Halfway There!

Hi all!

Friday, December 27th, was the half-way mark for chemo! Twelve sessions down, twelve more to go!
I am still handling chemo quite well, with very few side effects. My white and red blood cell counts continue to be strong, much to everyone's surprise.

I still haven't lost all of my hair, although there are signs it is definitely thinning out. I don't regret shaving it off early. I think the sporadic thinning over time would drive me bonkers! I may even shave my head a third time. We'll see.

Regardless, chemo is now my new normal and a non-event. I wonder where we go after we finish the Taxol?

I look forward to the PET scan scheduled for early February. I want to see how we're doing on kicking cancer to the curb, specifically Voldemort!

My only complaint? Allergy side effects. We had cedar fever really bad in the Austin area right before Christmas. I got hit with it like hundreds of others. Although I am not running any fever, I am still coughing up gunk (still white, some light yellow in color). I still feel as if I have congestion in my throat and/or my chest. I am not sure who to go to about this. Dr. Kocs? Dr. Zook? I have a chemo session on Friday, where I think we meet with the PA; I will bring it up.

Until then, everyone have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!  May 2020 be all you hope it to be and more!

Pre-Christmas Time with My Boys

I spent the last two weekends before Christmas with one grandson or the other. First up, David!

David had oral surgery on Friday the 13th. Since my daughter had her hands full as it is, Mike and I offered to let David recoup at our house. We have the time to spoil him, plus we can tag-team it, if need be. Since Friday is my chemo day anyway, Mike and I are home. 

Mike and I got back from chemo before David got to the house post surgery. He was a bit groggy, as one would expect. We put him to bed, complete with ice packs to minimize swelling. David and I both slept most of the afternoon. I left David with the "sick bell" that he could ring in case he needed anything. That bell got a workout over the weekend. Always for food!

By Saturday, David was doing well. There were no signs, other than staying on soft foods, that this boy had surgery the day before. So what do we do? Head to the fabric store and pick up supplies so David can make his family pillows for Christmas. While we were there, I picked up extra fabric, some great remnants, and extra batting (surprise Christmas present for my little sewer).

Anyway, we spent the next two days sewing pillows, stuffing pillows, and wrapping pillows. My contribution was mostly financial (supplies), but I also stitched up the hole we left open to stuff the pillows. I helped wrap the presents and tie them up with a bow. David was the bus driver on this project; I was just his assistant. Here is David with his finished products:

Fast forward one week plus a couple of days, and I get an overnight visit from oldest grandson, AJ. AJ is at the house to make a variety of cookies for his family for Christmas. Again, my contribution is mostly financial and to help wrap. AJ is the bus driver. Note: AJ and I have been baking together for at least 13 years. It's what we do.

First up is shopping for ingredients. We needed to put our math skills to work to determine how many eggs, butter, chips, and containers we would need for the finished product. After that little chore was done, we ate dinner, then got busy making cookies. 

AJ made 5 different types of cookies:

1. Regular chocolate chip
2. Peppermint and white chocolate chip
3. Peppermint and Semi-sweet chocolate chip
4. Lemon and white chocolate chip
5. Chocolate and peanut butter chip

When all was said and done, AJ made over 160 to 170 cookies. That includes cookies for everyone  in his family plus extras.  A great time was had by all.

Between pillows and cookies, I was worn out by Christmas Eve! Both boys are very proud of their efforts to make something for their families. I see a new tradition forming here. Next year I need to find projects for Katie and Grant, then when she's older, Hazel. Looking forward to next year's projects!

Here are pictures of my little baker, pre and post baking. I neglected to get a picture of David and his pillows; his Mom will send me one before the weekend is out and I will update this post.

X-Mas Sam

See Sam. Sam is posing in front of the Christmas tree. Sam looks happy. Mom is holding a treat outside of the frame that awaits Sam once we get the shot. Sam will do anything for a treat. At least he didn't have to wear a hat this time. Sam is too cute! We love Sam!

Surpirse Visit

My friend Jen asked to stop by for a visit. Of course! Anytime!

Y'all know my friend, Jen. I've mentioned her more than once. Mother Earth, knower of all things to help you get through cancer, the most loving, caring, compassionate person I know. She always …. ALWAYS …. gives to others! Jen is a true gem.

Jen and I had a great visit! We talked cancer some, family, shared experiences, and I got more advice on what may come. We're both pleasantly surprised that I am handling chemo well. I have always suspected I was on chemo light, but Jen said something that stuck … maybe they take it slower for metastatic cancer because we are looking to prolong life. Things seem a bit more methodical. Regardless, metastatic treatment is a whole new ballgame.

Jen also came bearing gifts! And they could not be more perfect! Warm socks for the ice bath during chemo and a cup and saucer that I absolutely adore! I will post another picture soon with me pretending to be regal while I drink from my cup and saucer. Yes .... that will be a staged photo! I need to get dressed up, add my pink bow, and sip from my cup, pinky finger out and all!

Thank you, Jen! For the company and the presents!!

Food for Thought

Just a few quotes I find fitting right now …..

Sad News ... But Not MIne

I have a friend on my team who has been going through a series of tests to find out what is going on with his body. It seems as if there is one gut punch after another the past two weeks, with the latest news on Thursday. Final diagnosis is aggressive Stage 4 Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. My heart is broken.

Let me tell you a little about my friend. He's young, athletic, competitive, lives life to the fullest, funny, smart, loyal, one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure to know. He has a young son that is his heart and soul. He is married to his best friend. He has a very large, supportive family and tons of friends, including many from the softball and corn hole communities (he is a nationally ranked corn hole player - he's very good). He is a fighter! If anyone has a fighting chance to beat this thing, its him!

We became quick friends and allies. I trust him to always have my back and I will always have his.
When I was first diagnosed with MBC, he was one of the first to offer his support. He even had pink corn hole bags made in my honor. Let me tell you, the pink bags win more often than not. Go Pink!

He was also in the process of re-designing sports jerseys with the pink breast cancer ribbon in my honor. Note on this one: this guy has a knack of not only putting together winning softball and corn hole teams, but marketing himself and his teams, obtaining sponsors to help with tournament fees and expenses, and earning the respect of competitors and team mates alike along the way. That's a talent, folks!

My friend and I share insomnia. When he IM'd me around 11 PM two weeks ago to tell me they found cancer, I was devastated. Now we share something else, metastatic cancer. My friend and I always felt we had a special bond and now I know why God put him in my life and me in his.....so we can help each other through our new normal in a way that no one else can.

As much as I hate that we now have metastatic cancer in common, it is also nice to have someone I adore intimately know what it's like to have a catastrophic disease. I can have conversations with him that I can only have with a handful of others;  I know that he gets it from a different perspective:

• Testing and the angst waiting on results can bring
• Quality of life over quantity
• The need to chose happy 
• The need to be "normal" as much as possible
• The need to maintain a high level of confidence in our work
• The need to be aggressive about your health care
• Determining the best way to communicate to friends, family, and children
• It's okay to be mad, sad, cuss, cry, scream ... then get down to business to kick cancer to the curb
• It's all a façade 

Although I have MBC, I am now entering new territory in being a friend of someone with metastatic \cancer. I've realized this brings out the Mama Bear in me for those newly diagnosed. I want to protect him. I want to help him. I want to scream at doctors not moving fast enough. I want to provide advice based on my experiences. I want to give him space. So I am playing it by ear. The last thing I want to be is an over bearing, nosy, pushy, bossy Mama Bear!

I also want to be his chemo buddy, his chemo dance party partner. Let's wear matching Hoo Rags or caps. What about a pink wig at the next project status meeting? Will they be able to tell us apart? I want both of us to flip off cancer all day/every day. And if there is a day where my flipping finger just isn't as tough, I want him to double flip off cancer, just as I will pick up the slack for him when his flipping finger needs a break. I want us to beat this thing together! I want to be his cheerleader, just as he wants to be mine.

I want to give kudos to my hubby. I have been telling him about my friend and even asked what advice he can give him from a spouse/man perspective. I passed on his words of wisdom. When I heard the latest diagnosis I broke down and cried. Hubby was there to hold me and support me in wanting to do what I could to make it go away. I am a very lucky woman.

On a final note, I mentioned earlier that my friend has a tremendous support group. His sports friends are rallying to help by holding fund raisers, donating all proceeds to my friend and his family. One friend even opened a "GoFundMe" page to help. I will post information on how you can help if you are so inclined, but only with the express permission from my friend. If nothing else, please pray for all patients with some from of metastatic cancer. And believe in miracles!

Chemo #11

Another Friday, another chemo session complete. Once again, chemo is quickly becoming a non-event. I hope the trend continues.

First up, blood work, then visit with the PA. Believe it or not, my blood levels are still good. Hannah described the results as perfect. My blood work is perfect. Anyone switching the viles?

I got some dancing time in this go around. One of the other patients heard me ask the nurse if I had time to dance before my meds were ready. The patient says "now this I gotta see". Next thing you know, nurses are chiming in saying I've got some moves. No pressure! I can't remember what I danced to other than it included some Aretha and some Michael Jackson.

Once the meds get there and I get the Benadryl, it's lights out. I slept during most of it, mainly so I can handle the ice packs. I figure it's easier if I can sleep through it. There was a lady across from me getting chemo for the first time and they asked her if she wanted ice packs. I told her she definitely should do the ice to avoid neuropathy, but she may want to wait until her next session when she is more prepared with protection for her hands and feet. She agreed.

Once again, we were out by noon! See? Non-event. Home and nap. Then make fudge and wrap presents. Happy Holidays!!