Getting back into life

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kikz
kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I started feeling sick around this time last year. I was sick all through February, went to the doctor on 2/26 and finally received my diagnosis on 3/16. After that the time was filled with doctors appointments, treatments and feeling sick (you know the drill). I feel like I really missed nine months of last year. I missed the spring and summer. We usually have a lot of barbecues in the summer. But we had none last year. I live in northern California so I am able to spend a lot of time outside; but not last year. Right now we are having unseasonably good weather. Here it is January 27th and it is like a spring day. The sun is out, the sky is blue and the temperature is 70 degrees. I was just sitting out on my patio. In a way I feel like I am being given a gift. I am being given back what I missed last year and I am going to try to make the best of it. I cannot get time back but I can try to be in the moment as much as possible. This has been my philosophy since my diagnosis. I have no control over the amount of time I have but I can control what I do with the time I do have.

My best to all you ladies.

Karen

Comments

  • pharmgirll
    pharmgirll Member Posts: 1
    #2
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    Life
    < I cannot get time back but I can try to be in the moment as much as possible. This has been my philosophy since my diagnosis. I have no control over the amount of time I have but I can control what I do with the time I do have>

    That's a great philosophy Karen. I live in Northern Nevada and the weather has been FABULOUS over here too! It feels great! I enjoy the sun on my face and just even sitting on a bench on the park. It is all about spending your time on quality. I was diagnosed in April 2010 and am still in chemo right now. I so understand about missing all of last year and feel that maybe this year won't be so lost. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself though, so I will just enjoy this sunny day!

    Enjoy your patio!!

    Kathy
  • VictoriaSF
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    #3
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    missing "normal"
    hi
    i was diagnosed in october 2010, had surgery and not in checmo,
    so far had one treatment
    i live in SF and we have such a nice weather.
    I am doing my best to be as normal as possible and live in the moment
    but it is still very new and i am trying to figure out many things,
    basic things - what to eat, what not to eat, what supplement is good , and not
    even BBQ - can i have it? raw food vs coocked food.

    one thing i know - we need to be strong and pray for the best outcome

    hugs
    Victoria
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #4
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    I've learned to appreciate everything
    Yes, I missed out on about 8 months of my life, suffering with the side effects of chemo, doped up on pain meds, not going anywhere except to my appointments, for fear I might catch something. I even had to carry a backpack around for 3 months to keep TPN going 24-hours a day.

    But I got well. Even the doctors weren't sure if I would, but I'm well now.

    Now I consider every day a bonus day.

    Kate
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    #5
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    I admire your attitude!
    I am trying to think that way, but do lose it sometimes. I finished 6 rounds of carbo/taxol in early Sept, and just started to get back to my own skating (I teach it) last month. I began with a 15 minute ice dance lesson because I would have someone holding my hand the whole time :) I had to stop for breath constantly and had to sit down a few times, but I've had two lessons now, and the second one was better. Based on that, my husband and I took a little ski trip. I figured that even if I only made it down the bunny slope once, it would be fun just to be away. Well, we just finished skiing 3 days in a row, and we lost track of the number of runs we made (no bunny slope.) We only did half days, but I am thrilled with how much I was able to do. When I was diagnosed last May, I didn't think I'd be skiing again. I'm scared of the future, but, like you, I want to enjoy the moment.
  • Angelasmom2
    Angelasmom2 Member Posts: 146
    #6
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    getting back to life
    My name is Linda and I have not been here in away. My daughter, Angela just finished her last chemo on Dec. 22. She had 3c ovarian cancer. She lives near you, in El Dorado Hills. She is 38 and has three children ages 11,9 and 2 and a half. Where do you live in Northern California?
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #7
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    Angelasmom2 said:

    getting back to life
    My name is Linda and I have not been here in away. My daughter, Angela just finished her last chemo on Dec. 22. She had 3c ovarian cancer. She lives near you, in El Dorado Hills. She is 38 and has three children ages 11,9 and 2 and a half. Where do you live in Northern California?

    Although we are considered
    to be in Nothern CA, I guess we are actually closer to the middle. I live near San Jose.

    Karen
  • Angelasmom2
    Angelasmom2 Member Posts: 146
    #8
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    kikz said:

    Although we are considered
    to be in Nothern CA, I guess we are actually closer to the middle. I live near San Jose.

    Karen

    Northern Ca.
    Angela is from El Dorado Hills, near Sacromento.
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    #9
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    VictoriaSF said:

    missing "normal"
    hi
    i was diagnosed in october 2010, had surgery and not in checmo,
    so far had one treatment
    i live in SF and we have such a nice weather.
    I am doing my best to be as normal as possible and live in the moment
    but it is still very new and i am trying to figure out many things,
    basic things - what to eat, what not to eat, what supplement is good , and not
    even BBQ - can i have it? raw food vs coocked food.

    one thing i know - we need to be strong and pray for the best outcome

    hugs
    Victoria

    Victoria - Foods you can eat
    When I started chemo, I was told no salads and only hard cooked eggs, because chemo lowers the white blood count and makes one more susceptible to bacterial illnesses, which are easily spread on raw veggies and under-cooked eggs. At the time, the only things I could eat were over easy eggs and boiled potatoes, so my NP allowed the eggs, just once, right after the first chemo. I asked for more detail, and was told that days 12-16 after chemo are when the white count is lowest, so I allowed myself raw veggies outside of those days. I was also told to only eat raw veggies and fruit if I washed them myself, with soap and water. I got used to hard scrambled eggs. I was also advised to avoid beef, lamb, pork and smoked meats. I actually lost my appetite for those things anyway, and also could not stand fish, except for canned tuna.

    Summary:
    Avoid all raw foods during days 12-16 after chemo
    Only eat raw veggies & fruit that you have washed yourself
    Avoid raw or under-cooked animal foods (sushi, eggs, etc.)
    Avoid red meat

    Your immune system is compromised - be careful! Wash hands a lot and carry hand sanitizer with you.
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #10
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    anicca said:

    Victoria - Foods you can eat
    When I started chemo, I was told no salads and only hard cooked eggs, because chemo lowers the white blood count and makes one more susceptible to bacterial illnesses, which are easily spread on raw veggies and under-cooked eggs. At the time, the only things I could eat were over easy eggs and boiled potatoes, so my NP allowed the eggs, just once, right after the first chemo. I asked for more detail, and was told that days 12-16 after chemo are when the white count is lowest, so I allowed myself raw veggies outside of those days. I was also told to only eat raw veggies and fruit if I washed them myself, with soap and water. I got used to hard scrambled eggs. I was also advised to avoid beef, lamb, pork and smoked meats. I actually lost my appetite for those things anyway, and also could not stand fish, except for canned tuna.

    Summary:
    Avoid all raw foods during days 12-16 after chemo
    Only eat raw veggies & fruit that you have washed yourself
    Avoid raw or under-cooked animal foods (sushi, eggs, etc.)
    Avoid red meat

    Your immune system is compromised - be careful! Wash hands a lot and carry hand sanitizer with you.

    Foods to avoid
    OMG! No one told me that I was supposed to avoid all of the foods you listed! So I have been eating everything on that list.

    I don't use hand sanitizer all the time either...hand sanitizer doesn't kill the spores that spread C. diff.

    I must still have an immune system working for me. I love my immune system and it loves me.

    Have a great day!

    Carolen
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #11
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    kikz said:

    Although we are considered
    to be in Nothern CA, I guess we are actually closer to the middle. I live near San Jose.

    Karen

    Karen....you have an amazing
    Karen....you have an amazing teal sister in your backyard (San Jose). Google "Jayne Armstrong shopping kharma blog". Jayne is my hero. Her blog is very graphic, but it cuts thru all the BS and will make you laugh and cry and thank God for every day we have on this Earth.

    Carlene
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #12
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Karen....you have an amazing
    Karen....you have an amazing teal sister in your backyard (San Jose). Google "Jayne Armstrong shopping kharma blog". Jayne is my hero. Her blog is very graphic, but it cuts thru all the BS and will make you laugh and cry and thank God for every day we have on this Earth.

    Carlene

    Thank you Carlene
    I have read Jayne's blog before: most likely found out about it here. Yeah, she seems like a very special person. She has a real fighting spirit.

    Karen

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