9 more to go...we are talking single digits!!

Friday was treatment number 7. It seems that no chemo day would be complete without some fresh snow on the ground. The treatments are getting to be pretty straightforward. This one was a half hour shorter because I have had no adverse reaction to the Taxol so when we started that drip it was full steam ahead- no slow drip to start off with.

Wes went with me this week. He had a really busy week at work and we didn't really get to see much of each other. Thursday was his birthday but he worked all day so it was nice to spend Friday afternoon together even if it was a chemo. As always we took books to read, but ended up just talking and laughing and eaves dropping the whole time.

Unfortunately, it has been weeks since we have seen Viking Mike. Maybe next time. There was, however, a lady with more than a passing resemblance to Jaba the Hut. I'm not saying that she is an intergalactic criminal overlord bent on revenge and willing to do anything for money... but she might be.

Overall pretty easy peasy this week. Back to being tired, but nothing that we can't handle. 9 more to go!

Sleepy time...

Alex has been a total superstar about sleeping in her own room. She has been in there for a couple weeks and hasn't had any problems with it at all. She goes to bed between 8 & 9, wakes up hungry usually around 4am, is up for 20-30 minutes, and is back to sleep until around 8am.

If only Michele and I could sleep this well!

Pictures!

I added a link to the side of the blog to an online photo album with pics of Alex. I will try to keep it updated.

6 Down, 10 to go

Friday was chemo treatment number 6 and the second treatment of Taxol/ Herceptin. Prior to treatment, I had to get my blood work taken and have an appointment with the oncologist. Since it was Good Friday, the office was going to be closed in the afternoon but the doctor had made me her last appointment of the day. When I got to the doctor’s office it was locked…Wes and I thought they had left. But a nurse saw me and we were taken back for our appointment. We were the only ones in the office- Me, Wes, the doctor and nurse. The appointment went- the doctor reduced the Benedryl and steroids for the chemo based on my initial experience with Taxol/Herceptin. Next appointment is on April 11^th.

Robin came with me to chemo this week. It is fun having someone new come because after 6 times, chemo has lost any charm that the new process initially had. We had a nurse, Linda, that I have had twice before. I like her a lot and even noticed that she had her hair cut since last week. It is a bit sad that I am keeping up with the nurses’ beauty habits. I was excited to have a lower amount of Benedryl because last time I was super loopy. This time, Robin described me as acting like I was inebriated and she was laughing at me- in a good way. Linda was super efficient and after giving me the Decadron and Benedryl she gave me my 30 minute Herceptin I.V. No issues. Then she started me out slowly on the Taxol+- in case of allergic reaction. I had no issues and after 30 minutes of the slow drip, it was full steam ahead with the Taxol. We were done 2 hours earlier than last week. This week we should be a half hour more efficient.

This week my blood work showed signs of rebounding from the AC treatment. My white cells and platelets were up. My red blood cells and hemoglobin however were a bit lower than last week. They are causing me to be anemic and it might explain why I am really tired…you know besides the chemo. So I was thinking about how to improve that when Robin and I overheard a woman come into the bed next to me. She had come in for the past 3 days trying to improve her blood counts. Her white blood cell count was at 0.3 and normal range is 11-16. She was in for a transfusion of plasma and was in tears because her body was not cooperating. It really made me take pause and be thankful for how well my body has taken the chemo and responded to the treatment. This week, treatment number 7!

Times are changing

This week brought change for both Alexandra and I. Alex made the move from sleeping in the bassinet in our room to her crib. She seems to have made the move easier than her mom. She is sleeping 6 to 7 hours for the first stretch then sleeps another 3 to 4 hours after a feeding. She rocks. I selected this picture that Wes took of her in his lap because that is pretty much how she looks when she is awake these days. Her tongue is always out. It reminds me of the Marr's dog Bruno- like her tongue is too big for her mouth.



This week I managed the change from the AC chemo treatment to Taxol/Herceptin chemo treatmnet. The side effects of the new chemo treatment are tons better -Very little nausea and no migraines. I immediately felt better right after treament than I had with AC. The tiredness is still there though. I can't tell if it is worse with this chemo or if I don't have all the other business so I can focus more attention on being tired. I am also achy from the treatment in my upper shoulders. I was hoping that now that I don't need the white cell count boosting shots that I wouldn't be achy but that is one of the side effects of Taxol : (. I go to treatment number 6 tomorrow and hopefully it will be a bit shorter than last week!! I have included a picture of a feel good basket that the Schutte's gave me. Basically, it is a basket full of little gifts to make me smile on days that I don't feel good. So when I opened the basket in January, I was totally in tears because it was so thoughtful. Since then, there have been days that I have felt bad/sad and opened one of the wrapped gifts. They all include little notes on why they were selected- Jana is amazingly creative. It is just awesome and is just one of the things that friends/family have done that just amazes us. Hopefully, with treatment going well, I won't need to open too many gifts in the next 11 weeks.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

**Editor's Note: I was going to include a tall, frothy pint of Guinness in this picture, but realized that not everyone would appreciate a baby with beer. For those readers of my ilk who would... please close your eyes and imagine it there. Brilliant!

We did our taxes...

Suddenly, Alex's early arrival seems to have some benefits!

longest chemo ever...

We had been warned that this treatment, because it was the first of a new round, would take a little longer than normal. What an understatement.

We arrived a little early for our 1pm appointment and went in for the obligatory blood draw. No doctor's appointment this time (since we go every week now we don't see the doc every time), so we headed right for the treatment waiting room. We finally were called in around 1:30 and were promptly informed that they were very busy, with a bunch of "critical patients". For us that meant no private bed... we would be spending time in the big room for the first time. This was different. Instead of a relatively private space we were in a large room with recliners packed together in two rows facing each other, almost filled to capacity. Michele, being an avid people watcher and eavesdropper, was okay with it for a while.

We settled in and started the treatment. The first time for any treatment comes with a ton of explanation. They go through each step so that you know what you are getting and why... it is quite helpful. First came Dexamethasone pushed in to the IV. Dex is a steroid and helps with side effects including nausea. We were told that we had to wait at least an hour after the Dex before we could start the first actual chemo drug. So we waited...

Next they pushed in some Benadryl. One of the possible side effects this round is an allergic reaction including rash and itching. The nurse was pushing it in very slowly and Michele asked why. She told us that if she pushed it in fast Michele would get very lightheaded. Okay. Two minutes later, Michele was looped! She told me that she was pretty sure that if she did drugs, this is what it would feel like. She could barely keep her eyes open, but felt too weird to go to sleep. Luckily it wore off after about half an hour. Then came some Zantac and we were just waiting to be able to start the chemo drugs.

We lucked out and a semi-private bed came open. The nurse told us to grab our stuff and we moved. On the way there I overheard an old lady complaining that Michele got a bed and she didn't. Sucker. We got settled in and started the Taxol. Some people have an allergic reaction to Taxol the very first time they get it. Hives, rash, fever, itching... all the fun stuff. So, for the first half hour of your first Taxol, the nurse sits there and stares at you to see if you react. Fortunately our nurse was pretty cool and just did paperwork and answered some of our questions. No ill effects on Michele and we were rockin'. Normally the Taxol drips in over about an hour. But, since it was the first time, they set it for 90 minutes. Drip, drip, drip. Michele got some Tyleonol (fighting more possible side effects) and it was time for our nurse (and almost all of them) to go home.

Finally we got to the last step, Herceptin. Herceptin is supposed to be a wonder drug for women with Michele's kind and stage of breast cancer. The first dose is twice as much as Michele will get for the next eleven weeks (we can't catch a break on time here). Once again we wait... drip, drip, drip.

Patients were leaving. Nurses were leaving. Custodial staff was beginning their work. We heard the head nurse call to approve overtime for a couple nurses to stay with a patient. Yep, that's us. Eventually it was us and two nurses in the whole joint. It was like a ghost town. We were waiting for tumble weeds to tumble by the bed. Finally, about 6:30, we were done and headed home. In the upcoming weeks, we have been assured, we should be done a couple hours earlier. Thankfully.

Michele felt pretty good last night, especially as compared to how she felt with the last round. This drug combo is supposed to be easier, so we're feeling optimistic. She had a bit of a rough night sleeping, but just woke up and is feeling good and playing with Alex.

Moving on...

Today Michele starts the second round of chemo drugs, Herceptin & Taxol. She will have this treatment every week for the next 12 weeks. The side effects may be easier to handle, but everybody is different and we'll have to see how it goes. At any rate, we're moving on from the AC and that's a good thing. More on this later...



Also starting to move on is Miss Alex. We have started to transition her to sleeping on her own. This week we disconnected her bassinet from our bed and next week we will move her to her own room for sleeping. She doesn't seem to have noticed the change so far and she naps just fine in her crib, so hopefully it will be easy peasy. But it is kind of weird not having her within reach all night long.

Michele's Melee

Last year Michele ran in a women's only 5K fun run with her sister and they had a blast together. They promised to run it together every year. One of the first thoughts Michele had after learning that she had breast cancer was that she wouldn't be able to join Robin to run the race again.

Now that we are starting the second phase of chemo, and learning more about what it will take to kick cancer's butt, I think that Michele needs to be in this race. Maybe she won't run the whole thing. Maybe she'll need some help and encouragement to cross the finish line. But, I believe, that she can do it and it will be a great experience and another step closer to normal for her.

I had the idea to reach out to the women in her life who have been so great during the last couple months. I hope that with some help from her friends this could be a day to remember for Michele.

So this is a call to action. I am asking all the women who know Michele and can run, walk, or crawl 3.1 miles to join her on May 18 in Ann Arbor for this great event. The men and/or those who can't or don't want to run/walk can come and cheer the rest on with me from the sidelines.

We're calling our little group "Michele's Melee". There is a list of women already signed up and a link to the current list on the right side of this page. Here are the ways to participate:

1. Sign up and run the 5K. Registration for the race is $24 and is easy to complete online. Run/walk with Michele or at your own pace.

2. We plan to make up pink t-shirts for the occasion and will ask participants to throw in some money to this end(maybe $20? details to follow). Racers and watchers are all welcome to get T's, just let me know.

3. In addition, we are going to collect additional funds to donate to a local breast cancer charity and/or a local woman fighting BC to pass along and spread out the amazing support that we have been so lucky to get from Michele's friends and family. This is not a fund for Michele... all moneys above and beyond the cost of the shirts is going to go to whatever charity we find worthy (any suggestions?).

Nobody should feel pressured or obligated to participate. I expect this to be a fun event for everyone and a good excuse to get some exercise. If you are interested, please email me so that I can add you to the list.

We're going to run circles around cancer... Rock 'n roll.

Stick 'em up...

Give me the milk and nobody gets hurt!

Alex is still a little congested so we let her breath in the warm, moist air... but doesn't she look like a bandit?

No more needles!!!

Today is a landmark day- I am done receiving the white blood cell boosting shots. It is also landmark for Wes because he had to give me the 24 shots over the last 4 treatments. The shots themselves were a total pain to get- not so much a physical hurt more like an annoyance. The worse part of the shots were the ache that they created in my body. My shoulders, chest and hips have been sore while I receive the shots. This is a good thing because it means that my bones are producing more white blood cells. But I am happy that the ache in my bones will not longer be felt!!

I am feeling optimistic about the next few weeks. The next treatment is a week away but the knowledge that I don't need half of the medication to deal with the side effects is awesome!

I have attached the picture of me with my new wig. I think that as I start feeling better I might head out with my wig. I will be able to be incognito- not visibly chemo girl. That might be a nice change.

Holy cow!!

It's hard to tell day to day how much Alex is growing. She always seems pretty much the same as yesterday... but the "pretty much" adds up while you're not looking. I was flipping through some of her older pictures and found this one of her in her swing when she was five days old:

And here she is in the same swing this morning:

That's crazy. She's huge! Just thought I would share my surprise.

Another snowy day...

...so I think we will just hang out here.

Michele is doing pretty good with this treatment, buoyed by the knowledge that it is the last AC, but is still not feeling great. She had a bad night of fitful sleep last night. Wednesday following treatment has been D-day for the worst symptoms in the past so we're bracing ourselves for tonight. But, all things considered, things are going well.



Alex has been super playful this morning and had a blast watching Bob clear our driveway for us (Thanks Bob!!!). This sweater set may be the world's cutest outfit. I have a call in to Guinness to confirm.

I just keep reminding myself...

This was the last AC treatment. All the bad feelings and symptoms from the chemo are limited to this week. At least that is what I am counting on. I really believe that the next treatment won't make me feel as nauseous and tired.

I decided to load this picture from the Thursday before chemo for a couple reasons:
1. A reminder that I will feel this good in about a week.
2. I wanted to say thanks for the Schutte's for sending a little sparkle- the earrings are perfect.
3. Basically to show off my scarf look.

I think that Wes and I have planned much better for this week than last treatment. I am hoping for better results. I have more prescriptions to combat some of the newer side effects that came up last time. We have already had awesome support from friends and family to help out with Alexandra. Wes and I continue to be amazed at the love and support from those around us. I don't think that we will ever be able to truly express our gratitude to all those that have helped.

Chemo treatment #4

Yesterday Michele had her fourth , and final, treatment of her first round of chemo. As always, it snowed like crazy on chemo day, so we had an interesting drive to the hospital. Then it was the normal routine, pop in for a quick blood draw and then off to see the oncologist.

The doctor had nothing but good news. Michele's blood counts look good. The tumor is barely palpable. Everything looks great. She made a point once again to say that Michele was tolerating the treatment really well and that she wasn't much of a whiner. She was extremely pleased with the progress and said that 9 out of 10 women with the same markers (progesterone positive, HER2 receptive, etc.), and on the same treatment end up with no discernible tumor at the end of chemo. She also told us that comparatively the next round of drugs, Taxol/Herceptin, was going to be "a piece of cake". How good does that sound?

Michele got a couple new prescriptions (we've lost count at this point), including one for heartburn which has been her biggest nemesis lately. Hopefully this means better sleep in the coming week.

Next it was off to waiting room number three at the clinic. Usually this is about a 10-15 minute wait and then we are in the treatment room and ready to rock. An hour later... the nurse came out and apologized for the delay, but she was still waiting on blood counts. Michele said, "You mean like these?" and handed her the copy that we had with us the whole time. Frustrating, but then we were of an running.

This was the first time that we didn't get a private room. We still weren't in the big public area, but rather had a little cubby with curtains on both sides. Michele's friend Michelle is in from San Francisco and came with us to hang out. Pretty much the same procedure that we have gotten used to. Michele still has to keep her mouth cold throughout the first phase of the treatment. After her visceral reaction to ice chips last time, we were smart enough to bring frozen juice pops with us. She was quite happy!

Once again, we had the pleasure and entertainment of Viking Mike. We were excited upon arrival to see him making his normal laps around the facility with his IV cart. After while, and as he was for some reason sweeping the carpet, he came over and asked Michele if she liked flowers. I was pretty sure he was hitting on her with me sitting right there, but he just wanted to talk about his garden. Michele, an enthusiastic gardener and lover of all things flower, was delighted to talk about his garden, her garden, butterflies, good websites to buys plants, and manure. Mike even invited her to come to his house and steal some of his plants! He also offered to let her have a five gallon bucket of "sheep s*#t"... although we may pass on that one. Then he was off to sweep, offer to get people snacks, and harass old ladies. Different guy. Sweet guy. He makes it kind of fun to go there.

Then it was home to the little one. Michele had a rough evening. Headache, nausea, just didn't feel right. She got a quick nap and then worked on some yoga and relaxation techniques with Michelle. She just woke up from the best night's sleep she has had in a long time, so hopefully today will be better.

Rock 'n roll.