 |
| High C IV |
My hands have been so super shaky lately. At first I though it was the thyroid pill my ND has me on so we adjusted it a few times and now I'm down to one pill cut in half twice daily. We also took a break on the DCA and liquid tributyrate to make sure I am not deficient in my B vits (plus doc says its good to have a break from these from time to time, I am guessing to kind of "reset" your body). So far this has not helped either but it may take a few days to see. Next he is wanting me to get a nutritive push, similar to the nutritional IV's I used to get but concentrated (no saline) and "pushed" by hand with a huge syringe into my IV line (slowly of course). I got one today and I smell like the vitamin store now, however I do feel much better, but still shaky hands. He thinks I may be just needing more nutrients and since I get so much liquid pumped into my body 4 times a week that it is diluting what nutrients I do have. It will take a few days to figure it all out but we are determined to get to the bottom of it. It is kinda cramping my iPhoto skills. Shaky hands make for blurry photos...boo! The other thing it is doing is making it a pain in the ass to type and more of a pain in the ass to text. Geez! I'm a big texter (it's actually my main form of communication) and it has been super frustrating for me. I do a lot with my phone too like check my email, entertain myself when I'm in an IV for 3-4 hours, etc and this shaky bit has been irritating to say the least.
 |
| My Hooties who keep my liver loved at night |
I got to go camping the other day with some friends. It. Was. Heaven! I used to be that girl who went camping every single weekend and more often if I could manage it. I was hiking, climbing, skiing, camping, or just doing recon for another trip or scoping out new places to go. I haven't been camping since last July when my mom and I went opal digging at Juniper Ridge in Southern Oregon (awesome by the way!) so this was a treat for me! I couldn't wait to retrieve my camping gear from my storage closet down the hall! Before I got diagnosed, back when I had a job and money, I had enough foresight and determination to replace my aging and well loved tent, sleeping pad and backpack. Oh man, it was like Christmas! I had only used my new gear once or twice after I purchased it (cause my ex and I always used the Westy when we camped) and when I went to set it up I just kept gawking at it and at how cool it was. My chemo brain had completely forgotten what it even looked like, and I was absolutely befuddled and astounded at all of the adjustments on my killer backpack. Once everything was all set up I realized my tent matched my sleeping bag...hey, just cause you're camping "roughing it" doesn't mean you can't be fashionable too :) I floated around on a lake near Mt Hood all day (with lots of sunscreen), had wonderful conversation with friends new and old, ate a ton of delicious food, sat by a campfire, and slept under the stars like a baby and didn't even wake up one single time all night long. It was a good, good time. I hope I feel well enough to get back out at least one more time before this nice weather is gone.
 |
| The view from inside my tent |
My dad and I planted a HUGE garden together this year. The only downfall is that I usually feel too tired/shaky/crappy to make the hour drive north to his house. And I am in appointments 4 days every week so it also makes it difficult to come see me too...unless one wants to hang out in an IV for a few hours or so. But the point is that we are getting tons of veggies out of it and it couldn't be more awesome! I just wish I could spend more time actually in the garden. I love weeding and tending to the plants and eating them right out of the garden, yum!
I've been sleeping a lot lately and I mean a LOT. It has been feeling incredibly good too. I have been fatigued but not in a completely incapacitated way like back when I had radiation. I can at least be in the kitchen for a while now and do my own laundry, clean, take care of basics etc. The fatigue I have is pretty consistent and severe but I can make it to my appointments by 9am (that's great for me) and if I set my mind to it, whatever it is, I can usually make it happen. Sometimes it takes a while but it will eventually happen. I have a huge mobile making project that is warranting my attention these days. I finally got things organized enough to feel like I have some room to be creative. In other words I re-arranged my furniture again...see if I set my mind to it I can get it done :) My kitty girl still thinks I'm crazy but it keeps it interesting for her and her indoor lifestyle. I have lots of great ideas brewing for crafts too. I am assuming that I will have more enthusiasm for those things once the days start getting shorter and less deliciously sunny and warm.
 |
| Just waiting to be turned into something cool |
Seriously though, the vitamin C IV's have proven to be astoundingly helpful with chemo side effects and doc says that it also makes the cancer more susceptible to the chemotherapy making it more effective. Not only that I can literally see, smell, and feel the difference in my body as compared to last chemo in 2010. It is amazing stuff and I just can't understand why our lame insurance wont cover such a simple thing that can do so much good! The IV's are $175 each and I get three every week so in comparison to chemo it is cheap but when insurance does not cover it the expense turns into $2100/mo. The only reason I am as healthy as I am right now is because of YOU! Thank you so much for the vitamin C IV's!! The donations you have made is what makes it possible for me to get these lifesavers and I want you all to know that I am forever in deepest gratitude for your generous and gracious gifts! I feel the love every single day and am so thankful and lucky to be as healthy as I am and to have such wonderful friends and family like you all to give me strength and shine that light. You all rock!!
 |
| at the CTM |
My friend Tiffany has organized this fundraiser to help with vitamin C IV's. Anything is most appreciated, even if it is only $1! Every single little bit helps and is one more drop of golden goodness in my IV to keep me healthy and kick some cancer booty!
Here is the link :)
Or if you like you can contact my clinic directly at The Center for Traditional Medicine 503-636-2734 and they can add money to my account there with a debit/credit card or personal check. The people there are quite lovely, if you call on a Mon/Wed/Fri then make sure to tell them to say "hello" to me since I will be in the IV suite :)
I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer and are all safe, happy, healthy and full of life!
Oh yeah,
