Chemo Round 2

Tomorrow will be my second dance with the red devil.  I'm dreading it.  My first round was on a Monday, 13 days ago.  Along with the red devil, there is another chemo drug that was given via IV and a host of other drugs I can't pronounce.  But that red devil (Adriamycin), slapped me around, kicked my ass, then sat on me while I was down.  I spent 4 days after chemo in a fog.  I had no energy, and everything tasted horrible. Even water tasted like metal.  I barely remember getting out of bed to plop my butt on the recliner in my living room.  I was in and out of sleep all day and in the evenings I dragged my body (think zombie) to drift in and out of sleep all night in my bed.  Eating was another challenge.  I managed to eat bananas, and some saltine crackers.  I knew I needed to eat.  I needed to eat to help my body heal.  I have never struggled to eat like that.  I forced myself to eat those 3 days.  A few bites of chicken here, a couple bites of oatmeal there, a bite of cornbread.  Whatever I put in my mouth made me want to vomit.  Thankfully, I never did.  On Saturday, I woke up feeling somewhat normal.  I even wanted to leave the house.  We took the kids to the lake and visited grandbaby for a bit.  It was nice.  By last Monday I was back to normal.  My tastebuds were fine and I had energy.  I went to work all week and felt like I did before chemo.  I'm hoping this pattern continues as long as possible.  I just don't know how many times I can take that dance.  I have 3 more to go.
Pray for me

This was me during Round 1.

See you on the other side.
L

Do you know the numbers?

Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime? ONE in EIGHT!!  Did you hear me? That's huge! That's a lot. Let that sink in.

They say your chances of getting breast cancer is higher if you have family history, i.e. your mom, aunt, grandma, great grandma, etc. I don't have family history.  Also, more white women get diagnosed, then statistically African American women follow, then Hispanic, and last in that order of risk? Asian.  I KNOW!  I spoke to a geneticist from some company that is testing my DNA for the BRCA gene (more on that later) and she said to me, "You are just a fluke." Lucky me. 

Anywho, you can Google the stats yourself, the numbers are staggering.  Scary stuff. 

So, please get your mammograms ladies.  No one is immune.  Cancer is an asshole and does not discriminate.

Love you guys.
L.

Quickie

It's been 38 days since my diagnosis and since then I've had my first round of chemotherapy.

Let me tell you something, chemo SUCKS.  It is the worst thing I have ever been through my entire life.  I would never wish that on anyone! It was actually one week ago today and I still cringe.  I still feel the aftermath of the meds that were put in (one of which is nicknamed "the red devil").  It is literally poison in your system.  I understand the process and how it all works (I read a lot of info about my diagnosis, treatments options, and breast cancer in general) and I know that the treatment plan is what my oncologist and breast surgeon have presented as the best course for me, but I wasn't prepared for what I felt.  I was sick. Really sick. I pray you never have to do it. 

Anyway, I'm venting.  I was home all week last week.  I didn't get up much until Friday. I had no appetite and foods just don't taste right (one side effect of chemo).  I went to work today and plan on working the rest of this week.  Next week Monday is round 2....

Like a train

Thursday Feb 5, 2015, I sat on an exam table, facing my husband while this doctor who I just met three days prior said, "You have breast cancer"

Boom.

It's like you get hit by a train.  One day you are fine, life is good. Then, just like that, it isn't.  Cancer is a word that often times is associated with death.  When people hear that word, they feel bad, like you have been handed a death sentence.  Maybe it's just me.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am gonna fight this. I will do what it takes.  WHATEVER it takes.  I have people counting on me.