Learning to Draw

Drawing has never been a forte of mine but there's always time to learn. My eyebrows are almost gone so I'm trying to draw them back on because people just look weird without eyebrows. Drawing one on is fine, but trying to get the other one to match can be a bit of a challenge. I guess I have lots of time to practice.

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Chemo Treatment 6 of 8

6 down, 2 to go...it's a great feeling.

Yesterday's chemo started at 11am and was finished by 5pm. It's a long day but I was given a private room which was an added bonus. I talked to my oncologist about my reaction to the Herceptin in treatment number 5. I know that that Herceptin dose was the loading dose but didn't know how it would compare to the remaining doses. She said the Herceptin dose was based on weight; 8mg per kg in the loading dose and 6mg per kg in the subsequent doses. I'm happy to report that I didn't have any shakes, chills or fever last night.

The Herceptin infusion takes 1 1/2 hours, then the Taxol pre-meds take an hour then finally the Taxol infusion takes about 3 1/2 hours. Part of the pre-meds include Benadryl which allowed me to sleep through a good portion of the Taxol infusion.

Even though I'm feeling tired, I couldn't sleep past 5:45am this morning...I'm sure it will catch up with me later.

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Your Table Is Ready

Today's check up with the doctor went well. My blood counts are back in the normal ranges, which is great. My CT simulation appointment for radiation has been scheduled for September 12th. I asked my oncologist when daily radiation is likely to start, and she said it would be about 3 or 4 weeks after my last chemo appointment as all of the drugs should be out of my system by then.

Today's appointment came with the usual two hour wait. It's not really that surprising when the stats indicate that 1 in every 2 people will get cancer at some point in their lives...it's a busy place. So, for some inventor out there looking for a new idea, I suggest inventing a disc, similar to the one you get in a restaurant that let's you know when your table is ready, except, the disc would tell you when the doctor is ready to see you. You wouldn't be able to take off to go shopping in the mall or anything but at least you wouldn't be paranoid that your name was going to be called when you have to go to the bathroom or get something to eat. Let me know what you come up with...I'll only take a small cut of the profit.

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Blue Mountain

We’re back. I’m happy to report that we had an amazing time at Blue Mountain. It was great to have all our family with us to enjoy the good weather, the good food, the beach, the pool, the hot tub and the poker. Attached is a photo of our group (Chris, my brother, was taking the photo).


The week ahead includes our last support group meeting Wednesday, blood work and check-up with the oncologist on Thursday and chemo number 6 on Friday. Apart from the hot flashes and the numbness in my hands and feet, I’ll feeling quite good right now… there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.


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Pause

It's hard to believe that there have already been seven weeks of support group meetings. Next Wednesday is our last meeting. Although I still haven't warmed up to the whole candle thing, the group meetings for the most part have been helpful. It is comforting to talk to other women going through the same thing as they can truly relate.

This morning we're off to Blue Mountain for a family holiday. Tomorrow we will be joined by both sets of parents, our brothers and their families. So, I will pause the blog for a few days and catch up with you next week.

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Pow...Right in the Kisser

Andrew's two front teeth have been hanging on by a thread for the past three weeks. Everyone has offered to pull them out but Andrew dosen't like blood or pain; he likes his teeth to fall out on their own. Sean had other plans. In a dispute over LEGO, Sean decided to punch Andrew in the mouth. There was blood and tears (from Andrew and Sean). A tug on one tooth by me, and a tug on the other from Steve's mom and the teeth were out. Here is the result...



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Batman

We had a great time at Kevin and Karen’s wedding on Saturday. It was so nice to catch up with all of the Lincolns. For those of you at the wedding, you’ll know why this blog is titled Batman. For those of you who weren’t there, let’s just say he made his way around the reception in various poses, with various women. I can hardly wait to see the pictures.

Many people have asked me how my prognosis looks. Basically, with all of the treatments I have and will be receiving, I have about a 90% chance of being here and cancer free 10 years from now. I’d say that’s pretty good. So I keep moving forward… only 3 more chemo treatments then radiation. Hopefully I’ll have hair by Christmas. That would be the best gift ever.

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Anchor

I’m happy to report that the voodoo pains have subsided now and the fatigue is also getting better. So, that just leaves the numbness in the hands and feet that I’m slowly getting used to.

Today we’re heading to my cousin Kevin’s wedding. I still don’t know what I’m going to wear. It’s hard to look dressed-up when you’re bald. When it's not there, you realize that your hair is the anchor that pulls everything together…that makes everything look balanced.

Perhaps I’ll take a picture and post the bald picture that I promised so long ago.

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Side Effects

I’m still in the process of getting a feel for the side effects of these new drugs. I’d say that the fatigue isn’t as severe but all the aches and pains are new. The morning isn’t too bad but by the afternoon, it’s like someone is poking me like a voodoo doll. Some pain lasts a few seconds, others a few hours. What I’m not enjoying is the numbness in my feet. It’s the feeling you get when your feet fall asleep, but it never goes away. The tips of my fingers are starting to go tingly now too. These feelings are a result of the chemo killing the small nerve endings. I’m told they will grow back but probably not for three or four months.

I have a pretty high pain threshold so I prefer not to take medication during the day. I still like to be independent so if I don’t take the drugs, I can drive if need be. At night though, I'm loving the drugs.

That’s all the exciting news for now.

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100

Who would have thought that I would have 100 things to write about? But, here we are, blog post number 100.

I just thought I would take the opportunity to thank you all for staying on the bus. It’s nice to have company on this long journey. Your blog posts, e-mails, cards, calls and letter have been greatly appreciated.

Last night was a night I don’t think I ever anticipated or I’ll ever forget. Steve got the clippers out to shave my head…not that I have much hair, it’s mainly what I call baby fuzz. The fine hair that was there was very uneven so I had Steve even it out so I wouldn’t look like a Chia Pet. What made me nervous was the fact that we had never used the clippers before so I was the guinea pig. I had visions of being scalped as Steve was reading over the instructions but I survived; scalp unscathed.

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Chemo Treatment 5 of 8 (Pole Dancing)

Last night as I was typing the last few sentences of my blog, I got the shakes. Chills, nausea and a fever soon followed. These are all common reactions of Herceptin especially the first treatment, which is a loading dose. I think it was the first time that both Steve and I realized the power of the drugs I’m taking. When you’re on chemo and your temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius or more, it is important to contact your oncologist because of concern for infection; so Steve talked to the oncologist on call last night. At this point there is no concern as these are typical reactions. So on top on the dexamethasone steroid, I took Tylenol 3 and procholrperazine for nausea. If these types of symptoms were present 3 or 4 days from now, they would probably get me into the hospital for antibiotics.

My blood counts were lower than my last round of blood counts. My oncologist says that Taxol, the chemo I’m on now, isn’t as hard on the blood counts so hopefully we’ll see an increase in the levels next time. The symptoms that are most common with Taxol are fatigue, muscle and joint pain and numbness and tingling in hands and feet. We’ll see what happens.

As for today’s treatment, it went as fast as it could have, which was 5 ½ hours. The chemo nurse from yesterday persuaded me to leave the needle in my port overnight so we would be ready to go for this morning. I’m still not sure I like the idea; not from a physical perspective but more from a psychological perspective. Seemed weird to be walking around with a needle sticking out of me. Anyway each Taxol treatment comes with a number of pre-meds…diphenhydrmine, ranitidine and more prochlorperazine, then the Taxol infusion. It’s nice to be home.

I have to get up to go to the bathroom several times during treatment because of all the fluids being pumped into me. As I made one of my trips today, I laughed at how it seemed like I was ‘pole dancing’ weaving in and out of the obstacles with my IV pole in tow.

Too funny,
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Long Day

I’m not sure which is more tiring, a day at Wonderland or a day at the Cancer Clinic. My blood work was scheduled for 10:30am, but I didn’t get in until 11am. The appointment with my oncologist was scheduled for 11am, but I didn’t get in to see her until 2pm. The Herceptin was scheduled to start at 12:15pm, but it didn’t start until 3pm. By the time I had my vitals taken, then Heceptin infusion, then more vitals, then an hour of saline, it was 6:30pm. I’m very tired at the moment. I have to start tomorrow’s pre-meds in 20 minutes then another dose at 2:30am. Tomorrow we're back at the clinic at 8:30am for another fun filled day.

Update tomorrow.

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The Week in Review

We’re back. The crew is still asleep so I thought I would take this opportunity to sit down and get you updated.

Monday – We had a great time up at Muskoka Woods, touring the camp and visiting with Mark, Sandra and the girls. I think we fit the entire camp experience into 6 hours…tour of the camp, rest at the driving range, boat tour of Lake Rosseau, swim in the lake then dinner by the camp fire. We can hardly wait to visit again. (A picture below of Andrew and Sean with cousins Emily, Brianna and Sarah on the boat.)

Tuesday – We spent the entire day at Canada’s Wonderland. Steve and I were both amazed at how well the boys did on our 8 ½ hour adventure. We went on a ton of rides (got wet a few times), saw lots of shows and ate junk food all day. The boys also found Sponge Bob strolling around the park as you can see from the picture below.

Wednesday – We spent a relaxing day at Steve’s parent’s place in Thornhill. On our way home we stopped off at Steve’s Uncle Mike’s golf store (free plug – Par Golf in Brampton) where I bought a set of clubs and some golf shoes. I think I’ve finally made it through the final right of passage into the Groves family. I have no idea what I’m doing yet, but I’ll look good.

Today – The boys will be staying at my parent’s place while I go to the Cancer Clinic for my first dose of Herceptin. Herceptin is not a chemotherapy drug; it is an anti-hormone drug that is used to treat patients with HER2 protein overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. That would be me. Basically, the Herceptin binds to HER 2- positive cancer cells and blocks them from dividing and growing. I’m sure more details will follow after my appointment today.

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Muskoka Woods

Seeing as my energy level is up this week, Steve has decided to take the week off…a vacation long overdue. We’re heading up to Muskoka this morning to visit Muskoka Woods, which is a camp that the Groves are very involved with. Steve and his brothers, Mark and Jamie, were campers there and Mark and Jamie also worked at the camp. Today, Mark and his wife Sandra work for the camp and spend the summers there with their three girls. Muskoka Woods has a driving range that is special to the Groves. The driving range was dedicated to Jamie, who passed away from cancer 11 years ago today. So, we look forward to getting up to the camp to visit with Mark and Sandra and the girls, to hitting some balls, and to relaxing and enjoying the view of Lake Rosseau from the driving range.

Jamie’s courage, strength and sense of humor continue to help me keep fighting on a daily basis. Thanks Jamie.

Jamie Groves
1975 – 1995

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