The Road Ahead

Sorry that it's been a while. I figured I'd wait until I had some actual news to report. I have been doing well, feeling good, and getting more mobility back in my arms every days. I'm still not able to lift anything more than 5 pounds, but the good news is that I can get my arms above my head enough to wash my hair and wear something other than a zip up shirt!!!!! Getting it off is a little trickier. I am still overwhelmed by all of the help everyone one gives us. I can honestly say that this Thanksgiving I have learned what it is to give Thanks.

I had a battery of appointments on Wednesday which dominated the morning. Let's see... I filled out an online questionnaire on what I knew about treatments, watched a movie about treatments, filled out another questionnaire about what I learned about treatments, and then spoke with the director of the program about the questionnaires. Fun. Actually, it wasn't that bad. Then I had a PT appointment which was helpful. Then the really fun part started. We (Jason and I) had an appointment with the oncologist, which lasted about an hour and a half. He went over my history, did a brief exam, and then went over his ideas about a plan. SO, here's the plan:

I start with Chemo on Tuesday, December 9th. This is what he calls dose dense. The name: AC-Taxol. The A is Adriamycin, the C is Cyclophosphamide. These two are given to me via IV over 2 hours, every two weeks for 4 cycles (8 weeks). The Taxol comes next, being the following 8 weeks, an IV over 4 hours, every two weeks. So, my last one will be March 17, which he said will most likely be dyed green to celebrate St Patty's Day!

Jason and I were overwhelmed to say the least with the plethora (had to use that word) of "what you MAY feel". But it's a list of things that I may not feel either. I'm going with that option. Everyone handles it differently. The thing that chemo aims at doing is going for the cells in a persons body that divide fast. So these cells are cancer cells, but also the cells in your gut (intestinal tract) and hair follicle cells. So this would be the reason that you feel sick and you lose your hair. Yes, I'll be bald around Christmas time. I'm actually not that bothered by it. I really want to do EVERYTHING I can to get the best possible chance at this never being an issue again. And I decided that I'm going to tell Sadie like this: "You are NOT going to believe what this medicine is going to do to my hair!!!!!" The doc also talked about possibly feeling something called "chemo brain". I don't see any difference between this and " have two kids, work full time and try to behave like you sleep enough" brain, so that transition should be seamless.

If I don't need radiation (still up in the air), I'll be ready for the next phase of reconstruction in mid April. They may recommend the radiation because of my age (young) and because of the type of tumor it was (LVI). As I said the last time I wrote, that is a more aggressive one, so they may decide it's a good idea. Anyhow, this would begin after March 17th. If not, I go for the final implants in April, after a LONG WARM BEACHY vacation (hint hint Jason).

So, in a nut shell, I am doing well, a little overwhelmed, slightly wigged out, overall still as semi normal as ever. I am convinced (still) that I have the world's greatest husband, son, and daughter. Not to mention the rest of my incredible family here, in North Carolina, Maine, New York, Alabama, Mass, Florida, Connecticut, California, and friends across the globe! I love you all! Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Ash