Done with 2018... onto 2019!

It's hard to believe it's the last day of 2018.  I can't ever remember a time when I've had such love-hate feelings about a particular year.  In other words, I have loved some of the things that have happened in 2018 and I've hated others.  It won't come as a shock that my most negative feelings about 2018 are related to my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.  Even though my treatments aren't quite done yet, I'm over the tough part.  But I still hate that breast cancer was part of 2018 for my family.

However, there were so many amazing, positive things that came after my diagnosis and during my treatment.  I will never say that I'm glad that I got breast cancer, but I feel so incredibly grateful for the wonderful people in my life and the support that I received over the year.  My bestie got a tattoo with me.  My husband and kids took really good care of me.  I connected with some other cancer survivors who have since become friends.  Friends and family members sent gifts, meals, cards, and well wishes.  There was one other thing that happened during this time.  I realized how tough I am.  Maybe I knew it all along... but this journey made me look back and say, yes, I am a warrior!

On that positive note, some of the other positive things that happened in 2018 were:  I bought Six Rivers Property Management and I love being part of the amazing team of ladies; J.T. graduated from 8th grade; Abigail graduated from high school and started at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; and Andy and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in October.

I will leave you with my family's Christmas card... Happy New Year everyone!

December update

I didn’t realize it had been two months since I’d updated my journey here.  I finished radiation on October 30.  My skin handled it pretty well, but I was definitely glad to be done.  It took a couple weeks to get rid of the discomfort and pain.  Since that time, I’ve had every 3 week oncology doctor appointments followed by Herceptin and Perjeta infusions (a.k.a. chemo light).  I have to do 13 of them and should be done in early May 2019.

I ended up losing 30-40% of my hair- good thing I had a lot to begin with. But to most people, you probably can’t tell that I lost so much hair.  I’m so glad I did the cold caps.  I highly recommend it.  I’m getting plenty of regrowth so there’s little curly hairs coming in underneath.

Right now, as we speak, I’m getting Infusion #7 of 13... so over halfway done!

Update

I've haven't written much about radiation because it's been so repetitive for me.  I currently have 2 treatments left.  I am so ready to be done.  The actual treatments aren't too bad but I am definitely tired of driving to Eureka (1 hour round trip) everyday.  The side effects haven't been too bad.  Some people said I'd get pretty exhausted but I didn't really experience that.

During radiation, I've also had 2 Herceptin/Perjeta infusions (chemo light) so I have 9 left to go.  I should finish up in early May 2019.  The infusions are pretty easy.  I take my laptop and they go pretty quickly.... about 2 hours.

After radiation is complete, I will be on a hormone blocker for 10 years.  I have an appointment at UCSF for a second opinion to make sure I am on the right one for me.

That's about all I have for now...

This guy

This past Wednesday, October 24, Andy and I celebrated our 20th anniversary.  On one hand, it seems like a longggg time ago since we were married back on a rainy day in 1998.  But on the other hand, time has flown by.  As expected, we've had our ups and downs.  Our good times and bad.  We've been lucky up until this March to have good health.  Since I found the lump and got my diagnosis, Andy has been there every step of the way.  I could never have gotten through this without him.

My college friend Nichole got this great t-shirt for him.  <3

Don't laugh but...

actually, go ahead.  It's kinda funny.  My radiation oncologist, when asked, didn't really have a specific cream recommendation that I should use.  He said just to make sure I use something.  I've tried several different types of moisturizers, body butter, aloe vera, hydrocortisone cream, etc while going through radiation.  They all helped but nothing has worked 100% to deal with the itching, dryness, peeling, and discomfort.  I guess that's expected.  Everyone handles this radiation differently, but for me, the thing that probably has helped the most is Bag Balm... yep, it's actually a product made for cows' utters.  It doesn't smell the best... but it's helping and that's what matters, right.

Radiation started

I started radiation on September 19.  It will be 30 rounds so every weekday for 6 weeks.  I asked the radiation therapist to take a picture so I could share it here.  This was before I started the treatment that day so the machine does move closer to my body and I do have to uncover my chest area for actual treatment.  They said they don't take naked pictures. ;-)  

Sometimes you need a break

I can say that this is the most emotional roller coaster year (2018) that Andy and I have had.  We're coming up on our 20th anniversary (together for 23 years) and this has been the most challenging of all those years.

After we dropped Abigail off at Cal Poly, we took a couple extra days coming home.  It was a nice break.  Part of me wasn't ready to come home to our "new normal" with her not here.  Another part of me wanted a little time away before radiation started...

Here's a few pictures of our slow trip home...

Something harder

I've discovered something harder, emotionally anyway, than going through BC treatment.... dropping your daughter off for her first year of college.  It's been an emotional roller coaster for all of us.  She's always been independent and I think we've done a fairly good job of raising her.  BUT... she's still my baby girl and leaving her was TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH. 

We are beyond proud of everything she's accomplished so far.... and I know it's just the beginning. 

Hair update

I haven't given a hair update lately.  I'm still very glad that I did the cold caps during chemo.  It was definitely quite a process (and expense), but it was worth it.  I'm still only washing my hair once a week mostly because I'm still losing a lot of hair when I wash it.  Because of my hair being curly, it gets more tangled than straight hair.  I think that's why I'm losing a lot of hair.  I think the hair loss is slowing down so that's good.  I look forward to being able to go back to washing it more often and styling it like normal.  It does cut down on my morning getting ready routine to not have to wash and dry it. :)

Update

Just realized it's been 3 weeks since I updated here. 

I had my first Herceptin/Perjeta (chemo light) infusion on August 23.  It took about 4 1/2 hours this time but future ones will be much shorter.  Hopefully 2-2 1/2 hours or so.  I didn't have any side effects other than feeling a little tired afterwards, but I think sitting there for that long made me tired too.  No cold caps this time- yay!  Herceptin and Perjeta don't cause hair loss so it was so nice not to have to use the cold caps.  It did make the time go by slower though. ;-)  One good thing about the cold caps (and having to change them out every 30 minutes) was that it made the time go by faster.  The next infusion is September 13.

Yesterday, I had my radiation "simulation" appointment which is essentially getting me setup in the same position that I'll be in for radiation, a CT scan, and 4 tattoo dots (2 on my chest and one on each side).  My first radiation is September 19 and then 29 more rounds after that.  It's every weekday for 6 weeks.

I've been feeling pretty good.  I still have swelling in the armpit area from my surgery.  That makes it tough to get comfortable at night so I haven't been sleeping all that well.  Hopefully that will get better.

One day at a time....

New technology in Cancer treatments

I haven't updated in a couple weeks and I will, but I wanted to share this awesome new technology:  check out THIS article in the San Francisco Chronicle.  Not only does this kind of stuff encourage and intrigue me, I know the lady in this article.  Lea is my sister's mother-in-law and she's super awesome!

Week of medical appointments

I've had four, yes four, medical appointments this week.  Most I've ever had.

On Monday, I had an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of your heart.  Apparently some of the chemo drugs I've had, or will have, can cause heart problems so they like to monitor your heart with an echocardiogram every 3 months.

On Tuesday, I had the consultation with the radiation oncologist to figure out the plan for radiation treatment.  I will have a simulation (aka set up appointment) on September 5.  My first radiation treatment will be September 19 and will continue every weekday for 6 weeks.

On Wednesday, I had a post-surgery follow-up appointment.  My surgeon is on vacation so I met with a different doctor.  He said the incisions and surgery locations look good.  He also let me know (which I'd already heard) that the pathology report came back showing clean margins.  I was very happy about that.

On Thursday (today), I had an appointment with the oncologist.  My original oncologist moved out of the area in July so this was the first time I'd seen this doctor.  Andy and I liked him.  I'll probably see him for at least the next 6 months.  My herception and perjeta infusions should start next week as soon as they get insurance approval.

While none of these appointments were particularly tough on me, I'm glad they're over.  Onto next week...

Surgery #2

I thought surgery would be on Thursday, but they ended up scheduling it for Wednesday instead.  I had to check in at the hospital at 10am on Wednesday, with surgery scheduled for noon.  It was a much easier process this time.  No "needle loc" or what I consider the most painful thing ever.

I got checked in, vitals done, beautiful green hospital gown on, IV in, and we waited.  I think they came and got me for surgery around 12:15 or 12:30.  I remember them wheeling me into the operating room and having me slide over to the operating table.... and then that's it.  I don't remember much after that, until I was back in my room.  Apparently the surgeon had a conversation with me, and told me how everything went, after I woke up.  I don't remember it though.

I did talk to the surgeon today and she said everything went well.  She said where she had to remove the tissue looked good.  She was also able to reduce the fluid build up which helped with my discomfort.

Now we wait for the second pathology report.  Here's to hoping everything comes back "clean."

After surgery & pathology results

Recovery from the first surgery wasn't too bad.  I went back to work the day after for a couple hours and then eased into half days after that.  I didn't have a whole lot of pain-- mostly just soreness and a tight/heavy feeling.

Pathology results were supposed to be back in 3-5 business days.  I still hadn't heard anything by Friday, August 3 so I called the surgeon's office.  Results were still pending.  On Monday, I thought I would hear something but the day came and went. 

The surgeon, Dr. Kennedy, called on Monday evening.  Pathology in the lymph nodes showed that she took 7 lymph nodes and only one had tiny cancerous cells in it.  Good news there.  The pathologist said she "probably" didn't quite get a clear margin.  Probably?!  They shouldn't be able to use the word probably! 

Dr. Kennedy, whom I trust completely, said she'd like to go back in and get more tissue.  As bummed as I was, I knew this was a possibility all along.  Several people I've talked to that have been through lumpectomy surgeries had to have what they call a re-excision (second surgery to get clean margins).  It's not abnormal.  Dr. Kennedy herself had to have a third surgery when she had breast cancer.

Dr.  Kennedy said the surgery would probably be on Thursday but she'd get it scheduled and have someone call me the next day.

I was a little upset after we got off the phone.  I didn't want another surgery.  However, as I thought about it more, I realized that I wanted to make sure that all the cancer cells or any tissue that had touched cancer cells were OUT of my body.

Surgery went well

We had to be at the hospital at 6am this morning for my lumpectomy surgery.  I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.  I don’t think it was necessarily from anxiety about the surgery... more from feeling terrible from the head cold I picked up in San Diego.

Surgery wasn’t scheduled til 10:00 but there was some things that needed to be done beforehand.  Besides normal pre-surgery stuff (getting an IV, etc), they had to do what’s called a “needle loc” in the radiology department.  It’s essentially a mammogram guided wire placement. When I had my original biopsy done in March, they placed a metal clip into the breast tumor and into the lymph node showing where the cancer was located at the time.  As was hoped, the chemo shrank the tumor down to nothing.  The surgeon, Dr. Kennedy, needed a way to see where the tumor used to be so she could remove the tissue and have it tested.  Hence, the needle loc procedure.  HERE is a link for a description if you want to read about it.

The mammogram technician came to get me about 8am.  We got all setup and the radiologist came into do the procedure.  It included several mammogram images, poking a needle into the spot where the metal clip was, and then using the needle to thread a wire into the former tumor spot.  It took the radiologist 3 tries to get it in the right spot.  Did it hurt? Um, YES!  The words I would used to describe the pain are not too lady-like so I’ll let you use your imagination.  ;-)

Once that was over, the rest was easy.  I got to take a long nap.  Dr. Kennedy took out the tissue with metal clip and that will be tested in the lab.  She also took out some lymph nodes.  All in all, surgery went well.  And now we wait.... pathology results should be back by end of the week.

I’m planning to take it easy for the next day or two...

Back from vacay and ready for Step 2

We had a nice family trip to San Diego- got home yesterday.  Unfortunately, I have a cold.  :(  I'm still scheduled for my lumpectomy surgery tomorrow morning (Monday).  Prayers are gladly accepted.

We stayed at the Paradise Point Resort which was really nice.  A few of my favorite highlights were an evening at Belmont Park, day trip to Tijuana, dinner at the Melting Pot, and a massage at the spa.  It was really nice to get away and have a break.  Here's a few pictures from our trip:

I got to be...

Since March 16, I've been a cancer patient.  Doctors appointments, blood work, chemo treatments, hospital stay, scans, mammograms, etc.  That's been my life for the past four months.  I have focused on the goal and taken each step as was necessary.

We just returned from Abigail's freshman orientation at Cal Poly and, while we were gone, I got to be someone else for the 3 days.  Other than the fact that my eyes are still watering from chemo, I didn't have much of a reminder that I'm still a cancer patient.  And that's a good thing!  It was so nice to be focused on something else.

While we were gone,

I got to be a Cal Poly alumni.  I will admit it's pretty surreal being back on campus for our daughter's start at Cal Poly. It's been 21 years since Andy and I graduated.

I got to be a former San Luis Obipso resident.  We walked to Farmers Market from our hotel and walked by the house that I lived in my sophomore year.  It looks so different!

I got to be a mom of a kid going off to college.  The parents were separated from the students for most of the orientation.  We had a day and a half of sessions of how to prepare our student (and ourselves) for moving away from home and the start of college.

I got to be a consumer of adult beverages.  I haven't had anything to drink since my treatment started.  It was nice to be able to have one each night.

I got to be someone who was reminded how hilly and spread out the Cal Poly campus is.  My feet were definitely hurting by the end of this day.

I can't tell you how great it felt to do some "normal" things.  We will take Abigail back down mid-September and get her moved into the dorms.  That will be tough to drop her off.  As hard at it will be for us, I'm very excited for her to start this new chapter.

Humboldt Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Humboldt County started last night.  It's a 24 hour event that starts off with an opening ceremony and a Survivor's Lap.  It hadn't crossed my mind to go but my mom invited me to go with her.  I don't quite yet consider myself a survivor, even though I know I should.  At what point should one consider themselves a survivor?

 

I admit that I had an unsettled feeling driving into the event.  I can't quite put my finger on why but I think it has something to do with the fact that my cancer diagnosis still doesn't quite seem real.  Or maybe surreal is a better word.  I still have a hard time thinking to myself that I have cancer.

I'm a "get it done and cross it off my list" kind of person.  I had a friend of ours say that he thinks I've "handled" this cancer diagnosis and treatment in a very business-like manner.  I don't think I would've come up with that description myself, but I think he's right.  You get the news, you make a plan, and you work the plan.  Step 1... step 2... step 3.  Yep, that's me.  It's probably the only way I could've gotten through this.

Back to Relay for Life.  I've never, once, doubted that I'd get through this.  Going to Relay helped me see that there are lots of other survivors out there that got through it also.  Here's a picture of me with a family friend, Michelle, that is also getting through this too.

And a picture that was taken during the Survivor's lap of my mom and I.  It ended up in the Times Standard...

They had a big white canvas that Survivor's could put a handprint with their name and how long they've been a survivor.  Mine is the pink one, under the 2018, close to my hands.  

People can buy these luminaries (a white paper bag with a candle in it) and have something written on them.  You can do it in honor or in memory of someone.  My parents bought this one in honor of me.  When it gets dark, they light all the candles and it's pretty cool.

I should be all done with my treatments by this time next year.  I plan to walk in the Survivor's Lap again.  Anyone want to join me?

Clover for luck?

Back in March, just before I found out about my diagnosis, my very awesome bestie, Sandi, gave me a clover plant.  It was right before St. Patrick's Day.  She said something to the effect that she was hoping it would bring me good luck with my biopsy, etc.

Those who know me well know that I am not a very good plantkeeper.  They don't usually make it.  I really do try and I'm not sure if it's over- or under-watering them that's the problem, but let's just say that I'm lucky my children are still alive. ;-).  Anyhoo, the plant has lost a LOT of leaves.  I probably should've transplanted it into something bigger a couple months ago.  Hey, maybe that's another problem. I've thought it was dead and almost thrown it out, but something has kept me from doing that.  This plant has been part of my journey.  

I haven't come across a 4 leaf clover YET, but I'm not losing hope.  And even if it doesn't happen, it's okay.  I'm okay with the fact that I'm a better cancer survivor (or shall we say cancer ass-kicker!) than a plant keeper or clover grower.  I'll let you know if I find a four leaf clover.

This time is different

Round 4 of chemo has been mostly the same as the previous 3.  I've felt similar the few days afterwards, but, mentally, it's been better.  I've been able to focus on the fact that, hopefully, I won't have to go through these post-chemo days again.  The Sunday and Monday afterwards are the hardest and I'm through with them!  And each day is one day closer to the end of this.

One other thing that's really helped me is that on Friday, I shipped those cold caps back to the company!  I love them for helping me keep my hair but I couldn't stand to look at them any longer!

I've struggled with stomach problems throughout... not nausea; just an irritated, angry stomach.  It comes and goes, but it's one of the toughest parts for me.  I'm thankful there hasn't been much nausea... I know some people really struggle.  I'm still having the stomach problems but hopefully it will get better.  One thing it does do is keep me from wanting to drink alcohol.  I thought I might want a drink or two after chemo was all done, but I have absolutely NO desire whatsoever.  My liver is probably thanking me though.  It is still recovering.

I know there are still a lot of steps left in my treatment plan but I feel one step closer each day!

Taste buds

I think we all take our taste buds for granted. I know I used to... but now, oh how I wish my taste buds were fully functional.  I used to not think twice about if things tasted "right."  Hopefully they recover soon.  It's hard to explain what the problem is but things just taste off.  Water, especially, tastes weird.  After my past chemo sessions, things usually start to improve right about 3 weeks out.  Hoping that that's the case this time too.

Thinking about taste buds reminds me of this class activity that I did when I was in elementary school.  We were learning about sense of taste.  We had to taste 4 different items:  pretzel (salty), marshmallow (sweet), lemon (sour), and orange peel (bitter).  When I'm eating and missing my sense of taste, I think about this and tell myself that I WILL taste normally again.

Drip, drip, drip

Chemo #4 has started.  Sitting here with Andy and Abigail.  Drug #1 is complete and we’ve started the cold caps.  Have to wear them 1 hour before the hair-loss chemo starts, all during chemo, and 3 hours afterwards.

One thing I’ve done for all 4 Chemo rounds is to wear the exact same outfit and same jewelry.  One of my survivor/warrior friends gave me the idea.  Bracelets courtesy of J.T., Norma, and Maile.

Pins courtesy of Norma, Grandma Jane, and Jill.

Doctor's update

I have chemo #4 tomorrow (Thursday) so I thought this would be as good a time as any to do a little medical update.  I had a mammogram on Monday to check the progress of how well the chemo is working.  Great news- it's working very well and has shrunk the tumor to the point that the radiologist can't see any evidence of it.  Yay!

I had an oncology appointment yesterday and he outlined the rest of my treatment going forward.  After tomorrrow's chemo (the last of the "harsh" variety- 4 meds: Taxotere, Carboplatijn, Herceptin, and Perjeta), any infusions I receive will be shorter and have relatively little side effects.  I will also not need to do the chemo cold caps anymore.  That will be awesome!  My next infusion (not technically chemo) will be on August 16.  It will be targeting/blocking the HER2 receptors.  I won't go into too many details but HER2 is essentially a type of hormone that my cancer tested positive for.  I will have to do at least 12 of these infusions, every 3 weeks.

I will have lumpectomy surgery on July 30, which should be an outpatient procedure.  At some point in the next few weeks I will have a consultation appointment with the radiation oncology department.  I will have to do 4-6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week.

In about 3 weeks, I have to start a prescription called an arotamase inhibitor and will have to take it for 5-10 years.  This helps prevent recurrence from happening by blocking estrogen that would make cancer grow.  In addition to the arotamase inhibitor, I have to get an ovary suppression injection every 3 months- menopause here I come!  Can't wait for that... <insert eyeroll>.  I also have to get an injection every 6 months to prevent osteoporosis, which is apparently a side effect of this whole cocktail.

That's probably more than you ever wanted to know about breast cancer treatment...  questions?  Let me know.  I'm glad to answer them, especially if it helps someone else who may go through this.

Hair report

Yes I still have my hair!  There's this look people get on their faces when they know I'm going through chemo treatments but they haven't seen me in awhile... I can see the question running through their minds, "why does she still have hair?! Shouldn't she be bald by now?"  The answer is, yes, I probably should be bald.  But I've found a magic weapon against hair loss, at least on my head. 

Some people may not know that I'm using the chemo cold caps.  Not everyone knows about that.  I've talked to at least 3 people in the medical field that haven't heard of them.  It is a somewhat new option in the US, recently approved by the FDA.  They've been available in Europe for 30 years or more.  Guess we're a little behind the times here in the good ol' USA.   I'm happy to report that the cold caps are working really well.  

This picture was taken today (after 3 rounds of chemo) so you can see that I still have my hair.  My lower eyelashes and eyebrows have thinned a little but I still have them.  As far as the hair on the rest of my body, I don't have to shave which is a little silver lining you could say.  I can only wash my hair once a week which is tough.  I re-defined what I used to consider a "bad hair day."  I wear my hair pulled back a lot because it's easier.  But I'm very grateful to have my hair still.  We all know how you look affects how you feel.  

I hope more people try the cold caps.  It's catching on slowly.  If you know anyone who's on the fence about it, I'd love to share my experience with them. 

Travel bug

As I go through these treatments, I can't stop thinking about all the places that I want to travel to.  I've always loved to travel, but lately, I think of a different place that I want to go, almost daily.  Sometimes the ideas come to me randomly... sometimes it's from a picture I see on Facebook... sometimes it's from a book that I'm reading... sometimes it's from a suggestion on Pinterest.... some of these places I've been before and want to return to.

So far I've come up with (in no particular order):

Paris
Italy
The Carolinas
Eastern U.S. to see the fall colors
Cabo San Lucas
Philippines
Hong Kong
Las Vegas
Seattle
New York City
New Orleans

And I'm sure my list will continue to grow...

Lifelong friends

Andy and I got married almost 20 years ago and these 6 ladies were my bridesmaids (and flowergirl, Brooke).  It's easy to get busy with our own lives and lose touch sometimes.  But I'm so thankful that ALL of these ladies have reached out in different ways, and helped me so much since my diagnosis.  They've all been so encouraging and supportive-- I'm so happy to have them all in my life!

I feel honored

I received this in the mail a couple days ago.  A contribution was made in my honor to the local Breast and GYN Health Project.  I feel so honored and appreciative to the Tomasini family.  This project does a lot in our area for people going through treatments.  They have resources available and support groups, etc.  It's such an amazing feeling to be part of the good that this Project does for our area.

J.T.'s 8th grade graduation

One of my goals when scheduling my treatments was to make sure I didn't miss out on any of the kids' end of school year activities.  J.T.'s 8th grade graduation was the final activity of the school year and that makes me happy.  Here's a couple pictures....

This is real

Most people that know me well, know that I'm about as "real" as it gets.  This is a real post about how it feels to have breast cancer and go through chemo.  I try to keep up my positive attitude 99% of the time, but today, this is real... and definitely not so positive.  I absolutely hate complaining because, really, what good does it do.  However, my very wise bestie reminded me that sometimes you just need to get it out.  She's right- sometimes you need to just feel the feelings, vent and get it out so you can move on.  So that's what I'm going to do.

I haven't posted lately and I realized why this morning.  I had chemo #3 on Thursday (4 days ago) and I haven't felt good the past couple days.  Not only haven't I felt good, but I've been struggling mentally.  Maybe that's a tougher struggle.  I've been angry and frustrated that I feel icky.  I have been a little pissed that I have breast cancer and have to go through this.  I'm upset I spent Mothers Day in the hospital and missed celebrating Fathers Day.  I'm bummed I glazed through graduations and safe and sober.  I barely remember them.  I didn't get to feel the emotions that I wanted to feel.  I didn't get to enjoy it like I wanted.  I hope I didn't cheat my kids out of these milestones by not experiencing them.

Breast cancer sucks.  Chemo sucks worse.  I know we've made some huge progress with my treatment, but I'm tired of it.  I'm tired of the lack of energy.  I'm tired of my house being a disaster.  I'm tired of not feeling in control of my life.  I'm really tired of food not tasting like it's supposed to.  I'm tired of this stomachache that is ever-present.

Ok vent over.

Hair washing day!

Today is hair washing day!  Always is a nice feeling to wash my hair on Sundays.  I used to be a daily hair washer and took for granted being able to do that.  Since I'm doing the chemo cold cap to avoid or minimize hair loss, I have to be VERY gentle with my hair.  I only wash it once a week now.  I have to use a super gentle shampoo.  I've never used a brush on it so that hasn't changed.  I comb it with a wide tooth comb after washing, but the rest of the time just use my hands to (try to) keep it under control.  I'm not supposed to use any heat styling products (but I cheat a little and use a flat iron on my bangs).  I try not to use much in the way of styling products except for spray-in or leave-in conditioner.

After 2 chemo treatments, I should've lost most or all of it by now. The cold cap seems to be working and I'm happy about that.  It wasn't that bad, but it's quite a regimen. 

I have to wear it for an hour before chemo, all during, and 3 hours after.... and it is COLD.  It's supposed to be about -32 to -35 degrees (yes, I said negative).  We have to switch it every 30 minutes to a new one. Usually right around the time, my head gets used to the cold temperature, it's time to switch to a new one. The kit comes with 6 caps so we keep rotating them.  We keep them in dry ice during chemo to keep them super cold.  Only 2 more chemo treatments with the cold caps!

Graduation day!

Big day yesterday for Abigail and our family.  Since my last chemo, I've been worried about how I'd feel for graduation day.  Good news- I felt really good, considering.  I was very surprised and honored that Abigail added a pink breast cancer ribbon to her grad cap decorations. 

We are so proud of everything Abigail has accomplished during her 4 years at Fortuna High.  Now, onto Cal Poly, SLO....