Chemo Eve

Today has been a surreal type of day.  I tried very hard to keep busy in the morning by running errands but I hit the wall this afternoon. I really wanted to get all my laundry caught up (mostly so I have some clean clothes to wear), but it seems that nobody wanted to help me by my request.  I guess next week when I stop doing everyone elses stuff and just my own, mabye they will figure it out.  I think I am going to have some ice cream now.  Good night.............

ENJOYING MY TIME OFF

"OUR MEMORIES OF THE OCEAN WILL LINGER ON, LONG AFTER OUR FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND ARE GONE"  ANONYMOUS

Wow, what an incredible day it was. On labor day we went to the beach with my friends, her daughter and our kids.  Pat made some GREAT fried chicken and I made some salads and away we went.  When we got there we were welcomed by a  ten minute rain shower.  We set up our canopy and just sat under relaxing.  I must have had a good three hours or so when I didn't think about my cancer and it was soooo nice. The only bump in the road was when Brady got stung by a jellyfish.  He was quite brave and survived.  The day was actually overcast the whole time and that made it very enjoyable.  It will be a day that I will remember for some time to come.

BEAM ME UP SCOTTY

Though everyone tells me that having a port will be a great thing, I can't help but dislike it.  It has left me with a nasty looking scar and a definite achy, uncomfortable feeling in my chest and neck for nearly two weeks now.  On September 7, I had to go for lab work and an appointment with my oncologist.  I numbed up the port site with Emla cream and they also sprayed some freezy spray on it.  As I held my breath the nurse inserted the needle and thank goodness I didn't feel a thing.  She took some blood from it and flush it with heparin, that left a nasty taste in my mouth.  After going to the lab we went to see Dr. Shah.  We spoke about the clinical trial that I am qualified to be in and decided to go for it. We also found out that my chemo will start on September 16.  I will still get the same plan of care that we were planning, but may get some extra stuff, it just depends on what group I am put into.  When we were done speaking with the doctor we spoke with the clinical trial nurse and Frenchie.  WOW, Frenchie had more information on the chemo drugs and anti-nausea drug than we both could deal with, thank goodness it is all written down.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Well the time is drawing near for my first chemo session and I am pretty nervous.  I partied it up this weekend though, my last hoorahs!!  I went Saturday afternoon for a pedi and mani, hoping that a good coat of paint will save my nails for the harsh effects of the chemo. Saturday night I went to my friend Kelly's for dinner and then we all went downtown to the Eola Wine Company for cocktails.  I always enjoy getting out of the house when Pat is working and this will be hardest for me because once I start chemo I really can't get out that much.  Sunday was another trip to Kelly's for dinner.  Her boyfriend is leaving for a few months for work so we had a grand send off for him. So, for now I will leave you with a couple of photos, the first is of my husband and I at a birthday party on August 1, the second is when I cut my hair in the beginning of August for the first time, the third is recent of my hair now since being cut a few weeks ago and the last is of my toes with my pink ribbons on them.  See ya soon..........

GOOD NEWS IS HARD TO COME BY

I felt it to be sorta strange to be happy about anything, but August 26,  today was double edged. I waited and waited, but made the call to the MO at around 11:10 am to find out the results of the PET and CT scans. Dr. Shah told us that the PET and CT scans were clear for the rest of my body, of course the left breast showed cancer and unfortunately the left lymph nodes were positive for spreading.   At least on Monday August 30 I would not have the Sentinel Node Biopsy, just the surgery for the port for chemo.

WILL I EVER CATCH UP??

Well It's September 2, 2010 and I feel like I have already reached my limit in this battle.  Monday was my surgery for my port and it went as well as can be expected.  One thing for sure is that I have REALLY bad veins.  I went into the back to be prepped for my surgery and the nurse hurt the hell out of my hand trying to start the IV, she even numbed it first!!! She gave up and got another nurse to do it, she had a hard time, but eventually got it done.  I don't remember much of anything after that because they sedated me right away.  I guess after they got me sedated they brought Pat back to say goodbye to me, again, I don't remember anything.  When the surgery was done I was in recovery for quite a while, Pat tells me they said I was "combative" and had to put me completely under, breathing tube included.  After many hours they let Pat take me home, it is all a blur, however I do remember that Brady and Pat went out to the store for my prescriptions and Brady insisted on bringing back gummy bears for me to make me feel better.

MY PEEPS IN NUC MEDS

After Monday I had a MUGA scan on Wednesday.  The scan itself was easy, but of course the process of starting the IV was NOT!!!!  Brett tried first (I know the Nuclear med people really well now) but he couldn't get so he called Craig to come.  Craig and I talked for a while and thought about ways to make this better, there are none, I just have really lousy veins and this will always suck.  Craig did his best not to hurt me and after his third try got it in.  He had take some of my blood out and mix it with the radioactive stuff for about twenty five minutes then put it back in. The scan only took about twenty minutes.  On Friday we headed back to the land of needles and pain for my bone scan. Craig was there for me and believe it or not got the needle in on the first try, but it was iffy at first.

 I HAVE BEEN RUN OVER BY A TRUCK

So, here I am on Sunday morning September 5, 2010.  I really hoped to have a nice, relaxing and bit of a productive weekend, but it seems that's not gonna happen.  I am feeling like total CRAP and I am soooo tired of it.  Worst of all, I can't even seem to enjoy BEER!!! This has to be the worst feeling so far, I love beer and beer loves me back.  I guess being put under and having this strange contraption put in was just too much for my body, instead of feeling better I keep feeling worse each day.  Feeling down again, lets hope I can enjoy beer today.