Falling Leaves

I just want to say a great big thank you to all of you who came out today to support me. The sea of purple was amazing. We truly have great friends. Thanks to John and Joan for organizing the "purple" and all the Guelph runners for the meals and support. You all incredibly kind and thoughtful people. Thanks also to my co-workers from Kitchener who surprised me and ran and cheered.

A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:22

Sunnybrook

Today I drove myself to Sunnybrook to get a second opinion and to make sure from now on I get the proper treatment (mastectomy first was not the correct treatment). While my 10 am appointment finished at 1 pm with long waits I am very glad I went. First of all I am glad to be receiving treatment in Guelph...much more personalized and no traffic to contend with!! Second of all the appointment afforded me 2 new opportunities and keeps me in the loop for further trials with triple negative cancer. I am going to be able to be in a study a Women's College Hospital with BRCA gene testing for triple negative. Currently I do not qualify for this test in Ontario because I have no relatives with breast or ovarian cancer. The test is close to $4000 but now I get it free. There is currently a 10% chance of being positive for it with triple negative. I am praying I will be one of the 90% who are negative for the sake of our daughters.
The oncologist is also suggesting an MRI of the non-cancer side because the CT scan showed something in the lymph node and it is still enlarged. This was not previously offered to me and I was told the ultrasound showed nothing but  no one could explain why.
Sunnybrook is going to be keeping me in the loop for further trials on triple negative which I am happy about!

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always

Psalm 105:4

Head Shaven

On Wednesday my Mom took me to my second chemo, the first at the Guelph General Hospital. It took 3 tries to get a line in but the nurses were wonderful. I did not feel well afterwards and later vomited. Not the best day. Yesterday my hair started really falling out and I let C give me a short haircut. Only a few tears when I realized that this is actually happening to me. I don't want to look like a cancer patient but I don't think there is any way out of this! Today David and I went freecycling and I could feel the wind on my head, something I never felt before. Tonight D shaved my head and I am starting to get used to this. I have decided I really don't like my wig (named Daisy) because she looks too poofy but she was the least poofiest of them all! I may just have to go the bald route, should cut down on wind drag when I get back to running.

Kindness is the oil that takes friction out of life.
     -- Author Unknown

Infection

Today Q started Grade 12, A started her 8 month co-op placement in Kitchener and C started her co-op in Elora. Today I also saw my surgeon for my post-op appointment. The infection that I thought I had but the doctor said I didn't have but David said I did have I now do have! I have started on a 1 week course of antibiotics which will hopefully clear up the infection. If it doesn't clear up the surgeon said he will have to open it up which could possibly mean delaying chemo.
I also met with my radiation oncologist who told me I will have 5 weeks of radiation Monday to Friday starting 1 month after chemo is done. I also saw where I will have chemo tomorrow at the Guelph General Hospital.
On a personal note I want to say that the Guelph Runners are amazing! Thank you so much for the meals and for all of you who helped David with our Forest Street house on Saturday...it does make a difference. Also thank you to all who have brought food, flowers and are praying for us. It is so much appreciated!

Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have. William Arthur Ward

Day 10

Today is day 10 of my first chemo cycle. I injected myself with my last dose of Neupogen (for this cycle) as my ever faithful cockapoo Zech watches. He hasn't missed an injection yet! Today my hair is technically supposed to start falling out but so far nothing has happened. It's not that I am complaining but I would like to see some evidence that the drugs are doing their job! I will ask the oncologist on Tuesday if still no hair loss.
I now get to enjoy the next 3 days without a single needle being put into my body and I am happy about that!

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 
Psalm 91:1

Run Around

Today was run around day. Last night David noticed something oozing out of my incision. He also found a stitch. There were only to be staples at the site or so we were told. The homecare nurse came and inspected my technique for injecting myself and said it was fine. I showed her the incision and she said it was hot and she thought it was infected and yes there was a stitch left there. I called my doctor and was told I could come right away or wait until tomorrow. The nurse had suggested I get in right away. So I head to the doctor to wait and wait and wait. Finally I tell them I am on chemo and I don't want to wait in a waiting room full of sick people. They escort me to one of the examining rooms. I wait. Then they decide they need that room and send me to another room. By this time I have had it!!! I let them know what I think of the health care system while having a mini-breakdown. My exceptionally good doctor comes in and is very kind. She says she understands and that I have a right to be angry but I still feel badly. After looking at the incision she says it is not infected and that the stitch is a dissolvable stitch but the part that is exposed won't dissolve so she cuts it short. This is good news but why didn't the surgeon tell me, or the nurse who removed all the staples or why didn't the homecare nurses know this? In my fit of anger I also told the doctor I did not appreciated the homecares nurses that reeked of cigarette smoke or the fact that a second nurse tried to come & give me an injection on the day I already had one (imagine if I was a senior and was unable to remember if I had my injection?) Needless to say the health care system isn't perfect and I should be thankful for what they have done for me so far. For those of you reading this with elderly parents or children or yourself make sure you keep track of everything and be in charge because mistakes will happen and you need to be your own advocate!!

The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of
affliction.

     -- Charles H. Spurgeon

Neupogen Injections

6 days since I have had my first chemo and I am feeling pretty good, all things considered. I started Neuopogen injections on Friday and I will receive them for days 3-10 after each chemo. The neupogen is the expensive drug (approx $16,000 total) to help stimulate the growth of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) to fight against infection. Here in Ontario the government only wants to pay for it if your white blood cells become too low. Because I am having dose-dense chemo my oncologist applied for special authorization to get it covered and to start it before my white cells become too low. Thankfully we did get it covered.
I am now learning how to inject myself with it rather than waiting on someone to come every day to inject it. A few more days and I will be a pro at it! 




Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12