LAST CHEMO TREATMENT!

Today was the last chemo treatment!  

There were 16 in all with 4 in part 1 and 12 in part 2.  It took 22 weeks-5 months.  There were 2 times that I couldn't have the treatments because my white blood count was too low.  When I checked up on it, that count was pretty low for the last couple of months.  After the 2nd week I was given shots that helped the bones make more and more quickly.  Last week it was really low again, so the doctor had be take 5 more daily shots to boost for my safety.  Today it was high, but they know it from the shots and not necessarily that they will stay high, so I will be having 5 more this weekend. I'm grateful for a my doctor.  There will be radiation, but today I am celebrating the completion of chemo treatment.

Last EMPTY chemo bag!

The Ringing of the Bell!

More to celebrate with!!!

Becky, nurse who took care of me often.
We had some special times of sharing when
 we knew the Lord was there and blessing me
and others.

Only 1 to go!!!!!!

I had my 11th treatment of part 2 or 15th of 16 in all in my chemo treatment today Wednesday.  My white blood count had gone down to 1.0 which is lower that my oncologist would like, but he felt it would be safe to continue if I have the shots to help speed up the creating of more.  So I will be going in for a shot each morning for 5 days.  I am grateful we could proceed.
I have an appointment to see the radiologist for September 16th and to return to the oncologist to talk about the treatment that blocks the estrogen that I will take in pill form for years.  So onward and forward.
Thoughts today:

• As the doctor asked questions, I realized again that I am blessed with a strong healthy body which is handling the chemo very well.  I am very grateful and blessed.  
• I really have few complaints and even though I feel really bad sometimes, I am very blessed.
• I am so excited to be coming to the end of the chemo treatments.  At the beginning and through much of the treatment, I have had to take it a day at a time.  It was too overwhelming as a whole.  
• Even though that is true, I am cautious about it.  
• It is wonderful to be realizing that I can go to church meetings, wedding receptions, book club, parties, grocery shop, shop for many things, etc. again soon.

20 Weeks into Chemo-? to Go

Another week has gone by and I am eagerly looking forward to the weeks and months ahead when I can begin to regain strength and stamina, feel better, and rejoin the world outside my home.  I am so grateful for family and friends who help keep things up here at home and visit.  Tomorrow I see the oncologist and learn if my white count is high enough to have a chemo treatment.

Last flowers in the yard to bloom.

#10 of 12 or #14 of 16

I didn't realize how long it had been since I last posted.
On Tuesday(August 12th) I had another chemo treatment-10th with only 2 more to go.  It has been a little rough having them again after 2 weeks off.  I can definitely tell that I am weaker which is what the doctor said it would be from the beginning.  My white blood count was low again-just .2 above the bottom line for OKing the treatment, so I don't know what will happen next week.  I am to see the oncologist at that time.  That treatment is set up for Wednesday, August 20th.
My fingernails and a couple of toenails are progressively working toward leaving my body.  It is an adventure!

Back on Track!!!

Treatment 4 completed!!!  Only three left.  Yesterday when they checked my white blood count it was high! Where the problem was the numbers (absolute neutrophlis) had to be 1.0, but it had been .8 and .49.  After two weeks rest from chemo, antibiotics in case it was infection in the toes, and daily shots to help it; the result was a roaring success with it being 38.42. I was exploring on the "Follow Your Health" site and found a graph for that and could see that my numbers on that had been going down for a number of treatments. So maybe my body needed a rest to rebuild.  

It was interesting to go back after two weeks off.  It I felt good. I think because I know I am moving forward and there is a completion to this part of the chemo treatment. The whole thing went faster today, because I didn't have to do the blood draw and wait for the lab results, my friend Catherine took me and Shawn joined me for the treatment.  I had a good sleep and rest when I got home, as a result, I am feeling good.  I am in the I feel pretty good, "I can do things", "I can conquer the world" mode right now.  I will more than likely not feel so much that way in a few days.  At least that has been the pattern in the previous treatment cycles. I will try to rest along, that seems to always help a lot.

I am happy to be feel that I am moving forward!!! 16 treatments (18 weeks) completed and 3 treatments ahead.  Then we'll make plans for the following radiation treatments and anti-estrogen treatment.  

Thanks for your prayers and love.

Update

Originally when I wasn't able to have my chemo treatments, I thought I would feel a lot better.  I did feel better in ways, but I didn't in others.  Then my daughters pointed out that I was sick-not enough white blood cells.  Oh, yes!  Since I have been having the daily shots, I have noticed more congestion and some feelings like I had following the first part of chemo when I had to go back in the next day for a shot to help boost the white blood count, but it has been minimal.  I am grateful.  I certainly hope the white blood count is higher this week.  They will draw blood and check it on Monday.
Shannon and her family were with us a little over 3 weeks.  It was good to have them.   They left early Wednesday morning.  It is quieter without them and I do miss them.  They were very helpful in keeping things going here and it was good to have people coming and going.  Now I need to adjust to a different lifestyle again.

 I am enjoying the fresh vegetables from my garden boxes.
I go out about 7:30 or 8 while it is still cooler to water.  It is good to have it do,
but some mornings I am pretty tired when I get back inside.