And so it Goes.. I still have hair!

Chemo yesterday went smoothly and I was able to snack all day thanks to a wonderful anti-nausea medicine called Zofran. The first thing I was given after the nurse accessed my port was two Tylenol and a Benadryl. A bag of saline hung to flush out my line after each medicine was finished dripping. The first medicine given was Herceptin followed by Perjeta which targets the her2 gene of the tumors. Each bag is dripped individually which takes forever or at least it seems that way as you sit there in that chair. Three bags down I had just two bags to go. As each bag was attached to my line the nurse explained what each medicine was and what side effects to alarm her about. When I finally got to the last bag I was happy. Then I was told that I had to be back in 3 weeks and it would be a 6 hour treatment each time. That is just fine with me because a nice young man made rounds to bring me fresh ice water and graham crackers then a sandwich for lunch. To top that off a physical therapist came by to offer a foot and hand massage. It was like being at a spa except you are hooked to a line that has medicines dripping from an IV pole and when you need to go to the bathroom the pole rolls along with you. No problem!

This morning I woke up and was not nauseous which is a huge plus for me. I felt okay so after my coffee and breakfast I showered and washed my hair. There was no hair in the drain so I felt all was good. I had to return to the infusion center today to receive my shot that enhances my white blood cells. As the day went on we noticed my rosy cheeks. Checking my temperature all was fine but I felt warm to touch. As the day grew long I began to feel tired and my bones began to ache.

Now that dinner is done and the evening is here I am exhausted but other than that all is okay. I was told that tomorrow may be tough for me but as I said from the beginning I will take one day at a time and remain positive. I am a survivor!

Let's get this Party Started

I was scheduled for my first chemotherapy yesterday and I was prepared. I had my quilt, stuffed Boston Terrier, carrots, peanut butter crackers and water in my bag along with my ipad and drawing books to occupy my mind. The treatment was postponed one day due to the long wait in the financial office to ensure I am covered for the treatment. I was disappointed to say the least. Today I am stoked because I will be heading to the infusion center for my first treatment. I am ready to get this party started.

For those that do not know someone that has gone through chemo or experienced it yourself it is a long process. The chemicals that are used to fight the cancer is given through an IV in a slow drip. Most treatments are at least 2 hours. I have been told due to the medicines that will be given to me it may be 5 hours today for my treatment. Since I am Her2 positive they will be using drugs that target that gene in a combination along with another drug that is used to fight other breast cancer. Once the treatment is through I will be confined to my home for 3 days due to a lowered immune system from the treatment. I have a stock pile of soups and fruit for nourishment and a Gunny Sargent to ensure I eat even if I don’t want to. The chemo drugs can destroy your appetite as well as your taste buds. We bought some sherbet so if necessary John can make me a shake. I know that I need to eat to gain back my strength but one of my stubborn issues includes not eating when I feel bad or down.

Regardless of the outcome Iam ready to get this party started,

Clowns and Chemotherapy... What a mixture!

Today I attended a Chemotherapy class at the Infusion Center. There were three of us and our spouses and it made it feel fairly casual and intimate. I was the only female and no one had the same cancer or battle plan. We learned what the program offered and were told what to prepare for during and after treatment. A pharmaceutical representative talked with us alone about the drugs that will be used and why they were chose for our treatment plan. I found this interesting because she highlighted how the drugs that they would be using on me targeted the Her2 cells in my tumor. They will be using 2 targeting drugs and 2 cancer fighting drugs to ensure that I will have success in my battle.

We learned that if our white blood cell count gets down they will not allow us to have a chemo treatment until the count gets back up. Then they told us that there were a troop of clowns that come through there once a week to entertain us. I replied as long as it is not Pennywise the clown I will be okay. The troop of clowns is led by a cancer survivor so I believe that it is a wonderful thing that they are doing.

I am staying positive yet there are times I catch my self-looking off and wondering if there was something that I had done in the past to be punished like this. John told me that way of thinking is a major thinking error and I should switch the channel when those thought enter my head. I am going to start taking my Book of Secrets with me to read during Chemo.

When we are given challenges or battles we don’t need to ask why all we need to do is say that we can beat that challenge and be grateful for the positive end results.

I am grateful that I am a cancer survivor! That will be my mantra from this point on.

I am Woman Hear Me roar!!!!

Alien Eradicator on Board

As individuals we all have our defense mechanisms that are programed into us through genetics and through experiences in life. My defense mechanism is to withdraw within myself. I become quiet and if the situation is extreme enough I will strike out verbally or walk away and remove myself from the situation. I was being tough yesterday as they were preparing to place the power port but I did notice I was not my usual outgoing and happy person. I didn’t think I was nervous but possibly I was. The prep, procedure and time of observation was about 2 ½ hours. I am glad that they placed the port catheter in my chest to help with chemotherapy and prevent multiple IV procedures in the future. My right arm has a wonderful vein that everyone has accessed in the past two months to the point my arm is sore when I bend it. I was talking to one of the lab guys and he told me that squeezing exercises will help develop my veins in my left arm for the future but most of the technicians will access the port but the main lab will still go for the vein.

I sat at home trying to not think about how sore my chest was due to the procedure the day before and I get a call from the medical center (yep I have memorized that number). The chipper young lady said that she was from the infusion center and I was to be there tomorrow for beginner’s class. I laughed and said should my husband come to? (I was not about to let John get out of dealing with this) The young lady was excited and told me how they prefer that you bring someone to help you remember the process and to be a motivator at times that I would need one.  Then she dropped the bomb….

“Mrs. Manuel your first treatment will be Monday at 11am”. Glancing down at my black, red and blue chest covered in bandages that I was told to leave on for two weeks I wondered if she knew that this was my first full day with the contraption that had been crammed into a pocket of skin that had been made hastily by a young doctor named Steve less than 24 hours before. “Don’t worry we will cover everything tomorrow at 2pm” escaped from the phone before I could mention the newly place alien eradicating device in my chest. I assured her that we would be there then said my goodbyes.

After placing the phone down I looked over at John laughed then said so much for getting used to the alien eradicator first chemo is Monday after the appointment with financial. “I had a feeling they would call today” John whispered under his breath. I smiled and said “And so it begins”

And another week begins

I made it through a week of going to the medical center every day for test, scans and doctor appointments and with a new week started I have an appointment for the whole body bone scan tomorrow and then they will insert my medi port on Wednesday. I am hoping that they will give me a couple of days to heal before they schedule my first chemotherapy session.

During the past week I have educated myself on the different types of treatment for the Her2 gene tumor and have learned in the past this was an awful gene to be diagnosed with. In essence the Her2 gene can multiply easier than any other type of tumor if left untreated.

I have also learned that there are all types of resources available for women and men with breast cancer. There are so many organizations available to offer rides, offer counseling and group meetings as well as assist in purchasing wigs and special garments.

I know once this is over and I am back on my feet I am going to make sure that I donate to as many of the organizations that I can and I will volunteer to speak to groups and women individually to help give support to those that are facing the same things that I am facing now.

I am a warrior!