Cycle 3 day 8

My imagining results are amazing. My molecular breast imagining report says,   "The known carcinoma has markedly improved, with only residual non-mass 1.8 x 1.0 cm moderate uptake at 10 - 11 o'clock position, 6 cm from the nipple (prior 2.4 x 2.2 x 2 cm). No uptake is seen on the corresponding CC projection in order to obtain the 3rd measurement. No other suspicious lesions seen in the remaining breast. "

The chemo is worth it. The tumor is shrinking!

Cycle 3 day 1

It has been another 12+ hour day at MD Anderson. Labs, Dcotor, visit, ultrasound, mammogram, molecular breast imagining, more labs and chemo. They could not detect my tumor on the mammogram! On ultrasound it measure a little less than 1 cm. It is now less than half its original size. It's after 7 PM and chemo is almost finished. I received a new premedication to help with the nausea and vomiting and another new med to help with the diarrhea that plagues me in the second week. Hopefully these help week one and two be a little better. I also got a prescription for my head prosthesis a.k.a wig. I am not sure a wig is for me but insurance covers it so I took the prescription and I will think on it. Thank you all for your well wishes. They are working. We are kicking cancer's ass!

Cycle 2 day 20, no hair

Well I did it, I had my head shaved. I just couldn't take the slow progression into baldness. The hair tickling my shoulders, arms and back felt like a bug crawling on my. I lost so much hair in the shower on Friday morning that my hair was looking thin and scraggly. 

It was time. 

Two more days until cycle 3. 

Cycle 2, day 15, hair

You know from the beginning that your going to loose your hair. You cut it short and donate what you can. You buy scarves and evaluate your hat collection. You think your prepared. Your not! I run my hand through my hair and my hand comes away covered in hair. I am not sure what to do. Do I hold on to my hair as long as possible? Do I shave it? I didn't cry when they told me I had cancer but seeing my hair in my hands brings tears. 

Cycle 2 day 10 , travel

(I must wear a mask on the plane) 

This weekend we traveled to Maryland for my niece's wedding. Travel and chemo are not fun. I have a newly found appreciation for the patients I see at MDA who have to travel there for their treatments. Being away from home when you don't feel well is difficult and not just in a creature comforts kind of way. Chemo therapy is about navigating side effects. The Chemicals that they have to use to kill the cancer reek havoc on your body, nausea, vomiting, dry heaving, diahhrea, and body aches all add to the normal challenges. When you travel you eat out. When your on chemo eating out is a no go, you never know how a food, even your comfort food will cause you to react. There are so many people to visit and your fatigue is real.  This trip has been more of the hotel room and less of the running around we usually do. It has been skipped meals so my tummy is stable and afternoon naps. It has

been worth it to see my niece marry the man she loves and my adorable grand children all dressed up to be in the wedding party. Kudos to all of the cancer patients out there that must travel for your care. You earn an extra special award in my book.  

(A brief stroll in downtown Annapolis )

( my beautiful grand children)