tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81773186099984953922024-03-14T11:18:44.135-07:00I choose LIFE!Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-65945924600943197752016-02-16T18:27:00.000-08:002016-02-16T18:27:19.983-08:00Mosaic Design<div class="MsoNormal">
In January, I was at Cancer Treatment Center of America for
five days for my most recent tests.
Prior to that, my last scans were in June 2015 and I had genetic testing
a few months later, in September. This
trip in January was an eventful one to say the least. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A longtime friend flew from Washington into
Atlanta and met us at the treatment center the same day we arrived. She enjoyed her first meal there of filet
mignon, brussel sprouts with cranberries and brown rice. *Best hospital food EVER* </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialmRoJqncoTcnHvu4QUXPYBp4W8x049F3Ss2OLuK1N2YUzeFh8eQbanommLOeM0jCRO0xKcl1iMHvU8F25Lwf30hZ58UyyLzqJ_UapC-qcCPl65qsMTFpQph0OjQ679-4oIH7aMWmJTg/s1600/IMAG2271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialmRoJqncoTcnHvu4QUXPYBp4W8x049F3Ss2OLuK1N2YUzeFh8eQbanommLOeM0jCRO0xKcl1iMHvU8F25Lwf30hZ58UyyLzqJ_UapC-qcCPl65qsMTFpQph0OjQ679-4oIH7aMWmJTg/s320/IMAG2271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbggFaEicoG4CQTp4tPz95W7FkOTxWwZ4AnlDlTFHzeMq2gryux8OGPLwu-gSr1iWkCa_39bdUaAgU6Whs086q_Q1C-sIFDDaIe38y2qqfSqj8k5RJE_jx9-3UQuZGWhOqYQprMhBV_sY/s1600/IMAG2301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbggFaEicoG4CQTp4tPz95W7FkOTxWwZ4AnlDlTFHzeMq2gryux8OGPLwu-gSr1iWkCa_39bdUaAgU6Whs086q_Q1C-sIFDDaIe38y2qqfSqj8k5RJE_jx9-3UQuZGWhOqYQprMhBV_sY/s320/IMAG2301.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyRZhKJzQ3V6a_M3b345DnS_teFF6IxdUz5HnGUbh5a3Ob9Xbl6-yR8YUWB3tlz7_RAZa-dax8afL7u-XGYNeO4sTxb6E048HMNz1f2utUSYJU4mndbztBkBvh-GpDNMXFSZBRc9U16E/s1600/IMAG2302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyRZhKJzQ3V6a_M3b345DnS_teFF6IxdUz5HnGUbh5a3Ob9Xbl6-yR8YUWB3tlz7_RAZa-dax8afL7u-XGYNeO4sTxb6E048HMNz1f2utUSYJU4mndbztBkBvh-GpDNMXFSZBRc9U16E/s320/IMAG2302.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day was my bone scan, which was clean,
clean, clean. Florence, that was for
you! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa7DcIwRJkDt4Jaq9-M4gFCdSxKlPc4_oguOc2jygE9kKRfWaOFTkD-fHyhCa2rfFBsT4MFwNfoYr0v5WuZFARK5NncP6-i8GWVXm4Gy2_fzD9pYdQ4jJDAIl_ZWKsTDkssS5gfh6on4/s1600/IMAG2306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa7DcIwRJkDt4Jaq9-M4gFCdSxKlPc4_oguOc2jygE9kKRfWaOFTkD-fHyhCa2rfFBsT4MFwNfoYr0v5WuZFARK5NncP6-i8GWVXm4Gy2_fzD9pYdQ4jJDAIl_ZWKsTDkssS5gfh6on4/s320/IMAG2306.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over my schedule figuring out where I needed to be next.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had lots of time during our visit
because my appointments, some being nuclear med scans, had to be spread over
several days. So, I painted and colored in the Cancer Fighters lounge, attended
a worship service in the chapel, played pool in the billiards room, met new
friends, visited new friends who were hospitalized as inpatients and went to
Southcrest church for their Sunday morning service.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4WVQMkwtPCOJEbr6A3nJttdVztHSXgnAJMV6vGHWZMCPRYmv5iVC5eissBQVAu1YuAj4O5S14XXnCimhZN_xdozTbOpRMpkIaJFQCeAMvsrQHu0dXoVCwBWT5kTm-T3Gh971lzxRSBA/s1600/IMAG2273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4WVQMkwtPCOJEbr6A3nJttdVztHSXgnAJMV6vGHWZMCPRYmv5iVC5eissBQVAu1YuAj4O5S14XXnCimhZN_xdozTbOpRMpkIaJFQCeAMvsrQHu0dXoVCwBWT5kTm-T3Gh971lzxRSBA/s320/IMAG2273.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worship at Southcrest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaKqAwb0Qc0fdPlS_FuQEIr5-f87zA_61KL8Jx9UspIXWNWCoDC2tiXzbPI55vebH0BNhEQ6gSlwGvs8Ye7mg2hJEjSmnlr9C6czqJGgt3EbMsivCIvvC5xFUfp4PqzyXMiBsYj4Lhos/s1600/IMAG2274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaKqAwb0Qc0fdPlS_FuQEIr5-f87zA_61KL8Jx9UspIXWNWCoDC2tiXzbPI55vebH0BNhEQ6gSlwGvs8Ye7mg2hJEjSmnlr9C6czqJGgt3EbMsivCIvvC5xFUfp4PqzyXMiBsYj4Lhos/s320/IMAG2274.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worship at Southcrest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5CYnDcy_gE1eqdGD86BOZZm9azw_-Zq3HAs6LgJUCXt-lW-C4imUk-FrUZFBv-s6bXMay8r54mGudBUB8r1nPpCK9PyelWQ2GJG1Mqqa0KfEPCNUUvEIRqBr42cCIB6w50gwY0LwQPM/s1600/IMAG2303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5CYnDcy_gE1eqdGD86BOZZm9azw_-Zq3HAs6LgJUCXt-lW-C4imUk-FrUZFBv-s6bXMay8r54mGudBUB8r1nPpCK9PyelWQ2GJG1Mqqa0KfEPCNUUvEIRqBr42cCIB6w50gwY0LwQPM/s320/IMAG2303.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend and others coloring in between my appointments</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP47a2tCVqjsORMCQvq9-HujKsJW98zdBR3vMuOy5PsOP9xwCHUcEvQdSX_iRYnE7Nc6BKnqVYwTNZrG7HdMiso_rlcYGKV1BNRiwjTgcSb0jwBESVrcWHcOi68xvDQnWnfZSzW8lk_ug/s1600/IMAG2304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP47a2tCVqjsORMCQvq9-HujKsJW98zdBR3vMuOy5PsOP9xwCHUcEvQdSX_iRYnE7Nc6BKnqVYwTNZrG7HdMiso_rlcYGKV1BNRiwjTgcSb0jwBESVrcWHcOi68xvDQnWnfZSzW8lk_ug/s320/IMAG2304.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coloring in the Cancer Fighter Lounge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJwFP2tbYRQGJ3Rogzc6wZRu6_y_y5G5nRqz4jatLGZmuUhYvCCLO-jYm9Webj9PanwnYhdE1PhtlTwYhioAe1mcrXI5pNb-gPnL7f1WM67fhFBX1_loJl8FUti_vjB8ZrWA1GLr0iA0/s1600/IMAG2316-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJwFP2tbYRQGJ3Rogzc6wZRu6_y_y5G5nRqz4jatLGZmuUhYvCCLO-jYm9Webj9PanwnYhdE1PhtlTwYhioAe1mcrXI5pNb-gPnL7f1WM67fhFBX1_loJl8FUti_vjB8ZrWA1GLr0iA0/s320/IMAG2316-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A design I colored</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I savored every one of those activities with
the exception of shooting pool. Despite
being stuck with needles, injected with radioactive goo and made to lie in
machines with cameras closing in around my body, I felt like I was at a
relaxing retreat somewhere. My PET scan
followed a few days after the bone scan.
It showed healing progress and no new growth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKfJJaY-R47tKa8EDC7lly_p1lmwelIWvoJkeIc1Z9AXCdq-wXjBe-7L1QYJGtncLH3IT_qimeQhU_M3riHwwmjjWMkd8CyU3HHHHACggOeckbDNrUeL4Nz6phx9HW3emMV_hNNx3_E8/s1600/IMAG2291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKfJJaY-R47tKa8EDC7lly_p1lmwelIWvoJkeIc1Z9AXCdq-wXjBe-7L1QYJGtncLH3IT_qimeQhU_M3riHwwmjjWMkd8CyU3HHHHACggOeckbDNrUeL4Nz6phx9HW3emMV_hNNx3_E8/s320/IMAG2291.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for my PET scan after the radioactive tracer had been injected</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRd-OfoUIWRRmNahHCRjgJlNLTr8eKCXqIgqMX1dAG2sC_c-L09KFEnDBjKeggPmLkL-HNgYbPKanupq0S9qK9utq9qbZEUvmEfo3M-2c22MGrTiTznZ07uORUuFk2BCRS-pTC41MH5Q/s1600/IMAG2300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRd-OfoUIWRRmNahHCRjgJlNLTr8eKCXqIgqMX1dAG2sC_c-L09KFEnDBjKeggPmLkL-HNgYbPKanupq0S9qK9utq9qbZEUvmEfo3M-2c22MGrTiTznZ07uORUuFk2BCRS-pTC41MH5Q/s320/IMAG2300.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great invention! Patient Warming System. Put it under the blanket and it blows warm air to keep the patient cozy!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My blood work also looked good and we are still rejoicing!!! This has been a long road and we are continuing on, throwing off everything that has been a hindrance, one problem at a time. My doctor has recommended short term physical therapy and acupuncture to deal with some side effects of my current medication and I am seeing a chiropractor to help with some mobility issues in my right arm and I still bandage a chest wound every day. But to see where I was and where I am now brings me to tears when I think about it. The 23 <sup>rd</sup> Psalm is my
favorite. I can relate to the author
when he refers to walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Without a portable oxygen tank hanging from
my shoulder, a PICC line sticking out of my arm and hair on my head again, I
don’t think people see me as a cancer patient anymore. I like that.
When I first got to CTCA, I was not myself. That shadow of death was darkening who I
was. The people there were so wonderful
to me and I didn’t like that they couldn’t see the “real me”. But I was doing all I could do at that
time. As I continue to improve, the real
me is revealed and an even better me is emerging. God has been hard at work here. He heals me through the work of many
people. People here, at home and people
at CTCA. I believe Cancer Treatment
Centers of America understands what true healthcare should look like. My friend that visited from WA was impressed
to hear the CTCA driver that picked her and some others up from the ATL airport
say that if he won the lottery, he’d still come to work. He loved his job of being a driver for
CTCA. He said if he just wanted to be a
driver, he'd drive a taxi. It’s helping
the patients and caregivers that he enjoys.
Carrying bags, assisting those with special needs, making people feel
special. When I first get to CTCA each
trip and check in at Guest Accommodations, they know me by name. That makes me smile. Then, in the café, I get warm greetings from
the staff there. They complement me on
my new hair and say they’re happy to see me again. Bruce says he will order artichokes to make
artichoke feta veggie pizza for me.
Mark, the music therapist, sees us eating and stops to ask how long we
will be at CTCA and if we will make it to Drum Circle. Commie and Yvonne from housekeeping see us
walking the halls and greet us with smiles and gentle hugs. The men in suits (security) and earpieces
also see us and ask how we are and if there’s anything they can do for us. Ginny in the Cancer Fighters Lounge happily
greets me when I peek in to see what’s going on in there. She invites me to sit down and color and
relax. The man who comes to the waiting
room to get me for my scans smiles at me and explains the procedure before
doing anything else. I appreciate this
and what the others do also. They are as
much a part of patient care as are my doctors and nurses and techs. CTCA understands that and it’s depicted in
the large mosaic on the wall of the café. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvrNfPdv-M4ba2GY-3-EUE2PpN4DWBkGw2bv4pft-mjPapggDD9XdDz1HVioY4NMFk62tg6OqvnZepdwAVWIU4JCMNfw90KeXKGZz29g9368HsPOGpz3YHIAd8m7qEGBx0U2afcpnq7E/s1600/IMAG2285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvrNfPdv-M4ba2GY-3-EUE2PpN4DWBkGw2bv4pft-mjPapggDD9XdDz1HVioY4NMFk62tg6OqvnZepdwAVWIU4JCMNfw90KeXKGZz29g9368HsPOGpz3YHIAd8m7qEGBx0U2afcpnq7E/s320/IMAG2285.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It’s a picture of the Tree of Hope and the boy and his dog (CTCA’s
logo). As a whole, the picture is
impressive but if you look at it up close you’ll be surprised to see what it’s
made of. Each tiny picture is a plain,
ordinary picture of stuff like cats, babies, vegetables, etc. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte5Shq51e7T8fdKwXaUkJ1lgT0pSqScmcYQ2Y3HFNpnw7fFb6W-IhZJuTAlF6ogf_pautDs6yxNapie1LHkBTnpEW1lI4bevBmnjeTKrG5IY-6-Bu2faQbb2Q4kiLAn4TnWo-PNbOkxg/s1600/IMAG2286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte5Shq51e7T8fdKwXaUkJ1lgT0pSqScmcYQ2Y3HFNpnw7fFb6W-IhZJuTAlF6ogf_pautDs6yxNapie1LHkBTnpEW1lI4bevBmnjeTKrG5IY-6-Bu2faQbb2Q4kiLAn4TnWo-PNbOkxg/s320/IMAG2286.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the tiny pictures that make up the mosaic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But every one of the pictures contributes to
the mosaic’s beauty. Like each person at
CTCA contributes to the patient’s wellbeing.
A mosaic is a good illustration of the people in my life apart from CTCA
also. So many people have contributed to
my healing. If I listed them by name, it
would be a long list. I’m very grateful
for each one. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"When was ever honey made with one bee in a hive?"</i></span> ~ Thomas Hood</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-74287224195994201352015-12-21T09:07:00.002-08:002015-12-21T09:07:53.342-08:00A Beautiful Life<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My visits to
Cancer Treatment Center of America have become fairly routine. My husband and I follow my schedule, going
from floor to floor, clinic to clinic for my various appointments. This visit was a little different. I left my husband at home and took my
mom. Actually, she took me. During my darkest times this year, my mom
came over nearly every afternoon to help care for me, relieving my husband so he
could work and do necessary errands. She
shared the duties with two lovely friends of mine. When I ended up as an inpatient at CTCA in
March, my mom and stepdad traveled to GA to see me. My mom didn’t get to see much of the
treatment center because she stayed with me in my hospital room. (Sometimes,
despite our age, we just want our moms)
I really wanted her to meet the people who’ve helped me so much at CTCA
and who spoil me with kindness and love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We headed
out bright and early in the morning with our sights set on Georgia. We were so excited, we gabbed the whole trip
about nothing and everything, giggling like little girls. When we finally arrived, we unloaded the car
and checked ourselves in. We unpacked
then made a quick trip to a couple nearby stores before dinner. As soon as we walked into the café at CTCA, I
spotted our friend, Jeannie. She
welcomed us with a smile and a hug. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzHRNKMl7uNAsFIyV4xxienLq3pAoYJ8xRoHTADYT8WoSZd0sBxmIRFDMJEJGXMnuvMU7Qf_UEjPlqpdg3Wug97cFuHPBLHJBCFEuEZqbyvQriweNc6PTFmkI0kTcEakTeDqxlVs0UxA/s1600/Jeannie+and+DMC+with+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzHRNKMl7uNAsFIyV4xxienLq3pAoYJ8xRoHTADYT8WoSZd0sBxmIRFDMJEJGXMnuvMU7Qf_UEjPlqpdg3Wug97cFuHPBLHJBCFEuEZqbyvQriweNc6PTFmkI0kTcEakTeDqxlVs0UxA/s320/Jeannie+and+DMC+with+hair.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
Soon
we got more hugs from our other café friends, Alexis and Beverly. After enjoying our meal we joined the others
who were gathering to play Bingo. Many
people volunteer at the center to provide activities for patients and
caregivers such as Bingo, art classes, craft making, etc. It wasn’t long before my mom was yelling,
“Bingo!” and picking out her prize from the donated gifts on the prize
table. We played again and she yelled
“Bingo!” again. I was so happy for
her. We played some more and then again she was yelling, “Bingo!” This time my
happy face turned into a scowl.
Seriously? I was afraid we’d need
to request security to walk us out (ha-ha).
Her prizes were piling up on our table.
After that, she finally let some others win and we all had fun. We even discovered the ladies sitting next to
us live about 25 miles from us! What a
small world! After Bingo and meeting new
friends, we headed out barely able to carry my mom’s loot! We were dropping stuff and laughing so hard
we were snorting. Back at our room, we
got ready for bed and lay down for the night.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
following day was my appointments. We
woke up and went to the café for breakfast, again seeing more familiar
faces. While I was standing in line, my
chiropractor came in and saw me. He came
over to say hello in case he didn’t get to see me this visit. I told him he was on my schedule in just a
couple hours. He said he’d just go back
to his office then and practice until I got there. When we finished our breakfast we went to the
second floor for my follow up appointment at 9:00 with my wound care
nurse. She hugged me, happy to see me
and was quite pleased with the progress she saw. Then we were on our way to see my
chiropractor. He made necessary
adjustments and discussed my progress and gave me some additional exercises to
do each day to provide more mobility to my right arm. 10:45 nurse assessment next with my friends
in Pulmonary. Without my husband to
direct me in the quickest way to get to the fourth floor clinic, I had to stop
and think for a minute. As I was thinking,
up walks my friend from housekeeping, Commie.
She was showing a new employee around but took five minutes to walk us
to the elevator that would open up in the fourth floor lobby – right where I
needed to be in about one minute! In pulmonary, a tech
took my vitals then my nurse came in to hug me and ask all her usual
questions. Then right on schedule at
11:00 my pulmonary doctor came in. Hugs
again, then I introduced my mom. After
removing my Pleurx catheter last month the doctor wanted to do an ultrasound during this visit to
see how much fluid had accumulated. He
asked my mom if she wanted to look at the screen. He described what she was seeing: my lung,
diaphragm, liver and the fluid…”Wow!” he said.
The fluid had diminished to about 10cc instead of increasing! There was only a little bit of fluid
there. Not even enough to drain. My doctor was pleasantly surprised. (Thank
You, Lord!!) (Happy dance!!) We said our goodbyes then headed
downstairs. My next appointment was a
lab draw on the first floor at 12:30.
That meant I had just enough time to grab something to eat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsU2oObOz5SeKWTowZPrNofHGlDnbXMOqloKGlzSRNlyPgiZ4e6RjPyRy1iFlvGy5tnhheSXjO6q0nkaif-UYMh6NmjYOU5uGx7fwjoMti9SBg4Z45t1nw_FMBQgb7JRPlTJI_GTuVYME/s1600/mom+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsU2oObOz5SeKWTowZPrNofHGlDnbXMOqloKGlzSRNlyPgiZ4e6RjPyRy1iFlvGy5tnhheSXjO6q0nkaif-UYMh6NmjYOU5uGx7fwjoMti9SBg4Z45t1nw_FMBQgb7JRPlTJI_GTuVYME/s320/mom+and+me.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
We saw Yolanda getting some potatoes to take
back to her room. Yolanda is having
radiation treatments and has been at CTCA since October, I think. She said she wasn’t feeling the greatest and
potatoes was about all she could eat right then. She was a little nauseous, tired and wasn’t
able to taste her food due to her treatments.
I was glad to see her smiling and walking around. She was doing her best to overcome. After
I ate we walked to the Peach clinic and checked in for my lab draw. They called me back quickly and the nurse got
all the blood he needed effortlessly.
Afterwards, we had almost an hour before my next appointment so we
grabbed a drink from the coffee shop and sat in the gallery watching people and
relaxing. My next appointment was at
2:00 in the Magnolia clinic. I checked
in a little early and was taken back within five minutes. Dee weighed me first then took my vitals as
she always does. The scale showed I’ve
gained 40 pounds since my first appointment at the end of March. Fantastic progress! My mom and I are taken to a room where I wait
to see my PEC team. Right on schedule at
2:30 my oncologist, nurse and PA come in.
We all hug and I’m thrilled to see my nurse looking great! She has been undergoing treatment at CTCA for
cancer, herself. She is beaming with joy
and I have to get a picture with her!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlMPUpC9G8oBIh2WaLV1HR8hk1uB9dwoWWHUiZnFbsZARzpZ1Avu5W7xGTFKsAVrqZlOAXAFV2tzRQSDNl1UyO4UgYFQIv_031vG-VAw4EgPAvYzFfdcW4rC7VgSWmyzK9i_oLtGhYAI/s1600/Lakeitha+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlMPUpC9G8oBIh2WaLV1HR8hk1uB9dwoWWHUiZnFbsZARzpZ1Avu5W7xGTFKsAVrqZlOAXAFV2tzRQSDNl1UyO4UgYFQIv_031vG-VAw4EgPAvYzFfdcW4rC7VgSWmyzK9i_oLtGhYAI/s320/Lakeitha+and+me.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
My
doctor is happy to hear how well I’m feeling and to meet my mom. We discuss various issues and he gives me
some homework. He conducts his own
survey and asks how we feel he is doing as my doctor. I appreciate that he asks this directly. He has a quiet confidence and authority that
I value. I can’t imagine being more
pleased with his care for me. He gives
the term “health-care” the meaning it should truly have. Next my naturopathic doctor came in at
3:00. Another hug! She reviews my labs and other info then asks
some questions. She makes some
adjustments to my supplements then leaves us with a smile. At 3:30 my dietician walks in and I get
another hug. We discuss my labs, which
she says look wonderful, and my diet then she answers some questions I
have. After our appointment ends she
takes us to see my personal scheduler, Alethia.
She is a cut up and we all giggle as she adds future appointments to my
schedule, per my doctor’s orders. From her
office, we head for my 4:30 appointment in Infusion and wait in the lobby for
me to get my hormone therapy. One woman
is lying on a couch covered up and sleeping while another woman is talking on
her phone and crying. I’m reminded of
where I was health wise not that many months ago and how fortunate I am to be
where I am now. Eventually my nurse asks
if I’m ready. I endure the injection
that seems to go on and on. Finally I
get a Band-Aid and I’m done. It’s a
little after 5:00 now. We go down to the
first floor straight to the café. We
look around to see what we should eat and I spot Yolanda again. I ask if she’s feeling any better than she
was at lunch. No. But she is still sporting a smile and
positive attitude. She’s getting some
food to take up to her room again so she can rest. As I’m standing next to her a CTCA employee
walks up behind Yolanda and puts a fuzzy, colorful blanket over her
shoulders. Yolanda’s smile grows
brighter as the woman tells her she made it especially for her. Another example of true “health-care”. As we sit at our table eating, Mark, the
music therapist, stops by to remind us of Drum Circle at 6:30.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zw5OMlUGV1Cz3njS2FeB9USDWW9mw0bHdyT0aVN5BKsUtyXjh-lZmSi7o2Mx6mPhx3vIESHIzRIrX4xWFvi84ZdbBntcASpOmVTwRx1h3qsJKoIEJ6MB4YfhIn2jvpWHyOrnv7lSqVw/s1600/mark+drumming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zw5OMlUGV1Cz3njS2FeB9USDWW9mw0bHdyT0aVN5BKsUtyXjh-lZmSi7o2Mx6mPhx3vIESHIzRIrX4xWFvi84ZdbBntcASpOmVTwRx1h3qsJKoIEJ6MB4YfhIn2jvpWHyOrnv7lSqVw/s320/mark+drumming.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
I tell him we plan to be there then he
introduces us to his friend (a patient) who is personally associated with the
Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Mark and his
friend tell us about their concert they recently attended and show us some
video of the concert. We finish eating
and make a quick stop at our room before heading off to Drum Circle. There are about 15 people in attendance
tonight. We all grab instruments to
play.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BGxSyzv68b32NdWbMGuFd8VVsX78efGpJcbLN9OpizSYD3-9OwN9bemFyeJ5jj6p3yAxetHPIL4XF7NEoUw1zJ1UN1BioDOD690ebd3aUXQg7WPFVAQ2xvPzi2IwpZ9jUI3ryr8QGdw/s1600/drum+circle+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BGxSyzv68b32NdWbMGuFd8VVsX78efGpJcbLN9OpizSYD3-9OwN9bemFyeJ5jj6p3yAxetHPIL4XF7NEoUw1zJ1UN1BioDOD690ebd3aUXQg7WPFVAQ2xvPzi2IwpZ9jUI3ryr8QGdw/s320/drum+circle+start.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
No experience required. We have a special guest, Dean, who’s just a
little guy with lots of energy. He makes
us all laugh.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY8Se0AqMHmdjCJBERc64AmjPofJZqUauZIxLIesxRzwa5Hq8LgE7-UZZXui0bKKOX1ZyNVbWqpUwL3kG7Sz-oYVOob-2GeRejyN7C_CL6dCc8BH_AigseRFwBsR5JXxiHJYuUl2EJWM/s1600/drum+circle+dean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY8Se0AqMHmdjCJBERc64AmjPofJZqUauZIxLIesxRzwa5Hq8LgE7-UZZXui0bKKOX1ZyNVbWqpUwL3kG7Sz-oYVOob-2GeRejyN7C_CL6dCc8BH_AigseRFwBsR5JXxiHJYuUl2EJWM/s320/drum+circle+dean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My mom decided to color
while the rest of us made loud racket, but we all laughed and enjoyed
ourselves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthKVq3lZGhVOMF38FExhvDbkh6e83iBX_MWU_tgeZq6m3va3jv1lnshLZYifyN4WpEy5ws55ceNIPt4OX6JUWTUKU1JpLZ9Fnuqo_zCqaRS5aReHZ_4XgiVaNcR9lEGvP9OCJs0VGUrw/s1600/mom+coloring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthKVq3lZGhVOMF38FExhvDbkh6e83iBX_MWU_tgeZq6m3va3jv1lnshLZYifyN4WpEy5ws55ceNIPt4OX6JUWTUKU1JpLZ9Fnuqo_zCqaRS5aReHZ_4XgiVaNcR9lEGvP9OCJs0VGUrw/s320/mom+coloring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgPs9bSWYTZ8NZj8yweY9__FiPBkjkBZgawNBq5VkHfMypwnG0ekjkF-ic63WsGVKxxNt8PCYI2D_S0iDj8z_CQ7J5_LHQpLVHmy-8f-TIkkP5msfFjDMpAGMcDIlSJjsunzgFaALDrQ/s1600/du.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgPs9bSWYTZ8NZj8yweY9__FiPBkjkBZgawNBq5VkHfMypwnG0ekjkF-ic63WsGVKxxNt8PCYI2D_S0iDj8z_CQ7J5_LHQpLVHmy-8f-TIkkP5msfFjDMpAGMcDIlSJjsunzgFaALDrQ/s320/du.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xrKtOuee2_Q1NaTPVWWIO2BN_eTeyVQZWesFYcBmVKVcXj6OTRvgUjJ4_jP_LagIzpfVX38w1TA60u_Y8Nke3A6yM5ZUNqZ5gTWDc6FMEkiy18Csj2bFd-y0m2TiaLRkOUkDGuc0woE/s1600/duo+sing+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xrKtOuee2_Q1NaTPVWWIO2BN_eTeyVQZWesFYcBmVKVcXj6OTRvgUjJ4_jP_LagIzpfVX38w1TA60u_Y8Nke3A6yM5ZUNqZ5gTWDc6FMEkiy18Csj2bFd-y0m2TiaLRkOUkDGuc0woE/s320/duo+sing+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f3aTIB6j4mM2EuewIVHgFkqfrhxJb7QmoF4UH6Nj7fEEr7bK7DcA2dU7RgbgHNwpl-r7cRIYkOQNaGYmjTMNmshWZ2EKdCCs4cLtvu5IYpg4GPofSrkTMLfPpHKR2KkjzEfxtzBiVyQ/s1600/duo+sing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f3aTIB6j4mM2EuewIVHgFkqfrhxJb7QmoF4UH6Nj7fEEr7bK7DcA2dU7RgbgHNwpl-r7cRIYkOQNaGYmjTMNmshWZ2EKdCCs4cLtvu5IYpg4GPofSrkTMLfPpHKR2KkjzEfxtzBiVyQ/s320/duo+sing+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Some shared a little about
their experience at CTCA while I wiped away tears at hearing their
stories. One woman I met and talked with
afterward lives in Sanford, a city near my hometown. She said she’s scheduled for brain surgery
Monday (today). Again, I reflected on my own
situation, grateful I haven’t had to endure such a thing. After a long day of appointments, we call it
a day and go to our room for the night.
The next morning, as we prepared to leave for home, We bump into Yolanda
again. She is passing out little gifts
to CTCA employees and other people she knows.
I said to her that she looked like she was finally feeling better. She said she was still struggling. We encouraged her and gave her a hug as we
left. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As we
traveled back home to Florida, I thought of our visit. We enjoyed meeting many new people and we
were encouraged by many others. So many
little joys had added up to make a delightful trip despite where we were and
why we were there. I thought of Yolanda. Even though she had not been feeling well,
she refused to let it overcome her. She
persisted in spreading love and joy. All
these things reminded me of a card I keep that my grandparents sent me many
months ago. This is what it says:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Having a beautiful
life isn’t so much about getting that one big thing<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>or reaching
that one great goal.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Having a
beautiful life is more about<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>seeing the
wonder in the little things,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the everyday
things that life washes onto your shore.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Gathering
them like pearls, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>stringing
them together,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And
realizing what a treasure you’ve collected.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Do that, and
you cannot help but have a beautiful life…<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>The one you
are meant to live.</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-1472811097444254382015-12-07T21:20:00.001-08:002015-12-07T21:20:35.092-08:00Schedule Change!<div class="MsoNormal">
As I write this, I’m traveling home from my most recent 4
day/3 night retreat at the Cancer Fighter Resort (AKA Cancer Treatment Center
of America – Newnan, GA). I’m relaxed,
refreshed and full of joy! Sometimes,
my neatly organized schedule gets abruptly rearranged during my visit and it
happened this time too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEVs_dLYmvzaPX9fsiY60-tnNZUOyLOth4HT41Pfy0XFp18wvU8IafGXV5PhoKMGmEbmrVm_mwptfRSZ4VVA-Bn0LhNzxfPhegozkG0r6x8lESgsZ3cExnT4tjZiN58VscAHWFNQkI54/s1600/ctca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEVs_dLYmvzaPX9fsiY60-tnNZUOyLOth4HT41Pfy0XFp18wvU8IafGXV5PhoKMGmEbmrVm_mwptfRSZ4VVA-Bn0LhNzxfPhegozkG0r6x8lESgsZ3cExnT4tjZiN58VscAHWFNQkI54/s320/ctca.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CTCA front entrance</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During my previous trip, my pulmonary doctor was pleased to
hear that my breathing was getting easier.
I told him I didn’t feel like fluid surrounding my left lung (if there
was any remaining) was hindering my breathing any more. He told me he would remove my Pleurx Catheter
if I could go until my next visit without having to drain. He scheduled me for surgery in anticipation
that that would be the case. When he saw
me in his office this time, he did an ultrasound and saw only a small amount of
fluid. Then, he gave me two options. The first was to follow through with surgery
the next morning, as scheduled or he could pull the catheter right there in his
office with no numbing meds so I could have the entire next day free of
appointments (the whole day had been set aside for surgery and recovery). I hesitantly agreed to have him pull it right
then. It was quick and the pain was
tolerable. No tears. No surgery.
Free day tomorrow!! I was
ecstatic at<i> this</i> schedule
change! The Pleurx had been the last of
my cancer “accessories”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a9z-f0T7gVcCYuDz1lPMlhukChkF95x1Kbwef6EhfHAekkel25uV6h9L9-Grq71k5AtXRlSd412tGkZJNxF1xWfHjxCuxCO6f6nx5gE92_QrtflIURJrM2RhMTQrDvV2MQnyOge3V_8/s1600/plx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a9z-f0T7gVcCYuDz1lPMlhukChkF95x1Kbwef6EhfHAekkel25uV6h9L9-Grq71k5AtXRlSd412tGkZJNxF1xWfHjxCuxCO6f6nx5gE92_QrtflIURJrM2RhMTQrDvV2MQnyOge3V_8/s1600/plx.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Fluid I drained several months ago using my Pleurx. Ewww, it's foamy!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day, I went to a craft class, and then a
worship service at the chapel on site, had a music therapy session, attended a
cooking demonstration and played Bingo after dinner. I met several new people and enjoyed talking
with them and hearing their stories. The
next day was the rest of my appointments.
All my doctors were pleased with my continued progress and my blood work
looked fantastic, they said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0L2jl17TNvCMMCbRxyK33evzNb3O0ch4X6QEUBeoU0o5bHuZ3W8WkpEaSWc8026Hkjmf7aKfq8U1FLTfhB1v12owJsdU068-DFuWbRtiX6qrZQeK5PXOlgAvlDzz7XCAOkjgC6o2lpI/s1600/bingo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0L2jl17TNvCMMCbRxyK33evzNb3O0ch4X6QEUBeoU0o5bHuZ3W8WkpEaSWc8026Hkjmf7aKfq8U1FLTfhB1v12owJsdU068-DFuWbRtiX6qrZQeK5PXOlgAvlDzz7XCAOkjgC6o2lpI/s320/bingo.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
BINGO!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIq_w40K0Y-o9UlKBbGfQQMkagtaw7DFFE8qmMdllH1zCTxZVZgQLVlL9jwJ1iDRRERVZQ4_zIAUKAHdOKUUcTAIc1V-tpZrc4EJ0bTHGBeVnDOyT6sUkhjqP8cr21ywNUxDEeydGZTk/s1600/chpl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIq_w40K0Y-o9UlKBbGfQQMkagtaw7DFFE8qmMdllH1zCTxZVZgQLVlL9jwJ1iDRRERVZQ4_zIAUKAHdOKUUcTAIc1V-tpZrc4EJ0bTHGBeVnDOyT6sUkhjqP8cr21ywNUxDEeydGZTk/s320/chpl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chapel</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg277F_WhL1X_0pLMrbIgod2s5-kH6suFQh1PKcwBBcRQbsMvSOdWk7wnRBGa0J8cpSnBa8VGwmOZmG8cPff-03JM5MbxPnlxf0UYDmT5Nx6rHSk0sTZI5Ge2olQD35FtlGnS0qBQ95NOc/s1600/music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg277F_WhL1X_0pLMrbIgod2s5-kH6suFQh1PKcwBBcRQbsMvSOdWk7wnRBGa0J8cpSnBa8VGwmOZmG8cPff-03JM5MbxPnlxf0UYDmT5Nx6rHSk0sTZI5Ge2olQD35FtlGnS0qBQ95NOc/s320/music.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My music therapist and I stole their guns and made them be in picture with us!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later that evening I attended Drum Circle. Drum Circle has many purposes. It helps patients and caregivers to relax,
connect with others, release stress, etc.
We beat on drums, shake tambourines and sing among other things. This time was extra special though. After many people left, a few of us lagged
behind and chatted. One woman asked if
we would be her “live” audience as she tried to recite from memory, a poem she’d
written. She had been practicing alone,
trying to memorize it because at the beginning of the year she is supposed to
share it with her church family. I had
not met this woman before drum circle. But
I could tell we had some things in common.
She looked like me – short hair (beginning to grow back), petite,
smiling. She said she was nervous, as
she rose and stood before us. As she
spoke, her voice echoed some of my deepest feelings. Her poem, “Woman under Construction”, painted
the picture of her trials through cancer and God’s refining love transforming
her in the process. The longer she
spoke, the more I could not control the tears streaming down my cheeks. I’ve found it difficult to accurately
describe some of my physical conditions and emotions during my own fight to
non-cancer patients. But this woman knew
exactly. Her poem, a monologue of her
conversation with God lasted five minutes.
She had it memorized but spoke straight from her heart. We all congratulated and encouraged her. As I spoke to her personally afterwards, I
found we had much more in common – our faith, our love for exercise and health,
we are close in age, both have children and we both finished chemo around the
same time. She is currently having daily
radiation treatments. She has been at CTCA
since October (I think) and won’t finish until mid-December. Please keep Esther in your prayers when you
remember me. She blessed me
greatly!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God has placed me in a great family at CTCA in GA. I’m always excited about going! Isn’t that strange?! Employees and patients, both are warm and
caring. From the valet, to the
housekeepers, to cooks, doctors, to security – they all ask what they can do to
help, if we need anything and how we are.
I guess I could keep to myself while I’m there, but I’d be missing out
on so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg1FDzyg6y0TQpgkDkoCZvYEPQYc39dB5riu0YkQ6ccXFSxw2o-rw_dsOh2SGg2cW4YqnWxQvxvir5Ph7rBBujX6odsOKAtogGT7pEXPH6r2f3ff_V_HsU7MqaNrLhZj8kKKKV1ki_9o/s1600/commie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg1FDzyg6y0TQpgkDkoCZvYEPQYc39dB5riu0YkQ6ccXFSxw2o-rw_dsOh2SGg2cW4YqnWxQvxvir5Ph7rBBujX6odsOKAtogGT7pEXPH6r2f3ff_V_HsU7MqaNrLhZj8kKKKV1ki_9o/s320/commie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My housekeeping friend. She has remembered my name since April! She always greets us with a huge smile and a "How you doin'?" and leaves us with a hug.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxSyGCgWh_6hyb3qrpPzem7TAa0o85jHkqybnzv8uCj13aYT0zcm9JSC0FalUlbUMBUWopeMMOAK2ejrtjpzqQemKT4K8Xm02Nmjw9OtQfKh-gE2tm0w3hvRrQus5c_WygysZ95xjT38/s1600/refuge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxSyGCgWh_6hyb3qrpPzem7TAa0o85jHkqybnzv8uCj13aYT0zcm9JSC0FalUlbUMBUWopeMMOAK2ejrtjpzqQemKT4K8Xm02Nmjw9OtQfKh-gE2tm0w3hvRrQus5c_WygysZ95xjT38/s320/refuge.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I asked my husband to take my picture with this sign. CTCA is definitely a refuge area for paitents and caregivers too!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1ZDJGK3vl4YUZvAg67uaQwz6y7Ep_8SA6s5XEaJ9WQ6lNZQu-4EpKxVFTw_KwclTjR-RMxs6ptjK96ZPAE8TFmV8dy9vnr-4Jvmxuzt6wQX7qjuqmoAekluZDEPtehijCcXZEGBHhL4/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1ZDJGK3vl4YUZvAg67uaQwz6y7Ep_8SA6s5XEaJ9WQ6lNZQu-4EpKxVFTw_KwclTjR-RMxs6ptjK96ZPAE8TFmV8dy9vnr-4Jvmxuzt6wQX7qjuqmoAekluZDEPtehijCcXZEGBHhL4/s1600/sign.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wall sign leading to two places I go to every visit...Infusion (previously for chemo and now hormone therapy) and Wound Care to follow up with my wound care peeps, Beth and Stephanie.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for your smiles. Thank
you for your hugs. Thank you for your
support. Thank you for your
encouragement. I thank God that you love
me so well. I love you back!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Still
fighting. Still VICTORIOUS!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Darlene<o:p></o:p></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-86221643746799984782015-10-11T20:49:00.001-07:002015-10-11T20:49:30.722-07:00Inspired to love...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t blogged in months.
I’m sorry. I started one a while
back but now it’s obsolete. I’m not even
sure where to start now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m improved so much since one year ago. Here’s a short list of some side symptoms I’ve
had to deal with over the past year: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weight – 84lbs (I tried not to have many pictures taken
then. I don’t want to be reminded how
awful that looked)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On oxygen 24/7<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pleural fluid around lungs prevented them from expanding
much. Breathing and talking were such an
effort. They would tire me out. (Thanks to those who were my temporary voice!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pain. Sometimes
excruciating. In bones, tissues,
etc. Pain meds were trial and
error. Some wouldn’t touch the pain and
some made me have nightmarish dreams or see a naked family of four under my
hospital bed (no joke). I was afraid to
sleep some nights so I would try to stay awake.
I hated how pain meds made me feel.
Isolated, oppressed, depressed, and nauseous. I felt trapped inside myself. I wasn’t me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My physical body was so weak that I was in a wheelchair for
a short while when I got out of the hospital in April. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I needed help with self-care activities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was unable to lay down for eight months or so due to the
fluid around my lungs. When I tried, I either
couldn’t breathe or would cough constantly from my lungs trying to expand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My heart rate was increased.
A side effect of the pleural fluid.
A normal heart rate is around 60-100 beats per minute. Mine was over 100 and once it got up to 150
while I was sitting still. That’s not a
good feeling. Currently, I’m happy if I
see my heart rate under 95. That’s still
a work in progress.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were a few months that anxiety had a grip on me. I’ve never dealt with that before. It was horrible! I couldn’t go into a bathroom without panicking. My heart would race and I’d start
sweating. I’d call out for someone to
come help me by bringing me ice or something to fan me and I’d just want
someone there with me. Normally, I like
to be outside doing things, but I couldn’t bring myself to go outside. It was a scary thought. I eventually ventured out onto the porch,
then the yard. It was all I could do to
sit at the table for a meal. (Sorry for
being so weird about it when I was at your house, Pam.) I felt like everything was too close to me. I would push my plate and other stuff on the
table away from me or I’d keep moving stuff around. When I started going out in public I had to
work myself up to it. At first, I’d only
go to church. I’d have to allow myself
lots of extra time to get ready. That
way I wouldn’t have to rush and get more anxious. I had to plan out what I would wear and take
with me and when I needed to leave so I wouldn’t have to think about it that
day. I had to see it on paper to prepare
myself mentally. Then I’d have to take
an anxiety medication to deal with it all.
A person coming up to hug me or encourage me was very overwhelming…and
these are people I consider close like family, not strangers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m so thankful that’s in the past and that
the people around me loved me enough to help me through the fear, isolation,
weirdness, bossiness, attitude and ugliness of it all. I was not myself. I knew it but I wasn’t able to get past it
until I decided I no longer wanted to be a slave to it. (Cue the song “No Longer Slaves”!) <a href="https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thankfully, the picture is quite different
now. My recent tests show “dramatic
improvement”. My oncologist’s
words. My lung has expanded greatly. Breathing is much easier. I still get out of breath at times but it
continues to improve. I’m still draining
fluid periodically from around my lung (I have a Pleurx catheter surgically
inserted between my lung and pleura).
The amount of fluid is lessening as my lung continues to expand. Originally, the doctor’s weren’t sure if my
lung would re-inflate much after bearing the weight of the fluid. All my doctors are pleased with my weight gain. I’m close to what I was before my diagnosis. My PEC team (oncologist, naturopath and
nutritionist) still guides me at each follow up visit. My immune system and overall health is
bolstered with high quality supplements like COQ10, fish oil, curcumin, turkey
tail (mushroom), etc. There is still a
healing wound on the right side of my chest.
I still see my wound care nurse at each visit too. I finished chemotherapy finally so the picc
line in my left arm has been removed.
What a relief! It had to be kept
super clean and flushed each day with saline.
Neuropathy I had been having in my fingers is gone. I no longer need home health, which I’m glad
for but I miss seeing my nurse, Florence.
A few weeks ago my oncologist ordered new, current biopsies for genomic
testing. This reveals DNA and other
information to help the doctor treat the patient more efficiently. After chemo I began a hormone therapy to
suppress estrogen and my doctor wanted to confirm we were using the best
treatment. I’m also getting my hair
back! Yay! I return to CTCA (Cancer
Treatment Center of America) frequently for testing and follow ups with my
doctors. It’s such a great place to be when having to deal with the stresses of
cancer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks again for your support, prayers, encouragement and
mostly for your love. You inspire me to
try to love as much as I am loved! I
feel like the richest person. All the
money in the world can’t buy this. To
those from CTCA reading this: I cannot
fully express my gratefulness to you for helping me, encouraging me, hugging
me, asking if I’m okay, smiling at me, praying with me, recognizing me (after I
lost my hair),bringing my lunch up to Infusion while I was having chemo, joking with me, cleaning my salad off the
floor, getting me mac and cheese that was only for inpatients when my tooth was
hurting too much to eat hard foods, coming to play guitar in my hospital room
to relax me, introducing me to your children, telling me about your family,
being a listening ear and treating me like your own family (Dr. McKnight, Dr.
Spevack, Ms. Erin, Lakeitha, Dee, Alethia, Dr. Bechara, Dr. Parks, Kim, Carol,
Lorrie, Ms. Claire, Jeannie, Alexis, Beverly, Kathy, everyone in the kitchen,
Dr. Bernstein, Dr. Steingraber, Dr. Kelley, Dr. Schofield, Joey, Commie, Lyn,
the bingo ladies, Ms. Beth and Ms. Stephanie, Alanna, Ms. Ashley, Tondra, Mr.
Chip, Mark, my respiratory therapist, the woman in EVS who made us a home
cooked meal, LizAnn..).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a tradition at CTCA when a patient finishes chemo
or radiation. It’s called the ringing of
the bell. After four and a half months
of aggressive chemo infusions, I walked out of the Infusion clinic and rang the
bell that hangs on the wall loud and proud!
All the staff, my husband and my son clapped and cheered with me. They gave me a t-shirt. They took my picture. I couldn’t see too well for the tears in my
eyes but I was smiling big. I will leave
you with the story of “Two Horses” that hangs on the wall with the bell. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">“There were two horses in a field. From a distance,
each horse looks like any other horse. But if you get a closer look you
will notice something quite interesting… One of the horses is blind.
His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made him a safe
and comfortable barn to live in. This alone is pretty amazing. But
if you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. It is coming
from a smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse’s halter is a
small, copper-colored bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse
is, so he can follow. As you stand and watch these two friends you’ll see
that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that
the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the
other horse is, trusting he will not be led astray. When the horse with
the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, he will stop
occasionally to look back, making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far
behind to hear the bell.</span></em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Like the owners of these two
horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect. Or because
we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others
into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind
horse, being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our
lives.</span></em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">And at other times we are the
guide horse, helping others to find their way. Good friends are like
that. You may not always see them, but you know they are always there.</span></em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Please listen for my bell, and
I will listen for yours”.</span></em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-k6h4tGt6gKRyhG_tgiSbbLNrFZH7fnBWdaN6Arc_KQjgTibyhUgJnwpf1Hej5xnhmiNbPGC03LvTBenghK1zjUG1BtUtZsTs8yzeJNgPooudmKBgnLbDRl6xrigNLOLv1WfFj3TQD0/s1600/pic+of+bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-k6h4tGt6gKRyhG_tgiSbbLNrFZH7fnBWdaN6Arc_KQjgTibyhUgJnwpf1Hej5xnhmiNbPGC03LvTBenghK1zjUG1BtUtZsTs8yzeJNgPooudmKBgnLbDRl6xrigNLOLv1WfFj3TQD0/s320/pic+of+bell.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"></span></em><br /><em style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVqDe-yZkc8x9QxeX_9PfPGtw6Y4PLfSzFnrtyouzeup8HUGxlWfwvkNUcduOOWZm6Zhkr3pfkU6-_XseWWcE1cS0fnOj9dzOV4ndZHwJfbk_iUCledNaKiY3vgB8QwYeTH0t7Ba_EOQ/s1600/FB_IMG_1432314745794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVqDe-yZkc8x9QxeX_9PfPGtw6Y4PLfSzFnrtyouzeup8HUGxlWfwvkNUcduOOWZm6Zhkr3pfkU6-_XseWWcE1cS0fnOj9dzOV4ndZHwJfbk_iUCledNaKiY3vgB8QwYeTH0t7Ba_EOQ/s320/FB_IMG_1432314745794.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cousin Debra, visiting me during a chemo infusion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVcU1ed3rmBbTOwdYjllKXd2TEYAVXEq_HIVrzApuqBz9WauiHVBdHSiIlvEX4RhUKPGF9W8Vh0rYOtcyrkqmWXzErBdNi76KxqqVpYnxf9Eovo1VXHMg2kF7uPHAGhjFbyOtKoWfcwE/s1600/IMAG1962+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVcU1ed3rmBbTOwdYjllKXd2TEYAVXEq_HIVrzApuqBz9WauiHVBdHSiIlvEX4RhUKPGF9W8Vh0rYOtcyrkqmWXzErBdNi76KxqqVpYnxf9Eovo1VXHMg2kF7uPHAGhjFbyOtKoWfcwE/s320/IMAG1962+%25281%2529.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main hall at CTCA called the Gallery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuUjtGR6s_lt4A2SROCSBho4MG_ACwXM9guPc6PVzsl0DDbboKlpzolhBnh4vpjZredqJmcYFZrUA1vHzmsgumN9f4m1USJXxozRbriLv4Wky65dlSAgs7fjLsEfFWJWfD7-IA2E_rCA/s1600/IMAG1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuUjtGR6s_lt4A2SROCSBho4MG_ACwXM9guPc6PVzsl0DDbboKlpzolhBnh4vpjZredqJmcYFZrUA1vHzmsgumN9f4m1USJXxozRbriLv4Wky65dlSAgs7fjLsEfFWJWfD7-IA2E_rCA/s320/IMAG1975.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My chemo infusion suite!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9B3KzX548BAIuI49UcX8DhRraDHREDSbnlLoIEDsol9N-xQMJmwlZmgy2yfEAKSYZUq4xQgTyAT1mw4QMrYp8Lzm3ISwJeSOyUhlb77EqcInKuweo8hHhr97cJZodIVCmSQYIPtIk0g/s1600/IMAG2041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9B3KzX548BAIuI49UcX8DhRraDHREDSbnlLoIEDsol9N-xQMJmwlZmgy2yfEAKSYZUq4xQgTyAT1mw4QMrYp8Lzm3ISwJeSOyUhlb77EqcInKuweo8hHhr97cJZodIVCmSQYIPtIk0g/s320/IMAG2041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Infusion lobby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oy3QQeyYXHt1lbszCoLP80pb4BmeIxQsIP4MQbcE29kaicDWfeZlK_fdDm77oycO7NiXbM4y1K5dZe_vH70i-PLWkrFah7nOVTbJ8jThrK077nBqTSS9pq3jugUYdpYnBeG1ijV_h-Y/s1600/IMAG2092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oy3QQeyYXHt1lbszCoLP80pb4BmeIxQsIP4MQbcE29kaicDWfeZlK_fdDm77oycO7NiXbM4y1K5dZe_vH70i-PLWkrFah7nOVTbJ8jThrK077nBqTSS9pq3jugUYdpYnBeG1ijV_h-Y/s320/IMAG2092.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving up to CTCA's front entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG99-dbiw7p2LaINAeXOrlafo022SHY9s61B1jk7d_-BkOzhUAYEy_YR0vcQwdNtj-se0VV3bV6lieb0Icd7la2EzxgOsAIzWhyqsa4KuwlWo1AhGtvSjTGlDwbArrKYe4k6kqnhP_4Hs/s1600/IMAG2093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG99-dbiw7p2LaINAeXOrlafo022SHY9s61B1jk7d_-BkOzhUAYEy_YR0vcQwdNtj-se0VV3bV6lieb0Icd7la2EzxgOsAIzWhyqsa4KuwlWo1AhGtvSjTGlDwbArrKYe4k6kqnhP_4Hs/s320/IMAG2093.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main entrance at CTCA (entrance to kitchen-left, entrance to dining room-right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkacM1VFpp6j8AoHCJi66ggt8b8uhtxIjBVrGP0tGPakZatMWHG7jVSk1aAtaoaLFr_r_33rik84Djv9OhyVgv5cO4RA8njAXPxZBbQjPFj-Yj8eiQAzETGnsr5wldx4odR-T5QiUdzCM/s1600/IMAG2094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkacM1VFpp6j8AoHCJi66ggt8b8uhtxIjBVrGP0tGPakZatMWHG7jVSk1aAtaoaLFr_r_33rik84Djv9OhyVgv5cO4RA8njAXPxZBbQjPFj-Yj8eiQAzETGnsr5wldx4odR-T5QiUdzCM/s320/IMAG2094.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest Services desk (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGHTY9G16Ku4hLbSpK6BuZW5lvBZqU-e38WzXXgP-cnIfKvASsg7B0O_Y1TqJb65s-LdIXry2kZ2gCYthLb207duFdohnAAXm_3Luv-DIjuSRXy53RMDHXwdDBmRzoI6UX4TWlEGCiGc/s1600/IMAG2097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGHTY9G16Ku4hLbSpK6BuZW5lvBZqU-e38WzXXgP-cnIfKvASsg7B0O_Y1TqJb65s-LdIXry2kZ2gCYthLb207duFdohnAAXm_3Luv-DIjuSRXy53RMDHXwdDBmRzoI6UX4TWlEGCiGc/s320/IMAG2097.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nurse friends from Pulmomology</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPI-_E-obP3YxoBZD52nJmTCNTBE0tsbr4Jzx-JVQxWB4_cXEcrGnlVfMMHDeCyQBiZLpFJ1amv8VVT2Ms3jLOHXXuPIJsxU5IGPTGXf-UU7WVSi2i7YTpMiZQKcgPmeWaMbpQGJejLU/s1600/IMAG2098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPI-_E-obP3YxoBZD52nJmTCNTBE0tsbr4Jzx-JVQxWB4_cXEcrGnlVfMMHDeCyQBiZLpFJ1amv8VVT2Ms3jLOHXXuPIJsxU5IGPTGXf-UU7WVSi2i7YTpMiZQKcgPmeWaMbpQGJejLU/s320/IMAG2098.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My care manager (left) and my oncologist (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDkkmueXBkuTnRRXXN1SEBmrfWqf_gDp4a5XHhOA35CjxeGrsWtCxDQbdo9p3XhqdPtauViGsvq6YB5JO80nxG3KnDJCQQe-1VqZODvePv6115w7uxIfm3QaoWCWcjp-INKjyTlaPmiw/s1600/IMAG2102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDkkmueXBkuTnRRXXN1SEBmrfWqf_gDp4a5XHhOA35CjxeGrsWtCxDQbdo9p3XhqdPtauViGsvq6YB5JO80nxG3KnDJCQQe-1VqZODvePv6115w7uxIfm3QaoWCWcjp-INKjyTlaPmiw/s320/IMAG2102.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nutritionist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLWsPcEawQy2Bp-i1ZWk5spvNOR9VATuAaAPodR94vvbjVIbU7oWNq1xX7GG9lK2AZRvJ4h6MS7Fy8ZZTZkdwrl-TmjrZgxSzwKGmjftDgLcYYDt2VwMfoYs0kw5I_0jBw4SimNMN-0s/s1600/IMAG2104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLWsPcEawQy2Bp-i1ZWk5spvNOR9VATuAaAPodR94vvbjVIbU7oWNq1xX7GG9lK2AZRvJ4h6MS7Fy8ZZTZkdwrl-TmjrZgxSzwKGmjftDgLcYYDt2VwMfoYs0kw5I_0jBw4SimNMN-0s/s320/IMAG2104.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal scheduler for all appointments! She is a bright ray of sunshine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP69HzOuRloISw2WrJKtz3JVS6KgsleutOdelGAuxTLKegGD-m9HXKc-UW3J8ynuV6Ob5G_QUp-quXdEbta-swRtcD4BYei-FnPMwQY1DKF7LcHK_mB9jdDZ5bvSH7f6DW8Ljg4e5jUZw/s1600/IMAG2108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP69HzOuRloISw2WrJKtz3JVS6KgsleutOdelGAuxTLKegGD-m9HXKc-UW3J8ynuV6Ob5G_QUp-quXdEbta-swRtcD4BYei-FnPMwQY1DKF7LcHK_mB9jdDZ5bvSH7f6DW8Ljg4e5jUZw/s320/IMAG2108.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tech (left) and nurse (right) for chemo infusion. You may notice Joey, the tech, from the CTCA commercials.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O6fQULwSCgKhIZjwgKL7RyN4GUjFxRNahiUpcVyB1vJJJ1dcqaEDylJw5JyhkfutRKcGfnndJcuwI2dt7CBfe4eck_5L1_Qppfas4Wl2kuM0LOp7GIQPmFhDLE3aiXy_A4ECwNy6n7U/s1600/IMAG2110-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O6fQULwSCgKhIZjwgKL7RyN4GUjFxRNahiUpcVyB1vJJJ1dcqaEDylJw5JyhkfutRKcGfnndJcuwI2dt7CBfe4eck_5L1_Qppfas4Wl2kuM0LOp7GIQPmFhDLE3aiXy_A4ECwNy6n7U/s320/IMAG2110-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy delivers meals to the patients if they aren't able to get to the cafeteria due to their infusions. My infusions lasted approximately six hours!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdI5FHsJwshTkTRD-Ss75vak3p73GkmYZIqCBM5DrvBt7BDM2bChKnjHXha3nJS4O8gyRbAqI0c8m6TrJgTdMG-FiZWeuRc8CD1SRCnlytf8Y7hWJ7hm29AXaYH-FarUawExhGiea2Kw/s1600/IMAG2114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdI5FHsJwshTkTRD-Ss75vak3p73GkmYZIqCBM5DrvBt7BDM2bChKnjHXha3nJS4O8gyRbAqI0c8m6TrJgTdMG-FiZWeuRc8CD1SRCnlytf8Y7hWJ7hm29AXaYH-FarUawExhGiea2Kw/s320/IMAG2114.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tall friend, Jeannie. She treats me like a queen. I always look for her smiling face when I'm at CTCA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeE5AYNRJ72IMAgOvH_Oer1Ohe3mV6sL9Ra4j8tZiofmopbTZVWLLCRTaO_yl7-3-fkR-64hZE4T0Vaw0Qt7_O3H9XvgRTTQJBFnrZW4rtQx3DFrnF_A1sz7rB_s5QlURUkmpaLyw_is/s1600/IMAG2140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeE5AYNRJ72IMAgOvH_Oer1Ohe3mV6sL9Ra4j8tZiofmopbTZVWLLCRTaO_yl7-3-fkR-64hZE4T0Vaw0Qt7_O3H9XvgRTTQJBFnrZW4rtQx3DFrnF_A1sz7rB_s5QlURUkmpaLyw_is/s320/IMAG2140.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son, drove three and a half hours to visit me at CTCA in August.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyK6-RvrH0xGdpyHCPAj_Xp81E0t4DFn6SLQ22KOil4hBdoOKdiEdeUhdy23-pbAYKJMA0YqMFVT5ZN5NQ1zwwd-lmkrxqDrjnm6MZYpDmh4TYTR97g5IIzEG7z7xGlQMf0II0jGDlo8/s1600/me+with+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyK6-RvrH0xGdpyHCPAj_Xp81E0t4DFn6SLQ22KOil4hBdoOKdiEdeUhdy23-pbAYKJMA0YqMFVT5ZN5NQ1zwwd-lmkrxqDrjnm6MZYpDmh4TYTR97g5IIzEG7z7xGlQMf0II0jGDlo8/s320/me+with+hair.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAIR!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="outline: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></em></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-87957380246401139242015-06-28T19:59:00.001-07:002015-06-28T20:12:10.453-07:00Exciting Improvements!<div class="MsoNormal">
So much has been happening since my last blog a month
ago. I’ve had many improvements in my
health. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I’ve been gaining weight. I’m triple digits now, baby!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--> I’ve been
able to cut down on using supplemental oxygen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--> I’ve been
going out more. Mostly for errands, but
I did go to dinner when some friends invited us over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The tumor markers have continued to drop. Two tumor maker tests are done with each lab
draw and the markers indicate the spreading of disease if they increase or the
decline of disease if they decrease. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--> After
about a five week period of having no fluid around my lungs some fluid has been
accumulating again. I’m glad my
pulmonary doctor advised against removing the pleural catheter back then. I’ve been draining 200-500 mls (approx. 6-17
ounces) of fluid about every five days recently. Back in October 2014 when we first discovered
the fluid on an x-ray I went to the hospital and had two liters drained
off. Imaging the trouble I had breathing
then by thinking of a two liter bottle of soda lying on your lung as you try to
breathe! I’m thankful I’m able to drain
the fluid now if any accumulates. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lastly, my recovery time after chemotherapy has
been decreasing. At first it took about
eight days for me to recover, but now it’s down to three or four days. Side effects I’ve experienced other than
losing my hair are muscle/bone soreness, flushing, numbness in my fingertips,
mild loss of taste, hot/cold flashes and emotion overload (this one is always
fun for my husband!). I did have nausea
the first time and one instance of diarrhea also. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
Some of the improvements I mentioned may not
seem like much, but now I recognize how much I took for granted when I was
healthy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve added hyperthermia to my treatments each time. Hyperthermia is a form of radiation but can
be done two ways. One uses micro-waves
and the other uses hot water. I have the
latter. I lay on a table and six temperature
sensors are taped to my torso and chest. Then a large 18”x18” plastic bag filled with
water (similar to a hot water bottle) is placed on top of the sensors. Tubes are attached to the bag and are
connected to a machine that heats the water and regulates the temperature to
109 degrees. Once the sensors read a
temperature of 109 degrees the clock begins.
The table is inverted (to help situate the water correctly over each
sensor) and I stay that way for one hour. I can pick a movie to watch or I can sleep or
choose some soothing music to listen to.
Except for being inverted (it’s not much), it’s mostly a calm, soothing
treatment that’s warm and relaxing. What
if you have to pee, you ask? That was my
question too. I’m supposed to drink at
least a couple quarts of water each day!
I was about 40 minutes in when I asked that question. We had to take off the water, unhook the
sensors, level the table, get a gown on and walk down the hall to the
bathroom. Then redo everything to hook
me back up and wait for the sensors to reach 109 degrees again then start the
clock for the remaining time. The procedure
isn’t supposed to be broken up like that so the nurse said I’d have to use a
bed pan next time!! In the future, I’ll
cut my water intake that day!
Hyperthermia is done within 24 hours but preferably right before or
right after chemotherapy. It heats up
the cancer cells making them more vulnerable to the chemo toxins.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I leave soon for my fifth treatment at CTCA. My doctor has several tests and scans
scheduled prior to my scheduled chemo, which he’s actually called ‘tentative’
depending on my results. We will discuss
future treatment options this visit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last visit I finally did something I had been longing to do
on the previous trips…BINGO!! Yeah! There are always activities going on at CTCA
that anyone can participate in. I’ve
seen Bingo going on several times (in the dining room) when I’ve been eating
and I’ve wanted to play but I’ve been too tired. I finally decided to jump in and have some
fun! I ended up winning twice. I got to pick my prizes. There were some really nice prizes. My husband didn’t stay to play. He went back up to our room instead. After I had been gone for a while he came
back down to bring me my room key so I wouldn’t have to wake him up if I came
in late. But when he got to my table I
was nearly falling asleep over my bingo card!
He kept pointing out calls that I had on my card but wasn’t seeing
because I was deliriously tired! Haha!
It was 8:30pm. Earlier that day,
I had chemo and included in the ‘pre-meds’ that I was given was Benadryl. I’m a lightweight when it comes to medication
so it was all I could do to stay awake. I
had so much fun playing and met two couples also. It’s easy to meet people at CTCA. Most people are very friendly. We met another man on the elevator who shared
his amazing story with us. We ended up
praying with him and rejoicing with him over his healing progress. CTCA has such a positive and supportive atmosphere. I get excited to go before each trip!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve received many gifts from you. Financial gifts and other gifts too…protein powder,
clothes, books, hats, scarves, visits, meals, etc. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You’ve blessed us so much. Last trip there were a few people who gave us
some money or made a donation using Go Fund Me right before we left. It turned out to be the exact amount we
needed to pay for lodging, gas, supplements and meals! God is so amazing to supply for what we
need! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In closing, I thank you for taking time to read about my
progress. I appreciate the messages I
get with questions or congratulations.
You really make me feel special to have so many that care about me. I’ve included a few pictures for you. I wish you could all come with me to CTCA and
experience these wonderful things I’m writing about. The next best thing is sharing pictures instead. Shown below are the cafeteria and the
reception desk at the Infusion Clinic where I go for chemo and vitamin
infusions. Lastly, is a picture from a
friend that brought a huge smile to my face.
I don’t support Relay for Life for personal reasons, but my friend participates
each year celebrating her mom’s VICTORY over cancer. Below is a picture of my friend’s
contribution to the relay in my name. I
love what it says. If you talk about me,
use words like ‘winning’, ‘healing’, ‘fighting’ and ‘overcoming’. The Bible says the tongue has the power of
life and death, so use your tongue to speak ‘LIFE’ for me!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upon returning from this upcoming visit to the cancer
center, I’ll try to update you sooner rather than later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, Darlene<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.gofundme.com/g8xfno" target="_blank">http://www.gofundme.com/g8xfno</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeACKxBap1TE_Et0mjUZCLjy35I7EXXnmIY20Q9CJ5vxiJXZq2na1gstMuqCkHBhGhBzpPd8id8XRJq0l_zZaj9tQ_GQEfiqh9co1VXnsAdSoMYidB9G8XFZ76TPypNYJvo_VDJQOu-Jw/s1600/IMAG2036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeACKxBap1TE_Et0mjUZCLjy35I7EXXnmIY20Q9CJ5vxiJXZq2na1gstMuqCkHBhGhBzpPd8id8XRJq0l_zZaj9tQ_GQEfiqh9co1VXnsAdSoMYidB9G8XFZ76TPypNYJvo_VDJQOu-Jw/s320/IMAG2036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIwZ-d4TbrD066-e_AKzlLByLTLEJm8ixawlzvgMaBrcnhYdXYuQtTjOJqSlenCIo-NiGI3vCdn-6Ol_dsnSVUigRx1Qaqf9ZT8Mj4FyNJoPW1G3kWJxQVoG_T4WcgrO5fWVZzezT9H0/s1600/IMAG2038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIwZ-d4TbrD066-e_AKzlLByLTLEJm8ixawlzvgMaBrcnhYdXYuQtTjOJqSlenCIo-NiGI3vCdn-6Ol_dsnSVUigRx1Qaqf9ZT8Mj4FyNJoPW1G3kWJxQVoG_T4WcgrO5fWVZzezT9H0/s320/IMAG2038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQhxCLZBY3YJctde84bVpl8UFN6Y-O69665uxXBVnAefzaFBs_5ym_7u1V80ouTLlW1p24nMQPZ09cQedsnFSDfioPd0Gf8YFijhIpj0qB5jmV-xc3SLZUwjd-V7YmbVwero5tJVYZGI/s1600/IMAG2041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQhxCLZBY3YJctde84bVpl8UFN6Y-O69665uxXBVnAefzaFBs_5ym_7u1V80ouTLlW1p24nMQPZ09cQedsnFSDfioPd0Gf8YFijhIpj0qB5jmV-xc3SLZUwjd-V7YmbVwero5tJVYZGI/s320/IMAG2041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksZavsEYA_NLtVkivAC_1LyQC-uZdESIKHv79wvTpmdh57HTUdzDlFcCXcdakUSv1q00POn-lOVlnRFKz0TbT0ssZ4nn29SPvojqt7dQA3DQ0lehd8hMHQPiV8LEQA0QanXwAZBbv5Gs/s1600/FB_IMG_1434893681249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksZavsEYA_NLtVkivAC_1LyQC-uZdESIKHv79wvTpmdh57HTUdzDlFcCXcdakUSv1q00POn-lOVlnRFKz0TbT0ssZ4nn29SPvojqt7dQA3DQ0lehd8hMHQPiV8LEQA0QanXwAZBbv5Gs/s320/FB_IMG_1434893681249.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-14929934337704275382015-05-18T18:34:00.001-07:002015-05-18T18:38:41.386-07:00Georgia on my mindI'm back finally to post an update! My last post was prior to my initial trip to Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Georgia. My first appointment was in March. I was scheduled for three to five day of appointments with various doctors for evaluation and testing purposes. CTCA is renowned for their work treating advanced stage cancers. We traveled to GA a little nervous and a little excited. They had prearranged our lodging and had us staying at a nearby resort. I was quite impressed, but with things so spaced out, I found myself more winded than normal as we walked from the parking lot up to our room or to the resort restaurant for breakfast. I had to stop several times to catch my breath. Also, the heat was making it worse. Getting in the hot car seemed unbearable. I was feeling faint and lightheaded. We soon realized that my oxygen was dropping quite low when I exerted any amount of energy. We went to urgent care on site at CTCA and I was eventually admitted to their hospital. Because of all the tubes and things connected to me, I was not allowed out of bed without a nurse except to use the bathroom. The pleural effusion issue on my left side was getting worse and needed to be dealt with asap. The fluid pushing on my lungs was making it hard for me to breathe. After consulting with a few doctors, we decided to have a Pleurx catheter inserted (in my side) to drain accumulating fluid, as needed. I didn't like the idea of having a tube sticking out of my side but I did want to breathe so it was a no brainer. It was a fairly simple procedure...I think! I was asleep! Fortunately, God gave me a highly accredited pulmonary doctor whom I've been extremely pleased with. A week and a half in a hospital bed was not good for my back or my spirit. CTCA is known for the comprehensive care they offer. During my stay they provided massage therapy and music relaxation therapy. The massage was great but I really enjoyed the music therapy. They sent an acoustic guitarist to my hospital room and he strummed anything I requested. He even came back again later to show me he had taught himself a song I requested that he didn't know. After talking to him, we learned that he was a worship pastor at a nearby church. Upon my release from the hospital, CTCA moved our lodging to their on site guest accommodations which was great! Everything is under one roof so we didn't even have to leave the building to go to my appointments. They set my room up with oxygen since I would be using it 24/7 for the time being. They gave me a wheelchair to use because I was already weak going in, but after 10 days in bed, my back was not strong enough for much walking.<br />
<br />
The days that followed were busy with appointments and tests. I met my PEC (Patient Empowered Care) team. This is my personal team of doctors who meet together to determine the best care for me in my particular situation. I have a highly accredited oncologist, a naturopathic doctor, a nurse and a nutritionist. Since CTCA provides comprehensive care I also have doctors and other medical professionals that I meet with periodically and as needed. They include a chiropractor, a pulmonologist, a wound care nurse, a psychiatrist, a massage therapist and an occupational therapist. Each one has exceeded my expectations. Since our first visit was three weeks instead of three days, we'd often pass these people in the center and say hello. Some have come to know us by name and we will stop and chat. <br />
<br />
The tests I had included all kinds of scans and blood draws. A Picc line was put into my left arm for infusions and future blood draws. None of this was easy since I don't like small spaces and laying flat is difficult with a pleural effusion. I made it through and made it home after the three weeks. My first round of chemo had been the day before we left. Twenty four hours later I received an infusion of vitamins and something call Nuelasta <a href="http://www.neulasta.com/what-is-neulasta.html" target="_blank">http://www.neulasta.com/what-is-neulasta.html</a> .Then we headed home. I was happy to see home but was experiencing so many discomforts it was overwhelming. Nausea had set in on the drive home, I was flushed. I was hot. I was cold. I was an emotional wreck - crying for my mom! During the night I would wake up my husband and call him by name (so he'd wake up) to help me go to the bathroom. Twice, I called out for my mom instead of him. In his groggy state, he'd say, "I'm NOT your mom!". Heehee. I was so weak I needed help walking to keep me stable. I didn't know how I'd make it from one day to the next, honestly. Even though loved ones were with me, I felt so alone. I was desperate for encouragement. Knowing that God was my source of life, I recognized that others could help me physically but He literally was sustaining me with every breath. Having a pleural effusion, my doctor likened it to slowly suffocating. It's scary to not be able to breathe very deeply because it affects talking, walking, coughing laughing, etc. I started searching out scripture from the Bible relating to life, breath, health, and healing. I wrote them everywhere I'd see them. With the little breath I had, I spoke them out loud, claimed them as applying to me and thanked God for every breath, for His healing and for sustaining my very life. I wrote my own declarations and every day, morning and night, I declared them along with the truth of God's Word in those scriptures I had written down. I declared things like: I am getting stronger every day. I can breathe deeper every day. Excess fluid is being dried up where it should not be. My back is getting stronger. There were many others. Even thought I felt so bad, I would try to get my mind off of it and think of things that were true according to God's Word...I am more than a conqueror, I am victorious, I am healed, I am rescued, I am loved, I am not alone, etc. I sounded like a crazy person, but I would speak these aloud anytime I needed to and if that meant during dinner, then I'd do it. My life depended on it.<br />
<br />
I've had two treatments now and go back very soon for my third. My second treatment was not as harsh as the first. I was stronger when we went back the second time. Instead of sitting in the wheelchair, I pushed it, using it for support (and for carrying all my stuff around like a bag lady!) When I saw my pulmonologist on our second visit, he did an ultra sound of my lungs and saw NO FLUID!! It had all dried up! Humble tears streamed down my cheeks as the doctor and his nurses rejoiced with me. I thanked God again for drying it up and healing me. Remember my declarations? My oncologist was very pleased with my healing progress after just the first treament. He suggested a total of four to six treatments every three weeks. After more tests, we'll determine where to go from there.<br />
<br />
I could tell you story after story of the staff at CTCA going the extra mile, but this would be too long. I'm amazed that there is really a place that exists where no one speaks negatively, even the housekeeping staff ask if there is anything they can do for you. The staff are all non smokers, they don't wear perfume or anything scented (due to patient sensitivity) and I've had at least half a dozen staff tell me this is the best job they've had. The majority of the cafeteria food is organic. It's freshly prepared by chefs, not out of boxes and frozen packages. Grass fed burgers, vegan burgers, mahi mahi, NY strip, whole wheat homemade pizza, all kinds of veggies, several pasta and veggie salads, etc. Patients meals are free and care giver's meals are 60% off. On our last trip my husband had a lunch of seared tuna, jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and a salad and drink for $3! Also, while I was hospitalized the cafe would send up someone to give me a menu and take my order for each meal. For breakfast I could order eggs, any style, or any style omelet, with all the sides to accompany it. While I'm getting my chemo infusions they come and take my order for meals too. (chemo infusions for me are about six hours) During my last chemo, I even had a massage. I'm amazed at the care given to patients at CTCA. I'll post some pictures below (even one of me holding my cute grandson!)<br />
<br />
I have already lost my hair and I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it but I have to admit that I'm enjoying it. I don't have to wash it, comb it, style it or pack any hair care items when I travel. I'd prefer to show my naked head everywhere but sometimes it gets cold. Also, I have other "accessories" like my Picc line and oxygen and I understand it might be a shock to some people. I have already had to explain to some kids at church that I'm taking some medicine that made my hair come out.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you up to date as I continue to heal. Please don't be afraid to ask me questions - I like it. Thank you to everyone who visited me in GA (the Zapatas, the Tuggles, my grandparents, the Beccues, My uncle Ken, and our new friend, Devin) and everyone who visits me here at home. Your visits are keeping me encouraged and lifting my spirits. Also, thank you the your donations. They have helped us tremendously. We have to pay lodging, travel expenses and supplements (insurance doesn't cover these). If you'd like to use Go Fund Me to donate, I'll post the link below. I need to update the description on there since it doesn't reflect the change in my treatment now.<br />
<br />
My heart is so full of love for all of you. God is doing so many wonderful things and He has does many of them through you! Thank you for caring about me. Darlene<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gofundme.com/g8xfno" target="_blank">http://www.gofundme.com/g8xfno</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AjJmD2uLhZsGrVzWeH_dE45e7hroTMjeDDuJ9y7gHTm_OcvoMRkAtg_EcU1pinnPZAoYVMbCsvlvJuyyq3uFcJCJgezu8Poh7qbnB0-9Lya5fYp4qhNmvu56vg1rVaGMAYndKZylg1o/s1600/IMAG1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AjJmD2uLhZsGrVzWeH_dE45e7hroTMjeDDuJ9y7gHTm_OcvoMRkAtg_EcU1pinnPZAoYVMbCsvlvJuyyq3uFcJCJgezu8Poh7qbnB0-9Lya5fYp4qhNmvu56vg1rVaGMAYndKZylg1o/s320/IMAG1952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7QH9kgF86f1DR3uz-JRI1mK4YBoBTsavyHz7xIZrUwK_9YND6fQCWCHDorKayZq3Emrj7B-FAB72WukSCmVjz4jl7WfdTjCukJpPXV9cSEODhRfdUfIper-pxWhkKQnO68NqCeyayY0/s1600/IMAG1953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7QH9kgF86f1DR3uz-JRI1mK4YBoBTsavyHz7xIZrUwK_9YND6fQCWCHDorKayZq3Emrj7B-FAB72WukSCmVjz4jl7WfdTjCukJpPXV9cSEODhRfdUfIper-pxWhkKQnO68NqCeyayY0/s320/IMAG1953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CTUYejGrmXs1DKGC2UsWRVpKWX8LAETGu19dTVaQ6oshlErLdTnT7EojCcVmg-u5naDCKwU7pAsTufRU5hx3QIbfxPFfQUtQFKi27Di9NcXCshc3k-zbi-WzPaZHvPi6ga7sh6-20Tc/s1600/IMAG1954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CTUYejGrmXs1DKGC2UsWRVpKWX8LAETGu19dTVaQ6oshlErLdTnT7EojCcVmg-u5naDCKwU7pAsTufRU5hx3QIbfxPFfQUtQFKi27Di9NcXCshc3k-zbi-WzPaZHvPi6ga7sh6-20Tc/s320/IMAG1954.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib86mCX-89DXkeTYQCHtdQ1bAyGAHYU_r-A_Frp_cqXxjU2PZGp5ZhJJT7H-IBVL_0gi1V1mfwzYf5D3urlquDjz4GdItw3v-DtC_4CcxU7eKZr6q1QuBrzt3GLnLB-N1h81tgsYuju1U/s1600/IMAG1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib86mCX-89DXkeTYQCHtdQ1bAyGAHYU_r-A_Frp_cqXxjU2PZGp5ZhJJT7H-IBVL_0gi1V1mfwzYf5D3urlquDjz4GdItw3v-DtC_4CcxU7eKZr6q1QuBrzt3GLnLB-N1h81tgsYuju1U/s320/IMAG1960.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZtwoKCL2TEBfBOeICAi-Mao-6SR3vOZBDtsJmuHK9uzFCpLmoMrDa-QLCoLIKPSIic9uodAwdm4y95BF5TgQRgLGwyKDBfGs48kMEwLUJl6LtOoFp7H04uPXP9IGkRpk892pTFuCe9U/s1600/IMAG1961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZtwoKCL2TEBfBOeICAi-Mao-6SR3vOZBDtsJmuHK9uzFCpLmoMrDa-QLCoLIKPSIic9uodAwdm4y95BF5TgQRgLGwyKDBfGs48kMEwLUJl6LtOoFp7H04uPXP9IGkRpk892pTFuCe9U/s320/IMAG1961.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_OWXlxxEftwxUiF1AwFQcD8irO0msQfUg4A8l-qbiUeT_PZ-r4QTnImKdd_Sokht94XWUYH7GEMDt7xraGrzQJgHEGw5LGdgvT9J6ok_LCARixZcCCNAQrQimT7dRmJhJVT5l6FJbEo/s1600/IMAG1962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_OWXlxxEftwxUiF1AwFQcD8irO0msQfUg4A8l-qbiUeT_PZ-r4QTnImKdd_Sokht94XWUYH7GEMDt7xraGrzQJgHEGw5LGdgvT9J6ok_LCARixZcCCNAQrQimT7dRmJhJVT5l6FJbEo/s320/IMAG1962.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LWgX5qS-pfQJWrLgnfvacN7O9uqSDCGn7WcrBTqLSqHDnKX16W1CMzei-esXH6oy3cAOCSIhon2v4MWItX4qNndpnr_MW_4acaYEGYpgQBDT3-Ehnu_QNdviEBJYeacUNLhe2Cakp6M/s1600/IMAG1963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LWgX5qS-pfQJWrLgnfvacN7O9uqSDCGn7WcrBTqLSqHDnKX16W1CMzei-esXH6oy3cAOCSIhon2v4MWItX4qNndpnr_MW_4acaYEGYpgQBDT3-Ehnu_QNdviEBJYeacUNLhe2Cakp6M/s320/IMAG1963.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1s7frXRW52gQUenC89wrcTh2xPaAeBcfskNlBw2osGNrYd3apk8YsaXwFhkrGl5xYOg_xBfiJx3KbrZcKkmuCN1SmTW4Ek0EkR24Zvw2v9cOCyv5m4WGhgwPvWbNZa9DDaeBGOuFStk0/s1600/IMAG1964+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1s7frXRW52gQUenC89wrcTh2xPaAeBcfskNlBw2osGNrYd3apk8YsaXwFhkrGl5xYOg_xBfiJx3KbrZcKkmuCN1SmTW4Ek0EkR24Zvw2v9cOCyv5m4WGhgwPvWbNZa9DDaeBGOuFStk0/s320/IMAG1964+(1).jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5h2U8DYY6CBEryrnOIAHNTtOUtnr8Bs7e7_oK3j2UNKMkc1k6mHKqYrHKErTiUWXgApgph2GAEhybDOsAIJgUmx98DohF32ccULzmdn8NNLOpqSVx22F9VD1BgCsvyYYJyJi5qr2IZE/s1600/IMAG1983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5h2U8DYY6CBEryrnOIAHNTtOUtnr8Bs7e7_oK3j2UNKMkc1k6mHKqYrHKErTiUWXgApgph2GAEhybDOsAIJgUmx98DohF32ccULzmdn8NNLOpqSVx22F9VD1BgCsvyYYJyJi5qr2IZE/s320/IMAG1983.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV8Eh7nNlQHgbreAZnDBKXSEwffI0EuJFWaN9CaaAi5qEXeWoLUcLKdstHZ09TFP2yf3VlHPqxAAU-t_IdTUsTKS-V14BiadO7LALxjlv4VGTmBiIoKdAaxDhS9QlMry7aQyMfpOwMr8/s1600/IMAG1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV8Eh7nNlQHgbreAZnDBKXSEwffI0EuJFWaN9CaaAi5qEXeWoLUcLKdstHZ09TFP2yf3VlHPqxAAU-t_IdTUsTKS-V14BiadO7LALxjlv4VGTmBiIoKdAaxDhS9QlMry7aQyMfpOwMr8/s320/IMAG1995.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-69499115450860567892015-03-17T13:41:00.000-07:002015-03-17T13:46:01.716-07:00Gotta get busy<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
I’d like to illustrate a picture for you using two true stories. One is about my neighbor who is a wise man around 80. Daily he travels the fields & pastures behind his home with his dog & shotgun. No, he isn't hunting, he’s just keeping any eye on everything. But he <i><u>is</u></i> prepared and armed to take action if needed. The second story is of an elderly man my husband did some work for recently. The man came in a little after dark one day from working in his fields. Inside his house he was surprised to find a vagrant man along with the man’s bicycle and bag! The vagrant informed him that he was going to sleep there for the night. Our elderly friend quickly went to retrieve his shotgun and replied “This says you’re not!” The vagrant ran out of the house, leaving his bicycle and bag. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
So, my neighbor stays on guard, looking to eradicate trouble when it pops up. But our elderly friend doesn't seem to be as alert. Hopefully he’ll be locking his doors more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Lately, I've felt more like our friend & less like our neighbor. I've been letting negative thoughts in my mind, then considering them instead of immediately eradicating them. I failed to see the damage being done. Eventually, I succumbed to a state of despair and hopelessness. These attacks on my mind were constant. I found some Bible verses regarding health, life, etc. and wrote them down. I began speaking each verse out loud to my soul and contrasting each attack on my mind with a truth from God’s Word. I also had some more physical changes to make—like getting dressed each day, instead of wearing pajamas all day. In the movie <i>Shawshank Redemption</i>, Morgan Freeman’s character refers to our choice to “get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’”. I’m ashamed to say I had not been busy livin’. It’s not easy to make a transition. I’m so grateful for the support and encouragement I've been given. Once I recognized and admitted my problem, help started to pour in. Last week another encouragement came. I found out I've been accepted for testing and evaluation at the Cancer Treatment Center of America, near Atlanta. During next week we should have more information on recommended treatments. I like the picture my friend had in her mind of me showing up at the Cancer Treatment Center:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Her picture was me, walking through their doors with about 300 of my family and friends behind me—all of us saying “<i><span style="line-height: 13.6960000991821px;">We’re here</span></i>!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
I will try to stay in touch to keep you all updated. If you have our number and want an update, please call. My husband doesn't text. I expect a visit from everyone. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> I’m filled with love for you all. Your support and help mean so much. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Thank you-- Darlene</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><a href="http://www.cancercenter.com/southeastern/">http://www.cancercenter.com/southeastern/</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/g8xfno">http://www.gofundme.com/g8xfno</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-43332829011197745102015-01-30T13:21:00.004-08:002015-01-30T13:24:09.235-08:00Ketchup<div class="Publishwithline">
Ketchup.<o:p></o:p><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #C6C6C6 1.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 2.0pt 0in;">
<div class="underline">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="PadderBetweenControlandBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s what I’m going to try to do—catch you up on what’s
been happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back in November, my doctor sent me for a chest x-ray
because I was coughing, short of breath and unable to lay down (without losing
my breath).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The x-ray showed a pleural
effusion in both pleural cavities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
meant fluid was building <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">around</i> my
lungs (NOT in my lungs), putting pressure on them; making the lungs unable to
expand fully. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor sent me to the
hospital for a Thoracentesis, a procedure where a needle and catheter are
inserted through the ribs to the pleural cavity for the purpose of draining
excess fluid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The procedure itself
wasn’t too bad until the end, when two liters of fluid had been drained out and
my lung was trying to re-expand after having been collapsed under the weight of
the fluid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I coughed, struggling for
breath for at least 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was given another x-ray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After waiting for the results, I was told I
had a pneumothorax—a perforation of the lung.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The doctor told me the perforation most likely happened during the Thoracentesis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He recommended I stay overnight in case of
any complications and have another x-ray in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At 8:00 AM, I went for another x-ray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Several hours later a physician’s assistant came to my room to say she
had reviewed the x-ray—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">on her phone</i>—and
it looked fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said I “was released
to go home”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure how she could
make out anything clearly on a cell phone, but I told her I wanted to see a
doctor and get their opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple
of hours later, around 2:30, a doctor came in and said she thought I should
stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She showed us the 8:00 AM x-ray and
said the pneumothorax had not improved and fluid had filled the pleural cavity
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many things with this hospital experience had been
upsetting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose to go home and
consult my doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After consultations
and some research, I decided to go to a different hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My doctor was now recommending a surgical
procedure to relieve the excess fluid called a Pluerodesis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pleural effusion can occur in cases of
heart disease or cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If excess fluid
was going to keep occurring, we were going to have to take additional steps to
deal with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went to the other hospital to have the Pluerodesis procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in a hospital bed and walked the halls
for exercise for a week while they ran test, brought various doctors in for
consult and obtained medical records.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finally</i>, I went in for surgery the day
before Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recovered in ICU
for three days before they transferred me to the Step Down Unit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There I had begun breathing treatments to
help my lung expand again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to the
invasiveness of the procedure, doctors typically only do one side at a
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My right side had the most fluid,
according to x-rays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four days after
surgery, the surgeon removed the chest tube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A large tube had been stitched into my side to allow the fluid to
drain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A day and a half later they sent me home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six weeks later, I’m still recovering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My lung capacity is slowly increasing after
being under so much pressure from the fluid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This makes talking an effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
try to keep my breathing slow and regulated so my lungs aren’t stressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I start coughing when my lungs are working
harder; trying to keep up with heavier breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the cold weather and wind makes me
cough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My right side is still sore where
the chest drain tube was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The surgeon
said many nerves had been cut for the procedure and I’d most likely have some
degree of pain long term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve been busy since I came home from the hospital trying
to get to a cancer treatment center in Atlanta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’d think it would be a fairly simple process, but we’ve had to take
step, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">after step</i>, even to get where
we are now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently we are going back
& forth about insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please keep
us in your prayers as we go through this process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to thank all of the people who have blessed me during
these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without naming names, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m so grateful </i>to each person who
supported my GoFundMe account (setting it up, sharing it, contributing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in the hospital, my Husband was
able to be there with me instead of having to work and we were still able to
pay our bills from the funds coming in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you contributed money in any way, we are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so grateful.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to those
who check up on us, send sweet cards, steadfastly pray, run errands, encourage
us, visit us, make food for me, make liposomal vitamin c, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sit with me, and bring me fresh squeezed
orange juice and clothes that fit better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could just keep going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list
is so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also enjoyed visits
from family from Northern Alabama down to central Florida and many messages and
texts from friends all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
kindness and love poured out on me is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">overwhelming</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My words are fewer these days, but please
know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I love you right back</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<w:sdt docpart="D2C9A6C50896482B97D15BC21A008B46" id="89512082" storeitemid="X_5F329CAD-B019-4FA6-9FEF-74898909AD20" text="t" title="Post Title" xpath="/ns0:BlogPostInfo/ns0:PostTitle">
</w:sdt>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Darlene <o:p></o:p></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-34951844851506204872014-08-28T07:09:00.000-07:002014-08-28T07:11:48.220-07:00Transparent<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t made a blog post in a while. Please appreciate my transparency here. I normally like to be low key and even
keeled. I don’t like to be a
spectacle. This is a tough one to
write. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the summer, I was busy enjoying time with my son. There were some rough patches with my health
situation and those have been increasing.
Discomforts have become pains and trouble sleeping due to pain has kept
me awake many nights. Pain seems to come
with the nighttime and ease during the day.
I don’t know why. If I don’t
sleep during the night, I sleep during the day, which I don’t like. It makes me feel disconnected from the rest
of the world. Often times, my arm (on
the side where the tumor is) will feel heavy and slightly numb. My energy has been decreasing and there have
been times when I pushed myself to go for a walk, then ended up on the couch
the entire next day because my body was trying to recover. These things have been disheartening and I am
constantly trying to build myself up by reminding myself of God’s Word and praying, singing, whatever I can
think of. In June, God gave my husband
and me His word of my healing. I have been asking for Him to bring that
forth SOON! I’ve shared with my husband
that I’ve been getting weary and didn’t know how much more I could endure. The things my doctor feels like I need are
all out of our financial range.
Insurance doesn’t cover alternative treatments, such as intravenous high
dose vitamin C treatments or other things.
We’re not talking illegal drugs here.
A person can get a narcotic prescribed and insurance will cover it, but
not vitamin C. Anyway, we have prayed that God would provide financially for
what He would have me undergo for treatments.
This past Saturday, I discovered a mass in my other breast. This was a devastating blow. Despite the thought that I had cried all I
had lately, the tears flowed. The
darkness I felt at my diagnosis in January 2013 had crept back in. Sunday morning, I picked myself up, put
clothes on and walked into the sanctuary of our church. The very first woman who asked how I was that
day got a wet shoulder when she hugged me.
Everyone else who asked did too.
When I was able to get words out they were short. “I’m just tired. I need help.”
At the end of the service, my husband walked with me up front to ask for
prayer. Soon there was a small army
surrounding me. I hate to cry in front
of people. A few tears are acceptable,
but I was broken and helpless. I knew
it. I let them pray for me, encourage
me, hug me, etc. Sunday night, I went to
bed and I slept peacefully for seven hours!!
That hadn’t happened since May probably.
I was amazed. Monday morning my
pastor’s wife and another small army of women marched through my living room
door to help me again. Since then (I’m
writing this Wednesday night) some wonderful things have been happening. God has been giving me encouraging words
through many people, sleep has been improving, strong pain has lessened to
discomfort again, the feeling in my arm has improved. God has showed my husband and me some
wonderful things through His word, etc. Since I first began my holistic therapy
back in January 2013, I have been homebound mostly. The Gerson therapy I did the first year
required making hourly, fresh juices from 7am to 7pm. Needless to say, I couldn’t get out
much. I still do other natural helps my
health that keep me busy at home even now (rebounding, far infared therapy, chi
machine sessions, getting sunlight for at least 15-30 minutes each day,
etc). My pastor has urged me now to step
back out into the world that (without realizing it) I had closed myself off
from, knowing I need the company of those who love me. I didn’t realize how much I needed you
all. As I write this, there is a battle
being fought for me while I rest. For 24
hours straight, my church body has volunteered to go to our church building and
pray for me. From midnight to midnight
the next day. My only hope at this point
is for a miracle. That’s what we’re asking for.
Like I said previously, God
reassured us of healing back in June. I
believe He has heard my cry and is bringing forth exactly what I need. I feel like the night is almost over and the
dawn is coming. Please pray with us for
healing to come. I am excited with
anticipation. I need your encouragement
to strengthen me. Please be free with your
kind words, phone calls to check on me, etc.
The outpouring of concern has been overwhelming and so refreshing. I have a wonderful group of people
surrounding me. Thank you to so many
people who have blessed me with gifts of service, encouragement, money,
etc. Also thank you for pestering me to
provide a blog update and the messages showing concern. It’s obvious that you care. I love you guys right back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
D<o:p></o:p></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-7496999326405638842014-02-25T15:20:00.001-08:002014-02-25T15:20:45.447-08:00Happy DayMy heart is full today. God is overwhelmingly good to me. All that He teaches me makes each new day even better (despite how I feel emotionally, physically, etc.). I am truly humbled by His extravagant, irrational love. I cannot understand how He loves but I am so glad He does. <br />
<br />
I know everyone wants to know details on how I'm doing. I'll get that out of the way so I can write about more important things. I am really enjoying this diet I'm on. I don't know why they call it a diet. I'd prefer to call it "eating", but I didn't name it. Here is an example of what a day's meals consist of:<br />
<br />
<u>Breakfast</u><br />
Omelet with mushrooms, turkey sausage and kale (or spinach)<br />
Cinnamon Flax muffin with nuts (sounds weird, but it's yummy in my tummy)<br />
<br />
<u>Lunch</u><br />
Salad with dark, leafy greens and maybe sweet peppers, olives, green or red onions, etc<br />
My own red wine vinegarette dressing<br />
Riced cauliflower (with turmeric, which makes it look like yellow rice)<br />
Blackened (just seasoning) flounder<br />
<br />
<u>Dinner</u><br />
Salad with dark, leafy greens again<br />
My own red wine vinegarette dressing<br />
Dilled salmon or salmon marinated in oil, crushed garlic and vinegar and cayenne pepper<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7O2JmNyDK_E2uXTeqaDsRE7lamFUx69LB4WJSMl3ihryDPaBz10r0E5AeGxpLyBksCpZHkWj-Z4fhLG-kvtss_JsVtJXVqzOtkCmyaN1f_KhENAIHnPakSWyd05EZL4BApI7bELCJLkk/s1600/Omelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7O2JmNyDK_E2uXTeqaDsRE7lamFUx69LB4WJSMl3ihryDPaBz10r0E5AeGxpLyBksCpZHkWj-Z4fhLG-kvtss_JsVtJXVqzOtkCmyaN1f_KhENAIHnPakSWyd05EZL4BApI7bELCJLkk/s1600/Omelet.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMC3XwE7S_FFeHTOAWtODgDAXfAA1XUJxSgGDwvGzBA4JMG5ulcwLB6LQJ0RyIh3EIjsdUVChHw1d_DqrgmYGdpAgIoYhZTLTq9N0YEL-OBwS8jf6EWeCZnBlingMKd41ikE2jT3SbWE/s1600/Salad+with+blackened+flounder+on+riced+cauliflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMC3XwE7S_FFeHTOAWtODgDAXfAA1XUJxSgGDwvGzBA4JMG5ulcwLB6LQJ0RyIh3EIjsdUVChHw1d_DqrgmYGdpAgIoYhZTLTq9N0YEL-OBwS8jf6EWeCZnBlingMKd41ikE2jT3SbWE/s1600/Salad+with+blackened+flounder+on+riced+cauliflower.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
I am loving my cayenne pepper and anything HOT! You can see it on my omelet.<br />
I feel like I'm eating like a king. It's all clean and organic. It makes me feel great. I have been struggling with my macros (fats, proteins carbs) and I am continuing to fine tune them. I immediately lost weight and I am trying to keep it on instead. Now I need to gain some back. I talk to my doctor this week about this. I'm just not sure what macros to alter to put the weight back on. I've read it takes about three months to get it worked out because the body is adapting to a new metabolism. I didn't realize how much I lacked in getting my vitamin and mineral levels in check and there have been some days when I felt weak and fatigued. Yeah, I should have followed my doctor's orders when she said to use Pink Salt each day. I thought I could do without it. Easy remedy. Got Pink Salt? I will continue to keep you updated. Meanwhile, if you are looking to lose weight, I highly recommend a low carb diet. Some people do a "dirty" version of the diet, eating pork rinds, lots of bacon, etc. But it is easily done using clean foods and organic (if you desire) foods.<br />
<br />
I am still using other modalities in addition to the diet, such as iodine (Lugols), pancreatic enzymes, asidoll (digestive enzyme), green drinks, Pectasol C (modified citrus pectin), Liver capsules, melatonin (used in breast cancer treatment, not as a sleep aid), Vitamin D3, Vitamin C, multivitamin, DIM, Resveratrol, COQ10, Far Infared Dome, Chi machine, rebounding, breathing exercises...the list goes on. Most of all, I am still learning to trust God. I was reminded from a friend's blog this week of this verse:<br />
<br />
<i>Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.</i><br />
<br />
I'm surrounded by people who encourage and love me daily. I'm so grateful. I think back sometimes to how I lived in the past. Even just a few years back. I wish I would have taught my kids to eat better, take better care of themselves, I wish I could teach them to cook and eat healthier and all the things I've learned lately about life and healing. They aren't at home anymore for me to teach them. Our loved ones see our flaws. They see us act like jerks. Now, I hope they see a better me and forget about the things I've done and haven't done. I want those close to me to see a woman humbly submitted to God, living each day to honor Him and joyfully rejoicing in that freedom. <br />
<br />
Love you all,<br />
DDarlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-44698304123062070462014-02-03T19:06:00.004-08:002014-02-03T19:06:56.837-08:00Choosing Health with Lifestyle and FoodHello my friends! Grab your cup of herbal, caffeine free tea (mine is Pau D 'Arco) and let's chat! It's been a busy time since my last post. I've been busy getting healthier. To answer most people's first question, my most recent blood work was much better than what I posted on the last blog. Estrogen was lower (after much prayer and dietary changes). Dietary changes were taking a daily walk, adding chamomile tea daily, increasing vitamin D3, adding flax seeds to salads (daily), adding melatonin back into my daily supplements (not as a sleep aid - melatonin has strong benefits for breast health) and adding turmeric, cayenne and cinnamon to my food (every day). Yay! God has made food (not processed, fast or junk food, obviously) to benefit us. It can alter our mood, our hormones, our blood, our metabolism...our bodies are fueled by food. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are either promoting health or disease with <i><b>EVERY</b></i> thing we put into our mouths. What do you want to promote?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I talk to people to talk about their health issues and I am learning that degenerative diseases are a problem for most people. Degenerative diseases are ailments that progressively worsen over time due to age and lifestyle choices. I have learned so much this past year from my research, talking with people, watching interviews or talks by various doctors and from my personal experience. I have come to learn that degenerative diseases can be avoided and/or treated by diet and lifestyle choices in most cases. We encourage degenerative disease by:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Food choices (do you eat fresh, real, whole food or do you eat junk food, pre-made food (with preservatives), fast food, restaurant food, candy, cake, sugar, etc)</li>
<li>Being stressed. Need to simplify? Need to minimize clutter? Need to establish a routine? Need to downsize? Need to rest? Need to change occupations? Need to....?</li>
<li>Chemicals we put on our skin, (our skin is our largest organ) chemicals in deodorant, soap, body washes, lotion, perfume, cologne, make up, hair products, nail polish, etc. </li>
<li>Chemicals we inhale: Air fresheners, candles, other people's perfumes, paints, solvents, pesticides sprayed by pest control companies, new carpet, gas fumes, etc.</li>
<li>Being lazy. If you don't want to be a marathon runner or a gym junkie, fine. Just go for a walk every day. Make time to take a brisk walk for at least 15 minutes. Too cold out? Bundle up. Too dark? Walk at lunch. Got kids? Take them and give them a walking assignment (collect leaves, count steps, sing songs, etc). Got company? Tell them in advance that you walk each day and ask them to plan to join you. We make time for things that are important to us. This cartoon illustrates that.<img src="http://www.glasbergen.com/wp-content/gallery/diabetes/diabetes12.gif" /></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here is a list of some degenerative diseases. Some listed here may surprise you when you remember that I stated above that many issues can be avoided or treated with diet and lifestyle:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Alzheimer's</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Parkinson's</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
MS</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Heart disease</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cancers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Diabetes</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Arthritis</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Rheumatoid arthritis</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Osteoarthritis</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Osteoporosis</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have talked with people who have reversed heart disease, diabetes and cancer using diet and lifestyle choices. God created our bodies to heal themselves, provided we choose healthy foods and habits to fortify them. We will strengthen or weaken our body/mind with these choices. I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss work, family events, time with my family/friends due to illness. So I want to do all I can to encourage excellent health in my body. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own health. Medical doctors, for the most part, are schooled in medicine. Medications come with side effects that may or may not outweigh any benefits. I don't want to be reliant on medications and have to deal with their side effects. To me, eating healthy is enjoyable and I get to enjoy the positive side effects (LIFE AND VIBRANT HEALTH)!! </div>
<h1 class="quoteText" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” - Hippocrates</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It hurts me to see people I care about (family or friends) suffering needlessly from bad health. Here is a question to ponder: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>If I don't care enough about myself to pursue good health, why would I expect a doctor or my family or my children or my friends to take care of me when my health takes a turn for the worst?</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is my heart. I'm not trying to be harsh, but I realize these statements may come across that way. It would be a blessing to me if I can point someone in the right direction. Please ask me questions regarding health, etc. , if you'd like to. I will try to provide you with resources to help your specific situation. I only learn things because I seek out the answers. They are readily available. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In closing, my doctor recently suggested a trial period of a different nutritional therapy that has been found to shrink tumors. After much prayer and research, I agreed. My doctor and I believe that the Gerson therapy, for the past year, has strengthened my immune system and detoxed my body intensely. I have enjoyed Gerson and look forward to a new chapter of my life during this trial period of the new nutritional therapy. My supplements will vary only slightly but my foods will be vastly different. I am switching from an all organic, vegetarian (close to vegan) diet to a diet rich in healthy fats, moderate in protein and extremely low in carbohydrates. The goal is to starve my body of carbs (including naturally occurring sugar)(carbs and sugar fuel cancers) and fill it with healthy fats. This switches my metabolism from burning glucose to burning fat (in a nut shell). Some foods on this diet are:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Coconut oil, coconut butter, organic butter, olive oil, flax oil, nut oils, avocados, wild caught (in the US only) cold water fish, organic chicken, green leafy vegetables and ....EGGS!!! I have missed eggs! This diet is all clean and organic. No trans fats, fake food, no soy, no red meat, no pork, no grains, etc. I will keep you up to date. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thanks for taking time to read this. I pray that it's useful to you. Thanks to everyone who is faithful to pray for me, thanking God for my healing and who bless me in various ways. Thank you for being a friend to me. I hope to hear from you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Darlene</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-86200303059631135482013-11-21T16:42:00.002-08:002013-11-21T18:25:08.207-08:00When being positive is negative!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Most
recent blood work wasn't good news. Estrogen levels were high and tumor marker
was back up to 100. It had previously been at 73. The tumor marker is an
indicator of localization (of disease) or metastasis (spreading). We don't want
the number to increase. We want it to decrease. My original biopsy results
indicated the tumor was estrogen receptor + (positive). So, when my body
creates an abundance of estrogen, the excess estrogen binds to the tumor's
receptors to feed it. In summary, estrogen receptor positive + high estrogen=growing tumor. I am working
with my doctor in making modifications to my therapy, focusing on lowering
estrogen, specifically. I had been easing off some things that I didn't realize
were estrogen lowering efforts. I had quit taking melatonin before bed. I was
taking 20 mg, which is a large amount and makes for groggy mornings and rather
dangerous middle of the night trips to the bathroom. I ran out of vitamin D,
which I had been taking 20,000 IUs of. I figured I would just get more sun (I
do live in FL). Crucifer</span>ous<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> vegetable prices had become more than I wanted to
pay (fortunately, prices are going back down now). I had been eating broccoli,
cauliflower or </span>brussel<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> sprouts with every meal, but I refuse to pay $5 a head.
So, I had cut those out. All these things (and there are still more I didn't bring
up) were things that help lower estrogen. My doctor discusses my estrogen
levels each time we talk, but I didn't relate it to tumor growth. My fault. I
knew, but for whatever reason, I just failed to put two and two together. Doc
also has me adding in some items that are temporarily forbidden on </span>Gerson<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. I'm
adding nuts/seeds, lentils/legumes, ginger, </span>tumeric<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... So I've added items
slowly, as not to disrupt my digestion too much. So far so good. Yesterday, I
had sunflower seeds in a salad and tonight I had flax seeds in my salad. I used
fresh ginger in salad dressing I made yesterday and it did upset my stomach a
tad, but just for a short time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I seriously dislike being
open. It makes me feel vulnerable. I
never would have blogged before this. But I am finding a treasure in stretching
myself to be more honest with people than I feel comfortable with. In some
wacky way, I feel that it helps with my healing. This is a roller coaster of emotions.
I can see that it helps me to release emotions. Often, I get to see others open
up when I lead the way. It's nice to see a genuineness in people. I actually feel honored when others are
transparent with me. Life is definitely about relationships; not things or
careers or successes. I am enjoying
richer relationships with people. There are often tears in my eyes when I'm
talking with others. I'm learning to be
okay with that instead of trying to stifle it. I have many kinds of tears
lately. Tears of joy, when someone has blessed me somehow. Tears of humbleness
when someone has gone out of their way to do something kind for me. Tears of
frustration when things aren't going my way. Tears of strife when the road
seems long and drawn out. There are even "I don't know" tears. Those
are the one that freak out husbands. I have those too. I guess I'll blame those
on the excess estrogen! I've shed lots
of tears lately. My neighbor has been bringing me radishes from his garden. He
strolls through the pastures and fields out back to come through the path
leading to my back yard with radishes in hand. Another farmer friend calls me
early on a Sunday morning and says, "Get out of bed! I'm bringing you some
chard!". A close friend calls to ask if she can come over on her day off.
Another friend calls my husband and says she bringing fresh flowers over me.
Will he come outside and get my special delivery. Mothers and mother in laws
call and say they are going out. What can they pick up for me. My carrot
sponsor says, "I just picked up another bag of carrots for you.". My
pastor and his wife call to say they love me. A Facebook friend messages me to
ask if I would like some pomegranates. People in my church family ask how I am
and they mean it. The owner of our local health food store gives me fresh
picked lemons. Friends and family call/text to see if I need anything from the
hippie grocery store in Pensacola. The elderly man bagging and carrying a bag
of groceries to my car speaks the healing words of God to me. Another friend
comes over to help me clean carrots, make my salads and encourage me in the
Lord. The lady who runs the co-op I buy organic produce from goes out of her
way to help me get what I need. Another person in the co-op gives me fresh
herbs from her garden (and I don't even know her really). My family calls,
texts, and tells me they love me. My husband takes hold of my hand as we drift
off to dreamland. All these things bring tears. I can't begin to express how much I enjoy your personal facebook messages, texts, phone calls and acts of kindness. Please keep them coming. I appreciate your encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Pictures: My husband and me with my grandparents who visited recently and fresh flowers from my friend.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX44xojHx-K-2mlKZnf5GZFy7eeJxyypgQi2fnhM6P9PtMj91vb6uA07LhtcwSXAqkRJRH34KCqv1YhSfEFfRGpUGu1Xm5uxha69dhViP26wswR_ITOg1tJKH8M46m985CATXYNx4NXjc/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX44xojHx-K-2mlKZnf5GZFy7eeJxyypgQi2fnhM6P9PtMj91vb6uA07LhtcwSXAqkRJRH34KCqv1YhSfEFfRGpUGu1Xm5uxha69dhViP26wswR_ITOg1tJKH8M46m985CATXYNx4NXjc/s320/flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRtHt8QRvKCucfTdwVRNqEpa4x2ltjoLjjKDL4ttMESt-KBHvbts5WGhIKHQ6qzav9imbXLourBL0zz_mHdJNzSslyRox5iYaWq-HEQ4Ogpfo_J7zsh3zV5WXnY9LWuu66qomPKm4dLo/s1600/grand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRtHt8QRvKCucfTdwVRNqEpa4x2ltjoLjjKDL4ttMESt-KBHvbts5WGhIKHQ6qzav9imbXLourBL0zz_mHdJNzSslyRox5iYaWq-HEQ4Ogpfo_J7zsh3zV5WXnY9LWuu66qomPKm4dLo/s320/grand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-52149599246831627882013-10-22T12:49:00.000-07:002013-10-22T12:49:04.667-07:00My Personal EdenAs I passed by a window in my living room, recently, I caught a glance of something that startled me. I stopped to get a better look. On our pond, I could see what seemed to be twinkling lights dancing merrily along the surface of the water. I stood there confused; not knowing exactly what I was watching. Was God granting me some supernatural eye candy?? It was such a beautiful sight! I moved to a different window to get a new perspective. I saw what was really happening. It was beginning to rain and from where I had been standing, the sunlight caught the rain drops in a way that made them look like diamonds when they hit the water's surface, but from where I now stood, it just looked like plain old rain. I let out a chuckle at myself. Had my husband been there, he would have said, "Darlene, it's rain. Haven't you seen rain before?". In those few seconds, my eyes were opened to a life lesson. Life is how I see it. Now, I knew this before, but now I am experiencing it in a new way. <br />
<br />
As I write this, I'm sitting on my back porch, the sun warming my body, a light morning breeze is still moving across my skin and I hear the birds singing and chatting. It's peaceful and still. It heals my soul. This is what I'm talking about. Simple things. They are coming to mean so much to me. Don't get me wrong, I have quite a bit on my list of things to do today. It's like that every day, so I am learning that if I want to have these quiet peaceful moments, I have to make time for them and just take them in small increments. 15 minutes will be better than nothing. With each 15 minutes of solitude, comes a renewing, a peace, strength to continue, and "A ha!" thoughts of clarity. I take these blissful escapes on my back porch, on my front porch, in the pathway to the pasture behind our house, even in my bathroom. You are laughing right now, if you have been to my home. I don't live in a place even closely resembling The Biltmore Estate or a grand mansion with acres and acres of extravagantly landscaped property. There are weeds in the yard, a rusting shed in front of me and a toilet sitting on the porch next to me (bathroom remodel). But from where I stand (sit) it's a beautiful picture. If I move to a different spot, I see it in a different light. I have been choosing more often than not, to look at the positive, to really take in the small things. Many small things make up the big things. I'm breathing deeply. I'm taking in the fall weather, my garden, the peaceful stream emptying into our pond, the white daisies from my friend, my husband's strong embrace and soft words, my first taste of pomegranates, the relaxing scent of lavender oil on my pillow. God is so good to allow me these things that make up my personal Eden. I'm doing well...great actually. Healing is coming from the inside out. I'm learning much about healing. I'll save that for another blog.Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-89025287353464648772013-09-19T19:36:00.002-07:002013-09-19T19:36:18.411-07:00Week 30Hi, friends!<br />
Yes, I am finally writing my next blog entry. I am most likely the worst blogger! I cant seem to find the time to write, although I am constantly thinking of things to write about. I have had people ask me to address specific subjects so I will try to address those in this post and upcoming posts. If you are new to my blog, please stop here and go back to my first post and read them each sequentially.<br />
<br />
I am nearly seven months into my therapy at this point and I still find ways to make it a little easier on myself. Although, a typical day only allows me to sit down when I am enjoying a meal. I am giving myself 30 minutes right now to start this post. I will have to write in intervals until it's finished<br />
.<br />
Honestly, I can't remember if anything specific has changed since I posted last..I had a birthday. So, I am a year older, I guess. I am not ashamed to tell you I'm 39. I look forward to each day with anticipation. I am enjoying getting older, because of so many things. I am experiencing life like I have not done before now. I know things I didn't know at 25, at 30, etc. I am much wiser now and able to relax and enjoy life more. <br />
<br />
Let me get the basics out of the way...my blood work comes back showing improvement each month. The tumor has not shrunk any that I can tell, but growth has drastically slowed. That is evidence of the therapy working. When I first noticed it (in October 2012), it was growing extremely fast. On the therapy that I'm on, they say breast tumors (especially large ones) are slowest to respond to the therapy. I have seen improvements each month with my liver and kidney function. My white blood cells are increasing, etc...it's a process of internal healing that takes time. The immune system is detoxified and strengthened so it can fight the disease. I have tried some additions to the therapy that I did not see any success with and discontinued them. I have researched Far infared for a while now and am hoping to purchase a portable FIR hot house dome and chi machine soon. These have been used with success in Europe (clinically) and many health spas currently use them in the U.S. I am specifically hoping to see tumor shrinkage with it, but will appreciate the other benefits, as well. I am feeling like I have more energy these days. I never felt like I didn't have energy, I just feel like I have more now. This is good, because I have been busy all morning (cleaning carrots, scrubbing apples, cleaning my water distiller, making batches of coffee, cleaning my carrot orange sink back to white, sorting my supplements for the day, squeezing in my hourly juicing, etc...) !! I need the energy! <br />
<br />
I have been asked about the things I use daily (supplies and supplements). This is a question I get a lot. Below I'll post pics for you to see. I use castille (plant based) soap for washing my hands and body. I use a coconut based bar shampoo and sometimes I use a coconut oil based conditioner that I purchased when I was on the west coast in February. Other times, I don't use a conditioner. If I need to moisturize my skin (rare, because of all the juice I drink), I use organic castor oil or castor oil based unpetroleum jelly. Many castor oil based cosmetics are showing up now days because so many people have nut allergies. Coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, almond oil...these are all popular right now, but they are all derived from nuts. I bought an organic lip balm from Etsy.com that I really like. It's castor oil and beeswax. Things I use on a daily basis are: castor oil products, peroxide (for disinfecting and cleaning) vinegar for cleaning. Supplements I take (in some form) daily are: iodine, potassium salts, liver caps, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D, niacin (flushing niacin), vitamin C, digestive enzymes, pancreatic enzymes, acidoll pepsin, COQ10, I'm sure I'm leaving out something. I make my own laundry detergent using Borax, Fels Naptha and washing soda. I use witch hazel for many things. Facial astringent, bug bites, oven burns, cuts, scrapes, etc. My toothpaste is a children's tooth gel. It's hard to find a toothpaste with no flouride, no sodium, no sugar or fake sugar! On my therapy the following are prohibited: flouride, sodium (including baking soda which is sodium bicarbonate) (all forms of sodium), cosmetics, lotions, hair dyes, aerosols, chemical cleansers and detergents, chlorine bleach, ointments, perfumes, pesticides, preservatives, flour (except organic rye), cheese, cocoa, anything bottled (food, I mean), epsom salts, oils (with the exception of flax oil), legumes (temporarily), milk, mushrooms, nuts, berries, pickles, salt substitutes, soy and soy products,sprouts, many aromatic spices like pepper, basil, oregano, cumin..., tea unless its herbal and caffeine free. Whew! Try going a whole day without any of that! Nearly impossible unless you restock your home/kitchen. If you don't already read a label before you purchase a product, I suggest you do. You may be surprised at what you are ingesting or putting on your skin. Your skin is your largest organ. Everything your skin touches, is absorbed into your body, into your blood, etc. <br />
<br />
I know this has been long, but I had a lot of information to share. Feel free to ask my questions. It's my bed time!! Until next time...good night!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8ELgmQ2YTCYkYJhFVYjdDIDgrcaK5rjhYQMpok2CuaJKFTSnwk7GDo7J1qxbk0tEUaCjt4SHHNPC8B0OwJVUJ3bI98ShfdcQZvLyV__J406qy6W_WgNZBAEfBq5tCx8owknOtOHlVZE/s1600/supplements+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8ELgmQ2YTCYkYJhFVYjdDIDgrcaK5rjhYQMpok2CuaJKFTSnwk7GDo7J1qxbk0tEUaCjt4SHHNPC8B0OwJVUJ3bI98ShfdcQZvLyV__J406qy6W_WgNZBAEfBq5tCx8owknOtOHlVZE/s1600/supplements+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWqWtd6wUzILA0-GQgRlf2BsFYjzNcm4vgreYTDI339HGS15X7Ku24a1fSlbImxU8TbwAkMHxdsVIZMjPTn-mG7zax2w-dE9eYlgGdpc4OPnhy4QyRkNonxWH8a-Us8md8-cGfBq6Y8k/s1600/supplements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWqWtd6wUzILA0-GQgRlf2BsFYjzNcm4vgreYTDI339HGS15X7Ku24a1fSlbImxU8TbwAkMHxdsVIZMjPTn-mG7zax2w-dE9eYlgGdpc4OPnhy4QyRkNonxWH8a-Us8md8-cGfBq6Y8k/s1600/supplements.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWy61yee52gqZJMBq9y3I7sH10RfjbwSy0iwUr8MlW_XDYn-pYCbGNExA5dwVRSt946NYv-ovu1w0CLwi9MpMPvgFvQ5jFGZB0BWyJts3EjdhgPFj6RjvRPmsTsCGesMLkjhovRaZBfQ/s1600/vitacost+supps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWy61yee52gqZJMBq9y3I7sH10RfjbwSy0iwUr8MlW_XDYn-pYCbGNExA5dwVRSt946NYv-ovu1w0CLwi9MpMPvgFvQ5jFGZB0BWyJts3EjdhgPFj6RjvRPmsTsCGesMLkjhovRaZBfQ/s1600/vitacost+supps.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05NZTsVfZSdAJZJjbJ_5siRIVADAh6priEaTotcgR-MfAnO0yFIMDOvwShV6QOSWDooGw1N3r2R6s1y6VeA86Rk7QAhEoImfoz8a3WOYarZd1mZwVAIZdB6k2v_E0IyPdT0AaQT0zFOM/s1600/all+supps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05NZTsVfZSdAJZJjbJ_5siRIVADAh6priEaTotcgR-MfAnO0yFIMDOvwShV6QOSWDooGw1N3r2R6s1y6VeA86Rk7QAhEoImfoz8a3WOYarZd1mZwVAIZdB6k2v_E0IyPdT0AaQT0zFOM/s1600/all+supps.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-90017803784395932582013-07-22T15:08:00.003-07:002013-07-22T15:08:59.782-07:00Loving life at week 21!21 Weeks into my therapy! Actually, my 22nd week begins 7/24. A few minor changes have been made. I added more yogurt, cut back on some supplements, nothing major. My blood work continues to look GREAT! Liver, kidneys, glucose, etc. The tumor marker is coming down, so I am headed in the right direction! Thank You, LORD!!! My doctor and I have added some additional supplements temporarily. I try to come up with new recipes when I have time. My vegetarian carrot sushi was SOOO delicious (pic below)!! Rice pilaf wrapped in julienned carrots with crushed garlic and balsamic vinegar. MMmmm. <br />
<br />
I am enjoying some great health benefits on my therapy. My skin is really soft. 120+ ounces of fluids each day does the trick, I guess. My hair is soft as well. I'm not able to use any chemicals, lotions, sprays, nail polish, make up, etc. Regular shampoo is out of the question because of the chemicals. I use a bar shampoo that I adore. J.R. Liggets Herbal formula. It's made with coconut oil and has about four ingredients. I never thought I could go without conditioner, but I can take it or leave it now that I'm using J.R. Liggets bar shampoo. In addition, old scar tissue is disappearing. When I was in second or third grade I stabbed my hand with a steak knife, trying to cut one of those big valentine Hershey's kisses (thanks, Mom!) It was just a small scar, but the hard scar tissue beneath the skin is gone. Also, the underlying scar tissue on both sides of my C-section incision site is gone. Within the last 13 years, I have kicked furniture with my each of my big toes, making the nail rather unsightly. Now, both nails are almost completely healed!! I keep admiring them when I'm barefoot. It sounds silly, I know. But God created our bodies to heal themselves. This is a perfect picture of holistic healing. On my therapy, my body can't help but heal everything! 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, "...let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." This is my goal. My therapy is a detox and purification. I am savoring the process. It is really fulfilling. One of my favorite aspects is getting to share my experience with others. Sometimes, it's just people I meet in the grocery store and other times it's someone who has gotten a similar diagnosis or who has been through cancer with a family member. People or cancer organizations may call some "survivors", but in reality, most cancer patients that have undergone conventional medicine have life long side effects to deal with. I want to say, there are alternatives. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." It's an honor to live each day and do God's will. Life is good (actually, it's great!).<br />
Until next time, choose to be healthy. It's up to you. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWPqgLWcWRlB3iC-Zyo0WlrPIdrfKQWmx5W_gS1bGqZP2kTvB-LDKDuyvfLGat44ABiPUrxjn23Pv9_P_V_IVhTa1d3T-XhNCWOROazRiuw_q6Tt2bKN1ZwefY-dpl8r6IN5WXZOeZyw/s1600/Carrot+sushi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWPqgLWcWRlB3iC-Zyo0WlrPIdrfKQWmx5W_gS1bGqZP2kTvB-LDKDuyvfLGat44ABiPUrxjn23Pv9_P_V_IVhTa1d3T-XhNCWOROazRiuw_q6Tt2bKN1ZwefY-dpl8r6IN5WXZOeZyw/s320/Carrot+sushi.jpg" width="320" /></a>DarleneDarlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-43787884975609286122013-05-19T15:59:00.000-07:002013-05-19T15:59:13.155-07:00MannaWow! I am in week 12 of my therapy. I feel like the time has passed quickly. I have waited two months to post again. Not purposely. My therapy is labor intensive and leaves me little time for other things. I have several things I'd like to address in this post. It will be mostly informational. <br />
<br />
I am doing very well. I enjoy doing my therapy each day and look forward to it. I am in contact with others on the same therapy and some do not enjoy it. Some find the food boring and the routine a thorn in their side. I am just the opposite. To me, the food is delicious and the routine is comforting.<br />
<br />
I want to dispel some myths about me and my therapy, give you a glimpse of my schedule and an idea of how much food I consume each week.<br />
<br />
I am hearing from people that other people have told them certain things about me or my therapy that are untrue. So here are some facts to clear things up:<br />
-<u>I am not on a liquid diet.</u><br />
I eat three regular, vegetarian meals. Towards the end of the blog, I will post some pictures of previous<br />
meals I have had.<br />
-<u>I should not be exercising.</u><br />
When a person exercises, the body then goes into recovery mode. This takes energy from the body. On<br />
this therapy, the body needs to use all of its energy for healing.<br />
-<u>I don't feel sick.</u><br />
I feel great, as always.<br />
-<u>I don't have time to go to lunch or much free time.</u><br />
I would love to, but as you will see later when you see my schedule, there is little time. If I am not juicing, <br />
I am most likely preparing a salad, or special soup, washing dishes, scrubbing carrots, showering,<br />
ordering supplements or produce, etc.<br />
-<u>I would love help!</u><br />
If you have an hour or two of down time, I would be relieved if you called to ask if you could stop by to<br />
help with food prep or maybe you could pick something up for me from the store. Sometimes, It's hard<br />
for me to get out to do it myself.<br />
<br />
Below is a list of items I use every week and an estimate of how much:<br />
30# carrots<br />
42-50 green apples<br />
12 heads of lettuce<br />
2 heads broccoli and cauliflower<br />
8 green bell peppers<br />
8-10 gallons distilled water<br />
21 potatoes<br />
14 tomatoes<br />
8 onions/leeks<br />
Citrus (oranges, lemons, grapefruit)<br />
2 heads red cabbage<br />
3 bunches of chard<br />
3 pkgs of celery<br />
350 supplements in pill form (some in liquid form)<br />
All of the food has to be organic. No exceptions. This is for detox purposes.<br />
<br />
Now for an example of my daily schedule. There are a few components to my therapy: Rest, nutrition and detox. All three are included below:<br />
6am Wake up, detoxing<br />
7am Juicing, take supplements, prep breakfast (typically steel cut oats with an apple grated into it), eat<br />
8am Still eating... make next juice when done, take supplements<br />
9am Juicing, shower, scrub and cut tops of carrots for next few juices, store in fridge<br />
10am Juicing, take more supplements, detoxing<br />
11am Juicing, errands<br />
12pm Juicing, take more supplements, pick and prep produce from garden for my lunch salad<br />
1pm Juicing, take supplements, detoxing, prep rest of lunch items and cook (soup, potato, veggies)<br />
2pm Juicing, eat lunch, take supplements<br />
3pm Juicing, take supplements, clean up lunch mess<br />
4pm Juicing, take supplements, begin to prep dinner for my family, wash dishes, etc<br />
5pm Juicing, take supplements, detoxing<br />
6pm Juicing, prep my dinner food, finish my family's dinner<br />
7pm Juicing, eat dinner<br />
8pm DONE WITH JUICING!! Organize supplements for the next day, prepare anything I didn't get to during the day, like soup or peppermint tea, etc<br />
9pm Take bed time supplements and go to bed! Rest! Keep in mind that I have to fit in stuff like phone appointments with my doctor, getting blood work done, grocery store trips, ordering supplements, being a mother, wife, etc!<br />
<br />
Now, I have many people to thank:<br />
My God! He sustains me and provides for me, daily.<br />
My family who asks what they can do to help<br />
My carrot sponsor ;-)<br />
Neighbors that have brought me flowers (and green apples from The Fresh Market) haha<br />
People that have picked up items for me<br />
People who have given me gift cards for groceries and supplies (sometimes anonymously)<br />
People who have texted or called to give me encouragement<br />
People who have come over to juice or prep food for me (so I can sit down!)<br />
People who have sent me cards and care packages<br />
People who have given me fresh, organic produce from their own gardens<br />
The many people who have showed concern and love for me.<br />
I honestly don't believe anyone has a better support system of friends and family than I do.<br />
<br />
Whew! I got a lot into this blog. Next time, I will try not to wait so long. I welcome any questions you may have. If they are personal, please send me a private message. Also, please don't share this with anyone, unless you get my permission. Before you leave, don't forget to scan the pictures below of some meals I have eaten. Bye bye!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp3l2ZROacZC1YKED1tSIkJvUd2Q7FmFHiXuOKVTCvdG0HViGrK1uc-VG7O9bf7BJkDr_zRyW45s-ybVF5INJt-31sGIy2edlUOFSH1QSb4WrlSvrCqlMhayUF1M7aZKQKj2yswTbaQE/s1600/Gerson+meal+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp3l2ZROacZC1YKED1tSIkJvUd2Q7FmFHiXuOKVTCvdG0HViGrK1uc-VG7O9bf7BJkDr_zRyW45s-ybVF5INJt-31sGIy2edlUOFSH1QSb4WrlSvrCqlMhayUF1M7aZKQKj2yswTbaQE/s320/Gerson+meal+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3WhpTT3L3bI5HFB-Yn6uhNzG98UoKlGqrfDKSJW6z6V44jzw6VweYZ8dEKkUt96lupO5piGrmVr7JdkIoUMB-RISWrt_4RjZ3_yHD5FpIq8VxBEu19iLYe5aI6LcNus2A0HkMHRRXsg/s1600/Gerson+meal+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3WhpTT3L3bI5HFB-Yn6uhNzG98UoKlGqrfDKSJW6z6V44jzw6VweYZ8dEKkUt96lupO5piGrmVr7JdkIoUMB-RISWrt_4RjZ3_yHD5FpIq8VxBEu19iLYe5aI6LcNus2A0HkMHRRXsg/s320/Gerson+meal+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-78985794034897813152013-03-12T16:04:00.000-07:002013-03-12T16:04:51.363-07:00Day 14I have been holding off on creating another post until after I had my initial visit with my doctor. I flew to the west coast at the end of February for a workshop on my therapy and my first appointment with the doctor. I made this appointment on faith, not knowing any logistics. This is how God worked it out for us:<br />
<br />
A friend of ours asked us to use his frequent flyer miles. We ended up staying with an aunt, who is about an hour away from the doctor. A friend (who I didn't know had moved to WA a few years ago) provided transportation, and as mentioned in my last post, someone from my church, anonymously, provided the exact amount in cash for my first appointment with my doctor. No one knew how much the appointment would cost...but that's just how God is!<br />
<br />
I enjoyed every part of the trip! The beauty of God's creation there was so amazing to me! We visited with family and a friend of mine. I met some other people who are undergoing the therapy also. I was so nice to meet them and we are keeping in touch now. The west coast is so different than here. The overall attitude is one of health and taking care of yourself. People were exercising, literally everywhere I went. From morning until 9:00 at night! Organic & healthy food grocery stores are in abundance and fast food places are sparse. I saw McDonald's twice while I was there. Here, we have three in my tiny town. Basically, I am seeing more and more, how we, in the south, seem to be excited to buy cheap stuff. We want the cheapest food, and household items, but when it comes to clothes/accessories, we want the expensive stuff. Why do we want to put cheap junk into our bodies and adorn it with the expensive stuff? What we put into our bodies affects what we get out of our bodies. Junk in = junk out (i.e. sickness, disease, lethargy, depression, etc) Seems like we have some priorities out of order. We don't want to be sick or die of disease, yet we cram fast food burgers in our mouths because we "don't have time" to make dinner. I long for the west coast logic, here in the south. ...or maybe I should pick up and move to Cali (or Baja)!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I started on the full therapy the day after I flew home. That was day 1. Today is day 14 and each day, I follow a strict schedule. Every hour, on the hour, beginning at 7:00am, I prepare one of four organic juices. I enjoy the fresh juice immediately with a cocktail of supplements, cleverly arranged by my doctor. Add in breakfast, lunch and dinner and various other additions (prescribed by my doctor) and you have one FULL day of my therapy. The therapy has a few components: Diet, juicing, detoxification, supplements, and rest. My last juice of the day is 7:00pm, with my dinner. So, around 8:00, I am finally done for the day.<br />
<br />
I am feeling energetic and great! Healing reactions are to be expected and are part of healing. I will take them as they come. I will keep the blog up to date, so check back for updates. The therapy I'm on has been used to heal MS, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, tuberculosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia and most degenerative diseases. Contact me, personally, if you have any questions about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJMj7pB_n5f6n0hepweTkgXEwxn7DbhvAnjHZY_XeaDGHvMvceIxrRgOnuCRQ1Dq9ExAMNVzPVyFvZX8vpk8Mgw0BuxASHYoVDIe5zpZPtnvUUSkwjLw1zDuX4f3SrGD5w1DRB2h6rSM/s1600/Gerson+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJMj7pB_n5f6n0hepweTkgXEwxn7DbhvAnjHZY_XeaDGHvMvceIxrRgOnuCRQ1Dq9ExAMNVzPVyFvZX8vpk8Mgw0BuxASHYoVDIe5zpZPtnvUUSkwjLw1zDuX4f3SrGD5w1DRB2h6rSM/s320/Gerson+Meal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtIILq-Oxl8JAOqF1g6epizxL40jgr9Jm09eMphshdUs5vFMlTTSgASvAKCiTzpCj96ooFMVYZxaq0H1UsNnfUwzVKpjqNWMXtLGXFllHiK09vfejbxnXhndkbAjGK7iQscK8akcVvNE/s1600/View+from+ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtIILq-Oxl8JAOqF1g6epizxL40jgr9Jm09eMphshdUs5vFMlTTSgASvAKCiTzpCj96ooFMVYZxaq0H1UsNnfUwzVKpjqNWMXtLGXFllHiK09vfejbxnXhndkbAjGK7iQscK8akcVvNE/s320/View+from+ferry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CwHh_j8D03Uy0lfli5cetY2azsIVsaqmlyh9TOT-8Z9tlS-7f65r8tlxRk2u-TUSoKSQvHFlM77su7bpdI-cUAoBKnHXDR1NM-fAfSaZQeOVls_jf3YyPOx1YmrB085ddAKftACpyPE/s1600/Healing+Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CwHh_j8D03Uy0lfli5cetY2azsIVsaqmlyh9TOT-8Z9tlS-7f65r8tlxRk2u-TUSoKSQvHFlM77su7bpdI-cUAoBKnHXDR1NM-fAfSaZQeOVls_jf3YyPOx1YmrB085ddAKftACpyPE/s320/Healing+Center.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Check out the pictures from my trip too! (a typical lunch or dinner on the therapy: soup, juice, salad, baked potato, spaghetti squash with tomato sauce and rye bread with plum/pear sauce on top, the spectacular view from the ferry and the healing center, where the workshop took place.<br />
** Bye-Bye!Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-24473447151538298152013-02-11T20:36:00.000-08:002013-02-11T20:36:15.735-08:00...which leads us to today.The three weeks since my diagnosis have been full to say the least. I will touch on what I can briefly. <br />
<br />
I prayed. I researched. I cried. I met with doctors. I made myself eat. I was still healing from several biopsies. I felt crippled. Some days were good, some were awful. It seemed like I had no control. I immersed myself in God's word, knowing I would find comfort and strength there. I cried out to God knowing He was my only hope. He began to speak life to me. He began to show me how He had been not only preparing me for this, but equipping me. His word strengthened me each morning. My family in Christ reminded me that we had already prayed for my healing. God's word says that by His (Jesus') stripes I am healed. I came to understand that those words applied to me. I know God's word is true. So, I began to claim to truth in God's word for myself. I am healed. I may need to remind my body of that at times. But I know that I am healed. I say it out loud. I thank God for it. I rebuke every lie from the enemy. <br />
<br />
So much has happened to bring me to today. God has clearly laid out a path before me. I have peace. I continue to walk that path, not knowing what lies ahead, but trusting God with every step. He has led me to use holistic treatment as opposed to conventional treatment. After an exhaustive search, I finally found a doctor. She is an integrative oncologist. She is on the west coast, so I will travel to her office initially, then we will communicate via phone afterwards. I can have labs and adjunctive therapies done locally. <br />
<br />
Not knowing how we (my husband and I) would logistically work out the details of choosing this west coast doctor, I made my appointment anyway...again believing God was pointing us in her direction. Two days later, someone provided two round trip airline tickets for us. The following day, I was asked to stop by my church's office. My pastor handed me an envelope of cash that someone in our church family (anonymously) wanted to bless us with. I opened it and it contained the exact amount I needed to pay for my initial appointment with my new doctor! We had not told anyone how much she was charging us. Miracles like these have become almost a daily occurrence!<br />
<br />
I am leaving out a lot, but I need to get this published so that those who are waiting for updates can have them. Check back soon for more.<br />
<br />
In Christ,<br />
DarleneDarlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8177318609998495392.post-6456466148762321712013-02-09T12:20:00.000-08:002013-02-09T12:20:16.538-08:00The beginningWelcome to my blog! I have never blogged before now, so please excuse my ignorance...I am learning. A lot has happened over the last few months and I am having a difficult time keeping everyone up to date. This is the easiest way I could think of to remedy that problem. Here we go...<br />
<br />
In August 2012, I quit my job. I had worked at the same accounting firm for 12 years prior and was leaving to pursue my passion...personal fitness training. I had finally completed my certification in January 2012 and slowly worked towards leaving a job I thoroughly enjoyed for a job where I could help people in a different way. I wanted to show my community how to be healthy!<br />
<br />
Towards the end of 2012, I began training for my first half marathon. I completed it on December<br />
30th. I felt GREAT!!! No aches, no pains, no problems, just pure joy! Then in January, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. There were so many things going through my mind. How could this happen to me? I eat healthy, live healthy and have no risk factors. I am too young to have... Could the tests be wrong? Am I having a bad dream? How do I tell people? What do I do now? On the outside, I sobbed. On the inside, I felt surreal. People walking by me, living life. This cannot be real. There were people all around yet I have never felt so alone.<br />
<br />
<br />Darlene Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07105461147925718201noreply@blogger.com9