Breast Cancer Update - 6 Months Later

Well, it has now been 6 months after my last chemo. I thought it would be a good time for another update.

Things are going pretty well. My hair is growing back and looking more normal. It looks more like a choice than a person going through chemo.

My fingernails have grown back in. All eventually fell off, but luckily I’m past that now.

The last few months we’ve been busy trying to get back to normal. We joined a gym and I’ve been trying to exercise at least a few times a week. I’ve taken the boys on some bike rides with the bike trailer. I’m still tired, but I’m not sure how much of that is just normal mom exhaustion.

I had my last surgery for a while back in April. The expanders were replaced with implants and the recovery was not too bad. It was a lot better than I thought. Now, I’ll just have a few minor “touch ups”.

I have a follow up with my Austin oncologist next week and then follow ups with my Dallas doctors in August.

Well, that’s about it for now. Just trying to move forward and hopefully get past all of this.

Hope things are going well for you all.

Evan’s doing better

This morning we just hung out at home. Evan seemed to be feeling better, but I didn’t want to take him out of the house. He didn’t eat much, but he did enjoy playing outside.

We ate lunch outside, but neither boy ate very much.

For naps, we all ended up sleeping. Noah slept in his crib. Evan fell asleep on the couch, and I got a little nap in as well.

Blanca came over at 4:00 and I went to go tutor one student. I met the student at the library, but he wasn’t feeling well so we ended up not doing the tutoring.

Morry and I got home at the same time.

Evan’s sports class was tonight, but he didn’t feel like going.

Noah got a birthday gift from Zayde today. It is a bowling set. It was such a hit the boys were fighting over it. Below is a video we took of the bowling set.

I got dinner ready in the crock pot earlier. I made this slow cooker turkey recipe from a Penzy’s magazine. Well, I made a lot of changes. I used apple juice rather than cider and added apricot jelly on top. It was really good. Thanks Mom for the suggestions.

So, kind of gross, my pinky nail came off today. That’s one of the side effects of chemo. I thought I had gotten past all of that and was ok. I wonder if my other nails are going to come off too. I hope not.

Oh, not to brag or anything, but they don't call me the Cha Ching Queen for nothing. I made a couple of calls and was able to reduce our monthly bills by $18. I called DirecTV and was able to bring down our monthly cost by $5 (with same channels) and get an additional Starz package for 3 months. Then, I was able to reduce our telephone bill with AT&T by $13/mo. I talked my way though getting $3 off and then when you combine your wireless bill with your landline bill you save $10/month. I didn't know that. If you have AT&T for both wireless and landline, check into that if you haven't already.

Evan and Noah took showers and then we put them to bed. It seems to be quiet up there.

Appointment with the Oncologist

Today, I met with my oncologist and also had my after chemo blood test. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm officially done with chemo. The doctor seemed really positive about everything. The blood test results were good. I’m still slightly anemic and my platelets were low, but nothing to worry about. Dr. Patt said that’s typical for just having had chemo. We talked about what the plan is now that I’m done with chemo. Since I have the BRCA1 gene mutation I’m at a higher risk of getting ovarian cancer. It has been recommended that I have my ovaries removed at some point to lower that risk. Dr. Patt showed me the statistics and BRCA1 carriers have only a 2.2% chance of getting ovarian cancer by the age of 40. It goes up significantly at ages 50 and 60. Dr. Patt said I’m at no greater risk because I have already had breast cancer. She recommends I wait a few years to have a hysterectomy. One of the reasons is bone density loss. After a hysterectomy the reduction in hormones can cause bone density issues. Tomorrow I’m going to get a bone density test to get baseline measurements.

So now what? Well, the plan is for me to go for checkups with the oncologist every 3 months and get ovarian cancer screening every 6 months. My next appointments for those are in early April. In two weeks I’ll go back to Dallas for more follow up appointments with the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon. I would also like to get the opinions of the oncologist and gynecological oncologist while I’m there.

How am I feeling? I’ve been doing pretty well the last few days. I’ve been trying to eat healthier and I think that has been making a difference in how I feel. I'm still recovering from chemo, but feeling better each day. I’m not as nauseous and hardly achy now. I went to a Yoga class for cancer survivors yesterday. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I actually really liked it. There were about 10 women in the class. They meet weekly, and I plan on going again.

I’m still really tired and exhausted. I'm sure the fatigue will stick around for a while.

Tomorrow I have a busy day. First, I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Then, I go for my bone scan. After that, I’m meeting with a new acupuncturist. Someone at Morry’s work recommended this guy – he’s a doctor and actually from China.

Hope your new year is off to a great start.

Last Chemo

I’m done (hopefully).

I had to have a reduced dosage of the chemo today because of the reaction to the Taxotere last time. My regular oncologist wasn’t there today so we saw a different doctor. He thought my hands looked pretty bad. He should have seen them last week! Anyway, he didn’t feel comfortable giving me the full dosage today because of the possibility of long term effects. Even so, this was still my last chemo treatment (assuming all my follow up scans and tests look ok). We got a late start with the treatment because of this and they were pretty crowded there today. Morry picked up lunch for us and we ate while my treatment was going. During treatment they had me do cryotherapy to help reduce any side effects I may have from the Taxotere this time. I had to keep soaking my hands in ice water. The ice is supposed to stop the chemo from going to my hands. It wasn’t very comfortable, but I sure hope it helps.

When I finished treatment all the nurses came over and showered us with confetti. Then, I rang the bell on the way out, the custom for all patients getting their last treatment. Of course we took video during treatment and of me ringing the bell. You can see it here on YouTube. At the end of the video Evan, Noah, Morry and I dance to celebrate “Mommy’s last chemo”.

I’m feeling ok right now. I know I won’t feel so great over the weekend.

Michael and Jen were a big help today. They just ran out to pick up Salt Lick BBQ for dinner.

I hope you all have a great 2010 filled with love, health, happiness, family, and friends.

Happy New Year!

Love, Rachel

New Years Eve

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

We got up early this morning to go to Rachel's last chemo appointment. Amazingly, Evan did not get up early this morning. So the one morning I had to get up, Evan decided to sleep in. I should have gone in his room and asked him to get me breakfast.

Uncle Mike and Aunt Jen took care of the boys today. They walked to the school and played on the playground. They played a lot at the house as well. The boys seemed to really have had a good time. When Aunt Jen got to the house, Evan said "look at our new dog" and pointed out in the backyard where the dog that we found last night was sitting.

The oncology center was backed up today. I think they are closed tomorrow so they are probably seeing the patients who have chemo on Friday as well as the Thursday patients. So it took much longer there.

When we got home the boys were napping. Aunt Jen actually laid down with Evan to get him to sleep.

I took the dog we found to the vet to see if he had a chip so we could find the owners. Unfortunately, he didn't have a chip. As I was driving home, my phone rang. It was a number that I didn't recognize. I answered the phone and the person said he had lost his dog and identified the dog we had found. I told him that I had the dog in the car, that I'd just drive over to his place. I asked where he lived and it was nearly 2 miles from our house. I can't believe the dog had wandered that far away. Rachel and I didn't put flyers up that far thinking the dog must have come from nearer to where we lived. The owner said he drove around until 4am last night but he didn't think that the dog had gone that far away. It's a shame because we were driving around at the same time but in two different areas. The owner was very happy to have his dog back. There were a bunch of people at the house who were just about to go out to search for the dog. They had made a ton of flyers and were going to post them around. He offered to give us a reward but I refused. I said all I care about is that if somehow Lizzy were to escape that someone would find Lizzy and take care of her until we found her.

For dinner, Aunt Jen and Uncle Mike went out to get Salt Lick. Apparently it was very crowded. It took them nearly an hour. When they returned the server had given them the wrong order. They had to drive back and pick up the right order. The food was good though.

We gave the boys baths and put them down. Unfortunately, Evan is back downstairs watching everyone play Wii (and playing some himself).

Happy New Year's everyone!

Oh, and if you know someone who is setting off fireworks (like the people in our neighborhood) tell them they are idiots. Thank you.

Getting Ready for Chemo #4

Well, it’s almost that time again. Tomorrow I have the 4^th and final chemo treatment. Boo and Yay! I’m so looking forward to being done with this part of my treatment.

I’m feeling a little better than the last time I updated. I’m still not great. The two most annoying symptoms this time have been the extreme fatigue and hand problems. I’m still very tired, but at least my hands are getting a little better. I have gotten some feeling back in my fingertips and my hands don’t hurt quite as bad. They are mostly just peeling right now. I still have a hard time doing fine motor skills. Morry has to help me open certain things and it’s difficult getting the kids changed and dressed.

Even though I’ve been tired, I have tried to start doing a little bit of exercise. I have a DVD of 10 minute dance workouts. I have done a few of them – just 10 minutes at a time. I didn’t want to overdo it. I was pretty tired after just 10 minutes. I’m looking forward to having the chemo out of my system so that I can really start walking, running, and doing other aerobic stuff again.

I’ve been reading a book our neighbors bought for me. It’s called Anticancer: A New Way of Life. It’s very interesting. The author is a doctor who underwent chemo and treatment for brain cancer and did a lot of research on natural ways to fight cancer. He stresses how important a good diet is with more organic foods and less processed products. He talks a lot about following a Mediterranean diet. I’ve been trying to do more of that. We just bought a juicer yesterday so I can make vegetable and fruit juices.

Morry and I went out a date last night. I was finally feeling up to going out. We had a nice, relaxing dinner and dessert. Things have obviously been a little stressful around here. I just want to say how amazing Morry has been through all of this. Not only has he supported me and shown we are in this together (ie shaving his head), he has been taking care of the boys, the house, the animals, etc. Luckily he was so hands on before all this. He is great taking care of the kids, in fact Evan wants Morry to do everything with and for him. It’s cute, but it can get exhausting. Morry is doing a great job balancing everything. I just wish there was some way I could give him a break and let him relax a little.

Michael and Jen get in this afternoon. We are all looking forward to seeing them and having their help.

I’ll try to update you again in a few days and let you know how my last chemo treatment went.

Update - Still Recovering from Chemo #3

Well, here’s another update – a post chemo #3 update. I’m still not feeling so great. For some reason this treatment has been harder on me. It has been a longer recovery. The worse day this time, was better than the worse day last time, but I feel like it’s more drawn out with chemo 3. I’m still nauseous and very tired. This time I have had an annoying symptom. My hands have been hurting, almost like they are burned. It’s mostly the tops of my hands and in between my fingers. The pads of my fingers are sore too. The doctor said it is a reaction to the Taxotere (one of the chemo drugs) and gave me some steroids to take.

I had a blood test yesterday. My white blood cell count is good, but I am anemic and have a low platelet count. The doctor said that could definitely be making me tired, although it is expected and nothing to worry about.

This whole thing has really not been fun. I’m trying to stay optimistic and make the most of all of this. Although no time is a good time for cancer, I’m trying to look at it as a decent time. I was young and healthy and active. My parents are young and healthy and able to help us out. They have been able to make many trips to Austin from Dallas to help with me, the family, and stuff around the house. I have a great support system of friends and family. So many people have helped us out with meals and child care. It’s been nice having the help, but I’ll be glad when things get back to normal and I can do things on my own and take care of my family. I’m really looking forward to being active again. It’s been hard sitting around the house so much. Before all of this I was walking or running many days during week and taking the boys out of the house almost every day. Even if it was just to run errands, we were getting out of the house and doing things.

I’m not sure how this is going to change things in my life, but I know I want to make something good out of this. I want to be able to use this experience and be able to help others. I’m hoping to be able to do some of that now though my videos on YouTube. I just posted another one here. It’s not so cheery and upbeat, but I wanted others to see all sides of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqCUkCzwBq8

My next, and final, chemo treatment is December 31. Since my parents will be in Israel at that time Michael and Jen (my brother and his wife) will come in for a few days to help. I’m looking forward to seeing them – the chemo, not so much.

Hope you all are having a great weekend.

Love, Rachel

Second

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

Today is the second day after chemo for Rachel and the second night of Hanukkah. Rachel seems to be doing MUCH better this Saturday than the previous Saturday following chemo. She's been downstairs a bunch and has eaten a bit. Her coloring looks much better too.

This morning, Evan came in our room at 8am. Rachel got up and brought Evan to her parents' room but he came right back in to our room. It was a bit of a fight to get him downstairs, but once he was down, he was happy.

Matt, Rachael, Ben and Molly came over around 11. The kids exchanged gifts and played together. I think everyone had a good time. They left just before lunch. Noah was talking a lot and he really likes Rachael. He got upset when I had to take him away from Rachael when they were leaving.

We gave the boys lunch and put them down for naps. Both boys seemed especially tired.

After naps, Uncle Jay and Aunt Diane came over, followed shortly by Aunt Susan. They all brought gifts for the kids. Evan wanted to light the candles so he could get to the presents faster. He's figured this thing out. They seemed very happy with all the gifts they opened tonight. When Evan was done opening up the gifts he got tonight, he wanted more. After we sang the Hanukkah prayer, Noah wanted more singing and wanted to eat challah.

Papa/Lenny went out and picked up the Salt Lick for dinner. It was pretty good.

The boys are in bed now. Evan was very excited to sleep in his Toy Story bed. Zayde got him Toy Story bedding.

Until next time...