Today we went to see our plastic surgeon, Dr. Strock for another fill. Of all my doctors, he is the one that appreciates keeping an appointment. We are always in and out in 15-20 minutes. We hate paying for the parking garage, but we appreciate him keeping his appointments!
This time when he went to numb me, I felt it! I'm sure I'll get my feeling back right before my next surgery... oh well. He filled my left side with 85cc's and put 60cc's in the right side.
So total now is left 190cc's and right is 310cc's. Sounds like a huge difference but it doesn't look very different.
Next off to chemo. This was our first Taxol appointment. Thank you GOD no more Adriamycin or Cytoxin, that stuff is EVIL!
Anyway, went in to get my blood drawn. I didn't get the phlebotomist I like (and who is VERY good) but I didn't say anything. The lady that I did get tried to find my vein. She must have barely been in there because my blood was taking forever to fill those vials! After I finally filled 4 of them, barely, off to see the Dr. I went.
Only had to wait 10 minutes to see the doctor which was a very pleasant surprise! The P.A. comes in and tells me she has some good news, but it comes with some no-so good news, not bad news.
She tells me that the protocol for Taxol has changed and they are now recommending me to receive Taxol every other week x4 instead of weekly x12. YEAH!
Since I will be receiving more Taxol each time so I really need to watch my symptoms.
Now for the not-so good news. I will have to get a Neulasta shot the Monday following chemo and I will have to have my blood drawn on the off chemo Fridays. I'll take that! The Neulasta shot hurts like a tetanus shot, but I'll take that over chemo any day!
So, if everything goes according to plan, I should be done with chemo the first part of December! Thank you God!
So off to receive my first dose of Taxol. When Nurse Ratched, in mean Janet, called me back, she said she needed 4 more vials of blood. Something happened to the machine she said. She used my port and off they went. Labs were good!
Prior to Taxol comes a Benadryl/Zantac drip. This almost knocked me out! It is used in case of allergies. Since this was my first Taxol, she set the Taxol to dispense over 3 hours... what a LONG wait... Good thing I had Jamey and Luwana to keep me company. Plus I did catch a little cat nap.
Now, on to a prayer request
Jamey's cousin Tiffany's 3 year old daughter Haley, has been diagnosed with leukemia this week. Please pray for Chris, Tiffany and Haley as they go through this difficult journey, along with their parents and all other family members. The journey will be long and challenging and I pray that God leads them in the direction they are intended and when they are in doubt, they trust in the Lord and not turn away from Him.
My journey is a breeze compared to what Haley and her parents are about to endure and I ask everyone to please pray for them.
Love to all,
Christy
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tuesday October 19, 2010
Found out yesterday (on my 14th wedding anniversary) that my genetic test results were NEGATIVE! What an anniversary present :)
Starting to feel better this week. Of course all that could change on Friday when I go back in for chemo...
Until next time.
Love to all,
Christy
Starting to feel better this week. Of course all that could change on Friday when I go back in for chemo...
Until next time.
Love to all,
Christy
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sunday October 17, 2010
I have no blogged in awhile because the last round of chemo really set me back. Guess that's what I get for thinking it would be like the last 2 rounds and be ok. NOT!
When I don't feel good, I don't want to do anything... talk on the phone, read, or be on the computer. I'm feeling better, but not 100%, which is to be expected.
I did go to my first cancer support group last Thursday. That was helpful. To see other people that have been through cancer and to hear their stories, made me realize I don't have it bad, I just think I do because I'm currently going through it. This too shall pass
Friday the 22nd I have my next appointment with both my plastic surgeon and my next round of chemo, which will be my first round with this new drug Taxol. I'm hoping and praying that the next 12 - 13 weeks will not make me feel bad, just make me tired. I can handle tired, I can't handle all the rest.
Thank you to everyone that has called and checked on me. I haven't taken Jamey's pocket knife to dig out my port like I've threatened... yet. :-)
Tomorrow is our 14th wedding anniversary! So 14 years old tonight, I was nervous as all get out and so excited to be marrying my best friend! I love you Jamey!
Until the end of the week...
Love to all,
Christy
When I don't feel good, I don't want to do anything... talk on the phone, read, or be on the computer. I'm feeling better, but not 100%, which is to be expected.
I did go to my first cancer support group last Thursday. That was helpful. To see other people that have been through cancer and to hear their stories, made me realize I don't have it bad, I just think I do because I'm currently going through it. This too shall pass
Friday the 22nd I have my next appointment with both my plastic surgeon and my next round of chemo, which will be my first round with this new drug Taxol. I'm hoping and praying that the next 12 - 13 weeks will not make me feel bad, just make me tired. I can handle tired, I can't handle all the rest.
Thank you to everyone that has called and checked on me. I haven't taken Jamey's pocket knife to dig out my port like I've threatened... yet. :-)
Tomorrow is our 14th wedding anniversary! So 14 years old tonight, I was nervous as all get out and so excited to be marrying my best friend! I love you Jamey!
Until the end of the week...
Love to all,
Christy
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tuesday October 5, 2010
Today we went to UT Southwestern for genetic testing, and also went to see the Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Strock, for my first fill appointment. Here's what happened...
I have a 0.9% chance of having the positive BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic gene. That's good. If I am BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive, two things will happen. One, I will have to have my ovaries removed before I'm 40 and two, my sisters and my daughter will have a 50/50 chance of also having the positive genetic gene. If my test is negative, we won't know why I got cancer, but I haven't asked why yet so that's ok.
We talked about my family tree. She agrees with Dr. Nugent that my family tree is "dull". My family has been called many things, but NEVER dull! The more cancer in your tree, and the more diagnoses at an early age, will make your chances of a positive genetic test, higher. So dull is good! :) They drew 2 tubes of blood, which they will send to Utah, and I'll have my results in 2-3 weeks.
After Jamey and I got a bite to eat, we went to Dr. Strock's office. I have been SO nervous about this appointment. The not knowing how I was going to get filled, was just giving me nightmares. Well let me tell you, it didn't hurt at all!
First he marked the ports in my expanders. My expanders have a metal port in them and Dr. Strock uses a magnet to find them. Next he gave me a little numbing medicine, which I didn't need because I still don't have any feeling there. Then he inserted a little butterfly needle into the port and pushed the saline. He put 100cc's in my right and 105cc's in my left. I can definitely tell a difference.
I was told I would be sore, take Motrin and don't do any heavy lifting for 2 days.
He said he will put approximately 100cc's in every 2-3 weeks. My next appointment is Oct 22.
I feel like I'm leaving something out, so if I think of something else, I'll post again.
My next appointment is Thursday for my last round of Adriamycin and Cytoxin. YAY! I have to wait 2 weeks and then I'll start my 12 consecutive weeks of Taxol. If my schedule doesn't get delayed (pray no sickness or infection) I'll be done with chemo Friday January 7, 2011. Let the countdown begin!
Love to all,
Christy
I have a 0.9% chance of having the positive BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic gene. That's good. If I am BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive, two things will happen. One, I will have to have my ovaries removed before I'm 40 and two, my sisters and my daughter will have a 50/50 chance of also having the positive genetic gene. If my test is negative, we won't know why I got cancer, but I haven't asked why yet so that's ok.
We talked about my family tree. She agrees with Dr. Nugent that my family tree is "dull". My family has been called many things, but NEVER dull! The more cancer in your tree, and the more diagnoses at an early age, will make your chances of a positive genetic test, higher. So dull is good! :) They drew 2 tubes of blood, which they will send to Utah, and I'll have my results in 2-3 weeks.
After Jamey and I got a bite to eat, we went to Dr. Strock's office. I have been SO nervous about this appointment. The not knowing how I was going to get filled, was just giving me nightmares. Well let me tell you, it didn't hurt at all!
First he marked the ports in my expanders. My expanders have a metal port in them and Dr. Strock uses a magnet to find them. Next he gave me a little numbing medicine, which I didn't need because I still don't have any feeling there. Then he inserted a little butterfly needle into the port and pushed the saline. He put 100cc's in my right and 105cc's in my left. I can definitely tell a difference.
I was told I would be sore, take Motrin and don't do any heavy lifting for 2 days.
He said he will put approximately 100cc's in every 2-3 weeks. My next appointment is Oct 22.
I feel like I'm leaving something out, so if I think of something else, I'll post again.
My next appointment is Thursday for my last round of Adriamycin and Cytoxin. YAY! I have to wait 2 weeks and then I'll start my 12 consecutive weeks of Taxol. If my schedule doesn't get delayed (pray no sickness or infection) I'll be done with chemo Friday January 7, 2011. Let the countdown begin!
Love to all,
Christy
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday September 30, 2010
Can't believe today is the last day of September! Wow
No doctors appointments recently but I did make my appointment for Genetic Testing. I am going to UT Southwestern Medical Center, to their Fort Worth office, on Tuesday. They sent me some paperwork to fill out regarding history. Let's just say I now know more about my family than I ever have!
It started with my parents and grandparents. I had to put whether they are alive or deceased and what age they are or were at time of death. Then I had to list all my parents' siblings. My Mom is one of 7!!!! So I had to list how old each of them are. Then it went to my siblings and their off springs :)
At the end it showed me this family tree and said "click on each relative that has or has had cancer and has had their ovaries removed." Huh? So I had to call one of my Aunts and ask her "Hey do you have your ovaries?" Hahahaha I also had to ask my Mom if either of my grandmothers had theirs removed. "Who Knows" is not an option on this questionnaire! On top of all that, I had to list the age of diagnoses or age ovaries were removed. Geesh!
So Tuesday is my appointment and it my understanding we will go over that paperwork, she will draw my blood, and then send it off to the one and only lab in the US that does the BRAC analysis. I should get my results in 2-3 weeks.
Also, Tuesday is my first fill appointment with my Plastic Surgeon. I had a dream last night that he put me under to fill me, of course that isn't how it happens because they told me I would be able to drive myself home afterwards. Hope I can move my arms! Tee Hee
This last round of chemo was better than the other two. I was actually able to go to a restaurant on Friday night, and I ate something! I had the racing heart and muscle spasms in my back for a couple of days but I took some of my anxiety medicine and it seemed to help.
I still get queasy when I think of certain foods or candies. Mostly they are foods or candies I was eating during my chemos. I just want to throw up typing this and thinking about it... Maybe next time I will eat chocolate during chemo so I won't ever want chocolate again??? NAH!
Until Tuesday! Hope everyone has a blessed weekend!
Love to all,
Christy
No doctors appointments recently but I did make my appointment for Genetic Testing. I am going to UT Southwestern Medical Center, to their Fort Worth office, on Tuesday. They sent me some paperwork to fill out regarding history. Let's just say I now know more about my family than I ever have!
It started with my parents and grandparents. I had to put whether they are alive or deceased and what age they are or were at time of death. Then I had to list all my parents' siblings. My Mom is one of 7!!!! So I had to list how old each of them are. Then it went to my siblings and their off springs :)
At the end it showed me this family tree and said "click on each relative that has or has had cancer and has had their ovaries removed." Huh? So I had to call one of my Aunts and ask her "Hey do you have your ovaries?" Hahahaha I also had to ask my Mom if either of my grandmothers had theirs removed. "Who Knows" is not an option on this questionnaire! On top of all that, I had to list the age of diagnoses or age ovaries were removed. Geesh!
So Tuesday is my appointment and it my understanding we will go over that paperwork, she will draw my blood, and then send it off to the one and only lab in the US that does the BRAC analysis. I should get my results in 2-3 weeks.
Also, Tuesday is my first fill appointment with my Plastic Surgeon. I had a dream last night that he put me under to fill me, of course that isn't how it happens because they told me I would be able to drive myself home afterwards. Hope I can move my arms! Tee Hee
This last round of chemo was better than the other two. I was actually able to go to a restaurant on Friday night, and I ate something! I had the racing heart and muscle spasms in my back for a couple of days but I took some of my anxiety medicine and it seemed to help.
I still get queasy when I think of certain foods or candies. Mostly they are foods or candies I was eating during my chemos. I just want to throw up typing this and thinking about it... Maybe next time I will eat chocolate during chemo so I won't ever want chocolate again??? NAH!
Until Tuesday! Hope everyone has a blessed weekend!
Love to all,
Christy
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday September 23, 2010
Happy First Day of Fall Ya'll...
Today we had round 3 of chemo. Checking 1 more Adriamycin and Cytoxin off the list! Check and check! One more round of those two (terrible) concoctions in two weeks and then I move on WOOO HOOO
Taxol each week for 12 weeks will be the next step. I'm told while Taxol will make me tired, I shouldn't feel "sick". We will see.
Took my little anxiety pill before we left the house and then asked Jamey to stop at Chick Fil-A for breakfast. The pill must have kicked in because I didn't care or listen to him complaining! HAHA Just kidding honey! ;)
Checked in, didn't wait long and went back to get my blood drawn. She missed on the first stick (argh!) She was successful the second time. Off to check in to see the doctor, and wait. Surprisingly, we only waited for 5 minutes. Get in there, get my blood pressure checked (it was good), and then wait.... and wait.... and wait.... We knew it was coming at some point. We had to give the lab department enough time to run my blood. Physician's Assistant comes in and I found out my levels are good! Back to the waiting room to wait on the infusion nurse to call me.
I'd say we only waiting for 20 minutes. So far, this has been the best trip there yet! Until...
Nurse: "are you allergic to anything"
Me: "Yes, tape"
Nurse: "I think this (a piece of clear plastic with tape on ALL sides, that goes over the port once it is accessed) will be fine.
Me internally thinking: "How do I tell this nurse that won't work without telling her how to do her job?"
Nurse: adheres the tape.
Me & Jamey: CRAP!
Conveniently my nurse was at lunch when I was done, so another nurse came over to disconnect me. When she peeled off the tape, with my skin attached, and said "You are allergic to tape" HAHAHAHAHA
That lead to me telling her the above conversation. She said "telling her NOT to use that plastic with tape on it, is NOT telling her how to do her job" She then told me what to say to my nurse on what to use.
Tomorrow we go to Granbury and get the Nulasta shot. It is obviously doing it's job since my levels are good! Too bad a side effect is flu like symptoms. Usually when I get home from that appointment, I start feeling bad. So no plans this weekend.
Until my next appointment...
Love to all!
Christy
Today we had round 3 of chemo. Checking 1 more Adriamycin and Cytoxin off the list! Check and check! One more round of those two (terrible) concoctions in two weeks and then I move on WOOO HOOO
Taxol each week for 12 weeks will be the next step. I'm told while Taxol will make me tired, I shouldn't feel "sick". We will see.
Took my little anxiety pill before we left the house and then asked Jamey to stop at Chick Fil-A for breakfast. The pill must have kicked in because I didn't care or listen to him complaining! HAHA Just kidding honey! ;)
Checked in, didn't wait long and went back to get my blood drawn. She missed on the first stick (argh!) She was successful the second time. Off to check in to see the doctor, and wait. Surprisingly, we only waited for 5 minutes. Get in there, get my blood pressure checked (it was good), and then wait.... and wait.... and wait.... We knew it was coming at some point. We had to give the lab department enough time to run my blood. Physician's Assistant comes in and I found out my levels are good! Back to the waiting room to wait on the infusion nurse to call me.
I'd say we only waiting for 20 minutes. So far, this has been the best trip there yet! Until...
Nurse: "are you allergic to anything"
Me: "Yes, tape"
Nurse: "I think this (a piece of clear plastic with tape on ALL sides, that goes over the port once it is accessed) will be fine.
Me internally thinking: "How do I tell this nurse that won't work without telling her how to do her job?"
Nurse: adheres the tape.
Me & Jamey: CRAP!
Conveniently my nurse was at lunch when I was done, so another nurse came over to disconnect me. When she peeled off the tape, with my skin attached, and said "You are allergic to tape" HAHAHAHAHA
That lead to me telling her the above conversation. She said "telling her NOT to use that plastic with tape on it, is NOT telling her how to do her job" She then told me what to say to my nurse on what to use.
Tomorrow we go to Granbury and get the Nulasta shot. It is obviously doing it's job since my levels are good! Too bad a side effect is flu like symptoms. Usually when I get home from that appointment, I start feeling bad. So no plans this weekend.
Until my next appointment...
Love to all!
Christy
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday September 22, 2010
Since my last blog, it has been pretty uneventful on the cancer front, thankfully.
Last Thursday, Jamey's aunt Stacy threw me a hat/scarf/necklace/earrings party at the hair salon where we get our hair done. It was fun! If you wanted, they put strips of hot pink hair in your hair. Of course my sister Michelle left with 6 strands! Morgan left with 3. :) My mom also came, and despite Morgan's constant persuasion, she did NOT get hot pink hair! She tried, it was funny :)
I did get out over the weekend and went to both of Morgan's volleyball games. They won both games, in the first 2 sets! Go Volley Bombers! My friend Luwana came over and cleaned my house on Sunday. That was really what I needed!
On to the cancer front...
Yesterday I started with a doctor's appointment with an Ophthalmologist. I have this spot next to my eye that has been there for over 2 weeks, so I decided to get it checked out since another one sprung up close to it over the weekend. His opinion is they are infected follicles... what? Ok. Another antibiotic prescription later (and a $50 copay), I was out the door.
Last night was my Look Good Feel Better class that is put on by the American Cancer Society. This event is free for all cancer patients (who can bring a friend). The cancer patient receives $150 dollars worth of free make up, the friend gets to look at it all! HAHAHA
They brought in cosmetologists to show us how to apply the makeup. i.e., how to cover up dark circles under your eyes and how to draw on eyebrows for when they fall out. They also showed us all kinds of different ways to wear a scarf. They even showed us a way to make an old t-shirt into a scarf, very interesting!
It was fun! Thank you to Aunt Stacy and my sister Michelle for coming with me! Sorry you can't have my makeup! Bwahahahaha
Tomorrow is my 3rd round of chemo. I am NOT looking forward to it! Since I am comtemplating running away to Mexico after work, I figured it might be time to fill that anxiety prescription. So, therefore, I apologize to everyone I talk to tomorrow, because I hopefully won't have a care in the world!
Until tomorrow my peeps!
Love to all!
Christy
Last Thursday, Jamey's aunt Stacy threw me a hat/scarf/necklace/earrings party at the hair salon where we get our hair done. It was fun! If you wanted, they put strips of hot pink hair in your hair. Of course my sister Michelle left with 6 strands! Morgan left with 3. :) My mom also came, and despite Morgan's constant persuasion, she did NOT get hot pink hair! She tried, it was funny :)
I did get out over the weekend and went to both of Morgan's volleyball games. They won both games, in the first 2 sets! Go Volley Bombers! My friend Luwana came over and cleaned my house on Sunday. That was really what I needed!
On to the cancer front...
Yesterday I started with a doctor's appointment with an Ophthalmologist. I have this spot next to my eye that has been there for over 2 weeks, so I decided to get it checked out since another one sprung up close to it over the weekend. His opinion is they are infected follicles... what? Ok. Another antibiotic prescription later (and a $50 copay), I was out the door.
Last night was my Look Good Feel Better class that is put on by the American Cancer Society. This event is free for all cancer patients (who can bring a friend). The cancer patient receives $150 dollars worth of free make up, the friend gets to look at it all! HAHAHA
They brought in cosmetologists to show us how to apply the makeup. i.e., how to cover up dark circles under your eyes and how to draw on eyebrows for when they fall out. They also showed us all kinds of different ways to wear a scarf. They even showed us a way to make an old t-shirt into a scarf, very interesting!
It was fun! Thank you to Aunt Stacy and my sister Michelle for coming with me! Sorry you can't have my makeup! Bwahahahaha
Tomorrow is my 3rd round of chemo. I am NOT looking forward to it! Since I am comtemplating running away to Mexico after work, I figured it might be time to fill that anxiety prescription. So, therefore, I apologize to everyone I talk to tomorrow, because I hopefully won't have a care in the world!
Until tomorrow my peeps!
Love to all!
Christy
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