One of the "Joys" being a cancer patient

Happy Sunday All,

I know it's been a couple of weeks since I've posted anything, but I have been dealing with one of the joys of being a cancer patient; Shingles!

Around the 18th or so of May, I started having pain in the right side of my head and face.  By Friday, I was in a lot of pain. I called my doctor and she wrote prescriptions for pain medicine and for a medicine for neuropathic pain and I came home for the afternoon.  I finally got the pain under control and was able to enjoy an evening out with my BFF dancing.  Saturday, we picked blueberries and made blueberry jam and went dancing again.  I made it thru the lesson before the dance, but the pain was bad enough I just couldn't enjoy my night.  I came home and took my pain meds and managed to sleep a little bit, but by Sunday morning, I was hurting so bad, I called the oncology doctor on call, told him my symptoms and he said it sounded like shingles to him, but since he couldn't see me over the phone, he would meet me in the emergency room and take a look at me.  So, I called my Mom and she came and got me and off we went to the ED.  Sure enough, I had a pretty bad case of shingles.

I was admitted last Sunday for IV anti-viral medication and IV pain control.  By Monday morining, I was feeling better, but was still requiring a fairly stout dose of IV Morphine to control the pain, along with an oral medication for neuropathic pain.  I told my mom and my BFF that I don't know how people with chronic pain deal with it day in and day out.  I have a new found respect for those with chronic pain.

Now, I am off work for at least another week and a half to make sure I am clear of the virus! 

On top of all of that, I caught a cold while I was in the hospital on the oncology floor!  Only this could happen to me! 

I hope all of you have a great Memorial Day and thanks to all of our service men and women for protecting us!

Remember to FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!!!!
Denys

Happy Spring

Hi everyone,

I know it's been a while, but there have been a few problems lately.  One of those is the fact that over the first weekend of April, I had a series of pretty severe migraine headaches along with some changes in my vision. 

When I saw the oncologist, she was concerned enough to send me to see an opthomologist, to have a cat scan of my head and to see a neurologist. 

The CT scan of my head was normal, or as normal as MY brain could be, the opthomologist said the changes in vision were probably just the aura of my headaches and the neurologist said the increased frequency of the headaches were probably from the sudden decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels in my body due to the chemically induced menopause that the chemo has put in.  So, with all of that said, I got a 3 week break from chemotherapy and was actually giving my body a chance to rest and heal for most of the month.

I restarted chemo on the first Monday of May and have done very well with it.  I have enough energy to go dancing and hang out with my friends a little more and am doing well with work.

I still am pretty tired when I get home and I usually just veg out!

I know a lot of you have been asking how I am.  I am doing very well.  I am missing spending time with all of you.  We definately need to get together sometime soon!

Love to all and REMEMBER TO FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!!!

Denys

Round 8

Round 8 of 16 is done! That means I am at the half-way mark in this phase of treatment, another milestone in my fight against breast cancer!!!!!  I cannot believe that I'm half done with this!  I remember thinking that 16 rounds of IV chemo sounded like it would last a lifetime, but it's going so fast.

The one drawback to all of this is that I am not sleeping well at all.  I think the IV steroid they are giving me is affecting my sleep patterns, I feel like I'm sleepy and go to bed and feel like I'm gonna crawl out of my skin.  Steroids have always made me feel like that.

I just found out that a very dear friend of mine has one more round of chemo in two weeks, then she will be scheduled for her double mastectomy.  I continually pray for her daily and hope she does as well with surgery as I did.  I will be there for her to give her moral support and to help with anything she needs.

Please continue to keep me and her in your prayers!

Remember to FEEL YOUR BOOBIES and get your annual mammograms and PAP smears!  Early detection saves lives.  I am living proof of early detection!  Only you know what is normal for you!

Love and hugs to all
Denys

Poem

Hi all.  I have a poem written by a friend of mine that has also had breast cancer and beaten it.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL

I remember when I got the news ans wondered if I were going to die, but I didn't and
TODAY I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL.

I remember watching the red colored chemotherapy liquid flow through the tubing into my veins and wondered if I were going to vomit, but I didn't and TODAY I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL.

I remember having long locks and then having none and wondering how I would look with a wig, but TODAY I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL.

I remember the first and last radiation treatments and being warned that I would have radiation burns and thinking..."that never happened to me" and TODAY I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL.

I remember thinking, "When will this all be over?" while knowing it never would be over because TODAY I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL.

I remember thanking GOD for my new hair, my new cancer free cells, and my new outlook on life, and yes, even my new permantenly tanned skin areas, because they make me remember that I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL.

I remember thinking that "I will never put a period where GOD puts a comma" because having breast cancer was a beginning, not an end because I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL.

I remember thinking, "Oh GOD, what about my children, my husband, my family and my friends?"  Through all of this I realize that today I can stand here and say to them and you that I AM THE PICTURE OF SURVIVAL.

Iselyn Dallas
Breast Cancer Survivor!

Round 7

Well, had round 7 of 16 today. Did well with it.  Even managed a nap during chemo this afternoon.  I have been back to work for 2 weeks and am doing well.  I am one tired person when I get home, but I feel like I'm making a contribution to the world again.

I can tell you that menopause ain't for sissies!  I have a new found respect for women who go thru it without homone replacement therapy.  There is nothing like breaking out in a sweat in the middle of getting a patient ready to see the doctor! 

Spring has sprung again and I have the fever to play in the dirt and put some new plants and flowers in the ground.  It's gonna have to be something that will provide a color impact and easy to take care of..... I'm thinking impatients or something similar.

I hope all of you are having a good week and are continuing to schedule your PAP smears and mammograms!  Remember to FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!!!  You are the only person who knows what is normal for you!  If you find a change, let your doctor know as soon as possible. 

Happy Spring everybody!
Love and kisses
Denys

First week back to work

Hi all,
I hope the week is going well for you all, it is almost Friday afterall!!  This has been a great week for me!  I went back to work Tuesday and have had a great week.  I realized that I have not lost what ever knowledge I had about wound care, lol.

I have been absolutely tired when I get home every evening, but I feel like I'm accomplishing something in my life.  Things are moving forward and I continue to thank everyone for all the prayers and well wishes. 

I'm keeping things short tonight, going to make friends with my pillow and blankie so I can do this all over again tomorrow!

Don't forget to FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!!!!!!!

Love and kisses!
Denys

Round 5

The time has finally come for me to start round 5.  That means I will go back weekly for chemo instead of every 2 weeks and I will see the doctor every 3 weeks!  Things are going great!  I am excited to know that I only have 12 more rounds to go and then I start radiation therapy.  The combination of chemo and radiation is to make sure all of the cancer is DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!!!!!!!

I also get to go back to work this week!  No more sitting around looking at the same 4 walls day in and day out!  I have missed my co-workers, patients and the doctors.  This is a big milestone for me.  I am excited and scared all in the same breath.  I hope I haven't forgotten everything I've learned about wound care.

I had to go for IV fluids twice after the last round because it really knocked me for a loop.  I didn't really start feeling like myself until Monday.  I actually felt good enough to help one of my neighbors put a laminate floor in my dining room.  Now, mind you..... I've had the flooring in my house since this past summer!  It took an afternoon to put in, but it looks awesome!  I think I have the best neighbors in the world!

I hope everyone has a fantabulous week and DON'T FORGET TO FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!  Only you know what is normal for you!  Don't forget your mammograms and annual exams that we women must have done.

Love to all,
Denys