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??!!