The chemo treatment was a little tougher this time than last. I was quite sick to my stomach both Monday and Tuesday. I did ALOT of sleeping. I went back to the doctor on Tuesday and was given another type of nausea medicine. I took it this morning with good results. I have been only slightly sick today.
I have also lost almost all of my hair. I put a wig on yesterday but was unable to wear it because my scalp is much too tender. However, my girlfriend, Kathy Hecker, went to Hobby Lobby and got some very colorful "farmer hankies" and I'm wearing them with success. It's a good thing I'm not in a fashion show (HA!). With all things considered, I'm very fortunate. I feel good enough to go to work each day which allows me to enjoy my staff and residents and keep my mind on things other than cancer.
I have two more rounds of this type of chemo (3-6 and 3-20), then it's on to Taxol. I found out that this type is fairly painful as it effects the nerves. Please pray specifically that my body will remain strong enough to continue taking chemo treatments on time and that the Taxol would not be too painful.
I thank God each day for the prayers that go before Him on my behalf. Thank you so much for your support, prayers and good wishes.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Second round of chemo
My second chemo treatment was March 23. Believe it or not, I really looked forward to having it. The treatment went very well and was over in about three hours. My parents went with me again and I believe they are now comfortable with the process and understand it better, so they are not quite as nervous about treatments. My mom made homemade chicken and noodles and my favorite...raspberry pie. I felt pretty good for about an hour after chemo, so we stuffed outselves and then I had to go to bed. My sister Lou Ann joined us for lunch. We had a really good time. As usual, I was very tired and slept most of the day.
Now for the big question...do I still have hair? And the answer is yes, for now. I started losing my hair on the 20th. By the 22nd, my brush was full of hair with each stroke, so (you know me) I quit brushing it so much. On the 23rd, it was coming out in droves when I washed it. During chemo the nurse told me that what hair I hadn't lost already, the treatment that day
would take care of. So the voting is on. Will I look like a chihuaua or a hairless cat? So many people have told me, "Oh your skin is so pretty, you will look great without hair." Isn't is nice that my friends will stoop to any level, even being untruthful, to make me feel good?
Thank you for your prayers. They mean ever-so-much to me. I have received so many cards, letters, and e-mails. I am on so many prayer lists that I am unable to keep track of them. I just never realized how much it meant to people over the years when I would tell them I would pray for them. Now that I am the one on the receiving end, the love of all the prayers is sometimes almost overwhelming, but in a very good way.
Now for the big question...do I still have hair? And the answer is yes, for now. I started losing my hair on the 20th. By the 22nd, my brush was full of hair with each stroke, so (you know me) I quit brushing it so much. On the 23rd, it was coming out in droves when I washed it. During chemo the nurse told me that what hair I hadn't lost already, the treatment that day
would take care of. So the voting is on. Will I look like a chihuaua or a hairless cat? So many people have told me, "Oh your skin is so pretty, you will look great without hair." Isn't is nice that my friends will stoop to any level, even being untruthful, to make me feel good?
Thank you for your prayers. They mean ever-so-much to me. I have received so many cards, letters, and e-mails. I am on so many prayer lists that I am unable to keep track of them. I just never realized how much it meant to people over the years when I would tell them I would pray for them. Now that I am the one on the receiving end, the love of all the prayers is sometimes almost overwhelming, but in a very good way.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
March 6, 2007 - First Chemo Treatment
My mom, dad, and I went to see my chemotherapy doctor, Dr. Steele, on March 5. They have started me on Adriamycin and Cytoxan every two weeks for four weeks. He tried to get by with doing it every three weeks, but I talked him out of it. We all know there is one thing I do best, and that is talking. If I can't talk you to death, no one can! Anyway, after that I will receive Taxol every three weeks for four rounds. I'm trying to talk him into every two weeks for that too, but so far, no luck. They will start the Herceptin shots with the Taxol. I will receive one shot each week for 48 weeks. This is the shot that will kill the receptions on the cells that are telling the estrogen to reproduce. This cell (neu/her2) is supposed to have two receptors and mine has about 20! Then I will have surgery and then radiation for five weeks, five times a week.
I had chemo on Tuesday, March 6, at 8 a.m. They gave me a bunch of benedryl, then some kind of antibotic, then the Adriamycin, then the Cytoxan. I had to take a pill two hours before the chemo to help prevent sickness. I really had to fight to stay awake as the Benedryl made me very sleepy. I then took pills every six hours to keep from being sick. And guess what? It worked. I was tired and slept alot but did not get sick.
I went to Dr. Steele's office March 7 to get a shot of Neulasta (a blood builder). I have to get another on March 16. On March 23 they will draw my blood, and if the red cells, white cells, and platelets are okay, they will give me chemo that day. It is less than 14 days in between, but I want to get on a schedule where chemo is on Friday so I will have two days off to recoup without missing work. Yes, I was tired today, but I WASN'T sick, praise God! Not sick in the least. I am tired as I write this and will hop off to bed when I done, but I am surely praising our Lord for this blessing because I really dislike nausea and vomiting.
Many of you call me Cat. A lovely little nickname my good friend Lynda Morrell started and has followed me through life ever since. So, while e-mailing my boss with the current news, I shared with him that I have always wanted a hairless cat not realizing I would BE one some day. Sick sense of humor, I know, but I thought it was humorous. Since the doc says I'll start losing my hair within five days, I wanted to have just a little fun with it.
My specific prayer is that God will continue to touch my body so that I can take chemo every two weeks and that this chemo will work to stop the cancer and kill the cells.
My former pastor's wife said one day, "Not all of God's blessings are things He gives us. Sometimes His blessing is what He saves us from." I feel that God has blessed me richly in finding this cancer at a stage III. I'm told if I hadn't found it, it probably would have not been detected until it was too late. Eric Newton, one of my vendors, left me a card Monday signed, "Your story, God's Glory." How true it is. I have dedicated myself to giving God all the glory every step of the way and being very thankful for where I am. I am overwhelmed with the love and kindness so many people have shown me. Every day my staff amaze me. They are the best. And my daughter, what can I say...she is so amazing. She is the joy of my soul and laughter in my heart. She is truly one of the most beautiful, godly young women I know. I have no idea why God blessed me with such a wonderful daughter. I don't deserve it, but I'm thankful He did. Just when I think it is impossible to love her more, I do. Thank you, Lindsey...you are one of the most wonderful blessings the Lord has ever given me.
We took some pictures on March 6 so you all could meet my doctor, my nurses, my parents (for those of you who don't know them), and so you could see what a chemo room looks like. I'm very fortunate because Dr. Steele provides private rooms for all his patients. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
This is a picture of my nurse Jocelyn pumping Adriamycin into me. We lovingly call it red Jello. It is too thick to put through the IV, so she patiently sat and pumped it through a little at a time. You can see my dad in the background. Yes, I'm seeing the red sea each time I go to the bathroom :)
Since most people have never seen a chemo room, we wanted to give you a little look. My chair is a BIG lazy boy with heat and massage. I have my own TV with DVD player and VCR, as well as a phone. You know how girls like their phones. I also have a bell to ring if I want the nurse. However, they have warned that use without real purpose equals removal of the bell. So I guess ringing it for grapes or other food is out of the question...just my luck.
Mom and Dad went with me to my first session. Can you see tension and worry? I did my best to entertain them. We brought breakfast with us and stuffed ourselves. They laughed a lot and, believe it or not, it went fast and we had a good time.
This is my chemotherapy doctor, Dr. Steele. He's supposed to be the best, and as far as I'm concerned, he is. I love his demeaner and the fact that he jokes with us and makes us feel like we are the most important people there. He has started a cancer support group which he leads. Isn't that great?
These are two of my nurses. Jocelyn is on the left and Pam Hamilton is on the right. Jocelyn lost her husband to cancer, yet she is still full of joy. We had a great time and a bunch of fun on Monday and Tuesday. Don't let their looks fool you, they are NUTS!
I had chemo on Tuesday, March 6, at 8 a.m. They gave me a bunch of benedryl, then some kind of antibotic, then the Adriamycin, then the Cytoxan. I had to take a pill two hours before the chemo to help prevent sickness. I really had to fight to stay awake as the Benedryl made me very sleepy. I then took pills every six hours to keep from being sick. And guess what? It worked. I was tired and slept alot but did not get sick.
I went to Dr. Steele's office March 7 to get a shot of Neulasta (a blood builder). I have to get another on March 16. On March 23 they will draw my blood, and if the red cells, white cells, and platelets are okay, they will give me chemo that day. It is less than 14 days in between, but I want to get on a schedule where chemo is on Friday so I will have two days off to recoup without missing work. Yes, I was tired today, but I WASN'T sick, praise God! Not sick in the least. I am tired as I write this and will hop off to bed when I done, but I am surely praising our Lord for this blessing because I really dislike nausea and vomiting.
Many of you call me Cat. A lovely little nickname my good friend Lynda Morrell started and has followed me through life ever since. So, while e-mailing my boss with the current news, I shared with him that I have always wanted a hairless cat not realizing I would BE one some day. Sick sense of humor, I know, but I thought it was humorous. Since the doc says I'll start losing my hair within five days, I wanted to have just a little fun with it.
My specific prayer is that God will continue to touch my body so that I can take chemo every two weeks and that this chemo will work to stop the cancer and kill the cells.
My former pastor's wife said one day, "Not all of God's blessings are things He gives us. Sometimes His blessing is what He saves us from." I feel that God has blessed me richly in finding this cancer at a stage III. I'm told if I hadn't found it, it probably would have not been detected until it was too late. Eric Newton, one of my vendors, left me a card Monday signed, "Your story, God's Glory." How true it is. I have dedicated myself to giving God all the glory every step of the way and being very thankful for where I am. I am overwhelmed with the love and kindness so many people have shown me. Every day my staff amaze me. They are the best. And my daughter, what can I say...she is so amazing. She is the joy of my soul and laughter in my heart. She is truly one of the most beautiful, godly young women I know. I have no idea why God blessed me with such a wonderful daughter. I don't deserve it, but I'm thankful He did. Just when I think it is impossible to love her more, I do. Thank you, Lindsey...you are one of the most wonderful blessings the Lord has ever given me.
We took some pictures on March 6 so you all could meet my doctor, my nurses, my parents (for those of you who don't know them), and so you could see what a chemo room looks like. I'm very fortunate because Dr. Steele provides private rooms for all his patients. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
This is a picture of my nurse Jocelyn pumping Adriamycin into me. We lovingly call it red Jello. It is too thick to put through the IV, so she patiently sat and pumped it through a little at a time. You can see my dad in the background. Yes, I'm seeing the red sea each time I go to the bathroom :)
Since most people have never seen a chemo room, we wanted to give you a little look. My chair is a BIG lazy boy with heat and massage. I have my own TV with DVD player and VCR, as well as a phone. You know how girls like their phones. I also have a bell to ring if I want the nurse. However, they have warned that use without real purpose equals removal of the bell. So I guess ringing it for grapes or other food is out of the question...just my luck.
Mom and Dad went with me to my first session. Can you see tension and worry? I did my best to entertain them. We brought breakfast with us and stuffed ourselves. They laughed a lot and, believe it or not, it went fast and we had a good time.
This is my chemotherapy doctor, Dr. Steele. He's supposed to be the best, and as far as I'm concerned, he is. I love his demeaner and the fact that he jokes with us and makes us feel like we are the most important people there. He has started a cancer support group which he leads. Isn't that great?
These are two of my nurses. Jocelyn is on the left and Pam Hamilton is on the right. Jocelyn lost her husband to cancer, yet she is still full of joy. We had a great time and a bunch of fun on Monday and Tuesday. Don't let their looks fool you, they are NUTS!
Friday, March 2, 2007
Here we go!
Lindsey here. A lot has happened since the last post.
First, mom's grandma Bessie passed away on Sunday. We were at the viewing all day on Tuesday and had the funeral on Wednesday. She was 96 years old, so we think that's pretty good! I don't know that I'd even want to live that long! She was a Christian lady and was ready to go, so we're happy that she's in a better place. Please pray for mom, her parents, and her sisters during this hard time. They were close to grandma.
Now for the cancer update. When they biopsied the centinal lymph node (that they took out on Thursday), they did find cancer in it. There is a border line and the cancer was over that line. As a result, they will be taking out all mom's lymph nodes on the left side when they do the mastectomy. That will make her immune system much weaker and she won't be able to do much of anything outside unless she has gloves on up to her elbows. She'll be more suseptible to infections and one little piece of dirt in a cut could put her in the hospital for up to two weeks. She's going to the oncologist on Monday at 5:15 and she will be starting chemo next week. She's now been bumped up to 6-8 rounds of chemo, every two weeks, because of the lymph nodes. Halfway through the chemo, she'll go see Bruce Vannatta, the plastic surgeon.
I know she's appreciate any encouragement you can send her way. Please be praying that she'll be really strong for the chemo. Mom doesn't handle medicine too great (and I have a great story about her at Red Lobster when the waitress spiked her raspberry lemonade if you'd like to hear it...it's proof that she can't handle much of anything foreign!) So pray that she'll be able to handle this chemo like a pro football player. She's still a very positive lady...more so than I would be in her situation. You know her...she's a tough cookie. We are very much appreciating your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for her because it's making a difference.
Oh yea, keep posted to the blog. Mom's going to let me shave her head once her hair starts going...and you better believe we'll have pictures!!! I think she's secretly excited to be following in Britney Spears' footsteps. :)
1 Chronicles 28:20, "David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished." NIV
First, mom's grandma Bessie passed away on Sunday. We were at the viewing all day on Tuesday and had the funeral on Wednesday. She was 96 years old, so we think that's pretty good! I don't know that I'd even want to live that long! She was a Christian lady and was ready to go, so we're happy that she's in a better place. Please pray for mom, her parents, and her sisters during this hard time. They were close to grandma.
Now for the cancer update. When they biopsied the centinal lymph node (that they took out on Thursday), they did find cancer in it. There is a border line and the cancer was over that line. As a result, they will be taking out all mom's lymph nodes on the left side when they do the mastectomy. That will make her immune system much weaker and she won't be able to do much of anything outside unless she has gloves on up to her elbows. She'll be more suseptible to infections and one little piece of dirt in a cut could put her in the hospital for up to two weeks. She's going to the oncologist on Monday at 5:15 and she will be starting chemo next week. She's now been bumped up to 6-8 rounds of chemo, every two weeks, because of the lymph nodes. Halfway through the chemo, she'll go see Bruce Vannatta, the plastic surgeon.
I know she's appreciate any encouragement you can send her way. Please be praying that she'll be really strong for the chemo. Mom doesn't handle medicine too great (and I have a great story about her at Red Lobster when the waitress spiked her raspberry lemonade if you'd like to hear it...it's proof that she can't handle much of anything foreign!) So pray that she'll be able to handle this chemo like a pro football player. She's still a very positive lady...more so than I would be in her situation. You know her...she's a tough cookie. We are very much appreciating your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for her because it's making a difference.
Oh yea, keep posted to the blog. Mom's going to let me shave her head once her hair starts going...and you better believe we'll have pictures!!! I think she's secretly excited to be following in Britney Spears' footsteps. :)
1 Chronicles 28:20, "David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished." NIV
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