Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A Good Week

Praise God for a really good week.  I have had energy and been able to get out and about.  I enjoyed having lunch with a couple of friends from school yesterday and then went and played games with my mom and dad. Greg is good; just working all the time and then taking excellent care of me when he gets home.  My next treatment is this Sunday July 3rd.  Thank you all for your prayers and support.  I couldn't do this without you. Please keep James and Amy in your prayers as we are trusting in God for His grace; mercy and healing.  Check out their blog at alwaysabell.blogspot.com....Thank you all!  

Friday, June 24, 2011

Just to let you know...

I'm sorry for not posting earlier.  I am doing so much better this week.  My strength has returned, and I have a wider variety of foods I can eat.  My fingers, and feet are still tingling, and unfortunately I have ulcers in my mouth from the chemo.  Other than that I am as good as new! hahaha  Remember to keep my nephew and niece in your prayers as they possibly start a clinical trial with possible surgery.  They are on vacation this week with James' family in Kentucky.  Pray his pain will be minimal and they are able to enjoy their time away.  You are all the best! I thank you for going through this with me and I hope you are all enjoying your summer. 

Thursday, June 16, 2011

In the middle of it

The doc was right no energy and everything taste like metal! Well enough of that just wanted everyone to know I am doing o. k. really and I love hearing from you.  Keep praying and keep in touch, love to all.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Praising God for great news

We had a great weekend,enjoyed seeing many friends. Today's meeting with Dr.Coscio was fantastic tumor had shrunk by 80% and lymph nodes by 75%!!!PTL.... Started new chemo today.  Doc said feel ok for 1-2 days then possibly feel like I was ran over by a Mack truck. But good news is this should only last 5 to 7 days Yippie.  We are fixing to take a nap and if I feel ok we are going to eat at the new Red Lobster in Conroe. Keep praying; He's listening and we are receiving the blessings.  Thanks to all and keep in touch :)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

I Love Fireworks

We went to the Astros game last night and they got thrashed 11-4. Greg and I still had fun; he bought me a jersey and we were able to enjoy the fireworks set to Frank Sinatra music.  Slept in til 8 this morning, had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, and then we headed home.  We'll leave about 3 today going to my brother's place in Grapeland, and then to a wedding reception for a dear friend's son who got married in Jamaica last month.  Feeling much better today, and will begin FAC on Monday.  The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful caring husband and I am so very thankful for the next few days we have together. 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Yucky

I'm trying to keep everyone posted; with both good news and not so good news.  So here it goes....I got sick Tuesday night after chemo, but felt o.k. most of the day on Wednesday.  Wednesday night unfortunately I got sick again, and have not felt up to par yet today.  I know it's just one of the side effects, but I don't like not being able to trust my stomach.... Please keep Greg and I in your prayers tomorrow as we go to MD Anderson for mammogram, and ultrasound.  We are praying for no new biopsies needed, and for the old tumor to be undetectable.  Dr. cancelled on us so we won't see the doc, but we are going to the Astros game and hopefully we'll see some fireworks.  Thanks to Andrea from Sunday School, we are staying in a hotel tomorrow night instead of having to drive home.  Thanks for following along on our journey! 

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Trying to do the right thing....

They say exercise helps people manage the side effects of chemo, so I thought o.k. I will do my best.  I started water aerobics yesterday, and came home totally exhausted.  I then proceeded to take a 2 hour nap.  When I woke up I did feel pretty good and cooked Greg some supper.  Today I did water walking, and still feel pretty good.  I go for chemo at 2; so want to get some stuff accomplished before I get my poison.  God is good all the time; all the time God is good! Hope you all have a blessed day!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Round 1 almost over...

After 11 weeks of Pacitaxel, Taxol for short, I'm doing pretty good.  The good news is after about the 4th week; the lump in my breast is undetectable.  Dr. says lymph nodes are almost down to correct size.  Few side effects which are to be expected but thank God I was able to work most of the time.  School is out for summer, and I will begin second round of chemo FAC, (the bad stuff), on June 14th.  We will do our best to keep you posted as to my progress.  Leave us a post; we love to hear from our friends.  I want to thank everyone for prayers and support; they really mean a lot. 

When it all started.....

January 2011 I felt a lump in the top portion of my left breast.  I had felt one about two years ago, and through testing the lump was benign.  I knew I needed to get a mammogram as soon as possible but wasn't too worried.  To make a long story shorter, I had a mammogram, a week later an ultrasound, and a few days after that biopsies.  On February 14th, the Love Holiday, Dr. Moonatt called me at school to tell me I had breast cancer, and she wanted to see Greg and I tomorrow at her office.  Thank God Chris Kuempel was in my room working on RtI with me at the time; who is a cancer survivor.  Greg and I found out I have invasive ductile carcinoma which is about 80% of all breast cancers.  She recommended an Oncologist, and said we were waiting on the hormone receptors to determine the type of cancer.  Dr. Moonatt called school again to give me good news, and bad news.  The good news was that my liver and chest show no sign of cancer from the lyphmnodes; bad news is my cancer is a triple negative.  That means it is not Estrogen, Progestern, or Her2 fed cancer.  On February 18th we decided to get second opinion from MD Anderson.  Two and half weeks felt like forever, but on March 4 we met with Dr. Ronald Walters (really smart dude) who visited with us for 1 1/2 hours and explained everything.  He wanted all ultrasounds and mammograms redone at MD Anderson.  These people are thorough!  Since cancer is Triple Negative, plan is chemo first, then surgery, and possible radiation.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Welcome

Thanks for joining me on my journey through breast cancer.  I will do my best to keep everyone informed, with the help of my husband, mom, and wonderful niece Amy!  I appreciated your thoughts and prayers more than you can know.  My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is with me as He promised He would be; and I will not fear!  I pray for the grace to fight this battle and for His glory be revealed on the journey through this valley.  Even in the valley God is good. 

Donna