Friday, April 29, 2011

First log in the road to healing....


Those of us who have cancer try to have positive expectations regarding treatment, however we are all too aware that there will be hurdles, hence my new log in the road. Yesterday I got the result of my most recent PET scan which monitors tumor growth to check on the effectiveness of current chemotherapy treatment. Mine came back pretty bad this time, showing growth in tumors not shrinkage. What this means is this chemo cocktail is no longer working due to my body building up a resistance to the week killer after a year and four months. I have been expecting this log, but it is always a surprise when you come upon it. Now, I shall cross over this impediment and move on. I am on a new chemical cocktail which at its best should keep this at bay another year or two. At this time there is one more regime available when this new one stops working then it is off to clinical trials if any available and adopting the life of a Guinea pig... We will address all these issues as they come. I have also developed a colon hernia at the point of surgery. It is apparently not dangerous but I must curtail lifting anything heaving from now on to avoid pressure there. After a weekend of lifting grandkids, no wonder.... I find it so hard to stop doing normal things... I do not want my life impacted that way, I need to remain active. Perhaps one of those tool belts for guys who lift all the time would help when I see the grandkids. We shall see. While disappointed treatment has met an impasse, I am resolved to adopt whatever lies ahead in the hopes of prolonging my life and maintaining some quality thereof.  On a happy note, I befriended someone at the cancer center yesterday who was experiencing her first day of chemo. She was fraught with fears and I counseled her for over an hour. I also answered many questions about my own health with an elderly patient for some time. Later a woman sat next to me and said I was the most inspirational speaker she had ever eavesddopped.  It made me feel so good that I can pass on a positive attitude to others. Something we all can benefit from in our lives at home or at work. I remain positive and hopeful that all of you folks, healthy or not, take a long look at lifestyle and start protecting and prolonging your life now. Love to all and seek only Positive Pursuits.


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Patience, Positive, People, Pickles

Ok, these are a few of my favorite things!  Patience is something I hang on to with everything I've got as my chemotherapy side effects are lingering longer than they used to... hence my good days are getting shorter.  Positive is something I hang on to dearly as there are days when Positive is hard to come by..... today I apologized to God for being pissy... yes pissy all day. I get that way when I allow impatience to get the best of me and since we are traveling tomorrow to our daughter's home in CA for the Easter holiday, I want to feel good and I do not. I will pray for healing tonight and apologize again. This is the time of year I should be on my ever loving knees thanking God for the Resurrection...I know this and the thought humbles me. People, another favorite being... I love people, they are my strength, they make me laugh, they hold me up, they are there for me even when I do not know they are there (thank you all) and I hold people as a precious commodity in my life. And  dill Pickles, sorry but sick or well, they are one food I can taste.... and boy do they taste good. :) So, may the Lord Bless you this Easter, keep you safe on the road or at home and may we all rethink our lives: can we do more for others? the direct road to happiness you know. Can we be more Patient with others, can we  be more Positive about our goals, can we include people in our lives that perhaps we would not normally include? And should you be inclinded.... EAT PICKLES!  ps I think I will start a Card Line entitles Memory Loss is Bliss....I have some good ones tucked away if I can remember them.... lol