V DAY!!!! Yipee, surgery is over! Plus there is MORE awesome news. I got all my pathology back yesterday - and it was CLEAN!! We asked my oncologist if we could have hoped for any better news - and she said no - this is as good as it gets!!
I cannot even attempt to explain or put words to how I feel. I still almost feel like I am in a dream state, and will wake up and still be waiting for surgery and the "news". But, I keep pinching myself - and this is ALL TRUE!!
My results are back from my bone density - and my bones are STRONG! I will be on a post surgery pill regime for five years. One side affect - it can weaken your bones, so we have a plan for that. Which includes me working out with weights!!
All went well with my 1st steps with reconstruction. I have "expanders" in place with a slight "pump up". I still look pretty much like a teenage boy, but with a tiny bit of shape.
My PUMP is out!! For some silly reason, my pump bothered me from the start - and now it's out!
I came home with a pain pump (attached to me?!!!) about the size of a croquet ball. It "ran out" today as planned, and Dr. Wayne removed the tubes and pump. Now, I "just" have two drainage tubes. These do cause me some angst - but they will be out soon enough - and I am NOT complaining about anything.
I had 4 lymph nodes taken out and (again) the pathology on these came back CLEAN!!
I was blessed with a DREAM TEAM! Lead by Dr. Johnson. Each and every person was BEYOND professional AND nice. My ONE NIGHT stay at Good Sam was wonderful. Wow - I have total respect for the nurses. They work hard, and have SO much empathy!
I think I maybe cried three times over the past five months, but for some reason, today has been Niagra Falls for me. I think it's just relief. I cried at the ending of all the silly tv movies I watched all day (Tin Cup, for example!!), and just hug Wayne and cry!!! All happy tears!
THANK YOU to each one of you. You have given me such emotional support and love - and I KNOW this has got me through this. I still have about four months to go, but I am on the downside now. Will try to keep my blog updated, but just wanted to get this GREAT news out to each of you!
LOVE YOU, xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
3 days before surgery - but who is counting??
We are back from Honolulu! Just what the doctor ordered. 85 degrees, the Pacific ocean was as warm as a bath, the trade winds were blowing JUST enough to feel like we were being kissed by a warm breeze! As Tina Fey would say, "I want to go (back) to there"!! Truly, I thought if we sold EVERYTHING, we may be able to afford a little grass shack somewhere close to a beach?! The Royal Hawaiian was a dream! The pink palace. It's truly an oasis. It seems like you have been transported back in time to about 1950 something. We stayed in the historic section. It's been completely restored, but the only drawback, the bathrooms are the size of a postage stamp! Truly, cruise ships have larger bathrooms than this hotel! A small price to pay!
I came back to a "flurry" of more doctor appointments. Bone density, plastic surgeon, my surgeon, and final decisions to make. I will show up at Good Sam at 9:00am on Tuesday. Of course, a lot of hurry up and wait. The first thing - please give me as much valium as possible. The second thing, I go and have my breast injected twice with a substance/dye before surgery so they can find/track my lympth nodes. Yikes, this sounds like the most worrisome thing. I had (in error) thought they did this once I was "out" under. Then back to the pre-op room, for blood work, ekg, etc. Surgery will start around 1:00pm. I should be out of surgery by 4:00pm.
I will probably be in the hospital two nights. Several people have asked if they could come visit me in the hospital. I think I will be pretty groggy, filled with pain pills, etc. So - I might suggest, I would SO enjoy appreciate phone calls to my cell phone (503.329.1939) with good wishes, text messages and emails! I will take my computer (of course)! And most of all - the power of love, and positive thinking. Please send all of your good vibes and prayers especially on Tuesday and Wednesday. My good friend Nancy who has gone down this road ahead of me, said it was almost a surreal moment for her, that she could literally feel the love/support and being lifted up by her friends and family on her surgery date, and that it continued until she was safely at home! Who could ever want more than that?!!
So right now, I feel more anxious to get this behind me than anything. Yes, I do feel some angst/fear - but not too much. As always, the big worry, is what the final pathology will tell us. Of course, I hope for the best and am thinking positive thoughts. I will be disappointed, but NOT crushed if I do need further treatment after surgery. If I need radiation - I will just be thankful that is available as one more tool to keep me a survivor!
THANK YOU to each one of you for your ongoing care, love and support! I will update my blog as soon as I can, probably on Thursday!
Hugs and love, xoxoxoxoxoxo
I came back to a "flurry" of more doctor appointments. Bone density, plastic surgeon, my surgeon, and final decisions to make. I will show up at Good Sam at 9:00am on Tuesday. Of course, a lot of hurry up and wait. The first thing - please give me as much valium as possible. The second thing, I go and have my breast injected twice with a substance/dye before surgery so they can find/track my lympth nodes. Yikes, this sounds like the most worrisome thing. I had (in error) thought they did this once I was "out" under. Then back to the pre-op room, for blood work, ekg, etc. Surgery will start around 1:00pm. I should be out of surgery by 4:00pm.
I will probably be in the hospital two nights. Several people have asked if they could come visit me in the hospital. I think I will be pretty groggy, filled with pain pills, etc. So - I might suggest, I would SO enjoy appreciate phone calls to my cell phone (503.329.1939) with good wishes, text messages and emails! I will take my computer (of course)! And most of all - the power of love, and positive thinking. Please send all of your good vibes and prayers especially on Tuesday and Wednesday. My good friend Nancy who has gone down this road ahead of me, said it was almost a surreal moment for her, that she could literally feel the love/support and being lifted up by her friends and family on her surgery date, and that it continued until she was safely at home! Who could ever want more than that?!!
So right now, I feel more anxious to get this behind me than anything. Yes, I do feel some angst/fear - but not too much. As always, the big worry, is what the final pathology will tell us. Of course, I hope for the best and am thinking positive thoughts. I will be disappointed, but NOT crushed if I do need further treatment after surgery. If I need radiation - I will just be thankful that is available as one more tool to keep me a survivor!
THANK YOU to each one of you for your ongoing care, love and support! I will update my blog as soon as I can, probably on Thursday!
Hugs and love, xoxoxoxoxoxo
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Last Chemo before surgery!
May 24th - my LAST chemo before surgery! What a wonderful feeling to have that behind me!! Looking back, time seemed to both go fast AND drag by. Each session was getting harder, because the effects were cumulative. But, YEAH - no more chemo!!
My bilateral surgery is scheduled for June 22nd. I really feel like I am in a time warp, sometimes that seems so far away, then I wake up in the middle of the night with angst that it is sooooo close. I have very mixed feelings - so want to get it over with, but certainly a little more than scared!!
The other news, that I am still "digesting" and almost mourning - Dr. Barfe, my oncologist is moving to Denver. I am SO sad about this. She has become a very special person to me both as my oncologist, coach, and friend. I will spend the next five years with my oncologist, and they are in my opinion the most important person on my team. I am confident I will find a new oncologist that will be perfect - but I do miss that after being in the trenches with Dr. Barfe for the past six months, that I will LOSE her. Then I think, if this is the worst thing that happens, that it will be ok!!!
The GREAT news, Wayne and I are leaving tomorrow for a quick, impromptu trip to Honolulu! We got married at the Royal Hawaiian (a beautiful historic hotel that sits in the middle of Waikiki) 21 years ago. We will stay there and swim in the ocean, drink Mai Tai's and lay in the SUN!!!!
Aloha and Mahalo to all of you! Much love and will update my blog after my surgery.
My bilateral surgery is scheduled for June 22nd. I really feel like I am in a time warp, sometimes that seems so far away, then I wake up in the middle of the night with angst that it is sooooo close. I have very mixed feelings - so want to get it over with, but certainly a little more than scared!!
The other news, that I am still "digesting" and almost mourning - Dr. Barfe, my oncologist is moving to Denver. I am SO sad about this. She has become a very special person to me both as my oncologist, coach, and friend. I will spend the next five years with my oncologist, and they are in my opinion the most important person on my team. I am confident I will find a new oncologist that will be perfect - but I do miss that after being in the trenches with Dr. Barfe for the past six months, that I will LOSE her. Then I think, if this is the worst thing that happens, that it will be ok!!!
The GREAT news, Wayne and I are leaving tomorrow for a quick, impromptu trip to Honolulu! We got married at the Royal Hawaiian (a beautiful historic hotel that sits in the middle of Waikiki) 21 years ago. We will stay there and swim in the ocean, drink Mai Tai's and lay in the SUN!!!!
Aloha and Mahalo to all of you! Much love and will update my blog after my surgery.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Log Date: May 13th
Wow! I am really the world's worst blogger! I think I took my time updating this, because I had so much to think about...
I had my 2nd opinion with the UW/Fred Hutchinson oncologist - about two weeks ago. I LOVE this new DOC and feel 1000% complete confidence in her (as I do with my Portland oncologist). She has a specific background with Her2Nu, and is actively involved in ongoing research in this area. She was totally confident that my tests have MORE than proved that I am Herc2NU negative. This is a relief. It means that I will NOT need to take the herceptin for one year. I have already discontinued it with my chemo treatments, but we were going to start it back up after my surgery, if we determined I was positive. This new oncologist will be available as a resource/back-up to my Portland team. It can never hurt to have another expert on the team!
So, I had set a goal to make a final decision regarding my operation after this appointment. My tumor has shrunk to the point, that I now have other options. I pretty much have LOTS of time to think about my options, and I have decided to stay the course with my original thought of having the bilateral mastectomy. It just feels like the right decision FOR ME. My surgery is scheduled for ...... June 22nd. It just seems SO real to write this date down. Yikes!
My LAST chemo treatment is scheduled for Monday, May 24th! WOW! In some ways the time has flown by, and in other ways, it has not. It seems like the whole new year of 2010 has pretty much been absorbed by my FIGHT against this cancer! I also realize this is just the first part of the journey. First chemo, then surgery. After surgery, a reassesment of treatment depending on the outcome of the labs. Next steps could include radiation, and then "reconstruction" (what a word!). Ongoing for 5 to 7 years, I will be on a prescription pill(s) for hormonal replacement, because of the type of cancer I have. Finally, THE most important part of the whole journey - to the ONGOING FIGHT to stay healthy and do all in my power to keep the cancer from returning in some other part of my body! That will be the BIGGEST mental part of this whole journey. Up to this point, there are actual THINGS to do (chemo, drugs, surgery). But once that is all over, it is somewhat like Las Vegas. Betting/praying on the odds for a LONG and healthy life!
Wayne and I are up in Washington at our cabin on Hood Canal! It is SO beautiful! I am trying very hard to walk daily! My chemo cocktail dose has been bumped up a bit, and is a little stronger. It does take about 10 days after my treatment before I start to feel more "normal". The first ten days pretty much finds me going for a walk, and then sleeping! Zoe and Circe have become glued to me through this! They are pretty much ready for a nap anytime. Wayne is my WHITE KNIGHT! I do not know what I would do without him. More than my DOCS, I feel he has the strength/belief to single handed pull me through this. I always try to meet him 1/2 way - but there are days I still want to just pull the covers over my head, and when I peak out - he is there for me.
THANK YOU to my friends and family for your ONGOING support and holding me up through this. I am still humbled by the outpouring of love, support and prayers. I LOVE your emails, calls, and joining me for walks, coffee - keeping me up with what is going on in your life and the "world" outside of my life! Hope you are all enjoying SPRING! I will work on planting my sweetpeas and sunflowers today! Hugs and LOVE to all of you!
I had my 2nd opinion with the UW/Fred Hutchinson oncologist - about two weeks ago. I LOVE this new DOC and feel 1000% complete confidence in her (as I do with my Portland oncologist). She has a specific background with Her2Nu, and is actively involved in ongoing research in this area. She was totally confident that my tests have MORE than proved that I am Herc2NU negative. This is a relief. It means that I will NOT need to take the herceptin for one year. I have already discontinued it with my chemo treatments, but we were going to start it back up after my surgery, if we determined I was positive. This new oncologist will be available as a resource/back-up to my Portland team. It can never hurt to have another expert on the team!
So, I had set a goal to make a final decision regarding my operation after this appointment. My tumor has shrunk to the point, that I now have other options. I pretty much have LOTS of time to think about my options, and I have decided to stay the course with my original thought of having the bilateral mastectomy. It just feels like the right decision FOR ME. My surgery is scheduled for ...... June 22nd. It just seems SO real to write this date down. Yikes!
My LAST chemo treatment is scheduled for Monday, May 24th! WOW! In some ways the time has flown by, and in other ways, it has not. It seems like the whole new year of 2010 has pretty much been absorbed by my FIGHT against this cancer! I also realize this is just the first part of the journey. First chemo, then surgery. After surgery, a reassesment of treatment depending on the outcome of the labs. Next steps could include radiation, and then "reconstruction" (what a word!). Ongoing for 5 to 7 years, I will be on a prescription pill(s) for hormonal replacement, because of the type of cancer I have. Finally, THE most important part of the whole journey - to the ONGOING FIGHT to stay healthy and do all in my power to keep the cancer from returning in some other part of my body! That will be the BIGGEST mental part of this whole journey. Up to this point, there are actual THINGS to do (chemo, drugs, surgery). But once that is all over, it is somewhat like Las Vegas. Betting/praying on the odds for a LONG and healthy life!
Wayne and I are up in Washington at our cabin on Hood Canal! It is SO beautiful! I am trying very hard to walk daily! My chemo cocktail dose has been bumped up a bit, and is a little stronger. It does take about 10 days after my treatment before I start to feel more "normal". The first ten days pretty much finds me going for a walk, and then sleeping! Zoe and Circe have become glued to me through this! They are pretty much ready for a nap anytime. Wayne is my WHITE KNIGHT! I do not know what I would do without him. More than my DOCS, I feel he has the strength/belief to single handed pull me through this. I always try to meet him 1/2 way - but there are days I still want to just pull the covers over my head, and when I peak out - he is there for me.
THANK YOU to my friends and family for your ONGOING support and holding me up through this. I am still humbled by the outpouring of love, support and prayers. I LOVE your emails, calls, and joining me for walks, coffee - keeping me up with what is going on in your life and the "world" outside of my life! Hope you are all enjoying SPRING! I will work on planting my sweetpeas and sunflowers today! Hugs and LOVE to all of you!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Decisions, 4 down, 2 to go!
Ok, I am about to be FIRED from being a blogger .... Not sure where the time goes, I realize I am sleeping through the first half of 2010! Well, I have lots of news/updates and most of it is good! I had my 4th chemo "cocktail" on Monday (April 12th) and my first follow-up appt with my surgeon (the AMAZING Dr. Johnson) on Tuesday. We have discontinued the herceptin, until I get a 2nd opinion, which is scheduled for the end of this month at UofW/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Care. My 2nd opinion is with an oncologist who has expertise with herceptin.
Dr. Johnson shared with me, that my tumor has shrunk to the point, that we can consider doing a lumpectonomy. If I do the lumpectonomy, I will need to follow-up with 6 weeks of DAILY radiation. Plus, I will need to be comfortable living with the odds that I have a 10 to 15% greater chance of the cancer returning. If I stay the course with the bilateral, the odds of the cancer returning are less than 1%. I can consider a masectonomy, but again, need to be prepared to live with the %/odds that each year I will have a greater and greater chance of cancer returning. My first reaction is to stay the course with the bilateral. I have decided to let this all wash over me a bit, and make a decision after I get the 2nd opinion regarding the herceptin. The one bit of new news, that I did not realize, at the time of surgery, they will test the sentinental nodes for cancer. NONE of my (many) scans have showed any cancer cells under my arms, but we cannot be sure until they are literally tested during surgery. If the test is positive, I will need to do 6 weeks of daily radiation. I SO hope they will not test positive, but this information is good to know, so I can be mentally and physically prepared if this is the case. For some reason, radiation scares me more than anything. But, my Doctor said it is actually the easiest part of the equation. I am also going to look into the possibility of having the radiation (if needed) up near our summer cabin/Hood Canal.
The other new thing, I learned - my chemo cocktail includes some steroids! That MAY help explain WHY I am GAINING weight during chemo! Yikes! I am determined to reverse the trend/scales in the next six weeks!
For some reason, this was all good news, but I came out of this session with a bit of a case of the "mean reds" (that is a quote from Audrey Hepburn/Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's". I just always know I am in for two weeks of feeling "underwater", and then have the GREAT week of feeling normal, knowing I'm headed back... I'm not sure why I refer to my chemo feeling as feeling underwater - because I LOVE to scuba dive, and LOVE being underwater! The feeling is just over-all of feeling verrrrrrry slow, and sometimes that feeling of seasickness, when you come back to the surface. I also usually get these weird headaches after scuba diving. So - that is why I call my chemo feeling as being underwater!
I do spend each part of the day thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for - and there are MANY! Always at the top of the list, my FAMILY and FRIENDS! I was just reading about a Harvard survey regarding cancer free patients. There was a significant statistical correlation between the number of good friends you have and your chances of beating cancer and staying cancer free. Thanks to ALL OF YOU, that has greatly increased my odds!! I read this in Oprah's magazine, and I of course believe everything Oprah says!
My Mom's in Maui, Wayne's heading to Sun River to ski/golf. My great friend Robin is on her way over, and we are going to hang out and have a slumber party! Angie is stopping by tomorrow!
LOVE everyone! Please email and let me know what you are up to!
Dr. Johnson shared with me, that my tumor has shrunk to the point, that we can consider doing a lumpectonomy. If I do the lumpectonomy, I will need to follow-up with 6 weeks of DAILY radiation. Plus, I will need to be comfortable living with the odds that I have a 10 to 15% greater chance of the cancer returning. If I stay the course with the bilateral, the odds of the cancer returning are less than 1%. I can consider a masectonomy, but again, need to be prepared to live with the %/odds that each year I will have a greater and greater chance of cancer returning. My first reaction is to stay the course with the bilateral. I have decided to let this all wash over me a bit, and make a decision after I get the 2nd opinion regarding the herceptin. The one bit of new news, that I did not realize, at the time of surgery, they will test the sentinental nodes for cancer. NONE of my (many) scans have showed any cancer cells under my arms, but we cannot be sure until they are literally tested during surgery. If the test is positive, I will need to do 6 weeks of daily radiation. I SO hope they will not test positive, but this information is good to know, so I can be mentally and physically prepared if this is the case. For some reason, radiation scares me more than anything. But, my Doctor said it is actually the easiest part of the equation. I am also going to look into the possibility of having the radiation (if needed) up near our summer cabin/Hood Canal.
The other new thing, I learned - my chemo cocktail includes some steroids! That MAY help explain WHY I am GAINING weight during chemo! Yikes! I am determined to reverse the trend/scales in the next six weeks!
For some reason, this was all good news, but I came out of this session with a bit of a case of the "mean reds" (that is a quote from Audrey Hepburn/Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's". I just always know I am in for two weeks of feeling "underwater", and then have the GREAT week of feeling normal, knowing I'm headed back... I'm not sure why I refer to my chemo feeling as feeling underwater - because I LOVE to scuba dive, and LOVE being underwater! The feeling is just over-all of feeling verrrrrrry slow, and sometimes that feeling of seasickness, when you come back to the surface. I also usually get these weird headaches after scuba diving. So - that is why I call my chemo feeling as being underwater!
I do spend each part of the day thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for - and there are MANY! Always at the top of the list, my FAMILY and FRIENDS! I was just reading about a Harvard survey regarding cancer free patients. There was a significant statistical correlation between the number of good friends you have and your chances of beating cancer and staying cancer free. Thanks to ALL OF YOU, that has greatly increased my odds!! I read this in Oprah's magazine, and I of course believe everything Oprah says!
My Mom's in Maui, Wayne's heading to Sun River to ski/golf. My great friend Robin is on her way over, and we are going to hang out and have a slumber party! Angie is stopping by tomorrow!
LOVE everyone! Please email and let me know what you are up to!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
1/2 way through my chemo sessions!
Yeah! Over-all GREAT news to report. My tumor has shrunk to practically NOTHING! My Doctor, literally got little tears in her eyes! This is excellent news after TWO sessions! I of course have figured out that there are no guarantees, and it was the HOPE the tumor would shrink, but not everyone reacts to the chemo in accomplishing this. If it would NOT have shrunk, they would have rushed me into surgery. But now it appears that I will finish my next three sessions, and then go in for surgery. And, other news, the LONG awaited Herc2news THIRD test came back NEGATIVE. It still has a high value, but it is NO longer equivical. So, as of today, we discontinued the herceptin chemo, which is great news, because I would have been taking that for one year. We are going to get a 2nd opinion to review this last 3rd test. I am just a bit leary/apprehensive, mainly because I always felt it better to be safe than sorry. I think I just need time to digest this. The bad thing today, when they "punched" into my port - I literally just about fainted. Yikes! Some people's body reacts very well to the port, but mine has just remained very sensitive. Hope it heals up in the next three weeks!!! Also, my chemo regimen has changed up because of no longer having the herceptin. I am now on a stronger chemo, and may have more naseau. I will just have to play that one Beck song, that I like about naseau, and remind myself that I am a lucky/strong/warrior/survivor!!! Ms Pacman really has done her job! Pat - I love the pacmen you sent me! They are on the cover of my pink book!!
Wayne of course, was with me for the appointment and chemo session. I think he had tears in his eyes as well! My Mom called me this morning from Palm Desert. She had been up since dawn praying for me. My Mom REALLY does seem to have a connection to her God and angels, in regards to STRONG prayers. Please let me know if you ever need her to pray for you! She was the first person we called with this great news, and she was SOOO happy! She will celebrate her 80th birthday on March 29th. And she is a breast cancer survivor!
We are going to dinner at Terry/James tonight, with Sharon Brown and Terry in the kitchen! Yummm!
Thank you everyone for your calls and emails yesterday and today! It means to much to me - and so many of you are lighting your candle for me! I love you all!!!
Wayne of course, was with me for the appointment and chemo session. I think he had tears in his eyes as well! My Mom called me this morning from Palm Desert. She had been up since dawn praying for me. My Mom REALLY does seem to have a connection to her God and angels, in regards to STRONG prayers. Please let me know if you ever need her to pray for you! She was the first person we called with this great news, and she was SOOO happy! She will celebrate her 80th birthday on March 29th. And she is a breast cancer survivor!
We are going to dinner at Terry/James tonight, with Sharon Brown and Terry in the kitchen! Yummm!
Thank you everyone for your calls and emails yesterday and today! It means to much to me - and so many of you are lighting your candle for me! I love you all!!!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Happy (full) first day of Spring!
I am sorry to have been such a deadbeat keeping my blog up to date! I can't believe how quickly these three weeks have gone by. And today is the FIRST full day of spring! The good news, I have made it through my 2nd session of chemo. As anticipated, the effects are cumulative, and the overall result - I have just been a LOT more tired. Some days - I have slept for literally 18 hours! I'm not sure if this is good for me or not - but I think sleep is good for your body to repair?! I have been going for walks, at least 4 a week. I would LOVE to say I have started jogging again, but I have not. My port area is still fairly tender. But, I have made this BIG discovery - if I sleep on my back, it hurts a LOT less?! Or it's all in my head, but it has been feeling better!
And, I am finally totally bald!! Thank goodness for all the cute hats my friends/family have showered upon me! Plus, I have two wigs. One "off the shelf" and one that is somewhat custom made. The off the shelf one ( I call it my Tina Turner hair), works for me - the other one still needs some work. I actually went out to a very nice evening, black tie affair last Saturday night to honor our good friends the Solimano's (for their good work supporting Seattle Plymouth Housing). I wore a little black dress, and my Tina Turner "do". Over-all good results, but by the end of the evening, I was in fear that my hair was going to "SPRING" off my head (it didn't). Plus the other exciting event, I volunteer for Make-A-Wish, and my current wish boy has been waiting for almost two years for his wish "to go" to the national Monster Truck Rally in Las Vegas! My wish partner, Kasia and I organized and went to his going away wish party and it was a big success and a LOT of fun!
We have been up at our beach cabin on Hood Canal. It is SO restful/relaxing/peaceful here. I have family close by (my brother, his wife and 2 boys) and my Mom (who is in Palm Desert). We got to spend time with Mike + family which was very nice!
So, my 3rd chemo appointment is this Tuesday. I seem to always have mixed emotions - anxious to hear results, excited to keep the whole thing moving along (I hope to be 1/2 way done with the chemo after this session), but of course - I am now just starting to feel "normal", and know that I will be back in for two weeks of feeling under the spell of chemo. I am really not complaining, and actually know how lucky we are in this day and age to have this wonder drug available!!!
In closing, just want to sincerely thank everyone for their ONGOING, continued, non-stop positive love, support and prayers! It means the world to me! I have a special pink notebook that is FULL of the most beautiful cards, notes and emails - that I read through ALL the time! I am truly blessed to have so many LOVING friends and family. It means more to me than I will ever be able to express!
xoxoxoxo
And, I am finally totally bald!! Thank goodness for all the cute hats my friends/family have showered upon me! Plus, I have two wigs. One "off the shelf" and one that is somewhat custom made. The off the shelf one ( I call it my Tina Turner hair), works for me - the other one still needs some work. I actually went out to a very nice evening, black tie affair last Saturday night to honor our good friends the Solimano's (for their good work supporting Seattle Plymouth Housing). I wore a little black dress, and my Tina Turner "do". Over-all good results, but by the end of the evening, I was in fear that my hair was going to "SPRING" off my head (it didn't). Plus the other exciting event, I volunteer for Make-A-Wish, and my current wish boy has been waiting for almost two years for his wish "to go" to the national Monster Truck Rally in Las Vegas! My wish partner, Kasia and I organized and went to his going away wish party and it was a big success and a LOT of fun!
We have been up at our beach cabin on Hood Canal. It is SO restful/relaxing/peaceful here. I have family close by (my brother, his wife and 2 boys) and my Mom (who is in Palm Desert). We got to spend time with Mike + family which was very nice!
So, my 3rd chemo appointment is this Tuesday. I seem to always have mixed emotions - anxious to hear results, excited to keep the whole thing moving along (I hope to be 1/2 way done with the chemo after this session), but of course - I am now just starting to feel "normal", and know that I will be back in for two weeks of feeling under the spell of chemo. I am really not complaining, and actually know how lucky we are in this day and age to have this wonder drug available!!!
In closing, just want to sincerely thank everyone for their ONGOING, continued, non-stop positive love, support and prayers! It means the world to me! I have a special pink notebook that is FULL of the most beautiful cards, notes and emails - that I read through ALL the time! I am truly blessed to have so many LOVING friends and family. It means more to me than I will ever be able to express!
xoxoxoxo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
