I Kicked Chemo's Ass!!

Chemo #6: Done

Today I received my last doses of Carboplatin and Taxotere.  I have weathered their storm well.  Dr. P is pleased.  I will continue to have side effects for the next few weeks but then they will subside.  My hair will grow back.  Feeling will return to my hands and feet.  The diarrhea should subside.

Potential Problem

I have developed a shortness of breath when I walk any distance or attempt any physical activity.  Dr. P believes I may have a pulmonary embolism.  This is a more rare side effect and it is life threatening.  I will be undergoing a specialized CT scan tomorrow.  If I do have the embolism, I will most likely receive Heparin and Coumadin.  I'm a little scared.

Next Steps

My breast cancer showed production of an extra amount of the HER-2 protein a.k.a. HER-2 positive.  I have been taking the antibody Herceptin intravenously at the end of my chemo treatments.  I will need to continue taking this antibody through September.  It is not considered chemotherapy and the side effects are less serious.  The antibody will be administered every three weeks and will include a blood draw.  I will be able to work after these treatments.

Radiation was also indicated in my case.  I have my first consult on Friday, January 18.  At that time, I will be given details about the treatment plan and side effects.  The current plan is to receive daily treatments of approximately 10 minutes for 6 weeks.  Side effects include fatigue and severe sunburn.

Long Term Follow Up

I will be followed every 3 months in year one.  I will be followed every 4 months in year two.  I will be followed every 6 months in years three through five.  I will be followed annually thereafter.  My prognosis is excellent.

I caught my cancer early by being proactive about my annual mammogram.  My treatment was a little on the aggressive side but I agreed that I would rather err on the side of caution.  My aggressive treatment also allowed me to keep my breast which, despite my unwillingness to admit, was important to me at 46 and single.

Lessons Learned to Date
Chemo therapy has been a nuisance and sometimes difficult but it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.  I broke down the night before I shaved my head, but in the end, it was empowering.  I have felt happy, strong and confident ever since.  Who knew?  Cancer has been a gift from God and I'm thankful for what it has given me and what it has taught me.

I have been given sisters, friends, love, a relationship with God, and knowledge.  I have learned patience, positivity, and faith.

Next phase starts in just a few weeks.  Stay tuned.

Thank you.

A Long Overdue Update

Medical Details:

Chemo goes through the blood stream killing cancer but it can also kill the blood aka me.  As you may have guessed, I'm meaner than chemo.

My platelets, which allow the blood to clot, remain normal.

White bloods cells protect you from infection.  Traditional signs of infection however are absent when one is undergoing chemo.  My white cells indicate that I'm at a slight to moderate increase in risk.  This explains the regular chills and fevers.  If my fever reaches 101 F, I need to contact my doctor immediately.  I have gotten as high as 100.8 F.

Red blood cells provide energy and stamina.  I am definitely anemic.  This means I'm fatigued, weak and short of breath.  Now I know why I can sleep for days.

Treatment Status:

Chemo # 4: Check

Chemo # 5: Check

Chemo # 6: January 9.  Woohoo!! I will be done!!

Radiation:  Consult January 18.

My Status:

I feel good.  My spirits are high.  Chemo has NOT been as difficult as I thought it would be.  It has been interesting and presented challenges, but overall not so bad.

I need a ride for my last chemo so holler if you have time.  Pick me up at 8am, wait to be sure I can have treatment, and return at 1pm.  I usually like to go to lunch too. :D

I will try to post again soon after I start radiation.

Thank you.

PS If you know someone recently diagnosed that is lost or scared or both, please give them my number.

Thankful

I Am Thankful For:

Susan G Komen for the Cure
Early detection
Excellent health insurance
Digital mammography

Who I Am Thankful For:

Rachelle, Anthony, Eileena, Natalie, Sharon, Lisa B, Eddie Z, DeLaine, Charyce, Terry, Troy, Eddie G, Lisa G, Dr. G, Dr. H, Jerry M, Andrew, Stephanie, Babs, Desiree, Darren, Danika, Barbara, Melanie, Laurie, Beverly, Rob, Jerry W, Mark, Panut, Chanin, Arty, Jim, Dr. P, Erica, Joann M,  Tejinder, Andrea, Stephanie, Lisa R, Susan, Katy, Michelle, Rebecca, Darlene, Paula, Dresdin, Grace, Kim, Kris, Kerry, Rudy, Norman, Joann P, Sandra and many more.

This journey has bathed me in support and love.  I am blessed and lucky.

Thank you.

PS  It just occurred to me that I need a ride on Wednesday.  Pick me up at 8:00 am at home and drop me at chemo.  Bring lunch and pick me up from chemo around 1:30 pm.  I get a little loopy.  :)

Chemo - Round 3 - Half Way There

The Last Three Weeks

The last three weeks have gone quickly but a lot has transpired.  Race (refer to last post), cold and party.

I caught a cold and ran a low grade fever for a week.  It was not fun but rest and fluids helped.  I had little or no social contact and that was hard.  I'm still coughing (the asthmatic in me) and have lost my voice but I feel good if not a little tired.

Our company awards dinner was last Saturday.  I showed up with my wig, makeup and a dress on.  I'm sure it was the shock, but I received a lot of compliments and a few inappropriate comments.  Dinner was tasty and "Elvis" was fabulous.

Chemo - Round 3

Weighed me (small loss), bled me (white count perfect) and poisoned me (drunk and dizzy).

Joann picked me up and we grabbed breakfast on the way.  It was suggested I may not be able to have chemo today due to my lingering cough.  Jo was gracious enough to wait and was therefore late for work.  Because all systems were normal, I was given the drip.

I sat with Dr. P and he asked what were my top two major complaints.  Diarrhea and fatigue.  I told him I was very thankful for so few symptoms.  He was happy to hear it.  He was also happy with the labs from my second lumpectomy - two small spots of DCIS.  No worries.

The MUGA administered last week was an unusable mess with lots of excuses.  Dr. P was not happy.  I also took this opportunity to tell him my concerns with the imaging center.  I will need to go back to my cardiologist for an EKG again.

This round means I have completed half the necessary chemo and I'm doing well.  I am blessed, very blessed.

Moving On

I have been able to work.  My memory and vocabulary have suffered but Elena is keeping me on track and focused.  As long as I don't have interruptions, I can get a lot done.  No multitasking.  One job at a time.  Mornings are tough due to my top two complaints.  I have never been a morning person but now its just ridiculous.

Needs List

I need help with grocery shopping.  I'd like to go after work on Wednesdays. 

I also need help with laundry.  I would like to offer dinner and movies on Sunday afternoon while laundry is running.  I will need a heads up on dinner thoughts by Wednesday. 

Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 2012

Angels Among Us

I want to send a special thank you to KIM FLETCHER who essentially took my place on Race Day and in the preceding days with less than coherent instruction and guidance.  She did a great job and I had fun!!

And to the other angels who helped Kim and I pull it off - Eddie, Kris, Kerry and Patricia - thank you!!

Let the Fun Begin

I've been called a social being.  Its true.  I visited the booths, took pictures with other committee members, and said hello to anyone I knew.  I saw my nurse and signed their painting.  I showed my radiologist tech my new do - with and without my pink locks.  I made Hatcher cry but I swear I didn't mean to - my appearance just shocked her.

I almost missed the start of the Survivor Parade but I was able to wiggle in and found Charyce and Grace and other Young SOS members.  Some wanted to cry but I refused.  This was a celebration.  We are the lucky ones.  We are the ones who must celebrate for those who can't.

Once seated, the strangest and most wonderful thing happened.  A young man came up and hugged me from behind.  He kissed my bald head and said I looked beautiful.  And as he ran away, he said keep up the fight.  You gotta love it!!

Giddy as a child, I got up and went looking for trouble.  I found Ken, Norman, Richard, Charley, Jody Jo, DeLaine and Rudy and I'm sure many more.  The smile on my face was permanent.  It was a great day!



Crazy Looks Fabulous!

DeLaine and Lisa


 





Charyce - Best Advice - Get Over It

 

Josh and Eddie





Team Alien

Rudy - King of the Fat Bottom Girls



KISS Country's Jody Jo and Gnarley Charley


 

Teeny Tiny Mao with the Heart of a Giant

 

Race Committee 2012
 

Bald IS Beautiful

As mentioned, my hair began to fall out and I wanted to speed up the process.

I want to send a special thank you to Paula Wittman at JS & Company who has been rocking my hair cuts for years and agreed to shave my head when I was ready.  She warned that the shop was full and maybe I should wait.  I said no.  The date was set.  Even as I left, I don't think she realized how much I enjoyed the experience and how much I appreciated what she gave me in shaving my head and cutting my wig bangs.  Paula, I loved the whole process and love the look even more as time passes.

 

 

 

 

Dar and I ran around Macy's (at Fashion Fair) and I didn't even complain.  I was shocked however.  And the result was eyeliner and glitter and eyebrows.  Not bad.



If I haven't mentioned this, my brother has been great support during this journey.  When I told him I was going to shave my head and was maybe a little freaked out, he told me I had nothing to worry about.  He noted that we were twins once (long, funny story for another time) and he has a great head for rocking bald.  He was right.

Finally, I want the record to show that his roll is bigger than my roll.  LOL



Chemo - Round 2

Chemo is not the hard part.  Its what happens later that gets ugly.

Dar and I got an early start and had breakfast en route.  There was a lot of girl talk and belly laughs.

I checked in, weighed in and blood letted.  I then went into an exam room.   Y took my blood pressure and asked what changes I noted in my body - joint pain in my right hip (walk) and dry nasal cavity (Vaseline on a Q-tip - this sounds especially fun - NOT).  All other systems normal.

Y left the room.  I sat and sat and sat and then I took action.  I stretched my Achilles tendons on each leg by doing ankle turns and lunges.  I did squats.  I paced the room.  I stared out the window and watched freeway traffic.  I paced again.  I opened the door and wandered into the hall.  Dar was at the other end wondering what was going on.  She closed the distance and told me several other individuals had come and gone and was curious what was going on with me.  I did not know but in hindsight I believe they were waiting for blood results.

L, the nurse practitioner, arrived just after Dar so we headed back in.  My blood came out great - everything is normal.  I will only need four shots again.  She realized I hadn't had a MUGA (See below.) so she wanted me to schedule one.  As I write this, I realize I did not do that.  Oops.

Dar and I returned to the chemo lounge where I had earlier scoped my chair for the day.  I chose a window seat with a view of the world and quick access to the snack table.  I liked this position and will attempt to get it for Round 3 as well.

Bag one was hung at 10:30am.  I was high and slurring my words by 10:35am.  As Dar pointed out, she didn't notice the difference.  Bag two arrived at 10:45 or so and the sleepiness washed over me.  Dar left to run errands with a plan to return at 1:30.  I attempted to setup music on my iPad to listen while I slept.  I could not recall my login info for Songza.  I nodded off.  It was a good sleep.  I awoke about 10 minutes before Dar returned.  Today's group was much more chatty so I fit in well.  The last bag finished and we were out of there.

Daily Shots: Chemo kills cancer and white blood cells that protect an individuals immune system.  Its important to boost my white blood cells in the days after chemo so that my immune system is not compromised too severely.  After Round 1, I only needed four shots.  Because my counts were good today, I will only need four rounds this time also. 

Here is where math, insurance, timing and bravery meet in a crazy formula.  Shots administered at the office are considered medical and I have a $20 co-pay.  Shots administered at home are considered pharmaceutical and I have a 30% co-pay with a max payment of $150.  Shots purchased for home come in a ten pack and cost over $5,000 or a $150 pharmaceutical co-pay.  So, using math (don't be afraid), ten shots administered at the office will cost $200.  Economically, shots at home are the better choice.  And because the office is closed on weekends, home is also a better choice for getting daily shots.  The real conundrum is am I brave enough to administer a shot to my belly or arm?  My soul-searched answer is yes.  Tomorrow morning my lead to a different answer. 

MUGA: MUltiple Gated Acquisition scan.  Apparently, there is a chemo drug that can be toxic to the heart muscle.  MUGA allows doctors to determine the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) which is an excellent measure of overall cardiac function.  The ejection fraction is simply the proportion of blood that is expelled from the ventricle with each heart beat.  For instance, if the left ventricle ejects 60% of its blood volume with each beat, the LVEF is 0.6. (A normal LVEF is 0.5 or greater.)  The first one will be my baseline.