WAHOO - last chemo done!

Hi Everyone

Well, I thought I would do this blog!

Had chemo 6 today - last one!!

We left the house at 7 as it is snowing like crazy here - and has for the last 4 days (we have a white Christmas - stop snowing! - over 2 feet don't want anymore!) and wanted to make sure we got to the hospital and clinic on time - no problem, only took 30 minutes. So got my blood work done - I was the first patient. Then breakfast in the cafeteria and wait and wait. My chemo appt was for 9am and we meandered to the clinic at 8:30, hoping they would take me early - no such luck - took me late instead!

My chemo nurse was Phil - not quite as organized at the gals I have had - but nice nonetheless. He asked me how I had been feeling and how I was feeling today. I said ok, the usual aches and pains. He he said my white cell blood count was up (16.5) and he was concerned. He had to phone Dr. Johal (my oncologist is off this week) to see if it was ok to proceed with the chemo and it was. He said it was probably because of the steroids that are in the Docetaxel and in the Hydrocortisone. But we were out of there at a decent time!

I gave gifts to the chemo nurses I had previously - ornaments for their trees and they loved them. Got hugz from Donna - as she was the only one there.

I have a CT scan booked for Feb 3 to see how the tumours are doing and then see Dr. Pansegrau on Feb 13 (a Friday). And then we will go from there.

Brian and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2009 is a much better year health wise for me and that 2009 brings much luck and happiness to everyone!!

Hugz

Roni

- Last chemo!

Just to give an idea on the snow!

Last pre-chemo of 2008 & Baby News!!!

This past Friday, Mom and Brian went to go see Dr. Pansegrau for a check-up before her chemo. Everything went well and the chemo is scheduled for 9am on Christmas Eve. Mom will have to go in at 7:50am on Christmas Eve to go get her blood work done as well.

Dr. Pansegrau wants Mom to go back on the drug she was on prior to the cancer diagnosis. The drug is called Exemestane, and is an anti-hormonal drug. The Dr. will be booking another CT scan for the end of January and then Mom and Brian will be going to see him a week later to get the results from that. Basically at this point it is a wait and see kind of situation.

I know some people have asked why Mom has only done 6 chemo treatments and here is the reason. Cancer cells can build up immunity to the chemo drug and will in-turn stop working. Mom was on Docetaxel, which is one of the stronger chemo drugs out there and it does a number on the body, thus the reason for only 6 treatments. Mom is still having some swelling in her left leg and her face due to fluid retention-a side effect of the drug.

Some exciting family news now!!!

Mom and Brian have a new grand-daughter!!!!!

Ayla Helena-Mae was born on Dec 17 at 11:02pm. She weighed in at 7lbs 14oz and was 21” long. Leina, CW and big sister, Brooke, are all adjusting well to having a new baby in the house!!!! Big congratulations to them. Here are a couple pictures of Mom and Brian meeting her for the first time!!

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

Chemo 5 done and one to go!

Meghan is busy studying for exams, so I will do the blog today!!! One more to go!!!!!!


I got the results of the ultrasound that I had on my left leg before I left the room. Jane, my technician, said she could not see anything that was of concern. If she has seen anything that looked like I clot, she would have sent me immediately to emergency via gurney - so that was very good news.


I still have swelling - which is painful at times - in both of the legs now - though the left is worse than the right. This is fluid retention - another one of the lovely side effects. So keep the legs up when I can, and take the meds that I have.

I had Chemo 5 this morning - went fairly smoothly - except twit me - forgot how to take my meds - I am supposed to take two dexamethasone twice daily for three days.... well, I took 1 twice daily on Tuesday and 1 this morning - that is three, not six! When my chemo nurse, Lesley asked when I took my meds - I told her that I took 1 at three different times and then went crap! This could have stalled me having my chemo today! But she called the oncologist and I got the go ahead and was given the dexamethasone via IV, then the allergy preventatives -and eventually my docetaxal. So landed being at the chemo clinic for three hours! At least the others in my pod were a lot of fun!


I see Dr. Pansegrau on Dec 19. The blood work will be done an hour before the chemo on Dec 24 (great Xmas present, huh!). And that will be it - hopefully. I will have a CT scan in mid January to see how the tumours are shrinking and then will go from there. When we saw Dr. P on Monday, I asked how often I would have to come back for follow-ups. About every 4-6 weeks for blood work and there would be scans as well. We asked about further chemo or if chemo gets to the point where the cancer just ignores it. And he said yes, this can happen - so again we shall wait and see. If after the CT in January further chemo is needed then will go for it. If he thinks not, I may go and see an oncologist on the north shore who looks outside the box - my surgeons can refer me to him. But we shall take it one day at a time and see what the scan says.


Till then, I am going to enjoy December and the Christmas holidays with my family and close friends - this indeed will be a very special Christmas to both Brian and myself!


Ciao for now and if I don't get to write again, Merry Christmas everyone and a very Happy New Year!


Roni





Just between the anti-allergy drugs and the docetaxal






My chemo nurse Lesley

Pre-chemo # 5

Mom went in for her usual blood work and oncologist appointment this morning. Her blood counts all came back normal, which is always a good thing. She then went and saw Dr. Pansegrau, who is sending Mom for an ultrasound of her leg. Mom has been having some swelling and pain in her (left-I think) leg and the Dr just wants to make sure it isn't a clot or anything like that. So Mom should be going to get that done in the next couple of days, although with that happening, it does push her chemo date back a little bit. Will let you all know when that date is and how the ultrasound goes...

On a bit of a different note, Dr. Pansegrau told Mom that if all keeps going the way it has been, she could be back at work as early as March. Of course, this would be done slowly to make sure her body can handle it. Mom was pretty happy about that!!! :)

More to come later when we have dates set for the ultrasound and chemo.