24OCT2012 Frenamee (Chemo) Treatment #1 Hospital Stay at CCH - Real Beauty in the Simple Things
24 OCT2012 Wednesday Real Beauty in the Simple Things are Some of the Richest BlessingsWell I got to sleep in at the hospital this morning until 5:45. That's when Dr. Acheson came. It is such a comforting feeling to be able to speak with him each day, as he is my family doctor and knows me better than anyone else. ❤️
Things are coming along good and it is still looking like Friday that I “may be able to come home”! :O)
He went over all my blood work with me so I could understand it and know what to watch for. He told me they would take blood again before I leave on Friday. My kidney function (createn) was a little low, but he said it is nothing to worry about. If it were high it would mean they weren't functioning right. My protein level, even though I have eaten everything I have been given, is low but he said that can be helped by diet. Thus the reason he set me up to speak to the dietician yesterday. You know me, I sent her with a list of things to find out so I would know how to do cook some good, simple, nutritional things once Jamie has left for his weeks away on the boat. Though I must say with my family & friends, I have been blessed as a lot of people are going to do some cooking for me. Honestly with chemo treatments, it is one day at a time and one blood work at a time so you can learn how to balance things. Thank you Lassie, Mom, Dad, Bill, Elaine & Cindy for your help in the area of nutrition. My heart now understands that, it doesn't matter how much you prepare you will need help and God has blessed me with people who will help me.
He explained that I might or might not end up here in the hospital again after my next chemo treatment, because it is unpredictable especially for people like me who can't take normal medicines and chemo is the "Big Guns" medication, my reaction is not the typical reaction that people think all people go through that have chemo, but for some this doesn't happen. Like my Mom didn't get sick when she had her chemo treatments! I am so happy you didn't Mom. Yet I feel blessed that I have a place to go and stay to help get on my feet, if it does happen. Dr. Burnell, my oncologist has left a standing order for hydration for me at the hospital should I get sick at any time. I have learned for me, that one of the signs of dehydration is being very cold, because I shiver & shake. That will be my warning sign and believe me, I will go to the hospital immediately if that happens again this time and NOT wait. TODAY IS A BIG DAY for a lot of reasons. They are going to unhook me from the IV drip and see how I do hydrating myself by drinking. Now that I can swallow so much better that should be a lot easier to achieve. I have two things that they have given me orally for esophagus because I had burned it when I was sick. Every mouthful and drink hurt and I had nothing but hiccups all the time. One of the mouth washes has done a wonderful job helping it heal and making sure that I didn't get an infection from it being raw. They call it "Magic Mouth Wash" for a reason. So pray today that I am able to keep myself hydrated because it will keep me on target for getting home on Friday.
Dr. Acheson was funny this morning because he usually comes in at 3:30am and when he is done tells me to go back to sleep, but this morning he said, "I'd tell you to go back to sleep but the day is half done." (at 5:45 am) LOL
Today I see the physiotherapist, dietician and I get my hair cut! Cindy Murray is also coming to visit. It will be a busy, full day by the time I do all my normal routines and see these people. I go for a walk in the halls after every meal. I have tried to pick up my pace each day, but with my IV pole I wouldn't win any races! LOL Today I will get unhooked at some point so I will ”feel foot loose and fancy free”! My picc line(Piccalilly) feels like a normal part of my body now and I feel so blessed to have it. It makes life so much easier for me. No picks or pokes to get blood and I can receive my treatments through etc. Funny what was causing me hesitation, I have a close bond with. Thus the nickname Piccalilly.
Each day continues to have good improvements. The chemo part of my journey has taught me much and my Frenamee treatment has been a blessing, though a rough, unpredictable ride. As is true in life, our roughest trials teach us the most which makes us a stronger person with a deeper heart with more compassion. I appreciate the simple things on such a deeper level. They bring so much more joy to my heart when I get to do them. My heart now also has a golden thread now woven in it for anyone who must go through the journey of cancer and through what I am learning I will be able to help someone else who might face this journey for the first time. I look forward to the day that I can be a Peer Tutor mentor for the Canadian Cancer Society, like the treasured one they have given me. They pair you up with someone who has the same type of cancer etc, and this peer calls and helps you walk your journey with cancer. What a blessing they are... It makes you feel you are not alone and there is someone who truly understands and it gives you someone to ask the many questions that come up all along the way about your journey with which seems to have no guidebook or map to follow. To e able to give back in that way is how the circle of God's love work. God is so amazingly good, if we will just listen to his still small voice.
My next Frenamee Chemo treatment is on November 7th, but as I am learning there is no schedule with cancer so God's timing will be perfect. When I get home on Friday I will have 11 days to build my strength up for freenamee treatment #2. Of course you know me I am doing a count down so I will ask everyone to say FIVE for me.
My challenge to you is that you enjoy the simple pleasures in live for they contain some of the riches blessings. Go for that walk, take that shower, eat a favorite food and praise the Lord that you have the freedom to do it. For me to be able to swallow food to eat without pain is such a blessing! Things taste better, I eat slower and I enjoy my food so much more now. A great price was paid by Christ and the young men and woman on this earth so we could enjoy these simple pleasures and freedoms. Don't wait to enjoy them to the fullest until a crisis has struck. You have much to be thankful for all around you every day. As for me today, I might even get to take a shower and go for a walk not hooked up to an IV... what joy that will be. Sadly oh how much we forget to praise the Lord for! Even when we feel our worst, they are many who are so much more worse off who need us to hold them up in prayer. Chose someone you know whom you can pray for and don't be afraid to pray for yourself, you know God love you too!!!!
My love, (((HUGS)))) and prayers,
Paulette
