Chemo’s over!!!

Short version: Had my last chemo treatment on Thursday. Hooray!!! Taking May off. Expect to start radiation sometime in June. Long version: I had my fourth and last treatment of Taxol on Thursday, completing the entire program of 8 chemo treatments started in January. It sounds a little quirky that I was really looking forward … Continue reading →

Chemo treatment five

I have been very lazy. I have been reminded – several times – that I am overdue for an update. These also serve as sort of a journal for me, so I’d better write it down before I forget! I know that these go on to a few folks who are slightly behind me in … Continue reading →

Chemo treatment two

I’m overdue in updating you. Please know that I read and enjoy your messages as they arrive, even though I’m not always prompt in answering. Things are going as expected, so this won’t be a long message. Now 5 days into the second chemo cycle, I am seeing a pattern emerge. Without the distraction of … Continue reading →

First chemo treatment

One down and seven to go! I think we were well prepared for how today would go. We reported promptly at 0830 to “Special Studies” in Radiology for insertion of the port and they took us into prep immediately. As they have in my last surgeries, they asked me multiple times my name and SSN … Continue reading →

Preparing for chemo

Short version: I’m feeling good. I have reduced (but better than “normal”) range of motion in two directions for which I have started exercise therapy. I will start chemo this Thursday. I will have a treatment every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. I expect to lose my hair, and may experience a range of side … Continue reading →

From surgery to oncology

Sorry for dropping off the net after my early December update. It’s been quite a month. Since I’m not sure who knows what at this point, everyone is going to get the whole (short) story. When I last signed off, Jerry and I were preparing to go to Michigan. Sadly, my father passed away on … Continue reading →

Circles of Life Overlap

My surgeon called on Monday evening to tell me that he had the pathology report. There is one area where the margin was “dirty” and two of the lymph nodes that were removed had cancer. So we’re going to do it again. I have a second surgery – similar but more aggressive – scheduled for … Continue reading →

Surgery Day

I had my surgery on Tuesday. It was a long day. We got to the hospital at 7:00 AM, they got me into their so-stylish hospital attire, I had one test at 8:00, and then we sat in a waiting room till after 1:00 when I was finally called for preop. Jerry tells me that … Continue reading →

My Birthday

What a day. Not the way most spend a birthday. I learned on 26 September that I have breast cancer. Shocking to say the least. As my friend Dee astutely perceived, it’s surreal for me to say out loud that I have cancer. Today, Jerry and I started the day at the hospital at 0745, … Continue reading →