My first treatment

My first treatment was about 4 1/2 hours today. Bryan came with me for support (and discovered they have great snacks, so I am confident that he will return!) I am tired, but I can't blame it all on the treatment.

I went to the UL football game last night, determined to see Hunter Cantwell, my daughter Emily's boyfriend and the backup quarterback play, and I was not disappointed. I thought it would be a fun thing to do and it would take my mind off the chemo. It distracted me, but I think it wore me out, too!

The good news is that I am not allergic to Taxotere, as some are, so my treatments can be completed in full. They run this bag at 2 hours the first time to watch for allergic reaction. From now on, that bag will run in 1 hour, which will make the day shorter.

The news I did not want to hear is that I will need a port, due to lack of great veins. This is probably good news, because it will shorten treatments and lessen stress in looking for those veins each time. I will have outpatient surgery on Wednesday Sept. 19 to "install the port" at BHE.

I am told the hair will go in 10 - 14 days, so I have scheduled my "head shaving" with the girl who does my hair on September 11. She will help me learn how to wear my wig. If I get brave, I will have someone take a picture. If not, I will just cry a little and move on to the next step!

Your calls, cards, meals, gifts, prayers are overwhelming - I can't thank you enough or tell you how loved I feel right now.

Jan

My Doctor's Visit Today

I went for a pre-chemo visit with my oncologist, Dr. Janelle Seeger. We are ready to go at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, August 31st. The treatment will take about 4 hours. The good news I received today was that my PET scan (which looks for cancer anywhere in the body), my CT scan of the abdominal area (checking especially for liver involvement) and my bone scan were each clear! We are just working now to wipe out any microscopic "bad guys" that can't be picked up on scans.
I am asking for prayer that my side effects will be minimal, and that I will stay on schedule with these and get to finish before Christmas.
My family has been wonderful, and so many friends have brought meals or meal cards, visited with me and prayed with me and for me. Cards still arrive in the mail daily, and I love to read and re-read them. It has been a blessing to see how kind people are when someone is in need.
Of my own strength, I cannot do this, but I am trusting God to give me what I need to complete my treatments.
Thanks to all for your many kindnesses since my diagnosis.
Jan

First Date - Rescheduled!

Mom will have her first chemotherapy treatment on Friday, August 31th. It has been moved back a day so that Dad can be with her for the four hours of treatment. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power! Please pray that He continues to preserve and strengthen this quality in us!
Please ask for a smooth chemo experience for Mom, as we are all hoping she will avoid (or have minimal) sickness and fatigue! Thank you for your continued prayers!

Chemo Prep

Another big week for Mom! She learned from her oncologist last Wednesday that she will begin chemo in about three weeks. She will have six treatments of chemo, each three weeks apart. When she's finished with that, she will have four to six weeks of daily radiation. After radiation she will continue to take an oral for five years called Tamoxifen and for five years after that she will take another oral called Femara.
Last Saturday, to prepare for the on-going treatments, Mom and I went accessory shopping. She got the most beautiful blonde wig (which looks just like her natural hair except more blonde!) and we sent away to have a silver bracelet engraved with the "no needle, no blood pressure" warning for her right arm (the one they took the lymph nodes from). I am happy to say that Mom has not lost any of her abilities to shop!
Yesterday Mom had a minor outpatient procedure to repair the site where her incision was not healing as well as it should. She only had local anesthetic but she didn't feel a thing during the procedure and was in no pain last night!
Unfortunately, she did not get rid of her remaining drains yesterday (as she had hoped) but will most likely have them removed tomorrow. Just one more day!
Mom will continue with a series of tests and body scans for the oncologist today. She already had one on Monday and will have two more today. Please pray for good results on these tests! We will all be relieved to hear the results.
She is also asking prayer for courage for herself as she begins chemotherapy. I am also asking prayer for our whole family. I have had a kidney infection this week and my sister Emily is also very sick right now. Please pray for ALL of us to remain healthy and strong so that we can be there for our Mom!
Thanks again for the prayers, meals, visits, and the general waves of love that continuously roll in our direction!
-Sarah