A Hairless Christmas

 After my second chemo treatment, my hair started coming out. I noticed it mostly when I would brush my hair after a shower.

Here's a picture of when the red devil chemo drug looks like.

I had Jimi shave my head to help with the annoying hair loss.

From here in out, I guess I'll be wearing head coverings.

My sister took me Christmas shopping. I was very weak, but we did it and had a lot of fun.

We went to the Ehrke's Christmas program with mom and dad.

Aubree went to work with her dad and he sent me this picture.

Aubree and grandpa time.

Aubree and grandma time.

Daniel and Chelsea came for Christmas. It was a real treat.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was amazing. I baked a bunch of food for Christmas Eve and we opened gifts.

We were reunited with a family member we haven't seen in 20 years.

Chemo Started

I captured this picture of dad and Sandy (Jeff and Karen's dog) on the swing in his back yard. We were dog sitting for them. It's a precious photo.

The time has come to start radiation. Dr Yellala transfered my care to a Doctor in Kearney, so I wouldn't have to travel so far. Dr. Hartl will oversee my care going forward.

My first Chemo was on November 17th. I will have four sessions of adreamyocin (aka the red devil) and decadron. Then I will have four sessions of taxol.

After chemotherapy I'll start radiation.

Friday morning before my first chemo treatment I had an outpatient surgery to have the port placed. Then I went directly for chemo. My first set of chemo went well on Friday.

The effects hit me about 6pm Friday night. It was NOT a good night. Jimi and my sister stayed with me. I finally passed out from pure exhaustion and slept through the night. Saturday was better. I laid around, ate small meals and tried to drink hot tea and water. I find myself hungry, but everything tastes bad and then I lose my appetite.

I‘m on high doses of steroids three days following each chemo treatment. My blood sugar levels are showing as pre diabetic so now we are doing those tests a few times a day.

After Friday night I’ve been able to keep the nausea under control however I’m weak, tired and just don’t feel good.

I’m praying this will normalize and I’ll be able to somewhat function normally.

I had full intentions of making it to church service no matter what. Unfortunately, even if I could get there I think it would take too much out of me.

I was able to eat and celebrate thanksgiving with the family, however, I experienced my first unbearable acid reflux that night.

Jennifer arranged for us to have family pictures taken. Given my recent diagnisos, struggles and journey these are priceless.

 

Another Surgery

Doctor Maxwell called asking that we come all the way to Omaha to discuss the pathology results of my surgery. I knew something must have been wrong if she wanted me to drive 3+ hours just for that.

The results of the pathology report shows cancer cells all the way to the edge of the tissue removed. This is cause to think that some cancer still exists.

I will go back into surgery on Thursday, October 13th to have more tissue removed.

Of the 5 lymph nodes they removed, two were cancerous.

The pathology from the lump and the pathology from the lymph nodes match indicating that the cancer in the lymph nodes did indeed come from the breast and was not a separate cancer. This is good!

I’m still considered stage 2. This is still completely treatable.

They are sending the lump to a special lab in California. Results will determine if I will have chemotherapy.

Dr Maxwell said my incision areas look great. The worst part is discomfort from fluid build up (called seroma).

On October 12th, Jimi and I left Alma early this morning for my annual MS MRIs and MS Dr appointment.

These appointments are routine for me and I’ve never had an issues or any reason for anxiety.

My Dr usually orders three sets of MRIs without and with contrast. They take about an hour and a half. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I was told that Dr Arcot only ordered one scan without and with contrast. Only 25 minutes.

The bad news is the contrast they injected missed the vein and went into the tissue of my arm. My arm blew up like a balloon (felt more like it then it looked).

I had little use of either arm. Both arms are painful and swollen. They said my right arm should be back to normal by tomorrow. It’s already looking and feeling better minus the bruising.

My appointment with Dr Arcot went well. The MRI scan did show a lesion increase in size. He wants to keep an eye on it. But since I haven’t had any clinical relapses, he’s not too worried but he does want scans again next year but agreed to do only without contrast. Yay.

He also wants to keep me on the same medication given my unknown upcoming cancer treatments. We’ll revisit medication next year.

While I did have good outcome with Dr Arcot and the staff at Nebraska Med is always caring and professional, I was drained.

The October 13th surgery went well.

Dr Maxwell wants me to move my left arm a little more with some stretches. She’s concerned I’m not moving it enough and will cause permanent mobility issues from the scar tissue. Other wise everything looks great and she’s confident she removed plenty of tissue.

The pathology reports should be back in a few days.

NO post surgery nausea this time. They changed the anesthetic medication (IV only) and omitted the gas. I’m so grateful!

Next appointments will be post surgery follow up with Dr Maxwell and discussion for medical treatment with Dr Yellala in 2 weeks.

On a lighter note: October is Pastor appreciation month. I made laprobe quilts for Pastor Jay and Sally. Ashley presented the quilts to them in church for me.

At some point suring the month, Jenn and I took Aubree to the pumpkin patch in Beaver City. I was still a little sore from surgery and was extra careful.

My friend Brenda has been playing a big role in my cancer journey so far. We talk almost everyday and most days it's more then every day. She came from Colorado to visit me and help after surgery.

Aubree is ready for Halloween.

 

Surgery and Pumpkin Patch

So far to get to this point I've had numerous mammograms, biopsys, Doctor appointments and a breast MRI. Finally surgery in scheduled.

I went in the day before surgey to have a radioactive seed placed. It was on September 28th in Omaha at the Fred and Pamela Buffet Center.

Surgery was September 29th, very early in the morning. Everything went well.

They removed 5 lymph nodes, the markers and the radioactive seed. They also performed reconstructive surgery at the same time. I haven’t seen the incisions yet but can see one is right in the bra line and another in the arm pit. I’ll be able to remove these bandages in 48 hours to shower. I have to wear this special bra for two weeks which is when my follow up is scheduled and I should receive the pathology reports.

I had some problems while coming out of the anesthesia. The nurses said it was normal and I did great but I think they were just being nice and I was my typical baby self when I’m in pain. Haha. I was having dry heaves, nausea, shaking legs and panic attacks that came and went. They lasted a few hours and then I was finally able to keep some ice chips and soda crackers down.

I’m doing very well now. A little discomfort but nothing bad. I’ll start over the counter pain medication rotation as soon as I sit down to make up a schedule (it’s in my to-do list). Lol

This picture was this morning right before we went in to surgery.

Earlier in the month Jimi and I took Aubree to the pumpkin patch.

 

August 2022

Aubree's first day of Kindergarten

And more time at our house. We explored the old highway.

Crafts in my craft room.

Aubree decorated sugar cookies and did a fantastic job.

 

More Cancer

So EXCITED!

Our friends Bill and Linda, from Florida, came to visit us in Nebraska.

Aubree is the first one to use our new bathtub in the sanctuary master,

Aubree and Grandpa playing.

I have baby birds in my birdhouse.

On the way to our house, we stopped on the side of the road to pet the horses.

 Some bad news to share.

On July 27th I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (stage 1 breast cancer). Before and since I’ve had numerous mammograms, ultra sounds, biopsies and an MRI.

My cancer has since been upgraded to stage 2, grade2/3. The final stage ruling will be determined after surgery and labs.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I go in for a radioactive seed placement at the cancerous lymph node.

Thursday morning I will have surgery; a lumpectomy (which will then be sent off to a lab in California) and a sentinel node injection. They will also remove the radioactive seed and 2-4 lymph nodes for further testing. Pending those results I may then continue with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Jimi is my rock never leaving my side for any appointment and phone conversation with my doctors. He even wears a pink shirt every time we go to appointments to show his support. And God is my strength.

I am being treated at the Fred & Pamela Buffet Breast Cancer Center in Omaha, Nebraska with a team of three Doctors (Surgical Oncologist, Medical Oncologist and Radiology Oncologist). They are part of Nebraska Medicine at the University of Nebraska and among the best in the country. I am confident in my Doctors, my treatment and Christ.