Getting there

We celebrated Thanksgiving with friends in North Carolina and really had a relaxing time (except for the holiday traffic). It has now been a week since I have napped. I don't know how I am going to break this to Dawson - he asks me when I am going to rest because he gets to watch TV then.

It has been almost 3 weeks since my last chemo and each day, I feel better. I see my doctor on Thursday of this week. We will then schedule some scans. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! It was hard for the boys and me to adjust to school life this morning.

Well, I thought I had energy . . .

until I played David 5 times in tennis on the Wii. After each volley, I had to catch my breath! We had a good time. He won the sets 3-2.

I got a little teared up . . .

because I was able to help Dave rake the leaves. And they were tears of joy! Each day I am feeling more like myself and able to do more. I even did a little Christmas shopping the other day. I rested a couple times but made it through okay. I am so thrilled to be participating in life again instead of simply surviving.

I continue to slowly get more energy. It was certainly nice to not have chemo today. Praying it stays that way for a LONG time.

Random story - David has been coughing his head off for the past week and we were trying everything to get rid of it - orapred, nebulizer, inhaler, elevated pillows, humidifier - everything! He was still coughing a lot at night and it didn't seem to be getting better. So, we had an appointment at the pedicatrician yesterday afternoon (3rd time in 2 weeks) and I had to get him from school early. His class was lining to go to one of his specials when I arrived. After we left, I asked him what special were they going to.
David - "Music class"
Mom - "Oh, I'm sorry you missed music class."
David - "It's okay. I don't really like it."
Mom - "Really? You like singing and dancing at home and at our church's contemporary service."
David - "Mom, we rock out at home and we don't sing that kind of stuff in music class."

I guess I will have to introduce him to more classical instead of classics.

I think it's over (for now)

I had a difficult decision to make this week. The last two chemo treatments have really worn me out and I told my doctor this last week. He raised the question, "Should I not have the last 3-week cycle of chemo?" I have received about 15 treatments as of today and would 3 more treatments make that much difference? I know it would just wear me out more but how would it affect the cancer. I had to weigh lots of factors and have an appointment scheduled in 3 weeks for Herceptin. Unless I have some miraculous recovery over the next 3 weeks, I will not receive my chemo drug and will continue on the Herceptin. I will also have a new baseline CT scan done.

I attended Toni's funeral service on Monday morning and then went to the support group last night. We laughed and we cried as we talked about Toni and the memories we each have. One of the members brought flowers and placed them in her chair. She even joined us in our group hug at the end of the meeting. It makes me sad to think of her family's loss but I am also happy she is no longer in so much pain.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. My dear friend from my support group, Toni, has passed away. I saw her at group about 1 month ago and she was moving slow. She participated in the discussion but was very tired. Since then, she went on a family vacation and started a new chemo. I received an email this morning from the group facilitator that she went on hospice last Friday. I had hoped to call or visit tomorrow. I received another email this afternoon that she passed away today. She leaves behind her husband of many years and 2 daughters. She always made us laugh when she told us stories of shopping at QVC and hiding the packages from her husband. We will miss you, Toni.

The boys walked in as I was reading the email and crying and I shared with them what happened. All 3 of us were crying and Dawson is saying, "I don't want you to die!" and I'm saying, "I don't want to either!" I explained that the medicine I get that makes my hair fall out also gets rid of the cancer. He was happy with that.

They are hoodies with a zipper down the front of their face - pretty cool

That would be a Phillies cupcake he is eating

Red Power Rangers, in case you were wondering

Everyone has recovered from illness in our house and enjoyed the Halloween activities. Dawson's birthday was also this past week so we celebrated with a very proud 4 -year old. This was also a week with sadness and reminders of this horrible disease.

I received the results from an MRI brain scan and the tumors seem to be stable, which means no increase or decrease and no new ones. So, we wait and watch. Not bad news but not great news.

A woman I sat next to, on occasion during chemo, passed away this week. I remember my conversations with her and how concerned she was to leave her teenage son without a mother. His dad was not in the picture. Unfortunately because of my own chemo treatments and their effect on me, I was not able to attend her service.

I also had a few dear friends tell me of their diagnosis or their family member's diagnosis. It is difficult to find someone who has NOT been affected by cancer. My chemo this past week seemed to have an extra punch to it. When I got home on Thursday, I felt like I had been hit by a bus and only started feeling a little relief today once I figured out how to manage my meds.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers. These chemos are getting more difficult to tolerate. I will continue to pray for those around me who have suddenly been thrown into the world of cancer.