I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday. I had another rough time right after my chemo but I think I am re-bouding nicely. I hate to jinx it but I feel good today! I remember waking up at 2:00 in the morning yesterday and thinking, "I finally don't feel nauseated!" That was a really good moment. Anyway, we continue to get great news and comments from the Doctor each time we go and that is so encouraging. I know what I have to do to get my body free of this and I am very focused but it is really nice to think that some day I will be able to be through with it. I cry sometimes when I talk about the next 2 chemo's, and yes, they are that bad. But atleast this part of treatment will be over and I can focus on the surgery and radiation. My surgery will be around the 15th -20th of February and radiation begins shortly after. My hair should start to grow back sometime in March!!!! There should be a party for that!
We always strike conversations with the people around us at chemo as most people are very willing to share. We met a guy at chemo who was telling us about his radiation on his chin and neck. We hadn't talked about what type of cancer we each had but I found myself asking about his radiation experience. He mentioned how during the last 3 weeks it's normal for the skin to feel burnt right after. He enjoyed driving home with his head hanging out the window to get the cool breeze on his skin. I said, "well, that is a great suggestion but I have breast cancer!!." You have to laugh, even while you are at chemo! Don't worry, I'll just take ice packs with me!
Anyway, we continue to be brought to thankful tears by our incredible ward. They are so amazing. Everything we could possibly be over burdened with has been taken care of and then some. There are so many people to be thanked (with my chemo brain I can't even start naming them), but we are thankful for all of the service that comes our way each night in our family prayers. Please know that we are thankful for you all. I hope you have a Merry Christmas! Don't eat too much because we are doing the Race for the Cure in May!!!! (More details to follow.)
Much Love- Shauna
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
December 14, 2008
Hi everyone-
So this time has been harder and I am just not getting back to "normal" like I have the last 2 times. I would rather get a root canal, IRS audit, or yearly exam instead of Chemo on Thursday. I definately don't feel ready for this one, I am sure it's normal at this point because it's nasty stuff. I haven't had as much nausea as I thought but all the other aches, pains, inability to heal from even the smallest paper cut, etc. are more than enough. Truthfully, I can't decide which is worse, the chemo or the menopause the chemo has put me into. (The menopause was a little more than I expected.) I am thankful for the outcome I am having so I am trying to endure all of it but it is so easy to whine about the extensive list of ailments. I don't know if it's possible to get any better news than we got last time we saw the Dr. I expect through the last 3 treatments to just have lot's of "side-effects."
After Thursday I will have 2 more treatments to go, so I have to keep looking forward to the finish line which now seems within my reach. I never thought I would say this but I am looking forward to radiation.
I have had so much pressure removed from me by my incredible ward. This week I hit what is probably one of many low points and had to ask for help. Within 10 minutes of my phone call I had meals, a loving place for my kids to play and people coming to clean. It was one of many humbling days as I watched these sweet neighbors do all the things that I pride myself in doing each day for my family. All I can say is they continue to be so amazing! I was very worried that the length of time until recovery would eventually scare off just about everyone around us but it hasn't even a little bit. I am so thankful for all the prayers, loving service, and help for our family. What a great time of your to reflect on the "angels" who have and will continue attending to our needs, the healing hands of the Lord and the love we have been surrounded with.
Much Love- Shauna
So this time has been harder and I am just not getting back to "normal" like I have the last 2 times. I would rather get a root canal, IRS audit, or yearly exam instead of Chemo on Thursday. I definately don't feel ready for this one, I am sure it's normal at this point because it's nasty stuff. I haven't had as much nausea as I thought but all the other aches, pains, inability to heal from even the smallest paper cut, etc. are more than enough. Truthfully, I can't decide which is worse, the chemo or the menopause the chemo has put me into. (The menopause was a little more than I expected.) I am thankful for the outcome I am having so I am trying to endure all of it but it is so easy to whine about the extensive list of ailments. I don't know if it's possible to get any better news than we got last time we saw the Dr. I expect through the last 3 treatments to just have lot's of "side-effects."
After Thursday I will have 2 more treatments to go, so I have to keep looking forward to the finish line which now seems within my reach. I never thought I would say this but I am looking forward to radiation.
I have had so much pressure removed from me by my incredible ward. This week I hit what is probably one of many low points and had to ask for help. Within 10 minutes of my phone call I had meals, a loving place for my kids to play and people coming to clean. It was one of many humbling days as I watched these sweet neighbors do all the things that I pride myself in doing each day for my family. All I can say is they continue to be so amazing! I was very worried that the length of time until recovery would eventually scare off just about everyone around us but it hasn't even a little bit. I am so thankful for all the prayers, loving service, and help for our family. What a great time of your to reflect on the "angels" who have and will continue attending to our needs, the healing hands of the Lord and the love we have been surrounded with.
Much Love- Shauna
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
After another cold and a kidney infection I finally feel like I am
coming out of the worst after my 3rd treatment. It wasn't any harder except for the kidney thing which probably means I am just not able to fight as well, and OK maybe it was harder!!! LOL I don't know how common kidney infections are but the Dr. wasn't surprised. I was a little because I am drinking alot! Also, at my last visit my tumor was undetectable!!!! I then asked what my chances are of getting clear margins at surgery and he said "excellent!!" Just to give perspective, there are 3 categories I could have fallen in. 1- 40% who have it shrink and be undectable (upon examination), 2- 40% who have shrinkage, 3- 20% have no change. I was really hoping to have atleast some shrinkage but have somehow been blessed and have fallen into the category I was afraid to hope for! It is undetectable. I can't describe the emotion of all of that. We spend time at chemo with so many who are not having a good outcome and I cry many times for them. I have been so blessed! I am having one of those experiences that I just can't describe yet because it's not over. But if I could tell you about each and every little blessing it would really amount to something amazing! My friend, Debbie Black, said this would be my greatest gift. (I love her but initially I thought she was "nuts!") Even though it is so hard and awful and will be for a long time, I have already learned she is right! Every day is a gift for me. I have not given deep thought to people actually facing life or death with their health (for a long time anyway) and to say they live differently is an understatement. So far, I am thankful for the chance to live a more meaningful life.
Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, and best wishes, keep sending them! My next treatment is Dec. 18.
Much Love-Shauna
coming out of the worst after my 3rd treatment. It wasn't any harder except for the kidney thing which probably means I am just not able to fight as well, and OK maybe it was harder!!! LOL I don't know how common kidney infections are but the Dr. wasn't surprised. I was a little because I am drinking alot! Also, at my last visit my tumor was undetectable!!!! I then asked what my chances are of getting clear margins at surgery and he said "excellent!!" Just to give perspective, there are 3 categories I could have fallen in. 1- 40% who have it shrink and be undectable (upon examination), 2- 40% who have shrinkage, 3- 20% have no change. I was really hoping to have atleast some shrinkage but have somehow been blessed and have fallen into the category I was afraid to hope for! It is undetectable. I can't describe the emotion of all of that. We spend time at chemo with so many who are not having a good outcome and I cry many times for them. I have been so blessed! I am having one of those experiences that I just can't describe yet because it's not over. But if I could tell you about each and every little blessing it would really amount to something amazing! My friend, Debbie Black, said this would be my greatest gift. (I love her but initially I thought she was "nuts!") Even though it is so hard and awful and will be for a long time, I have already learned she is right! Every day is a gift for me. I have not given deep thought to people actually facing life or death with their health (for a long time anyway) and to say they live differently is an understatement. So far, I am thankful for the chance to live a more meaningful life.
Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, and best wishes, keep sending them! My next treatment is Dec. 18.
Much Love-Shauna
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