Hey guys, thanks again for checking in. WOW! what would I do without all this support, I truly appreciate it. Love Y'all! :)
OK, Remember I had explained what a port was; check the 05/14/10 post if you missed it. Well, I got one on Monday, May 24. Got to Dekalb Medical at 6:30 a.m. did all the pre-op stuff and waited.... and waited... and waited. LOL! some people DO know time. Anyway, when I finally got to go to the back, the nurse that registered me several months ago for my Achillies tendon repair was here to register me again. She was so excited by the recognition it was kinda funny, BUT made me realize I was at that hospital tooo much.
Pre-op
Everything went well. Met the nurses involved, the anesthesiologist, and my surgeon and her assistant( the same one that did my biopsy)came in to let me know exactly what was going to be done. After that, it was pretty quiet for a little while so A.D. and I watched T.V. and waited while the nurses placed my I.V. line and took blood. Nothing gets done on me without check my blood count first. WOW!
Post-op
OMG! first thing I had to do was pee, they push a LOT of fluids though you for this one. The nurse for some reason found me comical. I just had to go. Then it was just waiting for the body and mind to wake up enough and go home. I know there was a lot on in/ out traffic but A.D. dealt with that stuff, the discharge, at home care, and whatever else they talked about. IDK
Home
I went trait to bed,... well after looking at the work they did. :) I have a lump in my upper right side of the check that is now the home of my port. It was swollen and sure to be bruised up later. For what I can remember, I just chilled for the rest of the evening.
2 days later- 05/26/10
Still a bit sore and tender from the surgery but I fell much better. Not in a fog anymore and able to move my right arm better. Still not ready to pick up any heavy objects, do C.K.D., or any major movements. Other than that, I think I'm a o.k. :)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
First day on Chemo
Okay. so I've been wondering what this would be like. For some Chemo, is a concoction of pills,for others it's an I.V. cocktail. Me... I got the I.V. cocktail. So, we start out as usual with the lab work. Taking of the vital signs, blood, and this time she started and I.V. line.
In Treatment Room
They have these nice cumphy Lazy Boy recliners. So I took my seat and waited while the nurse put my cocktail together in the mixing room. LOL! No lie y'all they got a mixing room. She them comes out with what's called Pre-meds. A mix of stuff to prevents the nausea, and some other side effects of the meds and Benydryl. Mom's y'all know what Benadryl does to the body, yea... despite my hunger I had no choice but to take a nap. I felt like a little kid at the dinner table, I'm hungry and really want to eat this food but DAMN!!! I'm falling asleep and can't help it. LOL! Other than that the treatment was pretty okay. Just sit there and let the stuff drip into your veins, watch T.V. read,go to the restroom, and listen to the other patients snore. LOL! They can't help it.
After Treatment
Maaaann, I'm was a bit tired, slightly head achy, and had this unusual metallic taste in the back of my throat. All I really wanted to do was go home and lay down. BUT!!!! I had one graduation program to get through. Y'all know I love Choi Kwang Do and my students, so I was not going to stand them up. Even if A.D. had to go without me, C.K.D. would represent. I made it to the program and stayed just long enough for my student to do they're thing, and yea, they did an awesome job. Now, finally back home, in bed, did my Cafe world, Blog and now sleep.
Nitey nite :) love y'all that thanks for checking in.
In Treatment Room
They have these nice cumphy Lazy Boy recliners. So I took my seat and waited while the nurse put my cocktail together in the mixing room. LOL! No lie y'all they got a mixing room. She them comes out with what's called Pre-meds. A mix of stuff to prevents the nausea, and some other side effects of the meds and Benydryl. Mom's y'all know what Benadryl does to the body, yea... despite my hunger I had no choice but to take a nap. I felt like a little kid at the dinner table, I'm hungry and really want to eat this food but DAMN!!! I'm falling asleep and can't help it. LOL! Other than that the treatment was pretty okay. Just sit there and let the stuff drip into your veins, watch T.V. read,go to the restroom, and listen to the other patients snore. LOL! They can't help it.
After Treatment
Maaaann, I'm was a bit tired, slightly head achy, and had this unusual metallic taste in the back of my throat. All I really wanted to do was go home and lay down. BUT!!!! I had one graduation program to get through. Y'all know I love Choi Kwang Do and my students, so I was not going to stand them up. Even if A.D. had to go without me, C.K.D. would represent. I made it to the program and stayed just long enough for my student to do they're thing, and yea, they did an awesome job. Now, finally back home, in bed, did my Cafe world, Blog and now sleep.
Nitey nite :) love y'all that thanks for checking in.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday 05/14/10
Ok, I got this call from my oncologist's office on Thursday so I'm guessing this one should determine my treatment plan now. I forgot to tell you guys that I had agreed to do a clinical trail but come to find out the trial was closed for patients like me. They are looking for candidates who are having surgery then chemo, my doctor opted to do chemo then surgery so I didn't fit into the trail anymore.
In the office
OK, just as I thought he's agreed it's time to start normal protocol for treatment. Chemo, surgery, then radiation. Chemo for me will begin next Friday 05/21/10. It consist of 2 chemo drugs that will be giving every 3rd week. Another drug to target my specific cancer will be administered every week. Too many needle pokes so I'll be getting a port. A port is an implanted vascular access device used in patients to prevent vein collapse from the numerous injection sites. Chemo seems like it will last for about the next 4 1/2 months, the other stuff I'll be on for a year.
Y'all... I give my husband flack about taking too much OTC meds for a headache or a cold now I gotta stay on prescriptions for the next 5 years. Oh, didn't tell y'all bout that other major one.
The 5 yr drug
The other drug I'll start after chemo and stay on it for the next 5 yrs. This one supposedly send me into EARLY menopause... guess the good part bout that one is that... hey I won't see "Penelope" every month any more... LOL! :D the down side of course is the flashes I keep hearing my mom talk about and the fact that Ms. P may show up again once my 5 years is up. Remember, it put me into EARLY menopause... I'm still under age for something. LOL!!!!
My Big Concern
Guys, I know there are a lot of people who have to walk this walk,and for each of us the concerns and reactions are different. Now, Y'all know I'm not a crier, though I've had my moment with this matter, but my biggest concern is hair loss. Nah... I didn't cry over the hair it just bugging me that it could shed so much that it would be easier to cut it. One of the counselors suggested cutting it short now so that once... and if.. it starts to shed, it wont be soooo traumatic for me to see the smaller patches. After some thought, I think that's what I'll do. I've always wanted to rock a short do so guess I'll take advantage now and it it shed little to none then I'll just keep it like that. IDK... any suggestions?
In the office
OK, just as I thought he's agreed it's time to start normal protocol for treatment. Chemo, surgery, then radiation. Chemo for me will begin next Friday 05/21/10. It consist of 2 chemo drugs that will be giving every 3rd week. Another drug to target my specific cancer will be administered every week. Too many needle pokes so I'll be getting a port. A port is an implanted vascular access device used in patients to prevent vein collapse from the numerous injection sites. Chemo seems like it will last for about the next 4 1/2 months, the other stuff I'll be on for a year.
Y'all... I give my husband flack about taking too much OTC meds for a headache or a cold now I gotta stay on prescriptions for the next 5 years. Oh, didn't tell y'all bout that other major one.
The 5 yr drug
The other drug I'll start after chemo and stay on it for the next 5 yrs. This one supposedly send me into EARLY menopause... guess the good part bout that one is that... hey I won't see "Penelope" every month any more... LOL! :D the down side of course is the flashes I keep hearing my mom talk about and the fact that Ms. P may show up again once my 5 years is up. Remember, it put me into EARLY menopause... I'm still under age for something. LOL!!!!
My Big Concern
Guys, I know there are a lot of people who have to walk this walk,and for each of us the concerns and reactions are different. Now, Y'all know I'm not a crier, though I've had my moment with this matter, but my biggest concern is hair loss. Nah... I didn't cry over the hair it just bugging me that it could shed so much that it would be easier to cut it. One of the counselors suggested cutting it short now so that once... and if.. it starts to shed, it wont be soooo traumatic for me to see the smaller patches. After some thought, I think that's what I'll do. I've always wanted to rock a short do so guess I'll take advantage now and it it shed little to none then I'll just keep it like that. IDK... any suggestions?
Saturday, May 8, 2010
04/07/10
I have been waiting for this day for a week now. This day I get the results of all the tests I have been taking... well most of them, I know one isn't ready yet but I ain't worried bout it. My mother and husband accompanied me on this visit. Unlike the other results visit (the one where I was actually told I had Cancer) I was calm and much more relaxed. Y'all, I was almost a mess last time cause I knew what they were about to tell me wasn't good, I just knew it.
In the room w/ Dr.S.
First let me tell you Dr. S. is a kinda quirky Indian guy that kinda resembles Mr.Bean. NO! I'm not making fun of him... just tryna give y'all an idea of what he looks like. Shoot, he's taking care of me now.
He pulls up my profile on his office p.c. and starts reading my results. Long story short... My heart is good, the MRI is clear, the Pet Scan was good even though there are traces. The only result left to get now is the Genetics. See, they are tying to figure out how and why I have this disease... there is no logical explanation. No family history, I'm too young :D(under 40), I'm active, don't abuse alcohol, don't smoke, and I eat pretty healthy.
Anyway, he goes on to explain the therapy. Chemo will start soon and will be either every other week or 3rd week. Most likely by the second session I may start loosing my hair. I am sooo NOT ready for that. Now y'all know I'm not stuck up or anything like that but but I love MY hair. Growing up, I've always had girls ask me "is that your real hair, is it all yours, is that a wig" and I've always took that as a compliment that my hair just simply looked good. UGH! So not ready! He also wants me to participate in a clinical trial. The drug isn't new for Chemo patients but the way it is given is where the trial is, at least so I understand. I will continue on this drug for a year. It is supposed to track the Her2 cancer cells and destroy them before any other cysts/tumors are formed. After Chemo, witch will take about 5- 6 months I guess, I will be starting another drug called Tamoxifn. This one has one possible GOOD benefit, it sends me into early menopause so my guess is that means I will no longer be visited my "Penelope" (.) LOL! Ok. so there may be hair loss and early menopause, then he explains that after chemo, I'll go back to the surgeon to have whatever of the lump removed or a mastectomy. WTF! are you serious. Of- course I'm ok with the lumpectomy but not the mastectomy. C'mon, is he serious... I don't think so...!!!! NO WAY!!! NOT HEARING HIM THERE!!! Even after that I will need to go to radiation therapy. Though tremendous improvements have been made in cancer research and treatment, it's still a lot to go through.
Please, support Breast Cancer research in anyway you can. You never know who it may affect... your mom, sister, cousin, aunt, wife.
Be Blessed
In the room w/ Dr.S.
First let me tell you Dr. S. is a kinda quirky Indian guy that kinda resembles Mr.Bean. NO! I'm not making fun of him... just tryna give y'all an idea of what he looks like. Shoot, he's taking care of me now.
He pulls up my profile on his office p.c. and starts reading my results. Long story short... My heart is good, the MRI is clear, the Pet Scan was good even though there are traces. The only result left to get now is the Genetics. See, they are tying to figure out how and why I have this disease... there is no logical explanation. No family history, I'm too young :D(under 40), I'm active, don't abuse alcohol, don't smoke, and I eat pretty healthy.
Anyway, he goes on to explain the therapy. Chemo will start soon and will be either every other week or 3rd week. Most likely by the second session I may start loosing my hair. I am sooo NOT ready for that. Now y'all know I'm not stuck up or anything like that but but I love MY hair. Growing up, I've always had girls ask me "is that your real hair, is it all yours, is that a wig" and I've always took that as a compliment that my hair just simply looked good. UGH! So not ready! He also wants me to participate in a clinical trial. The drug isn't new for Chemo patients but the way it is given is where the trial is, at least so I understand. I will continue on this drug for a year. It is supposed to track the Her2 cancer cells and destroy them before any other cysts/tumors are formed. After Chemo, witch will take about 5- 6 months I guess, I will be starting another drug called Tamoxifn. This one has one possible GOOD benefit, it sends me into early menopause so my guess is that means I will no longer be visited my "Penelope" (.) LOL! Ok. so there may be hair loss and early menopause, then he explains that after chemo, I'll go back to the surgeon to have whatever of the lump removed or a mastectomy. WTF! are you serious. Of- course I'm ok with the lumpectomy but not the mastectomy. C'mon, is he serious... I don't think so...!!!! NO WAY!!! NOT HEARING HIM THERE!!! Even after that I will need to go to radiation therapy. Though tremendous improvements have been made in cancer research and treatment, it's still a lot to go through.
Please, support Breast Cancer research in anyway you can. You never know who it may affect... your mom, sister, cousin, aunt, wife.
Be Blessed
Friday, May 7, 2010
Intro
Hello all,
Guess this is where my story will begin. For those who take the time to follow me on this journey... Thank you! My hope is that by using this page the number of questions I have to answer from my friends will NOT be so great. Please understand while I of-course have no problems discussing this matter, this blog was created to help alleviate us from the repetitive answers. Please feel free to leave your questions, comments and concerns here... there are no dumb question other than the one not asked. :) and your question my be another persons concern so please, just ask.
As you have read above I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Yea! Ain't that something. We received this confirmation on April 21,2010, so to all Lithonia C.K.D. family that's why we (Merrick family) have been out for a while. I know, we were kinda missing them already with my previous injury. Life happens and I guess you can say it's my time of the less fortunate events. :( From mid March I have been in-between physical therapy and numerous other appointments concerning the mass in my breast. It was a very stressful time for us so if by some chance I snapped at anyone or seemed outta character... PLZ forgive me. :D
It's late now, so I will post again soon to give you guys more information. Be Blessed!
Pil Suhng! (Certain Victory)
Guess this is where my story will begin. For those who take the time to follow me on this journey... Thank you! My hope is that by using this page the number of questions I have to answer from my friends will NOT be so great. Please understand while I of-course have no problems discussing this matter, this blog was created to help alleviate us from the repetitive answers. Please feel free to leave your questions, comments and concerns here... there are no dumb question other than the one not asked. :) and your question my be another persons concern so please, just ask.
As you have read above I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Yea! Ain't that something. We received this confirmation on April 21,2010, so to all Lithonia C.K.D. family that's why we (Merrick family) have been out for a while. I know, we were kinda missing them already with my previous injury. Life happens and I guess you can say it's my time of the less fortunate events. :( From mid March I have been in-between physical therapy and numerous other appointments concerning the mass in my breast. It was a very stressful time for us so if by some chance I snapped at anyone or seemed outta character... PLZ forgive me. :D
It's late now, so I will post again soon to give you guys more information. Be Blessed!
Pil Suhng! (Certain Victory)
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