Repairs continue

UPDATE

Colonoscopy finished. And. . .they did find a malformed blood vessel that was "seeping" blood. The surgeon said he can't be sure that's what causing the anemia to be so resistant to treatment, but the oncologist believed that I was "leaking" blood somewhere. Leaking, seeping. Seeping, leaking. Anyway it is cauterized and seeping/leaking no more. Also removed a couple of pollups. So, I should be "all much better" (To quote my granddaughter when she was about 2) in that department.

I really feel fine. A bit sleepy still from the anesthesia OR, they really don't give an anesthesia, it's a twilight sleep with an amnesiac. Just what I need -- more memory loss!! But hopefully, I'll only forget that particular procedure!!

Gotta go! Music practice in 10 minutes. I had told Rod & Rob I might not be there, but I'm feeling fine. I might as well go.

Pastor Phylis

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1.03.01

Coffee and Chemo

Sunday was such a lovely day. Teen challenge was here at church. I took Pastor Kathy by Rodney's house to pick up some music he donated. The girls were with me and the 7-year old discovered tree climbing. Rod has trees on which the branches are nice and low. Later the girls and I spent the afternoon at the park.

UPDATE

I must be clearing my system of the chemo. For the first time since chemotherapy began, I wanted coffee this morning. Anybody who knows me knows that I have always had a cup of coffee attached to my left hand from the time I get up (or leave the house) until noon or so. And if I stayed up late, it was with a lovely cup of coffee in hand. My favorite summertime Starbucks treat was Mocha Frappuccino, and there's a little coffee shop in downtown Elgin where I splurge on a Mocha Breve from time to time. I love Starbucks cards for gifts!! ETC! BUT for the last . . . almost year, coffee does not set well at all. Something about the chemicals from chemotherapy changes the taste and even the digestive process. It didn't hit my stomach well during this time.

The times they are a'changin'! Of course, I've been getting up earlier now -- at 6 a.m.  Being up early in the morning also brings on the coffee urges!!

Such is progress!

Pastor Phylis

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1.03.01

On the Lighter Side

Weekend

Good thing I'm feeling better. It was a busy weekend. Teen Challenge was here on Sunday. Then I had the girls for the afternoon as usual. Saturday both girls had soccer games, plus the usual getting ready for Sunday stuff. I'm really tired today. But it's a good kind of tired, not the sick kind!!

At the Family Christian Store with my granddaughter, she spotted a new line of dolls they have called Faith Doll.  The 12" ones are a little  larger than a Barbie, but with clothes to make outfits, etc. And who can resist that sparkle in a little girl's eye, so we left with the small dolls for her and her sister.  They both love them and have taken them everywhere. Saturday they went back and picked out another outfit with their own money.

I really like these dolls, because apart from the fact that the storybook that comes with each gives the story of a person and how they find Christ, the body image of the doll is so much better than the fashion dolls. They're actually shaped like a child, rounded torso, undeveloped. AND, the outfits are cute and fashionable, but within the range of decency.  They're not cheap, but I think we're getting rid of the Barbie stuff and going with Faith Dolls.

The five-year old didn't know what "Faith" meant so I explained that faith is believing in God. She didn't comment, but later she excitedly told her mom that they were "Sin Dolls". Funny that she knows the concept of "Sin", but can't yet remember "Faith." She's five, okay?

Her doll has brown leather sandals with tie straps. (The orange one pictured above) She was talking to me about how pretty her doll is and said, "I really like the sandals, Gramma."

"I do too. They kind of remind me of Jesus' sandals," I reply.

Very seriously, "I think they bought them at the Jesus Store." she answers.

If you see a "Jesus Store" around. Please let me know!! :)

PJ

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1.03.01

Health Returning

Update

As of this week, I'm definitely feeling better. I can function at about half my normal pace/rate/efficiency/energy, etc. This week I've actually cooked dinner each evening -- except yesterday when I went to a TMP meeting. (Don't ask. Related to my job.) Although today it required four trips to a store before I actually had everything I need. (I did say about half the efficiency? Okay sometimes less than half!) Don't ask about writing notes -- it's necessary to hold things in ones brain for the time required to write the list. I haven't arrive yet!!

The weather is also so much better. Got up to somewhere in the seventies today! Glorious. I did plant a few flowers this morning and bought the soil and stuff for the rest...but didn't have the energy for anything except the one area.

Tomorrow the girls have soccer games -- first of the season since the other two were canceled due to the extreme cold. It's supposed to be very warm -- as in maybe as high as eighty. Then Sunday they're predicting eighty-five. Maybe Spring has finally arrived!! Would be nice.

I have to finish dinner. No more blogging because I'm very bad at walking out of the kitchen with things cooking. I leave the result to your imagination! It isn't edible!!

Pastor Phylis

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1.03.01

ChemoFog and Brainless reactions

Health Update
ChemoFog?? or just RattleBrained?

My mother used to tell me that if my head weren't fastened on, I would lose it. However, there's nothing like an official space-cadet on chemotherapy. It was really bad lately.

Sunday I went to a baby shower for a teacher at work only to discover that I was two days late. Written wrong on my calendar...correct on the e-invite I received.

Today after searching for a check for two weeks -- yes even calling the insurance company several times, I found it. BUT...only when I finally reached the correct person who said, "That check was issued and cashed on April 2". And before I could freak out completely, she added, "It was direct deposited into your account." And I remembered....that check has ALWAYS been direct deposited. I simply forgot and thought I was looking for a paper check!! Whew!

I had to call my primary care doctor's office to get the name of the doctor to whom he referred me. And I had already been to that Doctor's office once -- granted it was back in August, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since August 2006 -- but I HAD been there.

I didn't exactly forget to post this blog...just got kinda busy this week and didn't get back to finish it. Besides it doesn't show me in the best possible light, so maybe it was a Freudian slip.

Enough on ChemoFog

Pastor Phylis

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1.03.01

Health Update

Health Update

Yesterday was the third iron treatment. My blood count is up somewhat, still below normal, but rising. That is good. The doctor insists I go for a colonoscopy though to check for bleeding. He still thinks I'm losing blood somewhere.

I had a bit more of an allergic reaction to this one. When I got home my face, neck and shoulders were red and rashlike. I took a couple of Benedryl capsules and it went away. But then last night, I slept like a log. I fell asleep on the couch about 8:00 went to bed at 11:00 and didn't get up until almost 10 am today. Benedryl really knocks me out...but it also takes care of the reaction.

After the first couple of iron treatments, my "Sahara moments" returned with a vengence. A week ago, I had one during treatment. Now the doctor says those are also an allergic reaction.

I must be a master at understatement. The nurses were sure that the hot, turning red spells were simply an exaggerated hot flash. But once they actually saw one, they changed their minds and called the doctor who says "allergic reaction".  There's something to be said for being dramatic when describing medical symptoms!!

So I suppose I could have been much more comfortable months ago if I had simply taken Benedryl for "hot flashes" instead of Cohosh tea or Cohosh capsules. The Benedryl takes it right away. But they had me convinced that it wasn't related to chemotherapy except that chemo was killing estrogen to cause the hot flash. Even my description of a hot flash that lasts for as long as 10 hours and only could be endured by packing myself in ice didn't do what simply seeing me turn beet red in a matter of seconds did. Whatever! Not that it matters so much now...treatment is almost over. Maybe soon I can actually sleep through the night without being packed in ice.

Pastor Phylis

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1.03.01

Health Update

Here I am with some hair growth...chemo eyes and all. It's taken into a mirror, hence, the flash from the camera. I just couldn't mess with the timer -- no patience!

I've had the second iron infusion and, honestly, I don't notice much difference. On Monday, my blood count was up slightly, which is good. There should be more gains this week. Bob tells me I have to be patient. I am sick of being tired, so I want more dramatic gains.

Yesterday, I ran a few errands (bank deposit, dry cleaners, pharmacy, fruit market) and picked up a granddaughter at 11 a.m. She ran errands with me and was no trouble at all. I took her to her favorite restaurant (Baker Hill Pancake House) and we had lunch. When we got home, I played checkers with her (an experience, playing checkers with a 5 year old) and then we watched a video until her mom came about 2:40. So I was active from 10:30 until 2:00.

After she left, I was absolutely too tired to do anything else for the rest of the day -- including evening. Didn't get up from my couch at all...well, almost not at all!! :) So I guess 3 1/2 hours of activity is my limit.

I suppose in the scheme of things, I'm grateful I could function fairly normally for the three hours. But I keep wondering when full strength will return!

Patience,
Phylis Huerta

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1.03.01