You know it has been a long day when . . .

I have been to the pediatrician twice and Target twice today and we are just getting home. I am glad I checked my bag before I left (the second time) because they charged me for a medicine for David but forgot to put in the bag - that would have been my 3rd trip to Target! David no longer has a fever but a barking cough now. Dawson got better but seemed to relapse today. I am happy that chemo was not scheduled for this week so I could be available to take care of the boys but I was also looking forward to a chemo free week AND some time to myself. Maybe next time.

Making Strides and taking temperatures

Thursday was a third week of chemo with the lovely Neulasta shot on Friday. Yesterday, Dawson came down with a fever and fortunately Pop and Gam took care of him while I tried to recover. This morning, I represented our family for "Team Barbara" at a very wet and cold Wilmington Making Strides walk. Needless to say, Dawson and I needed naps this afternoon. I hope he feels rested now - he only slept 4 hours!! I heard David coughing a lot this afternoon and now he has a fever too. Looks like tomorrow is pajama day in the Anderson household.

I was impresssed by the amount of people who came out for the walk on such a miserable day. I want to thank my team and also the husbands and grandparents who watched the little guys so we could do this today. We ended the walk with Pumpkin Lattes at Dunkin Donuts - very tasty!

My favorite pink ribbon product

Pink ribbon overload

Pink ribbons everywhere! October is breast cancer awareness month and it is hard to walk up and down the grocery aisles without seeing them. Unfortunately, I don't get to just think about it in October. My energy level is really starting to be affected by the chemo. I have learned that I have to rest every afternoon or I am not a nice mom. I don't need to sleep but do need to chill for a little while. That is the time when Dawson gets to watch TV and sometimes will ask me when I will rest because he wants his TV time.

We have signed up for the Making Strides walk in Wilmington this weekend. It is also the weekend of the 3-day walk in Philly and it looks like it will be cold and rainy. I will miss the experience of the 3-day but not the freezing tent. I'm not sure I will be able to walk in Wilmington because of my chemo on Thursday, but I can be a cheerleader!

The News Journal had a good article today about my particular kind of cancer. It does a good job of explaining how my cancer progresses.

Gimme the keys!!

To make a long story short, my CT scan from last week showed fluid around my heart so my oncologist wanted me to see a cardiologist, who happens to be his brother. I went to Dr. Grubbs II today for a 2D Echo (ultrasound) and he said that the amount of fluid was not constricting the pumping of my heart. So, I will be monitored and if this becomes worse, it is treatable.

The passing out episode is now blamed on hypotension, which is basically low blood pressure. My BP has always been on the lower end but the chemo has my body reacting slower so I have to increase fluids and salt and slow down when I get up. I think I can handle that.

It was so nice to receive good news without a side of bad news attached. Thank you so much for your prayers and watch out because I am back on the road!

Good news and frustrating news

I spoke with my doctor's office yesterday and the good news is the EEG did not show any signs of seizure activity. But, I still can't drive. My doctor wanted me to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours to make sure my passing out is not a heart issue. The chemo can do a number on it. So, I am sporting a fashionable necklace that looks like a small cell phone. Once we see the results from the monitor, the doctor will determine if my passing out was an isolated incident or something more serious. I know it might seem trivial to be frustrated about no driving, but I feel like cancer has taken so many things from me and here is 1 more. It gets old.

Ugh - not again!

I had my third week of chemo today. I was feeling pretty blah about going. The doctor asked if anything exciting happened this past week and I had to tell him that unfortunately something did. Over the weekend, I got up out of bed to close the window because something was squawking in my ear. I walked over to the window and the next thing I knew I was on the floor. Apparently, I blacked out. When I came to, I was sitting on the floor, holding onto the bed. So, I have an EEG scheduled for tomorrow to see what is happening. The good news is it hasn't happened again. It also means no driving until we figure this out. My parents are visiting until Wednesday so that is very helpful.