Cancer Wellness House - Jin-Shin Jyutsu

I'm so excited!  Through another blog, I learned about Cancer Wellness House in Salt Lake City, Utah.  This is an organization that provides different types of resources for cancer patients and caregivers.  They have support groups, Mind & Body Wellness Programs (acupuncture, reiki, massage therapy, meditation, etc.)  I went online and filled out their Wellness Assessment and the social worker called me today to schedule me for acupuncture and the Jin-Shin-Jyutsu, which I had never heard of!  To learn more about the Cancer Wellness House in Utah go here:
http://www.cancer-wellness.org/Home_Page.php

To learn more about Jin-Shin Jyutsu, go here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/29/jin-shin-jyutsu-cancer-pain-nausea-touch-therapy_n_1638340.html?

I have been dealing with the stress of having Stage IV cancer and at times, feel quite overwhelmed.  I'm not one to ask for help.  I did see a flyer on the wall at my cancer clinic.  It said to "ask your health provider" if you are feeling depressed, overwhelmed, etc.  I don't know why, but I feel hesitant to ask my oncologist about it.  I was thrilled to learn of this program at Cancer Wellness House.  The best thing is it is free!  I'm hoping that if I can, I can volunteer for some of their events to help "pay back" any of the services I utilize.

I'm also hoping to be able to participate in their "Survivors at the Summit" event, which is a hike (or tram ride) up to Hidden Peak at Snowbird Ski Resort. Last year it was in August. I don't think they've scheduled next years yet.  If you want to learn more, click here:
http://www.cancer-wellness.org/Survivors_at_the_Summit_L3F.html

Survivors at the Summit symbolizes the challenges individuals experience when faced with cancer, pays tribute to their courage and determination, and honors the memory of those who have passed. 

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Colonoscopy Results....

Everything is fine!  It looked great.  That's what Dr. D. said.  I don't have to go back for 3 years!  Woot, woot!

The prep went better too.  I had some abdominal pain and wanted to throw-up but that is just from the delicious nasty MoviPrep.  I don't know why everything has to be lemon-lime flavored!  Every one of my contrast drinks I've had to take for my scans has been lemon-lime.  It makes me want to throw-up!  I think the hardest thing for me is drinking enough extra fluid to help clean you out.  You feel so full and bloated its hard to drink, drink, drink.  I really did though.  Lots of juice, sprite and a little chicken broth.

I'm recovered and feeling fine now.  Things are just watch and wait.  It's hard to not DO anything but only time will tell.  I'm going to try and start exercising. I know I keep saying that but I really mean it!

Take care!

Oncologist's Appointment...

I had my appointment with my Oncologist on Tuesday.  Nothing new to report--blood work is good!  My CgA is again in the normal range at 4 (ref. 0-5).  Yippee!  My pancreastatin was finally sent to ISI (Interscience Institute) (http://www.interscienceinstitute.com/) and took almost 3 weeks to come back.  It is 166 with a range of 0-135.  It's hard to say if it changed any since my previous tests were sent to a different lab with a different range but it's about the same % over the "normal" range.

ISI is the leader in neuroendocrine tumors (NET's) Biomarker Testing!

My next appointment will be in March so I'm going to have a scan the end of February.  This is the longest I've gone between scans!  It does "freak me out" a bit but I know with my good labs, things are quiet for now (on the tumor front).

We (Onc and I) did discuss clinical trials and he explained more how they work and how new drugs/tests get approved by the FDA.  That came up because of the NETTER 1 trials (PPRT) that have finally started here in the USA.  This isn't a drug but a radioactive isotope.  I sure hope that if I need this treatment down the road, it will be approved here.  I'm think it will take at least 10 years!

I am feeling pretty good.  I still get pretty tired by the end of the work-day but honestly, I can't say if I'm more tired now than I was before my diagnosis.

My next procedure is this coming Monday.  I'm going in for my colonoscopy!  I'm not looking forward to the prep.  I'm hoping this time it is a bit easier on my system since I don't have a bunch of tumors in there blocking everything from moving through!  When I "prepped" the first time (June, 2012), I had a lot of pain and nausea.  I'm hoping for an easier go round this trip!  My only concern is that on my last scan, it showed "wall thickening" near the surgical site that could represent metastatic disease or could be reactive thickening due to the surgery itself. I'm definitely hoping for the later!

I will follow-up after my procedure on Monday.  Can't wait to see my cute gasteroenterologist again on Monday!

Take care...

 

Letter to Veteran's!

On this Veteran's Day, I would like to say "thank you" to all Veterans and their families.  Those who have served and those who are currently serving.  The sacrifices you have made and are currently making for our freedom and safety is appreciated and not forgotten.

I love this country and am proud to be an American!

Thank you,

Sharon Larsen

NET Cancer Day is November 10th

I was diagnosed with a Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET)/Carcinoid Cancer in June of 2012. I had never heard of this type of cancer before.

Most cancer organizations do not lend support for research or awareness of this particular cancer.  So, those 
of us who are being diagnosed are trying to raise awareness.

NOVEMBER 10th is NET Cancer Day to raise awareness of neuroendocrine cancers around the world. 

What you may not know is this:  This cancer usually goes undetected or misdiagnosed for years, because assumptions are made.  Doctors are taught that when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not Zebras.  The hoofbeats that are heard in our cases ARE zebras, not horses. In other words, we are not the obvious.

There is no cure.  Only rarely can a tumor can be cut out and all is good.  Most of us are diagnosed at the Stage IV level when it has already metastasized to our livers and other organs. In some cases, radiation and chemotherapy are not usually an option. I am grateful that this is usually a relatively slow-growing cancer.

KNOWLEDGE is power. I ask that you make it your mission to learn. Go to the NET cancer/Zebra/Carcinoid pages and learn more. Talk to others about their stories/experiences. LEARN more and more and more.

Please make the zebra ribbon as recognizable as the other ribbons. It starts with you committing to tell someone else’s story…and keep telling it.

It is so important to raise awareness with others.  And please support those you know, and show love to the people in your life…cancer or no cancer.

http://netcancerday.org