Opportunities

So far, so good with this round. Granted its only been 24 hours, but I'm feeling pretty good, just tired. Here's hoping everything stays status quo. This entry is titled opportunities, because I realized I had two amazing opportunities to tell my story this week to women I don't know very well or at all.

The first was actually at the vets office when Mark and I stopped there for Jaeger our dog. One of the vet techs knows me because I have taught her children. She had asked how I was doing and began asking me questions. As I was talking, other employees began to gather to listen as well as another lady who had her dog there. I basically told them it was my regular annual mammogram that caught the tumor and even though it was hard to detect(due to my dense breast tissue), the persistence of the doctor to run more tests to confirm what he thought he saw. We talked about my other tests, my surgery, why I chose the type of surgery I did, and my treatment.

My second opportunity came after treatment yesterday. It was 2pm when I got done. I was feeling good and I was hungry so my dad and I decided to get a quick bite to eat at a diner close by the treatment center. It's pretty obvious I am probably in treatment because I have no hair. I ordered a chicken souvlaki and some greek potatoes. I figured I could taste those. The salad I could but not the potatoes. When the waitress came back she asked me if there was something with the potatoes. I said no, I just couldn't taste them because I was in chemo and I have trouble tasting things. She asked if I went for treatment next door and I said yes. She asked what type of cancer I had and after I told her, she said she had recently had a breast cancer scare, but the lump was benign. She wished they would take it out because it bothered her. She asked a lot of questions, and I answered them all. She told me she thought it was wonderful how honest I was about my situation and willing to talk about it.

The point I made with all of those ladies is to go get your annual mammogram. I know it's uncomfortable and can be scary. Take a friend with you, ask me to go, just go. It's something I've gotten used to lately. I will be scanned often now, so if you have questions about any of the procedures I've had, just ask me. I'll be honest with you, I have thus far!

Round 5

So, today I am sitting here getting round 5 of chemo. It'll take at least 4 hours. I have new drugs today for these rounds. The doctor said he won't give me the neulasta which is for my blood cell count because I have had a lot of trouble with that drug(the infamous bone pain).  I told him he was my favorite person today!!! There is an 80% chance I will do fine, and if not, he'll simply do the last three rounds in 3 week intervals. So I hope for no need to do that. The only issue with my blood work is anemia. My counts are a little low.

Now off of the medical stuff and on to me. As most of you know I had a bad round. I actually asked Mark if he though I was being a baby about it, and he said no. I actually asked the nurse too. She said that people react differently to chemo but I had a hard dose of chemo so what I experienced these last two weeks did not surprise her.

Also, I figured out what I have been dealing with mentally and emotionally. It's the whole control issue. I like to plan things, and I can't. That is what I am struggling with. If you have any suggestions on how to "make game-time decision" as Marks puts it, I would love to hear from you!

I'll give an update on how I feel later this weekend or week!

Happy Easter!

A little set back

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. After round four I did have significant bone pain which kept me down until Wednesday. My parents are now home from Florida so Mark took me there Monday and Tuesday. I got through the bone pain and was looking forward to the weekend when all of a sudden I got very sick Thursday night. I got a little dehydrated and thing spiraled downward quickly. This kept me back in bed until Sunday when I moved from the bed to the couch. This morning I am weak, but doing better. I just need strength in the next for days to face round five on Friday. Prayers and thoughts please!

Round 4

I just got home from round 4. I'm half way! The dr. And I talked about the bone pain I had last round. He said I had two choices. He could not give me the neulasta that causes it( but it also helps my blood counts stay up), but that would most likely delay treatment in two weeks, or... We could do the neulasta to keep the counts up and try a different Med to get me through the bone pain. I chose the latter. I don't want to delay. The next round I change to a different chemo drug and may not need the neulasta if my counts are good. So... this weekend I fight, and I fight hard! Please keep the good thoughts and prayers coming!

It's been awhile

sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. This last round of chemo kicked my butt. I'm really trying to focus on the positive, but it's been rough. The nurses said rounds 3 and 4 would be the toughest and they were right! I was in rough shape for about 5 days. Round 4 is Friday, so please send good thoughts and prayers. I always pray to wake up on chemo days feeling good so that I have the courage to do another round.
I have had a good weekend though. I was able to see Pioneer's musical. I came in right as the show started and they put me in the light and sound booth in a comfy chair. The kids were awesome! The show was dedicated to me, and the kids wore pink ribbons on their first costumes. It touched my heart. I miss school, teaching, and my Pioneer family, but it's best for me to not be there until chemo is over so that I don't get sick.
There will be another chemo bag update soon as we are getting ready to do more bags!
Thank you to everyone who has sent cards, messages, gifts, good thoughts, prayers and supported the chemo bag project! You are definitely part of my healing process!

Good days and Bad days

The good days and bad days eventually even out. Today was a good day, and a sunny day which made it extra special. I like to get out even if only for a couple of hours on good days. Also, the chemo bag project is taking on a life of its own with more people wanting to help. That makes for good days for me as well. Focusing on this project keeps me from dwelling on my own treatment which keeps me positive. Not that I am always positive mind you, those bad days can be really bad. Most of the time they happen in the four or five days following chemo, but can creep up on me on odd days too.

I'm flattered by the compliments that I have received pertaining to my strength and positivity, and I do strive to keep as positive as possible. Saturday was a bad day that just crept up on me. I had slept on my port wrong, and had a headache all day. That launched me into a slight pity party for myself as I cried about wanting to have my hair back. Mark let me cry for a little awhile, held me, and said in a loving voice"You know your hair won't come back for awhile, but I love you, and you are beautiful." I pulled myself out of my rut, and Sunday was a good day.

So, strive for for good days everyone, know that there will be bad days, and encourage everyone you meet in a loving matter so their bad day may turn around.

Chemo bag update

The response has been incredible! And there are still things coming in! As of last night, there are 268 care bags filled and ready to be delivered. With the money that has been donated, we are going to shop to fill in a few more bags and buy $20.00 gas cards for the nurses to give people that they know need them to help ease the burden of driving loved ones to appointments and chemo. I have cried with happiness everyday as I looked at the bags ready to go and the groups that were involved. Multiple churches, my school district, boy scout and girl scout troops, and friends and family all contributed. All I can humbly say is THANK YOU!