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Date Posted: 00:03:26 01/17/13 Thu
Author: GoodWillTalking
Subject: Raven Update - Monday night

Posted on Facebook 1/15/13:
I want so badly to tell you that I'm doing OK, but I would be lying (badly). Very long days here since Sunday (Sundays seem to be my peaking point after chemo on Thursdays). The stomach problems are nothing that I could have ever imagined in my life, and they are relentless. I left a message for my Oncologist and they called in Lomotil. John and I used my new meter as my blood sugar was a little scary the last time they took my blood work (it was 168 just a week or so ago and yet I am normally 105)! We bought a meter because of this, tried it yesterday, and my blood sugar was 231 (and we did the test to make sure that the meter was working accurately first)! I know what's causing it, but that doesn't scare me any less. My blood sugar today is 189. I would love to know what I am supposed to do here because I ate only protein yesterday with just a small glass of Gatorade to bring down the blood sugar, but this is the last thing I am supposed to eat when having severe intestinal problems due to chemo. That alone has me completely crazed right now. I was doing better on a little brown rice, Banana's and Gatorade, but that raised my sugar dangerously. Normally, I would have been just fine. At least it's a little down today (and I fasted for many hours before doing both tests).

The hospital I go to won't even let you do a PET Scan if your sugar is over 200. I am going to let my Oncologist know what is going on when I go in for chemo this Thursday and ask for Metformin (something I was trying to avoid like the plague). I was actually keeping my blood sugar nice and steady on natural Cinnamon, but I guess what has been thrown my way isn't buying it anymore. The last thing I needed are diabetic issues while going through chemo.

The cherry on the sundae is the shower I just took. John's asleep right now, so no way I am going to wake him up, but I am devastated. A lot of my hair came out just now while I was running conditioner through it. It wouldn't stop. I thought I had hit the end of things and then more and more kept coming out. I knew this was coming, but right now I am feeling that I made a mistake here. I know it's the only door left to me (and the hope of Gleevec), but I guess it's very different when you have this brave idea of how well you are going to do, and then reality takes that away. Just a dark moment in time. I know I need to push through (believe me, I know). I've been miserable. Never had high blood pressure or high blood sugar, and now I have both. The hair coming out was the last straw tonight. I'll check in once I've pieced myself back together again. I am so grateful to you for continuing to make me smile (especially on a night like tonight). There are some very decent people out here and I am blessed that our paths crossed no matter what the circumstances. I love you (genuinely). ♥

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Replies:

[> Re: Raven Update - Monday night -- Cate, 08:11:05 01/17/13 Thu [1]

Oh Raven,
I am so sorry that your having a difficult time. Your in my prayers. Gleevac is a miracle drug in my book. It has given my father his life back. I will pray that it will do the same for you.

God bless you and John.
Cat


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[> Re: Raven Update - Monday night -- Cynthia Ste. Claire, 15:49:00 01/17/13 Thu [1]

I was stage 3 ovarian, they thought it was medium lemon sized, but a month later found it was soccer ball size that was hidden by my uterus. Radical Hyst, with extras taken out, chemo began on Christmas Eve. I have been thinking of you so much, inwardly doing the countdown on when you'd have to deal with the loss of something so intrinsic in us. Our hair, something that grows fast, but.. there just are no words to describe.

When fistfuls came out, I cut the rest right then and there, to get it over with. I slept with a pillowcase over the top of my head to stay warm. I had a delay in my chemo, it was a very rare and aggressive form, and after the third treatment they had to stop for 2 months until my white count was high enough. That taught me to take things one day at a time, not easy for a girl who has a brain that works a million miles an hour.

This was in '98-'99, and after my hair grew back in (the second time, lost it again with the 2 month delay), I told the oncologist that I'd have kissed his feet if I'd known what my hair would turn out like.

I'd always had uber straight hair, I'd have to use aqua net (I was an 80's girl) to get it to hold if I'd go out) just to try to keep some style in it. But after the chemo, I had ringlets! I was so shocked. Only downside was the color is a dirt brown, I was a blonde before.. but perms cost more than coloring, so it's still a win/win ;)

You've gone through soooo much, there are no words that I can say that will really help. But I care, even though I'm a lurker and don't post (until now).

You are so loved and cherished, wig or not, you are beloved by many. Forever..

Cynthia


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[> Re: Raven Update - Monday night -- Hannah (((((((healing hugs)))))) :)), 01:13:10 01/18/13 Fri [1]

(((Dearest Ravenbeauty)))

All the side effects are temporary - perhaps it would help if you could see them as badges earned as you win the battle! :)

Incidentally, I have read many cancer survivors who have said that when their hair grew back after chemo, that it was softer and shinier than it ever had been before! Now, I hope that may have put a smile on your face. ((((hugs))))

Love you always,
Hannah


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[> Re: Raven Update - Monday night -- Julie, 04:38:29 01/18/13 Fri [1]

I don't know if it will help at all, but maybe you can visualize the loss of your hair as your body releasing all the things that are weighing you down. See the cancer falling away with each strand of hair and imagine as it starts to grow back, that you are being born again, healthy, strong, and new.


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[> [> Re: Raven Update - Eat Quinoa, a superfood -- Louise, 23:55:25 01/18/13 Fri [1]

What a great way of looking at it. Its true, with new life comes new hair. Just look at a newborn rabbit.

When I heard brown rice was rising your sugar Raven the first thing I thought was quinoa. A 150-gram cup of cooked quinoa has a glycemic index of 53.


Some stores sell it and certainly at health food stores. Its actually a superfood. Someone can live on nothing but quinoa and water. Below they talk about it at Livestrong. And thats what you need to do. LIVESTRONG. My prayers at sent your way.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/258598-quinoa-the-glycemic-index/


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