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abfab 
2:20pm, October 12, 2009
Hi there chicks and dudes.....its only me!!
So...I had chemo No. 4 today, seeing as Monday is a holiday here. All is good.....but I have had a bit of an emotionally traumatic time since my last update (no. 72!)
After my chemo on Monday 10th Aug, my big bro was taken onto hospital on that night..he has had a very bad back for several weeks and had been off work. he was kept in overnight and released the following afternoon with a letter to attend for an MRI scan a few weeks later. He was taken back in on Tuesday night after he suddenly felt numb from the waist down. Again he was kept in overnight and had his MRI scan on the Wednesday at about lunch time. The results showed a massive prolapse on a disc and it was blocking every disc below it, hence the numbness. He was sent to another hospital at tea time and operated on that night as if left, it could have left him paralysed. I only have my brother left (Parents died over 20 years ago) so we are very close. I dashed to the hospital straight from work so I could see him before he went for surgery, which I did, thank God. I stayed at the hospital with my sister in law to keep her company for a while but I really had to go home at about 11.30pm, I was exhausted. I went into work a bit later the next morning (Thursday) and then I started bleeding (Vaginally). It wasnt TOO bad and I stayed in work and kept an eye on it.
So...when I got home from work I was getting myself organised before ringing my Oncology team to tell them about the bleeding when my phone rang. It was my ex ARSE! For those that dont know, a few quick details....I had to get him put out of this house by the courts as he was an abuser and I had to suffer a lot of months of emotional followed by physical abuse. When he got physical I had no other choice but to go to court. I won my case and he was removed 2 nights later by the police. This meant he was not allowed to contact me or anyone in my family for 1 year. This happened 2 years ago and ever since I have been trying to sell this property so I can move on (He no longer contributes to the house costs but is refusing to take Estate Agents advice to drop the selling price) He really chose his moment to call and if I hadve been sensible I SHOULD have put the phone straight down....but I didnt. I guess I was already stressed regarding my bro. I spent 30 mins screaming at him to let it go, to move on and get the property sold. he told me he had been checking online to see my odds of survival...isnt that lovely??? He wants to wait until the housing market improves before we sell......oh really....ARSE!!! He will never change I just want out of this house as I cant afford it and want to move on, until I move on, I am stuck here. By the way, the financial split, based on in put is 78/22 in my favour. He is trying for a 50/50 split, he wont get that....but there is NO law to state he cant try for it. Maximum annoyance to me...eh? Anyway......my Solicitor has written to his Solicitor last Monday giving them 7 days to agree the advised price drop...or we go to court, with charges to him.
So....I have had a LOT of stress over the last 3 weeks.
Now, update on all that is I went to GP on the Friday (As advised by Oncology) and my bloods were a bit low, I was shaking a lot and they said I was just exhausted and too much had happened over the last few days. I got a weeks supply of sleeping pills to get me back on course and I was told to rest, rest and more rest, which I did over the weekend and was fine to go back to work on the Monday. I got a lot of lower leg pain from the Friday to the Monday which made it difficult to sleep, I didnt like it!!....lol
My brother's surgery was successful and he got home on the Sunday and is recuperating nicely for 6 weeks. I am SO glad he is ok, I really am, I do love him SO much.
So, my chemo today was good...my bloods were great depsite getting treatment 3 days early, I worked hard on that and ate and drank all the right things, like liver, green leafy veg, lots of fruit (Ok, with cream!!) and plenty of fluids etc. The leg pain was caused by stopping the steriods quickly. I was given 2 options.....take paracetamol/Tramadol for a few days or take more steroids to cut them down gradually. I have opted for Paracetamol, to see how I go.
Apart from that, Consultant and I are pleased with how everything is going and I have had the go ahead to fly, so I am now looking forward to booking a flight to see my bestest friends in the whole wide world who live in Spain, a few days after my last treatement in October, that will REALLY give me something to look forward to!!!
So there ya go chicks....that was a long one, Im now totally echausted.......lol
P
xxxxxx
UPDATED GOALS
Beat this damned cancer !
Progress 60%
CA-125 (Ovarian Cancer)
12
Encouragements: 6
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Comments
Wow! Quite a lot of turmoil happening in your life. Certainly just dealing with the cancer for now should be enough. The ex-husband sounds like a real challenge. It is good to hear that your brother is doing well. Wonderful that he received prompt treatment.
I, too, am trying to eat things to keep my blood values as positive as possible - had liver tonight, in fact. Did they ever determine why you had the bleeding? Or was it just the fatigue?
Also, what's Monday's holiday over there? In the US we have Labor Day the following Monday. Keep taking it easy and you'll be in Spain shortly! Many hugs, Janet
IUPUI
Hi Janet.....ex Arse has been a challenge for several years now.....and as you say, I really have enough to deal with right now without him adding to it. I will let my Solicitor handle it and HOPEFULLY it will end soon and I can get this damned place sold.. I love Liver but God I hate cooking it....lol. I have always loved all vegetables so that is an easy one...and fruit, as long as I have cream, although I do use a light cream.
My bleeding was caused by the fatigue and also by the clexane injections for my blood clot, they say as long as it doesnt get worse, I havent to worry about it as It only lasts a few days
Monday Holiday is a "Bank" holiday here, one of 3 we get a year, the other 2 being in May....I have NO idea why we get it or the history.....lol
Hugs
xx
.
abfab
I must say you are a strong woman to go thru everything you have endured....remember to take care of yourself too! I am glad your brother is okay since he is your only family..
never heard about the liver..yuk! Is this something I should be doing in my 2nd treatment of chemo carbo/taxol? How is it cooked so that one can stand eating it? I too want to do everything for my blood levels.
you take care of yourself...get the rest you need.
hugs...Deb
trooperwife
hello pet from across the sea; i am exhausted just reading this! and the bad penny as well. You shall got to Spain and dance ; im off there on the 10th for a week cos july and august have been so wet; speak soon xx
ajdmouse
glad ur hanging in there.
Scrooched
Here's my liver "wisdom": according to my dietician liver is recommended only for those who need to improve their blood counts. Beef liver especially is perhaps the most iron-rich food there is. Liver has a lot of chlorestoral so is generally not recommended for most people.
I buy my liver at our local farmer's market where there is beef that has not been given extra hormones, etc. raised on a local farm. I heat up olive oil in a fry pan, add sliced onion and sliced mushrooms cook them and then add the liver. Cook at medium heat until done. I generally put the lid on the pan for a while to help steam the liver and to make sure it stays tender. My husband loves liver this way. I've never been a liver fan but this is actually not too bad. It does help to have a quality piece of meat. Janet
IUPUI
Yes Janet, indeed....we shouldnt be eating it 4 days a week but it DOES help blood counts and if we can eat it maybe once a week, we should. Here in UK, we have a choice of Pig/Ox/calf or Lambs liver. Lambs liver is considered the best and has less fat. I cook mine fairly similar and yes, it does make it easier to eat. I just really dont like handling it .....ugh! I dry it off and dust it in seasoned flour before I cook it and also use a beef gravy.
Another idea I was told about last Friday was Red Bush tea ....loads of anti oxidants/flavanoids and tastes very similar to normal tea. Im not a lover of fruit teas but this is good and can be taken just as you take your normal tea.
Hugs to you all
xx
abfab
HI sweetie! I'm sooooo glad to hear that you are ok and that your brother's surgery was successful. I am going to add extra special prayers for both of you tonight.
Keep taking good care of yourself. I'm very happy to hear that you are going to Spain to be with your friend. I think it will do your spirit some good.
Hugs and I'm thinking of you.
Amanda
wakinyantechate28
Wow, what a ker-fuffle...!!!! I really feel for you... a week from hell by the sound of it...! Your ex sounds like my ex.... what similarities...! ha ha I too have an ex that's trying to take my house from me ... Ekk! I'm so glad that ya brothers doing better now tho..... phew what RELIEF.....! Well take care and stay strong ok..? You've gone this far already..... You will survive ..... Sharon xxx
shazzca
wow.. You really have been through the mill.. You and me babe.. didn't we cope well?? Your ex is a prize arse hole.. please don't give him any more time or energy than you absolutely have to. that is what the solicitor is for.
Coincidentally my bro is having an op on Tuesday for a prolapsed disc.. he has been suffering for four months now.. So pleased it went well for your bro. I can imagine what a scary worry this has been for you. Phewww..
The leg ach is common with platins and taxol chemo.. I really couldn't get on with the steroids and you are right to keep them to a minimum.. I don't believe we need as much as they prescribe for us.. the ladies in the US don't take so many.. I only take what goes in the IV with the treatment.. I take some home with me and have been told I can take them if I feel a need to.. can't say I do. They interfere with my brain and sleep and then everything goes strange..
I so love your attitude and the way you have taken this cancer thing by the tail.. you are so right in the choices you make for yourself here.. great instincts.. trust them..
Huge thank.. you are a wonderful friend and I am so pleased to know you.. Huge hg and love to you.. xxx
Halli