Well, last week (Mary's "off week") wasn't that great. Until about Thursday, she really didn't feel too good. Then, Thursday, just in time for her BFF to come in to town, she started to feel better. It was a wonderful break for her to get out and party with a long-time friend!
Monday, 4/22 was Mary's last Chemo treatment of the Adriamycin Cytoxan. She told me she was actually looking forward to this past Monday because she knew it was her last treatment of that one. Now that Mary is finished with this type of her Chemo, let me tell you a little bit about it since I don't think I ever did.
Adriamycin Cytoxan: is extremely toxic. It is a pinkish-red color. I don't think they call it "red death" and "red devil" for nothing. It is used to treat many forms of cancer, but can only be administered by a specially trained Chemotherapy Nurse in cap, gown, and gloves by injection. It can only be administered by hand into a vein not an artery. It can cause permanent heart damage or death, not to mention many serious side effects. It is so toxic, you can only have it for so many rounds once in a lifetime. When you have been given this type of chemo, they recommend you flush your toilet not once, but twice or three times with the lid down and to wash your hands for 45 seconds.
Yes, Mary lost her hair, she easily tired, had quite a bit of problems with heartburn, acid reflux, and some nausea, and she did have some body aches too. But, we are so thankful that there is a weapon against this horrible disease! She got through the first 4 treatments like a Trooper, and I know she will face the next 4 the same way.
So far, this week hasn't been too bad. Rick's sister, Beverly, was able to come to town to help out in case Mary needed anything this week. (Again, Mary and Rick are so blessed and grateful for good friends and family who are willing to help.) Mary has had the usual fatigue, but the other side effects haven't seemed to plague her too much as of yet. Next Monday, she will go in for her labwork and then on May 6th she is due to start her new type of Chemo which is the Taxol. There will be 4 rounds, every other week. This will bring a new set of side effects, but I know she will face them with as much courage as she did the first 4 rounds.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Chemo week #3
Sunday, 4/7 Mary had a good week off. I was thinking today how hard the Sundays before Chemo have to be for Mary. She is feeling so well, but knows what is in store for her in the week to come. She knows she has to get up tomorrow and start this new week not knowing how she is going to be feeling for the next 4, 5, or 6 days.
Monday, 4/8 Chemo Day. It was an early one today. Rick was off work and was able to go with her. They got the "corner office" for her treatment. (the best seat in the house) It went pretty much the same as the last treatment.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were rough days for her. (I got in to town on Tuesday.) She has been having an upset stomach and has been very tired needing a nap in the afternoon and going to bed early in the evening. Thursday night she did stay up a bit later, but her stomach still wasn't feeling great.
Friday she felt a bit better as far as her energy, but her stomach issues were still giving her problems. She finally decided to give the Doctor a call and see if there was something they could do. She got a new prescription so hopefully her upset stomach will be on the mend soon.
I was hoping by the end of the week she would be feeling like going for Happy Hour to our favorite patio, but she wasn't quite up to it. So, I decided to bring it to her. We had Kona Grill on her patio, complete with "faux-tinis" (water shaken with ice and lemon) sitting on her patio by her pool. The weather was awesome, and the food tasted great. It really was a "happy" hour.
Saturday, 4/13 Mary woke up feeling a bit better. Hoping today will be a good one for her. 5 days since Chemo and with the new meds for her stomach - I'm hoping she is making the turn for her good week.
I'm leaving to go home today and won't be able to come back for a few weeks. I hate not being here to help out around the house, but I know she will be in good hands while I can't be here. Rick is awesome. She has her BFF coming in to town next week to see her. Rick's sister is coming to stay for her Chemo week#4. She has so many people that care about her. She loves the cards, and she has gotten some beautiful flowers from good friends, too. All very much appreciated! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Keep the good thoughts coming, and don't forget to make her laugh. If you know Mary, laughter truly is the best medicine!
Monday, 4/8 Chemo Day. It was an early one today. Rick was off work and was able to go with her. They got the "corner office" for her treatment. (the best seat in the house) It went pretty much the same as the last treatment.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were rough days for her. (I got in to town on Tuesday.) She has been having an upset stomach and has been very tired needing a nap in the afternoon and going to bed early in the evening. Thursday night she did stay up a bit later, but her stomach still wasn't feeling great.
Friday she felt a bit better as far as her energy, but her stomach issues were still giving her problems. She finally decided to give the Doctor a call and see if there was something they could do. She got a new prescription so hopefully her upset stomach will be on the mend soon.
I was hoping by the end of the week she would be feeling like going for Happy Hour to our favorite patio, but she wasn't quite up to it. So, I decided to bring it to her. We had Kona Grill on her patio, complete with "faux-tinis" (water shaken with ice and lemon) sitting on her patio by her pool. The weather was awesome, and the food tasted great. It really was a "happy" hour.
Saturday, 4/13 Mary woke up feeling a bit better. Hoping today will be a good one for her. 5 days since Chemo and with the new meds for her stomach - I'm hoping she is making the turn for her good week.
I'm leaving to go home today and won't be able to come back for a few weeks. I hate not being here to help out around the house, but I know she will be in good hands while I can't be here. Rick is awesome. She has her BFF coming in to town next week to see her. Rick's sister is coming to stay for her Chemo week#4. She has so many people that care about her. She loves the cards, and she has gotten some beautiful flowers from good friends, too. All very much appreciated! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Keep the good thoughts coming, and don't forget to make her laugh. If you know Mary, laughter truly is the best medicine!
Friday, April 5, 2013
It's All Fun and Games, 'Til...
It's All Fun and Games, 'Til... the Morning Light Shows You Bald!
I woke up on Saturday morning took a hard tug at my hair, and it stayed intact, so on I went with the morning! I went in and took a shower and after washing my hair, I comb my hair out only to find large amounts of hair in the comb. DAMN IT!! Now I know, you are really going to snatch me bald headed you STUPID CANCER, and I was AMAZED that I was ok and not a blubbering wreck!! So late Saturday evening we decided to shave our heads. We had a bridal shower to go to on Sunday and Sangria to make and get to the party. I couldn't stand the thought of clumps of hair falling out at the party!! Well, Julie is correct. It took a shot of Tequila and several wine breaks for me to get through the head shaving. Don't judge! If you know my sister and I, we turned it into a party, and laughed so hard sometimes we thought we would pee our pants!! Julie went first, being the brave sister cheering me on, and letting me know I could do it too. As I was shaving her head, I of course, put her in a mohawk cause I could and it was funny! As she is shaving my head I hear her yell, "and this is for punching me when we were little, and this is for.....!!" It took me a minute to realize my poor sister had alot of pent up anger at me, LOL LOL!! She no longer needs therapy for her childhood issues. Who knew? LOL!!
Sunday morning comes along and we both walk out to the kitchen and just hug each other and cry! It doesn't matter that the hair will grow back. THIS SUCKS ALOT!!! We now had labels on us, and we felt naked. Going to the bridal shower was not an option anymore. Just couldn't do it. Even with a wig! This was not the place or time to debut the bald head!! I felt naked outside of the comforts of the bald home. Ashley, my oldest daughter had to go and take the Sangria and do the party thing alone. Not easy for an introvert, but she did it for me, and our friends. You bastard cancer you steal so much from people...YOU ARE GOING DOWN! This day I did have a full blown melt down that shocked even me. Thank God my sister was there!
Monday came and it was chemo day. This time I didn't feel so good after, but that is just the roller coaster of chemo. Just about the time you think your doing good and can do a little chore, it bitch slaps you back onto the couch! That is ok. It is still better than pregnancy!! The chemo fatigues me, makes me nauseous, and my taste buds don't like the taste of anything, but I have not yet had any vomiting, and they say I won't with the drugs I am on.
The journey I am on is one that is very humbling. I made the following post on my Facebook page, and feel it bears repeating.....
Your thought for the day (NO I did not come up with this myself)
If we all threw our problems in a pile, and got a look at everyone else's, we'd fight like hell to get back our own!
Sitting in a chair having chemo next to others, makes me feel so very blessed for the cancer I have. Mine is much easier than some of my "seat" mates!
As I see the things I see, I am thankful that I get to only have breast cancer! I do not mean that in any disrespect, or make it less than what it is, but for me, there are other that have it so much worse. I will take my path. The path that God is allowing me to go on. I will take it with pride, and humility, and with LOTS of LAUGHTER!
To all of you that take a second to think of me, and my great family, I thank you. Your support, whether in word, thought, or deed, is held dear to my heart, I love you all, and thank you for joining us on this journey. BITE IT CANCER!!!!
I woke up on Saturday morning took a hard tug at my hair, and it stayed intact, so on I went with the morning! I went in and took a shower and after washing my hair, I comb my hair out only to find large amounts of hair in the comb. DAMN IT!! Now I know, you are really going to snatch me bald headed you STUPID CANCER, and I was AMAZED that I was ok and not a blubbering wreck!! So late Saturday evening we decided to shave our heads. We had a bridal shower to go to on Sunday and Sangria to make and get to the party. I couldn't stand the thought of clumps of hair falling out at the party!! Well, Julie is correct. It took a shot of Tequila and several wine breaks for me to get through the head shaving. Don't judge! If you know my sister and I, we turned it into a party, and laughed so hard sometimes we thought we would pee our pants!! Julie went first, being the brave sister cheering me on, and letting me know I could do it too. As I was shaving her head, I of course, put her in a mohawk cause I could and it was funny! As she is shaving my head I hear her yell, "and this is for punching me when we were little, and this is for.....!!" It took me a minute to realize my poor sister had alot of pent up anger at me, LOL LOL!! She no longer needs therapy for her childhood issues. Who knew? LOL!!
Sunday morning comes along and we both walk out to the kitchen and just hug each other and cry! It doesn't matter that the hair will grow back. THIS SUCKS ALOT!!! We now had labels on us, and we felt naked. Going to the bridal shower was not an option anymore. Just couldn't do it. Even with a wig! This was not the place or time to debut the bald head!! I felt naked outside of the comforts of the bald home. Ashley, my oldest daughter had to go and take the Sangria and do the party thing alone. Not easy for an introvert, but she did it for me, and our friends. You bastard cancer you steal so much from people...YOU ARE GOING DOWN! This day I did have a full blown melt down that shocked even me. Thank God my sister was there!
Monday came and it was chemo day. This time I didn't feel so good after, but that is just the roller coaster of chemo. Just about the time you think your doing good and can do a little chore, it bitch slaps you back onto the couch! That is ok. It is still better than pregnancy!! The chemo fatigues me, makes me nauseous, and my taste buds don't like the taste of anything, but I have not yet had any vomiting, and they say I won't with the drugs I am on.
The journey I am on is one that is very humbling. I made the following post on my Facebook page, and feel it bears repeating.....
Your thought for the day (NO I did not come up with this myself)
If we all threw our problems in a pile, and got a look at everyone else's, we'd fight like hell to get back our own!
Sitting in a chair having chemo next to others, makes me feel so very blessed for the cancer I have. Mine is much easier than some of my "seat" mates!
As I see the things I see, I am thankful that I get to only have breast cancer! I do not mean that in any disrespect, or make it less than what it is, but for me, there are other that have it so much worse. I will take my path. The path that God is allowing me to go on. I will take it with pride, and humility, and with LOTS of LAUGHTER!
To all of you that take a second to think of me, and my great family, I thank you. Your support, whether in word, thought, or deed, is held dear to my heart, I love you all, and thank you for joining us on this journey. BITE IT CANCER!!!!
Monday, April 1, 2013
End of Week #2
Well, week #2 of Chemo was a bit harder on Mary than the first week was. She did pretty good Monday afternoon and Tuesday wasn't too bad, but the fatigue set in on Wednesday and really didn't leave. I left on Wednesday, so I tried to keep up by phone calls with how she was feeling, but that was kind of hard. She was a bit nauseous in the mornings on both Thursday and Friday, but was able to control it with extra meds and getting a little bit of food down. She didn't have too much trouble with the body aches this week. She kept on top of that with the Aleve and the Claritin. (thanks to her Dr's advice and my friend Beth's reinforcement)
We are hoping her "off week" will be a good one. She had a pretty good Easter yesterday. Rick's folks were there and fixed a nice Easter dinner for them. A day for renewal and hope.
We are hoping her "off week" will be a good one. She had a pretty good Easter yesterday. Rick's folks were there and fixed a nice Easter dinner for them. A day for renewal and hope.
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