Feeling Great

As some of you know, my weekend in Rockport was not what I expected.  I wasn't feeling well at all, but loved being with my besties.   We still got to enjoy a walk on the beach, a dinner out, and we watched the oldie but goody, YA-YAs movie.

That Monday, I began to feel better and by Tuesday I felt amazing.  I went to see the P.A, Katie and told her of my rough weekend with nausea and pain.  She said it was absolutely normal because the radiation and chemo take a couple of weeks to completely go away.  She prescribed a meal enhancer and boy has that helped.  I''m also taking a - and enzymes to help with digestion and absorption.    Now that I feel normal and hungry I have no doubt I can gain some weight and get strong for the surgery on Nov. 4.

On Saturday, our family, including my sister-in-law, Darla, who was here from Florida, participated in the Walk to End Alzheimers that Stacy was sponsoring.   It was a beautiful cool morning.  The walk was a few hundred people so not to crazy and was held in the beautiful San Gabrielle Park in Georgetown.  I am planning to walk each morning and evening a few times a week to increase my heart rate.

I have not asked for any meals on the care calendar for now.  We will need meals again in December during recovery.

My brother, Bob and his wife, Nancy are bringing my mom to see me on Oct. 10.  I am not supposed to travel by plane due to germs.   It will be a quick visit but I can't wait to see her.  As most of you know she is 88 and has dementia so it's not easy for her to travel.  Thank you Bob and Nancy for helping get her here.   My brother, Tom and his wife will be here a well.  :)

Hugs,
Cindy

MD Anderson

It was a rainy trip but we got great info and are still on track for surgery on Nov. 4.

We arrived at MD this morning for routine blood work.  Then we met with Jason, a PA for Dr. Fleming, my GI surgeon.  He went over most of the information.

Jason went said my blood work looks good, but  now that some of the side effects from the radiation are more under control, he wants me to try the enzymes again to help my body absorb  more proteins.

  After surgery, I will remain in the hospital for 10 days, then stay with family in Houston another week to 10 days. Hopefully home after Thanksgiving.  The first week they are watching for infection, blood clots and making sure organs like the stomach begin functioning again.  Possible temporary small feeding tube may be used if I cannot drink liquids.  Dr. Fleming doesn't think that will be necessary. Foods will be added slowly and I will have a nutritionist to help with the recovery diet.   About  8 week after surgery, I will have 1 chemo treatment every 3 weeks for 6 months to cover all the bases and make sure the sucker is ALL gone.

Thank you again for your prayers and support.  We will let you know about visitations after surgery as it gets closer.

Hugs,
Cindy

Home Stretch

Last week was a good one since I ended up only having two days of radiation.  Monday was a holiday and the machine was down for two days.  I have to make those two days up next Monday and Tuesday.  I get to say so long for good to McChemi on Friday.  :)

I had another CAT scan yesterday because on one of my mini scans they do before each radiation it looked like the stent had moved, but the scan showed it to be where it needs to be so no need for another procedure that would mess things up.  

This week continues to be the same with  fatigue and stomachache  rather than nausea so eating is not my favorite part of the day.  

Looking forward to celebrating  the end of this part of my journey with 5 of my besties as we travel to the beach in Rockport,TX. where a friend has a house.  The beach, movies, games, food and lots of laughter will best medicine yet.  Thank you, Jana, for the use of your home.

October will be time for healing, getting stronger and putting on some extra pounds. :)

Hugs,

Cindy