Three Down

Third treatment this morning and happy to report all continues to go well! Went directly to a meeting on campus, toured Karyn around a bit, then another meeting. These types of meetings would tire anyone out and cause possible headaches and naseau so I'm not too concerned that I a little wiped writing this. 

One more of this round of treatment it two weeks, after I spend next weekend in Minnesota cheering on my dear friend in the marathon we were supposed to be running together. After that a two or three week break (to be determined at my follow up in two weeks...nice it won't be another handing over of $50 copay for a "keep soldiering on"), and then I start a different drug on a weekly basis for twelve weeks. 

Currently relaxing, checking email, got to love this shot of my inbox 

Thanks mint.com for that helpful reminder. 

Also, pretty much all the hair is gone! 

And I'm slowly developing a sweet tan line from my scarves. 

I'll probably try to convince Karyn to guest post. As always thanks for the good thoughts, gifts, support, vent sessions etc. People can be amazing and that in itself is great motivation to make it through this. 

Taking Control of What I Can

Sorry all, back to me, Anne for this one.  But I must say, Sarah did an excellent job and I think the guest blogger idea will have to make a comeback at some point.

Saturday started off with breakfast in bed service courtesy of Sherpa Sarah, and I must admit was one of the better breakfast sandwiches I've eaten in awhile!  It was a beautiful weekend here, so got some yard work done, then off to the store to get some essentials as well as some supplies for having a few friends over in the afternoon.  Sarah was an awesome helper, prepping food while I went and got my immuno-booster shot.  A quick nap for me (was a little tired, but otherwise feeling good) and then UD friends came over for food and fun.

Ladder ball toss! Thanks Idaho Crecelii!

After a delicious dinner, some games, and a this time successful fire (wahoo for dry wood!), I said "so you guys want to help me shave my head?".

Throughout the day, I had played with my hair as I normally do, and each time, fairly decent sized chunks were starting to come out.  This was on the predictable time schedule, perhaps even a bit late, but as the nurse said, sometimes a second treatment is needed.  Also, when I had taken a long sleeve shirt off to get my shot, noticed quite a bit of shedding on my undershirt.  Soooo, rather than let these gross chunks continue, since I had family and friends around me, I decided it was time.

I think maybe best to let the video and pictures do the talking...

The first cut is the deepest...or in my case, the one that gets a little too close...

I let everyone take a good hack with the scissors then wanted my GI Jane moment...

Like Sarah said, life isn't like the movies.

Helped that Adam then read the directions and realized that we didn't actually have the clippers fully extended, which explained why they weren't cutting great (rather than just that they were only $10 that day at Meijer).

Awkward mid-cut shots

Can I just borrow some of yours Sarah?

Fabulous friends!

The new look!

First impressions of being essentially hairless:

1) It's cold!

2) The stubble gets caught on things like hoods and hats

3) Your own buzzed head is just as fun to rub as other people's.

The fun and excitement of the haircut wore me out pretty good.  After my first serious nauseous moment this morning managed to sleep a few more hours.  Went on a short jog/run with Sarah in the continuing beautiful weather then got lunch (mmmm Jimmy John's) and stopped by Runners Plus to do some shopping.  Was a little weird to take my stocking cap off there and "show off" the lack of hair, but thankfully my head is not overly misshapen.  

Just got home not long ago from a tough goodbye at the airport with Sarah and will rest some more after finishing this post.  I'm still feeling well, but I think Sundays will continue to be tough as the steroid and iv anti nausea meds I get Friday wear off, and the bone and muscle stiffness and pain from the Neulasta/immuno-booster start.  

The haircut definitely makes it all feel a bit more real, and I think it was time for that.  I could have probably waited a few more days, but making the shaving seem like an event, and one that I chose to happen seemed like the best idea, especially considering I lack choice in much of this.   

I'm sure that a scarf-day at work tomorrow will be a bit different, and I'll need to order a wig at some point, but it continues to be another step along this process.  And, maybe some birds will appreciate all the new material we gave them for nests!

One Down!

Whelp, one treatment done.

And so far (only ~ an hour later), it's been fairly anti-climatic, but in a good way.

I'll start at the beginning...

Barbara Crecelius, Personal Assistant to Ms. Anne Crecelius brought me my morning coffee and a light breakfast in bed as has gotten WAY too familiar while she's been here.  I'm going to have to get back to reality a bit when she's gone.

It was nice to shower without so much hair, though I way over did it on the shampoo out of habit.  Definitely appreciated not having to spend time drying it though.  I had taken the bandage off my port and got the first good look at that:

You can kinda see the bump of the port...steri strips will come off with time.

 

It feels a little strange to have something implanted, but I think I'll get used to it and the soreness is improving.  Even practiced my routine of homemade mouthwash to prevent mouthsores, thorough handwashing, and double-flushing of the toilet [this last one is only done first 48 hours after treatment.  There's a slight risk for anyone who is exposed to any of the body's waste products/fluid after chemo, as the drugs are present in these.  Thus, double flushes and self-clean up of any vomit (which hopefully won't happen) is recommended. Oh, and condoms for sex.  Silver Lining: One less thing to worry about....]   

 

It was interesting getting ready and felt a little like the first day of school....What should I wear? Will people like my hair?  Mom! Did you pack snacks?! Where the hell is my laptop charger?! I want to be a little early.  Ok, yes, yeah, I think I have everything, let's go!

Yes, I do look happy and excited, you're not seeing things.

 

When I got there I had a momentary "oh shit, some of these people look sooo sick, am I gonna end up like them, oh no, oh no" moment, but it was rather temporary.  

 

Pretty much got right to it.  Since it was my first treatment, they didn't have to do a blood draw to check blood counts, but that will normally be step one. 

 

Deena, my nurse, accessing my port with a quick needle stick.



After making sure that all is set up correctly, I get my pre-game mixed cocktail.  Anti-nausea, steroids, etc...essentially to make the treatment (and after) more comfortable and less taxing on me.  All delivered through the I.V.  As you can see, I'm in a comfy chair, have my laptop up (hooray for wifi more on that later). 

 

Once all is on board, it's time for the good stuff...

Doxorubicin/Adriamycin...yes, it's red!

 

Delivery of the doxy is well-controlled...the nurse pushes and checks for backflow of blood (indicating the port is still placed within the vessel) between each push.  If this stuff gets out of the blood vessel it's bad news.  It isn't likely this would happen, but whenever a catheter is in, there's always a small risk of this (as I well know from my own work).  All went well. 

 

It's a strange feeling to sit there waiting to feel something (my toe's tingly, is that normal?), something I've done before in the lab as well.  It's also just weird for me to sit that long!  I stand at work normally, and don't own a recliner, so I think was having some stiffness aches and pains along the way. 

 

The Cytoxan comes next, but this is just delivery via the IV as a mixed solution.  I kept myself entertained doing some work, Mom did these. Also, thanks to technology, FaceTimed with Kait and her adorable little one (yay for moms on maternity leave!) as well as Karyn (post-run, pre-yoga...nice work seester!).

Hooray for technology!  Chemo for everyone!

 



I experienced a little bit of normal face-flushing and itchy nose toward the middle to end of the Cytoxan infusion so she slowed it down a bit, but nothing of concern. 

Ginger snaps? Sure, any excuse to eat cookies.  Well, maybe not "any"...

 



Mid-way through, another older lady getting treatment down the aisle got a delivery of Taco Bell...like a lot. Of Taco Bell.  This is funny because A) The nurse at chemo class specifically said to avoid Taco Bell and B) My two friends from UD both mentioned TBell to me because of the proximity to the treatment center.  We passed on stopping there on the way home today (have shredded beef for tacos tonight anyways), but if it's "allowable" I might consider in the future.

 

Picked up some RedBox movies, heated up leftovers for lunch, and have just been chilling out watching tennis.  Still feeling good, although we've heard and been told that day after and +2 (and maybe +3 according to Deena??) can be the worst.  Took some of the oral anti-nausea pills proactively and will take it easy.  Head back tomorrow at 1:30 for my immune-boosting recovery shot.

 

This probably gets old to hear but thanks for the well wishes!  So many!  You all are the best.  I can only hope that I continue to have good news to report.  This morning I finished reading the comic-memoir of Miriam Engelberg, Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person.  It's pretty hilarious, and definitely on point with a lot of what I've gone through already.  It was also a good reminder, that unlike the author of the other breast cancer memoir book I read, Miriam was not as lucky.  Her cancer reoccurred, became metastatic, and ultimately took her life.  I think reminders like this are good for me...I've been able to stay so positive, "knowing" that I'll be ok, but in all reality, nothing is for certain and there is a LONG way to go.  I simply hope that along this way, I have many more good days to report, like this one has been so far. 

 

PS- I wore the pink shirt pretty much tongue in cheek...please don't think I'm going pink-obsessed...cancer is happening to me, it isn't me, so I'm not going to let it totally dictate my wardrobe, decorations, etc.