Christine Penner

August 2020       I have been receiving palliative care this month and I am getting weaker.   I can no longer walk, so my family helped me get up to my chair and back to bed every day, and then even that became too difficult and I stayed in bed.     I am thankful I no longer have back pain or chest pain.   I am still enjoying small meals, although I am eating less and I need to eat soft foods.   I still enjoy mint iced tea!   I know the end is near and I am ready.   I am very thankful my family is taking such good care of me.   They are very attentive.   Thank you for all your warm thoughts and wishes, your concern and your love.   I am so grateful for my dear family and friends.   *My sister Bev helped me compose this blog.   Ryan dropped in with a Tim Horton's hot chocolate which I enjoyed very much.        My friend Colleen dropped in for a visit.   We were so happy when vi...

July 2020     On Friday, July 3, I saw Dr. Pitz at Cancer Care to discuss my treatment and the plan going forward.   We made the decision to discontinue chemotherapy and to start the palliative care process.   I met with the Palliative Care nurse on Wednesday, July 15, and now have all the equipment I need to stay home as long as possible.   I had another fall and am not able to walk anymore.   I have been experiencing a lot of back pain and chest pain.   Heat compresses, ice packs, massage, painkillers and regular chiropractic visits have helped my back pain, and I now only have pain when I get in and out of bed.   We have figured out the chest pain is related to sores in my mouth and esophagus, and I am getting medications to help with that.   I have to be very careful what I eat, but am still hungry all the time and enjoy eating the food that I can tolerate.   Mint iced tea is now my new favorite drink!   I have enjoyed spend...

June 2020   I met with Dr. Pitz via Zoom on June 5 to get my MRI and lab work results.   I was happy to hear the MRI showed my tumour was essentially unchanged and the swelling in my brain had decreased, but my platelets were still too low for another intravenous chemotherapy treatment.   I am getting weaker.   The effects of cancer, chemotherapy and steroids is taking a toll on my body.   I am getting weaker and am finding it difficult to walk, even with a walker.   I am starting to experience back pain and my eyesight is deteriorating.   I am always hungry and am grateful I can still enjoy delicious food.   I am always happy to spend time with family and friends and have enjoyed time at the cottage.   I had a wonderful 58 th birthday on June 27.   My in-laws showed up on my deck first thing in the morning with instruments, and sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. My family had a birthday lunch at my mom’s...

My blood test on Friday, May 1, showed that my blood platelets had gone up to 115. I was glad that I could now carry on with my chemotherapy. On May 6, my body had strong chemotherapy drugs. I slept a lot during the day and found that my eyesight was getting worse. On May 12, I went for a walk outside around my block and ended up falling to the ground as my body could not stay standing on its own. This caused my face and hands to get hurt. I now am careful to workout with machines that keep me safe. I have become very weak but continue to work out as best as I can. Sadly, I fell again May 29, which has now moved me to walking with a walker. I don't want to fall again. My blood test on May 27, showed that my blood platelets had gone down to 28. I spoke with my doctor on May 29, and talked about going to an MRI more quickly. I now will have another MRI test on June 1, get blood work done June 3, and on June 5, discuss with Dr. Pitz how to move forward. It will be interesting to see...

Back on March 18, 2020, I started two new chemo drugs. On Friday, April 3, I was disappointed when I found out from Dr. Pitz that my blood platelets had gone down to 38. I had another blood test on April 14, 2020, and was shocked that my blood platelets had gone down to 16. I was also surprised that I had lots of bruising all over my body. On Monday, April 27, my blood test showed that my blood platelets had gone up to 94. I was happy to hear that. I will have another blood test on Friday, May 1. If I increase to 100 I will be able to start my chemo drugs again.   Coronavirus continues to be a world problem. I feel so sad when I hear the number of people who have passed away because of the virus. I am at high risk so I have to be extra careful. On a beautiful day I go out and sit on a deck or driveway to see my family and friends. We always have eight feet of distance between us. The weather is getting nicer so it feels good to be outside.    My sisters and I v...

I had an MRI on March 4 which showed my fourth tumour had grown. I went to see Dr. Pitz on March 6 and was given a steroid pill to reduce swelling.This has helped decrease my inability to think or talk. On March 13 my blood level had increased so I was able to start chemo drugs again. As the last chemo drug continually decreased my blood level for a length of time, on Wednesday, March 18, I started two new chemo drugs. I went to the HSC for 1 ½ hours of intravenous chemo which I will be doing every 28 days, and started my daily chemo pills. I will be taking two chemo pills per day the first week, four the second week, six the third week, and eight the fourth week. I will then be going to see my doctor. I am grateful that I am feeling so good.   Sadly, the world has developed coronavirus. It started in Canada in March 2020. To stay as healthy as possible, on March 17 my husband and I started staying home and not seeing anyone. I phone, text, and email fami...