Thursday, September 15, 2011

Chemo #2 COMPLETE!




I'm done with Chemo 2 of 6. I will go again in three weeks for dose #3. My official end date of Chemo is currently December 9, if everything stays on course.
I had a really great white blood cell count today, but because of my dramatic drop a week after my last treatment, I will be getting a Neulasta shot one day after Chemo from here on out.

Neulasta stimulates the bone marrow and promotes the growth of white blood cells called neutrophils in your body.
It should help me be able to get scheduled treatments, but has side effects similar to arthritis. Side effects are FUN! <--note the sarcasm.

My chemo was uneventful today. I felt really well throughout and even drove home. Thanks for all the messages, cards and texts I received today. You guys really keep my spirits up.

Sooooo....I've been saving this little tid bit of information until I received some affirmation from my doctor.
I can no longer feel my tumor. After about one week of chemo, my tumor that was 3 cm x 3 cm was no longer distinguishable.
It used to feel like a super ball or large marble. Now, I can't find it. How amazing is that?
I thought it had just moved somewhere else or that I had lost my mind. My plastic surgeon said last week that he was unable to find the lump. Today, my Oncologist confirmed that she couldn't find it either and also couldn't feel the one inch lump that was in my lymph node just 3 weeks ago.

This is a GREAT indicator that my Chemo is working! This is also a HUGE indicator that your prayers are working!! Thank you!!
My breast tumor is/was the size of this second picture and felt exactly like it looked.


Our future plans are a 4 week break after Chemo. I will then have a bilateral mastectomy by my surgeon and then breast tissues spacers put in by my plastic surgeon the same day. The spacers will just stretch my skin so when it's time to get my reconstruction done, I will have enough skin to accommodate the implant. If that isn't successful, they will take skin from my back to form my breasts when it's time to reconstruct. Until then, I will just have a "mound."

Four weeks after that, I will start daily radiation from my breast to my armpits to zap any lingering cancer cells. That will last 6.5 weeks. About 1-2 months after that, I will hopefully have my new boobs! Hello, light at the end of the tunnel! :)
It looks like I should be hopefully done with treatments, cancer-free and sporting perky new boobs in May.
Can you guys keep your prayers up for that long? I sure hope so! :)

I've assumed the position. For the next 4 hours, I will be catching up on movies and letting the chemo drugs drip.


My biggest cheerleader catching up on some reading. :)


Why they put white pillow cases and sheets in a clinic full of shedding cancer patients is beyond me.


Here's the note I left on my chart for my doctor today. She assured me she thinks I "am a miracle" and she will "NOT have a heart attack." I love her. <3


Done!

17 comments:

  1. LOVE the note to your doc and I believe it is true! I teared up when I noticed what your husband was reading! You are amazing and clearly surrounded by amazing people!

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  2. Oh, Angela... that is amazing that you can't feel it already. Power of prayer and positive thinking. You've got this and we've got your back.

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  3. That is so exciting that you can't even feel it. I have 100% faith that come May, you will be bikini shopping a rocking a cute bob, completely cancer free. Tons of love!!!

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  4. I am in awe of you- it is amazing the great attitude you have! Thinking of you daily, and saying lots of prayers. You are such an inspiration!

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  5. Wow, that is amazing that its almost gone!! You are such a trooper. xoxo

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  6. Way to go Mama!!! Who looks that good when getting chemo?! Seriously! You are my hero :)

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  7. I LOVE the update about not being able to feel the tumor..holy cow that is AMAZING!!! The prayers can and will definitely keep up til May...when you are cancer free and have those new boobs! WTG lady, you are doing great!

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  8. This is the best news I have heard all day! I am so happy, T&Ps continue to go your way Momma!

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  9. That is amazing, and you look wonderful! I was just catching up on your blog and it sounds like good news all around.

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  10. What a great post!!!! You are such an amazing person and I'm so happy that the tumor is shrinking!!

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  11. HOW AWESOME! I am so happy! I have goosebumps all over!! Love you so much and keep it up!!!-Kyra

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  12. This news makes your papa happier than spagetti-os with chocolate on top and I see you got a private room again for chemo.Sad that I couldn't be there this time,Love Dad

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  13. Yay for not feeling it anymore - AWESOME!!!!!

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  14. I realize you probably aren't responding this far back. I just wanted to add that Neulasta does boost your blood cells. A week after my first injection I awoke at midnight to use the bathroom. I had twinges in the back and down the legs all day, kind of sciatica. But when I stood up from the toilet, it felt like my spine exploded! Pulsing, contracting pain...I screamed out my husband's name and he was up with me in a flash. I gasped out something about the pain and then Bed, heating pad - hall closet, percocet now. He led me back to the bed. I was gasping and sobbing from the pain....an easy 9 - 10 on the pain scale. I took the percocet and my husband cradled me in his arms and started praying LOUD (to be heard over my cries) He prayed that God control this pain NOW. I was pretty impressed that he was willing to boss God around. But you know what? In that instant, the intensity of the pain started decreasing. I was asleep in 30 minutes. I know it wasn't the percocet as it never works instantly. Upon my blood work, my doctor showed me through the roof. He told me my high pain had been because the Neulasta turned my bone marrow into a sweat shop. My cell levels were off the charts high. So he halfed the dose. I made it through the next 3 chemo cycles with the half doses and while I still had some bone pain, it was nothing like that first time. If anyone who reads this after me, know you can ask about reducing a dose of something that gives you too much pain.

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