Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Feeling Great and Ready for A Much Needed Vacation!

So, I finally feel like myself again after my 2nd round of chemo. My tongue isn't swollen! It was for about 4 days...weird side effect, I know. I think of this 2nd round, my worst day by far was last Friday, when I slept, ALOT. Too much because then I had a hard time sleeping through the night. Live and learn, next time I won't take soooo many naps in one day!

Today is the last day of school for my boys. Kyle woke up being very, very excited. I would expect that out of him. Bryce, on the other hand, was a bit teary. He said he's going to miss his teacher so much and that she's the nicest teacher he's ever had. He has had wonderful teacher and I think we were extra blessed for him to have her this year, especially. She super enthusiastic, fun, does a great job with the whole class and she's just a real sweetie. I think the fact that she has an effervescent personality helps and she's one of those teachers that "all the kids hope they get". So, I understand him being a bit sad this morning. Hopefully he'll enjoy his last day and not cry it away! (I think too that this teacher will be the one that Bryce will remember having a crush on! Sweet, huh?)

So, I'm off to start packing and getting things ready for our trip. We're heading to Hilton Head Island's Disney Resort and can't wait to get there. The whole family is so very excited! We love everything Disney and decided to join the Disney Vacation Club back in 2003. They have their resorts on Disney property that we can use our "points" for, and then they have 2 Disney Resorts off property, Vero Beach and Hilton Head. We've stayed there a few times in the past and really enjoyed it. There's activities for the kids, adults, seems like you are at Disney even though you aren't. They have a Disney Beach house with a pool and cabanas and little snack type restaurant, so you don't have a care in the world. Just relax, listen to the waves, read a good book, enjoy the ocean....sounds like we're ready, huh? Being that we had to cancel our Disney Cruise last October (when Dave was getting chemo), we're more ready than ever for this trip!

You probably won't be getting an update while we're away, so, thanks again for the prayers, encouragement and continued support. My 3rd chemo round will be the Tuesday after we get back, but I'm NOT going to think about that while I'm on vacation, nope, I'm not going to let my mind go there! Take care and Happy Summer to Everyone!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Hanging in there...one day at a time

So, it's been 4 days since chemo and all I can say is "UGH". You just never know what to expect, each day is different, different feelings, different sensations, different tastes...you just can't plan ahead during this time. At least I have one cycle behind me, so I have a glimpse of what to expect, which means tomorrow is when I'll feel like I've been hit by a bus.

I'm trying to lay off the pain meds and anti-nausea meds right now. I'm experiencing more neuropathy sensations than bone pain and the pain meds just make you constipated. Sorry, but that's the truth. Chemo just isn't any fun and I hope I can grin and bear it and get through the next 4 rounds without incident. So far, I am managing alright, except yesterday threw me for a loop. I was sooooo tired from the meds that I napped on and off all day long. I even went up to my bedroom at 7:30 last night. Not good if you're planning on getting a good night's sleep. So, today I may allow myself one nap after lunch, and not for very long. I like to sleep at night and not be tossing and turning. Now tomorrow, if my white counts do tank like they did last time, I'll take the pain meds and get a good nap, that seems to have helped me tremendously last time.

I can't believe the kids only have 3 more days of school. This year has flown (too fast) with everything Dave and I have had going on. It's almost not fair in that I wasn't able to participate with the kids' classes like I'm used to and I was just glad to have them be at school so Dave and I could deal with our doctor's appointments, surgeries, treatments, etc. You know, it's like a bad dream and it's just not ending. I think right now I'm just exhausted of dealing with cancer. I was ready to be done with Dave's ordeal when we got the "surprise, you have breast cancer" diagnosis. It's just not right. I know I'm blessed in the support and friends we have, but it does seem like we got the bum rap with both of us being diagnosed 7 months apart. What are the odds?

One more thing worth mentioning...I've heard about the ginger and relief it provides for patients going through chemo! I keep receiving emails or things on Facebook about it...I will discuss this with my oncologist before my next chemo round, although he's already told me he's not one for alternative treatments. So, we'll see what the good doc says. My nausea hasn't been too intolerable (shhh, don't tell Dave), but if the ginger helps, I'll try it!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

2 Down, 4 to Go

I'm happy to post that I made it through Round #2 without incident. My mom came with me and I think she enjoyed chatting with some of the other chemo patients in the "spa" as my cousin, Ali, describes the infusion room. Anyway, it took about 3 hours and because last time, my tongue swelled some and my lips swelled and were numb, they also gave me Benadryl via infusion. Hopefully this will ward off this odd side effect.

I'm home tonight and Dave is able to go over to Buddy's for the 2nd David Wilcox concert. I really enjoyed this event last night and he needs some time off. Good coffee, good music, makes for a good evening.

So, here's to being a 1/3 of the way through with my chemo. Dave has said it's not fair that mine is so easy, and compared to his, it is a lot easier. I wouldn't wish his treatment on anyone. But at the same time it just stinks that I have to go through this too. I know I'll get through it and it certainly isn't anything we ever could have anticipated, but I know that God has a plan for us and will use it to His glory...so, I hope He uses me in ways I never would have anticipated.

Getting Ready for Chemo Round #2

So, I think all my ducks are in a row for this Round. I made sure I did something fun last night, that always makes it easier to deal with something not so pleasant the next day! I went to a Coffeehouse type concert at our pastor's (Buddy & Jody Hoffman) house last night and really enjoyed the whole evening. David Wilcox performed on guitar, they served awesome coffee and I was able to meet up with some old friends and make some new ones. It was just a neat evening all in all and I'm happy I went!

I'm about to head over and surprise Kyle at his field day (I was able to go to Bryce's yesterday) so he should be excited to see me. I'll just stay for a little while, then head back home. My appointment with the doctor is set for 11:00 AM and my infusion should start somewhere before 12:00 noon.

Thank you for all your prayers, friendship, meals and support. You all are my rock and I know without the friends and family around us helping, this journey would be that much harder.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

What an Amazing Experience - Relay for Life

Dave and I went to Relay for Life yesterday and all I can say is "Wow!" What an amazing experience. First of all, had you mentioned this to me a year ago, I would have probably said, "Nah, we're busy, Bryce has a party to go to, we've got some things to do around the house, we're tired..." With Dave getting diagnosed in July and then me getting diagnosed in February, we both had more than enough reasons to participate!

Well, since we've both been diagnosed and are fighting our own battles against cancer, this Relay for Life is something that I see us being part of every year. It was absolutely amazing. The one we have in Gwinnett Co., GA is one of the 2 largest events in the COUNTRY and we live about 2 miles from where the venue is! I believe they raised $1.8 million dollars at this event alone which is incredible.

Speaking of raising money, I want to take this chance to personally say "Thank You" to our friends and family that contributed in our fundraising efforts. Dave and I raised $1300 in about 2 weeks. Next year, I hope to be on top of things and really be prepared to do this thing right! There were hundreds of tents set up with different groups from around our area. Lots of churches, schools, people supporting friends, whoever wants to form a TEAM can sign up, raise funds and participate.

It was just great to see so many SURVIVORS do the first lap, so many people around us that are affected by cancer. It's sad...you would think with the all that is available to scientists and doctors these days, there'd be a cure for cancer. I hope that before I die, maybe someone in my generation or my children's generation can find a cure. Wouldn't that be amazing? Dave even made a sign and put it on his shirt...the sign said, "My chemo sucked, how about yours?" with a smiley face at the bottom. He just wanted to get the message across that it's horrible that the treatment is worse than the disease.

At 10:00 pm they had a moving experience where they lit luminaries all around the "track" and then everyone carried candles. They started the procession with bagpipes being played and it was just such a solemn, moving experience. To think of loved ones that have died from cancer, or those whose lives have been touched by cancer in some way is just overwhelming. To think that both Dave and I have been diagnosed within 7 months of each other and are going through the battle against cancer on our own is mind boggling. Again, we couldn't make it without those around us, our support team and the prayers of so many that are lifting us up daily.

I'll be going in for my next chemo round this coming Tuesday, but I'm really trying to not get worked up about that right now. We're going to enjoy this weekend, especially with tomorrow being Mother's Day. I hope my boys will bring me breakfast in bed! :-)


Monday, May 4, 2009

It Was a Really Hairy Day

OK, so, not good to start this off with a bad pun, but I have to find the lighter side in this journey. Yes, I took the big step today and had my head shaved. Yesterday was when I started noticing my hair coming out a little too quickly...at least 4 or 5 strands every time I touched my hair. Dave was great, very supportive, got me out of the house to get some fresh air and sunshine (or at least some fresh air, it's been rainy and cloudy here in Georgia lately)....Anyway, it was a good diversion and got my mind off of the inevitable.

So today my hairdresser, Rhonda, was bringing dinner over. I called her originally to see if she could "do the buzz job" sometime this week...then I realized I just had to get it done and over with. She graciously came over with dinner, had a glass of wine with me and then we went out on the porch with Dave's "Just a Trim". OK, so maybe it would have been better for this to have been done at her salon, but after I had a big clump of hair come out this afternoon, I just couldn't wait.

I've posted a photo on my Facebook page (since I only know how to take pictures with my iPhone and put them on Facebook), so you'll have to wait until Dave gets home and can take some pictures with the camera to post here on the blog. I do like my wigs, but to be completely honest, the caps and hats are much more comfortable.

So, all in all I'm glad this step is over. It was very hard emotionally yesterday, just knowing that the time was near to get the hair buzzing over with. I do think it's so much harder for women because we really do identify ourselves with our looks and our hair is a major part of that. I think this whole experience is good for me to really get to know myself and take time to be reflective. I don't stop long enough to do this and now I'm being forced to. I know that what really matters is what's in the inside and that is what makes us who we really are, so, I hope that through this journey, I'll be a stronger person, more sure of who I am and more focused on what really does matter in life.

I'm going to close for now, I go in tomorrow to get labs drawn and then I'll just be enjoying the rest of my "good week". Kyle turns 8 officially on Thursday (he had a great time at his party this past Saturday) and then we're going to Relay for Life on Friday night. Dave and I will be participating in the Survivor's Lap and just enjoy the event...still taking it one day at a time!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Busy, busy, busy

Just a quick note to say I've been feeling great these last 3 or 4 days...I'd say about I'm about 90% of how I normally would be. Also that translates into staying very busy, which I need to remember to give myself some time to rest.

Kyle, our youngest, turns 8 next Thursday (5/7) so we are having his birthday party today. He's sooooo excited, he was up at 7:30 this morning, making his own banner and trying to hang it over our garage using a little step ladder. I've always said he'll be an event planner of some sort.... It's so sweet to see him so excited though and that is what life is about. Truly enjoying each day and making the most of it, like it's your birthday!

I did get another haircut this past Thursday and Dave will take some nice pictures and we'll post them a little bit later (when I have some makeup on and look human!) If you are on Facebook, you can check it out on my profile!

Well, off to get lots done, busy day ahead!