Productive Week Despite Downturn

Hi.
This past week was interesting, productive, progressive despite the chemo effect downturn. 


Picking up Ned at the LEX airport on 8/5/16.

Jack turned 9 years old on Aug 6th.  On July 30th, I was able to hang with him and 4 boys at KY Kingdom Amusement Park in Louisville to celebrate.

We have officially had a 10 week old puppy, now, for one week.  His name is Ned. This is big for us, as we are not pet people.  I am severely allergic to dogs and to most animals, outdoor everything, etc, but we took the risk with a miniature Australian Shepherd and miniature red poodle mix, called a Mini Aussiedoodle.  The poodle makes the dog much more hypoallergenic.  The result is that my allergies are actually doing ok with him. Surprisingly, he really is very, very low allergenic though sometimes my eyes swell, but 90% of the time, I do okay with him.  I keep my hands washed and clothes changed if I handle him a lot. :)

Jack started 4th grade on Wednesday, Aug 10th.  He is settling in very well and seems to like it.  His reading teacher is his favorite.  This is good, because he doesn't like to read so much.

I found out that I am cancer free and now I just get to fight cancer in prevention mode.  I know this is great news, but the chemotherapy is a tough trek though.  I had chemo on Monday Aug 8th and gosh it was hard this time.  Lethargic, fatigued, sore just takes over when it's ready and there is no fighting it.  So, for the most part Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, I did nothing.  I forced a few things here and there, but even today, Monday, I am not on a full upswing just yet.  I am thinking I will be better by Wednesday.

I am having my ovaries out next Tuesday Aug 23rd, and assuming my blood counts look good, I can do this and not skip a treatment.  Its laparoscopic, so it should be not too hard to recover as well.  Then, my next chemo treatment will be on Aug 29th, just in time for our 13th wedding anniversary on Aug 30th and Labor Day weekend.  Oh well. It is what it is! Chris hates when I say this, but its true.

Jack and Chris have been very good to me.  Jack is very helpful, gives me random kisses and hugs, he makes me laugh and he is not bothered by my bald head.  Chris is extremely helpful and I suppose I could say the same thing about him. :)  We make a good team. 

Speaking of baldness...I just read this morning that Norton Healthcare in Louisville implemented new technology to prevent hair loss from chemo.  Its a cooling cap that limits blood flow to scalp so that the chemo can't reach the hair.  Way to go Norton!  I am partial to these folks. :)  Would love to get my treatment there, but its too far for my Momma who does ALL of this with me.  If you know Dottie, you know just how much of a treat it is to have her with me and how lucky I am that I get to have her as my Momma! (I know its not luck, its really God's blessing!)

Speaking of a different facility...I am not going to get a second opinion for now.  The cancer is gone and that was the goal.  Now our next goal is the BEST prevention medicine to stop this thing from coming back, starve it and kill it to its core!  At this past appointment last Monday, my oncologist basically said this, "We are going to keep you alive until the new drugs come out."  I asked for a ballpark on how long I had to continue with chemo treatment and she said "you can ask me again in January".  I think this is because she is going to review the released new meds coming out this December and actually use those on me.  And until she knows a release date, she is keeping me alive with the current regimen. 

As of today, I am introducing 2 shakes a day filled with green veges and all that goodness that is supposedly good for your body.  I decided this doesn't have to replace anything, it can just add to my day.  We tried some this weekend and its very doable, assuming I don't get lazy and don't make them.

Thank you for your care, your concern, your love, your prayers. You mean the world to me.  Together, we can overcome and redeem difficult times.

Komen Race For the Cure, Lexington, KY-- October 1-- Click here to join my team or donate!!! :) 

XOXO Amanda