Update

I haven't written in awhile. It gets hard to keep everything up to date. But things are going well with the chemo - 7 down, 5 to go. Of course I'm pissed that we had to reschedule my next treatment because of the stupid inauguration festivities. It's going to be a zoo here and no one will be able to get anywhere. So my doctor's office had to close the office because most of the staff won't be able to get in. And that pisses me off. They're making a big deal of this because of the new president. Except he's not being referred to as the new president - it's the new "african-american" president. So they are taking all these extra precautions. I can understand it, but not expect me to rearrange my life for it. Ugh.

Feeling Better

It's been 2 days since the treatment, and I feel so much better. It's amazing what the benedryl does to me. Thankfully the rest of the treatments won't be quite like this one is, so I won't feel so drained of energy. And I'm still extremely thankful that I've had no nausea. That is such a blessing.

I'm still waiting to hear back on when my surgery will be. Once that happens, it'll be easy sailing from now on.

Chemo, Version 2

Today was a rough day. I had my first Taxol/Herceptin treatment today, and it was very long. Very Long. They started the anti-nausea pills and other things first, then the Taxol, then the Herceptin. I got there at 10:30 a.m. and left at 4:00 p.m.! Almost 6 hours. I didn't realize it was going to be that long. I slept for a good part of it - they gave me some benedryl, so that knocked me out for a bit. And when it was over, I came home. I have no energy today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better with my energy level.

Tech vs UVA

Go Hokies! I'm down in Blacksburg and we're celebrating our big win against UVA! It was an ugly game - we had the yards but had the hardest time getting the ball in the end zone. But we won, yippee! And now we go to the ACC Championship, either to play BC or Florida State. We'll know in about 15 minutes who it is. We lost to both teams earlier this year, so it would be nice to come out of the ACC game with a win.

It was a bit chilly out today. I was warmly dressed, but towards the end of the game I was getting quite cold. Luckily it didn't start sleeting/raining until we were back at the tailgate, so I was able to get warm again with the help of Mr. Heater.

Food is still tasting pretty bad, but the meds help a bit. I had a few beers yesterday, and several jello shots today, which were very yummy! But tomorrow I go back on the other meds, so no more alcohol for at least 3 months. How sad.

Otherwise, I'm doing okay. I have some numbness in my hands and feet. And of course I'm still tired a lot, but I'm trying to accept that. It's hard at times. I know the next 3 months will be difficult as this set of treatments is supposed to make me even more tired. So I'm trying to really cut down on lots of my activities and just concentrate on getting through this as best as possible.

It looks like we'll be playing BC next weekend, for the second year in a row. Let's hope the outcome will be the same!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! As my friend Angella said on Tuesday, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I'm very thankful that I have so many family and friends who are supportive. It's been a very trying year, and I don't know what I would do without all of you. I'm thankful for my doctors who work so hard to find a cure for cancer. I'm thankful that This was found early enough so that it could be treated with minimal disruptions. I'm thankful that I haven't had the complications that other people have had.

Best wishes to everyone for a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

More Blahs

Feeling kind of blah today. I think it's just that I'm tired of all of this. I have my doctor's appointment today, so we'll discuss the next round of chemo and what will be expected. I know they will make me more tired, which is something that I just dread. It's so hard to get anything done when I'm tired all the time. So it'll be a long 12 weeks, but there is nothing I can do about it.
I just wish food would taste the same again.

Plastic Surgeon

So today I met with the plastic surgeon to discuss all of my options. There are really two options that I can do. One is to use the fat and muscle from my abdomen area to make my breasts, which just kind of creeps me out. It's like of like a tummy tuck, but not fully. I wouldn't have any of my ab muscles left, and I'm not sure that I'd want that at all. It's a longer surgery, a longer recovery time, and it would be much harder for me to do things.

The other surgery is just using implants, which sounds so much easier and more my speed. Less surgery, less recovery, no damage to my muscles. And if I don't like it, I can always then do the other surgery.

On another note, I'm glad that the first set of chemo treatments is over. I'm still tired all the time, which will happen until I'm done with chemo. But right now, food doesn't taste good - everything has a metallic taste to it. In one way, it's not bad since I'm not eating as much. But in another way, it does suck since nothing tastes good. Hopefully that'll be done by Thanksgiving. I want food to taste normally.

And, hopefully, I'll get off these meds so I can have a drink. I know I can't drink with the next round of chemo, so it would be nice to have a weekend where I can enjoy a few drinks.