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Last day of chemo for the week – Day 5, Week 1, Cycle 2

06/01/2012 By lmadmin Leave a Comment

Fighting Cancer

8 more hours!

And I’m done with my treatment for the week.  I’ve got two weeks remaining in this cycle, but just one Tuesdays.  During my first cycle, the next 2-4 days should be the worst of it in terms of headaches, nausea and exhaustion.  My white blood cell count is much lower now that it was during the end of the first full week of chemo (which is completely normal), so my exhaustion might carry on a little longer.

BUT, I’m over the chemotherapy hill!  It’s a downward slide into cancer free freedom from here on out.  Chins up, cancer doesn’t stand a chance.

Today’s Video

Pray and Community

I’m normally a somewhat private person.  I’m a closet introvert to some degree, meaning that I prefer smaller groups of close friends.  But, if you know me at all, then you’ve seen my extrovertedness overflowing in wonderful ways.  I mention all that to say that the level of support I’ve received from all the different communities has been incredible.  Beyond likes on facebooks, I’ve received so many encouraging texts, FB messages, emails, cards, and gifts.  But beyond that, I’ve had so many people comment on how they are praying for our family during this time.

Not to be negative, but there can be a lot of situations where one might say, “I’ll be praying for you” and then not really follow through with that.  I’m guilty of that.  It’s a two part recipe of Christianesse and busyness.  But what’s been so encourage in the midst of waging war on cancer is the continued reminders from people.  And it got me thinking about the importance of being open with what we are experiencing in life.  This came to mind:

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  (James 5:13-17)

So in the midst of my introvertedness, I continue to share about my journey with cancer, not for attention, or because it is my identity, but that others might have a better idea of what life looks like for us right now.  It’s a step beyond my comfort zone, but a step out into a life of community.

So thank you for your prayers, God is still God, and God is still GOOD!

This post is one of many about my journey of fighting cancer.  I’m currently in “Round #2” with my cancer recently coming back after 3.5 years. Checkout this post that summarizes “Round #1” or view all of my cancer related posts. Or feel free to subscribe at the top of the page to be “in the know“.

Filed Under: Cancer Tagged With: cancer, chemotherapy, testicular cancer

Eyebrow Surgery! Day 4, Week 1, Cycle 2

05/31/2012 By lmadmin 2 Comments

Fighting Cancer

No, I’m not really having eyebrow surgery.

But I do talk about my eyebrows and surgery in today’s video!

 

How’s today?

Good so far, had a big breakfast, got in early.  Had some blood work to check my white blood cell count and to see how my kidneys are doing.  I’m feeling a little more nauseous today, had to force down a big breakfast.  But I’m already feeling better.  The skin around my port is starting to get irritated from all the adhesives they’d been using to secure the area, so they’re trying some different stuff today.

Filed Under: Cancer Tagged With: cancer, chemotherapy, testicular cancer

Feeling Good! – Day 3, Week 1, Cycle 2

05/30/2012 By lmadmin 5 Comments

Fighting Cancer

Chemo window view

My view for the day

Early bird gets the… view!

Apparently I wasn’t supposed to show up until 9:15am for today’s daily dosage of cancer killing poison… but 8:05am is pretty close right?  So I got my favorite seat and I’m already pumping fluids.  Port is working fine today, I had ham, cheese, and an egg w/ cereal and OJ for first-breakfast.  My appetite isn’t as strong as it was yesterday morning, but I think that’s mostly because I’m tired.  Hopefully I’ll be out by 2:30 or 3:00!

Today’s Vloggage:

This post is one of many about my journey of fighting cancer.  I’m currently in “Round #2” with my cancer recently coming back after 3.5 years. Checkout this post that summarizes “Round #1” or view all of my cancer related posts. Or feel free to subscribe at the top of the page to be “in the know“.

Filed Under: Cancer Tagged With: cancer, chemotherapy, testicular cancer, vlog

Today’s the Long Day – Day 2, Week 1, Cycle 2

05/29/2012 By lmadmin 5 Comments

Fighting Cancer

Today’s Video

Almost Half Way Done

Today is my long day, but, I’m almost half way done with my chemo treatment (assuming I’m only doing 3 cycles, and not 4).  I still have over 5 weeks left of receiving weekly chemo, and I’ll have a few weeks after that recovering still.  BUT, out of the 9 weeks, 3 weeks are intense Mon – Fri weeks.  I’m in my second week of that, so after Wednesdays, I’m “half way done”… sort of.  That may sound illogical, but I’m the one with cancer, so I get to tell YOU how it is.  😀

Not the Port you want to Visit

I mentioned in the video that I had some port problems this past week, and yesterday.  Those issues continued today, but we were able to resolve it rather quickly.  The xray picture I posted yesterday show directly above the port a slightly sharp turn, and I think that it kinks at different times.  Yesterday, I got over 4 liters of “goods” pumped through, and at the very end had some slight troubles.  But, it’s working good enough to not have to do surgery again, so that’s awesome.  And it’s still better than having my veins trashed.

What are your questions?

I’ve been posting blogs and videos for a while, and wanted to know if anyone wants me to talk about any other aspects of life with cancer?  So, have any questions for me?  Personal, spiritual, dietary, etc…?  No question is to personal (unless of course it is and I’ll make that disappear, but try your luck!)

 

This post is one of many about my journey of fighting cancer.  I’m currently in “Round #2” with my cancer recently coming back after 3.5 years. Checkout this post that summarizes “Round #1” or view all of my cancer related posts. Or feel free to subscribe at the top of the page to be “in the know“.

Filed Under: Cancer Tagged With: cancer, chemo, chemotherapy, port, testicular cancer, vlog

It begins again! – Day 1, Week 1, Cycle 2

05/28/2012 By lmadmin 2 Comments

Fighting Cancer

Day 1, Week 1, Cycle 2

Here’s the video update for today:

 

What’s New

I mentioned some of this in the video, but it’s been a good week!  My bHCG level (my tumor marker) has dropped down to 3 from 96!  1-5 is the normal range.  So my body is responding quite well.  This week is my full week, Mon – Fri, 6-8 hours each day.  Also, my visit last week at the hospital to have my chemo port checked out went well.  Here’s an x-ray of what it looks like:

Xray of Chemo Port

And for the super interested, click here for a almost 360 view of my private chemo room that I’m in today.  I’m not at my normal place (Willamette Valley Cancer Institute)

 

This post is one of many about my journey of fighting cancer.  I’m currently in “Round #2” with my cancer recently coming back. Checkout this post that summarizes “Round #1” or view all of my cancer related posts. Or feel free to subscribe at the top of the page to be “in the know“.

Filed Under: Cancer Tagged With: cancer, testicular cancer

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