I have been wanting to do this for some time now. The catalyst was the diagnosis of my mama with breast cancer in April, 2014, at age 71. That became a journey we embarked on together that had so many aspects that I wanted to share, even thinking of a book, but not quiet up to that at this point. My first observation is if you have a loved one diagnosed with any cancer start researching! It is scary as heck to read about cancer and you will read devastating stories, but you will gain knowledge and knowledge in this case is definitely power. Second thing: find someone who has been there and get their info, pick their brain! My cancer mentor was J and she told me at the very beginning that I would have to fight for mama's survival and health care needs. Being a milder mannered person, I doubted my ability to speak up and be heard or listened to anyway. However, as each bump in the road happened, I grew in that capacity. I asked for copies of everything: lab work, medicines given, you name it I got it. Now do not think that alot of people will just jump hoops to do this for you, but ask enough times and they will. You are an advocate for your loved one as much as any lobbyist in Washington only this is their life. How much more important can it get? Seriously, you can never know too much!
My second observation is the most vital in my opinion. Chemotherapy is bad and makes you sick. But not all symptoms are just "chemo"! Have an excellent cardiologist before you start (hard to find but look they ARE out there) and Primary Care doctor. Because of my lack of knowledge, my mama went 11 weeks without more than a sip of water to take her meds when they would stay down. I am a certified pharmacy technician by trade not practicing due to a car accident and 3 back surgeries with another one pending. I say that to explain the knowledge aspect. I repeatedly asked for other forms of anti-nausea medications; she was given Zofran and Phenergan the leading edge I was told which boggled my mind as that was leading edge in 2008. After 11 weeks and 3 hospital stays after each chemo treatment, we were told about compazine by a nurse. Compazine, of course, I knew about that; it is an older drug but why didn't I ask for her to try it? Knocked the nausea down by 85% given with Zofran. Then in ICU a nurse suggested Marinol, a synthetic form of the part of the marijuana plant that works for chemo patients, and the cardiologist (he saved my mama's life at least 4 times from chemo related drops in things needed to live and the malnourishment....absolutely love him and he is a genius!) said go for it as it should have been in the oncologist's realm not his. Nausea gone completely in ONE day! Don't settle and watch them suffer. Fight and ask questions and pray for these answers. She had to skip her last 2 treatments and had her surgery on August 14, 2014. The pathology report came back with excellent margins and no lymph nodes involved. She is my hero!! She fought when I would have said no, enough. She fought for us!
A sad note to this blog today. A good, long time friend of my husbands and myself passed from a massive heart attack caused by chemo. Tom, you will be missed for your jokes, laughter, and Christmas lights:) We will miss you terribly but I know you are with Dave in heaven and ya'll are probably acting up! Much love to you and to your precious family always! You will live on in our hearts and minds just as Dave has for the past 10 years never to be forgotten!
Just so you know, this blog is not all about cancer and sadness, I promise! I hope there will be laughter, a little learning, some crafting, and lots of cool pics my son and daughter have taken! I just had to get that info out there before I could move on to other things. I will share some more of our journey with you as mother and daughter but it is mostly sweet, funny moments during very serious times. So don't write me off as a downer! Because Yes, I am a Pirate! and my inner hippie wants to come out and play!
My second observation is the most vital in my opinion. Chemotherapy is bad and makes you sick. But not all symptoms are just "chemo"! Have an excellent cardiologist before you start (hard to find but look they ARE out there) and Primary Care doctor. Because of my lack of knowledge, my mama went 11 weeks without more than a sip of water to take her meds when they would stay down. I am a certified pharmacy technician by trade not practicing due to a car accident and 3 back surgeries with another one pending. I say that to explain the knowledge aspect. I repeatedly asked for other forms of anti-nausea medications; she was given Zofran and Phenergan the leading edge I was told which boggled my mind as that was leading edge in 2008. After 11 weeks and 3 hospital stays after each chemo treatment, we were told about compazine by a nurse. Compazine, of course, I knew about that; it is an older drug but why didn't I ask for her to try it? Knocked the nausea down by 85% given with Zofran. Then in ICU a nurse suggested Marinol, a synthetic form of the part of the marijuana plant that works for chemo patients, and the cardiologist (he saved my mama's life at least 4 times from chemo related drops in things needed to live and the malnourishment....absolutely love him and he is a genius!) said go for it as it should have been in the oncologist's realm not his. Nausea gone completely in ONE day! Don't settle and watch them suffer. Fight and ask questions and pray for these answers. She had to skip her last 2 treatments and had her surgery on August 14, 2014. The pathology report came back with excellent margins and no lymph nodes involved. She is my hero!! She fought when I would have said no, enough. She fought for us!
A sad note to this blog today. A good, long time friend of my husbands and myself passed from a massive heart attack caused by chemo. Tom, you will be missed for your jokes, laughter, and Christmas lights:) We will miss you terribly but I know you are with Dave in heaven and ya'll are probably acting up! Much love to you and to your precious family always! You will live on in our hearts and minds just as Dave has for the past 10 years never to be forgotten!
Just so you know, this blog is not all about cancer and sadness, I promise! I hope there will be laughter, a little learning, some crafting, and lots of cool pics my son and daughter have taken! I just had to get that info out there before I could move on to other things. I will share some more of our journey with you as mother and daughter but it is mostly sweet, funny moments during very serious times. So don't write me off as a downer! Because Yes, I am a Pirate! and my inner hippie wants to come out and play!
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