It’s a beautiful 78 degree day in Hawaii! I’m sitting here with all the family around thinking how lucky I am to be alive.
I was recently contacted by Self Magazine for my thoughts and my advice for handling a cancer diagnosis. (You can read on the above link). If I could stress one thing to newly diagnosed cancer patients it would be that knowledge is power. Learning everything you can helps you be a better patient. I was lucky in that my Oncologist supported this. I was an equal partner in my treatment. There is a certain feeling of helplessness that comes with any cancer diagnosis, but taking control of your own personal choices is empowering.
Another critical piece of advice is to not stop being you! Where you can, get out and do the things that you love. For me, I was eager to keep working during my treatment because it signaled to everyone that I wasn’t going to just quit. While there were some super tired days, I am so happy with the decision. I was afraid if I quit work that my whole life would be consumed by cancer. I still have constant reminders of my treatment (neuropathy, arthritis, gastro issues, and a beautiful scar) but it is a small price to pay to be alive!
Summer of 2018
As we move into 2019, I am resolved to continue forward with a positive can-do attitude. Each year, I choose a one word goal for the year rather than a whole long list of resolutions.
My list of #Oneword from 2014 onward
My goal for 2019 in to be #impactful in all that I do. I’m already thinking about implementation of my #oneword for 2019! My runner-up word was #Reflective.
Thank you for following and sharing with you friends! What is your #oneword for 2019??
Have you heard the song, “Here I go again” by the 80’s band Whitesnake?
“Here I go again on my own
Goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An’ I’ve made up my mind, I ain’t wasting no more time.”
Are you going it alone? You don’t have to! Giving help benefits both the recipient and the giver. Surveys show that cancer survival can improve with a support network (10 tips on how to survive cancer)…and a 25% increase in survival rates! I like those odds. The American Cancer Society rated my survival odds at 41% for five years. If you count the original year of diagnosis….I am in the survivor group! Yeah!
The two parts of support include offering help to those that are ill, and the ability to accept help that is offered. When you are sick, it’s hard to reach out to friends and family because you don’t want to be a bother. Share this article with a friend if they ask what they can do to help? When you reach out to someone who is ill, it’s hard to know what to offer that will actually be a help.
Here are some suggestions for way to help:
Offer to drive to an appointment or watch kids (many clinics don’t allow children)
Offer to sit with your friend during chemo (it’s pretty boring and more fun with a friend or loved one)
Make a meal! (Check with the family first for dietary restrictions. Kid friendly dishes helped my family immensely and took the burden of making a nightly meal off my shoulders.) Check out Take them a meal (this website is an awesome way to organize meal delivery for families).
Send a card-seems simple, but this is so uplifting when you are having a rough day.
Send a care package. It can be simple! Saltine crackers, cough drops, tissues….etc.
Send a positive text message. You got this! was my favorite one!
Call! Leave a message! Many times it is not a great time to talk, but hearing your friend’s voice is a cheery reminder that friends have not forgotten you.
Visit! (Don’t just drop in unannounced please! Set it up in advance)
Six years ago…I hiked Koko Head Crater for the first time…over a 1000 stairs…straight up.
At that time, I didn’t even know cancer was lurking in the wings…
Today, I had the opportunity to tackle the beast again. I went through the fire again!
From Leo on Trip Advisor “Some hikers throwing up on the side. View on top is great. Getting to the top gives a good feel of accomplishment.”
Koko Head Crater 630 am
After reading the reviews, I was apprehensive. Could I do it again after all the crap I’ve been through….surgeries…chemotherapy….radiation…?
The beginning was not too rough
The railroad-tie bridge is not for the faint of heart. I remembered that from before. The crab-walk seemed to be the preferred method for passing over the 65 railroad ties suspended above ground. Shirley, you would love this!!
The view from halfway
I’m pretty sure I was crawling for the last 100 yards to get to the top.
Finally made it-love me a fanny pack
Thank you Stephanie for pushing me!
Stephanie helped me get there! I only fell twice on the way down!
My oncologist-Dr. Dietrich-retires from United States Army today. He has been by my side for 6 years. Two times, he literally saved my life. I will be forever grateful to him for giving me more time to do the things I want to do in life. His kind manner has changed the way I see the medical profession. I am headed to his retirement ceremony now!
“Health is the crown on the well person’s head that only the ill person can see.”-Robin Sharma
From this…
Medications, masks and chemo
To this…
Healthy!
Latest monthly blood-work shows my CA level (Cancer Antigen marker) has gone down to 6.0, the lowest it has been in over a year! I’m up for my 6 month mammogram in September (high risk for Breast Cancer).
Ten things I’m grateful for:
Travel-California, Oregon, Washington, and Mexico. Saw great friends, ate great food, drank delicious wine and Mexican-made margaritas
Friends-all of you who have been there by my side during this 5 year journey
Fight club-this rock solid group of supporters
Family-the whole crew! Most especially my husband and children. You have seen the good, bad, and ugly of cancer.
Faith-the many prayers from all over the world!
My Bullet Journal– a place to track all of my healthy habits-I’m now two years without eating red meat
#midpacific Five years ago on August 6, 2012, I had just started work and three days later was diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer. My school supported me through it all-the surgeries, the chemotherapy, the radiation, and recovery!
The question was…Do you call on Friday afternoon and possibly get the bad news, or wait until Monday for that same possibly bad news? Is knowledge power? Or, do you shift your paradigm and call as soon as humanly possible and hope for the best of all news? My philosophy during this entire “journey” has been “head down and power through.” I’m happy to report that my cancer number (CA125) has actually dropped from a brief uptick last month. Good-to-go until the next test in 6 weeks (which in itself creates its own form of stress)!
Is our health binary?
One of the concepts I’ve throwing around in my head is the idea that our health is not binary. We are not just a “0” for everything is perfect, or a “1” for everything is fail. You’re never “just sick” or “just well”- there is a large continuum in which we all fall.
Ellen J Langer says it much more artfully than I in the book Counter Clockwise
“Just as we like to imagine that the mind and body are separate, so we imagine that at any one point in time we are healthy or we are not, and attitude that brings unexpected consequences. When we are healthy , we imagine we don’t need to pay much attention to our health. When we are sick, we imagine that we should be able to find expert information that cures us.”
It’s tough to live in the moment…neither speculating ahead or reflecting back, but right now, that is exactly where I am. Savoring this great moment! Thank you all for your continued well wishes being sent my way!
Decorate your tree and sit back and relax…..and wait for your medical appointment!
Preparing for Christmas in Hawaii
Preparing for a PET scan can be just as painless. Future you will be happy if you’ve planned ahead. Plus, if you don’t prepare properly, there is a possibility they will reschedule the scan! As usual, all my advice comes with the warning to check with your own doctor!
Let’s talk about preparing for a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) It starts 24-48 hours before the scan. The actual scan calls for injecting a radioactive tracer into your bloodstream and waiting to see where there might be areas of unusual metabolic activity (like Cancer) The PET takes place in Nuclear Imaging rather than Radiology. (I have addressed the day of PET in a previous post, but I’d like to focus on the 24 hours prior to Pet in this post.)
PET machine at Tripler Army Medical Center
The PET starts 24 hours before the actual scan with a sugar free diet (as much as possible) to starve all the body’s cells of sugar. For me, it’s like the Atkins diet for Pescetarians. Cancer cells love sugar! Well….all cells need sugar!
Here is your twenty-four our hour count-down for diet and wardrobe:
T-24 Breakfast– scrambled eggs and coffee (enjoy that coffee because you don’t get it on the day-of treatment. No OJ either!)
Fresh Oahu Ka Lei Eggs-Delicious!
T-21 Morning snack-hummus and veggies (no fruits–way too much sugar)
Prepping snacks (and lunch)! Hummus and veggies
T-20 Lunch-spinach salad with the lowest sugar dressing you can find (Blue Cheese or Caesar) and hard boiled egg and cucumber.
T-16 Snacks! Lightly Salted Almonds!
Resealable Blue Diamond lightly Salted Almonds
T-13 No workout today-you don’t want to strain any muscles before the scan and accidentally cause a false positive. Some websites suggest not to exercise 48 hours before scan. Check with your physician.
T-11 Pack a small bag for the scan room. Usually chilly, I bring a sweater that I can wear in the scan and warm socks. No Metal anywhere though! Women, I wear a tank top under my clothes so I can wear my own clothes rather than a hospital gown. Bring something to read or your Bullet Journal for planning or a book (The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman will transport you from whatever you are doing!) . I usually don’t bring an iPad. I don’t like to leave it in a locker and the hospital is not responsible for your valuables. Leave all jewelry at home!
Teal Tuesday Per Scan Wardrobe
T-10 Dinner-Salmon plus stir-fry mushrooms, zucchini, red pepper-Dessert is fresh watermelon. Did you want wine with dinner? NO-cannot-no alcohol!
Salmon and water-melon
T-8-Sleepy-time! Get plenty of rest the night before. No time for insomnia…(we’ll do that in another post!)
T-4 Sorry, no breakfast today. No Coffee either! Get over it! It’s for a greater good. Drink plenty of watery water this morning. You’ll want to wash that radioactive tracer out and dehydration is no fun. Wear comfortable clothing today! Today, it’s okay to wear yoga pants or leggings and a t-shirt or sweater. Steer clear of zippers and metal attachments. They cannot enter the machine and then you’re back to wearing a hospital gown.
T-2 Blood test to see if your blood sugar is in an acceptable range. This is like the lie detector test to see if you consumed too much sugar in the day prior. Safe range is 80-150 mg/dL
T-1 Injection time-the tracer will need 45 minutes to circulate through your body. Some doctors allow reading and/or listening to music, but the policy at our hospital is do nothing. I usually fall asleep in the comfy chair while waiting
Finally!-Scan time…Relax as they roll you into the tube. The tech will position you and ask if you’re claustrophobic (little late, right? I would ask your doctor for meds prior, if this is something that bothers you.) I work on meditation skills while I’m in the tube.
Then, done! Time to go out for a meal! Results are not immediately available.
What is your favorite book to make long waits short?
They call Ovarian Cancer the “whispering” cancer. The symptoms are quiet but persistent.
Wear your Teal on Tuesday! Open a dialog. If someone you know has persistent digestive troubles, nausea, bloating, bowel, or bladder issues, be persistent in getting them to see a doctor! Ovarian Cancer often presents as vague tummy trouble. Ask your doctor for a CA 125 test. CA 125 is the Cancer Antigen marker in your blood that indicates something may be awry.
…author at the Honolulu Star Advertiser and told her my story. One of the questions she asked was, “What instigated you to start your blog?” Honestly, the first time I battled in 2012 and won, I thought it was one and done. I thought I could walk away from cancer.
Turns out I thought wrong.
In 2014, when it came back again, I realized that I needed to share my information with others fighting the disease and anyone who wanted to understand the battle against cancer-plain and simple. I chose to share my experience so others could learn from it.
Do you remember in the early 90’s when “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” became a thing?
Today, you (and the kids) get to come with me to my PET scan and see what it’s all about! First, get to the hospital early and look for parking! (Create a parking spot in the grass on the hill.)
Tripler Army Medical Center-No Parking
Rush to get to the Nuclear Medicine Clinic-then wait!
Nuclear Medicine Clinic at TAMC
and wait…
Waiting room fun with the kids
The day prior to the scan:Prep instructions for PET scans. Basically, no carbs, no exercise, no alcohol, no nothing. In my house, we call that a “potato” day because we just sit around and do nothing.
The morning of the PET scan. Nothing but water. Drink it from a fun mug though!
Lucy Mug from Jan E.
Fill out all the paperwork!
Surgeries? Radiation? Chemotherapy? Neulasta?
Check blood sugar! They ask if you’ve been fasting and this will prove it. Numbers must be between 80-200 to proceed. Whew, I passed! (No food or caffeine after midnight!)
Fasting range should be between 80-200. I passed!
Next up! Radioactive dye injection. The radioactive sugar solution will migrate to the areas of “hyper-metabolic” activity (in other words, seeing something light up is bad!)
Glucose Solution of Radioactive Dye (note the nice carrying case)
I’ve already been to the chemo room to get my port accessed! I’m Ready!
Port accessed and ready to go! “I’m ready.”
After the radioactive dye…more waiting…45 minutes for the dye to circulate throughout your system. (My 45 minutes turned into an hour.)
Finally!
Fancy new PET scan machine at Tripler
The whole process takes about 3 hours. The actual scan only takes about 25 minutes! Then, off to lunch!
ovariancancerfighter 