Childhood memory

 Yesterday I did something super nice... After dinner I was got an urge for a sweet, but real real sweet.
 Then I decided to eat bread (after dinner it's hard right? But it was only half of it right? hehehe...) with condensed milk! Hehehe...
 What could be more childhood memories than that? That thing of eating and smearing? DELICIIIIIOUS... Okay it's not healthy...
 But it was too good... Kkkkk... I had to tell this prank... Do too guys... Hahaha... The belly grows a little but the taste of childhood is worth... Hehehe...

The mighty K

This treatment is really been a continuous learning... Hahaha... Now I find out K... Aka potassium... Hehehe...

With this business of taking mega doses of dexamethasone to deflate the brain I have some "undesirable" reactions as swelling (it deflates the brain and swells the rest of body... Hahaha... It is because of salt retention inside the body... Hummm... I became a giant snack... Hahaha...), reduced muscle strength, tingling, insomnia, constipation, fatigue, abdominal distension (biiiig belly... kkkk...) and acne... There must other things... But it's enough for me right... I do not want to experience all the symptoms do not J

I was never a big fan of banana... Hahaha... Now I eat it every day... I'm getting used to it... Hahaha... Of course I do not try to restore the potassium only by eating banana... No one deserves it... But it is interesting to note that the body requires just what he needs!

Occasionally I have a crazy desire to eat something and when I research I realize that such food is exactly what my body is missing... Cool huh? But hey… Pay attention... Being desiring is different from having the lust to eat that with hamburger and fries... Hahaha... I will not deny that sometimes I really want that… From the bottom of my greediness... Hahaha....

I've been eating well... Thankfully, that sick feeling is gone... And I'm feeling better... Now I have the strength to do physical therapy... Soon I will do further tests and consultations... In the next newsletter I'm sure I can say that from now there will be only attendance... No more treatment! See ya!

Ah... Information is important right? Where is the potassium after all... Look... That was a little of what I found...

Sources:

- Vegetables: broccoli, spinach, beets, cauliflower, green peppers, chicory, peas, carrots, onions, potatoes with skin.

- Fruits: oranges, raisins, avocado, banana, apricot, cherry, prune, peach with peel, dried figs, melons, blackberries, tomatoes, pear water, lemon juice, pineapple, mango sword, apple with peel.

- Cereals: chickpeas, beans, wheat germ, soybeans, lentils, peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, chestnuts and walnuts.

- Meat, poultry, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, shrimp fresh and seafood.

"I'm prepared for death"

People this report that was conducted in September 2009 (Source: http://veja.abril.com.br/090909/estou-preparado-morte-p-78.shtml), with the then vice president of Brasil, José Alencar, I personally found it fantastic.

Everyone always has a lot to learn... Unfortunately we humans learn more through the pain than with love... Anyway, learning the pain has the advantage of being durable and can really reach the closest people too... If you reach one, it was worth.

I still have much to learn about humility, gratitude, life and death... But I’ll get there... hehehe. Read the it... Worth it!

"I'm prepared for death"

Andre Dusek / AE

The battle is not over José Alencar began last week, one more cancer treatment

Last week, the vice-president, José Alencar, 77, started another battle against cancer. The 11th treatment to which he undergoes in an attempt to control the sarcoma, an aggressive and relapsing cancer, first diagnosed in 2006. The approach now consists of four weekly sessions of chemotherapy. The chemo was decided by the doctors since the cancer Alencar, with multiple nodules in the abdomen, did not respond to a medication still experimental, testing at MD Anderson, a center of excellence in oncology research in the United States. Since the beginning of this treatment in May, the sarcoma was up 30%. The chemo is an attempt to contain the spread of the tumor. Visibly shaken, almost 10 pounds lighter, the reporter received Alencar Adriana Dias Lopes in room 215 of the Cancer Center of the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital in Sao Paulo, while going through the first session of chemo. The meeting lasted about an hour. In the first ten minutes, the vice president ate two burgers and drank a glass of milk. Alencar cried twice. In speaking of his parents and humility, the virtue that he said taught him the disease.

How are you feeling?

Everything is great: pressure, temperature, heart and memory. I have an appetite, including – I just don’t eat pork because they don’t serve me. My problem is the tumor. I realize that the situation is at least very difficult - if not impossible, under the medical point of view. But as for God nothing is impossible, I delivered it into his hands.

Since when do you know that from the medical point of view, the disease is incurable?

The doctors came to that conclusion two years ago and just told me. And it could not be different because I always asked to be kept fully informed. The information reassures me. It gives me weapons to fight. I feel an obligation to be absolutely clear when I refer to the disease in public - nobody has anything to do with the cancer of José Alencar, but with cancer of the vice president, yes. A man with public public life does not belong to himself.

You often use soccer as a metaphor to explain your fight against the disease. You once said that you were winning 1-0. Another time, it was a draw. And now, what's the score?

Look, after all the surgeries in which I spent the recent years, now I feel weak to live the most satisfying moment of a match: vibrate when I make a goal. I no longer have the strength to climb the fence and celebrate.

As the disease changed your routine?

Minas Gerais (a Brazilian state) people usually assess a given situation by saying that "the train is good or bad." The train is getting ugly for me. My life began to change in recent months. I'm getting tired. The treatment I did in the United States gave me this weariness. Walk a little longer and get tired. Another fact that was dramatically changed my routine is the colostomy (deviation from the intestine to open an outlet on the side of the belly, where they placed plastic bags), inheritance of the last surgery in July. I make every effort to work normally. The work gives me the feeling of fulfilling my duty. But sometimes I need help. I have my wife, Mariza, and Jaciara (nurse of the Presidency) to assist me with the colostomy. When for some reason, they can not accompany me, I have two other nurses, Márcio and Dirceu. I am treated by them my own office. If I'm in a meeting, for example, say I'm going to the bathroom, call one of them and what needs to be done is done and ready. Without any drama.

Do you go through moments of anguish?

You should ask me if I know what's anguish. I would answer the following: I don’t know that feeling. I never had it. Since l was a boy and the disease will not change that.

The worsening of the disease has brought you some kind of reflection?

The illness taught me to be more humble. Especially after the colostomy. I always ask God to grant me the grace of humility. And he has been generous with me. I needed this in my life. I've always been a cheeky. If not, it would not have built what I built and would not have entered politics.

It is painful for you to practice humility?

No, because humility develops naturally in suffering. I am forced to adapt to a situation where I depend on others to perform basic tasks. I does not work if I get nervous with certain limitations. One of the lessons of humility was the realization that there are people much higher than me, as health professionals who care for me. This goes for doctors Hoff, Roberto Kalil, Raul and Miguel Srougi Cutait as for nurses and nursing assistants who assist me anonymous. I concluded that what I do professionally is of less importance than what they do. That's because my job has almost no direct effect on the next people lives. On second thought, suffering is enriching.

Such consideration would be a way to prepare for death?

Probably, yes. When I was a boy, a teacher had repeated the following prayer: "Save us from sudden death." What does that mean? It means that conscious death is better than sudden death. It gives us the opportunity to reflect.

Are you afraid of death?

I'm prepared for death as I have never been in recent times. Death to me today would be a prize. I became a much better person. That does not mean I had given up fighting for life. The fight is a Christian principle, inclusive. I live day after day fully. Because not even the best doctor in the world can predict the day of death of the patient. This is for God only.

Do you realized the national commotion that this situation has resulted?

There is no fortune in the world able to repay the kindness of the Brazilians. I am privileged. You can not imagine the amount of affectionate demonstrations that I have received. The other day somebody told me that when we die, I would find my father, who died over fifty years. That touched me deeply. If it is to meet with Mom and Dad, I want to die now. The hope of finding loved ones is a great encouragement - and a big reason not to fear the moment of death.

You have become more devoted because of the disease?

I am from a Catholic family, but I was never going to mass. Neither do it now. When things gets bad, pray the Lord. Lately, I have prayed about two, three times a day.

If you received the news that you were cured, what would you do first?

I would give Mariza a hug and say: “Thank you very much for taking care of me”

I became a broadcaster!

HAPPY 2011!
Hey kids! How were the holidays? I spent them well! Only in binge... hahaha... Because eating  is good and eating well is even better... kkkk...
The novelty is that I became a broadcaster... kkk... I’m doing radiotherapy since December 29th...
Seriously (as if it were possible to me... lol), radiotherapy started on 29th... Just over a month after surgery.
The cicatrization from surgery is going very well... ah, I also started doing physiotherapy (which by the way is a very important thing!) that is helping me to recover much movement, because I couldn’t move my shoulder!
Radiotherapy is doing great... It is super fast and I feel nothing... But now that I did the 5th session I started feeling that the place is warm, but it is not unbearable... The nurse told me to use compress of chamomile tea and some aloe vera gel on the local.Soon I'll have baked boobs available... Anyone? Kkkkkkk....

Postsurgical

Today has been a week since I had the surgery!

I went up to the surgery center at 6:30 pm and went down again to my room at 1:30 am… I went back wearing sexy 7/8 socks..... Look how beautiful.... hahahahaha.... It is elastic socks against thrombosis... lol

The shoulder blades and back hurt a lot because of the position on the operating table... Yeah, I was like Jesus Christ on the cross... But my luck is that He was there by my side and I came into this life... hahaha... You're not rid of me guys! hehehe....

I'm still with the drain, which is what really bothers me.... but all right, because the surgery was a success: only one quadrant and the lymph nodes were removed... The prosthesis was maintained... The operated breast that was is a little higher and bended to the side.... kkkkkkkkkkkkk.... I am cockeyed.... kkkkk.... I’m kidding it is not so noticeable.... But this will be fixed in plastic surgery... hahahahaha....

On Monday I went to the hospital to check the bandages and everything is fine too!

The orientation is that I move my arms (not above the shoulder line and wide open with arm) so I do not get the a swollen arm.... kkkkkkk ... Think! Visualize me with A sailor Popeye arm... kkkkkk..... I don’t accept!

Help at mealtimes

When I started treatment, a large question mark hung over the food issue... Because I did not know if I could eat everything or not... How should I feed... Or if there was some kind of restriction.

In addition to the medical guidelines, another important aid was the book "Comida Que Cuida” (Food That takes care) from Sanofi-Aventis that was created in partnership with the Hospital AC Camargo professionals.

This book explains a lot of things and give many tips and delicious recipes!!!

On the Sanofi-Aventis website there is the COLEÇÃO COMIDA QUE CUIDA (COLLECTION FOOD THAT TAKES CARE) for people with cancer, diabetes and heart problems.

"In November 2009,  this Collection was awarded with the 2008 Golden Magnifier - Sustainability Category. The award is a recognition of the importance of the book for patients, health professionals and hospitals throughout the country."

http://www.sanofi-aventis.com.br/live/br/pt/layout.jsp?scat=69786EB2-C23D-43EE-8716-FF7E23D8614B

I have no idea if there is something like that at the international website. The books are in portuguese.

This is an important aid and an affection that can make a difference in delicate moments... Therefore, access, disseminate and take care of people!

J

Walk by the shadow!

One very important thing during the treatment is the use of sunscreen.

First, because the skin is very sensitive and burns very easily... when I get the sun in parts that are without sunscreen I feel the sun burning the skin... It practically fries! Hahahaha... Then I look like the Muppets' Miss Pig, remember? All pink?..... hmmm... I think that I’ve just told I’m old.... rs

But anyway.... Besides protecting the skin that becomes more sensitive, there is another advantage: protecting the skin constantly make the skin more uniform, it looks much better! I use the Piz Buin factor 30 sunscreen which is great! In addition to protecting, it is not sticky, which personally I think is essential to be used daily... with clothes on... can you imagine the damage that a sticky sunscreen could do to clear and thin clothes?
hahahaha.... okay... okay... I know it will not be tanned... but that is what is availiable for today.... hahahaha...

Last chemo

Yesterday I did the last session of chemotherapy... hehehe... It last a looooooooooong time! I left home 6am in the morning and only came back at 4.30pm!

But okay.... At least this phase of treatment is over... today I already have one of the effects of treatment... hahaha.... That are the red and hot cheeks.... hahahaha ... But I deal with that with moisturizing... It refreshes and hydrates!

As you can see in the pictures below... I did not lie when he said that I'm huge fat.... kkkkkk... But both the doctor and the nurses said that the swelling will decrease a lot when the strongest effects of Decadron pass... yesssssssss! hehehehe....

In the pictures you can also see that I'm quite comfortable during the applications... I won a VIP bracelet to to enter the room of application.... kkkk.... And the tube through which enters the chemo.

It is also important to drink plenty of water for body recover well.

Anyway... Let’s keeping on walking that it is almost in the end! hehehe...

Ornamental Diving... Hairs

When I started treatment my biggest concern was the hairs... I was pretty mad at myself because I thought it was a great demonstration of weakness... And I never agreed to be weak! But as Karel said (he is my therapist.... I do therapy for some time.... That’s why I am such a happy crazy person... lol) I am a woman... And starting from this principle... It's a normal and expected thing tht I care about my hair... So I accepted that I am a human and female... and normal... hehehe ... or almost normal... lol

As expected, two weeks after the first application of chemotherapy hair began to fall!

The hair fell on flocks.... Enormous wisps! It is unbelievable that a human being has so much hair on the head.... kkkkkk.... It took about 4 days until the thing stopped! The hairs were diving in groups... kkkk... You know, that's show of unity... hehehe ....

When everything has stabilized, there were still remaining a few heroes of the resistance... I asked to cut the longer wires... I was the face (or head) of my grandmother..... kkkkk....

I will not say that this has not impacted... Looking in the mirror and see myself practically bald (I had long hairs, long to the waist... looooong) was very different from anything I had imagined, but was less traumatic than I expected.

Since I knew it would happen, a few weeks before I went with Priscilla to March 25 street (popular shopping street here in SP) and bought several scarves, necklaces and pins to put on the two hats that I had bought from Jacque. It's worth going there! It's a huge variety at very attractive price (about a third part from the mall price).

I started using the accessories on the next week... And can diversify a lot! It is super cool and elegant.... There are times I feel like that Fiat's advertisement baby (the one that says "I am a cat!".... he thinks everyone's looking at him, but are looking at the car).... Because I walk down the street and eeeeeeeeeeeeeeverybody look at me.... hahahahaha.... That’s a shining dream: I am the center of attention wherever I walk.... hahahahahahahha .....

Vive la résistance!

One thing that bothered me a lot since the beginning of treatment was the fact that chemotherapy could affect my stamina and make me sick.... And sickness rarely happens to me!

Hmm... You would ask me if having cancer is not being sick? I would say it is a poor health spot condition.... hehehe.... In'm not sick! All the rest of body, soul and the little head of japa ARE healthy!

Continuing ... Since it bothered me I  just helped myself... Eating right (of course there are times during the treatment that you can not eat) and keeping physical activity.

I have a lot of fresh fruits juice... I help "La Résistance” with vitamin C.... I eat many plants and vegetables (raw plants and vegetables only at home), especially the dark green ones so I do not get anemic .... Red things that have Vitamin A... Fresh fruits that are easy to eat...

Buuuuuuuuuuuut ... Of course I can not resist eating a snack.... a chocolate.... I allow myself instead, because after all the sick caused by the chemotherapy are already enough to limit me!