Life's Curve Balls

Many of you know that I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer on May 1st. The formal diagnosis is invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ. The tumor is 3.4 cm and the cancer has spread to my lymph nodes. The prognosis is good and I have a great team of doctors here in The Woodlands all working to make me better.

Our treatment plan includes 6 months of chemo, followed by surgery, then more chemo. Chemo is broken into 2 main sections. I'll get Adriamycin and Cytoxan (AC) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Then I'll get Herceptin and Taxotere (HT) every 3 weeks for another 4 cycles. After surgery sometime in October or November, I'll continue the Herceptin, and possibly add Tamoxifen, to complete 12 months. Radiation hasn't been formally ruled out, but does look unlikely.

I had my first treatment on May 22 and get the next one tomorrow. Chemo is rough! I actually had surgery the day before my 1st treatment to get the port-a-cath which is how the drugs are administered into my body. My chemo only takes a couple of hours, but it sure does hit hard. I felt very light-headed and nauseous 2 hours afterwards. I was also very tired. The next day I went in for fluids and an injection of Neulasta which helps increase by white blood cell count. Despite the 4 different anti-nausea drugs in my system, I was sick from Thursday thru Sunday. I also was very tired and fatigued. That lasted well into the following week.

Our little family unit has been great. Anna and Sydney know what's going on and we can even joke about it. "Cancer" is not a bad word in our house and we have control of it, not the other way around. They are able to talk to me about how sad they are and scared that I'm going to die. We just tell them that we are sad too and that the doctors are doing everything they can to make sure that I live for a long time. Hayden doesn't understand anything, but knows something has changed. He's become much more affectionate with everyone, which has been wonderful!! He still pinches, kicks and pulls hair, but not like he used to.

We have had so much support from friends and family, near and far, as well as our church. Our friends have helped with the girls and travel. Our church has delivered meals and prayed for us. Everyone has been great. I love hearing about all the stories of friends and family that have had breast cancer and are doing great now. Keep those coming!

Over the next several months, I'll keep everyone posted on the updates as we go through this unexpected adventure we are facing. So check back and see our progress as we kick cancer's butt and just live life one day at a time!