Thank you for visiting my blog. I wanted to create it so that all the people close to me can check in to see what happening in my treatment, and how I'm doing. This doesn't mean that I don't want to hear from you. Please feel free to call, email, text any time. But I apologize if I don't always get back to you. This new cancer journey of mine is a full time job, and I'm doing the best that I can. Please know that your thoughts and prayers mean so much to me...keep them coming! Thank you for all your help and support too...it takes a community, and you have all given us that.
With love and gratitude,
Lynne

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Recovery

Today I finally came out of the chemotherapy fog. The first day after treatment I was mostly tired, but the second day was so much worse. I could hardly get out of bed and had no appetite at all. Today I am up and about, but still not much energy, and achy from being in bed so long. I was so happy to have Evie here with me, she took such good care of me. I felt sad to say goodbye to her this morning. Between not feeling well, and missing my family, it was just that much harder. I'm looking forward to my Mom coming on Sunday. At 2 weeks, I've had enough of this place! I'm not sure how much longer I can stomach the food here...I think mom's job will be to find me food in town! The doctors have told me that my treatment was very successful...defined by being able to attain a high body temperature, and maintain it for a long time. I got roughly 2 hours over 41 degrees, without any complications. My next treatment is scheduled for Monday, and they say that the second treatment is usually much easier...let's hope! Yesterday was Zoe's birthday. Although I wasn't feeling up to it, I managed to talk to the kids at school. Zach's teacher has been so fantastic, and coordinated it for us. Then Mark sent some video of the family party...so nice to see them talking and interacting. Thank you for all the emails that were sent to me over the last few days. It's taken me a while to get to them. If anyone wants to call, you can reach me in my room at 011-49-8061-398148. Keep in mind I am 6 hours ahead of Toronto time. Xox

Sunday, November 25, 2012

End of first week

Ruzana left on Friday morning. It was so great to have her here with me, and the time passed so quickly. The room seemed strange with her gone. But it's also been nice to have some quiet time to myself. My cold has turned into a cough, and my voice is still not back to normal. I slept a lot yesterday, but then went out for a really nice dinner with Craig and his Mom, my fellow Torontonians. It felt so good to get dressed, with makeup, and venture out on the town. The restaurant was beautiful, with great food, and we even had a glass of wine...so civilized and normal. Today I am preparing for my first whole body hyperthermia treatment on Monday. This means only liquids after breakfast, and then I have to drink one of those colon cleansing preps like before a colonoscopy. The treatment involves insulin and chemo, befor heating my body to almost 42 degrees, and will take most of the day on Monday. My friend Evie is driving in from Frankfurt today, to spend a few days with me, and to help me recover from the treatment. Today is a gorgeous day, and I'm heading out now to see the local Christmas market and get some fresh air. I've been speaking to Mark and the kids almost every day. I really miss them, but feel good knowing that everyone is helping to keep them busy. Thank you Bunny, Dana, Sue, Carole, Alison, Val and Karen for the driving, dinners, and play dates.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Treatment Day 3

Unfortunately, on my second day here I started developing a bit of a cold. I blame it on the plane trip, and the dry air here. So I haven't slept well for 2 days, and today I have no voice. I'm hoping it starts improving, or it could delay things. My first week of treatment is under way, and we've settled into a bit of a routine. I get 2 infusions of Vitamin C or other nutrients, 1 hour of local hyperthermia (HT) to my liver, magnetic field with oxygen therapy, detox foot bath and ozone therapy. Most of these things are every day. It's a very busy schedule, but we've been trying to fit in a walk and fresh air every morning, as well as a few stretches at some point. All this sitting around is making me very stiff. The big treatment here is the whole body hyperthermia (Wbht). I think I'll be getting one treatment next Tuesday, and one in the final week. This involves some fasting and colon cleansing the day before, giving insulin to lower blood suger, and administering low-dose chemo, before heating my body to around 40C for 2-3 hours. Most of this is done under anesthetic. The doctors are very optimistic that I will have positive results from this treatment. So that is very exciting! Also, it sounds like things are going well at home without me. Apparently the dog misses me the most! Thank you to everyone that is helping out, and has offered to help. I wouldn't be able to do this without you. Xox

Monday, November 19, 2012

Arrival in Germany

Ruzana and I are here in Germany, at Klinik St. Georg, in the town Bad Aibling, south of Munich. I am so happy having Ruzana with me. It was hard to say goodbye to Mark and the kids, but I was fine once I got on the plane and could relax. The clinic is in an old Monastery that operates like a hospital. The doctors and nurses walk into our room as they would in a hospital...we've learned to lock the door! On our first day here, we got settled, had a nap, and I saw a doctor. I was also happy to meet a fellow Torontonian at dinner. It's very comforting to know he's here too. We had a decent nights sleep, and I went for bloodwork, an ultrasound, and my morning vitamin C infusion. My daily infusion takes place in the comfort of my own room, and takes a few hours. So this is my time to email and update my blog. This afternoon I am supposed to meet the head doctor, to go over my treatment plan. But we're hoping to get out to see the town at some point. All this sitting around could get boring. But for now, we're happy with it...I think it's time for another nap!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

In a slump - off to Germany

I've been in a bit of a fog for the last week. My last 2 infusions of chemo and my bone drug have each caused intense pain, fatigue, and feeling bad overall. The last few months have certainly been difficult, and caused a shift in mood. This in turn causes a general downward spiral of sadness and lost motivation. But it's temporary and I'll pick myself up again and move forward! So what's next? 1) We've cancelled my next chemo...this may be the end of Vinorelbine. 2) I still need to have a brain MRI to see the results of my last SRS treatment. But my latest CT scan showed everything else is stable. 3) All my research of possible treatments has led me to Germany. I'm not ready to go for another round of heavy chemo. So I'm planning to make a trip there in a few weeks. They will use hyperthermia and other alternative therapies in conjunction with low dose chemo. I think the time is right, and if I don't try it, I will regret it. I hate to leave the kids for 3 weeks, but they will be surrounded by family and friends, to help out while I'm away. I will be accompanied by my friend, my Mom, Mark, and my friend that lives in Germany. Between them, I'll have someone with me for the whole time. I'm not looking forward to it, but I'm hopeful that it will make a difference in my life. I'll be there November 18 - December 9, and will try to keep you updated by blogging my experience. When I get home, we'll redo my scans and re-evaluate what's next. Prayers and positive light please!