I feel fortunate to say that these progress updates feel pretty uneventful! The biggest challenge has definitely been the mental challenge. From a side effects perspective, I still have the gross heart burn, the mouth sores and hot flashes. I definitely have hair shedding, but so far I can't really say my hair has thinned... Continue Reading →
Treatment 5 of 12
Chilling by the river Another step closer to being done! I didn't get to write this on my day of treatment because I was completely wasted. Not sure if the Benadryl hit me harder or the treatment felt harder. My labs were still good, but my white blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin were low. Need... Continue Reading →
PROGRESS: Day 4.6
Mermaid Maddie at the pool I took a break from riding on Sunday, but road today. Even though I felt okay when I woke up on Sunday, I had done a pretty hard ride on Saturday, so I felt like it would be a good idea to take a break and rest a bit. My... Continue Reading →
My Chemo Fitness Goals
When I first learned that I had Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) in early April, I knew that I was going to have surgery and probably radiation in front of me. I was super bummed to learn that my surgery was going to prevent me from being able to do strenuous activity and probably keep... Continue Reading →
TREATMENT: 4 of 12
With the cooling cap tight on my head and face, and all those IV fluids pumped into me, I look like a gopher, my face is so round! Big achievement! I've officially made it one month, or one-third, through treatment! Today's treatment took more out of me. Maybe it was getting less sleep last night.... Continue Reading →
PROGRESS: Day 3.6
A tranquil image from our 2014 Mackinac Island visit We are into August and quickly approaching Treatment #4! My physical symptoms have been very manageable. The biggest complaints I have right now is that I notice I get canker sores in my mouth following treatment and I think that I might be starting to feel... Continue Reading →
PROGRESS: Day 3.3
A random picture I took of a duck in the Baltimore harbor I liked Today has been another good day! It's been similar to last week where Thursday was a great day where I had a wonderful and recharging night of sleep. Then Thursday night's sleep was not as good, but I still got a... Continue Reading →
Treatment 3 of 12: A Quarter There!
How treatment went Look at that hair! I didn't wake up with my hair falling out Today was a great day! I came in, went back to my room, they hooked up my port and drew my blood for labs. My lab results all came back by 9:30 AM, so they ordered my meds and... Continue Reading →
PROGRESS: Day 2.7
Unrelated, but a cute picture of Maddie on her balance bike! As my second full week comes to an end, I really can't complain about much of my physical side effects from treatment. Up to this point, it's really only been heartburn that has been the biggest discomfort along with ] trouble sleeping. It's really... Continue Reading →
PROGRESS: Day 2.4
Before our ride This week has been going really well actually. I thought Friday was going to be my hard day, but I think sleep really made the difference. I chose not to ride on Friday just in case I was going to feel like crap and planned to ride today. I still haven't experienced... Continue Reading →