Voyages in Parenthood

 Well, yeah, little updates since March. It was decided with the oncologist that we would get a scan and after the scan, we decided to continue with Ibrance and get additional scans in 6 weeks (beginning of May). After the scans in the beginning of May and another biopsy on my right breast which basically is inflammatory at this point and is not responding to any treatment, Dr. V decided we would try Xeloda - Chemotherapy but in the form of a pill. May started out okay, but between the scans and the biopsy and anemia I've gotten from the treatments (and the cancer), I have just found myself exhausted and not feeling great. I also had trouble eating, which my Dr thinks is anxiety....which is new to me!  I was starting to feel better last Sunday (5/22) when Dr. V called me - she was reviewing my scans again, really trying to determine what the next steps should be and told me that she wants to skip the Xeloda and go right to IV Chemo. Last week was a whirlwind of scheduling time...

Ugh, what a month this has been. Gave December 2021 a run for its money!  I may have mentioned before, the tumor in my right breast started to grow to the point it was uncomfortably noticeable - in early March, my oncologist ordered an ultrasound to see what was happening and it so happens, it was progression of the disease. I met with the doctor the next day and while concerned, she felt that we really hadn't had a chance to let the drugs take hold and start to do something - she felt it WAS doing something due to the drop in my WBC/neutrophil counts, so she wanted to give it 2 months to see what we see. So, felt better. Started 2nd round if Ibrance after three weeks off from first round (due to neutrophil counts!) with orders to get blood work after week 2 and after week 3.  After week 2, and getting my bloodwork back, the Dr called. She asked if I was seeing much change in my breast (I wasn't) and indicated she was worried, that the Ibrance wasn't working, the hormone th...

 Do you know how often I think of cancer now? Every damn day. Almost all day long, in some cases. I try to keep thinking about other things, but it all comes back to damn cancer. So if I haven't responded lately, it's mostly because I just don't want to talk about f'ing cancer. Know I am okay...I'm dealing with treatments right now and hoping that they start working (or are working) and working with my Dr and team to stay as healthy as one can be with cancer.  There is so much that is out of my hands right now. It sucks. I am attempting to stay as hopeful as I can, but there are times when I just want to not have cancer and be angry and upset about the fact that that will never happen now. So, bare with me....and if I don't answer, don't think it isn't because I don't appreciate the contact - I really do and I love my people. I just don't want to talk about cancer or how I feel right now! ;)

 The week of November 29th, 2021 was a pretty shitty week....being that it was the week I was diagnosed with stupid cancer! It started out okay....week after Thanksgiving, Brock was in NY for work and Leda and I were alone for the week. We've been finishing up the living room redecorate and we had decided to go to a smaller coffee table than the one we had. I found one on FB marketplace (my favorite place to shop for stuff!!) and had planned to go pick it up on Monday night. Leda and I thought we'd run up to the person's house, grab the table and go grab some dinner on the way home. About a mile from our home is a roundabout - it has 5 exit/entrances. I like roundabouts, keeps traffic moving, for the most part. We entered the roundabout around 530 pm, so rush hour traffic was moving through. I had to go to the third exit, which is pretty tight to the 2nd entrance. I was noticing a line of traffic coming to the roundabout with a truck and trailer (landscaping truck and trail...

This might sound like complaining... but I have cancer and it's my blog, so I guess that gives me permission to complain! One round of Ibrance and I am in a holding pattern...my WBC is low, so Dr V has postponed my next round until my numbers come back up. I'll either go back to same dose or she'll lower it. But, after one round, my hair is thinning. This is a side effect that I knew was possible. Is it possible I could lose my hair, maybe, but hopefully thinning is all I will experience. Now, is this the Ibrance causing the problem or is this the drugs that forced me into menopause? No clue. But it's thinning.  Now, the good thing is, I have always had very thick hair. So, a little thinning is okay. I guess. Another pro... I shaved my legs like two weeks ago and it's barely grown back! Silver linings people!  Other side effects? Mostly I'm just experiencing menopause symptoms due to forcing my body into it....night sweats and hot flashes galore. I sometimes hav...

So what do you do when you get a diagnosis of terminal cancer? Ok, yeah, you freak out. I’m pretty sure that’s what I experienced the first week of this new life. You start thinking of all the last things you will be doing. That’s where my head went. When we met with our oncologist, who came very highly recommended and, as it turns out, was the Dr my primary Dr team WANTED for me, I had only known for exactly a week and had only had my biopsies done that morning so we still didn’t know exactly what kind of breast cancer I had. The meeting was a blur. I remember having two questions…should I change my diet and what is the prognosis?  So, let me step back, Dr V (Dr Maria Vershvovsky…..yeah, no one can pronounce her name well, thus, the Dr V!) is with Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and associates with Chester County Hospital….the best cancer center in this area of PA and one of the best hospitals….20 mins from home, so we are really lucky. My Dr was very certain that this is t...