Update 12/30/23 - How I am doing . . .

. . . I was asked twice how I was doing after my last update, so I thought I would focus this post on how I am doing.

My weight seems to be holding steady at 155 pounds, or so. I have a decent appetite, even though I don't crave food that is necessarily good for me. I am trying to eat when the opportunities present themselves and I am feeling a bit hungry. 

My mental health is not so steady. I find myself fluctuating between relax and breathe and what more can I do to make things work more smoothly. Both are natural to me, but I am finding that the times and places for these are shifting a bit.

The biggest news on the mental health front was the revelation that my psychiatrist is retiring at the end of January. He and I go way back, and it will soon be ending with someone new taking his place. I am happy for my doctor, but I am a bit nervously apprehensive about changing the known for the unknown.

Physically, I am feeling some neuropathy in my fingers and toes. I am grateful for the break from chemotherapy. I imagine how differently things would be if I were hyper-sensitive to cold during this time of year. 

I seem to be more sensitive when it comes to noises and feelings coming from my gut area. I wonder if the cancer is taking advantage of the break, or if my body is still doing its job and stalling the growth. Ultimately, I know the answer, but it is in the short gains that I find solace these days.

Thank you for caring, and thanks to some of you for asking!

Update 12/28/23 - Good news, bad news, and good and bad news.

I was able to even things up a bit with Javier. He has been a godsend to me. I was able to help him retrieve car parts in Everett yesterday. It felt good to tell him that it was payback for everything he has done for me. That was the good news.

The bad news came last evening when I was talking to my sister. Our cousin, Patti, had a house fire that claimed two dogs and has her husband fighting for his life. I cannot imagine how she is feeling. Perhaps, she will let us know.

The good and bad news has to do with my shrink. He and I go back a decade. He told me during our appointment on Tuesday that he will be retiring in January. I hope to get one more session with him. We'll see.

I offered him this advice on retirement: if you're tired, take a nap! 

I'd tell you all the same thing, too! 

Thank you for caring!

Update 12/23/23 - Getting things wrapped up for Christmas!

I'm not literally wrapping things up for Christmas because I gave up Christmas shopping years ago!

Since my last update, I've got my shot for my psyche meds. The day after Christmas, I meet with my psychiatrist. Everything else is in January.

I have a special gift for my granddaughter. Aside from that, Santa is delivering anything else, so the wrapping of the one gift is all that is left to do. 

Gemma gets magic quarters for Christmas. They work the same as the magic dimes did a few years ago! 

Update 12/15/23 - My prescriptions have doubled!

When I look back on my health, I have been blessed in that my body has regulated itself without the assistance of prescription medications that others in my family have not been able to avoid. 

Until this past week, and aside from the chemo prescriptions, I have been prescribed 10 mg of Atorvastatin to combat my slightly high cholesterol readings. Now, I am also prescribed Zarelto to combat the possible side effect of blood clotting due to a narrowing of a vein in my stomach area.

That's it. I also was on Metformin when they thought my pancreatic cancer was diabetes, but it wasn't. (I also get a shot every 30 days to deal with my psychiatric issues.)

I truly have been blessed with good health throughout my life, as proven by the few prescriptions I have for a person who is 65 and has cancer. 

It will be interesting to see if the good attitude holds up as the news gets worse, which it inevitably will with time.

Update 12/11/23 - Taking a break from chemo

The news from the oncologist was mostly good news. The tumors in both my liver and my pancreas are shrinking. There was a vein they noticed was constricting. The oncologist is putting me on a blood thinner to deal with its potential constriction.

After discussing various options, we decided to go another month without chemo. That will be a three-month break. At that time, we will do another scan and discuss how to move forward with treatment.

I think my weight is up a bit, probably to 150 or 160. Everything is looking good.

My next appointment is with a podiatrist on December 18th. Until then, I will just keep getting things done.

Update 12/5/23 - Scan is done.

The scan was done today. The results will go to my oncologist. I presume we will talk before my next chemo appointment on December 19th.

It was a rainy day, but traffic was decent. I will know more soon, and then you will know more soon after that!

Thank you for caring!

12/4/23 - Scan is scheduled

The scan is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in Seattle. I have to fast for six hours.

I also have an appointment with a podiatrist at 3:30 on December 18th. 

Things got moving quickly. We should be back on track for my chemo treatment on December 19th! 

All seems well, except for the heartbreaking loss suffered by the Woody and Pichler families. Please pray for their peace as they come to terms with their new reality. 

Update 12/3/23 - Changing the order of things

There is a change in the schedule for things coming up. I called my oncologist to see about dropping the ball that I carry for two days from the treatment. 

I was unable to reach her, and the word I got back from the person who schedules for her was inconclusive. I also learned that my scan was ordered, but it had not been scheduled as yet.

The appointment for Tuesday was cancelled. I left a message for the scan people to schedule an appointment. We are doing things in my order, unless there is a flaw in my order.

The best way to know if I need to carry the chemo ball for two days is to know how the cancer is responding. The only way to know that is to have the scan done.

For now, that is the update. Thank you all for caring!