CDC Symptom Diary Card

Saturday, September 04, 2010

lunch with mom

Yesterday I had a wonderful time with mom.  I wore my teal T-shirt, and we walked a few blocks to a little restaurant for a late lunch.  It was sunny and fresh outside, a rare treat for Seattle.

It was so nice to sit outside and laugh, enjoy goat cheese pizza and an iced tea.  Events like this are enormous jumps in recovery for me because my abdomen will never be normal again.  The food was good and I had no pain, such a relief.  Such a joy.  I thank God for giving me the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasure of lunch with mom.

Waist still 29"

God Bless and Be Love

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Tomorrow wear Teal

Today I wanted to remind you all that tomorrow is national wear Teal Day in support of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  Do you have anything teal?

I went to the dermatologist today for a skin check up.  Thanks be to God all my freckles and moles are of no concern at this time.  Yay!  I am so relieved that I went because once you have cancer, you tend to be hyper-aware of potential sources of cancer in other areas of your body.  I was instructed on how to monitor my own skin, and contact them if I noticed a problem.  What a relief.

Last night I had nightmares that I was bleeding internally.  Probably all weird because I had watched the movie "The Lovely Bones" with my mom that evening.  It was surreal, creepy, but had a strange sweetness to it.  I makes you face death and confront your views on the here-after.  I'd recommend it.

Since it has been such a beautiful day here in Seattle, I have been so happy today.  I love it when the sun shines.  You can see the harbor much more clearly and people seem more content.

When I was on chemo, I remember feeling literally "afraid" of everyone.  Almost paranoid.  I would take extra measures to lock my car doors when driving, and saw everything as a threat.  I don't feel that gloomy fear anymore, thank God.  I just wish we could be graced with the sun a little longer.

My waist is 29 today.

Be Love.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

First day of OVC Awareness Month

Have spent most of the day online responding to women asking for help on the "inspire" blog sponsored by the National Ovarian Cancer Alliance.

I am going to daily/regular measurements my waist just under my rib.  Today I am at 30" (35-30-35) to be exact.  I want to monitor for fluid retention, because I STILL have ongoing abdominal pain.  Because I don't know if the pain is scar tissue, digestive, missing omentum, or tumor, I want to do all I can to track my progress.  Tomorrow I see a dermatologist for skin screening.

Michael Douglas was diagnosed with "throat" cancer, stage IV, just a few weeks ago.  He also suffered through physician incompetence, missing the cancer in it's early stages while most likely to heal.  I feel bad for him and his family, and my prayers go out to them.  This is his first week of chemo and radiation, and seeming well on David Letterman, the general public has no idea how much he will suffer.  Chemo and radiation get more and more toxic with each dose.  I pray God stays with him and gives him the strength to tolerate the treatment regimine, to rid him of his cancer.  God Bless Micheal Douglas and his family.

Be Love