One Month Post Chemo Anniversary

Yesterday was my ONE MONTH post chemo anniversary! I did my best to pack as much as I could into the "feel good" weeks between chemo and surgery. The first thing I did was have a blast at the Miles for Moffitt 5K run just 12 days after my last infusion. On race day, I was in better shape than I anticipated and walked 2 out of the 3 miles. My bestie and niece decorated a wheel chair so I got to sit and roll for a mile when my feet started tingling. I felt fine the next day after the race but then the tingling, numbness, and pain kicked in the second day and that sucked. I found that Epsom Salt Baths (super hot) seemed to help with the foot pains. I also found that pampering myself to a parafilm wax pedicure is even better! I had a lot of neuropathy pain after chemo but it's starting to be manageable. It basically feels like my feet are asleep at times, especially in the evening. I also get a feeling as if I'm walking directly on my heel bones along with aches throughout my legs. It was to the point that I dreaded having to get up to just go to the bathroom. It's a horrible feeling and I'm glad that it seems to be getting better. I don't think the tingling ever stops but that is tolerable and you kind of get used to it.

I see that my chemo brain just sent me off on a tangent about neuropathy when I wanted to talk more about the 5K! The Pamela Fights in Pink team raised $5,585.00 for cancer research and we had 44 runners/walkers. It was a great way to give back and celebrate all at the same time and I can't thank everyone enough for all the support. My team was so busy socializing that we almost missed our opportunity to start the race! I just hope everyone had as much fun as I did......and I can't wait to do it again next year.

Last year I started turkey hunting and was bummed that I wouldn't be able to go this year. Well, I decided last minute that it would be a good idea to head up to my cabin in the woods and turkey hunt! I got to share the trip with one of my best friends and even got her to put on camo! I needed the time up there to relax and clear my mind......and turkey hunt. I enjoy sitting in the woods and just taking it all in. I'd really enjoy harvesting a turkey too, but that didn't happen this year so now I'm looking forward to next year already. Although I didn't get a turkey I did get poison ivy which is always pleasant to deal with as if I don't have enough problems! On the upside, I didn't catch any of the funky germs floating around on the airplane. I did wear a mask while traveling even though it draws more attention to my bald self. It was weird at first but after about a minute I really didn't care what people were thinking.

Selma and I in front of what used to be a chimney many years ago

Knowing that I will be in recovery soon for 2-4 weeks, I've really tried to put in more hours at the office. I've been away from work a lot since all this started and it's really hard to keep up. Between all my shenanigans and work I've slacked off on blogging and I kinda feel bad about that! Speaking of shenanigans, my hubby and I will be heading off to Key West for a few days to do absolutely NOTHING and we cannot wait. This is my last Ooh-rah before the big surgery coming up!

I forgot to mention that my hair has started to grow back. But it looks ridiculous!  The day I returned home from my hunting trip I immediately shaved it with clippers because my head looked like a fuzzy tennis ball. The hair was different lengths and colors so it wigged me out. I got some hair soap and root treatment from a store called Lush at the mall so hopefully it does the trick to bring back normal hair. Right now it's a mixture of dark and blonde hair and basically looks like I have pepper on my head.

Much needed Dogo love the days following the 5K.

On a final note, remember that nasty toenail I posted about 2 months ago?  Well, it healed from the infection but then last weekend the nail started turning green! My doctor put me on an anti-fungal for it along with some topical treatment. I was worried this may delay my surgery so last night I soaked my feet and removed the toenail. Nothing like having a big toe with no toenail while in Key West! If cancer has taught me anything, it's taught me to not be so vain and I'm good with that.

Some poison ivy on my arm :/

Selma and I at Fountain Square in Cincinnati

And this is how I fly

#8 - Chemo is done, I DID IT!!!

Feeling like a champ....last day in a chair!

Well I did it!  I completed 8 rounds of dose dense chemo and it feels like a major accomplishment. To be honest, the feeling I had this day was equivalent to the feeling I had the day I graduated with my Masters degree! So it was a good fit that my mom and sister made me a chemo graduation cap with a pink tassel while I rang the bell. I sat through 4 rounds of AC treatment and 4 rounds of Taxol treatment and each time I would hear at least one patient ring the bell. Each time I couldn't wait until it was my turn, yet was happy for them that they were D-O-N-E! Now I know what it feels like and I hope to never have to do it again.

I was looking forward to seeing my oncologist to give her a big hug but she was not there on my last day. I had to see another doctor and I was impressed that he knew so much about my history with chemo. He knew that my 4th round of AC put me in the hospital and emphasized that it could happen again if I don't take care of myself. I decided to tell him that I wanted to get in on turkey season before it ended and that I would be flying in 2 weeks......he looked at me like I had 3 heads! Then he scheduled be for follow up bloodwork the day before I fly out as a precautionary but I'm confident that my numbers will be pretty good. I NEED a vacation at this point.

My sister tagged my car :)

Over the past 6 months I've read everything I could regarding breast cancer and chemo treatments. It amazes me how the same treatment causes different side effects among us patients. The AC definitely kicked my ass but the Taxol has been slightly "easier". I've read about what some have endured from Taxol and consider myself fairly lucky at this point. The body pain is awful but at least I didn't get the peripheral neuropathy like many others have to deal with. Mine is so minimal that complaining about it would be embarrassing! The body pain that I get would probably be comparable to what it feels like after rolling down a hill or set of bleachers.  However, we have drugs for this and I am not afraid to take them so I can be somewhat comfortable! Thankfully, it is temporary and that is something I say to myself when I get fed up with being in pain. Having constant aches and pain does suck, but getting through this is going to make me tougher just like all the others that have been through this before me. I don't think you will hear me ever complaining about menial things from here on out! My hopes are that I detox soon and start living a healthy productive lifestyle so that my immune system is always on point.


Last time checking in!!! :)

I am so thankful that this part of my cancer journey is complete.....I smile just thinking about it. It has gone by much faster than anticipated and now I am focusing on the surgery and getting back to "normal". I'm a different person now and I think those that know me may even notice a change at some point. This sure has been a wild ride and I'm glad it's over.  I've probably stated that 10 times in this blog already but at least you will know how passionate I am about how I feel!

This weekend my team of 35 will walk, run, jog, hobble, stroll, roll the Miles for Moffitt 5K.  We've raised $3,650 so far for cancer research and I couldn't be more proud. I love doing these types of events and this one will be personal for me. All of us will walk for those that have suffered from cancer and I can only hope that they will all join me again next year. This is an excellent way for me to celebrate and let cancer know it can kiss my ass as I walk this 5K on my own!

Below are a just a few of the pics from my last day. You'll see it was very emotional and I tear up now just typing about it. I wasn't much of an emotional crier before but that surely has changed. If you haven't been a cancer patient I hope that reading my blogs has enlightened you in some way. I hope you go out of your way now to hug someone that has gone through this. I hope you feel more compassion towards someone just diagnosed. I hope you make sure they know you love them. I hope you don't look the other way when you see someone bald from cancer. I just hope that you have a better understanding of what it takes to fight cancer and that it more than just a colored ribbon.


Having fun w/ selfies on our ride to celebration dinner!

My husband and best friend that I love!

Collage made by my sister of my last 6 months

Sister, Mom, Me and Dad - My family that I LOVE!

My fan team cheering me on to ring the bell, I didn't know they were ALL here!

My new "breast" friends. Notice the tears in my eyes as these ladies are still fighters yet have been my mentors. I love these two ladies and they are truly an inspiration.

This is the "SURPRISE" look on my face....I didn't know everyone was there!

Family and Friends I just couldn't live without....
 



All smiles leaving Moffitt today

 

And finally here is a video of me ringing the bell........