Bon Voyage Chemotherapy!

This week marks a very triumphant week in my fight against cancer -- I had my final round of chemotherapy!! I have finally completed four rounds of Adriamycin & Cytoxin and four rounds of Taxol.  I have come a long way since that cold day in February when I began treatment and was crying to my doctor because I was so scared of beginning treatment.  I had envisioned what I've seen in the movies (even though I saw my mom go through it 12 years ago).  And despite talking to many people about what to expect it was still not familiar to me at the time.  Thankfully I had a very compassionate doctor that gave me a big hug which made me feel so much better.  Since then, I've had my good days and bad days but it wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be.

Fast forward to this past Thursday -- I was so excited to have chemotherapy behind me.  And, in a very celebratory fashion, Katie Cavarretta brought me a tiara to wear during my last treatment...I was the belle of the ball in the treatment room this week.

I had unfortunately forgotten all of my cute pink letters that I would use to make a sign to hang from the chemo drip so I had to improvise with the supplies available at the nurse's station.  I think it all worked out in the end.  Thank you, Katie, for helping me to develop my creative vision.  :)

My dad later joined Katie and I in the treatment room and brought cupcakes from my favorite place (Sweet Mandy B's).  They have been delicious!

For the past two weeks I had been joking around that I would be graduating from one of the most difficult steps in in kicking cancer's ass.  To celebrate my chemotherapy commencement, Katie had (what I thought) arranged for us to go on Ian's, her future brother-in-law's, boat in the evening.  So, I wore my boat shoes and a cute pink floppy hat and toted my preppiest tote bag -- I was ready for a boat ride.  Katie told me that we were going to meet her sister at a bar for a drink while Ian was docking the boat and testing the water.  Being the gullible girl I am, I just followed along... However, there was a secret mission that my friends had been up to -- they were throwing me a surprise graduation party! I. Was. Stunned.  I LOVE surprise parties and haven't had any surprises thrown for me since I was 16 when my mom and Meme had arranged for me to have my Glamour Shots taken with my BFF at the time (I'll have to get my hands on those photos).

Here's a pic of my friends and I.  I took a few more pictures and you can check them out by looking at my album here.  Thank you to everyone who could make it out on Thursday night!

I will probably never understand why I would have to battle this disease but I have learned a lot about myself since the fateful day that I was told I had cancer.  I do believe everything happens for a reason and as I have begun to unravel what I am supposed to take away from this experience, I have learned that I am truly blessed.  My friends and family consist of people that ran to my side when I needed them most, took care of me while I was recovering from surgery, accompanied me to my endless doctor appointments, helped me pick out a wig and was by my side when I shaved my head, made me dinner, sent me flowers, cards, emails and prayers for my strength and recovery.  The nurses at my oncologist office often commented on how lucky I am to have so many people accompany me to chemotherapy but little did they know that my network of support goes far beyond the people who were with me every other week.  It is very hard for me to express my gratitude in words.  All I can say is I have been smiling since Thursday as I've reflected on the past few months.


What's ahead for Miss Davis?
Well, my next step in kicking cancer's ass is radiation therapy, which will begin on May 26th.  I met with the radiation oncologist this week and I really liked him so am looking forward to getting this started and being done with cancer treatment. Radiation is very different from chemotherapy; I will do a little amount every single day (5 days a week) over the course of six and a half weeks.  I have been told that I will likely have some fatigue but the side effects of radiation aren't nearly as bad as chemotherapy.  It's nice to know that the worst is behind me.

Also, now that things have started to warm up around here (sort of), I have been out and about on my new bike.  I still have a while before the Apple Cider Century but will need to work hard this summer to  prepare for it.  I will be sure to keep you all posted on my adventures in bike riding.

Love to everyone!  Wishing you peace, love and happiness!

Birthday, Biking, Chemo & Beyond

Happy Birthday to me!


My birthday was a couple of weeks ago so I have been slowly celebrating with my friends and family.  This year has been pretty low key for me because I'm still dealing with this good week-bad week schedule.   (But things are looking up for me...more on that to come.)  One of my great friends, Katie Cavaretta got me a label maker for my birthday. :)  I don't know why I've always wanted one but Katie and I share a love for office supplies so I was pretty psyched to get one.  My first response was "What am I going to label first?!?" Yes, I am a dork.

As a present to myself (and with the help of my Dad and Aunt Barb), I decided to upgrade my bike this year since I will be training for the Apple Cider Century ride in September.  I currently have a mountain bike (which is not really needed since I don't live near any mountains). So, it was time for me to move on to a bike that is better for city and long distance riding.  With the help of my Uncle Joel, we picked out the perfect bike for me.  I am really excited to pick it up and take it out for a ride!

My new bike -- TREK 7000

Chemotherapy -- 7 down, 1 to go!!!

It is amazing to think that I am almost finished with chemotherapy.  I feel like I have come such a long way from my very first treatment on February 2nd.   The last few treatments have been really tough for me.  I've been very achy, had bone pain and the fatigue started to catch up with me.  My doctor recommended taking a new vitamin and I have also have done a couple of acupuncture treatments.  I don't know if it's the combination of those (or a little bit of magic) but I am feeling so much better than the last few treatments.  I met a woman in the treatment room that is one week behind me and she has to take narcotic pain medication for the bone pain.  I haven't even needed to take Tylenol this weekend. I feel very blessed this time around.  I'm sure that it also helps that the weather is picking up in Chicago and in the back of my mind I know I only have ONE TREATMENT LEFT!!

Thank you Bridget for coming along with me to chemotherapy.  It was so fun to catch up with you!  I am very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family at every single treatment.  Even the nurses commented on how I have a different friend with me at nearly every visit.  It is so nice to have cheerleaders near and far.  Thank you for all of your  happy thoughts -- I could definitely feel the love this week.  

What's next?


I will take about a month off after chemotherapy and begin radiation.  I believe I have to do 5 weeks of radiation (which will be five days a week).  I am meeting with the radiation oncologist in 10 days and will confirm all of that then.  But it looks like I will be finished with all of my treatment in July sometime.  It will be so nice to have this all behind me.  Then, I will take about 6 months off and allow my skin and tissue to heal and I hope to have the second part of my reconstructive surgery at the end of the year.


It has been a long road but I can't tell you how many blessings I have to be grateful for.  Thank you for being by my side and providing such a wonderful support system!  


Love to all! 

6 down, 2 to go!

When I lived in New York City, I lived off the 6 train so I thought that this picture was appropriate.  In a way, it is only uptown from here:  2 chemotherapy sessions left.  The end is so close and that makes me happy! 

My friend Mollly accompanied me to chemotherapy today.  She asked if I needed anything from the store and I asked for a big bottle of water (thinking she would get me one of those really tall bottles of Evian).  Instead, she shows up with this:

Sorry Molls, I couldn't figure out how to get you right side up...

Talk about literal. :)   I was told I needed to push water to flush the chemo out of my body and I don't think I was drinking enough.  So my friends have been REALLY pushing me to drink loads of water.  I drank 3/4 of the gallon today -- I pretty much floated home.

My last treatment was really tough.  The Taxol (chemotherapy) makes my body ache like I have the flu and the shot I do to keep my white blood count up makes my bones hurt.  Those coupled together left me in  a lot of pain.  Tylenol was like child's play for what I was feeling.  Thankfully my white blood cell count was really strong this week so I don't have to do my shot tomorrow. And if I need to do a shot next time, I am better prepared to treat the pain (e.g. get some good drugs from my doc).

I'm spending the weekend out in the country visiting with my family.  I think the TLC that I will be getting will definitely help me feel better this time around.

Hope you all have a great weekend.  Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers and good wishes!

It's the final countdown...

Yes, I am a child of the 80's because when I type those words, this is the song that I think of. (Not sure if the video will actually work so you may need to click on this link to hear the song & laugh at the band's hair).

Anyway, today was my 5th chemotherapy. I have to say it feels good to be in the home stretch.  I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Getting half way there was a bit anti-climatic but I'm feeling good about having 5 down and only 3 to go!  My word of the day was hope, which is a pretty powerful one for me.  It was the first time in a while that I have felt this hopeful -- I'm almost done with chemotherapy, I'm feeling pretty good (all things considered) and I just have this powerful feeling that I'm going to come out on top.

I also started Taxol today (a new chemotherapy for me) which  is supposed to be the 'easier' of the two regimens that I'm on; so we'll see how the next few days go. I hope that will be the case. 

I had quite the entourage with me today.  My Aunt Barb, Dad and Katie were there with me during treatment (although I think Katie just wanted me to concentrate on getting her to the next level of Angry Birds).  Regardless, It was nice to have so many cheerleaders by my side.  

After  treatment my Dad, Aunt and I got an early dinner to one of my favorite places -- the Athenian Room.  I love this place because it's just a good neighborhood Greek restaurant.  And because they have a 'vegetarian salad' on the menu that is a dieters dream --- it's a salad with Greek fries on top.  No joke.  That's the most delicious oxymoron I've ever had.  

...and to continue the afternoon of indulgence (and since we were in the neighborhood), we had to stop at Sweet Mandy B's for cupcakes...

Not a bad ending to the day.  I'm going to call it an early night soon.  I don't have much planned for this weekend, just going to rest like I normally do after treatment.  If I'm lucky, I'll get some laundry done. :)

Oh, and tomorrow is opening day for the Chicago Cubs!  GO CUBS GO!  May this be your year!! 

50% Completed!

Rather than spending St. Patrick's day drinking green beer, I was getting my 4th chemotherapy treatment.  While that doesn't sound like the most fun day, I was pretty psyched to get over the half-way hump of chemo!  Thank you Chevy for coming along with me to chemo this round.  And thank you to Christy & Mike for the delicious Irish meal afterwards.

I'm now done with the 'harder' of the chemo regimen (A +C) so hopefully the next four treatments (Taxol) will be a little easier on my body.  I'm actually feeling pretty good this round, which is a surprise because I didn't feel so hot after my last treatment.  The weather in Chicago is finally getting warmer so maybe that has had an impact on my energy level.  I made it out for a walk on Friday and Saturday but today is a rainy spring day so I'm just going to lay low.

I don't have much going on for the week ahead, which is fine by me.  I've been pretty busy the last couple of weeks so I hope to just take advantage of the warmer weather and get out while I can enjoy it.

Thank you all for the support thus far.  I hope the next four treatments fly by so I can have this part of my treatment behind me!

xoxo  

3 Down....

Treatment this week...

I've got 3 chemos under my belt!  I'm almost to the half-way point.  My regimen is broken down by two different types of treatment: 4 A + C (Adriamycin and Cytoxin) and 4 Taxol.  From what I understand, A + C is the harder of the two treatments (which is why they front load them) so I'm almost done with the harder stuff.  My word for this treatment this round was "strength" -- God, please grant me the strength to endure chemotherapy and kick cancer's ass! 

My date for chemotherapy was Jamie, a good friend of mine from my days working at NPD.  Thanks for coming with Jamie.  It was fun catching up with you!  

Jamie and I after treatment was done

My new 'do...still an adjustment for me
I'm still getting adjusted to my new 'do.  It's growing on me.  A few people at work (that I don't see regularly) have commented on my new hair cut -- thinking that maybe I just wouldn't lose my hair.  That definitely has made me feel good.  I haven't had the guts to leave my apartment without a wig on yet.  I'm still trying to lead a secret agent double life -- 'normal Heather' when out and about and 'cancer vixen' when at home.  


What I did last weekend...
Last weekend I went home for the first time since Christmas (boy did that time fly).  My mom's best friend, Kathy came over to my aunt's house and we had coffee just like the old days.  For those of you that don't know, my mom and Kathy would have coffee together one to two times a day and our families would just spend hours together chatting.  My aunt made my great grandmother's buttermilk biscuits, one of Kathy's favorites (sorry friends, it's a family recipe that I cannot share) and Kathy brought my donuts from my favorite bakery in Lake Zurich.  It was very nostalgic to have coffee with her and a great way to celebrate my mom's memory.  

Kathy and I also stopped by my dad's house so she could meet the newest puppy in our family, Abby.  She is so adorable and my dad is lucky that I have too  much on my plate because I would like to "borrow" her from him (and perhaps not return).  

My Dad and Abby

  

Abby after getting groomed & wanting a treat.
She's so cute! 

My cousins Rob and Kristi were also at my aunt's last weekend so it was nice to see them. Rob introduced us to Wii Wheel of Fortune and we had a lot of fun playing that!  I'm looking forward to a rematch (preferably when my Aunt Barb doesn't blurt out the answers while it's Rob's turn!).


What's ahead for the week...
It's gonna be a busy week for me!  On Tuesday I have my second monthly Young Survivor's Coalition meeting (which as many of you know is where I met my friend Bonnie).   So I'm looking forward to seeing her and connecting with other young breast cancer survivors.  On Thursday, my friend Molly invited me  to see a Wolfgang Puck cooking demonstration, which I'm pretty excited about.  And then on Friday, we have a team outing and we're going to the Bull's game!  This will be my second Bull's game ever (and twice in one season no less).  


Hope everyone has a great weekend.  Happy MARCH!  I am so excited for spring to arrive! 

25% complete with chemo

I had my second treatment today, which means I'm a quarter of the way done with chemotherapy. Whoo hoo!









Unfortunately, my hair is beginning to fall out (as I have been expecting it to). I have been pretty bummed out by this but it was helpful to have my friend Katie there to keep my spirits up. She even wore a scarf to be supportive of my soon-to-be hair style. (Thanks Katie! You are a great chemo companion!)




I was also happy to have Bonnie stop by because she literally just went through hair loss (but you would have no idea by how good she looks). I hope I look as good as she does once I get my wig.

The ceremonious hair shaving will be on Monday. In a strange way, I just want to get it over with. It's really hard to see your hair fall out. I know it will grow back but that seems so far away. It will probably take two years to have anything close to what I have now and that feels like an eternity right now. As with all the other changes in my life, I hope that I will adjust to this too. I'm sure I will....

Overall, treatment went pretty well. I'm just planning to take it easy this weekend. It's super warm in Chicago so I hope to get out for a walk and enjoy the weather while I'm feeling good.

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I think I can handle this...

I can now say with confidence that the anxiety before chemotherapy is far worse than the actual side effects.  Disclosure -- I can only say this for my regimen.  I'm sure there are others may not be as 'easy'. And honestly who knows how it will go with the treatments compounding.  But for now, nausea is very well controlled with a number of different drugs;  the only downfall is that they are mostly steroid based which does not help me sleep at night.  Despite being on some sleepy-time drugs, I was up from 3-5 a.m. and 3-6 a.m. the last two nights.  While I was able to get a full 5 or 6 hours of sleep, that is just not enough for me so I'm sure that doesn't help with the fatigue I was feeling yesterday or today.  So, I've just been listening to my body and taking it really easy (and napping when needed).

My hair will start to fall out with the next treatment and I'm sure that will be hard for me but I have a great wig and some cute hats to accompany my bald head.  I expect to look a little like this again....

Aliza and I are the same exact age here (actually, I am  a month older).
She is on the left with a full head of hair & I am bald.
I guess I've been preparing my whole life for this.  Haha.  At least it will grow back!  

Speaking of Aliza, I had an AMAZING weekend with her.  We didn't do very much but it was so comforting to have her here for my first treatment.  Thank you again for making the schlep from Boston, A.  Love ya!

Drain #4 and I are getting ready to part ways.  Output has slowed down considerably, which is fantastic.  We are beginning to say our good-byes.  I have an appointment on Wednesday to have it removed.  I can't wait!

So far -- kicking chemo's ass

I may be speaking a little too soon but so far I'm feeling pretty normal.  Yesterday I was feeling a little hyped up from the steroids they gave me to help keep the nausea at bay.  Consequently it gave me a little insomnia last night, but what else is new?

I went back to the oncologist's office this morning to get a shot that will help to keep my my white blood cell counts up.  Hopefully that additional precaution will help me to maintain a strong immune system and keep me on my planned chemo schedule.

Now, what blog post would be complete without an update on #4?  I'm happy to report that my drainage was under 50 cc's yesterday (the first time it had been under 65 cc's in 6 days).  And I'm seeing signs that drainage is continuing to slow.  So, great news on the drain-front.  I hope that I will be able to have this drain removed next week.  (Keep prayers coming for that though.)

One down, seven to go

I was finally approved for chemo and got started. I'm sitting in the chair now just chillin'. The nurses here have been very nice and I've got lots of reading material (NYT if I want to look smart and People to catch up on the latest celebrity gossip.)





Two of my biggest fans are here with me, Dad & Aunt Barb.




While I know the chemo will make me feel a little under the weather and make me bald and lord knows what other side effects, here's a reminder that this is actually helping me...




Thanks for all your prayers and support. I'm very happy to report that I've finally got one under my belt.

Tomorrow is a go!

Neither snow nor drainage is going to stop me from getting chemotherapy tomorrow! I ventured into the blizzard today and saw Dr. G. I have his seal of approval as well as Regina's (my oncologist) to begin treatment.

Speaking of the blizzard, here are some pics of my adventures outside.

Snow bank by the bus stop...








A very quiet Michigan Avenue...








My street (which doesn't actually look so bad but this was before it started snowing again)...








Please pray that my draining stops and the side effects of chemo aren't as bad as I'm expecting them to be. Also pray that my cousin, Aliza, is able to make it in from Boston tomorrow. She's making a special trip this weekend to help me out and I really want to see her.

Be safe and stay warm in this crazy weather!

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The Blanket Ladies

I received a very warm (literally) and thoughtful gift when I arrived in the office on Monday. My colleague's mom works at a senior center in Northfield and there are a group of women, The Blanket Ladies, that make blankets for patients undergoing chemotherapy.  I was so touched!  And what perfect timing when I'm heading into chemo right after Chicago's snowpocalypse! Thanks Blanket Ladies for your kindness! 

There was just a lovely article in the Chicago Sun-Times about The Blanket Ladies. (Click here to read more about them.) 

Stay warm and safe everyone!

Enough is enough, Drain #4

I am so over #4.  Today was 65 ccs, not even close to being under 30 like I need it to be.  Although, my oncologist said that we would proceed with chemo next week regardless of the drain situation.  We'll see what Dr. G says about that  -- I'll let them sort that out if he still disagrees.

I'm just so frustrated with this stupid thing. It doesn't hurt -- it's just a nuisance.  I can't wait until it's out and I can wear whatever I want to and not have to worry about how I'm going to hide this stupid drain.

As my brother said, "Come on #4, retire like Brett Favre already!"  
I couldn't have said it better...

Drain, Drain -- Go Away!

The last remaining drain (#4 for those of you that are familiar with my post-op drains) is showing no signs of slowing.  I don't know what the doctor is going to say when I see him tomorrow.

Being someone who lives in Excel and PowerPoint charts, I made a little trend line of what's going on here.  Ideally, we would like to see drain #4 act as the other drains did, gradually dropping off.  But unfortunately it looks as if drain #4 would like to reside in my body and hoover around 50-60 cc's a day. Super lame drain.

I'll let you know what Dr. G says about resolving this.  I would like to get chemo started this week but I don't know if that's going to happen at the rate the drainage is going.

A little delay

Chemo has been delayed because I'm still draining (dang drain #4) and that would put me at a risk of infection and interrupt my treatment (not good). So, we're going to try again next week...

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First Chemo Today...

...and I'm surprisingly not nervous or anxious. My phone has been blowing up with emails, calls and texts, which is such a great feeling. My dad and aunt are accompanying me to my appointment but I feel like I have an army behind me! Words can not describe how uplifting and inspiring that is. xoxo

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