We're Going to Party Like ...

.. we're old, but the deed is done, and Cheryl's last of the "big" chemo treatments is done!

We still have a long haul with radiation coming up in a couple of weeks and a year of Herceptin treatments, but each of those should be easier than what she's gone through in the last 16 weeks (longer if you count the surgery).

Hey, in a few weeks she'll even be able to leave the house without fear of getting an infection. Now isn't that a step in the right direction.

PS. Here is a recent picture of Cheryl. Thanks to her Mary Kay person she now has at least pretend eyebrow and eyelashes,

Enjoying the Weekend

Hi everyone. I am enjoying the weekend with my family and getting excited about my last chemo treatment. OK excited may be a bit overkill here. I am feeling pretty good, but have a pervasive weakness problem and difficulties sleeping through the night. I spoke with my oncologist last week and she is concerned that radiation may wipe me off my feet because my body was so broken down during chemo. Guess time will tell. My son's scout troop will be providing us with 2 home cooked meals a week during radaition. What a blessing.

Next week I meet with the radiation oncologist to discuss radiation treatments and then the following week I begin getting my Herceptin (at a different Hopkins facility where I will be receiving radiation) every three weeks.

Still it is hard to believe I survived 7 chemo rounds. I really do not wish this on anyone. So please make sure you perform monthly breast checks and get regular mammograms!

Queen Laureen (as her friends affectionately call her), my mother-in law, just left yesterday. She was great company and a big help. I know the kids will miss her. We are now on to our last shift of help for a while. A dear friend of my parent's is coming in on Tuesday to get me and my family through this last round and to celebrate the end.

Wow are we loved.

Herceptin Today

I will be heading to Johns Hopkins to receive my next Herceptin treatment today. All in all I would have to say that I am almost back to myself cognitively while undergoing Taxol chemo. However, physically I am having problems. My red blood cell count continues to stay low even with a Procrit shot and thus I am winded all the time. While I am walking often, I seem to be having difficulties with any hills even small ones. The list of other problems is endless but I should not dwell on these and instead focus on being thankful for being alive and having such a wonderful supportive network of friends and family.

7 Down 1 To Go

Yes, it is me writing, I received my 7th chemo treatment yesterday (3rd treatment of both Taxol and Herceptin). It was a long long day. We arrived at the hospital at 8:30 for my lab work, but my chemo did not start until 12:30. We finally finished at 4:15. I managed to keep the queasies at bay until about 4pm. With so many drugs in my system (close to 2 pints) I was feeling pretty sick by the end. I came home home and slept 2 hours and then had a very light dinner. I got up this morning and helped get the kids off toschool, but am feeling a bit tired, weak and have an upset stomach. Definetely, will take it easy since I know the fevers will begin tonight. Good news is only one more chemo sesion. I hope to meet with a radiation oncologist to determine how/when my radiation therapy will be administered. Hugs to everyone.

Weekend Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am enjoying my weekend. Yesterday, I went shopping at the mall for a bit after my final fitting for my new breast prosthesis. That evening I even manged to walk the entire neighborhood (2.4 miles) - albeit slower than normal. Today I went to my son's soccer game (they lost), but it was great to get out. I did not attend my daughter's game later that day due to the heat. I just can not tolerate it. One of my daughter's soccer coaches brought us over a huge cooked dinner for tonight and 2 bags of groceries. I was overwhelmed by her generosity. Actually, I am amazed by how generous everyone has been to us. THANK YOU!!!!

2nd Herceptin Treatment

Yesterday I went in for my 2nd Herceptin treatment. I was very apprehensive as this was the drug that caused me to go into spasms (the nurses called it “chills”) when I had my first Taxol treatment two weeks ago. I managed to not vomit the entire time, but boy was it close. My half hour treatment lasted 4 hours as it took forever to mix the drugs then the nurse decided to put me on a slower drip to make sure I did not spasm and then I had to periodically stop and take 15 minute breaks to stop my gagging. I was wiped out when I got home and fell asleep for two hours before dinner. Of course, not sleeping through the night for weeks does not help any either. I have been experiencing muscle and bone pain plus tons of hot flashes that wake me up in the middle night. These are side effects of the chemo. My oncologist has put me on a new medication, which should help with these symptoms in addition to the extremity numbness, and tingling that I should begin experiencing after my third Taxol dosage. My spirits are up knowing that the end is getting closer. Radiation sounds like a party compared to what I have been going through. Plus, once chemo ends my hair will begin to grow again.

Thank you for all your love, cards, gifts and support as we hobble down this path.

The worse of this round is over

After several days with a low grade fever and severe muscle and bone pain, I can now say that I am on the mend and feeling better. I did not leave the couch for the last three days but woke up this morning with some mild discomfort and weakness. Trust me, that is an improvement. On Wednesday I will go in for a on hour Herceptin treatment. I should have no side effects from this drug (we hope). I will be receiving Herceptin intravenously for a year, but it is not considered chemotherapy. Once I start radiation they will reduce my Herceptin treatments to once every three weeks.

Here is a recent photo of me taken when we went to West Virginia while my mother was here. As you can see I have no hair but still have eyebrows and eyelashes.