Good afternoon all. I had the 4th and final round of the 2 drug regimen on Monday! Round 4 down, 12 rounds to go. I have had to go back to the cancer center for IV fluids today (Wednesday) and will go back tomorrow for more fluids to help combat the side effects of the "red devil".
I know I told everyone about the Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser that happened this past weekend. If you missed it, you missed a great time! Over $6oo was raised to be split between us! Thank you to all of our classmates and friends and friends of friends! The outpouring of love was amazing! Tracie and I were both presented with a blanket made by another classmate that just was over the top. Mine goes nicely on the couch and the lounge chair in my house! Thanks April!
I get to start the single drug regimen on March 7th and will continue with that for 12 weeks. Hopefully, things will go smoothly and I won't have any breaks in treatment!
Please keep me in your prayers and remember to do your breast exams, you never know. You could save your own life!
Love to all
Denys
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A good week!
Hey there!
What a great week I have had! I went to the Florida State Fair with my best friend, Pam, and her parents on Wednesday afternoon. When I finally got home at 11 that night, I think I just passed out from the best kind of fatigue I have had in a couple of months. All the laughter was good for my soul.
I had Thursday to recuperate and do some things around the house and pay bills, but found out I had been the victim of bank fraud. So I got to spend the afternoon going to the sheriff's office to fill out paperwork, then to the bank to fill out more paperwork and to get a new debit card. What a frustrating afternoon, but it's in the hands of the sheriff's department and the bank's investigation team, so there's nothing more I can do.
Went yesterday (Friday) for lab work, getting ready for Monday's doctor's appointment and round 4 of chemotherapy. One of my friends told me chemo is like a marathon boxing match, that's why we should fight like a girl and knock out cancer each round we take! I love it! For the first time in my life, I am actively looking for a fight!
Tonight is the Breast Cancer Awareness fund raiser at Trader's Ally in downtown Lakeland, so if you're in town and looking for a good time, come on out and join us! A good time is sure to be had by all. Special guest DJ will be Casey Turner, a classmate of mine. He was on Big Brother 11 and is the official DJ for the Tampa Bay Storm and the LFL's Tampa Bay team.
Please remember to do your monthly self breast exams! Only you know what's normal and not normal for you. Schedule your annual mammograms and PAP Smears to prevent breast and cervical cancer!
FEEL YOUR BOOBIES! I hope to see everyone soon!
Love and Kisses
Denys
What a great week I have had! I went to the Florida State Fair with my best friend, Pam, and her parents on Wednesday afternoon. When I finally got home at 11 that night, I think I just passed out from the best kind of fatigue I have had in a couple of months. All the laughter was good for my soul.
I had Thursday to recuperate and do some things around the house and pay bills, but found out I had been the victim of bank fraud. So I got to spend the afternoon going to the sheriff's office to fill out paperwork, then to the bank to fill out more paperwork and to get a new debit card. What a frustrating afternoon, but it's in the hands of the sheriff's department and the bank's investigation team, so there's nothing more I can do.
Went yesterday (Friday) for lab work, getting ready for Monday's doctor's appointment and round 4 of chemotherapy. One of my friends told me chemo is like a marathon boxing match, that's why we should fight like a girl and knock out cancer each round we take! I love it! For the first time in my life, I am actively looking for a fight!
Tonight is the Breast Cancer Awareness fund raiser at Trader's Ally in downtown Lakeland, so if you're in town and looking for a good time, come on out and join us! A good time is sure to be had by all. Special guest DJ will be Casey Turner, a classmate of mine. He was on Big Brother 11 and is the official DJ for the Tampa Bay Storm and the LFL's Tampa Bay team.
Please remember to do your monthly self breast exams! Only you know what's normal and not normal for you. Schedule your annual mammograms and PAP Smears to prevent breast and cervical cancer!
FEEL YOUR BOOBIES! I hope to see everyone soon!
Love and Kisses
Denys
Monday, February 14, 2011
New Post
Round 3 totally knocked me down! Not down for long, just an 8 count. Tuesday last week wasn't bad, lots of sitting and waiting, but that's nothing new. Wednesday was another story. Mom came by and picked me up for a brief foray to Wal Mart to pick up Valentine's Day cards for my nieces and step-dad and I needed a card for my nieces as well and a few groceries. We were there all of about 30 minutes and I thought I was going to hit the floor by the time we left. I called the doctor's office and was told to come in for labs and IV fluids and nausea medications. Labs were ok, but I needed a little extra potassium. Mom and I were at the cancer center for about 3 hours or so. I had to go back on Thursday for some extra IV fluids and by Friday I was feeling as good as I did before Round 3 started.
I also got some good news about a friend who is also going through breast cancer treatment. She has not had surgery yet, but she said she couldn't find the mass in her breast and was going for a mammogram. The radiologist could not find the mass on film!!!!!! What an answer to prayers for her! I hope she continues to do well.
My high school classmates are hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Benefit on Saturday, the 19th at Traders Alley at 210 E. Pine Street, downtown Lakeland. Doors open at 8 pm and there will be door prizes from local merchants and a 50/50 drawing to be given that night. So, if you're downtown for BeerFest that night, come on over to Trader's and celebrate with us. All proceeds are to benefit the two of us from the same class going through this. I hope to see some or all of you there. Wear your best pink shirt, tie, scarf, bandana or what ever you have to show support for trying to find a cure for this.
I hope all of you remember to FEEL YOUR BOOBIES and get them squashed just to make sure there is nothing growing!
Love and kisses to all!
Denys
(No Frank, I STILL don't wanna feel your boobies)
I also got some good news about a friend who is also going through breast cancer treatment. She has not had surgery yet, but she said she couldn't find the mass in her breast and was going for a mammogram. The radiologist could not find the mass on film!!!!!! What an answer to prayers for her! I hope she continues to do well.
My high school classmates are hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Benefit on Saturday, the 19th at Traders Alley at 210 E. Pine Street, downtown Lakeland. Doors open at 8 pm and there will be door prizes from local merchants and a 50/50 drawing to be given that night. So, if you're downtown for BeerFest that night, come on over to Trader's and celebrate with us. All proceeds are to benefit the two of us from the same class going through this. I hope to see some or all of you there. Wear your best pink shirt, tie, scarf, bandana or what ever you have to show support for trying to find a cure for this.
I hope all of you remember to FEEL YOUR BOOBIES and get them squashed just to make sure there is nothing growing!
Love and kisses to all!
Denys
(No Frank, I STILL don't wanna feel your boobies)
Monday, February 7, 2011
Round 3
Wow, it's hard to believe that it's been a little over 2 months since I had my surgery. I seem to be healing well, but I still get tired doing what I think should be easy chores, like sweeping off the back porch or the kitchen or vacuuming the house. I am doing my lymphedema drainage daily and performing a few exercises to help keep the swelling in my right arm down as well as a few exercises to help regain some strength in my upper body after surgery.
I feel like I have cabin fever! It's been 2 months and I don't get out of the house much. My big events are doctor appointments and going to the grocery store or WalMart. I never thought the highlight of my week would be going to the zoo known as "Wally World", lol.
On another note, I have managed to talk some really good friends into scheduling their mammograms and annual "girlie" visits. It seems that I have also been able to increase awarness of self breast exams! I hope everyone that is keeping up with me is doing this very easy test, only YOU know what is normal for you.
It's time for me to fly to the Cancer Center for this round!
Remember to schedule your PAP smears and mammograms and FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!!!
Love to all!
I feel like I have cabin fever! It's been 2 months and I don't get out of the house much. My big events are doctor appointments and going to the grocery store or WalMart. I never thought the highlight of my week would be going to the zoo known as "Wally World", lol.
On another note, I have managed to talk some really good friends into scheduling their mammograms and annual "girlie" visits. It seems that I have also been able to increase awarness of self breast exams! I hope everyone that is keeping up with me is doing this very easy test, only YOU know what is normal for you.
It's time for me to fly to the Cancer Center for this round!
Remember to schedule your PAP smears and mammograms and FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!!!!!
Love to all!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Round 2/Chemo
Round 2 of chemo is tomorrow, Monday the 24th. I'm just a little better than I was 2 weeks ago, but still apprehensive about the whole thing.
I finally got the nerve up last Saturday and shaved my head. My hair was starting to fall out in little bits, and I was getting tired of it, so Mom helped me. We both cried about it, but we knew it was coming. I actually have a pretty head, only a couple of scars, but no divots or lumps! LOL!
After all was said and done, I went to Bonnie and Jordan's for homemade baked potato soup for dinner and an evening of being beaten by Bridgette in Rummy, she is the rummy queen and she made sure to let all of us know it! After all that, Bonnie decided she wanted to shave her head as a sign of solidarity for me. I told her no about a thousand times, but she is just as stubborn as I am, and this time there was no telling her no this time. I was wielding a pair of scissors and cut her hair as short as I could then helped her finish shaving her head with razors. OMG, she is nuttier than I am!
Just as I am feeling "normal", it's time for a "knock down" for a few days. Hopefully, things won't be as bad since I have an idea of side effects.
I hope everyone has a good week coming up. Love your family and tell them that you love them everyday. Remember that family is not just by blood, it's those who are there for you regardless!
Love and kisses and FEEL YOUR BOOBIES,
Denys
I finally got the nerve up last Saturday and shaved my head. My hair was starting to fall out in little bits, and I was getting tired of it, so Mom helped me. We both cried about it, but we knew it was coming. I actually have a pretty head, only a couple of scars, but no divots or lumps! LOL!
After all was said and done, I went to Bonnie and Jordan's for homemade baked potato soup for dinner and an evening of being beaten by Bridgette in Rummy, she is the rummy queen and she made sure to let all of us know it! After all that, Bonnie decided she wanted to shave her head as a sign of solidarity for me. I told her no about a thousand times, but she is just as stubborn as I am, and this time there was no telling her no this time. I was wielding a pair of scissors and cut her hair as short as I could then helped her finish shaving her head with razors. OMG, she is nuttier than I am!
Just as I am feeling "normal", it's time for a "knock down" for a few days. Hopefully, things won't be as bad since I have an idea of side effects.
I hope everyone has a good week coming up. Love your family and tell them that you love them everyday. Remember that family is not just by blood, it's those who are there for you regardless!
Love and kisses and FEEL YOUR BOOBIES,
Denys
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Chemo Day
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
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
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
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