Just did my second hyperthermia. Made it 2 hours this time. Barely.
This time Christian put cold clothes on my face over and over. In that heat they don't stay cold for long. Now sitting on the bed near the open window in my room, enjoying the feel of a nice summer day breeze against my hot, wet, sticky skin. When my IV drip is done I can shower off the sweat.
Next weeks goal is 2 1/2 hours. hahaha!
I made Christian no promises.
I was asked by some if I could provide a mailing address. yes I can.
Here you go!!!!
Danielle Gilbert
c/o Jose Henriquez, M.D.
482 W. San Ysidro Blvd. #1561
San Ysidro, CA 92173
It warms my heart to see your comments in my blog and on my Facebook. thank you and keep them coming.
Love and hugs and Blessings to you all.
Danielle
Me and My Family
30 January, 2014
more for my soul
Yesterday was long......
I had hydro2010 spa massage, which is heat therapy and lymphatic massage at the same time. Lay on a covered table (at a slight angle), they pull a hardshell cover over me, except for my head. Then the table starts vibrating quickly and the inside starts to warm up. I lay there for an hour and it felt so good I fell asleep.
That was so nice.
Then the highlight of my day...later I was sitting outside and the hummingbird was in the tree, I could hear it. As I swung my squinting gaze up, he flew out of the tree right towards me, passed me, and over to a bush with one lone flower on it. So I got to see him in action for just a few seconds before his/her fast moving, almost impatient body took off again in flight. I smiled and remembered fondly all the days of spring I would sit on the porch in Ketchikan and the hummingbirds would come and go repeatedly. I was able to get so many great pictures then.
Later the Doctor came outside to say hi and see how I was doing. I told him honestly that I was homesick, but I was ok. He is finding out today if anyone is coming next week. One person who was coming, cancelled, but there are two other possibilities. He said then I would have someone to visit with.
What I would like is a puzzle to work on. I might suggest the have a table in the living room somewhere with a puzzle for people to work on. It would bring people like me out of their rooms more. In the meantime, I will enjoy books on my kindle, time on the patio when I can and resting.
Today,.....Hyperthermia again. I will make it 2 hours this time....I promised Christian, the nurse, and my self of course.
Doesn't look like a day to sit on patio, so far it is very foggy outside.
Updates later.
love and blessings to all.
Danielle
I had hydro2010 spa massage, which is heat therapy and lymphatic massage at the same time. Lay on a covered table (at a slight angle), they pull a hardshell cover over me, except for my head. Then the table starts vibrating quickly and the inside starts to warm up. I lay there for an hour and it felt so good I fell asleep.
That was so nice.
Then the highlight of my day...later I was sitting outside and the hummingbird was in the tree, I could hear it. As I swung my squinting gaze up, he flew out of the tree right towards me, passed me, and over to a bush with one lone flower on it. So I got to see him in action for just a few seconds before his/her fast moving, almost impatient body took off again in flight. I smiled and remembered fondly all the days of spring I would sit on the porch in Ketchikan and the hummingbirds would come and go repeatedly. I was able to get so many great pictures then.
Later the Doctor came outside to say hi and see how I was doing. I told him honestly that I was homesick, but I was ok. He is finding out today if anyone is coming next week. One person who was coming, cancelled, but there are two other possibilities. He said then I would have someone to visit with.
What I would like is a puzzle to work on. I might suggest the have a table in the living room somewhere with a puzzle for people to work on. It would bring people like me out of their rooms more. In the meantime, I will enjoy books on my kindle, time on the patio when I can and resting.
Today,.....Hyperthermia again. I will make it 2 hours this time....I promised Christian, the nurse, and my self of course.
Doesn't look like a day to sit on patio, so far it is very foggy outside.
Updates later.
love and blessings to all.
Danielle
28 January, 2014
Extracorporeal Photopheresis
I have had a busy day.
Started with a full body physical exam by the doc. Not a favorite thing of mine to get done. Well, it's out of the way now!
Then breakfast. After breakfast I went downstairs to get hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. You'll have to google that one. But it's a little "capsule" I climb in and they zip it closed. The material is comparable to what an inflatable boat is made of. There is a little plastic window above my face so I can see the ceiling...woo hoo.
Then it starts to inflate, I had about enough room in there to bend my knees up while laying on my back. I stay in for 1 hour.
After that the nurse started my daily IV full of Vit. C and laetrile and amino acids, and all sorts of other good stuff. While getting that I read, had lunch, and started the Photopheresis. The IV takes about 4 1/2 hours.
I get the photopheresis again next week and then from that they will create a vaccine for me...I will come home with a 6 months supply of that to inject myself with each week. Yay for me that I am not afraid of needles.
So, now relaxing and writing. I am getting a smoothie soon. Ra`mon, my favorite cook is here and he is making it for me. I wish I spoke Spanish! More than Si, and Por Favor, and little things like that.
Thank you to all who are supporting me and my family! WE love you.
Danielle
Started with a full body physical exam by the doc. Not a favorite thing of mine to get done. Well, it's out of the way now!
Then breakfast. After breakfast I went downstairs to get hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. You'll have to google that one. But it's a little "capsule" I climb in and they zip it closed. The material is comparable to what an inflatable boat is made of. There is a little plastic window above my face so I can see the ceiling...woo hoo.
Then it starts to inflate, I had about enough room in there to bend my knees up while laying on my back. I stay in for 1 hour.
After that the nurse started my daily IV full of Vit. C and laetrile and amino acids, and all sorts of other good stuff. While getting that I read, had lunch, and started the Photopheresis. The IV takes about 4 1/2 hours.
I get the photopheresis again next week and then from that they will create a vaccine for me...I will come home with a 6 months supply of that to inject myself with each week. Yay for me that I am not afraid of needles.
So, now relaxing and writing. I am getting a smoothie soon. Ra`mon, my favorite cook is here and he is making it for me. I wish I spoke Spanish! More than Si, and Por Favor, and little things like that.
Thank you to all who are supporting me and my family! WE love you.
Danielle
27 January, 2014
joy to the soul
I got a chance to sit outside today on the back patio/yard. The sun felt SO good and then as I was sitting there reading/relaxing I could hear a hummingbird. I kept looking up in the tree and couldn't see it. Then by chance, one time I looked over at the same time that little beauty was coming in for a landing. I got to watch it there in the tree for about a minute before it took off again. Wish I had binoculars.
Feeling the sun and hearing as well as seeing that hummingbird did bring joy to my soul and heart today.
I have been feeling lonely and homesick. Everyone I left behind has all that is familiar with them, I have everything unfamiliar. With two exceptions. My homemade quilt from my dear friend Audrey, and Damon's "bear bear". It's really our "bear bear". We share him, always have.
When I got here and opened my suitcase I was delighted to discover that Damon and Kaili had made a card for me telling me how much they already missed me and how much they love me. What a wonderful surprise. I have that sitting up on a table in my room.
Today I had my first Hyperthermia treatment.
What is that you might ask.
It's when they raise your core body temp to 108.
It is supposed to kill cancer cells. I guess they can't take the heat.
Now I will tell you what it was like.
Imagine laying in the sun when it's about 85. That's warm after awhile right? Now imagine laying in the sun when it's 85 and you have a sheet and blanket or two on you from the neck down. Add to that you are all encased to keep the warmth in ( I thought of it like my lizards cage...glass all around to retain heat, and screen on top for ventilation). My face was protected by a cloth as the lights are bright, and the nurse had access to my face so he could wipe the sweat off every now and then. I made it about 1 hour and 40 minutes. next time I have to go 2 hours. Both my arms fell asleep and I got really sore laying there on my back for so long. I also thought of it like sitting in my sauna all wrapped in blankets.
Both days now I have had the infusion with high doses of Vitamin C and Laetrile, and many other good and healthy things in it. That takes about 4-5 hours. It doesn't make me feel sick or anything, I just have to be hooked up to the IV pole and run to the bathroom often. So it's a little confining. But what's a little confinement now if it gives me much freedom later? I'll take it.
Tomorrow afternoon I will get my blood taken, run through a machine, I think to sort out the white blood cells, from which they will make a vaccine for me. I will explain this more tomorrow night after I get explanation from the tech who is doing it. Or the Doc, who's English is easier to understand.
Have a safe week everyone.
Thank you to you all.
Danielle
Feeling the sun and hearing as well as seeing that hummingbird did bring joy to my soul and heart today.
I have been feeling lonely and homesick. Everyone I left behind has all that is familiar with them, I have everything unfamiliar. With two exceptions. My homemade quilt from my dear friend Audrey, and Damon's "bear bear". It's really our "bear bear". We share him, always have.
When I got here and opened my suitcase I was delighted to discover that Damon and Kaili had made a card for me telling me how much they already missed me and how much they love me. What a wonderful surprise. I have that sitting up on a table in my room.
Today I had my first Hyperthermia treatment.
What is that you might ask.
It's when they raise your core body temp to 108.
It is supposed to kill cancer cells. I guess they can't take the heat.
Now I will tell you what it was like.
Imagine laying in the sun when it's about 85. That's warm after awhile right? Now imagine laying in the sun when it's 85 and you have a sheet and blanket or two on you from the neck down. Add to that you are all encased to keep the warmth in ( I thought of it like my lizards cage...glass all around to retain heat, and screen on top for ventilation). My face was protected by a cloth as the lights are bright, and the nurse had access to my face so he could wipe the sweat off every now and then. I made it about 1 hour and 40 minutes. next time I have to go 2 hours. Both my arms fell asleep and I got really sore laying there on my back for so long. I also thought of it like sitting in my sauna all wrapped in blankets.
Both days now I have had the infusion with high doses of Vitamin C and Laetrile, and many other good and healthy things in it. That takes about 4-5 hours. It doesn't make me feel sick or anything, I just have to be hooked up to the IV pole and run to the bathroom often. So it's a little confining. But what's a little confinement now if it gives me much freedom later? I'll take it.
Tomorrow afternoon I will get my blood taken, run through a machine, I think to sort out the white blood cells, from which they will make a vaccine for me. I will explain this more tomorrow night after I get explanation from the tech who is doing it. Or the Doc, who's English is easier to understand.
Have a safe week everyone.
Thank you to you all.
Danielle
25 January, 2014
Down to the wire
Well, it's down to the wire. I leave tonight/tomorrow morning. Before my church friends even get to church tomorrow I will be in San Diego!
That is barring any difficulties on the way...I don't anticipate any trouble though.
I have been way too busy this week to be nervous or even excited. I just know I am anxious to get there as I don't feel good and I want them to start infusing me with the good stuff and giving me a fever. hahaha
I can't speak for Kaili, John, or my mom, but I know Damon and I are tense and stressed out. Bless his heart, he was SO tired last night he fell almost right to sleep and has been sleeping since. He so needed that.
Me however, well I was up in the night with a tummy ache, took a hot bath, crawled back into bed and had one particularly white lump of a dog leaning against me (immovable) for the rest of the morning. Makes it hard to roll over or stretch or anything. She might be petite compared to other labs, but she is not light, especially when sleeping. And she is rather pushy!
Then I got up and took the dogs outside and the pulled me right off the porch sideways, thank goodness I retained my footing...if I had fallen it would have been into a puddle of pee water and mushy, poopy grass.
I cried.
Like a baby.
I did.
Then stood there while they took care of business (me back on the porch appearing to be in control), crying and imagining all the places I could take them and leave them, FOREVER. I need small dogs who can't pull like that. Or no dogs who don't poo like they do. Or a fence around part of the yard so I don't have to stand there being pulled by dogs on leashes, into pee and poo infested puddles that form when there is rain and warm temps in Alaska in January!!!!!!
Enough about the dogs.
I still have a lot to do before leaving but I think I can get it all done today. I better.
IF not, it just won't be done, and I will have to let it go.
I will update when I get settled in.
Danielle
That is barring any difficulties on the way...I don't anticipate any trouble though.
I have been way too busy this week to be nervous or even excited. I just know I am anxious to get there as I don't feel good and I want them to start infusing me with the good stuff and giving me a fever. hahaha
I can't speak for Kaili, John, or my mom, but I know Damon and I are tense and stressed out. Bless his heart, he was SO tired last night he fell almost right to sleep and has been sleeping since. He so needed that.
Me however, well I was up in the night with a tummy ache, took a hot bath, crawled back into bed and had one particularly white lump of a dog leaning against me (immovable) for the rest of the morning. Makes it hard to roll over or stretch or anything. She might be petite compared to other labs, but she is not light, especially when sleeping. And she is rather pushy!
Then I got up and took the dogs outside and the pulled me right off the porch sideways, thank goodness I retained my footing...if I had fallen it would have been into a puddle of pee water and mushy, poopy grass.
I cried.
Like a baby.
I did.
Then stood there while they took care of business (me back on the porch appearing to be in control), crying and imagining all the places I could take them and leave them, FOREVER. I need small dogs who can't pull like that. Or no dogs who don't poo like they do. Or a fence around part of the yard so I don't have to stand there being pulled by dogs on leashes, into pee and poo infested puddles that form when there is rain and warm temps in Alaska in January!!!!!!
Enough about the dogs.
I still have a lot to do before leaving but I think I can get it all done today. I better.
IF not, it just won't be done, and I will have to let it go.
I will update when I get settled in.
Danielle
24 January, 2014
Wow, can it be possible
Wow, it's been a busy week. I don't know how I entertained any thoughts of it being otherwise. I have to get myself ready for my trip as well as get the house in order, get work samples ready to turn in for Damon (they were due last week)!!!!! I also have to get all the laundry done, and try to get some sleep.
Sleep? what's that? Damon has been awake into the late hours of night for over a week now, though thankfully sleeping in each morning. Until last night! He was up late, then woke up early when the dog was whining at me to take him out. Damon woke up and never went back to sleep. By early i mean 3am. Not 6 or 7, 3 AM!!!!!! Now how is this boy going to function today? How am I going to stay sane?
I have a suspicion he might be getting anxious because I leave tomorrow night. We have talked about it, and at one point last night he was whimpering, I hugged him and asked what was wrong...to which he replied, "I am sad cus you will be gone for a whole month, I am going to miss you and I don't want you to go."
Can it be possible for us to get through the day without naps, or nagging one another? It's too bad that when tensions are running high and we are feeling sad to be parting ways, at the same time we are grumpy and treating one another badly because of that tension/stress, and in our case lack of sleep in addition to the stress. oooooh bad sentence, I know.
I DO feel bad though and will try to be as loving and understanding of his emotions as possible today without also letting him be disrespectful and try to run all over me. I have to keep him busy.
It's a wonderful thought to take him to Bouncing Bears to play, but then that means I am out of the house and not getting things done that need doing. I will think on that.
In the mean time, it's 45 and raining and blowing outside!! Where has winter gone?
I have not doubts that when I return from Mexico winter will be in full swing again here in Palmer.
This post has been all over the place. Must be I am a little tired. And a little anxious myself. It is my deepest and most sincere prayer right now that my Faith along with these alternative treatments work enough for me to feel good, and stop the growth of my cancer. Maybe even shrinking some of it.....? Wouldn't that be grand. I know my Savior is the Master Physician and it is possible, just pray it's so with me.
We watched a little video clip last night with the Missionaries called "Mountains to Climb". It was very good. It's about enduring to the end and moving forward even when all seems lost. About trying hard when we feel like giving up. Getting up each morning when we would rather stay in bed and feel sorry for ourselves. Putting on a smile even when we feel we have nothing to smile about. Heavenly Father is testing our Faith. Will we be faithful? Will we stay true to our own faith or let the advisary invade our lives?
Keep Moving Forward!!!
Danielle
Sleep? what's that? Damon has been awake into the late hours of night for over a week now, though thankfully sleeping in each morning. Until last night! He was up late, then woke up early when the dog was whining at me to take him out. Damon woke up and never went back to sleep. By early i mean 3am. Not 6 or 7, 3 AM!!!!!! Now how is this boy going to function today? How am I going to stay sane?
I have a suspicion he might be getting anxious because I leave tomorrow night. We have talked about it, and at one point last night he was whimpering, I hugged him and asked what was wrong...to which he replied, "I am sad cus you will be gone for a whole month, I am going to miss you and I don't want you to go."
Can it be possible for us to get through the day without naps, or nagging one another? It's too bad that when tensions are running high and we are feeling sad to be parting ways, at the same time we are grumpy and treating one another badly because of that tension/stress, and in our case lack of sleep in addition to the stress. oooooh bad sentence, I know.
I DO feel bad though and will try to be as loving and understanding of his emotions as possible today without also letting him be disrespectful and try to run all over me. I have to keep him busy.
It's a wonderful thought to take him to Bouncing Bears to play, but then that means I am out of the house and not getting things done that need doing. I will think on that.
In the mean time, it's 45 and raining and blowing outside!! Where has winter gone?
I have not doubts that when I return from Mexico winter will be in full swing again here in Palmer.
This post has been all over the place. Must be I am a little tired. And a little anxious myself. It is my deepest and most sincere prayer right now that my Faith along with these alternative treatments work enough for me to feel good, and stop the growth of my cancer. Maybe even shrinking some of it.....? Wouldn't that be grand. I know my Savior is the Master Physician and it is possible, just pray it's so with me.
We watched a little video clip last night with the Missionaries called "Mountains to Climb". It was very good. It's about enduring to the end and moving forward even when all seems lost. About trying hard when we feel like giving up. Getting up each morning when we would rather stay in bed and feel sorry for ourselves. Putting on a smile even when we feel we have nothing to smile about. Heavenly Father is testing our Faith. Will we be faithful? Will we stay true to our own faith or let the advisary invade our lives?
Keep Moving Forward!!!
Danielle
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