Never a dull moment

Good Evening,

Just wanted to give you an update on the saga of my thyroid.  The blood tests that Dr. Pfeifer sent me for came back normal.  The ultrasound showed that the goiter is HUGE and that I have 4 nodules on it.  So she sent me to Dr. Ball (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) today.

It didn't take Dr. Ball very long to determine that my thyroid needs to come out.  Here is a rundown of my schedule the next 3 weeks:

8/13 - I have a CT scan to let Dr. Ball see what she is dealing with.

8/19 - I have to go to Indy at 10 am to have the nodules biopsied.

8/26 - I have an appointment with Dr. Ball to schedule the surgery.

The recovery time for the surgery is 7 to 10 days (and my co-workers say "Hallelujah")   Another positive is that it will be done before the end of the year.  That is is good thing as I have hit my deductible on my insurance this year. (And Tonya says "Hallelujah")

Prayers and positive vibes would be appreciated.  I wasn't expecting to have another surgery so soon and frankly, I need to psych myself up.

More tests! Oh Boy!

Greetings!

I went for my annual checkup with my primary care doctor today.  I won't bore you with the gorey details because there is just some things that don't need to be discussed.  One of the topics of the visit was my thyroid.

Years ago, I was diagnosed with a goiter.  This wasn't too much of a surprise as my dad, Grandma Armstrong, Great Grandma Armstrong and Great Grandma Jeffers all had thyroid problems.  At the time, they tested my thyroid and it was functioning fine so we left if alone.

After my surgery in February, the anesthesiologist came in to check on me.  He had trouble getting the breathing tube down my throat because of the goiter so he wanted me to be sure and have my primary care doctor look into it.

So Dr. Pfeifer took one look at it today and could tell the goiter is getting bigger.  I am also having a lot of symptoms that indicate that my thyroid isn't working right.  So bright and early tomorrow morning, I am having an ultrasound done on my goiter and blood tests (you know how LOVE blood tests) for everything under the sun. (PTL I have hit my deductible this year).

Dr. Pfeifer said if the thyroid isn't working right, there is a chance that taking the medication will shrink the goiter.  If it doesn't, then I will have to see a surgeon.  Since I really don't want to go through another surgery at this time (if it is truly needed, I will), please pray my thyroid is not functioning and medicine will take care of the problem.

Other than the toe fungus I was also diagnosed with (only I would get a toe fungus on top of everything else I have had)  I am doing great.

My 1st Anniversary

One year ago today at 10 pm, I received the call that I had cancer.  I have to say, it's been quite the year. I thought I would share some of the things I have learned:

1.  God is good ALL the time.  I am not going to list all the times I knew God had his hand in my life this past year.  I could easily write a book if I did.   (If you have some free time, I will be more than glad to bend your ear about it).  There is  one thing that I will mention.  During the church service this past Sunday , our minister, David Stokes, had us read aloud Psalm 23.  After this past year, that scripture had a whole new meaning for me.  Because I know from first hand experience that The Lord is MY shepherd.

2.  I have the best family ever.  I can't imagine how my mom had to feel having to take care of her child who had the same disease that killed her husband 20 years before.  But she did so without batting an eye. She even succeeded in not getting put in the trunk in our many trips to Indy.   My brother shaved my head, which probably bothered him more than me.  My sister-in-law went on a search to make sure I had the most fashionable head wear and went with us to several of my appointments.  She also was the one who turned my name in for my Hello Gorgeous makeover.  (Thanks again for that by the way)   My niece and nephew were a welcome distraction to what was going on.  I wouldn't trade any of them for the world.

3.  I have the best friends ever.  I have known Edie and Kista since my IUK days.  (We won't mention how many years that has been)  I can't express adequately just how great they have been through this year.  They both made the trek down to Indy to be with me through both my surgeries.  Edie made sure my social media accounts were updated (and did a GREAT job with that).  They made me laugh, prayed for me and did anything I needed them to do.  Edie's son Sam even gave me his beloved Colt's hat to wear.  Ladies, I consider you guys my sisters and I love you both dearly.  To quote the immortal bard Kelly Clarkson "My life would suck without you".  (that goes for my family too)

4.  I have the best job ever.  The library has been awesome through all of this.  They were flexible with me not being there and such a support.  You guys rock.

5.  My twitter buddies rock.  Years ago, I became obsessed with a little movie entitle "Twilight".  To find out more about it, I joined the Twilight fandom on Twitter.  When I got diagnosed, I debated on whether or not to disclose what I had.  I am so glad I did.  You guys have been such a support.  I have had prayers and positive vibes coming to me from all over the world.  I must meet you guys in person one of these days.

6.  People in the medical field, especially the oncology part,  have the customer service thing down.  The ladies in Dr. Gupta's /Dr. Leagre's office remembered my name without me telling them.  Dr. Schmidt called me at home the day after my appointment because he remembered he forgot to answer one of my questions.  The Women's Hospital gave me a thank you card for letting them take care of me.  And I still can't fathom how Barb and the other chemo nurses keep anything straight with the quantity of patients they see in one day.  These are just a few instances of the great customer service I received this year.  Since I have a job that deals with customer service, I hope to take what I have learned and pay it forward so to speak.

7.  I really rock the short hair look.   I have had people I don't even know stop and tell me how cute it looks.   I guess all those times I threatened to shave my head bald, I should have done it.  I don't think I would choose to go bald again.  I have had enough of hats.

8.  Maintaining a positive attitude is more than half the battle.  I fully believe that my choosing to have a positive attitude got me through this year.  That is not to say I didn't have my moments.   I just let those moments happen and pulled up my bootstraps and marched forward.  Life is so much better when you laugh about things.

9.  I will never complain about another birthday EVER.  Every birthday from 45 to 100 will be a huge celebration for me.  I won't even let it bother me that my baby brother is turning 40 April 21. (I am a rotten older sister aren't I) 

This turned out to be more wordy than I planned so I won't bore you any further.  Just know that I am thrilled I made it a year and I plan to be here for many many more.

Yes I am still here

Greetings!  My apologies for slacking on my blogging duties.  Recuperating takes a lot of work. :D

First I would like to thank my BFF Edie for once again keeping my social media accounts updated during my surgery.  You did awesome.  Hopefully you won't have to do it again for a LONG time.

I thought I would share some highlights from my month off.  First let's start with the surgery:

1)  I was dreading getting my IV (as I have said before, my veins suck)  I don't know the name of the nurse who gave me my IV, but she did great.  Didn't feel a thing.  I wonder if I can have her give me all of my blood tests. :D

2)  I had wondered if Dr. Schimdt would mark my breast before my surgery and low and behold, he did.  I didn't have the nerve to ask him just what he would have mistaken for a breast since I only had one to take off.  Guess we will never know. :)  I also heard there was a discussion on how one would remove a breast and leave a nipple.  You will have to ask my cheering section about that one. :)

3)  It is official, anesthesia is not my friend.  I couldn't keep any food down until right before I left the hospital.  Next surgery, I am going to have them hit me over the head with a club.

4)  The St. Vincent Women's Hospital is one of the best hospitals I have ever stayed at.  The nurses were attentive and friendly (no Nurse Ratchet this time).  My cheering section got free coffee.  Mom wishes there cot was a little softer but other than that, there was no complaints.  They even gave me a Thank You card as I was being discharged thanking me for letting them take care of me.

Edie then took us home the next day.  Some of the highlights from recovery include:

1) Drains still stuck. (pun intended).  Luckily this time, since I didn't have a lymph node taken out, I only had one of those pesky things.  I was never so glad to get it out.  I won't be the least little bit sad if I never have another one.

2)  If you read Edie's post about my surgery, yes Mom took the clocks of the wall.

3)  I found I was a little more sore this time.  I suspect that had something to do with it being the left side and being left handed.  That's what I get for being unique. :)

4)  Mom has informed me that if I have another breast off, I will have to find somebody else to take care of me.  (Yes, my sense of humor came from her side of the family)

5) Having a mastectomy must make you crochet fast.  I finished 2 1/2 projects while I was off.  Hopefully I will keep this up. *giggles*

5)  The pathology report came back on the breast and there was no signs of cancer.  Praise the Lord.  When I went back for my follow up with Dr. Schmidt, he was very pleased with how I was healing.

So that brings us to today.  I am going back to work today. (Hooray)  It will be good to get back into a routine.  I am now at the "follow-up appointment" stage of my recovery.  At the end of April, I get to go get fitted for my new boobies.  I am exited about this because I really want to get the shirt that has this on it:

So that is where it stands right now.  Thank you all so much for your support.  I couldn't have gotten here without it.  And I will keep you updated on how I am doing.

February 26 update

Edie, the Friend Formerly Known as the Pill Pusher, here, guest posting for T with permission once again after another rousing edition of "What Body Part Shall We Lop Off Today?"

T started out at predawn thirty into the overcast, damp, darkness to trek to the Women's Hospital to correct a grievous wrong. Before her second mastectomy, she, for the first time in her life, was left-leaning. Now, thanks to the marvel of modern medicine, she shan't have that affliction e'er again. (And all the conservatives said, "Amen.")

This second surgery took a far shorter time than the first because the doc didn't take a lymph node this round, so it was over before most people had time for a second cup of coffee. Speaking of coffee, if you are ever an attendee to a patient at Saint V's Women's Hospital, just bat your eyelashes at the front desk clerk, and you'll get a free coupon for a cup o' Starbucks at the coffee bar in the front lobby.

Post-op, T was a lot more perky this round due to a manageable pain level. She almost had a tinge of color in her face. She was alert and nearly amused. Her stomach, however, was not playin'. It did not enjoy the medicinal cocktail that goes along with surgery, and it promptly showed its displeasure by rejecting that first sip of chocolate shake that T tried to consume. After that, it calmed down a bit and let T get some rest.

When I left T this evening, she was dozing lightly despite the fact that her IV pump sounded like it had a tiny, persistent kitten stuck inside. They lop off a body part, and you get a free kitten. How's that for a good trade?

When dawn breaks anew, and they release T, I'll bring her back home where her mamacita will nurse her back to health but only after she's removed all the noisy clocks from the walls. I'm guessing, she won't even notice the tick-tock-tick-tock with that tiny kitten running around.

One of the first things T said to me this morning was, "This is the last day I have to wear a bra." Yes, she's going to be juuuuuust fine.

January 4 update

Today was the day I went to Indy for my tests.  Praise the Lord the roads were clear and Mom didn't have to ride in the trunk. :D  First was the MRI.  When the MRI was set up, they told me it would be at 11:15 and to arrive 45 minutes early to fill out the paperwork.  When I arrived early, the lady at the front desk told me "You are an hour early, you weren't supposed to be here until 11:15".  I explained what I had been told and while I was filling out the paperwork, they got the tech's there and I got in around 11am.  Hooray!  The MRI itself was a breeze.  Getting the IV in for the contrast was another story.  They couldn't get it in my arm so they had to put it in the back of my hand.  (Another fun side effect of chemo I will have to live with)

After the MRI, a yummy lunch at Applebee's and a trip to Half Price Books (I am such a librarian), I went back for my mammogram.  They took 2 pictures and then the radiologist read the films.  She saw a suspicious spot that wasn't there after my last mammogram so she wanted another couple of shots taken.  After looking at those films, she determined that it wasn't anything to worry about.  I trust the doctors there so I am not going to worry.  I will say this, any doubt that I had about have my other breast removed flew out the window.  I am through dealing with this.  I want it off, end of story.

So please keep me in your prayers that the spot really isn't anything to worry about.  And continue to pray that the insurance finally agrees to pay for the surgery.

December 17/18 update

I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. Schmidt yesterday.   We got there at 1:30pm for my 2:10 appointment.  You would not believe how crowed the waiting room was.  People were standing and sitting in the hallway.  The thing that struck me about that was the amount of women that needed to be there.  2 1/2 hours later, I finally got to see him.  They led Mom and I to an exam room.  Dr. Schmidt did the breast exam and then asked me if I was wanting to do reconstruction.  I told him I didn't want to do that but I had a question about having my left breast off.  So he told me to get dressed and he would be back in.  Well he came back in, grabbed my chart, told me I would be back in March for a mammogram and then led me to the check out.  Needless to say, Mom and I were kinda stunned.  But we figured that scheduling the appointment in March was his answer.  Or maybe I wasn't to that stage yet.  Dr. Schmidt likes to do things in stages and you don't discuss something before you are ready.

So that brings us to this evening.  I am lounging around my house and the phone rings.  It's Dr. Schmidt.  He said "You will think this is crazy, but I just remember you had a question and I didn't answer it".  So we discussed having the left breast off.  He said I didn't have to but he would have no problem taking it off.  So the plan is to go back down there in January for another mammogram and another MRI.  Those who know me well know how thrilled I am about having another MRI.  (They better get that blasted IV right this time).   I will then have my consultation with him and then have the mastectomy in either February or March.

Needless to say, my head is spinning but I truly think this is the right thing for me to do.  So please pray that everything goes right and that there is no snow.  (Mom would appreciate that)

November 30, 2012 update

I had my last radiation treatment today. WOO HOO!!!   I can't tell you how excited I am about that.   As a graduation gift I got a coffee mug with cocoa, tea and 3 Tootsie Roll pops in it.  (I was probably most excited to find out what was actually in the cups)  Now each day when drink my morning coffee, I can remember the wonderful gals in the radiation lab.  They were AWESOME.  I then saw Dr. Logan.  She said everything looked great.  I also got a good supply of every lotion under the sun to take care of my glowing skin.

So now the game plan is this, I have a follow up appointment with Dr. Schmidt on Dec. 17.  I see Dr. Leagre on Jan 11 and Dr. Gupta on April 23. (or at least I think it's April 23, the appointment card is at home).  I have a feeling my life is going to revolve around doctor's appointments for a while.  But if it keeps me alive, I am cool with that!

So if you stop by KHCPL today you probably will see a librarian doing a little of this...

and this

and this

and a whole lot of this

Oct 21 update

It's been a while since I have updated my blog.  It's been a really busy month and every time I have thought about doing it, I have been doing something else or sleeping :D .  Since probably most of you know what has been going on, I thought I would give you the Cliff's (or T's) notes version of what has been happening to me.

Before I begin, I wanted to give a HUGE thank you to my BFF Edie for updating not only my blog, but my Twitter and Facebook accounts while I was down for the count.  She is the bestest friend a girl can have.  You are the tops my friend.  And the passwords will be changed shortly. :)

So buckle your seat belts, it's going to be an exciting ride:

The mastectomy was a success.  Needed more than tylenol right after surgery.  No new cancer found.  No cancer in the lymph node.  Praising God for that.  Drains SUCK.  So do physical therapy exercises.  Moral support was outstanding.  Mothers love to give daughters cleaning advice while they are staying with them.  Daughter is going to get with the Son to make sure his barn is ready for Mother when the time comes.  Dr. Schmidt was downright giddy.  Got to go back to work 2 1/2 weeks after my surgery. A week after that, started preparing for radiation.  Feel like I have The Avengers taking care of my treatment.  Now have a road map where my boob used to be.  

That brings us to this past week.  I started radiation last Monday.  I will have 33 treatments total and I go Monday through Friday.  So I have 5 of those down already.  Woo hoo!  I will say this, radiation is a BREEZE compared to chemo. The only side effect is fatigue.  And that will probably get worse.  (Although Mom keeps tell me I have always been sleepy)

I also saw Dr. Gupta on Monday.  He started me on Tamoxifen.  I have to take this because my cancer feeds off of estrogen.  Chemo started me on menopause, Tamoxifen will push me over the edge.  I told my male co-workers about this on Wednesday.  I do believe they are scared of me now. :D

Keep those prayers and positive vibes a coming.  This cancer is well on it's way to getting kicked to the curb.

September 12 update

I, Edie the pill pusher, have been asked to guest post for T who was fileted with a surgical knife today. As you can see, she's been kind of busy. She got up at predawn thirty to drive to her surgical destination, so that she could wait several hours for her procedure to begin. Shortly after 8 a.m., she was well on her way to OR to have her front-right lobe, shall we say, sliced and diced into oblivion. A little over an hour later, her surgeon emerged to say, "Everything went great." (He gets paid to work with his hands, folks, not with words. Give him a break.) Now, for once in her life, she can truly say that she is left-leaning.

By the time T reached her awaiting entourage, she was lucid and had full presence of mind. She was pained but famished, so to make the medicine go down, she got a small cup of ice cream which she inhaled. It was followed by a Vicodin chaser which might has well have been water. And to think that the doctor's office had informed her that she'd be fine with just a couple of Tylenol to soothe the pain. You try getting a pound of flesh hacked off and see how you feel. After a toasted cheese which was all that with a bag o' chips which she also inhaled rapidly, she was still greatly pained. I, Edie the pill pusher, encouraged her to ask for more pain meds so she could rest. What good is surgery if you can't slip into a narcotic haze? She agreed that less pain was just the thing she needed, and the nurse gave her a hit of morphine which worked quite nicely. Nighty, night, T. Edie, exit stage right.

Squeamish Alert: Later, the nurse gave T meds on an empty stomach, and that didn't go so well. She tumbled her cookies a couple of times. I, Edie the pill pusher, called and suggested more anti-nausea meds which T started to ask for by the time I got off the phone. (I wonder what else I can ask her to do while she is in her compromised state.)

All that was four hours ago. Of course, I don't know what's happened since then, but I am not going to call T's mom at eleven-thirty at night since she got up so dreadfully early because I value my life.

I do know that T has two drains that she will have to maintain for a couple of weeks. Fun, fun. By mid-morning, T is supposed to be on her way home. Over the river and through the woods may not be the most comfortable ride, so in the words of T, "Keep praying."

By the time I left her, T had some of the color back in her face, and her fuzzy, little head was just as cute as ever. T is a trooper and has done remarkably well. T'ain't no surprise to me. God is her strength. She'll be just fine, come what may, because she knows Whose she is.

In another two to six weeks, she can go back to work. In the meantime, she has some healing to do. I'm sure she'd love it if you sent her card and maybe some chocolate. Perhaps a bag of Jelly Bellys that she could eat in the dark. And remember, those prayers won't be wasted. God bless us every one...and especially our T.

August 30 update

This has been an eventful week for me.  I haven't made this many trips to Indianapolis since I got my Master's degree at IUPUI.  The fun started on August 22.  I went down to have an MRI, mammogram and ultrasound.  I had the MRI first and then went to have the mammogram and ultrasound.  They did the mammogram first and then after waiting a bit, they told me I could leave.  I asked about the ultrasound and they had determined I didn't need it.  So I went home.  Thursday afternoon (Aug 23), I receive a call from the hospital scheduling department.  They told me that a couple of the films of the MRI didn't come out and I was going to have to come back down there to have them retaken.  I asked how long this would take and they said "10 minutes".  This didn't make the cancer patient very happy.  But since I wanted things to be seen clearly, I knew I had to go back down there.

So on Tuesday (Aug 28), I went back down to have the MRI retaken.  As they were getting me ready, they explained that the contrast didn't go in correctly so that is why I was having to have it retaken.  I made the comment that during the first one, it felt like the contrast was running down my arm.  Their response was  "You didn't tell us about that".  Silly me, I guess I am supposed to know exactly how contrast going in my arm is supposed to feel.  Anyway, they then tell me that the test will take 45 minutes.  I said, I was told on the phone that it would only take 10 minutes.  Evidently, with a breast MRI, it's an all or nothing kind of deal.  I was ok with that because it made the hour drive down and back a little more worth it.  I also learned that you don't believe everything the scheduling department tells you.

So that brings us to today.  I met with Dr. Schmidt.  He was very pleased with how things are progressing.  The tests look great.  They scheduled my mastectomy for Sept 12.  (I will get the exact time when they send me the paperwork in the mail)  I have to go down to St. Vincent's on Sept 11 to have pre-surgery tests done.

I asked if since the tests looked good if that meant the cancer was gone.  He said the only way to know if the cancer was completely gone was to take the breast and one lymph node off and biopsy (or as Mom said "autopsy") it.

That's all I know for know.  Keep praying that things keep going well.

August 6 update

Sorry I didn't update yesterday.  I had a lot of celebrating to do.

As you know, yesterday was my last chemo (WOO HOO!).  I chose the shirt pictured above to be my chemo day attire.  It was sent to me by my Twitter bestie Luz.  "Bazinga" is one of the catch phrases from the show The Big Bang Theory (one of the shows I am obsessed with).  Sheldon, one of the main characters in the show, uses "Bazinga" after he plays what he thinks are practical jokes on his friends.  Well cancer, the joke is on you, I am going to beat you. "Bazinga".

Dr. Gupta is very pleased with how I am progressing.  Mom commented that people were commenting on how well I was doing.  Dr. Gupta's response "She's not normal".  I take that as a complement.  :D  Mom response was "I could have told you that."

My last chemo went very well.  I slept through most of it.  That Benedryl kicked me in the butt.

Today I am feeling great.  Being the second day after chemo, that makes me very happy.

I wanted to thank everybody for the birthday wishes and well wishes for the last day of Chemo.  I know all the support, prayers, and positive vibes is what has gotten me through this.

So now I move on to the next hurdle in my journey.  On August 22, I go down to Indy to have a mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI.  Please pray for good results.  Then on August 30 to have my consultation with Dr.  Schmidt.  I will get my mastectomy scheduled that day I am sure.

That's all I know right now.  Going to spend the rest of the week celebrating the start of my 44th year.  I know it's going to be a great one.

July 23 Update

Today I got my 7th chemo treatment.  Only 1 more to go.  I am beyond excited about that.  But we will get to that in a minute.

I started this morning seeing Dr. Gupta.  He was very pleased with my blood work and how things were going.  He told me to continue to give people a hard time (doctor's orders) and to remember to listen to my mother.  Mom really enjoys when he says that.

The treatment this time went about 3 hours.  I was really tired when it was over.  Not sure if it was the Benedryl or sitting in one position for that long.  Needless to say I have been resting this afternoon.  Before we came home we celebrated this chemo treatment with a Big Mac and a chocolate chip frappe from McDonald's.  I haven't had a Big Mac in years and I have to say it was pretty tasty.  The chocolate chip frappe was too.

So in two weeks I not only get my last chemo treatment (woo hoo),  it will be my 44th birthday.  As the  lab tech said last Friday when she realized my birthday was coming up and I told her it was my last chemo treatment too, "It will be the day for 2 celebrations".  That is how I intend to look at it.

July 9 update

Today was the day of my 6th chemo treatment.  I was very thankful that the heat wave finally broke.  It will make recuperating much easier.

I started out the day seeing Dr. Gupta.  He is very pleased with how I am progressing.  We did discuss the tingling/numbness I have been experiencing in my feet and left hand.  It is a common side effect with the new round of chemo I am on.  Dr. Gupta decided to dial back the amount of chemo I got this time and told me to take either vitamin B6 or B12.  Since either one would work, I purchased the B complex vitamin which had both in it.  I figured it couldn't hurt.  I also found out my red blood cell count had gone up to 9.8.  I was very happy about that.  Dr. Gupta told me whatever I am doing to be sure to keep it up.  Mom and I also asked Dr. Gupta if it was ok if I had fair food (somebody had warned us against it).  He said if I liked fair food, to go for it. :)   (For those of you reading my blog not from my area, the County 4H Fair started this week)

My actual chemo treatment went pretty well.  I slept through a lot of it.  I had told Mom before we went  that if I did start snoring to be sure to wake me up.  I didn't but at one point she did wake me up because I had my mouth hanging open.  She said it looked like I was ready to catch flies. :)

After we left we the hospital we ate at Dairy Queen.  I celebrated my 6th chemo treatment with a Peanut Buster Parfait!  It was yummy.

I am very excited that I only 2 more chemo treatments to go!  Woo Hoo!

June 25 update.

Today I completed my 5th chemo out of 8 that I am scheduled to have.  Woo hoo I am over the hump.  That makes me very happy.

I started out the day seeing Dr. Gupta.  He was pleased with how I was progressing.  He said I am still anemic (low red blood cells) but not so bad that I needed a transfusion.  They also looked at the vein flare on my wrist.  For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook or Twitter, I developed a vein flare on my left wrist this week.  It was very painful and swollen (not helped by the fact that I am left handed).  I had gone into the office and Barb (my favorite nurse in the world) put me on steroids and antibiotics.  This weekend I noticed that I had another smaller vein flair on my right arm. (They confirmed that it was one today) Anyway, they were happy with how they were doing and I was told I may live with them for a while but they would go away. (Hooray).

I then proceeded to get my chemo treatment.  This week started a new set of chemo drugs.  Instead of getting it in the back on my hand, I got it in the crook of my arm.  I liked that A LOT  better.  Praise God I didn't have any allergic reactions during the treatment.  I did have to chuckle that one of the drugs I got was Benedryl.  The one and only other time I have taken Benedryl was when I was younger and still lived at home.  After taking it then, I feel asleep on the floor and Mom didn't think she would ever get me off of it I was so out of it.  Luckily that didn't happen today.  The treatment did last a little longer (3 hours instead of 1 1/2), but it wasn't too bad.  They did feed me.  The hospital food was pretty good.

 Some of the possible new side effects I need to look out for is muscle aches (kinda like I am getting the flu), possible loss of my nails, and numbing and tingling in my feet.  Needless to say, this should be an interesting week.

Again, thanks for all the prayers and support I have been getting.  Even though there are times I get frustrated with this whole process, I know God is going to get me through this.  All the love and support I am getting is a huge help.  I love you all.

June 12 update

Yesterday I completed my 4th chemo session.  I am officially half way through.  HOORAY!!!  I would have updated my blog yesterday but I was extremely tired and was not sure if I could keep things straight.   My chemo brain is making life interesting.

Today I am doing about the same: tired, achey and queasy stomach.  Nothing I haven't had before so I know I can get through it.

My next chemo session starts a new set of drugs.  Instead of lasting an 1 1/2 hours, it will last 3 hours.  I also have to take 5 pills the night before my chemo and 5 pills the day of to prevent an allergic reaction to the chemo.  Not sure how I am going to react to this new chemo, but at least I only have 4 of them.

I again want to thank everyone for all the prayers and positive thoughts on my behalf.  I know without a doubt that that is was is getting my through this.

June 7 update

I got to go to Indianapolis to see Dr. Schmidt this afternoon.  After a quick examination (and I mean quick), he was happy with how thing were progressing.  We learned from his nurse that I can have my other breast taken off just not at the same time.  They would take the breast off with the cancer, then I would go through radiation.  Then if I want to have reconstruction they would take the other breast off then and reconstruct both at the same time.  They do it this way because there would be too much risk having both breast off at once of blood clots.

So I was happy to hear that things were progressing well.  I have to admit I was a little bummed that this process is going to take a little longer than I had figured.  (I had it in my head that it would be over by the end of the year.  It obviously won't. )  However, if this is what it takes to get well, I will hold my head high and march on through.

May 29 update

It's been a while since I have updated.  Things have been going on pretty normally.  I went in today and had chemo treatment #3.  Only 5 more to go.  Woo hoo!  My blood test looked good.  They did say my red blood cell count was on the low side (9.5).  It wasn't low enough to have a blood transfusion yet.  I will probably feel a little more tired and winded.  They told me to just listen to my body and if I need a nap, take a nap. (Yay naps!)  

Also, this weekend I started having mood swings.  I would feel really sad and start crying for no reason.  I  checked with the nurses today and that is a side effect of the chemo.  Chemo can send you into menopause.  I was very glad to know that it was a side effect and I wasn't going crazy.  

So that's all I know right now.  So far I haven't had any nausea this afternoon. (Yay nausea medicine)  I think a nap is on the agenda this afternoon.

May 15 update

I went for my second chemo treatment yesterday.  I saw Dr. Gupta first.  The results of the blood test I took on Friday were good so chemo was a go.  He said whatever I was doing, keep it up.  I still have permission to give people a hard time but he told me I have to listen to Mom.  Mom really liked hearing that. :)

Chemo lasted about 1 1/2 hours.  So far the nausea hasn't been to bad.  I think I have a better handle on taking the nausea medicine and eating small amounts throughout the day seems to be helping.  I still have my bouts of being tired.

I go in for a followup shot this morning.  I am hoping I feel better later in the week to enjoy the rest of my vacation.

Thanks again for all the prayers and warm thoughts.  I know they are getting me through this.  Keep them coming.

May 12 update

When I started the chemo I was told my hair "would fall out".  I wasn't sure how I would notice as I shed like a dog most of the time.  Well when I went to wash my hair this morning, I figured it out.  My hair was coming out in huge strands.  It continued through the day, so this evening I went to my brother's house and he shaved my head.

It wasn't traumatic at all.  Trying to keep my positive attitude, I came up with some positives of losing my hair.  They are:

1.  I can save money on hair products.

2.  I love my hair dresser but I can save money on hair cuts.

3.  When my hair comes back in, it's supposed to be darker. Hopefully no gray! 

4.  I might actually get hat to fit my big head.

5.  I can wear earrings and people will actually see them.

6.  I won't shed like a dog (better get the house cleaned up)

7.  I actually resemble my brother now. 

I am sure I will think of others.  I am considering this just another stop on my journey to being healthy again.