Mary's Journey Comes to an End!!

Hello everyone,

I wanted to tell everyone that today (Friday, 9/19) will be my very LAST radiation treatment!!  I'm doing great and the radiation has been relatively easy.  I was worried that working and going to radiation every day would be difficult, but not so.

Once again thanks for all the support, prayers and good wishes.  It has continually made this journey so much easier.  You guys are awesome and     I'm so lucky to have each and every one of you in my corner.  Through this experience I have learned so much, and hope to be an inspiration to others who are going through difficult times with my experience. 

First, stay positive and second never give up!!  You guys rock - please let me know if I can ever do anything to help any of you!! 

God Bless!!!! 

Victory....Mary     

 

One More to Go!!!

Hello my friends,
 
As I approach my final chemo (yes!  You heard right - my LAST chemo), I wanted to thank everyone again for your prayers, support, donations, emails, hugs and all that you have done for my family and me!  It's been a difficult journey, but because of all the support I have not had one moment to feel sorry for myself or get discouraged. 
 
My last chemo is this Monday, 7/7, with the medication called Taxol.  Each time the treatment has become a little harder on my body, so I thought I would write now because all of next week I will be feeling the effects of the medication. 
 
On 7/17, I have a consultation at the Hope Cancer Center in Longmont to get started on the radiation therapy portion of this journey.  I had initially decided to do the radiation in Boulder (at Foothills Hospital), but my physical therapist talked me into staying at LUH for the remainder of my treatments.  I don't know that much about the radiation portion yet, except that once I get evaluated and set up for treatments, I'll go in every day for 6-8 weeks to receive radiation for approximately 10 minutes a day.  I'll let everyone know how that is going once I know what I'm in for!  : ) 
 
I am planning on returning to work full-time the week of 7/21.  My first week back I'm going to do 5 8-hour shifts to try and get back into the swing of things, then return to the 12-hour schedule.  I'm hoping to work through the radiation portion of my treatment - it should work really well working nights.  If I can work 1600-0400, I should be able to stop by the Cancer Center every day on my way into work, get "zapped" and come on in!
 
I've been walking every day with Dottie and trying to stay as healthy as possible.  All in all I feel pretty darn good.  All the steroids have caused me to gain a little weight (not unusual for breast cancer patients), but I plan on working hard once cleared by my docs to work it off.  Like I've said to some of you - the hair will come back and the weight will come off!  Praise God!
 
At my last chemo I asked the nurses how long after I finish up chemo will my hair start coming back in and she said 6 MONTHS!  So, you're gonna have to get used to seeing me bald for awhile.  My step-son is getting married in NM in August, and I'm looking for just the right hat, but otherwise being bald hasn't bothered me too much.  I tell ya, it takes NO time getting ready to do anything.  10 minutes or so and I'm ready to go.  Even faster than the boys here in my house.  Bill has decided to keep the "bald look" and has to shave his head every day!  (And ladies, I haven't had to shave my legs for 5 months either!  : )
 
So, that's pretty much where I'm at right now.  God, my family and friends have carried me through this journey and I'm so ready to start living a normal life again, but with a different outlook.  I'm going to remember to stop and smell the roses and not let life's little stresses affect me negatively.  Every day is a gift and because of God and excellent doctors I plan on being around for a long, long time! 
 
I'd like to pass on something from the American Cancer Society called "What Cancer Cannot Do"  - 
 
Remember cancer is so limited...
 
It cannot cripple LOVE
It cannot shatter HOPE
It cannot corrode FAITH (made mine stronger)
It cannot take away PEACE
It cannot destroy CONFIDENCE
It cannot kill FRIENDSHIP
It cannot suppress MEMORIES
It cannot silence COURAGE
It cannot invade the SOUL
It cannot conquer the SPIRIT
 
Cancer is so VERY limited.  - Author unknown
 
Thank you my friends!  I love you guys and can't wait to see everyone really soon.
 
God Bless and Love,
 
Mary

Mary is Halfway Through Chemo!! 

Hello friends!

 
Hallelujah!  I'm half way there as of 5/12!!!  4 down, 4 to go!!  So, I asked Billy to bring the camera along and share with you what chemo therapy is all about.  I know how I initially pictured it as a torture chamber or something horrible like that, and in reality it is a nice, loving environment, with the most wonderful staff ever!  
 
Since I've hit half way I thought I'd share where I'm at, what I'm going through and how I'm doing!   
This last time I was there my red blood cells and hemoglobin counts were down significantly, so I was approved to get a shot of a medication called Arenesp - had to take the shot in my stomach!! YUK!  Those of you who know me well, know how much I HATE needles and shots.  The nurses said the one shot of Arenesp is about a $7k shot!! Can you believe it?  Thank God for insurance!  I still get the shot of Nuelasta at the end of chemo also which boosts my white blood cells and that is a $4k shot. 
 
Each time I go in they take my blood and within minutes they have all my blood cell counts.  It's pretty amazing.  For being half way my scores are really good, and that new shot should help out the chemo induced anemia (red blood cell count). 
 
Next treatment is the Tues after Memorial Day (can't remember the exact date). I will start on a new chemo drug called Taxol.  The doctor wrote a new prescription for pre-chemo.  I have to take it at 10 p.m. the night before chemo and 4 a.m. the day of chemo.  If I miss either of the meds I will have to postpone my treatment, so you better believe I'm going to get the alarm set!!! 
 
The side affects of the Taxol are joint pain and the rest of my hair will fall out (eyelashes and eyebrows).  Most of the rest of my hair has fallen out.  Thanks for all the wonderful hats!!!  I get cold headed often.  In the below pics I'm wearing a beautiful lavender hat that Jen made for me.  Thanks Jen!!
 
Our friends from church bring us meals on my chemo weeks on Mon, Wed, Fri.  We are so blessed!!  Like I've told you before, but need to repeat..each day there is a new blessing that comes our way!   I feel all your support, love and prayers and appreciate each and every one of you!  You are special, and I hope someday I can repay all your kindness. 
 
I'll try and label the pictures - enjoy, and don't worry about me - I’m half way done and I'm still gonna kick this cancer's butt!!!  If you've ever seen the commercial that's on TV these days, the gal says "I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me" - that says it all!
 
Love you guys, be good and God bless,
 
Mary!  : ) 
 
 
 

 
All hooked up getting the push
 

         Had to get a shot in the stomach this time! 
         Yuk.  Supposed to help my red blood cell count.
 

    Last shot of the day. 
This one helps my white blood cell count