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Is It Safe to Keep My Pet While I’m Being Treated for Cancer?

My post mailing address for sending your card, gift or check (check payable to Eric Lechasseru):

2610A 23^rd St.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

I will not be able to personally reply to each person, but I promise I will read everyone’s messages, emails, and cards.

Love, Sanae 💖

Adopting a Puppy Brought Cheerfulness to Cancer Household

Oh… it took a while for me to feel a little better after #4 round chemotherapy in beginning of August. #5 round chemotherapy after mid-August was very challenged also even I got one week off before I started because of pneumonia.

I think pneumonia is gone for now and I got another blood transfusion for my red blood cells a few days ago. I am ready for #6 round chemotherapy (the last one!!!!).

Before I go to the round 6 I want to share something that important for me to share here…

Since I got cancer of Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Primary non-Hodgkin of Liver, stage IV (because of Hepatitis C that I got from the blood transfusion result of the car accident in 2001) in the spring , not only my husband, Eric, but all of the animal family have been under so much stress with fear and worry.

Photo: Before my first chemo I was so sick and weak so I was staying my bed all the time and most of my animal family was around me.

I have lived with multiple dogs (right now five) and two cats for many years. I was usually very active before I got lymphoma, so I did many things with them. I took the dogs for agility classes and K9 nose work, trained them to be therapy and service dogs, and went to a senior home and hospitals with them as a volunteer. I also went hiking and did yoga in the park, swimming, and stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding with them. I work at home most of the time, so I spent more time with them than anybody.

After I got lymphoma, and as chemotherapy treatments progressed, I got so weak and unable to do much around the house, and of course, I could not walk with the dogs anymore.

On June 17, one of my cats Mai Mai suddenly passed to save me (please read my blog, Cancer Is Shrinking).

Photo: Mai Mai loved stayed the window of the bedroom where I stayed all day.

All of us were sad, and the energy in our home was very heavy, but I was too weak to change. Everyone was tired, and nothing inspired us—except Eric was going SUP surfing every weekend to release his stress. The most sensitive of our dog family, Lumi and Leo, started having eye issues and weight problems. Lumi had too much eye liquid and was overweight, while Leo had dry eyes and lost weight.

I was checking about adopting a kitty online, but I somehow found a puppy who had Kula’s smile and eyes (Kula was my service dog and one of our dog family who passed last year on August 1). I told Eric about adopting the puppy. He said at first, “You are crazy—NO.” I explained to him how much we need cheerful, happy energy to lift up our souls. My animal family and I are not able to go SUP surfing like Eric. While I am always resting or suffering from pain in my bed to recover, all the dogs and Tin Tin (the other cat) are all so worried and depressed.

He finally said okay, and we adopted the puppy and named her “Nalu”.
(Nalu means “surf” in Hawaiian. Kula’s name was “gold” in Hawaiian, so we decided to pick from the same language to remembering Kula).
Nalu is very cute and happy all the time.
Every dog said to me in beginning, “Mommy, are you sure?”
But once they knew Nalu could play with them, they were so surprised and happy.
Nalu was not scared to play with mature dogs of Lumi, Oro and Happy right away and everyday.
She is also very nice to Bubu and Leo.
I am sure she would love to play with Tin Tin, too, but I am not sure about Tin Tin.

Photo: Taking the first dog family photo, everyone was nervous.

Just watching her everyday makes me feel happy, and somehow I can believe I am able to overcome this challenge by spending time with her and all my animal family, while Eric is working very hard to make ends meet.

Many people might think I am crazy to adopt a puppy while I am receiving chemotherapy, and I already have five dogs and one cat, but I did it because my soul said so.

I have been following my heart, and I really believe Nalu came here to rescue and heal us. She lifts up all of our souls and brought cheerfulness to our house.

Here are some photos of Nalu with the other dogs and Tin Tin.

Photo: Nalu with Oro, Happy and Tin Tin(cat)

Photo: Nalu and Lumi are chewing bamboo

They are having fun! and sleep…

Photo: After good meals and play…must take a rest!

Photo: Nalu loves Tin Tin

Photo: Nalu wants to be closer to Tin Tin…

I can’t wait till Nalu goes to SUP with Eric and Lumi soon.

Of course, I will join them when I get better as below photo.

photo: My first paddleboard with Lumi before I got Lymphoma

Here is a site that I found if you are concerned about having your animal family during chemotherapy.

Also, Dog Care When You’re Down has a good information.

Hope these help you.

I am off to my #6 round chemo now! Wish me luck!!!

Love, Sanae 💖

Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!

We are grateful and invite you to help us at this time by YouCaring Fundraising to Support Sanae’s Recovery from Cancer or purchasing our books directly from us to cover my medical expenses.

Here are our books:

http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/pneumonia.aspx

My post mailing address for sending your card, gift or check (check payable to Eric Lechasseru):

2610A 23^rd St.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

I will not be able to personally reply to each person, but I promise I will read everyone’s messages, emails, and cards.

Love, Sanae 💖

Pneumonia – Chemotherapy Side Effect & Eclipse

Thank you so much for many of your supports. I really appreciate your kindness and love for me to recover. I was able to come out from sucky feelings now and continue to write my ups and down of my recovery to share my real life with you.

Before my fifth round chemo treatment scheduled, I was able to see my oncologist to talk about how I have been feeling weak and very fatigued, with new side effects. I asked her if I could take a one-week break from chemotherapy.

She said, “No—it is not recommended to take a break from chemo.”
The reason was that my blood test results are all good. The cause of my weakness and fatigue is, unfortunately, because that’s what chemo does to my body.

She reminded me of what she’d said before I started chemo: “Feeling weak and fatigued will be a part of chemo. As each chemo progresses, you will feel weaker and more fatigued.”

Many of cancer patients go through much worse than what I have been going through during chemotherapy. They have been hospitalized because of infections, kidney failure, liver complication, damage to lung tissue, heart problems, and more.

My oncologist also said I do not have any serious issues so far.
I am a healthy person overall because I have lived a healthy life with plant-based foods and yoga before I got sick. I am still taking care of myself with holistic approaches and good foods, even now.

I told her I have been craving all kinds of foods I usually don’t eat—salty, spicy, and sweet foods. I have different tastes – metallic and bitter tastes in my mouth and I am not able to enjoy most of the food I like, so I am not able to keep up my standard macrobiotic, healing foods. (Believe it or not, I get a really bad taste when I eat hijiki, arame, kale, and collard greens. I recently had to stop eating miso, soy sauce, and so much more.)

She said, “You’ve never had lymphoma cancer and chemotherapy (I was diagnosed cancer of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Primary non-Hodgkin of Liver, stage IV because of Hepatitis C that I got from the blood transfusion result of the car accident in 2001 and receiving EPOCH + Rituximab chemotherapy which is five days chemotherapy for 24 hours a day every three weeks since May 2017) , and your body is not like before. So, just don’t be so strict with your foods, and eat what you enjoy. Of course, moderate between what you think is good and what tastes good.”
She was so right; I was trying too hard to eat the “right foods.” I was feeling stress and guilt.

I was also taking my body temperature in the morning, afternoon and night, and I was worried when I had a little fever. She told me to stop taking my temperature so often because physiologically, I was setting up stress. I thought she was right on this one, too.
I felt much better after I talked to her. I am so appreciative that I have the right oncologist, who understands my lifestyle and supports me.

One thing she recommended I do before I went home that day was a chest X-ray because I’d started to have a little cough and low fever at night after my fourth round of chemo—so I did.

I had only two more rounds of chemo left, so I was to just get lots of rest everyday and not worry so much before my fifth chemo round so I relax a lot.

Relaxing with Lumi

I went to my fifth chemo round last Monday, Aug. 21st. Just as I arrive an infusion station, my oncologist called. She said, “I have good news and bad news. The good news is, I can give you what you requested, which is one week off from chemo. So, today you go home and relax, and come back next week. The bad news is: The chest X-ray showed that you have pneumonia. There is no medication or anything I can give you since this is a side effect from chemo. So, you need to get lots of rest and enjoy one week.”

I could not believe what I’d heard.
I’ve never had pneumonia and did not know chemo could cause it.
I am not sure if this is good or bad, but since I was coughing so little, I did not think it was that bad. And since I stopped worrying about taking my body temperature, I do not have a low fever at night anymore. So, I decided that I just got my wish, which is one week off from chemo.

I wish I did not get pneumonia, but I got my wish.

Worrying it right now is not going to help me so I searched about pneumonia with chemotherapy on the Internet to learn more.
I found out that pneumonia is the most frequent type of infection during chemotherapy and Chemotherapy related pneumonitis could cause a have long-term side effects. So I am concerned.
Here are symptoms of pneumonia that I found from Chemocare.com

Symptoms of Pneumonia Include:

You may notice chest “tightness”; difficulties getting a “good breath”, feelings of breathlessness, or that you are hungry for air.
You may have chest pain on the side of your infection
You may notice that you are “wheezing”, when you breathe.
You may have fever, shaking chills, or a headache.
You may feel confused, or have a heart rate that is faster than normal.
You may have pain in your muscles, or pain in your lungs when you take a deep breath, especially if you are coughing really hard, for long periods of time.
You may be overly tired, or very weak (fatigued). It may be hard for you to do any kind of your normal activities.
You may have sudden onset of “coughing spells”, or a long-term (chronic) cough. You may or may not be able to bring up any secretions (sputum) at first, or you may bring up greenish-yellow, or rusty-colored sputum.
You may experience shortness of breath, either at rest or while performing any type of activity. This may include walking to the door, or climbing stairs.
You may have trouble lying flat in bed, and you may have to sleep on 2 or more pillows. Your shortness of breath may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.

I only have had a cough at night mostly and low fever with tiredness. But having a break from chemo and taking rest last few days I am already gaining my strength with no fever and almost no cough now.

I have started to practice breathing exercise for getting better from pneumonia “Breath in slowly through my nose, hold breath for 5 seconds and breathe out slowly through my nose. Repeat this at least a few times or more each 4 hours.” I think it is helping me a lot. The key is slowly.

I am just going to continue enjoying this week and taking it easy and being good to myself.

Because of the fifth round chemo got reschedule and I came home, I was able to see eclipse on Monday 21st. It was so exciting to see it with my own eyes. It was so orange just like the color of Epoch chemo that I have been receiving (I wrote about it on My First Chemotherapy. ) I felt that all is a good sign from now on.

I tried to take a photo, but it did not get a good shot so here is a similar image of eclipse I saw.

https://sunshinecoastastronomy.wordpress.com/tag/solar-eclipse/

Love, Sanae 💖

Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!

We are grateful and invite you to help us at this time by YouCaring Fundraising to Support Sanae’s Recovery from Cancer or purchasing our books directly from us to cover my medical expenses.

Here are our books:

My post mailing address for sending your card, gift or check (check payable to Eric Lechasseru):

2610A 23^rd St.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

I will not be able to personally reply to each person, but I promise I will read everyone’s messages, emails, and cards.

Love, Sanae 💖

Chemo Sucks!

I closed my eyes and tears are there silently.

Can I be honest?

No matter how positive I feel inside of me most of the time—and even with the good news I wrote in my last blog, that the Cancer is Shrinking—some days, sometimes it’s sooooo miserably hard, and I feel that getting chemo sucks.

I feel lots of guilt, and I feel like a burden to my husband, Eric. I get jealous of everyone who is enjoying life as I check Facebook, Instagram, etc., and everything irritates me!!!

I finished #4 round chemo. It was the hardest, most painful time for me to go through. After this round, I felt so damn weak, and I got depressed. My red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin (LabDAQ) levels got too low; that was the reason I was so weak and fatigued. I had to get another blood transfusion.

I have had PTSD since this whole cancer came from a blood transfusion in 2001 when I had a car crash in Arizona and was in a coma for three days. I was injured so badly, the doctor said I’d never walk again. I was in a wheelchair for three years, and it took a long time for me to overcome it. But what I did not know at the time was that the blood transfusion gave me hepatitis C and led to cancer I have now.

After round #2 of chemo, when I was told that I had to have a blood transfusion for the first time since 2001, I freaked out. I got so scared and could not think about anything.

I had to do deep meditation and hypnosis (by Jessica Porter) to calm down and make sense of receiving a blood transfusion to save my life. It did help my RBC and LabDAQ normalize, and I felt better, with my strength back again. One problem I had was that it gave me a rash all over my face for about one week, like when I eat sugar or dairy, so you know the blood I received was not a macrobiotic person’s blood—hahaha!

This second time receiving a blood transfusion, I was told my RBC was way too low—more than the last time. I am weaker than ever. I was not scared to receive the blood transfusion this time since the last time helped me a lot. There is always a risk, but I had no choice and there was one bit of good news: Eric donated his blood this time for me since he has the same blood type and it worked I did not get rush this time.

Eric donated his blood for me!

The blood test results were also good after the blood transfusion again, but I am still weak and very fatigue and did not get any better day this time. I only feel a little better one hour or so everyday so I go out to my garden (watering my flowers and herbs), be with my animal family and talk to Eric for a little bit.

When I get this weak I am scared and sad, and I am unable to think of good things. I feel that I may never get better. Besides all the side effects I have already been having, there are new ones: pain all over my mouth, nothing tasting good, sudden sharp pain in my legs and spine, and fever. I felt so miserable from time to time, all I could do was lie down and let my tears come out.

Chemo sucks. I am not sure if my body is able to take more chemo treatments – I have two more to do.

I noticed that when I was quiet, I could hear a buzzing noise in my head. It was like an insect noise; I was trying to remember what the sound was. It was like a quicker version of a cicada sound; a very common summer insect in Japan, it has an exceptionally loud song, produced not by stridulation, but by vibrating drumlike tymbals rapidly [Wikipedia]. This noise drove me crazy, and I was unable to sleep.

I watched Eric and felt the great stress of his fear, frustration, and sadness.
I had an argument with him over unimportant subjects.

I said to myself, “This too shall pass, this too shall pass, this too shall pass.”
One moment at a time.
I breathed out deeply and prayed and visualized to release my fear, pain, the sound of my head, and unwanted feelings of anger and sadness.
I visualized breath in good recovery, happiness, and wellness.

One moment at a time.

I breathed out deeply and prayed and visualized to release my fear, pain, the sound of my head, and unwanted feelings of anger and sadness. I visualized breath in good recovery, happiness, and wellness.

I am not sure how long it took, but the noise calmed down, and I was able to fall asleep for a while.

I gathered my strength and went out to my garden for watering.
My plumeria plant was showing beautiful flowers. The beauty of these flowers saved the moment.

Beautiful Plumeria flowers in my garden.

Yes, chemo sucks, but the plumeria said to me, “I am here for you. Thank you for watering and taking care of me even you are going through chemo. I want you to enjoy my flowers. I love you so much!”

Accepting my negative, sucky feeling is not easy at all.
It is so f** hard.
But this too shall pass…

and I will not give up.

Love, Sanae 💖

Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!

We are grateful and invite you to help us at this time by YouCaring Fundraising to Support Sanae’s Recovery from Cancer or purchasing our books directly from us to cover my medical expenses.

Here are our books:

https://www.calabasaspetcemetery.com/

My post mailing address for sending your card, gift or check (check payable to Eric Lechasseru):

2610A 23^rd St.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

I will not be able to personally reply to each person, but I promise I will read everyone’s messages, emails, and cards.

Love, Sanae 💖

The Cancer Is Shrinking!

The image PET Scan I have here is similar to what I had that my liver was taking over by cancer 90% in May. This image was taking from http://www.aboutcancer.com/pet_scan.htm

I had the latest PET Scan after #2 round chemo (in June 2017) and met with my oncologist to get the results after #3 round chemo (in July 2017, she was on her vacation so I had to wait).

The tumor was taking over 90% of my liver in the beginning (May), but the oncologist said the cancer has shrunk more than 50% and brightness is much less (I did not know that aggressive cancer shows brightness on PET Scan). I do not have an image of cancer shrunk over 50%.

My oncologist was very pleased and agreed to remove the drug Vincristine (which has a side effect of damaging the nervous systems) from my next chemotherapy (round #4).

Eric and I are happy to hear the results, and I am relieved that my oncologist decided to take out Vincristine, since I have been having so much nerve pain in my fingers, hands, toes, legs, spine, and whole body.

I have been concerned and had nightmares that the cancer did not shrink and I did not recover. No matter how much I show my positive side to you, Eric, and the whole world, I am only human. Of course, I have a moment of fear every now and then.
But this is good news to me, and I am able to focus and move forward.

One of the important things I want to share here is why the cancer has been shrinking.

I knew it was shrinking because one of my beloved cats, Mai Mai, took it out and went to heaven.
She sacrificed her life to take cancer out of my body.

Have you ever heard that cats and dogs have an acute sense of smell and have the ability to sniff out a chemical change in the body caused by disease? They can sense a change in mood, behavior, and patterns that affect daily routine. They can also sense differences in behavior, both physically and psychologically, due to an illness.

They “transfer” the illness to their own body and sacrifice their own life in order to save their human guardians.

I heard this when I was a child, and there are quite a few people who post online in Japan about how your animal family will sacrifice their own lives in order to save their human guardians.

However, in America, I cannot find any stories online like Mai Mai’s—where pets “transfer” the illness to their own body and sacrifice their own life in order to save their human guardians.

Every night, Mai Mai had been sleeping by my liver, where the tumor was after I got cancer.
She comforted me so much every day being around with me either next to me or by the bedroom window.
Mai Mai was reborn from a previous cat, Mai, who lived with me for 19 years.
Mai helped me during ovarian cancer recovery 24 years ago, and she survived a car crash with me in 2001.
When she came back as Mai Mai, I could tell it was her right away. Mai Mai loves dogs, riding in cars, and being around me all the time, just like Mai.

One night, she ate dinner as usual and I gave her a little treat that she likes after we watched the movies after the dinner.
She did not eat the treat and stayed under a cabinet and she did not want to come out so I let her stay there.
After midnight, I went to check on her, she screamed, so I held her and gave her Rescue Remedy and applied Reiki.
She calmed down and slept for a while, but she screamed again, so I gave her Rescue Remedy and applied Reiki again.
I told her, “I will call Dr. May first thing in the morning, so hang in there.”

At 4:30 am, she screamed again, and I gave her a little water. While I was giving her Reiki, she gagged out blood and passed out quickly.
I did not know exactly what happened, but she was gone.
I was so shocked and did not know what to think. It happened so suddenly.
I could not believe it.

I called her name loud and cried hard then I communicated with her right away. Mai Mai said, “Mommy, not to worry—I could only help you this way this time. I took cancer out of your body and took it to heaven. Don’t be too sad, because I am going to come back when you get better, after the chemotherapy.”
I did not know how to answer, but I said, “Thank you, Mai Mai!”
She said, “Mommy, you are welcome. I love you so much, and I thank you so much for finding me again. I know you are going to find me again.”

I have talked to my animal commnicator, Lydia Hiby. She confirmed me that Mai Mai sacrificed her life for me and she will be back.

I held her for a long time and put her in her favorite place, by the bedroom window, where she stayed most of the day with a candle and incense.
Then I took her body to Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park & Crematorium. I gave her my gratitude and told her I am waiting for her to come back again.

It was so hard to say “Good Bye” to Mai Mai.

I told my oncologist that I knew cancer was shrinking, so she asked me how I knew, and I shared Mai Mai’s story. She said she’d never heard that animals sacrifice their own lives in order to save their human guardians, but she believes it.

The cancer is shrinking because macrobiotic approaches I am still practicing every day, all of your love and the chemotherapy are working.

And no matter what, I really believe Mai Mai’s work is most effective and moving my heart to live the rest of my life.

It is important for me to share about my beloved Mai Mai here with all my heart and gratitude.

Love, Sanae 💖

Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!

We are grateful and invite you to help us at this time by YouCaring Fundraisng to Support Sanae’s Recovery from Cancer or purchasing our books directly from us to cover my medical expenses.

Here are our books:

My post mailing address for sending your card, gift or check (check payable to Eric Lechasseru):

2610A 23^rd St.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

I will not be able to personally reply to each person, but I promise I will read everyone’s messages, emails, and cards.

Love, Sanae 💖

Free Wigs for Cancer Patients

As I wrote on July 28th (the last blog: Shaving My Hair After Chemotherapy) I loved having my long hair and I had an attachment with my long hair and concerned about losing my hair when I got chemotherapy treatment.
But some of my friends said, “Just enjoy it, and get a wig in a color you never thought you would wear.”
So, I checked the internet to see what was available.
There are many sites where you can find wigs for cancer patients.
Since there is no hair, or not much hair, to hold when you wear the wig, there were instructions to wear a wig cap. My skin is very sensitive, and I did not want to wear a synthetic material cap, so I had to study a little.

While I was checking, I read on Bethany Kandel’s blog that there are free wigs for cancer patients information. One of the best offers I found was on the American Cancer Society site. I called them and got all the information I needed. They were so nice and caring. I found a local wig bank of American Cancer Society and made an appointment.

I tried many different styles.

There were mostly synthetic hair wigs since natural hair is more expensive, but it did not matter to me.
It was fun, and I picked my first official wig, which happens to be natural hair! Way to go, Sanae!!!

I did not realize that Eric was very conservative about me choosing a wig color; he wanted me to get a similar color to my own hair. So this time, I got almost the same color as my natural hair.
But you know what, I may get a pink or lavender wig for Halloween!

What do you think? LOL!

Making this chemotherapy time as one of my best experience in my life!!!

Love,
Sanae💖

Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!

We are grateful and invite you to help us at this time by YouCaring Fundraisng to Support Sanae’s Recovery from Cancer or purchasing our books directly from us to cover my medical expenses.

Here are our books: