As for my battle with cancer, the chemo phase is behind me. And it feels so good! Some of the side effects are still lingering (watery eyes, eye twitching, runny nose, some fatigue, belly issues) but for the most part, I'm feeling pretty good! I even had my regular dentist appointment today and my dentist checked for dental issues caused by my chemo. I'm happy to report that there are no issues! My hair is kind of starting to grow back. To be honest, I'm not sure if it really is or not?! You'd think I'd know for sure, but I can't quite tell. The gray is still growing like it was before, but I think there's some stubble coming in close to the scalp. I'm preparing for the regrowth phase and I'm hoping it's not as awkward as I'm imagining it will be. But just like the bald head, it'll be what it'll be. I'm not going to stress about it. But if you see me and you think I look like an 11 year old boy who needs a haircut, just know that I already know my hair is a mess!
I had my first herceptin infusion today. It was so nice to go into the infusion room and only have a 30 minute infusion of a drug with few side effects. I guess the herceptin can cause my hair to grow slowly and be thin. Apparently it can also cause belly issues, too, but I feel like it can't be as bad as the full cocktail. I clarified with the surgeon about whether or not I'll have to be on the perjeta for the remainder of my 12 months (the beast that causes the diarrhea). She said I will not have to be on perjeta if I had a "complete clinical response" to the chemo. If I did not have a complete response, then I will have to get perjeta with each of my herceptin infusions... which is every 3 weeks till the middle of June 2019. So y'all, I'm asking for prayers that the pathology report shows a complete clinical response to the chemo.
My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, October 18. I'm as ready as I'll ever be to get it done. I'm really anxious to get the cancer off my body. I'm tired of lugging it around and just knowing it's there. For those who haven't read my blog, I'm having both breasts removed and I do not plan to have reconstruction anytime soon. The surgery is scheduled for 8 am and I should be done in 3-5 hours. I'll stay in the hospital for one night and should be released to come home early Friday afternoon. My amazing sister and brother-in-law are keeping the kids for us because my sweet husband is staying with me overnight. My mom is going to be at my surgery with me and then she'll help with the kids and our dog Thursday night. My family really is the absolute best! I am so grateful for all of them. I'm also grateful for The Healing Chair. It's an organization that provides breast cancer patients who are recovering from surgery an electric lift chair for their home. I received mine on Saturday. Ryan met the woman who used my chair previously. She's only 3 weeks out from her surgery and she is feeling great! It was inspiring to him to hear her story because he's been pretty nervous about this part of the journey. I've got my lift chair in the living room and it's very comfy. My girls think it's a Worlds of Fun ride! The chair is mine for as long as I need it. When I'm done with it, Ryan and I can help deliver it to the next patient. It also comes with a journal so that I can read the story of the other women who have healed in my chair. It's pretty cool!
There are things about recovering from surgery that I'm nervous about, but none of them are major things. I'm not looking forward to having the drains and having to measure the ick that comes out of my body. I'm also not looking forward to the lifting restrictions that will prevent me from lifting Hattie. I'm not thrilled about wearing clothes that button/zip down the front while I work my way back to getting my arms over my head and into my normal clothes. I'm a little unsure about how long it will take me to get used to my flat chest. I'm most apprehensive about the pathology report and knowing what my future treatment looks like because of it. But since the pathology report is out of my control, I'm content to just pray about it and leave it with God. I'm hopeful that my girls handle this surgery okay. I expect they'll nervous to see me, nervous they'll hurt me if they come too close, and upset when I can't do all the things I normally do. But hopefully those times will be short-lived and we'll be on the other side within a few weeks.
I know many of you are praying for me often. I appreciate your prayers so much! Below are specific prayer requests.
- Please pray for an uneventful surgery and recovery.
- Please pray for a complete clinical response to the chemo.
- Please pray that I do not require radiation.
- Please pray that this cancer has not and does not spread.
- Please pray for Ryan, Gracie, and Hattie. Pray that they feel peace through this experience. Pray that their faith is strengthened as they walk through this with me.
- Please pray for my friend Sarah.
