Hard to Believe

I have had such a great past week. It's really hard to believe that I'm undergoing chemotherapy! Starting Monday skiing with John, then hiking with Teri & Diane on Wednesday, and snowshoeing with Mary on Thursday. Yesterday I went on a local Audubon field trip to look for raptors (which we saw lots of), and spending time with my birding buddies.

Today, I'm getting together with four of my best BWAG friends (Bozeman Women's Activity Group) for an afternoon tea. I have heard rumors there will be a lemon meringue pie!

I'm enjoying every minute of all of it, because Tuesday, it's back to reality and treatment #2. I hope it goes as well as the first.

Lou Ann

A New Haircut

Well, the day I had been dreading arrived today. My hair was falling out noticeably this morning, so I called my hair stylist, Megon, and she got me in this afternoon. My friend Diane was so nice to come pick me up and also to take photos of the process. I decided I wanted to document what I had to go through. It didn't take long, and soon all my hair was laying on the floor underneath my chair. It feels weird, but I am relieved to have it over.

A couple of days ago, I found a website that sells hats and scarves specifically for cancer patients, so I ordered several different ones. They should arrive tomorrow.

So, for those of you who want to see what I look like without hair, I've attached a few photos.

Lou Ann

Big Sky

Wow, what a day! John and I went downhill skiing today with friends Ed & Diane at Big Sky. As we arrived, the sun did too. The snow was great and we made several runs all over the mountain, including Hangman's (Mom's favorite) and Tippy's Tumble. After lunch, I decided I'd had enough, so the guys went back out for more. Diane and I headed for the cozy fireplace at the Huntley Lodge and enjoyed conversation over tea/coffee.

A delicious meal (thanks, Ed) and Olympics viewing finished a truly nice day. I hope to have more of those in the future.

Lou Ann

Good Friends

I am so lucky to have all the good friends that I do. They have really kept me going through this with their love and support.

Yesterday I was feeling so tired, and unmotivated to go outside. But friends Diane and Mary (a friend since Jr. High) came over and we went for a walk across Bozeman on the Gallagator Trail. I think about 4 miles in all. It was snowing, but fairly warm. We talked and laughed the whole way, of course. The fresh air was invigorating, and I felt the tiredness flow out of my body. We also spotted a few interesting birds along the way, including Bohemian Waxwings. Diane and I are going to make a bird-watcher out of Mary yet!

Lou Ann

Feeling Normal - Mostly

Yesterday was the best I've felt in many days, almost normal! Most of the unpleasant side-effects have eased up, and I'm able to eat my regular foods again, although I'm eating more ice cream than usual. But why stop now?

My friend Teri came over and we went for a ski around the golf course yesterday morning. It felt great and we skied for about an hour and a half, with a couple of stops. That is such great exercise for me, as well as a giving my mental attitude a big boost. Of course I had to take a good hours' nap afterward.

BTW... I had my blood levels tested on Tuesday, and everything is normal. My white blood count is still at a healthy level. I wonder when it will start to drop?

Lou Ann

A Disclaimer

Several people have commented on the photos I've put on my blog. I'd like to say they are mine, but I can't. Most of them I downloaded from the Yellowstone Nat'l Park website. The photo of the owl I can't remember where it came from, but it's a good one, isn't it? The one of the black bear is mine. That's from my trip to Glacier Park this fall with friend, Christy. From now on, I'll identify my photos with my name at the bottom, when I use them.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and commenting!

Lou Ann

Side-Effects

My bird euphoria over the weekend was somewhat tempered with a bout of bone pain Sunday night. Nothing seemed to help in the way of pain medication, and I couldn't get comfortable. Fortunately, it had subsided by morning. This was not a side-effect I was expecting, though I had been warned about. It is interesting that where you produce most of your bone marrow is in your sternum and hips. And that's where I was hurting.

I'm also having trouble with the inside of my mouth. It feels like I ate a bowl of hot, melted cheese and burned it badly. So any foods that are coarse or acidic are definitely out for now. Bring on the ice cream! The only thing I can do is rinse with a solution of baking soda and salt in warm water.

Today I go for a blood draw to check my blood count levels. I'll have to be extra careful to limit my exposure to other people during this time because of risk of infection.

I took a walk this morning around the neighborhood, which felt good. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. Tomorrow my friend Teri is coming over for a ski around the golf course. I can't wait!

Lou Ann

Big Medicine

I was feeling pretty good yesterday, so John and I took a walk around the East Gallatin Recreation Area. It was mild and nobody else was around, just the way I like it. As I always do, I took my binoculars to look for any feathered friends who might be there.

As we walked into a grove of aspens, I noticed lots of magpies "mobbing", which generally means there is a predator nearby. After some looking, I found a Northern Goshawk ( a large hawk) up in a cottonwood. It was very obliging and sat perched for the entire time we were there. I had a sneaking suspicion that the bird had eaten recently, and was sitting there digesting. I can count the number of times I've seen a goshawk on one hand, so this was an exciting bird to see.

As we walked a bit further down the trail, I spotted a Great Horned Owl not 15 feet away from us, eyes closed! As John was looking at the owl, I saw another owl just across the trail, also very close and at eye level. Seeing owls has always been a very powerful and special thing for me. To see two, so close, was amazing. John and I both decided it was "big medicine". THIS is the kind of medicine I need.

Lou Ann

Lazy Day

Yesterday was a lazy day. After I got up and had breakfast, I took a nap on the couch! Then I went to the Cancer Center to get my white blood cell booster shot. After I got home, I took another nap until dinner time. Talk about a full day!

John made beef stew, which I ate some of. My appetite isn't what it usually is, and I had a little nausea but not bad. I slept better last night.

BTW, I did manage to have some fun over the weekend. I went downhill skiing twice, cross-country once and enjoyed having a few friends over for Super Bowl.

Lou Ann

Treatment No. 1

I had my first round of chemotherapy today. After meeting with the nurse and the physicians assistant, I went to the infusion room and got the IV started. First they gave me a 20 min. infusion of an anti-nausea drug. Then followed the real stuff. Each of those took about an hour. They started me out with a slower drip for the first 10 min. to make sure I didn't have an allergic reaction. Everything went well and I didn't have any problems.

They had a very nice volunteer who brought me food, drinks and a warm blanket while I sat in the lounger. I also had a visit from a therapy dog and her owner. Lucy is a Welsh Corgi, and just as sweet as they come. She jumped up on the chair next to me and I scratched her ears and chin. The rest of the time I talked with John or read, and listened to my iPod. The sound of the infusion pump was slightly irritating, so it was good to drown that out with some music.

The next 24-48 hours is when I'll start to feel the side-effects of the chemo. I have lots of prescriptions to help with nausea, but I'm hoping I don't need much. We'll see ...

More later.

Lou Ann

Chemical Lou

Yesterday and today, John and I attended cancer education sessions at Bozeman Deaconess. Yesterday's session was an overall look at cancer and it's treatment, plus we were introduced to the cancer team (i.e. radiation, chemotherapy, wellness & support). We were really impressed by all the information that was included, plus hearing about the Wellness Community, a local cancer support and education group. They offer all sorts of free classes, activities and counseling. I'm considering one of the accupunture sessions.

Today was my drug education meeting with the nurse practitioner. She went over all the medications I will be taking during my chemotherapy treatments. I won't get too technical here, because I'm sure your eyes will start to glaze over (as mine did). The skinny is this: starting a day before my chemo, I will take a cortisone drug to reduce the severity of fluid retention (swelling) caused by one of the chemo medications. I'll continue to take this med. for 4-5 days. Then on chemo day, they pre-medicate me with anti-nausea medication, followed by the two chemo drugs (Taxotere & Cytoxan). Each of those take over an hour on an IV drip.

The day after chemo, I come back to the Cancer Center for a injection of Neulasta. This will help keep my white blood cell count from bottoming out for a long period of time.

And then there are the 3 or 4 different anti-nausea drugs they send me home with. I may not need any of them, but just in case .......

So John has nicknamed me, "Chemical Lou". I think it's an appropriate nickname, don't you?

More to come on Tuesday. Now it's time to cram in some fun (skiing, Super Bowl party, etc.)

Lou Ann

An Omission

I realize that since starting this blog, I omitted a very important item .....my outlook for being cured. I'm happy to say that if I go through the full complement of treatment, my statistical percentage of being totally cured is around 95%. Right now, I'm cancer-free, and the chemo and radiation will help ensure that I don't have a recurrence. It's always good to keep this in mind when I'm feeling sorry for myself. There's a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

Lou Ann

The Next Step

John and I met with the oncologist today. After getting him up to date on my surgery and post-op pathology reports, we discussed the next step in my treatment, chemotherapy. I'll be getting what they call "TC", Taxotere and Cytoxan. It will be administered intraveneously, once every three weeks. I will be getting four doses total. There are side-effects, of course, which I already knew about. I can expect to lose my hair about three weeks after the first regimen. Fatigue is the other big one, which gets worse with each dose, since the chemo is cumulative in it's effect. The best way to help with fatigue is to exercise. They will give me anti-nausea medication along with my chemo, plus some pills to take home if I have further symptoms. The oncologist said most people don't have much problem with that. In fact, he said that most patients actually gain weight during chemotherapy, because they are less active due to the fatigue. Imagine that! I guess I better cut back on all the food I've been consuming in preparation.

My blood counts will be lowered, too, so I will have my blood checked every week during treatment. I also need to be very careful about infections, because my immune system will be weakened.

So, to help me absorb all this new information, I will be attending two chemotherapy education classes this week. Tomorrow is a group session, then on Thursday I get my "drug education" with one of the physicians assistants at the cancer center. I'm well on my way to that medical degree. That goes for John, too.

My first infusion is scheduled for next Tuesday, Feb. 9th at 10 a.m. It will take about 3 hours, and they have satellite TV to watch or radio to listen to, or I can bring a DVD movie to watch. There's lots of options to keep me occupied.

I'll write more after the classes.

Back Home in Bozeman

Hi Everyone,

John and I got home early last night, and it feels good to be here.

I got fitted for a compression sleeve today for my right arm. This will help keep constant pressure on my arm when I'm exercising. I ordered a "Dream Sleeve" in cranberry, with a matching gauntlet. I'll be really stylin' at the gym.

Tomorrow is my appointment with the oncologist in Bozeman. I'll post again afterwards and let you know how it went.

Thanks for all the great comments. I love to hear from all of you!

Lou Ann