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