New Appendix Cancer blog home

...please check out my new home and look for my appendix cancer blog.  I'm very excited to take it to another level.  It's still very new and I've only got the basics set up but great things are in store for it.  I plan to share appendix cancer articles along with things I have an interest in such as cooking, recipes, sailing, where to get great bargains and coupons that help you make great buys!

A New Year...

Happy New Year...and I'm going into it with a little bit of anxiety.  So, the final decision about my cancer is to "watch and wait"  No scans or other tests until September 2010.  Am I making the right decision?  Who in the hell knows.

What I do know is I'm going to do my best to go on with things...like living!  I will admit that it's really hard some days to not let the uncertainty creep in and mess with my head.  Maybe I might just have to settle with putting aside a few pity party days every now and then.  I don't care who you are or how strong you think you are...crap like this is bound to mess with your head.

My first project of the new year is to try a mostly vegetarian eating plan for 21 days.  I found it on the internet and I eat most of the foods anyway.  I will follow it loosely which means I will eat fish and chicken sometimes but I'm definitely cutting out red meat.  It's very hard on the liver and mine knows it when I have a steak!!! 

I was also very very lucky this year and received a Kindle for Christmas...it arrives today!!!  I'm going to try and read more than romance novels and try books I might otherwise not read.  It's funny but since the cancer diagnosis I feel this great need to know more about this world and other people. 

You know what...looking back on this year I don't feel so bad after all.  I still have a super husband, a cute dog, two crazy cats, wonderful friends and family, great job and for now my health.  Isn't that good enough...you betcha!!! 

So every once in awhile, if I post some god awful account of what I'm going through...remember it's just my pity party and it won't last long!

Peace out.

I did it...

I sent the note to my oncologist to contact the specialist.  Fingers and toes crossed that I'm on the "watch and wait" mode :)  If that's what they decide then I'm sure I will be getting scanned and poked again soon.  Don't get me wrong...if I have to have surgery and whatever I will do it.  I just want to make sure that I'm not getting sucked into an experimental procedure.  From what I've read the more surgery you have the more scar tissue you have and that's what this type of cancer loves.  I'm trying to starve this cancer if you know what I mean.  I'm pretty sure at some point they'll want to do a look see in there to make sure but I'll cross that bridge if and when I get to it.  No pic tonight with this post...I'm wiped out.

Peace out.

PS...my mother in-law sent back a dvd set of Celine Dion in Las Vegas...just looked at it a bit but it's just fabulous.  Wasn't that sweet...the whole family (Canadian) knows how much I love Celine.  Daniel took me to my first Celine concert and I loved it.  She was great live and in color :)

Catching Up...

I really need to declutter my "life box".  Ha Ha Ha  It seems that I start one thing and then another and except for work items I'm not really completing much.  What's up with that&^$%#%  It's very frustrating but I think I know what's going on.

For some reason I'm dragging my heels on getting the specialists information to my oncologist so they can have" the talk" about my diagnosis and the experimental surgery/chemo the specialist wants to do.  I'm just going to do it on Monday...that's right...on Monday.  To hold myself to it I'll even post back here on Monday that I've done it.

On December 7th I see my beloved primary physician who left the practice she was in almost a year ago and I couldn't find here...well I did and not a minute too soon.  She is the most one of the most caring physicians I have met in my 51 years.  I know I'm back in good hands now!  I also go to the dentist that same day for the first time since chemo ended...ugh...you just know how I love going there.

Daniel got back yesterday from a week by himself in Canada visiting family.  One of his cousins sent back candy...and lots of it for me...gotta luv that guy.  I'm going to have to hide that stuff :)  Anyway, he got some space after helping me out those 11 months on chemo.  And "helping me out" sounds so lame...he kept me alive is more like it.  I had a stomach/cold bug when he was gone and the first part caused nausea...one day it was pretty bad.  It brought back the bad times and I hope never to go back there.  So fingers and toes crossed that won't happen...but I'll handle it again if it does.  For now it's gone and the candy is in....

I had a hard time deciding what picture could I use for this entry but here is the winner.  I took this photo myself and it's of my geraniums.  Winter is coming...I can feel it...and I want to hold on to this image just a bit longer.  It's also going to be part of a photoshop lesson soon! 

Peace out.

Pics from phone

Daisy...sporting her new life vest! I don't think she is thrilled with it. Wow...I can post anytime with this phone. What a trip. Peace out.



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I'm back in business...

Wow...have been not posting but haven't forgotten. I have finally gotten the sciatica under control so it's not painful to sit now.

This is my first post from my new iPhone...luv...luv...luv this phone!


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Wheatgrass and me

Many people who have explored the avenues of self-healing have heard about wheatgrass.  Wheatgrass juice is believed to benefit people in numerous ways: cleansing the lymph system, building the blood, restoring balance in the body, removing toxic metals from the cells, nourishing the liver and kidneys and restoring vitality.

Currently I’m buying mine frozen from the health food store.  It comes in individual pockets and I simply thaw two each morning and drink them down.  I just started back up since I had the hives so I’m not sure if this is working for me or not. 

I may want to explore growing the grass myself as it’s much less expensive.  Maybe I’ll just restart my juicing routine.  That involves regular veggies like celery, peppers, spinach etc.  I would get my “veggie bowl” ready the night before and juice each morning.  I’ll do some this weekend and post a pic for you.

Peace out.

…it’s been a few days.

...all is well just a little bit of pain.  I go to see a new primary dr. on Wednesday and I have a lead on a good Gastro dr. who I will call tomorrow to schedule appt.  I just don't understand why drs don't listen sometimes.  My current gastro doesn't get it.  He sees no reason for my pain but can he tell me why I'm now taking pain pills during the day...no he can't.  I've graduated from taking a half a pill only at night as needed to taking them on the way and going home from work.  After 11 months on chemo I know my body and this isn't right.  This is the same doctor who just three short weeks BEFORE I had the tumor and my appendix removed said I worried too much.  Can you believe that $&@!#.

I can now.  Everyone must be involved in managing their own healthcare.  You can't depend on the nurse or even the dr to do this for you.  Always (and I mean always) get a copy of all your tests.  They belong to you not the office or the dr who provided them.  I've had to sit in a waiting room a time or two until they relented and gave them to me.  I'm not shy about demanding my information.  But, I must also mention that you must be polite and nice to the office staff...you don't need to take crap but you do need to be decent to them.  I often say, that person behind the desk at the dr's office or the nurses are the people that you will need the most when dealing with a chronic condition.  Be fair but firm.

Ok...let's say tomorrow we talk about something fun.  I second that emotion :)

Let’s talk wheatgrass!!!  That’s what the picture is of.  I had two shots this morning after laying off of it because I didn’t know if it caused my hives.

Peace out.

Daniel

Daniel single handedly took care of me at home, the house, Daisy and the two cats the entire 12 months that I was on chemo.  Actually on chemo 11 months but the first month wasn’t bad but the month after treatment ended was.

So how do you say thank you…make the rest of your life with that person as special as it was the very first day you fell in love with them…remember that moment? 

I think probably one of the scariest things about my own mortality wasn’t so much that I might die but it was the thought of leaving him here alone.  I know my Dad will be there for me when I go so that’s not so bad but it just damn near broke my heart to think of Daniel here by himself.

We are all going to die someday but darn it we had better make the best of this day we have today, tomorrow and forever…no more mister nice guy :)  I’m going to suck every last little bit of fun and wonderment from each day that I’m still hanging out in this big world.  Just do the best you can and make yourself proud to be who you are.

Peace out!

Cookies for Daisy

…and she is munchin out today!

She is so happy with the new doggie treats I made her!   Can you see her in the background?  I was trying to get a more interesting shot of the final product and didn’t even notice her there outside on the deck looking in.
Not to worry, there was no cruelty involved…she was inside within a few minutes happily munching out on her new snacks!


The recipe was fairly easy.  Wheat flour, cornmeal, oil, eggs, sugar, and I added some garlic.  Roll it out and use cookie cutters to shape and brush with beaten egg.  Cook at 350 for about 20-25 minutes.  Made two trays of cookies.  That will last all of a few days but we are going to try and stretch them for the week.
Peace out.

Saturday....what a day

...I got so much done.  Today was a mish mash of cleaning, cooking and hanging out.  Mucho vacuming and dusting going on today.  Not a pretty site at times.  It's amazing how much I didn't do this past year.  Don't even ask me what the top of the fridge looked like.  We don't want to go there.

Tomorrow is a sailing day...yeehaw!  I'm so looking forward to it.  Maybe that's another reason why I worked my tush off today:))  Daisy is very happy with me.  I made some doggie treats for her.  I used a new recipe and I dare say it was a hit.  I will share the deed with you tomorrow.  Of course I have photos!

The pic today is of my $.52 geraniums that I got at the beginning of the summer.  I didn't know what to plant so I asked the lady at Lowes what she recommended for my deck...this was her recommendation and then she showed me the clearance rack...that's how I got them for .52!!!  These flourish in my deck planters so they will be coming back next year.

Well, I must be going now so I can get my sailor girl groove on...I mean sleep on :)  Peace out.

Thursday and...

... it's a beautiful Maryland day!  What a gorgeous day it was here in the Chesapeake area...simply awesome.  Picture taken from our deck.

I had my roto rooter (colonoscopy) appointment today and I have to say it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined it might be.  So yesterday I could eat breakfast and after that nothing but clear liquids.  I wasn't hungry it was more like I wanted to eat because I couldn't. 

At 5pm I took two pills and then at 7pm I started drinking the 2 liters of crap.  I tell you...towards the last half of that damn jug I just wanted to puke.  That was by far the worse part of this entire process...well you know what happens next.  Then I slept pretty good.  Got up and off we went.  I had an 11:30 am appt.

They hooked me up to the iv, the nice guy came in and made me laugh.  He said he was sending me on a round trip to the down under - Australia...I don't know where I went but the next thing they were waking me up and within 30 minutes I was outta there.  I had no polyps or cancer...I can't believe my luck but am sure grateful for it.  He said we will do this again in  5 to 10 years....he prefers 5.   I do have a bit of diverticula but upping my fiber will help prevent more. 

All in all it was a good day I would say.  Peace out.

Wednesday....where did...

...Monday and Tuesday go?  Not to worry, I was just very tired after work both days.  This and other symptoms could come and go up to a year past end of treatment.  Fun huh :)

So tomorrow is the big day.  I call it my "roto rooter" appt.  Tonight they say is the worst of it where you drink the solution.  Can't wait!

Well, I have to go so I can eat my only meal until after my 10:45 appt tomorrow morning.  Jeez, I might have to go somewhere for lunch...well that's something I can do to fill my time tonight...choose a lunch venue for tomorrow.

Peace out.

Sunday is...

...over much too soon.  We didn't sail today because there was still too much to catch up on here at the house.  But Daniel did make progress replacing the broken compass.  He still has some modifications to make for the new compass to fit but it will look great when done.  More importantly it will work!

The is the new lunch/dinner sandwich going on in our house.  Two sliced of italian bread, brush a little olive oil on the outside of each slice, spread Guldens mustard on the inside and fill with whatever, grill on stovetop paninni pan....yummo.  These had cheese and tomato slices...that's it and they were very good and filling.  They will be a good quick go to dinner in the winter with some soup :)

Peace out.

Saturday...

...and my Costco trip is done.  Everything is put away and we just finished a nice salad and some rosemary bread. with their roast chicken which is oh so yummy.

I was rockin the Roomba today!  For those of you who don't know what this is it's a vacuum that goes and does it's thing on its own...works pretty good.  That left me time to take some picture.  This is a picture of a cactus planter on my deck.

It was really muggy out today.  Actually started the ac just to take the humidity out of the air.  Tomorrow I think we are going out on the boat.  I haven't checked the wind speed so we'll see.

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?
Satchel Paige

 Peace out.

It's Friday...

...and Daisy says "hey" :)  Well here she is.  Daisy is a three year old Jack Russell Terrier.  Love her.  She is high maintenance most of the time and by that I mean she just loves attention.  Daisy thinks the world revolves around her.  She is known to follow me around while I'm house cleaning...I often wonder what she thinks she might miss! 

She and I can start our walks again.  We live off of a dirt road that almost a mile from our back door to the main road.  We used to walk down and get the mail and she loves that. 

Daisy was so good during my treatment.  She would lay in bed with me alot..that's where I spent most of my time for about 9 of the 11 months I was on the chemo.  In fact, that's where I took this one on my camera phone.  She loves to have her own pillow!  I know...alot of people might be going eewww she's in your bed.  For me it works. 

Isn't she cute!!!  I make her homemade biscuits too.  I need to make some this weekend.  That went by the wayside too during treatment and we bought her milk bones instead.  She likes them but I want to give her mine.

Well, it's time to relax and kick back now.  By the way the top picture of Daisy was taken this evening when I got home.  And yes...it's from the new Nikon D40 (Niko for short) that I am so psyched about.  I figured out why my initial photos were blurry.  The answer was on page 8 of the guide under the section "First Steps"  I needed to change focus from M=manual priority to A=autofocus...duh read the manual.  I don't do that well.  I usually dive right in and don't touch the manual until I get stuck.  Drives my engineer husband absolutely nuts!  I know that is my purpose in life so it's all good!

Peace out.

Thursday is for farmers!

Yeehaw...we have a farm...well sort of!  We joined a CSA.  Karl's Farm is a small, family run farm. They use organic and sustainable methods to grow a wide variety of vegetables and herbs. Karl's Farm is supported by their members through the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

Each week, in exchange for their support and commitment, members receive a variety of vegetables and herbs grown on their farm with no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.

The 2009 fall planting list is: Arugula, Beets, Blue Chinese Cabbage (new this year), Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, Daikon, Deer tongue lettuce, Florence Fennel, Green Onions, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mesclun mix, Purple Top Turnips, Radicchio, Red Radishes, Red Round Turnips, Rutabaga, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, White Hakurei Turnips. Plus all of the summer vegetables that continue producing into the fall.

I have tried for the past two years to get into a summer share but they go like hotcakes down here...actually everywhere.  I can I try to buy organic whever I can.  I do shop the sales and I only buy organic for the top 12 offenders which are: (the following list is based on information and studies by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Consumer Reports, and the Environmental Working Group)

Nectarines – 97.3% of nectarines sampled were found to contain pesticides.

Celery – 94.5% of celery sampled were found to contain pesticides.
Pears – 94.4% of pears sampled were found to contain pesticides.
Peaches – 93.7% of peaches sampled were found to contain pesticides.
Apples – 91% of apples sampled were found to contain pesticides.

Cherries – 91% of cherries sampled were found to contain pesticides.

Strawberries – 90% of strawberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
Imported Grapes – 86% of imported grapes (i.e. Chile) sampled were found to contain pesticides.
Spinach – 83.4% of spinach sampled were found to contain pesticides.

Potatoes – 79.3% of potatoes sampled were found to contain pesticides.

Bell Peppers – 68% of bell peppers sampled were found to contain pesticides.

Red Raspberries – 59% of red raspberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.

I haven't forgot about the pictures...I am still working out the settings on this camera.  Most of the pics I've taken are too blurry to show.  But here is a shot outside my front door and taken this morning that isn't too bad.

Daisy will most likely show her fabulosity sometime over the weekend...giving me time to figure out the beast...umm I mean Niko...forgive me...the camera! 

Peace out.

What day is it....Wednesday

...and Niko isn't charged up yet.  This is going to be a quick post.  I got stuck in traffic, late for my hair cut, late putting together a salad for dinner, unpacked Niko (the camera) only to find out I had to charge the battery.  Drats.  But I got it all put together and started the Quick Start guide.

So...Daisy and I are not having a photo shoot tonight.  If we get up early enough and I have  time for coffee I may try a few pics in the morning.  I know I know.....it's not right but you can't get a supermodel to work when she is tired and Daisy isn't budging.  I'm glad she can't talk and tell you it's really me that's tired :)  You thought I was going to say I was the supermodel!!! 

I'm really happy with the feel of the cameral and I got thru the initial setup.  The  LCD screen is great.  I'm glad I went with the D40 rather than the D60 or another higher model.  The D40 is super cool but lighter.  It may now be time to take a beginner photography class at the local community college.  That would be fun! fun! fun!

Peace out! 

Terrific Tuesday...

...even though I'm running on about 3 hours of sleep.  I just couldn't sleep last night and I'm at the point where I'm so tired I'm wired out...tylenol pm is looking good right now but the Dish Network guy still hasn't arrived.  Daniel worked from home so it's not been a total waste and he said he was very productive.

It's a terrific Tuesday because...drum roll please...I am the proud owner of a new Nikon D40 camera.  As soon as it arrives I plan to make an Apple Upside Down cake and post a photo of it.  I'm going to take a side-by-side with old/new camera so you can see the improvement.  I will be light years ahead of where I currently am in the way of a digital camera.  It was a splurge but at this stage in my life I'm not going to count every penny and worry that buying this camera is going to cost a year of lunches or something in my retirement.  I am going to start bringing my lunch again to work...I miss them and I just need to get back into my evening/morning groove to get them started again.

Wow, I've been blogging a full week.  I've looked forward to it.  I'm going to spend some time Saturday (it's supposed to rain) thinking about what I want to accomplish with this.  I feel like I need some sort of a plan.  Well, that is between learning the camera and baking the cake :)

Peace out.

SPECIAL UPDATE:  Since my original post I received my FedEx tracking number...my little Niko is coming home tomorrow!!!  I will most likely have 50 pictures of my dog Daisy by 9pm tomorrow night :)  She's cute...you'll like her.

UPDATE TO THE SPECIAL UPDATE:  Yes, still up but not for long.  DISH network came and conquered.  It's official...we have NHL Center Ice.  I will not see the man I married until the hockey season is over...well that's not entirely true.  I will see him in between games...hmmm what trouble can I get into this winter!  Suggestions?

Monday Musings

Just a quick check in. Got my flu shot today...so far so good. I also saw my oncologist today. He feels I should be in the "watch and wait" mode. Lot's of discussion behind this decision but suffice it to say that I absolutely love that man. He so gets me and listens to me. He is the dr who ordered the test that uncovered the appendiceal tumor. Who knows how long this may have gone on if he didn't "hear" me.

I scheduled the colonoscopy...my sister (the awesome nurse that she is) says no big deal.  I said the same thing to her that I say to everyone who says that...ok well you go do it then.  I know she is right...just have to get the first one down and then I'll be good to go.  It was good to talk to her.  I miss her laugh and her bravado.  She is a really special girl and I most certainly don't tell her often enough that I think that.  I need to do a better job at that because it's important for her to know. 

Ok, so let's end this day on a good note.  I have a really nice burger coming home soon along with my husband...yeah!  I plan on a busy and productive day at work tomorrow and I have a new haircut scheduled for after work on Wednesday.  Still searching for "the camera" and will officially be upgrading to an Iphone on October 22nd...yeehaw!

Peace out.