Humor After the Tumor by Patty Gelman

Author:Patty Gelman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prometheus
Published: 2014-03-27T00:00:00+00:00

Love, Patty

I feel so wonderful that I am looking forward to ironing as soon as I finish this update. The last week became better as I discovered the foods that are to become my new best friends: potatoes, peanut butter, pretzels, popcorn, poached eggs, poultry, purified water, pancakes, and pop (actually, ginger ale, but I'm enjoying the alliteration).

I've eaten more potatoes in the last three months than I've eaten in the last three decades! I used to think they were empty calories, opting for empty calorie selections in the form of chocolate, but I have come to appreciate the potassium in a potato and, of course, its soothing effect on my stomach. I made a big bowl of mashed Yukon Golds this week, using skim milk and Benecol, instead of butter.

Lisa had brought the Benecol over here for Warren to help him rethink his eating habits and lower his extremely high cholesterol. He has refused to touch it, not being a substitution type guy. You should have seen his face last summer each time Susan cooked up some vegetables and tofu and tried to convince him to try that!

All my cancer books warn people going into chemo to avoid their favorite foods because they will associate the nausea with those foods. That has come to pass. Blueberries, broccoli, and even chocolate make me gag! I told Sharon that I was experiencing longer periods of nausea and she suggested that I go back on the three days of steroids. That will be worth a try if they make the difference.

I also mentioned to her that I was feeling light-headed and had several episodes of heart palpitations. Since I had read that one percent of people on Adriamycin have heart problems, I hoped I wasn't one of them. She assured me that the symptom of congestive heart failure, of which I should be aware, is a feeling of my legs getting thick. That struck me funny and I got her laughing with me as I said that my legs look thick, but what a relief that they don't feel thick!

Speaking of expanding, my bone marrow was doing its expanding a couple of times, but at least now I know to take Motrin and the throbbing doesn't scare me because I know what's going on in there. I feel confident the Neupogen is stimulating my white blood cells and helping me sail through days #10 through #14 without infection. Oh dear, let's say “breeze through” instead of “sail through.” No more boating metaphors: I am just starting to feel like I've come off a long, rocky voyage at sea. But ahoy, land is in sight and I expect to have a terrific week ahead.

I hope the same for you!

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