It's been a while since I've written, the last few days have been weary for me, and I can hardly get out of bed. Thank goodness for laptops. Bright spots have been getting cards and notes from high school friends, aunts, cousins, and old family friends. "Hello to you!", and I do plan to write you back, it just may be a while. Just know you brought a smile and a few tears.
At today's doctor visit, she evaluated what I'm going through and said with just two more days of Radiation left, go ahead and stop taking the chemo pills altogether. (Yeah!) So with that news, and finishing up treatments on Thursday, my days will only be getting better from here.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
The light is getting a bit brighter
Hello friends and family!
When Deb and I started this journey we chose to look at it as standing at the beginning of a long path thru the forest . The forest reminded us of the one in Wizard of Oz, you know, with the knarly trees and haunting sounds. Rather than be defined by negativity we said to each other "each day forward from here was one step closer to getting thru that path in the forest".
Today Deb finished her 5th week of walking that path and we only have 4 more days to go next week. We are well into the forest and it is still scary, but lessening a bit, and the light is getting brighter at the end. We know there will be some dark days yet ahead in getting to the end, but making progress is a very uplifting emotion in fighting cancer. My pal Eric sent me an email that reinforced what we believe and it was so timely because there are days one does get down a bit when fighting cancer. He said "Keep the spirits up and keep counting down the days! As you have stated you are kicking the cancers a_s and that is taking all of her energy so don't fight that, and let her get as much rest as she needs to and let the body do the rest!"
This week has been very hard on Deb. She has been nauseous most of the week and is very fatigued. This is the most intense time for her but we have been told that after her last treatment, she should start to feel better soon. She will get a month off and then we will go thru surgery. About three weeks after her last treatment we will meet with her docs and we'll get a good idea of how successful the first round of treatment went and re-evaluate when and how much surgery.
Deb is truly a fighter and even though the treatments have knocked her down, it wasn't the cancer that got a punch in. That poor slob of a disease doesn't stand a chance with my girl!!!!
Thanks again for all your generosity, support, good wishes, and prayers!!
Doug
When Deb and I started this journey we chose to look at it as standing at the beginning of a long path thru the forest . The forest reminded us of the one in Wizard of Oz, you know, with the knarly trees and haunting sounds. Rather than be defined by negativity we said to each other "each day forward from here was one step closer to getting thru that path in the forest".
Today Deb finished her 5th week of walking that path and we only have 4 more days to go next week. We are well into the forest and it is still scary, but lessening a bit, and the light is getting brighter at the end. We know there will be some dark days yet ahead in getting to the end, but making progress is a very uplifting emotion in fighting cancer. My pal Eric sent me an email that reinforced what we believe and it was so timely because there are days one does get down a bit when fighting cancer. He said "Keep the spirits up and keep counting down the days! As you have stated you are kicking the cancers a_s and that is taking all of her energy so don't fight that, and let her get as much rest as she needs to and let the body do the rest!"
This week has been very hard on Deb. She has been nauseous most of the week and is very fatigued. This is the most intense time for her but we have been told that after her last treatment, she should start to feel better soon. She will get a month off and then we will go thru surgery. About three weeks after her last treatment we will meet with her docs and we'll get a good idea of how successful the first round of treatment went and re-evaluate when and how much surgery.
Deb is truly a fighter and even though the treatments have knocked her down, it wasn't the cancer that got a punch in. That poor slob of a disease doesn't stand a chance with my girl!!!!
Thanks again for all your generosity, support, good wishes, and prayers!!
Doug
Monday, September 22, 2008
Weekend Update
My visualizing of the tumor has continued to change. A few days ago it went from a dot to getting nothing, just a blank screen, like a blanket of sand. The next time the sand was swirling down, like a chocolate milkshake getting blended. So Friday, I decided it was time to make myself see regenerating pink healthy tissue, much like insulation getting blown onto a wall. I'll likely continue that these last 9 days of treatment.
In the consult afterwards with Dr. Basche, she said everything I'm experiencing is pretty typical. I can be much more agressive with the Imodium, especially since we were heading to Greeley for Parent's Weekend and their home opener football game, and then continue up to the mountains for the night. All went better than expected. I was able to hoof around campus with Andrea and the gang, keeping up pretty well. They served a prime rib lunch which was the first red meat I've had since this began. It was amazing! And the game was exciting, as college games usually are. I had to stay under an umbrella because of the chemo, so I kept low as not to annoy the people behind me. The hairpin turns in the mountains got to me a bit, but the nausea pills kick in pretty quickly, thank goodness. The weekend was wonderful and well worth it.
In the consult afterwards with Dr. Basche, she said everything I'm experiencing is pretty typical. I can be much more agressive with the Imodium, especially since we were heading to Greeley for Parent's Weekend and their home opener football game, and then continue up to the mountains for the night. All went better than expected. I was able to hoof around campus with Andrea and the gang, keeping up pretty well. They served a prime rib lunch which was the first red meat I've had since this began. It was amazing! And the game was exciting, as college games usually are. I had to stay under an umbrella because of the chemo, so I kept low as not to annoy the people behind me. The hairpin turns in the mountains got to me a bit, but the nausea pills kick in pretty quickly, thank goodness. The weekend was wonderful and well worth it.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
And so it begins...
Well, I guess it's time to admit that I'm starting to feel the effects of the treatment. I've got an underlying just plain icky feeling, am moving a bit slower, having bathroom issues, and the noises coming from my stomach are usually only heard coming from the jungle floor. They said it'd start to happen around the third week, but I kept thinking "hey, this isn't so bad." Now halfway into the fourth week, it's getting me. Doug reminds me it's just temporary, and that is certainly the dangling carrot I'll be reaching for.
I'm trying to stay on time with my deadlines, but the newsletters may have to be a couple days late. The daily trips to the hospital for Radiation take a chunk out of my day, and I'm not burning the midnight oil like I use to. The numerous offers of help are still in the back of my mind, and I have started accepting a few of them.
Thank you to those who have not yet made the jump to putting a comment on this Blog, but have sent personal emails, called or sent cards and letters. It's so wonderful to hear from you. If you want Doug to walk you through the Blog comment-thing, just email him at ddavis@archifects.com. I'd love to have your messages posted with the others. Until later....
I'm trying to stay on time with my deadlines, but the newsletters may have to be a couple days late. The daily trips to the hospital for Radiation take a chunk out of my day, and I'm not burning the midnight oil like I use to. The numerous offers of help are still in the back of my mind, and I have started accepting a few of them.
Thank you to those who have not yet made the jump to putting a comment on this Blog, but have sent personal emails, called or sent cards and letters. It's so wonderful to hear from you. If you want Doug to walk you through the Blog comment-thing, just email him at ddavis@archifects.com. I'd love to have your messages posted with the others. Until later....
Monday, September 15, 2008
Update on Debbie
Hi Friends and Family,
Wanted to give you an update on Deb. We have finished three weeks of Chemotherapy and Radiation. Or as I’d like to think, three weeks of destroying the cancer. We have two and a half more weeks ahead of us and Deb is starting to feel the effects. She is tiring more quickly and does experience the upset stomach a bit also. But I got to tell ya, she continues to amaze me with her attitude that this is merely a distraction in her daily life. She continues to work which is good therapy for her and tries to keep things on as much of a normal basis as possible.
In about two weeks we will be going thru more tests to see how successful this first round of treatment has been. Some of the symptoms of what started this are disappearing so I’m positive that the cancer is being destroyed. So with that said, pray for her that this first round is successful and that the surgery will also be very successful.
I continue to thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, generous acts of kindness, emails and phone calls. You all have been an inspiration to us and for that we are blessed.
Positive Vibrations
Doug
Wanted to give you an update on Deb. We have finished three weeks of Chemotherapy and Radiation. Or as I’d like to think, three weeks of destroying the cancer. We have two and a half more weeks ahead of us and Deb is starting to feel the effects. She is tiring more quickly and does experience the upset stomach a bit also. But I got to tell ya, she continues to amaze me with her attitude that this is merely a distraction in her daily life. She continues to work which is good therapy for her and tries to keep things on as much of a normal basis as possible.
In about two weeks we will be going thru more tests to see how successful this first round of treatment has been. Some of the symptoms of what started this are disappearing so I’m positive that the cancer is being destroyed. So with that said, pray for her that this first round is successful and that the surgery will also be very successful.
I continue to thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, generous acts of kindness, emails and phone calls. You all have been an inspiration to us and for that we are blessed.
Positive Vibrations
Doug
Friday, September 12, 2008
Visualization
I know there's so much more to visualization than what I'm currently doing, but due to my deadlines I have not yet had the time to delve in and read about it. What I had been told early on was to imagine the tumor getting smaller and smaller with each radiation treatment.
Today marks the end of my third week, and the images that pop into my mind as I lay face down have changed over time. At first it was a alien-like little guy coming out of a donut shaped object, getting blasted by a fire-hose. When the buzzing of the radiation starts he doesn't know what hit him, and he flails around until he gets knocked down to nothing. With each of the 3 beams, he tries to get back up but eventually gets shriveled away. Over these 3 weeks, I let my mind go and they just appear. It's morphed into a laser beam doing much the same, but oddly enough the "guy" has been in an innertube with a foo-foo drink when he gets blasted, then holding a picket sign. Interestingly, this week when I lay there and think "okay, what 'chya got for me today" ...it's a charred black oval object that appears on end, and gets chiseled away by the blast. Yesterday it was noticeably smaller than on Monday. I'm thinking this is all a good sign.
It will be few more weeks yet before they check to see if the tumor has shrunk. They don't want to do it too soon, in order to give it enough time and so I don't get discouraged.
Today marks the end of my third week, and the images that pop into my mind as I lay face down have changed over time. At first it was a alien-like little guy coming out of a donut shaped object, getting blasted by a fire-hose. When the buzzing of the radiation starts he doesn't know what hit him, and he flails around until he gets knocked down to nothing. With each of the 3 beams, he tries to get back up but eventually gets shriveled away. Over these 3 weeks, I let my mind go and they just appear. It's morphed into a laser beam doing much the same, but oddly enough the "guy" has been in an innertube with a foo-foo drink when he gets blasted, then holding a picket sign. Interestingly, this week when I lay there and think "okay, what 'chya got for me today" ...it's a charred black oval object that appears on end, and gets chiseled away by the blast. Yesterday it was noticeably smaller than on Monday. I'm thinking this is all a good sign.
It will be few more weeks yet before they check to see if the tumor has shrunk. They don't want to do it too soon, in order to give it enough time and so I don't get discouraged.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Prayer
I recently finished the book "Cancer and The Lord's Prayer" written by Greg Anderson, and given me by friends. It explains the hope and healing possible by reciting the greatest prayer in history. It takes the Lord's Prayer sentence-by-sentence and explains the deeper meaning in its words. By knowing this I am now able to recite it with a definite sense of purpose instead of just repeating the words I've memorized.
And the amount of people telling me, in emails or in person, that they'll be praying for me has been amazing. I am so thankful for those prayers and hope the wires are overflowing up in heaven. One person asked me for something specific that she could pray for. I would have to say "for the tumor in my lower bowel to shrink or go away completely and for a successful surgery with complete recovery." And to thank God, in advance, for my recovery.
Prayer... another opportunity for regaining health and well-being.
And the amount of people telling me, in emails or in person, that they'll be praying for me has been amazing. I am so thankful for those prayers and hope the wires are overflowing up in heaven. One person asked me for something specific that she could pray for. I would have to say "for the tumor in my lower bowel to shrink or go away completely and for a successful surgery with complete recovery." And to thank God, in advance, for my recovery.
Prayer... another opportunity for regaining health and well-being.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Stand Up
I hope you were able to watch "Stand Up To Cancer". It was an unprecedented event aired on all 3 major networks -- that was so informative, inspirational and emotional. We used a half a box of tissue by the end of the show. Every one of us have been touched by cancer. In these short weeks I've heard stories from dozens of people who have gone through it or helped a loved one with it. Right now, Doug and I have 4 very close friends on a journey of their own. We will ALL benefit from the money raised for research. You can see more and donate at www.standup2cancer.org.
Herbs and other integrated treatments
I've been drinking tea brewed with Chinese herbs. A half cup before breakfast and again before dinner. Then a dfferent one throughout the day, with an added mint green tea bag thrown in to add more flavor. Basically the herbs are clearing heat and dissolving phlegm nodules. They are also removing heat toxins from the blood. The Chinese have used these herbs for thousands of years to treat conditions similar to my problem.
This plus acupuncture, chiropractic, massage and kinesiology are all beneficial treatments to aid in boosting the immune system and working with mind, body and spirit. Thanks to the team who are helping me accomplish this.
This plus acupuncture, chiropractic, massage and kinesiology are all beneficial treatments to aid in boosting the immune system and working with mind, body and spirit. Thanks to the team who are helping me accomplish this.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Rebounding
This particular activity was brought to our attention from my good friend, Michele. Doug checked it out on the internet, and we both figured "why not." It is basically jumping lightly on a trampoline for a few minutes, a number of times a day. The effect rebounding has on the lymph in the body is very beneficial, and much easier on your joints than jogging. Your body is in a state of weightlessness at the top of the bounce, and then experiences 2-3 times the force of gravity at the bottom, depending on how high you bounce. This type of exercise can increase lymph flow by 15 to 30 times, which is important because the lymph system bathes every cell, carrying nutrients to the cells and carrying waste products away. Cells left stewing and starving for nutrients can quite possibly lead to arthritis, cancer and other degenerative diseases, as well as aging. To find out more Google "Rebounding".
We have a full-size trampoline in the back yard for the kids. Doug and I jump a few times a day, thankful for the full leaves on the trees to hide us from the neighbors. Perhaps this winter we'd better invest in a mini one for inside. If nothing else, it's fun, good exercise, and you don't have to deal with cars or bad weather.
We have a full-size trampoline in the back yard for the kids. Doug and I jump a few times a day, thankful for the full leaves on the trees to hide us from the neighbors. Perhaps this winter we'd better invest in a mini one for inside. If nothing else, it's fun, good exercise, and you don't have to deal with cars or bad weather.
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