Survivor's Blog November 3, 2012- Try Something New...

When you are really close to checking out of this world, you inevitably figure out that there are a bunch of things you missed out on! I never understood bucket lists, and now I do! After all of this cancer stuff, I am up for trying all sorts of new things. Some of the things I want to try are just tiny things I had never gotten around to doing;  like  tasting new foods and meeting more people. Other items on my list are big and life changing, like travelling the rest of the world!!!!

Prior to June 2011,  I felt that if I could stop feeling so sick all the time I could move on and get out in the world.   I always felt I could rebuild friendships I had been forced to neglect because I always felt so puny! I could travel more, I could work more, I could be with my extended family more. Basically, I could go out and live life as a "normal" person ( whatever that is? ). I never felt good or normal, so I never did much of anything.

 



Photo by David Asiamah

What I learned this past year is that I now have a "new normal". The doctors saved my life but, they left my body broken and damaged. Some of the broken things will repair over time, other things like my immune system are forever compromised.  I am moving at a slower pace than before, and that may be how I have to live the rest of my life. Regardless, I intend to really enjoy the time I have left on this earth sick or well.

For me the biggest thing that came out of my intention to enjoy life is my willingness to try new things both big and small. Since my diagnosis I have taken on some BIG NEW THINGS. I completed South Carolina Master Gardener Classes and I am working my way towards becoming a Master Gardener (something I always wanted to do). I was also photographed and interviewed for a book by David Asiamah about surviving cancer. This blog is another new thing that I decided to do to help other cancer patients.


As for SMALL NEW things, I have been peppering my daily routine with as many new activities and experiences as I can. For example, this past April, I attended my first Steeple Chase. I had a great day with my family enjoying the horses and the festival.  Later in the summer, I went exploring Fayetteville, NC with my Niece, Courtney. We slowly hit every open antique and thrift store we could find! I have tried new restaurants, taken a class on rain barrels, and gone to Cirque du Soliel. My husband and I even enjoyed the Clemson SC game last year in the" Zone".

Today, I tried an authentic Henna Tattoo. Last week in my Cake class I commented on the henna tattoo that one of my students, Tasrith, was wearing. I have always wondered what those tattoos signified?  I am completely fascinated by the artistry of the people that apply them. Tasrith was so kind, she said why don't I bring some henna next week and I can show you? After we finished class this afternoon, she sat me down and we all had a great time watching her tattoo my arm. It was impressive- she did this entire design freehand!  The photos where the design appears really dark were taken right after she did the tattoo. The lighter more detailed photos were taken an hour or so later after I scraped off the top layer of henna. The whole process cheered me up and gave me fuel for my art!

Trying something new may sound silly but, it will make you feel better! It might even help you heal....

Henna by Tasrith

 

 

Pretty cool!!!!!!!

 

Bug Bites Post Cancer - Oct. 28, 2012 Day 2- Helpful Tip

OK- here is a helpful tip for anyone prone to Cellulitis caused by Lymph Edema:

 Have your doctor prescribe a standing antibiotics order and leave it on file at the 24 hour pharmacy. This way if you have a scratch or a bite that starts to look like cellulitis or MRSA you can take antibiotics until you can get in to see the doctor.

Don't do what I did and have your doctor order the prescription just in case and send it to a pharmacy that is closed Saturday Nights and Sunday!!!! (Brilliant ? )

I will have to see how I am in the morning, I suspect my error in judgement may cost me a trip to the Urgent Care or my doctor's office in the morning. I will let you all know....

Bug Bites Post Cancer- A Few Tips about Cellulitis & Lymph Edema

Here is one that my Oncologist completely "forgot" to inform me about: Lymph Edema and Cellulitis. Lymph Edema is a side effect of any type of surgery that removes lymph nodes from your body. The lymph system needs every lymph node you were born with to work properly. If you have lymph nodes removed, the lymphatic fluid under your skin cannot move through your body properly and toxins build up. I kept complaining of swollen ankles and feet when I was going through chemo and nobody at my treatment center clued me in to Lymph Edema. I found out I had it when I went for a second opinion with another Oncologist ( I just wanted to make sure my treatment was on track).

If you have had lymph nodes removed and you are swelling up, there is Physical Therapy you can get that will help you learn to manage this problem. I took several weeks of therapy where I learned to manage the issue. Please be aware before you ask to see a Physical Therapist for this issue that you find out what treatment will cost -- it is my understanding that so far NO insurance covers the bandages, casts and other things you will need for treatment. If you have my type of insurance- they will cover almost nothing at all!!!! Leaving me with an HUGE bill for treatment I could not live without. ( Negotiation is the way to handle this, talk to the billing department before you get treatment.)

What I cannot seem to get control of are some of the Lymph Edema side effects. On a limb that is affected with Lymph Edema you have to be VERY careful not to get cut, or poked, or bitten by any  bugs. I am training to be a Master Gardener so this is a tough one for me. I have found out that Fire Ants have no respect for bug repellent, or gloves, or long sleeves. When I get bitten the poison doesn't move up my limb and out like it should. I have to be very careful not to get an infection. I have learned that if the area gets red and hot, I need to head for Doctor and the antibiotics. The last infection I had covered my entire upper leg.

So of course, today I came home sprayed on some bug spray, put on my gloves and went out to winterize my Roses. Somehow despite being as careful as I could - I picked up several fire ants.
This photo is the result, 5 ant bites and my whole forearm is red, swollen, and gross. Hopefully, I got to the topical antibiotics, cortisone, and Benadryl in time...

Stay tuned to this blog to see what happens!

Survivor's Blog - October 26, 2012 The Power of a Great Example - Mike!

The past couple of weeks have been very dark for me. I have always tried to stay completely positive and up beat about this whole cancer thing (And I really do think I succeeded until the last couple of weeks). Personally, something has happened that feels like my foundation has been ripped out from under me. I am having a hard time getting myself to paddle in the right direction again.

To top it all off  I also found out that for some reason my cholesterol was too high to even be measured ( I think I probably am missing a body part related to processing cholesterol after all the surgeries). The doctor put me on a cholesterol drug that caused me to have a terrible physical reaction that put me back in severe pain for the past few days even after I stopped the drug.

I have been really angry and not too positive over all of this for a couple of weeks now (which is really unlike me). Today, I thought of my Cousin Mike and decided I should just wade through it and head toward the light. Mike has been my example through all of this cancer stuff. He was not only my cousin but one of my dearest friends. Mike was the person I called when I needed someone to tell me the truth. He could condense any situation down to the nuts and bolts because he had faced death and won ( several times) . He taught me how to live through Cancer with my head held high and my sense of joy and humor intact through his example. I never thought that a few months after he left us from cancer, I would be diagnosed with cancer too. I am now left with his memory and strength as my trail of bread crumbs through the dark and scary woods.

If I can only live up to Mike's example I will be the person I aspire to be through all this. Mike was seriously ill long before he had Cancer. He never made a big deal of it, in fact never mentioned it in public unless he had to. I truly believe many of his friends and acquaintances never did fully grasp his health situation because he had more energy and zest for life than anyone I have ever known.

Clearly I am unlike Mike, I cannot keep anything secret. I am not good at suffering in silence. My disease is so under diagnosed, underfunded, and misunderstood that  I feel I have to go as public as I can with my Cancer so that the women who come after me know that they are not alone. Maybe, in a few months I can use this blog to start to draw awareness to Ovarian Cancer. Who knows, maybe my survival can help someone else?

Eye Issues - some eyewear tips that would have helped me....

I am always puzzled by the things no one tells you when you go into cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society gives you a book with some helpful tips. However, it is a bit on the cheerful  side and does not elaborate on some of the things that happen to patients that are not so nice. A prime example of this is what chemo does to your vision. Here is what happened to my eyes, I hope it helps you if you go through this.

This past week I went in last week to get new glasses because, as many of you know you cannot wear your contact lenses during chemo treatment. I am several months past my last chemo treatment. I  waited to get glasses for a few months after treatment because chemo  physically changes the shape of your eyes.  I picked up my new glasses and I was really disappointed with them. The eye glass technician talked me into  "Transitions" lenses after I told her how sensitive my eyes are post cancer. I clearly told the technician I would be using them for indoor and outdoor wear.When I got the glasses back, they are not dark enough to protect my eyes when I am out side, it hurts to be in the sun. When I came back to the store and brought this to the attention of the Store Manager she said this is the case for many post chemo cancer patients. She told me that I must now wear Polarized sun glass lenses in a large set of frames order to be comfortable. Why couldn't someone have mentioned this to me up front?

Here is what I learned about eye care during my cancer journey:


Tip #1- If you are pre chemo and you wear contacts make sure you have a pair of glasses to wear when chemo starts. I went around the hospital half blind for weeks since I had no glasses to change into and could not get my contacts in.

Tip #2- Make sure you not only have eye glasses for inside but, prescription sunglasses for out side wear prior to your first treatment. My eyes were so painful I wore sunglasses inside a great deal of the time.

Tip # 3- Have a bottle of Sensitive Eye Care treatment for dry eyes hanging around the house for bad days.

Tip #4- Make sure to be treated post cancer by a doctor and eye glass store that are familiar with the needs of cancer patients post chemo or radiation treatment.

Tip #5- Be persistent. Those silly transitions glasses cost me almost $100.00 more than regular glasses and then I had to order a pair of sunglasses anyway. I made sure I spoke with the store manager and she credited the cost of the transitions lenses towards my new sun glasses. Why should I lose money because some one was not properly trained? 

Tip #6- Since I had to get polarized lenses,  I had my Doctor officially prescribe them so that I could submit the bill to my insurance (they are now medically necessary).

Survivor's Blog- October 15, 2012 Laughter IS the best medicine...

OK, so I am still having a rough stretch. Recovering from Ovarian Cancer is not fun. I need to do something to lift me up and make me happy. So I hit favorites on my browser and took myself to my favorite Cake Website "Cake Wrecks".

 ( or second favorite after my own www.sweetcakesandsparklythings.blogspot.com ).

My friend Kim A. turned me on to this site years ago and it still makes me laugh so hard I almost pee myself. I am going to link you to my all time favorite blog entry at Cake Wrecks, " Happy Falkersatherhood " .   http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2009/5/4/happy-falker-satherhood.html

Make sure you read the story and watch the follow up video.

Some times you just have to fake it until you make it, and laughter always helps.

This is just a sample of what awaits you.....

Survivor's Blog- October 13, 2012 .. Think Positive.

It is days like today that make me wonder how in the world I am going to make it through this Cancer Recovery thing. No one tells you how sick you might be when you are completely off of chemotherapy. No one tells you that Nueropathy in your limbs and extremities is normal, and no one has any idea when it will wear off. Or that Chemo causes you to lose a good portion of your short term memory!

So it is days like today when I really have to focus on something positive and just get through it!! Today I used one of Colin Powell's thirteen rules :

"It can be done."

That is it, I just focused on getting through until the end of my day. Sometimes, the end of the day is the farthest you can look forward and that is OK.

Me, a few months ago!!

( If you want all 13 of General Colin Powell's rules check out his new book "It Worked for Me".