One Year Anniversary

Today is one year since my surgery. I'm trying to remember... but I can't remember much. Maybe it's supposed to be that way.

I'm happy to be feeling pretty normal. As I said in my last post, I'm waiting for the next scan. Does that ever change after you are diagnosed with cancer?

So one year out, here's a big thank you to everyone who supported me and did so much for me over the last year. I know I wouldn't have made it without you. Especially Mike who did more for me then I could ever have expected. You took your wedding vows seriously! Hopefully, you don't remember everything you had to do for me. I won't go into detail here. You know. You are the best.

Carrie and Keith you had to take care of both of us. Carrie, when you first came in the ICU and I could hear you crying and couldn't move or communicate, that was the worst part of the whole thing. And Keith, you had to bail my car out and drive all over creation! Thanks for letting us use your house too. You both went above and beyond the call of duty... Carrie, do we have plans for our annual shopping trip in February?

Justin and Unkyong, you might be 3,000 miles away, but your support was awesome. Jus, when my first surgeon didn't know what was going on, you figured it out. Before the lab results! If you hadn't found Dr. Sardi... I don't know...

Our neighbors and my co-workers were very supportive with food and friendship. It really means a lot.

And what a year. Mike and I went on the trip of a life time this summer. We drove cross-country to visit Justin and UnKyong in California. I've always wanted to do that. I think the trip made me stronger. I sure felt great the entire time. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I'm posting a picture of Mike and me in San Francisco in a cable car.

I'll be back with more updates. Until then, take care and enjoy life.

Good News

Met with Dr. Sardi this week for 2nd six-month check-up and got good report. Wait another six months. Still paranoid about every ache and pain, but overall, feeling good and getting a good appetite. Hands are almost completely normal! Yeah!

IRON GIRL

Well, it's been a while since I looked in on the blog! Everything is going well. We had a wonderful summer driving cross-country and visiting son and daughter-in-law in San Francisco. It was so much fun I want to do it again. I'm tempted to start a blog to talk about my vacation! Now we are back to reality--and I'm getting ready to head back to the classroom.

I've had good relief for my hands with a monthly B-12 injection and an oral medication called neurotin (generic gabapentin). Just minor numbness and tingling and almost totally normal as far as strength and mobility goes. In a few weeks I go in for my 2nd CT scan and tumor markers. Can't say I'm looking forward to it, but I guess I'll feel better once it's done. So, I'll post results when I get them. I see Dr. Sardi again in September.

The main purpose of today's update is to announce that my daughter, Carrie Price, is running in her second sprint triathlon on August 23. She has decided to donate any funds she raises to Dr. Sardi's research. I'm including a link for anyone interested in donating.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_id=113611146966&id=545929840&ref=nf

More info will follow on the IRON GIRL.

Good heath to all!

Good Hand Results and Cancer Survivor Celebration

I'm happy to report that my hands are sooooo much better. The B12 injections and gabapentin medication seem to be doing the trick. I still have super-sensitivity--I suppose what doctors would call neuropathy, but it's much better than it was. I have more hand strength, less pain, and my writing is almost back to normal. It's wonderful!

I'm also happy to report that Mike, Carrie, Keith, and I attended, on June 7, Dr. Armando Sardi's Cancer Survivor Celebration. It was held at the Inner Harbor. We had a bird's eye view of the harbor and a delightful luncheon. The event was emotional for all of us. We got to meet several other survivors--at our table, one coming all the way from Chicago, one from good 'ole Taneytown, MD, and one from Harford County (his wife had just had the surgery that Tuesday and he came solo!).

The Chicago survivor holds the record for longest HIPEC surgery (18 1/2 hours). It made me feel like 9 1/2 hours was nothing! Sharing stories and experiences was interesting and draining. For some reason it makes you feel better to know that others have been through the same thing. At the end of the event though, I was ready to go home.

There was one 15-year survivor and several who are beyond five years. Dr. Sardi,in his usual upbeat fashion, made everyone feel comfortable and healthy. Somehow he manages to impart optimism wherever he goes. He spoke about on-going research. There are changes and adjustments to the surgery on an on-going basis. The newest trend is to do a biopsy of the tumor and determine which type of chemo is most effective. Current procedure is to use mytomycin c, which apparently doesn't work on all tumors.

I am going to post a picture taken by Carrie of the survivor group that attended. There was a lot going on and everyone looks confused.... including me!

On another topic, I made it through the rest of the school year. When I went back to work in February I was NOT ready! At least I didn't think I was. Other than being very tired (I do get tired easily) everything went well. We finished up on June 4. It went by really quickly and I'm actually missing it!

Since school's been out Mike and I have been trying to get our exercise in. We've walked almost every morning and I'm increasing my speed and distance. I am actually doing better on hills than I have in years... so that makes me wonder if my breathlessness from years ago could have been related to this.

So, all good. I hope it stays that way.

Here's to a wonderful summer--whether you have to work or can enjoy a little vacation!

On The Right Track

I'm happy to report that the B-12 deficiency that I talked about in the last post might be the answer to my hand problem. The latest news is a trip to visit a neurologist. I really like him and have had instant relief--though I still have problems. Dr. Mir says it would take up to six months to completely recover.

Bottom-line: Dr. Mir believes the hand problem is related to positioning during the long PMP surgery. He said that open-heart patients have hand problems like this because of rib retraction and the way the retraction puts pressure on collar bones and the nerves that run to the hands. Then, in my case, the additional B-12 deficiency which is probably related to removal of ileum (the part of the small intestine that absorbs B-12--Carrie discovered this!) exacerbates the problem. He also mentioned that stress will make it even worse! (And I haven't been stressed at all!)

After a nerve conductivity test which indicated that my right hand might have a little carpel tunnel, Dr. Mir prescribed B-12 injections and Nerontin or Gabapentin, which is used to treat neuropathic pain. The amazing thing is I had some relief almost instantly. Hands are so much better. Mike said I'm a different person. And I thought I was pretty awesome already!

Only thing that worries me about this treatment is that Gabapentin causes weight gain--just what I don't need!

Maybe making progress?

I've been so busy I haven't written for quite some time. School/work is keeping me stepping. I'm happy to report that all is going well at work though. I believe there are only 30 (or around that) work days left. Then, unlike last summer, I'm planning on a nice relaxing vacation. (Justin, don't take that personally, we loved our visit to see you last year!)
For the most part things are going well for me. I still have the occasional pain and the old ribs act up once and a while. I was just talking to a co-worker who is five years out from this same surgery and he says the pain doesn't ever go away and that there will always be discomfort. Well, there is less pain for sure, and some days I don't even notice it. Other times, it can be very bothersome. Like this week--the weather was nice and we decided to take a walk, but I got extremely winded and my ribs really hurt. That hasn't happened in quite a while, so I was disappointed, because I thought I was doing better in that department. I also notice that I have to remind myself not to eat too much. My appetite has improved and if I eat restaurant size portions I end up with a tummy ache.
My big reason for writing today is because I wanted to update the hands--my only major problem at this time. I've been to the rheumatologist, I've talked with Dr. Sardi's office, had hand massages... Nothing seems to help. I had found relief, for a bit, from manicures and the massages that accompany them. Then, about three weeks ago I went for a manicure and the next day my hands hurt like crazy. It was different than this numbness that I've been trying to describe to doctors. It hurt! I was almost in tears and was using Icy Hot at night for the pain. Also, my knucles were so swollen I could no longer get my rings on or off (still can't!).
Your first thought when something funky like this happens after an experience like mine, is that the cancer is back and that's what causing the problem. Thankfully, so far no doctors seem to think that that is the case. I made an appointment with my rheumatologist--even though the last time I saw him I said I wasn't going to go back because he just keeps saying it's carpal tunnel and I should have the carpal tunnel release (again!).
I keep saying it doesn't feel like carpal tunnel. I keep trying to explain what it does feel like and I've finally come up with this: It's NOT numbness--it's super sensitivity. For example, a washcloth feels like sandpaper. Touching something cold makes my hands feel wet. Or it sends a streaky sensation down my arm. In addition, now it hurts, my joints are stiff, I can't bend my fingers very easily and I STILL have the droppsies! So, as I explain this to the rheumatologist, he says "that sounds like hyper-knesia." He said hyper-knesia is treated (generally) with a low-dose of anti-depressant. So he prescribes Trozodone and sends me for blood work because sometimes hyper-knesia is related to diabetes and B-12 deficiency.
Trozodone has side-effects like rapid heart beat and dry mouth. Nothing major. But wouldn't you know it, I took it for two days and had heart palpitations. Then yesterday, Doc rheumatology's office calls and says I need to get more blood work. When I called to find out what for, I was told I have a B-12 deficiency. I'll have to wait a few days for the results of the new tests. So far, what I've discovered about B-12 deficiency is that it can be related to depression and neurological problems related to tingling sensations in the hands and feet.
Sources of B-12, according to The Vegetarian Society Website are:

"meat, dairy products and eggs. There has been considerable research into possible plant food sources of B12. Fermented soya products, seaweeds and algae have all been proposed as possible sources of B12. However, analysis of fermented soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no significant B12."

Another problem could be absorption--since my diet is very healthy. That's probably possible. Either a medication, or just the surgery could have changed the way my body absorbs B-12.
At least I finally feel like I'm getting some where. It's been so frustrating. So, I'll post again when I know more.
Enjoy the wonderful spring weather (finally). It was/is so beautiful today.

Six Month Check-up (Almost)

Well, I just had my six-month check-up on Friday. Dr. Sardi gave me a clean bill of health and said not to worry (unless I want too) for the next six months. So I'm scheduled for the next check-up in September, when I'll have more blood work and another CT scan. Dr. Sardi and his staff say I'm doing well. I complained about my hands and the rib pain. I guess time is going to be the issue here. It will either get better or it won't. But in the big picture, a little hand pain and rib pain isn't a big deal--not when I think back to the early days of recovery... I've certainly come a long way.
On a VERY pleasant note, Mike and I walked down to Lexington Market after my check-up. He promised me we would back in November, and I wasn't disappointed. The Faidley crabcake was awesome. It was a pleasant day and it was nice to be out and about it B-more. I recommend the crabcake it if you've never had one, or haven't had one in a long time.