No chemo therapy this week

Hi friends and family!

I just wanted to share with everyone that Luis didn't get his therapy last Friday and he won't be getting it this Friday either.

Last week, Luis went in for his treatment, and as usual, he gets blood work done and a routine check. But this check up was a little different- he had a fever. So the nurse tells us that when a cancer patient gets a fever they have to take every caution to make sure he/she doesn't have an infection before they go further with treatments. They went and prescribed him some antibiotics to take for seven days- that was last Friday.

Today I get a phone call from his care manager, (Karim) regarding his blood work. She said his test came back positive for infection near his abdominal area- (by his J tube.) So the doc prescribed him a different antibiotic for an additional seven more days.

So as we went in today to pick up his prescription, we see his past oncologist Dr. Chang in the cafeteria. I had a brief conversation with him which went something like this:

Dr. Chang: "How are you?"

Me: "I'm great- thank you."

Dr. Chang: "Finally Luis decided to get treatment again. Remember when I used to tell him to go see Dr. Neelam and he kept refusing?"

Me: "Yeah I remember- (laughing.)"

Dr Chang: "How is he doing?"

Me: "Oh his good- especially after he got that surgery done."

Dr Chang: "Surgery- what surgery?"

Me: "Well, he got a J tube inserted in him because he had a blockage in his tummy."

Dr. Chang: "Oh he can't eat?"

Me: Yeah he can still eat."

Dr. Chang: "Oh okay. Lets keep our fingers crossed."

Me: (thinking) Hey, that might work for him but I don't believe in luck.)

After we left the cafeteria, Sito (as usual) stops at the drawing board to post something for his dad.

I always enjoy seeing the kids write something special for their dad. I just thought it would be cute to share it with you guys. If you can't see it, it says, I love Luis Catalan it's Sito.

Do you believe in luck? Why or why not? Please comment if you wish and share your thoughs.

until next time......................................HAPPY EASTER!

NEW TREATMENT IN MIND

Welcome back!

A few weeks have passed since Luis's surgery and he's fully recovered. But since my last blog, a few great things have also happened that I want to share with you guys. First, we had the opportunity to enjoy spring break with the kids- then, Luis finally started chemo back up again (with a new treatment in mind). He hasn't had any chemo since January. And finally, we've had an interesting blessing happen to us in the house.

A couple of weeks ago we went for his follow up and got some blood work done. We thought that he'll be getting his chemo therapy right after, but Dr. Neelum comes into the room with the results and says, "your liver enzymes are too high and I'm not giving you treatment today." This issue has come up before so we weren't really surprised. She told us to come back the following Monday for a ct scan- (ofcourse by now, she's thinking the worst). We come back, got the ct scan done and waited for her call with the results. While all this is happening, the kids are on spring break and Luis really wants to spend some time with them somewhere special. So although we're not sure what's the deal with his results, on Tuesday morning we head out to Chicago.

At this point, I can either allow my MIND to choose to worry and entertain negative thoughts as to what might come- or I can choose positive thoughts (like I have) and continue to believe that all is well. I choose to BELIEVE the good.

We first took them to see Diary of a wimpy kid 2 (a great family movie by the way- very funny and entertaining!)



And while we're in the theater, we get a phone call from the nurse saying that Dr. Neelum wants to talk to both of us in her office, Thursday morning.

At this point, all we want to do is have fun with the kids. So after the show, we continue with our plan and check in at the Chicago's Essex Inn.

AN AGGRESIVE TREATMENT

After we get back from Chicago, we go to see the doc- she comes in the room and says, "The ct scan shows that your liver is clean so I don't know why your liver enzymes are soo high." She goes on saying, "I want to give you a more aggresive treatment because your young and I think you can handle it." She also said something about this drug being proven to be very effective with great results for Pacreatic patients. Luis will still get the same five hour chemo therapy pumped through his port every other Friday- but now after his done with that, he will go home with two extra chemo drugs (also on a machine) that pumps slowly through his port for an additional forty six hours. Then we go back to the treatment center on Sunday and get the pump taken off. Since my last blog, his done one of these aggresive treatments, has gained ten pounds and is doing very well.

Rewind back to Thursday morning, (the day before he starts his new treatment) our family dog, (Buddy) ends up missing.

The kids began searching for him, while I call the animal shelter and then the police station. We even went door to door asking neighbors if they've seen him- nothing. I think Luis and my daughter (Lulu) took it the hardest. She cried herself to sleep while he was gone. It was hard on her because Buddy also slept with her every night. We told her not to worry that buddy is in someones house being well taken care of. While many of our family and friends thought he was a gonner- (especially because he's a Yorkshire Terrier.) I personally BELIEVED that there's good people out there that will find it in their hearts to return him. So I made some flyers and the whole family got involved putting them up in the neighborhood stores- and also giving it to people as they walked by.

To make the story short, two days later I get a phone call from a lady who says that she has Buddy. She said if I wouldn't of put up a flyer with the information I had on there, she would've kept him. I had no money to reward anyone who would've found him. So all I had to work with was a nice honest message that said, he's a wonderful dog and is dearly missed. And that he's also a cancer patients companion. It turned out that she's a five year cancer survivor. She mentioned that she knows what it was like to have someone by her side while she was going through chemo therapy.

All in all, we were excited and joyful for Buddy's return- and all I can say to her was, God bless you and thank you for your incredible act of kindness. I also felt extremly blessed that God has given us a second chance with Buddy.

until next time.................................start to believe- it's the greatest step you will ever take. Believeing contains no DOUBT- it's absolute FAITH.

PERCEPTION!

Welcome back!

Today I wanted to discuss an important subject regarding the faculties of the human mind. You know, the part that many of us don't know we have and unfortunately, our schools aren't teaching us. Yes, we have many marvelous mental faculties- there's the WILL, INTUITION, REASON, MEMORY, IMAGINATION & PERCEPTION. One of my favorite quotes comes from Napoleon Hill's book

Think & Grow Rich- he said, (An educated person is not necessarily a person with an abundance of general or specialized knowledge- an educated person is a person who has so developed the faculties of their mind that they can acquire anything they want or it's equivalent without violating the rights of others).

With that being said, I would like to dedicate this blog topic on perception- and how I came to understand it.

Within the last few months, two of my very dear friends (as well as my mom) have suggested some things for me to consider doing regarding my circumstance. They've said to me- (hope for the best and prepare for the worst)! Yes, that was their exact words. One of them even suggested to start a charity for Luis. And just the other day my mom asked me if we had life insurance on him (I can only imagine what she was thinking). But to be honest with you guys, we too use to think like them. When we first heard the bad news from the doctors- (back in December 2008). We were ignorant too- living in fear and was planning for the worst. I was ready to bury my husband before he even died. But I can tell you guys this- that was very short lived! And as soon as I understood how our mind works and the laws that govern our being- I was able to take control over my life and learn to think for myself.

You know this entire Universe opperates by law- and one of them being the law of polarity! Which means everything has an opposite- (It's like the flip side to the coin or the front and the back side of the book). So according to the doctors, my friends & my mom, they're all right from their point of view- so there's no need to argue with them. But me and Luis started to see things differently- (you know, from the opposite side). We started to think very optimistically and knew that there's a better way to achieve greater health. We learned that it's not WHAT we're looking at that matters but HOW we're looking at it.

There's so many of us that have a perception problem when we say I'm right and your wrong. Hey, I can be right from my point of view and you can be right from yours. So it's not a matter of whats right or wrong-it's what works, what's going to improve. Don't you agree?

So next time you disagree with someone, you might consider them right. They're right from their point of view. It might not take them where they want to go, but their point of view is just as accurate and right as yours.

until next time................... know that there's two sides to everything and you have the power (within you) to choose- choose life, choose love, choose HEALTH!

WELCOME HOME!

The day has arrived and Luis is finally at home! We feel so blessed to have made it through this situation! We also feel extremely thankful for everyones great support, prayers & personal visits to the hospital. You guys have truly made a difference- so thank you- to you all!

For those of you who don't know yet, the surgery was to insert a jejunostomy (j-tube) in his intestinal tract, (below his stomach). This tube provides a way for Luis to receive liquid food because he was unable to eat by mouth due to a blockage. This allows him to receive the nutrition and water he needs to maintain his weight and strength. Right now, he needs 1250 ml (5 cans) pumped into him over 14 hours. His dietitian also encourages him to continue to get in full liquids throughout the day for even more calories and hydration. Now mind you, this feeding tube is only necessary for a short time while his receiving his chemo therapy. As he progresses in his treatments and gets stronger, he'll be decreasing the amount of the the liquid food and increasing his solid food. The picture below can give you guys an idea of some of the things the tube feeding comes with. The home tube feeding will take some adjustment on our part but it's so flexible to his schedule- and its also portable-so he can take it with him.

Well, it's been a long two weeks since the surgery and I can honestly tell you guys that this experience alone has given me a better understanding about patience. I soon learned that my patience does rest on the faith I have in Luis, the doctors & in God. When there was that one week delay from him coming home because (according to the surgeon, Dr. Sanchez), the valve was not functioning yet. He said it can take a few weeks before it starts working properly. So all he really needed was more time! We went ahead and BELIEVED in the doctor while still doing our part- remaining positive, calm and patient during his recovery.

You see, good is underneath every single thing that appears to be negative. If we can know that good is all there is, (including in a negative situation) then we'll see a negative situation transform into all good. Most of us keep the good away from ourselves because we right away label something as bad, and then, of course that becomes our reality. Well, I chose to see the good in this situation.

until next time.................choose to see the good in your situation- no matter how bad things appear to be!

WHY THE DELAY!

Just when I go home Tuesday night, make some time to clean and finally finish laundry- I arrive Wednesday morning at the Treatment Center to find out that Luis won't be coming home this afternoon. Later that morning, he went downstairs for an xray on his tummy to find out that he still had some internal swollness from the surgery. They also found a lot of fluid that didn't make it's way out. So there went the tube back in his nose! But don't worry- according to him, he didn't feel a thing (thank GOD)! No wonder why he had so much pain in his tummy.

That morning the nurse had also wrote (DECREASE PAIN) on the board as a goal for Luis to achieve for the day. Well as you can see I changed it to
(FEEL BETTER). I wanted him to focus on what he wants to achieve (which is to feel better) and not what he doesn't want! It's more detailed than that but he gets the idea! So after they had his pain under control, he finally managed to sleep as I stayed beside him pushing his drug button every 10 minutes!

Fast forwarding to today! We met with one of his doctors (Dr. Vashi) in the hallway and he told us that (besides the swellness) the surgery that's intended to by pass his stomach's lower intestines is not functioning- (just yet)! and that it can take up to 3 weeks before it starts to do it's job.

I think sometimes the doctors may even push the patients recovery time a bit to fast. Any how, his diet is back to chewing ice and popsicles (for now) as well as the Total Parentnatal Nutrition (TPN) bags and the high calorie nutritional meals for nourishing and strengthening the body.

So for now- we'll just keep waiting patiently and confidently for his recovery so he can come home!

until next time...................be healthy

COMING HOME!

I'm very excited to say that Luis is coming home tomorrow! Yesterday they've started him on a clear liquid diet- he was doing so well (no nausau or vomitting) that this afternoon they also moved him up to liquid diet- (creamy soups, custard, pudding, ice cream, vegetable juice etc... He's still receiving the 12 hour TPN (Total Parenetral Nutrition) bag through his port as well as the High calorie meals pumped in his tummy. His doing amazing- (I must say)! I've been trained on preparing the TPN bag but not with the high calorie meals. Keep in mind also that these two are only temporary! We're still just awakening the digestive system- and it's coming around slowly and faithfully (just as expected)! The tube in his nose finally came out yesterday. The nurse asked him how does it feel without it- and he said like night and day! I was so happy for him (as you can imagine)! We're moving forward everyone- and remaining patient!

Well, I must cut it short now, Sito is bugging me to sleep next to him (you know, scary cat)!

until next time..............choose happiness! When you choose happiness, then you attract all the happy things as well.

PATIENCE REST ON FAITH- IN OURSELVES, IN OTHERS, AND IN GOD

As of right now, Luis will be staying @ the treatment center possibly for the weekend! Since yesterday, they've been giving him these high calorie nutrition meals pumped through his stomach tube as well as the Total Parentetal Nutrition bags (1300 calories + vitamins included) accessed through his port. They're checking him every few hours for nausau. His doing very well with these meals (no nausau). So I'm not sure why they're dragging on letting him come home. But it's okay- his in good hands. Besides, I think his beginning to enjoy these pretty nurses taking care of his needs (I don't though). Lol!

But this morning- I was thinking as I waited for the elevator to arrive. I felt a sense of impatience coming through me- I just wanted the stupid elevator to hurry up already so I can go upstairs to be with Luis. Then it hit me! I continued on thinking about the ONLY positive word and experience that I'd like to remember from UIC hospital in Dec of 08- was the word PATIENCE.

It started when we first arrived to UIC. As we sat and waited for 4 1/2 hours to be seen- we became hungry. I went to the nurses kitchen to warm up some food- and a nurse walked in and asked me what kind of CANcer does my husband have. I replied and said (Pancreatic). As she stared at me with big eyes, she called out the word PATIENCE- and said to me (lots of PATIENCE). I had no idea (then) that this word would have such a powerful meaning to me today! But as I understand now- patience is the faculty in the human soul that allows us to accomplish our mission without allowing ourselves to be distracted from our purpose by obstacles (such as this one). And only when we're patient under ALL circumstances can we maintain harmony.

I'm glad that through all this, GOD continues to strengthen me in all my ways!

until next time............................think health

IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

I woke up this morning and had the chance to chat with hubby for a bit. Not to my surprise, (lol) said that he had the best night since Tuesday and slept like a baby! That alone (ofcourse) began my beautiful morning- (loved it). He will be coming home to my care Friday. But before that, I will be given some training on certain things that we need to follow. Am I worried? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I can't afford to worry and I refuse to make time for it either. Let me just clarify something here before I go further in my blogs (and you choose to follow)! You will not read any DRAMA, SORROW, PAIN, ANGER, FEAR, DOUBT OR WORRY from my blogs. We're not attracted to negativity and we certainly don't walk around feeling sorry for ourselves or carry bad vibes. We don't need sympathy or to feel sorry for- We're not a victim, wer're creators- just like everyone of you! Here, you will get to feel our JOY, HAPPINESS, LOVE, FAITH, PATIENCE AND PEACE! And you will get to walk with us as we continue to progress upward. What I wish to accomplish here is an opportunity to share our positive energy, thoughts, feelings and experiences with the circumstance we're facing. So get your shoes ready because we're going to learn how to dance in the rain and not sit back and wait for the storm to pass!

until next time..........................be healthy and have a WONDERFUL weekend spend with loved ones!

BRING IT!

Back in Dec 2008 I was given the worst news of my life- Your husband (Luis) has 6 months to a year to live! I allowed the doctors to instill fear, doubt and worry in me and accepted their verdict. But as I grew and learned, I can honestly say that GOD has truly blessed us with this unique circumstance (I will share my thoughts on that later). Today, Luis gets his 3rd surgery (port surgery included in that) since he started back up with chemo therapy on Aug 2010. And I'm full of FAITH and confidence in his healing. I actually had beautiful dreams last night with me, him, & his family all having a good time laughing and being @ piece. I woke up this morning and the first words that popped in my thoughts were BRING IT! The surgery (not sure what they call it and not care for it either) will get rid of a blockage in his cute little tummy. So the GREAT news (we believe) is that he will no longer have issues eating solid foods as well as keeping it down. This surgery is the next step for us and we're both VERY confident about it- As we continue to progress and focus on achieving greater health. Well, that's all for now but I will keep posting his progress and our experience after his surgery- so come back if you'd like! until next time..........be healthy and take care.