Wednesday, July 25, 2007

~What I DIDN'T KNOW about CHEMO & BREAST CANCER~


Not necessarily in this order but just as they come to mind.....LOL

1. That the steroids make me have a 15 pound weight swing. Maddi wants a BABY BROTHER......LOL and asks me "Are you SURE you aren't pregnant?"


2. That the sores in my mouth make me want to not only pull my teeth out (the pain is in my jaw line too) but also have put huge cuts in my tongue making it impossible to taste anything. The sides of my mouth feel like ground hamburger too. OUCH!!! It's very painful. And my lips have a constant slather of Burt's Bees LIP BALM on them. Maybe I will finally find that diet plan I have been working on....Enter Chemo, let it screw up your mouth, teeth and taste buds so much so that all you will want is COLD ICE WATER.....CALORIE FREE TOO!!!! LOL



3. Every day I think I will feel better than the last, but it's not happening. Right now, I feel like I am getting the flu. My bones are aching and my head is cold and pounding. I have the chills and I just want to go back to bed.



4. Chemo can make you have short term memory loss. THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST FOR ME as I am not as sharp as I was just 2 months ago. I lose my place on the keyboard and forget where I was going or what I was going to do. IT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. I can't remember who I have talked to on the phone, written to or told what to....ARGGGG!!!! I tried to write it down but then I either forget what I was going to write down or I lose my list.



5. That riding in the car or driving can make me car sick.



6. That I never loved ice cold water as much as I do right now (it freezes my tongue and mouth so the sores don't hurt so much) I am also chewing ice like crazy, meaning, my iron count is way down AGAIN. I have that checked on Friday and might have to have another shot for that too.

7. That losing your hair on your head makes you so cold at night and even during the day. Now I understand why my Dad didn't want to cut his "COMB OVER"......LOL



8. Not only did I lose the hair on my head but on my legs, under arms, private areas and now my nose hair and eye lashes are falling out. Not to mention my eyebrows are thinning out and I am losing the hair on my arms.....WEIRD HUH????

9. That going thru menopause in the same amount of time I have to go thru chemo makes me have hot flashes and cold sweats, all within minutes of each other. BOY IS THIS A STRANGE THING TO ME!!!! And a bit funny too because one minute I have layers of clothes on and the next minute I am taking a cold shower to cool down!!!!

10. That I have what they refer to as phantom pain around the area of my nipples on my breasts, even tho they cut them off and are not there. I keep thinking they are itching.....SHOWERS take me about 5 minutes because I don't have to shave, shampoo, or condition my hair. THIS PART I COULD GET USED TO!!!!

11. That my right armpit is still numb from them taking out my lymph nodes yet it itches and I can't feel anything if I try to scratch.

12. I have now been on over 20 prescribed medications (this doesn't even include the chemotherapy drugs) all from the side effect of the chemo and to the tune of over $1100.00 in RX Bills. That one shot the day after chemo costs $6000.00!!!! THAT STILL SHOCKS ME!!! And I have no idea how much the shot is going to be on Friday to get my RED BLOOD cell count up and I am ANEMIC so that should help that too (with the side effect of heart attack or stroke.....OH GREAT) I REALLY SIGNED UP FOR THIS???? Did you slip something into my soda or my food before I said okay, lets do it!!!!????

13. I am 3 months AHEAD of my reconstructive surgery and I can BURN MY BRAS!!! I will never have to wear one again because they used all the skin to reconstruct and there will be none there to sag. NOW THAT IS TOTALLY COOL......I might have a bra-burning party with my girlfriends!!! WANNA COME ALONG???? Or I can give away my pretty chic Victoria Secret ones.....NAH....JUST BURN EM I SAY!!!!

14. That wigs, hats and jewelry look TOTALLY UPTOWN GIRL to me and make me feel like a different person wearing them. (THANK YOU GIRLS for ALL THOSE AWESOME HATS) I never wear makeup...no one has ever showed me how, so I am what I am.....

15. That light headedness is a sign that your white blood cell count might be headed down and that you need to chill out and make sure you don't have a temp over 100.5 or you have to stay in the hospital for at least 3 days in hopes you don't catch anything else or you might die. WAKE UP CALL FOR AMY!!!!

16. That being QUARANTINED to your house means just THAT....no sneaking down to the gas station to buy milk or a loaf or bread....it means STAY IN YOUR HOUSE!!!!! LOL (yup, I broke that rule a couple times) and NO VISITORS, which to me is really hard when you have 6 kids and most of them drive and bring friends along to "hang out".

17. My fingernails have never been so long and strong ever before in my whole entire life. Kinda crazy too!!!
18. That the BONE MARROW SUPPRESSION is worst for me right on my sternum. So much so that it drops me to my knees crying because it feels like someone hit me several times with a baseball bat. IT'S FROM THE $6000.00 SHOT.....
This concludes all that I know right now.....the screen is moving in front of me and it's midnight already. I will be working on the website tomorrow so hopefully you will get a look see....I will try to post some pictures here on the blog for you to see....
Goodnight Everyone....SLEEP GOOD.....Hugs and Love, Amy


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow Amy,
You really did hit all the "high points" of the chemo/breast cancer experience. You are handling it all with such a remarkable attitude. Hang in there and know my prayers are with you.

After 17 years, I still have #10 & #11.

Here is a blog you might like.

http://dawns-breast-cancer-blog.com/

Dawn has some very good reconstruction pics. She's finished and is waiting for the nipple tattoo. I think your reconstruction will look as good as hers.

Please put me on your mailing list for your store.

roz_etta@yahoo.com

Thanks,

~elaine~

a Bohemian Market said...

Oh Amy Darlin:
You are a baby : )
I like #13 : )
I will e-mail you later; maybe we can talk : )
carole

Anonymous said...

Oh, Amy, I am so sorry that you are having to endure all this. As I read your daily blogs, and especially this one, I can't help but admire your strength and conviction. I truly beieve I could never face this experience as bravely and boldly as you have. I also have to admit to a certain degree of envy imagining ever having perky breasts again!!! Hang in there, girlfriend - love ya' lots!!! ~~~ Missy

Anonymous said...

Awwww, honey bunch Amy ~ I don't profess to know what you are going through, but I read your bloggie every day and marvel at you, and the grace you have in handling this awful disease. You are truly an amazing human being, Amy ~ I pray that if I ever am forced to endure something like this, I'll be as graceful and forthcoming as you have been, dealing with this head on. . . . Love You Gurlie . . . know that I'm thinking of you and praying, honest & truly, every single day for you. As a matter of fact, we recently had the Relay For Life here for the American Cancer Society, and Amy Henry was listed on all of my luminaries . . . . good thoughts & prayers work wonders. . . .xoxoxoxoxo Patrice

Anonymous said...

Once again you amaze me with your forging ahead attitude. This all really sucks and I'm so sorry you have to go through any of it. The eternal perky boobs is a big PLUS, but just having your life and being able to share with others is a HUGE blessing!
Hang in there, my prayers continue to be with you. =)
Love ya! Camie

savvycityfarmer said...

YOU ARE ONE STRONG WOMAN AND MAY WE ALL LEARN THE LESSON TO QUIT COMPLAINING...YOU ARE LIKE A BEAKON ON A DARK NIGHT...LOVE TO TO YOU....I'M LEARNING DAILY LESSONS HERE.

kattz*cottage said...

You're such an amazing girl Amy ~ I'm still amazed every day when I check on you through your blog & see that you continue to be SO strong! What a great example you set for anyone with an illness.....keep up the wonderful attitude & Stay Happy!
Kathy

Judy said...

Oh Amy you are so strong and you continue to amaze me every day. You are so positive even when you aren't feeling well. Hang in there sunshine and keep smiling. We all love you. Lots of hugs.

Anonymous said...

awwww you just hang in there...you ARE alive and all of this will soon be a distant memory...keep the faith & stay strong! xo

theotheramy

Lallee said...

So glad to see a new post from you, Amy. When you have the bra burning ceremony, add your list of chemo experiences to the fire! It hasn't damaged your humor yet.

Hugs,
Lallee

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Hi Amy!
I only have the hot flashes to contend with, and I think THAT is a big deal. Yeah, right.
You help us remember to appreciate life and not "sweat the small stuff" (pardon the pun!).
I really-truly-with-all-my-heart hope you feel better soon.
(((((hugs)))))

Solange said...

Hey Amy! I only have about 80% of the symptoms you describe here.....and most times I just look up and ask why....
Anyway...Italian Ices have become a staple of my family's diet....LOL...I had a hysterectomy a year and a half ago....now breast cancer surgery.....I tell you girl...Just hang in there and do invite me to the bra burning ceremony!!
Lots of love sent your way!!!
Solange

Betty said...

Look out Sharon Stone...soon Amy will have perky boobies and a cute sexy short hair cut....wow!! Love ya, girl!! Big, Big gentle hugs!!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Those are all shocking horrible things and I hope you are able to at least sleep at night. I'm glad you have enthusiasm over your website!