Chemo #3 - Feb 24

I can hardly believe it's time again for chemo treatment. I feel much better prepared and am actually looking forward to time "in the chair". The 1st hour of the treatment is the worst because the Benadryl they give me makes me soooo loopy and tired. After a little sleep I am ready to talk, read, type, whatever. the day goes pretty fast. Tim spends the day with me. David spends the day with our dear friend, Alyssa. The nurses are busy tending to all the patients. I am hoping to meet someone with the same diagnosis so I have someone to learn from and share with.

Although my blood cell counts get lower with each treatment and the anemia sets in stronger than before, I feel great!! Life is wonderfully fabulous. I can't explain any of it. I only know that God's ways are higher than mine and His peace surpasses ALL understanding!!
Much strength is found in the following Scriptures:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11: 28-31)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Thanks for your continued prayers as I take on Chemo #3, Friday from 10-3

Speaking of support...so very thankful!

What would we EVER do without our church family? Calvary Chapel of Salt Lake City--God bless you!! So many people who love us and pray for us, I'm in tears of thankfulness. We are so very grateful for grace-filled people like you! 


Kudos to the Utah Cancer Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Utah Cancer Specialists center for all their fabulous and FREE services -- house cleaning services, snow removal services, support groups, caregivers support groups, yoga nights, etc.


Thanks to the College of Myotherapy for chair massages, the "Look Good, Feel Better" skin care/make-up workshop for the free makeup, advice, and wigs, and to France Luxe for the gorgeous silky head scarf! 


I am positive there are hundreds of other such services and organizations helping people with cancer. It's just a matter of taking time to surf the net.


For those who are searching for support -- these are good starting places. I hope there is something similar available in your area!


Remember to ask your pain management doctor about acupuncture services. Remember to call your insurance company to find out what is/isn't covered (e.g. nutritional counseling, head prosthesis, alternative therapy, etc.)


I am so grateful God for all these people, places, and services. Heavenly Father, Creator of All, please use me to bless others with this information. I pray for anyone who has not yet found the body of Christ to be family...that they would come across true Christians who serve like Jesus and love like Jesus.


Blessings,

 Debbie

Support. Everyone needs it!

Fight Like a Girl! Signed by my beloved family in Indiana!

Thanks Annie for all your prayers, tears, and love!

 I have been thinking how blessed I am to have a husband who loves & serves his family as Christ loves & serves the church. Unselfishly. Totally. Tim has been so kind and gentle seeing me through my good times and bad, hair and no hair. He lovingly holds me when I have uncontrollable tears; he keeps me focused when I don't want to swallow any more pills; he tracks my meds & prepares my nighttime meds daily.








(He writes down the time, drug, and dosage in a handy color-coded, spreadsheet which he developed.)
     I can't believe the stories I have heard and read about -- when one spouse leaves another during a cancer diagnosis and treatment!! I can NOT imagine going through any of this without my life mate. Where would life's enjoyment be?

Our David supports me in his 2 year old way by laying his head in my lap, or hugging my leg, saying "I love you soooo much!" Or asking, "How are you feeling mommy? Is your tummy hurting mommy?" And when he puts his head down in my lap and says, "Dear Jesus help mommy heal her hurts, in Jesus' name, amen", I feel his compassion.

One of my favorite places in the whole world!!!

 My mom -- well what can one say about a mom who loves you so much that she drops everything and hops on a plane so she can attend the dreaded doctor appointment about your diagnosis…who reads everything there is to know about your cancer because you can't seem to face the reality of it… who calls people all over the country to get info about support groups and available cancer treatments …who goes to Dr. appointments with written questions, and pen & paper in hand?! Boy, she needs a vacation!!!
Everyone should be so blessed to have
such a mom and/or an advocate. We miss you mom!

Thank you to all the people who pray, e-mail, write on the blog, send card(s), call, text, help with David, pray for Tim, care for us, clean the house, play chauffeur, provide meals, etc.
          THANKS! THANKS! THANKS!

We look forward to Grandma Sara's return!
We hope you have a relaxing time in the sun!
We miss you - so do Larry Boy and Alfred:-) 

What can I say Linda? You keep me laughing and
you're a GREAT caregiver!! We miss you terribly.

Thanks Grandma Boggess for coming to visit us and
for giving David and all of us love & attention! 

Thank you Mary for the medical & nutritional advice.
You are blessed to have a kind, generous daughter
in Alyssa. We would be lost without her!

     It's strange…or, shall I hesitantly say "unfortunate" (?) how people put forth so much beautiful and welcomed effort to encourage you, love you, and shower you with help when you get 'near-death' sick. I say unfortunate only because we get so busy in our lives and time slips away as do treasured friendships and family relationships. I believe these relationships are vital when one is sick just as much as when one is healthy. But we forget to nurture them for whatever reason. 

     I believe that God intends for us to love, encourage and shower each other with help on a daily basis in sickness and in health. But we are human beings carrying Adam's sin burden which he introduced to his future descendants when he selfishly chose to disobey God's command in the Garden of Eden. Thankfully we have a choice – to obey or disobey God. To be selfish or selfless. Ahhhh, how to be selfless…it's all written in His word. I have got to read more!!

     I selfishly admit that I want your prayers, your thoughts, your encouragement, your attention, your help. I selfishly want to live to grow old with my husband (although I have always joked that he is not allowed to die before me). I want to see David graduate from kindergarten, grade school, college, etc. I selfishly don't want anyone to forget me – ever.        

     Then I hear about all the people at our church who are afflicted with some sort of disease more so now than ever and realize I am NOT the only one in need. And I NEED to be selfless, encouraging, loving and helping others. I need to be on my knees in prayer for others. The list of hurting souls is sooooo long and the days are short. Lord, help ME to put others first! Forgive me for being selfish and disobedient. Thank you for your forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Staggering Stats on ovarian cancer

Ovarian Cancer is so similar to the cancer that I have -- peritoneal cancer -- that my GYN oncologist doctor says "we'll just call it ovarian cancer". 

Peritoneal cancer info obtained from somewhere on the internet: "As far as cancers are concerned, peritoneal cancer is one of the rarer forms, and because of the way peritoneal cancer tends to present, it is often mistaken for other types of cancer, especially ovarian cancer, with which it is strongly linked.

The peritoneum is a very thin layer of tissue that lines the walls of the abdomen and serves as a type of protective structure around the bladder and the rectum, as well as the uterus in women. The entire structure is made up of tiny cells called epithelial cells, which are essentially what peritoneal cancer attacks.

The main purpose of the peritoneum is to allow organs to move smoothly throughout the abdominal cavity, and it does this by producing a slick fluid. However, when peritoneal cancer strikes, that fluid production is compromised, causing problems with many bodily symptoms.

While cancers of the stomach and the intestine can sometimes invade the peritoneum, this is not a true or primary form of peritoneal cancer. True peritoneal cancer begins in the peritoneum and may grow or metastasize to other areas of the body."

IF you have ANY history of cancer on either the maternal or paternal side and you experience the following symptoms -- TELL your doctor to check you for cancer!!!!

Here are symptoms

* Bloating (even the anti-acid pills can't touch this kind. Just as soon as gas is relieved it immediately returns as if there was no release)

* Pelvic or abdominal (unexplained, similar to ovarian cyst symptoms, but the cramping continues all month long, not during your period, pressure on your rectum, pinching feeling on your right and left ovaries)

* Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly (there may be a fluid buildup in the peritoneal or around the diaphragm)

* Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency, sometime this just feels like "one of those Symptoms that happens when you get older")

Additionally keep in mind:

* Ovarian cancer occurs in approximately 1 out of 72 women

* Ovarian cancer can strike at any age (age 14 is the youngest I have heard of)

* There is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer (The "CA125" is merely an indicator,  
        not 100% conclusive)
* Because it is so hard to detect, ovarian cancer is often NOT diagnosed until stage 3 or 4!! 

* A Pap smear does NOT detect ovarian cancer

* Symptoms are often vague and easily confused with other illnesses, especially 
       gastrointestinal illnesses

* Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of the gynecologic cancers :-(

Discovery and symptoms

Symptoms of ovarian cancer (OC) are often misdiagnosed for gastroenterology (GI) issues. And OC is often not diagnosed correctly until stage 3 or 4! (there are only 4 stages) OUCH!!!! IF I may offer any advice, be proactive with your healthcare professionals especially IF YOU HAVE ANY familial history of any cancer!! Or, if you experience any of the symptoms I have listed at the very bottom, don't be shy to ask your doctor to investigate your symptoms as being related to cancer. What could it hurt? I didn't want to jump to conclusions like CANCER, but I should have ..... just to rule it out. I think my "pride" got in the way because I didn't want doctors to think, "Well who is she to suggest...She is just one of those patients trying to self-diagnose..... or Cancer, what does she think? She's just telling me how to do my job...." I wanted to trust them and their brilliant ability to become a doctor.

Lord, please give wisdom to the doctors who saw me. Help them to recognize cancer symptoms. I pray that by being their patient they will better understand how to approach "strange cases" and learn how to treat and test subsequent patients with similar complaints. AMEN, to Your glory LORD!

Have you ever had the thought, what if I get cancer?or, is that pain possibly a sign of cancer? what would happen to so-and-so if I got cancer? Although the questions crossed my mind fleetingly, I didn't really think about having cancer because I didn't want to be a worry wort or a hypochondriac. I secretly thought "Oh the doctors would surely figure that out, silly girl! Don't jump to conclusions. Trust. I must have something like an intestinal or stomach issue that is fixable or require long-term medicine."

During the same time that these pains started (Labor Day 2011) I had a an inguinal hernia (in the lower pelvic area) so I didn't know what pains were attributable to what. I had symptoms like - bad period cramps that never ceased, a pulled muscle feeling in my right side abdomen, a runner's "stitch" in my right side, sharp "gas" pains and bloating that was never relieved by antacids, a feeling like I couldn't fully empty my bowels, feeling full even upon waking in the morning -- even one grape for breakfast made me feel like I had eaten a 5 course meal, and I had difficulty breathing because my diaphragm felt like it was being squeezed.  After the hernia repair surgery (November 1), the symptoms of whatever else was going on grew and grew and I requested the doctor give me a CT scan. That was just after Thanksgiving.

The CT scan alerted my doctor enough to call me within a couple hours of the test (I was told to expect results in 24-48 hours) and she told me "check yourself into the hospital." She said I had internal bleeding, fluid around the liver and an inflamed bowel. I had no idea what that meant...Are my bowels going to explode, am I going to bleed to death in half an hour or what! We checked into the ER, stayed about 5 or 6 hours, had a lot of blood drawn, 2 pelvic ultrasounds, identification of 2 small cysts -- one on each ovary, a suggestion to follow up with hernia surgeon tomorrow and a GYN follow up to watch the cysts. Then we left with a bill of about $10,000.

I didn't hear from the doctor who told me to "check yourself into the hospital". That was weird to me so I called the office 2 times to see what was protocol - was she going to follow up with me or should I follow up with her.

I had a colonoscopy and endoscope Dec 9. They took a biopsy of the stomach and the bowel. The report came back "no need for further investigation". The doctor prescribed pills and told me to see the GI if the pains persisted.

I returned to my GP's office the week before Christmas and complained of a "severe bruise" pain in my cleavage area and that the pain was growing into my left breast. They took a chest x-ray and the doctor said, "You have fluid in the chest. Not in the lungs. I don't know what to do, Debbie. I just don't know what to do for you. The test results are all negative. I see a common denominator here -- fluid is everywhere." RED FLAG! RED FLAG! RED FLAG!

I asked if she could order the follow up ultrasound for my cysts. She scheduled it for me. She sent me home and told me to follow up in a few weeks and if the pain got too bad go to the ER. It was the end of December. People (doctors) were on vacation. They were gone for what seemed years at a time. Day to day for me was painful. Waiting from Friday afternoon until Monday morning to call the doctor and try to get in again to see WHO SHOULD I SEE NEXT? was excruciating. The pain pills felt like baby aspirin for an open heart surgery.

I used to jokingly say,  "Doctors have a p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e because they are practicing on people." I hope that I am not coming across as putting down doctors because I know of some very fine people who are doctors and some doctors who have saved lives and some doctors who sincerely care about their patients. Where would we be without doctors these days? Honestly? We have so much to be thankful about when it comes to doctors. Still, they did not make our bodies, they have only studied them. God is our body Maker and He knows how to fix them. I just wish some doctors would acknowledge God and prayerfully ask God,  "How can we fix this one? Show me the way!"

Perhaps doctors approach the body like a mechanic approaches fixing a car -- let's try to fix the "minor" things first to see if it takes care of the problems instead of starting with the most expensive repair. I didn't have all the symptoms but I have enough family history and symptoms that there should have been red flags for at least one of the doctors!!

I met with the GYN and the GI after the ultrasound (1st week of Jan). If your GYN is sending you to the GI and the GI is sending you back to the GYN and they keep saying your symptoms are more GI or more GYN, demand a "CA125 blood test". Although this test is only an indicator of oc and certain other types of cancer at least you can rule it out early!! Don't be afraid to suggest to the doctor that s/he should be checking you for that. I should have done that back in September. Hind sight is always 20/20, huh?!

My GYN did suggest to me a blood test but I don't recall her saying CA125. She ordered a 2nd CT scan. The GI ordered blood tests and prescribed pills. The GYN called on a Thursday at the end of the day and gave me the news that I needed to see a GYN Oncologist surgeon and she gave me a name. Surprisingly my GP called the next day (Friday) at the end of the business day to tell me similar news - "the 1st CT Scan revealed some things that had been overlooked. Here are 2 options - continue with meeting the GYN oncologist or ..." My mind tried to process what she was saying.

One week later I started my 1st chemo treatment.

I am still processing what is happening in my body. I thank God for every person He has put in my path. Everyone is very encouraging. I have to remember that THIS IS a fight. It just seems weird to say that because God IS IN CONTROL. My question to God is, "How can we fight/fix this together?  Show me the way."

Beautiful day today!

David takes a motorcycle ride down the street to get the mail!

Post chemo

Today is Tuesday. Mom left this morning after being here for nearly 5 weeks. Boy, we will miss her, but she will be back. My dear friend Linda came in last night to take over as caregiver to me and David! What a blessing for someone to sacrifice their time to do such a meaningful yet remedial job. God's blessings are upon my entire household!

Nice day for a walk to the mailbox. See the tree behind my head--looks like hair!

Saturday - the day after chemo - I felt pretty good. It was like trying to get ready to go away on vacation and wanting to come home to a clean, tidy house! The house had been cleaned, the laundry was caught up, the grocery shopping was finished, etc. I wasn't sure how long it would be before I felt any energy to do anything. Saturday night my energy level started to wane. Sunday morning I was feeling pain and thankful for the anti-nausea medication. Although I was given doses of anti-nausea meds during chemo that are supposed to last 3 days, we started more anti-nausea meds Saturday morning. I slept most of the day and barely had an appetite for much. We were blessed by a neighbor who brought over a favorite dish of mine -- southwest tofu bean salad. And for the superbowl another dear friend brought Papa Murphey's veggie pizza for dinner! Monday was more of the same of Sunday - nausea, sleep, aches and pains, only 1 bout with vomiting. If the bowels don't keep running, the result is vomiting. So staying on top of bowels is vital, but the meds are blahhh. As people continue to remind me, "meds are my friends, meds are my friends." I'm not usually one to run to the medicine cabinet for a headache so this is a different mind set for me. These meds are helping my body rest and heal. It's all so crazy. Crazy prayer request....Lord help these bowels to mooooooove!

PRAYER ANSWERED!!!! Thank you friends for honoring such crazy prayer requests!! Thank you GOd for making them mooooove,

Forever grateful to YOU!!
Your bald daughter

Sleeping beauty never looked so good!