It's been a week since my chemo and what a difference a week makes! I am feeling so much better. Still a bit whoozi and had to be driven to the oncologist today. But, all in all, I really feel good!
I had a great visit with Dr. Hudhud today. I actually was only scheduled for bloodwork today but he still came in to check on me. What a kind soul. We are so lucky to have people in the world like him.
He always greets me with a big hug and you all know I am such a hugger!!! Today we talked about diet and exercise. I asked him what diet he follows. He said he thinks everything in moderation. He tries to eat more vegetables and fruit, but is not a vegetarian. He'll also choose lowcarb and lowfat. Always have some good protein and he personally does not eat pork. Now... that is a strange story. Evidently pigs, like us humans, only have one stomach. I know this is gross but other animals have several stomachs so their food gets digestion better. I hear Bill Nye in the background whooping it up!!
Dr. H feels the key is not the diet book or diet gimmick... the key is portion size. And to always stop eating 3 or 4 bites before you are full.
I think the most important thing I learned today is that studies show if you exercise regularly you can DECREASE your chance of getting cancer sometimes by 40%. Obesity literally "feeds" right into cancer cells. Soooooooo all you couch potatoes (including me!), get off the couch and take a walk. I know I am motivated, I certainly DO NOT want to go through this again. I know there are no guarantees but let's all work toward increasing our chances!
Another little tidbit... did you know that 1 in 8 of us will develop breast cancer?!?! For us "oc" sista's (otherwise know as ovarian cancer) . . . 1 in 20.
Take a Walk!!!
I <3 U All and miss you more!!!
Jude
ps... 3 down, 3 to go
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Coming out of the chemo fog...
Hi all,
Thursday I had the 3rd round of chemo and I couldn't get out of bed until Monday. Whew... this one kicked my butt. I cannot wait to be able type in BOLD & CAPS....I KICKED CANCER'S BUTT! I know the day is coming. I know I'm halfway through but boy oh boy is this intense. One of the toughest parts of cancer is explaining how I feel and answering the question "Do you need anything?"
There is no way to describe how I feel. When the side effects are very intense and I can't even move from side to side in my bed, I picture the chemo like little pac-men/women eating the cancer cells. It is like no other ache, pain, upset tummy, etc. Chemo has a feel all of it's own. And when you ask if I need anything... usually I just need you to tell me you love me, give me a hug and say a prayer for me.
I am thankful for all who continue to reach out to me through cards, letters, text messages, emails, rides, meals, etc... Thank you all from the bottom of my "pac lady" heart. I love you all and look forward to coming back around after I have completed the chemo.
Life will be easier and sweeter,
I <3 U,
Jude
Thursday I had the 3rd round of chemo and I couldn't get out of bed until Monday. Whew... this one kicked my butt. I cannot wait to be able type in BOLD & CAPS....I KICKED CANCER'S BUTT! I know the day is coming. I know I'm halfway through but boy oh boy is this intense. One of the toughest parts of cancer is explaining how I feel and answering the question "Do you need anything?"
There is no way to describe how I feel. When the side effects are very intense and I can't even move from side to side in my bed, I picture the chemo like little pac-men/women eating the cancer cells. It is like no other ache, pain, upset tummy, etc. Chemo has a feel all of it's own. And when you ask if I need anything... usually I just need you to tell me you love me, give me a hug and say a prayer for me.
I am thankful for all who continue to reach out to me through cards, letters, text messages, emails, rides, meals, etc... Thank you all from the bottom of my "pac lady" heart. I love you all and look forward to coming back around after I have completed the chemo.
Life will be easier and sweeter,
I <3 U,
Jude
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Good news
Hi all!
Good news ... I am half way done!! I had my 3rd chemo today and I have 3 more to go. The last one will be December 1st!!!! I will be able to skip the one that is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day.
More good news... the blood test or marker for ovarian cancer is the CA125. The normal range is 0-30. Pre surgery my marker was at 984. Post surgery is was 44. It is down to 19!!!! Isn't that wonderful!!!!!! I am going to be OK! I just have to get through this. All the prayers help dear friends. Thank you and keep them coming.
So... right now I am high on the steroids. I go tomorrow for my neulasta injection and IV fluids. I'll hit the chmo wall about 3:00pm Saturday. But I'll get more IV fluids Monday and should be on the mend by Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm half way you all!!! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
I <3 U all and miss you,
Judy
Good news ... I am half way done!! I had my 3rd chemo today and I have 3 more to go. The last one will be December 1st!!!! I will be able to skip the one that is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day.
More good news... the blood test or marker for ovarian cancer is the CA125. The normal range is 0-30. Pre surgery my marker was at 984. Post surgery is was 44. It is down to 19!!!! Isn't that wonderful!!!!!! I am going to be OK! I just have to get through this. All the prayers help dear friends. Thank you and keep them coming.
So... right now I am high on the steroids. I go tomorrow for my neulasta injection and IV fluids. I'll hit the chmo wall about 3:00pm Saturday. But I'll get more IV fluids Monday and should be on the mend by Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm half way you all!!! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
I <3 U all and miss you,
Judy
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
God's Love and Our Weaknesses
God's Love and Our Weaknesses
Thomas Keating
The experience of God's love and the experience of our weaknesses are correlative. These are the two poles that God works with as God gradually frees us from immature ways of relating. The experience of our desperate need for God's healing is the measure to which we experience God's infinite mercy. The deeper the experience of God's mercy, the more compassion we will have for others.
(Source: Invitation to Love)
Thomas Keating is one of my favorite authors. This experience with 'oc' has thrown me into an incredibly weak place. But, since I have been in this "weak place", I feel like I am truly feeling the love of God with the incredible outpouring of love from friends and family.
I am especially touched by text messages and emails from the college students I know. How did these young adults get so freakin' mature at such a young age?! I was a "hot mess" when I was in my 20's. I think we have a new generation coming up that is much more mature than we ever were. That said, I was a child of the 70's. We were more occupied with, uh, well... that's another topic!
I digress as usual. My point... when our lives are going along without interruption we stress over the stupidest stuff. These days I try to stop often, give thanks and smell the roses. Well... maybe not everyday... but maybe 15 days out of 21. ;-)
I <3 U all,
Jude
Thomas Keating
The experience of God's love and the experience of our weaknesses are correlative. These are the two poles that God works with as God gradually frees us from immature ways of relating. The experience of our desperate need for God's healing is the measure to which we experience God's infinite mercy. The deeper the experience of God's mercy, the more compassion we will have for others.
(Source: Invitation to Love)
Thomas Keating is one of my favorite authors. This experience with 'oc' has thrown me into an incredibly weak place. But, since I have been in this "weak place", I feel like I am truly feeling the love of God with the incredible outpouring of love from friends and family.
I am especially touched by text messages and emails from the college students I know. How did these young adults get so freakin' mature at such a young age?! I was a "hot mess" when I was in my 20's. I think we have a new generation coming up that is much more mature than we ever were. That said, I was a child of the 70's. We were more occupied with, uh, well... that's another topic!
I digress as usual. My point... when our lives are going along without interruption we stress over the stupidest stuff. These days I try to stop often, give thanks and smell the roses. Well... maybe not everyday... but maybe 15 days out of 21. ;-)
I <3 U all,
Jude
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Our dear Unk...
I met Uncle Ray (or “Unk” as the family called him) in 1984 when Mark and I started dating. Unk was my mother-in-law’s big brother. Unk never married… he became a care giver. His dad died at a very young age and Unk took over as the man of the house. Both to take care of his mom and his baby sister.
Unk was the fun uncle and as his nephews got older he became the “cool” uncle. He went on every family vacation and came to dinner twice a week, every week. When the boys needed something… Unk was there for them. When Unk bought a condo in Ocean City, he took the boys almost every weekend and for several weeks in the summer.
The family wasn’t complete without Unk. Over the past 15 years, Unk helped us get through the passing of both his little sister and Mark’s dad.
We lost our dear Unk this past February. So why am I writing about this today? I spent yesterday morning at Unk’s house waiting for the Salvation Army to arrive. Unk’s house has been sold and all the leftover furniture is being donated.
As I sat there I thought about how “stuff” doesn’t much matter. Unk was incredibly frugal and all his furnishings are from the 70’s. My niece has it right, being in his house is kind of like being in an episode of the Golden Girls!! But…Unk had the right idea… there is no need to spend money to buy something new unless the old one has worn out.
“Stuff” doesn’t much matter in the long run does it? Stuff can’t keep you happy, stuff can’t cure cancer, stuff can’t fix a broken heart…
I wanted to give Uncle Ray a shout out on my blog. I luv you Unk, we all luv you and you are sooooooo missed. You were an incredible role model to your nephews and your grand-nephew Matthew Raymond. You’ve taught us so much and we will miss you everyday.
Unk was the fun uncle and as his nephews got older he became the “cool” uncle. He went on every family vacation and came to dinner twice a week, every week. When the boys needed something… Unk was there for them. When Unk bought a condo in Ocean City, he took the boys almost every weekend and for several weeks in the summer.
The family wasn’t complete without Unk. Over the past 15 years, Unk helped us get through the passing of both his little sister and Mark’s dad.
We lost our dear Unk this past February. So why am I writing about this today? I spent yesterday morning at Unk’s house waiting for the Salvation Army to arrive. Unk’s house has been sold and all the leftover furniture is being donated.
As I sat there I thought about how “stuff” doesn’t much matter. Unk was incredibly frugal and all his furnishings are from the 70’s. My niece has it right, being in his house is kind of like being in an episode of the Golden Girls!! But…Unk had the right idea… there is no need to spend money to buy something new unless the old one has worn out.
“Stuff” doesn’t much matter in the long run does it? Stuff can’t keep you happy, stuff can’t cure cancer, stuff can’t fix a broken heart…
I wanted to give Uncle Ray a shout out on my blog. I luv you Unk, we all luv you and you are sooooooo missed. You were an incredible role model to your nephews and your grand-nephew Matthew Raymond. You’ve taught us so much and we will miss you everyday.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
"Reflecting Absence"
September 11, 2011
Good morning everyone,
I've posted an aerial view of the WTC memorial "Reflecting Absence" that will be opened to the victims families today. I personally cannot wait to go see this in person. We all remember where we were that morning. Most say life changed that day. How has it changed you? Did you change right afterward? Has that change been more profound and stayed with you through this decade? Maybe this anniversary will change you today. Maybe, you say, whatever... change... smange.
Whether or not their was enough of an impact on you that you did change... remember you are a part of the whole. You are a reflection of all those that perished. You are a reflection of a world were something like this can happen. You are a reflection of the absence. BUT... you are NOT absent. You are here. What will you reflect?
You may notice I've moved Nelson's beach photo up today. Nelson came to us from Pet Harbor Husky Rescue. All Pet Harbor strays are named after victims of 9/11. Nelson is proudly named after Mr. Peter Nelson a firefighter that was lost that day.
I <3 U all,
Jude
Friday, September 9, 2011
Help for the Bickley's
Hi all,
In my blog I mentioned my friends the Bickley's (Michele, Colin and their toddler Kianna) after the earthquake. They moved back home to MD (from LA) the night before the earthquake. And at the time I thought what are the chances of that happening. Well... there is more to the story. They settled on their house in Ellicott City and have lived there for 1 week. On September 7th they had to be evacuated. Michele is 7 months pregnant. Here is what she wrote in her email:
There was a raging river that surrounded the house from all sides and we had to be evacuated by a rescue team. we are all ok. kianna is really rolling with all of these major changes and we tried to make it like an adventure yesterday. i was taking very deep breaths as we ran as much of our stuff as possible to the 2nd and 3rd floor so i didn't go into early labor :). (most of everything was in boxes in the basement bc we are still unpacking). not sure what is lost yet?anyway - we need some help to rebuild. not sure of all of the damage yet, but there was 9 feet of water in the basement. the yard is shattered. we need help with clean up asap. if you know anyone that may want to help or do favors or work at a discount who does construction, electrical work, air conditioning repairs, stone/brick work, building....we need all the help we can get. PLEASE pass on this email. You can reach me at:
mitch4748@aol.com
310-980-6186 or
310-980-9186
8518 frederick rd.
ellicott city 21043
thanks and love,michele, colin and kianna
Both of their cars floated into the shed in their backyard. If you know of any group in the Ellicott City/Columbia area that could help them through this incredibly stressful time please contact Michele. Scout groups, church youth groups, etc... Michele and Colin have to be wondering... what the heck... everyone says LA is dangerous. Ha... it's really MD. Earthquakes, floods...
I have known Michele's mom, Judy, since I was a year old. So I have watched Michele and her sister Jaime grow up. They are both incredibly strong women, but everyone needs help once in awhile. As I personally know these days...
My love and prayers are with the Bickley's and all the people in our region experiencing flooding. Life can turn on a dime.
Jude
In my blog I mentioned my friends the Bickley's (Michele, Colin and their toddler Kianna) after the earthquake. They moved back home to MD (from LA) the night before the earthquake. And at the time I thought what are the chances of that happening. Well... there is more to the story. They settled on their house in Ellicott City and have lived there for 1 week. On September 7th they had to be evacuated. Michele is 7 months pregnant. Here is what she wrote in her email:
There was a raging river that surrounded the house from all sides and we had to be evacuated by a rescue team. we are all ok. kianna is really rolling with all of these major changes and we tried to make it like an adventure yesterday. i was taking very deep breaths as we ran as much of our stuff as possible to the 2nd and 3rd floor so i didn't go into early labor :). (most of everything was in boxes in the basement bc we are still unpacking). not sure what is lost yet?anyway - we need some help to rebuild. not sure of all of the damage yet, but there was 9 feet of water in the basement. the yard is shattered. we need help with clean up asap. if you know anyone that may want to help or do favors or work at a discount who does construction, electrical work, air conditioning repairs, stone/brick work, building....we need all the help we can get. PLEASE pass on this email. You can reach me at:
mitch4748@aol.com
310-980-6186 or
310-980-9186
8518 frederick rd.
ellicott city 21043
thanks and love,michele, colin and kianna
Both of their cars floated into the shed in their backyard. If you know of any group in the Ellicott City/Columbia area that could help them through this incredibly stressful time please contact Michele. Scout groups, church youth groups, etc... Michele and Colin have to be wondering... what the heck... everyone says LA is dangerous. Ha... it's really MD. Earthquakes, floods...
I have known Michele's mom, Judy, since I was a year old. So I have watched Michele and her sister Jaime grow up. They are both incredibly strong women, but everyone needs help once in awhile. As I personally know these days...
My love and prayers are with the Bickley's and all the people in our region experiencing flooding. Life can turn on a dime.
Jude
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Chemo kicks butt!
Hi all,
You should know by now if there's been no new posting from me... I am down for the count. Boy this chemo kicks butt! And now I have days 7-10 to get through where my platelets will be low. I got IV fluids yesterday and that helped almost miraculously. They will schedule me for IV fluids every Friday after chemo and then the following Monday. Hopefully to keep me vertical!! It was touch and go yesterday at oncology.
An update... my dad (Tom) is home. He is resting and very weak. But he is home and he will see the cardiologist next Wednesday. Thank you for the prayers and concerns for him and my mom (Bette).
I'm going to sign off for now... don't have much energy. I'll be back on over the weekend.
Love,
Jude
You should know by now if there's been no new posting from me... I am down for the count. Boy this chemo kicks butt! And now I have days 7-10 to get through where my platelets will be low. I got IV fluids yesterday and that helped almost miraculously. They will schedule me for IV fluids every Friday after chemo and then the following Monday. Hopefully to keep me vertical!! It was touch and go yesterday at oncology.
An update... my dad (Tom) is home. He is resting and very weak. But he is home and he will see the cardiologist next Wednesday. Thank you for the prayers and concerns for him and my mom (Bette).
I'm going to sign off for now... don't have much energy. I'll be back on over the weekend.
Love,
Jude
Friday, September 2, 2011
Rockin' a mohawk!
Hi all,
Lots to talk about today... get comfortable. First... you will see that I look a little different. My hair was about half off and I asked Kim to shave it OFF! So we started with the mohawk. When will I ever get to sport a new hair-do like that again! We shaved it all off after we made Mark laugh out loud and Matt hang his head and claim that I am soooooooooo wierd!! Check!
I now sport beautiful scarfs and turbins. This makes me pay more attention to my looks and I am wearing makeup again and making sure my outfits match my head cover. So I feel better and look pretty. Round 2 of chemo went well. The doctor decreased the strongest med by 10% and I go back today for the neulasta injection and I will get 2 bags of IV fluids. I should have a much better time this time. Ohhh.. they have decided I will have 6 rounds of chemo so I hope to end in early December! YIPPEE!!!!
I am officially in the Ovarian Cancer club at oncology. Yesterday another OC patient, Janet, introduced herself to me and had a gift of a teal ribbon pin and a journal. I am so fortunate you all. Janet has been receiving chemo for 4 1/2 yrs. She's only had a 5 month break during that time. While I was there I watched as she received an extremely strong drug that burns the bottoms of her feet, palms of her hands and her underarms. She has figured out that if she applies ice while the drug is going in she can stop the burning. Her husband comes with her each time and they are a HOOT! They entertained all of us for the afternoon and time flew by. Whew... part of my journey... thank you Lord for the experience and for Janet and her husband. What I am going through is nothing in comparison.
Next, my dad is still in the hospital. He was getting ready to leave and when he stood up his blood pressure plummeted and he was incoherent. Thankfully the nurses were there. They paged the crash team because they thought he was having a stroke. A pastor shuffled my mom and her friend out of the room. Frederick Hospital has been fantastic. Once the nurses got him flat back in bed his blood pressure regulated itself.
He went for a CT scan last night to rule out the stroke for certain. The doctor's think he's had a reaction to new meds he started. They hope he can come home today. I'll keep everyone posted. Until then please pray for him and my mom. Good news... my sister Vicky is flying home from Florida today. Praise God! We need her here badly. You all know what I am going through. Sister Lisa is going through a divorce. She works her fulltime job Mon-Fri and 3 shifts per week at Parks Landing Seafood and is raising my nieces Carly (13) and Lindsay (17). Pray for all of them.
Next, my counselor Bea Gruber and her husband are holding a divorce support group for 15 weeks starting September 19, from 7-8:30 in her home in New Market. Please spread the word to any of your friends that are hurting. Bea is an absolutely wonderful counselor. I love her. If you love talking to me, you will love Bea. She and I are a lot alike. Her email address is bea@build4life.org
If you would like to talk to other friends that have spent time with Bea I can give you that information. Email or call me anytime.
That might be everything I wanted to talk about today. I love you all and I thank you for all the prayers and silly comments I get emailed about my blog. I do have some FUNNY friends!! Humor will get me through this!!! Which is why I am posting me in the mohawk!
“May love fill your heart, compassion guide your mind, faith rule your soul”
Paulo Coehlo
I luv you all & miss everyone,
Jude
Lots to talk about today... get comfortable. First... you will see that I look a little different. My hair was about half off and I asked Kim to shave it OFF! So we started with the mohawk. When will I ever get to sport a new hair-do like that again! We shaved it all off after we made Mark laugh out loud and Matt hang his head and claim that I am soooooooooo wierd!! Check!
I now sport beautiful scarfs and turbins. This makes me pay more attention to my looks and I am wearing makeup again and making sure my outfits match my head cover. So I feel better and look pretty. Round 2 of chemo went well. The doctor decreased the strongest med by 10% and I go back today for the neulasta injection and I will get 2 bags of IV fluids. I should have a much better time this time. Ohhh.. they have decided I will have 6 rounds of chemo so I hope to end in early December! YIPPEE!!!!
I am officially in the Ovarian Cancer club at oncology. Yesterday another OC patient, Janet, introduced herself to me and had a gift of a teal ribbon pin and a journal. I am so fortunate you all. Janet has been receiving chemo for 4 1/2 yrs. She's only had a 5 month break during that time. While I was there I watched as she received an extremely strong drug that burns the bottoms of her feet, palms of her hands and her underarms. She has figured out that if she applies ice while the drug is going in she can stop the burning. Her husband comes with her each time and they are a HOOT! They entertained all of us for the afternoon and time flew by. Whew... part of my journey... thank you Lord for the experience and for Janet and her husband. What I am going through is nothing in comparison.
Next, my dad is still in the hospital. He was getting ready to leave and when he stood up his blood pressure plummeted and he was incoherent. Thankfully the nurses were there. They paged the crash team because they thought he was having a stroke. A pastor shuffled my mom and her friend out of the room. Frederick Hospital has been fantastic. Once the nurses got him flat back in bed his blood pressure regulated itself.
He went for a CT scan last night to rule out the stroke for certain. The doctor's think he's had a reaction to new meds he started. They hope he can come home today. I'll keep everyone posted. Until then please pray for him and my mom. Good news... my sister Vicky is flying home from Florida today. Praise God! We need her here badly. You all know what I am going through. Sister Lisa is going through a divorce. She works her fulltime job Mon-Fri and 3 shifts per week at Parks Landing Seafood and is raising my nieces Carly (13) and Lindsay (17). Pray for all of them.
Next, my counselor Bea Gruber and her husband are holding a divorce support group for 15 weeks starting September 19, from 7-8:30 in her home in New Market. Please spread the word to any of your friends that are hurting. Bea is an absolutely wonderful counselor. I love her. If you love talking to me, you will love Bea. She and I are a lot alike. Her email address is bea@build4life.org
If you would like to talk to other friends that have spent time with Bea I can give you that information. Email or call me anytime.
That might be everything I wanted to talk about today. I love you all and I thank you for all the prayers and silly comments I get emailed about my blog. I do have some FUNNY friends!! Humor will get me through this!!! Which is why I am posting me in the mohawk!
“May love fill your heart, compassion guide your mind, faith rule your soul”
Paulo Coehlo
I luv you all & miss everyone,
Jude
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