I Just Found Out I Have CANCER...HELP

[KL]

You are radiant, Chispa, with or without hair!!  Thanks for the update!

[Nikolett]

yes to all the replies above
Merry Christmas and many more Happy New Years! my prayers are with you always! 

[ariel]

Thats great more than 1/2 done.   Agree with everyone.. You look beautiful!!!  hope you have a great 2010 and tmany other years after that!   I really recommend to have a new year resolution to start eating healthy...it will keep the cancer far far away, once it is gone.

take care dear.....

[chispa]

Hello Everyone!

I hope your year has started well!  I am getting ready for chemo #5 this Wednesday.  I am scared because the side effects are cumulative and the nausea and tiredness has gotten a bit more chellenging.  I never thougt I would say this but I am looking forward to it because that means I may only have 1 or 2 left.  (probably just 1 more but I need to keep the extra one in the back of my mind so I am not crushed with dissapointment.) 

Kids and husband doing well although teaching reading to my son has been postponed since I was the only one doing it.  With that said, I just wanted to thank Brillkids for providing an outlet for me to tell my story.  It has been amazing to find so many of you willing to join me in this unexpected journey.  I pray and thank God for you and this site.  Thank you for your compassion and kindness.  Together you give me strength.  Thank you!

I will keep you posted.  Keep me in your prayers!

[patreiche]

I just ordered one of these machines and I can not wait till mine arrives. I would suggest that you try this. I know my husband has been battling cancer for almost 20 years now. It was quite a shock to us years ago. Our daughter was only 8 years old. What you eat is very important to your recovery and staying healthy. I highly recommend getting one of these.

https://secure.vitamix.com/acb/stores/4/Special-Deals-C119.aspx

You can read the testimonials. We got ours at Bed Bath and Beyond with 20% off coupon. The extra nutrients will help you tremendously. It makes things taste good that I would never eat. The guy at the show made an ice cream like with cabbage and carrots masking the taste with strawberries and honey. It was delicious!

Over the years we have migrated to eating much more fruits and vegetables. It makes a huge difference. Good luck!

[Krista G]

Chispa,

Thanks for your update.  I want to thank you for sharing this journey with us.  The thing that stuns me is that your battle and your journey have become ours as well.  I find I am thinking about you several times a day.  I pray for your full recovery.  I pray for your strength and endurance through this next round.  May the people in your life continue to bless you even through this dark walk you are now taking.  Don't lose sight of victory, for it is yours!

Sending you hugs!

BTW, We have a Vitamix and they are awesome.  Best blender there is, IMO.

[PY]

Chispa...Go go girl!! You can do this..we can do this. My prays be with you and your family.I am sure you will be fine, be strong!
love from my family to you.

[chispa]

Thank you!!

I will check out the vitamix.  I have changed my eating habits...try to minimize sugars, fats, eat more raw veggies and fruit,  Broccoli has become a stipen in our house.

I will be in touch after Wed. chemo!

[patreiche]

In my recent purchase of the vita mix machine I have been researching the whole foods and discovered B17 which is thought to cure cancer. B17 is found in the seeds of fruit and several whole grains other then wheat. Basically B17 has been removed from our diet and is why cancer is becoming prevalent.

Look at the grains you eat and look for b17 vitamin and seeds of fruits like apples and apricots. Do not just eat a large quantity of seeds because they are toxic (contains cyanide) but in combination with the fruits they are healthy for you according to what I have read. If you do try the B17 approach I read it must be used in conjunction with pineapple. Studies have found b17 ineffective, but rather they were conducted in conjunction with the enzyme from pineapples I do not know. You have to grind up the seeds or they will simply pass through your digestive system. You suppose to eat like 4-5 seeds a day, but a cup full of seeds is deadly. Eating the apple has the nutrients to help offset the nausea the seeds may cause.

Other foods beneficial in cancer prevention are almonds, blueberries and the broccoli. I started this research because Vita-mix suggest putting whole apple including stem and melon seeds in your fruit blends. I found the information on B17 and am still trying to decide if I think it is a good idea or not.

[chispa]

Thank you so much!  I know my diet is going to be key after the treatment is done.  Now I have to place my faith in God and in the treatments the doctors think are appropriate.  Drs. do not want me to take any supplements or antioxidents because it can interfere with chemo.  I just finished chemo #5 and praying I only have 1 left...it all depends on a scan that they will do after chemo #6.  Then radiation.  I am really interested in finding out how to get the radiation out of my body.  Nutrition will be key.  Broccoli and almonds have become a big part of my diet and avoiding sugars as much as I can. 

I was thinking of buying one of those juicing machines, but will look into the vita-mix machine.  A bit pricey, (although nothing could be too expensive if it will extend my life, right?) but will look on ebay too.

Thanks again and keep me in your prayers! 

[chispa]

"We're off to get the chemo, the wonderful chemo for me.  Because, because,
because, because, of the wonderful things it does."  Please, do not get me
wrong, chemo still stinks, but I had the song stuck in my head for a while and
decided to run with it.
 
We decided to treat chemo #6 as if it was our last chemo.  With that in mind, we
were going to throw a "party" in the chemo room.  With the help of my friend
from Puerto Rico, Michelle R., we spend Tuesday shopping for food, cutting
fruit, making brownies, cutting cheese, and making dinner. 

This time, my appointments were a bit later and I was concerned we wouldn't get
a room big enough to hold my friends who wanted to be there for the last chemo. 
But thanks to Sue and the fantastic nurses of the chemo
area, we had a  "suite" with a bed and a window.  After settling in and receiving
my 13 pills which include a put-to-sleep-a-horse dose of benadryl, I felt
asleep.
 
When I woke up from a heavy sleep I saw all the wonderful faces of friends and family. 
Even people that I didn't know were coming showed up to surprise me!
 
One problem about chemo is that I am in a daze for quiet a while.  Probably
because of the amount of benadryl.  (They give it to me because I am allergic to
chemo...wonder why...I am allergic to poison!) So very often I need a recap to
jolt my memory.
 
Well, everyone was wonderful!  I received flowers from my parents, and
I received a diploma from the Hematology Department for graduating
from Chemo University.  Perfect attendance during 6 semesters.  I completed all
the requirements and gave them a run for their money on some of those cycles. 
But I graduated!!!!!  Yeah!
 
Now (going back to the Wizard of Oz) I stand in the middle of my yellow big
road.  Looking back at the last 6 months...can you believe it, we have been at
it for 6 months, I feel like the lion, the tinman, the scarecrow and Dorothy in
my journey.
 
Like the lion, everyday I search for courage to get me going.  So many times I
wanted to quit but with the support of Craig, my family, my friends and even
strangers I hold on to the courage they helped me discover that I have. 
 
The Tin Man looked for a brain.  Well so am I.  "Chemo Brain" is very real.  If
you spend 10 days with me like Michelle did you would recognize it.  She laughed
a lot.  I imagine that while your brain marinades in poison it doesn't work
well.  I am glad we only use about 10% of our brain capacity.  Maybe I can tap
into that 90%...soon. 
 
The scarecrow was always my favorite character.  He had a big heart and so did I
...really.  My pericardium had started absorbing fluid which enlarged the heart. 
It was protecting it from the tumor.   As of the last x-ray it looked like my
heart has returned to normal size.  In this journey I have found the hearts of
so many.  There are people who have opened their hearts to my family that I
would have never expected.  The cards, flowers, meals, phone calls, emails, walks, time,
hugs, laughs, tears.  HEARTS EVERYWHERE have opened to me and my family.  I am
so lucky!
 
Dorothy...Do you know I played Dorothy in a pep rally skit when I was in High
School?  And we won that year!  (Maybe I will post that picture)  Like Dorothy I
want to "go home" after I am done.  As much as I want to visit Puerto Rico, what
I mean is, I want to be able to click my heels and go back to feeling the way I
used to, go back to being Maria Elena, La Chispa de la Vida.  I know it is going
to take time, energy, and discipline to continue on the road to recovery.  With
courage, my brain and heart...I will get there.  Michelle helped me with that. 
We did snow angels in the snow...we will have to make them in the sand when I
visit her and we even jumped on a snowy trampoline.  Thanks Michelle!
 
These days I am often feeling more like screaming..."I am melting!  I am
melting!"
Some of you may not know that since chemo doesn't stink enough
 they have to add menopause to it.  Yes!  50% of women get thrown
into menopause.  I am one of the lucky ones!  I am constantly sweating.  The
other day Andew kissed my head and said..."Mom, your head is ...wet!"  Talking
about Andrew, I have discovered why he doesn't like the wigs.  He told me..."Mom
you are a boy!  You have no hair.  Take that (the wig) off!"
 
 
Now I am looking forward to this weekend.  My parents, grandma and
and family are coming to celebrate my birthday!   All I want is 41 more!

Now, we wait for March 10th when we have a PET scan to figure out what we do next.

Lots of love and prayers to all!
   
 
 
 
 

[Kyles Mom]

have been meaning to reply to this thread ever since i saw it, never got around! and when I finally did I am getting ready to inshaAllah read about the great news in a weeks time...

i just lost a close friend's wife who was only 22yrs to cancer, i was soo devastated all i cud think of was my friend and her... (and I met her only once!!!) then again she found out she had cancer at the final stages...

I am so glad that you are going to finish off chemo, n I so hope we get to hear the good news...

And chispa, aristotle said "i think therefore i am" something that moves me all the time, so I remind you, the best medicine is ur mind for everything... U believe it can happen and if u can have enough faith in ur belief you will see it happen... i have seen it so many times in things people wont ever believe in if I share even!

so believe in urself, u r gonna fight this off, mentally make note that many have survived so can u... i have known fatal diseases being cured with this mentality, read many stories as well... so chispa, even if it means u have to post notes everywhere arnd ur home, hospital room, keep reminding urself, you can do this, u can fight cancer and be cured soon, inshaAllah

[Krista G]

I love your post and all your analogies.  Thank you so much for allowing us to be apart of your journey.  It has been something.  I have learned a lot from you and your posts.  Have a fabulous birthday and here's to 41 more!

[nhockaday]

Happy Birthday and congrats on finishing up chemo! Please let us know how your scan goes.

[Kyles Mom]

was thinking about you yday n today and wanted to check how you are doing....
I wen to ur profile and found you last active today, so felt better but still wanna ask how you were doing!

document.getElementById('recent_loading').style.display = 'none';document.getElementById('recent_page_box').style.display = '';

Page: 1/4  

Loading...

Members

• Total Members: 214697
• Latest: Kaoricom

Stats

• Total Posts: 110526
• Total Topics: 19136
• Online Today: 196
• Online Ever: 826
• (January 22, 2020, 12:09:49 AM)

Users Online

• Users: 0
• Guests: 159
• Total: 159