Healer

Sorry I haven't updated the blog for a while. When I'm having pain it is difficult to think about doing anything. Sorry I missed the awesome Halloween party this Sat - Jim brought Kai and they had a good time. Next year we'll have to get a costume for Kai.
Today I spoke to a doctor and they doubled a dosage on one of my medication. I hope it works!!
By the way tonight is my first session with a healer. Jim's uncle recommended her as an exceptional healer and I spoke to her last Friday, and she agreed to work with me. I'm so grateful. She's in California so we will do it over the phone. She thinks I'm going to beat this and I totally believe in her. By the way she's doing this for free - but I will send her a donation when I get a result. See how good it is she is willing to work with me? I've been praying this weekend and was thanking God for sending her to my life.

Doctors

I met with an oncologist today and he told me that they don't do CT scan until 2-3 months after the treatment is over, because even after the treatment is over, it still keeps working inside your body. So we scheduled for a CT scan for January 2. I am anxious to know how effective the treatment was, but Jim thinks it is good to get time to rest.
My esophagus pain is being controlled by very strong drugs - one is a Fentanyl patch I wear (slow release), another one is a magic mouth wash I take right before I eat (to numb the esophagus), and another is a liquid percoset solution. I think they are very strong because I got a flu shot today but I didn't even feel the needle. Still, my pain must be really strong too, because I still feel pain when I eat. How strange.
By the way, my oncologist is totally against my trying supplements or Chinese herbal medicine until I get checked out in Jan. I really want to try this Chinese herbal medicine because I read it cures cancer (this one was recommended by Jim's uncle). But I have to wait. Still, I can work on my meditation technique so it will help.

Almost over

Hi all - sorry I haven't updated the blog for a while. I have been struggling with side effects from chemo and radiation. I had chemo last Wed, and I had nausea/vomiting for a few days, then, finally the side effect from radiation hit me - excruciating pain in my esophagus. The pain was so severe that when I took a sip of water, it felt like it was burning me. So I had been too sick this weekend to eat. Now I'm on three different pain medication which is helping with the pain control but the pain is still there when I eat or drink. The doctor said after I finish the radiation treatment, it should clear up in a few weeks. This weekend, I was just laying in my bed and praying for the pain to leave me. I am so looking forward to the treatment to be over! Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers - really appreciate it.

Chemo tomorrow

It had been a tough week but I'm feeling better today. I was was able to go for a little walk this morning. I went to see Dr. M today. He showed me new techniques to strengthen my immune system, which I can also try at home. One easy thing to try at home (if anybody is interested) is to warm your stomach, behind the knees, and your feet. It actually works - while he was giving me treatment today, I started feeling better already.
I'm reading another book called "Love, Medicine & Miracles" by Dr. Bernie Siegel. It is also a very good book for anybody with health problems. When I read these books I feel hope and it really helps to keep me going.
Tomorrow is my last chemo day. I may not be able to write for a few days but please don't worry and keep me in your prayers. I believe in the power of prayers. Thank you so much everyone.

Computer is back!

So our friend was able to fix our computer - thank you so much Les! It's working just fine now. It was a tough few days from chemo but I'm beginning to feel better. I really appreciate everyone's help and for your prayers.
Now, my last chemo is this Wed - I'm so looking forward for it to be over!
I am reading a book written by Dr. Carl Simonton, called "Healing Journey" now. He also wrote "Getting Well Again" which I just finished reading. He is a radiation oncologist who believes in mind, body, and sprit aspect of healing from cancer. The book is very inspirational and I'm trying the meditation technique presented in the book. It is not a new book so you should be able to find it at a local library if anyone is interested. I would highly recommend this book to anybody who has health issues.
Thank you everyone and you all have a wonderful week!

Chemo day 4

Sorry haven't updated the blog for a few days. Our home computer got some virus and couldn't use the computer. Today was the 4th day of chemo. It is going as scheduled and I'm coping with nausea. But this time I got an acupuncture for anti-nausea, so it seems to be helping and I don't feel as bad as the last time I had chemo. Our friends are baby sitting Kai this weekend so Jim can accompany me to chemo. Thank you so much!
Thanks everyone for thinking about us and praying for us. Really appreciate it.

Tuesday!

Ok, so today was my last day before the chemo starts. Just thinking about it starts to make me feel sick but I know I have to get through this. Jim says since I know what to expect it won't be as bad as last time. I'm hoping the acupuncture and the anti-nausea pressure points will do the trick. By the way, today we switched Kai's food to the day care food - instead of his formula and baby food. We don't really like the menu but Kai started refusing some baby food so we have no choice. The day care teachers say he ate very well today - but we noticed Kai started shaking his head (like a rock'n roll star). According to the baby book, this is baby's way of coping with changes or teething. So I guess it is because of the food change today. Anyway Kai was full of energy tonight - we finally put him to bed like 9:40pm! Good night.

Columbus Day

I had a day off for Columbus Day! But the day care was open, so I had a day to myself. I did some shopping done and had lunch at Hashiguchi with friends. I am able to eat more like before so I'm gaining back some weight! I've never thought I'll be happy gaining weight - funny. I met the radiologist today and looks like I'm doing just fine - my cough is getting much better and my esophagus pain hasn't been that bad. By the way we tried the church in our neighborhood on Sunday, but Kai was getting too loud, so Jim had to leave with Kai. I wonder what people do with babies during the service? We may have to find a bigger church where there are more babies.

Athens!

We just came back from Athens. (Sorry Helen I promise we'll go together next time!) It was a beautiful day - we went to a lake on campus where we used to go when we were at UGA (We went there on our first real date.) It was Kai's first time to be on grass - he had lots of fun! We also ate at Taco Stand - I used to eat there 5 days a week! It was amazing to see some things never change - Taco Stand on Prince Ave is still the same. We also went to Tate Center - it hasn't changed, but they are building a big addition now, a part of UGA's "master plan".
If you haven't been to Athens for a while, I recommend you to take a day trip. It is a great town - lots to do! By the way, we also stopped at Hodgson's for ice cream. Where else can you get an ice cream for 75 cents?? (Used to be 25 cents when we were there.)
Ok I'm tired now - good night!

Eastern Doctor

I went to see Dr. M again today - alone. Now Jim is very angry that I bought more supplements from Dr. M. He thinks Dr. M is a quack. Anyway, so he said if I'm going to keep taking these supplements and keep seeing Dr. M, he is not going to support me with my treatment. I am sad that it has to be this way but I know I want to keep seeing Dr. M, at least for now. At this point I want to try everything I feel is going to help me, and I don't want to regret not trying something. So I made a choice to keep seeing Dr. M. I hope in time Jim will see my way. Anyway, Dr. M said he was hesitant to help me with more cancer treatment if Jim is not going to be supportive, but he still helped me today so I'm grateful. Today, Dr. M did some chiropractics and showed me some more pressure points to help my immune system. I feel pretty good - I'm going to sleep fine tonight.

Pumpkin Oil

Hi all - just wanted to let you all know I am getting a pumpkin oil from a friend already (thanks Rose!) so please don't worry about finding it. I appreciate all your offers! Thanks!

Kai's BD today!

Kai turned one today! We are going to celebrate his birthday after my treatment is over. But we took some pictures today just in case. I had thought Jim took him to a day care today but he didn't. Jim says, Kai had a fever, but I think Jim just wanted to stay at home in bed and not go out. Jim didn't come home till 5am last night - he says he was calling friends in Taiwan from his office.
By the way, yesterday we went to see Dr. M again. He was introducing other kinds of supplements that would help me but Jim argued with him that supplements were not good. So instead of talking about the treatment they argued about supplements. Jim's point is, I should concentrate more on nutrients from food and not from supplements, but Dr. M's point is you can't eat enough food to get nutrients equivalent of supplements. I tend to agree with Dr. M - especially since I still haven't been able to eat as much as I used to. Jim also says the company who makes supplements are getting ingredients from China but based on their website, looks like everything is organically grown in the U.S. At this point I am willing to try anything Dr. M suggests because he already helped me feel much better. Dr. M also suggested using Pumpkin Oil, Coconut Oil, and Hemp Oil. I was able to get Coconut oil and Hemp oil at natural store but couldn't find pumpkin oil. Anyway I got another appointment with Dr. M and I will not be bringing Jim this time.

Good night

I'm just tired. Jim had to work tonight so I did the baby duty tonight. Kai is such a good boy but I used up my energy to keep up with him. He finally went to bed at 9:30. Now I have to go to bed. Good night!

Speeding?

I just came back from work - my second day went just fine. I'm a little tired as expected but because I was tired last night, I slept pretty good - until Jim's alarm woke me up! But I have been able to sleep well these days - I feel good when I wake up.
I got a speeding ticket on the way to work from the hospital! The police man said I was doing 42 at 25 zone. How come it is only 25? I have no idea! Too bad.
I have been losing hair now - especially when I wash my hair in the morning. So Jim suggested I don't wash hair everyday - maybe a few times a week. I don't know if that is going to slow down the hair loss but I'll try.
By the way - I mentioned before that I now have a new position - that means my old position is open. If you know anybody who may be interested, please have them contact me. Thanks!

Back to work

Today was my first day back to work! I felt really good going into the office - just like my usual day before this all started. But I got a little tired at the end of the day - hope I can keep my energy level up until my next chemo. By the way I learned that the pain I was experiencing when I eat or drink is because of the damage to my esophagus. I was afraid my cancer was spreading or something but my doctor said it is a common side effect from radiation treatment. He just recommended me to take some pain medication when it gets too bad. I'm going to see my Eastern doctor on Wed, so I hope he has some suggestion other than the pain medication. Anyway, I saw a resident whom I saw before I started my treatment. He said my voice sounds much better and I look much better than before. I noticed my voice came back about a week ago. Now I have cough (another side effect from radiation), so sometimes I can not talk that well, but when my throat is clear my voice sounds better. I think the radiation treatment is working!