Welcome one and all to Chippers Journey,
As written in the previous blog of August 7, 2012, the authors of this blog will continue to update you about Karen's status and will include some helpful insights in dealing/coping/understanding the issues associated with cancer. We will also try to keep the humor in our writings. That old adage, "Laughter is the best medicine" definitely helped Karen and her family coped with her cancer. Of course, Karen's hearty laughter was somewhat limited as the cancer had attacked her lungs as well as many other parts of her anatomy. Being the "iron horse" that she is, she didn't let her limited lung capacity dampen her laughter especially at the infusion center, the doctor's office or in her home.
Well for the update, Karen is slowly improving. She is losing the "cue ball" look, as her hair is coming back on her head as well as the rest of her body. Which means, she'll have to start purchasing the necessary hair removal products again. Karen was hoping her hair growth wouldn't happen until the end of the year. Karen is back to riding her stationary bike and doing arm exercises on a daily basis. She still has the neuropathy in her hands, but it is slowly improving. Her fingernails, however, are not growing back as fast as her hair. Karen is scheduled for her next Xgeva shot on Friday (08/31) and will have her port cleaned as well as the necessary blood tests. She will see her oncologist on the following Wed. Hopefully, all will go well for her. In the meantime, Karen and the rest of her siblings are planning a 90th birthday celebration for their Mom, who will turn 90 in Sept.
Happy 90th Birthday, Mom. We all love you.
Now we can change the subject. Are there any lessons to be learned when someone you know and love is diagnosed with cancer? The answer is a resounding yes, but the hard part is figuring out what the lesson to be learned is. To start off with, when Karen received the news that she had Stage 4 breast cancer and underwent the different medical tests, she truly believed she had been hit by the imaginary "Mack truck." However, first and foremost, Karen found her inner peace and ability to cope with her diagnosis with her daily prayers to God and the tremendous support she received from family members and friends. Additionally, for those of you unsure what you can do initially for the individual who has cancer, the first priority on your list of helpful items should be prayers. With all the prayers said, Karen was able to carry this cross as well as other issues that came her way. Like they say, prayers are indeed powerful. In addition to prayers, Karen's mom related, "When dealing with a life changing event, besides prayers, a good night sleep is also necessary." Mom's words of wisdom are so true as tomorrow definitely brings a new and refreshing perspective to the various life's trials we have or will encounter. Thank you for reading this blog and may the good Lord bless you and your family today and tomorrow.
Tip of the blog: As one of my angelic friend, please share your beautiful smile with someone today.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Greetings to all of the readers/followers of Chippers Journey Blog,
Since the last posting, Karen has not heard anything from her oncologist regarding the PET scan on July 24. Fortunately, Karen is not fretting over the results of the latest PET scan. Karen had her monthly Xgeva shot on Friday (08/03), her port cleaned and blood drawn. When Karen and her mom arrived at the infusion center on Aug. 3rd, it was standing room only in the waiting room. In all the months that Karen had been going to the infusion center, she had never seen it so busy. When the nurse (Julie) called for Karen she greeted Karen with a smile and remarked, "We have your sear ready for you." Karen was somewhat puzzled by this comment because when you walk into the infusion center the nurses generally ask the patient where they would like to sit and let you pick your seat. As Karen and her mom walked in, Julie pointed to the seat in the corner. For those of you that ever got in trouble at home or school and ultimately had to quietly sit in the corner, you probably understand the significance of sitting in the corner. Karen started to laughed and walked proudly to her seat. Over the months that Karen has been going to the infusion center, Karen has been labeled a "troublemaker" by the nursing staff because of her laughter and humor. Karen always has a funny story to share with the nurse(s). This particular day was no exception. Karen does, however, wait until the nurse has put the needle in her port before the stories began. When it came time for the Xgeva shot, Julie asked Karen what arm. Before Karen could respond one of the other nurses said, "Give it to her in her butt." Needless to say, the laughter began not only with the nurses, Karen and her mother, but also some of the patients receiving their chemo treatments. Karen finally chose to have the shot in her left arm. A little side note, Karen's blood results were well within the appropriate ranges making her day.
Over the past week, Karen and her mom have noticed that Karen is slowly losing her "cue ball" look. Please understand that Karen has never been upset about losing her hair because of the chemotherapy. However, Karen has read and been told that sometimes when the hair grows back, it could be a different color, more wavy, not straight, etc. Excited about a different look, Karen did pray to God asking for curly brown hair. So far it appears her prayers have been answered as the hair growing on her head is "white and straight (the mohawk look)." Never let it be said that God does not have a sense of humor. Most certainly, God must have been on vacation when Karen's hair request came in. Ha Ha Ha!!!
Karen is feeling better and is now riding her stationary bike and performing breathing and arm exercises on a daily basis. Karen is sill dealing with the neuropathy in her hands and the occasional pain in her lower back and ribcage.
Since Karen has completed her chemo and is scheduled for monthly shots and doctor visits, we are going to provide an update to the blog at least every two weeks on the same day. The next posting to this blog will probably be on Aug. 21. It is our hope in the future blogs to provide some helpful insights from the perspective of the patient, family member, caregiver, relative and/or friend while coping/dealing with the issues of cancer.
Tip of the blog: Today enjoy your life and give a hug to all your angelic friends.
Since the last posting, Karen has not heard anything from her oncologist regarding the PET scan on July 24. Fortunately, Karen is not fretting over the results of the latest PET scan. Karen had her monthly Xgeva shot on Friday (08/03), her port cleaned and blood drawn. When Karen and her mom arrived at the infusion center on Aug. 3rd, it was standing room only in the waiting room. In all the months that Karen had been going to the infusion center, she had never seen it so busy. When the nurse (Julie) called for Karen she greeted Karen with a smile and remarked, "We have your sear ready for you." Karen was somewhat puzzled by this comment because when you walk into the infusion center the nurses generally ask the patient where they would like to sit and let you pick your seat. As Karen and her mom walked in, Julie pointed to the seat in the corner. For those of you that ever got in trouble at home or school and ultimately had to quietly sit in the corner, you probably understand the significance of sitting in the corner. Karen started to laughed and walked proudly to her seat. Over the months that Karen has been going to the infusion center, Karen has been labeled a "troublemaker" by the nursing staff because of her laughter and humor. Karen always has a funny story to share with the nurse(s). This particular day was no exception. Karen does, however, wait until the nurse has put the needle in her port before the stories began. When it came time for the Xgeva shot, Julie asked Karen what arm. Before Karen could respond one of the other nurses said, "Give it to her in her butt." Needless to say, the laughter began not only with the nurses, Karen and her mother, but also some of the patients receiving their chemo treatments. Karen finally chose to have the shot in her left arm. A little side note, Karen's blood results were well within the appropriate ranges making her day.
Over the past week, Karen and her mom have noticed that Karen is slowly losing her "cue ball" look. Please understand that Karen has never been upset about losing her hair because of the chemotherapy. However, Karen has read and been told that sometimes when the hair grows back, it could be a different color, more wavy, not straight, etc. Excited about a different look, Karen did pray to God asking for curly brown hair. So far it appears her prayers have been answered as the hair growing on her head is "white and straight (the mohawk look)." Never let it be said that God does not have a sense of humor. Most certainly, God must have been on vacation when Karen's hair request came in. Ha Ha Ha!!!
Karen is feeling better and is now riding her stationary bike and performing breathing and arm exercises on a daily basis. Karen is sill dealing with the neuropathy in her hands and the occasional pain in her lower back and ribcage.
Since Karen has completed her chemo and is scheduled for monthly shots and doctor visits, we are going to provide an update to the blog at least every two weeks on the same day. The next posting to this blog will probably be on Aug. 21. It is our hope in the future blogs to provide some helpful insights from the perspective of the patient, family member, caregiver, relative and/or friend while coping/dealing with the issues of cancer.
Tip of the blog: Today enjoy your life and give a hug to all your angelic friends.
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