Nov:Day 7...While I patiently wait & Chemo

Well it has now been 2 days since my ct scan and I am patiently (or at least trying to) waiting.  I have called my oncologist office and fingers crossed they will still call me today or for sure tomorrow. I can't go through the weekend with waiting and wondering what those results are. Please keep the prayers coming. 

So while I wait...I know I am NOT the only one that feels this way waiting. I ask that if you happen to be in the "medical" field...please remember how this makes us "patiently" waiting patients feel. Results STAT please...Thank you!

To keep myself busy today...just went and got 2 suspicious moles cut off. You know...just a typical day in the life with Jamie D.  I have gotten several moles taken off in the past and with my history my dermatologist doesn't want to mess around and is very cautious with anything that looks "not" normal.  So now I have added 2 more scars amongst my body and will get the stitches taken out  when I have been directed to do so.  Thanks to Dr. M for being cautious!

After that little outing...I had the opportunity of meeting another FIGHTER "J"...she is fighting stage 4 Breast.  We got to talking and got on the subject of our chemotherapy treatments.  Which leads me to this next portion of this blog entry.

Chemotherapy

 

When we hear that nasty word..."CHEMO"...we all of the sudden think oh my that's horrible. Think how the patient is going to be bald...and probably hooked up to some poisonous looking medicine that must be like neon-green with steam coming off of the vial. Almost a visual picture as the witch in Snow White as she is stirring her brew to poison poor innocent Snow White. 

 

What many of us don't realize unless you are in the health care field or have been a patient or watched your family or friends go through it...know this is NOT the case.  Many chemotherapy treatments look anything from "sprite" to dark red kool-aid and anything in between.  There are several different types of chemo or several different types of cancers.  There are chemo drugs that are administered via IV and then there are also chemo drugs taken as pill form by mouth.

 

What we also don't realize are all the side effects and the aftermath of receiving these harsh treatments.  As I sat there and talked with "J" she stated how she was doing Taxol, I told her that was part of the chemo I got with my breast cancer fight.  Then she was almost happy to know she's not the only one that has encountered the side effects such as neuropathy.  Numbness and tingling in your hands and/or feet is never fun. 

 

There are soooooo many more side effects to chemo than just "going bald"...not everyone is your typical text book patient.  Heck! With this PAN-CAN fight  I was able to save most of my hair...although it has thinned out...I still have hair! So just because pamphlets say one thing...don't ever get discouraged.  Your side effects might be very minimal and then again...there might be some that we just have to face each day and keep our dukes up as we are fighting. 

 

I just chuckle to myself when I tell people I have been fighting PAN-CAN for almost a year now.  They look puzzled and say, "Well you have your hair still!"  Unless you know me personally...many people tell me how great I look, etc...its almost at times I think people don't believe me. It isn't until I start telling my story...their mouth drops open and I even show off my scar every now and then when explaining how I was able to get the whipple surgery.  It's not about just losing hair, or having neuropathy, etc...its about how we want to face this horrible disease.  We can face it with a feeling of defeat before we even start the fight...or we can give it our all and go in fighting and not backing down for NOTHING!  

 

These are types of chemo therapies that are available for Pancreatic Cancer patients.

Gemzar (which I had 10 treatments of)

Abraxene

5-FU (which I had on me continuously into my port as I carried a pump around for 5 weeks...yes even in the bath, while I slept, while I drove, while I ate...)

 

These chemo therapy drugs maybe used in conjunction with other chemo drugs. 

 

So here's a small list of what we might or have experienced:

nausea and vomiting

loss of appetite

hair loss

mouth sores

diarrhea

blood cell counts become low

bruising and bleeding

fatigue

shortness of breath

kidney damage

neuropathy

 

I am thankful on most days for chemotherapy and how I have had the opportunity to wake up another day...just wish the side effects weren't so harsh to my body.

 

So here's to those fighting the fight...keep your dukes up! You are NOT alone!!!  Attitude is everything!  Stay strong and NEVER give up.

Nov: Day 6

Good afternoon! I still haven't gotten any news on my CT scan.  I know the curiosity is killing me too. Just thinking positive and keeping busy. 

I wanted to let you know that I have signed up for a team this year at the PURPLE STRIDE event in Phoenix. The location has changed from last year...if you are interested then I encourage you to join the team. Last year we were one of the top fundraising teams.  This event is put on by the PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK.  So mark your calendars for APRIL 6,2014 if you are able to make it...I would be honored.  You can go directly to the link to join or donate at:
http://www.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1089352&lis=0&kntae1089352=A1D0BB01136F402583EBBD498E2810AA&team=5763773

TEAM NAME: Jamie's Purple Brigade

Last year Jamie's team had several family and friends there to walk along side of me as we heard other stories of survival, hope, and also stories of sadness of those that lost the battle.  Will you join us this year???

This was a portion of the team!!!! As you can see on the photo below...I was even there with my chemo pump and all. 5 FU chemo wasn't going to stop me!!!


Think PURPLE...pass on the word and keep the prayers coming!!!


 

Nov: Day 5 &Thunderbird

Well today is day 5 of my month long bloggin' challenge so lets get up and jive.  Well not really who wants to get up at 11:45pm and do a little dance.  Well instead I wanted to list a few things that can lead to a healthier lifestyle...which would mean a way to prevent cancer if possible...lower your risk.

*Exercise...I'm not talking about being at Crossfit everyday (although that is my dream to be a "crossfit" chick...someday sooner than later). I mean get out and walk or ride your bike daily.  Anything is better than just sitting around doing nothing.  I will be the first to admit...I have never liked running...nor do I see it in my future...but I do LOVE riding my bike a few miles a day around the neighborhood, especially with my 2 girlies. 

*Don't use tobacco products. I know this is a VERY hard habit for many to break.  But look on the bright side...you will not only smell better and feel better-you'll save lots of money. Who wants to waste money on a "can of chew" or a pack of "cigs". NOT, I!

*Eat Right! Limit your fat intake and eat PLENTY of fruits and vegetables.  If you get tired of shoving carrots and other vegetables down...you can always juice. :)  It takes work...but nobody said eating right comes easy.  It takes work and dedication to live a better lifestyle when it comes to eating.

*Protect yourself from the sun. Especially if you live in the sunshine states...make sure to see a dermatologist to check your skin. I myself make it a point to have a yearly exam.  I may not always like what the derm. doctor has to say...but I know that being proactive is key! Well I take it back...she always compliments me on my lips and how so many people pay big bucks to have lips like mine. Ha! I tell her yes, I am blessed! But seriously...if you see any abnormalities...get them checked!

*Medical care...make sure you are seeing a medical professional for regular check ups and if you have a history or family history with cancer that you are being screened.  Again...being proactive is so crucial!!!

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THUNDERBIRD...Home Sweet Home

Now the question of the day has been...how was your CT scan??? Any news yet??? Well peeps...as soon as I know my results, you can bet that I will be blogging for all to know.  I hate...yes I know strong word...but I hate drinking those barium bottles prior to the scan.  I described it to my girls as if someone turned Elmer's glue into a drink and tried to cover up the nasty taste by adding some "fake" berry flavor to it. Ummm...yuck! Needless to say I got my scan completed...and dealt with some tummy issues for the rest of the day.

But I need to share a special occurrence that happened to me before/during/after my scan.  So I arrived the 30 minutes prior.  Filled out the necessary paper work and then sat there in the medical image waiting area.

 I thought to myself all the life changing events that have occurred to me at Banner Thunderbird...from having my beautiful babies there, being diagnosed with breast cancer and having my mastectomies there, my abdominal hysterectomy...to being told I had cancer again and this time it was primary pancreatic.  That hospital holds a special place in my heart...and although there has been a LOT of tragic times there...I have also had some special memories that I will forever cherish and be grateful for. 

So as I signed my name and marked the date...I was greeted by the ct tech...Hello, My name is Samantha and I will be doing your ct scan today.  Ok, I thought to myself lets do this!  

She began to ask which arm I preferred her to start my iv. I showed her my left arm...and she kinda took a deep gulp and sighed. She then stated that too bad I didn't have a port so she could just access it that way instead of poking my arm again...as she could see my bruises and where I last had blood taken.  I pulled down my shirt to show her my port.  She was happy that she could call the RN  to come access my port and we would begin the test.  Well that didn't go as planned...they requested that if that was the case, I would need a chest x-ray to determine placement...Samantha being concerned...she didn't think I needed to have unnecessary radiation from the xray-I agreed. So next call was to the swat RN to come start an IV. It wasn't that I know Samantha didn't have the confidence that she couldn't get a good IV...but the fact that she was so concerned and compassionate for my comfort and well being. 

So the swat RN comes into the room and I began to tell both her and Samantha "my story"...how I was diagnosed at THEIR hospital...how the doctors and nurses took care of me...how I went onto Banner Good Sam for the whipple surgery, had chemo...and pretty much now here I was today for the scan because my tumor markers had elevated. They were both so attentive and listening to every detail I told.  The swat RN got my IV and left the room...Samantha did what she needed to do and the scan began.

I laid there trying to ease my mind and relax from being anxious...all I could do was reflect on all the memories that I had at T-bird.  I thought to myself...I really need to give Samantha a "blog-card" that is what I call them. Nothing more than a business card...instead has my blog address, face book prayer page, and name with my phone number.  Whenever I have an opportunity I pass them out like candy and try to make a difference in complete strangers lives in hopes they pay it forward...share my story and perhaps give others hope. 

So wouldn't you know the scan only took a short while...after feeling like I was going to "pee" my pants-lovely side affect from the contrast that is used in ct scans. So I thought Wow! Another one completed and just like the last ct scan...they seriously don't last as long as one would think.  So I threw on my top I was wearing over my tank-top and Samantha walked back near the area I had my purse on and where I was laying for the test.  I told her Thank YOU and I handed her my blog-card as I mentioned that I blog and when she got a chance she could read more of my story.  She took it and said..."Wait a minute!"...are you on face book?- I answered YES! Oh my she continued on...Do you know "KRICO"??? I said of course...she's a good friend and I worked at Boswell with her.  Samantha's eyes at that point got teary as she said, " I have been praying for you, ever since KRICO shared your story on face book...I have been lifting you in prayers! "

It was at that moment that I knew God had everything planned out...I was scheduled to be at a complete different hospital...but Banner Estrella's machines were down for a few more weeks...so i chose to go to Thunderbird...my "other" Home Sweet Home! Thank you Samantha and those of you that have played a role in my health care.  Your compassion, and dedication does NOT go unnoticed.  I am grateful for people like YOU!

Until next time...thank your health care provider for the job that they do.  Encourage others to wear PURPLE.  Pray for GOOD results from my scan...and make a difference today!

November: Day 4

So today is day 4 of this blogging challenge that I have put myself up to.  I wanted the world to know why and what I fight for...
It is plain and simple.
Nothing anyone or anything can buy.
Not something that can be replaced.
Not something that I just take out of the closet when I feel like it.
Not something that anyone else has.
No...you see why I fight is for these 2 precious little girls that call me their MAMA.




These 2 baby girls...yes they will always be my babies...have more knowledge about "life" than some adults. They are tough little girls...who put a HUGE smile on my face each and everyday. My reason for waking up each and everyday and my reason for saying Thank God for another wonderful day each and every night. 
This fight by NO means has been easy...but having these 2 beauties in my corner has made it all worth fighting for. 
Taryn and Maesyn...you someday if you don't already know...will know just how much you both mean to me.  THANK YOU for being my sunshine on gloomy days...and for keeping my heart filled with lots of love.

Until next time...fighting always with these 2 on my mind.

Please continue to pray...tomorrow I will have my CT scan of the abdomen...to make sure everything is "ok" since my last lab work showed my CA19-9 to be elevated a bit.  Prayer is Powerful!!!

Don't forget to spread the word...THINK PURPLE. Know it. Fight it. End it.

November: Day 3

statistics

 

Well I have always said I was NOT...nor am I going to be one of the statistics.  I can't say I don't believe in them...because lets face it...they go off of actual studies/cases. HOWEVER I am not the "normal" patient.  I can not nor will I thrive off of what others are saying statistically.  I believe that God has a purpose for me on this earth.  I have fought and beat breast cancer...and I CAN and I WILL beat pancreatic cancer.  I am fortunate or maybe unfortunate depending who you ask...that I had the pancreaticoduodenectomy-say that 10 time...which is the whipple procedure. So I have my "own" statistics...that are off the charts-ha!

 

But if you must know...here is what is being said...not to make you sad and pity me...but reality is this disease is horrible!!!

 

According to the American Cancer Society's estimates for Pancreatic Cancer in the United States for 2013 are:

About 45,220 people (22,740 men and 22,480 women) will be diagnosed with Pan-Can

About 38,460 people (19,480 men and 18,980 women) will die from Pan-Can

Rates of Pan-Can have been slowly increasing over the past 10 years.

The lifetime risk of developing Pan-Can is about 1 in 78.

 

According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-Pancreatic cancer has the lowest five-year relative SURVIVAL rate of ALL major cancers. For every 100 diagnosed ONLY 6 will survive after 5 years.

 

We mustn't be afraid...we must be PROACTIVE.  We have to spread the word and make awareness the key. 

 

Until next time...what are you going to do to be proactive? Think about it!

November: Day 2

Well by the time that you have read this the 2nd day of November has come and gone.  But...I have challenged myself and although a little late...I am not going to forget posting for the 2nd. 

So have you seen all the purple ribbons around the stores? Yea...me neither!  Which is why YOU have to be a voice...a voice that spreads the word about Pancreatic Cancer Awareness.  I want to challenge YOU to do something...email, text, call, tweet, re post, share...do what you gotta do to get the word out.  I want you to spread the word to at least 10 other people by encouraging them to read my blog.  I want so many others to be aware of this disease that EVERYONE is aware in some way.

I know I have many "medical" related people that read my blog...so its unfair to ask these questions...because hopefully-ha...they already know the answers to these questions.  Yes...I too have been in/around the medical field since I was 19 years old...but never truly "understood" the function of the PANCREAS until after my diagnosis.

1.  What does the pancreas do?
Well its a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system.  The pancreas has 2 functional components: endocrine to produce insulin and other hormones, and exocrine to produce pancreatic juices for digestion.
The pancreas is in direct contact with the stomach, duodenum, spleen, and major vessels of the abdomen.

2. How many sections does the pancreas have?
*Head
*Body
*Tail

3.  Where is the pancreas located?
The pancreas is located deep in the abdomen-nestled between the stomach and the spine. It lies partially behind the stomach. The other portion is tucked in the curve of the duodenum (small intestine). Because of the pancreas' deep location...tumors are rarely palpable.  This also explains why many symptoms of pan-can often do not appear until the tumor grows large enough to interfere with the function of nearby structures such as the stomach, duodenum, liver, or gallbladder.

Well now you know a tad bit more about your pancreas...if you didn't already.

Until Next time...THINK PURPLE...spread the word.  Be aware! Remember if life gets a little fizzy...don't get into a tizzy...instead take a moment and remember this too shall pass. :)


  

NOVEMBER: THINK PURPLE DAY 1

Well like most of YOU...I too had no idea when pancreatic cancer awareness month was.  Nor did I know what the awareness "color" for pan-can was...Please join me as I begin a month long awareness campaign...not just for myself but for others that if they are not already aware...then they will become aware and be proactive in their health.

You know I find it absolutely amazing that EVERYONE knows what the pink ribbon represents...I too am a breast cancer SURVIVOR.  From "Save the Ta-Tas"...to "Check your Boobies"...we get it! You see a PINK ribbon and everyone knows it has something to do with breast cancer.  But lets take all the "money" part out of these multi-million dollar campaigns and lets focus on what's really going on.  How much of your money is really going to research.  YOU would be surprised...and if you're anything like me...you would actually be quite disappointed. I believe there is a CURE...but these drug companies and large corporations wouldn't make the money they are making now...because who doesn't like to "support the cause"...right?! So how many of you bought PINK Campbell's soup cans, hairspray in a PINK can, pens that right pretty with the PINK ribbon on it, magnetic PINK ribbons for the car...the list goes on and on. Thank you  for supporting the PINK ribbon...but how many of you actually do your MONTHLY self breast exams-YES men get it too!

Not to ruffle any feathers...but WE must all be aware EVERY month...not just in October when we see all the PINK...

I can honestly sit here and say I had very little knowledge on what month meant what and what color represented what type of cancer awareness.  I knew pink...and I knew yellow for child hood cancers...but what was PURPLE???

I didn't think too much about November (other than my youngest being born in this month)...nor did I put too much into knowing what "awareness" month for cancer that it was.  That all changed on 11-30-2012...at the age of 34 being diagnosed with PANCREATIC CANCER.  I remember sitting in my hospital room at Banner Thunderbird and thinking wow...I have gone from wearing a LOT of pink ribbons to now I would be adding purple to my collection of things. 

I didn't know the severity of pan-can...the statistics...the treatments...the prognosis...or life after being diagnosed.  What I did know were the signs of pancreatic cancer...only after I was diagnosed of course.  They often say pan-can is a "silent" killer. The symptoms are very vague and could be VERY misleading. 

Today I will share some of  the symptoms of pancreatic cancer:

*upper abdominal pain that may radiate to your back (ummm this is an understatement...more like SEVERE pain that felt like a horse's cinch around my upper abdomen...down my rib cage...then into my lower back.

*yellowing (jaundice) of your skin and the whites of your eyes (I have always liked the color yellow...especially since that was my Dad's favorite color. However having the whites of my eyes turn yellow...not so much!)

*loss of appetite (I related this to stress from "life")...

*weight loss (see above)

*itching-from blockage of the bile ducts (I had the worst itching...I thought I had an allergic reaction...thinking I might have tried something new as in detergent...soap...but Nope!!!)

*bloating (every now and then) 

*nausea (still related this to life)

*diarrhea(related this to my prior surgery of removing my gall bladder)

*elevated blood sugars

See what I mean...these symptoms are very vague...how many of you deal already with abdominal issues...pain...etc., etc....but who would ever imagine that these signs/symptoms could lead you to end up getting the diagnosis of PANCREATIC CANCER. 

This isn't written to scare you...but it is also not my intentions for YOU to just sit back and ignore any "abnormal" symptoms you may be having.  YOU have to be proactive in YOUR health.  You can go to 100 different doctors...but only YOU know YOU!

Don't forget to THINK PURPLE...not just in November...but every month.  Pancreatic Cancer is usually so aggressive...because it is "caught" in later stages...but YOU can prevent the "silent killer" by being aware!!! Here's to more SURVIVORS of this disease.

So from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network...KNOW IT. FIGHT IT. END IT.

Until tomorrow...spread the word to at least 10 other people...think PURPLE