Errinlee's Cancer Journey

Ok, not a good couple days.  Well June 19 started ok, worked today and got a lot done.   Unfortunately, throughout the day, my stomach pain increased steadily.  It got so bad that it wrapped around my back.  Bless my sister who first headed to Safeway to get some Senna and then spent the night rubbing my back and feet to help and take my mind off the pain.  One also really does appreciate being able to sleep to get some relief. Woke up this morning in pain still.  Had to go get blood work done in preparation for chemo tomorrow.  Not a trip I wanted to do.  Just wanted to stay in bed.  I am so lucky that I have family support during this journey.  My sister supported me all the way to clinic which made the trip so much easier cause each step caused pain.   This afternoon, had some movement.  YAY ME!  Still in pain and difficult to take deep breaths but I feel like I am working things through.  Hopefully tomor...

Taking a bit of a break today and getting together with my niece.  We have not seen her for probably 3 years or so.  It was so nice that she had time in her schedule to see us.  We had a great visit and look forward to more in the future.  She is working on the water and really enjoying it. Got in some good walks today to keep my activity level up and things moving. Having some stomach issues today.  Not sure if it is in relation to all the drugs that are coursing through me or just regular probs.  

Feeling a bit shaky this morning.  But over-all doing ok.   Today is a rest day other than I am putting in some hours for work. We will go out for a short walk, just to keep active but nothing crazy.  Tomorrow, we will meet up with a family member for a short visit so saving my energy for that.

Woke up this am with a bit of a headache and a bit of dizziness.  Took some anti-nausea meds  Miranda and I went to Yolks breakfast with Bev, then hit the Winners to pick up a suitcase for Kiarra.  We then came back and had a 3 hour nap and then got up and headed to the Outlet mall to hit the crocs store.  I picked up a pair of shoes for me and grabbed a wee pair of chewbacca crocs for Jacob and then grabbed two more small pairs to put in what I am calling my "From Grandma" box for when the kids have their own.  Miranda and I loaded up on bobba tea kits.  Hope they are good! On our way back we picked up a chicken meal at Safeway and then watched some shows before going to bed. Trying to keep busy and active with walking cause I think that helps my overall state.

Chemo Cycle 1, day 1 June 14 It's that day. I bought some of those oh satisfying squishy stress things to take with me.  Once I got up to check in, anxiety kicked in.  I started fidgeting and having troubles breathing and the emotions welled up along with tears.  No control what-so-ever!  Managed to calm that down a bit until I got into the chemo room and then it poked up it nasty head again. All hooked up First was saline, then gemcitabine chemo drug, then carboplatin chemo drug, then Bevacizumab known as Bev which is an angiogensis inhibitor, then saline again and good to go. So as my sister says, don't try any funny business and I didn't.  So far I am feeling ok, just a bit of a headache and tired.  Hopefully, the next few days will continue to go well.  My next chemo day is June 21. One Can Only Hope I was feeling decent other than dozing a bit during treatment and so we walked a short distance to the Winners store.  Wow, talk about finding ev...

Had my ultrasound and the tech said there was no sign of clots which is great news.  Not really a reason for the pitting edema but at least one potential issue checked off the list.   Had a great coffee visit with my sister-in-law, Bev.  It was so great to see her down here.  Jacob arrived today and is all settled in with us here at the Easter Seals House.  Miranda and Neil made it yesterday from Vernon.  Their visit is dual purpose but Miranda will be staying with me for support when Jacob and Kiarra leave on Saturday.  I am so thankful the kids were able to come down for the "big" day and that Miranda is able to take time to be here with me for the next week. I have to say that I am definitely a bit anxious about tomorrow.  My history with chemo drugs has been a 66% failure rate.  Also, the Dr mentioned yesterday that once you have done carboplatin and do it again, you can have an allergic reaction............lol...........well if anyo...

Arrgghh!  Morning suck!  Blood work and ECG complete. Back to the room to do some work.   Back to BC Cancer for an appt with the doctor and the study nurse.  Over an hour later, paper work done, questions asked and we were done for the day.  Now I have to do an ultrasound on both legs to be sure that the pitting edema and seizing of my right calf muscle and pain in my quad is not the result of a blood clot or anything else of concern. Went to the movie IF with Kiarra.  Had some laughs and popcorn.  Done like dinner and heading back to the room.  Tired!                                                                                                                 ...

Had my MRI today to see if they can find out why I have been experiencing vertigo like symptoms for the past year or so.  Thankfully, the dye they use is not the same as the CT scan dye as that one makes me sick.  When you get a head MRI, they put this plastic face guard, for mapping, on your face.  They give you ear plugs and ear muffs because it is very, very loud.  All went well.  Just need to wait for the results. Came back to the room to work for a while and then headed out to Richmond Mall.  Had early dinner, chicken curry with rice and naan bread for me and New York Fries for Kiarra.  We bought a couple little things and then stopped at Shoppers to pick up some basics such as yogurt, bagels, snacks, etc. Then headed back to Easter Seals House for the night. It's an early morning tomorrow for blood work and ECG. Kiarra filming me with me knowing.  What a sneek!                      ...

It's Monday!  Arrived in Vancouver, made it to the Easter Seals House, got unpacked, and then my daughter took me out to get a mani-pedi.  It was such a wonderful treat!  Hit up White Spot for dinner and then headed back for the night. Tomorrow brings the MRI.  Wish me luck! Got our nails done!

In Aug of 2022, I had a follow up appt with the gynecologist regarding a mass that I had on my ovary since 2016.  In June or July, it was noted, after a yearly ultra sound that the nature of the mass had changed.  It was determined in this visit that the mass should be removed because it had traits of cancer.  The surgery was scheduled for November 2022.  Unfortunately, I started having excruciating pain in my lower abdomen.  After a few more tests, it was determined that it had to come out immediately.  There went my November vacation with my sister 😞😞😞.   November 7 was the surgery and November 14 was when I found out that I had ovarian cancer.  I then went to Vancouver for a second surgery in January 2023.   Chemo was scheduled. February 21 was the day I died.  I had my first chemo treatment and had an anaphylactic reaction and I went into cardiac arrest.  They performed CPR and I awoke in the intensive care unit....