The Cancer saga (was:Good thoughts to Glitch Cat and me)

[Glitch Girl]

Tomorrow is my last scheduled treatment.  I seriously hope this means that things are almost over.

I didn't mention much about the previous treatment because mostly it was like the previous two: I was in a different area, but the long sit-and-wait part was basically the same (this time, my book was "The Day of the Jackal" by Frederick Forsyth - I am ever amazed on how LUCKY the police were in this whole investigation).  The next day, another fever, but since I was expecting it this time, it wasn't as bad, and I slept it off pretty quickly. 

Post treatment was mostly unremarkable as well. There was a little more tiredness and I needed the nausea pills a bit more, but mostly things were okay.  The biggest difference was a far more pronounced affect on my tastebuds: for about a week, everything had a "yuck" taste to it and flavors were (and still are) less pronounced.  I had a Twix bar at one point and it tasted slightly like sand.  The worst part was going out of town and being offered raw honey, locally grown strawberries, and other such goodies and not being able to really enjoy them.  (it wasn't a total loss: some locally made Cajun sausage was spicy enough to get through the yuck, and tasted just wonderful so I got a pack, even had one today and it tasted even better, mmm).  Thankfully, the "yuck" did fade eventually, though I'm not looking forward to it's probably return. 

I still have hair.  Not much (I look like Gollum is my stylist) but there's still enough to stick out from beneath a hat.  My hat of choice sort of looks like this [Link].  It's comfy and I've gotten a few compliments on it so far.  I have dubbed it my Survivor Cap, and intend to keep it long after this whole business is over with.

Also, starting this week I've been having what I believe are hot flashes.  Basically, this means that every few hours or so, my body feels like a heating element for a while, then goes back to normal.  During the day, it's a mild annoyance, but at night it's enough to usually wake me up to kick off the covers too cool off, only to wake up some time later to pull them back on to warm back up.  I do not know how related this is to the Chemo, but I plan to ask about it tomorrow. 

I'm not quite sure what happens after this treatment is over with.  I know the stuff stays in my body for about a month and then my body SHOULD start trying to get back to normal.  On the plus side, that means the hair on my head will start to come back.  On the down side, it means I'll have to shave my legs, something I haven't had to do since the first treatment.  Small price IMO.

And... that's about it. Wish me luck.

[BlueBard]

Good Luck, God Bless, Gesundheit, and a whole bag full of Four-Leaf Clovers.

[Outcast]

Good luck GG. Glad it's almost over.

[Deaths Jester]

Because I'm a weirdo, I posted my reply over on G+....that and I wanted to be different..which I already am.  Oh, but forgot the normal weirdo response on G+...which is, of course your having hot flashes GG, it's cause ye smoking hot!!!  See, weirdo typing....kinda pervy actually.....hmmm...must have my weirdo-meter checked.

[Cyber Burn]

I'm glad that you're still able to stay positive throughout all of this, it really shows a strength and depth of character that I really admire.

[BentonGrey]

Ha, as ever, thanks for the unique...quality you bring to the boards, DJ.

GG, it sounds like things are going along relatively well, and that you're keeping a good attitude to all of this.  That cap is really nice!  I'm sorry for the "yuck" bit of all this.  I know that the taste thing can really make a difficult situation worse.  I'm glad you've found something that cuts through it.  See if you can find some Cajun-style jambalaya, that ought to cut right through anything!

Hooray for reaching the end of this treatment!  We'll pray that this is all you'll need.

[Podmark]

Glad to hear things are nearing the end GG. I hope the future is much brighter for you.

[martialstorm]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery & remission.

[Glitch Girl]

I posted on G+ yesterday, but wanted to say it's official...

My chemotherapy is over. 

I know I should feel excited, but on some subconscious level, I think I keep waiting for the proverbial other show to drop. Earlier I had to have surgery reschedule because they found another lump at last minute, then after surgery the surprise of chemo, so I think I've been burned once too often. 

Because of the type of cancer, I'm going to be on an estrogen blocker, which means menopause might be coming early by about 20 years.  I already have the signs, but the doctor says it's not a sure thing.  I am not sure how I feel about this: I never wanted to have kids so that's not an issue, I'm just not sure how I feel about it in general.

This also marks another milestone of sorts.  About a year ago, I took my car in to get it repaired, which was the start of a whole chain of bad events, most of which have been documented here.  Now, finances are better thanks to be practically being back to full time and getting the refinancing on my mortgage, I will probably be adopting another cat in September, and I can look forward to losing my "Hair by Gollum" look (BTW: there is still little wispy bits left, but I'm going to keep them for a while until new growth starts being visible) and my body settling into a new non-meh normal.  I still have some reconstruction to do, but it should be outpatient since most of it is done.  Finally, I have one more visit to the surgeon who removed the tumors.  I'm hoping it's uneventful.

I want to thank all of you for all your support and encouragement and advice and humor over all this time.  It has been a huge help, especially in some of the darkest times.  I can't thank you and everyone who supported me enough. 

[Reepicheep]

I feel as though a huge sympathetic weight has been lifted off my mind to hear that. I can totally understand how you feel waiting for something else to go wrong, but this is really good news.

I have so much love and admiration for you and what you've been through, Glitch. I hope the sprint finish goes well for you.

[thalaw2]

Dub G,

I great admiration for you too.  Thank you so much for sharing this with us.  Keep up the good fight.

[BlueBard]

Glad to hear you're getting a clean(-ish) bill of health, GG.

I don't pretend to understand what you have and are going through. 

In regard to the menopause issue, the closest I can get was my decision to get "snipped".  I didn't want to do it.  I was afraid of it.  I felt I would be losing something intrinsic to my self.  But the alternatives were all bad -- my wife's epilepsy would never be under control as long as there was the potential for another pregancy and the hormone changes that come with it, and surgery for her would have been far more invasive.

The experience and the recovery were... highly unpleasant.  But now it's all good and I can't say that I regret it.  Given what you've already endured, my hope for you is that it will turn out "all good".

God Bless, and Peace Be Unto You.

[Alaric]

I'm glad to hear the chemotherapy's over, and that your life seems to be coming together more. I hope your visit with your surgeon is, indeed, uneventful.

I'm very glad to hear you'll likely be getting another cat. Cats make everything better (well, unless they react badly when you move and cause continuing problems for several years afterwards, but that's my problem, not yours...).

I'm sure you're feeling very strange, and even scared. When things have settled a little, it might be a good time to find something outside of your work to focus on, maybe concentrate more on your writing or start a web comic or something. It might give you an outlet for your feelings, and even a renewed sense of purpose. You're an an incredibly talented person. Focusing some of that talent in a creative way, outside of your job, could help you deal with your new life.

Anyway, congratulations on your triumph.

[stumpy]

After several miscues and setbacks like that, it's totally understandable to expect every silver lining to herald another cloud. But, it really does sound like good news. Not wanting to jinx it, I have to say congratulations that it looks like your bravery and steadfastness have gotten you through the worst of it.

[Tomato]

I'm glad to hear the worst of it is over now. You mean a lot to everyone here, so if things got any worse... I'd be the first one on a plane to kill some people for you.

[Deaths Jester]

Hey...no more chemo, no more Gollum, and also having to start shaving your legs once more?!?!?!  Whoohooo!!!  And even the potential of an early menopause, which other than the side effects means you can get laid any time you want and not have to worry about that damn pregenancy issue too?!?!?!?!  Man, GG, your life just got sooo much better all of a sudden.  reconstruction, though??? Hmmm...I say leave it as is...scarring is so much sexier to me than a normal look...course that's me and as everyone around here keeps implying, I'm weird or something like such and shouldn't be listened to by anyone not in an insane asylum.  I really wonder who started that rumor so I can stab them multiple times in the foot with a dull, wooden, doweling rod.  Anyways, good to hear this current catastrophe is clearing up, luv, and hope things get better for you.

[BentonGrey]

Well, I think the others have said quite a bit that is very good...and there's DJ, too.  Anyway, yes, cats DO make everything better!  That is certainly a good idea, as there is very little that can make you feel as good as fast as a warm ball of fur in your lap purring away.  I'm so happy to hear that things should be returning to normal.  I'll add my hope and our prayers to the wishes for an uneventful meeting.  'Mato is right, you mean a lot to all of us, so we'll always be pulling for you.

[Epimethee]

The others have expressed it better than I could (yes, that includes you, DJ ), but this certainly looks like very good news. Cheers for your fortitude through all this.

[Glitch Girl]

Thanks everyone. 

Additional bit of good news, my hair is starting to grow back.  Fuzz has been detected on the scalp. 

[Cyber Burn]

Any sort of good news is an awesome thing to hear. I'm glad for you Glitch.

[cmdrkoenig67]

Yaaaay, GG!

[Deaths Jester]

Well, I think the others have said quite a bit that is very good...and there's DJ, too. 

The others have expressed it better than I could (yes, that includes you, DJ ....

Why is it that everyone seems to point out my posts as being...different from everyone else's?  What is so wrong with my posts?  Huh?  HUH?!?!?!?!  Don't make me slice you guys with a dull carrot for singling me out!!

Thanks everyone. 

Additional bit of good news, my hair is starting to grow back.  Fuzz has been detected on the scalp. 

ACHAAAA!!!  Fuzz....hehehehehe....now I can rub my hands over your head and it will feel like a short haired cat?!?!?!  SWEET!!!! 

[Reepicheep]

Well, I think the others have said quite a bit that is very good...and there's DJ, too. 

The others have expressed it better than I could (yes, that includes you, DJ ....

Why is it that everyone seems to point out my posts as being...different from everyone else's?  What is so wrong with my posts?  Huh?  HUH?!?!?!?!  Don't make me slice you guys with a dull carrot for singling me out!!

I think you answered your own question...

[Silver Shocker]

Glad to hear you're doing a little better GG. Hope things stay alright for you in the near future. Be sure to let us know how you're doing.

[Deaths Jester]

Well, I think the others have said quite a bit that is very good...and there's DJ, too. 

The others have expressed it better than I could (yes, that includes you, DJ ....

Why is it that everyone seems to point out my posts as being...different from everyone else's?  What is so wrong with my posts?  Huh?  HUH?!?!?!?!  Don't make me slice you guys with a dull carrot for singling me out!!

I think you answered your own question...

Where?!?!?!  I don't answer my own questions...hell, I have a hard time answering other people's questions!!!

[B A D]

Oh darlin.

I had no idea you were going through such a time. I seem to have checked in when you are thankfully coming out of it.  Im happy that the worst appears to be over.


(Hugz x 100)

[Glitch Girl]

Thanks BAD.  I hope you're right.

I have had an additional checkup since my last post, which, after a brief scare, turned out to be what is called "necrotic fat".  It sounds worse than it is (basically, a small amount of fatty tissue that got moved in the operation that didn't take hold, so it shriveled up) but dang, for a few days, I was VERY nervous.

My hair is now a little long for male army regulation hair, but still not long enough where I feel comfortable going out without a hat.  Who knows, maybe next month I'll have enough to see a stylist. 

[Deaths Jester]

Thanks BAD.  I hope you're right.

I have had an additional checkup since my last post, which, after a brief scare, turned out to be what is called "necrotic fat".  It sounds worse than it is (basically, a small amount of fatty tissue that got moved in the operation that didn't take hold, so it shriveled up) but dang, for a few days, I was VERY nervous.

Mmmmm....necrotic fat...that's some of the best fat there is to eat!  Did you save it?  Please say you did...I've got a hankering for necrotic fat! 

My hair is now a little long for male army regulation hair, but still not long enough where I feel comfortable going out without a hat.  Who knows, maybe next month I'll have enough to see a stylist. 

Private, you need to have that hair cut by this afternoon or else you'll spend ten days in the brig for insubordination!  Actually, I bet you look really cute with it even though you're so uncomfortable with it.  I say go out and flaunt it without the hat!  GO!  GO!!!

[daglob]

Yeah, I aggree with DJ. Who knows, you might start a fad...

[Uncle Yuan]

GG, I just spent the last half hour or so catching up on things for you (i.e. this thread).  I'm glad things have gone so well for you, considering, and congratulations on making it through everything.  I wish I had been around to offer some medical advice.  I know you're past the bulk of it but don't hesitate to shoot me a PM if something comes up.