The Waiting is the Hardest Part: April 2009

The Dirty Dozen

Hey there,

All is well with me this week. Well, except for an odd skin thing that's going on. I am sure it's nothing to worry about, but it's pretty irritating. I have had "achy" skin on my upper back and arms since Friday. It is worse when I get chill bumps. It sort of feels like I have a sunburn, in a weird way. So, I'm watching it like a hawk - I hear that this can be the start of shingles. BUT, it's on both sides of my body and shingles only starts on one side. I am hoping and praying it's not shingles, because I hear they are like the devil in blister form. Ah, one of the many side effects of chemo. I am sure I will deal with these types of things for a long time. Gotta love it!

Anywho, I came across a few things while reading up on organics recently. After a cancer diagnosis, most people take notice of what they have been eating. Most of it isn't good. I have definitely taken notice. I have begun to buy organic fruit, vegetables and milk when I can. I have also tried to buy organic meats and eggs when possible. Publix has an ok selection, and Fresh Market's fruit is outta this world. It's a little more expensive, but I am thinking that it's worth the money. I thought I would let you all know the dirty dozen when it comes to buying fruit - it's pretty interesting and something I never knew.

12 Most Contaminated Fruits - Buy These Organic

Apples

Bell Peppers

Celery

Cherries

Imported Grapes

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Potatoes

Red Raspberries

Spinach

Strawberries

12 Least Contaminated

Asparagus

Avocados

Bananas

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Corn (sweet)

Kiwi

Mangoes

Onions

Papaya

Pineapples

Peas (sweet)

Pretty interesting huh?

I highly suggest buying milk organic, too. The cows that produce organic milk are not given synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics, and they eat food that is pesticide free. It has 70% more Omega 3's, more vitamins, and 3 times more antioxidants than regular milk. It also stays fresh for forever! I think it tastes better too. I think this is especially important for babies and small children. Conventional milk doesn't come close to these standards. So, if you decide to make the switch, don't forget about yogurt too. It's basically all milk, so try Stonyfield Farms Organic Yogurt, its good! Different, but good.

The whole meat thing has started to bother me too. I know how they treat animals that will be used for slaughter. And they aren't the most sanitary of conditions either. BUT, there isn't a lot of places around where you can get organic meat. I've been trying to buy the Greenwise Meat from Publix, but there isn't a lot of selection. I'm too far from Whole Foods at the moment. I currently only buy fish from Fresh Market, it's the only place that doesn't smell like a fishing boat. So, I'm not quite sure what to do about the meat situation. Let me know if you all have any tips!

Now, I don't buy every single thing organic. We don't have money to burn. But, the key here is to buy foods that are organic that would have the heaviest burden of pesticides, additives and growth hormones. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), consumers can reduce their pesticide exposure by 80% by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables. It's also important to wash everything thoroughly. The things I have been buying organic the most lately are: strawberries, apples, potatoes, spinach, milk, yogurt, and the Greenwise meats. Everything else is just regular. I'd say it's about a $10-$15 difference on my grocery bill every 2 weeks. Not too bad. You can't put a price on your health, anyways.

So, that's my 2 cents for the week.

Hope all of you are well! I can't wait to enjoy the sunshine for the next few days!!

Love to all,

Kerri

I've been DEPORTED!

No, not out of the country... but as of yesterday at noon I am back to my old self again - I had my port removed! HOORAY!

Goodbye old friend, you helped me get through 9 rounds of poison and saved every vein in my arm. You helped me have painless blood draws. You were a good port, always had blood returns and never really made me that uncomfortable. Thank you for helping me with one of my greatest fears - needles. Even though it looked as though I had been abducted by aliens, I wore you with pride. Goodbye port, hello FREEDOM!

Yesterday was frustrating. We were at the hospital at 7:45 am, didn't get into a room until 9:30 then we waited until 11 before I actually went into surgery. Unbelievable! The port removal wasn't the most pleasant of experiences either. It took the nurse twice to find my vein for the IV, of course. I tried to tell her which vein to use, and she went for another one. I am a pro at this by now, and she should have listened to me! And when she did use the vein I told her to, it went right in. Dang, why don't they listen to me? Then, when they began to remove my port - I could feel the tugging and pulling necessary to get it out. I didn't really like that. Then, to top it off, he didn't numb it up enough and I felt the doc stitching me up. OUCH. It isn't as sore as it was when I had it put in, but it's definitely uncomfortable today. I am working from home, because I literally couldn't imagine getting up and attempting to get myself ready this morning with one arm/hand. I can't use my right arm/hand that much because that's the side my port was on. Any movement of the skin on that side of my upper body hurts. I haven't really had the chance to be excited yet because I'm in some pain. But, it does feel good that I'm back to just ME - no foreign objects in my body. YAY!

I am myself again, with 1 biopsy scar, 1 port scar and 4 radiation tattoos. Not bad. Not bad at all.

I checked my horoscope (I'm a Leo) this morning and this is what it said:

Any health concerns you've had should start to fade today. You've done good work.

How fitting is that?

No more doc appointments until June, wow - now that's something to be excited about!

Love to all,

Kerri

First Follow-Up

Hey all,

Just got back from my first follow-up appointment at Dr. H's office, and everything looks good! As expected, there is a lot of scar tissue left over from radiation. I have read that there is just no way around that. More great news - I get to have my port removed! I will be getting it out on Tuesday, April 14th at 8 am. I can't WAIT to get that thing out, I think I will feel completely normal after that. I will be FREEEEEEEEEEE!

My next CT scan will be sometime around the end of June. That one will be extremely important - it will be the first "comparable" scan from this last one. BIG deal. So, if you all could continue to pray for me I would really appreciate it!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend - 75 and sunny tomorrow in ATL, just can't beat that!

Love to all,

Kerri