Sunday, May 1, 2016

Here We Go Again!

Tomorrow is the day that I start the new chemo, Xeloda (capecitabine). I am keeping a very positive outlook about it and feel I will soar through this with flying colors like I did with the other 2 chemos! I will be starting out by taking three 500mg pills after breakfast and then again after dinner. I will do this for two weeks and then have one week off. If/when I do well on this dose she will increase it. I will repeat this for 8 cycles which takes about 6 months. Not thrilled about that but it is what it is! ;o)

The warnings and instructions are interesting to say the least. First of all I am not supposed to touch them without gloves on. Hello...so don't mess your skin up, just get it right into your mouth and digestive track! The nurse went over things I am supposed to avoid during this time and said...
  • no standing for long periods of time
  • no long walks or hikes or aerobic activities
  • keep my hands and feet dry and well moisturized
  • no hot or cold water on hands and feet
  • do not use kitchen or garden tools that involve repeated opening and closing of the hands
There were a few more things but I said, "You just described my job!" I mean really?! This is going to be very interesting but I am just positive that I am not going to have problems with all of this! So I am putting my seat belt on, holding on with white knuckles and am ready for this ride. Let's throw all we can at this dang cancer and beat it!

A Little Scare

SO...just to keep things interesting I thought we'd throw a little scare into it all. I saw my radiology oncologist for a skin check on the radiation area. It looks great by the way and you can't even tell I had radiation. I happen to mention to her that I found a small lump on my other breast the night before and I had her examine it. She didn't seem alarmed but said that I was due for a mammogram on that side anyway (my poor little left booby has been ignored). I didn't think much of it all and was focused on the fact that my port was coming out on Wednesday. WELL...my oncologist thought it was a big deal and the next thing I know I am being rushed in for a mammogram and ultrasound to get to the bottom of things before the port is removed and before I start the chemo. Just the thought of cancer in my other breast was too much for me to handle so I just gave it over to God. It was amazing how much I just went with the flow after that. Let's face it, there wasn't anything I could do about it so I just handed it over.  It all turned out fine and now have a new baseline for my mammograms since my breasts are very different now.

The Arnold-ectomy...aka The Terminator Has Been Terminated!

This was in me, cord and all!
Don't look so sad Arnold!
Last Wednesday my friend Lucia was my hand-holder and designated driver for my port to come out. It took way longer than we both expected but we had time to really get to talk and catch up while we were waiting. The waiting was way longer than the procedure and let's face it, it went fast because I was sleeping, lol! It all went well and NO MORE PORT!!! One less physical reminder of all of this! The terminator served me well but I am happy it is no longer there!





Blessings and More Sorrow

This is my all-time favorite Bedison photo! Mike is photo
bombing in the back. Love this family!
First we all had the shock of my friend Kyle passing away and then a few days later my friend Mike Bedison also passed away. Mike's daughter and son, Jen and Mikey, were my kids choreographers back when they were in children's theater. Our families were instantly intertwined through theater, our faith, hair appointments, trips to Europe, and many celebrations throughout life. It has been about 17 years that we first met and quickly bonded. Mike has been battling an undetermined illness since last December with much frustration. It has been a long and tough road for them all and he lost his battle last weekend. Both Mike and his lovely wife Marilyn were regulars at Tease and I always looked forward to spending time with them and catching up on life. I can't look at the little chair in my suite at the salon without thinking of him. It brings a smile to my face picturing him there but an ache to my heart at the same time. I will truly miss this sweet, funny, kind, wonderful man. His rosary will be tomorrow night and his service will be Tuesday. Of course it will be a huge Aloha as we send this native Hawaiian off and bid him aloha oe!




 Lucia and I getting one last good hike in before I can't, due to my new meds. What a beautiful day it was! What a beautiful friend she is!










Speaking of beautiful friends, this is some of our high school friends group that got together to celebrate Kyle's life and our many wonderful memories of him. They are blessings in my life and more like family than friends! 

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