Last Day of Radiation- Aug 26th

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Lydia Frenzel

This week has been the last week of radiation treatments.  I have actually planned my wardrobe for the week.  Those who know me, know that I am not clothes conscious.

I have acquired 5 hats and bonnets in lieu of a wig.  Thus I am wearing a different hat each day. I opted for hats rather than a wig. Firstly it has been hot. Second, I don’t want a sunburned head.  Thirdly- I had a friend lend me a wig for my driver’s license picture. I am told that I had better carry my passport as the Texas Dept. of Public Safety had me take off my glasses, and I look like a recent immigrant from a developing country. The comment from a law enforcement friend is “Now let’s see your real id card.” Fourthly- I knew that my hair would grow back. And it has.  I have a “marine recruit” hair style with no bald spots.

I had been warned that there would be a sunburn reaction starting in the second week.  The sunburn didn’t come until last Thursday- which was just one week from the end.  That long delay was just fine with me.  A little itching is not hard to live with. The staff says I have a poster bosum, but you won’t see it on the internet. I have used 100% aloe gel from Fruit of the Earth. It is inexpensive and sold where sun burn lotions are located.  It is NOT a sun blocker.  I have an aloe plant in the yard, which was my back-up plan for treatment.  It’s a good thing I found the gel, because it hasn’t rained enough for the aloe to grow very large.

Back to wardrobe.  Tuesday I wore a “Lady Executive” shirt from the 1960′s. Yesterday and today, I wore my Crazy Spurts “Life Saver Candy” shirt and my Crazy Spurts “Heintz 57″ Pickle shirts.  They are classics vintage shirts from the 1980′s and given to me by the former owner of “Soap Creek Saloon” in Austin. Those of you who are familiar with the Austin music scene, will recognize the Soap Creek Saloon name.  Ed has stacks of original play bills from the early Austin music bars.

The last day, tomorrow, I will end up with a multi-colored, almost psychedelic “Peter Max design” shirt from 1973. That shirt is older than anyone in the oncology clinic including the doctors.  The staff looks forward to seeing just what I am wearing.

It has been tedious time, but not all that onerous. I am glad it is over.

The best thing- is the letters and comments from people on the periodic Newsletter and reading the blog on lydiafrenzel.com.  There is a lot more to be said on the novels that we have been publishing and just getting ready to publish.

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Great News- Rain Shower Today and had Weather under 100 F.

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Lydia Frenzel

Today, August 25th we had a shower that was bigger than a bird spit bath.  We have had 68-69 days of over 100 F weather and NO rain.  This is not just close to 100, it is more like 106-108- 110.

Today, as we were walking we noticed clouds in the sky when the sun came up.  We walk  at 6:15-7:00 am when it is relatively dark and we can think it is cool.  The forecast had no rain.  At breakfast, the cardinal, ground dove, house finch, and young Blue Jay competed with the sparrows and White Winged Dove for the bird seed.  We were working outside in the morning and had just a mist as a thunderhead came over.  I looked up to see if the birds were spitting on me.

In the early afternoon, it actually sprinkled enough to get the ground wet, if you were in the right place.  My sister, only two blocks over,  said she said drops on the grass, but the sidewalks didn’t get wet.

Strangers stopped to chat with us in the parking lot of the “do-it-yourself” hardware store.  At the doctor’s office, I and the staff talked about going out to the lot naked and having a rain dance, if that would make it rain harder.

All in all, a good day.  It stayed in the low 90′s.

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Nutrition: Essential Support for Cancer Patients

Posted on July 21, 2011 by admin

Response to Sunny Dinner Occasion

 Good nutrition plays a key role not only in the prevention of cancer, but also in the lives of those diagnosed with the disease. Healthy eating and other kinds of nutritional aids can ease recovery from surgery, mitigate the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, and support long-term health for cancer survivors. Guidelines from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health offer suggestions for optimal nutrition at various stages of the cancer treatment and recovery process.

Surgery for cancer and other reasons stresses the body, and it needs extra nutritional support for recovery. Poor eating habits before and after surgery can contribute to slower healing and the likelihood of complications. Healthy, minimally processed foods that are calorie-dense and high in protein encourage wound healing and weight gain. Post-surgery fatigue and pain can affect the appetite, so eating numerous small meals, and adding nutritional drinks and vitamin supplements to the diet will help.

The side effects of chemotherapy include loss of appetite, fatigue and nausea, so good nutrition helps the body cope with treatment and improves emotional as well as physical well-being. Small, vitamin-rich meals of natural foods, as well as nutritional supplements, can help patients cope with the discomforts of treatment and lay the groundwork for long-term health. In some cases, enteric, or tube feedings can also add essential nutrition if eating is difficult or uncomfortable.

Depending on the location of the cancer radiation treatment can also make eating and digestion very difficult. Treatment of the throat and chest for cancers such as lung cancersor a rare cancer called mesothelioma can cause pain when swallowing, acid reflux and infections of the esophagus; so healthy eating may be compromised. Adding nutritional supplements and protein drinks, as well as choosing nutritionally dense foods, can offer support during therapy. Likewise, good nutrition is essential for stem cell transplant patients, who face a high risk of infection and may need the advice of a dietitian to create a supportive diet that avoids raw foods that may carry bacteria.

After treatment, cancer patients in remission can benefit from a healthy, nutritionally dense diet, which offers the body maximum support not just for recovery, but also for long-term health. One’s life expectancycan be improved tremendously by following solid nutritional guidelines. Beneficial dietary habits, including avoiding foods high in saturated fat and sugar, reduce stress and improve physical and emotional well being, not just for cancer survival but for a positive outlook on life in general.

Submitted By: David Haas 

David Haas is a young cancer advocate who wants to continue researching ways to better peoples lives whom have been touched by this awful disease. One of the ways Haas has learned is to pay better attention to nutrition. Haas believes this is a very important part to treatments and even when in remission. The right food can help keep the body healthy to combat this deadly disease.

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Birds of a Feather

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Lydia Frenzel

It’s been in the 95-105 F (37-41 C) daily with no rain.  We have tomatoes growing in some small patches, and dark patches growing on some of the tomatoes. A few weeks ago, a pair of mockingbirds moved in to claim their bountiful supply of food and ruined 8 tomatoes during the first day.  So up goes the bird nets to keep them away. A mockingbird strayed inside the net only once before he decided that inside the net was not for him.

Charles and I made a pole with cross piece, similar to a blue bird lookout.  We put a nail in the top and place tomatoes on the nail when they get overly heated and develop a blight.  I wish I had taken a video of a woodpecker and the mockingbird perched on either side, pecking at the tomato. First one, and then the other.  I don’t think that they were cooperating, just both wanting the fruit more than taking time to quarrel.

 Oh yes, we have two water sources for the birds.  They don’t need more food, but they do need water supplies.

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A Unexpected Gift Basket Arrives

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Lydia Frenzel

What a wonderful surprise yesterday. It is a true random act of kindness.

When I heard the doorbell and opened the front door yesterday, I knew that I knew the caller, but the name, out of context, didn’t come. Only strangers, or first time visitors, use the front door and the door bell.  This person I knew.  

She was a member of my first Census crew last year. It had been a while since we saw each other.  She came bearing a ceramic flowered basket with fruit, and baked goodies in it.

I supervised or work on a number of census crews last year. I run into my former Census Crew members at post office, grocery store, and library, all around town.  We had a lot of fun, as well as seriousness, in 2010 as we polled the town and parts of the county making the head count.  There are lots of stories, but we are all sworn to secrecy.

The basket had orange, mango, peach, apple, along with little sand tarts or Mexican wedding cookies and cute Teddy Bear banana bread.  Just the right thing as my appetite has so far not seem to be affected much.

We, that is myself, husband, and across-the-street neighbor, had the peach and orange along with wonderful wedding cookies with jello last night.

This morning I appreciated the Teddy Bear banana bread and had part with coffee.

Tonight we will grill the pear along with fish.

In other words, we savor each flavor and item. The ceramic basket is perfect for cut flowers which we have blooming, or dinner breads that my husband bakes.

Thank you again and again for this unexpected gift.

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