10/27/2012

Hello! I'm feeling much better. As much as I hated the idea of taking more drugs, the antibiotics and shots definitely worked their magic and I'm grateful for that.  I haven't had a fever since Wednesday and my throat is getting better. I guess I just need to lay low and take it easy for awhile, which is kinda of a bummer...but I am trying to learn patience with this whole experience. I'll get my blood work on Thursday and see Dr. Thomas on Friday and hopefully everything will be good to go for chemo. One of my dearest and oldest friends, Carrie, is flying in for a visit on Thursday. She also happens to be a oncology nurse practitioner and has been my medical expert through everything. I am really looking forward to her visit. Violet and Leo are keeping us laughing and busy. I have also become obsessed with the show Homeland, so I can catch up on that. :) Just focused on staying healthy, staying positive, and moving forward....everyones' thoughts, prayers, concern, and support helps me do that...thank you.

10/24/2012

Just wanted to give an update on how things were going. Colleen had a good first week after chemo and didn't have any of the big problems with naseau she did the first time. However, this week she hasn't felt that good. After a couple of days with a sore throat and a low fever Dr. Thomas ordered a blood test and follow-up appointment today.  The blood tests revealed a very low white blood count.  Because Colleen is so susceptible to infections, and her throat showed signs of an infection, Dr Thomas ordered an IV of antibiotics and two oral antibiotics adding to the increasing total of medications.  Hopefully this regiment will knock out any concern and Dr. Thomas is confident they will do the job. Colleen also received a shot in her stomach to stimulate her bone marrow to increase white blood cell production.  She will receive a similar shot tomorrow.  Again, the very reassuring Dr. Thomas was confident her counts would be up in a couple of days.  The shots will now be part of the chemotherapy regiment. Colleen is doing okay and hopes the antibiotics will kick in and she'll be feeling better soon. We are very thankful for everyone's thoughts and prayers along with your cards, posts, and concerns. They keep our positivity and energy and reassure us how much love surround us.  Thank you.

10/16/2012

I had the second round of chemo on Friday and everything went really well. They gave me a new anti-nausea medication called Emend, which the nurse referred to as "the big guns". Plus, we adjusted some of my other medication and this time around has been so much better than the first. So that has been a huge relief! I still have some nausea, tiredness, and other side effects, but it is much more manageable. I had an appointment with Dr. Jones today, everything is looking good. He hopes to take out the last stitch from my incision next week and possibly start filling the expanders in November. I also had an appointment with Dr. Mammolito and everything looks good, my range of motion is great, and I don't have to see her again for four months, yay. The next round of chemo is scheduled for Nov 2nd, hopefully we'll be able to stay on schedule and be half way done!  Thank you for all of the prayers, thoughts, kindness, and love sent our way....it helps me know I will get through this and helps me stay strong.

10/11/2012

It's been a great few days for the most part. My appetite and taste came back, I have been getting some good walks in, my energy has been up, and the appointment with Dr. Jones went well. I only have one stitch left in the right incision and one little spot that is slowing healing, getting there. The left side is good, no stitches, no bandages, no band aids, just a normal scar, which is good! The only thing that has been tough is that my hair is gone. I got a pixie cut on last Wednesday because I was shedding everywhere. It was definitely not a cut I would have ever done before, but once I got used my hair does start to grow back, that I will look ok with short hair. By Sunday, it was really shedding and even though I still had a lot on my head, it was definitely coming out. So my wonderful mother-in-law (plus a little help from Leo ) shaved my head. It's been an adjustment and kind of tough because now I really look like I have cancer. However, it is somewhat of a relief that this thing I was so anxious about is over with. So now we are focusing on moving forward and getting ready for chemo tomorrow. Hopefully everything will be good to go and the side effects won't be so bad, but whatever happens I'll get through it.  We tremendously grateful for our family, our family's friends, our friends, people we don't even know who have been so amazingly supportive through their prayers, thoughts, words, and actions....THANK YOU!

10/1/2012

Hello! Just wanted to let everyone know I have been feeling so much better since last week. I feel almost back to normal and have really been able to enjoy the weekend and spend time with family and friends. I am a little more tired than usual and sometimes things have a weird taste, but my appetite is back and I am doing good. My next treatment is scheduled for Friday Oct. 12th. I'll have blood work the day before and hopefully everything will be good to go and I can get another round down and keep moving forward. I still have my hair and it's kinda weird to be just waiting for it to go, but I think I will be ready when it happens. I also see Dr. Jones on this Friday to check on the incisions. Thank you for keeping my family and I in your thoughts and prayers.