Okay...so where is my hair?

I am thinking now that the chemo is over, shouldn't I have a full head of hair instead of peach fuzz?

The last chemo was uneventful. I got the "Special Recliner" by the window. Missy brought me in a balloon bouquet with Tigger.(How appropriate) and I got my bouquet of flowers from the staff. She handed it to me, and said "I hope we never see you again".... likewise! I came home to more balloons tied to the basketball hoop, those were from Maria. I was intrigued by how they got up there,but I found out later she had help from Mike.

So now, I am thinking "Onward Ho!" and my body is saying, "I don't think so!". I am ready to move on and get this all behind me, but I guess my muscles have a different agenda, because they don't seem to want to move in the same direction that I am. Alright, I know it has only been a couple days since my last chemo and I should slow down and regroup, but I don't want to.

I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. O. He got the results from the blood tests that I had the other day, and my iron levels were way up. He said that may explain why the liver enzymes have been elevated. I have to have another blood test to see if I have a genetic disorder that would cause the iron overload. I am thinking it was probably the BBs that my brother fed to me when I was little and told me they were chocolate "Sixlets".

I am also getting a blood test to see if I am in menopause. If I am, then I will be put on a different medication other than Tamoxifen. I REALLY hate the hot flashes! I am looking forward to the cooler weather, so I can open the doors at night and maybe get some sleep. My question regarding hot flashes is, "Am I burning extra calories as I stand here in a puddle?" Because then I may be more accepting of the discomfort.

So, everybody wants to know, "What Now?". Dr. O just said that he would do follow-up blood tests, but he didn't want to expose me to excess radiation, so I am not having any CAT scans done. Basically, wait and see.

This is it... Last Chemo Today

I have been up since 1AM, so I figured I better write now just in case I fall asleep this afternoon before I get a chance to post a blog. The Decadron and Hot Flashes don't make sleeping very easy.

I am going in for the MUGA scan at 7a.m.. This will determine how my heart is functioning... hopefully it is not broken. :( After I am done with that, I will have my last chemo, get my parting bouquet of flowers, and hopefully never have to go back again.

My appointment to see the Gastroneterologist was rescheduled for tomorrow, then I see Dr. O, the Oncologist on Friday. I had my chest xray, they called afterwords and wanted to send it the the doctor that put in my port. It must not have been too serious, since I never got a call back from the the surgeon, and the port seems to be working. I was going to have the port removed immediately, but that would mean more healing time and not being able to get in the pool, so I figure I will have the stupid thing yanked out when I have my implant surgery.

I had my appointment with Dr. B (plastic surgeon) and I will start the expansion next week. He is unsure if I will be able to have the surgery for the implants by the end of the year. I am just looking forward to having something a little rounder and less lumpy. Right now they look like under whipped mashed potatoes in a baggy... not pretty. I was hoping I wouldn't have to have a general anesthesia for the surgery, but he said that is not possible. After the first surgery, and having to deal with being practically deaf in one ear for 4 months, I am a little leery of them shoving a tube down my throat again.

I didn't really get clearance for the Aquatic Center, but he didn't say that I couldn't go, so I am going to go today and see if I can swim at least a 200 without stopping. I went swimming last week, but I am so short of breath, I have to break my workout down into 50s or 25s. It does feel good to get back in the pool. I just haven't really got my energy back in the last month. Next month I will be talking about how I did an 800 without stopping.... :) Maybe with the expansion, I will have a little extra buoyancy.

Mike and I have been walking Hailey to school in the morning, that is a 2 mile walk. We have to go slow, because Tina is with us and she is really slow, but at least it is exercise.

... and I am off to swim, get scanned, have chemo then sleep! (Hopefully in that order)

Finally... An Update

Not much has changed... I am still tired and a little cranky. I had Taxol #3 last Tuesday, and have one more to go. I saw Dr. O on Friday and told him that I was feeling very short of breath and told him about some other symptoms that I was having, that you really don't want specifics on. My Liver Enzymes were still a bit high, so now I have appointments for a Chest Xray, MUGA Scan, and an appointment with Dr. C, the Gastroenterologist. See what you get when you complain? A very busy week. I have been getting by on Treatments- Lab -Doctor, the "fabulous three" for a month.... how boring is that? It gave me way too much time to take naps.

I am still doing my coaching for the swim team 3 days per week. I don't have the endless energy that I used to have, but hopefully it will come back. When I am on deck working with the kids, I tend to forget how tired I am until I have to come home and make dinner. I have an amazing 4 year old swimmer that keeps up with the 9 year olds. She said, "Coach Susan is going to take me to the lympics"... I guess I better get my energy back!
There are 10 new kids that want to start Pre-Stingers, which is the beginning swim program that I piloted when I started coaching last year. That will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting in October after my treatments are done. I will be back to coaching 5 days per week, and hopefully somewhat normal by then. The good thing about coaching swim is, if I wear my suit, I can get in the pool when I am having a hot flash.

Sooo... only one more treatment to go next Tuesday! Then I am on to bigger and better things, like round breasts! (And hopefully some hair)

No Bounce Yet

I usually have my "bounce" back by now, but not this week. I am not extremely tired, but I don't have my usual energy back like I did a couple of weeks ago. When I looked in the mirror, I looked like a "chemo patient". I am guessing it is from the anemia, since I am not sick and I don't have a fever. I just don't have much energy.

The side effects from the Taxol are quite different from the A/C. I don't have any nausea, which is good, but I do get a "lump" in my throat for a few days that makes me gag. The weirdest side effect is the facial numbness. My entire face feels as though it got a shot of Novocaine. I couldn't even blow up a balloon if I tried, those muscles don't work... it is a very odd feeling. I also get constant hot flashes. I could probably alleviate those if I cut out the Mexican food and coffee, and drank more water.

...and for the finale.... My hair is growing back. What a bummer, I am going to have to start shaving again! At least if I cut myself while I am shaving my mustache, I won't feel it, since my face is numb. :) The "nubbins" on my head are black in some spots, and very light colored in others. Mike thinks it may come back as blonde. I don't think I could ever pass for a blonde. My sister tried once, I ended up with orange hair.... the day before my sixth grade pictures. Tell you what, Mom wasn't very happy with us.

I will sign off as "Eeyore" today.... hopefully tomorrow I will be "Tigger".