So I started my re-immunizations. I got 5 shots the first time. I could barely move my arms!! That was fun. and for Christmas - Santa gave me chicken pox! Yes, I had them as a child but my immune system hasn't had them yet! Luckily they were juvenile chicken pox and not the adult version (shingles). I hear those are pretty painful. They kept me in the hospital for a few days because children's chicken pox can do some damage to an adult body (I think something in the brain and may make you sterile! like that would be a problem...). I also learned that chicken pox is one of the 8 types of Herpes viruses that affect humans. On the bright, non-itchy side, I should have lifelong protective immunity from further episodes of chickenpox.
What a way to start the new year! I hope yours started better!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Friday, December 7, 2007
It Ain't Easy, but so far so good
So I'm actually feeling better! We're working on my thyroid, my intestines, the fatigue, the "chemo brain" (which I think is actually brain stress related to hormone malfunctions in the body) and my overall hormonal problems. I'm realizing how delicate the balance of the body's inner-workings are. Getting back that balance has been harder than it sounds.
One of my main problems causing many imbalances is food allergies. I had been eating things that didn't make me vomit and my body was developing allergies because I was eating the same thing all the time. I had to avoid eating those foods to which I had grown so accustomed. It was hard to adjust, but I managed to tough it out long enough to "detox" (for lack of a better word). The less I ate those foods, the better I felt. Even better, it's not a permanent change. I can eventually introduce the foods back into my diet. To continue feeling better, I have to limit each food to three times a week. I can actually control the allergies. It's nice to have some control back.
In other news....
I had the port in my chest removed last week - I guess I won't be needing THAT! And guess who's going back to school! I've signed up for classes - I start January 15th and plan to sit for the July 08 NY Bar Exam.
One of my main problems causing many imbalances is food allergies. I had been eating things that didn't make me vomit and my body was developing allergies because I was eating the same thing all the time. I had to avoid eating those foods to which I had grown so accustomed. It was hard to adjust, but I managed to tough it out long enough to "detox" (for lack of a better word). The less I ate those foods, the better I felt. Even better, it's not a permanent change. I can eventually introduce the foods back into my diet. To continue feeling better, I have to limit each food to three times a week. I can actually control the allergies. It's nice to have some control back.
In other news....
I had the port in my chest removed last week - I guess I won't be needing THAT! And guess who's going back to school! I've signed up for classes - I start January 15th and plan to sit for the July 08 NY Bar Exam.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Survivorship
I think "integrative medicine" means different things to different people. When I was an in-patient at MSKCC they had Integrative Medicine, which included acupressure, reiki, (bed) yoga, reflexology, guided imagery, and meditation (and maybe more - i don't remember). Someone would come to your room and perform the aforementioned services. It was supposed to help with stress, anxiety, and pain and supplement your medical treatment.
What I'm doing now, post treatment, is very different than the above "Integrative Medicine". The doctors I am seeing now are medical doctors that treat the whole person and practice complementary medicine (as they like to call it). They don't believe in band-aid solutions (for example sleeping pills for sleep problems), instead they believe in getting to the root of the problem and supporting the body's natural system (like prescribing pills that support the neurotransmitters in the brain that help you relax, sleep, and stay asleep). Of course they run many, many (expensive) tests before they recommend anything for any symptom. We learned (through those tests) that: I have food allergies, I'm in menopause (my body is not producing hormones at normal levels - I am WAY below average - more like an 80 year old woman), I have thyroid problems, I'm leaking protein, I have osteopenia, and I'm deficient in many other ways (a lot to take in at once for me). Anyway, the point being that all the discomfort and problems I am experiencing post treatment can be fixed by giving the body a little help in regulating itself back to "normal" instead of prescribing creams and ointments for dry skin, Ambien for sleep issues, etc.
What I'm doing now, post treatment, is very different than the above "Integrative Medicine". The doctors I am seeing now are medical doctors that treat the whole person and practice complementary medicine (as they like to call it). They don't believe in band-aid solutions (for example sleeping pills for sleep problems), instead they believe in getting to the root of the problem and supporting the body's natural system (like prescribing pills that support the neurotransmitters in the brain that help you relax, sleep, and stay asleep). Of course they run many, many (expensive) tests before they recommend anything for any symptom. We learned (through those tests) that: I have food allergies, I'm in menopause (my body is not producing hormones at normal levels - I am WAY below average - more like an 80 year old woman), I have thyroid problems, I'm leaking protein, I have osteopenia, and I'm deficient in many other ways (a lot to take in at once for me). Anyway, the point being that all the discomfort and problems I am experiencing post treatment can be fixed by giving the body a little help in regulating itself back to "normal" instead of prescribing creams and ointments for dry skin, Ambien for sleep issues, etc.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Last Chemo
Well, my last chemo treatment was on Thursday, October 4, 2007. YAY If you're wondering what's next, keep reading.
NO, I haven't finished school yet, taken the bar or started working.
I think the reason it took me a while to blog about my last chemo is because I don't feel done. I'm still fatigued, having problems with my skin, can't think straight, concentrate or remember and (what the hell - I'll put it out there) I'm in menopause.
Many people seem to think that just because cancer treatment is over that your life can resume and you can pick up where you left off. I'm here to tell you that's not how it works. Not for me anyway. Yes, I have hair and I don't LOOK sick anymore but the after affects of chemotherapy, radiation, anti-biotics, anti-fungals, anti-virals, steroids, sleeping pills, hormones, etc. are apparent on the inner workings of my body. Things are very out of balance. Don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining - I'm very happy to be alive and writing this blog, but non-cancer people must know: I did not just get over a cold. There is still work to be done on this whole person - not just my cancer.
I have started seeing new doctors to deal with the aftermath of cancer treatment. We started with blood tests, urine and stool samples, sonograms of my ovaries and thyroid and I am relieved. My next post will be about what they found.
If it will help someone else, I want to share some personal information (well more personal than I normally get on this blog). I've been keeping these updates pretty general but I think it's time to share what's going on with my body post treatment.
I will continue to post in the hopes of helping other post treatment SURVIVORS deal with their bodies post treatment.
NO, I haven't finished school yet, taken the bar or started working.
I think the reason it took me a while to blog about my last chemo is because I don't feel done. I'm still fatigued, having problems with my skin, can't think straight, concentrate or remember and (what the hell - I'll put it out there) I'm in menopause.
Many people seem to think that just because cancer treatment is over that your life can resume and you can pick up where you left off. I'm here to tell you that's not how it works. Not for me anyway. Yes, I have hair and I don't LOOK sick anymore but the after affects of chemotherapy, radiation, anti-biotics, anti-fungals, anti-virals, steroids, sleeping pills, hormones, etc. are apparent on the inner workings of my body. Things are very out of balance. Don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining - I'm very happy to be alive and writing this blog, but non-cancer people must know: I did not just get over a cold. There is still work to be done on this whole person - not just my cancer.
I have started seeing new doctors to deal with the aftermath of cancer treatment. We started with blood tests, urine and stool samples, sonograms of my ovaries and thyroid and I am relieved. My next post will be about what they found.
If it will help someone else, I want to share some personal information (well more personal than I normally get on this blog). I've been keeping these updates pretty general but I think it's time to share what's going on with my body post treatment.
I will continue to post in the hopes of helping other post treatment SURVIVORS deal with their bodies post treatment.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
9 Down and 1 Left
So I just had my 9th chemo last week when we got back from Florida. It was pushed back because I had a cold before we left and they wouldn't give me chemo. I also had another bone marrow aspiration. Fun. The last chemo is set for October 2.
Now I just have to deal with the aftermath that this has done to my body. Not quite ready to get back to school yet. I'm easily overwhelmed and it's really hard to concentrate (still). My memory is still lacking... which would make it hard to take a test.
Anyway thanks for sticking with me - we're almost done. I couldn't have done it without you =)
Now I just have to deal with the aftermath that this has done to my body. Not quite ready to get back to school yet. I'm easily overwhelmed and it's really hard to concentrate (still). My memory is still lacking... which would make it hard to take a test.
Anyway thanks for sticking with me - we're almost done. I couldn't have done it without you =)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Stupid Comedy Show
When:
Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 8:00 PM
Description:
Get Busy Laughing at Cancer's Expense
Gotham Comedy Club
New York City
208 West 23rd St.
Between 7th and 8th Ave.
Admission $100/pp
open bar + show
VIP Admission $125/pp
cocktail reception w/ hors douvres @ 7pm
open bar + show
Virtual Angel $125/pp
sponsor attendance for a young survivor (in alliance with local support groups)
COMEDY SHOW STARTS AT 8pm
Tickets: 212-367-9000
StupidComedyShow.com
Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 8:00 PM
Description:
Get Busy Laughing at Cancer's Expense
Gotham Comedy Club
New York City
208 West 23rd St.
Between 7th and 8th Ave.
Admission $100/pp
open bar + show
VIP Admission $125/pp
cocktail reception w/ hors douvres @ 7pm
open bar + show
Virtual Angel $125/pp
sponsor attendance for a young survivor (in alliance with local support groups)
COMEDY SHOW STARTS AT 8pm
Tickets: 212-367-9000
StupidComedyShow.com
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