So, January 10th came and went. Day one of chemo. I didn't do too bad, that day. Tuesday was ok, felt a little run down, a little tired. Nausea was there, but wasn't running the day. Wednesday was a WHOLE different story. I woke up nauseated, walked around nauseated, even took the Compazine (anti-nausea meds) a couple of times. Then I slept most of the day. Unfortunately, that's one of the side effects of the meds. Dry mouth is gonna be a battle as well. One of the ways to combat that is to use a special toothpaste and mouthwash called "Biotene". I cannot believe that I spent $6 on ONE tube of toothpaste! But, hey, it's helping!
I started to feel better Thursday and by Friday, I felt back to normal, or as normal as I am! LOL.
I felt good enough to venture out to Michael's and Target all by myself. That little one hour adventure wiped me out! But, I got what I went for, so it was a good day. I actually ate some london broil and a baked potato for dinner and then Mom and step-dad and the little doggie came down for a visit and we all wound up going to Dairy Queen for a banana split Blizzard for me and Mom and a full blown banana split for my step-dad! Even the little doggie got to have a taste or two of vanilla ice cream.
Today is a little better. I had to go out for a bit to the bank and actually wanted a milkshake! For the first time in a week, I wanted a milkshake! Yahoo!!!!!! That's what Mom said, anyway.
I am just excited that I don't have to go for chemo tomorrow! I do, however, have to get up before God and the chickens early on Tuesday for PT to help with lymph edema in my right arm. I haven't seen 6 AM on the alarm clock in about 6 weeks! I guess I'm gonna have to get used to it. I am gonna have to go back to work sooner rather than later! I told a friend yesterday that I was officially BORED. She said it was time for me go get back to work just to have people around to talk to! I guess she's right.
I am planning on going back around the 2nd week of February. I'm looking forward to it. I miss my co-workers and my patients. They have all wished nothing but the best for me and I love them all for it!
I hope everyone has a great week.
Remember to FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!
Love,
Denys
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all my friends! I did see the medical oncologist last week for results of the MUGA scan and the PET scan. Muga scans are used to determine how efficiently the heart works and the PET scan us used to detect any cancer elsewhere in the body.
Both came back NORMAL! My heart is working like it should and the is NO cancer anywhere in my body!!!!!! That was the best thing I think I ever heard. Mom and I both started crying when we heard that news! I had many Christmas wishes. The one that said no more cancer was the only one I really wanted!
I also had to go for my annual GYN exam and everything has returned normal. Not bad for the end of one year and the beginning of another!
As I sit and contemplate on the last 3 months, it's been an absolute whirlwind. From diagnosis, to surgery and now on to chemo for the next 16 weeks, then a few weeks of external beam radiation therapy. Wow. I am not sure what the next few months bring, but I find myself excited about getting everything DONE! It's gonna be a long few months, but the end result will be worth it.
I get to go to physical therapy on Wednesday for a lymphedema consult and how to prevent and/or treat it. Lymphedema happens when there has been damage to the lymph nodes in an area of the body, like in the armpit, groin or lower leg. The lymph system is a filter system, but it also helps to get fluid out of the extremities. Any kind of assistance will be great for me. I also see the plastic surgeon on Thursday for a fill and doctor visit to see how I'm doing and I'm going to ask about returning to work. It's been one month and I know I still need a few more weeks for more recovery, but I'm going nuts not working.
I start chemotherapy on Jan 10. I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm anxious to get things flowing! I was told that the type of chemo I'll recieve for the first 4 cycles will cause my hair to fall out, but I was expecting that, so I'm just going to shave my head. I don't know if I'll do it before the first session or wait til after the 2nd, but I am going to do it anyway. I know I cannot, emotionally, watch my hair fall out in my hands. Mom says she might as well too because the Methotrexate she's on is making her hair fall out. I told her she should just get a wig for herself. She says she just may do that! LOL. I hope she does.
I heard from one of my friends that these blogs I do help her as much as they do me. She gets to see how I'm doing and how treatment is going. Another says she just had her annual GYN exam and has her mammogram in June or July. Keep up the good work. Get the word out!
FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!! They're yours, you should know what's normal for YOU! Every woman's breasts are different. Know what's right for you and not right for you!
Happy New Year to all!
Denys
Both came back NORMAL! My heart is working like it should and the is NO cancer anywhere in my body!!!!!! That was the best thing I think I ever heard. Mom and I both started crying when we heard that news! I had many Christmas wishes. The one that said no more cancer was the only one I really wanted!
I also had to go for my annual GYN exam and everything has returned normal. Not bad for the end of one year and the beginning of another!
As I sit and contemplate on the last 3 months, it's been an absolute whirlwind. From diagnosis, to surgery and now on to chemo for the next 16 weeks, then a few weeks of external beam radiation therapy. Wow. I am not sure what the next few months bring, but I find myself excited about getting everything DONE! It's gonna be a long few months, but the end result will be worth it.
I get to go to physical therapy on Wednesday for a lymphedema consult and how to prevent and/or treat it. Lymphedema happens when there has been damage to the lymph nodes in an area of the body, like in the armpit, groin or lower leg. The lymph system is a filter system, but it also helps to get fluid out of the extremities. Any kind of assistance will be great for me. I also see the plastic surgeon on Thursday for a fill and doctor visit to see how I'm doing and I'm going to ask about returning to work. It's been one month and I know I still need a few more weeks for more recovery, but I'm going nuts not working.
I start chemotherapy on Jan 10. I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm anxious to get things flowing! I was told that the type of chemo I'll recieve for the first 4 cycles will cause my hair to fall out, but I was expecting that, so I'm just going to shave my head. I don't know if I'll do it before the first session or wait til after the 2nd, but I am going to do it anyway. I know I cannot, emotionally, watch my hair fall out in my hands. Mom says she might as well too because the Methotrexate she's on is making her hair fall out. I told her she should just get a wig for herself. She says she just may do that! LOL. I hope she does.
I heard from one of my friends that these blogs I do help her as much as they do me. She gets to see how I'm doing and how treatment is going. Another says she just had her annual GYN exam and has her mammogram in June or July. Keep up the good work. Get the word out!
FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!! They're yours, you should know what's normal for YOU! Every woman's breasts are different. Know what's right for you and not right for you!
Happy New Year to all!
Denys
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The end of the year
Here it is, the end of 2010. I thought this was going to be "my year". I have a great job, the best friends in the world, and I was enjoying life.
Then, I found that one lump. I cannot say enough how important it is for every woman out there to do your self breast exams and to have your mammograms. Thank God I did all three and have since had a double mastectomy and will soon start chemotherapy then complete with radiation therapy.
I cannot say thank you to all of my friends and family for standing beside me in this tough time. Thanks just doesn't seem like enough.
I went to the doctor today and had my expanders filled again. My best friend took me to the doctor and asked if when I went in, did I say "filler up"? All any of us could do is laugh. She gave me a belated Christmas card today that says on the front cover "All I want for Christmas is my two front teats". Only Pam.
My friend, Frank, came over for a vist today, too. It was great to catch up with him and hear him regale us with stories of his mother. All we could do was laugh! Thanks Frank, I needed that!
I will be starting chemo on Jan 10 and will be having adriamycin and cytoxan for the first 4 cycles, which will be every 2 weeks, then I will start weekly therapy with Taxol for 12 weeks. I will then have external beam radiation therapy after that to make sure all those damn cancer cells are dead, dead, dead! Then we can talk finishing reconstruction!
For all of those following this, thanks for your time. Thanks for the prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish nothing but the best for the coming year for you and your families.
2011 is going to be MY YEAR!!!!!!
Love to all and FEEL YOUR BOOBIES,
Denys
Then, I found that one lump. I cannot say enough how important it is for every woman out there to do your self breast exams and to have your mammograms. Thank God I did all three and have since had a double mastectomy and will soon start chemotherapy then complete with radiation therapy.
I cannot say thank you to all of my friends and family for standing beside me in this tough time. Thanks just doesn't seem like enough.
I went to the doctor today and had my expanders filled again. My best friend took me to the doctor and asked if when I went in, did I say "filler up"? All any of us could do is laugh. She gave me a belated Christmas card today that says on the front cover "All I want for Christmas is my two front teats". Only Pam.
My friend, Frank, came over for a vist today, too. It was great to catch up with him and hear him regale us with stories of his mother. All we could do was laugh! Thanks Frank, I needed that!
I will be starting chemo on Jan 10 and will be having adriamycin and cytoxan for the first 4 cycles, which will be every 2 weeks, then I will start weekly therapy with Taxol for 12 weeks. I will then have external beam radiation therapy after that to make sure all those damn cancer cells are dead, dead, dead! Then we can talk finishing reconstruction!
For all of those following this, thanks for your time. Thanks for the prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish nothing but the best for the coming year for you and your families.
2011 is going to be MY YEAR!!!!!!
Love to all and FEEL YOUR BOOBIES,
Denys
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Christmas
Well, here it is, just a few days before we celebrate the birth of our saviour, Jesus Christ. I have asked for a couple of material things from my parents, but I received the best gift I never wanted. That was to be surgically free from cancer!
I am soooo thankful for the physicians, nurses, radiology techs, and office staff of all those who have taken such a large part of my care.
Last Thursday, Mom and I went to "chemo class". This was to let me and her know what to expect during chemotherapy. With the development of medications, nausea and vomiting should be diminished greatly.at
The medication combination that is most often used and probably will be used on me is called adriamycin and cytoxin. Unfortunately, the downside to this combo is that I will most likely lose my hair. I decided that if I did need chemo, I was going to have a head shaving party! We have parties for all sorts of things, why not have one if you're going to lose your hair, right?
I've been asked if I was going to wear a wig. And I don't have an answer for that. There are lots of scarves, kerchiefs and the like, I'll probably go with something like that.
I would like to give a loud shout out to Bonnie. Girl, you make me smile when I think of all the "pixie dust" you left in my house when you and Bridgette visited! I have reminders of your visit everytime I walk in the kitchen in my socks!
Mom, Kenneth, Dad and Pam, you 4 are my rock. Thanks will never be enough to repay everything you have done for me.
Finally, for all those that actually read this, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.
DON'T FORGET TO FEEL YOUR BOOBIES AND GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS.
Merry Christmas,
Denys
I am soooo thankful for the physicians, nurses, radiology techs, and office staff of all those who have taken such a large part of my care.
Last Thursday, Mom and I went to "chemo class". This was to let me and her know what to expect during chemotherapy. With the development of medications, nausea and vomiting should be diminished greatly.at
The medication combination that is most often used and probably will be used on me is called adriamycin and cytoxin. Unfortunately, the downside to this combo is that I will most likely lose my hair. I decided that if I did need chemo, I was going to have a head shaving party! We have parties for all sorts of things, why not have one if you're going to lose your hair, right?
I've been asked if I was going to wear a wig. And I don't have an answer for that. There are lots of scarves, kerchiefs and the like, I'll probably go with something like that.
I would like to give a loud shout out to Bonnie. Girl, you make me smile when I think of all the "pixie dust" you left in my house when you and Bridgette visited! I have reminders of your visit everytime I walk in the kitchen in my socks!
Mom, Kenneth, Dad and Pam, you 4 are my rock. Thanks will never be enough to repay everything you have done for me.
Finally, for all those that actually read this, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.
DON'T FORGET TO FEEL YOUR BOOBIES AND GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS.
Merry Christmas,
Denys
Thursday, December 9, 2010
One Week Post Op
Today is one week WITHOUT CANCER!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!! Today also marked my first trip to the mall since before surgery. Mom needed to go to the mall and I went along, just to get out of the house. I've got a bad case of cabin fever! By the time we got thru Sears and found NOTHING she needed, we deciced to lunch at Chick-Fila. While standing in line to get my lunch, a friend from high school saw me. She saw the pain pump bag I was wearing and asked if it was Chemo. I told her no, just pain meds and laughed. She told me SHE has breast cancer and was one week post op from a sentinel node biopsy and port placement. She showed me her port and I showed her mine. A grown up version of Show and Tell!
I told her I had the double mastectomy one week ago and she lit up and said it was my fault she was starving and wasting away to nothing. She was scheduled to be the second case that day and the complications from my surgery delayed her surgery by a couple of hours. All we could do was laugh at the whole thing.
We exchanged information and found we have the same medical oncologist and the same surgeon! What a small world.
I did have a one week follow up with the plastic surgeon and she was very pleased with the looks ofeverything. She said she wanted to start filling my expanders today with 30 cc's in each, but changed her mind and put 60 cc's in each. I'm on my way to PERKY!!!!!!! The pain pump came out, so that's down to 3 tubes left in, then the other surgeon's nurse came in and took out one of the drains under my right arm, so I'm down to 2 tubes. What a difference that makes.
Since it's been such a long, productive day, I'm off to relax and not do anything for the rest of the night!
Love and Hugs to all
Denys
I told her I had the double mastectomy one week ago and she lit up and said it was my fault she was starving and wasting away to nothing. She was scheduled to be the second case that day and the complications from my surgery delayed her surgery by a couple of hours. All we could do was laugh at the whole thing.
We exchanged information and found we have the same medical oncologist and the same surgeon! What a small world.
I did have a one week follow up with the plastic surgeon and she was very pleased with the looks ofeverything. She said she wanted to start filling my expanders today with 30 cc's in each, but changed her mind and put 60 cc's in each. I'm on my way to PERKY!!!!!!! The pain pump came out, so that's down to 3 tubes left in, then the other surgeon's nurse came in and took out one of the drains under my right arm, so I'm down to 2 tubes. What a difference that makes.
Since it's been such a long, productive day, I'm off to relax and not do anything for the rest of the night!
Love and Hugs to all
Denys
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Day 2 after surgery
Saturday morning, day 2 post-op. I'm a little sore, a little stiff and still sound like I have a frog in my throat. My 4 hour surgery turned into about 6 hours.
I had a 3rd malignant lesion that was growing into the backside of the nipple, so that's gone, but the rest of the cancer is gone as well. The surgeon did place a medi-port (an IV access in the upper chest wall) for chemotherapy that will begin after the new year. I don't know yet if I'll need radiation therapy.
My parents are in disbelief. Mom's terrified and so is Dad, but he won't talk to anyone about what's going on with me. I guess it's true that at 42 years old, I am still their baby girl.
The Medical Oncologist did what's called BRAC Analysis, a blood test that shows any predisposition for other types of cancer, including ovarian and colon cancers. That came back negative, thank God for that.
The next few days are going to be a challenge in getting back and forth to doctor appointments, I have 2 on Monday. One with the cosmetic surgeon's nurse for a dressing change and one at the cancer center to have my port accessed and to draw blood. Looks like I'll be busy for a while anyway.
I think it's time to relax a bit more and take a nap!
Denys
I had a 3rd malignant lesion that was growing into the backside of the nipple, so that's gone, but the rest of the cancer is gone as well. The surgeon did place a medi-port (an IV access in the upper chest wall) for chemotherapy that will begin after the new year. I don't know yet if I'll need radiation therapy.
My parents are in disbelief. Mom's terrified and so is Dad, but he won't talk to anyone about what's going on with me. I guess it's true that at 42 years old, I am still their baby girl.
The Medical Oncologist did what's called BRAC Analysis, a blood test that shows any predisposition for other types of cancer, including ovarian and colon cancers. That came back negative, thank God for that.
The next few days are going to be a challenge in getting back and forth to doctor appointments, I have 2 on Monday. One with the cosmetic surgeon's nurse for a dressing change and one at the cancer center to have my port accessed and to draw blood. Looks like I'll be busy for a while anyway.
I think it's time to relax a bit more and take a nap!
Denys
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Surgery Day
Today is the day I have been looking forward to. It's 2:30 AM and I cannot sleep anymore. I am a bit surprised that I slept as much as I did, but that's thanks to my medicine to help with my insomina issues. I have to be at the hospital at 4:30 AM for admission. I am scheduled for a 24 hour stay.
Yesterday, I went to the plastic surgeon so she could do her marking for the reconstruction she's going to do and I was injected with the radioactive material so the surgeon can monitor my lymph nodes to make sure there is no cancer there.
Someone asked me if I'm ok..... I told them I'm as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs and tried to laugh about it. As I've said before, I am not a patient patient.
My co-workers made me cry at lunch yesterday with a card and presents. I usually am a little more composed, but this was an exception to the rules. Thanks to all, you really made my day and yes I'll call when I can.
This whole experience has been surreal. The time of diagnosis on 10-26-10 to now has been a blur. Doctor visits, the possibility of external beam radiation and oral vs. intravenous chemotherapy, lumpectomy that had to be cancelled in light of finding more disease, and now, double mastectomy has taken a toll on my emotions. I haven't looked at myself since having the marking done. I just cannot make myself do it.
There has been one more bright ray of light since all this has begun. My mom's oldest sister who has fought and won (so far) her fight with breast cancer, made a couple of heart shaped pillows and took them to my surgeon's office for her to give to me with a note to let me know she's thinking of me and wanted to do something to help. Wow. She hasn't spoken to anyone in the family in a while, but she actually reached out to me. Something good is happening here.
I'll let everyone know what's going on in a few days. Please keep me and my family in your prayers.
Denys
Yesterday, I went to the plastic surgeon so she could do her marking for the reconstruction she's going to do and I was injected with the radioactive material so the surgeon can monitor my lymph nodes to make sure there is no cancer there.
Someone asked me if I'm ok..... I told them I'm as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs and tried to laugh about it. As I've said before, I am not a patient patient.
My co-workers made me cry at lunch yesterday with a card and presents. I usually am a little more composed, but this was an exception to the rules. Thanks to all, you really made my day and yes I'll call when I can.
This whole experience has been surreal. The time of diagnosis on 10-26-10 to now has been a blur. Doctor visits, the possibility of external beam radiation and oral vs. intravenous chemotherapy, lumpectomy that had to be cancelled in light of finding more disease, and now, double mastectomy has taken a toll on my emotions. I haven't looked at myself since having the marking done. I just cannot make myself do it.
There has been one more bright ray of light since all this has begun. My mom's oldest sister who has fought and won (so far) her fight with breast cancer, made a couple of heart shaped pillows and took them to my surgeon's office for her to give to me with a note to let me know she's thinking of me and wanted to do something to help. Wow. She hasn't spoken to anyone in the family in a while, but she actually reached out to me. Something good is happening here.
I'll let everyone know what's going on in a few days. Please keep me and my family in your prayers.
Denys
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