My Healing Journey

PET Scan..

2010-03-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

Thank you God to watching over me and Blessing me. Thanks everyone's Prayers to Bless me strength to go through this journey. My PET scan result... pass with flying color. My impression of my Nasopharyngeal is virtual disappearance... Thanks God again.

Friday

2009-12-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

Chemo had ended and the radiation still continue but getting close to the end.

Still hanging.

2009-11-24T08:26:00.000-08:00

Daily hydration.

still hanging

Sat

2009-11-21T11:40:00.000-08:00

PEG tube line working good, gives me a bit more engery.

Still hanging

27/45..6/8

2009-11-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

Chemo and radiation as usual day on Friday.The lump on my neck has disappear and hopefully stay away. Cross your finger that I everything will be over soon.

Still hanging

25/45 radiation

2009-11-18T20:42:00.000-08:00

old photo

still hanging

22/45 - 5/8

2009-11-14T03:16:00.000-08:00

Chemo as usual - goes, very thankful.

Monday will have PEG line put in for weight problem.

Still Hanging

Pray BIG

2009-11-11T10:40:00.001-08:00

Nothing change

Still Hanging

2009-11-08T12:27:00.001-08:00

Still Hanging..

Sat

2009-11-07T08:07:00.000-08:00

The lump is very small now, let hope my treatments can be cut short.

Pray BIG

Still hanging...

4/8 & 17/45

2009-11-06T19:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks to A, J & J

Seccess story, I get my 4th Chemo, that's mean white blood cells are all right.

Working on the next one..

Still hangining...

16/45t

2009-11-05T20:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to A & R

Tomorrow is Chmo, hope its goes. Crossing all parts of bodies.

Still Hanging..

15/45

2009-11-05T07:15:00.000-08:00

My Newest look.

Blood test day, hope I pass the white blood cells test, otherwise no chemo till next week.

Still hanging...

14/45....CT scan day...

2009-11-03T23:43:00.000-08:00

My New look

Today I will have my CT Scan so the doctor will know how big\small it is now. Yesterday the Doctor said it is smalle.

Still hanging..

13/45

2009-11-02T18:49:00.000-08:00

My long hair...

Dr. has added daily hydration time before Radiation, hopefully I will feel better.

The new Anti-neusea pill does make me less tired but they have to be fill everyday for only two for $5 co-payment, othrewise it will cost $62 per pill. I am in the wrong business.

Still hanging in there...

Sun....

2009-11-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

This is not a garment dish from China, it is just my hair. One of women's fear, loosing their hair.

This hair fallen is one of the Radiation side affect. Just hope that Chemo will be kind to me.

Happy Holloween....

2009-10-31T09:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Holloween

Party Safe...

3/8.....12/45

2009-10-30T19:10:00.000-07:00

Chemo today was fine, The nurse and the Dr. decide t add hydration daily before radiation. Not drinking enough water because is hard to swallow.

Next CT scan is Tuesday at 3:30, this time I ahve a new driver, the old one has to hanky panky at work. New driver is my old buddy Micheal S.

Thanks. Still hanging in there.

Thursday 11/45

2009-10-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday still a weak day for me, tomorrow is Friday, Chemo day, a better day but after that is down hill for two three days.

Still hanging in there..

Radiation 8/45

2009-10-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Jennifer came visit on Sunday and took a whole bunch of photos. This is the one I like.

Monday is still slow of me, hanging in there.

Sat & Sun..

2009-10-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

Mission Mass League

I am very grateful to have friends all over the world, Africa, HK, Canada, UK, US to pray for my recovery. Thank you so very much.

Sat

Is seems good, the lump gone down, not as nausea.

Sun

Some how the lump grew back the same size. Very weak due to the Chemo.

Taking it one day at a time.

Friday Chemo 2/8

2009-10-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

It was better this time maybe because I know what to expect. Take all my medicine before and after. Even can eat 1/2 a turkey sandwich during treatment.

After the Chemo the lump seems gone down some, Will see how Sat and Sun do.

Thursday 6/45

2009-10-22T20:08:00.000-07:00

There was a little glish at the radiation, almost twards the end, couple of the heat leafe was broken, I have to wait around for them to fix it so I can continue to finish the session.

Tomorrow is the hard day, second day of Chemo.

Wish me good luck that I have enoght white blood counts othere wise it will be propose.

Pray, pray, and pray..

Tuesday & wednesday ... 5/45

2009-10-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

These couple of days I am doing all right, maintain the weight and not lost any more. Today weight at the radiation is 110lb.

After taking the anti-nausea pill, I am doing better in eating, food stay down nut has to be small portions otherwise.. I stuff myself yesterday since I had some appetites but after I came home, I was so so tired and I slept the whole night, even when Sophia called me at 10:30 I was still very tired and cannot talk.

Mom came visit today and she brought me some soup, and stay for a short while and she walk home. Very thankful for Mom to have to walk all the way fro her home to my home, a very good 18 20 blocks. I am glad that she is healthy.

Sophia score 100 at her Art History class, make be proud and I am sure I will be better very soon.

Monday Radiation 3/45

2009-10-19T21:45:00.000-07:00

Today it seems better but still feel nausea but can hold the food down. Tried out a lot of different food:

Fuji apple - OK
papaya - OK
mash potato - OK
dark chocolate ensure - OK
top ramain - not so ok
at least I can hold some food down.
Will try out more food tomorrow.
Meet withe the dietitian, Dr Chan and him highly recommend me to take the anti-nausea pill so I will continue to eat and not lost too many lbs.
Today weight 109, lost 4 lbs.

Saturday & Sunday - Resting to recuperate..

2009-10-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday

I thought, but I still hope I did not have to have a feeding tube to my stomach, Dr. Chan warn me and I told him I want to tough it out and he smile.

The Chemo medical did not agree with me stomach too well. After I had something to eat around 6"30 Friday, I was fine. Did sleep very well, by 3:30 am, I wake up and I knew I need to make it to the bathroom QUICK. I make it and it all came out. Felt better though, even feeling hungry. Drink liquid to hydrate myself.

Wait till Saturday morning and see what I can eat? Try a piece of toast, I was warn not to eat dry stuff bur I thought because my month will be sore and dry. I thought I am OK so I ate a piece of toast, mouth was not dry but the esophagus is, so I wash it down with water.... 2 hours later, there was my toast you know where, but feel better.

Still experience what I can eat within this 48 hours of chemo, which is very important to flush out all the medicine. Have no luck keeping anything down. So far only 1/2 an apple.

Sunday

Rested a lot, still not doing very good keep food down. Mom and my God brother came by to visit for a short while and Mom brought me a papaya, it seen doing good with papaya, I had 1/2 of it. A few bit of congee and some sparling water. Hope it will improve tomorrow.

Johnie brought me some ensure, still have not try it yet, was afraid it will not do good.

Hope for the best.

Radiation ... 2/45

2009-10-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

Seems like shorter session, I guess is because Sophia was waiing in the waiting area for me. All the pictures were taken by her. Very greatful for my gaughter and Johnie whom he take me to all of my appointments.

My the other First - Chemotherapy - 1/8

2009-10-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

First chemo treatment. October 16, 2009 - The Whole process were very long, the first time last around 7-1/2 hours. To past time were either sleeping or watch TV if I have some energy

First day of Chemtherapy treatment at 2351 Clay 6th floor, rm 88, bed
51, RN Marianna Dugenvy. There has not been a prescription written by
Dr Chan and the nurse has contacted Dr Chan. Ciaplatin is the type of
chemotherapy being introduced. A dose of potassium is also to be added
due to the low potassium count. Nurse asked question about nausea and
Dr Chan prescribed meds but Lulu wishes not to take it due to a past
experience. BP 134/84. Let other doctor know of current meds as they
may offset other perscriptions.

The Nurse informed that th blood count will drop and can cause one to
feel week and also the white count will drop and weaken immune system.
Hydration is being given for about two hours to prep body for the
harshness of the chemotherapy before the chemo starts.

Cancer Navigation is a group similar to a help desk.
A precautionary letter was given to inform care provider means of
protecting themselves from chemotherapy patients. Fluids from patient
are more severe during the 48 hours after treatment. Clothes and
bedding need double washing with hot water. Toilets should no be
shared during the treatment period.

Dr Ed Chan arrived at Lulu's cubicle to check up and to provide the
Nurse with the prescibed dosage.

Central line fed: D5W/0.45 NaCl, 500 ml KCl 20 MEQ/500 ml; Ondansetron
IVPB 16 MG, over 15 min; Dexamethasone sodium phosphate 10 mg D5W 50
ml over 15 min; .9% NaCl 500 ml; Cisplatin 500 ml; rinse with NaCl

Is not over yet, still have to go to my Rediation at 4:30.

Still all right besides very tired.

The Saga Begins..There is always the first time..Radiation - 1/45

2009-10-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

After the Dress Rehearsal, the real show time was not that scary, in fact is very quick, the whole session last only 15 minutes.
No pain, just left like being out in the Sun too long. An hour later, the lump was growing but after taking the Ling Zhi and some rest, it went back to the usual size.
According to My Oncologist, Just like someone slap you on the face, you face will turn red. Same principle.

One down 44 to go..

Dress Rehearsal...10-14-2009

2009-10-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

Iinsertion of PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) Line at Davies on Oct 14, 2009. At 8 am, Ken Mauldin, RN, met with me in room #494A and explained about the PICC Line. He took vital signs and measured the length of Line from the insertion point to the main vein above the heart. Ken is filling out
forms: who is designated to make medical decisions; consent form; asked question about current meds and allergic medication; questions about medical history; nasopharngeal carcinoma is the cancer being
treated; contracted hepatitis from Joe when he cleaned sewer but cured through medication; two previous hospitalization; at twelve with stomach problem and vomiting; birth of Sophia; TB positve treated from
visitor to dept but no symptoms; dietary restriction not eating sugars and carbs; this morning weight at 110; Patty at 8:45 am is checking equipment 144875; at 8:57 am Ken prepping eq; cleaning right arm with
three disinfectants; Johnie sat six feet from the surgery so no mask; sensor to find and monitor vein
encapsulated; injected numbing med which promised to sting for ten seconds; 0913 inserting plastic tube or assy; may have left turnicut n too long; flushing line with saline 0929 with just a little mote tubing; looks scary but was okay; 0930 taping insertion and taping area for xray prep; 0937 ken wheeling Lulu to xray and should return in fifteen or less; 0949 returned from xray; need to insert tube a bit further in; 1002 completed PICC Line; 1015 took blood sample of three tubes for weekly routine count in prep for chemotherapy.

At 3pm same day, I went for my radiology for the last dry run, and Nurse Tina gave me a lot of materials showing me how to take care of my soon will be very dry skin and throat.
I am still all right, I will take it one day at a time.

How do I react...

2009-10-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

How do I feel...
At first of course in deny, it is impossible that would happen to me, I seldom get sick. The more Dr. appointments I went to, the more it sink in me.

In acceptance of the fact that " I have Cancer, not only that I have the most populate Asian Cancer. How do I help myself, what would Mom says, how would Sophia reacts... These are the worry I have more than regarding my illness.

Mom is still a mess, there are still ups and down emotions. Sophia is strong and she handle it very well.

How I feel? I have to be positive and try to be as happy as I can. Not to worry too much which is hard for me.

I am OK so far..

Prelude...Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

2009-10-05T22:11:00.000-07:00

If you are Asian, lived in Asian countries for a while, you have to beware if you have ear blockage, a lump on your neck, you have to hurry up to have it check out and pay attention to your body very closely.
Not very common in United State, that's why is harder for Western Doctors to detect it.
I had a small lump beginning in 2004, thoughts it was thyroids, had it checked but it was negative. At the same time the lump was dormant for awhile.
2007, due to ear infection, had a check up with a Otolaryngology, had another biopsy, but came out unknown.
2009, again had right ear problem, seen at least 3 to 4 doctors but still have not have it clear, tough it out for a month or two. Very uncomfortable not be able to hear very well. Finally, went to see a new Doctor but still in the same Doctors Group at 282 California. He was the one who told me I have to get a MRI and from that he sent me to get a Fine Needle Point Aspirate.
The rest is History..

I got Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.