March 28, 2012 - 6th Chemo and Weekly Update

March 28th - Monday's chemo went as planned even though some of my counts were on the lower end even with the Neupogen shots that are to boost my white blood counts.  I am continuing to come into the clinic each day this week to get my shot.  Along with all of that due to me having chemo it also puts me into menopause so I am so lucky to have those side effects too...awesome huh!  Each night regardless of the temperature, the bedspread and sheets come off...HOT FLASH...all night long!

Yesterday, Don's brother Dennis was in town as he had a 5+hour interview at Mayo Clinic.  We sure do wish he could be closer to family.  Good luck Dennis.

Today, Marie brought home the most wonderful basket, plump-full of goodies from my friends in the ESC and Payroll.  I was truly overcome with emotion with all the generous and thoughtful gifts that were given to me.  Thank you, thank you, thank you so much again for this kind gesture, you are all awesome and I am again very humbled with your thoughtfulness.

"I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom."

~ Unknown

 

March 22, 2012 - 5th chemo treatment

March 22nd - The blood tests on Monday were good enough for me to have the chemo treatment.  They are watching my liver functions now as they are on the lower end of the scale.  I've had to come in for the Neupogen shots each day this week to keep my white blook counts up for this coming Monday's treatment.  On Monday, the chemo nurse offered to slow down the IV on the Benedrayl because she said that sometimes causes the restless legs that I've been having.  Well it did the trick - hope someone would have offered that sooner!  Next week I will definately have to ask for that again.  The week thus far has been good although late Wednesday and Thursday I've felt very sluggish and very tired.  Not much energy. 

Wednesday afternoon, Don, Marie and I went over to Bill and Cathy's to see Baby Ben.  He has grown and filled out even since Saturday when he was born.  Not that I'm partial but he is the most handsomest little boy ever!  Love you little Ben!

March 18, 2012 - Baby Benjamin is HERE!!

March 18th - We are so very blessed to welcome a healthy Benjamin William Gerhart into the world Saturday, March 17th at 2:18pm.  Yes, a St. Patrick's Day baby and WE are so very Lucky!!  He was 7lbs 13oz and was 21 1/4 inches long.  He has dark hair and big blue eyes.  Mom is going well; she was such a trooper during the whole labor and delivery.  Great job Mom!  Dad was right there helping in anyway he could.  Dad even got to change the first diaper (of course, one of many more to come!).

Ben coming into the world only solidifies for me that I have to be here to guide him (as a grandparent) through his journey through life so I have to beat this horrible disease called cancer.  This brings a greater importance for my recovery which is and always will be going forward my number one priority.  Ben will need his Grandma here to spoil him, of course!

Here is Benjamin William Gerhart (aka Ben).

Little Ben



Aunt Marie, Bill and Ben



Ben and Grandma Kathy share the same love for beanie hats!!



Grandpa Don and Baby Ben



Ben - only an hour old.



Ben with Auntie Marie, already sucking on his hand!

 Welcome to the world Ben!  We love you so much already!

March 14, 2012 - This is what friends are for!

March 14th - Some of you may know a family friend of ours, Jaime Prondzinski.  He had emailed Don last Monday (03/05/2012) while we were at chemo tx and asked Don what he could do for me - maybe flowers, etc.  I said that I really didn't need flowers although he could cut his hair for me which I knew might strike a cord with him.
Just some background on Jaime, he has shoulder length hair and a full bread and has had this look for quite some time (as you will see in a photo below).  We've joked with him over the years that he should cut his hair like he had it when he first started at Mayo back in 1998.  Then he was a young, clean shaven man but throughout the years has decided that shoulder length hair was the way to go, for whatever reason. 
Anyways, Don emailed him back my suggestion about the haircut and we did not hear anything back from him for about a week, which to me was probably a sign that he was not going to go through with it which I was ok with.  Someone’s hair preference is a personal thing and like me, even though mine was falling out, the decision to shave what was remaining was not an easy one so to ask him to do this for me was quite bold and I knew that.  

Well, suddenly Tuesday (3/13/2012) Jaime emails me and wants to know if I’m ready to shave his head that night.  I told him that I don’t want him to do anything that he didn’t want to do…in regards to his hair.  I know that it was really hard for me to do and I don’t want him to hate me the rest of my life because of it.  Well, in good old Jaime fashion I receive the following response – “I REALLY don't want to do it :) but I'm going to do it (or rather you're going to do it :) ) because you're having to experience things you don't want to experience and I don't want you to have to experience those things alone.  This will be an experience we can share.  So you're going to take some enjoyment in my suffering and I already hate you so this won't make it any worse :)”.   I wouldn’t have expected anything less than this type of response from him…gotta Love him!!

Here is what transpired Tuesday evening...

This is Jaime prior to shaving his head and yes, I said to him again that he didn't have to do this but he was bound and determined to do this for me….what a special friend!!  This will be something that I will never forget and he has touched my heart forever!

The following are photos during the 'process'.



As you can see there is some fright in his eyes...



What the Hell did I do????



BFF - Baldy Friend Forever!

Me, donning my new wig and Jaime, clean shaven!

Me, clean shaven and Jamie, donning my new wig!! 

The Clean Shaven Foresome!!
Aren't we the best looking people around!!



You know having cancer has shown me a different side of people.  It is amazing to me what friends and family will do for you in your times of trials and tribulations.  They were probably always there for you before but when something like this happens they really show their true colors!!

Love you all!!



March 12, 2012 - No Chemo today

March 12th - Today was supposed to be the 5th chemo tx day but sometimes the best laid plans don't happen.
Let me explain...we went in early (7:15a.m.) to first get a blood draw before the chemo appointment.  After about an hour and a half the study coordinator told me that my blood work had come back and several of the levels were on the low end.  She needed to get in touch with Dr. Tim to see if they could proceed with chemo tx or not.  Well, shortly after she came back and shared that they were not going to do the chemo today and that I would have to get the Neupogen shots again this week.  This will hopefully get the counts back up where they need to be so chemo can be given next Monday.  Hopefully this is just a minor setback and we can get back on track next Monday!

March 11, 2012 - Weeks happenings!

March 11th - Sorry  haven't written on the blog for almost a week but I was struggling with very low energy this past week.  I believe it was coupled with not sleeping very well at night and was just getting really behind on the Z's.  About Thursday, I decided that I should sleep in until about 9:00am and then also took a 2 hour nap after lunch.  Then slept well that evening.  I just need to learn that if the evening doesn't go well I need to take more rest times during the day.  Live and learn!

I talked a little bit about the hair becoming very thin, well I couldn't take it anymore.  The hair was literally falling out with every move so on Thursday after Don and Marie got home from work I decided that enough was enough...the shaver came out and well, you know the rest. 
I am now as clean shaven as my hubby and my son-in-law, Justin!
Here is before the shaving....

Here is after...I don't even know what to say other than I will probably not go with the style once I'm through with all this chemo!  I am not a pretty bald headed women!!

The weirdest thing happened while this was all taking place, Marie's dog, Indy, was bound and determined that he needed to be by me, I mean by me as on my lap by me, while this was all taking place.  He must have sensed that this was not a normal thing to be happening and that I was a little uneasy with it all.  He keeping looking at me and licking me...dogs have that weird sense about them when things like that are happening.  He's a good dog!  Both, Indy and Captain have brought me a lot of comfort during my days at home.

The rest of the week and weekend where quiet.  Don's brother, Dennis, visited us from Menasha, WI.  It was good to talk with him about my journey and he always is concerned and interested in how things are going for me.  Thanks for coming Dennis, it was good to see you!

 Chemo treatment again tomorrow morning....#5!

March 5, 2012 - 4th Chemo treatment

March 5th - First I have to recognize my wonderful, beautiful sister on her 51st birthday on March 4th!  Happy birthday sister Mary!  Celebrate all your birthday with happiness and a love for life!  It's a day all about YOU!   Hope you enjoyed it!

On Sunday, Don and I went to visit my son, Bill and wife, Cathy in North Mankato.  We enjoyed great conversation and a wonderful supper at Tav on the Ave in Mankato with them.  They have decorated the baby’s new room so cute and everything looks ready for the Little Gerhart baby.  Seven more days to the due date!  We are on alert :)

Today was an appointment with Dr Tim (oncologist) and he indicated that I would not have to take the neupogen shots this week!  The white counts answered well to last week shots.  Way to go White Blood Cells!!  And thanks to all that said prayers for that - see, pray does miraculous things!  Keep them coming!  He said the nosebleeds & heartburn are all side effects of chemo and gave me ways to try to alleviate them to some extent.  He said after 3 chemo treatments the ‘size’ of the tumor really hasn’t changed (darn it) but it feels ‘softer’ – not sure what that mean but I’m taking it as a good sign.  He encouraged me that the ABT-888 clinical trial drug has shown great outcomes in others in the clinical trial so to keep optimistic as I’ve only had 3 treatments!  He said the results of the mri/bloods/biopsy that I did on Friday will be back in about 2 weeks so will update you once I hear the results.  I was at chemo treatment all afternoon.  I had to have the Cardoplatin along with all the other IV’s that I normally get so took awhile longer today.  We didn’t leave Mayo until 5:00pm along with all the other employee’s trying to exit Mayo at that time!  The 5 o’clock rush!!  Who could forget!

I have an appointment with the radiation oncologist Wednesday afternoon - Dr Schomberg.  Dr Tim said that he would like me to meet with her so that she could see were I am at this point in my treatments.  She will need time to plan out what will be needed as far as radiation treatments after chemo is done and the surgery is preformed.  It’s a ways down the road but he felt it would be important. 

Hope this finds you all well and enjoying life!  God bless you all!

March 3, 2012 - You won't believe what my Hubby did!

March 3rd - Just a quick update on my appointments on Friday - they all went well and I am now awaiting the results.  Might be a week or two before I hear.  I have an apointment with Dr. Tim tomorrow morning and then chemo tx in the early afternoon.  I am planning on going to pick up the 'wig' that I had picked out a few weeks back as the hair is really coming out now...much, much thinner!

Having said that I have to tell you what my great husband did yesterday.  He had told me a while back that he would shave his head for me when my hair finally came out but yesterday he was bound and determined to have his head clean shaven before mine was.  So he got out the razor and we proceed to shave it off. 
This was before...see there is some there on the sides!

And this was after....

I still look at him in amazement that he actually did this for me.  At first he really wanted racing strips on each side but that progressed to a clean shaven look with shaving cream and the razor - the whole works.  Plus he also shaved off his goatee which he'd had for years.  Granted he didn't have a lot of hair to being with but now he looks way different. 

I cannot begin to explain what this means to me for him to do this.  It really made me feel that he is in all of this cancer stuff with me - not just beside me (which I know he is) but really with me and I appreciate that so much.  I couldn't do this all without the support of him, for sure and my family and friends!

I love him more today than ever!  Thank you Don  - I will never forget this!

Next step is for him to shave mine....I'm sure there will be photes once that happens!



March 2, 2012 - Week update

March 2nd - I started getting the Neupogen shots on Tuesday and completed the fourth one today.  Hopefully my white blood cell counts are back were they need to be so that chemo treatments will continue on Monday.  The Neupogen shots caused me pain in my legs and sterum throughout the week in the nights when I was trying to sleep.  Sleep didn't go so well most nights so I've taking a nap most days to get my rest.  The nurse giving me the shots said that the pain was a sign that the shots were working...let's hope she's right! 

Today I had to be at the clinic at 6:15 a.m. for a MRI, blood work and the Neupogen shot.  I then had another biopsy in the afternoon, which along with the other tests will be sent to USF for the clinical trial that I am participating in.  This will show if the clinical trial drugs are making any sort of a different impact on the cancer cells then what the normal chemo drug, Taxol, would.  I will find that out hopefully next week when I meet with Dr. Tim. 

The hair continues to come out in handfuls... and no, I'm not bald yet!  I guess it is a "blessing" that I have a lot of hair!  The hair now just looks thinner.

Not much planned for the weekend.  Will just be hanging low for now.
Have a great weekend all!

February 27, 2012 - 3rd chemo treatment

February 27th - Well, where do I begin? 
Today was a day of concern for me as you will see what I mean as you read this day's entry. 

I had to have the usual blood work prior to getting chemo and talked with the study coordinator regarding my past week symptoms and the results of the days blood test. After reviewing the findings it showed that my white and red blood counts are a bit lower than the normal ranges.  This has brought about some concern that they do not want those levels to get much lower as that will effect if chemo is given, adjusted or not given at all due to the severity of it.  They are going to start giving me booster shots to boost the white blood cells.  Right now my white blood cell counts are “okay”, and I’m not at any real danger of infection just yet.  However, as chemotherapy continues these could fall too low to a point where they 1). cannot give the chemotherapy on schedule or 2.) they may fall to a point where I’m at increased risk of infection. So in order to both be able to get the chemotherapy on time and to lower the chance of infection, they use these white blood cell booster shots.  Not everyone needs these, so they only do these in the event the blood counts are like mine (oh, lucky me!????)

Dr. Tim says this is very standard therapy however the trouble is this medicine is very expensive ($200.00 per shot given four days a week!), I know, crazy huh!!  And most likely once I start getting them they will have to continue with them until my chemo is done – you understand I’ve only completed my 3^rd chemo treatment and I have 13 left, you do the math!  You’re probably wondering what’s the big deal, she has great medical insurance (thank God, I stayed with the Universal health plan for 2012!!) but the cost for this one item is astounding to me. 

I really don’t know what to think about all of this other than there is no real alterative for me at this point.  I still have a question into my Dr. as to what the side effects of this shot will be – sometimes I’m not really sure I want to know.  All I know is this really sucks – it sucks big time!  But I hear the great wisdom of my friend, Jean S. - she would say, pull up those granny pants and quit complaining – right Jean?! (I’m not sure those are her exact words but you get the gist!).  I will suck it up and do all that I can do to eat the right foods, exercise as much as possible, and get back on track!   I have too!

I ask for continued prayers as I have a feeling this road is starting to get a bit bumpy and I'm not really liking it!

P.S…another joyful (I’m being sarcastic!) thing started happening today – my hair is starting to come out a bit faster than normal.  Not yet quite the huge handfuls that they describe but more than usual.  One blessing is that I have a lot of hair so not quite so noticeable yet.  About a week ago my head really started to be itchy and this might sound weird but it was also hurting where the hair meets the scalp.   I told this to my study coordinator and she indicated that this was one of the first signs that the hair would soon by coming out…really, I’m not sure I’m ready for this!  Can I start this dream/nighmare over please !!

February 24, 2012 - What happened all week?

February 24^th – Sorry I’ve been MIA (missing in action) all week so I'll bring you up to speed.

Monday evening/night proved to be not as bad as the previous Monday.  However I did have pains and burning sensations in my legs and arms and did not sleep welll but definitely not as bad as the week before.  This appears to be the pattern after the chemo treatment.  Wednesday and Thursday I was somewhat sick to my stomach most of the day and night, felt nauseated but did not actually get sick that way however the other end wasn’t so friendly.  I and the porcelain throne became good friends those couple days.   

Early Wednesday morning, Don left for a trip to Scottsdale, AZ on a five day biking extravaganza with six or seven of his biking friends from Lakeville, MN.  They  had their bicycles shipped down and then they all flew down later.  I’ve talked to him each evening and he’s says that they’ve had wonderful weather (in the 80’s) each day and getting in 80+ miles of riding in per day…needless to say he is in heaven and I’m glad he decided to still go with all that is going on with me. He will be back late Sunday night. 

Also on Wednesday I met a long time high school friend (Teresa) for lunch.  We had great conversation about how it sucks getting old and how our backs, knees, and other parts of our body don’t seem to cooperate as they did 30 years ago.  Thanks Teresa, I have a wonderful time.

Thursday I had a massage scheduled at DAHLC and I was going to cancel however they evidently will not cancel after 24 hours prior to the appointment.  Even though my stomach was still not cooperating I went in for my ½ hour massage (should have done an hour but maybe next time).  I’m glad I did as my back/shoulders/neck were in a knotted mess.  Maybe it was what the doctor ordered as I was feeling much better after the massage – even my stomach! 

I had been thinking long and hard about my hair – about 2-3 weeks ago I cut about 4-5 inches off to kind of prepare myself for the inevitable but I was still not sure that was going to be enough of a change for me when the hair does finally start falling out.  I scheduled an appointment with my hair dresser and we settled on a pixie haircut.  My hair has not been this short for probably 14 years.

So what do you think?!?!?!?  It's not easy to get use to, that is for sure...

Today, I mostly hung out with Marie as she had the day off.  We had a fun day together...thanks Marie! 

Hope you all have a great weekend! 

February 20, 2012 - 2nd Chemo Treatment

February 20th - Today I had to be at Gonda 10 at 7:00am to have a blood test prior to the chemo treatment (tx).  Then Don and I met with the study coordinator (Jean) so that she could 'hear my story' on how my week went after the 1st chemo treatment.  After filling her in on ALL the gory details, she reviewed the results of my blood work and all levels were within range which is awesome!  They really watch the white and red blood counts along with platelet counts.  They also watch the liver functions because of the Carboplatin they administer can be rough on the liver. Those were good as well!  I then proceeded to the Gonda 10 east desk for the chemo tx.  This round I did not have as much of the steroids and Benadryl nor the Carboplatin drug (that is only given every third week) so we got out of there by 11:30 instead of 12:15 like last week. It really is a full morning of appointments!  We went and had a small bite for lunch and Don took me home where I crashed for about 1 ½ to 2 hours – man, it takes a lot out of ya!

I’m felt pretty well later this afternoon and evening but I will have to see how the night goes as that was where the issues where last week.  Jean and the chemo nurse said that with a smaller dose of steroids/Benadryl, I should sleep better and not be on the edge of nausea every day and night. 

Things are moving along and next week will be even busier.  I have chemo Monday and then another MRI and biopsy on Friday.  This will show them if the clinical trials drugs are making any sort of additional impact on the tumor…Keep your fingers and toes crossed that it does!!

February 19, 2012 - Weekend stuff

February 19th - I felt a little bit better Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The feeling of being sick to your stomach kinda subsided on Friday. Friday and Saturday I finally felt good enough to get to DAHLC and got a workout in which felt real good and I needed it!! On Sunday, Don and I went to AT&T to look at iPads. I purchased one with some of the money from the fundraiser so that I can take it with me to my treatment appointments. I can add my music to it, books, movies, games etc., to help the time (2-4 hours) go by during treatments. What a wonderful gifts many of you were involved in helping me purchase! A heartfelt thank you! Sunday, Bill and Cathy came home to visit. They needed to visit BabeRUs for a few more items before baby come in about three weeks. Three weeks I will be a full pledged grandma!!!! I can't wait!!! I've gotten so many wonderful emails, cards and facebook messages from so many of my old friends, family and coworkers over the past few weeks that are so encouraging and caring. Many of them have brought tears to my eyes and have given me a new life perspective on being present in the moment. Please don't take life for granted as things can change your life so quickly. Live for today as we cannot control tomorrow. Do the things you want to do today, take no regrets! Love you all!!! PS. 2nd chemo treatment in the morning, have to be there by 7:00am so I guess I should be getting to bed. Goodnight.

February 16, 2012 - Touching base from past two days

February 16th - Sorry I've been MIA (missing in action) for the past couple of days.  I will get you up to speed of what's been going on the past days. 

I was feeling pretty sluggish on Wednesday.  Don and I went to visit my Mom (who is 84 yrs old) who resides in the Assisted Living Apartments at the Hayfield Nursing Home.  I hadn’t actually visited her since my diagnosis so we felt I better get over there to see her.  It is always good to see my Mom.  My Mom is rarely, if ever sick other than developing diabetes at an older age...she has always been the 'pillar' of health.  I'm sure it is hard for her to see her youngest daughter with cancer as it's probably one of parent’s worst nightmares.  I love my Mom with all my heart!!

After that visit I met Marie at the Erickson's Hair and Skin Care class that is held in the Cancer Center on the Main floor of the Gonda building.  They shared how important it is to keep your cosmetics clean as possible while going through chemo as to not spread infection while your immune system is low.  They also demonstrated how to care for wigs and tie scarves.  We purchased a few hats and scarves that day for the day when the hair goes...got to be prepared, so they say!

Thursday, was just an all around lazy day.  I had very little energy, with a mild headache and stomach uneasiness all day.  I did however manage to work on some training materials from home. 

Hopefully tomorrow I will be feeling a little bit better as Monday this starts all over againL

Have a great Friday all! 


PS...I would like to thank everyone again for the money that was raised for me from the fundraiser.  I am truly humbled by the generosity you have all shown me!  Your kindness has so touched my heart!

February 14, 2012 - Valentine's Day

Februray 14^th - Happy Valentine's Day to all! 
I had a restless night last night.  Tossed and turned mostly.  Felt like creepy, crawly things were in my body.  The nurses told me that I would have symptoms of restless legs syndrome from all the meds they gave me but that was ridiculous.  My heart was pounding hard like I was anxious about something...kind of the way I feel the night before we go on a cruise, hoping that I don't forget anything important.  But let me tell you this is no cruise by any means! This morning I looked in the mirror because my face seems warm and my cheeks were red/warm and the site of my tumor was red/warm.  I was not itchy or short of breath.  I phoned my study coordinator and provided all the details.  She passed the info along to Dr. Tim and he indicated that it was possibly a reaction to all the steroids that they pumped into me yesterday.  Since I wasn't itchy and was breathing fine to just observe myself during the day.  If I did get SOB (shortness of breath) to go directly to the ER or call 911 so I’m holding my own for now and hopefully this just goes away!

This evening my cheeks are still a little red but feeling much better.  I got a lovely Valentines's card from my hubby - I love him so much!

Marie and Justin made a nice supper of spaghetti and wine!  Perfect!

February 13, 2012 - 1st day of Chemo

February 13th - Well, the dreaded anticipation is over and....drum roll please!
Overall it wasn't so bad although a very tiring day plus I didn't puke!  So that's a huge bonus!!

I checked in at 9:00am  up at Gonda 10 East along with my group of peeps (Don and Marie) and we did not get out of there until 12:15ish.  Long morning to say the least.

Here is regiment that I received today:
1st - steroids via IV.
2nd- anti-nausea meds via IV.
3rd - Benadryl via IV.  This seemed like they were pushing this into me at a rate comparable to the speed of sound!  I got really tired - fast and just a little dizzy. The reasoning behind the top three drugs is to offset the awesome side effects that can happen with the Taxol and Carboplatin drugs. (Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, fatigue, etc)
4^th – saline (IV) as they were waiting on the Taxol & Carboplatin from the pharmacy.
5th – Taxol (chemo drug).  This one went in without any issues.
6th – Carboplatin (chemo drug).   This one made me really sleeping.  I think I even fell asleep to a point of even waking myself up with a little snort and drool coming down my cheek.  LOL - this even makes me laugh!!  And very attractive - to say the least!  When I woke up, Marie was just looking at me shaking her head – bless her heart!  I could not see Don’s reaction as he was sitting kind of more up by my head – but I can only imagine or on the other hand, maybe he’s use to it after all these years being together! Gotta Love him!!

They sent me home with some anti-nausea drugs, if needed, and the ABT-888 clinical trial drug which is in a pill form that I have to take two times per day/every day.  At home I was still rather sleepy so I laid down for a couple of hours basically passed out.  Other than being tired, I haven’t had any other side effects (knock on wood!) but my day is not yet finished.  We’ll see how the night goes. 

Again, a great big thank you to Don (the greatest husband ever) and Marie (the greatest daughter ever) for coming with me to my 1^st chemo treatment.  The long journey has begun!

Also to a couple other guests while I was there…Ann Oldenburg – my pink ribbon mentor, who I got to actually meet for the first time.  I have talked to her via email & phone but not in person.  Not sure how I got so blessed to have Ann there with me along my journey but I’m glad God placed her with me!  JoAnn Williams – Marie’s friend Amanda’s mom, who I spoke about on a previous post.  We chatted a bit about my morning and how her treatments/surgeries were going.  Keep JoAnn also in your prayer as her breast cancer journey is not quite complete. 

Also thanks to those that emailed and texted me this morning with thoughts and prayers of support – Mike (brother in law), Mary (mother-in-law), Bill (my son), Cathy (my daughter-in-law) & Sharon (sister) and Melissa (co-worker). 

More to come!

Thoughts going into my 1st chemo treatment

Illness is a kind of initiation or rite of passage, taking you from a good life to a better one, from a limited understanding of your world to one that is much more sophisticated.  Illness may transform you, giving you a vision and understanding you may have sought but never found.

Your cancer has a tragic side, but it can also change your emotional life and affect your relationships for the better.  It can heal you as a person.  Even as it threatens to take your life, it can give you more life.  You don't have to be a genius or full of courage to receive its gifts.  You only have to open your imagination wide, keep your sense of wonder alive, and feel the love of life that is already in you.  Bring that love to the people around you and you will discover for yourself that illness heals.

~Thomas Moore

This is so awesome!

February 12, 2012 - Lace Up Against Breast Cancer Run/Walk

February 12th - the Lace Up Against Breast Cancer (LUABC) run/walk event to raise money for Mayo Clinic breast cancer research was today and their were many in attendance!  Many of my friends and family attended to walk in my honor and for others that are and have traveled the breast cancer journey. 

I would, personally, like to thank the following that showed up today ~ Don, Marie & Justin, Jenny, Jason, Hannah & Grace, Mary and Bill, Christina, Shawna, Liz, Sue and daughter, Tammy F, Maureen and Jane, Karen N, Cindy and Kenny, Leslie, Katie, Kathy M., Charlene and Tony, Danita and hubby, Chris, Emily, Nicole and hubby, Melissa and Tracy, Larisa, Andy and Mom, Brothers Dave and Larry, Chris and Andy.  Hopefully I didn't miss anyone!  If I did, I apologize!  And for those that were thinking of us in spirit ~ thank for that!!

Wow, what a crew and so, so inspiring!!  Thank you all for coming and offering your support for me in my breast cancer journey!  You all play a huge part in it and I will never forget it!!  Love you all!  Kathy



Jenny, Me, Mary, Christina (are you hiding back there!?) Chris, Emily & Karen



Leslie, Christina, Shawna & Maureen



                                

Team ESC...at least most of them!

                            

5K runners ~ Katie, Jenny & Shawna

                

At the Finish Line!



Family ~ brother Dave, sister-in-law Chris, brother Larry, nephew Andy, Me, Marie & Justin

February 10, 2012 - T.G.I.F

February 10th - This morning I woke up not feeling so well and I think it had to do with the pneumonia shot that I had to have on Wednesday.  The arm was really sore and it felt like I was maybe getting the flu.  Well after everyone went off to work I lay back down and slept until 10:30a.m.  I felt a bit better after that and decided I needed to get up and moving.  Marie offered to meet me for lunch so I picked her up and we headed to Olive Garden for the soup/salad lunch.  Thanks Marie for a great lunch!  After dropping Marie back off at work I headed to DAHLC to get some exercise in which I really needed.  I always feel better after I've been there and since it’s Dr.’s orders how can you argue!

From there I went to a good friend’s office to deliver a pink "find the cure" bracelet as he specifically requested one.  So how could I resist…thanks Jamie for wearing pink for me!!  (You know, real men wear Pink!!)

Later this afternoon I received a call from Dr. Tim asking if I had any questions about the study chemo drugs that I will be given on Monday.  He is always genuinely concerned for the patient in regards to their anxiety and is very good at explaining anything that you may have questions about and then some.  He has proved to be a great Dr.!

He explained that the ABT888 and the Carboplatin is usually well tolerated and they have similar side effects as the Taxel which is hair loss, nausea, diarrhea, skin rash…just to name a few.  Now doesn’t that just sound appealing?  He did say that he was excited (and he did say excited) that I was placed on the ABT888 drug as they have seen great things with this experimental chemo drug.  However they would be watching my kidney’s and be given a blood test each time I come in for chemo treatment just to make sure that my white blood counts don’t get to low or that I don’t get a fever over 101 degrees. 

This weekend will be busy…we are invited to Don’s brothers house on Saturday for tacos.  His cousin and family from Iowa are staying at their home because their youngest son, Jake, is being seen at Mayo for possibly having epilepsy.  Please keep them in your prayers also!  Then Sunday is the Lace Up Against Breast Cancer run/walk in the morning.  So that should be a fun event…pray for nice weather!

February 9, 2012 - Update on chemo drugs

February 9th - Here is what I found out today in regards to the chemo drugs that I will be taking for the next 16 weeks:
Paclitaxel (Taxel) - used to treat cancer by blocking cell growth.
ABT 888 - is an investigational drug - not yet approved by the FDA.  It's a molecule that prevents proteins from interacting with other proteins in cells.  By preventing these interactions the cancer cells may stop growing.
Carboplatin - is approved by the FDA.  It's a molecule that binds to DNA and stops cancer cells from growing.
Giving all 3 drugs together may help kill more cancer cells.  The ABT888 and the Carboplatin are 'extra' chemo drugs that are given through the clinical trial that I am participating in. The Paclitaxel is the chemo drug commonly given.

After that I go on the AC drug - which is Doxorubicin used to treat cancer by killing cells and Cyclophosphamide is used to treat cancer by slowing or stopping cell growth.  This I will have every two weeks for 4 treatments. 

I stopped at the office today to see my coworkers.  They are having a Valentine's basket raffle in my honor and I was completely overwhelmed, to say the least.  There were 15-16 wonderful baskets made  -  they are SO AWESOME!!  I can't even explain.  I have the best group of coworkers, EVER!! Love you ALL!!