Monday, 10/11, my doctor's appointment...

This past weekend seemed long.  As well as visiting with family, I spent a great amount of time sleeping.  Since I was anxious for this doctor's appointment, taking naps seemed good for me to pass the time.  It was difficult to fall asleep with my brain not wanting to shut down, but somehow I managed it.   Getting up this morning to dress for the trip, my thoughts again turned to prayer.   I have been asking not only for healing, but peace of mind, positive attitude, and thankful for whatever blessings I can find in the silver lining of my cloud.  

The doctor was in a very personable mood this morning, which relaxed me right off the bat.  It was nice to have my son James, his wife BeeAnna and my sister Gloria in the room with me today.  Also, the phone calls, text messages and emails wishing me well were comforting to receive.

Note the picture on the left.  In the space within the renal artery, vein, right kidney area is a mass.

The biopsy report stated that I have Lymphoma in the mass that is entwined with a lymph node and the arteries in the renal area.  The doctor is going to ask John Hopkins for a third opinion regarding this mass.  Surgery to remove the mass from this location is too risky.  At this point I do not know what stage my cancer is in, just that it is inoperable.  Correction:  Surgery could be performed, but....  So, once the third opinion is in, I will begin appointments with an Oncologist where radiation and chemotherapy will be addressed.  After thinking about my appointment last night, Gloria and I realized that  the doctor did not say whether the Lymphoma was Hodgkin's or Non Hodgkin's.  If I have to have cancer... I left today with good feelings about the type of cancer I "may" have (Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma), and that good results are possible with radiation and/or chemotherapy alone.  I will find out Friday, 10/15 what John Hopkins has to say. 

To my surprise, the mass within my kidney is being addressed again.  It seems that this could possibly be another form of cancer.  A biopsy is being ordered for the kidney itself.  The target date for that procedure is 10/19.  My doctor explained that there were approximately three options for this biopsy.  Those options range from minimally invasive to surgery.   Plan A is to go up through the uretha, bladder, ureters, and into the kidney to obtain a sample for biopsy. 

I want to clarify my being anxious is not the same as fear.  More, it is a feeling of impatience... just get this done!  My personality looks ahead and plans life, while trying to have some flexibility.  It has never been my strong point to plan for today (only) and not have something to look forward to.  This is another learning experience for me.  I guess I look at anticipation like waiting for a surprise birthday party, and think you have been forgotten.  Or, if you know about the party, wondering if anyone will show up.  My thoughts are "let's just get this show on the road."

What was my blessing you may ask... it was there in the silver lining of my cloud.  I felt at peace, not afraid, I had support with me, and the type of cancer (hopfully Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma) is the least serious of all the types that I could have.  No, it's not good to have any type of cancer.  But, having Lymphoma is the better option.  I am continuing to pray for the mass in my kidney to be of the same type, all being treatable with some good success. 

Now I am reading on T cells, B cells, slow growing vs aggressive cancer and how it all responds to treatments.

Biopsy news on Monday 10/11

 This was such an enjoyable day, not too long before I found out my social life was to change to waiting rooms, doctor offices, tests, etc. 

This has been like a whirlwind in one aspect, and slow motion too.  The appointments come slower than we anticipated.  Sometimes it would be nice to scream "I need to know... something!"  A day seems forever, let alone have the time stretch into weeks.  As you can see, the new me (with patience) is still a work in progress.

Maybe once I get some information, sleep will come easier.  As for discomfort, just what I am used to in that area.  Before the CT scan, thought I was feeling normal aches.  When the pain increased, blamed it on my working in the yard too much.  Since I have stopped most of the labor type work, the pain is at a normal level.  I am not sitting at the sewing machine now, that helps too.  A good thing, as I am still confused on what I can take (if anything) besides Tylenol for relief. 

Monday, 10/11 is a big day for me.  Finally, I am going to get some news about this cancer.  I have read so much on cancer, yet it doesn't feel as if the surface has been scratched.  We have company coming this weekend, so think a research break is in order.  Needing to be emotionally prepared for Monday's appointment, I will spend the weekend enjoying my neice and her family, reading, and most important... praying. 

The past couple of days has been filled with picking and processing crab apples from my sisters tree.  Diligently a rounded colander of apples was washed, and because they are small thought I could put them in the blender whole.  While blending, the smell of electrical wire burning filled the air.  Ugh... what now!  As I started to alert Gloria... realized it was the blender that was smoking.  I was wrong (Did I admit that?  There is hope for me.)... small or not, the apples had to be cut into pieces.  After a trip to the neighboring town's Walmart, we have a new blender.

   (In all fairness I had help burning up the blender.   Prior to my using it, Gloria had mixed paper mache in it!  In our family, when one doesn't have the proper equipment, we improvise!)

The finished product has been frozen in portions that will blend into my broccoli drink.  Don't know about you, but making a mess is what I do best.  After one large colander full, the mess it created and time to clean it up... that project is on hold until the weekend is over too.  In the end, the project will be well worth the effort.

Have a good weekend! 
I will be back online after my doctor appointment on Monday, 10/11 at 9:45 a.m.

Toons...

Are you overwhelmed with the information I have found?

Whenever my sister Gloria, or I, find more information relating to my health issues, we read all we can. It is impossible to put all of the information located on this blog. However, I do note at least one supporting site so that if your interest is peaking, you can research too.
  
This journey into research has really opened my eyes. There is not "one" item, medication, or treatment that can cure my cancer, diabetes, blood pressure issue, SVT, Asthma, etc. The combination of doctor, treatment, medication, what I do or do not consume, physical exercise, and more is what I am finding necessary to my survival.


Remember the story about what came first, the chicken or the egg? Well, in my case what came first... the cancer triggering other issues, or my other issues triggering the cancer? So, I have to look at the whole person and try to find what I can do for my entire self.


After locating some additional information, I plan to put a simple chart together on how to incorporate most/all of the items within ones daily diet and routine. It doesn't have to be difficult! Trust me, I have become otherwise occupied and time is a protected commodity. I have learned by blending my broccoli drink,  several items can be used. Still playing with my drink, I will probably add more to the recipe at a later date. At one time, I thought I was too busy to read about this type of information. At the present time I do not have a choice, it is necessary to change my lifestyle. This alteration in daily living should have started years ago. It didn't. Now, I am fighting to save whatever I have of the rest of my life.


If the initial doctor is correct, and I have to have one kidney removed, the remaining one will have to be treated with kindness. One of the only ways I can think of to do that is to change what I consume! Anyone who is reading this can absorb some/all of this information, make some lifestyle changes/commitments and live a healthier life. Also, what a gift you can give to someone you love, information.

 Pain...On another issue, I have been asked about pain. After researching this topic too, I have found that I am common with little pain to report .  Is that good? Not really,  if I had more discomfort, the health issue would have been addressed sooner. Little pain in the early stages is just one more reason why kidney cancer is normally not detected until it is in Stage 3 or four. Of course, other reasons for late detection are in my stand-alone page, Do Not Ignore.
 

If I do too much physical activity (yard work, move furniture, clean out a garage) then I have been cramping in the kidney area. It will ache, and I have even had my BP and glucose numbers fall thru the bottom during this time. The falling numbers have a disastrous effect on me. So, I have learned to read the signs and back off.

Okay, I will clarify for my son and daughter because they are probably shaking their heads right now. I try to remember that I need to back off what I am doing when I feel discomfort. I just forget that it is okay to pamper myself now. Before cancer, I had always pushed myself to complete whatever project was started. I admit it... I have always been a person with a long "to do" list and not enough hours in the day. Now, I have to do more than "try" to back off when I hurt. It is sooooooo hard for me to be laid back! I can see Tina and James still shaking their heads... honest, I am going to try and do better. 

There will be two places to look for research information. Articles posted will be in the archives, and other information in the stand-alone pages. When I complete a chart of nutrients, foods, amounts, etc., it will be on a new stand-alone page.

Okay, now I am done for the day. 

Sleep...

This post on sleep is now on    marieskidneycancerpart2.blogspot.com
Click on address upper right of blog.

Have you been checking my stand alone pages?

Broccoli and fruit juice  ~
Broccoli and vegetable juice . . .

Like garlic, broccoli is one of todays miracle foods. A member of the brassica family, broccoli is high in antioxidant vitamins beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and rich in folate. It also contains iron and potassium. Most important, broccoli is one of the best sources of glucosinolates which are proven to reduce cancer, especially lung and colon cancer.

 There are so many articles on this subject. It is amazing what changes in our lifestyle can produce. It is easy for me to make this change.  Since being diagnosed with cancer, I have been working at reducing my diet cola (aspartame) consumption.  If the broccoli juice is cold, it makes a good substitute for a drink.  Don't juice it, blend it and get benefits from the entire vegetable.  Just to whet your appetite, there are a couple of articles listed below.

 From the article ~ Now even scientists say broccoli can cure cancer, not just prevent it.
"The FDA has long frowned upon anyone claiming that vegetables or superfoods cure cancer. It’s been okay to say they "prevent" cancer, but a cure is apparently reserved only for the realm of drugs, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation (none of which actually cure anything, in reality). That’s why this article is so interesting: it claims that compounds from broccoli could be used in a cure for cancer. And it’s not just broccoli, it’s other foods, too: cabbage, mustard greens, turnips and more…"
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor Natural News http://www.naturalnews.com/000684.html

 From the article ~ Diet and Cancer Prevention: New Evidence for the Protective Effects of Fruits and Veggies."Today, researchers present new data that demonstrate how diets full of raw vegetables — particularly broccoli sprouts — and black raspberries could prevent or slow the growth of some common forms of cancer…" www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=54650

Biopsy over... now waiting for results

Picture courtesy of Jr.  As Tina said... he is so not going to be allowed in next time with a camera... ha ha.  Like the socks, a gift from Victoria.

Thursday, 09/30 there was a wait even in the hospital. The doctor was running late due to the procedure that was completed prior to mine. Actually I didn’t mind the wait, as I knew if the doctor was willing to take extra care and time with that person, he would with me too.

I want to thank everyone who came to the hospital with me. It was so nice to have family and friends there. Allen felt it strange to be a visitor in the waiting room this time, instead of his usual patient status. Also, I want to thank all of those, near and far, who prayed for this biopsy to come to a positive conclusion. It did, and I know it was because of all of the prayers covering the procedure, the doctor and myself. While waiting for the doctor to come, I spent the time praying and asking for the Lord to be in the room with the doctor and myself during this procedure.

Finally, the doctor came into the room as asked if I was ready for this biopsy to begin... did I have a choice?  I told him "yes" and was glad to begin. Was I afraid? No, I was at peace with everything and that was nice! During the procedure I was told to breathe deep, hold, exhale deep, hold, several times. Instead of being concerned with what was going on, and the possibilities of what could happen, my mind worried over whether or not I was breathing correctly! I asked myself if I was supposed to be taking those breaths in through my nose or mouth. Oh my... what if I am doing it wrong, should I ask for clarification, should I alternate nose and mouth responses? I still can’t believe that I spent my time worrying over that!

Everything went smooth. I wasn’t uncomfortable during the biopsy, and left the hospital within a short while.  The doctor spoke briefly to me afterwards, and he had a lilt to his voice he did not have before. 

I took advantage of the rest of the weekend with my family. We all went to my grandson’s football game (Colt’s won), a high school game where Brandon’s cousin played (they won). It was nice to eat out with both of my children at the same time, lots of visiting with family, a movie and pedicure with Tina. All of this splurging was time being taken advantage of, as next time the visiting will be with my being confined to bed. Also, similar to an old story... it was funded by James and BeeAnna buying a meal out, and Tina using the birthday money I gave her to buy my movie, pedicure, etc. I want to thank my friend and ex-husband, Jr., for bringing Tina home for this time.

Now, I am back in Royal City and extremely tired. The exhaustion is not only from anticipation, but the procedure itself. Then, all of the running around trying to live each day to its fullest while my blood sugar was "high." After the biopsy I was told not to take my diabetic medication, Metformin, until after 3:45 p.m. Saturday. Going from Thursday until Saturday night was a long time.

Monday 10/4
I called the doctor’s office today, no results yet. I will probably have to wait until my appointment with Dr. Chavla on the 11^th.