Thursday is Chemo Day

Today in the cancer chronicles, I accomplished many things:
1. Got my wig fitted and styled and instructions on how to wash and care for it. It's my new pet.
2. Got a second dose of chemotherapy (therapy - hah). This was a 30 minute bag of Herceptin, the drug I will most likely be on for about a year. Happily, the side-effects of this smaller dose have not been drastic. Grace tagged along, and seemed un-phased when they used my newly installed mediport to deliver the juice. Maybe she will be a doctor after all.
3. Got a hair cut to match my new wig. I splurged and treated myself to a cut, style AND blow-dry at Haircuttery. I brought my wig in, explained my hair loss story to the stylist, and asked her match my hair to the wig. Somewhere along the lines, there was a communication breakdown. She did a great job on the wig-matching cut, but when I left, she gave me her card and told me to come back to see her next time. I was pretty clear about telling her I was going to be bald in a few weeks - but I guess she forgot that part.
4. Ordered some fun and flirty head-gear to cover my dome – hats, wraps, etc. Nothing says ‘that chick rocks’ like a flowered bandana or African silk head scarf.

All in all, it was a productive day. I have also been feeling pretty darn good the last two days, compared to last Friday – Sunday. Complaints: tiredness, stomach cramps, night sweats, runny nose – all of which I can handle. Nausea – forget it.

Today’s Cancer Fan shout out goes to my sister Jenny and her daughter Lizzy – for bringing over the best darn peanut butter cookies ever made. Second shout out goes to the Kelty family – with their heart-warming card o’wishes and the DVD of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. “Learn it. Know it. Live it. My old man is a television repair man, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.” I love you guys!

P.S.
I am getting a mystery card delivered – with sweet messages and no signature. Whoever you are, you are my angel!

Back at Work Today

I thought I would join the real world once again and head into the office today. It was not easy, but it sure beats lying around the house looking at dust and opening the fridge about 100 times. I was able to make it from 8:30 until about 1pm, when I hit the wall of exhaustion. Tomorrow I'll try for a longer day.

Yesterday's medi-port surgery was interesting. Fairfax hospital is a maze of confusion. The outpatient surgery center is down in the basement, with poorly marked signage on where to go, elevators, etc. Proving my point was the elderly volunteer who wheeled me out to the street when I was ready to go. He had no idea which set of elevators to take to get me out of the building!

Anyway, the surgery itself was a piece of cake. Mandy, my awesome prep-nurse graduated with me from O'Connell - so that's was a small world story. The medi-port is very small, about the size of a quarter in diameter, and 3/4 inch thick, and has a tube that goes into a vein in my neck closer to my heart. No - I do not look like a Borg from Star Trek, or like someone from the Matrix where they plug me in to a machine. There is nothing sticking out of me. There are two small incisions and a small lump under my skin on my chest – near the bra strap. Of everything that’s been done to me so far – this makes the most sense for administering IV medication.

I have to share a 'Laugh out Loud' award which goes to to my dearest friend Amy, who send me the following email: “So, I've never subscribed to a blog before!.... that makes you my FIRST TIME!..... but I mean, with a title like "Anne's Cancer Adventure"... how could I resist?!.. I heard it's already being opted for a screenplay to do a lavishly gay broadway musical featuring such hits as "One Boob is enough", "Lay off my wig, bitch!", and "Does this pink ribbon make me look fat?"! ...”

Keep sending me the love, people!

Sunday Night -Kids are the Best!

After Friday's relatively decent day, Saturday took a downhill turn for me. I was able to get up and get to the swimming divisionals, but it was SO hot, I lasted about 2 hours. I did get to see Jake and Erin swim before going home and passing out on my couch. I was wiped out. The day seemed to get worse for me - with aching bones, a sore back, and a slight fever of 100. It really got me down to be so out of commission. Still - upon the advice of a co-worker (thanks, Paul) I had to make cancer my beeyatch and was able to do my first self-injection of Neupagen before I went to bed. I slept some, breaking out in night sweats again, and woke up feeling a little better.

I was not able to get to Jake's diving divisionals this morning, and felt really bad about it. My parents took him to the dive meet and he ended up coming in 6th place - which is really awesome. As the morning went on, I felt good enough to take the kids to church, and it was important for me to feel normal, and get back in the real world.

Tonight was the big swim team end of season party and I KNEW I had to make an appearance. As tough as it was to get psyched to go, I made it - and it turned out I had a really, really good time. I stayed from 4 until 7:30, enjoying the games, the potluck, the awards and the photos. Jake, Erin and Grace made me so proud. The highlight of the night was seeing Grace receive the coveted 'coaches award'. There is only one of these awarded, and she earned it for her Woodley Warrior spirit, her positive attitude and her cheering the team - even in the meets where she did not swim. Go Gracie! Anyway - I wish I could have stayed longer for the DJ and dancing, but once again, I was wiped out so had to head home.

Tomorrow I go to Fairfax Hospital to get my single lumen mediport placed in my chest. It's about a 2-hour ordeal where they knock me out and install a tube in my chest for future chemo injections. The port will most likely be in place for a year. One more foreign object in my body - awesome!!!

Thanks for your continued calls and well wishes. I have been an emotional roller-coaster lately, so if you talk to me and I start to cry for no apparent reason, don’t be surprised – I’m a mess. UGH.

Day after Chemo

I made it home yesterday around 3pm, and other than being tired, a little itchy and achey, I felt ok. I have been able to eat without nausea and I slept well last night. I have been taking some anti-nausea meds, and they appear to be working. Nausea is one of my worst fears in coping with this, and if I can keep that at bay, I'm golden.


Today my mom, Erin and Grace and I ventured out to do some shopping. No, no to Tysons's or the mall - but to a wig store. I figure I should get one picked out sooner than later. Talk about a strange thing to shop for! My entourage was very supportive and we found one that looked reasonably decent. The ladies at the store were AMAZING with their suggestions and advice, and they made the whole experience as plesant and as 'normal' as it could be.

Here is a shot of the wig I picked out.

I am totally kidding. I tried that one on for fun. I thought i looked like Garth from Wayne's World.

Grace got in on the fun, too.

That outing took a lot out of me, (mentally, physically, everything) so we went home and I took a nap. In between resting, I am checking in with work from time to time, responding to a few emails, staying relavant, putting out fires. Trying to feel normal is very important right now.

Tomorrow the kids are swiming in their last swim team event of the summer (Divisionals) and I am thrilled that all three kids are in two events each. I am planning on going to the meet - and hopefully I will be able to sit in some shade and enjoy the races. I also get to start a 5-day regiment of Neupagen - injections of this help raise my white blood cell count. I need to do this 5-day cycle after I get my big chemo treatments.

Injecting myself, taking tons of meds, wig shopping, feeling run-down - I still can't believe this is all happening. I know what is getting me through this is support from my parents, my kids, all the 'pool moms', Chris, people who have been through this, like Kristin's mom, Debbie, and all the kind letters, cards and sentiments people are sharing with me. Keep the prayers and the good vibes coming - I have to say they are working!

Getting the juice!

I am sitting in my doctor's office (and have been since 9am) getting IV's of many things:3 chemo meds, benadryl, and anti-nausea stuff. So far so good. I have a lounge chair, private room with cable TV and my mom and dad to keep me company. I should be done in an hour.It's kind of boring, actually.

I'll go home after this and rest. I feel fine now and I even had a sandwich for lunch.

More later!

What they are injecting me with tomorrow... it's a Toxic Cocktail.

For those of you who are 'into' this cancer-thing (and unfortunately, I am because I have been thrown head-first into it at 90 mph) here are links to the chemotherapy drugs they are using on me tomorrow. These links go into details about the good, the bad and the ugly. I am CONFIDENT I will be in the majority with normal or typical side effects. Yay Chemotherapy!

Carboplatin
http://www.chemocare.com/bio/carboplatin.asp

Taxotere
http://www.chemocare.com/bio/taxotere.asp

Herceptin
http://www.chemocare.com/bio/herceptin.asp

I am going to the Beach NO MATTER WHAT!

Inquiring minds want to know if my chemo will affect my August 15 beach trip. I asked my doctor if it would, and thank God, she said we can work around it. I NEED this vacation, my kids need this vacation, and whether or not I am tired, nauseous, or bald - I am going to be there!

Most likely I will get a second round of chemo the week before the beach. And as much as I enjoy road-tripping with the kids and cruising around in my newish Mazda 5, I have no way of knowing how I will feel after two rounds of chemo.

So to my family members who are going to the beach – if necessary - I hope you can find room in your hearts and your cars for me, some boogie boards, several bags of crap, two moody teens and rowdy 10-year old boy.

Beach 2009 will be the BEST VACATION EVER!

Can you say “Corn Hole”?

Chemo Starts This Week!

I'll add more in a later post for those who want to know the medical terms and details - but for those of you who want an update on my next steps:

Tomorrow 7/21 - Appt with cardiologist at 10:00am. They need an ECG to make sure my heart is healthy before chemo.

Thursday 7/23- first chemotherapy treatment. This will take about 6 hours starting at 9:00am. I have meds to take before, during and after treatment to prevent some side effects - like nausea.

Monday 7/27 - Going to Fairfax hospital to get surgical port implanted in my chest - so they don't keep sticking my arm with needles for all future treatments. I will have follow up doctor appointments once a week (and a weekly injection of Herceptin -preferred drug of choice for my non-hormone-based aggressive cancer) and chemotherapy every three weeks after this week.

Depending upon how effective the treatment is, chemotherapy will be adjusted over the next six months. The good news is that my doctor thinks this regimen will be successful, as it has worked on many patients. All of the preparation before during and after the treatments should help prevent nausea and possible infection. I will lose my hair pretty quickly (so you could see me in a wig in a few weeks -- arrghh!). Another side effect is fatigue - and I just need to keep that in mind so as not to push myself.

Like I said - I'll write up some more details for anyone who wants more of a scientific, physical or emotional report.

How in the heck did I get here today? (the non-emotional scientific explanation)

Most of you know that last July, I was diagnosed with breast cancer - specifically - DCIS (ductile carcinoma in-situ). This type of cancer typically does not spread - it is contained in the breast tissue. I had a left-breast mastectomy in September, to ensure that all the DCIS was removed. There was no evidence of lymph cancer (or any invasive cancer) at the time, based on: 1) results of my sentinel node biopsy; and 2) the tissue samples tested after my mastectomy. I was sent on my way with a five-year prescription of tamoxifin, which is an estrogen suppressor, meant to slow or prevent any recurring cancer in my right breast.

I had reconstructive surgery in early February 2009, which included a silicon implant. This surgery was successful and again, there was no evidence of lymph swelling at the or invasive cancer at that time

Sometime in April, I noticed that I had small, painful lumps in my left armpit. I just assumed it was swelling related to the reconstructive surgery, and it would eventually go away. I mean, all signs indicated that I had a textbook DCIS case, and the mastectomy took care of it all. I was not too concerned.

A month later (May 2009), the swelling did not go away. I told myself that I would have the lumps examined in early June when it was time for my mammogram and MRI. Sure enough, those test results showed multiple swollen lymph nodes, so clearly that the radiologist suggested I get a biopsy.

A few days later, in my surgeon’s office (Dr. Shawna Willey, Georgetown), I received a fine needle biopsy. A few days after that (mid June) she called me to say that the lymph sample revealed breast cancer cells. She explained that unfortunately, there must have been some invasive carcinoma cells lurking in my breast that went undetected. These cancer cells spread to my left lymph nodes. Dr. Willey immediately scheduled me for surgery to remove my lymph nodes, and also scheduled me for a PET/CT scan just to make sure there were no other tumors outside of the lymph nodes.

After my PET/CT scan, my oncologist (Dr. Mary Wilkenson, Fairfax) called me into her office to share the results. Not only were there tumors in my lymph nodes, but there were distinct tumors in my liver. I saw the scans myself – and there was no mistaking it – the cancer had spread to my liver.

Dr. Wilkensen needed to get a larger sample of lymph tissue to determine what kind of cancer they were dealing with – what type of receptor cells were there – so she could recommend a treatment plan. The test results were revealed to me today (July 20, 2009) and it showed that my invasive carcinoma originated from breast cancer, and the cells were HER-2 positive. I may or may not have this correct -- but from what she explained, this type of cancer is aggressive, and does not grow or respond to hormone changes. The medicine most effective in treating these type of cells is Herceptin. She assured me that this is relatively good news – as they have seen many positive results in shrinking this type of cancer with herceptin.

In addition to a weekly shot of herceptin, every three weeks, I am going to receive chemotherapy which consists of the drugs carboplatin and taxotere. Possible side effects are infection (due to decreased white blood cell count), nausea, hair loss, fatigue, joint aches and perhaps weakening of the heart muscles. After two to three months, I will get another PET/CT scan to see if the tumors have changed, and my treatment will be adjusted after that. If it is working, chemotherapy will be reduced, and eventually eliminated, and I will be on a herceptin maintenance plan. If it is not working, or there are side-effects that are unexpected, then she will make changes to the medicine, chemotherapy schedule, and do whatever it takes to get better results.

On Monday, July 27, I will have a Single-lumen mediport placed in my chest for easier administration of intravenous medicine. I will probably have my second dose of chemotherapy in the second week of August. I will lose my hair – most likely in the next 2-3 weeks.

There you have it, medical geeks. That’s the unemotional story of how I got to be where I am today! Stay tuned for more cancer adventures!

Biopsy Results Today

One week ago I had a core needle biopsy done on the largest lymph node in my armpit. Apparently it is about 2 centimeters in size. The results of this sample will determine the treatment plan my oncologist will recommend. They test to see what receptors my cells have - so they know what works best on stopping their growth. Of course this is the most basic explanation.

One bit of good news - the biopsy was painless during the procedure, and after applying ice every 20 minutes that same day, I had very little pain, swelling and bruising.

It has been a long week of waiting and as much as I want to know what my future holds, I also do not want to know.

Bloggedy Blog Blog

After my recent cancer diagnosis, I thought I would start to journal what I will be going through during the next phase of my life. Perhaps family and friends can check this for health updates, and my kids can use this as a reference in the years ahead.