My LMS adventure

I don't talk about this much -- just to the right person at the right time. Lately, I've been thinking about my life... and an important part of it. I've been sober since September 28, 1983. Here's a list of what I've accomplished stone cold sober.... I've had a child out of wedlock (with an uninvolved partner) I've raised that child, Got a Bachelor's Degree Worked in a health care setting at the Director level Opened a new hospital with an amazing team of professionals, Liquidated my assets and moved to a retirement park. Have been diagnosed and treated for uLMS, so far: 3 types of chemo, radiation, and disability retirement. So many of these could make someone drink alcohol. I've made it through this. If you want to stay sober in crazy circumstances, you can do it!!

This week for the first time since recovery from chemo and the surgery, I felt sick. I made some progress this week, also, so a status report seems appropriate. Where I am: Currently 17 months since original diagnosis, I've not worked for one year. My energy levels are low. I can make a list and knock items off the list, but also leave many things undone. I manage my frustrations by ignoring what is not getting done. -- which works well for my roommate also... I'm not nagging him to install the new thermostat, or re-box and store his belongings in the living room. Dishes accumulate in the sink, until they hit critical mass, then I unload the dishwasher (yep, that's the wrong way to do it...if I want the kitchen to be tidy.) Generally I stay caught up with laundry, but got behind this week and needed to re-wash some clothes. I started to figure out how to make the TVs work (two older TVs... one with a DVD player, one with a VHS player...is my dream.... at this po...

okay, just a miserable me. Neulastin shot today, I'm anticipating a miserable, painful weekend. Read about several cool events at the local Renaissance Fair this weekend. I'm trying to switch phone providers to save some money. That's not working. I just want a damn cheap phone. My hands are still peeling and painful. My tummy is upset. I didn't sleep well last night. I got up at 1:15 and didn't get back to sleep. My Fitbit isn't working. Technology and my body are failing me. I asked my roommate to wash the crock pot liner, since I can't with the stupid flaking hands, and he told me it would fit in the dishwasher. Later I tried it. And remembered why I knew it had to be hand washed.... because it may have fit in his LAST dishwasher, but not in this one. Growl. Postiive? no I'm not positive... I'm just feeling rotten. This too shall pass. Another day down. Second Cycle of chemo over (or half way depending on how I count t...

A power port at that.  I'll read up on the advantages of this, and report back.  I'm a small woman, only 5 foot tall.  my veins are small also.  So the nurses and phlebotomists were talking about PICC lines and Ports since I started chemo. I'm on two chemo drugs, gemcitabine and Taxotere (I'll check spellings later).  The Taxotere is the stronger of the two.  It burns going in.  I've still got a reaction showing at the site from 19 days ago.  Monday will be my second dose of Taxotere.  I'm glad the port is in place.  Taxotere may also be the reason for my hands and feet being painful and psoriasis looking.  The skill becomes dark and gray, then sloughs off.  Ugly.  Painful.  Underneath though is some nice skin.  I've been rubbing petroleum jelly into my hands, as per the dermatologist's suggestion.  That helps with the sloughing and look of the hand, but not the pain. My feet feel like there are giant b...