January 2015...if I could scrape together the funds.  In the meantime, I had decided to call the company I had been using over the years, to tell them that I felt the scrubber was working pretty good.  Both my daughter and myself had not had to use the allergy medications we had both needed...for about two weeks. 


When I called, I asked for the Vice President and told him how pleased we were with their product and that we were both breathing much better...  "Chuck" was pleased to hear it and would relate two more stories he had received within the past couple of hours.  He wanted to know about my cancer, and I told him...  He was so impressed and inspired that he wanted me to call him as soon as I get a clean bill of health and we would all celebrate.  I assured him I could and would do that. 


Friday morning there was a banging on my door and there stood the young man who had done some of the other installations and work for the AC/plumbing company, with a bright blue package and blue bow.  His boss had told him to bring it to me and install it.  I opened it and there was the whole vent replacement unit.  Merry Christmas from Chuck and Austin.  I burst into tears, I was so moved.  Within minutes, the replacement had been installed.  I thanked Austin. 


Couple of hours later, Chuck called and asked if I had received it....I said yes and thanked him profusely.  He reminded me that I was still to call him when I received my clear health... I promised I would, he also remarked that we would have a celebration of it.  I have no idea what they are up to, but I am pleased to have a fully operational system that cleans all the outdoor
pollution,  out of my house.  BTW, I posted pictures and the incident on FB...  Name of the company is local company, known as Parker and Sons.  I can say, They do Rock...!

Lung Cancer Community Support

I've joined an awesome support group with a lot of golden information and support about lung cancer. I have given them my Blog address: Born 2 Survive.  Also added the info that I am on FB and belong to a large women's organization. 


We have all been touched by our own experiences, family or friends that have had to deal with cancer.  This support group is a good place to talk with people who have been through it.  Some with great ways to handle their situations and some with whom you can relate to.  Tears and smiles.


Try it! You'll like it.     http://forums.lungevity.org/

Latest and greatest

Started the fourth round of Chemo this week.  Which means Blood Draws, Chemo and Radiation for  this week.  Busy, busy.  Day one Chemo did give me some problems, but nothing I couldn't handle.  Reaction started by 8 p.m. and would continue throughout the night.  Today all cleared, again.... Don't know what this evening will bring.  This means a week of Toxic Period. No kissy, kissy. :)




I am to start the "back off" of my chemo/radiation Rx's.  I have been scheduled for the fifth Chemo the week of Christmas and be finish radiation the 2nd of January.  My once large tumor of 6.1 Centimeters., is down to "cells" as of today.  But, because I have a habit of growing tumors, we are sticking to the original aggressive treatments.


I still have damaged on the bottom of my feet and toes.  Think that will be a slow recovery.  My lung has completely inflated itself ( which is very good), I can take deep breaths once again. The coughing spasms are way down and that pleases me to know end. I still have a little edema in my cheeks, which makes me look like a chipmunk. My digestive system goes on strike, now and then...Something I have to keep and eye on.  I now know what tinnitus is...It's the bloody treatments and drugs.  I hear multiple sounds that sometimes sound like music.  Good news is, I can still hear, but loud noises do tend to bother me.  I am assuming this will clear up once I am finished. I am walking much better, but still have a ways to go.  I continue to use the electric carts at the stores and big box places.  I really do not like to go to them, because I have no immune system.  Cannot wait to drive, once again.


Met a lady in the chemo waiting room today, that had started her journey with Breast cancer and it metastasized into her lung and is now in her brain.


There will be a radiation treatment for my brain...once I kind of get some of my strength back.

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.