Drop Everything and Fight Cancers Below the Belt

As taken off their website ...

Join Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Underwear Affair® presented by Mark’s Work Wearhouse and help uncover the cure for underfunded below-the-waist cancers like prostate, ovarian, and colorectal. On June 19, 2010, run the competitive 10K or walk the fun 5K and show Edmonton that there’s absolutely no shame in bringing a little awareness to down there-ness.

The fun continues even after you cross the Finish Line with the EXPOsed After Party! Grab a well deserved drink, strut your stuff in the legendary costume contest, and dance the night away with your fellow participants!

It’s time to hit below-the waist cancers where it hurts. Register today!

Laughing For Cancer

D. and I went to the very first Laughing for Cancer Benefit back in 2003. The show was hilarious and Andrew Grose is so funny and entertaining. If you are looking for a fun night out ... this is it.

Yesterday I went out for a 3 hour lunch with a friend .... girls just want to have fun!

The last couple of days I've been struggling with a new chemo symptom .... the heals of my feet are glowing red and sore with a prickly feeling. When I walk, to relieve the soreness ... I end up tip-toeing around the house. I suspect it it the toxins from the chemo that have collected in my heels because the same thing happens to my fingers and hands. D. suggested I put my feet up high through out the day and hopefully drain some of the toxins out of my heels ... what do you think ... will it work? I'm open to anything.

Just so you know, I'm typing this post laying on the floor in the bedroom with my feet up on the bed ... not a pretty sight.

I'll keep you posted.

Winning Is Not Giving Up

Last week, Barbara Walters had Patrick Swayze on the Barbara Walters Special. It was on at 11:00 pm and as much as I wanted to watch it ... I was just not able to stay up to that hour. Fortunately I found it on You Tube.

Last year Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It is a very aggressive type of cancer and he was only expected to live a few months. He has since lived 10 months and recorded a 13 episode television show. Shortly after the interview with Barbara Walters, Patrick acquired pneumonia and is presently recovering in the hospital.

I find it interesting to see how different people deal with their diagnosis.

I think most all people facing a serious diagnosis start out being very fearful. You’ve been given this new reality and you have to figure out what it all means and how you’re going to deal with it. After much soul searching, I think you probably come to the realization of something like ... I am still alive and I need to continue to live as best I can ... while I am still alive.

From personal experience and from listening to many other cancer survivors ... you go through a lot of emotions. Some people choose to kick and scream ... others get angry and frustrated ... some feel self-pity and bitterness ... others feel sadness and regret ... but eventually, it seems, strength and courage prevails and you just do it.

In the interview with Barbara Walters, Patrick Swayze also spoke of the feelings and emotions he felt since being diagnosis with his cancer and they are very similar to what others experience but the one thing that he said that inspired me most was when he said, “Winning is not giving up.”

Just a quick review ...

In the last couple of weeks, I invited quite a few new people to my blog ... so I'm going to review a bit about my treatment and how I'm feeling.

I get chemo every 3 weeks and a CT scan once every 6 weeks. I have numerous tumors in my body and the goal is to shrink those tumors. I've had 2 CT scans and they have shown positive results.

How long will I be on chemo?

I don't know. I guess it will be as long as my body can take it and/or the chemo continues to be effective or ... my cancer goes into remission.

I do have options when it comes to chemotherapy, but for now, I am on Docetaxel (Taxotere). If for some reason my body or I need to take a break from treatment, we can stop for a few months or a year or so depending on my situation. I would then go back on chemo. Because there are so many variables, we do no have one set plan. Each person is different, so we just play it by ear.

I do take some medication to help with the side effects of the chemo and they themselves have there own side effects.

So how do I feel?

I feel no pain or discomfort from cancer. I never did. I do have discomfort from the chemo and the meds that go with it .... things like:

• sore aching bones
• flu-like symptoms, such as nasal headaches, stuffy nose, bleeding nose, watery eyes and sore/achy gums
• upset stomach
• constipation
• blurred vision
  
• skin changes
• difficultly sleeping
  
• fatigue and weakness
  
• fluid retention (rounding of the face)
• weight gain
• hair loss
  
• and a few others that I just can't remember right now ... 'chemo brain'

One thing I wanted to mention is that the side effects of the chemo and drugs varies with where I am in the cycle. The cycle is 21 days (3 weeks) and usually the symptoms are worst the first week after my chemo treatment .... and then they progressively get better until the next treatment.

Generally, I'm doing real well ... but I tire very easy. Standing for any length of time is difficult for me or walking distances is difficult too .... as long as I can sit down ... I'm pretty good.

Someone asked me if I could feel the chemo healing me ... the answer is no.

If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me and I'll put it in the blog.

Thank you everyone for your support.

Why cancer sucks ....

• because it takes your life, way too soon
  
• because it monopolizes your life
• because your life revolves around Docetaxel, Dexamethasone, Zofran & Metoclopramide
• because it changes the way people look at you
• because it hurts the people you care for
• because the fear shakes you to your very core
  
• because it forces you to think about personal directives, wills, and funerals
• because it changes who you are
  
• oh yes .... did I mention the fear
  

6th Annual Snowball Gala

The SnowBall is a charity cocktail party for the Alberta Cancer Foundation in its sixth year of fundraising. Funds are raised through ticket sales and donations, and through a silent auction and raffle at the event. This year’s SnowBall will be held at the Sutton Place Hotel. Guest will enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a special musical performance by the Revtones, all for a great cause.

When: November 20, 2008, 7PM-Midnight

Where: The Sutton Place Hotel Edmonton, 10235-101 St.

Tickets: $30.00/ each. Call 780-432-8500.

Please visit the website for more details.