One week ago today I traveled with my mom to Battle Creek for my last radiation treatment. It was the last step in kicking this cancer's butt, mission completed! Many people ask me if I will have testing to make sure the cancer is gone. Truth is, the cancer was gone after I had my surgery back in October. The chemo and radiation are just to kill any microscopic cancer cells and to make sure nothing was left behind. I have already had a chest x-ray and lab work which both came back fine. I don't have any kind of appointments until May 10th when I see the radiation oncologist for my one month follow-up!
So after Monday I was so relieved! I was really looking forward to putting everything behind me, not even thinking about it anymore. But God had other plans. One of my classmates from high school, Melissa, sent me a private Facebook message to tell me that she was just diagnosed with breast cancer. It really threw me for a loop. All of those emotions and feelings that I remember having on October 2nd and in the weeks that followed were coming at me, but this time it was in empathy for Melissa. We have been in contact through Facebook messaging just about everyday since her diagnosis. She shares what is going on with her, I give her tips and encouragement. She put it really well when she explained it like this: I have climbed the mountain. Made it over the obstacles and reached the top. Now I can reach down and grab her hand and help her navigate to the top of the mountain. It's going to be a long climb for her but I am confident that with the support she has and her faith in God, she will make it just fine. This is just another way that God is using my cancer experience to help others. I am praying for Melissa everyday and if you are reading this, I ask that you would too!
I'm not sure how much blogging I will continue to do. There's only so much to talk about these days. I can tell you that my hair is growing, that my eyebrows and eyelashes are growing and that I even ran for just a bit when Kyle & I walked last night. But eventually you would get sick of hearing about those things. It's back to the normal, everyday, ho-hum life and let me tell you-that's just fine with me!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Radiation-Day 32
Well I only have one more day to drive to Battle Creek for radiation! Then I hope to stay away from that place for a while!!! It's been a little more rough in the last 2 weeks. My skin is pretty crispy & sore. They gave me some special foam pads called Mepilex pads that have really helped. The nice thing is that they say that it doesn't take long at all after completing all the treatments for your skin to go back to normal.
It was Spring Break here this week. That means I had my kiddos to think about as I traveled to Battle Creek everyday. On Monday just the kids and I went. On Tuesday Carrie Hopkins & her kids, Paige & Luke went with us. We went to Cracker Barrel for lunch! On Wednesday my Mom & Dad along with my kids and my nephew, Hunter, all went. We had lunch at Chili's and did some shopping before & after radiation. On Thursday my Mom kept the kids and I went by myself. It made me realize how much faster & more fun that drive is when you have someone to chat with! On Friday Mindy Hasselback and her boys, Carson & Corbin, went with us. We got the boring stuff done first, got some ice cream at McD's and then went bowling. Mindy & I bowled two games, one with bumpers and one without. The kids bowled three games & probably would have done a fourth if we would have let them:). So as you can see, it turned out to be a fun week! It helped that is was sunny everyday this week & we had the highest temps of the year so far. Because of the nice weather I was able to get out and walk this week. Mindy & I walked around town Thursday night during baseball practice & we probably logged close to 2 miles altogether. I was happy about that despite the soreness I felt before bed that evening.
As for my late effect chemo issues....my eyelashes are growing back!!! I can see little baby lashes if I look really close in the mirror. Can't tell if my eyebrows are filling in yet, time will tell. My fingernails are growing like weeds (much like my hair). I can't say for sure but it seems like the lifting hasn't gotten much worse. I need to cut them again to keep them short. I have also been using
the Nail Envy product so hopefully that and the Biotin are helping too.
I have Dove dark chocolate bars with a tag attached made up for all of the radiation staff. I wrote "So blessed by your kindness" and signed my name. I know they are just doing their job but in my opinion they went above & beyond to make my time there more pleasant? I will be so ready to be done but will miss them too!
I continue to be amazed at the support & love that we still feel from everyone. God continues to put people and events in my path at just the right time. As I wind down from my treatment and look forward to having it all behind me there are some special people in my life who continue to battle through their treatments. And just like so many have prayed for me, I will continue to pray for them. If you want to join me you can pray for my Aunt Barb, Aunt Janice and for Gary & Karen.
Isaiah 40:31. But the people 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.
It was Spring Break here this week. That means I had my kiddos to think about as I traveled to Battle Creek everyday. On Monday just the kids and I went. On Tuesday Carrie Hopkins & her kids, Paige & Luke went with us. We went to Cracker Barrel for lunch! On Wednesday my Mom & Dad along with my kids and my nephew, Hunter, all went. We had lunch at Chili's and did some shopping before & after radiation. On Thursday my Mom kept the kids and I went by myself. It made me realize how much faster & more fun that drive is when you have someone to chat with! On Friday Mindy Hasselback and her boys, Carson & Corbin, went with us. We got the boring stuff done first, got some ice cream at McD's and then went bowling. Mindy & I bowled two games, one with bumpers and one without. The kids bowled three games & probably would have done a fourth if we would have let them:). So as you can see, it turned out to be a fun week! It helped that is was sunny everyday this week & we had the highest temps of the year so far. Because of the nice weather I was able to get out and walk this week. Mindy & I walked around town Thursday night during baseball practice & we probably logged close to 2 miles altogether. I was happy about that despite the soreness I felt before bed that evening.
As for my late effect chemo issues....my eyelashes are growing back!!! I can see little baby lashes if I look really close in the mirror. Can't tell if my eyebrows are filling in yet, time will tell. My fingernails are growing like weeds (much like my hair). I can't say for sure but it seems like the lifting hasn't gotten much worse. I need to cut them again to keep them short. I have also been using
the Nail Envy product so hopefully that and the Biotin are helping too.
I have Dove dark chocolate bars with a tag attached made up for all of the radiation staff. I wrote "So blessed by your kindness" and signed my name. I know they are just doing their job but in my opinion they went above & beyond to make my time there more pleasant? I will be so ready to be done but will miss them too!
I continue to be amazed at the support & love that we still feel from everyone. God continues to put people and events in my path at just the right time. As I wind down from my treatment and look forward to having it all behind me there are some special people in my life who continue to battle through their treatments. And just like so many have prayed for me, I will continue to pray for them. If you want to join me you can pray for my Aunt Barb, Aunt Janice and for Gary & Karen.
Isaiah 40:31. But the people 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.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Radiation-Day 27
It's spring break-yeah! The only problem is that the kids and I will be spending the break driving to Battle Creek everyday. But on a positive note, I only have 6 more radiation treatments left! This past week my Mom, Dad and Gale Chaffee accompanied me to radiation on different days. Today I had my Mom (the birthday girl), Gavin, Alexis, Keri, Keegan, Hunter, Emilie and Averie with me! We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel beforehand, yummy!
On Monday I met Aunt Janice Booher for lunch in Charlotte. I was telling her how the radiation hasn't been too bad yet. Well on Tuesday morning I woke up knowing that I had spoke too soon:(
Very red and uncomfortable. One of the radiation techs saw it and said that I needed to go see the nurse to get some different cream. They gave me Regenecare that has Lidocaine in it. That seems to be working nicely for me.
Another weird post chemo issue came up this week. I knew that it was common to have discolored fingernails during or after chemo but what I hadn't heard about yet was fingernails lifting off of the nail bed. Mine are in the early stages of this. I have read lots on the Internet regarding this and it sounds nasty. I'm hoping it doesn't get much worse since many women have actually had many or all of their fingernails come right off. Some have had their fingernails turn black! According to the tips online I have cut my nails short, am already taking the suggested Biotin and am going to use Nail Envy which is a nail strengthener. Thank you to my sister who let me borrow hers! Thank you also to my sis-in-law who helped me get my dosage of Biotin figured out:)
Today was sunny and in the upper 50's. After dinner I took a power walk down the road. It was only just a little over 1/4 mile but it was enough for me. As I sit here writing this I can feel my legs cramping up. It reminds me that I have a long way to go in getting my body back to where it was. I am going to walk a 5k on April 27th so I will need to get out and get walking to be ready. My goal is to be able to run another 5k by the end of summer. Gonna have to have lots more sunny & warm days like today to make that happen!
On Monday I met Aunt Janice Booher for lunch in Charlotte. I was telling her how the radiation hasn't been too bad yet. Well on Tuesday morning I woke up knowing that I had spoke too soon:(
Very red and uncomfortable. One of the radiation techs saw it and said that I needed to go see the nurse to get some different cream. They gave me Regenecare that has Lidocaine in it. That seems to be working nicely for me.
Another weird post chemo issue came up this week. I knew that it was common to have discolored fingernails during or after chemo but what I hadn't heard about yet was fingernails lifting off of the nail bed. Mine are in the early stages of this. I have read lots on the Internet regarding this and it sounds nasty. I'm hoping it doesn't get much worse since many women have actually had many or all of their fingernails come right off. Some have had their fingernails turn black! According to the tips online I have cut my nails short, am already taking the suggested Biotin and am going to use Nail Envy which is a nail strengthener. Thank you to my sister who let me borrow hers! Thank you also to my sis-in-law who helped me get my dosage of Biotin figured out:)
Today was sunny and in the upper 50's. After dinner I took a power walk down the road. It was only just a little over 1/4 mile but it was enough for me. As I sit here writing this I can feel my legs cramping up. It reminds me that I have a long way to go in getting my body back to where it was. I am going to walk a 5k on April 27th so I will need to get out and get walking to be ready. My goal is to be able to run another 5k by the end of summer. Gonna have to have lots more sunny & warm days like today to make that happen!
Friday, March 22, 2013
Radiation-Day 22
Two weeks and 1 day left to go in this radiation process. Things are going well. My skin is holding up very nicely. My eyelashes & eyebrows...not so much. I already mentioned in a previous blog about missing eyelashes. Well this week I realized that my eyebrows are very thin! It is just so weird to me that this is happening so long after my chemo. I asked one of the oncology nurses yesterday and she said it is not unheard of but it's not very common either.
On Monday I saw the oncologist. My lab work and chest x-ray were all normal. While he was leaving the exam room he told me to go and enjoy life. After thinking back over the last 5 1/2 months, I realized that I have been enjoying life all along...there were just some weeks that I enjoyed more than others!
A big thank you to the ladies who made my drives to Battle Creek so pleasant this week-my Mom, Sarah Carpenter and Shauna Swantek. It's amazing how quick that drive can be when you are having great conversation!
On Monday I saw the oncologist. My lab work and chest x-ray were all normal. While he was leaving the exam room he told me to go and enjoy life. After thinking back over the last 5 1/2 months, I realized that I have been enjoying life all along...there were just some weeks that I enjoyed more than others!
A big thank you to the ladies who made my drives to Battle Creek so pleasant this week-my Mom, Sarah Carpenter and Shauna Swantek. It's amazing how quick that drive can be when you are having great conversation!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Radiation-Day 17
I'm halfway through!!! It's a good feeling to know that 17 treatments are done and I only have 16 more to go! This week went well. My Mom, Kelly Adrianson and my Dad were able to ride along with me this week. On Monday I had some lab work done, a chest x-ray and had my port flushed as well as radiation. This coming Monday I will see the oncologist to get the results of everything. No reason to believe it wouldn't all be normal.
Something that isn't normal...my eyelashes! Realized on Monday that all of my lower lashes are gone and that my upper lashes are very thin. I asked the ladies at radiation about it on Tuesday and they said it definitely wasn't from radiation. So I went to the source that has helped me find out a great number of things since my diagnosis...Google! There were several accounts from women who had their lashes thin and fall out one or two months after they were done with chemo. Something about the "cycle" of eyelashes. The most important thing to know is that they grow back in 6-8 weeks. So just when you think you're done with chemo and it's effects, guess again! I wonder if there is any way to Google "are there any other possible chemo side effects that I could end up having, because I'd really like to know ahead of time."
Something that isn't normal...my eyelashes! Realized on Monday that all of my lower lashes are gone and that my upper lashes are very thin. I asked the ladies at radiation about it on Tuesday and they said it definitely wasn't from radiation. So I went to the source that has helped me find out a great number of things since my diagnosis...Google! There were several accounts from women who had their lashes thin and fall out one or two months after they were done with chemo. Something about the "cycle" of eyelashes. The most important thing to know is that they grow back in 6-8 weeks. So just when you think you're done with chemo and it's effects, guess again! I wonder if there is any way to Google "are there any other possible chemo side effects that I could end up having, because I'd really like to know ahead of time."
Friday, March 8, 2013
Radiation-Day 12
I am 1/3 of the way done with radiation! Things are going well! I told the nurse yesterday that I feel great because each day I get stronger & have more energy after being so worn down by the chemo. I'm sure this radiation will catch up with me eventually but for now I'm feeling good.
A big thanks to Dianna Finkler, Emily Mater and my Mom who rode along with me this week. We had so much fun chatting that it made the drive go so much quicker!
We are excited to have our friends, Ryan, Angie & Holden Meyer coming to visit this weekend. They are making the big drive from Negaunee, MI as we speak. They weren't able to come down last year due to Ryan's health complications so it will make this visit even sweeter. A highlight of the visit is that we get to head to the Breslin on Sunday to watch some MSU basketball!
Ever since my hair has been gone I have put lotion on my head. I think it has helped my scalp not be so dry & itchy. I mentioned to my friend Carrie on the phone the other day that I didn't know when I should stop putting lotion on my head since my hair is starting to come in. She said that she thought I should stop when I put the lotion on and it acts like hair gel or mousse and creates a style. I thought that was funny. It made me picture myself with my hair slicked down or even with a Mohawk, the possibilities once I have more hair will be endless!
A big thanks to Dianna Finkler, Emily Mater and my Mom who rode along with me this week. We had so much fun chatting that it made the drive go so much quicker!
We are excited to have our friends, Ryan, Angie & Holden Meyer coming to visit this weekend. They are making the big drive from Negaunee, MI as we speak. They weren't able to come down last year due to Ryan's health complications so it will make this visit even sweeter. A highlight of the visit is that we get to head to the Breslin on Sunday to watch some MSU basketball!
Ever since my hair has been gone I have put lotion on my head. I think it has helped my scalp not be so dry & itchy. I mentioned to my friend Carrie on the phone the other day that I didn't know when I should stop putting lotion on my head since my hair is starting to come in. She said that she thought I should stop when I put the lotion on and it acts like hair gel or mousse and creates a style. I thought that was funny. It made me picture myself with my hair slicked down or even with a Mohawk, the possibilities once I have more hair will be endless!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Radiation-Day 7
Seven radiation sessions under my belt! The kids got to go with me twice this week since they had a snow day on Wednesday and today was a records day for teachers. My parents went with me one day and a friend from church, Gloria Rolfe, rode with me one day too. So far so good!
My Daily Splashes of Joy calendar for today says, "A sense of humor is like a needle and thread: It will patch up so many things." I am learning that it is a must to laugh things off. This afternoon while heading out for radiation I went into Nashville to run some errands. I was wearing a black bandana doo-rag on my head mind you. So the kids and I are walking into the post office and the gentleman holding the door for us told me that I looked like a pirate!!! I thought, "yep, that was exactly the look I was going for today buddy!" So if I ever write a list of things NOT to say to a cancer patient...that one will certainly be on it.
My Daily Splashes of Joy calendar for today says, "A sense of humor is like a needle and thread: It will patch up so many things." I am learning that it is a must to laugh things off. This afternoon while heading out for radiation I went into Nashville to run some errands. I was wearing a black bandana doo-rag on my head mind you. So the kids and I are walking into the post office and the gentleman holding the door for us told me that I looked like a pirate!!! I thought, "yep, that was exactly the look I was going for today buddy!" So if I ever write a list of things NOT to say to a cancer patient...that one will certainly be on it.
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