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!!!

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

Chemo Cocktail Session two, eviction continues!!

I HAVE been doing a good job of not stressing, sleeping through the night - in general, just being more confident and positively focused, UNTIL last night! I was awake until 3:45am thinking about/worrying about my 2nd chemo appointment. Mostly - fearful that THE tumor was bigger, more problems would be discovered, etc. Just in general worry. Well - most of my worries were unfounded! My tumor has shrunk about 30%+ in size! My oncologist / Dr Barfe LITERALLY did a happy dance and hugged me! She said sometimes the tumor does not start to shrink until way after the 2nd chemo session! And, there was no gtd that it would shrink. We expected it to, but nothing (ever) seems to be a slam dunk! Other news, that DARN herktonew test (I am not spelling this right) was sent out for a 2nd expensive/fancy test to see if I am positive or negative. This 2nd test came back equivical AGAIN! So, now for a third VERY expensive test, which will hopefully have definitive results! This is very important, because it needs to be treated with a YEARS worth of herceptin (a mild type of chemo) for a year if it's positive. This chemo is an "easier" chemo, in regards to some side effects, but it CAN be hard on your heart. So, my heart will be closely monitored through the year. It is SO important, because if it is positive and NOT treated, I will have cancer cells that have a programmed genetic to quickly multiply. Hummmmmm.. I am tempted to take the herceptin UNLESS it is crystal clear that it is negative! I have had the herceptin included in my first two chemo cocktails. Sorry, for all this info - but it has just been perplexing!
Wayne shared by chemo session with me! We played cribbage, and he let me win! My chemo nurse was a DOLL! Loved her! I was home by 4:15pm, and was able to catch Colin Firth on Oprah! What a BIG/hard decision for Best Actor: Colin Firth, Jeremy Renner (my vote!), AND Jeff Bridges (who will probably win)! Wayne and I loved The Single Man! So looking forward to the Oscars! I ended the day with a totally UPLIFTING, wonderful party with R2/freelance production women BEARING way to many FABULOUS gifts! I will blog more about that tomorrow, because I still need to wrap my head around all of the LOVE, cards, gifts (I heard there was QUITE an electronic discussion on the UGGS!) plus tulips and pizza (delivered by a VERY cute, hot pizza boy!!). More to follow tomorrow!