Memorial weekend

It’s the long memorial weekend, meaning no radiation for me tomorrow. I’ve been fine with the help of tablets. Rigo told me today that I’m changing. I know I am... I didn’t ask how. I hope not too bad. I’m trying my best to reduce the emotional effect of my cancer and treatment on other people than myself. I hope I succeed, if not, then sorry to you sweetheart(and all). That’s why it’s said “for better or worse” during marriage vows.

I’m busy exploring different hair styles. One of the best things about having a cancer is that no matter what I have on my head, people like it. May be by sympathy for my hair lost... Anyway I’ve been trying on new scarves lately and I love it. It’s amazing how soon I got used to my “no hair head”

Stay blessed and thank you all for your love and prayers...
Aisha

Radiation

Chemo side effects + radiation is never a good combination. But my spirit is up as usual.

I lost all my hair. Of course it's only hair. They will grow as soon as I'm done with chemo. Only 7 weeks to go. yeh!

I love my new look 

Stay blessed and thank you all for your love and prayers...
Aisha

Chemo/radio

So this is how it will go from now till the end of my treatment.

I will have radiation from Monday-Friday 15 to 20min for the next 6/7 weeks a total of 39 sessions.

I will continue with the same drugs(taxol and carboplatin) for chemo on Wednesdays from 8.30am-12noon for the next 6 weeks a total of 2 sessions ( 1session = wednesday1 chemo+ wednesday2 chemo+ wednesday3 break).

My chemo went well this morning. Went in around 8.30am. They started the IV as soon as they got my physicals. The nurses are great. I was there until 12.15pm. I slept most of the time and didn't feel overwhelmed like the first two sessions

I drove home to check on the girls and Solange (my lovely sister who is here to help). Then I headed to Shady Grove Radiology. I was set exactly like yesterday. Kenny G's music, mask on my head first, then on my chest and harms; I know this sounds scary. But when you believe God is there with you, it's easy. I believe in God and before they zip the mask on my face I ask God to be with me. I was calm and concentrated all the time. I meditated and prayed. It helped me forget about claustrophobia.

What I do to handle the claustrophobia

I ask the nurse to put the mask on my face first, my eyes are closed. Also on my request she puts the music of Kenny G. Why him? It's instrumental music. It helps to concentrate and meditate. Once both my harms are crapped. I start meditating.I talk to God, Jesus, Mary and all the saints I know. With my eyes close and my body crapped, I open my heart to them so they could help me with the fear.

" when you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears"

Thank you LORD


Stay blessed and thank you all for your love and prayers...
Aisha

Meeting with the radiation team

After meeting Dr O'connor on Monday 21st, she arranged a meeting with Dr Salem the next day at 12noon.

I showed up around 12.07pm. Nonetheless I was welcomed and offered a lovely pink gown. As soon as I joined the team in the Xray room, I don't know what came into me. I was in panic, screaming, crying... The idea of a mask welded on my face, made me loose it all. Dr Salem was nice, helped me cool down and sent me home.

I felt bad and offered to come back in the afternoon. Like they say "keep moving, a bend in the road is NOT the end of the road, unless you fail to turn." Thank God there was an open after 4pm and they agreed to have me back.

Got there on time. I was much calmer when. They could set the machine for my treatment plan. HURRAY!

Rendez -vous on Mai 23 at 1.45pm for the beginning of happiness or madness.

Let's see.!

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord;
--Jeremiah 30:17


Stay blessed and thank you all for your love and prayers...
Aisha

1/2 way Chemo+ PET + Scan transition to Chem/Radio

MAY

I had my last chemo on May 2nd. Then we had a long break so my blood count could catch up. On the 14th, I had a PET and scan to appreciate the effect of the chemo so far. Dr.O'connor was hoping for a 30% decrease of metabolic activities around the tumor. She was out of town and I had to wait a week to get the result.

My appointment with her was set for Monday 21st at 9.45am. She called me around 9 that morning and asked me to come immediately. It was a stressful drive to her office; my heart was pumping. I was scared... Rigo reminded me about the real healer who has been taking care of me since I was born: GOD. (*)

I arrived at "the oncology and associate" office around 9.30am. As usual they took my blood and sent me to the waiting room N3. The longest 15minutes I ever waited in my life. Dr. O'connor came with a big smile, hug me and told me how great my attitude is and how easy I am as a patient. Yes! and...Honestly I had no clue of what she was about to say. She then said " no more cancer, 0 metabolic activity, nothing can be seen on the scan, nothing". what? I was speechless and I thank God. I could not wait to text Rigo ((smile) he had a meeting that morning). God is great and we are so so blessed.

Dr O'connor insisted we stick to the initial treatment plan. Of course we will. I will have the same chemo for the next 6 weeks(on Wednesdays) and Dr Salem will add radiation.

* Did I say I was scared? of course not (smile). I was sure God was taking care of me. yeah yeah sorry Aisha-GUILTY!

Sorry oh Lord, it's hard for me to see all the thoughts and plans You have for me. No matter how much love you show me, I still fail to trust in you all the time. Please fill me with your spirit of trust. I want to put my trust in You, meet Your guide to set me free.I want to have you in my mind all the time. Amen!

My new hair, May 2012

Stay blessed and thank you all for your love and prayers...
Aisha