anna's Cancer Blog

July 1, 2009

Hello Everyone,

Anna the hermit here. I want to update but there is not much to say. Last week I had to go back to the emergency room again with a sharp pain in my chest. My GI doctor was afraid it was a blood clot but turned out to be air under my diaphram. A little advil and a few days and it was gone. Its the first time I went to the ER prepared with a packed bag. I was only there for a few hours and back home. I am currently at the mercy of a sore throat and mouth which is making it difficult to eat. The mouth numbing medications don’t help much and I think the eating is just making it worse like a catch 22. Gee I wish I still had my PEG. For those who are wondering, the hole in your stomach heals up quite nicely. I have lost a total of 50 lbs and have only a few things to wear. My sister sent some old jeans of hers and they will at least allow me to leave the house. Well that about does it.

Take Care
Anna

Posted on July 1, 2009 at 3:16:03 PM by anna ( Link to this post.

Six Weeks out of Treatment, Post a comment.

6 comments)

karlak sent you a prayer.

Anna,

Great to hear from you. Sounds like you’re on the home stretch. When in need of fluids use a straw. Some of the major food stores or Drug stores carry the larger ones. This will definitely make getting fluids down much easier.

I too lost almost 50 lbs from the radiation treatment and I kept it off for some time. Then when I met with my radiation oncologist he told me I’d never be able to eat bread again because the radiation burned out the salivary glands. Well, you can’t tell me never so I started working on that, after a while the weight of course came back.

Just remember each day you’re getting better and back to normal. All you’ll have will be the quarterly check-ups, then it’ll be every 6 months, then yearly and then it’s over. Five years down the road you’re considered cancer free…....... Remember your fluoride treatment. This very important.

Glad to hear from you, I missed the other posts as I was out of the country for a while.

Warm regards,

Ron

Posted on July 1, 2009 at 3:39:07 PM by roncancerfree

Anna—
How nice it is to hear from you! It sounds like you are still dealing with some issues, but these will all keep getting better, so don’t get discouraged! I hope you are starting to get your strength and energy back, along with your appetite. 50 pounds is quite a weight loss, but when you can’t eat, it’s understandable.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and send you a warm, healing hug!

Martha

Posted on July 1, 2009 at 4:16:30 PM by mp327

50 pounds that is crazy. That sore throat needs to go away. Keep on resting. Take it easy. Keep thinking positive thoughts. I read you heal faster when you do that. ;-)

Posted on July 1, 2009 at 9:16:48 PM by jill

Hi Anna, maybe I could help you out with some clothes if you want to email me what sizes you need? my email address is thelongs6@comcast.net, just let me know ok and if I have any sizes you need I’ll gladly share or check with some of my friends who are always willing to help!
hugs,
Amy

Posted on July 2, 2009 at 4:30:14 AM by ambrian04

Hi Anna, glad to hear from you! People are so nice, my best friend gave me jeans to wear and also the people at work who were driving me to my appointments even bought me some shorts so I would have something to wear that fit! I really thought I would put the weight right back on but I never did. So just think when you are better and feeling up to it you can get a whole NEW WARDROBE !

Sorry to hear of your troubles with the eating. It’s a bummer you had that issue with your PEG. I think I needed mine for about a month after I finished treatment. So I can relate to wanting the PEG back. But you can make it just keep trying to get down what you can.

My peg scar makes me look like I have 2 belly buttons, as it is about an inch above my real belly button. But no biggie, not too many people see that part of my tummy anyway!

You are so on the road to recovery. Believe that – you are. May not seem like it sometimes cause it is slow but you will get there!

Posted on July 2, 2009 at 8:20:21 AM by indiogrl

Hi Anna,

Sorry to hear about your trip to the ER…glad things turned out favorable during this trip. I hope the sore throat heals soon….I’m sure this must be a difficult time as you’re waiting for the soreness to pass. I’m pulling for you, and sending you lots of positive thoughts.

Hugs,
Kim