Tuesday, Oct 25th
I feel empowered. Today I had my 8th chemo session and I met with doctor. I was so excited but for some reason I had a flashback of the past. It was only 3 1/2 months ago that I was crying out of control as I walked through the non chemo side of the doctors office. I just learned I had breast cancer and was discussing my options with the doctor. Surgery, radiation, chemo, it was all so overwhelming. Fast forward to today and I feel so motivated, so strong and looking at the doctor's smiling face, I know I'm going to survive this, She was very pleased with how I looked. Today was chemo # 8 and I feel great. I don't have nausea, mouth sores, aches and pains, diaharia, fever, etc. Overall I'm healthy and feeling good. All very good signs, the doctor said. She did a breast exam and smiled as she felt the area where I once had a 2.8 cm lump. I can't feel it anymore and neither can she so again, it looks like the chemo is working. She gave me an order for a breast MRI and told me to schedule an appointment with the surgeon to discuss my MRI results. I need to find out what kind of surgery I will have. I'm really ready to get the ball rolling on this.
I feel empowered. Today I had my 8th chemo session and I met with doctor. I was so excited but for some reason I had a flashback of the past. It was only 3 1/2 months ago that I was crying out of control as I walked through the non chemo side of the doctors office. I just learned I had breast cancer and was discussing my options with the doctor. Surgery, radiation, chemo, it was all so overwhelming. Fast forward to today and I feel so motivated, so strong and looking at the doctor's smiling face, I know I'm going to survive this, She was very pleased with how I looked. Today was chemo # 8 and I feel great. I don't have nausea, mouth sores, aches and pains, diaharia, fever, etc. Overall I'm healthy and feeling good. All very good signs, the doctor said. She did a breast exam and smiled as she felt the area where I once had a 2.8 cm lump. I can't feel it anymore and neither can she so again, it looks like the chemo is working. She gave me an order for a breast MRI and told me to schedule an appointment with the surgeon to discuss my MRI results. I need to find out what kind of surgery I will have. I'm really ready to get the ball rolling on this.
So I got Nurse Tonya today. She is so gentle. My white blood counts were good so onward with chemo. Since I had the doctor visit 1st I didn't get to chemo till noon. So Eleanor and I didn't leave till about 2pm. No that bad. I did fall asleep in my session today and even though I managed to eat before falling asleep when I got home I was starving. So I ate. Then I needed sugar so I made myself a english muffin with butter and jelly, then I had an ice cream drumstick, and of course a quick piece or 2 of halloween candy. I know, not the best foods but I crave sweet things so I can taste something. No wonder I've gained 9 pounds so far. Yes, 9 pounds. The funny thing is the nurse said with my body size when I gain weight it goes all to my gut. So I look almost 3 months pregnant at times. Crazy huh? Well that will be the first thing I loose when I recover from surgery. I can barely fit into my clothes, especially my work pants. YIKES!
I must admit, I'm very pleased with today's chemo session and I'm very excited to get past the next 4 sessions.
Wednesday, Oct 26th - work, good day
Thursday, Oct 27th - work and MRI. I had my MRI scheduled for 9:30am this morning. I went to work for 1 hour and left for my appointment. Of course as soon as I got there they informed me that they were running 1 hour behind schedule. I really wish doctor offices would call you when they are behind schedule. I really hate waiting in the lobby but then again who does? Anyway, since I had so many tests done before I started chemo I forgot exactly what test I was getting. So when she called me back and told me I was getting a needle in my arm with contrast, I couldn't help to roll my eyes and say, oh I'm so tired of getting pricked. But then I had to re-remember that I was here for a reason and that is to get the results and hopefully my tumor has shrunk. Besides, the nurse was awesome. She did what she had to and took me back. Before I knew it, the test was done so besides the little prick, it was painless and took about 45 min.
Thursday and Friday - no taste buds. No matter how much I eat and what I eat, I can't taste it. It's driving me nuts. I'm dying to taste something. Also, the hot flashes have to end. One min I'm cold and the next I'm HOT! Not sexy HOT but burning up HOT.
Saturday, October 29th - SNOW before Halloween? I know this is not chemo related but man, this east coast snow storm was a record breaker for being the earliest on record for Virginia. As all of you know, I'm so not into the cold weather but seeing the gigantic snow flakes coming down while the leaves on the trees were still bright yellow and red tones was kind of cool. I took a few photos (and it was super chilly out) but I don't think I truly captured the beauty of it. So since we were stuck inside I figured Cody and I could make halloween sugar cookies which really didn't turn out all the well. I guess better luck next year.
Sunday, October 30th - I'm feeling really good today. A little tired but not enough to keep Ken, Cody and I away from taking Cody ice skating for the 1st time. We found an indoor ice rink in Ashburn that teaches the little ones (4 and up) ice hockey. So we thought maybe Cody would like to try Hockey in a few months but lets put him on ice skates to see how he does. Surprisingly he did pretty good and he only fell a few times. Ken and I haven't been on ice skates in YEARS and we did good too. We didn't fall so I call this day a success.
Monday, October 31st - HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
The day before chemo is the absolute best day ever. I have taste buds, I'm active, I'm in a good mood and I'm one day closer to my cure. I went to work today. My office had an awesome Halloween brunch to celebrate. There was so much yummy breakfast foods and of course desserts. Cupcakes, cookies, and chocolate candy. I had to eat it, and it tasted so good! I ended up leaving work early to attend Cody's preschool Halloween parade which I'll talk about in a separate e-mail since this one is getting long.
Ken's parents drove down for the Halloween festivities and before all the trick-or-treating began, we had dinner. With all the excitement of the night, I almost forgot to take my medication. But I did take it and that made me realize how fast the weeks truly fly by and my next chemo (#9) is tomorrow. I'm secretly hoping to get my MRI results back but wonder if I'll have to wait till I meet with the surgeon. I'll keep you posted but please keep your fingers crossed that my tumor shrunk!
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Jen
P.S. My sweet neighbor set up a blog for me called Jen's journey. I haven't posted anything to it yet but all my previous posts are there. If you would like check it out at: http://www.jenniferkile.blogspot.com
Not sure if everyone would like my updates through e-mails or if you'd rather check out the blog instead. Comment? Preferences? Thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment