Sorry I haven't posted, but I was at an education conference in Bozeman, Montana.  It was a great week and I learned many things for my classroom.  I also learned many things about friendship.  If you are like me, you don't want the cancer or your illness to be a burden to anyone else.  I again realized I have made incredible friends.  One of the days of the trip we went to Yellowstone National Park.  I hadn't been there for 20 some years and it was good to see the geysers again.  One evening we participated in a version of "amazing race".  I was having trouble that week with breathing and fatigue. I tried to get out of the race, but they were willing to have me on the team.  We did a great job, but towards the end, I just could not breathe.  They begged the university for a wheel chair and took turns wheeling me to the finish line!  We didn't win, but we got the team spirit award!   Even after chemo and radiation we still will have bad days.  Remember tomorrow is a new day and don't be afraid to ask a friend for help.  Friends don't forget to ask if they need help.
I am still looking for some comments on lymphedemia.  Any little ideas on how you manage this problem would be great .  We all learn from each other.  Just post them in the comment sections.

Keep Fighting Cancer


Cathy

Lymphedemia

I didn't know much about lympedemia last year, but this year I know so much more.   I remember years ago seeing someone who was going through cancer treatment having a really big arm.  I now know it is much more than that. If you research the topic on the internet there is not a lot of information on the topic.  From experience I learned that when they remove the lymph glands you can get swelling in the area.  It can happen right away or after years. Mine started on my birthday which was about 4 months from my surgery.  What a birthday present!   My fingers and hands on the side of my surgery started to get bigger and bigger.  It was obvious what the problem was.  To treat the problem there are compression sleeves, and massages.  Lymphedemia can be in other parts of the body depending on where the lymph nodes were removed.   I have been going through flare ups where the sleeve won't fit and then I need to wrap my arm with special bandages.  I look like a mummy in my arm.  My family has been so good about helping me wrap my arm.  Some people can wrap themselves, but it is not easy at all!
This week I started trying a tribute sleeve to help the swelling.  It offers compression to the area.  I am hoping that will really relieve some of the problems.  Time will tell.
One of the things I have noticed is people do not about this condition.,  I am asked at least once a day by a stranger " what happened to your arm"  or   "how did you do that".  They all think it is an injury.  It is hard to always answer the questions and many times I will say " it's not so bad" or something really generic.
I would like to hear from others who are dealing with this problem.  We can swap ideas on controlling the situation.  I will write more about this another day.
Remember keep fighting.  You are worth it!!!!


Cathy

Tired?

Do you feel tired?  I am always feeling tired.  I remembered when I was first going through chemo how exhausting it was.  You can not even begin to feel how tiring it is.  Think of the most tiring day you have had and multiply it by 100.   I remember how it was hard to move and every inch of my body ached.  Now after several months I still get tired, but some of those bad days are becoming a faded memory.  The doctors blame it on post radiation or post chemo.  It sounds like an  excuse except, if you think of all the chemicals that were put in your body during chemo and radiation, it makes sense.    I just know that little by little things are getting better.  I am thankful that the doctors know how to fight the cancer and there is light at the end of the tunnel. So if you are feeling tired, remember little by little things will get better. Keep fighting!  YOU ARE A WINNER !  If you know someone in this situation, help them out. You can run an errand, babysit, make a meal, clean or just be their friend. Give someone a call or send them a card. Remember, they may be getting better, but they still cherish your prayers and friendship.

THERE ARE NO STRANGERS

WITH CANCER THERE ARE NO STRANGERS!

   Yesterday I received a phone call from a complete stranger.  We talked for about 1 hour.  What makes this call special was they she was a cancer survivor too!   Once you have cancer, your life changes forever.  You are  member of a special group of people.  These people understand and have been through many of the same things you have been through.
    As we talked, we weren't strangers anymore.  We could relate to many of the same pains, side affects,  procedures, and many more things.   You can learn so much for other survivors.  Don't close yourself in and be afraid to share.  Sometimes that sharing will bring tears to you and others, but that is ok.  I cry when I am happy, sad, and when I feel for someone else.
    One thing we both realized, that sometimes friends of cancer patients do not know how to react or what to do.   Our goal is to set them at ease.  We are still the same person, just with cancer.  Let them ask questions, cry and try to help.  It is good for them too!  They need to feel that they are helping you.  They want to help.
    When people first asked me what they could do, I would always nothing, just pray.  Now I am a firm believer in prayer and it is very, very important.  I cherish every prayer for me.  It is humbling to think that they took their time to pray for me and I was that important to them.  God will answer those prayers and honor those who prayed for me.
     They also want to do something physical.  Let them.  It might be a meal or pick up the kids.  Any task will let them feel included.  It is hard to let go and let others help.  It was a hard lesson for me to learn, but I can be a blessing to others by letting them be a blessing to me.
     It's good for your family too!  They need to know that all the extra weight is not on them.  This is just as hard for them.  I think sometimes we forget that they are fighting with us.  They have the same fears, cares, and emotions.

     We are all in this together.  We can overcome. Help someone today.  You will forget some of your problems and be a blessing at the same time.   One thing I have learned in this past year, is that there is always someone who is worst off than me.  I need to be thankful for the trials I have.

Fighting Cancer and Winning

FIGHTING CANCER AND WINNING

     Recently I visited the Kinuza Bridge in Mount Jewett, Pennsylvania.

The bridge was the longest, tallest viaduct in the world when it was made in 1882.  It was 301 feet tall!   It was a train bridge and carried many loads across the valley.   July 21, 2003 a tornado came through the area with winds of 112 mph.  The bridge could not withstand the gales and came tumbling down.  

     This is how I see cancer.  I felt strong and on top of the world one day, and then the phone call comes saying it is cancer.  You feel like the world is toppling down upon you. As you see the giant strong girders are crumbled on the ground, you do not have to stay there on the ground.  You can get up fighting!   

Today the bridge has been rebuilt .  Visitors can walk halfway across the once giant span.As you look down the tracks it appears to continue without an end.  That is how I am taking on life.  One day at a time.  We cannot know the future , but we can live for today.  The Lord has helped me through this year and I want to be a blessing to others.  

The glass walkway is scary to first walk on ,  but after you have the courage to stand on it, you find that  it is perfectly safe.   Cancer can be scary, but with courage and strength from the Lord, family , friends and doctors the fears will fade.   In future post, I will tell you about some of those experiences.  

Thanks for taking time to stop by . 

Cathy