Hey all!
This has been a very busy week for us, so I wanted to update everyone on what
is happening. Aside from my usual allergy shots and home health visits........... Monday I had an appointment with my surgeon's nurse, to make sure that all my incisions were healing up well from my colectomy. They all seamed very pleased. Wednesday I went for "Chemo Training" at KUMed, and came
home with a huge binder full of information. Lots to look through. They
also gave me a few prescriptions filled to help with any nausea that may
happen. They basically informed that the type of chemo I will be getting will cause me to loose all of my hair, everywhere. I feel that this will be the icing on the cake, I will officially look as awkward as I feel. I am in the process of trying to make the most of it. Maybe find some fun wigs, hats, scarfs. Any suggestions, I really don't have a clue as of where to look?
Today got a smart port! Everything went very well, and the port is now in and ready for action tomorrow. The port was put in near my
collarbone, right under the skin for easy access. This will help with getting treatments and future
surgeries. The port will take the place of getting an IV my arm each
time I go in. I have to carry a card with me at all times, to explain to any medical person what type of devise it is and how it works. It also came with a snazzy bracelet. It was an outpatient surgery, so I got to come the same day of the procedure and sleep in my own bed. Amazing! Only problem is that I am a bit sore and uncomfortable, so I am unable to sleep. Our hope is that, this will help make all future treatments
a little bit easier.
Tomorrow I get my first round of chemo and another round of herceptin. The whole process will take about 8 hours, if we're lucky. I am schedule to do 6 rounds of chemo each spaced 3 weeks apart, and herceptin for a entire year, each spaced 3 weeks apart as well. I am pretty nervous for tomorrow, as I'm not sure how much nausea I will experience. Also there is a risk of having an allergic reaction. Chemo is made from trees, and some people are deathly allergic to it. Because of this, they prescribed me steroids to take the day before treatment, the day of treatment, and the day after treatment. Which is another reason why I can't sleep, I am wired, even with my sleeping medications. Grrrrr!
So if you are reading this please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Total Colectomy
Dear bloggers,
So a lot as happened since my last post..........turns out fighting cancer is a full time job. I have had to quite teaching at my studio. On any given day I could have 3 to 5 doctors appointments or procedures scheduled. I feel heart broken, I miss dancing. I really do enjoy working with people and being active, which is no longer a possibility. So I am working as the director and manager from home. When I feel up for it I watch classes and make sure everything is processing they way it is suppose to. I have hired an amazing staff and they are doing an exceptional job.
On the cancer front.......
We got the Brian Scan test results back, they were negative, which is great news, the cancer hasn't spread yet. Also we got the Petscan back and it shows the cancer is limited to my breast and lymph nodes. We also received the genetic test results as well, and it was negative, which means I get to keep my overies. And my sister and mom can breath easy.
We got a second opinion from a better oncologist, so the game plan for kicking cancers butt has changed. Instead of having my breast removed first, we had my colon removed, thus curing my UC. I had the surgery done laparoscopically, which I highly recommend doing. This way you aren't left with a huge incision and are able to heal faster. There are only a few doctors that are able to do this, so do your research.
Having an illostomy has been quite the adjustment. It has only been a week sense the surgery and I am still healing. This is going to be quite the process of figuring out how to live my life with a bag. Finding outfits that make me look normal is a challenge. I have a small frame so a bag isn't easily concealed, sigh! I ordered some wraps and underwear from this website https://www.ostomysecrets.com and they seam to help, I just got them in today and they are good quality products. The only problem is that they are kind of expensive. I also have a home health nurse and a nutritionist that are a big help. I am struggling with dehydration, which is a common problem with people who don't have a colon. So I am doing my best to keep fluid intake up. Loads of water, tea, popsicles, and jello.
Having my colon removed will allow us to start chemo and herceptin, these drugs will hopefully shriek the tumor thus making it easier to remove. After the six rounds of chemo (each 3 weeks a part) I will be able to have my breast cancer removed surgically. After that we will decide if more treatment is necessary. Once I am cancer free I will be able to have the j-pouch surgeries, and get rid of the bag. These are all depending on how everything goes, so the plan may change over time. And we'll keep you posted.
If you are out there please keep the prayers coming. We so appreciate it. Sending love to all of you!
So a lot as happened since my last post..........turns out fighting cancer is a full time job. I have had to quite teaching at my studio. On any given day I could have 3 to 5 doctors appointments or procedures scheduled. I feel heart broken, I miss dancing. I really do enjoy working with people and being active, which is no longer a possibility. So I am working as the director and manager from home. When I feel up for it I watch classes and make sure everything is processing they way it is suppose to. I have hired an amazing staff and they are doing an exceptional job.
On the cancer front.......
We got the Brian Scan test results back, they were negative, which is great news, the cancer hasn't spread yet. Also we got the Petscan back and it shows the cancer is limited to my breast and lymph nodes. We also received the genetic test results as well, and it was negative, which means I get to keep my overies. And my sister and mom can breath easy.
We got a second opinion from a better oncologist, so the game plan for kicking cancers butt has changed. Instead of having my breast removed first, we had my colon removed, thus curing my UC. I had the surgery done laparoscopically, which I highly recommend doing. This way you aren't left with a huge incision and are able to heal faster. There are only a few doctors that are able to do this, so do your research.
Having an illostomy has been quite the adjustment. It has only been a week sense the surgery and I am still healing. This is going to be quite the process of figuring out how to live my life with a bag. Finding outfits that make me look normal is a challenge. I have a small frame so a bag isn't easily concealed, sigh! I ordered some wraps and underwear from this website https://www.ostomysecrets.com and they seam to help, I just got them in today and they are good quality products. The only problem is that they are kind of expensive. I also have a home health nurse and a nutritionist that are a big help. I am struggling with dehydration, which is a common problem with people who don't have a colon. So I am doing my best to keep fluid intake up. Loads of water, tea, popsicles, and jello.
Having my colon removed will allow us to start chemo and herceptin, these drugs will hopefully shriek the tumor thus making it easier to remove. After the six rounds of chemo (each 3 weeks a part) I will be able to have my breast cancer removed surgically. After that we will decide if more treatment is necessary. Once I am cancer free I will be able to have the j-pouch surgeries, and get rid of the bag. These are all depending on how everything goes, so the plan may change over time. And we'll keep you posted.
If you are out there please keep the prayers coming. We so appreciate it. Sending love to all of you!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Breast Cancer
This is going to be an depressing post. I've just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. We honestly didn't see this coming, and are in a state of shock. I was going in to talk to my OBGYN about the possibility of starting to try to have children. She noticed that my left breast felt slightly different from the other, and sent me to get a mammogram and sonogram. Both of these tests showed abnormal cells, so then they did a biopsy of my left breast. Which came back positive for cancer. The kind of cancer that I have doesn't respond to hormone replacement surgery and is pretty aggressive.
I am doing some genetic testing done to see if I will need to have my ovaries removed as well. I had a MRI done, and it showed some abnormal cells on my right breast. I also had a MRI done of my brain, haven't gotten those reports back yet. Tomorrow I am having a PET/CT scan done. Also I am meeting another oncologist for a second opinion. And to top the day off, I am having a biopsy done on my right breast as well. For the record breast biopsy aren't fun, they are rather painful. Really not looking forward to tomorrow.
Normally a person in my position would start chemo immediately to try to shriek the tumor, however with all my UC problems they don't think that it would be a good idea. I guess chemo gives regular people GI issues let alone someone with my history. So we are going to have my breast removed first and then I will have my colon removed after I recover from the first surgery. Shortly after that chemo and possibly radiation.
I have an awesome team of doctors working on my health. They are optimistic that I will survive all this, because they think we caught it fairly early. However we will know more as the test results come in. This whole process is very difficult, and my head is spinning, and I feel exhausted all the time. I am trying really hard to keep a positive attitude. Some days are more difficult than others. I keep telling myself one day at a time. Xanax is my new friend. So if anyone is out there reading this, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks!
I am doing some genetic testing done to see if I will need to have my ovaries removed as well. I had a MRI done, and it showed some abnormal cells on my right breast. I also had a MRI done of my brain, haven't gotten those reports back yet. Tomorrow I am having a PET/CT scan done. Also I am meeting another oncologist for a second opinion. And to top the day off, I am having a biopsy done on my right breast as well. For the record breast biopsy aren't fun, they are rather painful. Really not looking forward to tomorrow.
Normally a person in my position would start chemo immediately to try to shriek the tumor, however with all my UC problems they don't think that it would be a good idea. I guess chemo gives regular people GI issues let alone someone with my history. So we are going to have my breast removed first and then I will have my colon removed after I recover from the first surgery. Shortly after that chemo and possibly radiation.
I have an awesome team of doctors working on my health. They are optimistic that I will survive all this, because they think we caught it fairly early. However we will know more as the test results come in. This whole process is very difficult, and my head is spinning, and I feel exhausted all the time. I am trying really hard to keep a positive attitude. Some days are more difficult than others. I keep telling myself one day at a time. Xanax is my new friend. So if anyone is out there reading this, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)