July 6, 2006 - Day 2 - Week 14 - Website Heaven 

Every day is a gift; I keep reminding myself of that, but some days are wrapped with packaging that is bright and cheery, others in drab colorless hues.  We have had a few of the latter recently, but today good news on all fronts.

Jennifer is on the mend and second opinion verification of her over-all prognosis and future treatment pattern was forthcoming from Dr. Larry Piro, head of the Angeles Clinic, today. There are a few more questions to answer, and a few more appointments to secure, but cervical cancer is beatable and that is the attitude we all are adopting.  Jen sends big hugs to Lisa and Mark especially for their love and support.

My interim report reflects tumor shrinkage, blood counts normal, and energy level on the rise.  We will undergo round 5 of chemo the first week in August and then two weeks later have a massive picture taking session to determine the details of the design of the tumors in my body; or hopefully, lack thereof.   The only downside is this new malady called ‘fat legs.’   For some reason by the end of many days my legs are puffy and swollen and I look more like a linebacker than a wide receiver. I have always wanted to have an etched physique, but this is not the way to achieve results.  I will be taking a diuretic every other day now through the duration of the chemo therapy.  There is good news in that it will lessen the swelling; but the bad news is that trips to the head (I am starting to use nautical terms as I prepare psychologically to head to Cape Cod) occur every 23 minutes.

Now for the information sharing from the wide wide world of webs.  Without the internet most of us would continue to function without a hitch, however, information gathering has been made relatively easy because of the billions of internet sites within a click or two of the mouse.

If you or someone you know is battling cancer, here are a few websites you might want to check out.

1. American Cancer Society -   www.cancer.org

2. American Institute for Cancer Research -  www.aicr.org

3. Cancer Care -  www.cancercare.org

4. Cancer Hope Network -  www.cancerhopenetwork.org

5. The Cancer Survivor’s Toolkit -  www.cansearch.org/programs/toolbox.html

6. National Cancer Institute – www.cancer.gov

In the next couple of days I will tell about each taking the information directly from page 48 of the Cancer Lifeline Cookbook.

In closing on this 95 degree day, and yes temperature, both hot and cold does affect one undergoing chemo therapy, education remains key for every family because each family I know has been touched by cancer in some form.  Today alone, three people in our circle of friends presented their story.  Let’s all educate one another to enlightenment.  We have no other choice, and education is fun, even when the subject matter is sobering.

Back to Week 14