One Week In the Life of "Semi-Colons"

I particpate on the Colon Cancer Message Board at the American Cancer Society site. It is an incredible community of support and information for people in the trenches of a specific cancer.

I thought the following post sums it up nicely: Thanks Rob

As I remember my many friends here in this community I am overwhelmed by what we collectively face in any given week.

This week we will undergo surgery to reverse an ileostomy. We will stand by the hospital bedside of a mother in Italy, and a brother with bone mets. We will recover from surgery and regain health.

This week we will report for radiation and Chemo, for Oxy, Irinotecan, 5FU, Avastin, and Erbitux in various combinations.

We will suffer the side-effects and mitigate them as best possible with lotions, pain-killers, anti-emetics, and other tricks.
This week we will be PET scanned, CT Scanned, Bone scanned, x-rayed, scoped, and blood-tested every which way. We will wait for results. We will share and celebrate the good news and we will share and lament the bad.

This week we will search for new doctors and solicit second opinions. We will consult pain specialists. We will research new treatments and discover new possibilities. We will adjust to new realities and hope for better days ahead.


This week we will accompany our loved ones with cancer to various appointments and we will continue to walk with them through the ups and downs of the week.

This week we will be massaged and accupunctured. We will receive healing touch and reiki. We will meditate and pray, we will celebrate birthdays, and we will juice!

In whatever it is you face this week, I wish for you...

"Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Hugs when spirits sag,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Friendships to brighten your being,Confidence for when you doubt,
Hope in times of despair,
Courage to know yourself,Patience to accept the truth,
Love to complete your life.”

Pet Scan Reults Are In- Prayers answered!

Dr. Lo called me last night to let me know the preliminary findings:

NO NEW cancer growth seen in the body; no growth of liver tumors.

I will get these scans sent to Dr. Benson at Northwestern for a 2nd Opinion and the Loyola Team will meet in the next week or so to discuss surgical/treatment options.

This next phase of treatment I fear will be wrought with confusion and anxiety and "Which way to go" in terms of making choices and decisions on treatments. What will be in MY hands? What is out of my control? Will the treatments be effective, continue the miracle and bring me to my most sacred prayer....long-term Survival?


As always my beloved Prayer Warriors...THANK YOU

XOXOX

PET Scan Today- Anxious

I go for a PET Scan this morning. This imaging differs from CAT scan because it's looking for "live" cancer activity, as opposed to the flat images of a CAT scan. I'll see Dr. lo next Wed and she'll go over the results.

Will my progress continue? Will there be good news or bad? It's such a stressful time waiting for any test results - will I dodge a bullet this time?

Your mind plays terrible games- either you just don't think about it at all OR you start playing out scenarios.

My prayer for today: That the PET Scan shows NO new cancer lurking ansywhere and that my tumors are shrunken sooo much that my Cancer Team can begin planning my next tumor-resection surgery.

XOXO Peggy

Yippee skippee- Another Answered Prayer

My undies were in a bundle at the thought of having to endure an NG tube, or WORSE another operation. Alas, prayers answered.

I didn't have a bowel obstruction, but most likely a twisted bowel or pinched bowel that resolved itself this time. Docs can't be 100% certain, however the surgeon and resident both said that they see this with their chemo patients - bowel mobility is compromised.

Here's hoping for a pain-free, hospital-free future. Except, of course, when I can have my miracle-producing suurgery that will rid my body of the evil tumors!

XOXOX
Hats off to my AWESOME Prayer Warriors.. IT WORKS

Yet ANOTHER HospitalAdmission

Just when I've turned the corner in terms of energy and fatigue, BAM another challenge rears its ugly head.

Sunday morning I had a sudden onset of twisting, cramping upper abdominal pain. It lasted for about an hour and then subsided. I thought it was a weird form of gas, but it was similar to the location and pain I had in September with the bowel obstruction.

I had a pain-free rest of the day. Monday Morning: After a bowl of Corn Flakes, the same pain reared it's ugly head and was much worse than before. Relentless, twisting pain. I thought it would subside like it did before, but it did not let up.

I had Lee take me to Elmhurst Hospital instead of Loyola because I didn't think I could stand the longer ride to Loyola and I was counting on the fact that Elmhurst ER could get me in quicker and I could at least get x-rays done before going to Loyola. Lee had to cancel his business trip for Tues./Wed. I feel terrible.

I am now at Loyola, drinking that chalky contrast liquid to get a Cat Scan. the pain is gone, but who knows if it'll show up again tomorrow.

My prayer is that the bowel untwists itself on its own so i don't need surgery OR the dreaded NG tube. I have been crying and panicking all day at the thought of getting that horrible tube crammed in my nose and throat.

I have to tell you, I am SICK & Tired of these hospital excursions. These interruptions affect my chemo and future treatments and healing.

Thanks Prayer Warriors, I'll keep you all posted

XOXOX

Peggy

Annointing of the Sick

Father Tony, my Pastor at Mary Queen of Heaven, came over yesterday to talk, pray and give five me the Annointing of the Sick. I always feel so good after a visit with Father Tony.

He's an incredible man, with energy and enthusiasm and endless kindness. He's so good for our Parish. He really knows how to lead a congregation, and he is a great teacher. Straight forward and straight talk.

He indulged me by letting me take a picture of him in front of our scary haunted graveyard. I told him he performed an Exorcism on my Cancer!!!

Joy Rising -

Take a look at this video. The Black eyed Peas performed their hit song "I Got A Feeling" for Oprah's anniversary Show. As a surprise, the producers managed to get 10,000 audience members to perform a "Flash Mob" dance. An entire army of strangers came together to learn a dance to surprise and delight a person they admire.

You, my dear prayer warriors are MY Flash Mob. You all come together in prayer for my healing. How blessed am I?

Listen to the words of this song - "I got a feeling, that today's gonna be a good day.." I always need to remember to HONOR the power of your prayers and support and to invoke the spirit of the song- "..today's gonna be a good day.."

One person described the feeling he got from watching the Flash Mob Dance as "Joy Rising", I agree.

XOXOX

Peggyhttp://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090908-tows-flash-mob-dance