Last chemo! :)

Well - I've made it through chemo. These are the sweet nurses who took such good care of me all these weeks! They let me ring the bell and gave me a bottle of sparkling cider.
I'm finding my reaction to the end of chemo rather baffling. Everyone around me has been more excited for me than I have been. Maybe it just doesn't seem real yet ??
Anyway, I feel as good as I always have after chemo. Although, I do have some numbness in my toes - which I hope doesn't get worse and goes away!
I have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Rich in 2 weeks.

Chemo was on Thursday and Thursday evening we had Kent's annual birthday open house and included my last treatment into the celebration. It was so fun to see good friends, eat BYU brownies, and read funny/rude cards. It is one of the highlights of our summer!!!

Friday night we went out to dinner with friends - ate at Milagros - and got to hear Jackson sing for us. Today I have been sleeping quite a bit - perhaps I partied too much!
Even with all of the fun and happy times - there is this underlying "something" that keeps me a bit low. I still haven't looked at any of the information that Dr. Clark's office gave me about radiation.! Maybe actually reading it would make me feel better. Maybe it is simply because it is something different and unknown. Maybe, maybe, maybe . . . . . I'll let you know if/when I figure it out!

A little bit more about radiologist visit

OK, I'm feeling a bit better about my visit on Monday, so I'll share just a bit of info.
1. The reason I have to do radiation is:
2/3 of the women who have my kind of cancer and have gone through the exact same surgery/treatment would not need radiation - the cancer would be gone.
1/3 would NOT be cancer-free and would need the radiation.
There is no test they can do that will tell them which women fall into which category - hence everyone does the radiation - just in case.

2. Side affects from radiation "should be" easier than chemo. Here are the most common ones:
"Sunburn" to the radiated area - can get bad enough to blister and peel although they don't think mine will because I'm not doing it as long as some do. They also gave me a list of lotions I can use to help with that.
Muscle aches under the skin, from radiation - take Advil unless something stronger is needed.
Fatigue -- I "should" have more energy than with chemo but not as much as if I WEREN'T doing radiation.
Lymphadema in my arm. Retention of fluids - swelling etc. I've decided that this is what is making me anxious. I thought lymphadema showed up after the SURGERY. Since I've come this far without any issues, I thought I had put that concern behind me. Apparently not. The doctor will give me a prescription for a mastectomy sleeve that I have to wear whenever I fly. Hopefully, that will be the extent of it!

I think the rest of my anxiety is just the unknown - which seems silly to my logical mind, given what I've already gone through -- but there it is!

Anyway, I have an appointment in about 2 weeks to get an X-ray and Catscan of the area and then little tattoos to mark exactly where they want to do the radiation. One week after that I being 5.5 weeks of radiation. I go in everyday, Monday - Friday, for about 20 minutes or less and have the weekends off.

On the upside - I REALLY like Dr. Clark and his staff. So good!

Visit to Radiologist

Well, Kent and I met with doctor Clark today. We both liked him very much. He and his nurse were both very caring, compassionate, and nurturing. My reaction to this visit surprised me -- I have been anxious all day. Even after meeting with the doctor I am still anxious. I'm not sure why, since this should be much easier than the chemo was - even Dr. Clark said so.

For now, since I AM feeling anxious, I'm not going to talk about all that I learned today. I'll tell you later! :)

More cabin

I was hoping to have more pictures - but not yet. But I did think of something that I wanted to share. I was a little bit concerned about how the grand kids would react to me without hat or hair at the cabin. Here is what I discovered: Haley and Lexi, both age 5, were very interested in seeing me without a hat. Haley liked to rub my head and they both spent quite a bit of time removing and replacing my hat.
The first time I took off my hat [actually, Haley or Lexi probably took it off :)] Max, who is 3 said:
"Hey, you're bald, just like me." He never gave it another thought after that!
Ethan, who is 8, was telling me about something and he suddenly just said, "Ok, this is freaking me out, could you please put your hat back on." :)!

Ah, the wonderful innocence of children!

Cabin get-away

What a great weekend we had!! Lou Ann's cabin is next to Solitude in a lovey, shady grove next to the river. Awesome!! Basically, this is what we do at the cabin:
play games
eat
play more games
take turns in the hammock with various mixes of children
eat
Dwight & Jenny do a treasure hunt for all of the kids
play even more games
eventually go to sleep at night and begin the routine again the next morning. :)

Kent and I were able to go on one walk in the woods but then the bone pain kicked in. But, here are a few beautiful flowers that we saw on the walk. I've also included photos of the cabin experience! I didn't get pictures of all the kids yet, so I'll post some more later!





Below is Kent with Max [3] & Jackson [12]:

This is Aspen [9]:


This is most of us playing a game:


Haley [5]:

Lexi [5]:

Kent:

Skylar [4]:

Only ONE more to go!!!!! Woohoo :)

So, okay, the bone pain lasted 4 days instead of 2 this time and I think I napped more during the day than I ever have since starting chemo - but I had treatment number 7 today and life is good. My dear friend, Penny, came and stayed FOR THE ENTIRE TIME [well, she actually ran to the store for a minute] but - really? Wow - she is amazing. Another one of my angels.
You know how when you start remembering and acknowledging blessings in you life - you suddenly have a perfect memory?! Well, I need to add several more angels to my previous list of angels. See above for one. An angel made Kent and I sandwiches when we went to sit by the Provo river last Friday. An angel shared a Magnum bar with me because she knows I love them. An angel keeps me supplied with library books and movies to pass the low times. Many angels have brought in meals so I wouldn't have to cook right after chemo. I've had phone calls, visits, notes, anonymous gifts left on my door step. ANGELS, ANGELS, ANGELS!!!! Thank you to all of you -- known and unknown. I am so very blessed and a lot of those blessings are coming through you and because of you!!

Had a really nice visit with our son Jonny - he was in town for the weekend. It has been awhile and it was so good to see him happy, and clean! Love you, son!!

My brother Ed called the other day. I love him so much and wish he lived closer so we could spend time together. Love you, Ed!

Went to dinner with my wonderful daughters. I ALWAYS enjoy being with them and love that they love to be with me! Love you, girls!

We get to spend the weekend at LouAnn's cabin - can't wait. We always have so much fun and it is so beautiful up there. Thank you LouAnn for being so generous - love you!

We had a fun neighborhood dinner in front of the Galbraith's house. We have such a cool neighborhood. Thanks Galbraiths - and I LOVE my neighbors!!!!

Funny story to end - I have an appointment with the radiologist in a couple of weeks. His office sent me a "medical history" form to fill out and bring with me. - I've filled out dozens of these things - why can't they just share??????
Anyway, one of the questions on the form "Have you ever been exposed to toxic chemicals?" !!!!! Are you KIDDING???

Have a great weekend all my angels!!!