Over these couple of days before treatment started, I was starting to get super nervous. I mean, there is no shortage of horror stories to go around for what a friend of a friends cousin’s brother’s dog sitter’s grandma experienced while going through chemotherapy. What I’ve learned is that every experience is different. And there are so many drugs that fall into the chemotherapy description. And there are so many things they can do to prevent side effects. But before I learned all that, this couple of days break before treatment began was a flood of emotions, anxiety, and just trying to soak in family time while I still felt ok with the exception of the pain from the port being placed.
Bookshelf – Breast Book
November 19, 2014 Leave a Comment
The pediatricians in the practice we use have been a great support to our family during this time. The doctor we see most frequently went so far as to call to check on our family immediately after my diagnosis. She also told me to immediately start reading “Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book” (you can purchase a copy here). I told you she was put in my path for a reason! She was even my pediatrician many years ago.
One Last Hoop
November 17, 2014 5 Comments
So the results were in and it was time to prepare for treatment. My treatment plan first called for A-C every three weeks for four cycles. The A is for adriamycin and the C is Cytoxan. After those four cycles, the plan called for four more three week cycles including Herceptin, Perjeta, and weekly Taxol. When they told me the plan, they had let me know that I would also need to have a port placed in my chest. I was freaked out by this for a number of reasons. I asked what other options there were. I was told there were not any. So it was really the last step to prepare to start chemo the next week to have it placed.
That Morning
November 13, 2014 1 Comment
So I did not get much sleep waiting for the scan results, but I was the mom of a newborn, so it was really just part of life just not the normal cause. The next morning, I had a hard time. And that is putting it very lightly. There was A LOT of the ugly cry happening.
Hold your baby, Hold your breath
November 10, 2014 2 Comments
It was very surreal to be home just the three of us at first after really just spending her first day in the hospital. We were able to get unpacked and settled in before my inlaws delivered our dog and stayed to cut our grass and a bit later my parents brought home That Little Girl following her ceremony at preschool. I remember just sitting in our chair holding That Baby and both of us falling asleep before the reality of being home really set it. There is so much I don’t remember about those first few days. Some of that is likely attributed to the normal mom of a newborn haze of constantly nursing, pumping, little naps, and lots of laundry. I felt a little like I was on the outside of my life looking in and trying to remind myself to be present. Knowing I need to really take it all in and enjoy, since this is the last newborn we are going to have. I was always wondering how long I will be here to know her and her to know me.
That Guy is All About Our Girls
November 6, 2014 Leave a Comment
So, I do not think I would be stretching the truth to say that I have no idea how I would have gotten this far without the amazing support system I have. That Guy has taken on even more of the parental and household duties in many ways, even though I am home with the girls during this time. That Guy has been with me at as many appointments as he is able, while still working. And somehow he does it all without really ever letting me feel like I am a downer to what should be a really amazing time in both of our lives, having just welcomed our second baby into our family. That Guy has a unique perspective to this path we are on. Lucky for you, he is open to contributing to the blog, as well.
So tell us, what should he share?
If there is something you would like to read, that we haven’t thought of, please let us know!
Wacky Wednesday – Germaphobia!
November 5, 2014 1 Comment
Since this blog sat on my to do list for a while as I was busy living this life and journey, I’ve started out writing about the past. Most of it is pretty ugly. Breast Cancer isn’t really very funny. Parenthood, however, I will admit can be really really funny. And I do try to laugh at myself as often as possible. When you combine That Girl, That Guy, and My Girls, you get a pretty Wacky life. When I was a child, probably when I was learning to read, one of my favorite books was “Wacky Wednesday” by Dr. Seuss. Since we constantly talk about how wacky my oldest is, my Wednesday posts will be sharing what I think are pretty Wacky stories, quotes, and silliness from our lives. Enjoy!
Prior to my first chemotherapy infusion, I had met with someone in the oncologist’s office. I was pretty nervous about the whole thing as it was brand new to me and I had no idea what to expect. Friends had told me stories about their friends and family and some of the pictures they painted were really awful. So there I sit, telling her how nervous I am and she is going on about how my blood levels may dip so low that I won’t be able to leave the house for the next six months and if I do I will have to wear a mask and so on. I was not expecting to feel well enough to go do anything significant, but I was not expecting full on house arrest, either. I was not feeling any more relaxed about what to expect when I left to get my infusion that afternoon.
All Things Pink and Gratitude
October 31, 2014 1 Comment
So I’ve been debating addressing, commenting on, or just ignoring the Pink-tober hoopla. I mean, pink has always been a favorite color of mine. But we all know that is not what I’m talking about. For whatever reason, this hasn’t been the easiest emotional month for me. September was a rough month for me physically, having spent time in the hospital which was immediately followed by a large portion of my family and help team being sick, so it could be an emotional “hangover” from all that went along with the month that needed to just end. Then my completely loving amazing supportive mom brought me a breast cancer gift bag with absolutely no ill intention, and I figured it out.
Final Countdown to That Baby
October 20, 2014 4 Comments
See how we got here buy a hair or start at the beginning.
Now that we had an induction date and a wig picked out, we spent the weekend preparing for That Baby girl to arrive. Friends near and far had sent us things to let us know that they were thinking of us! We had a weekend with a fresh flower delivery, a fruit arrangement, food to stock our freezer, and cupcakes!
Peony delivery from a friend across the country!
What cOMfort zone?
October 17, 2014 2 Comments
You may have seen me tweet recently that I was headed to a mediation class. I have not been able to find one that focuses on curing or a disease type healing meditation. There is a local studio that offered a free meditation class, so I had nothing to lose. I asked a friend to go with me, and off we went.
All About My Girls 