Happy St. Patrick's Chemo!

Backlog -- Stardate: Thursday, March 13th, 2014

Well, we met with the Radiation Oncologist this afternoon...or maybe I should say a team of Radiation Oncologists - the Chief, his Fellow, and a Resident(?)  This is the second time I have met with Dr. Wilson and this is the second time that three people have entered the room all clamoring to have a look and a squeeze.  I don't appreciate this very much.  I don't really care to be the monkey on display.  I know it is for a good cause - these "kids" are learning.  Still, I wish I didn't have to be the one naked from the waist up for them to learn.

Anyway...after much displaying of the goods, Dr. Wilson proclaimed that he also felt comfortable recommending a lumpectomy to me.  End of story.

Back to the Future -- Monday, March 17th, 2014

Second to last Chemo done!  Eleven down, one to go!  Amazing!  I didn't think I would ever see this day.  I can't believe that in 1.5 weeks I will not only be finished with Chemo, I will be finished with the side effects (well, almost) of Chemo!  Maybe I will be able to taste food again?!  Maybe I will be able to wake up without buzzing in my legs and arms?!  Maybe my fingernails will grow back and be pretty again?!  Maybe I will be able to hear properly?!  Maybe the Chemo Brain will go away and I will be able to think clearly once again?!  Maybe my hair will start to grow back...oh wait!  It already has!  I don't think I have mentioned this for fear it would fall out again, but it seems that ever since I have been on Taxol - so like three months now - my hair has been growing back.  We didn't notice right away, but about a month ago, it became obvious.  I think I have about a half to three-quarters of an inch of growth on my head.  Unfortunately, the front is not coming in as fast as the sides and back so it isn't really presentable just yet, but it is promising!  Maybe by the end of the school year I will be able to go without a hat!  That would be SO cool!

Matt, Heather, and Steph accompanied me to Chemo this week.  There was a lot of discussion over mastectomy versus lumpectomy.  I don't really feel like going over all of it right now...I think I will save that for another post.  But, unfortunately for Matt and I, I think this is going to be one of the toughest decisions of our life.  There doesn't seem to be one right, easy, or clear answer.  But we were still waiting to hear from the surgeon and what the Tumor Board had to say.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

So, there I was, all hooked up to my pre-Chemo cocktail and the effects of the Benadryl were just starting to take hold.  I was feeling nice and woozy when in sauntered Dr. Kong.  Apparently, it was pretty unanimous - the Tumor Board agrees that a lumpectomy is viable.  They liked her plan of keeping the incision within the bounds of a mastectomy so that should I have to have one in the end, the scars from the lumpectomy would just be cut off and not outside the bounds.  That sounds like a good plan to me.  But, it's just not a very easy decision.  We talked a lot about the pluses and minuses - I will share those hopefully tomorrow - before agreeing that while I am drunk on Benadryl is not a good time to make decisions.  So we have up to two weeks to decide.  I hope to make the decision before then, but it's good to know we can take our time if we need to.

Moving on...the most exciting part of Dr. Kong's visit was when she told us about two research studies that I may be able to participate in.  One involves the radiation portion of my treatment.  That one sounds okay to me, but not ground-breaking or anything.  I will be happy to participate and I don't think there will be any side effects or other to worry about.  The other one, though, sounds very promising, but I have to qualify to participate.  In order to qualify, I believe my lymph nodes must come back from surgery negative for cancer cells.  If this happens and I qualify, I will be given a vaccination that they have shown as very promising at reducing the rate of cancer recurring.  I would really love to qualify for this study, so please add this to your ever-increasing prayer list.  Matt and I later talked to a woman from the research department and she said that this study is in Phase 3 and is "the real deal".  Super exciting!  Unfortunately, being a part of the study means having to go back to Froedtert once a month for five months and remaining there for four hours while they make sure there are no side effects from the vaccination, but I think that sounds fair, considering the possible benefits. Apparently, after that there are more visits and lots of follow-up over a ten year period, but bring it on! Anything to reduce the chance of having to go through this nonsense ever again!  I almost feel like this is something to look forward to.  (Injections?!  I must be crazy!)

Finally, I came home to a delicious dinner, made by Donna Reddy.  I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical - she made us Corned Beef and Cabbage to celebrate St. Paddy's Day, not something I have a lot of experience with, despite having Irish blood in the family.  But, I was looking forward to trying something new.  And, I couldn't believe how good it was! The Corned Beef was juicy and tender, the cabbage such a nice crunchy texture and very healthy!  And, potatoes and carrots as well!  Rye bread! Green kiwi, green apples, and green grapes!  AND shamrock-shaped Jello!  Wow!  How awesome is that?!  Thank you so much, Donna!  St. Patrick's Day at the Kons' Household was fantastic!

I didn't see this till I came downstairs this morning, but the Brandels also brought us these beautiful flowers.

So cool!  That's a Shamrock plant and tulips (and an Irish prayer from Donna Reddy).  I am SO blessed.  Thank you so much Brandel Family!  It feels like Spring in this house with those tulips.  Doesn't get much better than that after the winter we have had.  It's hard to believe the official start of spring is just two days away. Somehow, I think Wisconsin is going to hold on to winter as long as it can!  But, Spring seems so hopeful - new life and new beginnings.  I almost feel as if it is coinciding perfectly to symbolize the completion of my never-ending winter of Chemo to the Spring of transition - Surgery.  Which will be followed by...the Summer of Radiation?...Unintentional suntans???  Hmmm...we will have to work on that one.  But, mid-summer will bring a modicum of freedom!  I hope to participate in this vaccination study, but that is only once a month - so much easier, so much freer!  And, it shouldn't make me sick, tired, or otherwise incapacitated, so I can't wait to be the Mom again!  Woo hoo!

Now, if only we could make this lousy decision and get this show on the road...