Oncology Massage ~ Ahhhhhh...

Basooka came along with me today for my appointment with my friend Karen, who does Oncology Massage. Click the links to read a wonderful article just posted this week about her business and the fact she got started when her husband, Mike, was diagnosed with cancer. 

Oncology Massage is a relatively new therapeutic technique, now being adopted by more and more clinics and practitioners on the West Coast. Oncology massage is gentle touch therapy that’s adapted to be safe for cancer patients. There is no hard pressure work, or attempt to "move" toxins about the body. Instead, the treatment focuses on relaxation and relieving symptoms and stress so  the body can do what it needs to do: heal. 

So we had a lovely massage ~ Karen, Basooka, and I. I was so relaxed afterwards. I wish I did not have those few errands to run in town. But when I returned from town, I slipped into bed for a quick nap and all was good.

Since I was hoping to take in Knit Night with Tillie and friends at Sonoma Yarn tonight, I cast on my first "baby project" so I could brag to the ladies about our great news of becoming grandparents late this summer. AND I DID JUST THAT!

My Knittin' babes were all amazed at the ultrasound photo and how real the baby looks already. Everyone expected to see a blob, or something. But nope; they saw a cute little, face, chin and nose, with a lifted hand. So precious!

Life is good!

Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior; soon to be survivor 

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

Screw Cancer, Screw the Chemo...

Did I say... We are going to be Grandparents!!!!!

Just had to say it one more time so it will sink in. We got to see Alura today for the appointment with my Oncologist, Dr. Anderson. How wonderful to hug her. She is so cute hearing her talk about "it". They have some huge changes ahead for them, and they will be wonderful parents.

Dr. Anderson went over a few more questions I had. It was good to learn I can have an occasional glass of wine; although I've almost cut it out of my diet over the last month. He did discuss other options if the drugs I have do not curb the nausea.

I had my Port accessed today for the first time, so it is no longer a virgin.  :-) The nurse drew blood to get a base line for chemotherapy treatment tomorrow. I sat in one of the infusion chairs and it felt weird at first. Why is there such a stigma about this whole thing? I mean, thousands of people, if not more, go through this daily. And the dose I get will lower my blood counts, but it will not strip my immune system entirely.

The nurse was all excited about the Port. This was probably to put me at ease, but she seemed to really enjoy it. I skipped the lydocane to numb the area, and it was no problem. Why get stuck twice, for goodness sakes. And Alura noticed how the lady next to me, who did not have a Port, had to keep her arm still in her chair. This way I can knit!!! :-)

When Mark, Alura and I returned home, Sarah was here with lunch ready for us. How wonderful to have both my sweet girls here with me. The plan is to schedule future chemo treatments on Sarah's days off work so she can come with me some of the time. And there are some friends and family who have offered to join me on my excursions too. So we will see how it all works out.

And people have been wonderful with food. Between lunches and dinners, we feel spoiled. It is kind of weird to be on the receiving end of all this love and generosity. Especially since I really feel pretty good right now. But the hectic schedule of appointments has certainly taken its toll on our normal routine. So we do are very grateful for all the love and outpouring of help. THANK YOU!!!

I think I am ready. I've updated my calendar with the reminders for the Neulasta shot the day after the chemo, and the 4 new meds I will take to help combat the nausea. Time will tell how I react, what side affects really hit me. They say everyone is different and it is really hard to say. Between the meds I have at home, and the one hour infusion of anti-nausea drugs they will use for my first hour of treatment tomorrow, I'm hopeful that I won't get too sick

But I'm sure that come tomorrow just before my infusion appointment I'll be a bit nervous.

Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior; soon to be survivor 

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

Coming Out About Things

While I've shared my "cancer news" with family and close friends, I've not really told everyone about my situation. So, today I think I am ready for it. That is to say I will probably put a subtle comment out on Facebook as I'm sure there will be lots of support available to me, and I may even be able to provide some support to others. But it does feel weird.

Countdown to Chemo: 1 day!
But first I need to get going for my day. Today is Oncologist day. Mark and I will go to my Oncology appointment this morning, and Alura will meet us there. She has attended each appointment with the surgeon or oncologist, and has been a breath of fresh air and very level headed. We will go over all the drugs I will be taking on my own at home, review any previous tests, and get clear on any questions we have to date. I think it will be pretty uneventful, as I feel I have most of the information I need for this next step. I mean, I'm ready for the appointment, scary as all the information makes it. I won't really know how I will react and what side effects will present, until I have chemo. So bring it on! Let's get it started!!

HUGE AND GREAT NEWS:
But the part that makes my heart sing, and keeps a huge smile on my face, is the latest news Mark and I received the other night. WE ARE GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS! There, I said it. Alura and Stephan have decided it is time and they will welcome a bundle of joy in August 2011. We are both in shock and so thrilled. What a nice distraction to everything else in our lives. And to know she kept this quiet all through the holidays and even during my news of breast cancer. She said I needed to concentrate on my plan of treatment first before they could tell me. I don't know much else, but that is enough for me at this moment in time. I get to knit baby things! It is okay now. :-) Life is Good!

Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior; soon to be survivor 

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!