Thursday, April 28, 2011

Week 3

I made it through my first chemo cycle. I checked in to the hospital last Thursday and returned home Easter Sunday. I had a private room with a tv. I tried to stay busy during the day with work and walking the halls. Julie and the kids visited for dinner and a movie at night.

In preparation for daily chemo, I was given about 8 pills one hour before treatment to minimize the nausea. The chemo treatments took about 2.5 hours each day and were delivered intravenously.

The nursing staff at OHSU is great. I didn’t have nausea but I did get indigestion from the treatments. They gave me yogurt to help with indigestion. After returning home, I felt tired and didn't have much energy. I started feeling like myself again by Wednesday.

I am very thankful for all the support.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Bolshevik Soup

Despite the first round of chemotherapy, Mike has retained his humor - and sarcasm. 

I tried to make him some comfort food.  Red lentil, ginger soup (thanks, Jennie, for the fabulous recipe).  It's a beautiful, brightly colored soup full of fresh ginger and topped with feta and cilantro.

I did make a few errors along the way, some things got burned including my finger.  I blended the ingredients at the wrong stage; the lentils shouldn't have gone into the blender.  It ended up looking like baby food. 

Mike took no interest in dinner and referred to it is "bolshevik soup."  Whatever that means.  I admit it wasn't pretty or as tasty as Jennie's version.  I now have 5 quarts of soup in the freezer.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Week 2

Another week closer to being cured…

Last Friday, I had a bad reaction to the clinical trial drug. I am on the highest dose for this trial and I developed a severe rash. I stopped taking the Sorafenib for one week but will be back on it tomorrow at half dose. It looks worse than it feels.

I have started my chemo treatments - today is day 2 of my first cycle. I am feeling good. I ordered "Susan D's Lunch Special" - pbj sandwich on white bread, Lay's potato chips and a Coca Cola. It hit the spot.

Friendships Made in Oregon

Last week, we met my brother’s neighbor who just completed 6 months of the same treatments Mike will have. We have so many questions about what to expect that it was good to eliminate some of the unknowns.

We talked for two hours about his experience, the side effects and how to he coped during the process.  It was both humbling to hear his story and sobering to know what is ahead.

Both B and his wife have offered support over the next six months.   We are so thankful for the support of new friends, old friends, coworkers, neighbors and family.   Thanks to you all.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Deep Breaths

Anxiety is on the rise.  Last night, in an effort to slow dinnertime questions and rapid-fire commentary from the kids, Mike asked everyone to take a deep breath, sit quietly and take in the smell of our dinner.   After 2.5 seconds of silence Jacqueline observed, "Cucumbers don't smell and my nose is stuffed."  Laughter makes for good medicine too.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Week 1

I am through my first week of taking the trial drug Sorafenib. I started medication to reduce high blood pressure caused by the trial drug. Other than minor side effects, overall I am feeling great. It feels a little weird how good I feel now and to think that I’ll start chemo that may make me feel ill.

We are working on the man cave in the basement. I’m preparing for some serious relaxation and restoration. I have been trying to cut back on sugar and eat healthier but I sure miss the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups that Ellen brings in to work.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Business As Usual

This weekend we spent moving raspberries to our new garden bed, mowing the lawn, running errands and attempting to manage the nearly constant sibling rivalry.  Life is pretty normal right now. 

I'm trying to prepare the house to be a peaceful, healing sanctuary for Mike.  Except we have two kids who seem to relish any attention from each other - good or bad.  Okay, there goes the "peaceful" part.  And then there's the dog and the guinea pig who insist on their due attention. 

Maybe I won't be running a sanctuary in the coming months.  Maybe it will be more like a circus tent with kids and animals and I'll be both circus master and caretaker. 

Those raspberries in July might be my brief sanctuary.  For today, it's a home full of chaos, work to be done and hope for a fruitful, summer garden.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The First Step

Last Friday, I had surgery to put a port in my chest. It will be in for the next 6 months for my chemo IVs.

I started a trial drug today called Sorafenib. The drug is used for kidney and liver cancer. It may be found effective for sarcoma.

A Bump in the Road

In January, Jessica Blaylock (my masseuse) found a lump on my leg. I waited a month before I saw my physician. She referred me to Dr. Vetto, a surgical oncologist, who ordered an MRI - then a biopsy - then I waited two weeks for results.

I had hoped it would be a lipoma but on March 28th, I found out I had cancer. The diagnosis is stage 2, soft tissue sarcoma. The tumor is 6.7 cm.

Sarcoma is a rare cancer that affects about 10,000 people each year. There are 50 different types of sarcomas. The good news - it is caught early, it has not metastasized and Oregon Health and Science University specializes in treating sarcomas. Aside from the tumor, I am the healthiest I have been in 10 years; I ran two marathons in the last two years. I am well-prepared to deal with this "bump in the road." I will go through 6 cycles of chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgery.

I appreciate the supportive thoughts, prayers and positive energy that everyone has sent to me and my family. This unwelcomed guest is on its way out of my life.