Hi Everybody!

Well, I haven’t written since I was in to see the DR this week, so I need to get you all  caught up on what the future may hold for me.

Seems the medication for the metastisized cancer on my bones, has typically been given  for life. But, it’s typically been given to patients whose “life” was termed in set  number of years or months. Whereas, we aren’t attaching that to me, nor others in the  same situation, so now, they are trying to decide “How long DO we give this to these  patients?” I know the one medication is to be taken from 5-10 yrs. But, the one that  actually has radiation in it, and the one that goes with it, for the bones, has been  showing some really great signs of attacking the cancer itself, so they feel that while  it not only decreases my risks for fractures in those affected bones, it also increases  my chances of not having the cancer make a comeback. And anyone who has had cancer, knows  that there is always the possibility for that to happen.

This just seems to be one of those little silver linings that seem to make that dark  cloud that is always present in the future days and years of a cancer survivor seem just  a little lighter. I thouhgt that was some pretty good news to hear, after hearing I may  be taking this IV med for YEARS!!!! Something similar to the line of “a little bit of  sugar makes the medicine go down!”

Anyway, I was a bit concerned when I had the radiation that the DR didn’t have them  mark/map me out to radiate the spots on my pelvis. He (the Radiation DR) said that the  other meds would take care of those, but I was still a little uneasy. Then last week when  I saw the Medical Oncologist, he said the same thing that the spots were actually small,  and that the IV meds that I’m taking will take care of them, and if not, then later we  will decide if we have to do more radiation, but for now, let’s see if this works. So,  that was good enough for me to have both of them agreeing that it’s ok to take a “wait  and see” approach to some of it.

And I must say that if this is all the more side effects I’m going to have from the  larger doses of radiation as opposed to the several milder ones, I’m glad I got the  larger. I’m a bit tired, but not nearly as bad as chemo was. My skin is a bit dry, but  again, not any worse than it was with chemo. Some of the continued sore mouth could be  from the radiation, since I’m 5 wks out from my last chemo, I’m thinking the radiation  has to be causing it now. But, even if it is, again, it is STILL not as bad as the chemo,  so, basically, if one can get thru chemo, radiation is a piece of cake? Maybe, we will  see, since the say that some side effects and reactions do not happen until weeks out. I  will just continue to pray that the Lord has decided that I did such a good job of  withstanding chemo so well, that I deserve a break

I do have to start taking some pretty high dosages of calcium & Vitamin D, well, I guess  it’s not that high for the calcium (400mg), but 400 I.U. of D is kind of high for most  people. Just more pills for me to take. I feel like a I ought to rattle when I walk!

Wow! I just looked at my calendar to see what’s up this week, and except for a phone call  to my regular DR tomorrow to get some prescriptions straightened out with the insurance  company, and a cancer support meeting on Tuesday late after noon, I don’t have ANYTHING  else on my calendar except working on finishing up my cookbook! Halleleujah! I’m going to  make my deadline for sure! I’ve been focusing on being done by this next weekend, and it  looks like I’m going to be able to make it. That’s a real bonus to my spirits for sure. I  might even have trouble going to sleep in a while I’m so excited!

But, I need to go pretty soon, as it is after 11 and I’ve been finding that if I go to  bed before midnight, I can get up earlier (instead of sleeping 15 hours). Either that, or  I’m finally getting used to this new medicine and it’s working more correctly. It’s one  of those that definitely causes you to sleep, but not so much after your body gets used  to it. It replaces my sleeping pill completely, and is supposed to help me decrease my  anxiety and depression medications, which will be nice too. I’m all in favor of cutting  back the number of pills I take Besides if it helps to stablize my moods as it is  implicated to do, that’s a plus. I’ve been having more anxiety attacks since the  diagnosis of cancer, which is I’m sure not out of the ordinary, but that doesn’t mean I  have to like it, nor live with it

I’m working hard at getting my pains meds on a real steady schedule too. I’ve got a timer  program on my computer, and since I’m near either my desktop or laptop most of the time,  I’ve got it set, and then instead of turning it off, I just tell it to remind me again in  two hours. So, far today and yesterday I’ve done real good, and my back, pelvis,  shoulder, and knees, have been doing pretty good. We will see how well I can stick to it  all week! hahaha Don’t ask me what I’m going to do on days that I’m not just sitting  around all day, because I don’t have an answer yet!

Well, I guess that pretty much brings you up to date again, and gives you the latest  news. So, until next time, please keep me in your prayers, and don’t forget to write me  once in a while just for conversations

God’s Blessings upon all of you and your families. May He guide and directs us all to do  and say things which will benefit His kingdom and show His light shining thru us.

Hugs to all,
Sherry