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Living in the moment

Lets start off with some medical stuff.  My blood work was good other than my cancer marker 
C-125.  It has gone out of the 0-35 normal range to 41.  Disappointing but probably due to the still inflamed gut.  I'm positive the next month it will be better.  I am armed and prepared and focused to work hard to stay healthy. 

R.G.C.C. (Research Genetic Cancer Centre) has emerged again in a strange way.  For those unfamiliar R.G.C.C it is a lab in Greece claiming to have a vaccine against cancer.  I know personally from the windsurfing world two people that are recipients.  They are being cared for by a person I knew 20 plus years ago who is now a nurse practitioner.  They are doing the vaccine in Texas.  I was informed by my friends that there is a place in Sarasota that will administer the dose.  I'm definitely going to research this more and any of you with input or knowledge of this vaccine I really want to hear it.

So here we are round 4.  Carboplatin, Doxil and Avastin all in one day.  Bring it on.  I'm ready.
It has taken some pre chemo training to prepare for this round but I think I have everything in place ready for this day.  The last treatment played havoc with my belly making me have all sorts of distracting symptoms to deal with.  Antibiotics have helped clear up the infection and symptoms.  This past week I have felt completely normal and healthy.  So you see, I'm ready!  Bring it on!

Part of that pre chemo training is seeking the advice of a nutritionist to help me thru the belly distress.  Besides prescribing probiotics and other gut healthy supplements she has suggested some foods that might feel good in my stomach.  The one that I'm having trouble with and the one I need some experienced cook to give me a good way to eat it is OKRA!  I've never been able to eat okra any other way other than fried and even then I really don't like it much.  Surely someone from my redneck family will have a "to die for recipe" to prepare eatable OKRA.

Other pre chemo training consisted of an hour gym time whether I felt like it our not twice a week.  I have to try and keep my muscles strong thru the fight.  The gym time has given me direction and helped me focus on the moment with the task of being as strong as I can be.




little things make me smile

Friends to the rescue have gone out of their way to send me lovely things including some chemo fighting Calendula cream to help the dry skin caused from the hard work the chemo is doing killing things other than cancer.  Hat's off to my Minnesota friends for the flowers in their garden.  Thank you!!  It's those little gestures that make me smile and feel good.  Living in the moment.  My soon to be 7 baby Grand Boy sent me a hug along with a very important message written in very special print.  This is when those little things become Giant.  Loving the moment!!

Once we got a handle on the diverticulitis things went really well this past two weeks.  Greg had a "Happy" Birthday.  We had a "Happy" date night to celebrate.  It was windy a few days but I did not feel motivated to sail in the chop.  (Maybe just a bit spoiled from Bonaire smooth).  Zach and Stephanie left me the entire Resort while they take a deserved break.  Love having the whole place to myself. hehehe!   

I am reminded often just how fortunate I am in my fight.   This past 2 weeks has brought news of two of my younger friends with small children are having to face more hardship than I have ever known.  They are both wind women and I know they will fight their battle same as me.  I think of my fallen sisters and my sisters falling.  But..........

I'm here focusing on the moment, smiling because of my friend Bjorn.  He came and played the Hand Pan making the best music for the moment.  Thank you Nancy for coming along, back to the nightmare room and cheering me up.  It was just an awesome visit.

Thanks to all for the messages of prayers to day.  I know I was not alone and you are still with me giving me strength.  Thank you!!! And Thank You God for the lessons along the way.      xoxoxox


Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 12, 2017 at 6:00 AM

    I hope you're feeling ok Beth! Okra is a very popular vegetable in Turkey. There are many recepies... with olive oil and such. I still hate it though :) if you want I can get some from my mother for you. Just let me know!

    Hugs & Kisses,

    Bulent

    ReplyDelete

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