Treatment/Chemotherapy
Phillip
Phillip launches balloon #4My cousin Phillip came to visit me from California this weekend, and I let him release balloon #4 for the fourth week of chemo. It was so nice to visit with him and talk about our childhood memories. Shared visits to Grandma's house, and...
The Red Balloon
Those of you who know me, know that I love symbolism and a good theme. While I have enjoyed blowing things up after each chemo round, I find the temperatures in the single digits take some of the fun out of it. So I have had to come up with something symbolic to do...
Losing Hair Hurts and Other Things They Don’t Tell You!
Just when you think you have suffered enough, chemo adds another insult. It turns out that losing your hair hurts. Actually hurts. I read up on it and it seems that the hair follicles are the root (get it?) cause. I have read up on remedies and I welcome any...
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
I think of all the years my husband has rolled out of bed when he was called into the hospital during the night and taken care not to wake me. In the early years, every time the phone would ring, I would wake up and have trouble going back to sleep. Then, as that...
Cyber Pajama Party and Chemo Update
Calling Team Kathy! I'm hosing my first cyber pajama party on December 11 (the night before my next chemo day). No need to physically attend, just dress in your favorite jammies and think positive thoughts for chemo #3. That will put me 75% complete with phase I. ...
Blowing up Pumpkins – 25% Done!
Blowing up a pumpkin is therapeutic, I don't care who you are. It makes me laugh. While I find a year of chemo daunting, it does give me many opportunities to have some fun. Phase I, the super sucky phase, required some form of therapy to mark the...
First Day of Chemo
I have been trying to decide what to say about my very, very long first day of chemo. I arrived at 9:00 a.m. and left at 2:30 p.m. Danielle was able to be with me the entire time. We managed to play nice with everyone. Actually, Danielle played nice and listened...
Chemo or No Chemo?
Several people have asked my why I'm having chemo if "they got it all," so I thought I would try to explain. Physicians don't use the term "we got it all," instead they talk about lymph nodes and clear margins (see the pathology report posting). But most of us...
The Surgeon
On the way to the appointment with the surgeon, Gene asks me if I have decided on what treatment plan I would prefer. He explains that if I am uncertain or uncomfortable at any point, we can walk out of there without setting a surgery date. I go over my thoughts...
The posts on this page were added at the request of several of my readers who wanted “the fun stories to continue.” Some are dedicated to a friend in her last weeks of life. These posts are a mix of travel adventures and random experiences and are in date order with the newest post on top.
Help Support Breast Cancer Patients
All proceeds from book sales are donated to two local non-profit funds to help breast cancer patients afford diagnosis and care. Virginia Gay Hospital Gifts of Hope provides free mammograms and diagnostic services and is supported by the Benton County Survivors Group; and the Hall-Perrine Hope Fund helps cancer patients pay for emergency needs.