The Day After

I had a PET scan, CAT scan, mammogram and ultrasound yesterday. And a 6-month follow-up with my surgeon.

The mammogram and the ultrasound for my right side looked fine, according to the radiologist and my surgeon.  

I'll have the results of the PET scan in a couple of days.  (This scan was of my torso and neck.)  

We arrived home at 10 p.m. so it was a long day, especially for our two youngest kids.  They joined us on this trip.  Sunday, we went to the zoo and Monday, while I was in the 3-hour PET scan, Vince took the kids to the Space Needle.  

It was nice to have the kids along.  Kept us distracted.  

Thanks for all your prayers and good thoughts. 

Waiting

My last schedule chemo treatment came and went.  My oncology and I nurse both agreed that we'd love to see each other again, but not in treatment--just on the streets of Walla Walla.

Now the wait.  Ten days until the PET scan and mammogram.

 

"Eight thirty sixty-three"

When you make the cancer treatment rounds, a verbal ID you use in medical offices is your date of birth.  

So today is my birthday.  

I'm 46.  Closer now to 50 than 40.  This Thursday is my last scheduled chemo before my scan on September 21.  Doing the same since I posted a month ago.  No side effects except fatigue.  

Although.... I did "hurl" last weekend. We were on a beach trip and I joined the family in whale watching excursion.  It was a beautiful day, but the waters were choppy and I lost my breakfast. 

Our vacation ended on a serious note. My mom called to let us know that my sister and her husband were in a motorcycle accident.  My sister Blanca is fine, but my brother-in-law severely injured his jaw and shoulder.  On our trip home we stopped by OSHU, where he airlifted to from Boise.  

We are so thankful that the injuries weren't more severe, but it is going to be a long road to recovery.  

Farewell July

More than half-way done with this second round of chemo. Still doing fairly well, except for the tiredness. The extreme heat (just like the extreme cold of last winter) tops out the drained feeling I have in the evening.

My hair is eliciting compliments from friends and family. It's coming back thick and curly. (This chemo drug does not cause hair loss.) It's as if I've had a perm. Apparently this is a chemo side effect.

My mother likes it. She says I look younger. My twelve-year old daughter doesn't like it. She says I look older. Me? It reminds me of Greg Brady's hair (the teen years) ! I need to post a photo and you can see for yourself.

It's been awhile since I've said thanks for hanging in there with me. Thank you!

Summer Stretch

This week will be the third of 12 chemo treatments. So every Wednesday or Thursday this summer you'll find me at St. Mary's Cancer Center in Walla Walla.

I remember going through my first round last fall in Seattle. Chit-chatting with the nurses I learned that some women came for treatment on their own. I remember marveling about that....why these must be Superwomen! I didn't see how they could do this. Sometimes I had my husband, two sisters, and more in the treatment room.

Of course, now I come to treatment on my own all the time. Not because I'm Superwoman, but because it's just easier and I take advantage of the time to read or watch TV. I'm not saying it's a breeze....just trying to make the best of it.

One Year Ago

One year ago I was happily making summer fun plans, including helping organize my parent's 50th anniversary party.

One year ago I was driving toward the sunset on Walla Walla's little freeway. Passing by Borleske Stadium, I noticed rows of lighted white bags lining the adjacent track. I saw people gathered on the track and among booths. Hmmm. What is that event, I wondered.

Little did I know that three months later I would be diagnosed with breast cancer and one year later, I would be among those people and the lighted white bags.

Friday, June 12 is the first day of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Every year, community teams are organized for a friendly competition to raise money to fight cancer. So yes, I know you hear it coming: the fundraising ask! Will you give a gift?

Here is a link if you want to help out or get event details. http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09National?px=10848646&pg=personal&fr_id=14628

I am humbled to realize that cancer treatment has advanced incredibly in recent years. At our first meeting, Dr. Gadi told me that newer cancer drugs have changed the outcomes for my type of aggressive cancer from the worst to some of the best.

I had good news after my recent scan, and I want to continue having good news after future scans. But most of all, I want everyone else who has to experience this to hear good news when they walk into those examination rooms.

Finally, I want to "pay forward" for the gifts, flowers, food and other support we have received from friends and family. Thank you! Our family is so appreciative.

Our team, God's Squad, has had a bake sale, car wash, yard sale and secured raffle items. We have raised over $4,200 toward our $5000 goal. So far, we have the 2rd highest amount raised of the 35 teams in Walla Walla.

P.S. Yes, of course you can give after the event!

P.P.S What may not be clear from the Relay for Life website is that each team has a booth at the event to raise money. We are selling food and raffle tickets for bikes, weekend vacation rentals, golf passes, and more. Please let me know if you would like to see a list.

Whew

I'm tapping away at the "business center" computer of the Seattle hotel we're staying at tonight.

Earlier today, Vince and I met with Dr. Gadi, our oncologist, who let us know the scans I took on Tuesday were clean and showed no visible cancer. Such a relief.

Yesterday was the closest I've ever been to having an anxiety attack. The waiting is tough. I don't know how people do this. I guess I'm learning how.....

I will begin another 3-month round of chemo right away and I'll do this treatment in Walla Walla.

Thanks for checking in with me!

Next!

Entering my last week of radiation treatment, my radiation oncologist finished his check (seeing if my skin could stand another week of treatment), and excusing me to the treatment waiting room, said let's get you treated "and get this behind you."

So, as of last Thursday, radiation treatment is officially behind me. My oncologist's words truly resonated with me. I am extremely tired physically and emotionally but feel good knowing that I've reached another milestone. I'm grateful it's only been about a week that I've felt this tired.

Cancer treatment is an elaborate to-do list--daily tasks, long-term planning, mental exercise, spiritual pondering, physical work, etc. So now I can check off "Get radiation treatment" on the "to-do" list.

Next, I have a PET scan on May 26 and the follow-up oncologist appointment on the 29th. I expect to begin another round of chemo after that.

Thanks for your continuing prayers.

One Week

Next Thursday is my last radiation treatment. Good thing, because I'm really feeling it now.  Weary, sleepy.......

I know the road to Tri-Cities very well now.  I don't drive myself anymore, and I've had fun chatting with the friends who have driven me there.  Always makes me feel better. 

The Village

This week I added another person to my medical team....it takes a village! I'm seeing an occupational therapist at Providence St. Mary's here in Walla Walla. This treatment is to help prevent lymphodema and keep full range of motion with my arm and chest muscles.

I am getting weary of so many appointments. It is probably the radiation fatigue that is settling in now. I have about two more weeks left.

Wednesday

Excuse the unoriginal title, but not feeling title-creative today....coming up with these is the most difficult part of the blog.  

Ginger asked if radiation treatment was supposed to make me tired.  Most people I have talked to say it does, although not every person reacts in the same way.  So I hope it doesn't, but we'll see.

Now in my third week of treatment at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, I feel like an old hand, especially on days when I hear a nurse giving a new patient the drill.  I feel bad for the patient, because I know how I felt that first day. 

The first thing I do is go to a curtained changing room and put on a patient wrap-top.  Then I sit with other patients in a small waiting room until a therapist calls my name.  All the patients I've seen there are older than me, which is new. At Seattle, you see patients of all ages.  

At first it felt uncomfortable. I felt like I was sitting in my PJs with strangers, but now I don't care who sees me and how much they see of me.  You tend to lose your sense of modesty.

Monday, Monday

Today is one of those days where treatment feels like a full-time job.  After a couple of hours of work, I'll meet an oncologist this morning at St. Mary's Cancer Center, then drive to Tri-Cities for a 10-minute radiation treatment, then go back to St. Mary's for my first Herceptin treatment in Walla Walla. (I'm transferring treatment here, although I'll still be returning to Seattle for tests and to see my primary oncologist.)

I just realized I'm spending the same amount of total hours on the road as I did with the weekly trip to Seattle. 

Radiation Here I Come

Tomorrow is my first radiation treatment at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center. I'll be getting it everyday—except for the weekends—for about the next six weeks.  

Today I had some final imaging measurements taken, or whatever it is they do to prepare.  I just lay there and do what they tell me to do.  "Try to stay still."  "Turn your head to the right." 

I drove myself today.  This is first time I've gone alone to a medical appointment ever since I was diagnosed.  I decided to take the "alone time" opportunity while I'm still fairly energetic. 

I enjoyed the sunny-day drive and it was so warm that I ventured into Target sans the scarf on my head. I don't look bald anymore. It just looks like I have an extremely close, ultra modern crew cut.  

I also went to a Taco Time wearing a turban-style scarf and a customer asked me in a nicely inquisitive way "is there a reason you are wearing your scarf that way....is it your culture?" "No," I said, exposing the side of  head, "It's chemo!"  We found that quite funny.   He told me it looked very cool.  Thank you, sir. You made my day. 

Rewind

Well, team, here it is.

In my last post, I wrote that I would be continuing the Herceptin treatment, but would'nt have to have another round of additional chemotherapy.  Now it looks like I will.

At the post-op with my oncologist, he let us know that the pathology report looked very good, however, he wanted to review the report/slides in more detail with the pathologists.

Last week he called me with the results of that review and the consensus of the group and my surgeon.

As I wrote before, the chemo did a great job in reducing the size of the breast tumor, however, the effect was not as dramatic on the cancer in the lymph nodes. (About 25 lymph nodes were taken out and about 10 tested postive.)  It appears the treatment didn't have the same effectiveness on the lymph nodes as it did in the breast.

To be prudent, and continue aggressive treatment, he is recommending another round of chemo (in addition to the Herceptin) after radiation treatment.  I'll also take another low-grade chemo drug during radiation treatment.

Whether I do the additional round of chemo in Seattle or Walla Walla is still to be decided. 

I just met yesterday with the radiation oncologist, and this treatment will be about six weeks.  

I'm feeling pretty good these days.  My hair is growing back incredibly fast.  The only tiredness I feel is from family cabin fever.  The kids were on Spring Break last week and it was cold most of the time.  

From what I understand, the radiation will make me tired, so I'm preparing to enter Fatigue Land again. 

Thanks again for your continuing prayers and best wishes. 

Post-Op

Just a quick note to let you know about the post-op appointments with my surgeon and oncologist on Monday.

The upshot is that I don't need a second round of chemo.  The pathology report on the tissue taken during surgery showed the treatments were very effective in reducing the tumors and affected lymph nodes.  This was great news as I had resigned myself to more chemo.  

I will continue with Herceptin treatments for six more months (as I knew from the beginning) and will begin radiation treatments.  It's back to Seattle on Friday for the radiation consult. 

I will post more about the Monday's appointments later this week.  Even some pictures!

Post-Surgery

Just wanted to let you know that my surgery on Thursday went well. I had a modified radical mastectomy on my left side.

Dr. Javid (my surgeon) said it looked like the chemotherapy was doing its job in reducing the tumor both in the breast and in the lymph nodes.

I stayed two nights in the hospital. The first night I had a roommate; a 38-year old breast cancer patient. We shared our stories through the curtain drawn in the middle of the room. Her best hospital-stay tip. Earplugs!

Right after I was discharged we drove to Seattle Cancer Care for my Herceptin treatment. Vince and I arrived home last night. I'm doing okay, just tired.

We have a follow-up surgeon and oncologist visit either this Friday or next Monday. I will probably resume chemo treatments in about a month a very likely I will also have radiation treatments.

Steele

Two days until we head to Seattle for surgery. Getting a little nervous, but glad to be at this point.

I already know what I'm wearing to the UW Medical Center on Thursday morning. Last weekend my friend Randy Jones gave me a gift bag. When I opened the bag and saw that it was a T-shirt with "STEELE" on the front, I knew immediately when and where the T-shirt would debut.

Years ago Randy gave me that nickname in a circuit training program I was in (he was a trainer). He has called me that ever since. Thanks, Randy.

I'm also taking the quilt that some friends made for me. It has their names embroidered on one of the panels. I use the quilt every night.

So thanks for your prayers and words of support, especially this week. They mean so much, more than you know.

Next Step

In a nutshell, my test results came back with about the best-that-we-could-hope-for results.  The scan shows that the tumor has continued to shrink.

The small spots on the lungs have shown no change, which is a good sign, they say, and are probably scar tissue at this point. There does not appear to be "activity."  (I won't try to use the medical terminology the doctors used.)  

I am scheduled for surgery at the end of this month at the University of Washington Medical Center.  One month after that I will probably resume chemotherapy treatment. Radiation is a possibility as well.  And, I will continue with Herceptin treatments.  

Until surgery, I don't have to be in Seattle for any treatments. That means I will be home for a straight 2 1/2 weeks! That hasn't happened since September. 

If you see me out and about I have transitioned from wearing knit hats to scarves.  That's how I can tell the weather is getting warmer.  Someone told me today that she liked my turban. That wasn't the look that I was going for, but now that I heard it described that way, I like it.  

I'll get a picture posted as now you have seen me bald, you can see me with my turban.  

Sun in Walla Walla

On Friday we have an appointment with the oncologist to hear the results of the PET scan I took two days ago.  We will see if I’m ready for the mastectomy.  Then on Monday, we have an appointment with the surgical oncologist.

It’s almost a month since I last posted. Hard to believe that just two weeks ago I was sitting on a Horizon plane at the Walla Walla airport for an hour while the plane was de-iced, twice. I’m so happy to see more of the sun.

Last weekend, I was at my sister's house in Olympia and I read "The Long Winter," the Little House book by Laura Ingalls Wilder, a book I've read many times.  Of course, I wouldn't compare our winter with six months of lethal prairie blizzards, but I enjoyed reading of Laura and her family's joy of seeing spring come.

This photo was taken a few weeks ago by a friend, Kimberly Miner.  Nowdays, I typically wear a scarf in public, but here is what I look like with no hair.  For the record.

Weather Woes

I never thought I'd spend so much time this winter fixated on the weather. But since we travel weekly to Seattle, winter road conditions are always on our minds.  

We've only had to travel to Seattle via Portland once because of a Snoqualmie Pass closure. Other times, when we are ready to return home, and the pass is closed, we just spend the night there.

So yesterday, knowing that Snoqualmie Pass had been closed for two days, then finding out that our alternate route through Portland/I-5 was also closed, I almost started laughing. What more!!!!!

The upshot is that I'm taking a Horizon flight to Seattle this time.

This is turning into "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

I haven't mentioned that we did see my oncologist, Dr. Gadi, last week. (Information about him http://depts.washington.edu/oncology/facultypages/gadi.html

After I complete five more chemo treatments in this initial round, I will have more tests and Dr. Gadi will consult with Dr. Javid, our surgical oncologist, to determine if I need more chemo or if I'm ready for surgery.