Yikes -- I haven't updated this blog in a while!  Sorry - but consider "no news is good news".  I have completed my chemo treatments - Hip Hip Hooray!!  They went fairly smooth but I am glad to be done with that chapter.

I have started Radiation treatments, they are everyday Monday - Friday at noon.  It doesn't take very long once I am there, but I wish they weren't in the middle of the day.  They are going well so far -- I get "nap time" tired but not even sure if that's due to the radiation or just due to me liking naps :D.  There hasn't really been any "sunburn" feeling to speak of but I haven't had a full week yet (started on a wednesday....the following monday was a holiday) so we will see how that goes.  I have aloe in the fridge if necessary.

The sunflowers in my garden are growing faster than my hair, but I have noticed that I have a pretty good stubble going, and in the right light with a magnifying mirror I can see some eyelashes.  I can't wait until I have to use a comb!

Almost done -- Ready for a regular life.

I had my second to last treatment on the 3rd of this month.  There is a definite difference in my reaction to this chemo compared to the first medicine.  I do not have any nausea but the body aches are there.  The weekend after tends to be the worst with it lessening as the week progresses.  I would say that I feel this chemo in areas that I know have had injuries or arthritis.  The aches in those places are much worse than they used to be.  The bottoms of my feet feel like they're asleep all the time, hopefully this is a temporary reaction and the feeling will come back.  Overall, I feel pretty good and the affects are less than what I anticipated!... One more to go!!!!
I have decided that I am good enough to travel so I am headed to San Diego the day after my next treatment.....a celebration of sorts!

I have received many cards, emails, texts and words of encouragement as I go through this process and I appreciate all of you who have me in your thoughts and prayers.  One such card really touched me.  Our friend's 6th grade daughter, Isabel,  who is living my dream childhood, in the country, horses etc.. handed me a card the other day, as I was leaving her house.  Such a kind, thoughtful gesture from a sweet friend and I wanted to share it with her permission!

Thank you Isabel!!

My first treatment of Taxol was a loooong one.  I knew it would be longer than usual because they need to give it a little at a time to make sure there is no reaction to it.  I, however, managed to have one of my connectors in my IV come apart so part of my chemo went all over the floor, creating a little hazmat....ooops.  Chemo isn't premade.  They mix it up specifically for the patient at the time the patient arrives for treatment, so I had to get more specially made chemo - hence the delay.  I was at UCD Cancer Center from a little before 10am until 7:30pm....like I said...looooong time.  My reaction to the Chemo however has been pretty good.  I barely took the anti nausea meds, was off of them in about 2 days and didn't take nearly as much as with the first type of Chemo.  However, I was told I would have muscle aches at about the 3rd or 4th day after treatment, well, second day in my little finger and outer side of my right hand hurt like crazy.  I have some arthritis and can only say it was worse than when the weather changes.....ouch.  It seems to be getting better though and other than a little soreness -- which I don't know if it is from the treatments or from being a couch potato -- I am feeling pretty good.  I must say...I am beginning to miss hair -- heads get cold!!!  

Well, I am done with my 4 treatments of Adriamycin and halfway to done with Chemo!! Yay!  Next treatment will be my first of 4 treatments of Taxol.  I meet with my medical oncologist Dr. Christensen on Valentine's Day to go over how my past treatments were and what to expect with the next round.  I am hoping to get off some if not all of the other pills I take for nausea, we shall see.  This last round has gone fairly well so far, I am tired as usual but feeling OK.  Onward....

I had the third treatment last week.  I would have to say if there is a trick to feeling "OK", it would be to drink lots of water the day before and the day of treatment.  I have the usual heartburn and tummy issues but not nearly as bad as the couple of days after treatment 2 and that's all I can think of that's different.  I am a little more tired, I think, but not too bad.  One more of this kind of treatment and then I am 1) half way thru...Yay and 2) on to a different kind of chemo....which is suppose to not make me queasy so hopefully I don't have to take all these pills anymore.  Time is flying by...will be back to my normal self in no time!

My sister and daughters have started a team for The American Cancer Society Relay for Life.  Here is the link if you would like to join the team or would consider sponsoring!
https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=RFL_FY13_participant_center&fr_id=48882&pc2_view=report-team

Thanks!!

Halfway to none.

The reveal

Incognito

Running Errands

Just a little longer

Merry Christmas to You!  Here are the many faces of me. 

So, it's been a busy little month, sorry for not keeping this updated.  I had my 2nd treatment on December 19 - 2 down 6 to go....It was a little harder to bounce back from -- according to nurses and docs - it's cumulative so that's to be expected.  No real sickness though, just the nausea and general blah and fatigue.   I felt good for the holidays which is what I was hoping would happen.  

Going for the "new haircut" today. :/  It's falling out fairly heavy.  Part of me wants to wait til the last minute or until a big clump comes out but I think I would rather take control and just "git er done".  Losing hair really isn't that big of a deal...stay tuned -- maybe not today, but eventually I will post a pic.

I am still feeling good, however, I am very sad at today's events in Connecticut.  This little town is where my sister Vicky lives.  I have been there, it is so picturesque and "homey".  I have been to the Sandy Hook Elementary School to pick up Vicky's children when they went there long ago.  About a week after my diagnosis, I received a package in the mail from my sister.  A parishioner in her church knitted me a prayer shawl, which the Ministers and Vicky prayed over and blessed and sent to me.  Such a loving gesture by a complete stranger and now, their little town needs the prayers.  I hope they feel the love and comfort from everyone around the nation.

Well, I was hoping to report that after a week, I was doing okay and handling this pretty good, which was the case up until Monday.  I completed the anti-nausea meds and assumed that from then on I would be getting better all the time and wouldn't need anymore - wrong.  I needed more.  Monday night/ Tuesday morning was very "flu-like".  Ron called UCD and they refilled my prescriptions and I am doing well again.  I met with Dr. Christensen's PA today and He said it's a process of figuring out how long I need to be on the anti-nausea medicine after treatment.  I will just have to listen to my body and figure things out, but I have to say, with the meds, I have been pretty good, still out and about, doing routine things and getting some Christmas shopping in.  The next 2 weeks should be uneventful and then we start the process all over again.  I have had a lot of support - Thank You.

Feeling pretty good again today --- My doctors  must be great mixologists.  I just sent a text that said I am in for the Sacred Heart Home Tour -- I know it doesn't seem like that big of a deal,but it is part  of my holiday traditions and  I have been trying to keep my life and my families life as closeto normal as possible so I am very happy to be able to go and get this years Christmas ideas.

I have felt pretty good again today.  Had to go back to the CC (Cancer Center) because I am in a clinical trial for Lympodemia, it is a 2 year study to see if I get swelling in my arm - so far - no.  Ron and I also did a little shopping while we were out.  My worst symptom is heartburn and a little headache -  both being normal.   Saw a little girl about 4 outstide the CC while waiting for our car -- she was smiling and happy in all pink but when her hat came off there was the tell tale bald head -- to me, that would  be soo much worse.   I am lucky with the family and friends I have and my wonderful out of work side-kick....this is just a process.

One down, seven to go! It was a long session this time (4+ hours) because there was a lot of information to go over regarding the treatment I was about to receive and the anti nausea meds I have to take at home. Ron was with me the entire time.  I had a minor meltdown - but it was very brief - just felt overwhelmed - snapped out of it and the rest of the time was kind of boring.  I think I will definitely be glad to have my ipad.  Have felt fine tonight.  We will see what tomorrow brings.  Thank you all for the prayers, positive thoughts and support -- it means a lot!

The countdown has really begun - tomorrow is the first day of treatment.  I have to admit I am nervous but I  have really felt an outpouring of love, caring and support this week through social media, in person visits and good ol' fashioned mail, so a big THANK YOU,  I really appreciate all the support.   I went to the Jesuit Fashion Show today and it did not disappoint. I started going when my now 40 year old brother was a Freshman and it has been a traditional to the Christmas season for 29 years now.   I am so glad I was able to keep the tradition going.

The date has been set.  My first Chemo treatment will be on Wednesday, November 28th, so I still get to go to the Jesuit Fashion Show, but I guess the home tour(s) will be a wait and see.  Oh well, I think this timing will also put me in a good place for Christmas and I am glad to start the process...the sooner I start, the sooner I am done.