Acupuncture...

I've been to Acupuncture before when I was in a lot of pain for a bulging disc in my neck. However, Luanne recently told me that I should try it for nausea, that it's been known to help. Sure enough, I asked Dr. Hui and started Acupuncture again. This time it's supposed to coincide with the chemotherapy. When I went to my last treatment this past Friday, I first went to Acupuncture in the morning. Dr. Han proceeded to put needles in various places, but focused mainly on my ears and wrists. She left a couple band-aid type strips on the inside of both wrists and said that if I was experiencing nausea that I could actually press my wrists with my thumb and index finger and it should relieve it. She then left several of those band-aids in my ears. She said that after about 4-5 days I could remove them. Well, each band-aid has a little prick needle in it. Yeah, fun. Well, everything was good until I had to sleep Friday night. Try sleeping on your side with needles (so to speak) in your ears! I cannot sleep on my back because it hurts, besides, I've always been a side sleeper. Well, I managed to figure it out by arranging my pillows and getting to sleep. However, the wrist ones were zapping me every time I moved my hands!! In the morning I had to remove the wrist ones, I just couldn't handle it anymore. However, good news, I've tried pressing my wrists in the exact place she told me, without the band-aids and it's been successful :) I haven't had any anti-nausea meds in a few days. Hurray!! The ear ones still remain in my ears, although they're not too attractive. I met with my good friend Kim this morning for breakfast and she wondered what the heck was in my ears! We laughed and I explained what was going on.

After breakfast Kim and I went back to her house and we spent some good quality time chatting. I'm so glad that we put that time aside to get in touch. Although it was early in the morning, it was good for both of us. Afterwards I went home and straight back to bed. My days tend to go in spurts now, awake a few hours, asleep a few hours. But when I'm awake, I'm usually good to go and want to hurry and get as much done as I can before I run out of energy.

Live for today. No regrets, no looking back.

Peace to you all ♥ Love, Genie

We're In This Together...

I've always been a fixer, in need of helping others out as much as possible. It takes everything in me to walk away from a total stranger in need. There have been many occasions where John will have to tell me to keep on going, that there's nothing I can do for that person. I remember one instance in particular when we first moved to Sacramento and it was the middle of a very busy weekend day at the corner of Howe and Arden (that's an extremely busy intersection). There was a man who collapsed in the middle of the crosswalk. I screamed in the car for John to pull over, that we should help him. I ran as fast as I could, although I have no medical training and really didn't know what to do. He was convulsing and nobody was even stopping their cars! After calling for help and doing the best I could, he ended up being okay, but if John let me have my way, I would have accompanied him to the hospital that day.

Yesterday I went to my 9th treatment, ending my 3rd cycle...yay! Monica (my sister-in-law) accompanied me and we had an awesome time, as usual. Yes, I said awesome. Even during chemotherapy, we always seem to enjoy our company together. I'm truly blessed to have such a wonderful person as my sister-in-law. Monica has a heart of gold and wants to come to my next one too, even though I told her it's probably going to be about 4 1/2 hours again. She said that she didn't care if it was double that, that she wanted to come. I love her so much.

So we were finishing up treatment and there were only a couple patients left in the room because it was getting to be closing time and a lady walked up to us and said that she'd just started, that she loved my hat and wanted to know where I'd gotten it. This one was from Target and I told her all about it. I proceeded to tell Mary Ellen what to expect with the hair loss, all about the Cleaning for a Reason, and the Look Good...Feel Better programs, etc. After she left, I met Elizabeth who was having her very first treatment and seemed to have been there for many hours. She said that she heard me mention when my makeup class (Look Good...Feel Better) was, that she was scheduled for the same day! I'm so excited, I'll be able to talk w/her again too, in case I don't see her at treatment. It's fun to meet other patients who are going through the same thing, especially because she looked to be about my age. So far everyone I've met has been a bit older, they call me the "young" one. :) Wow, never thought I'd like that title so much! Anyway, just helping out those ladies made my day. Although they're going to find out eventually on their own, it was comforting somehow for me to know that they were going to go home with a little bit more knowledge and first had experience from another patient.

Whether the kids are going to be embarrassed the next time I walk up to a complete stranger and lend a hand when we're out shopping, or send John over to help a little old lady with some heavy groceries, I'm going to continue doing what I'm doing. It's me.

Live for today. Help each other out. Remember, we're all in this together.

Peace to you all ♥ Love, Genie

It's All About Family...

Like I've said before, I truly believe that everything in life happens for a reason. Whether we like it or not, life goes on and either we can jump on board, or sadly fall off. I choose to jump on board because I'm truly in this for the long haul.

I was just speaking with my brother Jeff, and he mentioned that he didn't think he would have the inner strength that I have to conquer something like this, God forbid it happened to him. That made me laugh, because I obviously know he would. I NEVER, EVER imagined that I would be fighting this battle against cancer, let alone with the courage and faith that I've brought to the table. We went on to discuss how until we're ever thrown into the circumstances of life, we never actually know what we're truly made of. But again, I know he'd be able to fight this, it's just a matter of faith.

Back in August my brothers and I reunited, because for some crazy reason (that none of us remember how) we lost touch. Two of my brothers live in the Sacramento area with their families and the other brother lives in Gilroy with his family. There was absolutely no reason why we lost touch, there was no bad blood among us, it just happened. If there's a HUGE lesson that I've learned from all of this, it is to NEVER let time go by without keeping in touch with your family. Family is everything, without family you really don't have much. My brothers check in with me all the time now and I feel truly blessed for having all the support that I do. When I was first diagnosed my brother-in-law Bob told me something that will forever stick in my mind. He said that he thought that before this, I had no idea how much I was truly loved...and he was right. Although cancer is devastating, it really has become a blessing in disguise (in a weird sort of way).

Peace to you all!! Love, Genie

Downer...

I don't like to write when I'm down in the dumps, I feel there's no use in complaining when I've got so much to live for. However, I know if I want to be true to myself and others, I need to paint an honest picture of what it's like to have cancer; that's what this blog is all about.

I've been down in the dumps for a few days now because I really miss my hair. I usually wear a hat because the wig is hot and sometimes itchy. Can you imagine losing your hair? If you've never gone through this (and I hope to God you never do), you'd have no idea what it was like. I had LOTS of hair, very thick, naturally wavy, usually cut short. My mom always loved my hair and I honestly didn't know how much I did too, until it was gone. I think I play with Johnny's hair a lot now because it's a lot like mine was.

Besides the hair, nausea has really been bothering me. It really sucks when you think you're going to throw up all day long. I still have only gotten sick once from chemo, but I don't know which is worse; being on the edge of your seat all day thinking that you're going to vomit, or actually doing it. Yuck. My stomach aches all day. I have anti-nausea meds (which I take), but there's times in between doses where it's really hard to tolerate. So, I spoke w/Dr. Hui and she referred me to Acupuncture Therapy. I have my first treatment Friday morning, then chemo Friday afternoon. Yay, what a day :) Sure hope it helps.

Sorry for the downer blog today, but like I said, sometimes I just need to paint a real picture.

I'm still praying everyday and thinking positive thoughts & with your help, we can fight this thing to the finish!!

Peace to you all ♥ Love, Genie

Strength...

It's funny how things work sometimes and it makes me sit back and look at the big picture. God puts people in our lives for a reason and he also doesn't give us more than we can handle, so they say. Well I must be able to handle a whole lot, because God has given me quite a load within the past couple months. It actually makes me proud that I can handle so much, makes me feel stronger just thinking about it.

As for the people he puts in our lives, I've been blessed with some new friends throughout this ordeal and they're all pretty wonderful. Last night Tina stopped by with her daughter Carina to drop off a meal for us, and that was so thoughtful. It's not that I'm incapable of cooking anymore, it's just one less day to worry about it. Like I've said before, Jordan has been an incredible help, but I can't always have my 12 year old daughter cooking, it will surely burn her out and I don't want to do that. So thank you again Tina and Carina, that was very sweet of you.

Today I'm going to work on my strength, both physical and mental. If I get out for a walk after my chemotherapy, that will do some good for my mind and body. I need to stay strong mentally for those who aren't. Today I am strong.

Peace to you all ♥ Love, Genie

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

As I listen to the rain hit the rooftop it sounds like a beautiful symphony. I just lay there, for it's easier than trying to get out of bed at the moment. The cold weather tends to make my bones scream out in pain. Although I love the sound of the rain, the cold that accompanies it is horrible. Makes me think of all the poor homeless people who do not have shelter during the cold winter months. Heaven forbid they're homeless and dealing with cancer at the same time.

Today I'm blessed to have a roof over my head. I will continue to listen to the rain as it dances along.

Peace to you all!! Love, Genie

I Choose To Fight Like Hell...

Today was a special day. Johnny came with me to treatment (since he had no school today) and he was such a trooper, never complained the entire 4 1/2 hours long! Mind you, he knew that it wasn't going to be a party, but still, that's a long time to sit and wait. He brought his laptop so that we could watch a movie, so it helped pass the time. I'm glad he came along to see what the process was all about, now he can feel a part of my treatment knowing exactly what I go through each week.

Another reason my day was special was because a good friend, Sonia, came to see me! Her sister Silvia has been upstairs in the ICU this past week and fortunately should be going home today. ~ Lots of luck to you Silvia, you'll remain in my prayers. ~ Since Sonia was in the hospital, she stopped by for a visit. She also brought me the cutest little book that came straight from the Susan G. Komen Walk that she was on. The book is called "Words for the Cure" and it's for Inspiration, Hope, and Comfort for Today and Tomorrow. What I like is that it has quotes from famous people who in some way or another have been touched by breast cancer. One of my favorite quotes so far is from Lance Armstrong (whom not only battled cancer himself, but was also there with his fiance at the time, Sheryl Crow when she was battling her breast cancer). He wrote...

"If Children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: Give up, or fight like hell." - Lance Armstrong

I CHOOSE TO FIGHT LIKE HELL!!

I'd also like to shout out to my new chemo friend I met today, D.C. I sure hope you feel better soon, you are a shining star. I think the little spark plug of a personality that I met today can surely fight this thing. Don't let cancer define you, you're a true beauty. I can't wait to see you again.

And Sonia ~ thank you so much, you made my day :) and I can't wait to see you soon!

Peace to you all!! Love, Genie