Monthly Archives: March 2011

Health Issues

Mar 27 Radiation Treatments done so far 8/25

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Well it has been a few days since I put a post in about the radiation treatments. So far, I think I am doing pretty well. I have had 8 treatments and have 17 more to go. They do them Mon-Fri except on holidays. The set up is what takes the most time, they have to position you in just the right spot exactly, and I have to be put in the mould they made me before the treatments started. It takes some time to set up, but once the radiation starts, it’s only a couple of minutes. I would say from arriving in the cancer center, to leaving is about 30-40 min each day, depending on if they are on time. Sometimes it’s behind schedule as the machine is finicky in the area I am in and gives them grief sometimes.

I saw the radioncologist friday and she examined me.. she thought everything was looking good so far. No skin breakdown. I am having some burning sensation on the skin, but it’s more like a mild sunburn at this point. There is a darkening of the nipple on one side (sorry if TMI, but it’s a truthful accounting of what is going on.) but so far nothing to bad. I have been told symptoms can worsen around end of week 2.. so I’m not quite there yet.

Maurice has taken me to all radiation treatments but on Thursday Maggie came in, and sat with me while I waited my turn to be on the machine. She was allowed to come in the room while they set me up (I asked if she could and they said sure) and so she saw them mark me up with their pens, position me exactly so… and then they all left the room and the radiation started. She was allowed to be in the room with all of the monitors and the techs explained what they were doing, how the radiation was directed etc, and she said she found it interesting. 🙂

…Pam…

Health Issues

Cancer Fundraiser – Thanks Tim :)

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This is an email I got from a dear friend, Tim. He is married to Maggie, who I’ve been friends with for since 1968… that’s 43 years now. 🙂  If you had thought that you might want to support the effort to fight Cancer, this is a worthy cause, and I believe you can get a  tax deduction as well. Please read his email to me below

Hello: I am riding in the Canadian Cancer Society, Ride 2 Survive 2011 fund raising initiative. Recently, two people very close to my wife and I have been stricken with the disease. Pam, my wife’s best friend for 40 years and my wife’s mother Ida are in the fight now, both demonstrating amazing positive outlooks.
In the very early hours of June 18th, the Ride 2 Survive (R2S) cycling team will be departing Kelowna BC with its destination being Delta BC; 400 kms and eighteen hours later!! With the support of the Canadian Cancer Society, the R2S fundraising initiative is completely volunteer run. The event strives to raise awareness and seeks funding to help research a cure for cancer. All generous donations go directly to the cause. Donations are used for research and to help in the ongoing care for those fighting cancer. Remember, the Canadian Cancer Society is a resource for those who have any questions relating to cancer or may need help in dealing with the disease.
Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca. For those of you who supported me in the past, I remain extremely grateful. This year my cause is more personal than ever. With your continued support, I know the R2S event will reach and exceed our goals again. I appreciate all that you do in support of my efforts and if you would be so kind, please share the R2S cause with those around you.

Let’s make cancer history!

Tim

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Canadian Cancer Society – BC and Yukon Division

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Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://ride2survivefundraising.kintera.org/anctil?faf=1&e=4368166772
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Here is the direct link to my donation page.

http://ride2survivefundraising.kintera.org/anctil

If you want to share the story and the link in a different manner than the Cancer Society email I just sent, here it is.

Thanks for helping me help you!!!

Tim Anctil

Canadian Cancer Society

Ride2Survive

www.ride2survive.com

Thanks to everyone for reading about this and for supporting Tim in his efforts to battle Cancer. The sooner we find a cure, the more of us survive.Thanks Tim for everything you do, and for putting your cycling skills to good use fighting this very worthy cause.

…Pam…

All About Max

Max and the Vet

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Yesterday we took Max to the vet as he was limping and lifting his front right leg and not wanting to weight bear. It was difficult to watch him like that. We took him to Scottsdale Veterinary Hospital where his vet Dr Lewellyn looked at him. He advised we get an Xray to make sure he had not Fractured anything, and also a blood panel as he was also running a temperature. His temp was 40.5  which is high. His resps were high too. He was off his food yesterday.

Xrays did not show any fractures, but we could all see how swollen he was around the “wrist area” of the leg on a dog, he was very tender and would not let the vet touch it, so we had to muzzle him as he was giving a warning , but good boy, didn’t bite. He was in pretty bad pain though, so I’m glad we did take him in to get assessed. It cost us 510 bucks, which was painful to part with, but he’s our boy and so we did it.

For that we got:

The bill is as follows:

1 geriatric panel (blood)       119.90

1 blood collection and prep   23.85

1 office visit                                  59.00

1 Nail trim w exam                    13.21

1 Xray – 2 views                        141.67

.70 Metacam injection              13.04

1 Metacam Oral suspension   51.76

14 tramadol 100 mgm capsule  33.76

=====

456.76

HST                  54.74

Total this invoice                         ======

510.93

Today we had to take Max back to get his temp checked. It had gone down to 39.2 but because his White blood count and other lab values were high, the vet advised he be on antibiotics. I asked her if they had any “donated” antibiotics that they could give us, so we would not have to incur more expense and they did, so we are grateful for that.no charge today.

Today he’s at least weight bearing on that foot, limping but will walk. Yesterday he wouldn’t, and so there is some improvement. I put ice packs on his leg yesterday x 2 and he tolerated them because he was so zonked from the tramadol.. 🙂 today he’s more perky so it’s a challenge. But.. I will perservere, as he needs it to help reduce the swelling. We have been bringing his food down to the family room because we don’t want him going up and down the stairs ++ to irritate the joint. Things are looking up. He’s still in pain, but not so terribly like he was. 🙂

…Pam…

Health Issues

Day 1 Radiation treatment March 16th

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Today was my first actual radiation treatment. They told me it would take about an hour, and it did. Most of the time was taken up by getting me in exactly the right position. There were 2 guys and 1 gal who moved me about on the table and got me in exactly the right position that I needed to be to zap me. They also did some imaging, so that is why it took longer. The actual radiation didn’t take that long.. less than a minute or so in each position. They added some pen marks on my right breast and side. I asked them to make it in the shape of a dragon, but they just laughed..    They told me that tomorrow I just need to go to the treatment room, put my card up on the desk where they showed me, and get changed and be ready for appointment time, so that seems pretty straightforward. Today the gal in reception showed me around and told me the routine of what to do.

Because of the radiation I was warned that there will be skin changes. I was given a list of different lotions to use daily, and also a list of different body soaps I can use for showers. It has to be really mild stuff, as harsh soaps will irritate an already irritated skin. I will try to follow orders :)The main thing I can do to try to help myself is good skin care. They said the breast creases is one of the main places that tends to get irritated, so I’ll try to be vigilent.

I go to radiation mon-friday, and the times are not always the same.. it’s how they can fit everyone in, so tomorrow’s time is different than todays. They write it all down on the card you are given so I don’t have to remember and they only give you the next weeks times on the friday.

…Pam…

All About Max, Surrey Parks

Bear stranded!

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Bear Creek ParkWe were out taking Max for a walk – in Bear Creek Park too – when we came across a terrible sight. We were walking along the salmon stream, which was quite high from the spring run off. Max suddenly barked, and ran back and forth across an open area by the stream.

Close-upWe thought he must be chasing a squirrel, but no, he’d actually cornered a bear! I think he must have been fishing for salmon, but the river was moving so fast, he seemed paralyzed with fear!

Now, we thought we should call Fish and Wildlife to let them know about this poor stranded animal, but our pleas for assistance fell on deaf ears.

I’ve posted this pic, and you be the judge about whether they should have sent help!

All About Max, Health Issues

Sunday March 13th

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Well today was a crack of dawn moment. Sunday of all days, I had to be at Surrey Memorial Hospital to have a liver Ultrasound done. I am not 1000% sure why they ordered it, but I suspect, that it, along with bone scan I had last tuesday are to look for any signs of metastasis. That is my theory and I’m sticking with it until I hear otherwise.

The Ultrasound was alright. A fellow did it, and he had been doing the job for 10 yrs (I always grill people to see how long they have done what they are doing hee hee) and he did the Liver (had me take deep breaths in and hold it, then he marked off liver edges, and I could expel the breath. We did that dance about 15 times or so. When they do an ultrasound, they put a gel on your skin and use a probe, like a big round computer mouse looking thing to press in over the organ, so it can show up on the screen. He also did my gallbladder, and kidneys, seemed to be pancreas and then ovaries as well. I thought it was a Liver US but perhaps it was actually an abdominal one, as he seemed to be looking at organs on both sides of abd. Took about 15 minutes and I was out of there. 🙂 Home to a nice cuppa coffee.

Maurice was swell and got me up for the appointment. I had set the alarm, but he came in the room at 0600 and let me know it was really 0700 because of daylight savings time! I would have totally missed my appointment, if left to my own devices. He drove me to the hospital and then waited nearby for me to give him the call I was done, and brought me back home safe and sound. Thx sweetie!:)

Next thing for me? I have to get some fasting blood work done at the lab near family Dr’s office either Monday or Tuesday, and then radiation starts Wednesday for 5 weeks, and it will be a monday-friday thing. I’ve been tattooed where the boundaries are they will be zapping, so I’m almost done all of the tests that needed to happen, and hoops that needed jumping, before getting this radiation going.

As an aside, I saw family Dr on thursday, and she gave me some abx for a respiratory infection I’ve been fighting since about Feb 24th and today my throat is much less sore, YAY!!! though I’m still coughing and bringing up stuff, I am starting to feel less drug through a wringer 🙂

…Pam…

Health Issues

March 9 2011

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I went and had physio at the rehab services yesterday. They made measurements on both arms again, to see if I am having any lymphedema. The measurements looked pretty good, though slightly increased at the top 3 measurements near upper arm/armpit. She said we will just keep an eye on them for now, it’s nothing to be alarmed about. I know the signs and symptoms of lymphedema and will vigilant watching for it.

We did more exercises and I used a band to do some bicept/tricept exercises. She was pleased with my strength and mobility of the arm/shoulder area. We talked about the “zingers” I get when my shoulder goes in a certain way. The “sunburn” type pain I was having has gradually been lessening so that’s something to cheer about. It was so bad initially I had to sit with my arm up over the recliner, with nothing touching it, or I would weep with pain. The pain then, and for many weeks was a constant 8-10/10 and it felt like 2 bad sunburns being rubbed against each other. Now the pain is about a 3/10.

I got a call to say I have to have a liver ultrasound on Sunday March 13th. (It’s amazing to me they are doing this stuff on a Sunday, but I confirmed it. I imagine they want this stuff done before the radiation starts, and I was injected by nuclear medicine on Tuesday for the bone scan, so I guess they need a few days to get the tracer out of my system. So next thing medically for me is the Liver US. Again, I think they are just checking to see if it has metastasized before the radiation starts. Wish me luck!  Then, the next thing for me is Radiation that starts on Wednesday March 16th and will go on daily mon-fri  x 5 weeks.. so I’m thinking that will be until April 19th or so… but that’s not confirmed yet.  I’ve been warned by everyone and their dog that the radiation can affect how tired I am… (and I’m wiped and tired now, so I’m not seeing how it can be much worse, to be honest.)

Good or bad, I’ll let you all know how the radiation feels. Right now I’m just tired of being sick. I’ve been sick with this damned sore throat ( sore enough to feel like strep or a tonsilar abscess) anyways Dr can see me today and I’m soooo hoping I get some antibiotics. I was talking to mum on the phone today and I started to hack and wretch so bad because throat is so inflamed and swollen still, that I had to run to bathroom to throw up (sorry, TMI) so hopefully I’m not going to look like a friggin raccoon full of petechae around my eyes. SIGH! I just want to feel better and get some energy.

I know it sounds like I’m whining right now, but I’m just feeling a little wiped/fatigued/sick of hacking.

I know there are alot of people out there dealing with more than I am, and I want you to know I am  feeling glad and grateful that the cancer was caught early, hopeful that it has not spread elsewhere, and thankful to my my husband Maurice who has been my rock, and to my friends and collegues to give me no end of warm fuzzies when least expected. 🙂 No matter how crappy I feel, I know I have a husband who loves me and helps me so much, family and friends who love me. When all is said and done, that’s what is really important. Having cancer really makes you re-evaluate the priorities in life. What is really important, what matters. It’s the people in your life, not the things in your life,  that give your life meaning and worth. I’m blessed to have great people in mine. I hope you have the same in yours, and if you don’t… then get out there and work on it! Pick up the phone and make some first steps. 🙂

…Pam…