TGIF!

Hey hey - it's Friday before a 3 day Labor Day weekend! Nice!
I haven't posted in a couple of days. That's just because things are plugging along just fine. It's a normal week in the Palmiere household.

We are all fighting colds. Including myself. Which hasn't been without stress for me. I need to make sure I don't get an infection so I am taking my temp every day to make sure it doesn't rise. So far, so good. I have the cold that Celia had, but I seem to have been able to keep it mild by taking a lot of Airborn and trying to get extra rest. And I am a maniac with washing my hands! Celia starts pre-school in a week - so this could be a long 3 more months of me fighting colds!

I have felt good all week, other than the cold fight. Normal again. No extra fatigue or nausea. No additional side effects, except sinus headaches (I had that last round too and is a side effect of one of the chemo drugs).

I've started my exercise routine again (after 3 and 1/2 weeks off with the surgery and first round of chemo). I have decided that running isn't working for me right now. I ran the other morning and it was a huge struggle! I know that taking 3 weeks off is the kiss of death in a running routine, but this was worse than just 3 weeks off. I started to feel like I was going to pass out after 5 min of running. And the rest of the day I felt a little tired and queasy. I think it just pulls too much energy from my body that is already working so hard to maintain energy. So - I am now walking every morning instead of running. That seems to be going better from and energy standpoint. I need to walk anyway for my 39 mile walk in May for the AVON Breast Cancer Walk in DC with Christy's Crew!

I have to say, I am pleased with how this process is going for me. I feel better that I ever dreamed I would have during chemo. That is motivating in itself. Every day I feel good gives me more motivation to keep fighting!

I am looking forward to the Labor Day weekend! Just some fun with the kids at the pool club. My Mom is coming into town on Sunday for a week. So that will be a nice time. We look forward to her coming!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Christy

Who's up for a Challenge ?

Who's up for a Challenge ? Do you have an iPod Nano ? Do you like to Run or walk ?
I've set up a Challenge on the Nike/Ipod Sport website. We'll be watching who can run or walk the most the next 250 days leading up to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The status will be tracked everyday on this blog. You don't have to be part of Christy's Crew walking in DC to participate, It's open to the world, in fact, the 1st person to join is unknown to me. They must have just seen it as a worthy cause to join.

The way it works is, you'll have to buy the Nike Sport Kit for the Ipod. It is a Sensor that attaches to you sneak, (you don't have to buy the special sneaks, ask me for alternatives). The other piece attaches to your Nano. The sensor then will track your movements and send the info to your Ipod.

After exercising and listening to your favorite tunes, you'll then plug Ipod back into computer and upload your workout. This might be confusing at first, but you'll figure it out.

After you have registered on the Nike Site, you'll have to join my Challenge.

If you don't have the Ipod, and can't join us. Just DO IT anyway to get in shape and feel good.

Check back often to see the standings, I'm putting myself out there so everyone can see my lazy ass progress.

Jamie

Shitty Kids....not really

I thought I'd share a video clip of a comedian, who we find the funniest of lately. Louie CK. His views on marriage, kids, sex, etc...is right on the money.

As I listen to CJ throw a fit right now, this clip is quite fitting.

Head Shaved

We did it! Last night. I asked Jamie to shave my head. Even though the hair was short (1/2 inch), it was all over my pillow, everywhere, coming out in clumps. I just couldn't take it anymore. So, Jamie got his electric shaver out, shaved it down with a #1 - we looked at the hair - tried to capture on film how grey it is. Then shaved it down to stubble.

The kids watched and Celia took pictures!

It looks weird. Not as good as Jamie's bald head (his is tan and smooth). Mine is ghost white and splotchy with hair. It looks kind of freaky! But - I feel like GI Jane - ready for boot camp! Strong and powerful.

Celia told me I was still beautiful, last night. That's a lot coming from her - since she is so worried
that I will look like a boy without my wigs! She is a true blue, girly girl!

CJ in the Garage

This morning, I got up to work out in the basement. More to tell on that later.
I came back upstairs from my workout and proceeded to make some breakfast, let the dogs out, etc..........As I am going about my business, I hear scratching at the garage door. My first thought was, Angie (the dog) must be in the garage and "damn, we left the garage open last night!". I no sooner get to the garage door and CJ opens it, comes into the house, carrying a screw and a can of Lysol! I said "Buddy, what are you doing?" - He replies "Daddy's". Okay...............

Obviously, CJ is a very independent child. He now climbs out of his crib when he wakes up in the morning and sets about on his merry way, wreaking havoc in the house. Usually, his havoc is wreaked on Celia - as the first thing he does is wake her up! This morning - in order to save Celia, Jamie sent CJ down to see me. CJ must have thought to check the garage for me vs. the basement.

The child can't turn 3 fast enough! The 2's with him are killing us! (and he just started 2s!)

Christy

Monday - Back in the Game

I'm here at work and feeling fine. Drank my 2 cups of coffee and all!
So - the pattern is the same as last time, Good news!

A milestone day - I wore my first wig to work today. Everyone likes it. And it feels OK. At first it seemed itchy, but now I'm used to it!

All is good!

Christy

Sunday

Good news - I am digging out of the "funk" that I go in when I hit the wall. The pattern this week is the same as the last time. I feel tired, slightly nauseous, uncomfortable, down (I am calling this "the funk") on Friday and the first half of the day Saturday. Around early afternoon yesterday, I started to feel normal again. We went to the pool club and swam with the kids. Today, I feel fine. How do I know? I am back to drinking coffee again! Woo hoo!

The kids spent the night at Jamie's parents last night. The first thing Jamie and I did when his Mom took the kids was......Took a nap! He slept in the basement, I was in our room. It was the most peaceful nap I have had in a long time! For those with young kids you can relate to this.....
I did not have to worry about when someone was going to come bug me, wake me, etc....It was time all to myself - and I slept for about 2 hours! That is a huge nap for me!

We also went out to eat last night (psuedo-celebration) for Jamie's BDay (It was on Friday). We had a nice evening with salads and a glass of wine at Bushnell's Basin Bar and Grill.

This morning, we are enjoying coffee in peace and quiet! I am sure Jamie's Mom isn't in peace and quiet right now! Thanks Mom!

Christy

The new do!

So - My sis called this morning - this post is for you, Jackie!
She's dying to see the bald head! But - it's not bald. Sherry, the wig lady (who suffers from hair loss) recommended we do a really short cut vs. a head shaving, because my scalp is sore from the hair loss and the stubble from the shaving will make it more sore.

So, my hair is about a half inch long. It's not the cleanest cut - why bother?.......but it's actually, not bad. This is about what my hair will look like a month after chemo treatments end.

Also - everyone wants to know if the cutting part was emotional. It wasn't for me. It seems to be for most people, but the process of the hair falling out had pushed me over the edge. I really just could not wait to get it off! Even Sherry was surprised. And let's look at it as a milestone in this process. It needed to happen, it happened and now I need to practice putting my wigs on!

Here's the pix.............
More pix on Kodak Gallery

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Sneak Peak

For those who can't wait until tomorrow for Christy's morning update. Here's one picture and will post more later.

Jamie

Day 4 - Crash day

OK - so I am sure you have all been waiting all day for a post.
Sorry - I have been lounging! I took it easy all morning and watched a movie.
I feel OK - better now than this morning. Again - really just tired, not sleepy, just like I need to lay down and rest. So, I did. I have been able to eat - so that is good. No puking. But some minor morning sickness feeling (like I can't drink coffee - that sucks!).

Today at 4pm I am getting my new wigs and will shave my head! My hair falling out is driving me nuts! It is everywhere! It's not emotional, it's annoying! It's in my mouth, my hands, my clothes, my couches, everywhere! Augh!

So - I will be happy to reach the bald milestone right now!

More to come -

Christy

Thursday - Day 3

Day 3 update:
Still doing fine. I am at work and am updating this blog while on a conference call (don't tell).
I was tired yesterday - worked a full day with no problem, but was tired in the evening. Good appetite yesterday.

Today - at least this morning, I have less appetite (coffee is going down rough). Really, feeling like minor morning sickness. But, not as tired as yesterday.

My hair is really starting to come out. I have it pulled back today, in hopes of it not driving me nuts. But, when getting ready in the morning, all I do is pull more hair from my head - like a shedding dog! It's not emotionally traumatic, but it is annoying. Either tonight or tomorrow I will have it cut short in prep for shaving it off. I get my wigs at 4pm tomorrow afternoon!

I have my work calendar cleared for tomorrow. So - I plan to take tomorrow off and rest. But hopefully, the crash won't be as bad tomorrow as it was the last time around, since I will be weening off the steroid anti-nausea med.

More to come -

Christy

Wednesday - Day 2

I'm up and getting ready to go to work today. So far, so good.
I took my meds and ate some cereal and I feel fine. I only slept OK last night - but that was due to Celia and CJ both waking during the night due to coughing. They both have colds. Which will be a real challenge for me not to catch those colds - I am washing my hands constantly!

OK - off to work. Just so you know - I have a day full of meetings so I may not post again until tonight.

Christy

I won!

I got a call from Beau Monde Spa today and I won a $25 gift certificate to Casa Larga Winery (perfect!). I put my name in six baskets for a raffle on Sunday during the fundraiser - and won! Shocker - I really don't win things like this.

When Celia was a baby, I won, a raffle for an Elmo basket - it came with Elmo T Shirts, Hokey-Pokey Elmo, and various other Elmo toys! That was an exciting win for us - as we have gotten years of play out of that Elmo!

Those are the only 2 times I think I have won anything!
Ask my friends who go to the horse races with me - I lose money so fast - I end up just watching (and drinking), not betting because I hit my limit (which is low bc - I don't win - Right, Renee?).

Good Day!

Christy

Chemo Tuesday - 2 Down - 25% done!

So - I did the second round of treatment today. It went off without a hiccup!
Kristin and I went to breakfast at Papa Jacks Diner and then did some banking at ESL. When we arrived at Pluta - it was really busy. And I think I was a generation younger than all the others in the waiting room today!
Kristin and I were happy, chit-chatting, laughing about the magazines we were reading. Everyone else sat there so solemn. They were probably happy when I got called back.

I met the Physicians Assistant, Cecelia. She asked about how I felt since my last treatment, listened to my heart and lungs, checked out my port......She recommended that I take my steroid drug differently this time, to avoid the hard crash that I had last time on Day 4 (now coined "Movie Friday's"). I will take 2 doses on Wednesday, 1 dose on Thursday and 1 dose on Friday. Hopefully, that will work.

From there - they drew blood from my port. And in all honesty, this is the part that stressed me out most about today. I admit, I don't love my port. It still hurts a little, it's getting better, but still bugs me. I am just not a fan of knowing it's in there. I don't like IVs - they freak me out, and so does the port. It's a mental thing that I need to get over. Anyway - it did not hurt at all when they put the needle in my port - so I stressed (had clammy hands) over nothing. The nurse says I haven't gotten my "port pride"!

The bloodwork they are checking is to make sure my white cells and red cell counts are high enough to administer chemo. If they are not high enough, they send me home and we try again next week. My cell counts came in great! So - no problems this week. They say the potential for cell counts to be low will likely come later (maybe treatment 3 or 4) - it's a cumulative effect.

From there - we started into the treatment process. They offered us lunch (wraps, sodas, chips) and we declined (having just had breakfast) but then they offered homemade carrot cake that one of the patients made - we were all over that! Delicious.

We watched the space shuttle land - and announced it's landing safely to the other patients. Kristin worked on her Christy's Crew fundraising efforts (more on that later!) and I watched the stupid Brett Michaels reality TV show, CNN, Tyra Banks and other random crap that is on in the daytime.

When the treatment was over , my nurse, Marty, told me she was taking a leave of absence to take care of her elderly parents and would not be there for my next treatment. That's a bummer, but I, of all people know, you do what you gotta do. So, I wished her well.

Then she made Kristin cry. She told me that the reason I was doing so incredibly well with my treatments was because of my attitude. She said that she knew from the second she met me that I was going to be successful, because I had the "let's just get moving and get it done. tell me what I have to do and let's go" attitude. She went on to tell Kristin and I that I will go on to do great things to raise breast cancer awareness and that I just have an aura that says this is no problem, be happy!...... I thought that was sweet of her. Kristin cried, she was so touched (she does that). I just know that's who I am, and those who know me well, know that's just what I do. That's how I approach anything.

Also - she said that the side-effects that I felt (or did not feel) are indicative of how I will feel throughout the treatment. The only difference is that they find the fatigue to grow with each additional treatment. But - that only continues for the time I am on Cytocin and Doxorubicin. And I am only on those for 4 treatments. The next 4 treatments are Toxofin (or something like that) and the fatigue does not come along with that drug. So - I really only have a potential of feeling more tired over the next 6 weeks. That's like nothing! compared to 3 months of puking during the first tri-mester of pregnancy, this is easy! I obviously was a miserable prego!

OK - enough for now. Just wanted to let you all know, I have completed 25% of my chemo process! Feeling fine. Will keep you posted!

Christy

We're Off -

We're off to treatment #2! 25% of the way there! Woo hoo

Thanks to all who have called and written to wish me well and to kick my cancer's ass! I appreciate the support and am ready to go!

Today is Day 15 - and my hair started to come out this morning - more than usual. So, another milestone hit today. Good news - the chemo is working as it kills all fast growing cells (this includes hair). Yeah!

More to come later!

Christy

Chemo Treatment # 2 - Tomorrow

Tomorrow - I go back in for Chemo Treatment #2.
My appointment is at 10:30am. I know it is crazy.......but I look forward to doing it again! Not because it is the most fun I have ever had in my life. But, because it is #2 of 8.......I made it through 2 weeks! And tomorrow is a step closer to killing my cancer! I can't wait to blast the sucker again!

Tomorrow, my friend, Kristin Williams is going with me. We are going out for breakfast first and then to chemo. And, now that I have been through the first round, I have a better idea of what to expect. And I can handle what comes after chemo. I have less fear and anxiety this time.

Here's to blasting my cancer again tomorrow!

Christy

Spa Pix

The Christy's Crew logo - Kristin posted this all over her van!

Here's the crew - Left to right: Kristin Williams, Christy Palmiere, Doreen Beck, Michelle Carusone, Janelle Allen.

Kristin, with her new haircut and Christy.

Spa Day - Sunday

Well - we had a great time at the Beau Monde Spa yesterday!
The video in the previous post is a take-off on what it is like during school season in our neighborhood. Each child stands at the end of their driveway, waiting for the school bus to pick them up. Literally, the bus stops at each and every driveway! I think this is the craziest thing - we live in a cul-de-sac! I remember when there were designated bus stops - one every 2-3 blocks, where all the kids waited. The bus did not stop at every driveway! No wonder these kids spend an hour on the bus in the morning.

Anyway - my neighbors and I went to the spa together Sunday morning. Kristin Williams was the bus / van driver and she picked each of us up at our driveways! Jamie videotaped the event!

We had so much fun at the spa. I got a facial and a manicure, no pedicure as I just got a pedicure with purple nail polish! The facial was outstanding! Everyone - as they were waiting for their next treatment, slipped in an extra treatment. So, Doreen - who planned to only have a manicure, also ended up getting a massage! Kristin's extra was a haircut. Janelle's extra was a massage and Michelle's extra was a haircut!

Janelle - brought mimosa's so we sipped those throughout the morning. I bought raffle tickets to win some gift basket's but I think I did not win - bc I haven't gotten a call (I never win anything!)

Regardless - all the proceeds for the event go to Sensational In Survival - an organization that supports women going through breast cancer treatment who are having a hard time making ends meet. We had fun and supported a good cause.

Simply Sensational Spa Day - The Bus

Spa Day - Sunday

We have an exciting event coming up on Sunday. Myself and my neighbors are going to have a spa treatment at Beau Monde Spa in Victor, NY. This is a special event.
The proceeds from the spa treatments are100% donated to an organization called

Sensational In Survival. They are a non profit organization created to provide financial assistance to those during the battle of breast cancer. Provide financial grants and quality of life enhancements to those in need as a result of their breast cancer treatment

I have often thought of how grateful I am for my good health insurance during this time. The costs to treat breast cancer are astronomical. Although, I only pay the co-pays for my meds - my anti-nausea med (a must have in my book) would cost $365 for 3 pills! I need these every 2 weeks! The shots that Jamie gives me to boost my white blood cells cost $3800 for 14 shots (one month supply). I have had cat-scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, surgery, not to mention the chemo treatments. I pay only co-pay's for all of this.

Imagine, if you can't afford health insurance or have the low coverage health insurance and you needed these things to save your life? I cannot even imagine that kind of stress.

I think organizations like Sensational In Survival are wonderful.

Myself and my neighbors will all be at Beau Monde at 10am Sunday! If you want to join us, please do. Or, just go over there for a spa treatment on Sunday to support a good cause!

Sensational In Survival

Simply Sensational Spa Day

Wig Chart

Here's the chart on the wig assessment:

Compliments of Alice Heim. Kodak trained you well, Alice!

The story of the wigs

Here is the picture story of the wigs!
This is my "bank robber" look - prepping for the wig try on! Lovely!





Wig #1 - love the cut, not the color. This wig actually is designed to show an inch of dark roots! This was in the running.






Wig #2 - Color good. Cut cute - I think the top has too much hair. But this was in the running.






Wig # 3 - Cut and color - no way! Looks too much like a wig - very fake on me! This one is out!










Wig #4 - again color good, cut OK. A little too much Rachel Green / Jennifer Anniston from the 90s. Not that I wouldn't mind looking like her - but this doesn't exactly make that so!









Wig #5 - Now it's getting hard to tell which wig is what and what we all like. So many look pretty good!
This one - love the color and the highlights, very me both color and style. In the running.





Alice to the rescue - she started to document our comments and styles and colors. And made us compare one wig to the next to start weeding out. We teased her for her "Kodak" ways - being so methodical. But - we would have never made it through without it! At one point, Alice was standing over my head, pointing at the wig with her pen, asking the wig lady, Sherry if we could get this style in this color. I just laughed so hard! Thanks, Alice, for keeping us on track!





Wig # ? - Another one - there really were so many!
We liked this color a lot and this wig a lot. We called this the "smart" cut. The problem with this was that it had long bangs that sweep over your eye (I have it tucked in this picture). We decided that would bug me. And honestly - now that I see it in the picture, I don't like it as much. Glad I didn't pick it.

But - I did pick this color in another wig.

I think these are the 2 I got! Wow - I have to say, when on the heads - they look different than on me!

I got wig #1 - not in blond but in and Auburn color.
I also got wig # 5 - as is.




Thanks to Kristin for the photo documentary (again pictures worth a thousand words!) and to Alice for keeping us together and on task when we were overwhelmed with choices. And, of course, to Sherry, the wig lady, who was so helpful and was patient with our craziness!


Hey Christy, Scott said you can borrow this wig - Click Here

Wigs!

We had so much fun yesterday shopping for wigs! It really was a barrel of laughs. I went with my friend Kristin (who documented it all on film - digital really) and Alice, who kept us on task, taking notes and ranking styles and colors!

The wig lady - Sherry - wears wigs herself, as she has a condition that makes her heir fall out and not come back for long periods of time. So - she was very helpful on picking out wigs for me.

We tried on all different kinds of styles and colors - some colors were not for me, but the style was so it was really tough to pick. So - I ended up picking 2! One that is similar to my cut and color today, and another that we call the "fun" wig - that is a shorter, style in a more auburn/red color.
I have to say - just like when you get new clothes, I can't wait to wear my new wigs!

So - is this the real hair or is it the wig?

Read Kristins Blog Entry about the day

Have a Good Day !!

The was emailed to us today from our friend Kristin Cutright... It reminded her of Christy's attitude.................Thanks Kristin


There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
"Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today!" So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "H-M-M," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today!" So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything. Have a Good Day!
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......

Lymph Nodes

All has been moving along fine - and will continue to do so.

Remember when I had my surgery to put the port in last week? During that time they did a Sentinal Node Biopsy. They inject die into the tumor in the breast and xray what lymph nodes the tumor feeds to with the dye. Then during surgery - they removed the 2 lymph nodes that the tumor fed and biopsied them for cancer. I received the call from my surgeon last night stating that the cancer was in both of the lymph nodes. This means that is did spread to the lymph nodes. This does not drastically change the treatment path forward. I am still on chemo treatments for 4 months (and those kill cancer that is anywhere in my body) and when they do surgery in January, they will remove all my lymph nodes on the right side along with my breast.

So - we always knew there was a possibility of this. And most people I have talked to who have already been through the process of beating breast cancer - also had it in their lymph nodes. I was just walking around thinking I was lucky - given the needle biopsy on a lymph node came back negative.

For all of you who are amazed at my positive attitude and strength, I did break down with this news. Of course, I held it together when the doc was telling me. But - I did cry shortly thereafter. It was a blow. It just gets more scary to think it spread to the lymph nodes. I have been so pleased with how well I have been feeling. I was really disappointed with this news.

But - the prognosis is still "kickin cancers ass!" and I will be cured. And I will resume my normal life a year from now. I just had a set-back last night. The strong survive and God gives us what we can handle. He, obviously must think I am REALLY strong!

Bummer news!

Fun note: today is another adventure to a different wig lady! This was a recommendation from a friend of mine at CooperVision who used her when she went through chemo. Alice, Kristin and I are going today. And hopefully she has great wigs at a great price!

The wig lady

Well - My friends, Alice and Ruth, went with me today to meet the Wig lady!
We are absolutely amazed at how beautiful these wigs are!
They come in different forms - synthetic to real hair. And have different types of hair - Asian, Indian, European. She can make a wig to match my hair style, color, texture, etc. Literally, it will be hard to tell I have a wig on!

She is ordering a few samples of some different colors and we will go back on Friday to finalize the colors to match the wonderful color job that my hairdresser does today!

Alice even said - as I age - and get tired of trying to make my hair look like it did when I was in my 30s - I might just pull out my wig, then, and wear it! It will look that nice.

Pretty cool.

Also - I feel fine today. I would say as close to normal as I have felt since treatment started. I have some tired moments, some moments where I felt I needed to sit and rest a minute. But, was able to carry on a normal day like any other - frustrations with work and all! I am really pleased!

Christy

Back in the game!

This is a quick post - just to let everyone know that I am back!
I'm at work - busy as ever and feeling fine!

I'll post more tonight when I get a break!

We have an adventure this afternoon at 3PM to see the "wig lady"! I am sure a good story will come out of this!

Christy

1...2...3... Lacrosse Rocks !!!

Celia's last day of Lacrosse was this morning. She really seemed to enjoy it, although I don't think she'll continue it as a sport, we'll leave that to CJ. We only had 3 kids come today and they seemed to have a better time chasing butterflies than practicing, but they did carry their sticks while chasing them. Stay tuned for the future exploits of our star athlete Celia. Next up Flag Football, She needs the experience in order to know what she'll be cheerleading about someday.

Coach Jamie

More Pictures and Video on Kodak Gallery

Saturday - Day 4 after Treatment

OK - not so bad today.
Yesterday was a little rough - my body required that I lay down most of the day and rest. But, I was able to eat and drink liquids. So, all in all, not bad.

I talked with my nurse at Pluta yesterday. She said that if I made it through the first few days without puking, then I was pretty much in the clear! Woo hoo! I think I made it. But - I have back-up anti-nausea meds on reserve here just in case!

She also said that the meds I was on contain a drug called Decodrin. That is a steriod - and that is what made me feel so good the first couple of days after treatment. So, once I stopped taking the Decodrin (yesterday) then I would hit the "Decodrin Crash"! Being the "wall". So - that wall should last a day or so and then I should feel relatively normal until my next treatment. In addition - she thinks I may have felt worse yesterday because I had also had surgery on Tuesday, in addition to chemo. So my body required extra rest to recover.

I feel more energy today, but am taking it easy. Just in case.

What I really want to know - "why can't I just take Decodrin for the next 4 months!?" But - one can assume - taking steroids for prolonged periods of time cannot be good! So - I will just have to hit the wall 7 more times!

Day 3 - After Treatment - Friday

So - I am working from home again today - with a lot of rest in between!
I did get my shower in this morning - yeah!
But I feel much weaker and had a dizzy spell (I was probably moving around too fast!). So, I sat and rest and am feeling much better.

Good news - still no puking and no anti-nausea meds today. The prescriptions only were for the first 3 days.

I've decided that if my body tells me I need to rest, then I will! This too shall pass! Like I said before - everyday for the next 2 weeks will probably bring something new. Once I get passed the first 2 weeks, the surprises will wear off and I can be prepared! Much more my style!

I did hear from other survivors that "the wall" will get hit and usually around day 3 or 4 - so I am not shocked. What I don't know is how long the wall will last! Here's to just a day or 2!

And - how often do we get to take a day and nap?!!!!!!!!!1 This should be a luxury!

Day 2 - after treatment

Again - so far so good!
Day 2 and still going strong!
I am working from home today because I cannot shower until tomorrow to keep my incisions from surgery from getting wet. So, I am camping out in our home office. Pictures are of kids looking in.

I have to say: God Bless Jamie for staying home with my 2 precious angels all day! The first hour of the morning, I think he spent the whole time keeping them from fighting! The second hour he spent keeping them from entering the office where I am working! I also think I heard CJ say "MINE" 500 times this morning! The man has the patience of a saint! There is a reason why I go to work everyday!

On another note: CJ is talking up a storm these days. He used to call Celia "Yaeh Yah" - it was so cute! Now he calls her "Dulia" - getting closer to the real pronunciation "Celia". I think he cannot say the "s" sound, yet. Celia gets a real kick out of it.

Christy

So far, so good

I hate to jinx myself by writing this but.....................
I feel fine today. So far, no nauseousness, have energy, no serious soreness from the surgery. I actually have been feeling better as the day goes on.

I am at work and that keeps my mind occupied and allows me to not focus on what could lie ahead!

Now - everyday will present a new challenge, I am sure, but so far - Day 1 after treatment - I am doing A-Okay!

Just thought I'd let you all know - as I know everyone is curious, but afraid to call.

The day is done!

This will be a quick post as I am ready to crash right now!
This was an extra long day because of surgery in the morning with anesthesia and then to Pluta for my first round of treatments.

All in all, it went well. Surgery went off without a hitch. I have no real pain yet from the incisions, but that will probably show up tomorrow.

The chemo treatments were great! It was actually a very relaxing afternoon! Especially compared to the chaos of afternoons in our house with a 4 and 2 year old!
I felt no pain, felt no liquid flowing through my veins, I did not puke (yet).................
I sat in a recliner with my own TV - tried to find something decent to watch in the middle of the afternoon - not much luck, I ended up with MTV Real World Denver - but it beats soaps! I also rested my eyes, read a book and did some SuDoKu puzzles. Jamie watched a movie on my laptop. They provided us with drinks and snacks and good company.

So - now 1 down and 7 to go!

The hard part is probably yet to come - pray that the tons of anti-nausea meds work and I don't start puking (or even nauseousness)! I can stand losing my hair, but I can't stand puking!

Oh yah - I have a caffeine headache now because I never did get my coffee after the hospital - we were too short on time and stopped quick for lunch - with a diet coke (but nothing replaces a cup of coffee!)

Treatment Day #1

OKay- we are off!
Today we will have treatment #1.
I have to be at the hospital at 5:45am this morning for surgery at 7:30am. They will put in a meta port in my chest and do a sentinel node biopsy. This will take about 30 minutes for the procedure. I should be out of the hospital around 9am ish.

From there, we will head to Pluta for my first round of chemo treatments. That is scheduled for about noon. This will take around 4 hours.

In between - I plan to stop at the nearest Starbucks and get a large coffee as I am running on empty right now b4 surgery! I love coffee!

I feel amazingly calm today. I slept the whole night through! Shocking, I know, given I wake up in the middle of the night always - when even the tiniest things are on my mind! I guess I just feel confident that I can do this!

Let you know how it all goes!

Christy

UPDATE: As of 9:38, Christy is out of Surgery and resting. Port was placed as planned and two lymph nodes were removed for testing. She is doing fine.

We'll be in Recovery for about an hour more, then I've got to get some coffee in her. STAT !

Celia and Sydney say good bye!

The girls hug good bye on the last day! Can't wait to do it again next year!
I love you, Sydney!

Love, Celia

We have a lot more great photo's on our Kodak Gallery Website (insert Christy's plug for Kodakgallery.com - we are a Kodak family considering my 15 years working for Kodak)! I do believe a picture is worth a thousand words!

More vacation fun

The kids have breakfast.
Uncle Keith builds a sand castle at the beach.

Some pix from the vacation

Here are a few shots from the trip. CJ just loved this duckie float - he calls it "duckie goose"!


The girls, Syd and Celia, played for hours in their room in the cabin. They played barbies and Polly Pockets! It was great to have them get along so well - but all hell would break loose once CJ or Tyler tried to enter the room!

Vacation with my Dad and Family

Every year we take a vacation with my Dad and his wife, Sue. All of my Dad's kids and their families and Sue's kids and their families join in the fun. This is a photo of my Dad and Sue with all their grand kids! We cannot believe we pulled off this shot! We bribed the older kids with marshmallows. 8 grandchildren in total! What a crew!

We go to Maumee Bay State Park north of Toledo, Ohio on Lake Erie. For those who do not know - Ohio has beautiful state parks. This one is the newest - each family (The Nunn's, The Rooker's and Dad and Sue) all have their own air conditioned, full amenity cabin. The cabins connect to each other via a boardwalk. We spend most of our days at the pool / resort where they have kids activities occurring almost every hour. Sometimes, we go to the beach at the lake. But - the pool is the favorite hang-out.

The vacation is a lot of fun for all of us and we look forward to it every year! (Except I think Jackie dreads the 12 hour drive they have to take from Iowa to get there!). Next year - we are searching for a new destination, as this was our third year at Maumee Bay State Park.

More pix to come!

Thanks, Dad and Sue for this wonderful trip! It was much needed for me!

Christy

Support mammograms

Our friend, and step-sister, Krista found this link and posted it in the comment section of our blog. I think it is worth posting here, so that all of our readers can check it out.

Just click on the link and the sponsors of the site will fund a mammogram! You can also check out the items to purchase on the site in support of breast cancer research.

Breast Cancer Research Funding

Thanks Krista!

Cat Scan clean

Oh forgot to mention - the cat scan results are in and there is no sign of any abnormalities in my chest, abdomen, lungs, liver, pelvic area, etc.....

Obviously - very good news! One never knows what they might find if they are looking!! :)

Some discussion on why chemo first:
There is no conclusive evidence of decreased chance of recurrence with chemo before surgery or after surgery. The researchers theorized that this may be true - but so far - the decreased chance of recurrence is equal with chemo pre-op vs. post-op.
The reason we are opting for chemo first is because my tumor is so large, and grew large quickly - they worry that it may try to spread to other parts of my body quickly. Luckily - there is no sign of it in my lymph nodes, but they are not convinced that there are not microscopic cancer cells that they cannot detect, in my lymph nodes. So - the best prevention of spreading is chemo. In addition, the chemo will shrink the tumor, allowing for a more successful surgery.

A lot of people are interested in this subject, because most breast cancer survivors they have talked to have had surgery first, then chemo.

Chemo starts Tuesday

OK - It has been a while since we blogged.
We were on vacation with my family in Ohio until Thursday this past week. We left at 7:30am to arrive in Rochester for my oncologist consultation at Pluta Cancer Center. My oncologist is Dr. Brian Yirinek.

We made it just in time for the appointment - with about 30 minutes to spare (a lot of construction on the way!).

We both like Dr. Yirinek and the nurses we met at Pluta. He is kind, social and knowledgeable.
Basically - the path forward is this: Starting Tuesday August 7 - I will have the first of 8 rounds of chemo treatments. We are aiming for the "dose-dense" treatment - which just means that I will get the same dose but I will get it every 2 weeks. Totalling 16 weeks of chemo. We will see how that affects my daily life. Younger people tend to be able to handle dose dense better than older people, but he has concerns that it might wipe me out (being just too tired) given I plan to work full time and I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old at home. So, if we find that I am too tired to function effectively - we will switch to the every 3 week cycle - total of 24 weeks.

In addition - I have bad "small" veins for IV's and for Chemo. So - First thing Tuesday morning - I will go int Highland hospital and have a port surgically implanted under my skin connecting to an artery in my chest. This will allow the nurses to insert a needle into the port for my treatments as opposed to digging through my veins every 2 weeks. For those who have small veins - you can relate with me - this is a great idea! I am happy about the port! I break into a sweat every time someone needs to put an IV in my arms!