Was up early today...can't wait for chemo to be over!!
I was up around 4 once again...guess I was wanting go go go..get it done done done??
Left alarm go off at 5:50 so Den could sleep in..
Out of house by 6:05..Hardees for food fuel for Den..I had coffee as already had bagel earlier.
Took large ice cream pail full of lovenox needles for Infussion Center to do away with.
Got to Roger Maris at 7..parked van in front and took cake in..Den carried cake, I carried bag with lavender napkins/plates silverware in..back to Infussion Center where we were greeted very warmly..The gal on duty there loved the cake..and was going to put it in staff room for all to see. But first she left it out on counter for everyone who came in could see it..
Went back to waiting room until we could go back to IC at 7:30..
In room 20 again...3rd Friday in a row!!! We like that room..
Millie was nurse this day..she was out front earlier by desk before I went into room and being there were more than one nurse there I said I had question re:brain cancer and breast cancer.
Yes, the nurses confirmed that breast cancer can go to either brain or bone...
Guess that answered that..NOW THIS DOESN'T MEAN THATS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!
There are many women out in the world that are going on many years of being cancer free...
Okay, back to room.
Got IVs going little after 8...got blood withdrawal right away..YEA!!!
Millie said she says a little prayer before she does try and that always helps..we were very pleased w/blood withdrawal as that means on with treatment!!!!
First the premeds again.
Then Taxol and Heceptin last once again..
SO MANY people stopped in to thank us for the cake and ASK WHO MADE IT!!
SO many compliments on taste, texture, design, flavor...MANDY ...YOU CAN BE PROUD!!!
Each and everyone enjoyed the cake..even Denny & I got pieces..
Treatment was over by 10:30 and off we went..
Did leave while lots of nurses were saying CONGRATS on Chemo treatment..so all knew that today was last day!!! Really felt good to walk out..felt like I was walking on water..felt so good..
Had called in last week due to feet being swollen...told it was Taxol (chemo drug) causing this.
Feet feel like your walking on something added to bottom of feet..can ache/get pains in feet..
Told to keep them up as much as possible..these feelings can last for years...and sometimes feet never get back to normal..
Will double check all this out with Drs when I see them next week..
So good to be DONE DONE DONE with CHEMO CHEMO CHEMO
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Mandy's cake for Thank You : ) : ) yummy!!
2-11-2010
Picked up cake that Mandy made for me as a Thank You to all those at Roger Maris that worked back in Infussion Center.
Oh, it was so pretty...white sheet cake w/oval design on top..in oval was a PINK RIBBON for breast cancer...each corner had a smaller lavender ribbon ..Enough cake for 40+ people..
Lavender stands for all types of cancer..there are so many colored ribbons for cancer ..so very very many.. it also says Thank You on it..
I do know brain is gray..per Dave. Now Rosie..
Office at work where cake was held smelled so good!!
Cake was made so nice..beautiful..if you ask me..
She makes such very nice cakes..and boy can she come up w/designs!!!
She loves her baking that we know..
Can't wait until they see it at Roger Maris!!!
Picked up cake that Mandy made for me as a Thank You to all those at Roger Maris that worked back in Infussion Center.
Oh, it was so pretty...white sheet cake w/oval design on top..in oval was a PINK RIBBON for breast cancer...each corner had a smaller lavender ribbon ..Enough cake for 40+ people..
Lavender stands for all types of cancer..there are so many colored ribbons for cancer ..so very very many.. it also says Thank You on it..
I do know brain is gray..per Dave. Now Rosie..
Office at work where cake was held smelled so good!!
Cake was made so nice..beautiful..if you ask me..
She makes such very nice cakes..and boy can she come up w/designs!!!
She loves her baking that we know..
Can't wait until they see it at Roger Maris!!!
2-11-10
Worked part day today.
Did find out some information I didn't care to know about.
We are asking customers if they would like to donate to American Heart Assocation when they are checking out..and had customer tell me something I didn't know.
She said she herself had pacemaker so she would donate as she gives to AHA PLUS she also donates to Breast Cancer as 3 of her friends who have had breast cancer now have brain cancer!!!! I really didn't need to hear this..but listened.
She told me that they go to Roger Maris. Also said that RM does brain scans now on breast cancer patients as breast/brain associated with each other.
She saw my necklace and told me to make sure I get scan...she also knew of Dr. Krobrinsky who I have for blood Dr. Knows he is very very good at what he does.
I do have upcoming appt with him on Wednesday Feb. 17th so defintly have more questions to ask him..don't see Dr. Panwalker until Feb.22nd so need answers sooner!!! Both work at Roger Maris. Panwalker is my medical oncologist for the breast cancer and who I will be talking to about upcoming radiation treatments and what other follow up treatments I will be having..year on Herceptin????? He is one that would know..nurses at RM do say those that have HER2 like I do do have followups for year on Herceptin...which is a very good drug to help w/breast cancer...
Did find out some information I didn't care to know about.
We are asking customers if they would like to donate to American Heart Assocation when they are checking out..and had customer tell me something I didn't know.
She said she herself had pacemaker so she would donate as she gives to AHA PLUS she also donates to Breast Cancer as 3 of her friends who have had breast cancer now have brain cancer!!!! I really didn't need to hear this..but listened.
She told me that they go to Roger Maris. Also said that RM does brain scans now on breast cancer patients as breast/brain associated with each other.
She saw my necklace and told me to make sure I get scan...she also knew of Dr. Krobrinsky who I have for blood Dr. Knows he is very very good at what he does.
I do have upcoming appt with him on Wednesday Feb. 17th so defintly have more questions to ask him..don't see Dr. Panwalker until Feb.22nd so need answers sooner!!! Both work at Roger Maris. Panwalker is my medical oncologist for the breast cancer and who I will be talking to about upcoming radiation treatments and what other follow up treatments I will be having..year on Herceptin????? He is one that would know..nurses at RM do say those that have HER2 like I do do have followups for year on Herceptin...which is a very good drug to help w/breast cancer...
Saturday, February 6, 2010
1 CHEMO LEFT
Today is Saturday Feb. 6th,2010.
Yesterday was 2nd to last week of Chemo!!
ONLY ONE LEFT!!! YEA!!! SO GOOD TO SEE END NEAR!! CHEMO ANYWAY!!
Here goes:
Was up at 2 am!!! Had fallen asleep but Thursday nights I just don't sleep all nite!!
Knew I wouldn't be sleeping again so up and dressed..
Ready to nap in reclyner if needed so I wouldn't wake Den til 5:50 am.
Messed around on facebook..did dishes...picked up around house so got some things done :) I know I should have tried sleep but just didn't work..
Once again, food fuel at Hardees, chatted some then off to Roger Maris.
Roads were good..suppose to be really slippery due to sleet and falling snow..but were good for us..
Arrived at Roger Maris at 7 sharp..dropped off at door..
Den parked. I took my lovenox shot so that was done.
Registered as soon as gals were at desk.
Den wanted to go back to Infusion waiting area at 7:20 so off we went.
They put us in room right away..weren't quite ready for us but that was okay as we weren't suppose to be back there til 7:30 anyway.
Nurse got us going about 8. Checked name/date etc..all was good.
Port decided it was going to get poked just fine..so worked.
First of premeds got started..(20 mins) later she was going to see if she could get blood return thru port..Didn't like that idea and told her as port DOESN'T WANT to give withdrawals..told her all the problems its been causing w/build up of sheathe ove it etc. and all that we have learnt re:port problems: and they have been enough!!
Well, it was in PA Nina's order to do I guess so she tried..
GUESS WHAT..nothing!!! Told her!! Dr.Panwalker had said it was okay as it TOOK the meds!! But of course he was on vacation..guess she had already called his office re:port on opening, when we found that out we informed her about vacation!(Am Tired, really tired of all this port acting up-me and my weird complicated body :(
She called Nina..who told her to do a TPA..dose of heprin etc to see if there was blood clot stopping flow.. We KNOW thats gonna but things on back burner for awhile.
TPA got going. PLAN: check back in 1/2 hr and see if its working..
38-40 mins later we try..it works!!
While we waited Den and I were talking about last weeks appt with Nina and questions we asked:
I have it written in my notes from last week that cancer I have is:
HER+ (postitive) Stage 2B
HER+ is a Very Aggressive Cancer.
When we mentioned this to nurses today they talked about it amoung themselves and all agreed that yes, I would probably be put on Herceptin IVs for a year.
Nurse we had Friday said IF she gets breast cancer she would like to be HER+ as with Herceptin its very very treatable.
But she also had mentioned earlier that HER+ Stage 2b is VERY VERY Agressive.
We caught the 2 verys..and just looked at each other..not very happy looks if I do say so..
Sure do have questions for Dr.Panwalker this 22nd now, as thats when I see him again.
Den does too..as Dr.P is one with answers on my treatment plan..
Did rest of premeds..then Herceptin 1/1 hr, Taxol 1hr..flush and were gone!!
SHOULD have asked all these questions today while I had IVs going but forgot and asked before she had them hung so had her attention sidetracked w/questions which took awhile so wasted IV time there>
BUT GOTTA LOOK ON BRIGHT SIDE..Tomorrow is ANOTHER DAY for me..and the next and next.
Can't be sad, upset or rock my apple cart..
POSSITIVE additude is needed by me and all in support groups..
DAY BY DAY..
REMEMBER: DO NOT BE AFRAID OF TOMORROW FOR GOD IS ALREADY THERE!!!
Yesterday was 2nd to last week of Chemo!!
ONLY ONE LEFT!!! YEA!!! SO GOOD TO SEE END NEAR!! CHEMO ANYWAY!!
Here goes:
Was up at 2 am!!! Had fallen asleep but Thursday nights I just don't sleep all nite!!
Knew I wouldn't be sleeping again so up and dressed..
Ready to nap in reclyner if needed so I wouldn't wake Den til 5:50 am.
Messed around on facebook..did dishes...picked up around house so got some things done :) I know I should have tried sleep but just didn't work..
Once again, food fuel at Hardees, chatted some then off to Roger Maris.
Roads were good..suppose to be really slippery due to sleet and falling snow..but were good for us..
Arrived at Roger Maris at 7 sharp..dropped off at door..
Den parked. I took my lovenox shot so that was done.
Registered as soon as gals were at desk.
Den wanted to go back to Infusion waiting area at 7:20 so off we went.
They put us in room right away..weren't quite ready for us but that was okay as we weren't suppose to be back there til 7:30 anyway.
Nurse got us going about 8. Checked name/date etc..all was good.
Port decided it was going to get poked just fine..so worked.
First of premeds got started..(20 mins) later she was going to see if she could get blood return thru port..Didn't like that idea and told her as port DOESN'T WANT to give withdrawals..told her all the problems its been causing w/build up of sheathe ove it etc. and all that we have learnt re:port problems: and they have been enough!!
Well, it was in PA Nina's order to do I guess so she tried..
GUESS WHAT..nothing!!! Told her!! Dr.Panwalker had said it was okay as it TOOK the meds!! But of course he was on vacation..guess she had already called his office re:port on opening, when we found that out we informed her about vacation!(Am Tired, really tired of all this port acting up-me and my weird complicated body :(
She called Nina..who told her to do a TPA..dose of heprin etc to see if there was blood clot stopping flow.. We KNOW thats gonna but things on back burner for awhile.
TPA got going. PLAN: check back in 1/2 hr and see if its working..
38-40 mins later we try..it works!!
While we waited Den and I were talking about last weeks appt with Nina and questions we asked:
I have it written in my notes from last week that cancer I have is:
HER+ (postitive) Stage 2B
HER+ is a Very Aggressive Cancer.
When we mentioned this to nurses today they talked about it amoung themselves and all agreed that yes, I would probably be put on Herceptin IVs for a year.
Nurse we had Friday said IF she gets breast cancer she would like to be HER+ as with Herceptin its very very treatable.
But she also had mentioned earlier that HER+ Stage 2b is VERY VERY Agressive.
We caught the 2 verys..and just looked at each other..not very happy looks if I do say so..
Sure do have questions for Dr.Panwalker this 22nd now, as thats when I see him again.
Den does too..as Dr.P is one with answers on my treatment plan..
Did rest of premeds..then Herceptin 1/1 hr, Taxol 1hr..flush and were gone!!
SHOULD have asked all these questions today while I had IVs going but forgot and asked before she had them hung so had her attention sidetracked w/questions which took awhile so wasted IV time there>
BUT GOTTA LOOK ON BRIGHT SIDE..Tomorrow is ANOTHER DAY for me..and the next and next.
Can't be sad, upset or rock my apple cart..
POSSITIVE additude is needed by me and all in support groups..
DAY BY DAY..
REMEMBER: DO NOT BE AFRAID OF TOMORROW FOR GOD IS ALREADY THERE!!!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
2 to GO
Today is Jan. 29th..
3 chemo left including today..when done today its down to 2 2 2 2 2!!!!
End is so CLOSE....I can feel it!!
Woke at 5:30, got dressed, left Den sleep til alarm went off at 6.
Then it was off to Hardees once again on a Friday for fuel for body.
I had already had a bagel so only got coffee while Denny ate.
Got to Roger Maris at 7:10 for 7:30 appt with PA Nina.
Had some questions to ask..had them written down.
How will breast cancer effect my life span: life span will be shorter.
Finger nails growing funky: from chemo meds
Feet tingling, feel funny toward afternoon and evening: Chemo meds -have to keep eye on.
Radiation set up: Appt will be set last day of chemo. Was told radiation would be 4-5 weeks daily. (we thought we were told 1 week months earlier)
There would be few weeks inbetween chemo-radiation to give body a break.
Follow up: told every 4 months
Shingles can I get again:No (but paper handout says yes??)
WILL FOLLOW THRU WITH THESE SAME QUESTIONS WHEN I SEE DR. PANWALKER ON FEB. 22ND.
Nurses I talked to mentioned that I would probably be on herceptin IVs for a year but would have to see what Dr. Ps orders are but patients that are recieving chemo agressively as I am do get follow up with Herceptin IVs. BUT like I mentioned I will be talking to Dr. P about this.
Chemo: Port worked fine..no problems accessing. Thank goodness!!
Got premeds going...taxol then herceptin this day..totally different than other times med wise..
ONLY 2 2 2 2 2 2 I SAY 2 Chemo appts LEFT!!!
3 chemo left including today..when done today its down to 2 2 2 2 2!!!!
End is so CLOSE....I can feel it!!
Woke at 5:30, got dressed, left Den sleep til alarm went off at 6.
Then it was off to Hardees once again on a Friday for fuel for body.
I had already had a bagel so only got coffee while Denny ate.
Got to Roger Maris at 7:10 for 7:30 appt with PA Nina.
Had some questions to ask..had them written down.
How will breast cancer effect my life span: life span will be shorter.
Finger nails growing funky: from chemo meds
Feet tingling, feel funny toward afternoon and evening: Chemo meds -have to keep eye on.
Radiation set up: Appt will be set last day of chemo. Was told radiation would be 4-5 weeks daily. (we thought we were told 1 week months earlier)
There would be few weeks inbetween chemo-radiation to give body a break.
Follow up: told every 4 months
Shingles can I get again:No (but paper handout says yes??)
WILL FOLLOW THRU WITH THESE SAME QUESTIONS WHEN I SEE DR. PANWALKER ON FEB. 22ND.
Nurses I talked to mentioned that I would probably be on herceptin IVs for a year but would have to see what Dr. Ps orders are but patients that are recieving chemo agressively as I am do get follow up with Herceptin IVs. BUT like I mentioned I will be talking to Dr. P about this.
Chemo: Port worked fine..no problems accessing. Thank goodness!!
Got premeds going...taxol then herceptin this day..totally different than other times med wise..
ONLY 2 2 2 2 2 2 I SAY 2 Chemo appts LEFT!!!
4 Month Checkup with Dr. Bouton
Dr. Bouton- my breast surgeon,was very pleased with how things are going.
I had no soreness in breast since surgery etc.
Loved how everything looked.
Talked about helping out with giving blood work for research on breast cancer.
Sounds good to me..will help out where I can for this cause.
Appt set up for Feb. 17th at 2pm for blood work and to give some breast cells thru liquid coming from nipples.
Wants to see me agian in 4 months..appt will come in mail.
Talked about radiation and was told that its usually set up for 3-4 weeks after chemo is done to give patient a break...so evidently a radialogist (sp) appt will be set up last chemo date which is 2-12th-10.
All is going well...
I had no soreness in breast since surgery etc.
Loved how everything looked.
Talked about helping out with giving blood work for research on breast cancer.
Sounds good to me..will help out where I can for this cause.
Appt set up for Feb. 17th at 2pm for blood work and to give some breast cells thru liquid coming from nipples.
Wants to see me agian in 4 months..appt will come in mail.
Talked about radiation and was told that its usually set up for 3-4 weeks after chemo is done to give patient a break...so evidently a radialogist (sp) appt will be set up last chemo date which is 2-12th-10.
All is going well...
Heading for 3 to go...
Jan 22nd 2010
Found us at Roger Maris for 7:30 chemo.
3 left after toay!!
Got in on time. Asked if bloodwork had been done.
Told yes, as I had come in special on Thursday to do it and there was no order for it. Lab 22 did some calling on it yesterday 1-21-10 to see what was going on. Lab talked to Denise..she said there was no lab work that needed to be done..
I was surprised but evidently no order had been put in. I had been in on Wednesday also for lovenox check and at that time 2 vials were taken 1-lovenox 1-platelets. Had told them I would be back next day (Thursday) for rest of bloodwork that needed to be done..told OK see you then.
Port was easy to axcess today so that went well.
SO we did the premeds, then herceptin as we waited for lab results as YES I WAS SUPPOSE to have labs done!!! Someone dropped the ball there..oh well..it got done.
Taxol got done and we were out by 10:40. There is order in for next week for labs.
Had afternoon appt with Dr. Fischer.(my Primary-Internal Med)
Visit went well..nothing in meds need changing. She complimented me on how I am handling all this..told her I couldn't do it without family/friends support.
We set up annual mammogram in July and annual physical to follow that.
Dr. F also mentioned that my hais should be coming back curly as her sister's did and she had totally straight hair.
She feels badly that Sandy's (Older sis's daughter) breast cancer went to bone and she is only 40...
Sandy our prayers are with you as you battle this new develpment in your life.
Was a good day all around.
ONLY 3 left to go!!
Found us at Roger Maris for 7:30 chemo.
3 left after toay!!
Got in on time. Asked if bloodwork had been done.
Told yes, as I had come in special on Thursday to do it and there was no order for it. Lab 22 did some calling on it yesterday 1-21-10 to see what was going on. Lab talked to Denise..she said there was no lab work that needed to be done..
I was surprised but evidently no order had been put in. I had been in on Wednesday also for lovenox check and at that time 2 vials were taken 1-lovenox 1-platelets. Had told them I would be back next day (Thursday) for rest of bloodwork that needed to be done..told OK see you then.
Port was easy to axcess today so that went well.
SO we did the premeds, then herceptin as we waited for lab results as YES I WAS SUPPOSE to have labs done!!! Someone dropped the ball there..oh well..it got done.
Taxol got done and we were out by 10:40. There is order in for next week for labs.
Had afternoon appt with Dr. Fischer.(my Primary-Internal Med)
Visit went well..nothing in meds need changing. She complimented me on how I am handling all this..told her I couldn't do it without family/friends support.
We set up annual mammogram in July and annual physical to follow that.
Dr. F also mentioned that my hais should be coming back curly as her sister's did and she had totally straight hair.
She feels badly that Sandy's (Older sis's daughter) breast cancer went to bone and she is only 40...
Sandy our prayers are with you as you battle this new develpment in your life.
Was a good day all around.
ONLY 3 left to go!!
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