Tuesday, April 28, 2009

What a Difference a Few Days can Make

So, from my last post, Sunday was a really, really hard day. Actually, I should make that a 1/2 a day...I literally felt like I had been hit by a truck. Everything hurt, the nausea was back, it was just plain HORRIBLE. Around 11:30 AM though, I took some anti-nausea meds and a Lortab and laid down for a nap. After sleeping for 1 1/2 hours, I felt almost new again. Seriously, it was amazing.

I had energy, I took the boys to get their haircut, went for an ice cream afterwards, made an easy dinner that night, I was just so incredibly thankful my "low" didn't last for very long. Maybe it'll get worse with each treatment (cumulative effect), I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Yesterday, I felt o.k., not great, not bad, but I did want to put a call into the doctor's office to talk with a nurse. I was concerned about my numb lips and it seemed like my tongue was a tad swollen. I didn't think that was a good sign, so when I spoke with the nurse, they did say they wanted me to come in and see the Nurse PA.

I went in and met with the Nurse, she thought that side effect was a little odd, suggested some Benadryl, no biggie and then they drew my labs. Thank God for the PORT!!! That is saving me so much trauma from the nurses trying to find a good vein that will want to cooperate and relinquish some blood. Anyway, my labs came back fine, white counts were a little low, but nothing to be alarmed over. Whew!

So, I woke up today, Tuesday, and I feel like a new woman! Yippee! I had done so much around the house (stripping and making beds, laundry, sweeping out the garage, dishes, went for a 40 minute walk), I came home and now I'm tired...hmm, think I overdid it just a little...it's good though, feeling better is good.

I went to the "Look Good, Feel Good" class last night which was a lot of fun. The ladies that conducted the class were very knowledgeable and also we got to bring home a "goodie bag" with lots of cosmetics and other fun stuff. It's main sponsor is the American Cancer Society.

Closing on this note, Dave, the boys and I will be participating in the Relay for Life for the first time. Right now I've set a goal of $1000 to raise (the relay is the weekend of May 9th). If you are interested in contributing towards this phenomenal cause, here's a link to My Relay for Life page (http://main.acsevents.org/goto/HollyNovak). And yes, it's tax deductible!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Is it Swine Flu or are my counts just dropping?

I woke up this morning, thinking I'd be doing pretty well, hoping that the bone pain was on its way out...but man, was I wrong. I told Dave I feel like I've been hit by a truck. He said, "Yep, your counts are probably dropping." Bummer, I was so happy that I felt decent the last day or so, despite the funky bone pain. I took only one anti-nausea pill in the past 2 days, but right now, nothing sounds good. A lot of people say that the symptoms you feel post-chemo are like that of the flu, so, ironically, I feel like that right now. Good thing I'm not in Mexico! I know that "this too shall pass" so, I just need to hunker down and ride it out.

Well, I wish I could write more, but right now the words aren't coming to me. More later, hopefully when I am feeling better!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Feeling some bone pain...

So, I figured I'd do an update to let you know how things are going. As far as nausea goes, it seems to be passing for which I am thankful. Last night though, I started to feel the bone pain that I heard about and took some Lortab before bed. The Neulasta shot which is given to help the white cells come back quicker has different side effects and the bone pain is one of them. Dave didn't experience this (or he said it wasn't too bad, nothing to complain about), but I can feel it. My sister-in-law, Barbara (the oncology nurse), told me that she's seen patients receive the exact same type of treatments and then have very different side effects, it's just up to how your body handles things. She also said that some people's bone pain is so severe that they beg the doctor to not give them the Neulasta injections.

So, I took a walk this morning with a neighbor, and as simple as it sounds, it was just great getting outside, getting fresh air and enjoying this beautiful weather. I know it's going to be a lot hotter this afternoon, so I'm glad to be able to have had a walk already. They say it's good to stay active, so I'm going to try to get out as often as I'm up to it.

Well, I'd like to write more, but, for once, I'm at a loss for words...could be the Lortab, or more chemo brain setting in, but I'm going to sign off for now. As always, thank you for your encouragement and prayers, it's what is carrying us through!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Day After....

Hey - I figured I'd put a quick entry to let you all know I'm hanging in there. I've had a few naps today probably as a result of the phenergan last night. I've had a bit of nausea here and there, nothing too bad (yet)...Hopefully I can get past that with no problems! Ginger Ale is becoming my friend as well as some anti-nausea meds...how did people cope before the good meds? Rhetorical, no need to answer that one!

I'm about to head over for my Neulasta shot (the one that helps the white counts come back up quicker), so I'll need to sign off for now. Sorry this is short and sweet, but I just wanted to let you know I appreciate all the prayers and well wishes from so many of you!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

One Down, Five to Go...

Well, I'm happy to report that I made it through my first chemo round successfully. Wow, it was so much different than what we went through with Dave, and for that I am so grateful. I think my doctor feels we need "re-program" us for my chemo regime since it is so different from Dave's. That's ok, I'll take the "easier treatment" any day!

I chronicled this on my Facebook account which was fun, it's just hard to type on an iPhone...I met with the doctor when I got there, he checked my lab results to be sure I was ok to receive the chemo and then I went back to the "Spa Room" for them to access my port. Fortunately, my doctor prescribed a numbing cream to put on the port a few hours before the injection, so no pain! Dave wasn't given this (I think he's jealous!) but I did let him borrow it last Friday when he had his port flushed.

So, they gave me some pre-chemo saline and anti-nausea meds via the port, then they hooked up the Cytoxan bag. Each bag of chemo takes about an hour, but the whole process took about 4 1/2 hours (from checking in to checking out). After the Cytoxan was done, they gave me the Taxotere. This one they infused a little slower at first, just in case I would have some type of reaction. Other than turning a little red (which actually was from the steroids I've taken the day and a half to prevent fluid retention), I had no complaints or problems. I think that if I'll have the nausea problems and such, that will start up in the next day or two, but I'll be taking the anti-nausea meds on schedule. My counts will probably start dropping by the weekend to early next week, so I'll be hibernating some to stay away from germy people...goes with the treatment!

With all this being said, I'm glad to have my first treatment down, my next Round should be May 12th (Tuesday will be my chemo day)...hopefully all will go well between now and then. I'll go in tomorrow for a Neulasta shot (to rebuild the white cell counts) and then the following 2 Tuesdays for Lab Draws to check my levels. I'll keep you posted.

Thank You for your prayers, I know God is taking us through this, one day at a time.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Day Before Chemo....

So, I'll start my chemo Tuesday, 4/21/09 (around 1:00 pm) in the doctor's office infusion center. I guess since the port has been placed in (last Tuesday), besides getting my hair cut, not too much has happened, hence the silence on the blog. I know from Dave's doing his blog, no news is good news. We had an enjoyable, quiet, sweet weekend and for that I am grateful.

I think the main thing I'd like to stay before I start my treatment, is I just wanted to tell you, my friends, that I am so incredibly blessed with the support we have received. I put a post up around Thanksgiving on Dave's blog, and I still truly mean it. My faith in "people" has been restored. Don't get me wrong, I stand firm in my faith in God, my life is His, I am His child, but before our journey started last July, sometimes I just wondered how much other people could and do care for others. Well, I know for a fact, having lived it and am still living it, that people never cease to amaze me. I have so many stories to tell that will touch your heart and make you shed some tears, but that's not the purpose of today's entry either, I just wanted to say, "Thank You" to so many of our friends, family and people who have truly lifted us up, in prayer, in caring, in words, deeds, you name it, we've seen it.

I was able to go out for my walk this morning which is something I really have come to cherish. I usually walk, plugged into my iPhone, taking time to breath deep and enjoy the Creation around me. Today was so beautiful too, not too humid, cool, just the right temperature. I needed this walk to talk to myself, to God and really get geared up for the chemo. I've been scared, to be completely honest, only because I have never had such a toxic chemical put into my veins. It broke my heart to see Dave go through his Intensive Chemo like he did and he handled it like a champ, even on the very few "dark" days that he had. I know for a fact, that without the prayers that were being lifted up on our behalf, I don't know how I could have made it through all that. I don't know exactly how I'm going to react, so I think the anxiety I've had, has been more from my personal journey of the unknown. I'll get through it, I'm sure of that, and hopefully it won't be as hard on my system as it was on Dave's (I know for a fact I couldn't have handled the dosage he did)....but again, we'll see how I do, and either Dave or I will keep you posted!

So, I've made it through my first day of pre-chemo meds, a steroid, that is meant to help me not retain fluid from one of the chemo's I'll be receiving. So far, so good, my typing has been a little off and Dave is already telling me my "chemo brain" is kicking in...not good, since I don't get the chemo until tomorrow...yeah, statistics say that 80% of women 45 and over go into menopause because of this type of chemo to treat breast cancer...gotta find the silver linings, you know? I'm looking for them all over the place!

Once again, I can't thank you all enough for the kind words, the prayers, the actual physical helps you provide...meals, helping with Bryce and Kyle, I could go on and on...you, my friends, are awesome!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

No Big Hairy Deal!

Hi folks. Holly got her hair cut a bit shorter today and said she wouldn't mind if I shared some pictures. She still might get it cut one more time before she (eventually) gets it all shaved. The nice thing is that this gives her a chance to experiment with different styles without really taking any style risks.

Please let her know you like it (or bite your tongue)! I think she looks great!

Pic1 (click to enlarge)

Pic2 (click to enlarge)

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Port is in, Thank God!

What a day...ugh! I was told to be at the Day Surgery at 9:30 a.m.(for Pre-op) for an 11:30 a.m. procedure. I got there, filled out the paperwork, was taken to the back and put in a gown. Everything seemed to be going alright, but then, the wait really started. It didn't help matters that I had an excruciating headache all morning, probably from caffeine withdrawals and not being able to eat or drink anything after midnight.

Then the nurse came in and was trying to start my I.V. Here we go again with my veins and what a hard stick I am. Oh my, the nurse tried a few times, with Lidocaine (so I wouldn't feel the needle) and couldn't find a vein. She then went and found a friend (who's a surgical nurse) that came and took a few tries. Finally, again, on the top of my left hand, she found one. Success! Both nurses agreed that I did the right thing by choosing to get the port implanted, especially because they have such a hard time getting needles in my veins.

Well, Dr. Martin finally was able to do the procedure at about 2:15. We made it home about 4:45 and boy was I ever glad to be back here. For what was supposed to be a simple procedure, it just turned out to be one of those long days. I'm glad I'm home though and intend on getting some rest...that's it for now!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Chemo Training 101

Well, I went to meet with the nurse today about my upcoming chemo, and I did learn a few things...I'm surprised Dave didn't go through something like this, it would have been helpful. I did learn a few new things, remembered a lot of what Dave went through and also realized that dealing with breast cancer chemo is different than sarcoma chemo. Hormones are definitely involved with mine (it can actually put you into menopause, good riddance!) I'll be receiving two types of chemo: Taxotere and Cytoxan...different from the kind Dave received, hopefully they won't be too hard on my system. I guess I'll just have to see how it goes.

Anyway, I was finished up with the nurse, talking with the gal that does the"benefits" (insurance billing) and then the power goes out. Have you ever been in an Oncologist's office when there's no power? All I can say is thank goodness all those patients receiving their chemo had battery backups on their pumps.

The power stayed off for about a total of an hour...during which I fumbled down the dark hallway to my surgeon's office to sign consent forms for my port placement. Fortunately, by the time the surgeon came in to see me, the lights came back on...they scheduled me for my port placement for tomorrow morning, so that will be another thing off my check list.

We picked out a wig this past Saturday which was fun. Dave and the boys came with me to help make the decision. It's about my length and actually a slight tad darker than my color now. We liked it though and the contrast looked good. I'm also interested in finding some scarves and hats (with material) for the summer. Like my cousin said, at least I won't have to worry about shaving during the summer months! Got to find the silver linings anywhere I can! Actually, speaking of silver linings, we discovered our Aflac policy pays towards "prosthesis" which a wig qualifies as...so that was something good to discover. That Aflac policy has been awesome and I highly recommend it...and this was not a paid endorsement!

I do plan on getting my hair cut short this Wednesday, something I haven't done in about 20 years. I figured there's no better time than now, it'll all be coming out anyway, so I may as well see what I look like with short hair...

So, that's all the news for now. Hopefully we'll get pictures on here soon to make this a little more "entertaining"...Dave promised he'd help me with that so...we shall see!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Met with Doctor, Getting chemo...

Yes, I'm going to be getting chemo...after going over all the test results with Dr. Landis, my oncologist, we decided that it will be in my best interest to have chemo. Do I want to? Heck no, but, as he said, I'm young, I have 2 young sons and I don't want this cancer to recur. My test results were smack-dab right in the intermediate range, so, I really could have gone either way...but even Dave's oncologist said, "You're young, it was already starting to spread into the lymph nodes, you should probably opt for chemo".

So, next week I'm going to meet with Dr. Landis' nurse for "chemo training". Hmm, I think with what we went through with Dave, I'm trained, but, I may learn something new, so, I'll go! I also will be getting a port placed next week since they have such a hard time finding my veins.

My first chemo round is scheduled for April 21st. They said it'll take about 2 hours and that'll be it. The next day I'll get the Neulasta shot (to help build up my white counts sooner)...and then I'll go back every 3 weeks. I'll have a total of 6 rounds of chemo. Looking at everything we went through with Dave's intensive chemo, mine seems like it'll be "easy". I know it won't, but at least I'll be home and hopefully not have the side effects like Dave went through (Neutropenic fever, low blood counts, etc.). Yes, I will lose my hair...I'm really not looking forward to that...my cousin said she'd send me her scarves!!! Hey, Ali, I'll take you up on that now! ;-) I may get a short hair cut at first, and then when it does start to come out, I'll get the gumption to shave it off...yikes...

After the chemo is all done, I'll then have radiation (33 treatments - 5 times per week for 6 1/2 weeks) and then be on the Tamoxifen for 5 years...that should do it for my treatment plan. You know, it stinks, but we'll get through it. I see where Dave is now and know that if he can get through it, so can I.

I'm in the "I can't believe this is happening to me" phase, so, thank you for your encouragement, your prayers, your friendship and support.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Scans are all done, and the waiting continues...

Well, I was up at out the door at 9:15 AM today to go in for my day of scans. I get to the hospital on time, and they are running a little late...no biggie, I'm ready to be there the whole day.

My first stop was in the Nuclear Medicine area to get injected with some Nuclear contrast. This needs to be in my system for 3 hours before they do my bone scan. Of course, they had a hard time finding a vein for my IV, so this time they got me in the top of my left hand (ouch)...oh well, I just looked the other way and got stuck...no reason to fight it.

After I got that done, I had my Head and Neck MRI done. OK, you probably know by now that Dave had a brain tumor just over 8 years ago. He's had MRI's on his head numerous times and having experienced one today for my first time, gives me a new respect for what he goes through. Thank goodness I'm not claustrophobic, but I think that was my least favorite test of the day. I just really don't like loud, banging noises that last anywhere from 30 seconds to 4 minutes, not fun...but again, it was just a one-time test.

Next I went over for a CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. This wasn't too bad, it's the donut shaped thing that they moved you back and forth through, telling you to hold your breath at various times. Again, not too bad, the room was really cold and it did hurt quite a bit when they pushed the contrast through my IV in my hand...at least they took out the needle after this procedure was finished. Good riddance.

After I was done with the test I had some time to go get some lunch and run a few errands. I still needed to wait about 1 1/2 hours before the bone scan, so it was nice to take a break. When I came back to the hospital, I waited for just a little while and then they got me in. This test wasn't too bad, kind of a combination of the MRI and CT scan...they showed me the pictures when they were finished which was pretty cool. The technician didn't want to tell me about my scoliosis, but I told him it was o.k., I knew about it from a long time ago...pretty wild seeing your skeleton, crooked and all! He did call the Radiologist that took a quick look and from what they could tell me, nothing looked suspicious.

I'll still wait for my appointment next Tuesday to get the final word on all these tests from my Oncologist, Dr. Landis. We definitely thought it was the time to go through all the testing, just in case and I'm glad it's over with. I may not make another post until after my appointment next Tuesday, so until then, thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement.