Sept. 2

Well, as of today we are holding off the surgery till after the next round of Chemo treatments, which starts tomorrow. That pretty much means to me the beginning of Oct. I am getting a little anxious with this poison in my body, I wish they would give me more infomation. I went on line a little today and invaded Brain Cancer sites, I did get discouraged a bit but I feel so good other then the loss of sleep and fatigue that its hard to believe I really am sick. I see the Oncologist tomorrow morning and will keep you posted what he has to say. Don't hold your breath.

August 27, 2008

Yesterday I went to the oncologist to check my levels. I was extremely low on my white blood cells, good levels for me would be between 7.9 and 10.5. I was 1.2. They gave me a shot (of what I don't know)to help with it and pain medicine to help with the bone pain it could cause that night. I went today and my count was up to 2.9 but my platelets were so low they put me on Cumidin to prevent blood clots in my port. I tell ya to prevent one thing you need to have something else. My back pain only lasted the morning, thank you lord. I also saw the surgeon for the mastectomy and she needs me to be off the Chemo for three weeks, have the surgery, two days in hospital, and then another three weeks off the Chemo. This is without the reconstructive surgery. My oncologist informed me, the Chemo I am on should not interfere with the healing and I can take after the surgery(the oral, which makes me nausea but I'll just have to deal with it and be grateful I am back on the treatments, which is awesome). The reconstructive surgery is suppose to be very painful and I'm not sure if I should get it done at the same time and bite the bullet or wait and go at a later date. Any suggestions or comments would be grateful. So as of today, I am waiting to hear from the surgeon on when? I have chemo next Wed, and the following week, so if they don't schedule me next week it will be at least three weeks. Please any input on the surgery or reconstructive surgery, I'd be interested. Thank you everyone for everything. I have such an awesome family and friends. Also....my Mom has bugging me to post myself with my blond wig. It's my fun wig, its Meg Ryan in back and sides, and Rod Stewart on top.

8-15-08

Cathy had surgery this morning to have a direct port called an intraventricular fluid access device put in. They had trouble accessing a vein yesterday to administer her chemo, so they decided to do this surgery to help. Now they won't have to prick and poke her veins as much. This device is implanted under her skin and has direct access to her heart. Now, whenever they administer chemo or if in the future she needs blood drawn/given, it will go through this device. It was outpatient surgery, something that a lot of cancer patients have done, and she's feeling good. Cathy, Jack, and my dad are all heading up to Wisconsin to go camping for the weekend.

Aug. 8, 2008

I've been getting a little slack that I don't post often enough. Sorry. Some days just blend into others and I figure no one cares about that. I had Chemo yesterday. They gave me my Cyclophosphamide intravenously, it took about 1hour but I don't care I was having trouble remembering to take the pills 3 x's daily. Someone also asked what other meds I'm on. I have Methotrxate and 5-fluorouracil on Fridays (that adds about 2-1/2 hours on my visits.) My poor cousin Carrie took me to my last visit and we were there 4 hours. As of yesterday he put me on Dexamethasone 2-4 times a day for swelling in my brain(that's a pill.) I've been experiencing pain from my neck down my arm. I also get this headache in my eye. Its really weird. I did break down and ask what my prognosis looked like and she said we have lots of options. I don't know if all of you know but I did ask my Dr.when I was only 30 days into treatment and he said if the treatments don't work 10 months. That was a downer. My Oncologist was mad, claims he doesn't study cancer hes a GP, shouldn't have told me that. Am I rambling????? Remember, the father is never closer to the Vine than when he is pruning it. Thanks again for all the prayers, As I am growing tired I so do depend on them.

Aug.3 08

There is really nothing new. I am on the same treatments. I do seem to get a burst of energy one day and spend the next exausted. I will be getting all my treatments through IV's as the pills were making me too nauscious. I had a headache that lasted 3 days so I was put on another steriod and had a MRI. The MRI didn't show anything different. I have to call the surgeon to check on the breast and what I need to decide regarding a masectomy. I haven't been as witty as I usually am but I really am still holding positive. I posted a picture of me wearing a favorite wig. Its red with brown and blond highlights. There also is a picture of me with my cousins, which I consider my sisters. I don't know what I would do without them./div>

Continuing the Chemo

Sorry I haven't kept the blog up to date. I had another triple dose of chemo on Friday (7-10-08) and its kinda knocked me out a little. I will go to the clinic for triple does of Chemo on Fridays and every day in between I'll just take Chemo at home 3x a day. This will be for two weeks then off one week. The Chemo has made me talk a little goofy, like, saying what I don't mean but what I happen to be looking at. I also don't hear or see quite as good. (nothing to be concerned about) I also am getting sick on this dose. No pain though and other then the minor symthoms I feel good. Oh, and they took my driving privledges away again. Oh well, I was getting used to being chauffered anyway, maybe I should start sitting in the back seat. I don't think sooo. I do wear the wig when I go out somewhere nice but usually just wear my GI Jane hat. I'll get some pictures of me with the wig on the next blog I need Tara's help.
Just something I wish to share.
I was on the couch for 3 days with a pain behind my right eye among other pains in the stomach, neck etc... I do get migraines so I just chalked this up to a migraine.
My Mom sat next to me and gave me my Grandmas rosary. I haven't prayed the rosary in years so she gave me the book. While I was just laying there I decide to do the rosary. When I was done I got up, went to get a drink of water, went back to the couch and guess what the pain was gone. To this day it has not come back. I prayed that the pain in my eye would go away and I would deal with the other pains and it was gone. Just something I wanted to share. The power of prayer.
Again, I can't that you all enough for the meals, flowers, thoughts and prayers.
Love ya all- Cath

New MRI results

GOOD NEWS! Cathy received the results of the latest bunch of MRI's that were done and...

1) No new spots were revealed
2) The larger spots seemed to be a bit smaller
3) The smaller spots weren't bigger

I'm sure she'll be posting soon, but good news needs to be shared IMMEDIATELY.

I hope you all had a happy and safe 4th of July!