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!