Chemo #8 10/31 and update

Hi,
Gosh. I just wrote for more than an hour and all but done, my phone shut down and lost it all. Wow. I will do the best I can...again...

The last 3 weeks have been good and interesting and with some developments. After treatment, Week 1 was mostly bad. It was my typical down week

Week 2 was good avoiding colds but had a scare that required a colonoscopy. It was clean and clear. No issues! I was much more in depth the first time I wrote this. Suffice it to say it wasn't that bad. Get one if you need one or of age to schedule it!

Week 3 was good. I have allergies that act like they want to develop into cold. No big deal for now. I had to cut my nails back, at least half way toward quick. Most people will think "oh gosh, she is a serious nail biter". They are scabby and gross. I don't like nail biting; it's a bad habit. You know it is- my nail biting friends.  I also cannot handle popping fingers. Both give me chills down my back. Bottom line, my nails are pretty gross but I go on like they are normal. Who cares!

Also, a few days ago I talked to someone my age, with work/family similar to mine- who is getting treatment out of state. As a result of this conversation, I do believe I will get a second opinion in December- after another scan I will do in about 3 weeks.

At my last treatment, I was informed that we would do another scan in 3 weeks but also learned that the cancer can return while enduring chemo treatments. I thought I was in coasting mode but apparently not (and not sure that coasting seasons will be something I can enjoy- this remains to be seen).  I think you can understand the difference. In addition to this, I am now going into the unknown.  My point of reference is 5 years ago, I had 18 chemo treatments (totaling 6 AC and 12 low doses of Taxotere) and 33 radiation treatments and double mastectomy. With each was a definitive end and definitive result. Now, I am going into my 8th full dose treatment of taxotere with two other meds. Moving forward, I don't have a number we will end at. I don't know how my body will hold up. I don't know what my next meds will look like. I don't have a definitive result. I was hoping I would be done by October and that's not the case. I am annoyed more than anything but managing well.

Now, this week is a little emotional for me.  I have treatment tomorrow, Monday 10/31 Halloween. :) but it's also 5 years to the dates and days that I found out the first time I was diagnosed. Monday is the day my appointments got moved and I went to my endocrinologist where she pointed out to me my golf ball size tumor in my breast. Tuesday was mammo, ultrasound and biopsy. Thursday 11/3 was the phone call.

We are wrapping up breast cancer awareness month. I have heard encouraging stories that are good to hear.  I offer this to you...Get your mammograms. Do self exams once per month- figure it out and take it serious. Don't skip your annual appointments with your OBGYN. Confession- I didn't take self exams serious and I skipped appointments. This is a different kind of encouragement but please take it as I care about you.

Thanks for loving me the way you do. You would not believe how my work peeps love me. Store 8 rocks it out with gifts all the time. Store 1 rocks it with hugs and laughs. My 3 bosses love me like I am their daughter- one of them doesn't have a choice. :):) My colleagues, customers, friends are caring and supportive and patient. I am in awe all of the time over people who care about me. I have said this before, but it's authentic and beautiful. God shows His love thru you and these people. He knows retreating and withdrawing are not my thing, but receiving love from my friends and family is.  I praise God and thank Him everyday, it is what speaks to my heart the most.  Xoxo.

Not exactly what I wrote the first time, but I wrote this for another hour. It's exactly what it needs to be. ;) I just went to publish this and joke is on me. The other draft saved in my list as draft.. Aye ya ya, oh well. I got to see Cubs win game #5! (also- to those of you who are reading this and was in the recent SMPS class that said double spacing is not acceptable in business writing any longer- then why in the world does the iPhone require a double space to achieve a period?! Feel free to message me about that! Ha!)

Lots of love,
Amanda

Blessed.

What a blessing of a week...

Saturday was the Lexington Race for the Cure. Approx 90 people showed up to run and walk. Several others of you could not be there but donated to my team. We raised over $5,000 that will be used to bring awareness to breast cancer and pay for research. Thank you for being a part of this, a part of my journey. I am blessed and don't really have the words to express how it feels to feel so loved and cared for.

On Sunday, we left for Charleston SC for Jacks fall break. We evacuated Wednesday morning at 6:30am and went home.

It's been a long but good week for me. It has felt very normal for me and that's good. Normal means that I am not preoccupied with this process and energy level back to fairly normal levels.  The issue is going into week one of side effects and knowing the hit my body takes. I am determined to push hard thru this. I have to be careful now that it's cold and flu season, so even though I feel well, I can't run out everywhere.

I appreciate your prayers and thoughts for me. I will try to update more but I don't want this to turn into "Amanda's update on side effects". I like to use this blog to update you on real updates and it helps me process real issues. It keeps me accountable to God's promises. Love you.

Chemo treatment #7 is on Monday 10/10.

More later...

Xoxo
Amanda