Ch... Ch... Ch... Changes...

A lot of changes happening...

Had a lot of fatigue this last week, wait, that's not a change... hang with me here... it's frustrating when you're feeling spring/summer and want to do a bunch of things but just can't quite make it up of the couch or out of bed.  I did accomplish some things, just not nearly what I wanted.  I did see an SSA doctor last week who "clearly" found a heart murmur.  He listened two separate times.  I talked to both the Oncologist and my regular doctor (had yearly checkup) about it, both think its a little systolic "regurgitation."

Not to worry.  Okay I won't.  I have an Echo coming up this next week anyway so that will tell the story if there's any changes from the pre-chemo Echo.  What are you going to do anyway, right?  I mean, I'm in "show up and they all just do what they do" mode.  My PCP says her husband called it BYOB... bring your own body.  Yep, that's it.

I'm off all the really nasty chemo and will just be going in every three weeks now through January '16 for the Herceptin.  It has some side effects that are less than desirable but those I can live with.  I will see the radiation folks this month, AFTER I see the surgeon for a consult.  If we have to do surgery again it apparently needs to be done before the radiation.

The side effects of the nasty chemo will lessen in a few weeks and fingers-crossed the neuropathy improves, though doc said it may take a long time... (since it didn't improve while off chemo for 6 weeks) and sometimes never.  So we'll hang onto a little hope there.  My feet and hands are so freakin' sensitive, numbness, tingling, painful sometimes, and I have one spot on my right foot that is tickley, that's a new thing.   I would not be unhappy if all of it was tickley... well, maybe, that could get annoying too I suppose.

My right breast... it always hurts.  Varying degrees, but always.

I'm supposed to start on an oral drug called Anastrozole.  Because cancer is so sneaky it hides and cells lie dormant hoping to spring up and come alive at some point and wreak havoc again.  This drug is taken for 5 years and takes care of those dormant cells when they decide to become active.

Here's the month's schedule:
May 12th: Echocardiogram
May 19th: Bone Density Scan
May 20th: Surgery Consult
May 21st: Radiation Consult
May 29th: Next Chemo

Three appointments in one week... OMG!  Not sure I can handle it!

I'm becoming a furry mammal again.  So weird after being hairless for 7 months!  Seems... not right somehow... I kinda liked being hairless.

Grateful for:  being alive (cuz at the worst of it to date, there were times I didn't want to be... just being honest), grateful for David who makes me cry all the time with his awe-inspiring love, understanding, and support... and surprises...

...and who makes me feel like this:

Grateful for friends and family.

Grateful for my kitty Os, whose real names is Maahes.  Look that one up.  He is a constant companion well or sick.  (deserves a big picture)

Grateful for the nasty chemo ending and the great timing with spring/summer.  Makes it all feel better.  Gardens make it all feel better.

Says it all.