Chemo #3

I'm half way done! Hurray!
My appointment time was 8:30. That proved to be a little difficult but I made it by the skin of my teeth! Next time I won't do carpool drop off, which will help me be more on time.
I was called back pretty quick. The port access was about as comfortable as a port access can be. Not the best one I've had. My weight is back to 136, which is where I started. That's good news.
Had a great appointment with the Dr. He is retiring in June so the next chemo will be my last appointment with him.
Here's what was discussed today:
-The lump is still gone. There is NO sign of it at all! The chemo is still working. With that being said the Dr. sees no need to do an MRI. The fact that he can't find it means the chemo is doing its job. If there is any cancer lurking it'll continue to be killed by chemo and then removed at surgery. No MRI makes me uber happy! I hate MRI's.
-A new drug will be added to me chemo today. It's called emend, and will help with nausea. I was only told it stays in my body for 72 hours. We'll see how well it works.
-My blood count shows my platelets went up from 119 to 135, but are still lower than the low point they want me at. My red blood count, hgb and hematocrit are all still low too. My white blood count is still within normal.
-Before my 5th treatment (June 26th) I need to have an echo cardiogram to make sure my heart is still strong and not too stressed out. I'll schedule that for the beginning of the week to make sure the results are back in time for chemo.
-I need to keep up on moisturizing my nose after chemo to help with nose bleeds. I seem to only get them for about 10-12 days after chemo. The worry is that my platelets are low and they don't want me to not be able to control the bleeding. If it were to get bad enough they'd send me to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. I'd like to avoid that so I'll be diligent in vaselining my nose and using my humidifier.
-At my last chemo (July 25th), after I ring the chemo bell my doctor will walk me over to radiology to set me up as a patient. Radiation will begin about 3 weeks after surgery.
-Surgery will happen about 2-3 weeks after my last chemo, but my doctor wants to make sure I receive my hormone chemo before I have surgery so I won't have to come into chemo a few days post surgery with a hurting boob. With that being said I'll most like have my hormone chemo 3 weeks after my July chemo and have surgery the following week.
-I will call my surgeon as soon as my July 25th chemo is done to schedule surgery. Remember, this surgery is the temporary one. The incision will follow where the cancer was found. An empty spacer will be inserted. After surgery I'll have to go in regularly to have the spacer filled (slowly to a nice size, and tight breast)
-About 3 weeks after surgery and the spacer is filled the radiation will begin. Every weekday for 6 weeks. The whole breast will be radiated along with the area that had the 2 effected lymph nodes. Can you say red, hot and crusty?

My chemo buddies today were, my dad (which reads- MY HERO!), Julia- one of my Mom's caregivers, my Aunt Pam and my son Bradley. Our time was spent playing games, eating suck on candies, visiting, and having Bradley get us free snacks from the kitchen area in the chemo room. Bradley loved meeting Trent the Therapy Dog! He loved being there and said it was fun. Fun must be relative to him. I don't view chemo as fun, but having good company makes it funner (not a word!).

Today I began paying off all the medical bills. I've hit my out of pocket maximum, which was reached quickly. Now I just need to find out if I have to continue making my co-pays. If I do, I'll be making a co-pay every day I have radiation. A phone call to my insurance will be made tomorrow! I looked at my insurance EOB's and my insurance has already paid out over a quarter of a million dollars! And that doesn't include today's chemo! Thank goodness for insurance!!

Please check out the planner! There are attention days to claim. Dinners, and check up on me times too.

And because I haven't said anything, not because I've forgotten! I want to thank all those who came and supported me at the Race for the Cure! I had a total of 37 team member. 36 of them came out and walked! It was a day I'll never forget! And it's something I'll be doing again next year!

And last, I have to remind all of you of how much I love you! You are all so great at reminding me I'm loved and now it's my turn to tell you! I am blessed by your prayers, your thoughts and your outreaching on my families behalf! I pray that you will be blessed for your love and service!

I love you all!