Monday, November 20, 2000
I had a great time Saturday singing with the band and learning new music. We had a pizza party. I carefully avoided the salty snacks that were set out and saved myself to have the pizza. We had such a good time even though just 4 of us came. We enjoyed just getting to know each other in a laid-back atmosphere.Yesterday, I sang in the band and we had a great time praising the Lord. After church, Rick and I went out to lunch at Olive Garden. I can't believe how salty things like the pizza and the salad dressing at OG taste to me now. I didn't really think that salt had much of an effect on me - it doesn't seem to do anything to my blood pressure. But over the weekend, I gained 4 pounds, which I believe is purely water. If it drops off by tomorrow, that will confirm that the doctor is right about cutting sodium to decrease the fluid load on my heart. And I will be totally bummed because I love, love, love salt.
The concrete company has a crew out here working on the deck today. It should be done by tomorrow; then it will have to cure for at least 48 hours before anyone steps on it. We are getting closer to having a pool! I went for a walk today, but my knees complained and my back complained and my whole body is telling me it wants to swim! So I can't wait for this pool to be done!
posted by Karen Weber Monday, November 20, 2000
Tuesday, November 21, 2000
This is such an odd time. I know that my body is still actively trying to recover, but my mind says, "Treatment is over - get going!" I am having to really sit on my perfectionistic tendencies, and to continue to give myself extra time for rest and nurture.I did drop all the weight I gained over my high sodium weekend literally overnight, so it's apparent that I do need to restrict salt. Sigh.
Tonight I went and sang with the other breast cancer survivors to cut the choral sections for the survival song on the CD. We practiced about 3 times, then did it in one take. The guy said we were really amazing for amateurs. I met a gal there who is seeing my old oncologist. She had many of the same complaints about him that I did - he never explains anything to her, never listens to her, hasn't supported her on side effects. And he refused to show her the results of her MUGA scan. I think she's doing fine, though. She did the 5 mile Making Strides walk on Saturday, just 2 weeks after her 4th AC treatment. I don't think I could do 5 miles now, 3 months after my last one. She is very scared of the taxol, and I probably didn't help her by sharing my bad experience with that oncologist. I told her to make sure that they use the filter and special tubing, as recommended by the FDA. They didn't do that for one of the gals I had chemo with, and she had bad reactions to the drug. I hope I balanced out the bad news by sharing with her that many women find the taxol easier than the AC.
posted by Karen Weber Tuesday, November 21, 2000
Wednesday, November 22, 2000
I've posted the week 10 hair pictures, so click the Hairy Karen button to see how it's growing. The hair under my right arm was long enough that I decided today that something had to be done. Well, I wish I hadn't. My skin was apparently very tender under there, and I must have scraped it while shaving. I have very little hair under the left arm. Apparently the radiation has killed it, at least for the time being.The concrete guys have finished the pool deck, and I'm starting to be hopeful again that we will eventually have a pool instead of a big hole full of trash. I cannot believe how every construction crew just dumps their trash into the pool. The water from all the rains we had earlier is turning a really putrid color of green. The next crew out will be putting the tile at the waterline, so they'll be standing in this icky water and trash. The crew that will come out to clean up comes the next day. It does look like next week everything will be done except the pebble lining. So we could have an actual pool very soon. I am so excited!
posted by Karen Weber Wednesday, November 22, 2000
Thursday, November 23, 2000
I hope you have all had a great Thanksgiving. We had a big lunch (out so there are no leftovers to cheat with) and are resting. Mom and I just got back from Walgreen's where I tried to teach her how to turn a routine shopping trip into an exercise session. She was resistant to dancing and singing down the aisles for some reason.Women.com's Breast Cancer Quilt - this is the panel that one of my wonderful FIN angels dedicated to me. Thank you JoAnne!
Things I am Grateful for on Thanksgiving 2000
Life
Joy
Hope
All my remaining brain cells
My family
My husband
My church
The many promises in God's word
Music
The wonderful women in my support group at Friends in Need
The wonderful women in my Bible study group
The talented and compassionate people on our worship team
My cat, Hobbles, for making sure I take my naps
My cat, Caesar, for keeping my head warm at night
My cat, Alyssa, for making the body pillow a special part of sleeping
My cat, Otello, for his beautiful serenades
My cat, Spook, for keeping me amused
My cat, Thunder, for being a great security alarm
Being done with treatment!
Having skin everywhere I'm supposed to have skin - yea!
Feeling better every day
The many people who have prayed for me or encouraged me....
And many, many more.Raloxifene and Postmenopausal Risk of Breast Cancer
posted by Karen Weber Thursday, November 23, 2000