I completely forgot to post the results of my genetic testing. There are 2 genes, BRCA-1 and BRCA-2, that are inherited alterations of genes that may increase a woman's chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer. These mutated genes are the only 2 that are known at this time, I believe, yet doctors know there are others.
Though I have no immediate family history of breast cancer, I am young to have it and it is aggressive. My doctors strongly encouraged me to be tested. I didn't think twice about it. It takes about 3 weeks to get the results. On June 10th I went in to get me results and finally had one great medical report to put in my folder. I was negative for both genes! Now, this doesn't mean I am free and clear. I could still have one of the unidentified genes, but I'm not too worried about that.
Had I tested positive, I would have been encouraged to have a double mastectomy as well as remove my ovaries. My doctor doesn't think I need to take such radical steps at this time. I still can choose to do that and I've meet some women who did because they didn't want to risk a recurrence. I haven't decided yet how far I'm going to go with my surgery in the fall. I still need to consult with my surgeons. I do have time before I need to make that decision, though.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Overwlemed...and loved
Yesterday was a rather uneventful day. I took the girls to see the $1 movie our theatre does over the summer for kids. We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was better than I thought it would be. I was still feeling sick and couldn't wait to go home, but I haven't done much with the girls in a week so I stuck it out. Hayden had speech therapy later in the afternoon, but with no nap, he wasn't in the mood to talk much. We then had sign ins at church for the girls' vacation bible camp next week. Pretty usual day, all in all.
Jason surprised me by getting home before us. This is a busy month for him and he usually doesn't leave work before six and he was home at 5:30. I was telling him about the events at church during sign in when I noticed a tower of boxes in the living room that were not there when I left. He said they were from Washington and I knew immediately who sent them (thank you, Striblings!) My sweet cousin, Heather, is one of my major uplifting spirits in life, but more so now than ever. She helped organized our large family who wanted to help us during this rather challenging time in our lives.
All I can say is that Jason and I were, and still are, completely overwhelmed by the care packages that were sent. There was a box for Jason, one for me and one for the kids. The letters, thoughts, treats, and gifts were so much more than generous. They expressed the love we already felt from our widespread family. Knowing that everyone is thinking about us, sharing our story with others and offering prayers and well wishes is so wonderful, how can a person be down? I already had my kids and husband to live for, I also have this huge family to live for. Cancer sucks, but my family rocks! Thank you to everyone! I already new we were blessed, but you all just reaffirmed it. I can't wait to see all of you and thank you in person.
Jason surprised me by getting home before us. This is a busy month for him and he usually doesn't leave work before six and he was home at 5:30. I was telling him about the events at church during sign in when I noticed a tower of boxes in the living room that were not there when I left. He said they were from Washington and I knew immediately who sent them (thank you, Striblings!) My sweet cousin, Heather, is one of my major uplifting spirits in life, but more so now than ever. She helped organized our large family who wanted to help us during this rather challenging time in our lives.
All I can say is that Jason and I were, and still are, completely overwhelmed by the care packages that were sent. There was a box for Jason, one for me and one for the kids. The letters, thoughts, treats, and gifts were so much more than generous. They expressed the love we already felt from our widespread family. Knowing that everyone is thinking about us, sharing our story with others and offering prayers and well wishes is so wonderful, how can a person be down? I already had my kids and husband to live for, I also have this huge family to live for. Cancer sucks, but my family rocks! Thank you to everyone! I already new we were blessed, but you all just reaffirmed it. I can't wait to see all of you and thank you in person.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Chemo #3 is done
Well, this one is over! Overall, I think I felt better than last time, but still sick and tired, literally and figuratively. Usually, I am just tired and sleep on and off for a couple of days. This time, I was able to read, which was nice. I still felt sick through yesterday, and very tired. This morning, I feel better but I don't want to go out and eat a feast then run a marathon. I think I'll be happy if I can get the kids their breakfast and sit down on the couch for a few hours! The worst part today is the metal taste in my mouth. I haven't found anything that is appetizing when I have this. I just need to work through it as it should be gone by the end of the week.
Well, I have one more round on this set. My next chemo days are July 24th and 25th. That will be the end of these yucky side effects, I hope. The next cycle is supposed to be better. The biggest symptom is fatigue. My hair should start to grow back, but some people lose their eyebrows and eyelashes. I'm hoping that doesn't happen to me. The hair on my head was bad enough!
We did get one nice piece of news from my oncologist. I never got the measurement for the enlarged lymph nodes so I didn't know if they shrunk or not. The radiologist report said they shrunk from 4.2 cm to 3.1 cm! Yippee!! Again, this doesn't mean I'll escape surgery, but at least the chemo is working.
Well, I have one more round on this set. My next chemo days are July 24th and 25th. That will be the end of these yucky side effects, I hope. The next cycle is supposed to be better. The biggest symptom is fatigue. My hair should start to grow back, but some people lose their eyebrows and eyelashes. I'm hoping that doesn't happen to me. The hair on my head was bad enough!
We did get one nice piece of news from my oncologist. I never got the measurement for the enlarged lymph nodes so I didn't know if they shrunk or not. The radiologist report said they shrunk from 4.2 cm to 3.1 cm! Yippee!! Again, this doesn't mean I'll escape surgery, but at least the chemo is working.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
It shrunk!
I had my second ultrasound today to see if the tumor is responding to the chemo drugs and it is!! My tumor was 3.4 cm and today it measured 2.8 cm. I was hoping for more, but it's still over 1/2 cm smaller so I'm still happy. The lymph nodes haven't changed much, but I was told that was normal. So, cancer is still there, but it's going away some. I still won't be able to avoid surgery, but at least the drugs are working.
In other good news, Hayden was approved for his cochlear implant last week. We are now waiting to get our surgery date. Our counselor, Jody Haymond, is trying to make sure we can get a date that works around my chemo. She's been great. I'll post more about the procedure at a later time. It's actually very interesting how the whole process works. So, good news all around.
In other good news, Hayden was approved for his cochlear implant last week. We are now waiting to get our surgery date. Our counselor, Jody Haymond, is trying to make sure we can get a date that works around my chemo. She's been great. I'll post more about the procedure at a later time. It's actually very interesting how the whole process works. So, good news all around.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Bald is beautiful!
Okay, I can officially say I survived round 2 of chemo, barely! Dr. Crow, my oncologist, added fluids on the day of chemo as well as the next day which helped me through the weekend. But then on Monday, the nausea hit big time. I was sick all day long. We finally got it under control and, though still fatigued, I am up and starting to do more. I've even started to eat a little.
Well, as many know, chemo can cause one to lose their hair. I am no exception. My hair started to come out 2 weeks after my first treatment. I decided that day to let the girls cut my hair and have Jason shave it down to stubble. So here are some pictures of that wonderful evening.
The second treatment has kicked in the hair loss a bit more. It's more like molting than anything else. I did shave it down a lot more a few days after these pictures were taken. Sydney was the one that didn't like the idea of a "bald mommy", but she's gotten used to it. I thought Hayden would have the hardest time. He used to calm himself when tired or sad by digging his hands in my hair. He will do that sometimes with the wig on, but I don't wear it often. He's used to his bald mommy now. As soon as chemo is done, my hair will start to come back in. Just what it will look like is going to be a mystery!
Well, as many know, chemo can cause one to lose their hair. I am no exception. My hair started to come out 2 weeks after my first treatment. I decided that day to let the girls cut my hair and have Jason shave it down to stubble. So here are some pictures of that wonderful evening.
The second treatment has kicked in the hair loss a bit more. It's more like molting than anything else. I did shave it down a lot more a few days after these pictures were taken. Sydney was the one that didn't like the idea of a "bald mommy", but she's gotten used to it. I thought Hayden would have the hardest time. He used to calm himself when tired or sad by digging his hands in my hair. He will do that sometimes with the wig on, but I don't wear it often. He's used to his bald mommy now. As soon as chemo is done, my hair will start to come back in. Just what it will look like is going to be a mystery!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Chemo #2 is done!
This is going to be short because I already feel it coming on. I wanted to share a couple of pictures from the first treatment. One of my dearest friends, Odessa, came with me and helped distract me for 3 hours! She took these for me. Thanks, O!
The second picture is the Adriamycin. It's reddish-orange. Very weird having that go in. I get about 4-5 different bags of fluids on chemo day. Fluid day is only 2-3 bags. The oncology nurses are great and they really care about their patients. Okay, time to lie down. Actually, I'm going to rest on the couch and watch Shrek the 3rd with the girls. Enjoy the weekend.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
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!
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!
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