Update on first chemo and weaning

Liz writes:

"I had my first chemo treatment on Tuesday this week.  Emma came with me, and it was so nice to have her for company and support.  We watched Flight of the Conchords videos on my cool new ipod (thanks Sara!), and that made the time pass with a lot less stress.  The treatment was strange, but went smoothly.  After accessing my port, which didn't really hurt at all, I was given two pre-meds (one for nausea, one for bones), and then the two chemo drugs.  The whole thing took three hours.  I got a bit queasy that afternoon, which continued on and off for a few days (the nausea meds really kept it in check), but am generally feeling surprisingly good.  The day after chemo I had to go back in for a shot of Neulasta (to stimulate white blood cell production), and was told I might feel bone pain after, but I didn't.  I seem to be experiencing a few little side effects now that some days have passed...fatigue, shakiness, dry mouth, blurry vision...but nothing major.  I've been told the fatigue will likely worsen with each treatment, but I'm just thankful that I'm not experiencing anything really debilitating at this point.

A huge thank you to all our meal fairies this week...we've been treated to some wonderful dinners!  And also to my home help fairies, who kept me company, made it possible for me to rest and relax, and even get out in the sun for a walk, while Griffin was taken care of and my house was straightened up!


Good news on the weaning front.  After a weekend of trying the Supplemental Nursing System idea, but not really actually doing any weaning, I nursed Griffin one last time on Tuesday morning and then went off to chemo...he had still not been willing to take a bottle, and the SNS only worked if I did not cover up completely with the tagaderm.  All that night Nathan worked with him, and developed some kind of mysterious technique, and by morning Griffin finally was willing to take a bottle from him.  It was so hard for me to hear him crying and not be able to do anything to comfort him...the hardest night of my life.  But the next night was better...and by Thursday morning he was even willing to take the bottle from me!  It is a far cry from nursing, and I will always mourn the loss of our nursing relationship...but it is very dear to me now to sit and rock him and hold the bottle for him...at least I am still able to feed and comfort him in this new way.  He's been getting donated breast milk (thank you milk fairies!) and raw goat milk (thank you mama goats!)...we are working on getting more donations so hopefully the majority will be breast milk.

Love you all,
Liz"

p.s. from Jessica H.:
Liz mentioned that it would be easier for her to do online research if she had a laptop. Perhaps someone has one they are not using or could look for one on Freecycle or Craigslist?

Update: The week before chemo

Here is another update from Liz on a very full week. She has updated her Lotsa Helping Hands website with requests for food and for visits for this coming week.

"This week I had the CT scan and bone scan.  Luckily, both showed that, while the cancer is in the lymph nodes, it has not spread to any other parts of the body.  We are very relieved.  However, nothing is proving simple...the CT scan showed some kind of spot on my pancreas, not related to the cancer, that looks like a cyst but they can't tell for sure.  So now I'm scheduled for another MRI and a consultation with a specialist.

I also got the port put in this week...a minor surgical procedure.  The port will be used to administer the chemo treatments, and any IV's I might need, thus avoiding repeated needle sticks in my arm.  It's weird having this thing under the skin of my chest...but it will really make it easier on my veins.

I had an echo cardiogram while lying on my own couch in the comfort of my home, thanks to Mobile Medical Imaging.  It was so much less expensive than doing it at the hospital, as well.  I haven't received results from that yet.

Weaning is still in progress.  I am trying to make the Supplemental Nursing System (SNS, or as I call it, the boob tubes) work...he can still nurse for comfort while getting donor milk through the tubes.  However, I am still working out how to block my milk from getting to him until it completely dries up.  Today I started taking sage and Sudafed, which work to dry up the milk supply...a sad step that made the whole thing finally seem real.  I had a visit from Pat from the Breastfeeding Center of DC, who had some helpful tips on weaning, ideas to try with the SNS, and a lot of sympathy for what Griffin and I are going through.

My oldest daughter, Emma, came home from college for the weekend, and will be with me for my first chemo on Tuesday.  She will be a big comfort to me.  Thanks to everyone for all the words of encouragement and support...and for the very generous donations."

Special thanks to:
Sara--ipod goddess, weaning coach, and mani/pedi fairy
Lisa L--Pat-scheduling-goddess
Jessica H--website goddess and veggie delivery fairy
My Mom--grandma extraordinaire
All my pumping goddesses--Grainne, Katie, Abbie, Theresa, Anya, Amy, and others...
All the ladies who came to help with Griffin this week--Sara, Maya, Arlene

An Update from Liz

This Thursday was my appointment with the oncologist.  She let me know that the cancer is in the lymph nodes, and that therefore I need some more tests to make sure it hasn't spread around to other places.  Next week I'm scheduled for a cat scan and a bone scan, and some blood work.  She also heard a faint heart murmur, so I'm getting an echo cardiogram as well (chemo can damage the heart).  Also I will be having a port put in...that's a little plastic thing which is placed under the skin on the chest, and inserted into a major vessel. Each chemo treatment will be administered through the port instead of through an IV in the arm, which will be a lot easier on my veins.  Next week is also my chemo class...I will learn all I ever wanted to know about chemo and more.  My first chemo will be Tuesday, February 22nd; there will be 8 treatments, given every other week.  Then I'll have a month off, then surgery (a mastectomy), another month off, then daily radiation for 6-8 weeks.  And I'll be on tamoxifen for 5 to 10 years.

I also saw Dr. Hai Jin Kim, of Health Builders in Annandale, this week.  She generously donated the visit to me, during which she tested me for different foods and substances that cause me weakness or inflammation, and recommended some supplements and dietary changes that will strengthen me during this process. Thank you Dr. Kim!

I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has so generously donated money to us.  We are overwhelmed with gratitude.  So far, we have spent a little on some breast cancer books, including a few to read to the kids; a little on a Supplemental Nursing System that I hope will enable Griffin to still be able to "nurse" at my breast while getting donor milk or formula; and a little on the supplements recommended by Dr. Kim.  We are going to have to pay out of pocket for the echo cardiogram (they are separate from the hospital and so are not going to be able to put the bill on hold with the rest), so more of your generous donations will go towards that.

I haven't managed to wean Griffin yet, but now I have a specific deadline, so I'll have to get serious about it this week.  So far he has not been willing to take any type of milk from any type of bottle or cup that we've tried.  It's going to be a difficult week for both of us.

Our lovely cat is still available for adoption!

Adopt Liz's cat!

Liz asks:
"Can someone help us out by adopting our cat?  We have a beautiful, sweet, loving, healthy, long-haired,13-year-old cat named Muzzy, who loves getting lots of attention and lap-time.  Unfortunately, she was already getting a bit neglected since baby Griffin was born, and now that I've got this cancer thing in my life I am finding it even harder to take care of her.  A family without a lot of other pets or babies, who could give her lots of cuddle time, would be cat heaven for her.  She comes with a Cat Genie (automatic litter box)."

Thanks for your consideration and help in finding Muzzy a new, loving home.

Update on a quieter week

Here is Liz's report from this week:

"No doctor appointments this week...and my doctor did not hear back from the pathologist yet about whether it's in the lymph nodes or not...so still in the dark as to what stage this is.
I will have my oncologist appointment next Thursday. We applied for financial aid at the hospital this week...hopefully we will get accepted, but meanwhile they are putting all our bills on hold.  We are very grateful for that, and for the Center for Breast Health at Virginia Hospital Center, which has been discounting their services for us."

Special thanks from Liz

Liz says:
"A big thanks to everyone for their support and resources.  An extra-special thanks to:
Sara, financial goddess
Marilee, healing crystal goddess
Jessica C, juicer goddess
Tammi, healing mantra goddess
Adele, playdate/sleep-over goddess
Jessica H., website goddess
Lisa L, cheesy-potato goddess
Nicole, super Ninja blender goddess
Nickie, Trader Joe and Whole Food delivery goddess
Lisa A, Chinese porridge goddess"