Jan 2008 Update

Monday I had Dr appointment with the surgeon and she reaffirmed me that my incisions were healed nicely and to continue with physical therapy since it is making progress with range of motion in my arm. I also saw my oncologist Monday. I had to complain because of the 4-5 hours I am there every three weeks, for an infusion that is supposed to last 90 minutes. It was worth it because miraculously I was out of there in 120 minutes . We'll see if it will last though.
I will continue to see the oncologist every 9 weeks. I then had an appointment with the plastic surgeon on Tuesday. At this appointment he explained the different type of implants there are
and the benefits and/or drawbacks from each one.
How come he kept the implant in his hand the entire time?
Anyway I will be having my surgery in January and after this surgery I will be another step closer to putting this all be hind me.
Explaining to the kids that I had to have another surgery was interesting because they didn't know or they didn't think that had anything removed. Even thoough it was explained to them. They just thought that the cancer was removed... The innocence of children. After about 9 weeks post surgery I get to have two tattoos. Never thought I would say that. But the tattoos are for cosmetic reasons. Here I am trying not to get too personal what am I thinking.....I guess if you can't figure it out you can email me and I'll tell you more descriptive details.
The implant surgery is outpatient and lasts about 2 hours. I will have drain tubes for about 5-7 days again. Not sure on the recovery period. I wouldn't think it would be much .
Treatments are getting easier. And they weren't terrible to begin with compared to the chemo.
I just have the terrible bone archness for two days .
My hair is curlier every inch it grows. I feel good and seem to be back to my old energy with a nap here and there.

I'll post again after surgery.
2008 will be great
Kelly

Happy Holidays!

My second dose of Herceptin had less side effects than the first. There is hope that every treatment will get easier. YEAH! The disappointing part is that I was at the Center for 5 hours for a 90 minute procedure. I was waiting in the waiting area for 2 hours. When I went to the desk to tell them I needed to reschedule my nurse was there in nothing flat. Just Crazy.



My hair is long enough to be messy after a good nights sleep. It is trying to be curly. Growing back the same color. If you have not seen me I would describe it as an outgrown army cut right now. It has been growing for 2 or 3 months now.



I have my next oncologist appt in Jan and my plastic surgeon I see in Jan. also. The next surgery is done as an outpatient and in the surgery area of the Dr. office. Sounds scary to me. But the easiest and last surgery of all!



Physical Therapy is coming to an end before Christmas too. I have 3 appointments left. Yippee!

I now can raise my arm over my head on an upswing. Well very close over my head. Loosening the joint is the biggest problem now since it has not moved a whole lot since Aug. 1.





The Anglim's wish for you to have the MERRIEST of Christmas this year and the HEALTHIEST New Year.

Peace

Kelly

Nov Update

The first dose of Herceptin is on board. I received this dose on Nov. 5 over a period of 4 hours. They administered Benedryl by I.V. prior to the Herceptin drip. I had a reaction to this Benedryl. I guess I have not had it before but I had 250 mg and I almost fainted....felt loopy. So they slowed the drip down and I think that is why I was there so long. The paper says it should take 60 minutes once the I.V. is started. Side effects are flu like symptoms and I feel lucky. I was Bone Achy and had a head ache until Wednesday. So that is great I feel. Constant nose drip is common too. I have that also. I receive this drug once ever three weeks for one year. Next dose on NOV 26. I wanted to explain the dug a little better than I had in the past posts so this next information is straight off the information drug sheet they gave me at the doctors office.

What is Herceptin:
It is the only FDA- approved therapeutic drug for HER2 protein overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.

How Does Herceptin Work?
1. MAY Block tumor cell growth. Herceptin binds to HER2 positive cancer cells and may block them form dividing and growing.
2. Targets the cell for destruction by the immune system. HerCEPTIN attaches to the HER2 positive cancer cells and may signal the body's own immune system to destroy the cell.

Reading this information helped me understand better what is is and does.
My next surgery will be after Jan. 8 2008. I have an appointment with the plastic surgeon on this date and I will be informed when surgery will be at this appointment provided every thing is headed up from my mastectomy.
Physical therapy is still happening. I do feel there is progress being made but it is slow. My right is arm is 100% back to norma. My left may 60% or more. I can raise my hand to shoulder height with no help. If I am laying down I can make it get over my head straight with the help of holding a ball with two hands. I then need to bring it right back down because it is not at all comfortable.
The hair is growing. I need to comb it now. I think it is trying to be curly. Same color as before maybe darker. Rachel likes to touch it all the time and says on soft it is.
I am feeling really good these days. Mostly like normal. I don't feel like days pass without getting some things accomplished. I do have tired days but don't we all.

New Flash: I want you all to know that there will be a HUGE party when I am done on this HERCEPTIN DRUG. A Huge THANK YOU party. Thank YOU for YOU and what you have done and Thank you for health Party. You are all invited and know it will be in NOV. 2008.

Thank you EVERYONE! Everytbing you say and/or do mean a lot to me, on my bridge to health. Every day there are steps taken to cross that bridge and you all are a great strength. Thank you for holding my hand and/or lifting and carrying me when it has been needed the most.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!
Love
KElly

Herceptin

I will be starting the Herceptin drug on Nove 5. This drug is administered by IV. The first dose they drip very slowly for 90 minutes. Doses after are 60 minutes long. I will have this once every 3 weeks for one year. This Herceptin kills the Her2nu cell that was found in my tumor. Her2nu is a very fast growing cell. THey say this is the best drug out there for people that test positive with her2nu.
I have asked for the expansion process to be done so surgery should be 2 1/2 months- 3 months from oct 16th. I see that doctor Nov 2. I will be making sure I can have surgery while being on the herceptin drug.
I have had my follow up ultra sound on my throid and will se the thyroid doctor on November 14.
My hair is growing. I think I felt it blowing in the wind the other day. Paul thinks it is coming in a little darker than it was. I haven't thought so. The kids are use to me not wearing my wig or a scarf now.
I will keep posting as long as your reading.
Thanks for the prayers. Always needed.
Peace
Kelly

October News

I have been in Physical Therapy now for 1 month. Every monday, wednesday and friday for 1 hour. I have total range of motion in the right arm and I have improved 50 % in the left arm but have 75% more to go. It is working. But it is tough too.
I continue to have the expanders filled. I think that is coming to an end soon.
I still have tissue hardening from surgery which was Aug 1, then the expanders and the tightness from previous radiation. Makes me want to be done with the whole process.
I have been encouraged by lots of people to go big and perky. I just want perky and medium. Paul does not get a say in this matter. Sorry dear.
I have been getting my energy back more and more. I worked 8 hours today for the first time since slowly going back to work. With all my appointments that I still have with therapy and then dr appointments I seem to be coming and going all the time. But it is all good. I finally found time to see my primary care doctor this week.
I still have to start on the Herceptin drug that is IV administerd. I take that for one year. Once every three weeks. There are side effects but not as bad as chemo....so they say. I'm trying to get done with therapy before I start that but I'm callling this week to set that up.
My hair is coming back. I decided to be strong as I call it and went to work with no wig or scarf today. Everyone that said anything said it looked good, very becoming, cute, and I like it. Rachel thought I was brave when I told her I was going to work like that. It's coming back the same color and with a gray here and there. But I have learned very fast to like that gray too. And ohhh so baby soft.
I still take cumiden...the blood thinner for the blood clot that I had in my leg. My oncologist wants me on it for six months which would be after christmas.
I want you all to know that anytime I talk about my experience I always say that I could not have done it with out my family and friends. Every little thing helped in a major way. HUGE!
So even though I am back to my normal self. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. IF you brought a dinner over please email me the recipe because Paul never ate so goood. He keeps telling me how good this was and that was. I'd like to try some of them myself.
Love to all of you!
Peace
Kelly

Time

I realize some time has passed since my last update. I'm sorry for that. I have not had any news to share really. I have had a few Dr cancellations on their part and on mine so now we are up to date. Last week I had my firs injection for my expander's to stretch the skin needed for my perky implants that I will be getting. No matter what size you want to be they need to do this. I just feels like tightening of the skin for 5 days or so. I will be injected every 10-14 days. I went for my follow up appointment with the breast surgeon and she asked me to raise my arms up and I couldn't do it very well so she sent me for therapy. Today was my evaluation. It was not pleasant but it is needed. I will go for and hour every other day. My range of motion on the right arm, which had the simple mastectomy on is about 150 degrees with some help from the therapist. My range of motion on the left arm which had the modified mastectomy is about 70 degrees with a lot of help from the therapist. I see the oncologist on Thursday. Other than that I have been gradually getting more energy back. My hair is starting to grow back too. I had to shave my legs the other day. WOW! With school starting the kids are in to their routines and I can schedule all the medical appointments with out disrupting their day. I'll update again after my appointment with the oncologist on Thursday.
Stay warm. Brr it's cold out there.
Keep the prayers going for me.
Thanks a bundle.
Peace
Kelly

Post Surgery

Surgery went just as planned. There was a slight delay of 10 minutes because the breast surgeon went to blodgett instead of spectrum. The entire surgery lasted the 4 hours they estimated with no surprises. The pathology report came back with one lymph node involved and a few specs of cancerous cells in some breast tissue but that all was removed. So I am on the road to recovery now. I was told 1-2 night stay after surgery but my breast surgeon and I agreed I needed one more night since my body had been through the chemo regeem so recently. I was discharged sat after lunch with drain tubes that Paul will need to drain, measure and record. I go to the doctor on Tuesday. IF the tubes are collecting less that a certain amount they can come out. Other wise they stay in for another week. For those with medical questions I had a modified radical mastectomy on the left side and a simple masectomy on the right side. The left was the cancerous side. Lymph nodes taken out on that side under the arm. More painful, bigger scar, more drainage than right side.
I am instructed not to lift more than a gallon of milk at this point. Heck I can barley open a pkg of gummy bears for the kids, that pulling action, wow. You use your chest muscles for a lot of things let me tell you. Hic ups-ouch, laughing-ouch,sneezing-ouch, choking-OUCH, leaning forward to stand from sitting = not pleasant and mind you no using your arms while trying to stand either. IT is all very painful but getting better every day. I started the first two days of surgery on morphine, now I am on Valium and some other good drug.

I thank everyone who helped take care of the kids since this journey began. It certainly helps their state of mind too.

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts and flowers

I love you

Kelly