6th and final round of chemo!

Hey all!

I am happy to report that we actually ended up having a good Christmas and New Years.  I hosted my family Christmas this year, and shortly afterwards we went to my husbands parents house to visit that side of the family as well.  For New Years we went to a friends house, and rang in 2014 by playing some fun games.  (This was much improved from last year......where we were in the emergency room, due to all my complications from UC.  Couldn't be more pleased to be able to enjoy the holidays with our family and friends.)

Exciting News!  Friday, was my last round of chemo!  Hopefully for the rest of my life!  Everything went rather smoothly.  I got my favorite nurse, Jenny.  My parents came up and treated me to Oklahoma Joe's for lunch, which is one of Kansas City's best BBQ places.   

Slowly the side affects of chemo will wear off, and I will start to feel better.  I will have to continue to take Herceptin, every 3 weeks for 12 more times, so this will complete a full year.  Herceptin treats the specific type of cancer that I have, and it has very few side affects.  I will meet with my oncologist in 6 weeks to make sure that everything is still going as planned.

According to my doctors, the chemo therapy went about as well as they could go.  Which brings us to the next course of action.  

On Tuesday I am meeting with my Breast Surgeon to discuss Treatment Options such as Lumpectomy or mastectomy.  We are expecting the surgery to take place in 3 to 4 months, but we'll know more shortly.  I am eager to move onto the next step and put this behind me.  However I can't help but feel nervous and scared.  I have many questions and I think that is a huge part of my anxiety.  I am hoping to get all that taken care of on Tuesday, so we can be confident that we are moving in the right direction.   

For the time being I am going to rest up, and try not to worry to much about what the future holds for us.

Chemo Rounds 4 & 5

Hey all!

Hope everyone is staying nice and warm and cozy during the holidays.  Here in Kansas we've just received a nice layer of ice and snow.  Just in time for Christmas, yay!

On the UC Front........I guess you could say that I am getting into a groove, with this having a ileostomy pouch.  Finally found some products that work, which prevents skin irritations, and essentially helps it be more comfortable.  I still have a bit of fear regarding it coming lose, but I've gotten a bit more comfortable with being out and about.  I've been able to work out and dance again, so that is a huge improvement.

Just a few extra updates.........I've completely done a reorganization of my bathroom......since the ileostomy I have had a ton of supplies to store; paste, barrier remover, barrier wipes, oder blocker, bags, etc.  Since the chemo, I've lost most of my hair, so basically I finally decided to cut my losses and get ride of all the things I no longer needed to make room for all the stuff that I do need.  Bye, Bye, hair dryer, straighter, curling iron, razor, hair ties, bobby pins, brush, head bands, hair spray, etc.  Hello new medical supply bin.  Have I mentioned that I love organization?  I have been sporting lots of fun hats, I do have a wig that I wear so as not to frighten my students, sometimes it is nice to feel like you at least look like a normal human being.   I used to have long thick blond hair, and I do miss it when it especially when it is this cold out.  I now have a red wig, that is a bit wild and fun for me.  Why the heck not?!

Since the ileostomy I'm no longer dealing with malnutrition and dehydration issues so I've also been able to gain some weight back and put away my size 2 clothing.   Which is nice, I am able to wear my usual clothing.  Thank goodness!  :-)

Chemo round 4......The doctors informed me that some patients have experienced some relief from the soreness and aches associated with chemo therapy by taking Claritin.  So we tried it, and much to our surprise it worked, and I felt a bit better.  I still had the usual exhaustion and was a bit nauseous but overall I felt a lot better.  

Chemo round 5......I was originally scheduled for chemo on Wednesday, however the receptionist was confused and basically messed up, so we got a phone call on Tuesday letting us know that we needed to come in on Friday instead.  (I guess it has to be scheduled exactly 3 weeks after the last, ugh.)  I was a bit depressed by this news because it meant that I might be sick for Christmas, usually I feel crumby for a week after receiving chemo.  Also it meant that my family had to reschedule their plans, or that I was going to go alone, thankfully my family is amazing, and we made it work, this way I wasn't all alone going into treatment #5.  We were cheered up when my doctors informed me that they could no longer feel the tumor, this however doesn't mean that it is gone, just that it has shrunk a lot, which is a huge leap in the right direction.  The infusion clinic had Christmas carolers, which lifted everyones spirits as well.

The future......I am expected to have 1 more round of chemo, then we are going to start talking about surgery.  We'll see how this all shakes out.  But for now, we are just going to spend some time with the ones that we love, and try to enjoy the holidays.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

Chemo Rounds 2 & 3

Hey all!

A lot has happened since my last post.  I've had 2 more rounds of chemo.  The last time that I went in, they did a sonogram to see if the chemo was having any impact on the cancer.  And I am happy to report that we received good news.  The tumor that was in my lymph node is gone, and the tumor in my breast has shrunk by half.  The doctors said something that we haven't heard in over a year of sickness and doctor's appointments, that this was the best case scenario happening.  So we are feeling pretty blessed. 

Lately though, the actual treatment has been an all day event.  I go in at 9:00am, and I usually don't get to leave until 8:00pm.   This is mostly because I had a bit of a reaction to one of the medications.  So they gave me some Benadryl and monitored me for awhile.  My next treatment is scheduled for the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Not exactly how I wanted to spend my holiday.  Oh well, at least the treatment is working, which is giving us all some peace of mind.

Have a great Thanksgiving!  :-)

Round One: Chemo Therapy

Hey there!

Well I won't lie to you, the first round of chemo therapy was shitty.  I feel really tired, nauseous, and sore.  Not fun, at all!  The entire process took about 4 hours.  Before receiving chemo, lab work has to be done, then I see my oncologist who basically approves the treatment (depending on how the lab work turns out), finally chemo is given.  I had my own little cubicle with a T.V. and a warm blanket.   My family was able to come with me, which was nice because I was really nervous.  

I hate to admit this, but the scariest part of the entire experience was meeting other cancer patients.  Some were really optimistic, while others sadly informed me that they were terminal.  I tried my darned hardest to not let it get to me, and to be a positive influence in others lives.  I must admit, that the entire experience was pretty heart breaking and shook me up badly.  I am happy to have met some amazing people though, a lot of the patients were really helpful and genuinely tried to give good advice in moving forward with treatment.  

The plan moving forward is to continue chemo and herceptin every 3 weeks, to hopefully shriek the cancerous tumor.  Until then I will try to keep you all updated.  

Peace!

Smart Port Placement

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. 

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!

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!