Just caught the 1/2 way mark on radiation. Finally feeling a bit better. I can eat! yea!
I don't see double, and my muscle spasm has gone. Think this lobotomy may be working.
Everyone has been so nice to bring food, give me rides to Abq., and provide encouraging words.
Just a few more months and I'll be back to trouble making.
About Me
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
1st week of Lobotomizing
I got through the first week (out of 4) of everyday whole brain and spine radiation. Not too bad.
I lay face down on a table - body in a mold and head in a helmet screwed down to the table. I'm strapped down for about 30 minutes why they first shoot my brain from each side, then they shoot the spine. The radiation only lasts about 15 - 30 seconds each, there is lots of calibrating between shots. The radiation does seem to make me nauseous - but not too bad. The steroids make me jittery.
This lack of brain thing is a whole new experience. (Ok, no jokes!) Doc keeps saying that after a couple weeks of the radiation, my brain should start to return. We'll see.
I'm now totally deaf in my right ear, and have trouble swallowing. The Doc thinks the swallowing is a cancer spot on the swallow zone in my brain. (Broth and creamy soups go down well.)
Thanks so much.
Cheri
I'm being forced to lay low - not enough energy to do a lot. I do try not to stay in bed too long.
I have trouble working at computer. None of the letters come out right - yes, worse than normal!
I really appreciate all the support and help from so many of you. Please forgive if you don't get a thank you note right away.
Your being here for us and willingness to step in to help is so wonderful.
When you see me, pleae don't feel offended if I don't acknowledge or comprehend. (Can't hear on right; and my brain is like Jack Nicholson's after they treatd his in One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest.)
I lay face down on a table - body in a mold and head in a helmet screwed down to the table. I'm strapped down for about 30 minutes why they first shoot my brain from each side, then they shoot the spine. The radiation only lasts about 15 - 30 seconds each, there is lots of calibrating between shots. The radiation does seem to make me nauseous - but not too bad. The steroids make me jittery.
This lack of brain thing is a whole new experience. (Ok, no jokes!) Doc keeps saying that after a couple weeks of the radiation, my brain should start to return. We'll see.
I'm now totally deaf in my right ear, and have trouble swallowing. The Doc thinks the swallowing is a cancer spot on the swallow zone in my brain. (Broth and creamy soups go down well.)
Thanks so much.
Cheri
I'm being forced to lay low - not enough energy to do a lot. I do try not to stay in bed too long.
I have trouble working at computer. None of the letters come out right - yes, worse than normal!
I really appreciate all the support and help from so many of you. Please forgive if you don't get a thank you note right away.
Your being here for us and willingness to step in to help is so wonderful.
When you see me, pleae don't feel offended if I don't acknowledge or comprehend. (Can't hear on right; and my brain is like Jack Nicholson's after they treatd his in One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest.)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Staying Healthy
Hi Folks.
Thanks to everyone for all the support. It is so nice to have such a kind, caring community.
FYI. Here is how I'm working to keep my body strong. (Actually been doing this for awhile, so not sure if it is working or not.)
- Drinking veggie slushes (grind broccoli, spinach, carrots, garlic, tumeric and whatever I find around the house) in a blender, then refrigerate and drink cold with a little V-8 juice.
This is actually very refreshing and has got to be healthy - give it a try!
- Qi Gong (relaxing/stretching yoga) daily - I recommend for everyone. I have a DVD called "7 Minutes of Magic"
- trying to walk a little daily
- pumping a little iron
- eating fairly healthy
- Doing "brain games" - sudoku, etc. (I'm much better at the math than the word stuff - but I'm trying - most the time I have to "cheat" at crosswords!)
- massage and acupuncture
- Today I went to someone for energy-healing. Was very relaxing
Now, if this doesn't beat the odds, not sure what will. I take anyone's bets.
Thanks to everyone for all the support. It is so nice to have such a kind, caring community.
FYI. Here is how I'm working to keep my body strong. (Actually been doing this for awhile, so not sure if it is working or not.)
- Drinking veggie slushes (grind broccoli, spinach, carrots, garlic, tumeric and whatever I find around the house) in a blender, then refrigerate and drink cold with a little V-8 juice.
This is actually very refreshing and has got to be healthy - give it a try!
- Qi Gong (relaxing/stretching yoga) daily - I recommend for everyone. I have a DVD called "7 Minutes of Magic"
- trying to walk a little daily
- pumping a little iron
- eating fairly healthy
- Doing "brain games" - sudoku, etc. (I'm much better at the math than the word stuff - but I'm trying - most the time I have to "cheat" at crosswords!)
- massage and acupuncture
- Today I went to someone for energy-healing. Was very relaxing
Now, if this doesn't beat the odds, not sure what will. I take anyone's bets.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Care Calendar
A friend suggested I set up a Care Calendar to solicit folks to sign up to help with various things. Currently the most help would be rides for me down to Albuquerque for radiation treatments.
(Dear friends the Bouquin's and Karen Warthen have been providing great food.)
If you can help, please check out the calendar at:
http://carecalendar.org/index.php
The ID and security code are: 64657, and 1402
Right now I just have set up a few rides. Might need to add more later.
thanks.
Cheri
(Dear friends the Bouquin's and Karen Warthen have been providing great food.)
If you can help, please check out the calendar at:
http://carecalendar.org/index.php
The ID and security code are: 64657, and 1402
Right now I just have set up a few rides. Might need to add more later.
thanks.
Cheri
Lots of Docs
Spent yesterday in Abq. getting to know the Radiation Doc and getting "fitted" for radiation. Also got another MRI, this of my total spine.
Received calls today from the Radiation Doc and my Oncologist. The MRI shows small cancer spots, one each in the Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar regions of my spine, and they found several more small spots in my brain.
So, the plan now is 14 days of radiation to my brain and spine. Docs say this will wear me down quite a bit as it will kill good cells with the cancer cells. It will take my hair, mess up my digestion, and cause skin issues - oh boy, what fun!
I plan to try and keep my body moving and am currently trying to get my brain functioning. The Doc gave me some steroids that are supposed to reduce the swelling in my brain and I hope get some cells to fire. Currenlty can hardly hear through the right ear, so if talking to me, please be patient.
thanks for caring.
Cheri
Received calls today from the Radiation Doc and my Oncologist. The MRI shows small cancer spots, one each in the Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar regions of my spine, and they found several more small spots in my brain.
So, the plan now is 14 days of radiation to my brain and spine. Docs say this will wear me down quite a bit as it will kill good cells with the cancer cells. It will take my hair, mess up my digestion, and cause skin issues - oh boy, what fun!
I plan to try and keep my body moving and am currently trying to get my brain functioning. The Doc gave me some steroids that are supposed to reduce the swelling in my brain and I hope get some cells to fire. Currenlty can hardly hear through the right ear, so if talking to me, please be patient.
thanks for caring.
Cheri
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
My brain my brain
Who is it in the Wizard of Oz who needs the brain!? I'm thinking it is the scarecrow.
Well, they found a couple small (very small) "spots" in my brain and ovarian cancer cells in my spinal fluid, so the docs say I have cancer cells swimming around in my head. (Can't they find another pool!?)
Anyway, this is rather rare to have ovarian cancer metastasize to the brain. My doc consulted with a specialist at Johns Hopkins and decided whole brain radiation therapy and radiation to my spine would be the best first treatment. I see the Radiation doc tomorrow am. Sounds like I'll need to go to Abq every weekday for 3 weeks to get radiation.
I also have an appointment for later in February to see a doc at MD Anderson in Houston.
So far I'm doing ok, but not functioning at full throttle. Fuzzy head, balance issues, can't hear in right ear, pain in shoulder, arms, arms go tingly and numbing.
That's about it for now.
Well, they found a couple small (very small) "spots" in my brain and ovarian cancer cells in my spinal fluid, so the docs say I have cancer cells swimming around in my head. (Can't they find another pool!?)
Anyway, this is rather rare to have ovarian cancer metastasize to the brain. My doc consulted with a specialist at Johns Hopkins and decided whole brain radiation therapy and radiation to my spine would be the best first treatment. I see the Radiation doc tomorrow am. Sounds like I'll need to go to Abq every weekday for 3 weeks to get radiation.
I also have an appointment for later in February to see a doc at MD Anderson in Houston.
So far I'm doing ok, but not functioning at full throttle. Fuzzy head, balance issues, can't hear in right ear, pain in shoulder, arms, arms go tingly and numbing.
That's about it for now.
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