Sunday, January 29, 2012

Chemotherapy, Great wigs and A Puffy Smile!



I wish I had better news to share. I can't believe the strength I have to get through these horrible, exhausting doctor visits and scans. I am still completely wiped out. I  wish I could be  in bed all the time. My swelling pains are better! Things are detoxing out of my system. Perfect...now toxic chemo enters. I shake my head in shock. It's kind of funny now! Let's just keep kicking Michelle down. 


My new scans showed growth. They found another lesion/tumor in my liver and a new one in my lung. I  also have a blood clot in that lung and have been taking daily shots in my belly of Lovenox.  I am a pin cushion.The spinal tumors are still acting funny. The larger one in my lower spine has shrunk, great. Then I have the two higher ones. One of them got slightly larger. It's still early to tell how the IGR effected the tumors. Sometimes tumors swell from radiation before they shrink down. We will scan again in February and wait for better results. Hoping some of the pain will soon subside. That would be nice. 


I was happily introduced to my new fantastic Oncologist, Dr. Shwartz. Chief of Melanoma and Sarcoma. 
www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctor/gary-schwartz. Here's a link. 


We were so impressed with him. Not only does he have a wonderful demeanor, but he came in the room with a plan.  He did his research on me, a thorough background check. Like a stalker and I loved it!  The plan is not to keep tumors at bay and watch them stay stable.We are trying to cure me. To kick this cancer out of my body instead of the watch and wait game. He went back and read up on the tumors removed. Basically, every pathology came back with the same kind results that gave him the confidence on the type of Chemotherapy to administer. So,  I am starting chemo :(  I am not upset about it the way I thought I would be. I have to do something and I feel trying this is a positive thing. Whatever the outcome...I need to try. My body will heal. It will be difficult. I will be strong and get through it....I will! 


Thursday, I will start my first round of Chemotherapy in the city. Then I will wait three weeks and do another one. We will then scan and see if there is any shrinking or  a change. If so, I will continue on and kill it all! 
It will hopefully be a great day for me and all of us.....It's Ground Hogs Day! No Snow Please! We are already closer to spring. I know it's been a wonderful Ny winter, warm. But, please let's get going. I don't like the snow!  I spent this morning on the beach with my dogs running in and out of the water. It was such a great way to start the day.  The morning sunshine was lovely on my face. I was smiling the biggest from ear to ear....Puffy face ear! 



Groundhog Day February 2, 2012

Groundhog Day 2012 will be here soon! Phil will leave his burrow at 7:20 February 2nd at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania he will observe the weather conditions and look for his shadow he will then make his prediction for the remainder of winter. 


Wish me good strength and no throwing up!  Next stop....The wig store! I am going to rock a great wig!

I am doing just fine right now. Please....don't be strangers. I promise to blog. I would love vistiors when I am feeling crappy. Movies and ice cream.....come on over. I'll leave the hospital masks at the front door! NO SICK PEOPLE!  

                                                          Cycle for Survival!    
                                    No mattter what..... I will be cycling Saturday! 

Come support me!     Equinox  on Long Island         516-403-4444
                                      90 Northern Boulevard, Roslyn, New York 11548 

 Wishing Peace & Love,

Michelle-Wigpuffness or wig-a-licious! Wait and see the new look I will Rock! 


16 comments:

Sjn said...

so glad your new doc has done his research and has a plan. I feel your good attitude coming from this post, it's inspiring! You go and fight with all your might and this new chemo. Praying it's the one that will work! xoxo

The Astonishing FartMan said...

Hey miss wig puppy,

For some reason I keep accidentally putting my comments on the wrong blog post. Just want to let you know that I'm reading all your posts and always wishing you good things. I'm glad you found a doctor who wants to fight hard for you.

Tomorrow I go to MD Anderson for my liver surgery at 7:30 in the morning. I'm feeling good and ready to go get it done. Say a little prayer for me if you get a chance. A short simple one will do just fine.

The Astonishing FartMan said...

Oops I meant to call you Miss WigPuffy, but the spell correct on my iPhone decided to change it to wig puppy. I hope you don't mind me calling you silly names. I suppose when it comes to silly names, the one I have for myself is the silliest of them all.

How do we put up with what we have to put up with coping with cancer? The answer is: we don't have much choice, so we just put up with it as best we can, but it sure ain't no fun, and that is the understatement of the year! Couldn't do it without the ones who love us. So we say, "Thank You, God, for the ones who love us. Please give them strength and give them peace."

Anonymous said...

We are keeping you close in thoughts and prayers and keeping our fingers crossed that this new treatment will make you well. Love and admire your strong fighting spirit but wish so much that you weren't going through this. Much love to you and Paul!!!
Marva and Norm

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blog for quite some time now and you amaze me! you are beautiful, STRONG, and amazing woman. God bless you Michelle....I have been keeping you in my prayers every day

The Astonishing FartMan said...

Hey MichelleOnLongIsland,

I'm thinking of you all the time.

FYI: I made it through the liver surgery okay. Better than okay. It was tough at times, but really not all that bad. In Hosp for only three days. Nurses and docs were great, nPXMEXElbut I Hate Hospitals! My dear sweet wife got me through. I'm blessed. I keep saying that, but it is soooo true!

Thinking of you all the time.

Peace and Love to you and Paul.

Meghan said...

Hi Michelle, my name is Meghan and I work at 23andMe, a research company that is interested in how genes and environment influence health and disease, and we have launched a large Sarcoma Research Initiative.

Participation is simple - you would simply spit in a tube and mail it to our labs, and then fill out a few surveys online. We also have an online network where participants can share their experiences and support each other.

Our goal is to recruit 1,000 people with sarcomas. Together, we can make advances that will benefit the entire patient community. You can read more at https://www.23andme.com/sarcoma/

If anyone is interested, I’d love to send you a free saliva kit.

Your strength and courage in facing your sarcoma head-on is so inspiring. I'm very glad you like your new oncologist, and I hope his plan helps you kick cancer for good.

Best regards,
Meghan
sarcoma-help@23andme.com

Anonymous said...

How are you, darling? We haven't heard from you for some time...
I'm thinking of you, and sending you all my good vibes.

hugs

L.

orthopedic spine doctor Houston, TX said...

It is not so easy to undergo the chemotherapy treatments. It is so painful and even death seems to be so simple when feeling that pain.
My wishes and prayers for you.

SatAtmaKaur said...

Michelle, my thought and prayers are with you! Never mind puffy smile, remember your heels, cool wig and wicked attitude. Keep your sense of humor, smile!
Awesome news about your doctor too!
He is clearly someone who recognizes good quality = YOU, and is geared up for war against tumors etc.
I've been battling with thyroid cancer, on the road to recovery now. That is my wish anyway, even though last scan showed new suspicious lymph nodes and I guess we need to find out what they are...

Marva and Norm said...

Fighting your battle is the only thing you need to be doing, but I wanted to remind you that you have friends who love you and are keeping you close in our hearts and prayers. I hope before long you will be able to give us an update with the good news we are all wishing for. Our love to you and Paul!

Anonymous said...

I think about you all the time and send lots of happy thoughts.
Big hug XOXOX Gail

Anonymous said...

Thinking about you and sending you peace, love, and strength!!! Linda in OK

The Astonishing FartMan said...

Missing you. Peace and Love.

Unknown said...

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Unknown said...

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