Update # 15, Chemo # 11

It's that time again...chemo time.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Ken and I had an appointment with my Radiologist, Dr. Moulds.  Our appointment was at 8:45am and by the time we actually saw the doctor it was around 10:30am.  I must admit, I was getting a little annoyed waiting that long but I didn't realize that he was spending all that time reviewing my medical records.    He proceeded to tell me my entire history of the last 4 months which he all had correct. He discussed his concerns for my lymph nodes and said he was going to recommend that the surgeon take part of one lymph node out to examine it for cancer cells.  He said even though they were negative in the biopsy a few months back, one lymph node was just to suspicious to let it go.  He also said, if all is negative for cancer,     2 - 3 weeks after I recover from surgery ( I have to be able to hold my arm above my head) I will be scheduled for 6 weeks of radiation treatments, 5 days a week.  Everyday?  Wow, that really shocked me.  He also went over how they were going to radiate me and the side effects.  Luckily it won't be anything like chemo.   He did say I should get a little sunburned and since the lump was on my left breast they have to radiate a part of the heart and lung.  So I could have side effects down, down, down the road but no one really knows because everybody reacts to treatment differently.   So time will only tell but for now, I'm just happy to be alive.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Chemo day - I can't believe it's almost over.  After all these months of going to chemo, today was the 1st day I actully talked to a fellow woman who was in the lobby waiting with me.  I don't know what I said but I said something to Eleanor and the woman giggled.  I thought to myself, oh I've got a live one here so I decided to chat and ask her a few questions.  It was so nice to talk to someone like me.  She said she started her chemo in August (like me) and also said it was really tough to loose her hair.  She said she was a school teacher on a leave of absence because she's not suppose to be around her students (to many germs).  I really enjoyed talking to her and I was wanting to learn more.  But nurse Tonya showed up to take me back to my room.  As I walked away I said, my last one is next week....YEA!!!  She said congrats, I have chemo till mid January.  Oh, my heart sunk for her.   I'd personally hate to have chemo till January but you do what you have to do to be healthy again.  So I consider myself lucky.  Not only is my chemo almost over but my lump is gone and I can't ask for more than that.

Blood counts were good so onward with chemo!

Wednesday - Sunday (November 16th - 20th)

A rough week.  For some reason I'm really tired and S...L...O...W....  Of course I have my theories.  I have 11 chemo treatments in my body and I'm just plain worn out or Cody has been sick and I think I might have caught a little something from him.  I called the nurse at my chemo office and told her my throat was scratchy and a little swollen so she prescribed me some chemo approved meds since I can't take anything over the counter.  The next day my throat felt better so I was afraid to take unnecessary meds so I called back and she said hold off on them.  So in the mean time I've been sleeping more than usual, trying to keep myself somewhat healthy because I need my white blood counts to stay up otherwise I might not be able to receive my last chemo meds and that worries me a bit.

Friday, November 18, 2011

On a side note:  Cody had his 4 year doctor appointment today.  It was a quick in and out visit but I just wanted to mention that he's 39.8 lbs and 41 1/2 inches tall.  I swore he weighed more since he feels like a ton of bricks when we lift him up.  He has to be 40 pounds to go from a car seat to a booster so even though he's close we're going to keep him in the car seat for a few more months.

Monday, November 21, 2011
Looks like I'm sick.  I guess I'll be calling the nurse today to see if I should start the chemo approved meds.  I'm completely wiped out and looking pretty harsh.   Please keep your fingers crossed for me that my blood counts did not drop far enough to where I can't have my last chemo treatment tomorrow.  I'm really worried about that.  I decided to take off work today not only to stay away from potential sick co-workers but to rest and take care of myself.  (last chemo - tomorrow at 1pm)

Thanks again for all your support and encouraging words. 

XOXO Jen