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Dawn's Cancer Journal
Nov. 14th, 2005
12:46 pm - Back from ANOTHER trip to the hospital
A couple weeks ago I was preparing to start my new chemo, Abraxane, when my oncologist discovered fluid in my my lungs (making the Abraxane much more dangerous for me to take). I had some chest xrays to confirm this, and then the tapped the fluid out of my lungs.The following day, I still had a lot of pain, but in my ribs this time. I went back to ER, had more xrays. They spent about another another week trying to get my calcium, potassium, sodium, etc levels correct within my blood stream before they were able to give me the Abraxane. I finally took the chemo, with the relieving effect of NO SIDE-EFFECTS! It is given once every 3 months. I wish it were given more frequently, so that I can see the results faster! The tumors I am feeling under my skin now are large, lumpy and painful, and making me worried.
spaced out on pain medsSep. 20th, 2005
03:57 pm - Boobie Surgery--not yet
I saw a breast surgeon today. I am still not ready to have a mastectomy yet, because the skin is still recovering from the radiation. The skin is very red, and peeling, even oozing and bleeding a little. But they said, in about two months I should come see them again, and then I'll probably be able to get it done. I'll even have time to go back to work in between! I'm happy about this. I can wait for the surgery, as long as I know its only the healing from the radiation that's making it wait, and not the cancer itself.
satisfiedSep. 14th, 2005
04:41 pm - Carboplatinum
I started a new chemo today, carboplatinum. I don't feel sick yet. In fact I'm hungry, because I didn't get lunch I was there!
The skin around my breast is starting to peel and swell since radiation is over. But there are also some new tumors forming under my left armpit, right outside the field that radiation covered; and my doctor had even tried to preemptively cover an area where the cancer might go next. I guess my cancer might be pretty clever, escaping even preemptive radiation...
Let's hope this carboplatinum works well.
exhaustedSep. 10th, 2005
12:07 pm - Update
I know its been a while since I've updated...granted, I've also been in the hospital for two weeks and had my computer crash on me, so I also haven't been able to get to a computer for over 3 weeks!
I had been in the process of getting radiation to my breast, and working, when the pain from my back got so bad one weekend that I had to go to ER. They spent almost a week trying to find the right combination of pain medicines that would provide enough pain relief without making me throw up all the time. Then they decided to do the back surgery. They cut into my left side, its a long incision too...you coulda popped me open like a Pez dispenser...ha ha. Anyway, so I was in the hospital for a little over two weeks. They let me go home last Monday, and I have been recuperating at home ever since. I get nurses and physical therapists coming by twice a week. I am now done with the radiation to my breast, but they might also soon do radiation to my spine, where they operated, so that they can zap any cancer cells they missed during surgery.
When I came home from the hospital, I realized that my computer had a nasty nasty virus and despite my efforts to fix it, it got so bad that it wouldn't even start. So my dad dropped it off at Best Buy's Geek Squad, and they are going to backup all my files and sweep it all clean, reinstalling the operating system and everything. I hope to get my computer back by early next week. At the moment I am using the computer at the public library. So there's my excuse, to all of you who have been complaining that I didn't update this enough recently! :-P
Jul. 25th, 2005
05:11 pm - Boobie.
I saw my radiologist at Hopkins today. I am going to have to get radiation to my breast and also on a vertebra in my spine... just in time to start my new job as Room Coordinator at church! But I'm trying to get my treatment scheduled in Annapolis and I'm bound and determined to go to work no matter how tired I get. The job is only 20 hours a week, so if I have my radiation in the morning I should be able to get most of my hours in.
Jun. 28th, 2005
05:10 pm - 2nd AC chemo
Yesterday was my second tri-weekly treatment of Adriamycin and Cytoxan. My hair did not start falling out until last week, and today I shaved my head again, like last year, because it started coming out fast in big clumps. I took some pictures of my new look, and you can find one in my User Info.
I have noticed that I get some nauseau for about 2-3 days after chemo, and maybe some muscle aches 4-6 days after, and then for the next two weeks I feel pretty good.
I can tell the chemo is working too. The first dose already shrunk my breast tumor by half!
I recently applied for an administrative assistant job at a law firm in Annapolis. I first interviewed with the temp agency, and should hear back this week to find out if I get an interview with the firm. The pay is pretty good, and so will be the benefites once I make it from temp-hire (in about 3 months). My first interview went well, so everyone keep your fingers crossed for me!
Jun. 9th, 2005
07:31 am - Ovaries
Well, yesterday afternoon I went to the ER to explore some mysterious abdominal cramping I'd had for about 2 weeks and I was there from 3:30 pm until 1 am! Yikes. I had been afraid it might be appendicitis, because it was worse on my lower right sight. But as it turns out, I had had an ovarian cyst (NOT cancerous) that had burst and released its fluid, and that is what was causing me pain. Apparently I also have a few very small and harmless cysts as well. The good news is, they won't need to operate or anything; it will get better on its own. Apparently it is something that is rather common and not very dangeous.
cheerfulJun. 8th, 2005
02:19 pm - New Chemo Update
Ok, so I know a lot of you are waiting for me to finally update this thing.
The diarreah got too bad on the Xeloda so I stopped that, and now I am taking Adrianycin and Cytoxan. I started yesterday. The Adriamycian is red so it makes my pee orange! I threw up once last night and I am very fatigure but otherwise the side effects are tolerable. My hair will probably start falling out for real in about 2 weeks. I'll take pictures when it does. Well i'm tired, soi'll write more
Mar. 30th, 2005
09:55 am - more radiation
I am starting 2 weeks of radiation to my right hip next week, as well as my thoracic-9 vertebra and possibly the left hip.
Sorry I haven't updated for a while! Everything is happening slower than I thought it would.
Mar. 18th, 2005
09:33 am - hip radiation
Well, they don't want to put the pins in my hips, but I will get more radiation starting next week.
Here's hoping!
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