Sunday, January 31, 2016

1 down 7 to go

Well, I had my first treatment on Friday. It almost didn't happen. Normally my treatments would be in the Orchard Park office, but they were moving into new facilities that day and I went to Williamsville instead. When I got there, they had no orders and no chemo drugs for me. But... they were wonderful, called the doctor, he sent orders, the pharmacy mixed the drugs and sent them and I started. Friday evening I felt yucky, a little nauseous and a wicked headache. They gave me things for those and I slept really well. Saturday morning I was back up to Williamsville for a shot to boost my blood counts. The rest of Saturday I basically felt like I was either hungover or had vertigo. I slept all day and night. Today, I got up, showered, went to breakfast and am home writing this and then a nap. I'm praying the bone pain from the shot won't happen. I have tomorrow off from school as I planned treatments on Fridays with the plan to take Friday and Monday off. Hopefully my plan will work, but I'm just listening to my body. If I feel good tomorrow, I'm going to get a wig and some hats as the nurses said I will lose my hair by the next treatment or very soon thereafter. Thank you for your continued support. I feel the prayers and good thoughts and it makes this a little more tolerable.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Update

Well, the last test came in. I have a medium to high probability that the cancer could return.....so.....I start chemo next week. I have a medi port put in on Thursday and start chemo on Friday. I will go every other week for 16 weeks. 

What I don't know:
1. How I will feel after treatments
2. If I will be able to stay on the treatment course
3. If I'll be able to stay working the schedule I want to.

The unknown is the part that bothers me the most so..... let's get on to ......


What I do know:
1. I will lose my hair!
2. There's wifi in the chemo room!
3. I will try to bless those around me having chemo too!

Speaking of blessing those around me, I am launching a project. My physicians are extremely optimistic as they have all stated "Medically things look good, and you have an amazing support system." I do have an amazing support system, and I would like to help those that do not. I am doing a chemo care package project. They will be zippered bags that will include items such as chapstick, lotion, peppermints, lifesavers, notes of encouragement and notepads and pens. I am also collecting lap blankets, hats, warm socks, and water bottles. These items will be distributed to chemo patients who do not have the type of support systems I do in hopes that we can make someones treatment experience a little easier. If you feel led to donate any of the above items, or money to buy these items I would truly appreciate it. You can send things to me, or take them to any of the Pioneer School buildings, or drop them off at the Springville First Presbyterian church. If you live too far away from me, donate to a cancer treatment center near you. Donate money, blankets or things, or your time to visit with someone who has no one to help them through the treatment process. 


Facebook message me if you have any questions.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers, thoughts, and support!

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Frustrated

Sorry for such a downer post ahead of time, but I am frustrated. I'm still holding on to the remnants of this cold, I'm waiting for that last test result, I'm going through more tests in preparation for starting chemo, and to top it all off, I received a letter from the insurance company that my initial ultrasound in October(after the Dr. thought he saw something on the mammogram) is not going to be paid because it was deemed medically unnecessary! I know that will work itself out because as soon as the insurance company sees that they took a 3.5cm.  invasive cancerous tumor out of me 2 months later.....

Anyway, according to everything I read, I'm suppose to decrease my stress level. Right now, that is hard. I have my echocardiogram on Monday, blood work sometime this week, they have scheduled the mediport for the 28th and chemo starting the 29th. I'm so discombobulated right now, I don't know where to put my energies. I don't want to sit idle because it makes me think too much. Maybe I'll clean my house. And... I ended up having to take a leave from the university. They only allow 3 weeks in between classes, so I would have had to start my dissertation on Monday. I really wanted to know my treatment plan before I started, so I took a leave until I have the treatment plan, begin it, and see how I do.

Please send prayers and good thoughts my way to decrease my stress level.

Thanks!

Friday, January 8, 2016

Learning to be a patient and being patient

I saw my medical oncologist for the first time today. He was amazing as was all of the staff I met. He is anticipating chemotherapy, but wants to run one last test on the tumor. It is an oncotype dx test. Basically this will help determine the probability of my cancer coming back. If the probability is low, I may not have to have chemo. As we are awaiting the results of the test, he is making preparations for me to have chemo. That is so if the test comes back with higher probability I'll be ready to go. So I have to be patient again while waiting for the test results, and I have to start being a patient as I prepare for the chemo treatments I may have. So, I have to have an echocardiogram, and am being scheduled for a mediport. My treatment will last 4 months, and then I will have radiation. If the test indicates chemo needs to be done, details will be forthcoming as to the particulars of the treatment schedule.

So I wait, and prepare for a couple of possible scenarios. Thanks for all of your kind words and prayers.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Appointments are my life now

Well, I just saw my surgeon for my post op visit. He is thrilled with how everything went and looks, so I am on to the next phase. I can't say enough about my surgeon and all of the people in his office, they set everything up for me. So, appointments are my life now. I have four appointments with four different doctors all made as I left the office today. I'm going to need to start a calendar just for my cancer! I have an appointment with my surgeon in a few months, an appointment with the radiologist for scans, an appointment with the medical oncologist, and an appointment with the radiation oncologist. Whew! I'm tired already and haven't even started treatment. I just need to get the tail end of this cold gone so I can start treatment with no hold ups.
On a side note, the doctor did tell me that he sees nothing but a positive outcome for me not only because medically things look good, but that I have a great attitude, and obviously a lot of great support systems in place. So, THANK YOU! Everyone who reads this blog is my support system and I cannot thank you enough. It does make me sad for the people that do not have this kind of support system, so I am going to be thinking about ways we can change that. I'll keep you updated after the first appointment!