Well I'm back.............

Hi everyone - so sorry for the extended absence here..... Let me try to catch everyone up to speed.....

I had my first mammogram on Louise on 9/11 which was extremely painful because of the hematoma. Then I had a total meltdown in the breast center because they used the same wording to tell me that I had to have another test done as they did last February. Later they explained that it's very common to have to have an ultrasound after contributed to it not being a very good day.

I had my colonoscopy on 10/10 and it was very favorable. Dr Fastiggi said that the only thing he would really recommend that I don't eat is POPCORN = just my most favorite thing -- oh well. My followup blood work showed only that my cholesterol is elevated - HMMMM cake and ice cream?>?? oh well, I'll work on that and get it back down -- Oatmeal here I come....

My imaging for radiation got pushed back a little bit but I finally started my radiation November 5th. Today is my 24 - only 11 more after today. I have been having "whole breast" radiation up til now and will start "tumor bed targeted" on December 17th. If all goes as planned - I will have my last treatment on December 28, 2007. WOOHOO.


I am currently quite red and "burnt" under my arm and under Louise. I'm using Silvadene creme on the open blistery spots and Aquaphor on the rest. Once the "whole breast" part is done, that should start to heal very quickly. ONLY 3 more of those.


On October 22, at 5:00 pm my boss called me completely unexpectedly to tell me that my position had been eliminated at work effective that day so I have been unemployed from that point on. This has caused some serious strain on us financially but we are doing ok. Unemployment of $405 a week has helped a little. Good news is that I have taken a position at a local company begining Monday December 17th as the VP of Finance. I'm glad to be going back to work and am getting very excited.

I had my MediPort removed on November 6th - I was in and out of surgery before Rob even got there from work. Now - no more pinching or anything in my chest -- YEAH :))

I almost have fingernails again - almost. And I've had my hair cut once already. It was standing up all over very weirdly but it looks much better now.

The boys started on a competative travel hockey team this year and are really loving it. This is really a change for them (AND US) and we are really quickly becoming a HOCKEY FAMILY. We have practices every Tuesday and games MOST Saturdays and Sundays. They are very good for their age and the coach was very surprised to learn this is their first year in a competative league.

Again - I apologize for falling off the face of the earth. Losing my job was very difficult for me and I kinda went into seclusion. BUT -- I'M BACK :) I promise more frequent information.

Much love to you all,
B

Radiation Oncology Plan

Hi all - today (our 5th anniversary) we went for our initial appointment with Dr Prouix and scheduled our start date for imaging to start on 10/12. I have to have 2 sets of 2 appointments prior to the actual radiation so I get a bit more time off from all treatment YEAH :) Side effects are supposed to be minimal with Radiation so hopefully that is the case. I will have to go 5 days a week for 7 weeks for a total of 35 treatments. I should be finished around Thanksgiving now.

I saw the Physician's Assistant in Gastroenterology and was given the "green light" to eat fresh fruit with no skins but not any raw veggies yet. I can have a little salad but not a whole meal's worth. I was so excited that I ate an apple that very day and then Cheryl brought me a whole bag of them to have at camp (thanks Cheryl). I have scheduled a colonoscopy and endoscopy on 10/10. This will give us information about my diverticulitis (like if it was just caused by the chemo) and help us plan for better food choices in the future.

My hair is growing (YIPPEE) but my fingernails are falling off. They are breaking in the center of the nail beds and then peeling off. This is very painful and harder for me than losing my hair as I always kept my nails done so nicely (thank you lisa).

Oh well -- this too shall pass. They are only nails - right?
Hope this finds all of you well. I love you all.
B

Last chemo DONE

Hi all - Last Tuesday - August 14th was my very last CHEMO!! HURRAY!!! I'm all done!! I have a mammogram on Louise on the 6th and see Dr Prouix (radiation oncologist) on the 7th which is also our 5th wedding anniversary. Will know then what the plan is for my radiation treatment. Seeing my Primary Care Physician on the 27th to get some other tests scheduled (like colonoscopy to see what if any permanent damage there is from the diverticulitis) but don't need to have any further scans etc per Dr Welt. I can have the port removed after October 1st. Am thinking that I will wait until radiation is over - so probably around Thanksgiving.

This is the third cycle break week but really the first week of the rest of my life. I am starting to feel better - still have a little sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches - but better. Each day I seem to feel better than the day before.

Thanks so much for following my adventure and challenge. I will continue to post information here as it happens. Coming now - A cancer free existance.
I love you all.

Round 3 - Second week DONE

Hi everyone.

My second "break" week I went to San Diego for a sales meeting and had a great week. I felt wonderful. My friend Sarah came back home with me for the weekend and we went to Bucktail for an absolutely awesome weekend. I felt great the whole week.

Last week was the first treatment of Round 3. Dr Welt was really pleased with my progress. We talked about having the port removed and what comes next. I had to get the two ProCrit shots as my hematacrit was a little low - but nothing really bad. I felt pretty awful on Wed and Thur - it was over 100 degrees here on Thur so I didn't really mind staying in the air conditioned camper. By Saturday I was feeling a little better - worked at the Wacky Water Works games and went to my 30th High School Reunion that nite. It was a lot of fun to see so many friends that I hadn't seen in so long.

Yesterday was the second treatment of Round 3. Didn't have to see the Dr this week so got in and out pretty quickly. Ashley Smith stayed with the boys so they didn't have to go home and they enjoyed a little more time at Bucktail. I am going to get a Neulasta shot right now as my white count was down to 2.0 which is not TOO bad but not good either.

We have one more treatment - ONE MORE. Then I see the Radiation Oncologist on 9-7 (our 5th wedding anniversary) to discuss what the plan is for my second round of treatment. I should begin that part of the treatment about 2 weeks after that.

I am so excited to be this close to being done -- YEAH. The boys and Rob are excited as well. I am hopeful that I won't be too sick this week or next.

I am sure that all of your thoughts and prayers have kept me going this whole time. March 28 seems like so very long ago - the day of my first chemo. You all have kept me strong. Thanks for all of that - and for all of your love. B

Week 3 - Second Round - DONE!!!

Well today was Week 3 of the second round. I met with Dr Welt today and he is very happy with my progress. Little concern regarding the neuropathy (numbness) in my left hand and sure that feeling will return once I complete the third round.

I asked him what happens next - once all three rounds are done -- and he said no more scans because the others all showed positive things. We will schedule an appointment with Dr. Prouix (Radiation dr) at that time and I will have 2 - 4 weeks off before I start with him.

I am feeling pretty good - my actual weight loss is 32.25 pounds - I had a "Faulty" start weight But that is still really good. Am hopeful I will sleep some tonite (the steroids kick my butt) so say a little prayer for good sleep. I have a slight sore throat and since I am going to San Diego next Sunday I am going in to be checked tomorrow morning - just a precaution.

Thanks for reading my blog. WE ARE ALMOST DONE!!!
I love you all, B

Today was the second treatment in round 2. Everything went well. I'm down 34.5 pounds! This has caused some discomfort with my port but it's not a big deal. Hopefully I will have a great week.
Thanks for checking my blog. I love you all. B

So it's week 2 of my second round of Abraxane

Thanks Tom for reminding me to update this. Least I can do since all of you are trying to find out what is going on with me.

I had my week off - but I was pretty depressed the whole week. I expected to have a "BONUS" good week - you know where I felt better than I had in a long time - due to the fact that I didn't have any chemo. I didn't feel bad but I didn't feel much better than normal. So I wasn't very nice to most everyone around me. SORRY :(

We were at Bucktail for this whole time and I found out that I can get my blood tests done at the Guthrie in Mansfield. The girls there are very nice and were very accomodating.

My first treatment in my second regimen went well - good blood return on my port which is always one of my biggest concerns since I want to be able to use the port for all of the chemos. I had the same symptoms as before - achy tummy, bone and muscle aches, those kinds of things. Dr Welt asked about any really "bad" side effects and I told him there really were none.

The bottoms of my feet all peeled off - really - just like a sock -- and now my two big toe nails are falling off. I'm just a mess -- OH WELL. But my legs and ankles look better - the marks are starting to fill in with color and look more like my own skin. I'm going to start with the Mederma this week to help them along.

Tomorrow is round two of the second regimen. I don't have to see the Dr this week and we are going to go home for tonite from Bucktail. I'm gonna sleep in my own bed. YEAH. Rob has already left with the kids the dog and the cat. I'm finishing up some work and then heading home.

Thanks for caring enough to read this. I'll try to do better about more postings.

All my Love -- B

Third of the first round - DONE

Hi there - So today I completed my third Abraxane treatment - the last in my first round of treatment. My counts are staying up pretty well so no Neulasta treatments for me. Now I get a week off from treatment -- WooHoo. Next week only blood tests.

I have lost 30 REAL pounds of weight - I am down 30 pounds from my first chemo. Helps a little that I can't eat many foods but it's still good weight loss. YEAH

Also went to see the Plastic Surgeon and he released me from his care and told me that I only need to come back if my legs look infected or worse.

Today I am feeling wonderful and hope this will be a good week. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the prayers and love.

Followup and next treatment

So Abraxane seems to agree with me except for the fatigue that took over my whole weekend. I also had some severe bone pain on Saturday that I ended up taking Darvocet to manage. I slept a whole bunch and that was a bonus.

Monday I did bloodwork and my counts stayed up. Tuesday - second treatment. So far so good. I didn't sleep well last nite due to the steroids from pretreatment but my house is cleaner :)

Thanks for keeping in touch with me this way. One more treatment and then a break week. I'll keep you updated.

Love to all of you. B

The week of June 3rd, 2007

Went to see the plastic surgeon on Tuesday the 5th and he removed all of the bandages and told me to put Vaseline on my legs. That night two of the scabs slid off my legs. The next day after a good long hot shower the rest of the scabs slid off - wow!! I have legs again. They are a little pink where the scabs were but they look great - doesn't appear to be too much scarring. Plastic Surgeon said use Medirma on them - over the counter stuff all the way with him!!!!

Blood work on Tuesday 5th also showed my counts continuing to climb which is really good.

Went in for my first Taxol treatment on Wednesday June 6th. Took a vacation day to cover since I didn't know what to expect. When I met with Dr. Welt, he was ecstatic with the look of my legs. He then explained to me that the one most common side effect of the Taxol is fluid retention and he doesn't want to take a chance that I get ANY fluid retention of any kind. So he told me that he is going to switch me to Abraxane which is a sister drug to Taxol.

The main difference is that Taxol is dissolved in a oil base and the Abraxane is dissolved in a protein. There is some belief that the side effects from Taxol are really from the oil and the way that delivers the drug through your body. So the Abraxane should have fewer side effects because the protein is more easily accepted by your body.

The dosing is different as well - Taxol was one treatment every other week for 4 treatments and each treatment takes up to 4 hours. Abraxane is given once a week for three weeks with a week off - for a 4 week treatment cycle and each treatment takes 30 minutes. You have to have 3 treatment cycles for a total of 12 weeks. I will now be done in the middle of August with my chemo.

So yesterday, I had my first Abraxane. I have had very little side effects and feel pretty good. Because I'm more prone to blood count dropping, I did get a Neulasta shot today but I may not need to after this round. We are using the first week as a "trial" period to see what I need and don't need. I go in for blood work on Monday and my next treatment on Tuesday.

OH - and i'm down 53 pounds since my all time high weight in the hospital. Which means, I've really lost 13 pounds. WooHoo :)

Thanks for all the love and support - caring and prayers - I feel all of you all around me all the time. I love you all.
B

Through June 1, 2007

Sunday came and went without my normal "bad day" and I was hopeful for a "pass". But the idea that I would get a "pass" on my last AC chemo - one dose without any significant side effects - was truly a pipe dream.
Monday was also a good day. Tuesday I went in for blood work - knowing I would need a neupogin shot or four. I went back down for the shot at 5 and came home - feeling more and more run down every hour that went by. Wednesday I went in for two Pro Crit shots and for the first time I was actually feeling "kinda" nauseous. I declined a nausea shot and went home for the day - heading back in at 3 for my neupogin. By that time I was feelling so ill that I had Rob drive me. They suggested that I get fluids and a nausea shot so I did. They also did more blood testing - including blood cultures and CBC stat to get my counts again. My counts had gone down instead of up -- not good.
The result of that little visit was an admission to the Robert Packer Hospital (AGAIN) onto the Oncology floor for a diagnosis of possible Neupotrinic Fever. I was in a private room and had wonderful treatment. On Thursday I got two units of blood and each day I got 5 bags of IV antibiotics. They also brought up the skin care staff who looked at my poor blistered legs and came up with a care plan for them. I was finally released on Saturday morning.
I'm now ramping up mentally and physically for my next round of chemo - starting this Wednesday - with the new drug. I'm asking that all of you pray that I will have no side effects from this drug - that would be a welcome change and as always -- I appreciate your prayers and thoughts no matter what.
I will post again after treatment on Wednesday -- I love you all -- thanks for your support and prayers.

Quick Update

Hey all - I've lost at least another 2 pounds. Went in for my Neulasta and was down more. My legs are running a lot. I'm sure that the chemo is doing exactly what we expected and drying the excess water up in my body. I feel wonderful but I'm STARVING all the time. Not sure what that means. My legs are kinda tight and ouchy but they will start healing as soon as the water stops draining out of them.

We are already at Bucktail - I have a demo today at 12 and one at 3 and I'm done for the day. I did so much work this week but I felt so good doing it. Great success.

Again - Happy Memorial Day weekend. Have a great one.

My love to all of you.

Last AC Chemo achieved

Hi all. I went into the cancer center yesterday and had lost 30 of the 40 actual pounds i gained from the iv fluids. Dr Welt and I agreed we should do my last AC chemo and so i did and I am feeling wonderful. My legs are really weeping today but i can tell that i've lost more of the water weight. My stomach is no longer heavy and my legs are not shiny and dimply. I am NOT getting fluids this time as we think i already have enough :)).

We are heading to Bucktail as soon as my work is done tonite - around 5 - for the long weekend. I can't wait and neither can the boys. Packing is all done. Just gotta finish putting in the car.

Hope you all have a safe and happy Memorial Day - remember the reason for the celebration - and I'll be talking to you next week.

From there to here is a long long time....

From my last post - many many things have happened........

I was in Alaska and got my blood checked. I needed to do the shots, which I did, and I had a wonderful time seeing an incredibly beautiful state.

When I got home Saturday the 5th at 10pm I was beat. I slept good that nite but really didn't feel well the next day. Carol brought the boys home to me and I stayed in the house all day. Monday I woke to terrific pain in my abdomin which I was sure was Diverticulitis and a trip to the ER and subsequent admission to Corning Hospital proved to be exactly right. I went into the hospital on Monday at about 4pm and was finally in my room at 1am after having a CT scan of my abdomin. They shot me full of morphine for the pain and off to sleep I went. I don't remember much of the next couple of days - except that they realized I wasn't peeing and during two different "rapid response" treatments from the ICU nursing staff, it was decided that they would "Flood" my kidneys with IV fluids to try to stimulate them to start working -- Which DIDN"T work. My body stored all the fluid (14lts) and I gained 50 lbs overnight in my stomach.

Rob was getting very concerned and after speaking the Deb Danko at the Cancer Center, she and Dr Welt came to see me. It was determined that there was nothing surgically that could be done and so they transported me on Friday via ambulance to Robert Packer in Sayre PA. That is where I spent the next four days - coaxing my kidneys and liver to function more normally. Sunday and Monday I started getting out of bed and walking so that they would let me come home. I was released from the hospital on Tuesday May 15 with 50 extra pounds - no clothing or shoes that fit me.

While driving home from the hospital, there was a strange feeling on my legs and I looked down to see that I had HUGE blisters forming on my legs. Then they popped and water started running out of me. All that water weight was working its way down into my legs and trying to find anyway out that it could - so my legs were leaking - all over the place. I have continued to have this "leaking" right up until now.

Last week was a huge challenge just coming back to normal. I returned to work on Thursday and that was a big struggle. I have been better each day from where I was the day before - and that's all anyone can ask.

Yesterday I had my blood work done for chemo (last AC-bad one) on Wednesday and my counts are good enough to get chemo. I am hoping that the "dehydrating" effect I normally have will work to relieve the rest of the water storage in my body - I think I am down to about 15-18 pounds right now.

I promise to be better about posting. I just got so sick so fast and things went so out of control.

Look for a post chemo post --- My love to all of you.
B

Sorry I haven't posted in so long

Treatment #3 was Thursday, April 26. Worked really hard at keeping symptoms at bay. I learned how to give my self an injection and actually gave myself my Neulasta shot. No headache this time and my counts stayed up - Yeah!!! No Neupogin shots this time so far.

Next time is my last Adriamyacin and Cytoxin treatment. The Taxol comes after that. That drug is supposed to be easier to take with less side effects. SO.....I'm ready to get that last bad one over - how crazy does that sound?

Rob turned 30 on the 28th and we had a big party at Bucktail for him. There were so many of our friends there - he was very honored and pleased. We came home on Sunday and went to the Blue & Gold Banguet for Cub Scouts. Sunday and Monday were really tough days for me. I went to the clinic on Monday and Tuesday for fluids. I was better when I went to bed Tuesday night.

Wednesday I spent the day traveling to ALASKA!!! Which is where I am right now. I have to go to a hospital here for some blood work that will be faxed back to The Corning Cancer Center. I traveled with two Neupogin shots in an insulated lunch bag in case I have to give them to myself after the blood work comes back. I'm feeling pretty good so I'm not sure that'll happen but i'm prepared if it does.

Sorry if I worried any of you by not posting (especially my daughter Shelly - Love you honey). It was a crazy busy week and a long trip here. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

I love you all.

What a difference the WEATHER makes

I have had the best couple of days. Saturday I woke up feeling WONDERFUL and was treated to a gorgeous day so the boys and I went through all of their summer clothing and then I drove the Miata down to Bucktail. After spending 3 wonderful hours there, I drove back home and went to a Taste of Home cooking show with Annie (Thanks again Annie - I SOOOOOOO Love You). After that, I drove back to Bucktail and we all (Including Rob) stayed the night.

Sunday was truly another "gift" day. I spent most of it sitting around talking to friends (Deb and Pat Gilboy, Wendy and Cole, and others) and taking it easy. What a wonderful day.

Today - Monday - another greatly beautiful day. INCREDIBLE. My body right now feels as it did before the cancer - I feel GREAT. Was this what "normal" felt like - man, have I missed it.

Tomorrow - blood work and then a quick trip up to Boston to run a seminar. Back on Wednesday evening and then Chemo on Thursday - Number 3 - Only 1 more A/C after that.

I hope you all enjoyed the past weekend as much as I did. Thanks for continuing to keep me in your prayers. I love you all so much.

Tough Couple of days

Hi all. It's been a tough couple of days. I went in for blood work on Monday and decided to stay for fluids. My blood results came back while I was still there and my white counts had bottomed out. I got a Neupagin(sp?) shot that day and went back on Tuesday for another. Wednesday morning I woke up with terrible pain in my left shoulder - and when I went in for my third Neupagin shot, I told Debbie about it. Dr Welt had just left but she said if it was any worse, I should see him on Thursday. On Thursday, my shoulder had bright red hot patches on the surface and I was running a temp. Additionally, my counts were not coming back up - even with the fourth shot - so they decided to do blood cultures and wanted me to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics. I asked them to let me go home with some oral antibiotics - which they agreed to do as long as I wasn't alone and I agreed to go to the hospital asap if I got any worse. I also had a shoulder xray to see if i had any infection. Carol very willingly came and stayed overnight with me. (gotta love her, right?? I sure do)

Then today Carol and I went to the clinic and had another Neupagin shot and blood drawn and then to see the orthopedic doc about my shoulder and he stuck a big long needle into my shoulder but HURRAY nothing was in there. I called the clinic and my counts are back to NORMAL - DOUBLE HURRAY :)

Now I can go to Tom and Cheryl's wedding today and have a good weekend with my family. WOOHOO.

Thanks for thinking about me and for all the prayers.

Love you all - B

Treatment 2 plus a week

Hi everyone. Well today is Wednesday - a week after my 2nd chemo. I am starting to feel more like myself again and that is always good. Side effects weren't AS bad this time but I did end up going in for fluids on Monday and I'm getting the three neupogin (Sp?) shots again - today is my last day. YEAH.

I'm preparing for a trip to Alaska in May - A once in a lifetime adventure - and the clinic is going to work with me on how to make it happen. It's gonna take some planning but i'm gonng be able to go.

Thanks for all your love and prayers, cards and well wishes. I feel you surrounding me all the time.

My love to all of you.

2 down - 6 to go

Today - Chemo # 2. All the scans were absolutely CLEAN -- NO CANCER ANYWHERE!!!! Yeah. And.....I lost 10 lbs. What a bonus. Dr Welt was pleased too :).

So I got the same cancer drugs and had less immediate effects from them. Took Motrin while I was there to help with the headache and Mom (gotta love her) brought me homemade soup to eat while I was there. I finished up around 12:20 and Rob and the boys brought me home.

My hair was falling out so we decided to shave it off and we had so much fun but did a terrible job so I called Lori Jacobus and the sweetheart that she is - she cut it all the way off for free. Since I picked up my wig yesterday, we tried it on and I wore it home. It needs some shaping/trimming in the front but other than that - it's really beautiful. Long, Shaggy, Curly, and a dark brunette RED. I love it.

Carol (gotta love her TOO) brought me fresh fruit and potato chips - one of the suggestions of Dr Welt to help with the dehydration. He said eat lots of soup and salty snacks. So Carol brought me Wavy Lays YUM and fresh fruit.

Annie (another LOVE) is just now arriving - she is staying with me as Rob is at work and the boys have gone for a visit to Aunt Linda's. They will have fun and hopefully I will be feeling great by the time they return.

I know I have told you this before but I feel your prayers - holding my hand when I'm scared, taking the pain when they stick me, helping me to sleep at night, and making me brave. Without all of you - I could never do this.

Thanks - always - for your love and prayers. I feel so loved.

Tuesday April 10 - the day BEFORE chemo #2

Hi all - just a short update since last week. I ended up getting a total of 5 shots (2 procrit and 3 like neulasta) and on Friday my counts were up enough that I didn't have to have any more. I was told not to be in any crowds still and that I could still get sick easily. This meant I had to miss my friend's oldest child's wedding - Sorry Billy Jean.

Saturday - the Smith girls came for a visit with Chicken Wing Dip. I am so blessed with the wonderful friends I have. Ashely - I love you :) You too Cheryl and Amber.

Sunday and Monday - I felt GREAT. I have an annoying cough and some head congestion but I almost feel like ME :)

Today - I get blood drawn to make sure I'm ready for tomorrow. Chemo is at 8am.

I'm more prepared and ready. Let's go #2 - Let's get this one DONE!!! I want to go to CAMP!!!

Love you all - thanks for the prayers and caring - I feel them surrounding me all the time.

Today is Wednesday

Scans galore - and all so much fun. I did well in the MRI - didn't even freak out. The PET scan was easier because it was more open and no cage around my face. :)

I went to the Cancer Center for blood work on Tuesday and today they called to say that both my white AND red blood cell counts are too low so I went in for three shots - 2 procrit and one like neulasta but I have to have up to 3 more of those to get my counts up to where they should be.

On the way home from blood work - I was feeling wonderful - so good I wanted to actually make dinner - so we stopped at the grocery store and headed home with some yummy stuff. On the way, I got stung in the center of my back by a bee and worried that I'd have an allergic reaction, took one benadryl that wiped me out. CRAP - right?

BUT - I feel better and I'm ready to fight some more. I am going in for fluids tomorrow as my blood pressure is lower than normal so I'm probably dehydrated. OH WELL. As my friend Cathy says - each day is a day closer to being finished - THANKS CATHY :))

I'll post again soon.
Thanks for the love and prayers. You all are my strength.

My first chemo weekend

Well if I told you that I wasn't fully ready for what happened to my body over the weekend - it would be the biggest understatement of my life. I felt as though I had been put in a burlap bag and run over repeatedly by a huge truck.

Things were not good at our home and with Rob working 4-12 it is really hard to keep up. I basically sat in the chair and tried to stay alive. NOT FUN. Very hard on all of us.

Today - though - being Monday - I am much better. Back to work - feeling human - YEAH!!!

MRI today and PET scan tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the positive thoughts over the weekend.

From Chemo forward.......

Sorry I haven't been posting - I've had a few bad days. My headache on Wednesday only got worse and the great lunch from Fox's really upset my stomach. I got a prescription for Darvacette but couldn't take it til my stomach stopped being upset. Thursday I went in for fluids and neulasta and was experiencing some "pressure" in my chest. Not sure what was causing it but it was hard to breathe. Went to Horseheads and ordered my hair - RED of course :) - and made better food choices. Stomach was much better on Thursday. Val Sweirck brought up a chocolate peanut butter cup pie. Last cub scout meeting on Thursday evening - My face flushed out very badly before I got home but no fever.

Friday AM Wendy comes with soup from Kathy and chicken pot pie from Wendy. My headache was still here and still bad so I took a darvacette and then called the Cancer Center at 8:30. I went in for a checkup at 11 and from there went to the hospital for a CT Scan of my chest to make sure there was no fluid in my lungs/chest - around the port. Only thing the scan showed was the bruising in my left breast. Dr Polony (radiologist) talked to Dr. Welt and Dr. Shaikh and both of them called me. Dr Shaikh doesn't think that anything needs to be done with the hematoma (bruising) in Louise. Dr Shaikh had me go see Sarah Boyle to check my vitals and Sarah called Dr Olmstead (dr who put in my port) and he listened to Dr Polony's report. So during one day I had 5 doctors discussing my care. WOOHOOO.

Together they decided that the massive changes in my body in the last week have most likely caused the discomfort in my chest. SOOOOO --- mom, anne, the boys and I went to dinner at Applebees and then we came home and I took a bath and a darvacette. I'm in for the evening and trying to relax as much as I can. The boys are watching ZOOM on tv and it's quiet here.

Monday I have an MRI to check out my pain in my head and Tuesday I have a PET scan at Arnot Ogden. More tests :( I will let you know how I make out.

Love you all - please keep me in your prayers.

One down - seven more to go

So first chemo is done. Had a little discomfort with the port at first since it is still so swollen but Mike got me going right away. Got Aloxi and Decadron by IV before chemo plus my Emend by mouth then the Cytoxin was next and finished up with the Adryomycin. Had a strange and never before seen reaction to the A! My lips and face got all numb and then my lip swelled up but only on one side of the lower lip. So we sat for a while and then finished up with a Heparin shot to prevent clotting.

Left there right at 11. Rob went back down to Fox's and got us some lunch and I'm feeling pretty good - still discomfort at the port site since it's still so new and I have a headache. I've taken Advil for that - hope it works. Other than that I feel pretty good right now.

But today is the EASY day.

Thanks for all the prayers. I felt them surrounding me this morning. I love you all.

So the port is done

Hi everyone. The port insertion went as good as possible. It was really kinda weird to be able to hear them while they were working on me but I was under a tent so I couldn't see. It took less than an hour to put in place and I had no effects from the sedative once I was back in the Ambulatory Surgical Unit. I left with a pamphlet about what is now placed in my body.
CRAZY. I am also now taking Coumadin to keep the port from blocking up.
Dr Shaikh stopped in to see me and checked out Louise and was very pleased with her progress. He said I'm healing up very very well. YIPPEEE :)
Chemo is tomorrow morning at 7:45am. Rob and the boys will take me down and then go to my mom's to have breakfast and get ready for school. Once they are dropped off, Rob will join me at the Corning Cancer Center.
I will update after chemo. As always-prayers are welcome.
Til tomorrow.

Dr.Olmstead Visit

Ok everybody this is Rob. I have been keeping relatively busy : unexpected changes in my RDO squad, shift changes so on and so forth . When I have had free time I have been doing some spring cleaning and working on the hill (across from our house is our property also and we refer to that as our HILL). I have had some challenges to work around the past week but I'm almost back on track . Belinda is doing very well every single day. She and the Boys have been really doing some spring cleaning inside and out. I think I saw a robin this morning - spring is definatly here. Last night while I was at Monterey I recieved a phone call from LT Pangia telling me that Belinda was going to be having surgery on the following day which was today for her funky Port. I took 8 hrs FLMA today in order to be with her . We were going to the Wig man today but that is now going to change (Oh darn , she cant be a rock star today ). Hey have a good day . Rob W

Dr Welt appointment and schedule for next week

Hi everyone. Today's appointment went really well - Dr Welt uses nearly the same kind and amount (or more) of the antiemetics so that is really good. We talked about other issues and how we will handle scheduling and I was again reminded why I like him so much.

So I told him - I'M READY - LET'S GET THIS STARTED....

So - Monday at 8am I have to call Dr Shaikh's office to see if he can insert the port on Tuesday sometime. I also have an Echocardiogram at Corning Hospital at 1pm and blood work at the Cancer Center on Monday. If all goes right, we get the port inserted Tuesday and I'm going to see the Wig Guy Tuesday at 5pm. Then - we are scheduled for first chemo on Wednesday March 28, 2007 at 7:45am. I will go in Thursday am for IV fluid infusion and Neulasta shot. I have requested Thursday and Friday off from work for this first treatment so I can see how it goes. After that - only 7 more to go -- :)).

Ok - guys - this is where it gets hard. This is where I need thoughts and prayers. Please lift our whole family up during this week!!!

I will post again with new information.

Love you all.

Oncology 102

Hi all - Our drive to Buffalo was a beautiful one - we hit the city just at nightfall but on the way were treated to some SPECTACULAR sites including a beautiful sunset. The place we stayed at (Adams Mark) was less than 2 miles from the hospital so we settled in by having chinese food delivered and watching a pay-per-view movie (The Holiday) which we both really enjoyed.

At 8am we headed to the hospital What a HUGE place. We arrived with more than enough time to find parking and walk to the hospital. On the way in we saw that they offer "Valet" parking at no additional fee - they take your car at the door and park it for you - What a nice service.

Inside I stood in a line for awhile and then got a buzzer thingy (like at Applebees or Outback Steakhouse) and sat a while longer. We had been told that our appointment was at 9 - it was really at 10 - and that was the intake appointment. We were scheduled to see the Doctor (Janarthanan) at 10:30. Well - the bigger the hospital - the bigger the wait. We finally saw him at 12:45. Once we were with him I understood, though, how he could get behind.

He was very very patient and went over every detail in my file - asking me questions about how I found the problem, how it got diagnosed, etc. And then he told us that the kind of cancer I have is "Textbook" for women under 50. He said that women presenting with Breast Cancer under 50 ALL have aggressive, fast growing, non-hormone receptive cancers. He complimented Dr Shaikh's surgical skill - saying that he must do a lot of breast surgery because my incisions were both very artfully placed and cleanly done. I told him that Louise was disguised as a leprachan for St Patty's day (as she is still very green) and he thought that was pretty funny. He was a very honest and caring man and we both liked him tremendously.

He then went through the treatment plan - which was very nearly exact to Dr Welt's in Corning and then he told us that he felt it would be simply not necessary for me to get my treatment at Roswell - that Corning was an excellent facility and had extremely qualified doctors and they would be able to treat my cancer very successfully there. He also said that he would write up his notes and send them to Dr Welt (with the slight differences in treatment plan outlined) and suggested that I meet with Dr Welt again soon as it's time to get my treatments started. So - I have another appointment with him on Thursday this week to go over some of the differences, schedule my port insertion, and have my heart test. He also suggested that I get clearance from Dr Shaikh that I am ready to start the chemo. I will try to see him early next week as he is on vacation.

We feel very good about this news - it will make my treatment much easier - less travel and stress. I am - however - going back to Roswell in about 6 months to have some genetic testing done because of my family history. This will include blood testing, MRI, bone scan and other tests. This will be helpful to everyone in the Hunter family (as it seems that's what side has the most cases of cancer) and all of our children/grandchildren.

I'm off to Washington DC to do a big demo - I'll post more on Thursday after I see Dr. Welt again.

Love to all of you :)

Two of my best reasons for living

Meet Robert and Matthew - these are my 8 and 7 year olds. They are the most fun to be with and always make me laugh. They know their mom is tougher than cancer. We have talked about what this means for our family and how they will have to help mom around the house. I am so blessed.

Oncology 101

Today Rob and I went to see Dr. Welt at Corning Cancer Center. He was very kind and talked to us about the kind of cancer I have and what the treatment plan should look like. He is suggesting a DOSE DENSE treatment plan with one treatment every other week for 8 treatments. He told us that there is some really good evidence that changing out one of the normal chemo drugs and adding two others works much better at killing this kind of cancer. His staff were wonderful and are preparing me a complete treatment schedule that we can take to Roswell with us to compare treatment plans.

Rob and I both really liked this man - he was honest and caring and open to whatever choices we make about treatment.

Monday is Oncology 102. Til then,
All my love

A day of accomplishments

Hi All!!
Well, today I wore a REAL bra - Fastened the thing in the back BY MYSELF and it was so exciting that I decided to take a bath tonite too!!! Can you believe it. I am still in a state of disbelief. What a great day. This on top of spending the day with Wendy and Roger, Kathy and Alex, and my mom and the boys. How could it get any better than that???

Now - many of you might think that those are not real accomplishments - but trust me - putting your own bra on and hooking it up in the back all by yourself after breast cancer surgery is a huge accomplishment.

So as the grand finale of my great day - I took a bath - with Warm Vanilla Sugar body wash and it was HEAVENLY.

Crazy how little things that we take for granted every day become things you long for when you can't do them for yourself.

I hope you all had a day as great as mine. Off to bed. Love to all.

Our oncology journey begins

I am scheduled to meet with the chemo doctor (oncologist) at the Corning Cancer Center on the 14th and then on the 19th I go to Roswell and meet with the assigned oncologist there.

I spoke with the Cancer Resource Services corrdinator today and she said that even though this is a very agressive kind of cancer, it is a common one and is one that they know how to kill at Roswell.

If I told you I'm not scared witless - I'd be lying. But I have so much to live for and DAMMIT I'm gonna live. I appreciate the continued prayers, calls, and emails. You make the days brighter and are never an intrusion.

I will post again when I know more.

Love to all of you :)

Staples REMOVED and Pathology Report

Hi all. Well it's Wednesday March 7th. Today I went to see the surgeon who went over my pathology report with me. The tumor was 2.5 cms (1 inch) which makes it bad and when he removed it he got clear margins. That means they feel that they got all of the tumor. The lymph nodes he took were not malignant which is good. My receptors are unfavorable hormone receptors which is bad. We already knew that the cancer was aggressive which is bad. SO -- out of 4 conditions that they base the histological grading on (1-3) mine had 3 of 4 that were bad. My histological grade is a 3 - which is bad. He said there is a chance of reoccurance, even in the breast.

Based on this diagnosis, I have decided to go to Roswell Park in Buffalo for my chemo treatments. I will have an oncology doctor here in Corning as adjuvent care to my Buffalo oncologist who will have my records and be able to do bloodwork and treat symptoms between visits to Buffalo. I have an appointment with the oncology doctor here in Corning on Wednesday the 14th to go over my pathology report and get a file set up here.

I have a great Oncology Nurse working with me from United Health Care's Cancer Resource Services who has sent me information on understanding my pathology report and she has opened up a claim for me to go to Roswell which is one of 22 Cancer Center's of Excellence that participate in this special cancer program. I am calling her tomorrow to go over my pathology report. Unless she sees some reason in the report that I should go to Sloan Kettering instead - I will sign up for and become a patient at Roswell immediately.

My body is glad to be free of the staples that came out surprisingly easily. I am still to wear a bra for the next 4 days 24 hours a day. I can drive and take a bath now. Life is almost back to normal.

Thank you for all the prayers about "no lymph involvement" because without a doubt - they worked. I am truly blessed by all your love and prayers.

I will post again when I have more information to share.

My love to all of you.

So it's Sunday

Sorry that I haven't posted in awhile. Things are going very well. I'm pretty much pain med free. Today I'm feeling kinda "pinchy" which I'm sure if you've ever had any surgery you understand. I'm also starting to itch a bit - both good signs that healing is occuring.

I'm soo very loved -- I have recieved food, flowers, cards, and prayers from so many of you. What a blessing you all are. I'm pretty sure the USPS has the Smith family on retainer now - with the number of cards, letters, and other things (including flowers) I've received from them. Thanks guys :)

Thanks to all of you - seriously - all of you - for caring enough to check on me in whatever capacity you have. It has really been a strong part of my strength knowing you were out there watching over me.

Only a few more days til we see the surgeon, remove the staples, and find out what the next steps are.

Thanks again - I love you all

This is Thursday - March 1st

Hi everyone! Wow - it's Thursday already. Didn't get much sleep Tuesday as the Vicodin seemed to amp me out. So I stopped taking that yesterday and took my Lunesta last nite - turned in at 9 out at 6:45!!! Yeah - that's a good night's sleep. I am in very little pain right now but seem to have head congestion and sneezing (probably from my dear mom-in-law who played "Dr" with her face mask on so she could be with me -- THANKS Carol (just kidding) )
But I'm doing Zicam and Emer-Gen-C vitamins. Am only taking Advil for pain as needed now. My muscles were aching and my throat sore too - all post surgical reactions - but nothing that sitting in your pajamas for a day (or another day) won't cure.

I cannot tell you how very much I am sure that your thoughts and prayers guided my surgeons hands and all of those who came in contact with me that day during surgery. I had the most wonderful care givers - Linda and Donna in ASU, my surgical nurse Tammy who looked like Callie O'Mallie from Grey's and another Linda in surgery with me and Carlos my anesthesiologist. And Dr. Shaikh once again proved his amazing skills. What a kind, caring and competent doctor he is.

I have two incisions - I had originally thought one - and about 20 staples. We see Dr. Shaikh on the 7th at 1pm for pathology so until then - I won't have any "real" medical news to share with you.

The camp witch sisters where here yesterday to visit me along with our special friend Cat and Annie came too. They brought me tons of yummy things to eat and a pillow for my arm and great conversation. I am so very blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life.

I got an hour before the boys get up - maybe I'll have coffee in the quiet and do some positive reflection. Thanks again - all our friends -- for caring about me.

OK folks were home from the hospital , Bink is in her night clothes drinking vitamin C water . The day started off early real early , checking in was a breeze . We wated till around 12:15 when she went in the surgery room . Mom Barb , Mom Wilcox ,Aunt Linda and Mrs.Anne were all there for support .I went to the evergreen for chinese ,everyone else ate in the hospital (YUK).At around 2:45 she went into recovery ,Dr.Shaik informed me at that time the surgery went very well , they removed a Quarter sized tumor (cancer) , 2 enflamed limphnodes for safety. She was in recovery for awhile , til 6:00pm. We are now home and waiting for my MOM to bring us food (love my mom) and BK .Binks nest is already for her to try and get some sleep tonight . Well see everyone tommorow and PS call anyone who might want info about today , Love Ya All Rob Wilcox.

Hi there - It's me

Ok, it's all done. Just got home - was at the hospital from 7 til 6. He said the tumor looked smaller than he expected and they took two lymph nodes. The incision looks to be about 5 inches. The dye hurt like crazy and now i'm turning into a smurfette (my skin has a bluish tint to it :) ). I've had some morphine shots so I'm not feeling any pain right now and Carol is bringing home my Vicodin (woohoo) and some food. I find out Wednesday the 7th what the next steps are.

Rob will be on tonight with another update. But for now --- I'm home and am thankful for all your prayers -- because they worked.

So It's February 27th - 6:10am

We're getting ready to leave for the hospital. Can't say we're both not scared but we have such incredible friends and family members helping us at every turn of the way. Your prayers have done so much to strength Rob and I as we begin this journey.

We want you to know how very blessed we feel to call you all FRIENDS.... We love you :)

OK this is Rob , After trying to sign on for the last hour or so I finaly got it . Well il be taking the wheel for a while and giving everyone updates as they are available . I have taken Monday the 2/26 through Fri off to be with Belinda before and after her surgery ,after great thought she has the best Surgen-DR.Shaik and other medical staff . Well enough for tonight.

PreAdmission Testing - Went Well

I meant to say I am NOW ready for what is coming on Tuesday. Sorry for that little FREUDIAN slip :)

PreAdmission Testing - Went Well

So, I guess it's good to know that my lungs are CLEAR!!! I was a little concerned but my Xrays were good the tech said. My EKG was also excellent and I am not ready for the things to come on Tuesday. I am gonna beat this - Cuz I'm stronger than CANCER!

So here's more information

I started having pain in my left breast on Saturday February 3rd, on the way home from the boys birthday party at Build-a-Bear in Syracuse NY. The pain got worse on Sunday February 4th and so on Monday February 5th I was at the OB/GYN at 10:30am. She did a manual breast exam and found nothing. To be on the safe side - she sent me on Tuesday February 6th for a mammogram at the hospital so that the radiologist would be right there to read my films. Not too long after, the mammography tech came in and said that the radiologist wanted an ultrasound. While watching the ultrasound, I saw an area (about 2 cm) on the screen. It was very hard to find but the ultrasound tech helped me find it and then sure enough - there it was - I could feel it. Original speculation was that it was a fluid filled cyst and so I went off to see the surgeon (Dr Shaikh) who also did a manual breast exam and couldn't feel the lump. He suggested that I be scheduled for an ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspiration - which I had on Monday February 19th (the first opportunity) at the hospital. The radiologist could not get any fluid out as the lump was a solid tumor and so they did a core biopsy. At that time, I asked him to tell me what he thought about what he saw and he told me that I had real reasons to be concerned. The lump was irregular in shape and thickness and the samples were very heavy and sank in the sample jar. I left there pretty much knowing that I had breast cancer. I saw the surgeon again on Wednesday February 21st and he confirmed that. What I have is called "Poorly Differentiated Invasive Intraductal Carcinoma". On a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the most aggressive cancer that there is - mine is a 3. I am now scheduled for a lumpectomy on Tuesday February 27th at 11am. I am going to the hospital at 8am though to also have radio-active isotopes injected into my breast to see if my lymph system is at all involved. This is called a Sentinel Node Biopsy. If the sentinel node is not infected, they won't take any of the lymph nodes. They know this by seeing if the dye "lights up" the lymph node. If it is, they take out the ones that are 'hot'. Then everything is sent to pathology and they do lots of tests. The results of those tests will tell the Oncologist what types of drugs to use, how much, and how long. I will be having both chemo and radiation. Anytime the lump is bigger than 1cm - chemo is the standard. Radiation is always a standard with any breast cancer. That's what I know right now and what is going to happen. I hope this helps answer any questions you might have. Please check back often for updates as this is the easiest way for us to keep you posted. Love to all of you :)

Bink's Place

Hi Everyone!!!
This is my post board for my friends and family to keep them informed about my breast cancer - surgery, prognosis, and treatment. We will post things here periodically to keep you all informed as to how it is going.