Done, Done, and Done

No more treatments, no more doctors (for at least a month) and no more cancer.  Friday was my last radiation treatment and other than this blog, I didn't really have to think about cancer much at all.  My radiation-burned skin is healing nicely and some areas areas area actually fading away.  My arm movements are back to normal.  What a glorious day in the neighborhood.  I also had a job interview last Friday with Johnson County Community College for a part-time worker in their assessment office.  I think it went well.  They have a few more interviews to do this week and then will give the lucky two or three a call-back for a second interview later this week.  I am also completing paperwork to be a substitute teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District where I live (the daily pay rate is very good!).  The JCCC job is only three days/nights a week so other days at my discretion could be spent subbing with unsuspecting rugrats who don't know me from Adam.   If you're going to be a sub that would seem to be a good situation to walk into and out of at the end of the day.  So here's to a good week and a possible job that would be a great fit for me.  

Radiation Therapy--Round 1--Last Day

I had my 25th and last radiation treatment of the chest wall and underarm area today.  My chest wall is healing nicely due to the week off and my underarm area is easily irritated by clothing and stretching.  It feels like my underarm skin area is a couple of sizes too small.  :)  But, this too shall pass.  My radiologist drew an interesting diagram on my masectomy scar area for five extra treatments next week to once again try to destroy any microscopic cancer cells that still might have a microscopic brain cell to think with.  This only chemotherapy/radiation therapy regimen has fought to serve this same purpose and I have to believe that they were successful.  So one more week and I can take some time off from cancer doctors and treatments and attempt to put cancer in the back of my mind for awhile.  My new focus will be on trying to find some part time work and continuing to monitor my hair growth.  It appears that gray will be my predominant color for the time being anyway.  :)  I had a nice cool jog this morning though still sweating when I got done.  I'm getting a little stronger and a little faster.  I have yet to jog the whole four-mile loop but I am walking the uphills only a couple of time now.  Mind over matter at this point.  Get out there and take advantage of this nice "cool" weekend coming up....at least around KC anyway. 

Radiation Therapy--Holding at 20

The lift-off for completing breast cancer therapy has been put on hold at 20.  The doctor wanted to give my skin a rest before completing the last five radiation treatments.  The skin looked a lot worse than it felt, but the doctor did not want it to get any worse.  I have never had any pain from the chest area, but the irritation under my arm has bee aggravating.  So I am just hanging out this week letting my skin breathe.  It looks a lot better today, if I do say so myself.  I will go back next Monday and hopefully they will let me finish the cycle.  I may have a few extra treatments under my arm the following week.  I'm still hanging in there with my 6 a.m. jog/walks.  I look forward to getting into cooler weather so I can turn that alarm off.   

Radiation--Day 15

Two-thirds done and I am building up quite a radiation skin burn.  A neat little 6 by 6 inch square that is being zapped every day.  No real pain, but it really itches especially at night.  I have a sulfa cream to help the healing process so that I can keep going for another 10 treatments.  I can use aloe vera gel and hydrocortisone cream for itching and a couple other things if I choose to.  I don't want to have to stop for a break so I hope the sulfa cream does it's job well.  Having Saturday and Sunday off should help, but it could get to the peeling, blistering stage with another 10 treatments.  Hope not.....but probably will according to the nurse and doctor.  My scalp is beginning to darken with some hair growth but it is a really painfully slow process.    I saw the oncologist this week and all my blood work is still getting better as my body recovers from the chemo.  I'll start taking tamoxifen once I get through with radiation.  I feel good and am looking forward to having cancer activities take a back burner this fall.  I'll still see the doctors every few months but I'm going to look for a part-time job of some sort to get me out of the house and busy with other things.
It's been a long 6 months looking back but it has gone by very fast.  I don't want a repeat performance.
It would be nice if the hot weather would take a break but that doesn't look like it's happening any time soon so I will continue my jog/walk at 6:00 a.m. for now.  That's not a bad time of the day to get going.

Radiation--Day 10

Nine treatments down, sixteen to go.  No ill effects so far and only faint skin reactions.  Actually I'm not sure my skin is reacting at all, but it probably should be according to what they tell me. :)  I go back to my oncologist next Wednesday for another blood analysis and a quick check-in.  I will probabaly get a prescription to tamoxifin for the next five years.  My head looks like a budding chia pet  with just some darkening fuzz on the top.  Slow but sure.  I have heard that there is some research out there into using those commericial hair products to speed up growth but I don't think I'm there yet.  I'm doing my 4-mile jog-walk every morning.  It used to take me an hour and now I'm down to 54 minutes.  That's probably where it will stay until the weather gets a little cooler.  It's basically just one of those "get 'er done" kind of tasks that I am glad to check off early in the morning.  I am also trying to do some toning exercises in the afternoon, a little abs work, and some upper body conditioning.  I'm not very consistent with those, but it can only get better.  Heat is building this week so you have to get out early to enjoy some morning movement. 

Radiation Day 1

I saw my oncologist yesterday to get a final checkup and all of the blood count numbers are good.  He said that they should continue to increase as my body continues to outgrow the effects of chemo.  He said that I could notice some beginning hair growth as early as next week.  Then it would probably take about three months to grow to about an inch in length.  So that means possibly my own hair length back by Christmas.
He gave me the go ahead for radiation treatments and wants to see me again in three weeks to see how that is going.  He will then probably prescirbe Tamoxifin for me to take orally over the next five years.  I'm already scheduled for my first radiation treatment this afternoon.  We will then set up a daily M-F schedule for the next five weeks. It's about a 20 minute drive to the clinic and about 15 minutes or so for a treatment once we get going.  So looks like about an hour a day will be on my schedule for July.   It's good to see gas prices going down.  :)    I'm still taking my daily walk/jog each morning and have been adding in some afternoon upper body and toning exercises.  It must be working since I have been sore from the new demands on my muscles.  Looks like we are going to have a few sweltering days of heat in good old KC
so stay cool and Happy 4th of July.

Radiation Go

I have deemed chemotherapy officially over as of yesterday since it would have been the first day of a new cycle.  I will have a relaxing celebration of its end overy dinner with friends tomorrow night.  Now all I have to do is keep my new and improved cells reproducing at faster rate and enjoy the increased energy, losing the runny nose, healing up residual mouth issues and watching for fuzz to begin growing on my head (and elsewhere that hair should be).  I saw my radiologist today, we took some pictures, and set up my radiology therapy schedule.  I will begin next Thursday and continue M-F for about 5 weeks.  If all has gone well, she wants to do some extra "bonus" treatments under my arm since that is where the cancer was trying to set up shop with its nasty tendrils of alien cancer cells.  That could produce some extra sore spots under my arm, but her positive remark was....skin will reproduce itself in a while and we don't want any microscopic cancer cells taking up residence in their old homestead.  My walking/jogging stamina is beginning to build back up and my jogging time is starting to overtake my walking time.  I'm down from a 60-minute walk to a 46-49 minute jog/walk.  I need to get my weight band routine going again along with those wonderful sit-ups and push-ups for some increased upper body workouts.  I'm having some company this weekend and going to a Royals game.  A good time will be had by all----I wish you the same.

C-Last Round-D7

Days 4 - 6 passed uneventfully.  Stomach is still a little rocky but nothing that keeps me from eating what I want to, though it does have a tendency to keep the portions smaller.  That is one tendency that wouldn't be bad to have around after the effects begin to really wear off.  I am walking about 3.6 miles every morning.  I start out jogging but don't make it very far before the walking takes over.  My jog is barely past a walk anyway so I figure I might as well let myself get a little stronger before any serious jogging.  It takes me about an hour whether I jog or not so there you go.  It's usually fairly cool with often a breeze and I have great audio books to listen to.  I'm not getting any online grading jobs right now but I have the Praxis tests grading confirmed for next week.  More folks looking for jobs as teachers...many need to reconsider.  I see my radiologist next week to map out a treatment plan for the radiation of my chest wall and under arm areas that could most likely be hit by any leftover microscopic cancer cells.  I can't imagine that any are still standing after the chemo, but these are all precautions to keep a cancer from sneaking back to these two areas later.  It's a great day here in KC with low temp and low humidity, not something you get often in summer time.  Hope you had time for a walk today.

C-R6-D3---Last Round of Chemo

Wednesday was my last chemo treatment and I had my magic shot yesterday.  Today, of course, is a yucky day while I wait for my stomach to right itself.....for the last time.  I see the doctor in three weeks to get what I hope are my final walking papers from his office, at least for a while.  I don't know how often I will see the oncologist, but I am sure he will give me an oral prescription of some kind.  I will be getting in touch with the radiologist soon to set up a planning session for my radiation treatments.  I am assuming I will be going to her office every day (except weekends) for at least 30 days which is pretty much standard treatment.  My next big milestone, other than getting through these next two or three days, is seeing my hair begin to grow.  Yeah!!!!!  It will be at least a  month I think.  I guess the hair follicles have to wake up from their 4 months sleep to realize that the coast is clear and the Pac-troops have  vacated the war zone.    Can't wait to see the new "do". 

C-R5-D14

Feeling good.  Had a good weekend.  Drove down to Springfield to see the family.  Good food, good stories, especially the ones about losing things. :)  My energy levels are good and my stamina on the jog/walks is improving.  I cut 5 minutes off my 3.6 mile jog/walk time this morning.  Good thing it was cool and a nice breeze blowing.  I am looking foward to my last chemo treatment tomorrow and having as good a recovery week as I had this last round.  I will see the doctor to get my send-off appointment and probably a 5-year prescription for an oral medication to continue to fight the development of cancer cell growth.  I will then make plans to begin my radiation therapy in the next few weeks. I look forward to continuing my physical improvements and getting back to my previous activities.  Try a walk in the morning and enjoy the start of a new day. 

C-R5-D8

Things are going well in round five especially since I am back in familiar territory.  I had a great weekend with a small cookout on Memorial Day with good friends, good food, and a couple of good movies.  No severe reactions of any kind, appetite is good though energy levels wane at times.  I have just had to learn to take things a little slower.  I can get the yard mowed just fine but it is more like taking the scenic route right now rather than my usual express route.  The lawn and flowers are looking good with all of the rain we've had.  I'll have to remember to give the flowers a spritz every day or so now that the rains have passed.  I got to resume my first jog/walk this morning after about three weeks of just barely walks.  I could probably walk as fast as I was jogging but it felt good to pick up the pace a little on the downhill slopes.  I went about 3 miles or so all together and it was 60 minutes of continual movement.  I'm going to try to work on my stamina this next week as I am on the uphill slope for my blood counts.  I hope to jog a few more steps each day and walk a few less.  Now that it's getting warmer I'll have to get my activities going earlier in the morning, not a bad thing.  I have my last treatment next Wednesday.  Yahooooooo.  So get out there and move around a little today and don't forget to appreciate what it means to feel good. 

C-R6-D2

And the good news is...."No more taxotere".  Wednesday was a rather eventful day in the chemo room.  There were about 7 or 8 of us in various stages of treatment when the tornado sirens went off and we had to move to anThe inner hallway for about 20 - 30 minutes.  My oncology nurse had not had an opportunity to talk with my doctor the day before so we were waiting for a call from his that morning to see what my drug of choice would be.  In the meantime I was just getting my stream of pre-meds to prepare my body for the cancer drug.  The call from the doctor came in during the tornado watch that he thought the taxotere had definitely conflicted with my body chemistry and that instead of changing to a different drug we would just finish up with two more treatments of my previous two-drug combo.  I was quietly expressing my joy despite the seriousness of the tornado updates.  I have met the enemy with my previous treatments and I know I can handle it.  Plus I will be done ahead of schedule even though I have been delayed a week while recovering from the last treatment.  Once we were back in the chemo room I finished my treatment while dozing in the chair with weather updates in the background.  I have only one more treatment on June 8 (blood counts willling) and will start my radiation treatments after that.   It is wonderful to have this first end in sight.
I had no significant problems at all with radiation last time and don't anticipate any problems this time.
Here's to a good weekend.  I hope yours is as well. 

C-R5-D20

After re-reading my last post I can tell that I was operating on "chemo-brain".  There was at least one statement that didn't make sense.  This too shall pass and I shall try to do a better job of thinking and typing.  It has been a mostly uneventful last few days.  I was still taking Tylenol for chills and fever on Thursday but could go longer between doses before the chills kicked in.  Nights were broken up by changing wet t-shirts and taking more Tylenol.  Friday I went most of the day without Tylenol, one dose about 3:30 in the afternoon for fever.  Friday night I just went to bed without taking my temp or taking Tylenol.  More wet t-shirts to change during the night.  I haven't taken any Tylenol since that last dose.  I think I can feel some slight fluctuations in my temperature but have decided just to ignore it.  I am feeling stronger and am getting my equilibrium back.  I am wearing shorts and t-shirts again rather than jeans and long-sleeve shirts (for the chills) so that is a good sign.  I am enjoying meals more.  My hands and arms had some pealing skin issues due to the taxotere...a common side effect.  That is better as well.
Nights still find me waking up a couple of times with a damp t-shirt so I'm still not sure what that is about.  And let's not forget the tornado sirens at 11:00 Saturday evening.  Those always help lower the stress level from a taxing day.  :)  I am so glad the really severe weather passed us by once again. Wednesday is my 6th treatment day and I'm not sure what that will bring, but I really hope it is not taxotere.  I'm off for a little longe walk this morning to build up some stamina for the next round.
Don't forget to add some extra movement to your own routine.

C-R5-D16

Yes, I am still on round 5.  I did not get a treatment yesterday.  I am still fighting the chills and fever but we have the reasons narrowed down to two possibilities.  My blood culture test is still showing no results and the antibiotic I took for five days didn't knock out the fever so I probably don't have a bacterial infections.  Other test results indicate that my body is trying to fight some kind of infection which would make it a viral infection and my body will just have to continue to fight.  However, my doctor noted that he had a patient a few months ago with the same drug protocol as mine and she had the same chills and fever reaction when she had her first dose of taxatere.  They eventually determined that her body had an adverse reaction to the drug itself and they changed her treatment.  So my problem is..........we don't know which one it is at this point. 
So they sent me home to let my body balance itself and hopefully sooner rather than later this sequence of chills and fever will fade away.  I will go back next Wednesday for my next treatment.  The doctor will determine whether it is taxotere or something else.  I am definitely leaning toward "something else".  Since my symptoms for an infection of some kind have been almost non-existent, I find it hard to believe that my body wouldn't have righted itself before now.  A severe reaction to the taxotere seems much more likely to me  but then I'm not an oncologist.  I can only think positive and try to enjoy my extra drug-free week.  I hope I can get a short walk in today between showers. 

C-R6?-D1

Well it's supposed to be a treatment day today, but I am not at all sure that my body is ready for another onslaught.  I am still fighting some kind of infection that is not showing up in the tests we've done so far.  I am still having chills and fever every day, still scarfing Tylenol, and still waiting to find out what this is all about. 
My blood tests indicate that I should be able to fight off minor infections, but its not happening.  I have become so out of tune with my body that I am not sure how I am supposed to feel anymore.  Last week my fever would jump up several tenths and I wouldn't even be aware of it until I tood my temperature.  I've always been a healthy person before the breast cancer with only the usual colds maybe once a year and maybe the flu once or twice in my whole life.  I've never even had a doctor's prescription for anything until this set of circumstances has set itself up in my life.  I'm going to my treatment armed with questions and will hopefully come away with some answers that make sense.  I have to believe this too shall pass.  I did get a walk in yesterday for the first time in many days and it felt pretty good just to be outside.  Take a turn outside today yourself and think positive thoughts for me.

C-R5-D12

What a week I have had or should I say "weak".  I have been fighting a fever daily most of this last week.  The doctor warned me that I might experience a fever mid-cycle due to the new medicine furiously zapping white blood cells during the first few days.  Mid-cycle is the low point and then the next 7 days have the magic shot of neulasta building those little white cells back up again.  My fever those  was off the charts and I had to call in for consulations and finally go in to the office for a blood count.  All of my numbers however seemed to be pretty normal and high enough to fight infection.  I was snarfing down Tylenol every few hours and taking my temperature multiple times per hour.  The oncology nurse was very calming and supportive but that doesn't help much in the middle of the night.  My good friend, L, came over in the evenings just to keep me company and was ready to whisk me off to the emergency room if needed and I was close at one point.
By Friday morning I gave some more blood so they could run a culture and find out what was causing the fever.  I got a heavy duty antibiotic to take for five days.  On Monday we will get some initial test results.  I am finally feeling better today but am afraid to say it out loud and take the chance on waking up the fever gremlins for another onslaught.  My family came in for the weekend to attend my nephew's graduation from William Jewell which I had to pass on.  My sister came bearing wonderful chicken soup, my sister-in-law produced a tender and flavorful pork roast and my brother cut the yard.  Everyone supported me during the multiple takings of the temperature.  Having them here was great even if I had little energy to add to the party.  I am due for another treatment Wednesday.....can't wait???????  Haven't got to walk in awhile and sure miss it.  Having a cold, blustery weekend however did make it easier to just hang out in the TV chair.
Let's hope round 6 is a vast improvement.....only two more to go after that. 

C-R5-D7

Taxotere is really a bear.  I know now why chemo patients would want to stay in bed and pull the covers over their heads.  It is hard to get moving in the mornings.  I slept through most of the night without waking which is great, but awoke with a little fever this morning.  This particular drug is know to cause fevers about mid-cycle and then the body starts to recover.  (That's my hope anyway.)  If the fever gets too high it could be a sign of infection due to low blood counts so I will monitor, take some Tylenol, and drink plenty of liquids. I also have a little swelling in my hands, especially the right one.  If the Pac-troops were my symbol for the first two drugs, then these new forces must be similar to the Navy Seals who took out Osama Ben Laden....real serious dudes.  I just have to believe that they're getting the job done.  I've been working online quite a bit this last week, so that at least has given me something to do.  One of my jobs involves grading Praxis questions for individuals who are trying to get temporary certification to teach in mathematics.  So far, most of the questions I've graded, I didn't know much about until I read the expected responses.  How things have changed in education over the last 40 years.  Well, I was really hoping to get out and walk this morning, but need to wait until the temp goes down.  Don't skip on your exercise today.    

C-R5-D2

Did you notice the R5?  I am officially on the downhill side of chemo and actually feeling pretty good after the injection of this new drug Taxotare or something like that.  Hardly any stomach discontent at all, yeah! And no swelling of extremities of any kind.....yet, that is.  I'm told that I may experience a zonk next Wednesday, possibly a fever of some kind indicating the onset of some kind of infection.  This drug can do a number on the blood count at an earlier stage than the last set of drugs.  I'm not sure what "infection" means but I'm supposed to call the office if I have a definitive fever.  Since I didn't experience any zonks with the last set of drugs, I am hopeful that Wednesday will pass without incident as well.  There could also be a rash on the palms of your hands that will actually peel the skin so I am hoping to get a pass on that symptom as well.
I hope to keep my exercise regimen going such as it is and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I have some online work coming in now so something to do for pay is great as well.  Looks like it's going to be a great weekend so get out there and do some moving.   

C-R4-D11

16,22,30...my first three picks for the next mega-millions drawing or how many minutes into my 4-mile jog I can make before I start walking.  I still have hopes that I'll make the whole thing before round 5 next Wednesday, but it's debatable.  If I had a less hilly course I could probably do it but the up-slopes are challenging with chemo residual effects riding on my shoulders.  Once I clear the next hill I can start jogging again so most of the 4-miles is jogging which gives me a mental boost.  I probably walked the last five hills this morning so I'm doing pretty well.  That means I jogged 8-9.  Yeah!  That also means that now that I've tried to remember them, I'll probably have to count them just so I have some other markers for my physical recovery.  All in all this has been a pretty good week.  My stomach seemed to recovery faster than usual but I had sore wisdome teeth for most of the week.  Did you know that your jaws and tongue don't function as  well when your wisdom teeth are sore?   That's mostly gone today as well.  I finally got some flowers planted and the yard looks really well right now.  I'm currently being lazy and watching a St. Louis Cardinal baseball game which doesn't happen often in KC.  I'm heading out to re-sand the patio later.  Get out today and gets some fresh air and exercise....any movement will work.  :)

C-R4-D5

It was a great Easter Sunday, hair or no hair, my stomach or the one on loan for the next few days.  I had brunch with a great group of friends with my contribution being an egg casserole that I had never made before.  Considering all of the embellishments, I was just hoping for edible and got "yummy" instead.  Now I've got my own recipe that works.  Round four chemo is in the past along with the half-way point of  this leg of the journey.  Friday was its usuall nasty self with the day of rain just making my trek from chair to chair to sofa to chair to bed with blanket in tow a day of passage.  Let's just get it over with and move on is my motto for this phase of chemo.  I did get in a thirty-minute plod around the hood just to remind the chemo cancer-zappers that I'm still in control.   I still believe in the old Nike slogan "Just Do It".  I used to have a key chain with that slogan that got me through my stint as a middle-school administrative type so it can certainly get me through chemo as well.   I was going to do a little more patio work this afternoon but nap-time settled in and took that time slot.  The patio is officially done and looks pretty good but I just found out that the sand I so meticulously swept into the cracks will need to be replaced every time it rains until it packs itself down into the crevices.  It did indeed disappear last Friday after a day of rain, but I was expecting that.
My landscaping consultant gave me the news about frequency of replacement.  Oh well, I don't have any current projects under advisement other than getting some flowers in the pots for the front porch, deck and now the new patio.  Sounds like a slow week.  Good for building white blood count.  I've got a new drug coming up next time that can take you down a little in that department but supposedly less stomach problems.  We shall see.  Take a walk today before the sun goes down.