Hello everyone - How was your week? I know this is the quickest "BLOG" update, however I haven't wanted to bore you with too many details until I knew more of the facts. Some of my friends have been very "persuasive" and want more information quicker, so I'll keep it coming but don't blame me if you start to nod off from boredom, my lids are already getting very heavy......
Looks like my tests are starting this week, with an Echo (ultra sound of the heart), on Friday, MRI on the 23rd, and insertion of the port-a-cath on the 26th. Basically I will be set for chemo once all this "stuff" is behind, or should I say, "inside" me?!? I am looking forward to moving FORWARD and getting the first treatment over so that I know what to expect over the next several months. Of course, I will keep you all posted.
Also, I wanted to let you know that when you post to this Blog it does NOT assign your e-mail address so I can not reply back to you individually. Several of you have requested I reply or that you reply to my personal e-mail. You can contact me at kcsewart@yahoo.com and if you want me to reply to you please email me or send your address in the blog. Thanks!
David & I are going to try to have pictures taken at the house with the animals over the next few weeks before I lose my hair. It should be quite a time wrangling the dog, bird, cats, and David together for a family photo. I have a feeling there will only be 2 in the picture - me & KC! Wish us luck - I think I'm going to need it, along with PATIENCE, and a lot of treats. (Maybe a Starbucks for David!)
Again, thanks for your interest and I'll let you know how next week goes.
My love to all,
Kelly
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Happy 2007!
It's going to be a good year! Because we have HOPE, FAITH and BELIEF.
David & I went to the doctors yesterday to review the results of the Pet Scan. The good news is the tumors have not grown since the last scan in October (yea!) and in fact I am feeling much better since the end of radiation treatment on th 22nd of Dec. The next plan of attack for the critters that continue to ravage my body is a battery of tests to make sure I am up for chemo. It will start with doctors at the Univ of SF to insure all the pieces of the puzzle (brain, hip, spine, etc) are being pieced together accurately. Looks like once they are insured I am "healthy" enough I will start a program of four days in the hospital of intense chemo, bet hey it is a private room with a promised view! The drugs will make a patient sick, however, if hospitalized, the doc says they can ususally keep this maintained. I will have the first two treaments approximately four weeks apart from each other followed by a scan to check status. There will be an additional two treatments scheduled, dates dependent on the scan results.
Yes, I will lose my hair. Now, if you you think I am going to be Melissa Ethridge, bald & beautiful as she was, WRONG! I will be the girl wearing wigs, cute hats, and motorcycle doo rags. And, like Farah Fawcett hiding out from the paparazi, I will probably just be staying close to home for the next year while my cue ball head tries to regrow some new hair!
A quick shout out to everyone who has sent resonse to the blog, cards, & letters. I have truly been touched by each & everyone of you. Unfortunately my health has kept me back from personally contacting you - but please know it means very much that you are thinking of me, as I am of you. Thanks to my friends from the past - I am touched. My family has overwhelmed me. All of my friends that have become my family over the years. I love you all. THANK YOU.
Side Note - Of course as you know David had a little cancer late last year (beningn) so last week he needed to folllow up by falling in the street and chipping his right ankle! Fortunately they only put him in a blow up cast and is able to drive since I am not. We are quite the gimpy couple. He told me on the way home from our "double doctor" appointments" we were preparing for old age!! David has a way with words - most of the time, not good :)
Again, thanks to everyone for your kindness during this period. I am strong mentally (most of the time) and will win the battle thanks to your prayers, my strong HOPE, and our belief in in the LORD.
My love to everyone,
Kelly
David & I went to the doctors yesterday to review the results of the Pet Scan. The good news is the tumors have not grown since the last scan in October (yea!) and in fact I am feeling much better since the end of radiation treatment on th 22nd of Dec. The next plan of attack for the critters that continue to ravage my body is a battery of tests to make sure I am up for chemo. It will start with doctors at the Univ of SF to insure all the pieces of the puzzle (brain, hip, spine, etc) are being pieced together accurately. Looks like once they are insured I am "healthy" enough I will start a program of four days in the hospital of intense chemo, bet hey it is a private room with a promised view! The drugs will make a patient sick, however, if hospitalized, the doc says they can ususally keep this maintained. I will have the first two treaments approximately four weeks apart from each other followed by a scan to check status. There will be an additional two treatments scheduled, dates dependent on the scan results.
Yes, I will lose my hair. Now, if you you think I am going to be Melissa Ethridge, bald & beautiful as she was, WRONG! I will be the girl wearing wigs, cute hats, and motorcycle doo rags. And, like Farah Fawcett hiding out from the paparazi, I will probably just be staying close to home for the next year while my cue ball head tries to regrow some new hair!
A quick shout out to everyone who has sent resonse to the blog, cards, & letters. I have truly been touched by each & everyone of you. Unfortunately my health has kept me back from personally contacting you - but please know it means very much that you are thinking of me, as I am of you. Thanks to my friends from the past - I am touched. My family has overwhelmed me. All of my friends that have become my family over the years. I love you all. THANK YOU.
Side Note - Of course as you know David had a little cancer late last year (beningn) so last week he needed to folllow up by falling in the street and chipping his right ankle! Fortunately they only put him in a blow up cast and is able to drive since I am not. We are quite the gimpy couple. He told me on the way home from our "double doctor" appointments" we were preparing for old age!! David has a way with words - most of the time, not good :)
Again, thanks to everyone for your kindness during this period. I am strong mentally (most of the time) and will win the battle thanks to your prayers, my strong HOPE, and our belief in in the LORD.
My love to everyone,
Kelly
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Dec 26
Hope everyone is having a WONDERFUL holiday season and you all got what you wanted for Christmas.
Friday, 12/22 was the last radiation treatment. They gave me two weeks off and then we're going to start chemotherapy. My hip and back are feeling much better, I can already tell the radiation did some good. Since I've been on serious pain medication for 2 months, I'm going through withdrawls trying to get off of them. It's like I have the flu. They ran tests on my tumor and it doesn't look like the Gleevec is working, they told me to stop taking it. Too bad, if it would have worked, I could have substituted it for the traditional chemo. Gleevec is the new type of chemo that just targets the bad cells and doesn't have all the bad side effects like hair loss.
They are going to do another PET scan in two weeks to see which tumors are growing and then the doctors will figure out the type of chemo to put me on.
I appreciate all the emails, cards, and positive thoughts. Thank you so much.
Kelly
Friday, 12/22 was the last radiation treatment. They gave me two weeks off and then we're going to start chemotherapy. My hip and back are feeling much better, I can already tell the radiation did some good. Since I've been on serious pain medication for 2 months, I'm going through withdrawls trying to get off of them. It's like I have the flu. They ran tests on my tumor and it doesn't look like the Gleevec is working, they told me to stop taking it. Too bad, if it would have worked, I could have substituted it for the traditional chemo. Gleevec is the new type of chemo that just targets the bad cells and doesn't have all the bad side effects like hair loss.
They are going to do another PET scan in two weeks to see which tumors are growing and then the doctors will figure out the type of chemo to put me on.
I appreciate all the emails, cards, and positive thoughts. Thank you so much.
Kelly
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Dec 14
It's hard to believe it's been a week since we posted. Time flys when you're not having fun. The last week is a blur. I cannot believe Marla is leaving tomorrow. She's been great. Now I will have to remind David to feed me, I'll probably lose more weight and certainly won't take my pills on time. Lord help me. Char will be hear on the 19th, hopefully I survive until then.
I cannot explain how nauseous I have been. The radiation doctor didn't think his radiation should be causing it, so he did a Cat Scan and found out I have edema (swelling of the brain) from the gamma procedure I had last May. the swelling is in a place that tells my brain that it's time to throw up, so I am constantly nauseous, mostly with dry heaves. It's not like when you are sick with the flu and feel better after you throw up, you feel like throwing up ALL the time. It really sucks. He's putting me on steroids which is supposed to reduce the swelling. He also gave me marijuana pills to help with the nausea. I'll let you know if they make me high :) I know the steroids are going to make me fat :( I'll take fat if they can stop the vomitting.
I am getting better even though I feel worse. I'm walking better and don't hurt all the time. I even reduced my pain medication from 100 mcg/hr to 50 mcg/hr.
Thanks to everyone for all the emails and cards, they really brighten my day.
I cannot explain how nauseous I have been. The radiation doctor didn't think his radiation should be causing it, so he did a Cat Scan and found out I have edema (swelling of the brain) from the gamma procedure I had last May. the swelling is in a place that tells my brain that it's time to throw up, so I am constantly nauseous, mostly with dry heaves. It's not like when you are sick with the flu and feel better after you throw up, you feel like throwing up ALL the time. It really sucks. He's putting me on steroids which is supposed to reduce the swelling. He also gave me marijuana pills to help with the nausea. I'll let you know if they make me high :) I know the steroids are going to make me fat :( I'll take fat if they can stop the vomitting.
I am getting better even though I feel worse. I'm walking better and don't hurt all the time. I even reduced my pain medication from 100 mcg/hr to 50 mcg/hr.
Thanks to everyone for all the emails and cards, they really brighten my day.
Friday, December 8, 2006
Dec 8th
Kelly is half way through her radiation treatments. Her back and hip are feeling better but the radiation is really putting a strain on her body. It is kicking her ass. She's a tough woman and will come through this but right now she's is pretty much miserable. Her sister, Marla, was kind enough to put together a guide for everyone visiting and I want to share it with the rest of you: Kelly’s Rules of Engagement
Thank you for helping Kelly in her fight against Cancer. There may be a battle lost here and there on some days but the war WILL be WON! So, with that said, please be sure you are familiar with the rules of engagement. Thank you again for enlisting!
Ø Give her all medications on time and chart all actions such as weight, bowel movement and vomiting!
Ø Keeping her weight up is important! Weight loss will slow healing & recovery, worsen fatigue & increase negative side effects. Treat food like medication!
Ø Offer food every hour and chart her progress. Don’t worry about how much she eats just focus on her eating often. 2-3 bites every hour is a victory!
Ø Focus on offering high calorie protein based food. Avoid junk food since nutrition is the weapon of choice here.
Ø Offer liquids between meals not with meals. Always give her a straw as it is difficult for her to swallow without one right now. The goal is ½ gallon of fluids daily.
Ø Help Kelly relax. If she feels anxious or sick, open the doors, remind her to sit up, not lie down, help her to take deep breaths in through her nose and blow out through her mouth. These things have a proven track record for her.
Ø Talk to her…..not at her. Don’t tell her what you think she should be doing or how to do it unless it is a part of the approved battle plan that she MUST follow! Push when necessary otherwise stand back and support her.
Ø Encourage Kelly to get up and move everyday! Take a short walk around the backyard with her. Walk through the house. Moving around every few hours for 10 – 15 minutes will promote healing.
Ø If she does get sick, help her in the bathroom by holding her hair back and gently rubbing her back for her. Make sure the bathroom window is open for air. Hand her tissue when she is done. Don’t talk just silently pray over her. That is the BEST gift you can give her!
As you can see, Marla is truly a gift from God. With everyone's prayers, Kelly will get through this. Any encouraging or humorus emails are appreciated. She enjoys reading them.
Thank you for helping Kelly in her fight against Cancer. There may be a battle lost here and there on some days but the war WILL be WON! So, with that said, please be sure you are familiar with the rules of engagement. Thank you again for enlisting!
Ø Give her all medications on time and chart all actions such as weight, bowel movement and vomiting!
Ø Keeping her weight up is important! Weight loss will slow healing & recovery, worsen fatigue & increase negative side effects. Treat food like medication!
Ø Offer food every hour and chart her progress. Don’t worry about how much she eats just focus on her eating often. 2-3 bites every hour is a victory!
Ø Focus on offering high calorie protein based food. Avoid junk food since nutrition is the weapon of choice here.
Ø Offer liquids between meals not with meals. Always give her a straw as it is difficult for her to swallow without one right now. The goal is ½ gallon of fluids daily.
Ø Help Kelly relax. If she feels anxious or sick, open the doors, remind her to sit up, not lie down, help her to take deep breaths in through her nose and blow out through her mouth. These things have a proven track record for her.
Ø Talk to her…..not at her. Don’t tell her what you think she should be doing or how to do it unless it is a part of the approved battle plan that she MUST follow! Push when necessary otherwise stand back and support her.
Ø Encourage Kelly to get up and move everyday! Take a short walk around the backyard with her. Walk through the house. Moving around every few hours for 10 – 15 minutes will promote healing.
Ø If she does get sick, help her in the bathroom by holding her hair back and gently rubbing her back for her. Make sure the bathroom window is open for air. Hand her tissue when she is done. Don’t talk just silently pray over her. That is the BEST gift you can give her!
As you can see, Marla is truly a gift from God. With everyone's prayers, Kelly will get through this. Any encouraging or humorus emails are appreciated. She enjoys reading them.
Thank You.
David
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Dec 2nd
Today was a tough day. It was barf day. After two days of being able to keep my food down, things came north. My night nurse, David, didn't give me nausea pills this morning, so it pretty much ruined my day. Do I have to do everything :)? I had just taken a call from Judy and all of a sudden I had to go throw up, I couldn't even finish the telephone call.
I pretty much slept all day between the bathroom visits and I know it's just going to get worse before it gets better. I am very tired, very tired.
KC is one of the few things that gives me pleasure now. She's my bed buddy. She can sleep 23 hours a day, pretty much like me now.
We got our tree last Thursday and I still cannot get David to hang the lights so Marla and I can decorate it. He spent the day washing his bike instead of working on the tree. At least he has his priorities straight:)
That's all for today. Hopefully tomorrow is a much better day.
Good Night.
I pretty much slept all day between the bathroom visits and I know it's just going to get worse before it gets better. I am very tired, very tired.
KC is one of the few things that gives me pleasure now. She's my bed buddy. She can sleep 23 hours a day, pretty much like me now.
We got our tree last Thursday and I still cannot get David to hang the lights so Marla and I can decorate it. He spent the day washing his bike instead of working on the tree. At least he has his priorities straight:)
That's all for today. Hopefully tomorrow is a much better day.
Good Night.
Friday, December 1, 2006
Dec 1st Update
I'm 8 treatments into my 22 radiation treatments. The last two days have been better, they are the first that I haven't thrown up in a long time. Marla is taking good care of me. It's very hard to swallow, since two of the tumors they are radiating are in my throat. It feels like a pill is stuck in there and will not go down. The sides of my neck are turning red, kind of like a sunburn. There is not a lot to report on, since I spend most of the day in bed or lying around watching TV. Speaking of TV, Dish Network cancelled our ABC channel, something about a lawsuit with the cable companies. Monterey doesn't have a local ABC channel and we were getting it from Los Angeles. Now I can't watch Good Morning America, Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal, All My Children and all the other shows on ABC. When we called Dish, they tell us we have a contract that allows them to change programming, end of story. Pretty good customer service, huh? I'm organizing a boycott of Dish now. Everyone should cancel to show support. Seriously, they win the worst customer service award for this year. We are looking into Direct TV now and will probably switch next week. That is the most exciting thing going on with me right now. Marla and I put up the tree yesterday (I paid someone to deliver it). Theresa and Gina are coming up to decorate. I can't wait, I need some Christmas spirit around here. Oh, KC came home. She's an inside cat again.
Today we found out that David has skin cancer. (When it rains it pours.) A malignent Basal Cell skin cancer. He's going to have the rest of the spot removed next week. Hopefully, they found it early enough and this will be the end of it.
Take care. When something worth reporting happens I'll update everyone.
Good Night.
Today we found out that David has skin cancer. (When it rains it pours.) A malignent Basal Cell skin cancer. He's going to have the rest of the spot removed next week. Hopefully, they found it early enough and this will be the end of it.
Take care. When something worth reporting happens I'll update everyone.
Good Night.
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