Today went very well. Dr. Hohl was a bit behind, so treatment did not start until 3:30. We were done just in time to catch the 5:15 traffic of everyone leaving work. : )
I'm feeling pretty good so far. Just a minor headache and very warm... can't cool down! YIKES!
It's hopefully a sign of better days ahead than after last-time's treatment. Tomorrow's a new day AND
I'M HALF DONE WITH TREATMENTS!!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Pregame for Round 2
Tonight is a little nerve-racking as I head back tomorrow for my second round of treatment. I don't think tomorrow will be terrible, but as the chemo works its way out of my body over the next 4-5 days I know it's going to be rough. I've defied the odds - as far as losing my hair - so far, but I'm not holding my breath this time around. It's been a wonderfully humorous miracle for me and anyone else who has been able to see me in the last couple of weeks. Dr. Hohl gave me 3-4 days, as I understood, to start losing my hair. I have a prescription for a hair prosthesis, have purchased some hats/turbans/scarfs (thank you Paula), and have prepared my children for the event - but to no avail. It has almost become a standing joke for my visitors... "prepare yourself to see me - I STILL HAVE MY HAIR!!" If you don't have a sense of humor, then your doomed from the start!
So, I've come to realize that most people are very curious about the whole experience of chemo - as was I until two weeks ago. I guess the movies do a terrible job of portraying yet another life event!! While I am hardly a beautiful sight to see while working through the chemotherapy drugs, I don't feel it's as bad as I imagined (or saw on TV). The doctors, nurses, and everyone at the hospital make the experience as comfortable as possible. While I'm on a heavy dose treatment schedule, there are survivors who have shared that treatments can take place one day after the other. Bless them for being so strong! It is VERY important for people to understand that one person's chemo varies from most other's in the chemo ward; the medicines are different, people react differently, and it's not predictable as to how people's bodies will accept/reject the medicine. For those who are curious, I'll walk you through what tomorrow will look like:
As I stated above, I have no expectations for the rest of the week. It is nice knowing, for the most part, what to expect. The next day I will return for my shot of medicine to help boost my white blood cell count again, and then I will sleep away the next few days. Mom will be back to stay with us again tomorrow; she will wake me every 2-3 hours to make me eat. I'm sure she's enjoyed her vacation away from us...actually I talked to her Saturday and she had the flu Jenna and I had earlier in the week.
The last few days have provided for my family the time we needed to play, watch movies, giggle, and just be "healthy." Jenna pulled out her second loose tooth - by herself! Kyler has been very clingy this weekend so I'm a little afraid he may be affected a little more this week with my being sick. He's been snuggling, which any sane mother wouldn't turn down, and being protective in playful situations. Clayton got to stay at a friend's house Friday, so his weekend was perfect in his eyes from that point on. He even beat me in bowling on the Wii today by 7 pins so that topped off his weekend! Laughter has been my best medicine this weekend as each minute ticking away was one minute closer to Monday's treatment. I can always count on my Lisa to leave me in stitches, because it is ONLY cancer! Saturday's company left my ribs sore as my neighbor Laura has learned quite a bit about animal instincts growing up on a farm and my beloved Marci has more goalie instincts than I realized - which gave her an edge and ultimately the win in the game! Loved hearing the kids' voices and laughter as they played, between episodes of tattling. Today, well it was a nice day spent with Grandma and Grandpa Thurm. An example of how this sickness is affecting me.... CHAD went shopping with grandma today and I stayed home with grandpa and the kids to play games! No public places or crowds might be just what Dave Ramsey ordered for our budget! My weekend capped off with another gracious gift from some very thoughtful and giving people (not to mention awesome pepper players apparently).
My family and I continue to be overwhelmed with the amount of support we are given each and every day! I know I just keep repeating myself when I say this, but there are no words that we can say to truly show how grateful we are to all of the people who have opened their arms, hearts, and faith to be a part of the amazing outpouring of support we've received!! I hope for all of the wonderful people planning the benefit that Saturday is AWESOME!!!! Just remember, NO matter what shakes down on Saturday, but everything WILL run smoothly, you are SO greatly appreciated, admired, and loved in many, many, many, many ways.
Well my friends, I'm afraid it's that time... BED TIME! I can hear my bed calling my name!
Good night!
So, I've come to realize that most people are very curious about the whole experience of chemo - as was I until two weeks ago. I guess the movies do a terrible job of portraying yet another life event!! While I am hardly a beautiful sight to see while working through the chemotherapy drugs, I don't feel it's as bad as I imagined (or saw on TV). The doctors, nurses, and everyone at the hospital make the experience as comfortable as possible. While I'm on a heavy dose treatment schedule, there are survivors who have shared that treatments can take place one day after the other. Bless them for being so strong! It is VERY important for people to understand that one person's chemo varies from most other's in the chemo ward; the medicines are different, people react differently, and it's not predictable as to how people's bodies will accept/reject the medicine. For those who are curious, I'll walk you through what tomorrow will look like:
- 11:15 - I will have labs. They draw blood to check my red and white blood count and platelet level.
- It is actually possible that I could not get treatment b/c those numbers are not in the right range. This is why it's critical for me to take care in not getting sick and avoid crowds/public places.
- 12:00 - I will see Dr. Hohl and he will check in with me - just seeing how things have been going. He then orders the medicines I need for treatment.
- 1:00 - I will be at the chemo ward for treatment. Nurse Sara told me that patients can wait 1 or 2 hours for pharmacy to deliver the medicine the doctor ordered. She also informed us that an appointment for chemo means plan on being at the hospital all day!
- After being hooked up to the IV, which makes me wish I had gone the port route, they will start the basic saline/water solution. I'm going to have to ask the nurse to see the actual needle tomorrow, because I SWEAR that sucker is very long. Last time when I thought the nurse had the needle placed, she pushed it in a little further, then a little further, and even just a little further! Chad was no help in recalling the needle length as he reassured me there was NO way he looked at the needle. The needle placement is very critical as my first medication cannot leak outside of the vein b/c it can cause tissue damage, comforting right!
- While being given the saline solution I am also administered 3 different prescriptions for nausea and 1 steroid. I was worried about losing all of my "buffness" so I asked for the steroid...JK - it actually increases the effectiveness of the anti-nausea medications.
- The first chemo drug is administered via a needle inserted into the IV pic line. The medication is actually tinted red so that the nurse can watch the medicine go in. The "push" takes about 15 minutes as there are two syringes with the medicine in it.
- Next, the nurse hooks up the second medicine to be administered through the IV with a slow drip. This medicine takes about an hour/ hour and a half to be given.
- Lastly, the saline/water solution is run for about 15 more minutes. This is done so all of the medicine can be flushed through the tube.
- And then I head home. So I guess the duration of our stay in the chemo ward depends on how backed up the pharmacy is!
As I stated above, I have no expectations for the rest of the week. It is nice knowing, for the most part, what to expect. The next day I will return for my shot of medicine to help boost my white blood cell count again, and then I will sleep away the next few days. Mom will be back to stay with us again tomorrow; she will wake me every 2-3 hours to make me eat. I'm sure she's enjoyed her vacation away from us...actually I talked to her Saturday and she had the flu Jenna and I had earlier in the week.
The last few days have provided for my family the time we needed to play, watch movies, giggle, and just be "healthy." Jenna pulled out her second loose tooth - by herself! Kyler has been very clingy this weekend so I'm a little afraid he may be affected a little more this week with my being sick. He's been snuggling, which any sane mother wouldn't turn down, and being protective in playful situations. Clayton got to stay at a friend's house Friday, so his weekend was perfect in his eyes from that point on. He even beat me in bowling on the Wii today by 7 pins so that topped off his weekend! Laughter has been my best medicine this weekend as each minute ticking away was one minute closer to Monday's treatment. I can always count on my Lisa to leave me in stitches, because it is ONLY cancer! Saturday's company left my ribs sore as my neighbor Laura has learned quite a bit about animal instincts growing up on a farm and my beloved Marci has more goalie instincts than I realized - which gave her an edge and ultimately the win in the game! Loved hearing the kids' voices and laughter as they played, between episodes of tattling. Today, well it was a nice day spent with Grandma and Grandpa Thurm. An example of how this sickness is affecting me.... CHAD went shopping with grandma today and I stayed home with grandpa and the kids to play games! No public places or crowds might be just what Dave Ramsey ordered for our budget! My weekend capped off with another gracious gift from some very thoughtful and giving people (not to mention awesome pepper players apparently).
My family and I continue to be overwhelmed with the amount of support we are given each and every day! I know I just keep repeating myself when I say this, but there are no words that we can say to truly show how grateful we are to all of the people who have opened their arms, hearts, and faith to be a part of the amazing outpouring of support we've received!! I hope for all of the wonderful people planning the benefit that Saturday is AWESOME!!!! Just remember, NO matter what shakes down on Saturday, but everything WILL run smoothly, you are SO greatly appreciated, admired, and loved in many, many, many, many ways.
Well my friends, I'm afraid it's that time... BED TIME! I can hear my bed calling my name!
Good night!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
March 22, 2011
Monday wasn't terrible, but each subsequent day got a little rougher. I slept quite a bit, only being woken up to eat - which ironically I've not been a fan of since treatment. I thought instead of recapping all of the negative, I'd highlight the positives:
- Kyler, Chad, and Clayton's basketball tournament on Saturday - they did AMAZING as always! Very proud of our 4th grade boys and how far they've come in the last couple of months. Wish I could have been there, but I'm sure you looked as amazing as your scores were!
- Still have my hair - it is a different texture though, FOR SURE! (hats are "optional" at this point)
- Cinnamon roll from the Landmark - TOTALLY hit the spot; you're the greatest Pam!
- Cards galore - from my students and still getting them in the mail
- Megan S. stopping to see me - I do remember even though the doctor prescribed some Vicodin for the headaches.
- Porch talk with Laura and pillow talk with Marci : )
- 1 treatment closer to being done!
- My new caring caps from the Woolen Needle
- My chemo nurse Sara... wanted to definitely bring her home with me!
- A visit from the Flander boys - oh yeah, and Kristin : )
- Heather, Josh, and Mary stopping over to talk about the wedding... exciting! Can't wait to see my boys in their tuxes and Jenna in her princess dress... oh yeah, and the beautiful bride! : )
- My wig will be covered by insurance... when I get one!
- My sub Shannon; did I already mention her??? Because every other thing I'm thankful for should just be followed by Shannon!
- Updates about the benefit: my heart swells a little more each time I hear about more ways people are pouring their love out for my family!
- Beautiful weather - when I did make it outside to walk the block it was beautiful and sun shiny! LOVE that I'm able to let the coming of spring help me through my depression! What's not to love about the birds singing in the morning and the sun pouring in through the windows!?!?!?!?!
- And of course my family - my mom's been stepping in to fill my "mom" shoes, far more patiently than she did with me of course when I was that age! : ) JK mom!
- The sound of my children coming in the door after school, for the first 5-10 minutes that is!
- Phone calls and cutely colored pictures from my nieces and mother-in-law.
- My kids crawling in bed to snuggle with me! Sorry Chad, I know you lost out on the bed a couple of nights, but it was worth it....RIGHT?!
- My husband holding my hand right through it all... can't imagine doing it alone!
So, this week is like the calm before the storm... or the anticipation of the trip to the hospital to go through labor. I saw Dr. Hohl yesterday and we are trying different anti-nausea medicine in the hopes that will help my headaches disappear. Everything else looked good so I think we're on the right track. A final report, I think, on the biopsy showed my chances of breast cancer returning around 34%, IF I did no further treatment. Since I am choosing to follow my lumpectomy with chemo and radiation that lowers it to about 10%. A much better number and a good reminder for why I have to just stay strong and hang in there.
Next Monday I'll be half done with my treatments! THAT in itself is absolutely motivating! I don't dread radiation because it sounds "painless" and I believe I will welcome that change in the treatment plan.
Well, closing with another word of thanks! Thanks for the meals, cards, gifts, visits, calls, and mostly, the prayers!
"I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength" - B-O-U-N-T-I-F-U-L support!!!!
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