Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Time to Celebrate!
On November 4th my family had a great celebration to mark the end of my treatment. For me it is definitely a time to breathe a sigh of relief that I’m done and allow my body to heal. My energy level through radiation was my biggest challenge. Eight plus hours of sleep are still needed for me to get through the day.
I’m extremely thankful to everyone who supported, prayed, and helped me during the last 8 months. I'm not sure I could have gotten through it without you. I now start the fourth stage of treatment which is taking the anti-estrogen drug Femara. I will take this for 5 years. Let’s hope I can tolerate the side effects because its proven to have a greater reduction of breast cancer reoccurrence in certain groups of women. I can only hope and pray that will be the case.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for following me in this journey.
Cathy
I’m extremely thankful to everyone who supported, prayed, and helped me during the last 8 months. I'm not sure I could have gotten through it without you. I now start the fourth stage of treatment which is taking the anti-estrogen drug Femara. I will take this for 5 years. Let’s hope I can tolerate the side effects because its proven to have a greater reduction of breast cancer reoccurrence in certain groups of women. I can only hope and pray that will be the case.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for following me in this journey.
Cathy
Radiation is over! 11/11/11
The third phase of cancer treatment started on September 20th and finished October 27th. Dr. Jeffrey Herman was my radiation oncologist during this time. He prescribed 28 radiation sessions marking three different areas on my chest and under my arm. I got my first tattoo! Well maybe not exactly the kind of tattoo you show off. The markings help them line up the radiation beams for the each session; making each visit after the first couple 10 minutes long. I was happy to get the first appointment of the day at 8:00am allowing me to get in and out with great ease and get to work by 8:45 or so. The first four weeks were fairly uneventful, but the last two weeks and beyond my skin started turning very red, like a sun burn I’ve never seen. Some of the areas around my neck and shoulder remained open, and I had a tough time getting them to dry out and scab over. The doctor recommended a salt/water solution that sounds terrible, but it actually worked. I used a pure aloe gel every where else my body was just red. It’s been three weeks and my skin is shedding like a lizard. It’s not uncomfortable any more, but I’m sure I’ll go through several more layers before I’m done.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Chemo Conquered!
There is great cause to celebrate. I’ve made it through 16 weeks and 8 sessions of chemo. When this part of the journey started, I wasn’t sure how I would make it through such a long process, but along with my family and friends, I made it. Yeah! A special thanks also goes out to the amazing ladies on my oncology team. I brought them treats for my last day and told them I never wanted to see them again. They laughed and hoped for the same.
I took the week of August 29th off from work thinking I would celebrate, but instead, I’ve been dragging around the house. The doctor says it’s a cumulative thing, so even though this was my last chemo session; I’ve built up a lot in my system. He gave me a bit of a reality check by mid-week; it will take time before I feel better. Okay, so I need to relax and know that time is what will heal my body. I'm even more reminded by this when I realize the rash and skin peeling that appeared after the last chemo sessions has appeared again this time on my arms and feet. It makes me more conspicuous as I go out and about; definitely looks like a disease. I’m sure it’s just the chemo working its way out of my body and after a week or so it will hopefully clear up.
It was nice last Sunday to celebrate my grandson Nolan’s 4th Birthday with family and friends. It was a pool party at Kelly & Robby’s new place. Watching Nolan and Nathan grow up is great motivation for me to keep going through this treatment.
The doctors and nurses keep telling me I’m doing remarkably well through the surgery and now finishing the chemo sessions. 2/3’s done with just radiation left which should begin mid September, I can’t wait. Thanks again for the cards and well wishes, it continues to lift my spirits.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Round 7 (By Kelly)
It’s another Thursday in the long summer countdown. But this is the seventh Thursday. After today only one more round of chemo remains, and the end that once seemed so far away is now in sight. This fact alone has my mom walking and talking with a bit of optimism this morning. For the first time, in maybe this entire process, she is 100% confident she will get through this. While we drive to the hospital, she’s laughing and joking. Bring it on.
As we walk into the the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, I feel more like I’m walking into a spa. The building is brand new and from the exposed brick and hardwood floors to the green and gray color scheme, it feels comfortable and retreat-like. We are one of the first to arrive in what I’m told is a busy day here, so we stake out our chairs nearest one of the 6 big screens. Cozy lounger for mom, small chair for me. We laugh as it feels more like we’re getting situated for a flight than a day of chemo- bags, laptop, cooler, magazines under the chairs. Strap us in, we’re ready! Oh wait, she’s got blood to give, tests to pass and doctors to see. It’s all part of the very familiar routine I can tell. She even prompts the nurse to flip her chair on its head as she struggles to draw blood from her port.
2 hours later- the chemo finally starts...
I’m not sure what I expected to see today, but it felt oddly calm and easy. I’ve watched the past 14 weeks as my mom has battled every side effect these drugs could dish out. Times when it has been downright difficult to see her in such pain. The poison that has taken her energy, her appetite, her hair, and at times her will, is so easily administered as we sit around and chat. It feels like an oxymoron. Other than a slight drowsiness I can see in her eyes, its like any other hang-out time together. As I look around the now fully occupied room, some 15 people are going through the same thing. Most with smiles on their face. Between the comfort, technology, abundant snacks, and friendly nurses, I’m grateful these hours can be as relaxing as possible for the patients. The days ahead are sure to be quite the opposite.
I’m thankful for the experience I had today. I’m thankful to have been able to take a day off of work to spend with my mom, despite the circumstances. Most importantly though, I’m thankful she only has one more round left.
As we walk into the the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, I feel more like I’m walking into a spa. The building is brand new and from the exposed brick and hardwood floors to the green and gray color scheme, it feels comfortable and retreat-like. We are one of the first to arrive in what I’m told is a busy day here, so we stake out our chairs nearest one of the 6 big screens. Cozy lounger for mom, small chair for me. We laugh as it feels more like we’re getting situated for a flight than a day of chemo- bags, laptop, cooler, magazines under the chairs. Strap us in, we’re ready! Oh wait, she’s got blood to give, tests to pass and doctors to see. It’s all part of the very familiar routine I can tell. She even prompts the nurse to flip her chair on its head as she struggles to draw blood from her port.
2 hours later- the chemo finally starts...
I’m not sure what I expected to see today, but it felt oddly calm and easy. I’ve watched the past 14 weeks as my mom has battled every side effect these drugs could dish out. Times when it has been downright difficult to see her in such pain. The poison that has taken her energy, her appetite, her hair, and at times her will, is so easily administered as we sit around and chat. It feels like an oxymoron. Other than a slight drowsiness I can see in her eyes, its like any other hang-out time together. As I look around the now fully occupied room, some 15 people are going through the same thing. Most with smiles on their face. Between the comfort, technology, abundant snacks, and friendly nurses, I’m grateful these hours can be as relaxing as possible for the patients. The days ahead are sure to be quite the opposite.
I’m thankful for the experience I had today. I’m thankful to have been able to take a day off of work to spend with my mom, despite the circumstances. Most importantly though, I’m thankful she only has one more round left.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Round 6- July 28th
Chemo – Round 6 July 28th
I’m writing this on August 6, realizing I have just 3 weeks left of Chemo Treatments, I can’t wait. I look forward to being more active, drinking a glass of wine, and maybe even getting a good night’s sleep.
The Saturday and Sunday after the sessions has always been tough because the Taxol and Nuelasta drugs kick my butt. The oncologist keeps saying it's going to get easier, and perhaps my memory is either shot or short-lived, but I'm still suffering from aches & pains, along with fatigue most days. It’s hard sleeping at night, and then I’m tired the next day. My bones ache, how strange is that? He says it's the Nuelasta trying to produce more blood cells in the bone marrow. It’s still a very strange feeling. 4 Ibuprofen every 4 hours seems to help.
The tingling in my hands and feet continue and persist throughout the week after getting the Taxol. The dry mouth effects my eating since it’s hard to digest the food. But the biggest impact still seems to be the fatigue. I just can’t seem to get enough sleep no matter what I take or do.
I'm moving forward with just 2 more Chemo sessions left, Yeah! The end is near, and I can almost see it. As tough as this has been, if it means beating this thing, I will keep going strong.
I’m writing this on August 6, realizing I have just 3 weeks left of Chemo Treatments, I can’t wait. I look forward to being more active, drinking a glass of wine, and maybe even getting a good night’s sleep.
The Saturday and Sunday after the sessions has always been tough because the Taxol and Nuelasta drugs kick my butt. The oncologist keeps saying it's going to get easier, and perhaps my memory is either shot or short-lived, but I'm still suffering from aches & pains, along with fatigue most days. It’s hard sleeping at night, and then I’m tired the next day. My bones ache, how strange is that? He says it's the Nuelasta trying to produce more blood cells in the bone marrow. It’s still a very strange feeling. 4 Ibuprofen every 4 hours seems to help.
The tingling in my hands and feet continue and persist throughout the week after getting the Taxol. The dry mouth effects my eating since it’s hard to digest the food. But the biggest impact still seems to be the fatigue. I just can’t seem to get enough sleep no matter what I take or do.
I'm moving forward with just 2 more Chemo sessions left, Yeah! The end is near, and I can almost see it. As tough as this has been, if it means beating this thing, I will keep going strong.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Chemo Round 5 (July 17th)
I was able to recover from Round 4 of chemo with a very relaxing (didn’t-do-much-relaxing) week up north with the family. I’m not sure how I could have survived the “toughest round of chemo” in my normal home/work environment. I was thankful to have the week to sleep, sit by the lake, sleep, be surrounded by family, and sleep ☺
This past Thursday marked the first of my last 4 Chemo sessions. The drug of choice is Taxol, expected to be more tolerable drug than the AC drugs I just finished. It does come with a new set of side effects. This weekend I have already experienced muscle and joint pain, low levels of white blood cells, and most bizarre are the unusual sensations of burning and tingling in my feet and hands. These along with the now common occurrences of low blood pressure, lack of energy, diarrhea and nausea, mouth sores, and hair loss. Oh wait, the hair is already gone, so we can cross that off the list.
I’ve been having trouble all week sleeping at night, but Friday night was the worst. I couldn’t get to sleep, got up out of bed several times, and was even able to greet Michelle when she strolled in at 1:00am after being out with friends. I’m sure I startled her while I was sitting at the kitchen table eating a yogurt. The doctor did prescribe another drug Ambien for insomnia both falling and staying asleep. I’m glad to have the help sleeping but this drug has some interesting side effects like getting out of bed while not being fully awake or doing an activity that you do not know you’re doing. The next morning you may not remember that you did anything during the night. Reported activities include: driving a car, making and eating food, talking on the phone, and sleepwalking! Wow. This could get interesting.
I have so many different drugs now I’ve had to quite regularly text my new favorite pharmacist, Robby Moss, Kelly’s boyfriend to keep them, and the combinations of them, straight. The doctor is generously giving me what I need to take care of whatever ails me, but it does get confusing.
My motto: take it one day at a time, and just deal with whatever comes along. Only three Chemo sessions left, Yeah!
This past Thursday marked the first of my last 4 Chemo sessions. The drug of choice is Taxol, expected to be more tolerable drug than the AC drugs I just finished. It does come with a new set of side effects. This weekend I have already experienced muscle and joint pain, low levels of white blood cells, and most bizarre are the unusual sensations of burning and tingling in my feet and hands. These along with the now common occurrences of low blood pressure, lack of energy, diarrhea and nausea, mouth sores, and hair loss. Oh wait, the hair is already gone, so we can cross that off the list.
I’ve been having trouble all week sleeping at night, but Friday night was the worst. I couldn’t get to sleep, got up out of bed several times, and was even able to greet Michelle when she strolled in at 1:00am after being out with friends. I’m sure I startled her while I was sitting at the kitchen table eating a yogurt. The doctor did prescribe another drug Ambien for insomnia both falling and staying asleep. I’m glad to have the help sleeping but this drug has some interesting side effects like getting out of bed while not being fully awake or doing an activity that you do not know you’re doing. The next morning you may not remember that you did anything during the night. Reported activities include: driving a car, making and eating food, talking on the phone, and sleepwalking! Wow. This could get interesting.
I have so many different drugs now I’ve had to quite regularly text my new favorite pharmacist, Robby Moss, Kelly’s boyfriend to keep them, and the combinations of them, straight. The doctor is generously giving me what I need to take care of whatever ails me, but it does get confusing.
My motto: take it one day at a time, and just deal with whatever comes along. Only three Chemo sessions left, Yeah!
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