Returned to Joburg a week early. Felt crummy, living on stopayne and hearing about my mom's pneumonia.
Got an extra treatment on Wednesday. Felt a little better but had to experience nausea and vomiting on Thursday. The previous treatment didn't do that. Got another treatment on Monday. I remember voices talking about the choice and the treatment being worse than the disease. Don't believe them! The disease is worse. I get an extra treatment on Thursday. After each treatment I feel better - even if only for a few days! Besides, they keep me alive.
The centre is about to close for two weeks in honour of the silly season. Well, most people get away for a while as it is also time for the summer vacation. It is also about the only time that the doctor gets a chance for a break. Which is why I get the benefit of another treatment on Thursday.
So is hasn't been all bad. Have been a little low, but as I feel better, things will improve. Have already been enjoying the hot Joburg weather. The pool is coming right...
By the way, the holiday wasn't a disaster. We experienced new places and enjoyed Knysna. Then the pain began and it had to end.
The new treatment has some advantages too. It goes much quicker. Once started, it takes about an hour. Unlike the previous treatment that could take about three hours and hardened the veins. The important part is that it works. E will see if it is effective in fighting the cancer or at least restoring some stability. Time will tell. At least now there is some reason to be positive.
Showing posts with label pancreas cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pancreas cancer. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Not always easy to be positive
"Be positive". Oft given advice and a remedy for almost anything. Easily said. There have even been books written about the power of being positive. Some of the proponents make you feel quite guilty about feeling bad about anything. Even bad events can be seen in a positive light. Bad things don't happen to positive people.
Bad things do happen to positive people. But the advice keeps coming in from all directions. "Stay positive."
Through much of thisj experience of pancreas cancer I have managed to maintain a positive attitude. It wasn't difficult for a while. The marker was stable and I was feeling all right. But things change. Setbacks occur and you begin to wander what is really in store.
A few weeks ago I began with great abdominal discomfort. Then the marker changed. The new treatment seemed to help but going on holiday after only one treatment didn't. The fevers got worse. The pain increased and the Panado had to make way for stopayne. Yesterday we cut our holiday short. An extra treatment before the yer end break seemed like a better option. Not really great to be bed ridden in Knysna.
As a result I am not quite as positive as I was. That could change if there is just a little reason for hope.
Bad things do happen to positive people. But the advice keeps coming in from all directions. "Stay positive."
Through much of thisj experience of pancreas cancer I have managed to maintain a positive attitude. It wasn't difficult for a while. The marker was stable and I was feeling all right. But things change. Setbacks occur and you begin to wander what is really in store.
A few weeks ago I began with great abdominal discomfort. Then the marker changed. The new treatment seemed to help but going on holiday after only one treatment didn't. The fevers got worse. The pain increased and the Panado had to make way for stopayne. Yesterday we cut our holiday short. An extra treatment before the yer end break seemed like a better option. Not really great to be bed ridden in Knysna.
As a result I am not quite as positive as I was. That could change if there is just a little reason for hope.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
What a difference a day makes
Yesterday was chemo day and the first day of an entirely new treatment. We finished late in the afternoon and arrived home exhausted at about 5:00 p.m.
It wasn't long before I began to feel much stronger. Newly energised and much healthier.
Today has been pretty good too. Up at 6:00 a.m. Two of my sons are driving down to Knysna and I was up to pack the cooler bags. We will be joining them for over two weeks after a short flight on Thursday. Feeling well is certainly a help. The discomfort and lack of energy of just a few days ago seems to have gone - for now! The day carried on with visits to the vet, the airport, the shops, the pharmacy and the bank. My pans for a braai (barbecue) fell through because of the weather so my steaks were simply grilled.
The boys have stopped for the night at Graaf Reinet, about four hour away from the destination. Tomorrow we must ach and prepare whatever we need for the trip.
Knysna is in the Western Cape, on the famous garden route. It lies on a lagoon, the entrance of which is maked by enormous heads. Photos will follow. I am also looking forward to exploring the elephant park and other places of interest in the area.
What a difference a few hours have made to the way that I feel! I just hope it continues.
It wasn't long before I began to feel much stronger. Newly energised and much healthier.
Today has been pretty good too. Up at 6:00 a.m. Two of my sons are driving down to Knysna and I was up to pack the cooler bags. We will be joining them for over two weeks after a short flight on Thursday. Feeling well is certainly a help. The discomfort and lack of energy of just a few days ago seems to have gone - for now! The day carried on with visits to the vet, the airport, the shops, the pharmacy and the bank. My pans for a braai (barbecue) fell through because of the weather so my steaks were simply grilled.
The boys have stopped for the night at Graaf Reinet, about four hour away from the destination. Tomorrow we must ach and prepare whatever we need for the trip.
Knysna is in the Western Cape, on the famous garden route. It lies on a lagoon, the entrance of which is maked by enormous heads. Photos will follow. I am also looking forward to exploring the elephant park and other places of interest in the area.
What a difference a few hours have made to the way that I feel! I just hope it continues.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
A long, tough week
A tough week. Discomfort in the abdomen, poor digestion and bloatedness. On Wednesday I arrived for my chemo and did the blood tests. Then we waited for ages. The doctor apologized, he wanted time to talk and had to get through the chemo patients first. The marker had changed significantly, so the next step was an ultrasound scan.
Two people did the scan. The most significant result was that the lesions in the liver had grown, but they were still in the liver.
Back to the doctor, and a new treatment beginning tomorrow. Now I must hope that the new treatment will be effective. It seems that for four months the previous treatment kept my condition stable, so it worked for a while. Now I can feel the lesions. After the podding during the scan they became quite painful.
So here I am hoping that I'll be reenergised again and that the discomfort will go.
Two people did the scan. The most significant result was that the lesions in the liver had grown, but they were still in the liver.
Back to the doctor, and a new treatment beginning tomorrow. Now I must hope that the new treatment will be effective. It seems that for four months the previous treatment kept my condition stable, so it worked for a while. Now I can feel the lesions. After the podding during the scan they became quite painful.
So here I am hoping that I'll be reenergised again and that the discomfort will go.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Chemotherapy over for this week
I went straight to the lab when we arrived at the oncology centre this morning. The nurse filled a number of bottles with blood and then it was back to the waiting room. then there was a long wait. My blood results lay on the counter while the reception staff waited for them.
The doctor was very happy with me. All my bloods were good and all indications are that my condition is stable. Let it continue along that path!
All sorts of people come to the centre. Today there was an Italian couple. The husband was there for support and their young daughter popped in for about an hour. The patient had no hair but seemed happy with her loving family around her.
Sometimes we get to talk to the other patients, at other times we keep to our selves. Most patients have someone there for support. Often it is the spouse, sometimes the mother or father, sometimes daughters or sons. Sometimes a friend. Very few come for chemotherapy on their own. It is something that seems to draw in the families.
Being warm and summery the French doors are open onto the lovely garden. Some people sit at the outdoor tables eating their lunch. A woman nearby had reason to celebrate - her cancer count was down by half.
The chemotherapy is not something to be dreaded, rather looked forward to. For me, it is something that will be part of my life for years to come.
The doctor was very happy with me. All my bloods were good and all indications are that my condition is stable. Let it continue along that path!
All sorts of people come to the centre. Today there was an Italian couple. The husband was there for support and their young daughter popped in for about an hour. The patient had no hair but seemed happy with her loving family around her.
Sometimes we get to talk to the other patients, at other times we keep to our selves. Most patients have someone there for support. Often it is the spouse, sometimes the mother or father, sometimes daughters or sons. Sometimes a friend. Very few come for chemotherapy on their own. It is something that seems to draw in the families.
Being warm and summery the French doors are open onto the lovely garden. Some people sit at the outdoor tables eating their lunch. A woman nearby had reason to celebrate - her cancer count was down by half.
The chemotherapy is not something to be dreaded, rather looked forward to. For me, it is something that will be part of my life for years to come.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
online again
It has been a rather frantic time. Renovations, no matter how small are always disruptive. Then there is the waiting.
Back to chemo again tomorrow. The last session was Monday a week ago. I thought that I understood the pattern but with each passing week I get to understand the pattern better. The final realization is that there is no pattern. Each time, the effect may be unique. Chemo on Monday. I felt alive and energised on Monday and Tuesday. Then on Wednesday afternoon WHAM! Out for the count. Now where this is changing from previous weeks is that for much of Thursday and Friday the fatigue remained. I returned to feeling fully normal on Sunday. Well almost.
Then there is the question of side effects. There are some that I don't get and some that I do. I have intimate experience with the fatigue. I have also had extensive, itchy skin rashes from the other chemo that comes as a tablet.
But you discover more and more as you go. Just because you have been lucky enough to escape one of the primary side effects for three months doesn't mean you'll escape it next time. So when I say that I don't get nausea and vomiting (well hardly ever), it doesn't mean that I won't.
Looking forward to our holiday in December. Two and a half weeks away from everything and a nice break from the chemo. Then, I guess, its all back to normal.
My condition at present is stable. I look okay and am apparently doing well for someone with pancreas cancer. It is all down to staying positive (well, that plays a part) or as the doctor says, "it depends on the patient".
Back to chemo again tomorrow. The last session was Monday a week ago. I thought that I understood the pattern but with each passing week I get to understand the pattern better. The final realization is that there is no pattern. Each time, the effect may be unique. Chemo on Monday. I felt alive and energised on Monday and Tuesday. Then on Wednesday afternoon WHAM! Out for the count. Now where this is changing from previous weeks is that for much of Thursday and Friday the fatigue remained. I returned to feeling fully normal on Sunday. Well almost.
Then there is the question of side effects. There are some that I don't get and some that I do. I have intimate experience with the fatigue. I have also had extensive, itchy skin rashes from the other chemo that comes as a tablet.
But you discover more and more as you go. Just because you have been lucky enough to escape one of the primary side effects for three months doesn't mean you'll escape it next time. So when I say that I don't get nausea and vomiting (well hardly ever), it doesn't mean that I won't.
Looking forward to our holiday in December. Two and a half weeks away from everything and a nice break from the chemo. Then, I guess, its all back to normal.
My condition at present is stable. I look okay and am apparently doing well for someone with pancreas cancer. It is all down to staying positive (well, that plays a part) or as the doctor says, "it depends on the patient".
Monday, October 10, 2011
A post from the treatment room
Monday is the day for my chemotherapy for now. Today is the second of the three week cycle.
The weather is decidedly pleasant - 22 degrees Celcius right now, with expectations to rise to 25 (where do you find the degree symbol on an iPad?).
The French doors ar open onto the outside world bringing a summery feeling into the room. I
have been connected to an IV. Almost the moment it starts, I can feel the mixtue burning. It makes the area around it very cold. That is the reason that I am receiving a flush of saline solution at the same time. I probably have another hour here before the chemo is finished. It is now 12:14 so I'll be finished really early today. Last week I didn't get away until after 4:00!
People of all ages find their way here. Some patients are very young. I have seen young mothers here. Quite often the treatment is successful.
The effects of the chemo can vary. Last week I was fine for a few days. Then on Wednesday afternoon I began to feel washed out. There is no alterative to complete rest. I felt better the next day but didn't really feel myself until Sunday. Strangely, after three weeks I get a week off. The last time I felt wonderful!
Today I was one of the first in the treatment room. The room has now filled up with patients and their families.
One more session next week, then another break. That's me for now.
The weather is decidedly pleasant - 22 degrees Celcius right now, with expectations to rise to 25 (where do you find the degree symbol on an iPad?).
The French doors ar open onto the outside world bringing a summery feeling into the room. I
have been connected to an IV. Almost the moment it starts, I can feel the mixtue burning. It makes the area around it very cold. That is the reason that I am receiving a flush of saline solution at the same time. I probably have another hour here before the chemo is finished. It is now 12:14 so I'll be finished really early today. Last week I didn't get away until after 4:00!
People of all ages find their way here. Some patients are very young. I have seen young mothers here. Quite often the treatment is successful.
The effects of the chemo can vary. Last week I was fine for a few days. Then on Wednesday afternoon I began to feel washed out. There is no alterative to complete rest. I felt better the next day but didn't really feel myself until Sunday. Strangely, after three weeks I get a week off. The last time I felt wonderful!
Today I was one of the first in the treatment room. The room has now filled up with patients and their families.
One more session next week, then another break. That's me for now.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
few options for pancreas cancer
The diagnosis of pancreas cancer was made on the 22nd of June. The cancer had spread to the liver and it was through a fine needle aspiration (FNA) that the cancer was identified. An FNA is a type of biopsy - a 5 inch needle was inserted into lesions in the liver through the stomach. This was done with the help of ultrasound. Cancer originating in the pancreas had spread to the liver.
Most types of cancer offer some hope. If they are caught early, the cancer may be cut out, radiation and chemotherapy may be used and the cancer is often cured.
Pancreas is usually identified when it has become very advanced. It could be through abdominal or back pain, loss of appetite.Symptoms may appear when the enlarged pancreas presses against other organs or when the cancer has spread to adjacent or more distant organs.
Once the cancer has spread, surgery and radiation are ruled out. The only option is chemotherapy.
In my case, the cancer was identified as stage IV cancer. There is no cure. Perhaps 25% of patients respond to chemotherapy. The prognosis is very poor - statistically less than a year. However, I have been responding well to the treatment and life could be extended by many years. Perhaps over that time, more effective treatments will be found.
There are few other options available, but a positive attitude, the will to overcome this cancer and a belief in the possibility of a cure can make a massive difference. One way of achieving this is through the unconscious mind. Guided imagery or visualisation may be used as tools to use the power of the mind to help reverse the cancer.
My next chemo cycle begins on Monday.
Most types of cancer offer some hope. If they are caught early, the cancer may be cut out, radiation and chemotherapy may be used and the cancer is often cured.
Pancreas is usually identified when it has become very advanced. It could be through abdominal or back pain, loss of appetite.Symptoms may appear when the enlarged pancreas presses against other organs or when the cancer has spread to adjacent or more distant organs.
Once the cancer has spread, surgery and radiation are ruled out. The only option is chemotherapy.
In my case, the cancer was identified as stage IV cancer. There is no cure. Perhaps 25% of patients respond to chemotherapy. The prognosis is very poor - statistically less than a year. However, I have been responding well to the treatment and life could be extended by many years. Perhaps over that time, more effective treatments will be found.
There are few other options available, but a positive attitude, the will to overcome this cancer and a belief in the possibility of a cure can make a massive difference. One way of achieving this is through the unconscious mind. Guided imagery or visualisation may be used as tools to use the power of the mind to help reverse the cancer.
My next chemo cycle begins on Monday.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
... no longer a rat
“The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.” Lily Tomlin.There is no escaping that. No matter where you are in the race to get to the top, you remain a rat.
In a sense I can consider myself lucky. After years of working my way through the insanity of the corporate world, I have at last escaped! I am no longer part of the rat-race.
Not that everything about the corporate world is bad. It somehow manages to produce the goods. Occasionally we get something innovative and new. We get products that help to enrich our lives. We need the products, we need the people that produce the products. It keeps money flowing and allows us to feed our families.
Business is not the problem. It is just the way that people function in business, the strange ways that things get done, the power struggles, the in-fighting ...
My involvement with the corporate world lasted for a good few decades. I worked in a number of capacities, as an independent business consultant, as a business analyst, and in IT.
It all ended rather abruptly after I took on a new permanent post. No sooner had I begun with induction into the company than I became seriously ill. A few weeks later the diagnosis of pancreas cancer shook my world. It didn't take long for the company to begin a dismissal procedure on the grounds of incapacity. Who could blame them? I just wasn't up to providing a 40 hour week any more.
While I do have to face the challenge of this most sever form of cancer, I am at least free to pursue the things that really interest me. The corporate world can take a back seat.
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