One Year Ago TODAY!

I can't believe it has been a full year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What a year it has been! I could write volumes about all that has happened and all the wonderful family and friends who have helped me along this journey, BUT I won't...at least not now.

My current status is good. I feel great, hair is growing............I continue to take Herceptin once every three weeks but there are no side effects, so no problem.

My blood counts are good and getting better; my CT and PET scans done in August were also good. So, for now................life as usual!

Thanks to all. God is so good.

Update

Today I finished my 4th week of radiation. My last day of radiation will be June 11th.....turns out that "six weeks of radiation" is a general term..........they go by "treatments" to specific areas....any way....a few more days than I originally thought, but not too bad. The skin is beginning to be irritated....itchy, etc....pretty tired in the evenings but not drastically worse than normal this time of year.

My MUGA scan (heart) results were fine so I continue to take treatments of Herceptin once a week. Additionally, my doctor informed me that I am B12 deficient so I'm taking weekly shots of that and taking daily doses.

I also met with my gynecologist this week and scheduled my hysterectomy for Tuesday, June 23rd.

And, as of late last week, I've discontinued the wig............my very short, drastic hair shocks a few people at first, but it feels so much better than wearing the wig!!

For now, a three day weekend and only two more weeks of school left!!!

Radiation..........

Today I finished my second week of radiation! So far I have no major skin irratations, etc....BUT, they tell me weeks four and following will change that......we'll see.............

I also had a MUGA scan on my heart this morning.........checking to see that the heart is functioning properly given the radiation and the Herceptin that I've been back on the last several weeks...............

I meet with my oncologist next Wednesday and I'm sure we'll discuss the scan results and hopefully discuss the probability of a hysterectomy this summer............

In the meantime, I feel pretty good. My hair is coming in....nice salt and pepper color and a bit of a mohawk look.............anxious for that to go away, but it's HAIR, so I'll take it!!

I have four more weeks of radiation and four more weeks of school so I'm countin' em both down.........radiation really not so bad....I go either on my way to work or I run over there during my long lunch/conference period............can't complain.............

Sam turns 14 this Sunday. I let him drive me to Walgreens yesterday.....this time next year we'll be getting his permit and driving everywhere..........oh my!! Time is flying!

Radiation

I went yesterday for radiation simulation. Then, I went to see my surgeon, Dr. Chow who said I was doing great and she'd see me in 3 months....that felt pretty good.

I begin my six weeks of radiation this coming Monday, April 27th..........just like previous portions of this journey, I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but sure ready to get on with it!!

I have a MUGA (heart) scan on May 4th to monitor my heart relative to radiation and herceptin.

Meanwhile, I have six more weeks till summer!!!

Polley and Friends

Click on the title above to see the feature story on Polley and friends that was done by Channel Five. Even better, it actually aired on her birthday!! We're looking forward to a great time at the race on Saturday!!

Back at it..........

Well, I'm back at work today, six weeks since my surgery. Heart and PET scans were good. I'll start radiation as soon as I'm cleared by my surgeon to do so. And, as mentioned earlier, I'm back on Herceptin once a week.

Post Surgery: An Update

Well, it's been almost four weeks since my surgery. What a learning experience this has been...and what an emotional roller coaster.

The surgery went good, there were no surprises except for more lingering activity in the lymph nodes than expected. The doctor removed 23 and there was disease in 15. My oncologist said looking at the report that the activity was reduced from my original pathology report, so that was good although we'd hoped it would all be gone. (The original tumor had shrunk from very large to less than pea sized!!) Consequently, I'll start back on Herceptin this week rather than waiting until finished with radiation which I don't start for a few more weeks (I have to be completely healed from surgery)

In the process, this is my week of scans: one on my heart and a PET scan which of course covers the entire body looking for signs of disease. This scan is the best when you get good news, but makes me a nervous wreck until then. My doctor said she would be shocked if it showed anything at all........let's hope and pray that she's correct!

Post surgery I had to deal with drainage tubes longer than anyone on record, I think.....YUCK....now she just pokes me with a needle and drains if necessary....more yuck!

Emotionally this phase is very hard. I've been fortunate to reconnect via Facebook with a high school friend who has been through this and fully understands my fears, worries, etc....her empathy is sooooo helpful!

And, my mom and I enjoyed a few days of shopping for prosthesis(sp?).....Quite a learning experience! But we found them so I'm good to go on that count. And, my hair is slowly growing back............I have two more weeks of leave from work.

As always I am eternally thankful for well wishes from friends and family. And I pray for those people who have to go through this without them..........I can't imagine!

They've really "smooved" 'em now!

When my adorable nephew, Adam (who is now 28) was approximately three years old, he climbed into my lap and when he realized where his head had gone during the climbing process he said, "oops, sorry NaNa, I smooved your boob"!

Adam's phrase has been a family joke for 25 years now but early yesterday morning it certainly took on new meaning as I underwent a double mastectomy. I'm sitting in my hospital bed with my dad's laptop typing this post and feel pretty okay. I'm not sure what I expected, but I have considerably more mobiity with my arms than I expected to have at this point.

I went through the unveiling about an hour ago....not the most fun I've ever had but you do what you have to do and you learn that you can get used to anything.....especially when you have no choice. There are many more details, but I'll spare those for now............

As I have been since I was diagnosed with breast cancer last September, I continue to be astounded by the outpouring of love, concern, food, well wishes that have truly gone from coast to coast! Evan and I will never be able to put into words our immense gratitude.

I'll post more later......I'm feeling a little nap coming on.....

More prayers please!

I'm doing fine right now, but please add my Aunt Lene to all of your prayer lists. She was just diagnosed with lung cancer and unfortunately there's been spreading to the brain. She's is my only aunt and absolutely one of a kind!

I have no doubt that prayers have played a huge part in getting me through chemo, so please keep them coming!

A Little Lost...

I went in today for my weekly Herceptin treatment and met with my oncologist, Dr. Jordan. She concluded with my other doctors that the treatments have done amazingly well! She suspended my Herceptin treatment until after I finish surgery and radiation. Both herceptin and radiation have the potential to cause some heart damage, so she said that typically you don't do both things at the same time. My surgery is three weeks from today and she said I could start radiation about four weeks after surgery. I'll be able to do the radiation here in T. Club so that's GREAT!!

I have to admit that leaving her office which has been my home away from home for these past four months felt pretty strange, but I'll be back in April to continue Herceptin until October. I am thrilled to be done with chemo and have no treatment for a while but it sure feels strange!!

She also said "you can be assured that any microscopic cancer cells were eradicated by this treatment.??!"

Anyone know when I can expect some hair to grow back on my head??!!

Life LONG Before Breast Cancer

It dawned on me today that I have about three weeks before surgery with no chemo to dread, etc....not sure how to approach this, so I've been doing my favorite thing in the world: looking at and editing photos on the computer. I came across a few that reminded me just how old my babies have gotten. These three pics are among my absolute all time favorites of my kids. The one of Polley should be an ad for GAP. The one at the beach was when we went to Disney in 01. And, the one of Sam's first day of school absolutely makes me cry just thinking about it.

SURGERY...

...is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th at Baylor All Saints in Fort Worth. After recovery of 5-6 weeks, there'll be six weeks of radiation followed by a hysterectomy early summer and reconstruction surgery late summer...............I'm thinking I should throw in some dental surgery just for fun!! ha!

Chemo is over.

What A Week!!

Well, it's been a week today since my last big blast of chemo. I'm feeling mostly okay....food still tastes strange, but that'll pass soon I hope. I managed to sleep through most of these side effects so round 6 was definitely the easiest on me. (NOT FUN, but nowhere near as bad as some of the others!)

Round 6 was made considerably easier by the generosity of so many friends who supplied WONDERFUL meals for our family. Among the things we enjoyed this week were:

Teriyaki chicken
Frito Pie Bake
Cococonut cake
Chocolate cake
Cheesecake
Cookies
Shepherds Pie
Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
Chicken Enchiladas
Central Market Pork
Beautiful salads

I know I'm forgetting some marvelous dishes, but THANKS to all who helped this week:
Kathy C, Sandi N, Libby D, Kindall D, Elaine V, Toni N, Linda G.

You all have made the chemo experience so much more bearable!

A Million Thanks.
Karen

One of my Favorite Days

Today is January 20, 2009, a date that will forever be a part of our history in this nation. As a follower of politics and one interested to a degree in all things historical, I am certainly enjoying following the events of this great day.

AND, today I am taking my 6th and final BIG round of chemo. Feels pretty good! Although realistically I may need chemo again someday, at least this is it FOR NOW!! Thanks so much to everybody for everything...especially the thoughts and prayers! I have no doubt at all of their significance in this journey.

FINALLY, January 20th has long been a great day for me. It started on what was a cold Saturday in January during my senior year in high school. Late in the day on this dreary weathered day, my life was forever changed: I became an AUNT! I had no way of knowing how altered my life would be. I consider myself so very fortunate and blessed to have seven wonderful nieces and nephews (four more counting those acquired when I married).
One of the coolest parts about these awesome young individuals is that they all possess their own uniqueness! Our family is never boring! And, my children are so fortunate to be the youngest of their cousins – on both sides!

Back to today-- Happy 30th Birthday Cabo, Sabo, Rabo!!!!!!!!!!

You changed our lives forever!

Love,
NaNa, WahNa, Pahna…………………

An EARLY Morning Sonogram.........

tells us that there is "nothing there to measure." Those were the words of the doctor doing the ultrasound. (The same doctor who did my biopsy in September.) WOW. I knew that Dr. Jordan and Dr. Chow couldn't feel anything, but feared that there was still something pretty prevelant in there. Well, there may be something, but I guess it isn't too much since she couldn't see anything. After much searching, she said thanks to the marker that they'd put in during the biopsy, she could "kinda" see where it had been, but otherwise she'd not be able to see a thing.

Here's a plug for Dr. Schmidt, Soleis Women's Health at Baylor All Saints in Fort Worth. Both times I've seen this lady I have been soooo impressed and always feel much better when I leave. (even when she confirmed that it was cancer back in September)

Papers to grade..............

Thanks for all the prayers and concern!!
k

An Update

Well, I'm in the feeling good phase right now. I saw Dr. Chow this week. I'll see her again Jan. 27 for pre-op appointment. Surgery is tentatively set for around Feb. 24th. I have a bi-lateral mammogram set for this week. I have an appointment with my ob/gyn on Friday to discuss removal of ovaries, etc..... In the meantime, I continue with my herceptin treatments once a week and I have my last big round of chemo on January 20th. (planning to watch inauguration festivities during treatment!).

Fortunately I feel good right now because it's semester exam time and I have a busy week of grading ahead of me. I don't have a lot else to share, so I'll just add some photos........

SLOWLY Emerging.....

back into daily life. My fifth round of chemo on Dec. 29th was a full eight days getting through.....In many ways, this round wasn't as bad as others, but there's really no way to assess a round of chemo as "easy"..................I did sleep more through this one and took more medicine to ward off headaches, nausea, etc...........BUT, no matter how you slice it, chemo is chemo............and it's all CRAPPY!!!

I am finally back at work today. My white cells are low. I can tell because of mouth sores, wierder than normal taste buds, etc....

GROSS ALERT: no, I don't think I'll share those things, but suffice it to say there were many, many incidental ailments that accompanied this round...........YUCKO!

I have another round of Herceptin tomorrow followed by a 2:30 appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Chow. I'm eager and anxious to get this meeting over with. My assumption is that we will set a date for surgery. We'll see............


The first 10 days of my holiday break were awesome. I actually did holiday baking...I made the bon-bons.........then I forgot to take them on Christmas Eve to my mom's, so they stayed in my freezer until several of us came very near O-Ding on them! It was a close, close call.

Evan and the kids and I braved a cold, cold wind to shop on Monday, Dec. 22nd....we had a nice lunch out and then shopped in the COLD!!!!

Sam and Polley spent their annual Christmas Eve EVE at Ma T's again this year. They had so much fun.

We had our annual Country Fat Breakfast on Christmas day and then welcomed several family members casually as the day progressed. (I say CASUAL, because I do not get out of my pajamas all day....it's a rule!)(I really enjoyed my new vintage ski scene pajamas from Eddie Bauer.......Sam made a great shopping choice)

We had a rousing game of USA trivia later that night...........we played in teams of two and Nancy and Dustin surprised us all with a classic "come from behind" win.

Well, unfortunately, thanks to chemo brain, my memory "ain't what it used to be"...............but I had a great holiday until the 29th................pretty sketchy after that!

One more big round of chemo on January19, 20, or 21st....still solidifying the date.............WOW! one more round. I can't believe it.

Happy New Year to all!