It's Jac--Denise's friend. She told me to post something on the blog. We're at the Infusion Center, and I am joking with Denise that they are currently emptying a large portion of the ocean into her abdomen--it's a lot of fluid to take (even over an 8-hour period) and clearly uncomfortable. But she is able to take all of this the way she takes everything: with humor, with grace, and planning for things beyond chemo.
She's been able to go by herself to take her Costco-sized puppy Oliver on walks and--get this--she ran this morning. "Not far," she insists, but the point is, we all know someone who is on chemo and still musters the energy and will to run.
Okay, she just asked us to pass her the paperwork she needs to fill out to renew her certification to be an aerobics instructor, because she can't stand to "not be doing something." You would think that helping lower the sea level a few inches would be enough to occupy her, but not Denise. She's got plans. And even when she's here at the Infusion Center hooked up to IV bags, not feeling great, she knows that chemo is something that she will move beyond and she's looking ahead.
jac
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Denise is enjoying her time as chemo side effects are at a minimal and the good weather before her next chemo therapy cycle on Tuesday. The belly button wound has not changed and time will tell what comes next with this.
Hope the good weather holds a little longer and you all have a good weekend.
Some have shared a memorable experience they have had with Denise. If you have one you would like to share, please do so. Remembering these experiences brings chuckles to Denise.
Joan/Mom
Hope the good weather holds a little longer and you all have a good weekend.
Some have shared a memorable experience they have had with Denise. If you have one you would like to share, please do so. Remembering these experiences brings chuckles to Denise.
Joan/Mom
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Denise has been able to resume her walking yesterday and today--in the beautiful sunshine!
Denise saw the doctor today for the results of the ct scan she had last Friday. She has 3 areas filled with fluid or air. Two of the pockets are connected to the belly button wound and as the medical profession says, they are "communicating" with each other. The doctor gave her two options: (1) continue regiment of draining and packing the wound for two more weeks; or (2) open the surgical incision and pack it leaving it open to heal. If option 1 doesn't show signs of healing by two weeks then option 2 will be scheduled.
Regardless of the status of healing, the doctor feels the chemo therapy should resume and to avoid putting Denise in further jeopardy. So her cycle 3 will begin on Tuesday, February 8th.
As you might imagine, this has been challenging emotionally and physically for Denise.
Joan/Mom
Denise saw the doctor today for the results of the ct scan she had last Friday. She has 3 areas filled with fluid or air. Two of the pockets are connected to the belly button wound and as the medical profession says, they are "communicating" with each other. The doctor gave her two options: (1) continue regiment of draining and packing the wound for two more weeks; or (2) open the surgical incision and pack it leaving it open to heal. If option 1 doesn't show signs of healing by two weeks then option 2 will be scheduled.
Regardless of the status of healing, the doctor feels the chemo therapy should resume and to avoid putting Denise in further jeopardy. So her cycle 3 will begin on Tuesday, February 8th.
As you might imagine, this has been challenging emotionally and physically for Denise.
Joan/Mom
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Denise had her ct scan this morning. Only took 6 tries for an iv and 4 blown veins--thanks to chemo drugs veins are devasted! Now we wait for the results which should be today or early Monday.
Denise is feeling crappy due to ingesting the contrast drink for the ct scan. Hopefully some rest and sleep will get her "up" soon.
Where's the sunshine? Such dreary skies here.
Joan/Mom
Denise is feeling crappy due to ingesting the contrast drink for the ct scan. Hopefully some rest and sleep will get her "up" soon.
Where's the sunshine? Such dreary skies here.
Joan/Mom
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Per Denise, she is having "frustrating times." The two smaller wounds at her surgical incision are almost healed. The third, at her belly button, is continuing to continuously drain. It's not known where the fluid is coming from exactly--could be a fistula in the abdomen or at the resection of the bowl. Denise is waiting for a call to schedule a ct scan; the scan may or may not reveal if there is a fistula. Also the doctors will be looking at the the amount of fluid in the abdomen.
So the doctors are recommending to continue to pack the wound 2-3 times a day and give it two weeks for healing. In the meantime, chemo therapy has been postponed until this is resolved.
Statistics reveal that very few patients complete their IP regiment due to complications or discomfort of the therapy. Denise was very fearful of the IP in the beginning but now has embraced it. She is determined to complete the six cycles. The unhealed wound is causing her mental strife and is trying to refocus her energy to healing this.
Joan/Mom
So the doctors are recommending to continue to pack the wound 2-3 times a day and give it two weeks for healing. In the meantime, chemo therapy has been postponed until this is resolved.
Statistics reveal that very few patients complete their IP regiment due to complications or discomfort of the therapy. Denise was very fearful of the IP in the beginning but now has embraced it. She is determined to complete the six cycles. The unhealed wound is causing her mental strife and is trying to refocus her energy to healing this.
Joan/Mom
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thursday, Denise walked 2 miles to prove to her infusion nurse that she could do it. A little competitive driving there. She did it and she was "wiped" out!
Friday, back to the doctor to check the incision. Two of the problem areas are healing well. The third, in the belly button, needs to be referred to the surgical oncologist for evaluation and possible little surgical procedure to close an opening. The doctor did lots of debrieing--ouches!!!!!!
After the doctor's appointment, Denise enjoying having breakfast with a friend at the Black Bear Diner in Tracy. Wow, the portions are huge!
Then home for another great visit with a colleague from her nurse practitioner program. Then early evening a few more visitors from her high school days.
As she says, an exhausting but wonderful day. She wants to fill these days that she's feeling well with good energy and good friends.
Saturday, eleven of us drove to the San Francisco zoo to see the baby anteater (sooo cute), baby monkey and young giraffe amongst many other great animals. Denise and many of her friends attended UC Irvine and were the UCI Anteaters. Denise served as the Anteater mascot for a basketball season.
Today, Denise will "veg" and watch football games with her dad. Next week she has 2 medical appointments plus 2 days of chem therapy.
Yeh for the sunshine! Joan/Mom
Friday, back to the doctor to check the incision. Two of the problem areas are healing well. The third, in the belly button, needs to be referred to the surgical oncologist for evaluation and possible little surgical procedure to close an opening. The doctor did lots of debrieing--ouches!!!!!!
After the doctor's appointment, Denise enjoying having breakfast with a friend at the Black Bear Diner in Tracy. Wow, the portions are huge!
Then home for another great visit with a colleague from her nurse practitioner program. Then early evening a few more visitors from her high school days.
As she says, an exhausting but wonderful day. She wants to fill these days that she's feeling well with good energy and good friends.
Saturday, eleven of us drove to the San Francisco zoo to see the baby anteater (sooo cute), baby monkey and young giraffe amongst many other great animals. Denise and many of her friends attended UC Irvine and were the UCI Anteaters. Denise served as the Anteater mascot for a basketball season.
Today, Denise will "veg" and watch football games with her dad. Next week she has 2 medical appointments plus 2 days of chem therapy.
Yeh for the sunshine! Joan/Mom
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Hello all, Denise here. Well I'm almost a week out from my last chemo and a week more of feeling better until round 3 starts. I mustered up a pretty good walk today. The walk felt good but caused quite a bit of pain in my abdominal port that still remains hours later. Feels like a bad stitch you would get in your side from running. Wish the cause was a good run, rather than a foreign object in my body.
Had to return to the clinic yesterday for worsening wound issues. I now have several areas in my surgical incision that are opened up and require mom to pack them twice daily. She's as excited about it as I am. The packing, as you can imagine, is quite uncomfortable.
I should be feeling well enough for visitors in the next few days if anyone has been trying to come visit and is right now HEALTHY. These are the days that the chemo has my immune system the weakest so I have to limit what I'm exposed to.
Again thank you to all who send your support and love, it is much appreciated.
Take Care,
Denise
Had to return to the clinic yesterday for worsening wound issues. I now have several areas in my surgical incision that are opened up and require mom to pack them twice daily. She's as excited about it as I am. The packing, as you can imagine, is quite uncomfortable.
I should be feeling well enough for visitors in the next few days if anyone has been trying to come visit and is right now HEALTHY. These are the days that the chemo has my immune system the weakest so I have to limit what I'm exposed to.
Again thank you to all who send your support and love, it is much appreciated.
Take Care,
Denise
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