Fatigue

Wow!  I'm not sure why, but I've been so very tired lately.  Thursday and Friday were so bad, I thought maybe something could be wrong with me, like maybe I was coming down with an illness or something.  I was fairly busy this week, but not nearly as hectic as some weeks I've had.  I've been told that it can take a year to recover from chemo, and I've heard three months to recover from radiation.  I guess maybe these are residual affects of them both.  Today's been good though.  :-)

Update and Nutrition

I've been doing okay.  I feel like I'm doing great, but then after a few hours of busyness, I get pretty tired.  Sometimes, I feel like I'm just plain ole lazy.  Other times I wonder if it has something to do with my increase in weight (which by the way is a mystery to me).  Donna (Dr. T's nurse) said the weight gain is probably due to the fluctuation in hormones - menopause on, then menopause off.  She said to do what I feel like doing, but to listen to my body.  Hmmm... many times, my body says "don't get out of the bed".  LOL... can't do that!

I've been juicing again.  I hope this will help with my energy levels.  I really like this juice recipe and use it often:

1 pear
1 green apple
2 carrots
broccoli or kale

I may switch up at times, but I think I'll stick with these ingredients as staples.  I juice in the morning most days.  My cousin told me about a powder that can be added to bottled water, shaken and drank when I cannot juice.  It's called "Go Greens".  I bought it, but don't like it much at all.  I'll use it on days when I need to juice but don't have the time.  I've decided to go back to drinking green tea and honey at night.  I read a very interesting article last night titled "The Anti-Cancer Diet".  It lists 10 foods believed to fight and prevent cancer.  Read the article here when you get a chance.  Here are the 10 foods/groups:

Garlic
Berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, etc.)
Tomatoes
Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower)
Green tea
Whole grains
Tumeric
Leafy greens (kale, collards, mustards)
Grapes (red)
Beans (pinto, red kidney, etc.)


I love this list.  I eat all of these, except for tumeric seasoning, so I plan to have at least 2-3 every day.  I'm a big believer in natural healing.  I believe the cure for cancer is in the foods God gives us.  Bon Appétit!

And the Praises Continue!!

God is so good...as if we didn't already know that.  :-)  It's just good to say it from time to time.

My friend, Tricia, received wonderful news yesterday that her PET/CT scan was clean!!  Tricia has been through breast cancer twice, and now pancreatic cancer too.  She is truly a vehicle of God's glory.  I was so happy when I got the news yesterday, I broke down in tears.  I didn't even react that strongly when I got my own "clean" report.  It's just that she's been through such a tough time, and I pray this will be her last bout with cancer.  What a testament to God's power and his love!

Instincts Kicking In

This time off has been good for me.  I'm healing nicely.  I'm listening to my instincts.  I'm slowly regaining my strength.  I usually feel good, but some days, I'm just plain ole tired!  This reminds me of all my body has been through lately.

I missed the consultation with the DIEP surgeon on January 4th because the PET scan tool longer than anticipated.  Funny thing is, I haven't had the desire to reschedule.  my gut keeps telling me to stick with Dr. Adams and the TRAM flap procedure.  While the new, cutting-edge, DIEP procedure sounds great, I'm not thrilled about the longer surgery time, the drive to downtown Memphis (UT hospital is the only one equipped for this surgery), and only know of one person who has used this surgeon... and she didn't exactly 'sing his praises'. 

On the other hand, I've visited with Dr. Adams a few times, I LOVE his nurse, Carolyn, and I know of at least 3 people who have been to Dr. Adams and highly recommend him.  Yes, I'd have to lose an abdominal muscle with the TRAM flap, but my cousin had this procedure several years ago, and she's doing great!  She had a double mastectomy, so she had to lose both abdominal muscles.  However, she says it hasn't disturbed her quality of life one bit.  I called Carolyn a week ago to ask her if it would be INSANE to consider asking Dr. Adams to remove both muscles for symmetrical reasons.  She said he highly discourages that.  So, I may never be able to sit up again without having to roll sidewards or roll forward using a bent let, but I think I can live with that.

"A Good Day"...

...says Dr. T in his office today after letting me know that my PET Scan was good.  The report says everything is normal and there is "no evidence of disease".  It was taken from the base of skull to mid-thighs.  I am very thankful.

So now, I will move forward with my reconstruction plans and continue having Herceptin treatments every three weeks.  I asked him why these are still necessary if the PET was clean.  He said while the PET is the best scan out there, it still cannot detect microscopic cancer particles.  Therefore, one year of Herceptin is necessary.  Then they'll continue to do scans periodically for 5 years.

Also today, I had my followup visit with my radiation oncologist.  He says I'm healing very well, and there is no need to return to him.  This has been a day of good news.  Thank you so much for your prayers!

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him." -- Psalm 28:7

Big Day Tomorrow - PET Scan

Tomorrow morning, I will have my first PET/CT scan.  This scan should identify any cancer areas in the entire body.  Now that all treatment is over, this test will reveal much. I'm a little nervous because it's been almost 4 months since my last chemo.  If there were any cells remaining after chemo, they have had lots of travel time.  Since my cancer was so very aggressive, this test really needs to be done.

I cannot eat anything after midnight tonight.  I can only drink water before the scan.  They will inject me with glucose then wait about an hour before doing the scan.  Cancer cells consume more glucose than normal cells, so the scan will reveal any "hot spots" in my body.  "Hot spots" are indicative of cancer.  For some reason, I must have someone drive me there and back.  I will go back Wednesday morning for a visit with Dr. T and my PET scan results.

Please pray that the scan will be accurate and conclusive.  Also, please pray for good results and acceptance on my part.  Thank you and goodnight.

New Awareness

Happy New Year!!!  I've heard this many times this week.  I thought I’d look forward to 2011.  I was planning to bid 2010 farewell and look forward to the new cancer-free me in 2011.  As it turned out, New Years Eve was scary for me.  I’ve become more aware of the fact that next year, next month, even next week, is not guaranteed.   

I’m humbled by this new awareness.  It’s scary, but life never has been within my control.  I guess I never realized the false sense of security I had until now.  The only goal I can truly set is 'God’s Will'.  So, I am resolved to thank God for each day and strive to do His will.