Wednesday, December 8, 2010

So far, so good

Officially through day 2 of my chemo for the week. On the menu today was ifosfamide and cisplatin. Both  were a breeze. I find that the first week of treatment is always the easiest, because your body is equipped to handle it better in the early stages. You learn alot more after going through chemo once before. The two biggest things I have learned are; you can never have enough water. Water helps to keep you flushed out and gets those kidneys working overtime. Also, fruit, fruit, and more fruit. A good banana or an orange really helps to keep your energy up. I wish I would've done that over the summer. There's no telling how much better I would've felt.

I was saddened today about the death of Elizabeth Edwards. Edwards, who had been battling breast cancer since November of 2004. My prayers and thoughts go out to the Edwards family as they cope and deal with their loss. She made a statement in 2008, shortly after she discovered that her cancer was back. When asked if she was ready to go forward with her husband's bid for the White House, she responded;  "Either you push forward with the things that you were doing yesterday or you start dying," she said. "If I had given up everything that my life was about ... I'd let cancer win before it needed to."
Dr. Lisa Carey, the oncologist treating Edwards, categorized the cancer as metastatic stage four cancer, largely confined to the bones.

Which leads me to my next point, early detection. I was fortunate enough that I found my lump very early. Di (my wife) came across a poster that deals with men and early detection of TC. I know it's something that guys don't take into consideration (I didn't), but it is vital that you check yourself frequently. There is no telling what kind of shape I would have been in if I waited to start self examinations. I was also fortunate that Di's father is a doctor and told me to get to the Dr's office ASAP. I still count my blessings for that.

Does anyone have any home remedies about how to get rid of hiccups? I have had them since noon today, and cannot get rid of them. Any help would be most appreciated. I've tried all the typical remedies; holding your breath, gargling water, etc. but, nothing is working...

If anybody following my blog ever has any questions regarding my blog, or wants to discuss cancer in general, feel free to comment, and I will get back to you as soon as I am able.

Thank you so much for all of your support, LIVESTRONG.

4 comments:

  1. Never,ever give up. I think of what Lance Armstrong went through. The battle is won in the mind. As far as hicups go I have had success with eating a small amount of peanut butter. Love and Prayers.
    Sharon Hedden

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  2. I heard something about a spoonfull of peanut butter for hiccups. No idea if it works or not... Keeping you and your family in my prayers!

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  3. Great quote from Elizabeth Edwards. For hiccups, I've always had good luck with slowly swallowing a spoonful of sugar.

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  4. I seldom get the hiccups, but when I do, I don't have them for very long because I've learned how to control them. Hiccups are actually the spasming of your diaphram, which is why holding your breath and drinking water (which makes you hold your breath) sometimes work. I've learned to stop them by controlling my breathing. Close your eyes and concentrate only on controlling your breath (silly, I know). Take slow, shallow breaths (very important) and concentrate hard on resisting the urge to hiccup. Think about each breath as you inhale and exhale. It usually takes about 45 seconds of doing this before you stop feeling the urge to hiccup. I know it sounds like a complicated process, but if you're like me, your hiccups hurt, making it worth the effort! Good Luck!

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