Journey with Joni

I have been thinking about blogging for some time now. I have Cancer. I was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called Pseudomyxoma Peritoni originating in the appendix, a mucinous tumor that spreads over your organs and begins to compress and absorb them. Your chances of developing this particular cancer are 1 in 1million.  Lucky me, maybe I should play the lotto!!!

In Feb. 2011, I was having pain in my lower right abdomen and then discovered a hard mass. After many tests, blood work, ultrasound and CT Scan, surgery was scheduled for Mar. 22, 2011. During that surgery it was discovered that the tumors had burst and my insides were covered with the mucinous jelly. A 4 1/2 hour surgery and then the news that I had Cancer was delivered to my family, in the waiting room. I am told there were tears, fears and lots of questions. I was released from the hospital after ten days. I remember being SO GLAD to be home. The Doctors gave me a month to recuperate and I started chemotherapy in May.

May 10, 2011 First chemo treatment
I was nervous. My sister Jill drove me to the Facey Infusion Center in Valencia. We waited for a few minutes in the waiting room...it was crowded there...then were brought back to the Infusion Center. A room with six stations. At each station there is a Chemo Chair, a visitor chair, a TV w/DVD player, magazines, blankets, an artist's sketch pad with pencils. Lots of stuff to keep you busy. Each station is separated by privacy curtains.  They hooked up to my portacath, and took blood. Blood work came back OK and I was good to go for the first treatment. 5 1/2 hours later, I was fitted with a portable pump that I would wear home. It would continue to administer chemo for an additional two days, at which time I would return to the Infusion Center and have it removed. This is a substitute solution for a very expensive oral cancer drug that my insurance would not cover.
First treatment side effects:  Nausea, Diarrhea, PAIN...everywhere, even my hair hurt. Extreme sensitivity to cold in my hands, feet and throat. I even had to warm up my water.