Chemical Warfare, Sisters and ...to infinity and beyond!

My eyes are "shadowed" in light blue and lined with a brown liner. Mascara is on and blush has been placed on my "apples". They are the little round places on your cheeks that appear when you smile. I've dusted my face with bronzing powder and have lipstick on my lips. All this in an attempt not to look like Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird". So this all means that it must me "chemo" day. Indeed. Taxol # 3.

It has been a good two weeks engaging in Chemical Warfare. Taxol seems to have less severe side effects than the previous meds. I have had no sudden dips in energy levels and no fever or acute illness. A little more overall tiredness but quick naps are all I need.

It has been a great 2 weeks!

My eldest grandson, Liam, turned 3 on July 12th. I met his baby brother via utrasound on that day. So sweet. On Saturday, we had a birthday party for Liam at our house. The theme: Toy Story AKA..."To infinity and beyond." A phrase that was heard frequently that day. His cousin Leigh was here and they had a grand time running through the sprinker and later slidinig down a daddy/grandfather created silp-n-slide. The slides were apparent attempts to make it to infinity....

My sister Judi came for a 2 and 1/2 week visit. She is here to help her big sister. Since I don't need much help at this point, we are spending time just having fun. We sisters are three so we don't feel complete without our middle sister Patti here. We will have to plan trip with the 3 of us. We have shopped along mainstreet Waynesville, gone to Earthfare to buy healthy, organic food, watched movies, had spa treatments, have taken walks and even babysat Liam for a few hours on Wednesday. He can sure keep his "Grandmom" busy. We still have the Folkmoot parade and a visit to Cataloochee valley to see the elk, on our schedule. It has been over 20 years since her last visit. So much to see and do.

Will keep you informed of our adventures! Stay cool!

Boot Camp

A story: I feel a little like I've been going through "Boot Camp" since being "drafted" into the Pink Ribbon Club (This is definitely not something you volunteer for). Basic training has drilled into me the importance of exercise and good nutrition, preferable organic food ( have you seen the movie Food, Inc. lately?) and I have learned that bald is beautiful even if you're not Demi Moore. I was given my own "C" port (sic) (AKA Chemo) and I've even begun Special Ops training in Chemical Warfare. I've completed and passed part one: Adriamycin and Cytoxin and begin a new special 12 week assignment with Taxol tomorrow. I expect to wear fatigue almost daily. This tour of duty should be over around the end of September. Then, I plan to be discharged, honorably, and having earned "my stripes". The end.

It's been a good 2nd week after A/C. Some fatigue but no fever. Yesterday, I had my pre-Taxol labs, exam, an ECHO Cardiogram and an EKG. I should be good to go! I'm not sure what to expect as far as side effects. Sometimes, I think that the practitioners are intentionally vague about that. I feel quite certain that I will have some bone pain since I've already been given a prescription for pain medication.
We had a nice 4th. Celebrated with a cookout and safe fireworks at Ashley and Chuck's. Leigh entertained us with her badminton skills and story telling. She had quite an audience with all grandparents being present.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. Keep cool and wear your sunscreen!

"A few of my favorite things..."

Leigh age 4 1/2

Liam age 3

Quinn age 3

Colin age 6 mos

The grandchildren. They are definitely "my favorite things"!!!!

I had my 4th and last A/C treatment on Thursday June 24th. The "slump" is still a couple of days away but we hope to preempt it this time by starting antibiotics before I run a fever.

I will start Taxol, weekly, on July 8th. I learned that the side effects from Taxol will be less bothersome, at least in the beginning, and my hair will start regrowing. That should be fun to watch. Curls? Gray?

July promises to be a busy, fun month. Liam turns 3 on July 12th. We will celebrate on the 10th or 11th. Karen has an ultrasound on July 12th and we hope to find out if Liam will have a baby brother or sister. Of course "Grandmom" plans to be there. My sister Judi is coming for a 3 week visit on July 14th. It has been over 20 years since she has been to NC so we have a lot to see and do. I can't wait!

The "living calendar" continues to thrive. My raspberries and blueberries are about finished for the year. I had a pretty good, tasty crop. Of course my most successful crops this year are the weeds. They have taken over every flowerbed and so they may.

"De-Slumping"

A quick update:

The "slump" is resolving. Not quite batting .500 but .250 is good enough. Thanks again everyone! Chris and "Moby" got home safe and sound on Sunday. A good time was had.

It has been a bit too hot with poor air quality so I haven't started back walking. Even working in the yard has been impossible. My next chemo is this Thursday 6/24. This is the last A/C (Adriamycin/Cytoxin) treatment. A milestone. I will start 12 weekly Taxol treatments in a few weeks. It will be interesting to see if the side effects are the same. Stay cool everyone!

From Spunky to Punky

What a difference a day makes...

After a great day on Wednesday, I awoke Thursday feeling like I was in someone else's body. I was extremely fatigued, had a headache and my cough seemed to have gotten worse. While lounging around, I heard a noise on the front porch. It was a neighbor, Lorraine, who had brought me many wonderful prepared organic foods. What a lifesaver! Fixing a meal was one of the last things I felt like doing. Everything was delicious. I figured I would delay my walk a bit until I felt a more energetic. Didn't happen. By 4 pm I had a fever and decided to call the Hope Center for advice. Another round of antibiotics was called to the pharmacy and I was scheduled to be at the Hope Center by 8 am on Friday for lab work and an exam. I managed to drive myself to pick up my antibiotics but knew that I quite likely wouldn't be able to drive myself to Asheville in the morning. Irene, another neighbor, gladly volunteered. She was there bright and early Friday morning and drove me to my appointment. She even went with me for my labs etc. I had awakened with nausea that morning and was full of plenty of anti nausea medicine. In other words, I was a bit "loopy". She was actually there to help me remember lab results and recommendations. Thanks Irene. You'll have to tell me, again though, what was said. I still can't remember anything except that I need to be careful and stay away from germs.

I got through Friday without a fever and felt some energy returning by that evening. I still had plenty of nourishing food from Lorraine to sustain me. Thank you so much!

Today, Saturday, is a new day. I have some energy but, maybe not enough to walk. I'm sure I'm on an upswing and will be feeling more like old self soon. Happy Father's Day Weekend everyone!

A Very Good Week

I don't want to jinx myself, but I have had a good post chemo week! I managed to walk at least 30 minutes most days and some days as much as an hour. I think that the fatigue is less when I exercise.

I actually went out in public yesterday and had lunch with friends at a nice restaurant in town. I had been avoiding crowded places in my attempt to stay well.

I am flying solo for a few days. Chris has "gone camping" and I know he is looking forward to a few days in the woods. He is meeting his brother and they always have a good time.

My raspberries are ripening and today I made 5 jars of jam. Unfortunately, we are having a lot of rain and the berries are at risk of rotting before they can be picked.

I've been reading a blog by Jennifer Griffen, a 40 year old correspondent/journalist who has been interviewed on The Today Show and FOX news describing her diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer and the progress of her treatment. The blog covers the past 8 months and in it she cites many research articles about the role of nutrition and exercise in preventing and curing cancer.

I'm trying to heed that advice. No sugar, no dairy, organic, only wild salmon and a very low fat diet. Here is the blog if interested: www.jengriffinblog.blogspot.com

I want to take a minute and thank my family and friends who have been sending prayers and good vibes my way. The cards and offers of help are greatly appreciated. I will call if I need help.

There are still a couple of days left in "the slump" week and then the upswing begins and several days of feeling great. The next chemo is scheduled for June 24th and that will be the last Adriamycin/Cytoxin treatment. I will then start 12 weekly treatment of Taxol. I'm almost 1/4 of the way through this!!!

Round 3 Day 28

Right now I am sitting in my "Chemo Chair" at the Hope Women's Cancer Center receiving Round 3 of my treatments. There are some amazing women here of all ages. There is laughing and banter and many seemed to have formed friendships. Very inspiring!

I've had quite a bit of energy the last several days and managed walks, some garden work and even a bit of housework.

On Tuesday, I had a good visit with my grandson Liam and he told me all about his trip to Disney World last week. He showed me pictures and told me "all about them".

The "Living Calendar" is doing well. The plants have found a home on the deck and are thriving in the sun. Day 28!

My raspberries are also thriving and seem to be ripening a bit early this year. I may have to enlist volunteers to help me pick them and, if there are enough, make jam.

That's all for now folks!!