Grimblefig

Posted 2/08/2008 09:33:00 PM by Karen

Sorry it took awhile to update you all. The surgeries took a lot out of me. Let's see...

I had my ENT post-op appointment on Wednesday. Everything looked good. I go back in 2 weeks.

I had my post-op appointment with the surgeon on Thursday. He took the drains out and bandages off. Yeah! I also got to take a shower Thursday night. It felt REALLY good. They didn't find any more cancer which is also good. I go back in a week.

I will start chemo Feb. 28th, if my blood work is ok. They are mainly looking to see if my blood counts (white, red, platelets, and NE#'s) are ok. Again this is is a standard test for everyone before each chemo treatment. I will have a total of 16 treatments over 20 weeks. The first 4 treatments will be every two weeks and will be a combo of two types of chemo...Cytoxan and Adriamycin. The last 12 weeks I will receive a treatment every week of Taxol. This is the same as before.

As for side effects, I will lose my hair, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are a possibility (but they really try to control that), fatigue, and low blood counts are the 4 big ones. There is a chance I might go into menopause as well.

I am going to work part time starting Feb. 25th and will be off work for the first two chemo treatments (Feb. 28 - March 14).

Alex is doing ok. He doesn't like it that I can't lift him but we are still getting lots of snuggly time. He will tell you that Mommy has a big owie. The doctors took out all the bad cells they could find and that left a big owie. But she is getting better. He has been trying on some hats I got. He especially likes the night stocking cap...so do I.

Jim is doing ok. He is once again back at work due to my doctor's appointments this week. I noticed earlier in the week that his patience was running thin and he was tired. But he is doing fine now. Being capable of helping myself is a big help.

I am doing better. I actually got a few things done today...mainly errands. My spirits are good. Being able to move onward is helping.

Thanks again for your continued support. We really appreciate it and it keeps us going.