FEB. 24-2010-CANCER 101 FOR BEGINNERS LIKE ME~

SHALOM!
Well, now that I'm into chemo #4, I have learned a lot of pointers to share with you.

1. Trust in your own feelings about your body-no one knows better than we do about what we are experiencing.

2. Stop beating yourself about why you feel so badly when others say they know others who swam thru' the whole process so easily.

3. Listen to your body-if it says, enough, rest, do it. Never mind that others can stay up til all hours, do what you need to survive.

4. Getting a bladder infection, a nose infection. swollen vessels in injected arm, leg cramps, tingling in toes, bad feeling of breath, nausea-all these are NORMAL, and part of the effects of the chemo going into your good cells as well, making us vulnerable to colds, infections, and any type of side effects. DON'T FEEL GUILTY (remember I am talking to myself and if it helps you, then wonderful). You are what you are-that is, I am what I am, and must cope as best I can, without feeling guilty that I am not stronger or not able to cope better.

Anways, chemo # 4 is almost done, I get the injection today. And that is the end of the 4 chemos. After a short break, I start an 8 wk. once a week injection of another series of chemo, while in bed for each Wed. for 8 weeks in the hospital. Hopefully, G. willing, it will be easier than the side effects of this past series.

next stage, will be discussed at a later date.

I can't believe I managed to withstand this first intensive part-it is all thanks to the wonderful people around me and from afar who have prayed for me, carried me along, fed me, sat near me, called me, wrote to me, sending me jokes to uplift my spirit, and simply caring. It means the world to me-THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I thank the 'above' for letting me get thru' this thus far.
I wish any other ill people better health and ability to cope-my list to pray for unfortunately gets longer than ever.

BYE FOR NOW.