Sunday, May 22, 2011

Update Chemo #7

Liz writes:

This week started out with a visit to my surgeon, Dr. G.  She did a sonogram of the tumors, to see how they are reacting to the taxol...and there has been significant shrinkage!  The larger one went from 3.5 cm originally, to 2.5 cm after the AC, to now 1.5 cm after two taxols!  The smaller one has also shrunk, but not as much.  Please help me visualize total, or near total, shrinkage by the time chemo is done...

Wednesday was chemo #7!  I can't believe there is only one more left...it seems like I've been doing this forever, and yet hard to believe I've done it 7 times already.  I actually can't wait for the last one, so it will be over with at last.  This week my Dad came with me for the first half of the session...then he had to get back to work, so Tammi, my wonderful midwife, took over for the second half.  Bet she never thought she'd be midwifing me through a chemo treatment!  Again, it was so comforting to have people I love there with me for company.

A few new little side effects this week...my finger nails are turning yellow and bumpy, and I had a weird prickling feeling right after the treatment, as if my skin was getting poked by needles (that went away by the next day, luckily).  Aside from that, it's just the usual fatigue and bone/joint pain.  The fatigue is bad, like just standing still is exhausting...but nothing I can't handle for one more treatment (did I mention I have just one more chemo left?).

Thanks so much to Kara and Sara for the wonderful dinners this week!  And also to Sara for hanging out with me all day on Thursday, bringing me breakfast, making me lunch, organizing my new art supply cabinet, and generally being just a wonderful friend.

And a huge congratulations to Kim, who has just been declared cancer-free!  I am so happy for her, and can't wait until I hear those words as well.

Love you all,
Liz

Monday, May 16, 2011

Update

Liz writes:

"Well, I thought this would be an uneventful week, with nothing much to report...no chemo, no medical appointments.  But unfortunately, it's been a week of illnesses.  I got a fever again on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, which is always worrisome.  It eventually got pretty high, so I had to call in...but luckily Dr. D (my oncologist) didn't want to send me to the hospital again, so she prescribed some antibiotics to try to kick whatever infection it was (I had lots of symptoms to choose from, from the darned cough that came back with a vengeance, to a head cold, to a possible bladder infection).  Then the next day I had to go in and get lab work done...thankfully, I was not neutropenic, my white cells were actually really high.  The antibiotics have kicked the fever and most of the other symptoms...but I am still coughing up a storm, it is one of the worst coughs I've had (and I've had a lot of coughs).  Poor Griffin got the head cold as well, on top of his left-over cough (which is actually getting a lot better) and probable teething pain, so he's had more restless fussy nights this week.  India had a tummy bug as well this week...but luckily it was short-lived, and didn't pass on to anyone else.

But enough about sick stuff...some good stuff happened this week too.  Emma came home for the summer, after finishing up a successful junior year at VCU.  It's been nice having her around this week...but tomorrow she is jetting off on a trip to Senegal, with her boyfriend Victor, to visit his family there.  It's very exciting for her...but I am a bit nervous about her traveling so far.  When she gets back she'll be working hard at a creative arts summer camp and as a part-time nanny.

I also started out the week with a very nice visit with Kim, my friend from breast cancer support group, and her son Ben.  I can't tell you how helpful it is to talk with someone who is going through the same things.  She had her mastectomy this Friday...it went well, and she is in pain but recovering well so far.  She has been in my thoughts almost constantly these past few days...I think I might have been almost as nervous as she was Friday morning.

A huge thanks to Sara for watching Griffin while I went to the doctor.  Catch you next time after chemo 7!
Love you all,
Liz"

Monday, May 9, 2011

Chemo #6

Liz writes:

"This week was chemo #6...just two more to go!  This second dose of taxol went much like the first one...except this time, since I had such a strong reaction to the IV benadryl last time, they gave me an oral dose that was much less strong.  The side-effects have been basically the same...day two, lots of energy from the steroid; day three through five, joint and bone pain and fatigue.  This time I've also had some digestive upsets, which I was told wouldn't happen, but I apparently am prone to that.  And, the hot flashes have started...luckily, I have a built-in way to cool off a bit, I just whip off my hat...of course, that only works at home, as I haven't been brave enough to go bald in public.  All in all, I much prefer taxol to the AC, and am actually looking forward to the next two treatments (rather than dreading them) so I can get this chemo thing over with.

This week I had an appointment with Dr. Steven Davison, a plastic surgeon, to discuss reconstruction options.  I have to say, it was refreshing to meet a doctor who dresses in pin-striped suits, rather than medical garb (my friend said he wore a pin-striped suit when she met with him too)!  He has a nice manner, comes highly recommended, and is very experienced.  He said I am a good candidate for the DIEP flap procedure, which is what I wanted (this procedure takes tissue from your tummy to form new breasts, instead of using implants...so you get a tummy tuck in the process).  He will also fix the abdominal separation I've had since my third birth, which I am quite looking forward to.  I am still very nervous about the surgeries and the recovery periods, but am now trying to keep the image of myself with a flat tummy and nice breasts in mind...it will be a long, difficult time, but the end result will hopefully be satisfying.

I had some of my hardest moments one night this week...Griffin had a fever, and was crying inconsolably for some time...I just wanted to nurse him so badly.  I think it will most likely be another two or three years (when he would have probably self-weaned) before I stop having periodic weaning-related meltdowns.  I am continuously thankful for the donor breast milk we have received (we got several generous donations recently, thanks Jenna and Laura!), and am glad Griffin is generally doing so well with everything...but it's still so difficult.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.
Love you all,
Liz"

Sunday, May 1, 2011

May 1 update

Liz writes:

"This week has been a pretty good 'off' week, compared to the last one.  I started out the week feeling very fatigued...and learned at my oncologist appointment that I'm anemic and will be that way until chemo is done.  And for two nights I had a low-grade fever, which worried me, but nothing came of it.  But then by Friday, I was feeling a lot more energetic than I have for a while.  That day I had a great visit/baby-playdate with Kim, a mom from my support group who also had to wean her baby boy when she was diagnosed; then I went home and actually vacuumed and tidied up the house (haven't felt the energy to do that for a LONG time), went on a walk with the kids, and planted a few plants in the garden.  Up til now, just doing ONE of those things would have exhausted me. 
My spirits were also lifted this week by a wonderful Mom's Night Out, involving pina coladas and great conversation.  And to top it off, I woke up on Saturday and realized that my cough, which I've had for over 5 weeks, finally seems to be just about gone...what a relief.  Now if only India's and Griffin's coughs would get better too...

I have to say a GIANT thank you to Michele Peterson (doula extraordinaire), and the women who attended the International Childbirth Education Association workshop with her.  Michele apparently organized a collection for us at the workshop, and we received an amazingly generous check in the mail.  Thank you Michele and all of you generous ladies, who don't even know me!  We are so very grateful.  The money will really help with upcoming insurance premiums and co-pays.

Nathan, Lily, and India are off participating in a Barefoot Run around the Washington Monument today...I'm proud of them (and hope they don't get rained on).  And that's all for now...
Love you all,
Liz"