Dear Chemo, you suck.

I definitely jumped the gun on posting my chemo blog. It was Saturday morning when I posted it, 2 days post chemo and I was feeling ok. Just tired and achy nothing major… I was thinking I got this, no biggie. HA! Saturday evening rolled around and about 6pm it hit me hard… Pain Pain Pain everything hurt. Thankfully I had some pain pills from my port surgery that I didn’t use so I was able to get a bit of relief… it got worse all night and peaked around 7am on Sunday October 19^th. I can’t even explain the pain, it was from head to toe, everything hurt, my entire body was in excruciating pain, I have never felt pain like this before, 2 births, gallbladder attacks and double mastectomy combined doesn’t come close to this pain.  I do remember asking Jon if I could get an epidural Sunday morning. I was not a happy camper Sunday, pretty miserable all day. I’m feeling better today, still exhausted but just achy again now not in pain thank god. I’m going to see the doctor tomorrow for follow-up and I will request some pain meds for the next chemo to get prepared for this pain again. I’m not looking forward to the next treatment.

I chopped my hair off today. I’ve already started shedding…

short

 

We celebrated Tyson’s 6^th Birthday yesterday afternoon. We were going to do it at grandma’s house but I couldn’t handle the drive so the family came over to our house. We had pizza and cake and Tyson opened some presents. He was happy.

Tyson's 6th BD Party

Jaxson & Tyson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XOXO, Lynn

P.S. Chemo really, really sucks

One down three to go

 
 
            I had my first chemotherapy treatment on Thursday October 16, 2014. I have to admit I was VERY nervous to get the treatment but it ended up not being bad. I was almost shaking right before I got my port accessed. Everyone there was extremely nice and my nurse was wonderful. The worst part was probably the waiting to start treatment.. my appointment was for 8 am and my mom and I got there at 7:45 am we had to wait for insurance to approve my treatment (apparently the insurance companies computers were down or something and they were having to hand write the approvals) I’m told it doesn’t usually take long to get approvals but you know with my luck I couldn’t start till 10:30am waiting that 2 hours and 45 mins was not fun.






Port accessed

Julia snapped this pic of me waiting to use the potty lol

Here is my timeline 10:35 am port accessed flushed and I was hooked up to my IV pole then I was able to go pick a seat which is nice to have a choice on where you want to sit. I was started on anti-nausea meds first then I had to wait for 30 mins after they were in to start the drugs so at 11:30am I got the Taxotere which took an hour then at 12:30 started the Cytoxan. I was done and out of there at 1:15pm just in enough time for mom and I to grab lunch and go sit in car line to pick up Tyson. Mom was with me the whole time and Julia’s work is right next door to Ocala Oncology so she walked over and hung out with us for an hour on her lunch break. After we picked up Tyson and Ava we went home I hugged on my babies for a bit then I went to bed and slept for a while. I’m happy to say I haven’t had any nausea at all (so far) and no problems eating (although I'm not super hungry). My coffee tastes bitter but other than that food tastes fine. I’m very tired and have had a headache on and off, dry mouth and a red flushed face (which I’m told is from the steroids and will go away in a couple days). On Friday October 17^th I went back to get my Pegfilgrastim shot… which I will get the day after each chemo treatment. It’s to help my body make more white blood cells. This shot has its own list of side effects to worry about like bone pain.



Julia, Me and Mom 10/16/2014



10/16/2014 hugging on my babies after 1st chemo

All and all so far I’m doing fine, I feel like I'm getting over the flu, achy and some body pain .. and I hope the next 3 treatments are as easy as the first. I’m told I will probably lose my hair by the 2^nd treatment… this side effect I’m really dreading, I’m going to cut it to pixie length on Monday so that should be interesting.

I wanted to share my article in our local Healthy Living magazine. I was interviewed the week prior to my mastectomy in August. I did the photo shoot 11 days after my double mastectomy, my right arm was still really bothering me at that time but the shoot was really quick. Here is a link the magazine article and below are some pictures from the shoot.

XOXO, Lynn

http://issuu.com/ocalastyle/docs/healthylivingmagazinesoct14/35?e=2431327/9531143

http://issuu.com/ocalastyle/docs/healthylivingmagazinesoct14/35?e=2431327/9531143

 



Julia took these for me

I flexed as a joke and of course its the picture they chose for the article

 

September 2014

 

Chemo starts tomorrow

Hello everyone

Rachel Absher Photography <3

       I wanted to start by giving a super special “THANK YOU” to the incredibly sweet Rachel Absher. When Rachel first heard of my cancer diagnosis she messaged me and offered me a photo session.. I of course was very excited (as I normally am) to have family pictures made but I didn’t take her up on her generous offer until I found out that I needed to have chemotherapy. After that oncologist appointment I immediately messaged her and happily accepted. I wanted to have family pictures made before I started the treatments, before I started looking and feeling sick and of course before I lost my hair. Normally I have to talk Jon into having pictures made, it’s not something he particularly enjoys but this time he made no fuss and just said when and where and he even wore a sweater when I asked him to! I really enjoyed the session, Rachel has such a cheerful, calm, sweet presence and it was really fun. The kids had a blast and Tyson is still talking about Ms. Rachel. We met Rachel exactly five years ago, October 2009 when she took Tyson’s one year pictures, those pictures she took five years ago continue to be my favorites and I still have them hanging on our walls. Thank you again Rachel for capturing our family so beautifully, these pictures are truly cherished and bring the biggest smile to my face.  Here is a link to our photos on her blog http://www.rachelabsher.com/blog/?p=3770

October 10, 2014




                On to my yucky cancer update.. On Tuesday October 14^th I had my 2^nd fill. Fills are actually a fun appointment, I will probably only get 2 more fills so I will be done with that process before the end of the year.

2nd Fill! 10/14/2014

                I met with my Ocala Oncologist this morning and I start chemotherapy tomorrow Thursday October 16, 2014.  I am extremely nervous to start treatments; I would rather be going in to have another surgery than do this. I am hoping and praying that I do not have all of these horrible side effects that I’ve read about and been told about. I’m praying for very boring easy treatment(s) and a very easy boring few days after treatment(s). I am thankful I only need 4 treatments, since I’m starting this week and as long as nothing messes up the every 3 week treatment schedule I will be completed with chemotherapy the week prior to Christmas.

                All for now. XOXO, Lynn

Tyson kissing my Port Boo Boo <3

doing the happy dance

            The big news….. I only have to do FOUR treatments!!! Woohoo!!!! I’m so happy I could scream. My Moffit oncologist said I tested intermediate on the oncotype test but she is recommending four treatments of T&C (Taxotere and Cytoxan). I meet with my Ocala oncologist next Wednesday and should have more info on when my first treatment will start… I’m hoping we can start next week. Sooner I start, the sooner I’m done.

 

In other news:

September 25^th I cut my hair to a short Bob

before haircut



bye-bye hair

the bob - this is shortest I've ever had my hair (so far)



October 7^th I had my port installed in Ocala. It was pretty easy.

I took the bandage off today and I’m just a little sore.

right after port procedure 10/7/14

 

my skin was red from the bandage but here is what it looks like today 10/9/14

the Port

We’ve been starting to prepare Tyson for my hair loss and upcoming chemo treatments. Two weeks ago I told him I would be getting a haircut and when I picked him at school he almost didn’t get into my vehicle in the pickup line… he just stood there staring at me like a stranger until I said “Tyson its Mommy, get in the car” he did his silly little laugh and said “I didn’t recognize you with a boy haircut mommy”. That same evening Jon and I were talking to him and we told him that Mommy would have to start taking some strong medicine that would make me very tired and make all of my hair fall out… Tyson’s response to this “yeah, but it grows back”.  Another day we were in the car and passed Ocala Oncology building, I pointed out the building to Tyson and told him that is where mommy would be getting her new medicine; I said jokingly maybe my hair will grow back with no grey in it. Tyson loudly says “Mommy maybe your hair will grow back GREEN! Wouldn’t that be fantastic!? It’s your favorite color Mommy” and he proceeds with his hilarious laugh. I love that little boy so much! His view on so many things is just amazing.

my cute kids <3

Check out the chemo bag that my dear friend Lisa gave me! Isn’t it awesome and every pocket has something stuffed in it for my treatments. Love it! Thanks again Lisa  

 

XOXO, Lynn