May 26, 2005

Here are some photos from the little backyard "Done with chemo" party with my family. It was special to have my family to celebrate the event.

I know I've posted some photos of myself that most would not have published, cause I just look bare. But the photo of me and Greg below struck me. It was the first photo that I could see how sick I looked. It was the first time I looked at myself and thought, "Wow, you look like you have cancer. Duh! You really are sick" It was a weird moment for me.

Me (in my wig) and my sweet hubby

Me and my best (and only) sister, Charity

May 24, 2005

I'M DONE!!!!! :) Hooray!!!
Yesterday, May 23, was my last treatment! The even better news...I wasn't sick again! Treatment is so much tolerable when you don't have to get sick. The oncology staff was said they were willing to do whatever it takes for me to not to be sick. They said they would even do cartwheel if they knew it would help. Sure enough, they allow an hour to pass between my anti-nausea meds and the chemo meds. But no cartwheels followed! I am feeling great today.
The best part of the day was when I got to ring the "Finished with Chemo Bell" in the treatment room. Just as the onc. nurse Pam was removing the tubing from my port, I noticed that a lot of nurses and staff started gathering around the nurses station in the center of the room. I asked out loud in bewilderment, "What's going on?" I thought they were giving tours of the center. Pam smiled, and said, They are here for you!" What!? I was so humbled I wanted to cry. "They are here for me!" After I was unhooked, I jumped up, grabbed the bell, rang it, and yelled out loud, "I'm finished!!!" I was such a great moment! Everyone clapped and yelled. Even all of the other patients getting treatment clapped for me. I decided I wanted to do a little celebration dance, but because the drug effect my motor skills (I'm quite drugged up), I ended up doing this strange, spastic dance. I must of have looked hilarious! My mom took pictures and I gave everyone hugs and thanked them.
Thank you, everyone, who prayed me through chemo. Your prayers and kind acts have lifted me through some dark days. I truly have got to know my Lord better through this experience. Two full more weeks and I have rid my body of this yucky chemo (the yucky chemo that is saving my life:) !
I do have a date for my mastectomy.....Monday, June 27. The surgery will be about 7-8 hours because of reconstruction. I will then be in the hospital for 5 day while they make sure I'm healing well. I am then on "bed rest" for about a week. You have to come visit me while I'm up off my feet for two weeks. I like visitors!
Lots of love!!!!

Hallelujah, my last dose of Rum Punch!

So glad to have Mom was with me for my last round.

My oncological nurse team that got me through, with Stacy and Jim on the left.

May 20, 2005

Well, my simple snotty nose turned into a full blown cold a couple weeks ago. It was yucky, and I was miserable. Because my body does not heal well during this time, over two weeks later, I am still fighting the sniffles. I have a Kleenex box stuck to my hip! The good thing is it never turned into an infection, and I will still be able to have my last chemo treatment this Monday.
Yeah!!! LAST TREATMENT MONDAY, MAY 23rd!!!!!! I am SO excited! The onc. nurse said that they will allow me too stay longer in order to allow the anit-nausea meds to absorb better. I'm praying this will again keep me from getting sick. My mom is coming down from Indiana to join me for this last treatment. It's going to be great having here there. I keep joking that this might be my most "difficult" treatment to get through because once I get that infusion, I'm going to be like, "Okay, I'm done. On with my life!" The truth is, though, I will still have to fight the same side effects for the three weeks following. I'm hoping that knowing it will be the last time I have to deal with them, will help me get through them without too much complaint.
June will be my fun month. I get one month this summer to do all those things I normally do within the whole summer. I'm getting the calendar all filled up. I'm walking in two cancer benefits. The first weekend in June, I am walking in the Relay for Life. Always a fun night! On June 18, I get to join the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure. I get to wear a pink shirt! :) If anyone is interested in sponsoring me in either of these races, just drop me a check and I'll make sure I send you a receipt of donation.
Thank you again for all of your prayers. You all are very important to me! AB

May 5, 2005

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
I have praise and prayer!
First off, praise! I have not been sick at all this week! This past Monday, I had another dose of AC. I'll be honest, I was expecting the worst. I was not looking forward to it. Greg made sure he was there for me, because I really didn't want to do it. Me, of little faith, didn't realize that the Lord was paving His way for me.
That particular morning, the oncologist's office was basically overbooked for chemo seats. My normal 10:00 am appointment didn't start until noon. They gave me my saline and the anti-nausea meds, and there I sat for 1 1/2 hours. They didn't start my AC until 2:30 pm. Actually, the waiting was more difficult for Greg than me since he'd been up since 4:30 am that morning. My oncology nurse, Jim, said that they had run out of Cytotoxan, and was waiting for a delivery. THIS WAS A BLESSING! Greg and I believe the long wait enabled the anti-nausea meds to really take effect on my system. I have 3 real meals that day and that evening, I did normal stuff like take a walk and did a little laundry. I did take my home anti-nausea meds just in case, but I'm not really sure I needed them in the end. I have energy and feel great! I am so thankful!, I don't even know what to do with myself!! (Actually, this morning, I started making up songs about my cats! I am crazy! :) Thank you for your prayers!
Now for some prayer! While I am so overjoyed that I am not nauseous, I am a bit worried about a sinus cold I am getting. Please pray that my simple runny nose does not turn into a sinus infection. I am glad to say that my last CBC showed that my white blood cells are well in the normal range for fighting infection, but this coming week is when they dip to their lowest range during a round of treatment. I'll keep you updated with any changes in my snotty nose saga! :)
I also want to thank my sister Charity and my great friend Kathy for taking time out of their busy lives to help me on chemo days. They are both sisters of my heart! Love you, guys!

The photo of me to the right is of me in my full chemo glory. No hair, no eyebrows, no eyelashes (actually, I have two lashes left.:) I wanted all to see, because this is what chemo looks like. No drawn in eyebrows, heavy eyeliner or wig. Just funky, gray, pastey skin!

Adios, amigas! Alicia