So, what's the plan?

I'm not sure if I've bothered to share the treatment details. I mentioned the other day that the plan would take us through the remainder of 2014. I also mentioned that it's best for me to break that plan down into pieces to make it more manageable...'cause it's a lot. As a result, I made myself a simple little chart so I could track the progress and celebrate the milestones. Then I thought, "Why not share it with our blog friends."  I KNOW you are currently excited beyond all belief...you're welcome.
So, here it is (I didn't dress this thing up much so don't judge)....

See, I told you I had a long way to go. Next I'll share the detailed information on my chemo drugs - you're gonna LOVE this!

Love to all, 

Andee

It's Friday and I have a date...

...to kill some germs!

Once again the LD has fallen prey to some crazy curse. Our children have only had the occasional ear infection and a brief stomach virus or two. Guess when we are "lucky" enough to be hit with STREP?! Yep, while Mommy falls in the class of "immuno-compromised" people. You just have to laugh! Well, it's not funny for Mattie who typically fights off everything. Just weird how things happen. As always, we are doing all we can to keep everyone healthy and JKL (just keep livin'). Mattie is on meds and receiving excellent care - she's just about back to normal (that means talking...a lot...no, all the time).  I'm masked and gloved and putting Lysol and Clorox on everything I can and taking the steam mop to everything else. 

I called the doc's office today just to be safe and the nurse told me I'd done all the right things so far and if I get symptoms get to urgent care and get some meds. No need to hit the antibiotics as a preventative.  That's a plus. 

Well, my dance music is playing to I'm going to get back to The LD Friday Night Dance/Cleaning Party. I'll be back later.

Love to all!

Andee

We made it!!

I'm so unbelievably proud of this little guy. 

And I can't leave out my princess! She starts Kindergarten in August - where does the time go????

                               

"Where's Andee?" and "If this is a test, am I passing?"

Where's Andee?

We live a pretty normal, average, maybe boring life and we LOVE IT.   I've never been a party person and have no regrets about that. That said, I'm now experiencing, what I think of, as a series of "Lost Weekends". Treatment has been quite different than what I expected.  Any nausea is kept in check by my meds but the fatigue is serious. I have treatment on Wednesday, go to sleep on Thursday and wake up on Monday. That is an oversimplification, of course, because I do wake up to walk and eat but I sleep A LOT!! So if you hear crickets on the blog every other Thursday through Monday, you know why.   And yes, it does totally mess with your perception of time. I'm sitting here thinking, I have my third treatment a week from today - didn't I just have my second one??

If this is a test, am I passing?

As you might expect, I have a spent some time pondering how a cancer diagnosis has impacted my life, my faith, my attitude, my family and what type of person I'll be when I come out on the other side. Deep, right? People have commented on my attitude - I'm not sure what to say to those comments. I am who I am. I'm not trying to be a certain way, it's just me. It takes very little effort...trust me. Anyway, I started to think about the whole situation and what my attitude COULD be. Let's review...

• Past challenges (we won't list them again)
• Cancer diagnosis
• Treatment plan that will span the remainder of 2014
• Missed a charity event that is very dear to me due to treatment
• Missed NICU reunion that was very important to me due to treatment
• Missed my baby girl's first dance class (and probably all remaining classes for the semester) due to treatment
• I'm all bruises, scars and defective human parts
• All the things that make me feminine are currently MIA - wait, I have eyelashes!!
• I lose 10 days out of every month to sleep due to treatment and burden my husband and family with picking up all the things I drop
• I have a horrible memory (thanks Chemo Brain!)
• I miss my work family and feeling like I contribute to a greater good

Wow - that sounds kinda grim yet, I'm still happy. What in the wide world of sports is wrong with me? I should be angry, bitter, ticked off, I deserve pity, sympathy...OH WOE IS ME! NOPE!  I see how you might think that but let's check the other side of the ledger, shall we...

• I'm vertical and breathing
• My husband, against all logic, hugs me, kisses me and tells me he loves me every single day. He carries on each day and doesn't complain that I'm defective nor does he treat me like a sick person (that's good because I ain't sick!!).  I could write a book about my love for this man, his strength and his love for his family...but I won't embarrass him...not today, anyway.
• Though I might have chosen an easier road to get there, I'm getting to spend time with my family that I would not otherwise have been able to.
• Though I'm missing out on things now, I believe that better things are to come and the sacrifices I'm making now will lead to even more amazing things next year!
• I honestly feel like I'm going to come out of this like Steve Austin....better, stronger, faster

• My self image will only be better. I can look at myself in the mirror without the "girls", no hair, and all scars and bruises and SMILE! This journey has already made me stronger. Watch out world - once I've been through this, I'll be even tougher. 
• I've heard through the grapevine that I've inspired other women to face their fears and do that self exam or get a mammogram. Seriously - what's not to love about that?!? You go girls!!!
• I hope my children gain something from this journey - you don't have to be a victim. There is always something which is under your control, in some cases it may only be your attitude. Take that control and LIVE!!
• I have a work family that is super supportive and will give me the opportunity to jump back in and contribute as soon as I am able. That means SOOOOOOO much!

So, other than the whole cancer thing, this is going to turn out to be a net gain for me. Who would have thought?

Love to all,

Andee

Hey Andee, why are you going to physical therapy?

Here's the scoop.  Since I had lymph nodes removed, I'm at risk of developing lymphedema. As a result, I was originally referred to PT to learn lymphatic massage to help reduce the risk of developing this particular side effect. (I'll do a dedicated post for more info on lymphedema).  After meeting with the physical therapist, she talked to me about a research study she was doing involving ASTYM treatment for scar tissue in mastectomy patients. Let me be the first to tell you, scar tissue sounds like no big deal but OOOOH it can be. Mine has been uncomfortable but I've heard horror stories of women who have had it much worse than I. My PT said that she worked with one woman who said that hers felt like someone had wrapped a band around her chest and tightened it. She had trouble breathing! In my situation, I had some bulky scar tissue (ugly!!) but also some uncomfortable adhesion in my left chest. I had some serious tightness in the tissue but the worst part was that when I lifted my arm, it felt like there was tissue pulling from my elbow to my rib - so when that arm was lifted, it felt like my rib was being tugged...I mean REALLY tugged. It was not a pleasant feeling. In some women, the scar tissue can cause significant pain and limit range of motion, etc. So when I was asked if I'd like to participate in the research study, I once again said YES! I'm thrilled to report that the treatment is going well and the results are FABULOUS! The tissue has loosened up nicely and my rib no longer feels like it's going to pop out of my chest. The bulky scar tissue is gradually getting smaller - which is a wonderful thing!

So what the heck is ASTYM, you ask? Here's a link to a clip about ASTYM for scar tissue in other areas of the body but the process is the same. I'm happy to report that the treatment could be uncomfortable in my surgery area but, thankfully, I'm still numb enough that it's nothing more than a little weird.  

http://www.astym.com/video/default.html

So, if you or someone you know has an issue with scar tissue (not just from mastectomy), I highly recommend that you seek out a provider who does ASTYM. Wonderful, wonderful stuff.

What is love?

Love is wearing the most uncomfortable hair option and smiling about it simply because my boy says he likes it.  Heck, I'd wear a wig of needles if it made him feel better.  

I'm awake...for the moment

Hello friends!

Yes, I'm still here. It's post-treatment weekend so that means sleep...lots and lots of sleep.  My waking hours have been spent moving around, eating a bit and staring at my gorgeous husband. Not a bad gig if you can get it. ;-)