A little tip I was told

I am encouraged to drink a lot of water during this whole ordeal. I don't mind a drink when I'm working or if it is hot, but 8- 10 glasses! A day! I tried and just couldn't stomach it. The VON told me a client of hers did what worked for her. I put off trying it, but I just needed the fluids. If anyone requires more water then they can handle, add an inch of apple juice to an 8 oz glass and it makes it so much more drinkable. At least for me it works. Just in case!

Hit by a bus

is about the best way to describe the last few days. Not that I've ever been hit by one before, but I can imagine. After I had the pump off on Thurs., it's a feeling I can't describe. Beyond tired, yet not sleepy. Thurs to Sunday was like that. I would walk from bedroom to kitchen and have to sit, go to living room and have to sit. Get to the couch and lay down. It was awful. It was nice to have some company on Sat., Alaena, Noah, Matthew, Anne, Steph and Mac were here. I know they didn't mind, but I had to leave quite often to lay down for a bit. The only way I can sleep for more then an hour at night  is with a sleeping pill. Right now it is 4:30am! I've maybe had 2.0 hrs. total tonight. Anyway, I was warned this is what it would be like and they were right. Monday I felt much better, even worked in basement, did some trim, put electrical covers back on in bedroom. Some people would call it puttering, but I think I got a lot done! We received a good 8" snow on Sunday night, Tim was around about 8:00pm Monday and cleaned our driveway. Now we can get out if need be! That was a lot of snow to push around. Thanks Tim. Enough for now, I'm going down to living room and watch the 3/4 moon go across the night sky, it just baths the whole house in moonlight! Outside, with the snow, it is so bright and quite beautiful.

Consider Myself Lucky!

I have been going to the cancer clinic at Bluewater Health since Monday, that's when I started. I see people there that are near the end of treatment, in the middle and just starting, like me. I don't know any of them yet, but there seems to be a real strong bond among them. They greet each other as they come in: How are you today? You're looking good! Treatment going well? That sort of thing. I don't know if I will get that friendly, but it is there if I want it. Some women wearing scarfs, hats etc., Some in walkers, wheelchairs and very thin. It has to be devastating for a lot of the people, hopefully they have a Saviour that will keep them strong. Maybe that is my purpose here, we'll see.  Anyway, I got my pump off today and will go back in March 1st for another round.

Last of this round, eleven more to go!

Was in on Wed. for final round in the chair. Came home with the pump again, it takes about 22 hours to empty. I go in today to have it disconnected. PIC line stays in until I'm all done. (24 weeks!). I go back in on March 1st to do the same treatment over again. The week off is to build up white blood cells and immunity. I have not had any side effects as yet, Praise God! Hope I don't and prayer in that respect would be highly appreciated. I do get hiccups quite often, which I read somewhere that they could occur, but can't find it now. I'm going to try driving in myself today, give Mary Beth a breather. Maybe get my haircut, due anyway. If I do start to lose some, won't be as noticeable. :)
I guess that is it for now. Take car all and again thanks for support.

First Treatment

Nothing like getting royal treatment! We arrived at 9:20 and was into a chair by 10:10. Not bad from what I heard sitting in waiting room. A lot of procedure was explained to Mary Beth and I regarding stuff that was going to be pumped into my body. Everything from a anti nausea, to calcium, a saline flush and the actual cancer drug fo-fox 5 ( at least that is what the acronym sounded like and not sure of spelling. I will try to find that out.) I was on the IV push for 2 1/2 hours. That was about 4 different bags of various sizes hooked to the IV machine thingy. Took MB's E-reader which kept me entertained. ( reading an Edgar Rice Burroughs book) Mary Beth went down to atrium for an hour or so, much more comfortable for her. Oh the royal treatment, thought I forgot, didn't you? Volunteers constantly asking if you need anything. A drink, cheese, crackers or a blanket. They even provided lunch! It was like being on a cruise. I'd rather be on a cruise :( Anyway, when the bags were all empty, I had a small bag hooked to PIC line with more fo-fox 5, which works like a suction, it just gets pulled in. Not very big, just about the size of a small water bottle. It should be empty in 22 hours. So we go back in Thurs before noon. If it is empty before, we can go in earlier, but no later. Thanks for all your prayers. If you feel like it, please leave a comment. I love hearing from everyone! Don't you love the pictures of Noah, what a sweetheart!

One reason to fight!

Valentine's Day

10:30 AM appt got me in by 12:30! We expected that though, we were warned. Anyway, gave blood as a base line, don't know results on that. After much shuffling I went to xray for PIC line. They need the xray to see where it is going! Tried the left arm (not as restrictive), but only went part way and found vien was not large enough. So switcharoo to right arm and went right in. So, I'm all taped up and ready to hook up. I'll be back tomorrow for first treatment. I feel good, confident and ready to put this behind me. Sounds like I'll be in Wed and Thurs then nothing for 2 weeks. Will have to wait and see how this will effect me.
Thanks for prayers, everyone. Karissa, thanks for the links, I had a quick look. Stories sound very positive and definately giving the glory to God.

Oncologist

Feb 10th, we met with the Oncologist. His comment was he thought it was more a bowel cancer that spread to the appendix, rather then the other way around, which the surgeon thought. He was requesting another test on the tumor to confirm which type it was. Because cancer of the appendix is so rare, was one reason he was convinced it was bowel cancer. He briefly went over procedures. On Monday he wants to put in a pick line. Essentially an IV from my arm, up the blood vessel to my heart, where the chemo solution will be distributed. Sounds lovely! Blood tests, EKG etc will be done on this first visit as well, to have a baseline to compare. As far as I can tell, I will be back on Tuesday for my first treatment. I will know more of schedules from here on at this point. That is as much as I know right now, but will post through it all. Now the cool part!
Mary Beth requested the elders from our church pray for us. It was a real uplifting and encouraging time. The cancer does not have a chance!

Surgery

When I woke up, I had staples running down my stomach, holding together a 7" incision. A right hemicolectomy was performed, where a large portion of my colon was removed. This was sent to London for pathology report. We pretty much knew what results would be, despite fervent prayer and support.

Test Results

The CT scan showed what was called Chronic Appendicitis. An enlarged appendix showed on the scan, I think it was the best name they could come up with to describe it at the time. An appendectomy was scheduled, to be done by laparoscopy. The Dr. suggested there might be more to it, but would not know until it was underway. Well he was right!

The Start of it All

The first sign was a small pain, constant pain in my stomach or lower abdomen. Nothing serious, just annoying. This was late August, early September, if I remember correctly. In October I went to the ER after a call to my family doctor. X-rays were done to determine the cause. All that showed was a possible obstruction in the bowel. I was given some laxative to clean me out and it seemed better. A colonoscopy was booked, which showed nothing either. Sometime in November I had increased pain again, so went to ER in Sarnia. More X-rays, blood work, still nothing showing. The Dr., recommended a CT scan to get a better look. That was booked beginning of December.