Good News!!!

So, I saw Dr. Landis, my main Oncologist on Tuesday afternoon. He looked over everything, chatted a little, did an exam and at the end told me, "I'll see you in 6 months!" Woo hoo, music to my ears! Don't get me wrong, excellent doctor, excellent staff, just not a place I want to be at every 3 weeks! I was so happy to check out of there! I got my pink Breast Cancer Awareness magnet for the back of my car...kind of like a graduation present! (Although it cost me $5, it's for a good cause!)

Yesterday, I had 2 appointments and believe me, by the end of the day I was exhausted. The first was with the Radiation Oncologist to line me up and mark me for my upcoming Radiation. After that, I drove about 30 minutes away for my Diagnostic Mammogram. Everything was clear!! Yay!! All the torture of chemo worked. I can't believe that 6 months has gone by since my mammogram in February when I was diagnosed. I'd say, "Time flies when you're having fun", but, I gotta be honest and say I wasn't having a whole lot of fun these last 6 months (there were some good moments)...suffice it to say, I was happy to get a clean report and know that I've got 6 more months until my next mammogram!

I also went to the surgeon's office today and got my port removal procedure scheduled for next Tuesday. Both my Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist said that I have no need for the port anymore and that it's fine to come out. Good riddance I say! I was happy to have it in there for the chemo but I am over and done with that now so get that port out of me!!

Well, that's about all for now...we're focusing on our kitchen remodeling which has been a great diversion. It's good to have something to look forward to and I know we'll like having this project completed!

More Appointments

Well, I thought I should do an update here since it's been a while. Today marks 3 weeks from my last chemo round and I'm so happy because I'm NOT getting chemo today!!! Yep, since April 21st, every three weeks I was getting chemo. But, I do go in to see my Oncologist this afternoon. I'll do an update to let you know how the appointment goes. I'm not really sure of what to expect, hopefully he'll tell me I can get my port out soon, we shall see.

Tomorrow, I go to my Radiation Oncologist's office for my CT scan. I believe this is the beginning of my radiation treatment. I know he said they'll mark me (I guess with a Sharpie or something) and then schedule the Simulation, etc. I'll update you more on that too, when I know more. Seems like a lot of doctor's appointments to go to and will know a lot more afterwards. I also have a Diagnostic Mammogram set up for tomorrow afternoon. I can't believe it's already been 6 months since this all started. Actually I can believe it, it seems like time has stood still, at least for my bald head. My hair is just not coming in like I was hoping, but I need to be patient. Now that no more chemo is getting pumped into me, my hair (and nails) will get a chance to grow back in like they should. My eyelashes are still with me, but my eyebrows are quite sparse. Thank goodness for eyebrow pencil!!! I think makeup is KEY to a woman who has no hair and is losing what little she does have on her face (eyebrows to be exact). Anyway, all I know is I look a heck of a lot better with my makeup on than off!

Well, that's all for now. I'm feeling GREAT thank goodness. It definitely took me a lot longer to feel normal after this last round of chemo, but that's o.k., at least it's all done! I'll follow up after my appointments these next two days to let you know what the good doctors have to say!

Met with the Radiation Oncologist

Well, I'm almost 2 weeks out since my last chemo. It's been interesting, mentally I'm great, knowing that the chemo is behind me is such a relief. My body on the other hand, is experiencing the effects of chemo and I just want that behind me too! I have to remind myself that the effects are cumulative and give myself a break. The nausea has lasted a lot longer than the previous rounds and my feet and ankles have been swollen which is another side effect. I still get tired pretty easily so I'm trying to rest up when I can...I'm getting better every day though and know that the yuckiness of chemo will be behind me soon.

I met with Dr. Gargus, my Radiation Oncologist this past Thursday. He's got me coming back on 8/26 for my CT scan at 11:00 AM. They'll do some preliminary markings to get me set up for my Radiation. At 1:00 PM that same day, I have a Diagnostic Mammogram and see how things look. Oh well, good to get it all done and know how things are going! Going to all these doctors appointments isn't always fun, but it comes with the package. I'm thankful that I don't work right now and can do these while the boys are at school. Knowing that I'll be going through 33 rounds of radiation is just something that will be part of my schedule for 6- 1/2 weeks. Just a blip on the radar though and hopefully will fly by without any problems.

We're staying busy with our kitchen remodel and getting the kids back in their school routine. I'm grateful for so many friends that have been supporting me and know that without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. Some friends from church got together last Tuesday for a "No More Chemo" celebration. It was so nice to get together with friends and just celebrate the fact that part of my treatment being done. I certainly hope we'll have many celebrations. Life to too short not to enjoy these special moments and so, I will be looking forward to many more gatherings!!!

Woo Hoo! Let's Celebrate!!!

So, how can I say this and really get my true feelings across? I am soooooooo excited and thankful to be where I am RIGHT NOW in time....I just can't put it into words. I almost broke down in tears this morning while on my walk, just so thankful to know I am officially DONE with chemo. To know that my body is now healing and I am feeling better, to have that yucky phase behind me. I'm overwhelmed with the enormity of what it means to be done with my chemotherapy. What a year! Dave and I had a toast last night (with a Mimosa), and it was just so symbolic. To put this past year behind us and get on with the future. Live is so worth celebrating and we need to enjoy and appreciate each and every single minute we have. We need to laugh, breathe, enjoy our family, friends and loved ones and grasp hold of each special situation we are in. Again, I just don't feel like I'm able to put my thoughts into words, I'm inadequate here, but I hope I'm conveying what is in my heart.

I can't tell you how happy I was to leave the oncologist's office this past Tuesday. The nurses and staff were wonderful, I even baked them a treat to say, "Thanks for taking care of me and all the patients". They appreciated that and I appreciated being able to show my gratitude. My "Hello Dollies" are a great way to say "Thanks!" They gave me a "Purple Heart Award" certificate when I finished up my chemo and all the other patients clapped and said "Congratulations". I appreciated this, but at the same time felt a tug at my heart knowing that some of these patients will continue on with their treatments or may not have the same prognosis that I have. Going through cancer definitely opens your eyes to the trials other people face and makes you appreciate the hurdles you are able to overcome.

So, my mom and I got into her car after leaving the doctor's office. I just totally broke down in tears. The enormity of what I had just finished hit me and I was so relieved that it was over. I never, ever want to go through something like that again. So many have told me how well I am doing through all this, but sometimes I don't know how I've made it. Going through Dave's cancer was hard enough and then to get diagnosed myself on top of that was just almost too much for me to handle. I know for certain that it has been the prayers of so many and only by God's grace that I have been able to endure this.

My boys only made it 1/2 way through their week at spend-the-night camp. It was a lot to expect them to be there the whole time, but we're proud of them for sticking it out. Our oldest son, Bryce, has Asperger's (a mild form of Autism) and I think that presented a challenge to the staff, especially knowing I was going through my last chemo round. The boys had fun, but throw the ramifications of everything we're going through, they made it as long as they could. Dave was able to pick them up Wednesday and to be honest, we were glad to have them home. This gives us time to get them back on a schedule and ready to start back to school on a good note (this coming Monday). I somehow mustered the strength to take them to school to meet their teachers on Thursday and I know they enjoyed seeing everyone. Part of me is so glad the summer break is over (because my chemo is over!), but at the same time I'm sad it went by so fast!

Well, we're on to remodeling our kitchen now which is a great diversion for me! I'm excited to update and get new "stuff" and it's sad to say, but if it weren't for Aflac paying us during our cancer treatment, I don't know if we could have done this. I certainly look at it as another silver lining of our journey and am looking forward to the finished project!!!

My 6th and FINAL chemo round is tomorrow!!!!

So, I have been doing absolutely great and keeping way too busy since my last blog entry. But like I've said many times before, "No news is good news!" I'm so psyched that tomorrow is almost here to go to my last chemo infusion. At the same time, I'm soooooo tired (really did too many errands today), but that's o.k., at least I have the time and energy.

I think the main reason I'm tired though is that we sent Bryce & Kyle to spend-the-night camp (for the kids whose parents have cancer), but we got a call at 1:35 AM because Bryce was getting bitten by mosquitoes and was too hot to sleep and had been crying for an hour and a half. We talked with him and told him we couldn't come up right then and there to pick him up and that he had to figure out a way to deal with this. I also told him, "It's a once in a lifetime experience and you have to make the most of it." This REALLY stuck with him and the counselors called us today to discuss everything and said after that phone call, he really re-grouped and did o.k. So, we're all on the same page and hoping he can have a REALLY good camp experience and enjoy this week away. We definitely would go get him if we needed to, but we really want him to try to make the most of it. I'm going to be sure to send everyone a huge Thank You note afterwards and how well the staff has handled this situation in dealing with both Bryce and our situation. They all know tomorrow is my last chemo and we all want it to be a celebratory occasion and seeing it as an end to my "fight" and that things are going well and it's a time to be happy! My radiation (33 rounds) should start in about 3 weeks...but I believe that'll be a piece of cake compared to my chemo...

So, I have mixed feelings about tomorrow. I know it's going to be the "same ol', same ol'" where I'll feel cruddy at the end of the week but also, I'm elated to know it's my LAST round of chemo. I have made the 7-layer bars for my nurses who have been awesome during my entire treatment. Heck, I may even give one to Dr. Landis...he deserves a sweet treat too!

I do owe so many thanks to all of you who have been supporting me through encouragement, prayers, meeting physical needs by providing meals for me and my family...it's overwhelming to have experienced the kindness and generosity of so many people for a whole ENTIRE year now. I think I've mentioned this before, but it's worth repeating...tomorrow, Aug. 4th is so significant for us...first of all, it's our nephew's birthday. Happy Birthday Zach! He's serving in the Navy and is in the Persian Gulf right now so, we wish him a very happy day, on board ship! If my chemo'd brain serves me correctly, I believe he's turning 23....wow, that's amazing right there. Next significant thing about tomorrow is that it marks One Year from when Dave was admitted for his first intensive chemo infusion at Crawford Long...and what a year it has been. And now, for me, it marks the END of my chemo treatment. Exactly one year to the day from when Dave started his chemo. I know it's a year we hope we'll never have to repeat, but, again, we could NOT have made it through without your prayers, support, encouragement and friendship. Thank You sooooooo much!!!!