My cancer journey

Kick butt news

10457180_804091166281343_499142815765436925_nYesterday I had the first treatment of cycle four of Paclitaxel (chemo). On the day of the first chemo appointment I always see the doctor for a measure up and to check how I’m going with side effects etc. The doctor named me ‘Super woman’ because of my exercise routine and then armed herself with the measuring tape to measure the tumour. She soon discovered that she couldn’t find it to measure! It’s shrunk from an egg to ‘too small to find’ within 3 months. That’s something to be happy about yes?

I still have 5 months of chemo, then surgery and then radiotherapy but it’s certainly a promising outcome. Being on a clinical trial, the order of process won’t change. Even though the tumour can’t be felt, it will take a scan or biopsy to tell if it’s still there and the cells in the blood stream need to be killed too.  I will finish in March with flying colours at this rate!

Thanks to everyone for your continued prayer and support it’s really appreciated and helps boost my spirits and health to a higher level.

I’m back to having the weird taste in my mouth, a little tired but otherwise good. PLUS I’ve sold 10 art works this week so far so the excitement is just too much!

Frida Kahlo eat your heart out

Gee I thought losing my hair would be bad but it hasn’t worried me as much as I thought. However, now that my eyebrows and eyelashes are disappearing I frighten myself in the mirror each morning. I’m not sure if I have a fear of aliens or if it’s the ‘classic chemo patient’ look that shocks me.

Screenshot 20:06:2014 6:58 pmTo top it off I can’t seem to do anything to fix it. You would think that being an artist I would be able to draw my own eyebrows on but according to my beauty consultant (daughter) I’m hopeless. Somedays one eyebrow looks surprised and the other one looks angry. Other days I look like Frida Kahlo’s doppelganger.  Maybe I’ll start wearing a balaclava or a disguise from the $2 shop.

 A week off chemo

I had last week off chemo so the MOTH and I went to the Peninsula for the week. We had a lovely time together and also a lovely time apart. Unlike most married couples we actually spend a lot of time together so time apart gives us something to talk about over the BBQ dinner. I completed multiple art works while the MOTH managed 45 million holes of golf. The golf course was attached to the timeshare resort so that was handy… and free!

As well as that, we had my two sons and their wife/girlfriend for one day, Sophie for another and 4 of my lovely friends came down for a day and we went shopping, ate lunch and then soaked in the hot springs. The other days were spent in wineries, cheese factories, restaurants and running (with Screenshot 20:06:2014 7:04 pmthe MOTH) from Safety Beach to the Dromana pier and back along the beach (twice).

At least producing all this artwork has given me an income now that I’m not working and it’s soooo relaxing! Most times I sell the work before it’s finished thanks to Facebook and Instagram. If it doesn’t sell it doesn’t matter diddly squat. I just love creating it. I have 2 exhibitions coming up so there’s art everywhere at the Wood Hood!

The fault in our stars

I know some of you will be surprised but I read ‘The fault in our stars’ while I was away and when I was half way through it I went to see the movie with the MOTH at Rosebud. I recommend that you read the book if you haven’t, regardless of whether you have seen the movie. It adds more layers to the story and fills gaps that the movie leaves.

I am always a sook at that type of movie (so is the MOTH… shhhhh), but I had a strange desire to watch it. The focus is on a condition which was known to be terminal and the patient was only 17 years old, so I didn’t identify with many of her feelings.  Aside from the many thought provoking aspects of the book/movie it attempts to remove the stereotype attached to chronic illness and Hazel struggles not to be brutally honest about her feelings to those around her. The need to protect others from her harsh reality is something I identified with.

Anyhow, I won’t say we didn’t shed a tear but I cried much worse when I watched ‘My sisters keeper’, ‘Beaches’ and a few others. Perhaps the fear of cancer is worse when you haven’t experienced it? OR maybe I’ve just turned to ice and nothing moves me. Ice Queen?

Back to the turban factory

My running gear for Winter in Dromana!

My Eskimo running gear for Winter in Dromana!

 

I’m back this week for my fourth cycle of chemo having had a couple of days with less energy last week. I wondered if my blood counts had (finally) dropped but I seem to be fine again this week so I’m roaring to go back to the turban factory for more drugs… erm… not.

My running distance has dropped off a bit because I’m getting breathless. This is to be expected as I push through the cycles but the nurse thinks it’s to do with the cold air in my lungs. I’ll go back to the treadmill this week and see if being in warm air helps. Running 4k along the beach in the winter was pretty brisk! Brrrr.

No other symptoms other than eyebrows dropping like autumn leaves, wonky sinuses and looking like an alien. I’m good… but then I explained what ‘good’ meant in a previous post:)

 

The hairy nose enterprise

Hooray I’ve finished cycle 3 of the Paclitaxel chemo. One more cycle (4 weeks) to go and I switch to the AC chemo for another 4 rounds. Everyone tells me that will knock me around more but I have my fingers in my ears. La la la.
So far no nausea and other than two tooth fillings (one root canal) done without anaesthetic, I’ve been feeling pretty good. I have the odd Nanna nap, although now that I have a new bed I’m getting a much better night sleep. Boo to the latex one!

Food tastes weird for a couple of nights after chemo. Everything I eat on chemo night puts me off it forever. I will never face Taco Bill or Parmas again.

I’ve got the chemo routine down pat now. Each week I manage to get the canula put in my left arm so that I can draw pictures. The veins in my right one are much better and the nurses look at them longingly. I’m pushing my luck as far as I can.  Here’s a picture of my routine. It’s enough to make you jealous isn’t it? You can’t see my Kindle but that’s my standby when I’m not chatting to the lovely people in the turban factory.

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I’m off to spend a week in a timeshare resort with the MOTH, given that I have next week ‘off’ chemo. It’s right next to a golf course so I can’t imagine what he will do with his time. As well as that, we are planning a trip OS next year and that is giving me a good goal to head towards. The MOTH and I plan to do an unguided trip to Europe (again) and meet up with a group of our good friends in Tuscany, Italy for a week. It’s such an exciting thought I can’t wait.

Being the creative soul that I am, I’ve made an invention. Having no nose hairs in my nostrils means that they run without warning at 1000kph. As well as this, I have no filter for bugs or pollens which I have always been sensitive to. So I’ve invented a nostril wig for chemo patients. I might cut up one of my wigs and create little mini ones. Do you think it will take off?

I pinched this illustration from my children's book... 'Maggie Magee and the giant sneeze'

I pinched this illustration from my children’s book… ‘Maggie Magee and the giant sneeze’

On a final note… One of Colin’s work crew wrapped up a “Ferrari’ (in Christmas wrapping paper) for me because he said Colin would never buy me one. If you read my first couple of blog posts, written when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer that will make sense. Actually it’s a yellow Lamborghini but who’s complaining?

MS fun walk/run

Some of our ‘Are we there yet?’ team did the MS fun walk/run on Sunday to support our dear friend who has had MS for 21 years. She is such a trouper. She walked the 5km’s, taking regular rests like a good woman and made it around the whole course. I’m so proud of her!

Cheif running MOTH

10440853_10152212061764506_6969246208604146620_nThe MOTH decided to be my jogging partner (with a little prompting) because Sophie couldn’t. Given that he hasn’t run 5k since the MFB recruits in 1904BC he was a little dubious. His crew at work told him that they would have the MICA unit ready for him.

In typical fashion, he ran the 5k without even getting puffed out or looking at all exerted. He still had his jacket on to keep him warm. I was conscious of keeping up with him the whole way even though I’ve been training my butt off! Grrr. To top it off he went through the finish line one second faster.

The only consolation is that he is walking like a 99 year old man today and has lost the spring in his step. I do appreciate him coming with me and it was just as well he did!

 I found my boundaries

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First aid in the background just in case

My oncologist agreed that I should keep up the running while I’m having chemo but not to run until I can’t get my breath. Oops. It wasn’t the MOTH needing resuscitation it was me! I got to the 4k mark and felt very weary so I began to walk but after 5 steps I got dizzy so started running again. For some reason I wasn’t dizzy when I was running. I had run 5k on the treadmill twice during the week so it wasn’t a big challenge.

I got over the finish line and suddenly couldn’t breath so had to take a trip in the wheelchair to First Aid. That kind of took the elation of going through the finish line away. Boo!

By the time the medics got to me I was breathing fine but giddy so they did blood sugar, oxygen tests and blood pressure. I think they were excited to use all their equipment ha ha. My oxygen levels were down but they came up again when I took deep breaths. It’s amazing how that works. I have no idea why that happened but I guess I’ll chat to them at chemo tomorrow or ask one of my running friends for advise.

The best part of the First Aid tent was that Rosie and I managed to do a strip tease behind a blanket and change out of our wet tshirts.

Thanks to Tony for driving us all in. We had a lovely warm coffee and a free tour of the city afterwards. I can’t wait for the next one! Next time I’ll take it a little more easy.

 

Good thanks!

10347187_10152183012219506_1541027296625629266_nWhen people ask me how I am I say ‘good thanks’. That’s the standard Aussie response but what I mean by ‘good’ is… ‘all things considered… I’m good’. If I wasn’t on chemo and was asked the same question maybe I’d say ‘not so good’. I don’t usually launch into details because there are people around me suffering far more from various illnesses. Besides, I am feeling good emotionally and that’s a significant thing. In 2 months time I change chemo drugs to ‘AC’ and this could reduce my blood count dramatically. I will have 12 weeks of it, so I’m preparing my body to be fit and healthy by eating right and exercising regularly! At present, my blood count is still normal and the tumour has shrunk to the size and width of a long grain of rice so thank God for that!

Here is my pity party list for those who want to know what ‘good’ means…

  • I can’t sleep due to insomnia and night sweats which are every 30 minutes. This is due to ‘THE PAUSE’ not the chemo, now that I’m off HRT. 3 months ago I slept like a log. Here I am now, writing this blog post at 4am. Boo!

 

  • My brain is really struggling with ‘chemo fog’ as well as ‘THE PAUSE’ causing brain malfunction. It exhausts me to make every day decisions. Cooking tea is a major drain on the grey matter. I’m so glad I’ve made my life uncomplicated! Being self employed means no sick leave and my job requires lots of brain power because eLearning projects have strict deadlines and can be very complex. The threat of litigation looms over my head if projects are not completed to an agreed standard. So work is out of the question. Boo!

 

  • My sinuses are picking up allergies and causing problems due to the thinning of the skin (everywhere) and the hairless nostrils. Bleeding and congestion issues have been mostly resolved by putting vitamin E inside the nostrils each night. I know that’s TMI but some of my readers have cancer and details can be helpful!

 

  • Although I have no nausea, my food tastes weird. I have to ask people if my cooking is funky because it sure tastes that way.

So overall, that’s not too bad is it? As I say… I’m good!

 Balancing acts

10377159_789271297763330_542149322412441886_nLife is fairly self indulgent right now. I have ‘rest time’ blocked in most days so that I don’t over do it. I am not putting my hand up for things which I know will create stress. What? Not doing 1000 things at once? No study, art, work and play? Usually that’s what I thrive on. SometimesI feel listless without the challenge factor, but mostly I’m happy in my little foggy world. I’m so glad I have my art and it’s been selling quite well so that helps pay for materials. My social calendar keeps me pretty busy and I don’t have to use my brain too much for that:)

I’m managing to keep myself healthy and to maintain my fitness level. On Sunday I’m off to run the MS 5k fun run with my dear friend who has had MS for 21 years.

I’m not being a hero, I am a fighter by nature. I am also contrary, independent and stubborn, which is the flip side of being a fighter. The MOTH will verify this without thinking about it for more than 3.5 seconds.  I know that all cancer patients deal with their illness differently, there are 100s of different chemotherapy drugs which have various side effects and also different types of cancer and different types of breast cancer as well. I would hate to think people felt inadequate or compared themselves to my story. My story is my own and I recognize that we all tick differently and our bodys respond differently. My first response to anything is to fight. Not necessarily the right response!

To begin with, I was already physically fit (for a 53yo female) and ate a healthy diet. I don’t drink alcohol very often and I don’t smoke. I also boosted myself up with supplements prior to beginning chemo. So my starting point was high therefore I’ve managed to maintain good health up to now. If my starting point was low, no doubt I would be struggling a bit more than I am. I’ve found it important to know my limits and listen to my body!

Loving my 3 sisters

The sisters

Last weekend I escaped to Sorrento with my 3 sisters for our first time away together ever. It was an amazing weekend and I loved having time to just chat, laugh, soak in the hot springs, eat and shop with them.   Getting there was a challenge. Firstly one sister had an abscess which resulted in surgery to have a molar removed the day before we went away. With a mouth full of stitches and in pain, she soldiered on!  One of my other sisters had a chest cold but wasn’t infectious. As well as that, I broke a molar off on the Wednesday and had it filled the day after, which is a bit of a big deal when you’re on chemo. Hooray for them and the tough genes! It was a miracle we made it but it was definitely worth it.

Embracing the bald

Day 1 of my bald badness

Day 1 of my bald badness

I’m taking a photo a day of  my lovely bald head in different hats, wigs and so forth, of which I seem to have in abundance. Many of them are costumes I’ve scavenged from around the house. I might make a fast paced movie at some stage. Why? Because I want people to know that losing your ‘vices’ isn’t so bad. Hair loss is a fear a lot of women have and I was not looking forward it at all but it can be quite liberating or even amusing. Sometimes it can be just plain weird.

Day 2 embracing the bald

Mothers day classic fun run
Our fundraising

Our fundraising

Last Sunday was my first ever fun run and although I never understood why it was named ‘fun’ I discovered a euphoria and sense of achievement foreign to me.  Although I did the 100k ‘around the bay in a day’ cycling event once before, running has more of a sense of ‘togetherness’.

Our team page raised $2,450, and to add to that, individuals in the team raised over $1000 combined so that’s a huge effort. Thanks so much to those who donated. Without your donations I would not be on this clinical trail right now.

The doctor told me not to run until I am breathless, but it’s ok to run until I can’t talk. Well as if that would ever happen!!! I can always talk. I managed to run the whole 4k apart from the big hill on Anderson St (which I power walked) and I stopped for 2 drinks. My timing was 28.21 which I did without becoming breathless so I was very happy with that. An average of 7.1k per hour. Not my best but certainly not something to  complain about!

Before the run
After the run with family
Being interviewed for stardom

The Wood Hood team

The day began at 5.15 am (after going to bed at 11.45 pm the night before). Rosie, Sophie, Jess and I were driven to the city by the MOTH. The traffic was very quiet which was unexpected. We had agreed to jump out of the car close to St Kilda rd but on approaching Swanston St, the MOTH was deep into a long story. I interrupted him and asked if this is where we should jump out. ‘Yes’, he said ‘jump out here at the lights’. We were all taken by surprised and jumped out of the car and watched him sail into the distance. Ooh. It was cold and none of us had a jumper or jacket (apart from Rosie). Having been told not to get cold by my dr this was a vague worry for me. We were an HOUR early so we wandered around pretending to be warm and wondering how on Earth we would find the MOTH afterwards, given that we hadn’t arranged a meeting place and he doesn’t own a phone!!

So while we were waiting, an enterprising  journalist noticed my fantastic hair do (or lack of it) and asked if she could interview Sophie and I. We prattled on for 5 minutes, talking about how the money raised from the run contributes to cancer research. Given that I am on a clinical trail, this kind of treatment wouldn’t be available to me without the funding and this is why the race is so important.

I’m still not sure what the video was for but if anyone ever finds it please let me know. I want to get myself ready for the red carpet.

Sophie ran with me for the whole race. I can’t explain how lovely that felt. We both clocked in EXACTLY the same time to the second and it was such an emotional feeling running through the finish line with her by my side.

Most of the team caught up with us afterwards, including 2 of my lovely sisters and other family members. Some of the team ran or walked in other races. I’m so grateful to everyone who raised funds and contributed to the day.

I ate sugar and carbs all weekend to celebrate. My bad? After 3 months without it I was out of control.

Like a MOTH to the flame

So here is the question you’ve all been waiting for. Did we find the MOTH  (Man Of The House)?

Just like all moths, he is attracted to the flame. He is so worried that I will say ‘if you had a mobile phone this wouldn’t have happened’.

He spent time at the finish line. He watched Rosie, Janet, Jess my sisters etc all run past. He got a tear in his eye watching old women and pregnant mothers run past. BUT… he missed Sophie and I all together. How? We were running so fast we were just a flash, I explained.

He did manage to find us though which is always the way, lucky for him.

Chemo news

Chemo art

Chemo art

I’ve finished cycle 2 and they have stopped giving me cortisone altogether now as I have no nausea or allergic reactions. Woo hoo! I actually feel quite human today after having a sleep riddled with ‘night sweats’ but not the ‘wide awake’ night that I normally get from cortisone. I ran 3.5k on the treadmill to celebrate.

Now I have a one week break and then start my final 6 cycles (each cycle is a block of 4 weeks).

The good news is that the tumour appears to have vanished and at the next appointment in 2 weeks time they will discover that for themselves.

A happy dance is happening here:)

Life in the fog

ThJenny Wood artat’s 3 times in two days I’ve been asked ‘where is your blog post?’. Oops I’ve been very slack. So here are some news flashes.

Too much information?

2 weeks ago, I said to the MOTH, see if you can find the tumour. I swear it’s not big enough to feel anymore.

MOTH: “I can feel something there”

Me: “That’s my rib. There’s one just like it on the other side”.

I know that’s too much information but try not to visualise the scenario and you’ll be fine. The point is… IT’S SHRINKING!

It’s such a risk doing a clinical trial. Having chemo first and surgery 2nd means I didn’t ‘get that thing outa there’ which is the first impulse. This Tuesday will be the last of cycle two. As you know, I have 3 weekly infusions of chemo and a one week break so after this week it’s break time woo hoo! Apparently my blood count is still normal so hooray for the ridiculous amount of supplements I’m taking. They are a meal all in themselves. All I need to do is pour milk on them and eat them for breakfast.

Life in the fog

Somehow I’m still running around the athletics track (9 times non-stop last week), going to gym and pilates as well as socialising to the maximum. I have had 3 weeks without a free day and most nights out as well. I know it’s too much but I take little naps during the day so don’t start growling at me y’all.

I am not getting much sleep for the first time in my life with the HRT being brutally taken away (BOO!) and the cortisone which comes with the chemo. I suddenly fell into fog land on Thursday. My brain went to mush and now I am having to write lists for basic things such as… sending a card, phoning people etc. Yeesh. I’ve gone from ‘Mrs Organised’ to ‘Mrs Mush’. Soon I’ll need a note to remind me the dogs name.

Here lies the biggest problem. The MOTH, who has never worn a watch, doesn’t have a mobile phone and has never kept a diary, has always relied on me to do the organising. ‘Where are we going tonight?’, ‘Who with?’, ‘What time?’.

What will happen to us?

I’m afraid.

Baldness trivia

Do you know, that when you have very little hair and it’s about 1mm long, it sticks to your pillow like velcro? When I try to roll over I wrench my neck and it ends up sore the next morning. I know it’s odd but if you haven’t worked it out yet… I’m odd.

 Mothers day classic run

Tonight I’m going out for dinner and then getting up at 5am to run the Mothers day classic. Our team has raised over $2000 and almost 3 including individual amounts. I thank you all from my heart for the donations. The clinical trial I am currently on wouldn’t exist without donations such as yours. If you see me on the TV, I’ll be the one with the spotty bald head running through a cloud of fog. Our team fundraiser link 

Another story about the shrinking egg.

This morning, after a one week break from treatment, I had the shrinking egg measured prior to my chemo session in the ‘Turban factory’. The Doctor was amazed and excited as she struggled to find it so that she could do the measurements! After only 3 treatments this is very fast shrinkage, especially considering it was a very aggressive tumour. Unfortunately they measure the width rather than the height. Prior to treatment, it was as high as a small egg and now it is a flat marble size. The width today measured as 2cm whereas it was 4cm before. The Dr found it a bit difficult to take the measurements as it is so flat now. I wonder where it will be at next time it’s measured in 4 weeks time. Having only had 3 chemo sessions, that’s pretty exciting yes? Thank God for fast response to prayer for someone who is impatient by nature. It certainly helps me to have faith, hope and a positive outlook.

10287830_10152147511869506_1343794248_oTaking part in the clinical trial means I will need to complete all of the treatment regardless of the outcome. I’m happy to do this because it contributes to research. Besides, it’s not only about shrinking tumours, it’s about killing the little beasties which are floating around in my body looking for a place to land.

The other exciting news is that my blood tests were ‘amazing’ according to the nurses. I heard them raving about them to themselves so I asked if it was my results they were discussing and they said ‘yes, your blood is incredible’. The doctor said I have  a good baseline because I am physically fit and my diet was good. Woo hoo!

So it’s looking like the Fun Run for the breast cancer research on Mother’s day is going ahead at this rate. Our team has raised over $1000 and individuals in our team have also raised money so that’s really awesome and I thank everyone who has supported the run.

You can contribute to our team fund raising here

I ALSO managed to persuade the doctor to give me permission to use the Peninsula Hot Springs. They require a written consent form before they will let me use them. Usually us chemo patients aren’t allowed in spas but the Hot Springs are fee flowing, rather than a hot puddle of germs and chlorine like the usual gym spas. I’m going away for the weekend with my 3 sisters soon so this will be part of our weekend. I’m so excited as it’s the 1st time ever I’ve spent a weekend just with my sisters!

Hairless happenings

I have totally spooked the poor waiter at Lower Deck Cafe with my ‘bald head and baseball cap’ appearance (after sport), wig variations and hat creations. They don’t like to ask but I see the question burning on their lips. What is their question though and who would ask it? I think I’ll keep them guessing.

10154535_10152134565794506_4193136607193693537_nThe same goes for my gym. I did my workout in my criminal cap and then did my ‘wig routine’ in the change rooms. I managed to do the headgear swap in 3.5 seconds while nobody was in there. I feel like a Mrs Doubtfire double with all my appendages. Reading glasses, hearing aides and wigs. It’s all a balancing act.

Hats are an issue with my hearing as they muffle the sound. If I wear hearing aides with a hat they squeal. I sound like a cot case don’t I? Actually I feel great! So glad we can get props for all our failing bits and pieces nowadays:)

I’ve taken to wearing wigs mostly but even then I am not terribly elegant about it…

Thank God for daughters

Last Saturday, while shopping at Eastland, my daughter said ‘MUM… you’re making very un-natural gestures with your wig’. You can always trust a daughter to tell you when you look ridiculous. I realised then that I have a habit of treating the wigs like a hat. I pat the top down if it feels like it’s sticking up, adjust the position of it on my head and pull the back down when it’s creeping up. Sometimes I itch my head under the wig and the arms of my sun glasses tend to go under the wig and around my ears instead of over. So what’s wrong with that?

I’m a class act really.

 

Lollypop top is here!

Screenshot 21:04:2014 1:38 pmIt’s difficult to explain it but last nights head shaving experience was possibly one of the loveliest nights in my life. I will always remember it. I was dreading it very much and yet I have never felt closer to my family or appreciated their kind and loving natures more than now.

The boys, because they were so strong and joined me in my head shaving. They are quietly dealing with stuff and yet showing they care by their actions.

Sophie because she did all of the shaving of the heads and fought her own emotions to make it all feel ‘ok’. That was a tough gig for her and I love her so much for being so caring and sensitive.

Colin for telling me I looked beautiful and that he loved me.

Screenshot 21:04:2014 1:37 pmAshlee (Blake’s girlfriend) because she is a gifted talker. I asked her to tell me a story to distract me during the process. She talked non stop, was totally upbeat and positive and I was so grateful to her for being who she is. She is a doll!

So after the deed was done, we had photo shoots, including this one with my hat collection on. Don’t the boys look adorable?

This morning I went to gym with Sophie with just a cap on. How brave was that? I looked like some weird bogan. I swear I could go and rob a bank and then wear my wig and nobody would recognise me. Aha. Evil plans hatching.

Wig shotI have 2 wigs but they need to be ‘adjusted’. The short one doesn’t look too bad but it still needs work. I’m going tomorrow to get them cut to my face shape better.
So here is my short wig.

It’s a weird feeling being bald but quite liberating as well. The wind doesn’t blow my hair into my eyes, it doesn’t tug at my head, I don’t have to wash or style it. I’m saving on shampoo, hair cuts, hair dye and ‘bad hair days’.

Todays funny story

OK… so here’s a blonde story for you. I woke up last night and it was pitch black dark. I could hear Colin getting ready to go play golf. WHY, I was thinking, is he getting ready to play golf at 2am? It’s the middle of the night. I drifted back to sleep. Then I woke to hear Sophie crashing around the house, as she does. WHY, is she up in the middle of the night? It’s pitch black dark.

Then about 10 minutes later, I realised that the beanie I put on before I went to bed to keep my head warm, had drifted down over my eyes. It was 8.30am and broad daylight.

So glad I can blame ‘chemo brain’ instead of my dumbness.

 

The story of the shrinking egg

Watch this space

Last week I told the doctor the tumour is shrinking and she said ‘it won’t be shrinking yet it’s too early’. Well watch this space doctor!! I can now lay on my stomach for the first time in months (the lump was very large and uncomfortable before) and the tumour is now back to golf ball size from the previous egg size.  It’s the benefit of breast cancer over some other types of cancer that I can SEE the tumour and watch it shrink.

Whether you believe it’s prayer, diet (cutting out sugar and carbs etc), chemo or a combination of everything… I’m claiming it!! So yes. Watch this space.

Taking advise from others

It’s always good to have helpful advise from people and I appreciate it very much but it’s also important that I research my game plan and feel positive about it. My health plan isn’t ‘random’, it’s been discussed with my doctors, clinical trial specialists and I’ve read many medical journals, books and discussed options with health experts.

Whether my choices are the best in other peoples eyes can’t be a focus for me. In order to feel ‘positive’ I need to be confident that it will work and it gives me a way to contribute to my health, along with prayer and support from friends.

So please don’t think I don’t appreciate what you suggest as a lot of it has been very helpful and I know it is well intended.

As for exercise. No, I’m not over doing it and yes it is the best thing to do when you are on chemo, according to research. I’m under no illusions as to how long I have to keep it up and how my white blood cells vanishing will make me tired. By nature I’m a fighter. I’m not going to sit on the couch and lose all of my energy by being inactive. Energy doesn’t ‘save’. It depletes when you don’t maintain your fitness.

Doctors used to advise people to rest as much as possible during treatment, but this has changed. We now know that too much rest results in loss of muscle strength and leaves you with low energy levels. Read more here

Here are the benefits of exercising during chemo:

-reduces side effects of the chemo
-reduces tiredness (fatigue)
-reduce stress and anxiety
-helps look after your bones
-helps look after your heart
-helps reduce your risk of getting a blood clot
-helps keep your weight healthy

If you’re on chemo and you don’t have an exercise routine, start very slowly. It’s not the time to get into hard core fitness now!It’s best to find an approach which suits you as it’s not for everyone. I’m 53 years old and had started a running routine about 5 months before I began chemo. I also go to pilates, body balance and workout in the gym. All of this I did prior to getting cancer so my body is used to it.

There are many hundreds of sites supporting exercise during fitness, both medical journals and personal cases. Of course it’s important not to over do it and to listen to your body when it needs rest.

Here is an example of someone who rode her bike to and from her chemotherapy sessions

Mothers day classic

We’ve started a Mothers day classic team called ‘The Wood Hood’ team. We’ve raised $135 so far Woo hoo! I hope I’ll feel up to it when the time comes but it’s given me a goal.

So if you can afford to support our team or join it, here is the link.