This is Life...Hold on tight

Whoo Hoo- No Shot Today!!!

2008-08-27T04:30:00.003-07:00

My WBC count was triple the "normal" count, so I don't have to get the Neulasta shot today! The Neulasta so far has produced the worst side effects. Much worse than the chemo. It made my skull and jaw feel as though I had been beat over the head by a baseball bat, and my chest and ribs hurt so bad, I could barely move. When the nurse told me I wouldn't be getting it, I did a cartwheel and a double back flip, so now I am sore from that. (Just joking - but I thought about it)

I still haven't lost my eyebrows completely. I have never been much of a "plucker", so I guess that has come in handy. I can just do a "comb-over" with what I have. I call them my "Trump" eyebrows!

I am hoping that since I don't have to have the Neulasta, I will get a few extra days of feeling good. I seem to be having a permanent "Hot Flash" and flushed face from the Taxol, but I just go around with a cold rice bag on my head and that seems to help.

I was going to go walking with the Havasu Hustler group this morning, but Hailey wanted to get up early to finish some homework. If it isn't too hot out when I take her to school , I may go blading around the island.

I am anxious to see how the next couple of weeks go. I am hoping I can keep that WBC count up. I am not sure what did it, I really didn't change much, except that I was able to exercise and eat.

Mrs. Crabby Pants

2008-08-26T04:54:00.003-07:00

I am wondering , although I am "temporary menopause"... or whatever they call it... do I still get PMS? Because I am sure feeling cranky! I think I am on the down-cycle of my "high" from last week. I am sure if you ask Mike or the kids, they would consider it my normal behavior, but I feel as though I have grown spikes and claws. I think they have a nice little padded room waiting for me somewhere. I am just waiting for somebody to show up with a pretty white jacket, and tell me "now stay calm, this won't hurt a bit".

Maybe I just didn't notice it as much before because I was feeling so too tired to care.

Repeat to yourself, "Stay Positive, Stay Positive, Stay Positive......." Awe, heck with that, I am going to be cranky today! (Edited)

Okay, seriously, I am going in for Chemo #6 today, then only 2 more to go. I felt as though I was starting to get a cold yesterday, but I took Decadron for the chemo today, and that seemed to alleviate the symptoms I was having.

I am off to my "Happy Place"... if I can find it.

BTW- Thank you to those of you that ordered posters. I will put up a PayPal button on that post to make ordering easier for those of you that can't receive one through the fence.

In a Blur...

2008-08-25T04:18:00.000-07:00

Last week went by so fast. I got a lot accomplished, but I still have so much more I want to get done. I will have to pray that next week will be the same.

My first real day of feeling good last week, Mike wanted to do a home improvement project that we had been discussing for a few months. (He watches a lot of HGTV in the evenings) We got rid of a bulky headboard and nightstands, and I spray painted our dresser and the base for the bed. It really doesn't sound like a huge job, but the furniture is heavy. We hauled the base, which weighs about 300 pounds and is in two pieces out to the garage. After I gave him my "look", Mike offered to get a moving dolly for the dresser. Good thing, since I was going to get the neighbor to help.

We had backed the cars out of the garage, and as I am painting, Mike says "Maybe we should close the garage doors so you don't get over-spray on the cars." I said, "What if I inhale paint fumes and get cancer?" His reply was, "Well, that is better than over-spray on the cars." (He loves me so much!) Well, we finished our project and the bedroom looks great. The hard work was definitely worth it, but next time Mike has a project, I think I am going to "play sick" until he goes to work.

The rest of the week was used to catch up on some small projects and get some exercise. I decided to go walking/running with the Havasu Hustlers morning group run. They start at Safeway at 4:30 a.m. and go up McCulloch 1.5 miles to Acoma, then back down again. It is perfect for me. We walked up and ran back. I only made it 3 miles, the rest of the group does another loop... maybe next week I will try for 6 miles.

I saw Dr. B (my plastic surgeon) on Friday, and he said I could swim in my pool at home. I still can't swim at the Aquatic Center, but I will take what I can get. Mike said I wore him down until he had to let me swim. He said I sound like a little kid... "Can I swim ? Huh? PLEEEEEASE? Well, Can I? But I have to! Michael Phelps is doing it!" It really did feel good to get back in the water even if it is just a 35 foot pool and I tend to get a little dizzy doing flip turns every three strokes....

Chemo is tomorrow. It is so much harder to think about going when I am feeling so good. I came close to vomiting just thinking about it this morning, but I am almost done!

London Bridge Poster

2008-08-21T05:15:00.016-07:00

Buy Poster Here
This link includes shipping charge

This is the poster I printed out. I would like to sell them and give a portion of the profit to local breast cancer patients that need financial assistance. The size is 22x17 printed on Photo Quality Glossy Paper. If you live in Havasu and would like to buy one, send me an email.
Price: $25.00 ($5.00 for P&H) If you are my neighbor, you don't have to pay P&H.
It is probably worth much more than that since it is signed by the artist!

$10 per poster will go to my friend Jaime's Breast Cancer Walk until she has reached her goal.
$5 will go to the local Havasu Community Health Foundation for breast cancer patients. (After Jaime has reached her goal, then $15 will go to HcH Foundation)

BTW- My well intentioned plans for yesterday went a little awry... I will tell you about that later.

Okay..... Now What Do I Do?

2008-08-20T06:09:00.003-07:00

I went from sleeping 20 hours per day to "wide awake and ready to conquer...." but I didn't know what to conquer. I felt SO good yesterday, I think I was in a state of shock. It isn't that I don't have a lot that I want to get done, it was just that I was so surprised that I felt good, I think I was questioning how good I really felt. (That sentence will probably only make sense to somebody that has been through this... right Missy?) I didn't want to sit down and read, so I pretty much walked in circles for a few hours deciding where to start. I really wanted to go jump in the pool and do some laps, but I still can't.... so I kept up my circles in the house. I felt too good to waste it on the treadmill. It was kind of like getting a super yummy treat and waiting for the perfect moment to eat it.

I ended up making a poster for the swim team to attract new swimmers. I also printed out a poster of the London Bridge from one of my photos. I have been wanting to do that for months. I also started to clean up the desk in my shop. I think I really drive Mike crazy when I do that. I don't just take everything and file it. I have to go through every piece of paper and organize it into piles, then file it, so I have piles everywhere.... but they are very organized piles. Then I file. :)

My afternoon was the usual "Mom" stuff. I picked up Hailey from school, took her to the library, then to the bank, stopped by the Aquatic center to hang the posters, then back home to take a late afternoon nap, but that was more because I got up at 2 a.m., not because of residual side effects of the chemo.

I feel like I want to be selfish with my energy. I need to get a lot of things done, but it feels so good just to be able to stand upright, I want to use it all for myself. I don't want to waste it going grocery shopping or cleaning toilets! I made a list of things that I wanted to get done, so that I could prioritise my few days of "feelgoodness". (That word is listed in Weber's Dictionary as; The days following chemo that you almost feel normal.)

I hope you all have a great day! I know I am going to enjoy mine.

A Few Pints Low....

2008-08-17T06:28:00.002-07:00

.... and a "Couple French Fries Short of a Happy Meal", at least that is what Dr. O (my oncologist) said. He didn't actually say the french fry thing, I did, but he did say I was still anemic. I guess that would explain my marathon sleeping session for the last 4 days.

I am getting my next blood test on Friday, and according to the doctor, since I am on a different chemo drug, he anticipates that my RBC count will go up. If I go any lower than what I am currently at, he said I would need a transfusion. I am still getting the "blood booster" injection during chemo, so hopefully it will do its job.

The last chemo actually went well. I only had mild nausea the first night. I am not sure if that was because of the Emend (anti-nausea drug) was working, or the different chemo doesn't cause as much nausea. I had a slight reaction to the Emend, so I am going to try and go without it next time. The worst effect is the fatigue. I didn't even have the energy to turn on my computer for a couple of days. For me, that is the equivalent of the Pope not going to Church. It was actually kind of nice....

I seem to be craving a Happy Meal from McDonald's..... hmmm

Ol' Baldies

2008-08-12T05:26:00.002-07:00

My brother came to visit last week, and Hailey took this picture of us. We could be twins, except I am WAY cuter and he is WAY older (by two years)!

I am starting my second 4 treatments today with Taxol. I took my pre-treatment Decadron last night and I will be taking the Emend today for nausea. I am hoping it works better than the other anti-nausea medication. At $450 for four pills, you would think it SHOULD work. One of these days I am going to add up all the bills and share those costs. I don't think you would believe it.

I had a good two days of feeling well. I wish it could last a little longer. I got a lot done, but not as much as I wanted to.... I guess I better go out and brush the pool before it gets too hot, and I empty my "energy tank".

Half Way There!

2008-07-28T05:36:00.004-07:00

I got a re-fill on my "puke medicine" and finished Chemo #4! Bring it on!

Only four more of the "Easy ones" to go. I will be finished with chemo by the end of Sept. (Except for the 5 years of Tamoxifen)

I was thinking that it would be nice if I could get this wound healed, get the "fills" and have permanent implants (New ROUND Boobies) by the end of the year, then I don't have to pay another insurance deductible. That way, even if I don't finish well in the triathlon, at least I will look really good. Except maybe for the hair. If my breasts look great, nobody is even going to know whether I have hair or not! (Right Heather?)

BTW- Two Guys Pasta & Pizza was good. They serve homemade bread when you come in that reminded me of what I used to make. (It also reminded me that I haven't done any baking in a long time) We both had Fettuccine with chicken, which was tasty. The fettuccine sauce is made fresh from scratch each day. The service was great, so I guess I will be keeping my other discount coupon. You can get your own on EBay.

...And Bounce Back I Did!

2008-07-28T05:03:00.003-07:00

My mouth is a lot less sore, so I can finally eat real food, like potato chips and cookies! The only problem is I can't really taste them. What is the fun in eating junk food if you can't taste it? Isn't that the point of eating junk food? You eat something that when you taste it, you know it is bad for you? All I get is the coating of slime in my mouth. I may come out of this whole chemo experience liking brussel sprouts.... who knows? I sure haven't been drinking my quota of coffee lately. That is probably a good thing since it is getting really expensive.

I walked/ran 2.6 miles on Saturday and another 3 miles on Sunday. I was feeling so good during my walk, that I decided to try jogging. I had some upbeat tunes on the iPod and picked up the pace a little. My lung capacity is definitely not what it used to be, but I still felt good. I wasn't even totally exhausted when I got home. I cooled down in the pool, which I can only go up to my waist, but it felt good! As soon as this wound heals, I am going to be swimming laps at the Aquatic Center... I am SO ready to start swimming again! One of these mornings if it is cool enough I am going to Rollerblade around the island. (Hey Mom- you want to come and ride your bike?)

I am not going to run on the days that I coach, I need all the energy I have for the one hour that I walk up and down the side of the pool. I probably walk at least a mile on that deck....

I am taking my sister out for her Birthday lunch today at "Two Guys Pizza & Pasta". I won some discount coupons on E-bay, so I could check it out. If it is good, I will let you know. If it isn't, I have a couple of coupons for sale.... cheap. Hopefully I will be able to tell the difference! :)

Diet Plan

2008-07-25T04:20:00.004-07:00

It took a little longer to bounce back from chemo #3. With the outside temp being warmer in the early hours of the morning and the humidity being quite a bit higher, I didn't have the energy to get out and walk. (Or post a blog)

Every chemo brings a new surprise... and these ones aren't coming from Sherry B.! Once I finally got over the nausea, I started getting sores in my mouth and throat. So that made eating anything with substance very painful, even my special oyster crackers were impossible to eat. I can only have so much ice cream and milkshakes when all I really want is a hamburger. I tried to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but all I had was extra crunchy peanut butter... talk about pain. I only got one bite before it brought tears to my eyes. I did have a bowl of soggy Cheerios with a cut up bananas the other morning. It took 20 minutes just to eat. I could only have a couple cheerios at a time, and I had to make sure the banana was thoroughly smashed before swallowing, plus I could only eat on one side of my mouth. Add this to not being able to taste anything, and I figure I could come up with a pretty good weight loss plan for people that tend to over eat.

Susan's 7 Step Weight Loss Plan:

First Cut up a Habanero Chili Pepper and place pieces under your tongue. Remove once your mouth is thoroughly burned. (You need to leave in until a sore is produced) For an extra diet boost, you can also rub on the roof of your mouth and back of throat.
Swallow a quarter teaspoon of Ipecac - not enough to make you vomit, just enough to make you really nauseated.
Put Orajel on the top of your tongue to take away any taste. Make sure you don't cheat and get it on the burned part of your mouth.
Get one of your favorite crunchy foods (Potato Chips, Peanut M&Ms...) and try to eat... make sure that the sharp edges rub against the sores in your mouth. Spit out, and go to step #5 when you are really hungry.
Now, if you still feel like eating, you can have Applesauce, cottage cheese, canned fruit, or other soft foods. An occasional milkshake is okay, but it must be mixed with crushed ice to take away any possible flavor.
If you feel like you are no longer nauseous, repeat Step #2 as needed
Before drinking your favorite beverage, gargle with Tabasco sauce, or a hot sauce of your choice. (Hint: You may want to have a glass of water nearby)

By following the above diet plan, you should lose at least 2 pounds per week. Make sure you drink plenty of water and be prepared to get dieting advice from everybody you talk to.

Bonus: Shave your head and don't wear a wig when you go out to eat, or answer the door when the pizza delivery person shows up. (Expect to receive pathetic looks of sympathy or complete avoidance) I don't know if it helps with weight loss, but as long as your following my regime... what the heck!

Important Notes: Make sure you cut up your fruit in to baby size pieces and it is thoroughly mashed in your mouth before swallowing. It should take at least 20 minutes to eat about 3 ounces of food. And Don't Forget to EXERCISE at least 20 minutes every day!
*Please talk with your doctor before beginning any weight loss plan.

Good luck and let me know if it works for you, I know it did for me! (I will post the before and after pictures later)

Chemo #3

2008-07-15T19:40:00.002-07:00

It is hard to believe I am already on Chemo #3. I am going to be all done before I know it, and I won't know what to do with myself when I don't have to go to 3 appointments every week. I might actually have to start working again! Today's chemo went well. This was my last one in Bullhead City. It actually wasn't bad at all, they are very nice up there and today's visit went quicker. We arrived a little early, but they got me in right away and I didn't have to wait too long to see the oncologist.

I lost 5 lbs in the last couple weeks, but I attribute most of that to the antibiotics, they make me really nauseated and I have to take 4 a day, so I have to be very creative about eating. But don't worry, I was finally hungry today after chemo (probably has something to do with the steroid that I get before the chemo) and I ate enough to feed a couple of elephants... well not quite, but I think I ate more this afternoon than I ate all week.

I am anemic, so they recommended a shot to boost the RBCs, along with the one I am already getting for WBCs.... it should be a nursery rhyme...

One for the WBCs
One for the RBCs
and one for the little boy who lives down the lane.

..... or a Cheer.. anybody got some pom poms I can use?

Who Needs a Waterbed...

2008-07-12T08:42:00.002-07:00

....when you can create your own? I am not sure if my fever broke, or I am having hot flashes, but I woke up completely drenched and in a puddle of water this morning. (I am pretty sure I didn't wet the bed.) I had to wring my clothes and pillow out in the tub this morning, that produced about 3 gallons of water. Maybe I should have saved it to water the plants???

I am actually feeling really good this morning. I finally had the energy to balance the checkbook, clean out the refrigerator, wash the bed sheets and water my poor dying plants on the pot shelf, all before 9am! I wanted to do more, but I could feel my temperature going up just doing that, so I decided to take a break and blog. :)

The weather wasn't too bad yesterday, I think it only got up to 105 degrees and we even got a few sprinkles of rain. I was wishing I could have gone on the jetski...... someday!

Wound VAC off for now

2008-07-11T17:06:00.002-07:00

I saw the plastic surgeon today and I get to keep the wound VAC off, at least for now. I like not having to carry it everywhere, but I was getting so used to having it, I feel like I am always forgetting something when I get up and move around.

My temp was still up a little and I was feeling a bit "puky", so I didn't coach this morning. Hopefully I will be back to normal by this weekend. My next chemo is Tuesday, and I don't really want to start out feeling crummy.

My Favorite foods during chemo so far:
7-Layer bean dip (Amanda's)
Breakfast Pizza (Picadilly)
Pina Colada Hawaiian Shaved Ice
Potato Salad (My Mom's recipe, but made by my loving sister)
Ginger Ale (You have to wash all that stuff down with something!)

Seems like a weird combination....

My Trip to the Emergency Deptartment

2008-07-10T14:24:00.002-07:00

During my summer vacation, I got to go to the emergency room. It was fun.

Okay... I am joking about writing about "Summer Vacation", but I really did have my first (actually second- but that is another story) trip to the ER, that doesn't include the gazillion times that I worked there.

My temp started going up yesterday afternoon, and by evening it was getting to the "go to the ER zone"(100.5), which isn't high for a normal person, but unfortunately when a person is getting treated with chemo, it means an infection. After trying to weasel my way out of it with my most knowledgeable friends, I ended up calling the oncologist from Bullhead and he told me to go the ER.

Although the ER was busy, I knew the triage nurse and got in immediately. They gave me IV antibiotics and checked my blood. Some skin near the wound VAC had a rash and was a bit warm to the touch, so they thought that it was the source of the infection. The doctor had planned on admitting me, but my blood tests came back okay, so he gave me a Rx for antibiotics and I was home by midnight.... I got home before I turned into a pumpkin!

And the good news.... I called the plastic surgeon and I got to take the wound VAC OFF!!!! I'm FREE, I'm FREE!!!!! At least until tomorrow. I think if he tells me I need to put it back on, I will cry.

No, I am not dead....

2008-07-08T09:12:00.002-07:00

..... I have just slept Thursday through Sunday! It sure makes the week go by faster. I did get up and walk a little in the mornings, but that was about all I could do. I don't even remember if my family ate for the past week... oh well, good diet plan.

You know those fairytale stories where the kingdom is all dark and then the good fairy princess (or whatever) comes along and lifts the dark spell and suddenly everything is all bright and shiny? Well.... I have been in the dark for the past few days, except rather than a fairy princess lifting the spell, I think I got a toad, because it seems to be taking awhile.

I really am feeling better... :)

Side Effects and Moving Walls

2008-07-02T04:22:00.005-07:00

My treatment in Bullhead went well. They just moved into a new facility and the chemo room is very large with new recliners and a closed captioned TV, so you don't have to listen to it blasting throughout the entire room. I had to meet with the P.A. and oncologist first, so of course I didn't get in on time, but they were very pleasant. The chemo nurse was also very nice and they have a well stocked fridge and yummy snacks. (That is very important!) Mike is thinking that he is going to start chemo with me next time so he can have free juice and snacks... what a great idea!

I felt pretty good, just a little tired and I didn't feel much like eating. I went to bed fairly early and slept until 2am before I desperately needed to go to the bathroom. I had to go so bad that I forgot to unplug my VAC from the AC and ran into the side of the bed as I was unplugging it. My eyes were burning and I couldn't quite get them open (must be a funky side effect of the chemo or the anti-nausea medicine), so I made it the rest of the way around the bed with my eyes half closed, but ran into the wall....twice. I finally made it into the bathroom with only a couple of bruises and my bladder still intact.

I haven't checked my hair yet this morning.... I think it is still there! I did find out that I won't be needing that bikini wax that I have always been wanting! (TMI- I know!)

Haircut... Barbie Doll Style

2008-06-30T19:59:00.005-07:00

I started pulling chunks of hair out this morning, and although I had a friend coming over in the afternoon to cut it, I figured I probably wouldn't have any left by the time she got to the house. I called her and told her that Hailey and I were going to have a "hair cutting party".(If anybody wants to do this for their kid's birthday, I am available!) I know everyone has cut their Barbie's hair at one time.(It's okay guys... we know what you did with your sister's barbies). So basically, that is what I did. I took a chunk of hair and put it in a small ponytail and cut it off. It actually didn't turn out too bad considering what I did...AND I only had one gray hair! (No... I wasn't drunk)
My friend did come over and clean it up a bit. It was a little uneven... I guess it doesn't really matter since it will probably all be gone in the next few days anyway... and I did have fun.

I am heading up to Bullhead for my treatment tomorrow, at least I will stay nice and cool!

I thought I was feeling good

2008-06-28T07:11:00.002-07:00

I had my follow-up appointment with the oncologist yesterday (Friday). I had my labs drawn on Thursday (by a "ramming vampire"). The labs are usually done in-house, but since I have BC/BS insurance, they have to be sent out, so they didn't have the results when I went in for my appointment. The doctor left the exam room to see if he could get the results faxed. After about 10 minutes of waiting, the nurse pops her head in the room and says that another Susan M Weber got her blood drawn the same day at the same lab and the results may have got mixed up, so they were just trying to get it straightened out. Luckily we don't have the same birthdate, but I guess they are similar. It isn't the first time they have got us mixed up.

So... anyway.... the physician came in with the results (that they still weren't completely sure were mine) and it showed I was slightly anemic (which is expected) and my liver enzymes were elevated (which was not expected). He asked me how much I drank. I should've said "None, but I think I am getting close to starting." He wanted me to get another blood draw just to make sure it was accurate. He called me back with the results yesterday afternoon, and the liver enzymes had gone down some, but were still slightly elevated. He said it was probably from the chemo and if it continues to stay elevated, we may have to skip a week, but for now I am going to continue with the scheduled treatments.

My next scheduled chemo is for Tuesday. I was going to have it done in Havasu, but my oncologist is going to be out of town, and with the regime that I am doing he felt more comfortable with me getting established with one of the out of town oncologists, so I have to go to Bullhead City for my treatment.

It is kind of funny, I went in to the office feeling pretty good, then he gives me my lab results and all of a sudden, I am tired and my head hurts!

Sponge Bob Square Boobs?

2008-06-26T04:46:00.003-07:00

I was having the best day ever yesterday, and I am feeling pretty spunky today.... except for the "ball and chain" attached to my breast like a colicky baby. The coffee still tastes bad, but at least it is the first thing I can have in the morning!

I got in the water (only up to my waist) with my HSST kids yesterday. Hailey also came and helped which worked out great. We worked on the other side of the bulkhead and did some "back to basic" drills and technique work. I think the kids did great... what a wonderful feeling to see them pick it up and go from struggling to make it 10 feet to swimming 25 yards effortlessly. It doesn't seem like a lot to a seasoned swimmer, but it is a big deal to a 6 year old!

I guess I was feeling a little too good. I thought I could get out of the pool my usual way, by pulling myself up on the bulkhead... mmm not a good idea and it didn't work. I believe I pulled some scar tissue away from the expander. It continued to cause intermittent pain throughout the day, but I think it must have completely tore, because I am not having any more pain, I just have a square looking breast... very interesting!

It is time to sneak out of the house for my morning walk. I think I will wear a tight tank and see if I get any funny looks. :)

Anything but the Coffee!

2008-06-20T05:25:00.002-07:00

I wasn't feeling so great yesterday. I did walk about 3 miles in the morning, but about an hour after I got home I started getting a little nauseated, so it was back to the oyster crackers, ginger ale and applesauce.... yum! I bet you can guess what I probably WON'T be eating next year. The nausea lasted most of the day and last night. I did get a lot of napping in.

I was JUST starting to feel a little better this morning, so after I had my ACG, (applesauce, crackers, ginger ale) I decided I better have some coffee so I don't get my caffeine withdrawal headache. My one and only bad habit (that I admit to anyway) is ruined! The coffee tastes like it was boiled with metal shavings... not fair!!! I guess I will cancel my membership to Gevalia.

I wonder how a Bud light with lime will taste................ ;)

Swim Across the Lake

2008-06-19T07:04:00.002-07:00

Some of the kids from our swim team swam across the lake yesterday. They ALL made it, which was just awesome! Here is a link to the article in the local newspaper Lake Swim .I had wanted to swim with them this year... but I guess I will have to wait until next year when I am not attached to a vacuum. :)

I did get to have a little bit of fun... after having a moderate meltdown, I convinced Mike that I could take the Waverunner from the launch ramp to Windsor 4. One of the parents was going to use it to follow the swimmers. He was going to pick it up at the launch ramp, but I thought "why should he have all the fun?" so, I took off the VAC (I can remove it briefly... usually for a shower, but the lake is water, so that counts, right?) And I had the most fun I have had in 3 months! That short ride did my mind a lot of good!

I had planned on riding on Coach Mike's boat across the lake to cheer on the swimmers, but I had to get my Neulasta shot, so I wasn't able to go. I am hoping our "team photographer" got a lot of good photos. I know he got a great one of me coming in on the Waverunner!

I think I have Mike (husband Mike) convinced that if I wear a big hat, long sleeves, pants and put the VAC in a waterproof bag, we can take the skis out on the lake.... I will take pictures.

Here is a pic of the snake

2008-06-18T17:02:00.001-07:00

See Previous post....

Only 7 more to go...

2008-06-17T12:56:00.003-07:00

Well the first chemo experience was uneventful... so far. I hate television, so I brought my Zen and listened to some of my favorite music and studied Level 3 Physiology School for swimming. :) I came home and went 2.5 miles on the treadmill. I figured I better do it before I don't have the energy to do it.
I have an appointment to get my wound VAC changed this afternoon. Tomorrow I have to go in to get a shot that will boost my WBC count. My next chemo is scheduled for July 1. I will probably cut my hair sometime next week.

Off on a tangent... let me tell you about my morning! I went to a friend's house to watch her daughter while she went swimming. She has a nice entryway with some large plants. When I knocked on the door, I heard what sounded like the sprinklers starting, kind of a sputtering sound. I looked over at the planter, and saw some movement under the tree, then realized it wasn't the watering system, it was a rattle snake just a couple feet away from me! As she opened the door, I jumped (literally) in the house and slammed the door, saying "Oh crap, it's a rattle snake!" She locked the door just to be on the safe side (you never know, those snakes can be pretty smart). She called animal control and they came and captured the snake. It bothered me just a little when the guy told the lady helping him, get the bucket ready he is mad and he is slipping out. He got him in the bucket without a problem. Mike asked what they do with them once they are caught. My theory is they put them in the vehicle of somebody they dislike a lot!

Feeling Groovy!

2008-06-13T10:28:00.003-07:00

Except for the suction cup attached to my breast, I am feeling really good! I even went rollerblading this morning. I just went around Rotary Park and down to the bridge. I do fairly well except on the downhills I sometimes go a little faster than I would like and have a bit of a problem stopping.... if you see an elderly lady with Rollerblade tracks across her forehead, could you please tell her I am sorry!

I am also back to coaching. It is good to be back! Instead of the kids whining after I give them a set, I am conditioning them to say "Thank you Coach Susan, we would LOVE to swim that set!" So far, I just get grunts, but they will get better. :)

I really miss swimming in the mornings, but I am staying active with walking, running and blading. I might try the bike, but since my mountain bike is built a little different than a normal upright bike it may pull too much on my chest... I guess there is one way to find out.

Throwing away the "Lucky" underwear....

2008-06-10T18:44:00.004-07:00

My lucky underwear haven't been doing so good.... somebody suggested after 7 office visits in 7 days, maybe they just need to be washed! I don't know about that, the physicians seem to keep a comfortable distance from me....

(Yes, I AM joking)

I had an appointment to get my incision checked on Tuesday. I have to keep the VAC on. The surgeon talked with the oncologist, and they decided it would be okay to start the chemo. I will be getting my first treatment next Tuesday, June 17. I knew that it would have to start sometime, it just makes it more concrete when they set the date.

I bought a wig, I was going to go blonde, but I was laughing so hard when I put it on, I figured I best not.... I am DEFINITELY NOT a blonde! (I was just trying it on for the cut, but it was hard to get past the color.) The color I got is very close to mine (not as pretty) and longer... but I figured I had to have a little bit of fun. I am expecting that Hailey will want to wear it more than me. :)