Today was my first radiation treatment! I arrived 1/2 early and they were running behind 1/2 hour...thank goodness I brought my Kobo! One of the hospital volunteers met me at the front desk after I registered. She was very nice and I think a little taken back when she called my name and she saw how young I was. She took me on a quick tour and guided me as to what I was supposed to do each day when I came in. She also gave me my appointment times for the rest of the week. She gave me that sympathetic look...the "Oh my goodness, I can't believe someone your age has to go through this" and told me if I had any questions to let her know. Everyone at the hospital has been so caring, compassionate and so helpful! Credit Valley Hospital is an awesome hospital!
My Radiologist technician finally came out to get me and quickly took me in and explained what they would be doing. He also introduced me to the rest of the team...Annie and Rauz. They were great! Annie did all the set up...measuring, shifting me, and explaining all of the procedure. Rauz did all the computer input and confirmed all of Annie's measurements. My goodness, there is a lot of technical jargon and precise maneuvering going on when you are lying on the table! So, once they had me set up to the right positioning, they applied a jelly skin to my skin. Apparently, by applying this pad it "tricks" the radiation into thinking that my skin is thicker than it really is and will apply the radiation beam to my skin without going too deep. Annie explained it like this..."since you had a mastectomy, the jelly skin will help to bring the radiation beam closer to the surface of my skin". She also told me to make sure that I apply the recommended cream to the radiated area at least 3 times per day (but not 2 hours before treatments as it could interfere with the treatment) and to drink lots of water....hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
So, the beginning of this phase has started and I have 5 weeks left! Ugh...I hope it goes by fast!! One good thing, the Radiation Unit is beautiful and quiet! I am sure by the end of my 5 weeks I will have a different opinion! LOL
Started working out today...taking it slow! Walked on the treadmill for 1/2 hour and I feel a little embarrassed to say that I am really feeling it! I guess sitting on your ass all winter will do that to ya! :) I figure I have 20 lbs to lose (already lost 7lbs...all water retention I am sure)...yes, I gained 27lbs throughout this journey and the Tamoxifen may put even more on. So I figured I better start now...just in case it takes me a year! Man, at the rate I was going today on the treadmill...it's going to take me a few years...baby steps....baby, baby steps!
Treatment #2 tomorrow at 12:00pm!
Be positive, be strong and pray for all of us going through this journey! There are more than you know! :(
Monday, 11 February 2013
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Heart Scan!
Well I hope that everyone was able to braved the storm yesterday! I know that my Nova Scotia family are getting dumped on today. I hope that everyone stays safe!
Jason decided to stay home yesterday, rather than sit in 2 hours of traffic! I am glad that he stayed home because the boys had a PA day (which I found out about on Thursday night) and I had my heart scan. I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to get out to make it to the hospital...I guess that is the benefit of having a 4 wheel drive truck...you can make it out in anything! It was a long drive down, cars were off the road and buses were stuck in intersections. But we finally made it and registered...only to sit an wait for 45 mins before someone came and prepped me. Then I went to the Cardiopulmonary unit and they had to prep me again with the radio active material that they inject for the scan. After my injection, I had to wait another 45 mins for my scan. Jason was able to come in and sit while I was on the table having my scan but he didn't talk to me...in fact, he almost fell asleep from the sound of the machine. So much for having company! LOL So, the scan is done and I should be getting results next week.
Monday I start my 5 weeks of Radiation. I am excited to start but a little apprehensive as well! I have been feeling really good the past couple of days and I am worried that the Radiation is going to make me feel like shit again! When talking with the Radiation Tech, she told me that most Breast Cancer patients only experience mild fatigue, diarrhea and a bad sunburn (which is accumulative). If that's all it is, I can handle it! I am also worried about the amount of Radiation my body is getting...worried about my other organs and the possibility of getting cancer from this, later on in life. They say the risk of getting cancer later in life is minimal compared to if I was to refuse Radiation now...and possibly have cancer cells floating around in my body. So the decision was easy...have Radiation now and deal with what may or may not come later in life! If it means that I have an extra 30 or 40 years now...I'll take it!
Be positive, be strong and pray for all those people fighting the good fight!
Jason decided to stay home yesterday, rather than sit in 2 hours of traffic! I am glad that he stayed home because the boys had a PA day (which I found out about on Thursday night) and I had my heart scan. I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to get out to make it to the hospital...I guess that is the benefit of having a 4 wheel drive truck...you can make it out in anything! It was a long drive down, cars were off the road and buses were stuck in intersections. But we finally made it and registered...only to sit an wait for 45 mins before someone came and prepped me. Then I went to the Cardiopulmonary unit and they had to prep me again with the radio active material that they inject for the scan. After my injection, I had to wait another 45 mins for my scan. Jason was able to come in and sit while I was on the table having my scan but he didn't talk to me...in fact, he almost fell asleep from the sound of the machine. So much for having company! LOL So, the scan is done and I should be getting results next week.
Monday I start my 5 weeks of Radiation. I am excited to start but a little apprehensive as well! I have been feeling really good the past couple of days and I am worried that the Radiation is going to make me feel like shit again! When talking with the Radiation Tech, she told me that most Breast Cancer patients only experience mild fatigue, diarrhea and a bad sunburn (which is accumulative). If that's all it is, I can handle it! I am also worried about the amount of Radiation my body is getting...worried about my other organs and the possibility of getting cancer from this, later on in life. They say the risk of getting cancer later in life is minimal compared to if I was to refuse Radiation now...and possibly have cancer cells floating around in my body. So the decision was easy...have Radiation now and deal with what may or may not come later in life! If it means that I have an extra 30 or 40 years now...I'll take it!
Be positive, be strong and pray for all those people fighting the good fight!
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Call To The Nurse!
Well, I made the call to my Oncologist Nurse yesterday and reviewed all my symptoms with her and she feels that these are all side effects from my Chemo. I did discuss with her my findings on the Breast Cancer Website and the possibility that I was experiencing side effects from the Herceptin and she assured me that it was all from the Chemo and that I would experience these side effects for at least another couple of months. Geeze, this stuff really lingers for a long time in your body...which, if it's killing the bad stuff, I don't care how long it's in my body...I'll gladly deal with the side effects!
I am feeling better...my energy is coming back, which I thought would never happen! I am still a bit short of breath, still have the dry cough and still have the swelling (which comes and goes). I can tell that every day I am a little bit better! I have my heart scan on Friday and I am hoping that it will turn out to be a good result so that I can continue the Herceptin. I will also know for sure that these symptoms are in fact from the Chemo and will eventually go away.
I can't believe that this time next week, I will be into my radiation! I am getting excited to start this next phase of treatment. It just means that I am one step closer to getting my life back!! I am already thinking about the summer and what plans we can make as a family! I get excited thinking about going back home and spending time with the people we love. The people that have supported us through this journey! We are also hoping to do a little camping, take a trip to Niagara, and maybe doing a weekend trip to the States. Jason and I are also hoping to take a weekend and get away...just the two of us! We, as a family, have all sacrificed so much over the past year. The boys have made the most sacrifices...not being able to go on play dates, not being able to go to birthday parties, not being able to celebrate their own birthdays with their friends...it's just been a tough year for them and I want to make sure that this year is extra special for them! Both Jason and I have made sacrifices as well...Jason especially...he has stopped playing hockey, which is a sport that he loves, he has turned down invites to go out for drinks with friends...all to take care of me! So, needless to say, we really need to spoil ourselves this year and do the things that we want to do!
Do what you want to do, enjoy life and love one another...you never know when your life could take an unexpected detour!
I am feeling better...my energy is coming back, which I thought would never happen! I am still a bit short of breath, still have the dry cough and still have the swelling (which comes and goes). I can tell that every day I am a little bit better! I have my heart scan on Friday and I am hoping that it will turn out to be a good result so that I can continue the Herceptin. I will also know for sure that these symptoms are in fact from the Chemo and will eventually go away.
I can't believe that this time next week, I will be into my radiation! I am getting excited to start this next phase of treatment. It just means that I am one step closer to getting my life back!! I am already thinking about the summer and what plans we can make as a family! I get excited thinking about going back home and spending time with the people we love. The people that have supported us through this journey! We are also hoping to do a little camping, take a trip to Niagara, and maybe doing a weekend trip to the States. Jason and I are also hoping to take a weekend and get away...just the two of us! We, as a family, have all sacrificed so much over the past year. The boys have made the most sacrifices...not being able to go on play dates, not being able to go to birthday parties, not being able to celebrate their own birthdays with their friends...it's just been a tough year for them and I want to make sure that this year is extra special for them! Both Jason and I have made sacrifices as well...Jason especially...he has stopped playing hockey, which is a sport that he loves, he has turned down invites to go out for drinks with friends...all to take care of me! So, needless to say, we really need to spoil ourselves this year and do the things that we want to do!
Do what you want to do, enjoy life and love one another...you never know when your life could take an unexpected detour!
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Herceptin Is My New Nemesis!
I will update on my phone conversation tomorrow with my doctor. She better not brush it off...or she will have one nasty patient standing at her office door!
Be positive, be strong and send a little prayer!
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Sick And Tired of Being Sick And Tired!!!
Sorry it's been so long since I have written anything. I have had a rough couple of weeks and every time I thought, "I have to update my blog tomorrow", tomorrow would come and I would still feel crappy! So, that is why I haven't written.
My last entry was letting everyone know that I had to go to emergency because of a high fever. I have been fighting something ever since! I have had a high fever on an off for the past week, chills, headache, bloody nose, body aches, racing heart beat, then I developed this cough that doesn't produce anything, it's just there. I've also been having shortness of breath and wake up numerous times a night gasping for a breath. I have been feeling just so crappy it sucks!
Last Friday was day 13 after receiving the Neulasta shot and the pain hit me. Obviously the Claritin and the change up with my steroids didn't help but only prolonged the side effects of the Neulasta. I woke early Friday morning and once again, my legs and feet felt like they were going to explode! It is the most excruciating pain...I can't even describe it to you...other than this, think of your bones breaking and slowly trying to pierce your skin...it's just terrible. Jason gave me two Morphine pills and they were not working at all. So, Jason texted his brother to see if he could give me a third Morphine....Scott said it was ok so I was given the third Morphine. After about an hour, the effects from the pills hit me....I basically slept for the entire day! I woke with a cramping pain in my left leg...you know that feeling when you are getting a muscle spasm in your foot and your toes separate and pain radiates in the arch of your foot?....that was what I was feeling and my foot was warm to the touch and swelling. I think it spasmed during the pain but I didn't realize it! To top it all off, my sister arrived on the Thursday night for the weekend, and she had to see me in that pain. I am sure it scared the shit out of her...in fact, I know it did! Poor Britt, not something I wanted her to witness!
Since then, I have been in emergency twice, gone through numerous tests (CT scans, X-rays, blood tests, urine tests, etc.) Like I said earlier, it's been a rough couple of weeks. So, I went to see my family doctor (hoping to bypass emergency) and he checked me over and "thinks" I am fighting a virus. He prescribed antibiotics and pills for influenza. He also ordered a chest x-ray and blood work. After leaving his office, I went for my chest x-ray and was hoping to have my blood work done but the clinic was closed. I went home and started my pills. That night, my fever spiked at 102 and I was feeling worse. Jason woke me up early yesterday and got the kids up too. He fed the kids and got them ready for school and took them to the neighbors. We left shortly after and headed to emergency at Credit Valley Hospital. I am getting so tired of being sick!
Once we arrived at emergency, they fast tracked my chart and took me into the assessment room. The doctor on call was awesome. When he came in to see me, his first words were, "I think I know you better than you know yourself! I just read your medical history and all your charts." He then proceeded to tell me what he knew, starting from my diagnosis. He was very thorough! He ordered another chest x-ray to rule out Pneumonia, blood work to rule out Neutropenia and Blood clots. My chest x-ray came back clear and my neutrophils (WBC) were high but the test he ran for blood clots, came back positive. Cancer patients tend to have a higher risk of developing blood clots, especially after Chemo. So, because the blood test came back positive, they now had to look for the clot. He sent me for a CT of my lungs (the most common place for a clot) but they couldn't see anything. It's very frustrating when you are feeling like crap and there is no explanation for it! So, I guess I just have a really bad virus that I am fighting....and since my system is already so compromised, it's taking extra long and it's harder for me to get rid of it! I see my oncologist tomorrow for my Herceptin infusion and if I am not feeling any better, I am going to ask her to admit me and run every test to figure out what I have! I am not messing with this any more!!!
During all this, I did have my appointment with the Radiation team. I met the technicians that would be administering my Radiation. They were all great! I also received my lovely tattoos, which will be the points the technicians will use each time to line me up with the radiation beam. They have to ensure they are administering my radiation in the exact same area every day. So, now that is complete and I start my treatments on February 11th. I just hope I am feeling better before then!
So, as you can see....I have had a crazy couple of weeks!
Be positive, be strong and continue to pray for me!
My last entry was letting everyone know that I had to go to emergency because of a high fever. I have been fighting something ever since! I have had a high fever on an off for the past week, chills, headache, bloody nose, body aches, racing heart beat, then I developed this cough that doesn't produce anything, it's just there. I've also been having shortness of breath and wake up numerous times a night gasping for a breath. I have been feeling just so crappy it sucks!
Last Friday was day 13 after receiving the Neulasta shot and the pain hit me. Obviously the Claritin and the change up with my steroids didn't help but only prolonged the side effects of the Neulasta. I woke early Friday morning and once again, my legs and feet felt like they were going to explode! It is the most excruciating pain...I can't even describe it to you...other than this, think of your bones breaking and slowly trying to pierce your skin...it's just terrible. Jason gave me two Morphine pills and they were not working at all. So, Jason texted his brother to see if he could give me a third Morphine....Scott said it was ok so I was given the third Morphine. After about an hour, the effects from the pills hit me....I basically slept for the entire day! I woke with a cramping pain in my left leg...you know that feeling when you are getting a muscle spasm in your foot and your toes separate and pain radiates in the arch of your foot?....that was what I was feeling and my foot was warm to the touch and swelling. I think it spasmed during the pain but I didn't realize it! To top it all off, my sister arrived on the Thursday night for the weekend, and she had to see me in that pain. I am sure it scared the shit out of her...in fact, I know it did! Poor Britt, not something I wanted her to witness!
Since then, I have been in emergency twice, gone through numerous tests (CT scans, X-rays, blood tests, urine tests, etc.) Like I said earlier, it's been a rough couple of weeks. So, I went to see my family doctor (hoping to bypass emergency) and he checked me over and "thinks" I am fighting a virus. He prescribed antibiotics and pills for influenza. He also ordered a chest x-ray and blood work. After leaving his office, I went for my chest x-ray and was hoping to have my blood work done but the clinic was closed. I went home and started my pills. That night, my fever spiked at 102 and I was feeling worse. Jason woke me up early yesterday and got the kids up too. He fed the kids and got them ready for school and took them to the neighbors. We left shortly after and headed to emergency at Credit Valley Hospital. I am getting so tired of being sick!
Once we arrived at emergency, they fast tracked my chart and took me into the assessment room. The doctor on call was awesome. When he came in to see me, his first words were, "I think I know you better than you know yourself! I just read your medical history and all your charts." He then proceeded to tell me what he knew, starting from my diagnosis. He was very thorough! He ordered another chest x-ray to rule out Pneumonia, blood work to rule out Neutropenia and Blood clots. My chest x-ray came back clear and my neutrophils (WBC) were high but the test he ran for blood clots, came back positive. Cancer patients tend to have a higher risk of developing blood clots, especially after Chemo. So, because the blood test came back positive, they now had to look for the clot. He sent me for a CT of my lungs (the most common place for a clot) but they couldn't see anything. It's very frustrating when you are feeling like crap and there is no explanation for it! So, I guess I just have a really bad virus that I am fighting....and since my system is already so compromised, it's taking extra long and it's harder for me to get rid of it! I see my oncologist tomorrow for my Herceptin infusion and if I am not feeling any better, I am going to ask her to admit me and run every test to figure out what I have! I am not messing with this any more!!!
During all this, I did have my appointment with the Radiation team. I met the technicians that would be administering my Radiation. They were all great! I also received my lovely tattoos, which will be the points the technicians will use each time to line me up with the radiation beam. They have to ensure they are administering my radiation in the exact same area every day. So, now that is complete and I start my treatments on February 11th. I just hope I am feeling better before then!
So, as you can see....I have had a crazy couple of weeks!
Be positive, be strong and continue to pray for me!
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Emergency Room Bound!
So I was right...I'm really getting the hang of feeling out my symptoms and recognizing when something just isn't right with my body. You really start to "tune" into your body and what it is trying to tell you.
Monday I told all of you that I really was feeling rotten and knew that something wasn't right. Around 5pm I was feeling really terrible and felt like I had fever/chills. I had a shower and thought that might bring me around but it didn't. I took my temperature and had a fever of 99.7...which to most people is nothing but for someone going through Chemo, it can be very dangerous if you have a fever. Having a high fever, means that you are fighting an infection. Most people take Tylenol and drink lots of fluids to bring it down and within a few days, they are on the mend. Well, when I get a fever...yes I am fighting an infection but I can also become very sick and in most cases would end up in the hospital on antibiotics to try to fight what ever it is that I need to fight. Also, because my WBC are low (my good blood fighters for infection) any infection/sickness can become very serious, very quickly. I called Jason right away and he started home from work. Within 1/2 hour, my temperature was over 100 and getting higher and I was feeling worse. Jason arrived home and we took the kids to the neighbors and headed to the emergency room at Credit Valley Hospital. After 4.5 hours in emergency, a chest x-ray (to check for pneumonia), blood work and a urinalysis...the doctor told me that everything was clear but that I may be fighting an upper respiratory infection. They gave me some IV fluids and sent me on my way. Today, I am coming around. I have a bit of a cough so I know there was something there...but I am feeling better every day on my own (without additional drugs)!
So, yesterday was day 10!!! As you all know, I tried to change up a few things this go around with the Neulasta shot. I increased my water intake, but most importantly, started taking Claritin on Saturday. I do a lot of reading and on most Cancer websites, some people avoid severe bone pain when they take Claritin after the Neulasta or Neupogen shots. I had medium pain yesterday but nothing near what it was last time. I believe the Claritin worked for me! I didn't have to take any pain medication during the day...only at night to try to sleep a little better and potentially keep major side effects to a minimum! So, am I past the worst part of pain with this treatment...I certainly hope so! I rested all day today and I can tell that I am a little better than I was this morning. I think I am past the worst part. Today was my last day for Claritin so we will see what tomorrow brings! I am optimistic that it can only go up from here!!
Be positive, be strong and continue to pray for those people fighting the big C!
Monday I told all of you that I really was feeling rotten and knew that something wasn't right. Around 5pm I was feeling really terrible and felt like I had fever/chills. I had a shower and thought that might bring me around but it didn't. I took my temperature and had a fever of 99.7...which to most people is nothing but for someone going through Chemo, it can be very dangerous if you have a fever. Having a high fever, means that you are fighting an infection. Most people take Tylenol and drink lots of fluids to bring it down and within a few days, they are on the mend. Well, when I get a fever...yes I am fighting an infection but I can also become very sick and in most cases would end up in the hospital on antibiotics to try to fight what ever it is that I need to fight. Also, because my WBC are low (my good blood fighters for infection) any infection/sickness can become very serious, very quickly. I called Jason right away and he started home from work. Within 1/2 hour, my temperature was over 100 and getting higher and I was feeling worse. Jason arrived home and we took the kids to the neighbors and headed to the emergency room at Credit Valley Hospital. After 4.5 hours in emergency, a chest x-ray (to check for pneumonia), blood work and a urinalysis...the doctor told me that everything was clear but that I may be fighting an upper respiratory infection. They gave me some IV fluids and sent me on my way. Today, I am coming around. I have a bit of a cough so I know there was something there...but I am feeling better every day on my own (without additional drugs)!
So, yesterday was day 10!!! As you all know, I tried to change up a few things this go around with the Neulasta shot. I increased my water intake, but most importantly, started taking Claritin on Saturday. I do a lot of reading and on most Cancer websites, some people avoid severe bone pain when they take Claritin after the Neulasta or Neupogen shots. I had medium pain yesterday but nothing near what it was last time. I believe the Claritin worked for me! I didn't have to take any pain medication during the day...only at night to try to sleep a little better and potentially keep major side effects to a minimum! So, am I past the worst part of pain with this treatment...I certainly hope so! I rested all day today and I can tell that I am a little better than I was this morning. I think I am past the worst part. Today was my last day for Claritin so we will see what tomorrow brings! I am optimistic that it can only go up from here!!
Be positive, be strong and continue to pray for those people fighting the big C!
Monday, 21 January 2013
Just An Update!
Oh, I can tell this isn't going to be good! I feeling like I have been hit by a MAC truck...it's such a terrible feeling! I haven't had too much pain...just aches and sore joints...but I am so tired, I can barely keep my head up.
Yesterday, the kids started their swimming lessons so we got up early and took Keil first (Cole's lesson was in the afternoon). As soon as I walked into the pool area, I knew I was going to have to leave because of the heat. I managed to stay for most of Keil's class, leaving to cool off every few minutes and drinking tons of water. We came home and it hit me like a ton of bricks....I had to go lay down for an hour or two and by the time I woke up, Jason was heading out the door with Cole. I managed to get something to eat and just sat on the couch watching TV. I was so lethargic and just an overall feeling of not being well. I was worried that the side effects from the Neulasta might have been setting in because I finished my steroids a day earlier than last treatment. I also thought it might be due to the fact that I haven't been sleeping well at all...this really sucks!
Last night, I decided to take a pain pill before bed...which I took around 8:30 and crashed! In fact, I was in bed before the boys!! I am so glad that I took the pain pill, it helped me to get some sleep and be totally relaxed. My mind did do some racing and dreaming but my body was too heavy to even notice that much! Now, my body is crazy weak...I can barely move...not in pain, just so weak...and I have the kids home for a PA day...thank goodness they can fend for themselves! I just know that tonight is not going to be good, based on the way that I am feeling right now. I am going to take my pain meds before I go to bed again and see if that helps at all...at least it will give me another night of sleeping a little better!
Be positive, be strong and please pray...especially for a family friend, Sylvia Gregory who is in surgery today having a brain tumor removed. She had breast cancer that metastasized to her brain. May God protect her and keep her from harm!
Yesterday, the kids started their swimming lessons so we got up early and took Keil first (Cole's lesson was in the afternoon). As soon as I walked into the pool area, I knew I was going to have to leave because of the heat. I managed to stay for most of Keil's class, leaving to cool off every few minutes and drinking tons of water. We came home and it hit me like a ton of bricks....I had to go lay down for an hour or two and by the time I woke up, Jason was heading out the door with Cole. I managed to get something to eat and just sat on the couch watching TV. I was so lethargic and just an overall feeling of not being well. I was worried that the side effects from the Neulasta might have been setting in because I finished my steroids a day earlier than last treatment. I also thought it might be due to the fact that I haven't been sleeping well at all...this really sucks!
Last night, I decided to take a pain pill before bed...which I took around 8:30 and crashed! In fact, I was in bed before the boys!! I am so glad that I took the pain pill, it helped me to get some sleep and be totally relaxed. My mind did do some racing and dreaming but my body was too heavy to even notice that much! Now, my body is crazy weak...I can barely move...not in pain, just so weak...and I have the kids home for a PA day...thank goodness they can fend for themselves! I just know that tonight is not going to be good, based on the way that I am feeling right now. I am going to take my pain meds before I go to bed again and see if that helps at all...at least it will give me another night of sleeping a little better!
Be positive, be strong and please pray...especially for a family friend, Sylvia Gregory who is in surgery today having a brain tumor removed. She had breast cancer that metastasized to her brain. May God protect her and keep her from harm!
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