Getting closer to the finish line
I can hardly believe it is already October....

Yesterday was my last treatment with Adriamycin and Cytoxan which are the most toxic. So, my next four treatments will be Taxotere only. The doc said he will put me on a steriod the evening before, morning of, and morning after. He said the steriod will keep me awake, make me hungry and "a little wild". Um. what kinda of wild? I was afraid to ask. I wonder if I'll be up all night cleaning, and laying tile and putting in molding and getting the house together.... at least it won't be wild sewing until the house is done. Or maybe the "wild" and "hungry" can be a foodfest at the local HomeTown Buffet! The side affects of Taxotere could be fluid retention (swollen ankles, weight gain (that might be from the foodfests); numbness and tingling in hands and feet; and joint pain... along with the usual hair loss and the other crap that I've experienced so far. So, I suppose if I have numbness in my hands, I won't feel the hammer when it misses the nail and hits my hand when I'm up late at nite being "wild". Maybe I'll have to skip the all nite buffet unless I want to start wearing elastic waist pants! Augh!

I'm in a good mood today since I'm half done and done with 2 drugs... progress, I'm almost there.

Progress on the house: waiting for the estimates and proposals to come in; but ready to get started. We bought new doors and molding this weekend; upgraded and finished the electrical; waiting for wood floor guy to give me price and waiting for proposal from tile/cabinet man. And we even got our phone fixed, so now you can call me at home; although we still don't have answering machine becuase it was packed up.

Lemonade
Topic: September 2005
Haven't checked in for a while, not for any reason, other then nothing really new to say. Oh, I did take my own advice and make the appointment for the MRI my surgeon wanted me to get. I've been putting that off for a few months.... hate those MRI's ... heck, I can't even zip up a tent when camping, and they expect me to go into that thick metal tube! Yikes. Had one before and I pressed the panic button, just to test the technician. Found out the button worked, the guy was still there and he drew me out, so went back in to finish the scan, but boy it was tough. But I promised my surgeon I'd make the appt, so I did. She wants to make sure she got all the cancer/tumor since she said my margins were not well defined. Um... I thought they were.. oh well. So, that appt is next Thursday and I'll have DH go with me and promise to stay in the room - you know in case of an earthquake or flood or something and I need to get out of there.

Next Monday is my 4th chemo and the last of the "AC" of the "AC&T"; then only 4 more treatments and of one drug, but same side effects.

I ordered a couple more wigs, one long and auburn, and the other short-ish and brown with gold highlights. What the heck... I never want to go back to being stuck in a hair rut again. you know, where you don't change your hair style for years. I've been alternating between the wig, scarves, and hats. Oh, and I got some great crochet caps that are so comfy. And then I still go on my bald walks, although it is getting cooler at nite and I've been opting for a baseball cap. So, I suppose I'm trying to make lemonade out of the lemons.

Bring me my Soap Box
Topic: September 2005
Ok, here we go..... everyone needs to get their annual whatevers... this includes, paps, mammograms, colonoscopies, blood work, whatever. Do self exams, go to the doc regularly and take care of yourselves. Do you know most people take better care of their cars then they do of themselves. And hey, you can trade in your car, but just try to trade in your body.... ah, doesn't always work.

So don't neglect your health. Yea, we all hate to go to the doc, to have them poking around us, checking this, checking that, and most of them, sorry to say, need work on their bedside manner, but it's all about PREVENTIVE health care. So, if you haven't had a check up in a while, been putting off your mammogram or pap, or that augh, colonoscopy... don't. Nothing should take priority over your own health. Not your job, not your kids, spouse, vacation, weather, whatever. YOU can't enjoy any of those things without your health.

phew... ok, I'm done yelling, time for more coffee.

Speechless
I was very, very sad yesterday. My best friend's mom passed away early yesterday morning, after her very courageous battle with cancer. I've known her and her family since elementary school and think of her as one of my sisters and her mom was a great, kind, woman. I feel so bad for my friend; her mom who suffered; and her family and friends who lost a good lady/friend/mother. Her mom was diagnosed just a short time before me so her suffering wasn't too prolonged.

I can so understand what her mom went through... but still don't know what to say.

Bring on the weekend
Topic: September 2005
So, now I'm thinking about food and not feeling too bad... that's a good sign. Oh, I asked the doc about the rash and he didn't think it was chemo related, whatever... it's just strange that it occurs about 10 days after infusion... but since he didn't seemed concerned; I won't either.

As I was driving into work this morning, I was thinking how my life seems to be sounding like a bizzare soap opera, with the fire and all... well at least I haven't experienced any multiple personalities or found any dead people that came back to life. My mom, dad and I were at a picnic thingy a week or 2 ago and we each won a prize at the raffle, so we figured that we are now on a winning streak. Although I can't see how winning a $19 knife set; a 1/2 set of golf balls (can you believe they didn't even include the entire set in the box); or a gift certificate to a pizza parlor that hasn't even opened yet a "prize". Maybe that was the end to the bad luck -- kinda like the bad-luck booby prize.