Living a Long Life

lisa42 said:

gained weight on chemo too
Hi Cheryl,

I just wanted to say, first of all, it's good to see you back here again & your picture with the baby is darling. My profile picture may not show it (I need to either delete or update my picture- I've said that before & still haven't done it)- but I have definitely gained weight & am at my heaviest ever (other than pregnancy weights). It doesn't show up as much in my face as it does everywhere else, but my face is fuller than my profile pic shows. I finally broke down and had to go buy a few new clothes at my "new" size. That's always a bummer, but I was down to just two pants that still fit- my others were all squeezing me to death!
I'm hoping the hand/foot syndrome will let up some in my feet & I'll feel less fatigued so I can exercise more. It's hard to walk much when going anything more than just around the block once gives me blisters on the soles of my feet. I get a bit of a break from the chemo now, so I'm planning on hitting the exercise routine (when I get over this horrible cold I have at the moment which, by the way, is just the first "regular" sickness I've had since my diagnosis in 8/07- kind of amazing). In my break from chemo (even if it's short), I'm starting today with the antioxidants and wheat grass juice to build my system up again and hopefully help me get my energy back.

An interesting sidenote, somewhat related- I saw an article yesterday that some professor is contesting past studies that had shown vitamin C was a hinderance to chemo working. He claims that the study involved giving lab mice a form of vitamin C that was not abscorbic acid, which is the form that people actually take. He claims that abscorbic acid vit C won't have the same negative effect on chemo's effectiveness. Nothing solid there yet- so I wouldn't assume he's right yet, without proof. It sure would be a shame to take chemo and then take something at the same time that would hinder its effectiveness. Anyhow, today's the day I'm going to start adding all the supplements high in antioxidants into my diet. I don't know how long my chemo break will be (still waiting for PET results to see about my "what's next" is), but I'm going to give myself some boosters in the meantime. I long for energy again!

Take care everyone,
Lisa

maglets said:

love you pic
love your pic cheryl. I seem to be a weirdo that puts weight on with chemo...anybody else ever do that ? so far I have put on about 12 pounds on the oxy/xeloda diet. I think because I feel nauseous so much of the time I just eat thinking maybe I'll feel better. Actually it works...I do feel less sick if my tum is jammed and of course because i hold the chemo card I think I should be be aboe to have the occasional treat like potato chips or or or:)
I need new pants....off to the thrift store I guess

mags

maglets said:

decadron
Hi Kimby: I think that it is probably the decadron too. I am not really worried....it does seem ironic somehow. Sorry you are having a rough go of it. What kind of virus do you think you have and do you think it's because of your lowered immune system.

Mags

kimby said:

Virus
Hubby had the same crud and didn't really get to 90% for about a month but he didn't need to miss any work, just really rest evenings and weekends. I'm, of course, bedridden from it. Here is the real story:

I was on liver radiation daily for 5 weeks along with continuing chemo. My rad onc warned me that the first week AFTER I finished would be the worst. I, of course, ignored that as it didn't apply to me. I finished rads on Tues, started a new cycle of chemo on Thurs, left Fri to visit my son at college 3 hours away and came back to high school commitments for my youngest. I overdid it. I rested on that Tues and was just tired but by Wed I was sick with the crud. I've been pretty down since then even though my blood work isn't horrible. I lost 17 lbs in the last 2 1/2 weeks and you can't do that without losing muscle mass, so I'm sure that is taking it's toll, too.

I'm getting there and I'll be ok. Just sucks for now. I'm resting all I can and trying to push myself to do whatever I can to try to build back up.

Kimby

CherylHutch said:

Animals and Music
Hey Kathleen!!

I loved that line too!! I could sooooo relate to it as I read it. It doesn't matter what kind of music you enjoy... if you surround yourself with music you love and have a pet(s) around who gives you unconditional love (or in my case, a pet who reminds me that the world revolves around her and her wants ), then you can't help but be less stressful. Bridget constantly cracks me up with her insistence that as far as she is concerned, my role in life is to cater to her. She is the only dog I know who, once she has curled up on the bed for the night and I come to bed... she will not budge! She will be awake and even look at me (without moving her position). When I tell her, "Ok, move over!", she actually closes her eyes and pretends she is asleep and hasn't heard me.

Hahaha... how can one be stressed out when they have a four-legged critter who has no idea she is a critter??

Hugggggggs,

Cheryl

Hatshepsut said:

Weight Loss
Hello Cheryl and Everyone:

When my husband was originally diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006 (Stage 3 at that time/Stage 4 later), he experienced heart problems after his surgery. The cardiologist we originally used wanted to do an angiogram on him (and anticipated an angioplasty) immediately. We weren't enthusiastic about an invasive procedure given the long and difficult colon cancer operation my husband had just had. So...I did some research and discovered Dr. Ornish's program. Ornish believes a VERY low-fat diet along with exercise and stress relief can actually reverse heart disease. That is the route we took. Three years later my husband's heart issues have improved considerably and the side effect is that the healthy eating/exercising/meditation program Ornish espouses has led to weight reduction for both of us. My husband had to have a second major surgery in 2007 for colon cancer and a very minor surgery in 2008. During both surgeries he experienced no heart difficulties. I believe my husband was stronger and able to tolerate the second and third operations in part because we were living a healthier life. My husband is 91 and is currently NED for colon cancer.

Perhaps Dr.Ornish's program might help you. There is nothing to buy, although you might want to check out his books at your local library.

Hatshepsut