I've had a call from a volunteer from the Cancer Society, who's been matched up with because she had the same type of cancer and treatment. Although she is from Saint John, I gather that she calls people across Canada. She had the same oncologist as I do and thinks very highly of her, as everyone seems to.
Also went to a breast cancer support group, which meets monthly. About 10 women, most of who have completed their treatment. They usually have a program and then share whatever people feel like sharing, which included some very funny stories.
So these are additional resources for questions and help in dealing with things as the journey continues.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Radiation - Halfway Point
With the treatment yesterday, I'm halfway through the radiation treatments. They are having the anticipated side effects - for a couple of days it felt like there was a big lump in my throat (wonder if this is what a hairball feels like for a cat) and now it just feels sore. The skin around my neck is a bit tender and will be more sensitive to sun.
We've had sunshine for the last few days, which makes it seem possible that spring is coming.
We've had sunshine for the last few days, which makes it seem possible that spring is coming.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A Poem We love.
Riveted,
by Robyn Sarah
It is possible that things will not get better
than they are now, or have been known to be.
It is possible that we are past the middle now.
It is possible that we have crossed the great water
without knowing it, and stand now on the other side.
Yes. I think that we have crossed it. Now
we are being given tickets, and they are not
tickets to the show we had been thinking of,
but to a different show, clearly inferior.
Check again, it is our own name on the envelope.
The tickets are to that other show.
It is possible that we will walk out of the darkened hall
without waiting for the last act: people do.
Some people do. But it is probable
that we will stay seated in our narrow seats
all through the tedious denouement
To the unsurprising end – riveted, as it were,
spellbound by our own imperfect lives
Because they are lives
And because they are ours.
From Good Poems for Hard Times
Selected and Introduced by Garrison Keillor
Harvey
by Robyn Sarah
It is possible that things will not get better
than they are now, or have been known to be.
It is possible that we are past the middle now.
It is possible that we have crossed the great water
without knowing it, and stand now on the other side.
Yes. I think that we have crossed it. Now
we are being given tickets, and they are not
tickets to the show we had been thinking of,
but to a different show, clearly inferior.
Check again, it is our own name on the envelope.
The tickets are to that other show.
It is possible that we will walk out of the darkened hall
without waiting for the last act: people do.
Some people do. But it is probable
that we will stay seated in our narrow seats
all through the tedious denouement
To the unsurprising end – riveted, as it were,
spellbound by our own imperfect lives
Because they are lives
And because they are ours.
From Good Poems for Hard Times
Selected and Introduced by Garrison Keillor
Harvey
Radiation Underway
Had my final planning session for radiation on Monday; they marked my weird plastic mask for the radiation. Have now had 2 of 10 radiation treatments. One of the radiation therapists is also named Wendy - always an indication of quality.
Each time they do 3 treatments each from a different angle; the machine makes a great sound so it is easy to visualize it zapping those unwanted cells.
My new hard collar is more difficult to wear, but does provide more support, which has reduced the pain across my shoulders. As Martha would say, that's a good thing.
Each time they do 3 treatments each from a different angle; the machine makes a great sound so it is easy to visualize it zapping those unwanted cells.
My new hard collar is more difficult to wear, but does provide more support, which has reduced the pain across my shoulders. As Martha would say, that's a good thing.
No Hair Day - The Documentary
Borrowed this great documentary from the selection of reference material in the oncology waiting room at the hospital. It aired on Viewpoint on PBS a while back, and follows a photo shoot with 3 women who are undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. They met during their treatment and decided that they wanted to do this photo shoot for posterity. The husband of one of them is the filmmaker.
In some of the shots, taken with a very large format camera, they wear scarves or hats and in others go without head covering. One of them comments that she works in a very corporate environment where it wouldn't be acceptable for a woman to be bald or even wear a scarf. "It would make them uncomfortable" so she wore a wig every day and "pretended to be the person I was before I got cancer." Another had a very nice wig, but mostly wore hats and scarves (it was winter) and occasionally went bald. She said she wanted people to know that "I was different...I have cancer and am fighting for my life."
The photos from the shoot look fantastic and it's a documentary worth catching if you get the chance.
In some of the shots, taken with a very large format camera, they wear scarves or hats and in others go without head covering. One of them comments that she works in a very corporate environment where it wouldn't be acceptable for a woman to be bald or even wear a scarf. "It would make them uncomfortable" so she wore a wig every day and "pretended to be the person I was before I got cancer." Another had a very nice wig, but mostly wore hats and scarves (it was winter) and occasionally went bald. She said she wanted people to know that "I was different...I have cancer and am fighting for my life."
The photos from the shoot look fantastic and it's a documentary worth catching if you get the chance.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Feeding the Tender Tummy, part 2
Fruit and Fibre Muffins.
(Based on a recipe I develeoped for the Take A Break Coffee Shop) This recipe makes between 18 and 24 standard sized muffins, depending on how you dole out the batter.
Set oven at 375
Liquids
1 1/3 cups mashed bananna (nice ripe ones)
1 cup buttermilk or clabber
1 large egg
3 Tablespoons Oil (or melted butter)
1/3 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tspn vanilla
1 cup shredded carrot or zuchinni
1 cup halved cranberries (I've used pineapple - 1/4 inch dice, apple would work too, a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans would also work. If using raisins, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes.)
Dry
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups Wheat bran
1 1/2 tspn Baking Soca
1/2 tspn salt
3 heaping tablespoons ground flax seed.
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 tspn. nutmeg.
1. Stir together the dry ingredients.
2. Stir together the Wet ingredients.
3. Oil two 12 place mufin tins
4. Mix dry and wet ingredients quickly.
5. Spoon into muffin tins and bake on the middle shelf for about 20 minutes. Rotate muffin pans at the ten minute mark to ensure even cooking.
6. At 20 minute mark test for doneness. Remove, let sit for five minutes and then remove from tins and let cool. Once cooled, store in an airtight container. They freeze well.
Because they are not very sweet these muffins are good with cheese.
(Based on a recipe I develeoped for the Take A Break Coffee Shop) This recipe makes between 18 and 24 standard sized muffins, depending on how you dole out the batter.
Set oven at 375
Liquids
1 1/3 cups mashed bananna (nice ripe ones)
1 cup buttermilk or clabber
1 large egg
3 Tablespoons Oil (or melted butter)
1/3 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tspn vanilla
1 cup shredded carrot or zuchinni
1 cup halved cranberries (I've used pineapple - 1/4 inch dice, apple would work too, a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans would also work. If using raisins, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes.)
Dry
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups Wheat bran
1 1/2 tspn Baking Soca
1/2 tspn salt
3 heaping tablespoons ground flax seed.
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 tspn. nutmeg.
1. Stir together the dry ingredients.
2. Stir together the Wet ingredients.
3. Oil two 12 place mufin tins
4. Mix dry and wet ingredients quickly.
5. Spoon into muffin tins and bake on the middle shelf for about 20 minutes. Rotate muffin pans at the ten minute mark to ensure even cooking.
6. At 20 minute mark test for doneness. Remove, let sit for five minutes and then remove from tins and let cool. Once cooled, store in an airtight container. They freeze well.
Because they are not very sweet these muffins are good with cheese.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Radiation Treatment
Had the planning session for my radiation treatment today. It involves fitting a sort of plastic mesh mask over your face and neck. It's put on warm, fitted snugly, then cooled off and removed. Based on the scan, they mark on the mask where the radiation is to be directed. The other function of the mask is to keep your head immobile when they're doing the treatment. I go back next Monday for a final check, then daily for ten radiation treatments.
Also got a new harder neck collar today which provides more support for my neck. Feel a bit like a turtle, but without the ability to retract my head. Harvey, having almost adjusted to the no hair look, is once again adjusting to this new look.
Also got a new harder neck collar today which provides more support for my neck. Feel a bit like a turtle, but without the ability to retract my head. Harvey, having almost adjusted to the no hair look, is once again adjusting to this new look.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Yoga Practice
Thanks to yoga teacher Debra, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop conducted by Yogi Gi, a teacher from India who recently spent a few days in Saint John. It was lovely to spend the evening in Debra's studio, as Yogi Gi did some gentle stretches with us and talked about the traditions of yoga. His words, and the meditations he guided us through, were a timely reminder for me that the yoga postures, the asansa, traditionally are done in preparation for your body to be still to meditate. So I continue my yoga practice, with a shift to this aspect of it.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Good News, Not So Good News
Met with my oncologist yesterday; she thinks that the chemotherapy is doing what it is supposed to, so we continue.
As a result of pain I've been experiencing across my shoulder blades, an extra bone scan was done in that area and then an MRI. The findings are that there is some growth of breast cancer cells at the base of my neck (cervical 7, thoracic 1& 2), which is causing the pain. The plan is to do radiation treatments now on this area. I'm wearing a cervical collar to restrict sudden movements in the neck area - and when I asked the radiation oncologist about doing yoga, he said no. (In fact, it was a that point he decided that I should have the collar!) We're awaiting confirmation of the start date for radiation, which the oncologist and radiation oncologist are working out.
As someone who has been practicing yoga for fifteen years or so, it is quite odd not to be doing this. However, I have been perusing my books and found a few poses that don't involve the neck - including, of course, relaxation pose, savasana, that we all look forward to at the end of every class!
As a result of pain I've been experiencing across my shoulder blades, an extra bone scan was done in that area and then an MRI. The findings are that there is some growth of breast cancer cells at the base of my neck (cervical 7, thoracic 1& 2), which is causing the pain. The plan is to do radiation treatments now on this area. I'm wearing a cervical collar to restrict sudden movements in the neck area - and when I asked the radiation oncologist about doing yoga, he said no. (In fact, it was a that point he decided that I should have the collar!) We're awaiting confirmation of the start date for radiation, which the oncologist and radiation oncologist are working out.
As someone who has been practicing yoga for fifteen years or so, it is quite odd not to be doing this. However, I have been perusing my books and found a few poses that don't involve the neck - including, of course, relaxation pose, savasana, that we all look forward to at the end of every class!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Blog Favourite
One of the blogs in our favourites list is Bay of Fundy (do Google search on blogs to find it.)
Produced by irrepressible Bay enthusiast Terri McCulloch, if you are not already here it will make you want to be! Terri includes great photographs, delicious recipes and fascinating facts about the Bay - including a chance to see the tide come in in 55 seconds.
Produced by irrepressible Bay enthusiast Terri McCulloch, if you are not already here it will make you want to be! Terri includes great photographs, delicious recipes and fascinating facts about the Bay - including a chance to see the tide come in in 55 seconds.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Irwin Barker Interview on Sounds Like Canada
On January 30, Shelagh Rogers did a great interview with Irwin Barker, a stand-up comic and comedy writer who has terminal cancer.
In dealing with this he decided that he was not going to let it make him bitter and angry. He talks about how he has incorporated it into his comedy, as a way he could use his gift to perhaps help others. He says that he is telling jokes in spite of cancer, not because of it, noting that you don't wan't to make the audience feel sorry for you, and that "you can make some fun of it, but it's not fun."
At one point in the interview, Barker says "I'm not cured, but I've got a victory over it. Cancer has my body, but it doesn't have me."
If you're interested in hearing the whole interview, go to the Sounds Like Canada website, January 30 program.
In dealing with this he decided that he was not going to let it make him bitter and angry. He talks about how he has incorporated it into his comedy, as a way he could use his gift to perhaps help others. He says that he is telling jokes in spite of cancer, not because of it, noting that you don't wan't to make the audience feel sorry for you, and that "you can make some fun of it, but it's not fun."
At one point in the interview, Barker says "I'm not cured, but I've got a victory over it. Cancer has my body, but it doesn't have me."
If you're interested in hearing the whole interview, go to the Sounds Like Canada website, January 30 program.
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