November 24, 2008 - Take a Walk, Or Take a Nap?

I went to the gym at 5:30 this morning and I decided to ride the stationary bike because it hurts way worse than the treadmill. I can do the treadmill for 45 minutes to an hour, and it isn't that tough. I set the bike on level 1 (of 20 levels) for 20 minutes, and I wanted to quit the entire time. It hurt. I sweat. It burned. I kept going because I wanted to quit. After my workout, I was so glad I did it.

Had an appointment with Dr. VanderMolen today. I heard he played hooky to mess with his Thanksgiving turkey. :-) I saw Dr. Seminuik instead, and I explained my fatigue. He said that his patients on average start feeling better after about 3 months, but he's seen it take 6 months to a year also. I told him that when I feel so fatigued I don't know whether to take a walk or take a nap. He said to just keep active and don't push too hard. If I'm really tired the next day after a workout, then don't do so much the next time.

November 22, 2008 - Final Radiation Follow-Up

Saw Dr. Kim, my radiation oncologist, this week. It was a quick appointment....

How do you feel? Extremely fatigued.
I don't think the fatigue is a result of the radiation anymore. Really?
Are you having any hot flashes? Yes.
I think you might be peri-menopausal. The chemo does a number on your ovaries, and menopause causes fatigue. Oh no!
See what happens when Dr. VanderMolen draws your blood next week. OK.

So, we'll see what happens when I see my oncologist. I'm only 44 and way too young for menopause!!! Yikes.

November 21, 2008 - Tips for Anyone Starting Chemo

Well, I must say that compared to the stories I've heard about others going through chemotherapy, my body was able to tolerate it pretty well. I am very happy that I never vomited throughout my 'dose dense' chemo regimen. However.....(there's always a 'however', isn't there?)....I wish I had continued to stretch my muscles on a daily basis. I am so sore everyday (I'm more than one month past the end of treatments) that I don't know whether to take a nap or to take a walk.

Stretch. Stretch. Stretch. Do it at least every other day during chemo.

Also - eat healthy, if you can. Eliminate as much acid in your diet as you can. No sodas. No acidic fruit. Drink Kangen water if you know anyone who has a Kangen water system. I think it's quite possible that my intake of Kangen water helped me to get through chemo without vomiting. Kangen water helps to restore your body's natural pH balance.

Time for a nap .... or a walk ... or a nap ... or a walk. :-) I need to become the Little Engine that Could!

November 18, 2008 - Working Out Not Yet Working Out

I worked out yesterday (if you could call it that). Believe it or not, the hardest part of my workout is raising my hands above my head. It hurts so badly that I want to cry. OK. I'll admit that cried a little, because it really, really hurts! Oh, the things we take for granted while we are healthy.

I stretched for awhile and then I walked a couple of miles on the treadmill, and then I stretched some more. I am really feeling it today. I know I have to keep pressing on in order to make the workout pain stop, so I will. But I had to take a break today. I'll hit it again tomorrow.

Thanks for reading my blog. You're still the breast!

- Sandy

November 15, 2008 - Jamie Lee Curtis's Big Fat Heart

Hi all. When I knew I would lose my hair from chemotherapy, I focused on how adorable Jamie Lee Curtis looks with short hair. I also focused on her "this is me - take me or leave me" attitude in order to accept my own changes in appearance during my treatments. So when I heard on Jack FM that she was doing a book signing in Santa Monica today, I had to go. I just love her!

My sister and I made the 40 minute trip to Santa Monica to the Every Picture Tells a Story Bookstore http://www.everypicture.com/index.php?sc=1. Great bookstore! They specialize in picture books. They gave out numbers when we got there, and little did we know we were about 6th and 7th in line. We watched Jamie read her book to a group of children (and to us too!), and then she started signing her books.

I told her that I had been diagnosed with cancer 8 months ago and that she was my inspiration when I knew I'd lose my hair. I told her that I thought she looked so good with short hair. She cried and hugged me and told me that I am not my hair. She said I was beautiful on the inside, and that the outside doesn't matter. Then she told me she loves me. (These are all the things my hubby tells me, too!) We cried together, and then we took a picture together. What a sweetie. Great day! I'm so glad we made the trip.

My only regret is not actually taking more time to speak with her. I was so worried about everyone else in line that after every sweet sentence out of her mouth I stupidly said, teary eyed, "OK. Can we take a picture now?" DUH! She was so sweet, and I must have repeated that stupid sentence about 3 times. I guess I must have thought someone would drag me away from her, and I wouldn't get that picture.

Oh, and very soon, my hair will be as long as hers! Ha! Great, great day! I've posted a video of her reading her latest children's book to all of us at the bookstore.

November 14, 2008 - Hangin with Fatigue

Well, it's been a month since my treatments have been completed, and I am feeling more fatigue than ever. I reach behind me to scratch the middle of my back, and oops, my arm won't go that way anymore. Ouch!

Our realtors, Sandy Powers and her team, held an open house last night just a couple of doors down from me (at another house that's on the market). They had a raffle in my honor with proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Very sweet. I stood for about an hour while I was there, and it wiped me out. I had to go to my photography class immediately afterward, and I didn't start feeling better until I woke up this morning.

I forced myself to walk for nearly an hour this morning. I always LOVE walking at the Wetlands. I'll do that everyday for a couple of weeks and see how I feel. Hopefully soon, I'll be over this fatigue.

I'm so happy I started my photography class. I have taken quite a few pictures at a local teen pregnancy shelter, and the girls love getting the pictures of themselves and of their babies. I love getting the practice. I have another shoot tomorrow morning with my neighbors. I can't wait!

Later gators. Thanks for hangin with me all this time. You're the best.

Sandy Snow