9-17-14 Chemo Day #4

"Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come." -- Psalm 71:3

I decided to let you into the secret world of a Chemo Day--in pictures!!

Anna made me two beautiful pillowcases for my couch pillow. You can also notice my wig, courtesy of the American Cancer Society. However, it kind of gives me a headache, so had to change to a comfy scarf for this day!

Chemo #4 About to begin

The happening place--Party Central.

Skipped the weighing me step--some things remain private!! Here she is accessing my port, the implanted device that they push all the drugs through. That means one stick, and it's pre-numbed with magical cream so I don't even feel that.

BP time.

Talking to the nurse, pre chemo.

Now, to the PA.

This is "The Bullpen" where some people get their chemo. I use this when I just need a shorter time, say of fluids, but prefer my own room for when we're doing the 8 hour day!

Waiting for chemo to start, talking on the phone.

One drug can cause peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, pain in feet and hands). To help combat this they put ice packs on hands and feet during the time that is administered. 

Anna went and got lunch from Braeda.

Cookie from lunch--Q for Queen, obviously

 Nap time. I woke myself up with a terrible, awful snore. My first words to Anna? "That was not snoring." I'm not sure just what it was, though!  :)

The reason chemo takes so long is that one drug causes bad stuff to happen in your kidneys, so they give me three bags of fluids through out the day to flush it out of there. The result? Lots of trips to the potty, taking all my drugs with me.

No cameras in here, please!! 

This is the high tech IV pole that administers multiple meds at one time. 

Anna, my Chemo Buddy and I at the end of the day.

Song of the week, sent to me by Natalie:

Victor's Crown

http://youtu.be/_2nBOGA6X2g

Tumor is down to 1 x 1.5 cm now!! YAY!!! Of course, that is just the manual measurement, so it is not as accurate as if they were doing monthly MRI's, but it gets harder and harder for her to find it each time. I had to point out about where it is before she felt it this time. 

And today I am feeling much better than last week one day after chemo. But, I think it is time for a nap now--no one is here to tell me if I snore!

Love, 

Kitt.

9-13-14 Next Week Looms...

"O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

Good morning!

I've been feeling really good this week--almost normal again (except for the severe compulsion to take a 2-3 hour nap each afternoon!) But, whenever I start to feel this good…next week looms. It's a true case of living life in the now…not worrying about tomorrow.

A couple things I forgot to tell you last time…

TUMOR REPORT

When I first was diagnosed, this tumor measured 6 cm. x 6 cm. (Yes, I know, don't ask me how I missed that in my self-exams!!) That was determined by the MRI. During treatment I have a little mini-exam before each chemo session and they manually measure. Here are the statistics:

7-2014        6 cm.             MRI

8-6-2014     2 x 3.5 cm     Manually measured

8-27-2014   1.5 x 3 cm     The doctor said if she didn't know there was a tumor there and where it was, she would not have been able to feel it!!!!! YAY!!!

So, I am hopeful it will be gone next Tuesday!! Totally!! Wouldn't that be wonderful? That is what the doctor's goal is--that is called something like a complete pathological response, which means it totally responded to chemotherapy and vanished. We still would finish all the chemo sessions--to make sure every cell that is cancerous is dead. And we still will go ahead with surgery when chemo is complete, but it would be so nice to have it all gone now. Before surgery the surgeon will ask for another MRI so he can know exactly what he's dealing with and where it is. We want that one to be clear.

The second thing I forgot to tell you last time is that I was reading a book that dealt with just Triple Negative cancer. It was written by a professor from the University of Iowa who was diagnosed with this form of breast cancer a few years ago. She cites statistics saying that if you have a complete pathological response followed by surgery there is a 90% statistical probability that the cancer will NOT return. Now, I am married to a business professor who works with statistics a lot. I know people can interpret statistics to serve their own purposes, but so much of what you read about Triple Negative is very depressing…"aggressive," "high rate of recurrence," "higher mortality rate." It was nice to read something encouraging. I am choosing to believe this statistic.

My life is dictated by the chemo cycle right now. Week #1--Lay on the couch and sleep. Wait for time to pass. Eat meals on the couch. Week #2--Perk up a bit. Rejoin Loy at the supper table. Help with the cooking. Week #3--Whooppee!!! Live it up!! Drive places!! Shop!!

This week I was so stir crazy I had four different things planned. Monday evening: art class provided by the hospital to cancer survivors. It was free, so I went. I do not have an artistic bone in my body, but it was a lot of fun. We made fused glass pendants--I probably did about ten of them. They are being fired in the kiln now, but we'll see if any of them turned out wearable!!  Tuesday evening: Bible study reunion. The girls came and we all drank lemon slushes and talked about what's been happening during the last four months. Incredibly fun. Wednesday evening: make up class put on by the American Cancer Society. I've never worn tons of make up but wanted to learn how to do eyeliner (in case my eyelashes fall out) and had heard about the terrific gift bag of high end make up they give you. It was a good evening also. Then Thursday it was time for my massage (I get one each week before chemo. Thank you, Loy!!!) What a great week!!

So, if you're a praying person, would you please pray for these things:

1. That a the tumor would be gone.
2. That I would not get so light headed the week following chemo.
3. That every single cell that is cancerous or will turn to cancer would be killed.
4. That I would not let my mind wander to worse case scenarios--that happens especially at night before I fall asleep.

This song has been around for a few years, but even during Week #1 I do a little dance when I hear it (really, I do!!) (Dolores, click on the word "Overcomer" below to hear the song!)  :)

Overcomer

Thank you all!!

Kitt Out.

On a day when I'm feeling blue I get a picture like this. What terrific medicine this is!! Payton now calls them "Payts and Carts." I love these little monkeys!!!

9-6-14 Get ready to be Loved!!

Here's the picture of me heading off to Chemo #3. And, for my photographer brother, I know that Luke's picture makes it look like I have feathers coming off my head--I liked it that way!!! Made me feel kind of like the Statue of Liberty!

So, I am halfway done. I know I should be feeling this great sense of accomplishment. What I feel is disheartened because I have to go through this three more times. Sometimes it just feels like more than I can do. I have to remember that it IS more than I can do. God will sustain me and carry me.

Last Tuesday I went in for my post-chemo neulasta shot, which is the shot that encourages my blood to become strong again. (For your own information, six years ago they could do that shot at the end of chemotherapy, but the insurance company has determined that it is better to make a patient come in the next day. Just 'cuz, I guess.) They called me back for the shot and the nurse said, "Any side effects?" I had never mentioned my light headedness to the office, figuring it was a normal side effect. But, this time I said, "Oh, I'm a little dizzy." The nurse said, "Since you're here do you want me to take your blood pressure?" I agreed, since I was there. She took it and its was 80/40!! (Normal is about 120/80!) She said, "I'm going to have to talk to a doctor." I had to have two liters of fluid, which took about two hours, but I sure felt better when it was done.

Dealing with Chemo Tip:   I think I told you before that I had my head shaved during Week #1 - Post Chemo. It was pretty short, but I still had nubs. Until Week #3 - Post Chemo, when quite a few of the nubs took loose and fell out. But not all. Then during Week #3 - Post Chemo #2 more nubs fell out. But not all. It would look better if they just ALL fell out. But I couldn't get them to let loose. So, here's my neat idea for getting that totally skinhead look--duct tape. I put duct tape on my nubs and then pulled. Got quite a few of those babies, too!  :) Next week is Week #3 - Post Chemo #3. We'll see if the last hangers-on come out.

I've been reading various cancer books and twice in the past week I have seen a quote to the effect that once you are diagnosed with cancer, "Be prepared to be loved." I have found that to be so true. I get encouraging emails and cards almost every day--and I love every single one of them. When I go to church I feel like a rock star! People tell me they are praying for me all the time. It really DOES make you realize how blessed you are with friends!!

Have a great weekend!!

Love,

Kitt.