tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:45:55 +0000lung cancermenstruationmusicalsavastinskinbooksgetting oldconnectingaccupuncturereikichemotherapyHairsprayFudatreatmentalternative therapywritingAlimtatarcevaPET scanThe life of a young, Asian, non-smoking female living with lung cancer. It's not just about my health though, I write just to write. It's oddly therapeutic.http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (xyz)Blogger107125XeniaYmhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-3158328417881251328Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:07:00 +00002010-09-23T01:18:32.770-05:00Let me get you all caught up...   As of the end of July, my oncologist wanted me back on chemo.  Chemo that I've already previously used.  Chemo I know will not cure me.  My doctor is convinced it will, at least, extend my life.  I'm convinced that it will just increase toxicity in my body.  I felt my body was very tired of chemo and I needed a break.  I just could not get myself to go back to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/2sHNYTcW-co/cancer-treatment-centers-of-america.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)4http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/09/cancer-treatment-centers-of-america.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-5482576148934901463Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:22:00 +00002010-08-02T19:37:16.055-05:00I was admitted to he hospital from Sunday July 18 to Wednesday July 21.It actually started the Friday (Jul 16) before. I was having trouble breathing. More than usual. My hubby wanted to take me to the emergency room already but I didn't want to go to the hospital in Orlando. I was ok as long as I didn't move. I got out of breath really fast. As in 5 minutes of walking would get me panting.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/KhwblkAZFkk/keep-on-swimming.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)9http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/07/keep-on-swimming.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-2971317836038593926Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:53:00 +00002010-07-28T18:44:26.261-05:00About 3 or 4 weeks ago, I was struggling to get a PET scan approved. I was also worried about what the scan would say. The CT scan was not so good. This was all I could think about. I started to think - I'm not doing any treatments at the moment. I was relatively ok. I could walk. Burke's turning 8 which is a perfect age to bring her to DisneyWorld. Financially, it was a stretch but stillhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/ygwRqqHLOF8/disneyworld-adventure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/07/disneyworld-adventure.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-654216507893704364Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:51:00 +00002010-07-28T17:53:09.801-05:00I did go out to see The Last Airbender last Saturday with the family. It was awesome! Go watch it. Don't listen to other reviews (except this one, of course!). I've been trying to figure out why I love Airbender so much. It's based on a cartoon series by NickToons (Avatar: The Last Airbender). Even if they've had to really shorten Book 1, all important elements are present and I can't wait http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/_ATSLeYVZkA/why-i-love-last-airbender.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/07/why-i-love-last-airbender.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-4864647082634966413Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:52:00 +00002010-06-26T09:52:39.105-05:00I'm actually doing quite well after my first round of chemo.  Single agent - Taxotere.  Since it is on it's own, there's hardly any side effects.  I didn't even have any nausea brought on by fear.    After a LOT of prayer and surrenderring my life to the Lord, I'm at a good place.  He's given me comfort and peace.    Yesterday was actually an awesome day.  I was surrounded with love.  I have http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/pZzxRqQjqEA/sheer-positivity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)1http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/06/sheer-positivity.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-1002704782186188495Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:43:00 +00002010-06-24T20:43:16.767-05:00Unfortunately, it's bad.  I'm worse off in every measureble way.  Number of tumors, size and activity.  At this point, the numbers don't even seem to matter.   So, I start on chemo again tomorrow.  Taxotere.  One of the first drugs I used.  My doctor is taking me off of platinum.  She doesn't think my kidneys can take any more being on them for 4 years.   I pray for the grace of endurance.  I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/8SAdsdkDLDM/pet-scan-6152010-official-results.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)1http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/06/pet-scan-6152010-official-results.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-2112246613423806106Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:01:00 +00002010-06-08T16:17:42.362-05:00I've been quiet since I left China.  I was on vacation.  Yes, I took a vacation from my cancer.  I wasn't on chemo so aside from slight fatigue, I was (and am still) feeling great.  I lost a lot of weight so I've been enjoying shopping for size 4 clothes.   There really wasn't anything to report until I got the scan results.  I really need a PET scan but my insurance will not approve a PET scan http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/1x2N8yV0-I0/ct-scan-june-2-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)2http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/06/ct-scan-june-2-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-850460751603832211Thu, 06 May 2010 04:23:00 +00002010-05-05T23:23:15.318-05:00This is my last day in Fuda.  I've been here 25 days.  When I arrived, I honestly did not know what to expect.  I was going to a place I've never been where they primarily speak a language I don't understand.  Then I was submitting myself to a treatment protcol I vaguely grasped.  Yes, there was a lot of faith involved.  Now, I believe that faith was well placed.   Overall, I liked their http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/0r2XGo1V67s/may-6-looking-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)1http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-6-looking-back.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-4102396041148170339Mon, 03 May 2010 02:17:00 +00002010-05-02T21:17:37.930-05:00I want to go home.  I really miss my family.  I'm bored out of my mind.  Well, I really did not come here on holiday.  I consider this trip already an awesome success.  But I'm homesick...  I just talked to my daughter over Skype.  That's why.  I was telling her that I was looking forward to the real vacation after my discharge.  I'll be visiting family for about a week or so before going home.  http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/wTdySTRcyuE/may-3-home-stretch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)1http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-3-home-stretch.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-661560786498461419Sun, 02 May 2010 11:27:00 +00002010-05-02T06:27:11.476-05:00May 1 is the Labor Day holiday here in China so May 1 - 3 is a 3-day holiday weekend.  The hospital only has the necessary staff.  Office and admin positions are on holiday.   Nurses are here to give my infusions.  I got to see my doctor today. She ordered less meds for me today but told me that some are still necessary since my breathing is not quite clear yet.  I still hear some pleghm-y noiseshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/udc0rqCBRFU/may-2-rattled.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-2-rattled.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-4829631413790561944Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:08:00 +00002010-04-30T05:08:37.533-05:00My appetite and energy have returned.  I'm getting lots of meds today.  I've got  a total of 11 bags/bottles.  It started at 10am and finished before 5pm.   I got more CIC (Immunotherapy) injections on both shoulders.  My shoulders had just recovered from the last dose.  Now they'll be sore again.  I keep moving them so the meds will spread faster rather than just hang out in my muscle feeling http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/iGfoWHLktqE/april-30-feeling-much-better.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-30-feeling-much-better.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-7647874920549305968Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:39:00 +00002010-04-29T18:39:23.120-05:00April 28 (Wed) - The nurses started to prep me for the procedure around 5pm.  The last meal I had was the light breakfast the doctor had me take at 10am which was a boiled egg, milk and jello.   They took me down to the CT guided OR around 5.30pm.   While waiting, I met a Filipina mother who was accompanying her 10 year old son (who was still in the OR undergoing iodine seed implant).  It was http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/5-II1nApIW0/april-29-last-procedure-details.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-29-last-procedure-details.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-5476787374073065865Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:39:00 +00002010-04-27T22:39:58.108-05:00Last night, the nurses reminded me that my cryosurgery is scheduled today.  I had been fasting since midnight.   This morning, my doctor came to see me to see how I was doing.  Then she checked for my schedule.  I was 7th on the list.  Probably in the afternoon, she said.  She let me have a boiled egg and some water.  So now I'm just waiting.   I'm not really worried.  The last 2 times I went http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/H_-kxQwHqO0/april-28-cryosurgery-lung-anterior-lobe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-28-cryosurgery-lung-anterior-lobe.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-513539339987325555Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:01:00 +00002010-04-26T23:01:12.525-05:00When the doctor told me yesterday that I had no medications to take today, we made plans with our friends to go to the mall for lunch (dimsum).  I was soooooooo looking forward to it!    As I stepped out of my room, my nurse said, "No!  You have CIC (Immunotherapy) infusion.  That will take an hour."  I was so pissed because I was in my room all morning.   So, since our friend's daughter was http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/1hHXXfL64_s/april-27-noon-naudlot-no-mall.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-27-noon-naudlot-no-mall.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-9116673275912273640Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:50:00 +00002010-04-26T05:50:29.219-05:00No problem!  (My doctor always says this.) My doctor told me that I will get a break from my meds (by IV) Tue and Wed.  So we've made plans with some friends to go to the mall tomorrow to have lunch at this dumpling place.  Maybe some shopping after.  Can't wait!   The meds I usually get are for lungs (clearing phlegm), liver function (2 bags), antibiotics (1 bottle of yellow liquid that looks http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/j96nf4RuXdY/april-26-cant-wait-for-my-break.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-26-cant-wait-for-my-break.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-8023899416987826631Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:46:00 +00002010-04-25T19:46:37.048-05:00We planned to go to church today so I asked my nurses to hurry the meds so I can be ready to leave by 2pm.  The meds finished a little after 1pm so I was able to get ready in time.   We were to meet our nurses who were going to church with a group of other patients.  But outside the hall, even before 2pm, other patients were already gathering and planning to go to church as well.  They were http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/nN2UJTa4ID8/april-25-church.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-25-church.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-238485796277217196Sun, 25 Apr 2010 02:17:00 +00002010-04-24T21:17:56.234-05:00Movies Channel 6 - StarMoviesAsia.TV They constantly show this URL on the top left of the screen.  The schedule on the site does not coincide with whatever is on.  No where to get the schedule.    I just finished watching X-Men (the first movie).  I just love how Cyclops and Wolverine get on each other's case.  Hilarious!  (It's stupid funny, but it is funny.) Wolverine:  Don't shoot.  It's me. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/kyXel2ELfjQ/april-25-10-am-movies-and-books.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-25-10-am-movies-and-books.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-5814370843621455906Sat, 24 Apr 2010 13:05:00 +00002010-04-24T08:05:44.738-05:003rd Floor Cafe Mom heard of the 3rd floor cafe yesterday and wanted a cup of coffee.  I was itching to go out so I accompanied her.    Mom had fresh orange juice and I had rose milk tea.  She was asking the waiter if the orange juice was fresh and the guy said yes - fresh!  When mom sat at our table, I told her that I wasn't sure if the guy understands the word fresh.  He knew rudimentary http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/m2KNDVf-aNs/april-24-8pm-my-first-jaunt-outside.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)2http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-24-8pm-my-first-jaunt-outside.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-5271228090341345659Sat, 24 Apr 2010 11:50:00 +00002010-04-24T06:50:16.310-05:00I was being infused (via IV) with medicines from 9am to 2pm.  It's pretty much got me tethered to the bed.  My IV pole is stuck to the bed so I keep my movements within a certain radius.  I only go to the bathroom if I have to.  Don't want to unhook and re-hook my bottles unless necessary.  This really bugs me.   But it's 3pm now and currently, I'm untethered.  What am I doing?  Sitting on my http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/4UMvFe2FcZo/april-24-3pm-untethered.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-24-3pm-untethered.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-1445137271139546110Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:14:00 +00002010-04-23T06:14:58.019-05:00Today was a good day.  I felt good enough to get up and walk.  (I've been doing that since yesterday.)  Despite the cancer, my body is strong and it heals fast and heals well even from trauma like cryosurgey.  Given, it's minimally invasive.  But I'm so thankful to see that parts of my immune system still works.   My youth is a definite advantage.  The nurses are surprised that I'm up and about http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/EiB0QDsoLYQ/april-23-6pm-youth-advantage.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)1http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-23-6pm-youth-advantage.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-5704924841837921229Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:39:00 +00002010-04-22T18:39:33.567-05:00A day after my 2nd cryosurgery, I'm doing ok.  There's some soreness and minimal pain.  I can walk to the bathroom (since I refuse to pee in a bedpan).  So, I'm pretty good.   When they took me yesterday, they took me down to the ultrasound guided operating room (as opposed to the CT guided).  The nurse opened the operating room door.  The other patient wasn't done yet!!!! I had to look away.  http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/KZXXSBGy-UQ/april-23-little-sore-but-otherwise-ok.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-23-little-sore-but-otherwise-ok.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-813269041849077067Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:32:00 +00002010-04-21T19:32:51.948-05:00I'm just waiting for them to pick me up for my procedure.  The "Please be fasting" sign on my bedside reminding me not to have the juicy ripe mango in the fridge. TV - I'm watching too much.  A lot of TFC (The Filipino Channel).  One thing I do appreciate is that they sign off at 1am.  They play the national anthem and stop broadcasting.  That's unheard of in the US.  They want to be green?  How http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/oiHdzWdDoqs/april-22-8am-cryosurgery-liver.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)3http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-22-8am-cryosurgery-liver.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-550895412006006810Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:21:00 +00002010-04-21T06:21:10.287-05:00Tomorrow, I'll do more cryosurgery (liver metastasis).  So I'm fasting again starting midnight.  The doctor asked me today whether I was ready.  YES!  I'm feeling a tightness on my right side from the last cryo.  She said that the lung needs to be trained to expand fully.  She was happy to hear I was ready.   Today was the 3rd session of acupuncture.  I'm actually feeling more control in my http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/sC2msT8lYf0/april-21-wanderings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-21-wanderings.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-2718292485224919233Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:53:00 +00002010-04-20T08:53:48.959-05:00I miss Facebook.  Really.  My network in my fingertips.  I didn't do much today.  I had an infusion of more antibiotics since my doctor was still hearing sounds when listening to my chest. Nothing on TV to distract me.  Just felt like a really long day.  The good news is that my body finally realized it's not chemo.  I was able to eat a little while doing the infusion.  No nausea.  Yay!   I havehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/p_mvOQXU29c/april-20-please-be-fasting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-20-please-be-fasting.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753622.post-7496429938727113446Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:09:00 +00002010-04-19T10:09:13.579-05:00I had more medications infused today.  No nausea but no appetite either.  Finished at 3pm and was eating a little bit at a time.  I developed a little bit of a cough.  Little bit of blood coming out.  They gave me a nebulizer.  Maybe tomorrow, an herbal tea.  The treatments are really a fusion of east and west.  They gave me an option to say no to any of the procedures but I'm willing to try it http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/XeniaYm/~3/-pxd-qytiRI/april-19-still-recovering.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (xyz)0http://xeniaym.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-19-still-recovering.html