This is going to be short....starting chemotherapy on June 5th. I'll be on a chemo cocktail of three lovely drugs with some crazy side effects, hair loss being one of them. The chemotherapy schedule is once every three weeks for about the next 4 and 1/2 months, then radiation starts a couple of weeks after. My goal is to have my last treatment by the end of the year, which is pushing it.
I usually make my posts filtering my emotions because I don't want to scare my family and friends.....you may not see this in upcoming posts. I am very, very upset and having a hard time dealing with what is happening to me and to us. Yes, a positive attitude is great, but right now I am not there or anywhere close.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Update & a bunch of other "stuff"
The pathology test from the surgery changed the stage of the cancer from Stage I to Stage II. The stage is based on the size of the tumors and lymph node involvement. I was okay with the information at the doctor's office but as the evening went on I spiraled downward until I had a sob fest yesterday afternoon. Doing okay today.
Green light for exercising since it has been a full two weeks since surgery. The doctor also gave me some exercises to do with my arm for mobility and if those don't work, I can get a referral to a physical therapist.
I'd like to thank those of you that did go out and donate blood. THANK YOU. It is so important we have a good supply of blood, you never know when you might be in need of a transfusion. Donating blood is so easy, it is free, you get cookies and jucie when finished and you can do it every 56 days (you do have to weigh at least 115 pounds to donate)!
I LOVE EDDY GONZALES! I realized how much Eddy loves me when I was recovering. Eddy made me a poncho (more like a bolero jacket) out of plastic garbage bag and masking tape so I could shower while I still had the drain in. He washed my hair, soaped me up, dried me off and dressed me. Eddy emptied my drain every few hours, measured the contents and recorded the amounts (made me woozy when we did this). Multiple trips up and down the stairs to make sure I had what I needed and he never complained. I am so thankful to have Eddy in my life, now and forever.
Have a great day!
Green light for exercising since it has been a full two weeks since surgery. The doctor also gave me some exercises to do with my arm for mobility and if those don't work, I can get a referral to a physical therapist.
I'd like to thank those of you that did go out and donate blood. THANK YOU. It is so important we have a good supply of blood, you never know when you might be in need of a transfusion. Donating blood is so easy, it is free, you get cookies and jucie when finished and you can do it every 56 days (you do have to weigh at least 115 pounds to donate)!
I LOVE EDDY GONZALES! I realized how much Eddy loves me when I was recovering. Eddy made me a poncho (more like a bolero jacket) out of plastic garbage bag and masking tape so I could shower while I still had the drain in. He washed my hair, soaped me up, dried me off and dressed me. Eddy emptied my drain every few hours, measured the contents and recorded the amounts (made me woozy when we did this). Multiple trips up and down the stairs to make sure I had what I needed and he never complained. I am so thankful to have Eddy in my life, now and forever.
Have a great day!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Monday Morning Ramblings
Good Morning Cancer Support Team!
Eddy and I had a busy weekend. Friday afternoon friends dropped off dinner and dessert, which was absolutely delicious!!! Our neighbors came by to the check the possible sprinkler system leak near our property line and we did some visiting, then our friends came by with their daughter for a little more visiting. I had a glass of wine, finally! On Saturday morning Eddy and I headed over the hill to San Jose for a few hours, then back to Santa Cruz for bra shopping. I have to say Eddy is one of the best shoppers, he will help pick sizes/styles and even hold my purse without complaining (people would be stupid to give him a hard time about a purse, he is big and he can do this really scary thing with his eyes when he is mad). Three cheers for Eddy!!! I was able to do Mother's Day with my mom this year since they haven't returned to Oregon yet. Mom's daughter-in-law, Dana, put together a wonderful Sunday brunch for all of us.
Tomorrow is my post-op appointment with Dr Rose. I am hoping to get a physical therapy "prescription" from the doctor since I want full use of my right arm sooner rather than later (can only lift it to shoulder level and I REALLY want to shave my underarm!). It would also be nice to get the green light to begin exercising again.
The next appointment is on 5/20 with the medical oncologist, Dr Andrea Edwards, who is kind of the treatment "coordinator". We will go over all of my options for treatment, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, etc. The surgeon, Dr Rose, felt I would need chemotherapy due to the two tumors on the right and the positive lymph node, but we will wait to see what Dr Edwards says. I do know that radiation is part of the treatment since that is the "standard of care" for patients that have a lumpectomy.
I will keep everyone abreast (thought that was kind of funny!) on the outcome of all the appointments.
Cheryl
Eddy and I had a busy weekend. Friday afternoon friends dropped off dinner and dessert, which was absolutely delicious!!! Our neighbors came by to the check the possible sprinkler system leak near our property line and we did some visiting, then our friends came by with their daughter for a little more visiting. I had a glass of wine, finally! On Saturday morning Eddy and I headed over the hill to San Jose for a few hours, then back to Santa Cruz for bra shopping. I have to say Eddy is one of the best shoppers, he will help pick sizes/styles and even hold my purse without complaining (people would be stupid to give him a hard time about a purse, he is big and he can do this really scary thing with his eyes when he is mad). Three cheers for Eddy!!! I was able to do Mother's Day with my mom this year since they haven't returned to Oregon yet. Mom's daughter-in-law, Dana, put together a wonderful Sunday brunch for all of us.
Tomorrow is my post-op appointment with Dr Rose. I am hoping to get a physical therapy "prescription" from the doctor since I want full use of my right arm sooner rather than later (can only lift it to shoulder level and I REALLY want to shave my underarm!). It would also be nice to get the green light to begin exercising again.
The next appointment is on 5/20 with the medical oncologist, Dr Andrea Edwards, who is kind of the treatment "coordinator". We will go over all of my options for treatment, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, etc. The surgeon, Dr Rose, felt I would need chemotherapy due to the two tumors on the right and the positive lymph node, but we will wait to see what Dr Edwards says. I do know that radiation is part of the treatment since that is the "standard of care" for patients that have a lumpectomy.
I will keep everyone abreast (thought that was kind of funny!) on the outcome of all the appointments.
Cheryl
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Good News Today!
Dr Rose just called......we have clear margins on the tumors and only one lymph node positive for cancer!!!!! Yippy! The less nodes the better in regard to chemotherapy (maybe I won't need to do it, wouldn't that just be FANTASTIC!!!!!!).
I just took off the compression bra, what a relief, I can actually take a deep breath. To keep everything in place, I will wear it at night only. Dr Rose also said to get my mobility back, I could start lifting my arm up until it hurts.
Dr Rose contacts the oncologist and radiologist about my case, then they call me to arrange appointments. I want to get the ball rolling so I can get treatments over with this year. I want 2009 to be cancer free.
On a side note, Lefty (our cat) decided to drink water out of a very full water glass next to the bed last night. Well, he ended up dumping it over on me in the middle of the night, soaking the mattress, my compression bra and part of the comforter. Bad kitty. No more glasses of water next to the bed at night, I can't move fast enough not to get wet!
I want to thank all of you for the emails, phone calls, prayers, good vibes, whatever you've been sending out....THANK YOU!
I just took off the compression bra, what a relief, I can actually take a deep breath. To keep everything in place, I will wear it at night only. Dr Rose also said to get my mobility back, I could start lifting my arm up until it hurts.
Dr Rose contacts the oncologist and radiologist about my case, then they call me to arrange appointments. I want to get the ball rolling so I can get treatments over with this year. I want 2009 to be cancer free.
On a side note, Lefty (our cat) decided to drink water out of a very full water glass next to the bed last night. Well, he ended up dumping it over on me in the middle of the night, soaking the mattress, my compression bra and part of the comforter. Bad kitty. No more glasses of water next to the bed at night, I can't move fast enough not to get wet!
I want to thank all of you for the emails, phone calls, prayers, good vibes, whatever you've been sending out....THANK YOU!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Guilty!
Guy took the DA up on their offer of 4 years in prison so we did not have to testify today....yeah! DA says he really will do two years (he already has almost seven months of that under his belt since he was arrested). What a huge relief. I was not looking forward to the whole court room thing and more waiting.
Suzanne did a wonderful job on my hair today and I even put on a little makeup. Eddy and I are going to the pet store for a very short outing, my first since getting home on Thursday.
Drain under my arm was removed today....yeah! Another piece of good news. I wish I'd been warned that it would hurt so I could have taken a pain pill before hand. Takes about 45 minutes and it is starting to kick in now....weeeeee!
Suzanne did a wonderful job on my hair today and I even put on a little makeup. Eddy and I are going to the pet store for a very short outing, my first since getting home on Thursday.
Drain under my arm was removed today....yeah! Another piece of good news. I wish I'd been warned that it would hurt so I could have taken a pain pill before hand. Takes about 45 minutes and it is starting to kick in now....weeeeee!
Tired but stilling hanging in there!
It is amazing how a little three hour drug induced nap at the hospital and some cutting can make you so tired! Whew. When people said to take it easy, I can certainly see why now.
Woke up from surgery and saw the clock said 6:00 pm and I knew things had not gone well with the lymph nodes. Surgery was supposed to only be about two hours, but was told if we had to take out stage 1 and 2 nodes it would be around three hours. My under arm and arm did not "feel" right when I woke up and I think that is the first thing I let them know was wrong. I also woke up crying, which the nursing staff said is a normal reaction when you come out. I wanted Eddy to be with me right away and it seems like he was there pretty fast but you know when on drugs things are not always what they seem!
I was so glad to come home on Thursday....I did not want to stay in the hospital. Eddy and Lionel moved our mattress upstairs so I would not be pestered by the cats and I could watch tv when I wanted. Mom and Suzanne remade the beds and I climbed on in but did not sleep well with the very, very tight compression bra on. The bra makes taking a full breath difficult and the first night I felt I stopped breathing a lot....I am sure this was my drugged mind playing tricks on me. I also have this plastic tube coming out my side with a big plastic ball on the end, which makes sleeping or moving kind of an issue (I hope the drain comes out today!).
Visiting Nurses should be here today for a look at my incisions and vital signs. The drain should come out if all is well! Not sure how long I have to wear the bra since I do not have an actual bandage on the lumpectomy site, just glue (allergic to surgical tapes).
Signing off for today!
Woke up from surgery and saw the clock said 6:00 pm and I knew things had not gone well with the lymph nodes. Surgery was supposed to only be about two hours, but was told if we had to take out stage 1 and 2 nodes it would be around three hours. My under arm and arm did not "feel" right when I woke up and I think that is the first thing I let them know was wrong. I also woke up crying, which the nursing staff said is a normal reaction when you come out. I wanted Eddy to be with me right away and it seems like he was there pretty fast but you know when on drugs things are not always what they seem!
I was so glad to come home on Thursday....I did not want to stay in the hospital. Eddy and Lionel moved our mattress upstairs so I would not be pestered by the cats and I could watch tv when I wanted. Mom and Suzanne remade the beds and I climbed on in but did not sleep well with the very, very tight compression bra on. The bra makes taking a full breath difficult and the first night I felt I stopped breathing a lot....I am sure this was my drugged mind playing tricks on me. I also have this plastic tube coming out my side with a big plastic ball on the end, which makes sleeping or moving kind of an issue (I hope the drain comes out today!).
Visiting Nurses should be here today for a look at my incisions and vital signs. The drain should come out if all is well! Not sure how long I have to wear the bra since I do not have an actual bandage on the lumpectomy site, just glue (allergic to surgical tapes).
Signing off for today!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Recovering
Feeling okay today. A bit sore, tired and very disappointed with the removal of the lymph nodes. Not looking forward to chemo.
Thank you for all of your support, emails, voicemails, good vibes and prayers....very much appreciated.
Cheryl
Thank you for all of your support, emails, voicemails, good vibes and prayers....very much appreciated.
Cheryl
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