Breast Cancer Survivor

Breast Cancer Survivor
"We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails"

Family photo November 2008

Family photo November 2008

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Chemo 3, not so good

Hey all,

Chemo 3 finally caught up to me. They told me that it will build up in my body and make me a little sicker each time. The first two weren't so bad but this one was tougher.

I went back to the exhaustion that I experienced with my first chemo last year along with worse nausea. I had to have extra medicine to control it this time. It took me about 7 days to get past it this time versus the 4-5 days the last two. I was having a hard time catching my breath and feeling woozy a lot. I'm better today, so far, it's Sunday (chemo was Monday).

Stevie came down on Christmas Day and was here for about 5 days. the boys didn't want Uncle Steve to go but he had to get back to work. Mom & Dad got here on Chemo day. All 3 of them went to chemo with me. Steve called after he got home and was pretty upset. He said "it's one thing when you're told your sister has breast cancer and you deal with it from afar, it's another thing when you sit in the Chemo room with her and see what's happening." I hate to make my loved ones feel bad, it pains me. It's so routine for me now that I laugh and joke and help other patients while I'm there. It's as if I'm not going through it too. I'm not in denial, I know I am, I guess it's just my coping mechanism.

Mom & Dad have been here for a week. The boys have had a blast. Will's going to cry tomorrow when they leave. They've been a great help as always.

Love,
E

2 comments:

christina said...

I am sorry #3 has been crappy but I am happy that you have been surrounded by family to help support you. I hope you are able to have some quality time with your kids before your next round, I am thinking of you as always and wish I could be with you. Take care of yourself, love you.

Christina

Katie said...

Glad you made it over the hump of #3 and are feeling better. Take care of yourself, enjoy the boys and keep focusing on how 2009 is going to be a much better year!

Hugs from Maine,

Katie

How it all began......

Welcome to my website! This site was created by my wonderful friend Angela to keep everyone I love updated on my “Journey” beating Breast Cancer.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on December 19, 2007 @ 4:30 in the afternoon. It was quite possibly the worst phone call I’ve ever received. The doctors kept telling me that I was “too young”… it’s probably just a cyst or a fibroid (benign tumor). So, I had convinced myself of the same. Imagine my shock and fear when the doctor said “I hate to tell you this, but it IS cancer.”

I didn’t really know how to react. At first I cried a little. Then, I was ok. Then cried some more, then, ok. It wasn’t until I saw the surgeon and learned of the best option for survival, a double mastectomy, that I really broke down. I had a meltdown for a couple of days and then I was fine. I’ve been pretty good with it ever since. I know that I can beat this sneaky disease and I will live a long life with the loves of my life; my husband Jason, and my 2 boys, Will & Nathan.

Jason had a hard time at first. He just kept thinking the worst, that I wouldn’t make it. He’s doing much better now that we’ve seen all the doctors and the prognosis is good.

The kids don’t really understand. Will (who’s almost 4) thinks mommy is having an operation, that’s it. Nathan just turned 1 so he just wants to be held all the time. That will be the hardest thing on me. I love to hold my babies and I won’t be able to pick them up for awhile.

Thankfully, my mom, Kathy, has come to the rescue. She is here as long as we need her. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother and family. My sister is coming from Alaska, pregnant and all, to help out too. My dad is coming back soon and Jason’s parents, Rick & Jan along with his whole extended family are just a phone call away if I need them. Unfortunately, my brother, Steve can’t come although he wants to. I even have my friends from Maine that want to come and help! Thank you Christina and Nikki for offering. My friends here, Angela, Oti, Julie & Niki are all on standby also. They’re ready at a moments notice for whatever we need. I love you all, I can’t say how good it makes me feel to be loved.

Everyone I know is praying for us which is so wonderful. I appreciate all the prayers. Only God knows what will happen but I’m confident that he will pull me through.

Anyway, I hope you log on to find out how we’re doing down here in Texas. My surgery is January 9th @ 7:30 a.m. I’ll be in the hospital for 2 nights.

I hope this site can help anyone else who gets this horrible disease, although I pray that none of you ever have to experience it.

Love to all!
Erica