Wednesday, June 20, 2007

~STAGE II TYPE B and CHEMO~


I HAVE LOTS TO WRITE ABOUT SO HERE GOES:

I didn't realize how tired I was going to be after my 2 and 1/2 hour doctor appointment with the Oncologist. WHAT A NEAT GUY MY DOCTOR IS!!!
HE is Straight to the point yet soft spoken and kind. It is TRUE what everyone has said about him...He DOES ACT LIKE YOU ARE HIS ONLY PATIENT!!! WHAT A GOD SEND and to think , I wasn't going to get him because he was not accepting new patience. More on that story later.....A TRUE BELIEVER IN BALANCE!!!


I START Chemo next Wednesday June 27 (the day before my Sweet Maddi's 6th Birthday) at 9:40 am


I HAD NO IDEA I HAVE TO SIT THERE FOR 5 HOURS and HAVE CHEMO.....I honestly thought I went in and got a shot like you go to get the flu shot or something. I was shocked and I am also in a panic. I am a very hyper girl and I don't even think I can sleep for 5 hours without getting up let alone sit in a chair for 5 hours. AND THE CHEMO ROOM......OH OH OH.....I can't even begin to tell you how I felt going in and seeing all those different stages of cancer in the people sitting there getting chemo. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THERE FAST ENOUGH. It WAS SOOOO SAD I have to quit talking about it!!!


I will have to take chemo EVERY 3 WEEKS for 4 MONTHS.....then I will have to take a chemo drug by mouth everyday for 5 (YES FIVE) YEARS starting the day after my chemo is done.


IMMEDIATE SIDE EFFECTS of my Chemo:


HAIR LOSS (yep, any where from 2 days to 2 weeks into my first chemo treatment)SO....I WENT AND TRIED ON WIGS.....OH WAS THAT FUN!!!! I have picked out 2 of them one being BLONDE (of course I would...LOL) and one being a RED HEAD!!!! And I have yet to order them...


TIREDNESS and FATIGUE I figured that one.....everyone talks about that. LOL....oh well, what's a girl to do except take a nap.


NAUSEA and vomiting and that one I figured too....LOL



LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS of my Chemo:


Leukemia and Heart Failure (these are both possibilities, highly unlikely but needed to be mentioned by the doctor)



LOCKS OF LOVE and USING MY HAIR FOR A WIG


I cannot give my hair to Locks of Love because I have chemically treated it with hair coloring. BUT, my Sweet 15 year old Alli gave 13 inches of her STRAWBERRY BLONDE Hair to Locks of Love last year. So that's pretty cool I think.


Also, IT"S WAY TOO EXPENSIVE to have my own hair made into a wig.....AND It will be 9 MONTHS after chemo before I have any type of workable hair to work with so I will be wearing hats, scarves and wigs for a little over a year depending on how fast my hair grows back. The basic wigs I would like to get are $140 each. I am buying them locally because you can try them on and the guy "Jeff" is a TOTAL SWEETHEART and treats you with dignity and respect. Plus, that way, if I ever have any trouble with the wig and need help with it, he's right here to help me.


I DROVE FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY


Oh what a BIG MISTAKE that was....I am paying for it now and I never realized how much you use your chest to turn the wheel. Looks like driving is still a no-no for me. (Amy, you dummy!!!!)

Tomorrow I go in for a NUCLEAR Heart scan to make sure my heart can take the chemotherapy. ALSO, Friday I go back to my Plastic Surgeon to get more solution in my temporary expander's. I don't want to gross anyone out but I have had some requests wondering what my surgery looks likes post op. I do have a picture and am HAPPY TO SHARE, it sure takes away a lot of guessing and puts a girl at ease to see it's NOT SO BAD. If you want to see a picture, just click here for my PHOTO JOURNEY....remember, they are ACTUAL PHOTOS and I don't want to offend or upset anyone. I just have so many women interested and thought I should share so I could take away some fears anyone might ever have about Breast Cancer.

I am going to get this posted and write more later today as I remember things. I do know I will have highs and lows and I can continue to work as long as I feel up to it. I WAS SOOO EXCITED to hear that as I am going to try to work on the website and get it all ready before I start chemo next week. ALSO, about the 10th thru the 14th day of chemo I will be at my lowest blood count point and my immunities will be at their lowest. I figure that will probably be when I am the most tired too. We will see!!!

MORE LATER TODAY......HUGS TO ALL OF YOU, Amy

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy:
My mom has a wonderful oncologist also. He and his wife both had cancer so they know what sitting on the other chair feels like. She took Tamoxifen for five years also with no real side effects. I will send you some information on knitting hats for the cold Iowa winter. (Michigan winters are the worse.)
jerri

Anonymous said...

Hey momma! It's Amanda (Ash's friend, who moved to Ohio back in'99). I've been reading your blog for a long time now, and I just didn't know what to do or say when I heard about your cancer. I am so sorry. You are such a strong believer though, and your words have made me believe a bit more.
My mom went through chemotherapy and radiation treatments for her lung, brain, and eye cancer before she passed. Just listen to the doctors, eat healthy, sleep whenever you want, and enjoy the days you feel good. It's a roller coaster, and I know you'll be there at the end, smiling.
I miss you and the girls so much. I wish I could give you a big hug right now.

Love,
Amanda

Judy said...

Good Morning Amy, Thanks so much for the update. Your doctor sounds fantastic..you are so lucky to have a doctor you can talk to and will talk to you. You also know he cares which is a god send in itself. Even with all the news your humor and smiles come out in your writing. Have a lovely day. Lots of hugs and love coming your way.

Lori said...

Oh sweetheart, I remember taking my Mom in to see exactly what you discribed, my heart goes out to you. I had no idea it took so long either. This is just a thought but is there any way you can take like a low dose of an anti anxiety drug before you go in? I can't even imagine not so. I would give anything to be able to sit with you and just be there. You are so brave and I know you are probly getting tired of hearing that but you really are. I want to tell you I am proud of the fact that you are looking into things while you feel well enough to do so and not wait. So many put off things to prepare such as hats or wigs or just how to keep busy and then they are more depressed yet. This gives you control Amy to prepare and I am proud of the fact you are taking it! Take care and don't forget to keep a pad and pencil by the bed to write down questions as you think of them, preparation is the key to success in anything health or otherwise. Love, Lori

Liz Harrell said...

Amy, I pray for you daily.

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy,
You are so brave! Thank you for sharing the photos of your experience, it's really an incredible gift to women everywhere. Sincerely, Cheryl

a Bohemian Market said...

Darlin Amy:
Keep on!!!
Love (No hugs right now as you are healing)
carole

Anonymous said...

Oh Amy, you are such a trooper! You truly amaze me with your strength, humor, and positive attitude. My dad recently went through chemo, as did a friend, and they both found that listening to books on tape or CD helped pass the time, as well as bringing along a good friend or family member. Filling your time with your knitting or crocheting or bringing along a photo album you haven't thumbed through lately..or one that needs worked on is an idea too. Praise God for your wonderful doctor and for your success so far in fighting this cancer! You have such courage in sharing your photo journey and I hope you realize how many women you are helping in some way whether it be in their own fight against this disease or someone close to them. Like you said yourself, "Knowledge is power, and God is good!"
Bless you my Friend! Camie

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Wow. So much we don't know until it happens. Things to figure out along the way. Thanks for being brave so others may not have to do so much guesswork. Your breasts are partly still there!
Still praying Amy :)

a Pocket Angel said...

Amy, Darling you just amaze me! Thanks for adding the photo of your surgery. With the expanders in you now have breasts again, wonderful! The swelling is down things look good. I'm glad you have shared the photo with us. I had no idea what to expect. What a brave Gal you have been.. Wish I could be there to hold your hand and help you through your Chemo Take care sweetie! As always you are in my thoughts & prayers.
Hugs & Love to you ~Mary~ :-}

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Amy, what a brave, brave woman you are for going through all of this! It makes me want to cry! I'm still keeping you in my prayers and always will!

Anonymous said...

Amy, you are an inspiration for any woman who faces what your going through. God has chosen you to help others, what a blessing! Sometimes in life we never understand our reason for being, but yours is clear. Amy equals Hope! God Bless you today, tomorrow and always! Love from a cyber reader, Debbie aka*snowflake222

The Urban Chic said...

Amy you are an inspiration to women every where. I have seen the afters of breast cancer as I had to help my aunt with her drains and I also was there to help my sister when she had her breasts reduced and lots of cysts removed. Just reading your posts give me strength that I sometimes lose. I will continue to pray for you as long as it takes. My aunt took tamoxifen for 5 years and she is cancer free.
I think sharing your photos and journey will help lots of women. Big Hugs, Pat

CONNIE W said...

The way you are facing this part of your life is an inspiration to me. I pray that you have the least side effects from the chemo and that the results from it are worth the months of taking it. God bless & keep you.

MJ said...

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I haven't gone through this journey and hope I never will but it helps me to be more empathetic to those who have to go through this journey.

I am astonished that you are blogging as frequently as you are! It must be a release for you and that is good too!

Enjoy your new knitting/crocheting! Who knows, maybe you'll be selling some of these items on your ebay store soon! Personalized knit/crocheted hats for women undergoing treatment!?

Farmer Di said...

Hi Amy
It is great that your daughter donated her hair to locks of Love...My daughter gave 12 inches of hair a couple of years ago when she was 12 years old...As for your hair, there are places that will take colour treated hair. They just don't use it for the kids wigs. I will try to find where & let you know
God bless you & your family...I will keep you in my prayers!
Hugs
Diana aka Farmer Di

a Bohemian Market said...

Amy:
You are looking too good!!!Keep us abreast (pun intended : ) with the photos. WOW, your doctor's are great!!!
Love, carole