tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51348472891151185322024-03-13T18:46:37.171+08:00Waiting for the Dawn<center><strong>Some Thoughts and Reflections after being diagnosed with Cancer</strong></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-40877225414991099652018-01-07T21:01:00.000+08:002018-02-03T00:34:47.538+08:00Hormone TherapyI had my ct-scan a month after my 9th chemo.<br />
The tumors have shrunk further but they are not completely gone.<br />
I still could not get a note in my doctor's medical record of those precious 3 letters NED..."No evidence of disease." He is wondering if I am becoming resistant to my chemo drug but how can it be if the tumors are shrinking? He is not prescribing additional chemo treatment for the time being but wanted me to go on Megestrol Acetate (Megace) hormone therapy and added that I am going to get big since my appetite would increase.<br />
<br />
December is Holiday season and I did not really feel on taking on a new therapy. I was comfortable with my chemo drug but this is new and I wanted a second opinion too. I know my doctor is really good but still a new treatment is a new and unfamiliar treatment and I want more or less additional information about it so I did talk with another OB-onco friend. She is the OB head in the hospital where my mother used to work a long time ago and would have been my doctor if she was covered by my HMO the first time I was diagnosed in 2011 but I felt really comfortable with my current doctor even back then that I did not think of switching anymore. Anyway, I just wanted a sort of family advice from another expert.<br />
<br />
Hormone therapy is not really a treatment for ovarian CA but it is more of an adjunct therapy to improve my immune system and she did agree with my doctor. She was actually amazed at me... She said "Wow, stage 4 ovarian cancer with metastasis in the lungs since 2011, yet there I was!" (if I would continue the thought I would add... yup here I am still pretty! haha!)<br />
<br />
So I finally bought my hormone yesterday and started taking it this morning. So it is not exactly treatment but I'll be good and take it till my next scheduled doctor's visit. There are still the prayers of so many people for me so I am still looking forward to good results. As always with God's grace.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-36123332042640757822017-11-26T21:08:00.001+08:002017-11-26T21:08:19.612+08:00VisitationToday is the end of the liturgical calendar for Catholics as we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. As always I am half awake in the very early morning and today I found myself continuously singing in my head "Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus... Christus imperat." There were a lot of other thoughts going on my mind but they were all passing as the song pops up again in my head. I guess that was my prayer...<br />
<br />
At mid morning, my nephew came to me to reveal his realization about doing good. I felt very happy and kept shouting in my mind "Lord thank You! thank You!"<br />
<br />
Then just before 6 pm the image of the Lady of Fatima came to our home. It was a block rosary. My sister-in-law mentioned it the week before but I never realized my blessing until I read the opening prayer for the welcome...<br />
<br />
"We remember, dear mother, <u>your visit to your cousin, Elizabeth</u>. You set out proceeding in haste into the hill country to a town in Judah.You knew you were the Mother of the Savior. A great honour! But you forgot your dignity and in humility you went to serve your cousin. You come with the concern for our needs"<br />
<br />
And the family replies "We are honoured to receive you into our house, O Mary."<br />
<br />
And indeed I feel honored and blessed to be visited by Mary and on the great feast of Christ the King at that! Many times when I feel low when I would pray to her and say "Mary visit me like you visited your cousin Elizabeth, my namesake!" And indeed she has.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-40193968044997481332017-11-11T22:33:00.000+08:002017-11-26T20:38:03.266+08:00Chemo 9Due to my low magnesium level in my past chemo, the cardiologist prescribed me to take magnesium oxide and required me to have my blood tested for magnesium and potassium, one week prior to my chemo date so I did and added a CBC platelet count to also check my blood count particularly my WBC in advance.<br />
<br />
My Magnesium and Potassium levels were normal but my WBC was really low that it would not pass for chemo. Far from it! I wanted my 9th chemo to push through on schedule since I really wanted it to be over plus I wanted to have good taste for food already by the time we celebrate my mama's birthday a little over a week after. So I felt a bit down feeling that I would need to have another injection to increase my WBC plus I will be delayed. But I prayed and asked the family to pray especially for my blood to be okay for my next extraction on Wednesday prior to my obgyn-onco checkup on Thursday. I was really happy when I got my result. Although my WBC is still below normal it would pass the ratio taught me by my doctor's secretary.<br />
<br />
So, today I finally had my 9th Chemo with no untoward incident. Well they found a good vein for the drip only after the second attempt but that was not really big deal... and the drip was a bit slow so I wasn't able to follow the time schedule... still that did not really matter. What matter is that I had it on time. And I claim that it will already be my last chemo.<br />
<br />
On the side, we (my niece who accompanied me and I) watched "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monster_Calls_(film)" target="_blank"><b>A monster calls</b></a>" on cable while in the hospital. It was based on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monster_Calls" target="_blank">book of the same title</a>. The monster there, who was actually the friend of both the mother who had terminal cancer and her son, was a YEW tree. It struck me because one of my main chemo medicine <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paclitaxel" target="_blank">PACLITAXEL</a> was initially from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paclitaxel#History" target="_blank">Pacific Yew Tree</a>. I was familiar with it because I researched it 6 years ago on my first chemo.<br />
<br />
It was a sad movie as it was all about having mixed feelings when someone in the family is terminally sick but it was all about acceptance. Oh I am not saying I am terminally sick! I may have stage 4 cancer but I don't feel sick like the mother character there but still there is question of what is to come. Yet in the end, I come to realize that God is in control and whatever happens it will be good. So do not worry. Accept yet trust in the Lord and go on with life... living it to the fullest!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-56588002835342996912017-10-21T22:08:00.000+08:002017-10-31T22:09:35.009+08:00Chemo 8My second chemo pushed through but it was a little bit delayed since I still needed to have magnesium infusion because my magnesium level was low. My ob-gyn onco thought my cardio doctor would come earlier for the instruction but he came way late so the magnesium drip was also late.<br />
<br />
But I was very glad it pushed through because my ob-gyn onco would be gone for 2 weeks! That would have meant BIG DELAY!!! so small delay is way better than BIG DELAY! :)<br />
<br />
Praying that one more is needed and I am done with chemo.<br />
Please Lord!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-14625458841491928102017-10-01T11:08:00.000+08:002018-02-03T00:29:48.958+08:00Chemo 7Had my 7th Chemo yesterday.<br />
<br />
Thanks God the doctor got a good vein immediately. The chemo was tolerable as usual. It is not the chemo that cause pain and discomfort but always the after wards. In my case, pain and discomfort always starts after the second day. Nausea comes in immediately but last for around 5 days. Always finding good food to eat (good to my taste) for the first days so I could eat and gain strength immediately to be ready for the next chemo.<br />
<br />
Actually I did not think that I'd have another set of chemo cycles. I was hoping that six would have been enough but as it is 3 more.<br />
<br />
Somebody in church who survived breast cancer sent me a message on her prayer while undergoing chemotherapy. It was from the acronym of chemotherapy. It was a nice prayer and I was reading it the night before my chemo drip. But as I was reading it, I could feel my own prayer. It is actually my prayer each time I had but I just never prayed it following the acronym.<br />
<br />
And so I prayed:<br />
<br />
<b>C</b>ome Lord Jesus<br />
<b>H</b>ear my plea<br />
<b>E</b>mbrace me<br />
<b>M</b>ake me cling to Thee.<br />
<b>O</b> my dearest Lord<br />
<b>T</b>each my troubled soul<br />
<b>H</b>ow to rest on Thee<br />
<b>E</b>liminate anxiety.<br />
<b>R</b>ouse my faith in Thee<br />
<b>A</b>llow my mind and body<br />
<b>P</b>eace, strength and security<br />
<b>Y</b>ou are with me in my chemotherapy.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-55862301690646716602017-09-12T22:43:00.000+08:002017-09-28T22:45:34.929+08:00CT-Scan and Lab resultsHad my CT-scan and labs after a month but my doctor was away for a long time so only had my result checked today.<br />
<br />
My nodules shrunk but not enough to be declared no evidence of disease so will have 3 more cycles starting month-end. Yay!<br />
<br />
The hospital staff are having difficulty finding a good vein for the IV plus additional costs!<br />
Lord please help me! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-26463851350287507002017-08-06T21:01:00.000+08:002017-08-16T23:02:40.938+08:00Chemo 6I finally had my 6th chemo on August 3. I was delayed by 2 weeks unlike my previous chemos which were on time (after 3 weeks each). I wasn't really feeling well after my 5th chemo and I fainted at one point and had to rush to the hospital but did not have to be admitted and was just given medication for pain, low salt and fainting. Then I also had cold and sore throat and had antibiotic plus my WBC really went down that I was given filgastrim for 3 straight days but after which it went up so high that I had to wait for it to normalize and had another blood test only after which was I admitted for treatment.<br />
<br />
I think one of the reason I fainted was also because I was tired. My mother has dementia and since I am in the house taking care of her and we sleep together I was losing sleep since she would wake up several times at night to pee or just get up and look around. Well add that to the fact that I don't really get to sleep well at night. (I really miss the days when I immediately sleep when my head touches my pillow and sleep undisturbed and wake up only when its time to wake up to another day... I lost that grace on the year I was first diagnosed with the big C and never had it back).<br />
<br />
My family helped by relieving for me and allowing me to rest in another room. My niece came and my cousin also stayed with my mother. :) And now that I'm done with chemo we are back together! My mother has dementia but she does not seem to forget that I am her beautiful daughter (just don't tell that to my other 2 sisters)! :)<br />
<br />
Anyway, my 6th cycle is done and in a month's time I'll have my CT-Scan and CA-125 tests. I still don't feel too well, the third day after chemo starts the "FEEL BAD" days and last for a week. Hopefully I feel really better after a week. Looking forward to a good CT-scan and blood results. Hoping to hear from my doctor again the three letters "N-E-D", No Evidence of Disease but better yet praying that I am finally clear with no recurrence happening. PRAYING!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-88630129987804484382017-06-29T21:49:00.000+08:002017-06-29T23:49:58.473+08:00Chemo 5Blood chemistry shows that my Hemoglobin count, RBC and WBC are still going down but thanks God it is still within the allowed limit for me to continue my Chemo. Unlike in 5 years ago where i had to have an injection and wait a few days for my WBC to go up. So far no need! Hopefully I still make it on time for my last comes July 20.<br />
<br />
On my admission date, the veins on my hands are hiding and the nurse did not want to do the IV insert and called the Anesthesiologist. She used a gauge 24 abbocath needle (small) also found it difficult and had to do 3 inserts before being successful, she said she wanted to be 110% sure. And the IV drip for the hydration and pre-meds went well. however, the next day, when my main chemo medicine (PACLITAXEL) was already placed, thed rip was so slow and would not make it to the 3 hour time frame so this time my main ob-onco doctor who was doing the rounds had to to the insert. He also found it hard but was able to find a good insert on the 3rd try. My cousin who was praying was so happy it finally was successful. So we had toi extend stay for a 2 1/2 more hours before we were finally discharged.<br />
<br />
So fifth is finished, anticipating my sixth and last chemo cycle.<br />
<br />
Praying that the tumors especially on the lungs are all gone and never going to return!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-46280328096739812282017-06-08T22:36:00.000+08:002017-06-29T23:37:27.469+08:00Chemo 4My blood results were still okay so I had my fourth chemo today after being admitted yesterday for some preliminary medications. It went fine once again! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-27411001745764488262017-05-18T23:31:00.000+08:002017-05-22T06:32:36.405+08:00Chemo 3Still on schedule. My blood result despite the WBC and and RBC getting low already are still within allowed level so I was admitted yesterday for preliminaries then had my 3rd chemo today. No unusual incident once more and as always was visited by my friends the night before to give moral support. What a source they are... they and so many others praying for me, supporting me especially my family too.<br />
<br />
The pain and discomfort always kicks in on the second day after chemo on Friday night. Other patients in the doctor clinic doesn't seem to experience the pain in their legs and feet. The otehrs are mostly numbing of hands and feet but my pain is terrible despite the medicine but it goes away in a few days. So do the nausea and difficulty eating. After a few days I eat very well. Have too! Need to prepare my body for the next session. Just hoe I am able to sleep well so I could really gain good health and be ready.<br />
<br />
And as always continue praying and trusting in the Lord. Everything will be okay.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-11512585203892209542017-04-27T23:11:00.000+08:002017-04-30T23:12:37.795+08:00Chemo 2Only three weeks! My lab test were okay indicating I could take another chemo on time. My second.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-86796096971808883942017-04-06T23:09:00.000+08:002017-04-30T23:10:57.607+08:00Chemo 1 second time aroundI was admitted yesterday for my 1st chemo.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-34192216630014853762017-04-04T23:04:00.000+08:002017-04-30T23:09:10.396+08:00Back to the second optionThe mass in my lungs lungs have multiplied and gone bigger and I got a biopsy. Initial diagnosis was papillary adenocarcinoma but upon further strain test revealed that it was metastasis from my ovarian CA. So I am back to my second option... get chemo! No more operation but straight chemo using the same medicine.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-36119084758126057392016-07-17T22:09:00.000+08:002016-07-19T22:53:51.282+08:00Five YearsFive years ago today, also on a Sunday, I was admitted to the hospital for my operation. Of course I was scared since I did not know what was going to happen to me but I knew that I wanted to fight the cancer. It was the first step before going through chemo and I took it believing that it was what God wanted me to do.<br />
<br />
So many people have prayed for me also and many still do, especially my mother and my whole family. And their prayers sustain me and strengthens my faith especially when I don't feel good and when I have my scans and tests. The nodules in my abdomen and my lungs are there but we just monitor them since my CA-antigen result is good.. So I just continue to exercise my <a href="http://www.waiting4ddawn.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-third-option.html" target="_blank">third option</a> which to pray and wait and trust the Lord. The mass can go away and don't show up in the next test. Everything is possible with God!<br />
<br />
<br />
And so I passed Five years! I thank God for this gift of life!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-63464546100128409272014-07-23T20:27:00.000+08:002016-07-19T22:46:50.805+08:00The third optionFinally talked with my onco surgeon after my obgyn-onco referred me to him after seeing the whole abdomen ctscan result which showed a growing mass in my pelvic node. He initially gave me 2 options - get a PET CTscan or have the mass checked. Then after seeing the result he said that I should get a PET CTscan to see if the mass is positive for CA since there is a 50-50 possibility for recurrence. If the result shows that the mass is positive but concentrated only in that area, then he would remove it through operation then I should get a chemo but if the result shows that there a more in different areas, then I should get chemo immediately, but if it turns to be negative then it would just be constantly monitored since it a bit big. He says that a needle biopsy would be difficult due to the location since the procedure might puncture my intestine.<br />
<br />
I told him there is a third option. Wait for the Lord's healing!<br />
I just had CTscan since a PET Scan aside from being expensive is also toxic and I want to rest my system before I have one... if ever. <br />
Somehow it feels crazy, however, at the moment I feel that the Lord is asking to wait and pray and trust...<br />
Am looking forward to a bigger miracle happening!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-48523296995015440642014-07-17T21:25:00.000+08:002014-07-31T21:25:56.059+08:00Three years!It has been 3 years since my operation!<br />
It feels good to be alive!<br />
Thank you Lord!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-15375795242925762142012-10-27T22:00:00.000+08:002012-10-31T22:01:24.884+08:00Unite Against CancerI attended the Unite Against Cancer: <i>A Prosure Fest</i> at Saint Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City where there were discussion on Nutrition and Cancer and Food Innovations in the morning and Personality Development lecture in afternoon plus games, food and lots of freebies. There were so many participants and I got to interact with some other cancer patients and survivors who were in high spirit and full of life! The mood of the affair certainly felt like a fest but I could not finish the whole thing since I had to leave for my scheduled physical therapy.<br />
<br />
I would have loved to stay and join the other participants in writing and signing in Commitment Wall (well it was actually a tarpaulin) but as I said I had to leave early so I thought I'd write my commitment in the paper cup I got over lunch with the other notes and thoughts I had while listening to the talks.<br />
<br />
Here is my cup:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqyOho_nmUY/UJEtBXNNenI/AAAAAAAAAUE/ZYsSImjRkUM/s1600/DSC01801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqyOho_nmUY/UJEtBXNNenI/AAAAAAAAAUE/ZYsSImjRkUM/s320/DSC01801.JPG" width="264" /></a></div>
The above quote is actually from William Ralph Inge but I could not remember the whole name when I wrote them in the cup.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuYxmJ_OSAQ/UJEtH88Gg8I/AAAAAAAAAUM/_pVomSiabQY/s1600/DSC01800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuYxmJ_OSAQ/UJEtH88Gg8I/AAAAAAAAAUM/_pVomSiabQY/s320/DSC01800.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
And thinking about his quote certainly made me realize that God could not have been bored working on me since I am certainly beautiful (hahaha, what can I say, I am biased!)<br />
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And since I could not write on the Fest's wall, I made my own wall... I mean cup where I could write my commitment that I will never lose my smile! There have been times before that I would worry but I know that God is in control so I should keep moving through life with a smile believing that my life is truly beautiful. :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-17366382488058415392012-09-09T20:42:00.000+08:002012-09-16T21:57:42.616+08:00CT Scan updateI finally was able to go to my obgyne-onco for my follow up consult after I had my CT scan. I could not have it earlier because of my high creatinine result was high. I was only given clearance by the nephrologist when my blood test result and kidney ultrasound result did not show big concern plus my creatinine level improved. As always my doctor was happy which means I was happy too! He said 1 year and 2 months and No Evidence of Disease, He also lessened my maintenance medicine and said that instead of a monthly checkup, it will now be every two months.<br />
<br />
I like my doctor but I would not mind seeing him less frequently.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-86294153295482169702012-07-18T22:08:00.000+08:002012-07-19T22:10:32.595+08:00My Bow in the Clouds<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My brother and sister-in-law picked me up in the gas station
where my boss dropped me off and we were on our way home when he took another
route instead of our normal route. There were very dark clouds going east but
from the west were I came from was orange bright with the setting of the sun. I
was thinking what an extreme! The clouds were so dark yet the rain was not
heavy… it was a little past 6 pm yet there were still some light despite the
dark clouds. It seemed ironic…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was still thinking about it when my sister-in-law
mentioned a rainbow. I saw it and it was just faint since the clouds have not
really cleared up. But I just kept on looking and as we were moving I followed
the rainbow and noted that it was a full rainbow. And though it was faint in
front of us the other end which was on our back now was really bright!</div>
<br />
My brother thought he was avoiding traffic but got stuck instead and my sister-in-law was teasing him. I was silent but at the back of my mind I thought that maybe God told him to take that route so I get to see the rainbow...<br />
<br />
Because today is the first year anniversary since I had my operation...<br />
<br />
And God is reminding me of His promise to me last December when I was doubting if I could make it to my next birthday and He answered me with the quote from "The Daily Bread" reflection book my sister gave me which says:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace</i><br />
<i>and be healed of your affliction"</i></blockquote>
Just like with Noah, He has reminded me of His covenant! He is really a great God and he surprised me with something special for this anniversary. Pretty awesome!<br />
Thank you Lord!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-73099506949706867502012-07-14T20:03:00.000+08:002012-07-15T20:04:33.229+08:00AblazeYesterday I had my preliminary blood test in preparation for my CT scan. I planned to have my CA 125 (tumor marker) test today after I get the creatinine result then schedule my CT scan. I was expecting good result but as it turned out my creatinine level was higher than normal, my RBC and WBC were low plus off result for the other blood test. That meant I could not have my CT scan so I just had my tumor marker and will get the result on Monday. I was going to wait for the doctor for consultation to improve my blood result but they told me that they are not sure what time or if he was coming and recommended that I just go to another clinic...<br />
<br />
Well I could since there is another clinic nearby but instead I took a taxi and headed to the Metro Manila Quarterly Leaders Assembly my chapter head mentioned. I came in late and the place was full but I found a seat at the back with my co-chapter. I was awed when I came in because almost all were wearing RED in accord with the theme "Ablaze!" <br />
<br />
They were already giving testimonies and as I sat there listening, I thought I have attended some of our sector's assembly but have never really thanked all for their prayers and it would be nice to be able to formally thank the community. I was so far from the stage and did not know how to go about it when I saw Sis Myra coming, she was the one who organized a "2000 Hail Mary" before I had my operation. I was bold to ask her if I could share to the group and she smiled and sat beside me saying that she was one of the processors and asked me to write on a piece of paper what I was going to share. I just wrote there I wanted to thank everybody for their prayers... Sis Myra said that I should also share some like losing my hair and I smiled. I did not really know what to say but I just suddenly felt the desire to share! I also was not sure if I'll have a chance since I knew there were others lined up but they called me...<br />
<br />
And I stood and I talked...<br />
<br />
I told them that mine was only going to be short talk to thank them and tell how blessed I am to be in a prayerful and supportive group but I found out that words flowed from my mouth and I continued to talk until I saw the cue from the timer.<br />
<br />
I listened to the other sharers but I guess our last sharer put it pretty well. The Lord is good and He will never abandon us... sometimes it seems that things are not going good but the Lord will always give more so we should all be fired up with our love and service for Him. Ablaze!<br />
<br />
Me... I'd rather write than talk but I guess the Lord set me ablaze and made be bold to speak of His goodness! He is really in control! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-69801275658624409452012-06-30T20:02:00.002+08:002012-07-15T20:06:13.938+08:00Mid year statusHalf of the year has ended...<br />
Time seems to fly fast...<br />
<br />
I had my 6th checkup last June 16. It is earlier than my scheduled checkup on the 21st since I was not feeling too well the past weeks. I just missed the doctor when I came to the clinic since he went to a have a check in a surgery. The secretary said he'll just have a "look-see" and be back, however, there was a long list already. It was not my schedule but since I was not feeling too well, I texted my doctor if he'll see me and he said okay. I came around 11:00 am... then past 12:00 the other patients came... then more patients...he was supposed to be back by 1:00...2:00 he was still not around 3:00 still no sign... many patients left. I asked the secretary if he was coming back and she said he has not advised that he can't make it so it means that he might still come by but it was late already and she was sorry for my lost time... I said I was not wasting time since I was praying anyway and I have already waited so I might as well wait some more...<br />
<br />
So sometimes times seem to fly fast but other times it seem to drag forever...<br />
<br />
But they say PATIENCE is a virtue and in the end it paid off.<br />
<br />
He came and he saw me! He just prescribed medicine for the pain and said that so far, everything looks good. That definitely eased my mind and true enough with the medicine, my feeling improved on the following days. He did schedule my blood test and CT scan for July... the results will be a better gauge of my condition than the physical exam... so I am waiting again for the test and the result...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-30219040109616015542012-06-09T11:08:00.001+08:002012-06-09T11:08:07.178+08:00Just what works?<i>Just what works if you have cancer?</i><br />
<i>Honestly I don't really know!</i><br />
<i>A lot of times I feel it is just trial and error </i><br />
<i>using your best judgment. </i><br />
<i>You could succeed...</i><br />
<i>You could fail. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Sometimes you feel you're winning</i><br />
<i>then all of a sudden you're gone...</i><br />
<i>Or sometimes everything looks impossible</i><br />
<i>But in the end you'll make it...</i><br />
<i>So you don't really know!</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>This I am sure of though...</i><br />
<i>God works! </i><br />
<i>In cancer and in everything else.</i><br />
<i>We do our best to succeed</i><br />
<i>But in the end everything is up to Him...</i><br />
<i>---<-@ beth </i><br />
<br />
So it came to my mind again... What works? It has been several months since my last chemo and so far my checkup results have been positive. I am very happy of course. When an office mate who is usually on field assignment comes to our Head office, he would ask me "Are you a survivor, now?" And I would smile and say I guess so since it has been a while. Though at the back of my mind I would ask, Have I already survived cancer? Am I past through it?<br />
<br />
I know of some people who were doing well when suddenly their cancer antigen level shoot up again and they have to undergo another round of chemo. There are others who swears by the effectiveness of food supplements and alternative treatment their family member or friends have been having and somehow you wonder if you should shift to such treatment. An office mate who has been inviting me to attend a health forum on naturapathic remedies has been glowing in the recovery of her sister through food supplements and the high technology natural remedies her sister has been undergoing when all of a sudden her health deteriorated after a bout with pneumonia and she died. Yet I would meet people who'd tell me they had cancer a long time ago but are still alive and doing pretty well. One lady from my doctor's clinic complained that she has been eating healthy, has completed the treatment before... so why is it back now? Yet there is another who says she has no resources yet through PCSO and the doctor's help she is able to get treatment and do pretty well. <br />
<br />
One of the officers in our company whose wife has a cancer similar to mine also called me recently to show a clipping of stem cell treatment for cancer telling me that they are also thinking of such and maybe I too should consider saving up so I could have the same treatment...<br />
<br />
Sometimes it could really be overwhelming on what to do to stay healthy so your body don't give in to your cancer cells. From seeing a lot of people I realized that it does not help to cry and be depressed when you have cancer so I try to be happy and positive. Yet I know that no matter how positive I can be, I still have no power over the big "C." <br />
<br />
In the end, I know that only God has power over it. He decides whether to allow it to grow or to totally rid of it. He has His own plans for me and for others. All I can do is to do my best in living a healthy, positive life the best I can so I can properly cooperate on His design for me.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-12888728028161302282012-05-19T22:12:00.000+08:002012-05-20T23:14:31.503+08:00Immuni Tea for Cancer et al<b><i>Ingredients:</i></b><br />
<i> 2 inches turmeric, sliced</i><br />
<i> 2 inches ginger, sliced</i><br />
<i> 1 bulb lemongrass, sliced</i><br />
<i> 1 cinnamon stick</i><br />
<i> 2 cups water</i><br />
<br />
<b><i>Procedure:</i></b><br />
<i>Place turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon stick and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and serve. </i><br />
<i>Makes 2 cups. </i><br />
<br />
That is one the recipes prepared by <a href="http://kitchenrevolution.ph/" target="_blank">Chef Marie Gonzalez</a> at the St. Luke's Cancer Institute's <a href="http://facebook.com/groups/corridorofhope" target="_blank">Corridor of Hope</a> Cooking Demo I attended today.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mb3yIV7kPP4/T7kDFa3Q_9I/AAAAAAAAAT4/g2Oz8FLe_ug/s1600/coh-cooking-workshop-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mb3yIV7kPP4/T7kDFa3Q_9I/AAAAAAAAAT4/g2Oz8FLe_ug/s400/coh-cooking-workshop-01.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<br />
I saw above brochure posted in one of my doctor's door during my checkup last Thursday so I made it a point to join thinking it will be neat to have new simple recipes added to my food selection.<br />
<br />
Chef Marie was great and the dishes were good. Aside from the tea, she also prepared a Cancer Fighting Green Juice using a <a href="http://hurom-slowjuicer.com/" target="_blank">Hurom slow juicer</a>, Mineral Broth and Cancer Fighting Bean Salad using organic vegetables provided by <a href="http://organicmanila.com/" target="_blank">Organic Manila</a> and for dessert... black bean brownies using coconut sugar from <a href="http://coconaturasugar.com/" target="_blank">Coco Natura</a>.<br />
<br />
They also provided the recipes for above but I am too lazy to type everything at the moment... hahaha!<br />
<br />
Actually it was not just about the recipes, though that was the biggest part of the gathering. Chef Marie also shared the benefits of vegan cooking and of course the foods to avoid especially for cancer patients/survivors. There was also a sharing by Breast Cancer Patient - <b>Haidee Ala</b> of the Corridor of Hope which is inspiring considering that she has been battling cancer on and off for 9 years and even had a near-death experience but she still continues to LIVE the best that she can and bring hope to others. PLUS some nice things were the freebies of course. We got a bag and sample from Abbot's <a href="http://prosure.com/" target="_blank">Prosure</a>, nutrition for cancer induced weight loss. I have my ideal weight at the moment which I hope to maintain but I did enjoy the Mango shake I tasted during their demo :) I would have stayed longer to taste the other shakes to be prepared but I had to rush to another important function but I did have a good time there. Looking forward such other activities!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-22944346534504195662012-05-17T22:08:00.000+08:002012-05-17T23:10:06.278+08:0010-5-NEDToday was my fifth checkup after my chemotherapy.<br />
My doctor noted 10-5-NED...<br />
That is 10 months since my operation;<br />
5 months since my last chemo; and<br />
<b>N</b>o <b>E</b>vidence of <b>D</b>isease. :-)<br />
I have gone back to work... and work meant work as it was before!<br />
People say I don't look sick...<br />
And that I look the same...<br />
Well, not exactly the same...<br />
Because my hair has become curly! Arghhh!<br />
My hair always had a mind of its own and would not follow the style I want so it was tied it up most often but it was generally straight and still followed the law of gravity. My long hair strands then flowed down! But now, not only is it thicker but it is turning wavy which does not go down but up! The strands, especially near my neck, fly away and waves upward! Hahaha!<br />
I guess the strands felt deprived of their existence during my chemo days that they are now coming back with a vengeance and now they are breaking free and would go in directions they want to...<br />
Well they can go in any direction just as long as they do not leave my scalp again...<br />
The only thing I want to leave my body and never return again are the CA cells.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134847289115118532.post-10862812686805159022012-04-30T21:45:00.002+08:002012-04-30T21:45:32.844+08:00Two monthsToday I have been working for two months.<br />
Everything is as the way it was before.<br />
So much things to think about.<br />
Still so much work! haha...<br />
Of course I try my best not to be affected<br />
and just remain calm all throughout.<br />
Just do the best in each day without being tensed. <br />
Time flies fast.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0