Setbacks...

Hubby's family visited this past Sat, Aug 29. Had a great time.
Over the past week some of my symptoms have started to return. I have been experiencing increased pain and lower pelvis swelling again. I see my doctor on Wed.
I ended up in Urgent Care Sunday (2 pm) afternoon, and I did not get out until 8 pm! I am back on a strong pain medication again. The urgent care doctor had ordered a CAT scan of the pelvis. The results came back with "good news" and "have to wait for cancer doctor to assess news." The good news is that the lymph nodes are shrinking. The second part is that the "mass" inside the uterus has increased in size. I can't really panic at this point because the image can't just be a straight interpretation that the cancerous tumor has grown bigger.
I spoke with hubby's dad and he had speculated that a CAT scan does not show what part of the tumor is dead and what part is still viable. There are other speculations such as maybe fluid accumulating in that area. Also, what doesn't make sense to me is why the lymph nodes would shrink and not the tumor in the uterus. How this is interpreted will be up to my cancer doctor this Wed.
In the meantime I will be staying home from work. :-(

Relaxing at the "Country Club"

I've hit a snag in this week's treatment. I was supposed to get my 2nd chemo treatment in round 2. The morning of what was supposed to be my second week of treatment (Thurs, Aug 20), round 2, the chemo nurse called and said I won't be getting the treatment. My blood test from the week showed elevated liver enzymes. Nothing to worry about I was told, but we will have to wait until they come down into a normal level. I see my M.D. next week and it is possible I may get the treatment then. If I don't, I shouldn't worry too much. I had received the more powerful chemo treatment last week anyway.
How is my life going? I was experiencing some stress with work. It turns out that once my allotment of Family Leave and Personal Leave is exhausted I will probably have to sit down with HR and figure out where I will have to be placed. It is possible my treatment will go beyond the time allotment of the leaves of absence. Therefore, I may have to be placed in a different job position. My work can hold my position for only so long.
I'm now up to working 8 hours a day 3 days a week and one 4 hour 1/2 day (I was working 40 hours a week before I was diagnosed). I'm doing better energy wise. I have a nice break from the usual crazy paced medical departments I usually work in. I've been sent off-site from my regular clinic to a clinic I like to call the "country club." It is a weight/endocrinology clinic. It is also the only office affiliated with my organization in the building it occupies. The atmosphere is very easy-going. I really need that right now.

Ding! Ding! Round 2!!!

I just started round 2 of chemo on Thurs, Aug 13. I'm 1/2 way done with the 3 rounds of chemo Dr. Bahador said I would start with. It is just the beginning of round 2. After the 3 rounds I am scheduled for another PET scan to see how my progress is going.
My parents are on vacation during this time (well deserved). My father-in-law cleared his busy schedule to be with me during administration of my round 2 first chemo. My husband has to work during those days. Everyone just wanted to be sure I had someone to watch me in case something went wrong (i.e. needing to be take to urgent care in case of high fever, excessive vomiting).
I really enjoyed having him visit. Although I was tired after the chemo, my husband, dad B., and I did get out a little bit.
I did return to work last week. I am trying to communicate with my supervisor as to my needs, while keeping up with my job duties.
How do I feel currently feel about my situation? Cared about - even strangers express empathy. This is something I thought I would never experience again. I had experienced an outpouring of empathy and care, after 911 during my previous flight attendant career. I must admit I do wish sometimes that I was in a different situation. Life does throw curve at you sometimes...knock it out of the park. People are making the process easier to deal with.

The Marine vs Rapunzel...

This is from last Saturday. I had my wig styled. Just the "before and after"

Biggest and Best Meal Yet!

Okay in the middle of all this depressing cancer stuff - I have to say that an evening for dinner at friends' Ron & Beth has been one of the biggest highlights socially that I've had since starting the chemo. I have to say that food for the past three weeks has been something I had to choke down just to keep my energy going.
Tonight was a true feast that I was able to indulge in and enjoy. We were food testers for our aspiring chef friend, Ron. For weeks I have been trying to just be able to enjoy a meal without having nausea, vomiting, or a roughed-up stomach. I had none of that tonight! Plus I had my first cherries Jubilee!

Progress pictures

The first image is where the chemo port was surgically installed. I had the first chemo a few hours after the surgery.
The second image I had to go into the doctor's office to be re-hydrated via IV after the supposedly "easy" week of chemo. I wasn't too happy that day.
The other images were from the day I tried on wigs. The last wig I tried on was the winner. I still have to get it fitted, styled, and trimmed a bit. As of Wednesday, Aug 5, My hair was coming out really fast. Husband, Brian, had to cut my hair. I now look like I've joined the Marine Corps. I will be adding more of those photos in another blog later.
The last photo is of my dad considering his next career as a rock star - look out Mick Jagger!