Hello one and all,

We apologize for the delay in the blog post.  Karen had her Xgeva shot, blood tests and her port cleaned last Friday (08/31).  Her blood counts looked very good and were well within the appropriate ranges/values.  Yesterday, Karen saw her oncologist.  At this medical appointment, Karen's oncologist finally shared the results of her PET Scan from July 24, 2012.  "Yippee" does not adequately describe how Karen and her mom felt after looking at the images from the first PET scan Karen had in February and comparing it with the scan in July.   The doctor was extremely pleased with the results as it showed the chemotherapy treatments had fought the cancer except a small area in Karen's right humerus bone.  The doctor advised Karen to continue to do what she is doing (exercising, food diet and vitamin intake, prescribed medications, etc.).  To say the least,  Karen and her mom were very thankful to God, the doctors, the nurses/caregivers and the wonderful prayers her family and friends have been saying.   Karen also inquired about her cancer markers and found that they were initially 300 and are now at 142.  The doctor indicated that he would like to see the marker ideally at 40, but explained that 142 was okay as long as the number did not increase.   Karen will continue to receive her monthly Xgeva shot and take her daily hormonal pill.   Upon leaving the facility, Karen had the doctor and the nurses laughing again as she shared one of her funny stories with the staff.   Karen will have her next Xgeva shot at the end of September and will see the doctor in December.  Karen was given the go ahead to see her eye doctor and dentist without restrictions.  Even with the wonderful news, Karen's journey, however, continues on.

On another positive note, Karen's mom will be 90 on the 7th of September.  The family will be hosting her 90th birthday party on the 16th.  Contrary to popular belief, Karen's mom is looking forward to her 90th birthday celebration on the 7th and again on the 16th. 

As Karen's journey continues on, Karen and her family members realized that maintaining a journal, log and/or blog was vitally important and very helpful in many respects.  In May, this became especially helpful when Karen's insurance carrier disputed a medical procedure, which had occurred in February.  Additionally, there are other medical records that the patient should keep (i.e. PET Scans, blood test results, brochures on cancer, etc.).   In Karen case, every time she had blood tests conducted, the infusion staff provided her copy so she could see where her blood counts were and could compare them.  Karen keeps a daily journal which records items such her pain issues, doctor/medical visits, items accomplished, exercises, etc.  When Karen initially started her first chemo sessions, Karen and her sister would take her journal/medical records with them.  The nursing staff were very impressed with the binder they showed it to other patients to assist them in their journeys.  Anyhow, these are our words of wisdom as you go through your journey. 

Once again, thanks again for your prayers and positive thoughts for Karen and her family.

Tip: Our gentle yet strong angelic friends are the defenders of peace, joy and love in this world. 

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.

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.      

A big HELLO to family members, relatives, friends and other readers of this blog,

Well, Karen had her second PET scan last Tuesday (07/24).  Unlike the first one, this scan did not take as long.  When Karen advised the nurse that the first scan took at least 45 minutes, the nurse told Karen it would only take 15 to 20 minutes.  Because Karen already had a PET scan done making her an expert on the scanning procedures, Karen reiterated her concern about the time frame.  Lo and behold, this scan only took about 20 minutes.  When completed the nurse commented to Karen that indeed Karen was a tall woman.   As of this writing, Karen has not heard from her oncologist regarding the results (readings).  Although Karen was sitting on "pins and needles" regarding the outcome, she has chosen not to worry about it anymore.  No news might indeed be "good news." 

Karen did see her oncologist on Wednesday (07/18).   As most of you know, prior to the doctor seeing you, the nursing staff generally perform certain functions such as taking your BP, pulse rate, etc.  As usual, Karen was weighed and walked back to exam room to have her BP taken.  Now the nurses are terrific people and oftentimes very serious.  When Karen sat down in the chair to have her BP taken, the nurse put the BP cup on Karen's left arm and remarked to Karen, "Is this the right?"  Thinking that she was being intellectually and mentally challenged, Karen told the nurse, "No, that's my left arm."  Following Karen's comments, the nurse, and Karen and her mom all began to laugh.  Unfortunately for Karen her BP was being taken while all were laughing.  Karen's BP was slightly elevated.  Oh well, the nurse left the room still laughing as Karen and her mom were still laughing when the doctor came in.  Upon leaving, the nurse told Karen that she indeed was funny and had made her day.  At the conclusion of the doctor's visit, Karen was now placed on a hormonal pill regime.

When Karen finally picked up her new prescription (hormonal pill) two days after her doctor's visit, you guessed it, she was required to have a consultation with the pharmacist.  Now, this pill is a 1 mg tablet and the pharmacist informed Karen that it is prescribed to women only who have breast cancer. (Sorry guys it is not for men).  The two items the pharmacist discussed with Karen were the likelihood of experiencing "hot flashes" again and the time duration of taking this medication (5 years).  Karen asked the pharmacist if she could tell the difference between a hot flash versus the triple digit weather the area was currently having.  The pharmacist just laughed.  Anyhow, Karen read more about the medication and discovered that the side effects (which according to the clinical studies affected only 5 to 10% of women taking it) were equal to or worse than the chemotherapy treatment Karen had received.  Oh well, Karen  is waiting for the hot flashes to occur.  Yes, Karen has talked to other females regarding the signs/symptoms of a hot flash.  One item specifically reiterated by those women who have had hot flashes was taking all of their clothes off and standing in front of a fan to cool off and/or down.   Karen assumed that this stripping maneuver occurred in  the privacy of their homes.  Ha, ha, ha. 

Even though Karen had her last infusion in June, Karen is experiencing the healing process or as she puts it, going through chemo withdrawal.  Her days are usually upbeat and Karen is slowly getting back to her exercise routine (riding her stationary bike, etc.).  Karen is learning to deal with some of her limitations (neuropathy in her hands, the pain in her ribcage, etc).  Karen and her mom have begun to resume some of their routines together (grocery shopping, banking, etc).

Anyhow, thank you to everybody who has kept Karen and her family in your thoughts and prayers while reading this blog.  Without the prayers and positive thoughts, the journey would have been more difficult for Karen and her family.

Tip of this blog:  Life's journey may be long and arduous but you'll never walk alone when you believe in your angelic friends., 

Hello one and all,

As you know, Marghi, the wonderful caregiver, returned home on July 1, 2012.  Karen and Mom are doing okay and getting out to do grocery shopping and other chores around the house.  They are living one day at a time.  During the first week of July, Marghi had to learn a new computer system at her place of employment (40 hours).  Like she said, it's hard to teach "an old horse" new tricks. However, at the conclusion of the class, she thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ironically, last Thursday, (07/05) Karen was scheduled to renew hew driver's license at the local DMV office.  Karen drove mom and herself to DMV and stood in line to be told she was to early for her scheduled appointment.  The clerk told Karen to come back and stand in line at 9:15 AM.  Karen went back and stood in line at 9:15AM for her 9:20 AM appointment.  Unfortunately, the clerk was dealing with an elderly gentleman for over 20 minutes and the waiting line continue to grow longer.  Eventually, another clerk came up and called out Karen's last name.  When Karen answered up, the people in line of ahead of Karen were upset, but the clerk handling the appointment line nodded that it was okay for Karen to leave the line and proceed to the other clerk's window.  Karen provided the necessary documentation and paid the appropriate fees to the clerk and past the vision test.  Karen was instructed to proceed to another window for her new photo.  Fortunately, Karen was not required to take the written examination even though she had studied the driver's handbook for weeks.  Karen's driver's license photograph shows her wearing her wig.  The clerk would not allow the picture be taken with the hat on.  Karen and mom were delighted that this milestone had been completed. 

Since the last chemo session on Thursday, (June 14), Karen still goes in on a weekly basis to the
infusion lab for either shots and/or labs.  Karen's blood counts continue to improve.  She is scheduled for blood tests this Friday (7/13),  Additionally, the medical staff is working with Karen's insurance provider to acquire approval for another PET scan.  Karen's doctor would like this to be performed before their next scheduled visit (07/18).  Although the nursing staff has told me that that lab tests are important, they really have Karen come in to brighten up their day.  On the last visit (07/06), the nurse, Jill, called Karen in and before the two entered into the infusion room, the laughter had begun.  As Karen sat down in one of the chair with her mom in chair next to her, Jill commented that she is delighted to see Karen and her mom.  Hugs was given.  However, the laughter continued as one of the other nurse, Kathy, chimed in about her new duty of caring for the bouquet of flowers which had been given to them two weeks ago by Karen and other family members.  Karen jokingly said to Kathy that her"green thumb" and watering the "artificial flowers" are doing the trick.  Both Jill and Kathy related that they have received so many compliments from other patients about the flowers.  As the laughter continued on, Karen noticed out of the corner her left eye, the Head Nurse was giving the look, so Karen immediately toned down the laughter.  Karen put her hands over her mouth, but Kathy and Jill kept egging Karen on.  The only good part about the infusion room is there were only four women in there receiving shots and/or infusion.  There were more nurses there than patients.

Karen will keep us updated with regards to her upcoming PET scan.  She is still suffering with neuropathy in both of her hands and she is losing some parts of her fingernails.  This condition makes it hard for her to open simple items like a  plastic bag, buttoning her blouses, etc.  With time it will eventually diminished.  Karen, however, will not be modeling for any well known jewelry companies.  Marghi refers to Karen's right fingers as "snausages."  Ha, ha, ha!!!!  Karen has taken up riding her stationary bike for about 8 to 10 minutes (approx. 3 miles per days) over the last two weeks.  She is slowly getting back to her exercise routine,

For all the readers and family members, Karen and Mom are very appreciative of your thoughts and prayers.  It most certainly has made a portion of this journey easier to travel.   Thank you and love to each and everyone of you.  We will keep you in our prayers also. 

P.S. We stand as tall as angels when we kneel to help a friend

Hi readers,

Karen went through her usual tiredness and soreness from the last round of chemo and shots.  By Tuesday (06/19) this week she was feeling pretty good, so she decided to take a small token of her appreciation to the outstanding staff at the doctor's office and chemo infusion center.  Over the past two weeks Karen voiced her visions of a very special thank gift and Marghi put them into reality.  Marghi made two huge bouquets of artificial flower arrangements, and placed hand-made individual thank you cards to each staff member throughout the bouquets.  The staff at both offices were overcome with Karen 's thoughtfulness.  Karen also gave the infusion center Red Vines, Jolly Ranchers, Werthers, and a Hershey's variety packs to refill the jars of candy.  During the chemo sessions "dry mouth" is one of the side effects, and a piece of candy seems to do the trick to get the saliva juices flowing.    

On Thursday (06/21), Karen went to the chemo center for her weekly lab work.  Glad to say all of her blood numbers were where they need to be, so she was able to dodge the shots that keep them in line.  The on-duty staff were still reeling about the delightful gift Karen had given each of them on Tuesday.  They all came over to give hugs to Karen, Mom and Marghi.  They were so appreciative.  The bouquet of flowers was proudly displayed on the counter-top, and the pink thank-you ribbon had been displayed on the wall by the clock.

Karen ventured out this morning (Fri 06/22) and drove her truck to the bank and to the gas station. She did great.  While no long trips are planned for anytime within the year, I can only say "Look out world, little by little she is transforming into her old self."  LOL :o)

Karen is still coping with the neuropathy in her hands and the extreme pain in her fingernails however, the complaints are few and far between. 

Marghi is planning to go home and back to work the first part of July.  Hope to have the NoCal household back to some kind of normalcy before then.  Marghi is willing to stay or return if the situation dictates.

Your support, thoughts, and prayers over the past five months have had remarkable results.  Thank you all!  :o)

Helloooooooooooooooooo readers,

Well since the last time we blogged Karen has reached some milestones. Karen saw the doctor on Tuesday and he reiterated that Karen is doing remarkably well despite the aggressive chemo she has endured over the past 16 weeks, her weight has pretty much remained the same for the past month.  He is just amazed.  While at the doctor's office one of the chemo nurses came in with her husband, suspecting he had cancer.  On Thursday (06/14) Karen completed her last round of chemotherapy.   We found out at that time the nurse's husband did not have cancer.  We were so thankful to God for their good news.  After Karen's chemo infusion, the nurses struck up the party favors, with a tambourine, noise makers, bubbles and applause, and presented Karen with a certificate of chemo completion.  See the attached picture.

Prior to the chemo, the nurses perform routine blood test, and all of Karen's numbers were "A okay."
It was a slow day at the infusion center, as management is trying to give the nurses an extra day off. As the nurse relayed it to us, she stated, "we are trying to DISPOSE of our patients on Thursday, so more of us can have the day off."  Karen was unsure what was meant by this statement, and was glad to get out of there alive.

She went on Friday for hopefully her last Neulasta shot, the one that keeps her white blood count up.
She has to go through some more blood tests over the next two weeks, just to make sure her blood numbers are good and holding, and to check the cancer markers.  After that it, if all stays well, it will be a monthly blood test, bone enhancing shots, and the clearing of her infusion port.  She will have an entire body PET scan sometime within the next four weeks comparing the tumors prior to and after the chemo.  We are praying for the best.

After partying at the infusion center, there is no holding her back.  Karen is ready to P A R T Y. LOL :o)   Yeah right! 

Thanks for reading and your support.  May God bless you! :o)