The Wonders of Chemotherapy
It has been a while since I have posted to my blog. I have been busy undergoing chemotherapy for MALT gastric lymphoma. Surprisingly, it has been a very positive experience. For those of you who know me, I have been losing weight over a 2 year period and could not find a doctor who would actually look at everything and do a diagnosis. So, I went to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. The doctors there actually listened to me and did the appropriate tests and came up with the diagnosis of MALT gastric lymphoma.
I have just finished my third round of chemo at the UNM Cancer Center in Las Cruces. The doctors and staff there are incredible! They are available for questions 24-7. They answer emails. They actually answer their phones personally! Because the Prednisone tablets I have to take were so unpalatable, the UNM Cancer Center pharmacist, Traci, actually crushed them up and put them in gel capsules for me and now I am able to swallow them without experiencing the foul taste! The idea for the gel caps came from my dear friend, Carolyn, who is always watching out for me.
Here is the wonderful part of all this. The chemo has not made me sick. I have had no nausea and no vomiting. The Prednisone, which I take for 5 days at the beginning of my chemo treatment, is apparently having a good effect on my appetite. I have gained 15 lbs since the start of chemo! I am eating well for the first time in 2 years. For the past two years I could eat only small amounts of food and then would experience nausea attacks. My doctor in Arizona said I was actually starving. Now I feel better than I have in 2 years! That is not to say that the chemo doesn't make me tired and lethargic, but that part only lasts from 5 to 10 days.
I have, however, lost my hair! No big deal, it will grow back! And I am having fun wearing all kinds of hats and big earrings! My other dear friend (since 3rd grade), Martha, came for a visit and was with me for my last chemo. She brought me a variety of hats and scarves to play with.
I want to thank all my local friends for being so supportive during this process! Diane, you are my rock! You are always ready to help. And Cathy and Mary Helen, thanks for all the phone calls to check up on me.
And finally, to my two wonderful offspring, Geoff and Joy, although you are so far away you call almost daily to check in and make sure I am alright. I am so blessed to have such wonderful children!
I have just finished my third round of chemo at the UNM Cancer Center in Las Cruces. The doctors and staff there are incredible! They are available for questions 24-7. They answer emails. They actually answer their phones personally! Because the Prednisone tablets I have to take were so unpalatable, the UNM Cancer Center pharmacist, Traci, actually crushed them up and put them in gel capsules for me and now I am able to swallow them without experiencing the foul taste! The idea for the gel caps came from my dear friend, Carolyn, who is always watching out for me.
Here is the wonderful part of all this. The chemo has not made me sick. I have had no nausea and no vomiting. The Prednisone, which I take for 5 days at the beginning of my chemo treatment, is apparently having a good effect on my appetite. I have gained 15 lbs since the start of chemo! I am eating well for the first time in 2 years. For the past two years I could eat only small amounts of food and then would experience nausea attacks. My doctor in Arizona said I was actually starving. Now I feel better than I have in 2 years! That is not to say that the chemo doesn't make me tired and lethargic, but that part only lasts from 5 to 10 days.
I have, however, lost my hair! No big deal, it will grow back! And I am having fun wearing all kinds of hats and big earrings! My other dear friend (since 3rd grade), Martha, came for a visit and was with me for my last chemo. She brought me a variety of hats and scarves to play with.
I want to thank all my local friends for being so supportive during this process! Diane, you are my rock! You are always ready to help. And Cathy and Mary Helen, thanks for all the phone calls to check up on me.
And finally, to my two wonderful offspring, Geoff and Joy, although you are so far away you call almost daily to check in and make sure I am alright. I am so blessed to have such wonderful children!
