One down and 11 to go!

But who is counting? :)

I went to have my infusion today with a little anxiety.  I shouldn't say "a little".  It was ridiculous.  My blood pressure was a little elevated (wonder why) and Rick said I was talking very fast.  I need to stop reading the internet.  I had read about allergic reactions to the Taxol and they sounded scary.  So after they took my blood work I saw the oncologist.  As I have said before I really like him.  He reassured me I would be okay.  He spent over a half hour with me reviewing all the path reports again and reassuring me that I would not need radiation.  I will still need to take the hormone therapy for five years.  He explained there is a new study out of Britain that indicated there may be some benefit on staying on this drug for 10 years.  He said by the time I finish my 5 years he is hoping for more clinical trial results to indicate it is worth an additional 5 years.  I also will have another echocardiogram done in the next few weeks.  The side effect of AC can cause heart damage and he wants to make sure all is okay. Once again he keeps a close eye on everything.  I still have the decision to make about removing my ovaries once this is all done.  I will cross that bridge after the first of the year.

I went in for my infusion a little more calm.  My favorite infusion nurse administered the Taxol.  I had lots of premeds which consisted of steroids, Benedryal and something for indigestion.  Then I had to wait 30 minutes before they actually started the Taxol.  They did a very slow drip just to make sure I wouldn't have a reaction.  I did just fine!  Praise be to God!  Trust me when I say I had been talking to God since 3 this morning I am not exaggerating.  I know He doesn't always answer the way we want but He did today,

I was hungry after all of this excitement so Rick took me out to lunch.  I will crash in another day or so therefore we took the opportunity to get out and about.  I am a little tired right now.  I am sure from the Benedryal and coming down from my anxiety.

We have received some wonderful rain the last few days but it looks like the humidity and temps may be going back up.  But it is almost August!  I will post as I have the energy.

Take time to enjoy something for yourself this week!

Relaxed!

I am one lucky lady!  God knew I needed to sit and see all of His glories and handiwork.  French Lick was just what I needed.  I spent most of the time with my butt in a rocking chair on a big southern porch and looking at all of the beautiful vegation growing around the garden of the West Baden Springs hotel.  Rick got to play golf, lose some money at the casino and take some wonderful pics of the surroundings.  It was a great time.

Now back to reality.  I have my hydrate day tomorrow.  Then I will take 2 steriods 12 hours before my infusion on Tuesday and 2 more 6 hours before it.  I am not sure how this next round will be but I know God will watch over me and guide me through the next 12 weeks.  With Him all things are possible.

Once again thanks to all of you participating (and donations) in the race.  Stacy will be sending out an email in the next week or so with any details.  I cannot even think about this event without tears in my eyes.  I hope Rick is good at Photoshop when he takes the group pic and can remove the teardrops!

I hope all of you in Kansas City have enjoyed this break in the summer weather.

Enjoy your week!

PS
Some of you have mentioned you have tried to comment on the blog.  For some reason I cannot see the comments.  If you would like to comment please feel free to email me at coultere@swbell.net.

Road trip!

My counts were good today and the oncologist gave me the approval to get away for a few days:)

With that being said we had great difficulty finding a place to go with my limitations.  We need to make sure we stop often on the trip because of my arms, I cannot be out in the heat for long, no sun and golf for Rick.  Whew...try googling all of that for a place to stay!  We decided to go back to French Lick, IN.  It has rocking chairs on the porch, golf and a casino for Rick and plenty of places to explore.  Unfortunately our first stop tomorrow will be back in my hometown of Washington, MO.  We will attend the visitation of the dear nurse that took care of my parents.  She lost her battle with cancer on Saturday.  After this stop and a visit with Karmen we will be on our way.  We will return on Saturday.  Another exciting time for me.

This weekend was terrific.  Being with family is always the best medicine.  I loved having the girls spend the night Sunday and the day Monday.  Although I was tired Monday night I felt wonderful.  I have no idea of what my counts are going to be on the next 12 weeks of chemo so I don't know how much I will be able to be around my Petrie dishes.  So loved having this time.

Again thanks to all of you that have signed up to do the race or made a donation.  I still get very emotional thinking of this event.  I have been giving Stacy your email addresses as you sign up so she will be in touch with you about packet pick up and any other details for the morning.

I probably won't post anything until we get back.  Have a good week...I know I will!

More race info

Once again thanks to all of you who are participating in the Race for the Cure on August 11th.  Thanks also to those who have donated to such a worthy cause.

If you are planning on walking or running on Stacy's team please sign up as soon as possible.  She is planning on emailing you with details about packet details and other information.

Rick and I have reserved a suite at the Sheraton for that Saturday night and Sunday.  I have no idea what I am going to feel like or what the weather will be so we decided to be proactive about the situation.  I want to invite each of you participating to the suite afterwards for bagels, fruit, juice, water and fellowship.  Please do not feel like you have to come or stay but this is my way to say thank you.  I believe Stacy would like a group picture of everyone so we thought we could make the front of the Sheraton a meeting place.  More details on this to follow from Stacy.  I can text everyone the room number the night before.  I am sure the area is absolutely going to be nuts so being there the night before takes the stress off of me.  I am so looking forward to this event.

I am feeling great today.  I had physical therapy today and my range of motion is awesome.  I do not need to go back to "physical torture" for a month unless I feel the need to go before.

My excitement for the next few days begins at about 2 tomorrow afternoon when Karmen and the girls arrive by train to KC!  I am sure by Monday evening I will be exhausted but it will not be like the chemo fatigue. I will have a smiling face:)

I hope all of you have a great weekend also.

Vertical today!

I thought I might be light headed today with the air up high after being horizontal for three days:)  I feel much better today.

Yesterday I emailed a friend who is doing about the same schedule I am with the chemo treatments.  I told her I was really wimping out this time.  She responded that she has had a rough time also!  We decided it was the accumulation of the 4 treatments and our bodies were just shutting down.  It is was so nice to know it wasn't just me.

I had bloodwork today.  My counts were a little low but not off the charts.  In fact they do not want the WBC to go less than 2.5 and mine was 2.8.  This is much better than I usually have after a week.  I am so excited because I know I will be good to go by this weekend.

I have cleaned a bathroom, vacuumed the first floor of the house and dusted today.  I haven't even had one nap today!  I hope to crash tonight and get a good night's sleep.

It continues to be hot so I haven't felt the need to be out of the house much.

I can't say thanks to God enough times for carrying me once more through my dark days.  He continues to grow the seeds of faith in my heart.

Struggling....

I thought I would feel so good after this last infusion but guess I thought wrong!  I have had no energy the last few days.  I think the chemo has built up in my system and dragging me down.  I also am coming off the steroid high and now taking the anti-biotic for 7 days.  I have so many chemicals swimming around in my system that I have no idea what reaction I am going to have to any of it!  This too shall pass.  God just gives me these days for me to remember that He is in charge.  Each day will get better.

I have my usual blood work on Tuesday which means my counts will be low and I will take all my precautions for a few days.  But by the end of the week I should be on the upswing.  At least I hope so because I have lots to look forward to this weekend.  Karmen and family will be here Saturday for Emerson's baptism on Sunday.  Annie and Ceci are staying here Sunday night for the first time since I began my treatments.  I am so excited to have them.  I know I will be exhausted when they leave to go to their other grandparents but it will be a good tired!

In the meantime there isn't much to write.  But I have had time to reflect on God's word.   I will end with this passage:

"One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:  that you, O God, are strong and that you, O Lord, are loving....   Psalm 62:11-12

Strawberry Daiquiri!

The ladies sitting by me today decided that a strawberry daiquiri sounded better than a strawberry malt. I agree!  I think I feel just as good as if it were a strawberry daiquiri!  A/C is done.  After I had my first infusion I really questioned about completing this treatment.  But I did it!  I know I will still have a few rough days but I also know that with all things God gives you strength.

I had my training on the next drug I will be taking.  It is called Taxol.  I will begin it on July 30th and have it weekly for 12 weeks.  As with the other chemo I can have all sorts of reactions.  I will take different kinds of drugs to hopefully minimize those reactions.  Every individual reacts differently.  Overall it is supposed to be easier than A/C.  I pray that this is true.

I also reconfirmed today that I will not have radiation.  If I would have had radiation I would have had that every day for 30 days.  I thank God that I will avoid that treatment.

My compression sleeves came in today.  I will be fitted for them tomorrow.  Hopefully they will help with any swelling I am having.  Rick says he needs a compression sleeve for his stomach because he must have lymphedema!

I may not post for a few days.  It depends on how I am feeling.  I get the Neulasta shot tomorrow and have physical therapy on Friday.  The week will be over before I know it!

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts!  I am also very touched by all of you participating in the race on August 11.  I tear up every time I try to talk about it:)

First thing this morning Karlene sent me my inspiration for the day.  It was the song by Melissa Etheridge called "I Run for Life".  Listen to it on You Tube.  I will continue to run for all my family and friends!

Race for the Cure

Two of my friends have decided to create a team to run/walk/donate in the Kansas City Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in my honor on August 11.  I am so touched by their willingness to organize this event for me.

Please go to the following link and click on the team page.  You can sign up or donate.

http://kansascity.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/KNS_GreaterKansasCityAffiliate?pg=team&fr_id=3305&team_id=263503

I will be at the finish line to thank everyone for their participation.  If you want to see some Ta Ta's then  you might ask Rick as his are the biggest in the family right now!

Thanks to all of you for your generosity to this great cause.

Ready for the week!

It has been a good week but I am ready for Tuesday to get here.  I will have my last infusion of the two chemo drugs I have been taking.  I think it will be my strawberry malt this time instead of my red devil.
With this being said I have no idea when I will post this week.  Each treatment has been different.  Of course I will be on the steroids thru Friday and then the crash hits.  Since the chemo is to have a cumulative effect I may just sleep my way through a few days.

My fourth of July was absolutely terrific.  If you are ever in need of a great place to stay the Courtyard by Marriott in Briarcliff in Kansas City was awesome.  It is a new facility but more than that they had a very caring staff.  Upon our arrival on Thursday we were greeted by a smiling face.  She obviously was the young lady Rick spoke with as he was making the reservation. She said they had tried to pick out the best room with a view of the city fireworks.  When we went into the room they had placed a gift bag in the room with water and healthy snacks along with a handwritten note hoping we enjoyed our stay and a two complimentary breakfast coupons.  The view was terrific.  It was so nice to watch the fireworks and not have the hassle of traffic or people.  Ricky did good:)

Yesterday Karlene and family came over for dinner.  It will be a few days before I can be around my Petrie dish again so I got my "grandson fix".

Tomorrow will be my hydrate day.  Then I will cross one more thing off my list on this journey! After my first treatment I thought I would never be able to complete these infusions.  With God's hand holding mine I have made it!  God is good!

Up and Down Battle

As I have said the cancer journey is filled with ups and downs.  I know God has given me the strength to face this battle.

With that being said yesterday was a day of me calling Rick after physical therapy and saying, "I hate cancer!"  The physical therapist said my arms are beginning to show some signs of swelling.  Not so much in the left arm but more in the right arm.  The right arm is the arm that 19 lymph nodes were removed.  I will always have the chance of developing lymphodema in that arm.  There are precautions I can take to make sure this doesn't become full scale.  So yesterday I was measured for custom compression sleeves and gloves for both of my arms.  It will take a couple of weeks before I receive them as they are custom made in Germany.  I will need to wear them during the most active part of my day for maybe up to 4 hours.  I also need to make sure I elevate both arms as much as I can and Rick will do the massage therapy on me every few days.  After this news I had a melt down of saying, "I have no hair, boobs and now will look like a freak wearing compression sleeves!"  Needless to say I got that out of my system.

Once I had my "fit" I called Karlene to see if I could have some time with the boys and my form of "treatment".  We had dinner with them, watched Ethan play, held Emerson and spent a lovely evening on their screened in porch.  I came home and slept like a baby.

Today I woke up and thanked God for being with me as I fight this battle.  I got ready and had breakfast with the retirees from my school.  What a fun morning!  We had a great turn out and I was able to visit with dear friends.  My dark mood from yesterday was gone.  It has continued to be a good day.  My counts are good:)  In fact the WBC is even higher than when I started.  That means the shot I am getting is doing its job.  Onward and upward!

Once again my hubby is a gem.  After my "explosion" yesterday he surprised me and told me he had made reservations for the fourth of July at a hotel (praying my counts would be good) that sits high on a hill in the city.  He had talked with the staff and arranged to have a room that will have a window view of the city's fireworks.  I cannot get any bug bites for the fear of infection so being out after dark watching fireworks had posed a problem.  As usual he is the love of my life.  I did ask if he used the "C" card in making the arrangements and he said, "you bet"!

As this battle continues I must remember God is in control.  I win the battle anyway it goes!