Top O' the Mornin'

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone out there in cyberspace.  In my part of the world, it's a beautiful sunny day with blue skies as far as the eye can see.

Even the smallest glimpse of sunshine gives us all that extra energy boost and remember to get out there and soak up some of that Vitamin D whenever you can.

My posts have been at a minimal as you all have noticed recently.  February has been a month of hospitals, doctors, home recovery and sleepless nights, but I'm so happy to report that now my husband is feeling soooo much better and back to his old self.

While Vitamin D is important for a faster recovery, I feel the #1 prescription for any patient is REST, REST and more REST! 

As caregiver, it is my responsibility to ensure that my husband gets rest whenever he feels tired and I do that at all costs.  I know first hand just how that extra rest will help my husband along his recovery and while sometimes many may think I probably go a bit far in ensuring he gets that rest, it most definitely does work.

What do I do you may ask?

Turn "off" the phones....keep things quiet with NO interruptions.  That means of course to keep visitors away when he's sleeping.  After all, my motto is for friends and family to visit when he is feeling well and can spend quality time and enjoy his visitors.  When someone is sick and needs to rest, that is NOT the time to visit.   I make that clear right from the start.   No visitors at the hospital if he's not well - after all, maybe he's just spent two or three nights sleeping on a very uncomfortable hospital gurney without being able to sleep, so when he's finally in his hospital room, that is not visitor time,  but rest time.

I'm sure most everyone reading this will agree, but I just wanted to let other caregivers out there who have loved ones in similar situations at times, to not be afraid to speak up and do whatever it takes to allow the patient to rest.  At first I never realized how important proper rest is to a patient, but now I do and it's my responsibility and every other caregiver's responsibility to ensure that the patient receives the best quality of rest when they need it. 

While my husband was recently in hospital, I spoke with one of the hospital chaplains who just happened to mention that he had recently visited another cancer patient who was totally exhausted from all of the visitors he had seen during his hospital visit.  I can't for the life of me, understand why people want to visit patients when they are sick and need time to rest and recover during their hospital stay....the time to visit is when they arrive back home and are well enough to receive company.

Anyway, that's my rant for today....I trust I have helped someone along the way.

Remember:

REST  =  LESS TIME IN HOSPITAL "AND" A FASTER RECOVERY TIME

Ease on Down the Road

Having cancer in your life can affect you in two ways:

It can consume your life and that of your entire family     "or"

Even though you know it's there, you can NOT make it the focus of your everyday living

The choice is yours!!! 

In our family, we choose to follow the second option and NOT focus on the word "cancer" but live each day with this chronic illness, just like any person who has heart disease or any other long term health issues.  I honestly cannot remember when

we even mentioned the word "CANCER" in our everyday lives.  We are not trying to ignore it, but it really serves no purpose to constantly bring it on the carpet and keep it as a constant reminder to my husband.   

We had a visitor the other day who told us two very interesting things: 

1)  she believes that the reason why my husband continues to do so well, is because of course due to his great faith and ability to not worry about any health problems that may arise

2)  she said it is also most definitely because of the fact that we "live in the moment" and we don't wrap ourselves up in the world of CANCER

Needless to say, I was astounded to know that this particular person finally "got it" just like we did........!  That's the way my husband, myself and our daughters have always tried to handle cancer and move on with our lives and not let it consume us.  After all, isn't it better to think of the positives rather than the negatives in all of this?

While we are not ignoring the fact that it's right here with us, we have CANCER at the bottom of our list.....and I would encourage everyone to do that with whatever type of illness you may have in your family.  Focus on TODAY and the POSITIVES.....don't stop living but get on with living your life....in other words.....

Ease On Down the Road

  

Some areas of our province encountered quite alot of freezing rain this past weekend, playing havoc with power lines and loss of electricity.

Thought I would share a few of my photos with you.......

There is always beauty during difficult times...learn to be thankful and count your blessings!!!

March Month & Your Kidneys

March month is designated as "Kidney Health Month" to bring awareness of the vital role that kidneys have in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  To read more on the importance of kidneys and the role they play, go to www.kidney.ca or click this link

Think you know all there is to know about kidneys?  Take the following quiz and see if you can score a 10/10


March is also designated as "Kidney Cancer Awareness Month".  Check out the following couple of websites that offer all types of information:

www.kidneycancer.org   and www.kidneycancercanada.org

Mark March 11th on your calendar as World Kidney Day !  Get involved, and become informed.  It's up to you!!!

 

Working Outdoors and Effects of Kidney Cancer on Males

It's a beautiful day here with sunshine....haven't seen that for awhile but instantly the glimpse of sun puts a brisker step in our walk and promises more energy for all of us.  There are definite advantages to our health as well from the sunshine as indicated by the following:

Received an interesting article this morning about  males  whose employ takes them outside, rather then indoors might actually combat the occurence of kidney cancer by 73% based upon their exposure to Vitamin D.  Very interesting indeed!!!  This study does not show any reduction or avoidance of kidney cancer though for females who work in an outdoor environment. Take time to read the link, as it does make for some very interesting information.

Appreciate everyone's emails and continued checking of the blog.  Been absent for a few days, but should be back on track now.  Lots of catching up to do though with my correspondence, but be assured that I will!

FDA Approves New Cancer Medication

Patients suffering from kidney cancer received a hopeful boost recently as the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment called Votrient (pazopanib).  The drug is approved for patients in advanced renal cell carcinoma, a form of cancer that affects the lining of small tubes within the kidney.

Prior to approval, a study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Votrient by examing 435 patienst who were taking the drub.  Those involved lived an average of 9.2 months post-treatment and those who did not take Votrient lived for 4.2 months.

Cancer of the kidneys unfortunately affects more than 40,000 people every year and the inclusion of Votrient as a viable treatment medication can offer patients another choice to fight the cancer and have more chance for survival.  Taken orally, the drug interferes with angiogensis, the path new vessels undergo that makes it necessary for the growth and survival of tumors.

Although there is much optimism surrouning the approval, patients can have significant side effects when taking the drug, such as:

Vomiting and nausea

Fatigue and weakness

Diarrhea

High blood pressure

Loss of Appetite

Headaches

Arrhythmia irrigularities

Patients who are candidates for Votrient should receive a thorough physical examination by a medical doctor that includes blood and liver function tests due to the fact the drug can cause liver toxicity in some cases.  At that time, the doctor-patient relationship can determine the best course of action.

By providing FDA alerts, interactions and up-to-date drug side effects about prescription and over the counter medications, we can ensure an environment where patients have the best knowledge on their medical treatment and health.

The following post has been written by:

Jesse Herman
Social Media Manager
Drugwatch.com

Kidney Cancer Patients In Alberta, Canada

I have recently connected with a patient living in the province of Alberta, Canada who is about to undergo a nephrectomy and who would like to contact other patients/caregivers from that province for support and information.

Please forward your email to dannygabs@msn.com and I will pass it along to the above individuals.

Thanks so much for reaching out to others in need!

Information Superhighway

I am always astounded by the amount of information that is available here on the internet about cancer.  If any person has access to this media, then there is no reason why they should not be informed and in touch with others to share concerns and to obtain whatever information they can on their type of cancer.  If you subscribe to various email updates as I do, you should be receiving daily updates, as well as checking out new chat forums and any upcoming seminars that you can directly log into right here on the web or attend via telephone conferencing.

I received a telephone call just yesterday about an individual who has recently been diagnosed with cancer.  My first advice for anyone with this type of diagnosis is to first and foremost "find out your TYPE of cancer".  This is pertinent to say the least, as you can only be treated properly by knowing what type of cancer you have.

Next step would be to find all of the info you can on that particular type of cancer.  How?  Well, you do a search on your type of cancer through one of the Internet search engines, such as Google.  Try to narrow it down by adding words in your search such as + treatment or +medical oncologist or + chat forums/blogs......the skies the limit,  and the more precise you are with your search terminology, then the better the results will be.  My first website lead was www.cancercompass.com which will provide information on all types of cancer, as well as allow you to post questions/answers on their forum and interact with other cancer patients.  There may be a national website in the country where you live, developed speciafically for your type of cancer such as with kidney cancer, there is www.kidneycancercanada.org

You should check out any chat forums as well to see if you can connect with other patients/caregivers who have the same type of cancer and who can share what they have learned with you.  A good place to begin is to check out www.chatroll.com and enter your type of cancer again into their search engine.  In order to chat in any of these forums, you will need to register.

Some search engines offer email alerts on all types of information that will be emailed directly to you.  For instance, with Google, there is a feature entitled Google Alerts.   You will find this at www.google.com/alerts  and then follow the instructions to receive the latest updates.  All of the other search engines such as Bing, Altavista, Yahoo all offer the similiar features so as you can see, the possibilities are endless if you subscribe to any number of them.  You really don't need email overflow though, as usually just subscribing to one of these alerts will provide the same updates.

Once you find other bloggers who post on your type of cancer, then check out their blog lists, which will allow you to find many others who post information on your particular type of cancer.

Yes, the Internet is most definitely an Information Highway when used properly.  One important thing to remember though when you are discovering all of this new information, is to NOT let it overwhelm you.  You will read the good news along with the bad about your type of cancer, but always keep in mind that each and every cancer patient is different with regards to the way he/she reacts to particular drugs, each has different side effects (i.e. and you won't be getting every single side effect that might be listed/maybe you won't have any side effects) and each individual's medical history is very different.  

This information highway can be an invaluable resource for any cancer patient.

Another Great Kidney Cancer Connection

I've recently discovered another great forum where kidney cancer patients can interact with other patients and caregivers to obtain information and support.

Go to http://chatroll.com and then you will need to "register" in order to access the forum.  Once you have that completed, then type "Kidney Cancer Online Chat Support" in the search area and you are there!  It is a forum that is hosted by kidney cancer patient  allenpa  and caregiver  Leigh_Allen.  If anyone is presently on Afinitor, then you will most definitely obtain alot of information about side effects and what works best in treating them by chatting with other patients on this forum.

This particular chat forum is available 24/7, with scheduled chats 7:00 - 10:00pm EST and I strongly encourage you to check it out!

It is only through communication with others, that we all become more informed about cancer. 

I Believe in the Power of "You" and "I"

I've been battling a terrible flu/cold recently and have not been up to writing my usual posts.  Today though I think the worse has passed and now that I look back, my sick days have been a good opportunity for me to reflect on a few topics that I want to write about over the next few days.  I want to express a sincere "Thank You" to all of my regular viewers for taking the time to continue to check into the blog, despite not seeing new posts.  I've got to say, that you are a very loyal group of viewers and I really appreciate this.

The song that I have added today "I BELIEVE" sung by Nikki Yanofsky has been chosen as CTV's theme song for Vancouver's 2010 Olympics.  The music is inspiring....... but it's lyrics are even more inspirational.  I'm going to add the lyrics below and although they do reflect upon those Olympic athelets who train endlessly to attain their goals, the more I read those lyrics, I thought about cancer patients who face their own adversities and who need to hear the words in this song of

"now nothing can stop me"

A continuing theme throughout this song as well, are the words

I Believe in the Power of You and I

I remember when I first began this blog back in late August of 2008.  A friend advised that once I started the blog, it would have to be a total commitment on my part and not something that I could suddenly stop doing as others would be counting on me.  As I've written many times before, my sole purpose for establishing it, was to locate other cancer patients and caregivers  in order to obtain information and support and to have a resource available where other cancer patients and caregivers could interact and create that special community of support during difficult times.  Well, it turned out my friend was right, as many others depend on reading my posts to help them find information, but more than that, YOU and I are making such a difference for cancer patients like my husband and so many others.  None of us have power alone, but  working together  most definitely is rewarding for all of us!!!

There comes a moment when my heart must stand alone
On this lonely path Ive chosen
like a house thats not a home
sometimes when I feel Ive had enough
and I feel like giving up
you willed me to be all I can be
now nothing can stop me
I believe in the power that comes
From a world brought together as one
I believe together well find
I believe in the power of you and I

This is the moment we have dreamed of all our lives
Well be the change we wish from others
Well stand tall for what its right
And in my hearts therell be no doubt
The arms of the world will come reaching out
And embrace me to be all I can be
Now nothing can stop me
I believe in the power that comes
From a world brought together as one
I believe together well fly
I believe in the power of you and I

I believe the time is right now
Stand tall and make the world proud
I believe together well fly
I believe in the power..
I believe in the power that comes
From a world brought together as one
(Of you and I)
I believe together well fly
I believe in the power of you and I
(power)
I believe the time is right now
(Oh you and I)
Stand tall and make the world proud
I believe together well fly (Together well fly)
I believe in the power of you and I
(I believe in the power of you and I)