The Long Hard Year

On December 1, 2006, I had my first chemo treatment. Boy, were we dumb and innocent then! One year later I had my last Herceptin treatment today, ending my cancer treatments. We went out to eat to celebrate after the treatment and reminisced about the many things we’ve gone through this year.

My breast surgeon, Dr. Alison Laidley, told us the first time we met with her “I think we can save your life, but it’s going to be a long, hard year.” Little did we know what all that meant. But I thank God constantly for the medical heroes who have guided us through all the treatments and surgeries and side effects.

We’re still seeing my plastic surgeon, still inserting additional saline into the tissue expander in the right breast until it is sufficiently expanded to accept the real silicone implant to be inserted next year around March or April probably.

One of the blessings out of this year is the opportunity to tell people about breast cancer and have hopefully planted some seeds of action in lives to do self-exams and get regular doctor visits and mammograms. But the most precious blessing is the women who have come to me asking questions because they have gotten their news that they, too, have breast cancer.

One year later I’m glad to be here and be cancer free. Dr. Laidley was right and now the long, hard year is over.

Herceptin #3 Down and 2 to Go

I had a Herceptin treatment today. Nothing else, no blood work, no visit with Dr. Brooks. He told me last visit that I was just boring now, so he wasn't going to see me this time. That was a good thing. It took the nurse about 45 minutes to get the bag of Herceptin pushed into me using my medaport. I took a nap and then when I was finished, went back to work. I have one in November and then one in December and I'll be through with cancer treatments!!!

Woo-Hoo! Radiation is Over!!! I'm Done!

Today I took the 28th radiation treatment to end that journey of my cancer treatment. I was so excited. And I’m very thankful that I didn’t get any blisters or open sores. With my fair skin I just knew that was a given. But all the goop I kept slathered on the tender areas got me through it in pretty good shape.

I had another Herceptin treatment after my radiation today and I asked my oncologist how many more treatments I have to take. ONLY 4 MORE!!! Two in October, one in November and one in December, each 3 weeks apart. I will officially be finished with my cancer medical treatment by the end of the year. There for a while when we were in the thick of things with chemo and the surgery, it seemed like this would go on forever. The Herceptin has no side effects, so it is a piece of cake. I have the surgery ahead to remove the tissue expander and insert the actual breast implant in about 3-6 months. But the worst is over.

David took me to Cristina’s (our favorite Mexican food restaurant) after the treatment. It was a nice end to a wonderful day for us.

I can’t think about all I’ve been through without thanking all of you who are receiving this email-----you helped us get through each step of this with encouragement, prayers, laughs and love. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Two. . . .

I got wonderful news today at the radiology lab!!! Starting today they only do the 2 side-angle burnings---they don't have to do the one right over me that goes for so long on my neck and the upper part of my chest above the breast. That area is really sore. Plus I was in and out of there even faster today.

I have a Herceptin treatment Friday, so I changed my last radiation treatment to 2:30 and then the Herceptin at 3:00 p.m. to get it all done at once. Got to remember to ask Dr. Brooks how many more Herceptins I have left. . . .

Herceptin Treatment

I had radiation at 11:20 a.m.

I had my Herceptin treatment at 3 p.m. David didn't go with me, I didn't see the point. But both Dr. Brooks, his nurse and the chemo nurse asked where my husband was. This was the first treatment he hadn't attended and it was noticed.