Jeff and I saw my oncologist yesterday before my chemo and got more good news. The lump has gotten even softer than the last visit and she found it hard to measure since it was not as defined. She said it was a teensy bit smaller too! She could not feel the small lumps in the lymph nodes under my left arm anymore either. Also, since I didn't realize I had a small lump in the lymph nodes on my neck I know I haven't mentioned it before. That lump was originally about 1 cm and it measured 6mm yesterday! Now, if the liver looks as good when we run the CT Scan! YEAH BABY!!!
Your prayers are keeping me uplifted and positive throughout this whole process. I feel better than I have in months. I didn't get very tired last week at all and I'm not sure how I'll feel tomorrow. Thursdays are usually the "down day" for me.
We scheduled the CT and MUGA scans for June 10. I will continue my chemotherapy as scheduled thru June 3. We will see the oncologist again on June 17 and based on the test results, continue as we are or she could change my chemo drug. It's just wait and see. We're taking things one day at a time, one treatment at a time and enjoying the week off each cycle.
Thanks again from the bottom of my heart for your cards, emails, thoughts and prayers!
Hugs to all! Have a great day!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tomorrow
Tomorrow:
I feel great today. Haven't done much other than paperwork (bill paying, filing and such) and sorting laundry. Daddy and I went to Lowe's and PetsMart this morning after taking Gunner to school. I did take Brandon with me to pick Gunner up this afternoon. He hadn't been out since Friday and I thought Mom and Dad could use a little "peace" for about 30 minutes!
As far as the appointment with the Dr. tomorrow, I'm just expecting a checkup and asking questions. We will get the orders to schedule a CT Scan and MUGA scan. From what I understand, these are done every 3 months while I am taking chemo and Herceptin. The CT Scan will show the effect the chemo is having on the cancer. The MUGA scan will look at my heart muscle to determine if I am having damage from the Herceptin.
We have been studying I John in our Sunday Bible Class, and unfortunately we missed yesterday since I was ill. Anyway, one of the scriptures has been with me for a couple of weeks and I just wanted to share. I really need to be more like this!
I John 3:17-18 (NKJV)
"But whosoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
- Bloodwork
- Appointment with oncologist
- Chemo
I feel great today. Haven't done much other than paperwork (bill paying, filing and such) and sorting laundry. Daddy and I went to Lowe's and PetsMart this morning after taking Gunner to school. I did take Brandon with me to pick Gunner up this afternoon. He hadn't been out since Friday and I thought Mom and Dad could use a little "peace" for about 30 minutes!
As far as the appointment with the Dr. tomorrow, I'm just expecting a checkup and asking questions. We will get the orders to schedule a CT Scan and MUGA scan. From what I understand, these are done every 3 months while I am taking chemo and Herceptin. The CT Scan will show the effect the chemo is having on the cancer. The MUGA scan will look at my heart muscle to determine if I am having damage from the Herceptin.
We have been studying I John in our Sunday Bible Class, and unfortunately we missed yesterday since I was ill. Anyway, one of the scriptures has been with me for a couple of weeks and I just wanted to share. I really need to be more like this!
I John 3:17-18 (NKJV)
"But whosoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
STILL FEELING GREAT!!
At last! I finally have a chance to write. This past week was quite busy since I didn't have a chemo treatment and I wasn't ill. I felt GREAT and spent time playing with the boys, getting things done around the house and preparing for the "parental units" arrival. They got here safely on Sunday afternoon and Daddy knew I was planning some projects, but I don't think he realized I really planned some projects! I have to keep him busy for 3 weeks, so I just hope we get to finish these projects!
As far as treatment and such, I am sitting in the chair at this moment. I did find out today why I have insomnia the day I get chemo! The steroids I receive cause that. Now I know to plan for this. Also, the nurse told me that breast cancer patients tend to GAIN 15 to 20 lbs. while undergoing treatment. So far, I haven't gained. I think my "diet" has helped with that. I lost around 15 lbs. when I was diagnosed because the anxiety just was too much and I couldn't eat. I have kept that weight off so far. I'm not sure if the weight loss or the diet changes have made me feel so much better! This past week I actually felt better than I have in months!
I really dreaded coming today know how tired I will be by week's end, and knowing it is just going to keep making me more fatigued over the course of my treatments. I do rejoice that we (as a family) FINALLY had a week without a doctor's appointment! :) I also rejoice that my treatments do not cause any other complications and I have no pain. Some of the cancer patients we see in the hallways on the days of treatment you can tell they are hurting and sick. I am so blessed to not have those complicatons.
I didn't bring my Bible to find a scripture for my thoughts today, but I always keep in mind Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Have a blessed day! :)
As far as treatment and such, I am sitting in the chair at this moment. I did find out today why I have insomnia the day I get chemo! The steroids I receive cause that. Now I know to plan for this. Also, the nurse told me that breast cancer patients tend to GAIN 15 to 20 lbs. while undergoing treatment. So far, I haven't gained. I think my "diet" has helped with that. I lost around 15 lbs. when I was diagnosed because the anxiety just was too much and I couldn't eat. I have kept that weight off so far. I'm not sure if the weight loss or the diet changes have made me feel so much better! This past week I actually felt better than I have in months!
I really dreaded coming today know how tired I will be by week's end, and knowing it is just going to keep making me more fatigued over the course of my treatments. I do rejoice that we (as a family) FINALLY had a week without a doctor's appointment! :) I also rejoice that my treatments do not cause any other complications and I have no pain. Some of the cancer patients we see in the hallways on the days of treatment you can tell they are hurting and sick. I am so blessed to not have those complicatons.
I didn't bring my Bible to find a scripture for my thoughts today, but I always keep in mind Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Have a blessed day! :)
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The new blog about me
Well, I have decided to break out the details of my battle with breast cancer on its own blog and leave the Rev It Up! for our family information. I have a plan for this blog and I hope you will want to keep coming back! The next entry will be more of how I'm going to be journaling. This is just an update since I haven't written for so long.
So far this week has gone well for me! I had Treatment #6 on Tuesday. I'm still feeling GREAT although the fatigue is beginning to build a little. The more treatments I have, the more fatigue I will have. My "diet" is going well. I think I started cutting things out around the beginning of March. I can not remember the last time I had a soft drink or chocolate! I don't really miss those as much as I thought I would. I'm still having issues with stopping the dairy. I LOVE cheese! I have had a little, but I try not to dwell on it. Jill got me an early birthday gift.....a stir fry pan. It's really fun to fix veggies and come up with combos. I now have a new hobby. Just glad Jeff's along for the ride with me. I also found an Unsweetened Almond beverage at a health food store and had cereal for the first time in over a month! I really read labels now too. I look at the sugar content and look for MSG. Anyway enough about that stuff, it's making me hungry and it's too late to eat!
So what else is going on?
If we could just get our family WELL it would be a blessed event. We have been to a doctor's office of some kind every week since mid-January! I'm talking Brandon's casts, Brandon's ear infections, well-baby checkups, my issues, Gunner's been sick, Jeff's checkups, and dental appointments. This past week has been the worst. Spring Break week, Gunner had a fever for 5 days! I took him to the doctor on Day 3. He had a dry cough and fever. They listened to his lungs and he was wheezing. We did a breathing treatment in the office and it seemed to help, so we got a prescription for an albuterol inhaler and antibiotics. He is finally doing much better, but we have to use the inhaler until his coughing stops. Could be up to two weeks. Then, on Saturday, Brandon started the same symptoms. I had an appointment scheduled for him on Monday morning for a follow up check on his ears. Now he is on antibiotics AGAIN and a nebulizer for breathing treatments. We go back to the doctor on Friday to see how he is doing. Hopefully we'll be done with the nebulizer then. Jeff is now getting the stuff so he may be headed to the doc himself! UGH And by the way, Jill finally got home after getting stuck in the Atlanta airport overnight. She wasn't feeling well when she left. A visit to the doctor Monday....she has bronchitis! She's starting to feel better. Fortunately, I haven't gotten this round.
I'm still overwhelmed by all the support I'm receiving thru cards, emails, etc. Your prayers continue to keep my spirits high and I can never thank you enough for helping on my journey.
Today's scripture:
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
So far this week has gone well for me! I had Treatment #6 on Tuesday. I'm still feeling GREAT although the fatigue is beginning to build a little. The more treatments I have, the more fatigue I will have. My "diet" is going well. I think I started cutting things out around the beginning of March. I can not remember the last time I had a soft drink or chocolate! I don't really miss those as much as I thought I would. I'm still having issues with stopping the dairy. I LOVE cheese! I have had a little, but I try not to dwell on it. Jill got me an early birthday gift.....a stir fry pan. It's really fun to fix veggies and come up with combos. I now have a new hobby. Just glad Jeff's along for the ride with me. I also found an Unsweetened Almond beverage at a health food store and had cereal for the first time in over a month! I really read labels now too. I look at the sugar content and look for MSG. Anyway enough about that stuff, it's making me hungry and it's too late to eat!
So what else is going on?
If we could just get our family WELL it would be a blessed event. We have been to a doctor's office of some kind every week since mid-January! I'm talking Brandon's casts, Brandon's ear infections, well-baby checkups, my issues, Gunner's been sick, Jeff's checkups, and dental appointments. This past week has been the worst. Spring Break week, Gunner had a fever for 5 days! I took him to the doctor on Day 3. He had a dry cough and fever. They listened to his lungs and he was wheezing. We did a breathing treatment in the office and it seemed to help, so we got a prescription for an albuterol inhaler and antibiotics. He is finally doing much better, but we have to use the inhaler until his coughing stops. Could be up to two weeks. Then, on Saturday, Brandon started the same symptoms. I had an appointment scheduled for him on Monday morning for a follow up check on his ears. Now he is on antibiotics AGAIN and a nebulizer for breathing treatments. We go back to the doctor on Friday to see how he is doing. Hopefully we'll be done with the nebulizer then. Jeff is now getting the stuff so he may be headed to the doc himself! UGH And by the way, Jill finally got home after getting stuck in the Atlanta airport overnight. She wasn't feeling well when she left. A visit to the doctor Monday....she has bronchitis! She's starting to feel better. Fortunately, I haven't gotten this round.
I'm still overwhelmed by all the support I'm receiving thru cards, emails, etc. Your prayers continue to keep my spirits high and I can never thank you enough for helping on my journey.
Today's scripture:
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
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