We went to chemo today a little unsure if they would give it or not as I have come down with another nasty cold. They still did it! My fever was difficult to break on Tuesday night initially but I have some aggressive antibiotics and I am feeling better for today. Tomorrow I will go and get the last of the Neulasta shots and then suffer through the next week and hopefully be done with the hardest parts of chemo. We truly never know what to expect but we are definately hopeful. My Doctor couldn't have been more positive and enthusiastic about my response to the chemo. He said I was tough (even though I feel sort of wimpy right now) and that I have responded so well he expects great results from my surgery and lymph node dissections. We are still so amazed, relieved and above all very thankful!
So, at this point everything is still on schedule and will more than likely keep my surgery on schedule for Feb 18. They can always give me another Neulasta shot if blood counts are down! (I will be so mad if that happens!)
We are still going to be "hermits" for a little bit longer to make sure I can be as healthy as possible for surgery. I love all of your emails and can't begin to tell you how they lift my spirits! I am so thankful for everything everyone is doing and have done for us. We have such a long list of family and friends serving us it's so humbling and over-whelming for Rick and I to watch as so many family and friends do everything imaginable to see us through. There are so many things people have offered to do and we really appreciate it. We have been touched beyond words by the sweet things people have offered on our behalf and the constant requests to do more. If you could bottle up some energy for me that's what I really need!! LOL
Thank you to everyone for sticking with us on this. It is definately a long road to recovery! We love you! Shauna
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I am stonger than nails... but not chemo!
I wrote the last update before my 5th treatment and boy what a difference a little chemo makes! This one started out bad when we got to the Dr. all my counts were down except 1. I was surprised by that but soon found out what it meant when I got the 5th treatment with low blood counts, "WOW!: that was awful. I have my 3rd kidney infection and my kidneys have decided on their own to refuse to continue metabolizing insulin for the rest of my body (basically). The nurse described it as insulin pouring out before it can be grabbed so my blood sugar was too low. I have been very miserable since my treatment but have done much better today, Jan 14th. I have been in contact with the Dr. and the sugar should level out by this weekend in time for something else I am sure. They speculated yesterday when they checked my counts that they would recover enough to have the last treatment ontime which is good because I want it over so badly! This is one awful roller-coaster ride and I would like to get off!
I am going to see a surgeon today and will get a surgery date which I keep referring to as a "goal" because my counts will have to be recovered for surgery so there is some chance it will be delayed.
Anyway, we took the kids to Build-A-Bear before my last treatment so they could make something to snuggle while I am in the hospital for surgery! It was fun and important for me that we do something like that to help them as much as we can. Rick is another story, he is officially a mess! I keep telling him not to worry and he looks at me like, "have you seen yourself lately?" LOL Yes, I have and it's a mess, so for now we have agreed to pretend to be normal however he did not yet agree to stop worrying! LOL
I don't think I have been saying this enough but I was reminded today that everyone's focus should be on doing their self exams and getting mammograms regularly if you are suspicious or of age! My RS Pres. and Stake RS Pres. came and visited today and a ward member went in after being reminded by my diagnosis and they found a lump in each breast. She has had her surgery and begins radiation shortly, she did not have to do chemo BECAUSE SHE FOUND THEM VERY EARLY!!! I am going to have a girl party as soon as I feel like I can and we are going to learn together how to properly do exams and learn that it need not be embarassing or shameful to do your own exam, it could save your life!! Please do it!
One more Chemo to go!! Thanks so much to our family, friends and ward for taking incredible care of us! I am so thankful! Love-Shauna
I am going to see a surgeon today and will get a surgery date which I keep referring to as a "goal" because my counts will have to be recovered for surgery so there is some chance it will be delayed.
Anyway, we took the kids to Build-A-Bear before my last treatment so they could make something to snuggle while I am in the hospital for surgery! It was fun and important for me that we do something like that to help them as much as we can. Rick is another story, he is officially a mess! I keep telling him not to worry and he looks at me like, "have you seen yourself lately?" LOL Yes, I have and it's a mess, so for now we have agreed to pretend to be normal however he did not yet agree to stop worrying! LOL
I don't think I have been saying this enough but I was reminded today that everyone's focus should be on doing their self exams and getting mammograms regularly if you are suspicious or of age! My RS Pres. and Stake RS Pres. came and visited today and a ward member went in after being reminded by my diagnosis and they found a lump in each breast. She has had her surgery and begins radiation shortly, she did not have to do chemo BECAUSE SHE FOUND THEM VERY EARLY!!! I am going to have a girl party as soon as I feel like I can and we are going to learn together how to properly do exams and learn that it need not be embarassing or shameful to do your own exam, it could save your life!! Please do it!
One more Chemo to go!! Thanks so much to our family, friends and ward for taking incredible care of us! I am so thankful! Love-Shauna
Monday, January 05, 2009
Chemo #5
I can't believe we are to this point already. Thursday will be my 5th Chemo. I have been feeling really good the last few days, and surprised to have some energy and to have so many "good" days! I really appreciate the continued support via email, text messages, visits, etc. Everything my family, neighbors and friends send really boost my spirits and I am finding that lifting spirits is a huge part of healing. This is such a long process that it's hard for people to understand how long it takes to be clear of it and I appreciate the way you have all hung in there with me because it won't be complete until OCTOBER, can you believe that? We will get there no matter what.
Some neighbors who have gone through cancer treatments with their daughter (among many other trials) brought us this quote and I thought it was good for anyone in any difficult situation: "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we endure is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure especially when we endure it patiently, builds our characters, purifies our hearts, and expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God, and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation that we gain the education that we came here to acquire." - Orson Whitney
I think this is a great reminder why we go through all the trials of life large or small and the people you will meet as a result. I have this quote on my night stand so every day I can remember why I am doing all this hard stuff and those who are going through it with me. None of us can choose our trials but these words make it easier to keep focused on each task and the end goal.
My kids are doing fairly well, each day that I feel good is a day they can forget for a minute. It's sobering to hear your child pray that your cancer will go away, "cancer" is a word that children shouldn't have to speak. Megan asked me, "when are you going to feel better, mommy?" She stressed the "when." It's a very long time for all of us especially a 4 year old. It's amazing the people who enter into your life right when you need them, a neighbor who is a speach pathologist just happened to visit and was able to give us some good advice and help us relax about Isaac's stuttering which began right when I was diagnosed. It's one more thing we can allow some time to see how/if it works itself out. None of this is easy for anyone. We are all in "survival" mode so anything that can be fixed with patience is most likely to be made worse until we can locate some patience. When we find it we will let you all know where! LOL
The Race for the Cure in Salt Lake is May 9, 2009 and is a 5K (from what I can find.) I will be walking it, Rick will be running with the kids in the jogging stroller. As soon as sign-ups are available I will get a team set up so everyone can register with the team. I am so excited for this one, I will be about 6 weeks from reconstructive surgery at that point and should be finished or almost finished with radiation. I will be so close to the end of the bad stuff. I hope everyone is healthy and doing self breast exams at the very least! (Aunt Kathy!) Take care and I write again after #5.
Much Love-Shauna
Some neighbors who have gone through cancer treatments with their daughter (among many other trials) brought us this quote and I thought it was good for anyone in any difficult situation: "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we endure is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure especially when we endure it patiently, builds our characters, purifies our hearts, and expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God, and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation that we gain the education that we came here to acquire." - Orson Whitney
I think this is a great reminder why we go through all the trials of life large or small and the people you will meet as a result. I have this quote on my night stand so every day I can remember why I am doing all this hard stuff and those who are going through it with me. None of us can choose our trials but these words make it easier to keep focused on each task and the end goal.
My kids are doing fairly well, each day that I feel good is a day they can forget for a minute. It's sobering to hear your child pray that your cancer will go away, "cancer" is a word that children shouldn't have to speak. Megan asked me, "when are you going to feel better, mommy?" She stressed the "when." It's a very long time for all of us especially a 4 year old. It's amazing the people who enter into your life right when you need them, a neighbor who is a speach pathologist just happened to visit and was able to give us some good advice and help us relax about Isaac's stuttering which began right when I was diagnosed. It's one more thing we can allow some time to see how/if it works itself out. None of this is easy for anyone. We are all in "survival" mode so anything that can be fixed with patience is most likely to be made worse until we can locate some patience. When we find it we will let you all know where! LOL
The Race for the Cure in Salt Lake is May 9, 2009 and is a 5K (from what I can find.) I will be walking it, Rick will be running with the kids in the jogging stroller. As soon as sign-ups are available I will get a team set up so everyone can register with the team. I am so excited for this one, I will be about 6 weeks from reconstructive surgery at that point and should be finished or almost finished with radiation. I will be so close to the end of the bad stuff. I hope everyone is healthy and doing self breast exams at the very least! (Aunt Kathy!) Take care and I write again after #5.
Much Love-Shauna
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