One of the lessons God's been teaching me through this process is to keep my priorities straight:  to cherish my family and friends, to enjoy each moment and live in the moment, and to take care of myself.  It is easy for me to get caught up in the business of work and day to day routines.  As I head back to work today, I know that I need to avoid falling into that trap.

Fatigue has been the predominant side effect I've noticed most.  There are some funny things like "prickly" hair stubble on my head and inconsistent bowel movements, but fatigue is the hardest for me to deal with.  I don't rest well.  I stopped by the Oncology department to ask if they thought I should do a blood check - they told me it wasn't necessary, fatigue is a part of the game.  I am still taking my supplements and going to acupuncture.

I had an appointment with the naturopathic doctor today who thinks I am doing well - no joint pain, no mouth sores, no neuropathy - lots of things to celebrate (and I'm not being sarcastic).  After reviewing the supplement list, he asked me if I minded adding one more pill and I paused before answering.  He picked up on my lack of enthusiasm, but explained the benefits of taking alpha lipoic acid and I was on board.  I left with a updated list of supplements as my chemo regiment will be changing after the fourth treatment on Wednesday. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my summer with family and friends - what a blessing each and every one of you are to me.  We just finished another trip to Homer with James' brother and even though there were some rough seas, we were finally able to get out and fish, enjoy the scenery and have fun. 

It has been a fabulous week with family visiting from Kansas City, MO.  We were able to enjoy the outdoors including hiking Flat Top; mountain biking (for the boys) and Saturday Market for the rest of us; and a trip to Homer and Seldovia to fish for halibut.  My energy level has stayed pretty good with lots of help from family and friends.

45 Pounder

Double hook-up

Fishing out of Seldovia was a lot of fun with calm seas and plenty of fish.  Our largest fish was about 45 pounds but most were around 20 pounds.  We kept the fatties and threw the rest back.  Everybody caught fish - we even caught a few rays and cod.  The halibut were fun to watch as they followed up their hooked buddies in schools.  I was even able to lean over the boat and gaff an unhooked halibut.

My blood work Wednesday was good showing my red count had climbed to 12.2 and my white blood cells were at 6.4; everything else looked good.  With that being said, I had chemo Thursday morning and followed the usual routine: 7 anti nausea pills, hook up to the medi port, steroid iv, anti nausea iv, Adriamycin iv, Cytoxan iv, and a final flush.  Everything went well and I had some great company and a fabulous nurse who kept me smiling and laughing for 3 hours.  I was pretty tired, so came home and slept for over 3 hours, but was able to enjoy some deep fried halibut for dinner. 

Looking forward to acupuncture today so she can address the nausea that woke me up last night.  I'm still taking all of my supplements which seem to be helping a great deal.  I did start my menstrual cycle Tuesday, however the flow was only heavy one day and night so that's an improvement.  Wednesday night I woke up covered in sweat - so maybe menopause started and that was my first hot flash.  But probably not.

7/5
I haven't blogged in awhile and have been feeling kind of blah for a couple of days.  I can't quite put my finger on what it is.  Could it be all of the chemo drugs running through my body?  I forget about that.  My request for acupuncture tomorrow - stick the needles in where ever they will make me feel happy and full of energy!

My therapy has been cooking (and Pinterest).  The boys love it.  Chocolate chip cookie batch number 2.  Vitamin waters - my favorite is pineapple, lemon grass, ginger, and mint.  Spicy smoked salmon and barbequed ribs were on the menu this week. And home made hamburger buns for moose burgers tomorrow. 







I took a few days off from working out and this morning while running, I ran into a black bear as a rounded the corner.  He was "looking into" mailboxes, basically getting on his hind legs and looking at the closed box.  He was about 100 yards down the road and I didn't get a very good picture of him, but I did turn around and backtracked the way I came.  I was still able to get in 3 1/2 miles and didn't run into him again.  James' reminder - run with the bear spray - which I usually do.  This was the first time I didn't have it...really!

Thank you for all of the notes, emails, phone calls and prayers (and hats).  They really lift my spirits.  James, Jared and Caleb are very understanding and patient, but often aren't sure what I need.  I often don't know either.  So thank you!

Much love,
Lisa

6/29
Had acupuncture this morning and a blood draw.  Both went well.  My white blood cell count was 4.3 and my panel looked like a healthy person's blood work, except for a low hemoglobin count.  A normal count should be between 12.3 - 15.3.  Before starting chemo, my count was 13.3, after the first round it was 11.3, and today it was 10.4.  Nothing alarming, but I picked up an iron supplement to help give it a boost.  With a low red blood cell count I need to watch for any of the following symptoms:  fatigue, weak, short of breath, increase in my heart rate, dizzy or lightheaded.  I'll try to monitor my activity level - I've got several good books to read, so this is a good excuse.

I've been enjoying feeling good this week and have been doing a few things on my "to do" list.  One goal this week was to make a new recipe each day.  Yesterday I made pretzels - they were delicious.  I also made maple glazed salmon with pineapple salsa.  Yum! 

 Last night and today I made some vitamin waters.  They are delicious, although I might be the only person to drink them. The strawberry, watermelon, rosemary water is "stressless"; the pineapple, ginger, mint water is "digestion"; and the grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange water is "power C".  Great to mix half and half with mineral water to make the pitcher last longer.  After the water is gone, I think I'll use the remains to make a smoothie.

I've got chicken caesar salad with homemade croutons and grilled avocado with melted cheese and hot sauce on the menu for tonight.  I love cooking!  That would be my second career if I could make it happen.  I put together this menu board to help plan meals for the week.  It was super easy to make and the boys will love helping plan meals.  We used to have a night a month where they chose the meal, cooked it for James and I, AND cleaned up.  We haven't done it for awhile and they are quite anxious to start it up.  Jared loves to choose involved recipes; Caleb loves Hamburger Helper.

My next plan of action - I'm going to scan all of Jared and Caleb's tons of school work and saved stuff by year.  Then I'm going to make an Apple iPhoto book for each year and pitch all of the paper work.  Maybe save a few cute projects to frame and add to the collection in my office.

6/26
This round of chemo really knocked me out on Thursday and Friday.  I felt miserable both days and had a headache all day Friday.  I was able to relax around the house with ever so helpful boys, and friends who took the kiddos overnight.  By Saturday I started feeling myself again, and was feeling good by Monday.  I had acupuncture Monday and the only request I had for her was to help with my digestive system.  The acupuncture session on Friday did a fabulous job of alleviating my nausea - I didn't even need to take any of the anti-nausea medication after Friday.  My next appointment - a blood draw on Friday to check my white blood cells. 

I have two wonderful boys who are ever so helpful.  Jared has taken over as lawn boy this summer and is doing a fabulous job.  I trim it out and Jared does the rest of the mowing.  Caleb chips in whenever he is asked too.  Scooping Tucker turds is probably their least favorite job.


















After a few days off from exercising, we all went for a mountain bike ride through Prospect Heights Trail Head off of Upper O'Malley on Monday.  It was some tough terrain with a little mud, roots, rocks, and running water.  We all made it - something I couldn't have said 18 years ago when James took me for my first mountain bike ride.  Sunday was our 17th Anniversary!  I'm a blessed girl to be married to such a wonderful, supportive man.  It sure makes going through this a lot easier.  We had a great anniversary - church, family time, and friends.

Smiling, because it is all downhill from here!

Bug bite?

6/20
James and I were in the Infusion Room at 9:30 this morning.  Had the usual 7 anti nausea pills (I think) and 1 IV bag for anti nausea prior to the chemo drugs.  I opted not to take the pill to help me relax, as I was already pretty relaxed with a blood pressure of 85/56.  Treatments went well, I dozed minimally while James and I played Words with Friends and chatted.  I did order some food around noon, however when it finally came I was no longer hungry.  We finished up at 1:00 and went to pick up the boys from a friend's house.  Green Tea Frap on the way, yum! 

James will give me my neulasta shot tomorrow.  I figure I'll make him a nice breakfast, mocha with whipped cream and caramel and then he'll be feeling pretty sweet on me when he delivers a nice shot to the bum.  :)

Really, just dozing for a second.

He'll probably also give me a haircut, a little closer to the scalp since it is all falling out.

I have acupuncture scheduled for two times a week, my next appointment is on Friday.  The Oncologist will check my white blood cells mid treatment on 6/29.  My next blood draw is scheduled for 7/11 and my third treatment for 7/12. 

Just an FYI:  Pee turns red with the chemo drug Adriamycin, but only for a day.  Almost as strange as blue pee after my bilateral mastectomy from the radioisotope tracers. 

6/19
White blood cell count up to 5.4!  Red blood cell counts haven't really changed throughout.  I sunburned my head.  I'm trading in my shampoo for sun screen.  My hair really is falling out, although it is hard to tell at less than a cm in length.  Looking forward to acupuncture today.  Round 2 of chemo tomorrow.  James is coming along - this time I'll try to keep him company so he doesn't have to watch me sleep.