GOOD NEWS - I CAN DRINK 'THIN" LIQUIDS AGAIN

Ever since the Major Health Setback Event in December (I don't know what else to call it), I have had a swllowing disorder known as dysphagia. The dysphagia was caused by the tube down my throat during that time and may been swelling and/or scar tissue. The doctor was hopeful that it would get better, but many elderly people never recover. The problem was that thin liquids, like water, would not go down my throat and would cause me to choke. There could have been serious side effects from attempting to drink the thin liquids. So, I had to start drinking "thickened" liquids. Let me tell you - it was horrible. First, I had to order the stuff on-line for home use and the hospital seemed to keep running out of it, so I felt like I was always having someone search for a drink for me. Everytime I wanted a drink (and I need to stay hydrated), I had to add this thickening powder to the drink or find one of the pre-made drinks, and they tasted gritty and gross. The other problem was that it never quenched my thirst - sort of like drinking a milkshake (but not as good), I always want a glass of water afterwards. The thickener had to be put in everything - hot tea, coffee, thin broth in soup, water, juice, etc. Totally inconvenient and totally yuky.

Anyway, the good news is, that after a while and lots and lots of me complaining and griping about the thickened drinks, I can now drink regular thin liquids. I WILL NEVER TAKE A SIP OF WATER FROM THE BATHROOM SINK FOR GRANTED AGAIN! Oh, it was such a happy moment when I realized that I could drink a plain glass of water again. So - one more bad thing is off my plate and my road to recovery has gotten a little easier!

ELIZABETH LARGE

I know that I have been out of touch with the world for a while, but I had no idea that Elizabeth Large, Restaurant Critic at The Sunpaper, was retiring. I will miss her columns ( had just gotten into her blog). I didn't always agree with her - but she always had an interesting take on things. Maybe I need to contact The Sun to see if they want me to take her place - I would love to eat in restaurants for free (even if I have to eat funky stuff that I don't like)! I love to comment on meals and service and stuff like that - I'm sure that a lot of you have been annoyed with my constant picking apart or glowing review of a restaurant or particular dish - although I am worried, my tastebuds are not quite what they used to be and it is hard to judge fine food when most of it tastes like sawdust. The chemo treatment schedule might be a problem for The Sun, but hey, I love to eat and I have a blog - so I am halfway there.

Note to Venable's Real Estate Group - Don't worry, I am not looking for another job - maybe just an interesting hobby. I promise not to leave the exciting world of real estate to become a food critic - the way the newspapers are going these days - The Sun clearly has no job security! Also, I am sure that I can eat and blog in my spare time after taking care of all my real estate duties. I guess that I also have to worry about becomng "big as a house" - I do love to eat and having someone pay me to eat would probably be a very bad thing for me! I just need to get to the end of this path to recovery and then I can comment on restaurants, even if it is only for fun!!

HOME FROM CHEMO # 7

Well, I got out of the hospital in the daylight again! We needed to get to the Treatment Center for a needle to help with my white lood cell count - they can't give it to me in the hospital because the insurance company won't pay for it unless I have been discharged from the hospital - go figure! Anyway, it all worked out okay and I am feeing good - a little fatigued, but not exhausted. We will see how tomorrow goes. I'll write more details later today or tomorrow, but know that I am glad to be home from the hospital and am feeling good. One more treatment in 2 weeks and then once a month for the next 6 months. Not what I was expecting, but I know that I can get through them - it just has to get easier! :)

Seven Down - Seven More To Go

GOOD WEEK

Well, aside from the blizzard, it was a good week. Not as fatigued. Minimum of side effects. Fairly good energy and good appetite. My parents went away for the weekend and drafted Bonnie and her family to "babysit" me. They did not want me to be alone for long periods of time - afraid that I would fall or something. So, on top of Bonnie's crazy schedule (home, work, 3 kids, husban, etc.) she made a plan to cover me at my parents house. Well, Bonnie took me to the doctors on Friday and Ryan and Hannah picked me up and took me to get prescriptions. We did sneak out to lunch - which was probably against all the rules, but I needed it. Bonnie and Dave had me over for dinner - Dave cooked steaks on the grill. Then Hannah spent the night and then Bonnie came back and spent the next night - I guess it was lke a childhood sleepover, only different. We watched movies and the Olympics (but missed the lighting of the torch - we were both sound asleep ny then). Meyygan came on Saturday and made brownies for he boyfriend and chicken salad for lunch. And on Sunday morning, Hannah and I made chocolate covered strawberries and bannanas and we drank smoothies and made chocolate pudding.

And of course, just when I am feeling better and almost normal, I am headed back to the hospital.

Thanks to my sister and her family for taking care of me so that my parents could get away.

I'll catch up with everyone when I get out of the hospital - thy have already called for me to come in, so I am headed out the door!

BLIZZARD OF 2010

The entire state was in a panic yesterday. And we really did have record breaking snow fall. The snow and wind were crazy and the roads treacherous. I wasn't going anywhere, so it really didn't matter to me, but I did feel like a trapped animal in the house all day and everytime I put the television on, some weather person was making a big deal about the storm. I felt bad because I couldn't go out and help shovel - Dad was out off and on all day trying to unblock the cars. He is worried about me getting to my blood work appointment on Monday morning. I have no idea what is going on at my house - I doub that my neighbor could have shoveled my snow - it was just too much.

Dave, Bonnie and Ryan came by late in the evening in the tractor to help with the driveway - Mom sent them home with a piece of chocolate cake to snack on in the car. We mad the chocolate cake earlier in the day - apparently it is the thing to do on a snowy day - bake a cake. The snow covered trees look absolutely beautiful today - the sun is shining and the snow glistening - winter wonderland. Lots of people have been walking by - everyone has cabin fever. The real problem is that there is no where to put all the snow and it is piled up really high - just wait until we get more on Tuesday and Wednesday!

DISAPPOINTING TREATMENT SCHDULE NEWS - Health Fine

Just when I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I realized that it was just a train heading towards me! I have been so excited because I thought that I only had only two more chemotherapy treatments left. Well, I was wrong. I guess you really should not meet with your oncologist to discuss your treatment protocol after a crationomy. :) I apparently only read two of the three pages of treatment protocol - Phase I includes 8 chemo treatments 2 weeks apart (the most aggressive portion of the schedule); Phase II includes 6 chemo treatments once a month (which should be far less aggressive and debilitating, I hope); and Phase III is radiation and/or cyber knife (the radiation is a bit controversial, so I will research that further before agreeing to it). When I discussed the additional 6 chemo treatments with my doctor, I was devasted. I was so excited to be close to the end. I sat in my bed for three hours and cried. All the nurses came in and tried to comfort me and wanted to call in the clergy and/or social worker. I knew that I didn't need that sort of support - I just needed to get my head around the timing - I don't want more treatments, but I really don't want to be in treatment for another 6 months! Well, I pulled myself together and refocused and re-read the protocol and understand why I need the additional 6 "maintenance" chemotherapy treatments. The data clearly shows a greater success rate if the protocol is followed closely. It is my decision and I could refuse to have the additional treatments, but I know that I have a greater chance of eradicating any cancer cells with the additional treatments, so as long as my body can take it, I will continue the treatments.

I am very angry at myself for focusing on the 8 treatments and forgeting about the other 6 and I have told everyone that this is almost over. For getting up all your hopes (and mine) I truly apologize. I do know that the first 8 will be the toughest, so the second 6 should allow me more freedom and independence (I hope).

What I ask of all my family, friends, co-workers, and fans is their continued support, positive thoughts and prayers. I am determined to put this treatment and cancer behind me, it is just going to take a bit longer than I had expected!

HOME FROM HOSPITAL - CHEMO #6 IS OVER

Well they just about threw me out of the hospital today (much to my pleasure). The big impending blizzard had everyone concerned and they were discharging as many patients as possible. All the nurses were making arrangements to sleep at the hospital and/or nearby hotels and I needed to get to the Cancer Treatment Center for a needle (that the insurance company would not allow me to get in the hospital) before they closed early due to the snow. We made it to the Cancer Treatment Center on time and they adminstered the needle (a neublasta shot for white blood cells - burns like hell going in, but quick). Well, it was not snowing when we left the hospital, so we were able to get some lunch and when I got home the fatigue set in (or the lack of sleep from the hospital - they woke me up every three hours for the after chemo flush meds last night), so I went home and slept in my soft bed like a baby. It is nice to be home - much better than being stuck in the hospital all weekend!

Additional information on my new treatment schedule will follow.

LEAVING FOR THE HOSPITAL

Well, I would rather be leaving for vacation, but I am heading out to Franklin Square Hospital and my next chemo treatment. I am feeling good and strong, so we are going to try to make this one a shorter hospital stay. Send positive thoughts my way and I'll send some your way too! Hope that everyone has a good day!

PS: To my friend having knee surgery - wishing you a speedy recovery!