Dec. 8-Chemo 2, Day 5

Wow!  Time flies when your laying around on the couch sleeping on and off for 3 days straight!!!  Actually things are going quite well.  I never did start taking the Compazine which was my as-needed nausea medicine and I think that helped me feel a little more normal.  Kyle was home quite a bit with me on Thursday and Gavin wasn't feeling well Friday & stayed home from school.  He and I made a good pair....sleep, watch a movie, eat, sleep, take some meds, sleep.  Laura Scott brought a very yummy Chicken and Dumpling Soup for dinner on Thursday night along with a basketful of other goodies-thank you Scott family!!  My Mom made me a Tuna Noodle Casserole for Wednesday night.  I have not ever made that dish myself but quite often crave my Mom's so I was thankful to get some.
I just realized that I have talked a lot about food, but that's exciting because it means that my nausea hasn't really been an issue despite skipping out on the extra meds!!!

I got to get out for a while this afternoon to go to Gavin's basketball game.  I was tired and achy while there but somehow that all fades away when you are watching your son and his buddies tear up the court!  Gavin had 9 points including one 3-pointer!  I was soooo ready to get home, get back into my comfy clothes and lay down for a while though.

Today felt like a day of extra blessings.  My sister Emilie works for a company filled with the most generous & caring people.  Her boss Dawn & her husband Larry gave our family a generous gift...the kind that makes you tear up & wonder, again, how you possibly say thank you for such a gift.  My friend Nichole gave us a "goodie box" filled with Christmas yummys, my mom-in-law Jill gave us food for dinner tonight and then our mailbox was overflowing (literally) with several packages and cards!

Dec. 5th-Chemo 2, Day 2

Well it's 2 down, 2 to go!  Halfway there!  Yesterday went well.  My Mom went with me again.  We arrived at 9am and left at 1:30pm.  Another very nice chemo nurse who was funny & helpful.  I had a tuna sandwich, jello & chips for lunch.  The highlight of the day was a phone call from the Genetics Counselor.  She had my results from the genetics testing and was trying to set up an appointment with me.  She comes from Notre Dame and is only in B.C. twice a month so I meet with her on Dec. 27th. However, she said that she would go ahead & give me my results over the phone so I wouldn't have to wait all that time.  The results were negative!!!  There is no mutation found so I do not have that increased risk of breast cancer.  Although this is great news, it still makes us scratch our heads as to why we have this major family presence of breast cancer?!  I will get to talk with the counselor on the 27th and ask her more of these questions.  Had another nice visit with my Aunt Barb on the way home yesterday.  Although she doesn't complain at all, it certainly puts things in perspective for me to spend time with her.  She is a fighter and a true inspiration!  She has a sign on her wall that says, "God doesn't give us what we can handle, He helps us handle what we are given."

Felt pretty good yesterday evening.  Was able to take Gavin to practice and Alexis to dance.  I had a little nausea but was able to eat the yummy dinner that Susie Butler provided for us last night.  Thank you Susie!  Last time I started taking my as needed nausea meds (Compazine) on the evening of my chemo day but I didn't feel like I needed it & still haven't taken it.  That could change at any time but I am not going to be as quick to use it this time cause I think that caused a lot of my drowsiness and feeling like I couldn't concentrate or focus well.  I was up every 2 hours last night to go to the bathroom.  They put so much fluids into you  by the time you get all the meds!  Luckily I was able to fall back to sleep pretty well in between.  Today I have my Neulasta shot at 2pm.

I got my wig cut on Monday and have been wearing it now.   I really like it, just getting used to having bangs, haven't had bangs in quite a while.  So you may see someone around town who looks like me but with a new do!  Maybe I will get a picture that I can post on here for those who won't be seeing me around.

Preparing for Round 2!

Jill (Kyle's Mom) and I went to my oncology appointment this morning.  First blood work (which has all been normal), a visit with my favorite nurse, Joe, and then some time with the doctor.  I found out that I can take Claritin to help (hopefully) with the effects of the Neulasta shot that I had trouble with before.  I can also take Tylenol PM or Children's Benedryl to aid in sleeping the first week.
He said that the chemo does have a cumulative effect.  Not sure what that will mean for me.  But likely the symptoms will be more severe and I could have less "normal" feeling time between treatments.  I am feeling down tonight as I am a nervous about heading back in to this.  It's kind of nice knowing what to expect (the unknown is always scarier) but because I know what to expect I think I dread it more.  I know that I will get through it with God's help and the support & prayers of all of you.  It's such a small amount of time in the whole scheme of things & so temporary.

My Mom shared this verse with me tonight.  She reminded me that I had given her this same verse 10 years ago when she was fighting her own battle with cancer.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again.  They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.