At Magee.... AGAIN!!

Well today started out quite normal.  Chris went to work, I woke up tired, but feeling good.  I had these GRAND plans to hit up our local Giant Eagle, get stuff for dinner and come home to take an easy.  It didn't take long before all those grand plans were thrown out the window and I was sick - AGAIN! 

Poor Kennedy dealt with a very miserable mommy and was just the sweetest baby girl ever.  As I was getting sicker as the minutes ticked on, she continued to entertain me with her drum, empty toilet paper rolls, and making calls to California.  (No worries, even if she did dial CA, the call wouldn't have gone through since we have no long distance, lol!)

After an hour and a half of suffering I called Chris and asked him to come home.  I had already had a call into the oncologists office and was just playing the waiting game.  After several chats with the nurse at the oncologists office, I was told to go to Magee's ER and they were informing them we were on our way.

After six hours in the ER, they finally admitted me.  My white counts were elevated at 18 (which is probably from the Neulasta shot) and they wanted to monitor me more closely.

It appears that I will be here for at least two nights.  They need cultures from me and they have to be taken 24 hours apart from each other. One of the things they are trying to rule out is Clostridium difficile, also know as C. diff.  The CT scan they did while I was in the ER looked fairly normal, so they think this recent episodes could possibly be from C. diff or the chemo.  My bet it is on the chemo.  Even though they decreased the amount of the Taxotere and gave me a Neulasta shot, I think my colon is just super sensitive.  Only time and the cultures will provide the answers we need.

Please keep me in your prayers that the are able to pinpoint WHY I keep getting so ill and can maybe offer some more answers to keep me out of the hospital.  I swear Magee needs a frequent roomer program.  I have to laugh because a friend in my mom's group, Heather, posted this as her Facebook status earlier today, "found a new all-inclusive resort destination, have you heard of it? It's Magee Women's Hospital...better than Sandals, I must say."  I can't agree 100% with her, but Magee isn't so bad, but of course I'd much rather be at Sandals!!!


I am off to try to sleep for the night.  Keep the prayers coming.  And again thanks to all those friends, family, and even those who don't know me so well for praying for me.  God hears you! 

10 years and still going STRONG!

Well yesterday I woke up feeling fantastic, but it didn't take long before the fatigue and exhaustion set in.  The nurses warned that the Neulasta shot would make my bones/joints hurt - and they weren't lying!!

Despite not feeling 100%, we made our way to 11am mass at St. Margaret Mary Parish.  Kennedy has been very active during the service, so we had a grand plan to put her in her stroller.  It worked fairly well for us and she was pretty good.  Unfortunately the other children in the cry room made it almost impossible for us to hear the homily.  For next week, we are going to try to get there early and sit out in the main seating area.  Here is hoping Kennedy will be just as good next week as she was this week.

After church we went out to enjoy a nice lunch as a family to our local Eat 'N Park.  All I can say is WOW!!!  They remodeled the inside and it looks completely different.  Much, much nicer now!  Chris and I were shocked at how much different it looked compared to our first meeting there 10 1/2 years ago.

For those of you who do not know, Chris and I met through an online dating service in November 1999.  We actually shared our first meeting at this Eat 'N Park and it brought back A LOT of good memories.  I am still amazed he put up with the me of 1999 long enough for us to get married and have a child together.  I used to be a smoker and now that I no longer smoke, I can't believe her put up with me and my smoking habit that long.  I guarantee, if I hadn't quit when I did, we would not still be together.  He must have saw something special to keep me around that long!  I quit smoking about a month after we started dating - mainly because my father asked me from his hospital bed to never smoke another cigarette again.  I cried the entire way home from the hospital that day.  I knew I was disappointing him and that alone upset me.  How could I ignore what he asked of me, especially seeing him struggle with health issues that I am sure smoking played some part of a hand in.  I made the decision that week and quit cold turkey.  It wasn't easy, but looking back it was one of the best things I ever did for myself. 

So here we are 10+ years later....  Happily married, proud parents, and thankful for many blessings in our life.  I am still amazed that this past November, 10 years ago, I met my husband for the first time at an Eat 'N Park.


Here is a photo from the past - gosh we look so oung here!!

Round 2, Beautiful New Niece, & Easter!!

Monday, April 5th, I had my second chemo treatment.  On day 3, I am feeling pretty good!!  I am so truly blessed and thankful we were able to stay the course and not have to resort to a plan B treatment option.  So with Monday's round of chemo we now have two treatments under our belt and four left to go!!!  YEAH!!!

My doctor, Dr. Rachel Jankowitz is still out on maternity leave, so last Thursday we met with another doctor in the practice, Dr. Shannon Puhalla.  It was decided that we would stay the course with the current the dosage of Herceptin, then Benedryl, then Taxotere, and finally Carboplatin.  The only change was decreasing the Taxotere by 25% and adding in a shot the day after chemo called Neulasta.  The hope is that by reducing the the Taxotere and adding the Neulasta shot, my body won't have as bad of a reaction to the chemo and the goal is to keep me out of the hospital.  So far so good!!  I am a little run down, but nothing like I was with my last treatment.  Keep the prayers coming that I continue to feel okay and stay out of the hospital this go around!

Well enough about cancer-smancer...  A lot of has happened since April 1st!  First and foremost my sister, Lori, and my brother-in-law, Brian, welcomed another BEAUTIFUL baby girl into their family.  Brenna Rae made her arrival at 3:05am, weighing in at a healthy 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and 20 inches long.  Mom & baby are both healthy and home enjoying their time getting to know one another.  Big sisters Morgan & Kayli are thrilled to have Brenna home. 

After meeting my newest niece on April 1st, I made a trip out to get my hair buzzed off!  It was a bitter sweet day.  I miss my hair, but honestly, as it was falling out, I am glad I did it when I did.  My hair was falling out rapidly and I couldn't wash it without pulling clumps out.  I made showering quite a challenge!! 

I was also joined by Keith Leonard who opted to buzz his hair off with me.  I was glad to have a friend do this with me and it truly means a lot to me that he would do this (although he didn't have as much hair to lose in the process!!).  Thanks Keith!!!  You look great!!  Just don't forget the sunscreen!

And lastly, I can't forget about my father who also shaved his head without my knowing.  It was such a touching gesture and although he too didn't have much hair to buzz off, it means a lot to me that he shaved his head too.  (Now if we can only shed the beard and mustache!  Hunting season is over dad!!  Although you might freak Kennedy out if you shave it all off.)  I love you so much dad!!!  You sure do know how to make a daughter feel special and I am honored to call you my father.

This past weekend, I was also blessed to have the opportunity to spend Easter with my family.  My aunt Marilou, Uncle Gary, my mother, father, grandfather, and cousins helped to make a FABULOUS meal.  We were lucky enough to have a BEAUTIFUL day and for that I am truly blessed.  I hope you too had a fabulous Easter with family.

HE HAS RISEN!!

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!

So we met with the new oncologist today and got some AMAZING news!!!  The tumor is SHRINKING!!!!!!!  The chemo is working and the tumor is definitely smaller.  Almost half the size it was on the last visit and if you didn't know where to look, it would be hard to pinpoint.

I also lost 7 pounds since my last visit, but of course, not in the healthiest of ways.  But hey, I have some extra to spare, so I don't mind too much!

The next topic was what to do about the chemo and my recent hospital stay.  We basically have three options:

Option 1
Quit Chemo and do alternative treatments.

Option 2
Continue the same treatment plan, but decrease the amount of Taxotere.  Plus add an additional drug which I would get the day after my chemo treatments - a shot to help boost my white cell count.  The hope is that this would keep my white cell count higher longer and low for a shorter amount of time.  No guarantee that the decrease in Taxotere would prevent me from having another episode like I had two weeks ago.

Option 3
Start a new round of drugs for 4 treatments every three weeks, then add another two drugs for 12 treatments, weekly.  These drugs (unsure of the name) would have more of an impact on my heart, which is a concern given my family history of cardiac issues.

The doctors are going to collaborate and go over the pro's and con's of each to help determine what our best option is.  By the time we go in for Monday's chemo treatment, they should have more information from Tuesday's test and able to compare biopsies/slides from my previous ischemic colitis attack back in September to the most recent attack in February.  We are definitely at a crossroad here...  Hoping the doctors have some better insight on which route to go forward with.

Please keep us in your prayers Monday as we start our next round of chemo.  It's obvious this course of chemo is doing something as the tumor has shrunk drastically!  May it continue to shrink and may this next course not make me so ill.

Tonight I am buzzing my hair off.  I went to pull one strand and a HUGE clump of hair fell out.  It's getting a little annoying, so I am actually excited to get rid of it.  Who wants to go hat/scarve shopping with me???  :-)

Fundraisers!!!

Andee Williamson, a friend of my cousin Erin, has offered to donate 100% of her profits from our Tastefully Simple online show to our Race for the Cure team, The Triple B's. Tastefully Simple offers a wide selection of convenient, easy-to-prepare foods designed to help people spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the rest of their lives. Please consider checking out our online show and placing an order! All proceeds go to help our Race for the Cure team raise money to find a cure for breast cancer.

Also, on April 10th from 11am-1pm, I am hosting a Piggies & Paws party. Shea Corsetti has offered to do a special fundraising show to help us raise money. I had never heard of Piggies & Paws until I attended a party this past winter. I ended up buying a unique piece of art for my living room that I will treasure forever. Shea had albums upon albums of images to chose from with lots of ideas. The party is set up like an open house, come when you can and stay as long or as little as you want. I will have snacks, drinks, and toys on hand. So bring the kids and prepare to make a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork! Artwork will be ready no later than Father's day. This could be a great gift to get that special dad for Father's day! We hope to see you here on the 10th. Let me know if you need directions or more information.

Artierogram & Port Placement

Yesterday was another LONG day for Chris & I at Magee.  I had an artierogram and a chest port placed.  We had to be at the hospital at 9:30am and were there until almost 5pm.  The artierogram took place first and went off with no complications.  I was awake for the whole procedure but given drugs to help calm me down.  Dr. Buck said everything looked PERFECT!  No blockages or clots.  Everything looked normal!!

Next was the port placement, which went just as smoothly.  They went from one procedure, right into the next and I had no complications.  We couldn't have asked for a better doctor.  He was very professional and did a good job. 

After the procedure, I had to lay flat for several hours.  Because they went in through a major artery in my groin, there was a high risk of bleeding and they needed to make sure the artery had clotted.  After a few hours they raised my head 30 degrees, then to a full sitting position in a chair.  About 4:30pm, they released me into rush hour traffic.  Fun times heading home!!!

This morning, the day after the procedures, I am feeling so-so.  My chest on the right side, where the port was placed, is VERY sore.  I guess that is to be expected.  I have to keep it dry until Friday, so sponge baths for me until then.  I also can't submerge it in a pool for two months until it is completely healed.  Guess it is a good thing it is March and I have no plans to go swimming this week.  My groin area isn't very sore at all.  I guess it might be a more prominent pain if my shoulder wasn't stealing the limelight.  I am sure it will be tender while it heals.

Lastly, the issue of my hair...  Yesterday while I was showering, I noticed more and more hair in my hands with each pass through.  I finally shut the water off and gave up trying to get the loose strands out.  If I had stayed in the shower I'd probably be bald right now and have racked up a pretty nice water bill.  I proceeded to do my hair, which only confirmed it was indeed falling out.  My brush was filled with hair and with each pass over it with my flat iron, more and more strands were falling out.  Out of nervous habit, my hands smoothed over my hair at the hospital in which more strands fell out while waiting for my procedures.  It was discomforting seeing all my hair on the floor.  Thank God I was born with THICK hair.  On the way to the hospital we called my hairdresser who agreed to shave my head this Thursday.  So tomorrow night, April 1st, my hair stylist is shaving my head. 

On Monday, March 29th, my mom and I made a trip out to the wig bank at the Beaver Falls beauty Academy.  Unfortunately, they only had three brunette wigs, all of which made me look like an old lady.  I wasn't quite thrilled enough with any of them to turn in my voucher from the American Cancer Society for a free wig.  My mom & I left, quite disappointed.  We decided to grab lunch at the Brighton Hot Dog shop just down the road.  Upon parking I noticed a Beauty Supplies store right across the street from the Hot Dog Shop.  My mom and I figured we didn't have much to lose, so we decided to check it out.  Low and behold the guy in the shop had wigs and many different types and they were only $20!  We left empty handed since he only took cash, but returned after lunch and a stop at the bank to buy "Amy."  I promise pictures will follow, once we get her styled right.  :-)  Hoping my hair dresser can fix her up a little before her debut. 

So, with yesterday's good test results we are no closer to finding out why I got so sick last week.  All signs right now are pointing to the chemo.  We meet with the new oncologist on Thursday.  I promise to update once we know what's next in the treatment plan.  Right now everything is in the air.  My next chemo was supposed to be Monday 4/5, but with a change in doctors, the days I go for chemo might be changing as well. 

Keep us in your prayers tomorrow as we meet the new oncologist.  If we start a new plan of attack we are back at square one - which means my next chemo will be the first of six treatments as opposed to having one treatment under our belt already.  It's very discouraging, especially since we don't know why I got so ill.  We can only speculate the chemo. 

Thanks again to all the wonderful people in my life!  The cards, flowers, meals, and words or encouragement have helped more than you can imagine.  My family I are very grateful!!!

So sick of hospitals and we've only JUST begun...

So many of you are probably wonder WHY?? I was in the hospital over last weekend and most of the week.  Well, join my club!  I'd like to know WHY?? too!!

Wednesday after chemo I felt jittery, but mostly okay...  Thursday, I felt like I'd been hit with the flu.  Run down and felt like someone sucked all my energy out of me.  But, I still wanted to go-go-go...  I figured I better go out and enjoy dinner before I would be cooped up in my house for a week avoiding the germs while my white count was so low.  Being that it is lent, my husband suggested we go out Thursday instead of Friday so we could enjoy a nice steak dinner at Outback and use a gift card my hairdresser gave us.  Made sense to me to go out and enjoy ourselves, even though I wasn't 100% feeling great.

Well Thursday night, within 2 hours of eating, I became violently ill.  The details I'll spare you from, but they  led us to Magee emergency room the next day.  It was all a real blur since I was in so much pain.  The only position that felt fine was laying down, on my side.  It hurt to sit, talk, move, anything...

Magee's ER was fantastic!  I didn't have to wait long before they were running tests, making me drink a contrast drink and rushing me off for more tests.  I was admitted within 3 hours of arrival and had my own room.  The CT scan was drastically different from one taken only a week or so prior and my colon was not a happy camper.  It was very irritated and my entire trunk area was tender to the touch.

I had a team of surgeons, infectious diseases, pulmonary specialists, GI doctors, and a regular doctor overseeing my care.  My first night in the hospital was hell.  The pulmonary Dr. came in at midnight, then an hour later the infectious disease Dr. and lastly the 3am blood draw (which became a routine part of my stay).

I stayed at Magee for 6 nights (Friday through Thursday when discharged), learned what it means to be neutropenic (essentially low white cell count, no flowers, no fresh fruit/veggies, and everyone has to wear a mask around me), had over 4 IV's started, numerous blood draws, multiple liquid meals, and came home with a whole lot of questions and not much in way of answers.  I was feeling better though by Thursday, so they agreed to discharge me with the understanding I would come back next week, after my colon has had time to repair itself, to have another test done.

So on Tuesday I got back in for a Arteriogram and thankfully, they are going to do the port placement the same day.  (This was not scheduled until 4/25 previously).  Please keep me in your prayers Tuesday!  It's going to be another long day for everyone since I have to lay flat for several hours after the test.  We'll probably be at Magee all day.

Also, thanks again to everyone who sent me an e-card while I was at the hospital.  It really did help lift my spirits.  (As did the removal of the neutropenic sign from the door along with the masks!!!  I could finally enjoy my flowers again...)

In the end, we really aren't sure what happened last week.  The biopsies from the colonoscopy showed that my colon very toxic in nature (not surprising since I did just have chemo on the 15th). Our previous thoughts that this was a bad spell of ischemic colitis are becoming more and more questionable and as a result, our treatment plan is now coming into question.  If this attack was from the chemo, we are back at square one, but that won't be known until Wednesday.  Right now though, it looks like chemo is the culprit.