Thursday, July 30, 2009

Just Thought I'd Catch Up...

So, this isn't really about Breast Cancer, or chemo, but it's been a while since I've made a post and I figured I'd write to say how things are going. Things for me have definitely been on the upswing since my last post, thank goodness. I know that since my 6th and final chemo is about 5 days away, the psychological effect is knowing it's almost over is just brightening every day. At the same time, I have a bit of anxiety, just knowing the chemo will be pumped in me one last time, but I can get through it and the end is in sight.

Keeping busy through all this is key, and man, we've been busy. This past weekend we went to the Sarcoma Awareness Walk at Piedmont Park which was a very inspirational event. For Dave and myself, it was great seeing his 3 doctors, different nurses and PA's and a slew of cancer survivors and some still in treatment. Last year, about 60 attended the event and this year they had 120. They met their goal of doubling in numbers and hopefully, next year, they can double again. Since I've been going through treatment, I had "kind of" forgotten a lot of what Dave had gone through, but this event really made me realize all that he did go through to fight his Liposarcoma and how incredibly blessed we were that it was as "simple" as it was. No, it was not easy, no, it was not fun AT ALL, but, seeing other patients who have had amputations, or recurrence, or are STILL in treatment, made us realize that God blessed us in getting Dave through his cancer in an amazing way. We're still keeping an eye on him and praying for no recurrence (his next CT scan is Aug. 11th), but we can't worry about the future and we know that through God's grace and provision, we'll be able to get through whatever comes our way.

The rest of the weekend was spent with family which was fun. We went to dinner with my oldest brother, Ed, who was coming through town to pick up Mom for a trip to Ft. Lauderdale. One of our dear family friends of over 48 years had passed away, so they went down for his funeral. I really wished I could have gone, but with everything going on here, we decided it was best I stay put. Even though I feel great and my levels are o.k., it would just be a hard trip and I'd be around lots of people (and foreign germs) which I don't need to expose myself to these days. It stinks, but I know everyone understands.

Sunday, we took the boys up to see Camp Toccoa where they'll be going this coming Sunday for their spend-the-night camp. They are both so excited which is so encouraging to us. I hope it'll be a great way to end their Summer break. The camp is called Camp Kesem and it's for children whose parents have had (or have) cancer. I know I've mentioned it before so I won't expound on this. Anyway, we visited a Museum, have a great lunch of Southern cooking and enjoyed our time as a family.

So, with this I'll close for now. I'll be spending the next few days getting the kids ready for their camp and for my last chemo round. On Tuesday, I'll be the patient whooping it up and dancing around the infusion room celebrating my last day there (I'll try to contain myself for the sake of the other patients), but I think you know what I mean. God has been so good to me to get me through all this with little or no complications and I know that only by His Grace, I am able to endure what's been placed in my path.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Worst is Behind Me!

First of all, I want to say "Thank You " for all your prayers, encouragement and support. I'm doing the proverbial knocking on wood as I type this to say that Round 5 definitely went as smoothly as Round 4 and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I really only had one day (Thursday) where I felt lousy, but it was mainly from the bone pain brought on by the Neulasta shot. So many people have told me how "good I look" and "I have a sparkle in my eye"...I tell them that I think I'm the healthiest chemo patient in Gwinnett Co. But that is so awesome! I know it's because I have hundreds of people praying and God has been faithful and amazing in letting me get through chemo with little to no complications.

Knowing that my last Round is just a few weeks away is so freeing. I can envision dancing around saying, "Whoo hoo, it's over!!!" I'd say that this has been the hardest thing I've been through, but to be honest, it was so much harder for me to see my husband, Dave, go through the intensive chemo he went through and the toll it took on him physically and mentally. Ugh, that was by far the worst thing we've ever had to endure in our 21+ years of marriage. With this week being Sarcoma Awareness Week, my hats (or should I say scarves) go off to all the Sarcoma patients out there that have had to endure countless rounds of chemotherapy, numerous surgeries, too many to count CT/PET scans and the like. Sarcomas are so rare and aggressive and yet are so unheard of. When I mention to people about Dave's Liposarcoma, they honestly say that they've never heard of such a thing. Well, I hope that many people become aware of Sarcomas and the funding is appropriated for research to conquer that nasty beast of cancer. The treatment has to be so aggressive because the cancer is and the chances of recurrences are so great, especially in the lungs and the liver. So, my scarves off to all you Sarcoma patients! I hope that somehow, the Liddy Shriver Initiative will be to Sarcomas as the Susan G. Komen Fund is to Breast Cancer!

Well, I think this will be about it for now. I am feeling fine, not great yet, but definitely fine! :-) I'm back to walking at our Park, taking the boys to their swim lessons and getting back into a normal schedule. Again, my thanks to all of you for your amazing, continued support! It's been one long journey and I couldn't make it without you!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

So Far, So Good? Jury is still out...

Well, I must say that I am just relieved to have Round 5 infused and I can officially say that I have one Round left. What a huge milestone! I know I keep saying this, but I truly can't wait to get through this chemo and just be done with it!

I am hanging in there. I'm taking the Claritin and hoping that the bone pain will subside in the next day or two. It's just weird. I got the Neulasta shot at 2:00 PM yesterday and by 8:00 PM, my cheekbones, ribs, jaw bones, and many other bones hurt. We know the shot is working, that is the main thing.

The boys have been enjoying their day camp this week and I'm thankful they are doing it! Bryce is racing his Soap Box Derby car tomorrow and Kyle will be launching his rocket. I don't know if I will make it or not, all depends on how I do tonight, but I know they've had a great time at the camp and for that I am thankful.

Well, here's to hoping that this round goes as smoothly as Round 4 did, we shall see. I can only hope that it does and in a few days I'll be writing that I've "turned the corner" and everything is good!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Been Quite Busy, Gearing up for Round 5

As I have said before with doing the blog, no news is good news. It's been 10 days since my last post and that is good. I've been staying busy with the kids, enjoying the "good days" and not thinking too much about the upcoming chemo. You know what? I am so pumped to get the next 2 rounds over and done with, I can't wait for it to get here. I can see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel and know that my chemo is going to be over with before I know it. Round 4 went pretty smoothly and I can only hope that the next 2 Rounds will be as uneventful. I did try Claritin again and I actually think it helped since I only needed to take Lortab for one day to ease the bone pain! That was awesome. I can handle anti-nausea meds for about a week and one day of Lortab...easy, peasey, pumpkin squeezy!

I do think so much of this whole cancer journey is mental. I know that although Round 3 was my 1/2-way point, it still seemed like forever until the end. I was just absolutely miserable and I'm hoping and praying that will be remembered as my worst Round. Right now I can envision saying (after Round 5) that I only have 1 more Round...it seems so close and around the corner...I know I can make it and I will!

I did get in to see a few doctors these last two weeks and I'm so glad I did. I saw my Dermatologist to help me with the itchy skin and bumps I was dealing with. That was such a good move, they put me on a prescribed lotion to ease the itching and it worked! The red spots are gone and I'm not digging, clawing, tearing up my skin anymore! There was a definite correlation between the areas of skin I was itching at and what was exposed to the sun...so, I've been using sunscreen, wearing shirts that cover more up and staying out of the direct sunlight when I can. I'm so glad to have that under control, it was a real nuisance.

The other doctor I saw last week was my Podiatrist. Here's what happened...after Round 4, I noticed my fingernails feeling quite numb. Neuropathy is a definite side effect and some chemo patients lose their fingernails and toenails. Gross, huh? I started using a lot of lotion before bed, hoping to moisturize the heck out of my nails and to prevent losing them. Well, I also noticed my big toenail on my left foot throbbing. Not good, nor was the fact that it was red all around the nail. Hmm, well, I took off my cute nail polish and noticed that my big toenail was 1/2 purple. So, I made the appointment with the Podiatrist and she said I probably jammed it somehow (I couldn't remember what I did to it), and she said the nail would probably come off on its own, but she recommended taking it off to avoid the risk of infection (especially with my immune system being compromised from the chemo)...so, yes, I had the nail removed last Monday. Thank God she numbed it up good, I couldn't look at her removing it, but it's gone. I've faithfully been doing my "Hibiclens" soak, twice a day, 20 minutes each time. So, all that to say I'll be growing out my hair and my big toe nail at the same time!

Yes, I'll be going in for Round 5 on Tuesday, July 14th. Your prayers and words of encouragement are so appreciated still! We're so blessed with such a great support network and I know that is continuing to see us through this incredible journey.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Happy 4th of July Wishes!

Wow, it's hard to believe that this year is half-way over and here we are, about to celebrate the 4th of July. I'd ask the rhetorical, "where does the time go?" question, but we know...at least I do. We are coming up on the year anniversary (July 15th) of when Dave was diagnosed. What a year! I NEVER would have imagined this for our lives, but, we're making it through...sometimes plodding through, but we're getting through, slowly but surely.

I've been feeling somewhat "normal" since Monday or so (it's Thursday)...as always, it's good to feel good again. And two more rounds...now how about that? I'm so tickled I can hardly stand it! There was something psychological of getting through the 4th round that was empowering. I know the end is in sight and I can get there! It helped that I felt so much better this time and the chemo wasn't as hard on me as the last round. I did take the time to go to a dermatologist today to have my itchy, red, irritated skin looked at. It's definitely a combination of the chemo, my very sensitive, dry skin and the sun...not surprised. They've prescribed a lotion that should really help my skin and I'll do my darnedest to stay out of the sun or cover up and use sunscreen faithfully like the doctor suggested. Oh the joys!

We've been staying busy this week which is good. It's finally fun to have the boys home and enjoy the summer like it's meant to be. We've been at the park and pool almost every day and running lots of errands getting ready for the holiday weekend. We, for the first time in 6 or 7 years are NOT hosting a 4th of July gathering. Instead, we are going to 2 of them! That's the way I like it! Actually, we've had a lot of fun in the past cooking out, having our own fireworks show in the cul-de-sac and like being home, but, it'll be nice to bring some side dishes enjoy being with family and friends.

So, with this being said, I wish you all and Happy and Safe 4th of July!