Round #3 - #4. Then finished, for now!!!

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been having some problems logging in, and have struggled with the idea of putting this whole blog thing away. I've decided to keep it going, so I'll have a record of what I've been going through.

A lot has happened since Sept.10, last chemo day. Mom was hospitalized that day for a-fib.  Allison came in (thank goodness) to be with her during her stay in the hospital.  I was able to visit with her on Tuesday afternoon, after she was admitted to a private room.

The rest of that week I spent on the couch. The side-effects of each treatment have been different each time. Very little nausea this time, just major fatigue and sinus issues which turned into a terrible cough.

Mom was released on Thursday, and Allison left me on the couch.  I wasn't even aware of what day it was. We had to miss our circle meeting on Saturday. The cough was racking! 

The nausea re-appeared just in time for us to leave for MD Anderson on Tuesday, the 17th.  We drove to Houston in Don's truck, thank goodness. Tropical storm Imelda went with us.  We had a quick appointment with Dr. Lim. She thinks the tumor has gone from 5.8 cm to 2 cm.  Good news!
The rain was unbelievable.  The highway we drove in and out on was closed down just behind us.
We made it out just in time.

Mom had visitors on Thursday afternoon.  She was thrilled, and really soaked up all the attention.  She's doing so much better.

I've been accepted into the Artemis Trial.  If interested, you can google Artemis Trial MD Anderson. I'm still not really sure what will be involved, but I'll go into it with hope, and an open mind.  I'm hoping I'll still be able to continue treatments locally.  I was told going in, that if the tumor shrunk by 70% or more, I'd be able to finish with the standard of care, which can be administered here. Fingers crossed! I won't mind, in fact I'll feel reassured to know MD Anderson is following my progression. I just don't want to stay down there for weeks on end.

It's been a crazy three weeks, and the fatigue finally left me this morning. I still have the cough, but it's not as bad. Labs were good again this time, so treatment #4 will be tomorrow morning.  I'm so glad it will be the last one, of this type. Dr. Syed has said the next treatments won't be so harsh. We'll be going back to Houston to meet with the doctors on October 7.  I'm praying that it will be an easy trip.

What's been happening?

So today, at 11:00, I'll be starting round 3.  Not kidding when I say I'm dreading it.  Round 2 knocked me down for 10 full days. I've been warned that they only get worse, so I'm trying to get my head in a good place.

The 2 good weeks between treatments went by too fast. I felt great, which makes the anticipation of # 3 all the harder.  I got to visit with friends, have living room picnics, go to the winery, paint, and celebrate 43 years of wedded bliss.

We will be leaving for MD Anderson on the 17th. Hoping it will be a nonessential visit. Dr Syed told me last week that he thinks, after examination that the tumor has shrunk by 50%.  If it shrinks by 70%, I'll be able to finish treatment here. That would be a major blessing.

Please keep Mom in your prayers too. She was admitted to the hospital last night. I don't think she fully understands why I'm not able to see her as often as I did.  My sister is coming in today to be with her.  Thank goodness for family that are willing to step up to the plate!

Round 2...

So I've enjoyed every minute of the last week. I've cooked, scrubbed & whitewashed the fireplace, visited with friends and cousins,  had lunch out a couple of times, and had my best friend shave my head. She's still my best friend!

Once again, I think I'm ready. I've got the fridge loaded, and the bed made. I am dreading it, but at least now I know what to expect.

Thank you for your prayers, texts, phone calls, and cards.  I'll be back!

The Flash Flood That Is My Life

I have resurfaced!  I've had lots of time to think, probably too much, since the effects of the chemo have lessened.  I've come to the conclusion that a flash flood is a perfect analogy for this cancer that is  "trying" to kill me.

Flash floods start out slowly, a little bad weather, creeks start to rise, and then boom! More water than can be handled in a short amount of time. The raging flood washes everything away in it's wake.  When the weather clears, and the water recedes, the land affected is washed clean. Sure, there is debris to clean up, sometimes lives and major property lost, but there is also new growth. A clean slate so to speak.

My bad weather started out at the end of June, when I first noticed something wrong with my right breast.  The storm got stronger as June moved into July. Lots of appointments, scans, tests, etc. Lots of confusion and decisions to be made quickly to minimize the damage. Chemotherapy this time, was an unknown challenge. I had no idea how my body would react, what the side effects would be, or how long, or if I'd get through it.

First treatment was July 30.  Exactly one month and ten days since I noticed anything wrong.  Everything has happened so quickly, I'm still trying to get my head around it.  The infusion itself was uneventful. I'm fortunate to be able to have treatments locally.

By day eight, I was beginning to feel a little better. I was able to drive over for a quiet visit with a good friend.

Day 9, more labs and a visit with Dr. Syed. He was pleased that I tolerated the chemo as well as I did.
By day 10, I was back to my original old self!  Lots of errands, lots of projects, and lots of cooking.  My little world is beginning to bounce back.  Everything is looking fresh and green again.

Treatment #2 is scheduled for August 20. I will be on a three week cycle. I know that by doing it this way, it will be longer before I get to #4, but it's worth it to me to have some quality time. The director of the trial, has given us the A-OK.

I have an appointment Monday morning to begin the process of reducing this mop of hair that is still firmly attached to my head.  It should have begun to fall out by now, but it's not budging.  We will also be trimming up the first wig.  If you see a red head in town give me a wave! I decided red would be in honor of my grandfather, Shorty, and my first grandson Joey. I'll think of them when I wear it.

Cousin Page is driving in Tuesday for a visit, and other than that it will be life as usual.  I've said it once, but I'll repeat, everything is clean, fresh & green!

Chemo #!

Chemo tomorrow.  Think I'm ready. I've got my phone charger, phone, & Kindle ready to go.  I've had my rare steak.  Lot's of research done so I'll be prepared. Thanks Judy for the advice, Don for the steak, and everyone who's called or texted to check on us.  I'll let you know when I resurface!
Big prayers requested!

Filling in the gaps, so we can move forward.

Today, July 25, 2019, would have been Dad's 90th birthday. He passed away on June 12, 2010 from complications of colon cancer.  Happy birthday Dad.

I begged for genetic testing way back in 2007, but insurance denied me. Didn't matter that Mom had survived breast cancer, Dad had not been diagnosed at that time, his father, and first cousin died of cancer, but not considered close enough to count. Now, I'm being taken seriously. The genetic results should be in next week.

In the past two days, we have checked most of the to do boxes that were laid out for us on Monday.
Accepted by MD Anderson Monday afternoon.
Pet scan & results done Tuesday morning.
EKG & Echo Cardiogram done Tuesday afternoon.
Port inserted Wednesday morning.
Genetic testing still out there.
Followup with Dr. Syed.

Dr. Syed has told us that the PET Scan did not indicate that the tumor has gone much further. It has grown from 5cm to 5.8 cm, which confirms the fact that we are dealing with some angry cancer.

I will do 4 treatments of chemo here in Mt. Pleasant, three week schedule, then we will scan again, and decide where to go from that point. We'll be starting out with Adriamycin ( also known as Red Devil) & Cytoxan.  The nausea meds are all ready on order!

EKG & Echo Cardiogram show that the heart is strong enough to withstand this chemo. Yay!

The port was inserted Wednesday morning in Cleburne. Bonus visit with Clint & Martha Twaddell!
Thank you both for taking us in on such short notice, and Martha for measuring my noggin for the wig!  The hospital & staff in Cleburne were absolutely top notch!

I've gotten the wig ordered, and lots of turbans & ginger ale lined up. Think I'll also try green apples. That was a neat little sea sickness cure we picked up over Christmas.

Lots of naps are on schedule from now until Tuesday.

I'll keep you posted, please keep praying!

Getting it all together

I saw Dr. Syed this morning, and here is the short list of what I'm facing:

1. PET scan Tuesday AM
2. EKG asap. The chemo is some nasty stuff, have to make sure my heart is up to it!
3. Wednesday AM  Follow up with Dr. Syed to get staging stats.
4. Port inserted asap. I'm going to request the biggest, baddest one they have!
5. Genetic testing started this morning. There's a pretty good chance those genes are involved in this    
    mess.
6. Dr. Syed is getting in touch with MD Anderson to see if I'm a candidate for any possible clinical
    trials that might be beneficial.
7. Get this chemo started! To the tune of Get This Party Started!!!!

All kidding aside, I'm ready to do what it takes to get this nasty beast out of me for good.

I"M BAAAAACK!!!!!

Well, hello friends! It's been quiet a while since we spoke last. Just wanted to let you all know that I'm back. Not by choice, but by necessity.

I've recently been diagnosed with grade 3, Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. It's tasted positive for Lymphovascular Invasion, and has been found to be Triple Negative.

In easy to understand terms, I'm dealing with an aggressive, hard to treat breast cancer.
I'm scheduled to see my trusty Oncologist, Dr. Syed on Monday morning. We should know more after that appointment. Will there be scans, radiology, chemo? Your guess is as good as mine!

This new cancer is in no way related to what I went through 12 years ago. It is a new primary.  My Mother always said I was an overachiever. I've spent the last 12 years running from the idea that I was cancer girl.

Please keep me in your prayers and I'll keep you posted.

Scan Season

I've successfully made it through another scan season. I think the bone density scan is my favorite. You don't have to drink anything nasty, get poked with horrible needles, go without that first cup of coffee, fast 6-8 hours beforehand, or lie perfectly still for an hour before it begins. Who ever thought I'd become a scan connoisseur? I've now become a regular at the hospital registration desk. The employees all greet me by name, without checking their paperwork.
I've gotten the results of the MRI, and PET/CT. As far as I can tell, they both looked good. I'm celebrating! I haven't been so concerned about the bone density test. I figure, I can take Boniva. Look how great Sally Field is doing.
I'll see the oncologist Feb. 3. I'm hoping we can get that genetic testing started. Until then, I'm staying busy with everything I love to do. Life is good!

Scans.....

The PET/CT didn't happen as planned on Tues. There was an issue with the camera. I'm glad they caught it before the injection! I really would have been upset, to have gotten that nasty IV for nothing! As it was, I had a nice little nap in the waiting room. I've developed the ability to will myself to sleep while being scanned, or infused. It's a handy trick, that I hope I'm able to maintain. Put me in a scanner, or chemo chair and I'm out like a light.
I'm first on the list for Tuesday, the 12th. I haven't had much scanxiety this time. I'm just ready to get it over with.
Nothing but good results from the Wednesday MRI. One down, two to go!