Tips for controlling nausea during chemo...

1. Do not allow yourself to become excessively hungry.
2. Eat small amounts and eat more often.
3. Eat foods that are easy on the stomach.

Foods that may be better tolerated:
Saltine crackers
Clear liquids or ice chips
Broth-based soups
Yogurt or sherbert
Smoothies
Gelatin
Warm cereal such as cream of Wheat or Oatmeal
Fruits and vegetables

Foods to avoid:
Hot and spicy foods
Greasy foods, fried foods or food high in fat content
Foods with strong odors
Very sweet or rich foods, candy, cookies cakes and desserts

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What Does Chemo Feel Like?

Lately a lot of people ask me what does chemo feel like. The day that you get treatment it does not feel too bad. Once they get your IV hooked up to your port the medicines are given intravenously. I sit in my recliner, with warm blankets and sometimes the massage therapist comes around and gives light shoulder and neck massages. You may feel a little tired and sometimes a little nausea but today for instance I don't feel anything.

Chemo is cumulative so it takes time for the medicine to work through your body. So as the days go by you start to feel it more and more. So the first day or two you may have mild nausea and fatigue which feels likes morning sickness. Then the third day and depending on how long your cycle of symptoms last you start to feel more severe symptoms such as bone pain, headaches, neuropathy (which I have in my feet / numbness, pain and tingling), constipation, mouth sores, flu-like symptoms, etc.

The first month I had two good weeks and two bad weeks, the second month I had three bad weeks and one good weeks. The third month I had one bad week and three good weeks. So it can change.

Back in 2009, I did chemo for six months. I was fine the first month or two and by the third month I felt totally toxic. I felt poisoned. There are no two cancers that are alike and no treatment plans that are alike. Everyone reacts differently to the drugs and it also depends on the strength of the medications. The medications and technology they use today do not cause symptoms as severe as they use to years ago.

I must admit the hardest part is watching the effects it has on my body. They say chemo ages you 10 years and it feels more like 20. For me my tongue turned black, my palms, and bottoms of my feet are turning black and my nail beds. I notice changes in my skin, etc. But one thing is for sure.... none of the effects I feel are worth my life. I am grateful to be here to help other women who have to face this same path or anyone else who just needs a little inspiration.

For my friends who have questions about cancer and chemo, I do not mind sharing, especially if it can help someone cope with cancer more easily. Hoping my transparency continues to encourage others.

xoxo

ADVANCED (METASTATIC) BREAST CANCER

A diagnosis of advanced breast cancer means that cancer cells have metastasized (spread) outside of the breast to other parts of the body (such as the bones or other organs) or to the lymph nodes that are not near the breast (such as those above the collarbone). If breast cancer spreads to a different part of the body, it is still regarded as breast cancer. (For example, if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is not lung cancer; it is still breast cancer.) Advanced or metastatic breast cancer is referred to as Stage IV breast cancer.

When breast cancer metastasizes or spreads, it usually goes to the bones, lungs and liver. Less commonly, it may also spread to the brain, spinal cord and eye.

What are some of the symptoms?
Metastatic breast cancer can be the initial diagnosis. It may also be a recurrence (return) of breast cancer following initial treatment. (Recurrence will be discussed in more detail later in this section.) Diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer is generally done using some combination of the following tests: bone scan, chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan or PET scan. Some symptoms of metastatic breast cancer may include:

• bone pain that does not go away;
• shortness of breath, chest pain, or cough;
• pain or discomfort under the right side of the ribcage that won’t go away;
• lack of appetite;
• unexplained weight loss;
• neurological pain or weakness and headaches;
• confusion;
• irregular gait.

Toxicity in our LIves

Emotional toxicity is as harmful to the body as physical pollutants. It is easy, and we are programmed very early, to react to problems with anger and negativity. It is much more of a challenge to find the humor in adversity, to love those who make life difficult for us. For the sake of one's well being we need to make a conscious effort to keep a positive outlook in life. Sometimes these are the most difficult changes of all – the internal ones, self-change.

Still Trusting and Believing.

This past weekend our Pastor spoke of the weapons that Satan tries to use against us, such as Devastation, Defeat, Delay, Doubt and Discouragement. He tries to make us feel that God doesn't care about us. Satan tries to steal our devotion from God and takes our failures and magnifies their significance in our lives. The big question Pastor asked was "How effective is Satan in your life?"

Most of you know my story of how I overcame both Epilepsy and Breast Cancer and am now fighting Liver Cancer. This time I am told it is terminal.

I am here to say that the Devil is a liar!!! I declare and decree that I am healed! I put a demand on God's governing power because I am blessed and nothing can reverse it! My faith and trust is in God's report not doctor's reports! For only He has the final say.

Don't let Satan knock the foundation from under your feet. 1Corinthians 10:13 tells us God is faithful! He will not tempt you beyond what you can bare. He will provide a way out.

We have to start praying and learning to use effective spiritual warfare and not become victims to our moods, attitudes and dispositions. Prayer makes it possible for us to have an intimate relationship with a God who hears, cares and acts.

Mark 11:24 tells us whatever you ask for in prayer, believe and you will receive. I am asking for and trusting God for a miraculous healing. I am looking forward to testimony I will give after this trial is said and done. I thank God for the peace He has instilled within my spirit. I am in such a calm space. I thank Him for not giving me a spirit of fear.

I believe this year will continue to be an amazing year for the Body of Christ as we being to have testimonies of God's supernatural intervention in all our lives that far surpasses anything that we have ever witnessed to this point.

Let's keep each other lifted!