heart

This a picture of me last summer. Alan and I had gone to Old Faithful to walk around the boardwalks and were lucky enough to get to see Beehive Geyser go off. It erupts anywhere from 8 hour intervals up to a few days. This erpution lasted about 5 minutes and shot the water about 200 feet in the air. It's definitely one of the coolest things I'd ever seen.

Ok, time for another update.

This second treatment has treated me a little more..well, worse I guess is the word I'll use. But it really hasn't been awful. The morning after my second treatment I woke up sweating and feeling really weird and flu-like. Fatigue has been the side effect that's pretty constant. I get so tired after doing the simplest things. And I found that I have been getting mouth sores as well (a side effect of chemo). But really what it feels like is a bubble or a blister in my mouth..but they only last for about an hour and then they just go away. It's really weird. And I also notice that I had a dry cough the week of treatment..but that went away by the second week. I gained 4 pounds in 2 weeks. Normally I'd feel like, "Ugh, I'm so fat!".. but it's a good thing that I have an appetite and my body is getting the fuel and nutition it needs to endure something like chemotherapy. And, my hair is falling out big time. I shaved my head the Saturday after my second treatment because it was falling out in clumps..in the shower, my hands would just be covered in hair and I couldn't stand it anymore. So, the Aveda salon shaved it for free and were wonderful as always! And everyday I can see a little more balding on the top of my head. Again, just another side effect and I knew it would happen.

My cousin, Nicole, brought me to the American Cancer Society's "Look Good, Feel Better" program last Wednesday night. There were 5 other women there with me who were undergoing treatment for cancer.. 3 out of the 5 were breast cancer patients like myself. And it was interesting hearing their stories and how they're dealing with everything. I was the youngest one there.. but one of the women was only a year older than me and a breast cancer patient. So, it's really important to do those self-exams ladies! It's happening to younger and younger women. But anyway, I got a generous bag full of make-up donated from companies like: Chanel, Bobbie Brown, Mary Kay, Avon, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, and Aveda. They taught us how to put the make-up on and how to tie a scarf on our heads. I was very happy I went. There was lots of laughter and for a moment, we were just women being women, and not cancer patients.

So, today would've been my third treatment. But I had an echocardigram done on Thursday and the results from that put a halt to that treatment.. and the Adrimyacin medicine. Remember when I had mentioned that it can damage the heart? Well, it's done just that to mine. My base heart capacity (I guess that's what they'd call it?) started out working at 66%. The results from the one on Thursday showed that it had dropped to 45%. 50% is considered within the normal range and I've dropped below that.

They've given me a prescription to take that is supposed to be a 'protection' for my heart. And they're hoping that because I'm young and we're stopping the Adrimyacin that my heart will go back up on it's own. So, tomorrow I have to go in for a MUGA test. They will put this radioactive stuff in me to highlight my heart and try and get another reading to see how accurate the echocardiogram was. And after that appointment, I will meet with my oncologist to talk about a different approach for chemotherapy. He may choose to continue with the Cytoxan and then add either Taxol or Taxotere. There are lots of medicines to choose from so it's just a matter of finding another combinatioin that won't damage my heart. (The doctor's did tell me that they're currently treating a 23 year old for breast cancer and the Adrimyacin did the same thing to her.)

So, that's the update with the chemo. I just want to say thank you to the Jackman port of entry for their very thoughtful gift basket they sent me! Lots of great stuff and I really appreciate you guys thinking of me!! And a big thank you to Jenn for the beautiful flowers she sent me for my birthday! :) And also to my mom's friend Katie (a breast cancer survivor!!), who made a very generous donation to my benefit checking account. And of course to my family and friends, I really appreciate all the love and support I recieve DAILY. It keeps me going and gives me courage and hope.

So, please continue to pray and send positive thoughts my way!

I will be okay. :)

Positives!

Alan will be here in 20 days!!

I feel good.

I am looking forward to summer.

I got lots of new make-up!

I know I'm loved!

God is here with me, every step of the way.