Follow-up visit with Dr. Rinn

I went with my peeps to get my 3week dose of herceptin and to see my oncologist Dr. Rinn yesterday. She is still trying to figure out if my margins were clean enough to forego radiation. I really, really hope I don't have to. It's not that it's hard or anything like the all day chemo thing, but it does involve daily trips to NW Hospital and that sounds like a drag to me. So anyway, she will talk to my breast surgeon next week and get back to me. On a good note, my white blood count is back to normal - yay! My hematocrit, which is tied to anemia, is still low but up 3 points, so I gotta keep eating my Total with Raisin bran and clams - what a hardship! I am going to get a MUGA (heart test) in 6 weeks, but other than that I don't have any testing for 6 months. At that time, I will have the dreaded MRI. Bring on the valium!

On a fun note, we had a lovely camping trip to Lincoln Rock. The weather was nice, but the water was freeeeeeeezing!! Next up - Michelle's Iron Man in Coeur D'Alene. We'll be taking a side trip to Silverwood, so that should be fun. This is a busy, busy summer.

Peach Fuzz!

Well, I am getting some hair back - yay! The wigs are stifling in this heat, so I've been wearing my baseball cap or bandannas. Yesterday we walked to Golden Gardens and a little girl asked me why I had no hair. I told her I lost it. She asked me if I have a garage and I told her no, but I have a carport. She said "maybe you should look in your carport for your hair because you look like a boy!" She gave me a good laugh! So, if you seeing me rooting around in my carport....

Done with Chemo - Yahoo!

I finished chemo on Friday the 8th and I feel pretty good going into my second week. I still have to have herceptin every three weeks until January, but that's a piece of cake compared to chemo. I have decided to just enjoy the summer and not worry about getting a new boob until fall. Who wants to be in pain when the weather is nice and there's so much fun stuff going on? My hair should start growing back soon, but be prepared to see "GI Jane" all summer because these wigs I am wearing are getting too hot. I really need to invest in a few straw hats. Anyway, I will post pics and keep you all updated when I get testing done to see if the cancer is gone.

Also, I want to say congratulations to my cousin Lesa, who had a baby girl on May 11th - Mommy and Bristol are both doing well.

Chemo 5 and I'm Alive!

This Friday I had my 5th chemo and a visit from my pal, Michelle. Aunt Deb and Jen were there as usual, but she just adds a little sizzle to the day! My peeps were worried they were going to get thrown out of the chemo lounge, but I think the nurses appreciate that having a good time while you're there is instrumental in getting through the day. Thanks, Michelle! Also, thanks for the fun new wigs - since they are black and dark brown, they are more alter ego than everyday, but I look forward to creating a great look for each one! That was really nice of you your mom-in-law to give them up, especially since they are brand new and human hair!

Great news on the family front - Aunt Deb is gonna be a great grandma! That means cousin Mike is going to be a grandpa - wow, what an old guy! Congratulations to Drew and Justine!

Counting the weeks until chemo 6 and my summer can begin!

Chemo #4 - The end is in sight!

Had chemo #4 on Friday, the 27th and I am so excited that there are only 2 more to go! Today, I have decided to focus on positive things and not talk about my side effects, or how poopy this week is. It will pass and that's that.

A friend of mine who has gone through the chemo thing already, Tracy, came to visit while I was there. It was really nice to see you, Tracy - you look great and you make me realize that this is just a temporary situation - I will get my hair back and I will feel really good soon!

I also had my loyal chemo peeps, Aunt Deb and Jen - you guys are the wind beneath my wings! I can always count on Auntie to have baby oranges for me to eat and my darling sis for warm blanket retrieval. I am so grateful to have you guys there - you take my mind off infusions and put it where it should be - Vegas, baby! I am so looking forward to all the good things that will happen once this chemo is done. Fleetwood Mac in May; camping at Lincoln Rock in June, Gram's 80th birthday party and Vegas in July, Seahawks games in Sept, Halloween in October (already thinking about Connor's costume!) and Elton John and Billy Joel in Nov. - this is what keeps me going. It's not about how quickly my hair grows in or whether I'll have a great new boob this year, it's just about how much fun I'm going to have when I don't have to be poisoned every three weeks. I am counting the days!

Congratulations to Lesa and Neil!

Wow, I just got done kvetching on this blog about my icky day and I decided to check my lovely cousin Lesa's blog. Her news has just totally turned around my day. She and Neil got married on Feb. 28th in a very small ceremony! I am so happy for them. I am sure Kaeden and Baby Bristol (coming in May!) are very happy their parents have become a legal unit. Can't wait for the reception in August!

Chemo #3 - Halfway done!

Hi All,

I had my third chemo on the 6th of March. I am so happy to be at the halfway point. However, this is day 4, which is my yuck day, so I really wish I was just done with this whole thing. My added intake of iron rich foods doesn't seem to have helped my anemia; my counts actually went down - boo! Oh well, bring on the supplements, I guess. So, I am having a pity party today. My whole body aches and my face and hands are red and swollen and I want my blankie - wah! wah! Okay, that's enough whining for now. I am sure tomorrow will be better and I'll be peachy keen by Friday, when I go in for my weekly Herceptin. It's really nice to be able to do the Herceptin at Ballard. I can just walk over from work and walk back. If only everything was this easy.