Last Chemotherapy!!! - wk 9

I am smiling!  I am extremely happy.  I might go so far as to say I am ecstatic!  My last chemo session is over!  Even though things went better than I had expected, I am glad this part of my treatment is over.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have been extremely blessed! God has been my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.  He has been my Anchor of Hope! (Hebrew 6:19)

Psalm 18:1-3

 I love you, O LORD, my strength. 

 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. 

He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, 

and I am saved from my enemies.

As I was gathering up my things and listening to my last set of instructions from the nurse at the infusion center on Friday, it did strike me that I really was one of the lucky ones.  I only had to go through 4 rounds of chemo.  A fellow patient congratulated me on being done and I found out that she has a total of 16 rounds, and then radiation.  Only God knows what lies ahead for each of us.

. . . But right now, right in this space I feel blessed and thankful !

Week 9
Aug 4, Sun 
I went to church today.  I've missed some Sundays recently, last week when I was itching my skin off and the week before when Scott wasn't feeling well so I stayed with him.  It was good to be back!  It was the first time I wore a scarf and hat and not my wig to church. The first few weeks of thinning hair and then baldness, I guess I didn't want to embrace the fact that yes indeed, I am a cancer patient.  Wearing a wig didn't make me seem as sick.  If I wore a scarf and or hat, people would "know" that I am going through chemo, and maybe feel sorry for me.  I guess I didn't want that. (We humans are so strange sometimes!) After a while it didn't matter anymore.  When the wig got hot or gave me a headache, I didn't care what others thought. . . Hey you know what?  I am a cancer patient!  So just another lesson learned.

Aug 5, Mon
Had an appointment with my oncologist this morning.  Everything looks good.  My last chemo is this Friday! Yay!!!

Aug 6, Tues
Lazy Day!  Thinking about the start of school soon. Josh starts his senior year in 2 weeks from today and Zach will start San Jose State 2 weeks from tomorrow.

Aug 7, Wed
Just thinking of the end of chemo, end of summer, end of a chapter. New beginnings.

Aug 8, Thurs
Blood work

Aug 9, Fri
MY LAST CHEMO SESSION!!! Yippee!

A place that was good for me, but I'm glad I don't have to go anymore.

Here we are!  Just a couple of fun lovin people at the ol infusion center!

This is what I'm doing.

 

This is what Scott is doing!

 

Some of the nurses celebrating my last chemo!

Not me having chemo anymore!

My successfully completed chemotherapy award!

Aug 10, Sat
Would you believe I feel like I'm starting to itch a little bit.  I hope that's not a bad sign.  Other than that, I'm feeling good still.

(I will still continues updates on my chemo summer for another 2 or 3 weeks until I finish my last blood draws and I think I still have to get shots again.)

*********

Last week, I mentioned that Scott is changing jobs and I have to admit, I was a little concerned, but I'm giving this burden to God.

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

 and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

It is no surprise then to know that God sees us, loves us and takes care of us. Scott has started the interview process at 2 different companies this week and at least one more lined up for this next week.  I'm looking forward to letting you know what Scott's new job will be, as soon as he gets it! Continue to pray for us! Thanks!  Love you!

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Sisters' Day - wk 8

Did you know that the first Sunday in August is National Sisters' Day? This year it was Sunday, Aug. 4th.

I was so happy to be with my family last Saturday (7/27/2013) at a celebration for my nephew who recently got married.

These are my wonderful sisters!
Anita, Janice, Andrea
Pam & Bev

In this crazy world of dysfunctional families and sibling rivalry, there may have been times when I have taken my sisters for granted.  I guess I thought sisters always got along and loved each other. (And giggling was just expected with any significant amount of time spent together.) But my sisters are my friends, my best friends, who will be there for me in the ups and downs of life, through thick and thin, good and bad!

Sisters and Dad

My nephew, Jared, and his new family Ashley, and  Eli.

Betty, Me, and Kirk

My Dad and Me!

Last, but not least, my boys!
Matt, Josh, Zach

Week 8

(The first two days are old news since I mentioned this in my last post, but it's still part of week 8!  I guess I couldn't keep my misery to myself!)

July 28 Sunday
When I went to bed last night, I didn't feel right and noticed what I thought was a mosquito bite on my waist. When I woke up this morning around 6 am, I saw a rash all over my stomach area and I was itching like crazy! I didn't know what was wrong with me.  I was so uncomfortable. I found out later today that I probably had a bad reaction to my blood pressure medicine.  The nurses at the infusion center figured it out when I was getting my third and final neupogen shot today.  Itching can make you crazy!

July 29 Mon
I continued to itch.  My hands swelled up.  This afternoon, I went to my doctor and he agreed that the blood pressure meds were causing the rash.  He gave me a shot for the itching and changed my blood pressure meds.

I had my blood drawn to see if the neupogen shots were working, and they are!  I'm doing good as far as my chemo goes.

July 30, Tues
Still have itching fits!  I thought the shot would stop the itching, but I was wrong!

July 31, Wed
Just wanted to stay home and scratch!

August 1, Thurs
Another appointment with my GP to check on allergic reaction.  I'm doing much better, but still itch sometimes. The doc said it could be another week before it all goes away.  I started my new meds today.  I hope I don't have another bad reaction!

August 2, Fri
So far Ok with the new medicine.

August 3, Sat
Dinner with Rhines

Matt especially helped out with the cooking this week.  He likes to chop and make sauces.  He loves to cook!

It was a difficult week for our family in more ways than one, probably the worst week I've had all summer. Besides the rash and itching, Scott is going through some job changes.   I'm gonna keep believing God has it all in control, but please keep us in your prayers!


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Just like Job! - wk 7

Have you ever felt like Job?  Well, I certainly have this week!  On Sunday, I woke up (not with boils), but with this terrible rash, starting on my lower abdomen and then my upper body and spreading down my legs, up my neck, head, and arms. . . And oh was it itchy!  I thought back to what I had done recently. Maybe I had some allergic reaction to something I ate. Then I wondered if this was some sign of an infection. The oncology staff had cautioned me to watch out for a fever as a sign of infection, but didn't say anything about a rash.  I called my on-call oncology doctor and he told me to take Benadryl and Claritin  for the itching.

Sunday afternoon, I had an appointment for a neupogen shot at the infusion center, so the nurses were able to take a look at my rash.  It was awful! --red and welt-like . . . and oh so itchy! After consulting with the doctor again, the nurses were able to call in a prescription for some kind of cream to help with the itching, but I still had unanswered questions! What caused this?  Will it keep spreading?  And will the itching ever end???

Well, as it turns out, I had an appointment scheduled with my GP on Monday as a follow up for my blood pressure meds.  When I mentioned that to the nurses, that was a clue!  It was probably the new blood pressure medicine.  They told me to stop taking the medicine and continue taking Benadryl and Claritin.

At my appointment Monday, my doctor agreed it was the blood pressure meds and I got some kind of shot for the itching.   I feel better now although I still have minor itching and scratching episodes. And thus, my Job reference - as I'm sure he had his share of itching and scratching.

I know, my troubles in life aren't nearly as bad as Jobs and maybe I shouldn't be comparing myself to him, but I did find that Job and I have something very much in common.  (Job 1:20) At this Job got up, tore his robe and SHAVED HIS HEAD!

But really, Job is a wonderful example of living through difficult times. He didn't, "Curse God and die," as his wife suggested.  He stayed true to God and the Bible says,  The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first (Job 42:12).

You know what?  That's my promise!  I'm claiming that!  No I didn't lose my sheep or my servants, my sons or my camels, but I have lost a few things!  And I'm gonna believe God will bless me! . . . as long as I stay faithful to him!

July 20, Sat
Still feel good.

July 21, Sun
Feel OK.

July 22, Mon
Not feeling so great.  Slept a lot.

July 23, Tues
Feeling better today.

July 24, Wed
Feeling good.

July 25, Thurs
Blood work.  If my neutrophils are low, I have to get shots again.

July 26, Friday
Neupogen shot.  Yes, I have to get them again, 3 times.

July 27, Saturday
Got my shot at 8 am, then went to Santa Cruz with my boys to celebrate my nephew's marriage. Congratulations to Jared and Ashley!

If you would like to follow me on this journey, subscribe to My Breast Cancer Journey by Email. You will be notified by e-mail when I make a new post. Thanks, Pam