Is Mary Ann okay?

kkstef said:

On my mind too!
Mary Ann, I have been thinking about you today too....wondering how you are doing and how your treatments are going.

Big Hugs to you!! Karen

I AM OK...thanks for your caring and concern
Hi everyone,

I just finished 2nd week of treatment - carboplatin weekly and daily "tomo" radiation - for recurrence of UPSC in my supraclavicular lymph nodes. I have 5 more to go.

The regime is tiring me out - plus working is not helping the situation. So this is my final week of work before taking FMLA to complete treatment and recoup. I need to increase my exercise and meditation big-time!!

Living in Florida is heaven this time of year. Yesterday I planted flowers and I will prepare a small vegetable garden. I have a great team of docs and am optimistic about dancing with NED again.

Thank you all. Wishing many blessings for all. Mary Ann

daisy366 said:

I AM OK...thanks for your caring and concern
Hi everyone,

I just finished 2nd week of treatment - carboplatin weekly and daily "tomo" radiation - for recurrence of UPSC in my supraclavicular lymph nodes. I have 5 more to go.

The regime is tiring me out - plus working is not helping the situation. So this is my final week of work before taking FMLA to complete treatment and recoup. I need to increase my exercise and meditation big-time!!

Living in Florida is heaven this time of year. Yesterday I planted flowers and I will prepare a small vegetable garden. I have a great team of docs and am optimistic about dancing with NED again.

Thank you all. Wishing many blessings for all. Mary Ann

Mary Ann, so glad you are doing okay
I too have been wondering how you are handling the chemo radiation combo. Glad you got through the second week of treatment. Hope the third week goes well, and the carbo and radiation are doing their jobs of shrinking those nodes.

Before long we will be in Florida to enjoy "the heaven" this time of year. It has been very nice here in Illinois with the fall colors beginning. We have a sugar maple in the front yard, and it is turning a very pretty orange. We have had 80 degrees these past few days, with low humidity, so it has been really nice.

I am trying to get my gardens ready for winter, but it seems too nice to be cutting some things back. It seems strange for someone to be planting a vegetable garden this time of year. Hope you get a lot of good veggies from it.

So happy to hear you are taking a FMLA and focusing on yourself. In peace and caring.

daisy366 said:

I AM OK...thanks for your caring and concern
Hi everyone,

I just finished 2nd week of treatment - carboplatin weekly and daily "tomo" radiation - for recurrence of UPSC in my supraclavicular lymph nodes. I have 5 more to go.

The regime is tiring me out - plus working is not helping the situation. So this is my final week of work before taking FMLA to complete treatment and recoup. I need to increase my exercise and meditation big-time!!

Living in Florida is heaven this time of year. Yesterday I planted flowers and I will prepare a small vegetable garden. I have a great team of docs and am optimistic about dancing with NED again.

Thank you all. Wishing many blessings for all. Mary Ann

{{{Mary Ann}}}
Thinking of you and am so glad you updated us. Wishing you well with treatment and your garden.

daisy366 said:

week 3 rough!! side effects starting
Thanks again for your caring and concern. Last week was challenging for me.

I started to get radiation side effects to my throat - like a painful lump that hurts to swallow. So eating and sometimes talking are getting harder - my voice is raspy. I was advised to give up singing and even limit talking. I started to panic about the thought of my throat swelling enough to close (they said this will NOT happen). I have meds (rons rum) to numb the throat in order to eat (only lasts a few minutes and tastes nasty), lozenges, rinse, and OTC pain meds. Doc said it WILL get worse and then I will need Rx pain meds - so they are saving this for later. I can only eat small portions of liquid or soft food. I was given xanax to help me sleep which I intend to start taking tonight!!! Today was my 20th of 35 treatments - AARGH!!!

AND.... I started getting "sensitivity" (allergic reaction) to carboplatin. The benadryl they gave IV also had bad effect. So I had to sleep it all off and cancel everything else except radiation that day. I have decadron to start taking 12 hours prior to next chemo to avoid this repeating. I have 3-4 more treatments.

On Sat I went to yoga and meditation group and had a healing touch session which soothed the throat for the weekend. I have a more positive (not panicky) attitude that will help me get through this one week at a time.

Today was day 1 of full time FMLA. Heaven!!! I'll keep you posted.

Mary Ann

You are an amazing warrior, Mary Ann
Mary Ann, I am so sorry to hear that you are having a rough time. It sounds like a rough road but I am confident you will WIN!! Am relieved that at least you are now on FMLA so youo can focus on YOU! You are an amazing lady and are approaching this bump in the road with such grace!

Am so happy that you took time out to do some yoga, meditation and healing touch...think that was probably better than any medicine and very healing.

Kee us posted....Bless you!

Karen

daisy366 said:

week 3 rough!! side effects starting
Thanks again for your caring and concern. Last week was challenging for me.

I started to get radiation side effects to my throat - like a painful lump that hurts to swallow. So eating and sometimes talking are getting harder - my voice is raspy. I was advised to give up singing and even limit talking. I started to panic about the thought of my throat swelling enough to close (they said this will NOT happen). I have meds (rons rum) to numb the throat in order to eat (only lasts a few minutes and tastes nasty), lozenges, rinse, and OTC pain meds. Doc said it WILL get worse and then I will need Rx pain meds - so they are saving this for later. I can only eat small portions of liquid or soft food. I was given xanax to help me sleep which I intend to start taking tonight!!! Today was my 20th of 35 treatments - AARGH!!!

AND.... I started getting "sensitivity" (allergic reaction) to carboplatin. The benadryl they gave IV also had bad effect. So I had to sleep it all off and cancel everything else except radiation that day. I have decadron to start taking 12 hours prior to next chemo to avoid this repeating. I have 3-4 more treatments.

On Sat I went to yoga and meditation group and had a healing touch session which soothed the throat for the weekend. I have a more positive (not panicky) attitude that will help me get through this one week at a time.

Today was day 1 of full time FMLA. Heaven!!! I'll keep you posted.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann
It was so nice to
Mary Ann

It was so nice to hear from you. I know I haven't posted but I have been thinking about you. I am sorry to hear about your sensitivity, but I am glad you are getting a more positive attitude.

My thoughts and wishes go out to you for a speedy recovery and positive thoughts throughout your treatment process!

Kathy

daisy366 said:

week 3 rough!! side effects starting
Thanks again for your caring and concern. Last week was challenging for me.

I started to get radiation side effects to my throat - like a painful lump that hurts to swallow. So eating and sometimes talking are getting harder - my voice is raspy. I was advised to give up singing and even limit talking. I started to panic about the thought of my throat swelling enough to close (they said this will NOT happen). I have meds (rons rum) to numb the throat in order to eat (only lasts a few minutes and tastes nasty), lozenges, rinse, and OTC pain meds. Doc said it WILL get worse and then I will need Rx pain meds - so they are saving this for later. I can only eat small portions of liquid or soft food. I was given xanax to help me sleep which I intend to start taking tonight!!! Today was my 20th of 35 treatments - AARGH!!!

AND.... I started getting "sensitivity" (allergic reaction) to carboplatin. The benadryl they gave IV also had bad effect. So I had to sleep it all off and cancel everything else except radiation that day. I have decadron to start taking 12 hours prior to next chemo to avoid this repeating. I have 3-4 more treatments.

On Sat I went to yoga and meditation group and had a healing touch session which soothed the throat for the weekend. I have a more positive (not panicky) attitude that will help me get through this one week at a time.

Today was day 1 of full time FMLA. Heaven!!! I'll keep you posted.

Mary Ann

Tough Time
Dear Mary Ann,

I am sorry to read you are going through such a rough time. How great that yoga, meditation and the healing touch helped you get through the weekend. I do hope that all improves very soon. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Peace and hope,

JJ

daisy366 said:

week 3 rough!! side effects starting
Thanks again for your caring and concern. Last week was challenging for me.

I started to get radiation side effects to my throat - like a painful lump that hurts to swallow. So eating and sometimes talking are getting harder - my voice is raspy. I was advised to give up singing and even limit talking. I started to panic about the thought of my throat swelling enough to close (they said this will NOT happen). I have meds (rons rum) to numb the throat in order to eat (only lasts a few minutes and tastes nasty), lozenges, rinse, and OTC pain meds. Doc said it WILL get worse and then I will need Rx pain meds - so they are saving this for later. I can only eat small portions of liquid or soft food. I was given xanax to help me sleep which I intend to start taking tonight!!! Today was my 20th of 35 treatments - AARGH!!!

AND.... I started getting "sensitivity" (allergic reaction) to carboplatin. The benadryl they gave IV also had bad effect. So I had to sleep it all off and cancel everything else except radiation that day. I have decadron to start taking 12 hours prior to next chemo to avoid this repeating. I have 3-4 more treatments.

On Sat I went to yoga and meditation group and had a healing touch session which soothed the throat for the weekend. I have a more positive (not panicky) attitude that will help me get through this one week at a time.

Today was day 1 of full time FMLA. Heaven!!! I'll keep you posted.

Mary Ann

Hi Mary Ann
I'm sorry to
Hi Mary Ann
I'm sorry to hear that this course of therapy is taking such a toll :-( I do remember my radiation treatments for breast cancer some years, not so much fun. It is soooo good that you are able to take FMLA.
Some years ago I took a climbing class, planned for but then turned out to be very bad timing but continued anyway. Last class was a full-on mtn climb, hiking into a base camp and then doing climb next day. I was in no condition to be there. As the hike in went on and on and on, the leader/instructor to keep us moving on, would just brightly call out "just one more ridge to go!" As reality had it, there were many more ridges to get over and several more miles with heavy packs on our back, but with each 'just one more ridge' our spirits lifted and onward we were able to trudge. So every day Mary Ann, just think 'one more ridge'! I do this to this day whenever the going gets rough.
You are in my thoughts, hang in there, you are a strong warrior! Just one more ridge! Annie

Songflower said:

Hang Tough Mary Ann
Mary Ann,

I am so proud of you going to Yoga with a bad throat. I remember my tube in my throat and how much I hated it during surgery. I 'm with Ro, if you need pain meds take them! I am seeing a pain Doctor now and learning so much from her. She says you can't fight cancer if you are fighting pain. Pain meds work best if taken consistently for chronic pain. Your pain will most likely be chronic for a while before it gets better.

I am glad you are on FMLA. If you need to put your feet up you can.

Love you,
Diane

UPDATE
Well, this cancer journey certainly can be fascinating. Since last week, things are so much better. I guess this could be considered a research project since the one constant was my treatments - weekly carboplatin and daily radiation to supraclavicular lymph nodes.

10 days ago I was miserable, scared, anxious, in pain, chakras from the heart up were closed. The radiation was burning my throat and I worried about suffocating, not being able to eat, etc. Today I am pain-free, more confident and calm. Yet the daily radiation continued. I even questioned the techs if they lowered the dose - no was the response.

As the week progressed my throat felt better. Today, Monday, I can swallow without problem. What changed?? In reflection, many things:
1) I have eliminated many stressors - work being the biggest.
2) I took the words of my doc to heart "You are having these negative symptoms too early!!" and got off my pity pot and went to healing session, yoga and healing touch. I heard words that helped me be more positive and not give in to FEAR. Francesca talked about the connection between the sacral chakra (the source of "Chester", the name I gave the papillary serous uterine cancer) and the throat chakra (the area of recurrence and the area of my current pain AND one of my personal challenges, SPEAKING UP FOR MYSELF and BEING HEARD!!). How profound to hear of the connection. She said that if we give in to defeat than we have lost (I know this but didn't practice it) and to profess intention to succeed with confidence. I participated in partnering exercises and started feeling better - like a wilted flower drinking in water. My healing touch session immediately followed and Barbara opened up my chakras. Again, feeling better in my throat. I believe I shifted from FEAR to FAITH and TRUST.
3) I was a better steward to my throat. Instead of denying I had a problem (eating whatever I wanted), I started babying my throat - gargling regularly with salt and baking soda mixture, eating soft foods in small portions, drinking from straw, cooling down my throat after treatments with ice-cold smoothie (yum).
4) the xanax? Didn't help - maybe too weak a dose (.25). So I can't credit this!
5) chia seeds. Francesca fed me these and said "this will draw the cancer right out of you!". I bought some. They are a strong anti-oxidant, higher than blueberries. I need to discuss this with my doc today if I should take now. But after treatment, for sure these will be my friend. Who can argue with those words, "this will take the cancer right out of you!"
6) My nurse told me to take it a week at a time. So I set my sights small. I am at the halfway point of treatment now and I just need to get through Friday.
7) visualization. In the radiation machine, I envision being comforted by Mary and protected by God. Mary is cradling me and has her hand over my throat. We are both in the hands of God who only lets in the radiation directed at the weakened cancer cells. The rays hit the mark and Chester dies. I repeat this before sleep and in morning.

It is only my thoughts and actions that have changed! So, my friends. Take flight - like Claudia's goose, Gwendolynne - with confidence and faith. I am flying through this journey one day at a time.

Love and blessings to you all. Mary Ann

upsofloating said:

So great to read through
So great to read through your post Mary Ann! Allowing your mind to to open up to the positive energy and allow that to take charge of your body. An inspiring experience that you have shared to guide the rest of us. My positive thoughts are with you as well as you continue on your journey. --Annie

Mary Ann
Thank you so much for the update, Mary Ann. You’ve been in my thoughts and I'm so glad to year you're moving a bit more easily through this part of your journey. I love that you are being so kind to yourself - I love your ice-cold smoothies for your throat, your lovely imagery in the radiation machine, your participation in healing sessions, yoga and healing touch. Thank you for sharing – you’ve reminded me to be nicer to myself. May you continue feeling better, confident, calm and pain-free - and know that we are all sending you big, warm, positive thoughts to wrap around you.

Love,
Cecile

daisy366 said:

UPDATE
Well, this cancer journey certainly can be fascinating. Since last week, things are so much better. I guess this could be considered a research project since the one constant was my treatments - weekly carboplatin and daily radiation to supraclavicular lymph nodes.

10 days ago I was miserable, scared, anxious, in pain, chakras from the heart up were closed. The radiation was burning my throat and I worried about suffocating, not being able to eat, etc. Today I am pain-free, more confident and calm. Yet the daily radiation continued. I even questioned the techs if they lowered the dose - no was the response.

As the week progressed my throat felt better. Today, Monday, I can swallow without problem. What changed?? In reflection, many things:
1) I have eliminated many stressors - work being the biggest.
2) I took the words of my doc to heart "You are having these negative symptoms too early!!" and got off my pity pot and went to healing session, yoga and healing touch. I heard words that helped me be more positive and not give in to FEAR. Francesca talked about the connection between the sacral chakra (the source of "Chester", the name I gave the papillary serous uterine cancer) and the throat chakra (the area of recurrence and the area of my current pain AND one of my personal challenges, SPEAKING UP FOR MYSELF and BEING HEARD!!). How profound to hear of the connection. She said that if we give in to defeat than we have lost (I know this but didn't practice it) and to profess intention to succeed with confidence. I participated in partnering exercises and started feeling better - like a wilted flower drinking in water. My healing touch session immediately followed and Barbara opened up my chakras. Again, feeling better in my throat. I believe I shifted from FEAR to FAITH and TRUST.
3) I was a better steward to my throat. Instead of denying I had a problem (eating whatever I wanted), I started babying my throat - gargling regularly with salt and baking soda mixture, eating soft foods in small portions, drinking from straw, cooling down my throat after treatments with ice-cold smoothie (yum).
4) the xanax? Didn't help - maybe too weak a dose (.25). So I can't credit this!
5) chia seeds. Francesca fed me these and said "this will draw the cancer right out of you!". I bought some. They are a strong anti-oxidant, higher than blueberries. I need to discuss this with my doc today if I should take now. But after treatment, for sure these will be my friend. Who can argue with those words, "this will take the cancer right out of you!"
6) My nurse told me to take it a week at a time. So I set my sights small. I am at the halfway point of treatment now and I just need to get through Friday.
7) visualization. In the radiation machine, I envision being comforted by Mary and protected by God. Mary is cradling me and has her hand over my throat. We are both in the hands of God who only lets in the radiation directed at the weakened cancer cells. The rays hit the mark and Chester dies. I repeat this before sleep and in morning.

It is only my thoughts and actions that have changed! So, my friends. Take flight - like Claudia's goose, Gwendolynne - with confidence and faith. I am flying through this journey one day at a time.

Love and blessings to you all. Mary Ann

Mary Ann:
It is so nice to
Mary Ann:

It is so nice to hear all of your positive thoughts and actions. I am so happy to hear you are feeling better.

Thank you for posting.

Hugs and Happiness to you!

Kathy