Feeling Better Friday! Praising my Jesus ....

I am going to call yesterday (Thursday) my turn-around day.  While I was still fatigued I moved more, walking outside and around the house, and was able to eat better.  The first meal of the day was a Breakfast Jack from Jack-in-the-Box, mid morning snack was a Cup of Noodles ... at 1:00pm I ate a whole personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.  Dinner was chicken with honey batter (from Sam's), Asian Salad with some of my home grown Chinese cabbage, spinach and bib lettuce in it, fresh tomatoes and avocados.  It was delicious.  I love eating healthy.  Praising the Lord for my appetite return and I know soon that the thrush will diminish and I will be able to taste more of my food.

I have reached two milestones this week.  The first being my sixth and last round of chemo.  I am so thankful for this milestone.  I know there are survivor sisters out there who have experienced much worse side effects than I and I pray for them.  I am so thankful this part of my journey is over.   The second milestone I reached this week is getting rid of the medication calendars.  For every month I have taken chemo, I have had a calendar that annotates when to take what medication the day before, the day of and the days that follow chemo.  I get to file these calendars away with the previous calendars and put them behind me.
Praise the Lord.

 
Today would have been my Mother's birthday.  She passed away in September 1982, three weeks before my oldest daughter, Alicia, was born.  Mother got to meet one of her grandchildren, my oldest nephew, Justin, when he was 11 days old but was unable to hold on to meet Alicia who was born the first part of October 1982.  I know Mother would have been the best-est Grandmother ever.   Lung cancer took her life so I preach ... if you are a smoker, give it up.  She was only 55 years old.

Happy Birthday Mother!
We all love you.

Today I share a Grammy moment.  God has blessed me in so many areas of my life and being a Grammy is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Grammy love is totally different than Mommy love ... if you are a Grammy, you know what I am talking about.  Yesterday I was able to hold my grand daughter, Madelyn, as she finished a late afternoon short nap.  My grandbabies are up and about and walking and talking (their own language) so getting to cuddle doesn't happen often for me.  I was blessed for just a few minutes as she finished her little nap and it was time for supper.

No make up and red flushed face, this
is the natural look for a few days after
the chemo.  

Today ... I leave with the following scripture ....
Psalm 28:7 ... The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me.   My heart leaps with joy, and with my song I praise Him.

I am blessed and I pray many blessings shower down on you today.

genam44@charter.net

Crash and Burn Day ... The Final Episode

Wednesday was crash and burn day again.  I pray to my sweet Jesus that I never have to experience another crash and burn day.  These days have generally been the day after my Neulasta shot which is also the day after the last day of the steroids.  I am not sure there are words to describe how bad I feel on these days.  Praising my sweet Jesus this morning and knowing that there are better days ahead.

Thank you for your continued prayers, love and support.  I am asking this morning that you pray every day for the lady who was at the Center on Monday who was taking her first 5-6 hour round of chemo after finding out she has lung, liver and throat cancer.  She has been on my heart since Monday.

I received the below little story below from a friend.  It's a reminder of how we look at things.  Father, I pray that I see the clarity of all that you would have me see.  Don't allow the 'dirty windows' get in the way of your full clear view.

The Window From Which We Look ...

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

So blessed and praying blessings for you today.

genam44@charter.net

Mr. Magoo ... Remember Him?

Sunday afternoon my sister and I headed out to Kohl's to spend my birthday money and use her 30% off coupon.  Pots and pans were the main items we were going for ... 30% off a set of Calphalon pans is a pretty big savings.  I needed to drive my Highlander (my Highlander is not getting much drive time some weeks).  It was sunny beautiful afternoon and I put my Vera Wang sunglasses on that I really don't like because they are too tight and I took my head covering off which I do all the time.  My sister looked at me and said ... I don't mean to hurt your feelings or anything but do you remember the Mr. Magoo cartoon?  Well yea I sure do... I said.  She said you remind me of him when you don't have a head covering on and your sunglasses on.  We got such a laugh.  Of course Mr. Magoo didn't wear sunglasses but he wore glasses.  So here I am impersonating Mr. Magoo ...

We got to Kohl's and of course I had to do a little shirt/blouse shopping.  And SCORE ... I found some really cute T-shirts and some cowl neck blouses.  So after several try on's and deciding on eight tops, I was ready to go look at pots and pans.  I decided on the 10 piece Calphalon pan set with the glass lids.  Now pots and pans may not excite you but I haven't had a new set of pots and pans since 1979 when I got married.  Oh yea, I've added a piece here and there but not a whole set.  These are currently residing in the closet until I feel like getting them out and washing and finding a place to put them.

Report from yesterday ... I rested ... literally laying all morning on the couch.  My eating is a little off ... expected ... so it was primarily a carb day for me.  I have to try to incorporate some protein in my diet today.  My ankles and legs are back to ankles and legs and not tree limbs.  The swelling has gone down in my eyes and my tummy as well.  The Lasix has really helped with all this.  My weight is down 6.6 pounds and most of that was unneeded fluid.   I got my last Neulasta shot last night that builds my white blood cells up.  I don't know who dreads this shot more ... my sister who gives it to me or me who is getting it.  Actually I think my sister dreads it more.  It's only a  one cc shot but if it goes in just a nano second to fast, it burns like the devil and I whimper and it just tears her up.  But it is done and I know if I have the flu like symptoms how to treat those ... Claritin allergy medicine.  I was able late yesterday afternoon to get out in the sunshine and breath in some fresh air.  I pulled some of the dreaded weeds and then I was worn out.  My mind has the want to but my body says ... hold on sister.  So I do.  See, I am listening to my precious Jesus.

Yesterday morning the most beautiful flowers were delivered from my precious friend, Camille.  The card read ...  Hooray!  You Made It To the Finish Line!  Love  You Bunches, Camille.  They are absolute beautiful.   Words do not seem to enough ... Thank you sweet friend.

I have had a couple biscuits this morning and a cup of coffee which to tell you the truth is not really doing it for me this morning.  Part of this is the chemo and the other part is the thrush.  Nothing tastes really good ... apple juice was the best thing yesterday and quenched my thirst pretty well and I always have a glass of ice water with me.

So many praises and so much to be thankful for today.  Jesus continues to hold me in His precious arms and carries me on the days that I just can't make it on my own.  I just cannot fathom walking through this life and not knowing His all enduring love.

I slept really good last night, Praise the Lord.  I always wake about 4:00am and get up about 5:00ish and right now I feel the need to lay back down in bed.  I'm listening Jesus, I'm listening.  Wednesday has proven to be my somewhat 'crash' day.  The steroids stop on Tuesday and I think that has something to do with the crash as well as the shot.

Thank you for your continued support and reading my blog.  It means so much to me and I pray that you share with those who may be in need or even if not in need.  My purpose of the blog was to Praise Jesus and educate as many as possible on this dreaded disease and my walk through the treatments.

Blessed and praying many blessings on you today.

genam44@charter.net

Emotions Ran High Yesterday

The end of the chemo journey proved very emotional for me yesterday.  I cannot explain it, I could not control it, it just happened.  My tears started early morning while talking to my sister on her way to work and continued on for the remainder of the day.  I am very thankful this part of my journey is complete.  I took as many pictures as possible yesterday while at the Center.  I wanted to share the faces of the many wonderful medical staff who have shared with me their expertise, their compassion, their support on this journey.

Above:  Early morning, the steroids cause the flushed face.
No makeup at the time of this picture and I didn't
need cheek color when I put my make up on.

Above:  Our new blood draw lady, Lucille.
She's been at the Center for a week and she is
such  a blessing.

Above:  Kim, she was our blood draw lady
and is now manning the check in desk in the
chemo room.  Such a blessing.  

Above:  The area I was in early yesterday
morning, the chairs filled up within an hour.

Above:  Another view looking toward
the nurses desk.

Above:  The nurses desk.

 

Above: Leigh, my chemo nurse yesterday.
Such a sweet heart.

Above:  Face still flushed.  I have had my
Aloxi, anti-nausea med and the Bendaryl
Eyes got heavy but I never slept.

Above:  Silhouette of my last IV pole.

Above:  My first drug administered was the
Adriamycin aka Red Devil.  This drug takes
10 minutes to flow.  They give it first so that
it flushes out of your kidneys quicker.

Above:  The next drug administered is the Taxotere.
This is a block of ice in a little pillow case that I hold my
fingertips on while getting this drug to keep the blood flow
stopped to my fingertips.  Taxotere can cause your nail beds
to turn black and your nails to fall off.  

Above:  A special treat yesterday.  The Center has
a massage therapist.  She came in the chemo room
and walked right to me and ask me if I would like to have
a foot massage.  I had just been talking about her with my
chemo neighbor and then she shows up.  Her name is
Sandra and she was so awesome to talk to and she is a
survivor of cancer.  She was such a blessing.

Above:  Amber is one of the chemo nurses
and she gave me a shirt that each nurse had signed
with best wishes, a coffee mug that reads
Celebrate Life and a lapel pin that reads the same.
I am so blessed that these ladies have been in
my life.  

Above:  And they let me talk and express my sincere
appreciation for all they have done for me.  

Above:  And talk .... 

Above:  And talk .... 

Above:  And talk ... Stephanie, another nurse
joined us.  

Above:  And I cried sharing my love for each and
every one of them.  

Above:  On my way out, I got a quick picture with
Cindy.  Cindy gives me my blood count results weekly.
She is another big blessing in my life.

These are just some of the incredible women who work in the chemo room.  I cannot begin to express my sincere appreciation for their love, concern, support, and expertise.  These are very special ladies who do not just have a job, they have a heart for caring for us, the cancer patient.  They make you feel like you are the only person they are caring for while you are there but indeed they are taking care of so many patients at once during the day.  If you ladies at the Center are reading my blog .... I truly appreciate you for who you are and all the many ways you have blessed my life.

When Alverna and I left the Center yesterday, we decided to have lunch ... it was 1:00pm so we figured the lunch rush was over so a quick trip by Mi Pueblos and some cheese enchiladas and hot sauce and chips hit the spot.  Then on to Petsmart to get Tootie some food and treats.  On to Callaway's for hyacinth bean seeds that was a must for me to have.  Both of the last stops were quick and we were home by 2:30pm.  I was in bed by 2:45pm and slept until 4:45pm.  When I got up, Alicia and Madelyn and I headed outside to plant my flower seeds and my tomato and pepper plants.  Poor Alicia and Madelyn came in with either stopped up noses and runny noses.  I felt bad that their allergies had kicked up in such a short amount of time.  After that I was exhausted and didn't really do anything the remainder of the evening.  Fought a few waves of nausea and finally was able to eat some more chicken salad with dry toast.  After a good shower and laying down on the couch to sleep, I was on my way to bed at 8:45pm.

By 2:35am this morning, the thrush in my mouth had returned.  I was hungry at that time so it was a good time for a bowl of Life cereal.  I had been awake since 12:35am and finally decided I was hungry enough to get up and have the cereal.  I finally went back to sleep and slept until 4:00am.  Today is  my last day on the steroids so sleep should be back to normal by tomorrow night.

Today I will see how things go with the energy.  I have now lost 3.6 pounds of the fluid and I am so thankful for the Lasix.  The swelling has definitely decreased in my legs and feet and my tummy area.  I am working on my core body frame, like holding in my tummy because my lower back is having some stiffness and I do not need back issues.

Praises:
*  An awesome final chemo round surrounded by people who I know care about me for me,
Gena Morrison and not just a number.
*  So thankful for my friend, Alverna, who has known exactly what I need during my treatments.  She puts up with me telling her ... wash your hands, don't touch the top of my cup, will you get me a donut and heat it about six seconds.  She just knows what to do.  She even lets me tell her how to drive ... change lanes, why are you putting on your brakes ... the light is green.  LOL  Alverna, you are a true jewel and I love and appreciate you more than you know.
*  The sweetest family ever as they all loved me and supported during the chemo treatments and offered me additional support and congratulations on my final round of chemo.
*  The last treatment of chemo is over.  Thank you sweet Jesus for walking with me and most times carrying me on this leg of my journey.

Prayer Request:
*  A new patient was taking her first chemo treatment yesterday.  Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with lung, liver and throat cancer.  I do not know her name, Jesus does, but please put this very distraught woman on your prayer list.  Alverna and I both shared that we would pray for her and have our prayer warriors out there praying.
*  All those such as this lady who are being diagnosed with cancer and/or taking their first chemo treatments.  It's scarey because there is so many unknowns.  I pray for their strength through Jesus.

Thank you sweet friends for your support and love as I continue to walk this journey.  I am blessed to have you on my journey with me ... you mean so much.  Being diagnosed with cancer has changed my life ... I will never have the life that I had prior to my diagnosis on September 15, 2011, and to tell you the truth, I don't want that life.  I have found a much deeper love and understanding of my precious Jesus and I am most thankful for this.  In my old life, I was a Type A personality, allowed things to bother me that never should have.  I have learned to live in the moment as instructed my Jesus.  I do not look at tomorrow, I live for this very moment.  If things do not get done today, they will get done in a day or two (unless it's trash day and it always gets done <smile>).  I would have missed the blessings of meeting all the incredible people who have been placed in my life unless I was on this journey.  Yes, my breast cancer diagnosis changed my life in many many ways.

Blessed and praying for many blessings to pass your way today.


genam44@charter.net

IT'S SHOWTIME - My Final Round of Chemo ...

NOTE:  IT'S SHOWTIME comes from my brother, Marvin.  Every time that he has had a medical procedure and the nurses came to take him in, he would say It's Showtime.  When they were ready to wheel me in for my mastectomy, he bent down and said ...  It's Showtime, gave me a hug and kiss and walked off with tears in his eyes.  I give my little brother all the credit for the title.  I am posting this blog post starting at 2:31am while eating chicken salad (a little oniony for 2:30am) on toast and cheesy chicken enchilada dip.  We had broccoli cheese soup that my sister made for dinner.  It was delish but after laying awake for an hour, I got hungry.   I have been awake (thank you steroids) for over an hour.  Tossing, turning, thinking, praying, tossing turning, thinking praying ... tears flowing down my face as I reflect on the last few months.  So please read on as .....
IT'S SHOWTIME!

Cast -
My sweet Jesus -  the most important 
My family -
Alverna - my friend, my taxi, my cook, my grocery shopper, and much more
My medical team at the Center -
The many brave women who God has put in my path -
My friends and co-workers -
Me -

The chemo show began on November 28, 2011 will end today, March 12, 2012.  It has not been a long running production but it has been eventful.  I have never been alone during this time as my sweet Jesus has held my hand, walked beside me and so many times He has carried me when I did not feel I could go on.  He promises that He will never leave us and He hasn't left me for one nano second.  I give Him all the praise for holding me and allowing me to cry on His shoulder when the tough times hit.  Words seems so little coming from me for all that He has done.  My praises go out to You, sweet Jesus.

My family has been with me and rejoiced with me during the good times and suffered with me during the bad times.  They have supported me with words, tears, their love, and most of all being here to listen to me when the times were tough.  They have gone way beyond the call of family as I hit the lows and celebrated the highs and yet they still love me and have supported me through this production/journey of chemo.  They have cried with me and cried silently I know during this time.  I know they celebrate with me today as the show/chemo journey began and ends.  All my love and my many many thanks go out to you all.

My sweet friend, Alverna, who has traveled the chemo road with me.  She has taken me to appointments with doctors, she has taken me to my chemo treatments and sat beside me for support, gotten me food and drink as I needed it, she has watched me sleep during the beginning of the round of chemo after the Benadryl was injected.  She has laughed with me and cried with me along the way.  Her role in this production/journey has been priceless and again words seem so little for all she has done.  Thank you sweet friend for being with me as we traveled this road.

My medical team at the Center is priceless.  If this show had a budget, they would need it all.  The doctors, the nurses, pharmacy ladies, nurse navigator, the many volunteers have always greeted me with a smile on their face and allowed me to be leading lady while they cared for me.  They have all listened and answered my questions to the greatest extent possible.  They have guided me through fatigue, constipation, thrush, mouth sores, and much more and all the while they have all treated me as a person while doing it all.  I never have felt like a number (so to speak) to any of them.  Many thanks and great appreciation to you all you  for your support, guidance, help and treat the people in the cancer treatment show.  These folks included myself, we didn't ask for the role but you all have made us feel truly like leading men and women.

I have met so many brave women who have share their incredible stories/journeys with me during this time.  I have gained great insight as to what they have gone through and are still going through.  These friendships are priceless.  Can I tell you I know all their names ... no, but Jesus knows their names and that's what really matters.  We greet each other with smiles and we find out what is going on in each others lives and treatments.  We embrace as if long time friends and we love each other.  Thank you sweet friends for all you have brought to my life.

My friends and co-workers have provided so much support and love during this time.  The beautiful cards, letters, emails, phone calls, text messages, flowers and gifts have all been so appreciated.  You have loved me and held me close, prayed for me and shared some much needed scripture (thank you G).  I have felt so loved and cared for during the good and the bad times.  You have allowed me to cry on your shoulder, rejoiced with me when all was well ...  Thank you sweet friends and co-workers.

As for me, I am not a leading lady, I am way at the bottom of the cast.  I started the role of chemo patient in November 2011, not knowing what to expect, apprehensive as to what would happen and a fear of the unknown.  My role has been small compared to all the people I write about above.  I have lived the role of chemo patient and I Praise my God for allowing me the privilege of being able to write about His awesome love and all He has done for me in this blog.  He has brought many people in to my life and I am so very thankful.  Today IT'S SHOWTIME ... the final round of chemo.  I am thankful for that and I pray that I get through it with flying colors and I know I will.  I can never go wrong with having my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ right beside me.  Thank you sweet Jesus.

So here's a synopsis of the much support I have had during this show ... this incredible journey.  I am thankful for this time in my life, it has brought such a reality check in to my life.  I never ever want any of my family or friends to experience this show/this journey but please know if you do, I am here for you.  I will be part of your supporting cast every step of the way.  Chemo is not easy but it is worth it.

I think I will go back to bed, it's 3:40am.  I am thankful that the steroids woke me up and wouldn't let me sleep.  I needed to write this blog, I needed to publicly thank my Jesus for all He has done and I have the assurance that He will continue with me for He says ... I will never forsake you.  Thank you Jesus.   And you all ... you, my earthly supporting cast/family/friends  ... thank you.  I look forward to moving on after the chemo and sharing with you as I journey in to the radiation phase of the show/journey.  Take a bow and reach around and give yourself a pat on the back ... you deserve it.  

I sing once again .....

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
   Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
   Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
   Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
   • Refrain:
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long;
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
   Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
   Angels, descending, bring from above
   Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
   I in my Savior am happy and blest,
   Watching and waiting, looking above,
   Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

I am BLESSED!  I pray for many blessings to pass your way today ... this day that I say .....

IT'S SHOWTIME!

Much love to you all and may God's grace be upon you.

genam44@charter.net

On The Road to Chemo Round 6

It's Sunday morning and the first two steroids have been taken to get ready for the chemo, along with the Nexium and Lasix.  The Lasix is working, I was down almost a pound this morning.  I could almost see my ankles last night and my calves were not twice as big as normal like they had been.  My eye lids were not as swollen either.  I am Praising my sweet Jesus for this Lasix.

Last night we got together at Red Lobster for a really good birthday dinner for me.  We went early because I wanted to beat the crowd and my two little grandbabies who like to eat about 5:30pm each evening.  It worked out perfect.  I had crab legs which I had been craving and I could taste them and the drawn butter that I dipped each morsel of goodness in.  The salad was absolutely scrumptious and the baked potato was delish.  I snapped a few pictures before the eating began ....

Above:  Trying to get a decent picture
before dinner.

Above:  Me again ... 

Above:  Little blurry pic of Braxton.

Above:  Friend Anna and Pat, my sister.

Above:  Alicia and Madelyn.

Above:  Bonnie and Buddy.  

It was fun, the timing was perfect for our family dinner because the restaurant got extremely busy.  Early dinners are perfect.  Oh and I got the cutest gift from Anna.  A Home Depot work apron and a gift card.  Everyone knows I love Home Depot.  My girls and sister pooled their money and gave me that because recently I had mentioned I would like a new set of pots and pans since the last new set I had was from 1979 when I got married.  The skillet is something I still use alot and you can tell.

For the first time in five months, I rocked my grand daughter to sleep last night.  After my surgery it was almost impossible to even hold the babies but Praising the Lord as to how far I've come.

I better get going around here this morning.  I know the steroids will kick in momentarily and I'll be a cleaning machine.  With the time change and my wakeful period about 3:30am, I slept all the way to 6:30am this morning.  I feel pretty rested.  Early chemo appointment tomorrow since the blood work and doctor visit was done on Friday.  I'll try to get there a little early ... appointment is at 9:00am.  Early means I can possibly get hooked up and be out before lunch.

Praises:
*  My beautiful wonderful family.
*  My sweet friend, Anna, who came and had dinner with us.
*  The generosity of family and friends.
*  The Lasix working on this fluid build up in my body.
*  Actually all the meds that are helping me get through this time.
*  Healthy grand babies.
*  Feeling good this morning
*  And so much more ...

Prayer Request:
*  The family who I know from the Center who is headed to Hawaii this week for spring break.  The Mom is battling breast cancer for the second time.
*  All of those who will begin their treatment journey this coming week.  They need our prayers.
*  All of those who will find out this week they have a cancer.
*  My last round of chemo and the days that follow.  Thank you for this prayer.

Blessed and praying many blessings for you today.

genam44@charter.net

Little of this and that!

First, I want to say that when I share the issues I'm having I am not complaining, it's for information for those who might be reading my blog and perhaps like me ... not sure what to expect.  I have always been a healthy person until I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The worst thing that I can remember happening to me was having pneumonia when I was in elementary school and my temperature was 105 and I was hallucinating.  Other than that, I have been a pretty healthy person... thankfully.  So when I talk about my issues on here, it not complaining, it is more to make folks aware that being diagnosed, going through chemo and radiation can take a toll on one's body and help those who might be walking the journey I am walking.  If you are one of those ... We are SURVIVORS!

Yesterday I had my appointment for another blood check and my appointment with my Oncologist, Dr. Y.  I was excited to see that my red blood count was up to 10, I'm still considered anemic (no one ever told me that) because the good range for red blood count is 12.  I will keep eating the raisins in my oatmeal and see if I can keep those little red counts continuing on the rise.  When I started chemo, my red count was 14.  Dr. Y cleared me for my chemo on Monday.

Things I learned yesterday from Dr. Y, my Oncologist -
*  Taxotere chemo drug is the cause of my eyes being dysfunctional in the tear department.  She wants me to use the prescription drops twice a day AND regular tear drops (nothing that takes the red out) to flush my eyes out several times a day.  This is to wash the Taxotere chemo drug out of my eyes.
*  Taxotere is causing all my water retention.  My legs were extremely swollen when she saw me yesterday.  She has now put me on Lasix and potassium.  Lasix to get rid of the extra fluid and potassium because it goes when you get rid of the extra fluid.  I have gained so much water weight that I went from size 4 jeans to size 6 in one week.
*  Taxotere is the cause of all the heartburn too.
*  It is not the chemo that causes the constipation, it is the anti-nausea drugs.  I told her that no one ever told me that.  I guess it doesn't matter what causes it because it is going to happen.  She told me to start taking Miralax on Sunday (I'm starting today).  The constipation causes your body to retain fluid and nausea and goodness knows I do NOT need any more fluid retention or nausea.
*  I will have a bone density test to be used as a base line for when I begin the Aremidex drug after radiation.  Aremidex is one  of the drugs that is used to kill/eliminate all the estrogen in your body.  Breast cancer feeds on estrogen.  Evidently a side effect of this drug is bone weakening.
*  Dr. Y said I will not have another pet scan unless there were problems that appear in my blood checks since all my cancer was contained in my breasts.
*  I am a little confused on whether I continue to have the weekly blood checks or if I wait until three weeks after my final round for that.  I will find out more about this on Monday when I am at chemo.  I know that I will continue to have blood checks for a while.  The Center will get my appointments synchronized with my surgery date which was October 18, 2011.

*  I ask about when I could get my port out once I have finished my chemo.  She went in to telling me some doctors feel they should be kept in five years and some think they should be kept in for ten years.  If the port is left in, it must be flushed at least every six weeks.  That was option one.  I had to pick my jaw up off the floor because I know I heard her say early on in my journey that she doesn't like to leave the ports in any longer than necessary/needed.  Anyway ... she said if my blood counts are good, I can get my port out before I begin radiation.  Praise you sweet Jesus.  I told her how the port had bothered me all along, primarily mentally just knowing that the long tube goes in to my vena cava which takes the drugs right in to my heart.  She told me that the tube stops at the top of my heart which was new info for me, however, it didn't change my mental thoughts of where it is located.

Above:  This is what my port looks like. The center
(bluish spot) is soft and they access through that soft area
after first freezing my skin. 

Above:  The port is implanted on the right
side of my chest and the white tube runs
up under my collar bone and down
 into the superior vena cava vein. This is an
image I found ... this is not mine.

Above:  A - Port;  B - Catheter Tubing
C - Subclavian Vein;  D - Superior Vena Cava;
E - Pulmonary Vein;  F - Aorta;  G - Heart

Above:  This is the apparatus used to access
my port for blood draws and chemo.  The clear
part in the middle with the needle is what goes
in to the port through my skin and locks on to
the port.  On chemo days, they draw blood and
leave this in for me to have chemo without
being stuck again.  These are a blessing for chemo
patients.

Yesterday I left the Center with more knowledge about several things than when I went in.  I am so thankful for such a wonderful Oncologist who educates me and takes the time (no matter how long it takes) to talk to me.

I stopped at the pharmacy on my way out to get the six prescriptions that were ordered.  The Lasix and potassium, and phenagrin ointment for nausea are new.  She refilled the Diflucan (for the thrush), gave me a Nexium prescription to replace the Prilosec OTC, refilled the Zofran (nausea med).  All the meds are needed during this time in my life ... I still shake my head at the medicine bottles on my dresser that I need considering before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't take much of anything.

I hope today's post was educational for you and maybe gave you some insight of the port and how it all works.

I leave you today feeling blessed and thankful for my health and where I am currently at in my treatment.  Tomorrow I start the steroids to ready my body for Monday.  I ask for your prayers for this final chemo treatment and the days that follow.

Blessed and praying for many blessings on you today.


genam44@charter.net