One Year Ago TODAY!

I can't believe it has been a full year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What a year it has been! I could write volumes about all that has happened and all the wonderful family and friends who have helped me along this journey, BUT I won't...at least not now.

My current status is good. I feel great, hair is growing............I continue to take Herceptin once every three weeks but there are no side effects, so no problem.

My blood counts are good and getting better; my CT and PET scans done in August were also good. So, for now................life as usual!

Thanks to all. God is so good.

Update

Today I finished my 4th week of radiation. My last day of radiation will be June 11th.....turns out that "six weeks of radiation" is a general term..........they go by "treatments" to specific areas....any way....a few more days than I originally thought, but not too bad. The skin is beginning to be irritated....itchy, etc....pretty tired in the evenings but not drastically worse than normal this time of year.

My MUGA scan (heart) results were fine so I continue to take treatments of Herceptin once a week. Additionally, my doctor informed me that I am B12 deficient so I'm taking weekly shots of that and taking daily doses.

I also met with my gynecologist this week and scheduled my hysterectomy for Tuesday, June 23rd.

And, as of late last week, I've discontinued the wig............my very short, drastic hair shocks a few people at first, but it feels so much better than wearing the wig!!

For now, a three day weekend and only two more weeks of school left!!!

Radiation..........

Today I finished my second week of radiation! So far I have no major skin irratations, etc....BUT, they tell me weeks four and following will change that......we'll see.............

I also had a MUGA scan on my heart this morning.........checking to see that the heart is functioning properly given the radiation and the Herceptin that I've been back on the last several weeks...............

I meet with my oncologist next Wednesday and I'm sure we'll discuss the scan results and hopefully discuss the probability of a hysterectomy this summer............

In the meantime, I feel pretty good. My hair is coming in....nice salt and pepper color and a bit of a mohawk look.............anxious for that to go away, but it's HAIR, so I'll take it!!

I have four more weeks of radiation and four more weeks of school so I'm countin' em both down.........radiation really not so bad....I go either on my way to work or I run over there during my long lunch/conference period............can't complain.............

Sam turns 14 this Sunday. I let him drive me to Walgreens yesterday.....this time next year we'll be getting his permit and driving everywhere..........oh my!! Time is flying!

Radiation

I went yesterday for radiation simulation. Then, I went to see my surgeon, Dr. Chow who said I was doing great and she'd see me in 3 months....that felt pretty good.

I begin my six weeks of radiation this coming Monday, April 27th..........just like previous portions of this journey, I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but sure ready to get on with it!!

I have a MUGA (heart) scan on May 4th to monitor my heart relative to radiation and herceptin.

Meanwhile, I have six more weeks till summer!!!

Polley and Friends

Click on the title above to see the feature story on Polley and friends that was done by Channel Five. Even better, it actually aired on her birthday!! We're looking forward to a great time at the race on Saturday!!

Back at it..........

Well, I'm back at work today, six weeks since my surgery. Heart and PET scans were good. I'll start radiation as soon as I'm cleared by my surgeon to do so. And, as mentioned earlier, I'm back on Herceptin once a week.

Post Surgery: An Update

Well, it's been almost four weeks since my surgery. What a learning experience this has been...and what an emotional roller coaster.

The surgery went good, there were no surprises except for more lingering activity in the lymph nodes than expected. The doctor removed 23 and there was disease in 15. My oncologist said looking at the report that the activity was reduced from my original pathology report, so that was good although we'd hoped it would all be gone. (The original tumor had shrunk from very large to less than pea sized!!) Consequently, I'll start back on Herceptin this week rather than waiting until finished with radiation which I don't start for a few more weeks (I have to be completely healed from surgery)

In the process, this is my week of scans: one on my heart and a PET scan which of course covers the entire body looking for signs of disease. This scan is the best when you get good news, but makes me a nervous wreck until then. My doctor said she would be shocked if it showed anything at all........let's hope and pray that she's correct!

Post surgery I had to deal with drainage tubes longer than anyone on record, I think.....YUCK....now she just pokes me with a needle and drains if necessary....more yuck!

Emotionally this phase is very hard. I've been fortunate to reconnect via Facebook with a high school friend who has been through this and fully understands my fears, worries, etc....her empathy is sooooo helpful!

And, my mom and I enjoyed a few days of shopping for prosthesis(sp?).....Quite a learning experience! But we found them so I'm good to go on that count. And, my hair is slowly growing back............I have two more weeks of leave from work.

As always I am eternally thankful for well wishes from friends and family. And I pray for those people who have to go through this without them..........I can't imagine!