Round 5

Prior to each round of chemo, I meet with my doctor for blood work to make sure my blood counts are up to par for chemo. I had asked him last week to check my hormone levels in the hopes of finding out why I was having such wicked hot flashes.  My theory was confirmed-Hello Menopause!!  He then proceeded to tell me, with a dead pan look on his face, that I was a man! Lindsey and my niece were with me and we proceeded to crack up! I told him I didn't think that Craig would be happy with the news! LOL

Off to chemo we went after being kept waiting for awhile in the "waiting room".  I donned my Santa hat (you all know I love to dress up) to get in the spirit and settled in for the next three hours. Danielle and Theresa were my nurses again. They are okay but I still miss Katie. :( Thank goodness Ellen Degeneres is always on while I'm there-she never fails to put a smile on my face and make me smile! The morning was uneventful, although Lindsey did not like one of the nurses attitude or demeanor-specifically the expression on her face.  In her opinion, and of course I agree, chemo nurses should be extra nice and friendly.

Today, after being kept waiting again, I got lucky and had Karen as my nurse. I have never had her before but she was great. She asked me to get on the scale which was never asked of me before. I told her that it was the first time any of the nurses weighed me before chemo and she seemed surprised. "How else would we know what dosage to give you?" Makes sense, don't you think? Once again, I donned my Santa hat and got ready for the "Red Devil" drug. Karen said she preferred my other name for the drug-"Hawaiian Punch". She said the drug was my friend and the cancer was the enemy. Very true! Maybe I should call it "Red Angel"!

At home now resting, relieved that there is only one more round to go, surrounded by my beautiful holiday decorations, I am looking forward to having a wonderful Christmas with my family. It will be truly joyous!

God Bless My Friends

I know that I have thanked my friends many times over via facebook, phone calls and emails but I honestly feel that I have to give a shout out to one and all on my blog. In Fran's World, I know that a lot of my positivity and hope come from all of you. Knowing that I have all of you in my corner along with my amazing family-praying for me and cheering me and most importantly making me laugh and smile has made a tremendous difference in my life. I am truly blessed beyond belief! My life has forever been changed by each and every one of you and I hope that in some small way I have changed your lives too!

MWAH!!!!!  I love you all!  XOXOXOXO

Side Effects

I have to say I have been pretty lucky so far. My side effects have really been minimal and basically normal. Other than getting so sick after Round 2, I haven't felt too bad at all. Strange new things started happening, though, after Round 4.

Water retention and swelling in my hands in feet for 2 days was no fun. The hot flashes showed up too! Honestly, they are brutal. The sweat just pours out of me. It's as if it comes all the way from my toes and comes out of the top of my bald head like Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. It's kind of awkward when you feel like taking every piece of clothing off while in a public place, such as the mall! Mouth sores decided to show up last week, too. Not too bad unless you want to eat or drink. Thank goodness they are gone!

When I asked the doctor about each symptom-prednisone is always to blame. It's amazing how you can be on a drug for 5 days but the symptoms last so much longer! As for the hot flashes, I had my hormones checked and found out that I am going through menopause most likely brought on by chemo. Yippee and Oh Joy!

I have been told by many cancer survivors and have read in books that the side effects are cumulative. With two more treatments to go, I am remaining positive and optimistic that it will be tolerable. "Faith over Fear" will continue to be my mantra! I am also adding "NeverBack Down" in honor of my college friend Bart and his son Alex.Alex is a high schooler and in a coma fighting for his life after a tragic car accident. I know for sure that all of your prayers have worked for me so I'm asking everyone who follows my blog to say a prayer for Alex.

On Loss

Losing a friend is never easy and unfortunately,  I have lost too many. Last week, I lost my newest friend, Alison Arneson Cowan.

I was actually introduced to Ali by a mutual friend, Marianne, via Facebook. Marianne thought we should meet as we were both in the fight! Ali's started last January and although they thought she was going to die back then, she fought and fought and was a pillar of strength and hope.

We chatted on Facebook and she would send me words of inspiration as well as a multitude of tips on what to eat and drink. Always upbeat, always optimistic, always smiling!!!

Two weeks ago, Craig took me for my weekly blood work and on line in front of me at registration was Ali. I knew her immediately from behind-tall, statuesque with little sprouts of red hair. I said, "Alison" and she turned around with a big huge smile and said, "Fran. I knew we would finally meet one day!" We hugged, a great big hug, and introduced our husbands to each other. It was as if we had always known each other.  We only had a few minutes together and then I was called back. We said goodbye and that was it.

A week later, Ali found out her cancer had spread to her liver. She posted on Facebook that she had to go into the hospital and that she was putting her faith in the Christ. She was hopeful but closed with, "I hate hospitals!" Ali never came home.

Ali's service was Thursday and it was beautiful! The church was full with the many, many people whose lives were touched by her. As Marianne's husband, Graham, played his beautiful song for Ali on his guitar, I took great comfort in knowing that Ali was finally home.

Ali has touched me deeply and forever and I will continue to fight with the class, dignity and valor that she so courageously did.  I know that she will continue to show me the way.

God Bless You, Ali.

On Patient Service

It's been while since I posted. Tis the Season, right? Although I have been busy getting ready for the holiday, I have a lot on my mind. Top of the list- Patient Service.

Being a part of the hospitality business for the last 30 years has kept our family in tune with what good and bad service is. Since I have become sick, I have experienced the good and bad sides of patient service. Call me crazy but when you are dealing with people who are fighting for their lives I firmly believe you should be bending over backwards to give good service and make them as comfortable as possible.

I left my first oncologist because of her staff-some were rude and belligerent-and they couldn't keep track of my blood work. Not a good sign, in my opinion.

I have been told by many friends who have fought cancer and those who are in the fight with me, that if you have a question, call the doctor. That's what they're there for. Honestly, I haven't had much luck with that.  When I was sick as a dog after Round 2, we called the nurse. She did answer but still insisted that we come down to West Palm Beach for my shot.  We went down but no one seemed to be concerned enough to come check on me or call me later to see how I was doing. (Come to find out after Round 3, I could have driven to Palm Beach Gardens to get my shot. More on that later. . .)

I have called several times since then, including Thursday and today, Saturday. The nurse on Thursday said she would call me on Friday with an answer from the doctor. Guess what? Still waiting on that one. Today, the on-call doctor called me back but wasn't much help.

My doctor gave me his cell phone number, but when I called him and left a message a few weeks ago, he never called back. At my next office visit, he said he didn't get my message until 2 days later because he doesn't always have his phone on. Maybe I should call the service if it's an emergency.

Getting back to the shot-I chose after Round 4 to get my shot in the Gardens office. Instead of driving 30 minutes each way to get a shot which takes 2 minutes, It took 10 minutes each way. The office did not have the feel of the West Palm ward. No one to greet you in reception. I signed in and told the gentleman
behind the desk who I was and what I was there for. No reaction. The receptionist finally came in but never acknowledged me. They started to converse amongst themselves while the man put moisturizer up and down his arms and elbows, tucked his shirt in his pants and god knows what else.  Disgusting! If I hadn't offered to pay my co pay on the way out they would have never known the difference. No warm fuzzies at this place!

I just don't get it!!!! Where's the love and compassion?

Suffice it to say, I am not having a good day. I appreciate you letting me get this nonsense off my chest. Craig said I'm entitled to have a bad day and I guess this is the one.

Round 4

Round 4 was a go! Blood counts were good, so off we went to the chemo ward. Apparently, they were pretty busy so we waited for awhile to be called back. A charming older gentleman named Pepe  showed up and started playing the piano! Before you know it, Craig struck up a conversation with Pepe about music and Big Bands and they had a lot in common. What made Pepe so special besides his lovely music and sweet personality? He is a cancer patient who decided to entertain the rest of us even though he was tired. What an Angel!
Danielle was my nurse today but she was so busy she enlisted a very nice helper. All went smoothly and home we went.

Day 2- Different nurse today-Sheryl. Very soft spoken but very efficient and informative. I was alarmed when she showed up with the big syringe and it was blueish-purple not Hawaiian Punch Red. Apparently, my doctor did not inform me that there was a nationwide shortage on my main chemo drug! This was the replacement. Sheryl also administered it at an earlier time than usual but explained, when I asked (I ask a lot of questions) that she feels its better to get it before the rest of the fluids so that is truly gets flushed through the system. Sounded like a good theory to me. . .

The highlight of day 2 was that my favorite volunteer, Fran, was there. She only works on Wednesdays and since I usually go on Monday and Tuesday, I never get to see her. She has such a lovely spirit and is great company. It is definitely people like Fran that make going through chemo easier for the patients. What a blessing!