October 26th

Quiet weekend. Not a bad thing.
Friday I worked, which was nice, and actually got quite a bit done that had been stacking up. Went to the Dr. in the afternoon to get the magic shot, Neulasta. It kicks my bone marrow into gear, and should keep me from dropping my white blood cell count after each chemo. And again, none of the side effects they predicted, so had a pretty good couple of days. Just feel a little not like myself. Plus I have had a tension wrap around my chest for 5 days now, and my ribs are starting to complain. Hopefully will be done with that this week.
Rainy on Saturday, and Bert was off to work. I met with my fishing girls, moving towards our auction, and then today, unfortunately, made Bert drive all the way to Frederick to meet the guy with the hot pink kayak that is being donated, to find out that I had the wrong Sunday! Good thing that I had arranged to meet the kayak guy at the Cracker Barrel, but I don't think the breakfast totally made up for the wasted trip! Worst is, have to go back next weekend and do it again!
Looking forward to a whole week without a doctors appt. and a chance for Bert to sneak away and do a little fishing. Supposed to be having nice fall weather this week, and the leaves are starting to turn.

October 23, first chemo today

Other than it took a long time, so far so good. We arrived at 10 am, did some paperwork, and got set up with first drip by 10:30. Sent Bert home, and when he arrived back at 4 PM I was just finishing. Thank goodness for my fabulous Ipod Touch that Bert and Rachel talked me into. I am caught up on my two favorite TV shows, and it sure made the time go fast. And I found a nice love you note from Rachel I didn't even know was there!

Unlike last time, I do not get a massive dose of antihistime with this one, so I actually stayed awake the whole time. They go extra slow the first time, so each consecutive round should go a little faster.

And, as of 10 pm, the only side effect I am having is a face that looks like I swigged a 1/5 of gin: bright red and flushed. But I had a good appetite, ate a nice dinner, and feel good, so no complaints so far. Didn't even come home and need a nap today. Snuck over and had a manicure at the salon next door. So now I look good, with my chest straped down but no hoses handing out, and good nails. All a girl needs when she still has hair!

October 22, back to work

While it is ok to work at home, there is nothing like sitting at your desk to be more efficient.

Started off the day with a nice present from my mom. Will have to wait until I don't have to wear the very unattractive surgical garment under my clothes, which shows under everything. But a nice way to start the day.

Yesterday we went for doctor's checkup, and out came the drain. It was weird, the tube end was on top of my sternum, while it exited under my arm. I said it felt weird when it came out, and Mary, who was providing moral support, said it looked pretty weird too, as she could see it moving under there! Eeek! So now I am all bound up in 6 inch ace bandage like Mulan sneeking off to join the war (Disney movie reference for those that didn't get it). Now we are just hoping that I don't have to go back and grovel, and admit that the drain should have stayed in. Worse case, if I am still collecting fluid in a few days, back in goes the drain. Dang.

After the doc's we had to take Mary B. to the airport. Some silly excuse about her school kids expect her back. It was sure great to have her here for 5 days, though.

So, made it to work about 11 today, and went home at 5 or so. Not bad for a first day back. Didn't even have to have a nap when I got home. Headed to bed now, big day tomorrow.

Monday, October 20

By now, 2 1/2 weeks since I last sat in my office, I am ready to be released from my rest and recuperation. The good news for the last week is that my sister-in-law Mary came to see me. The bad news was that when she took me for my 2 week check up with the surgeon on Friday, I had not healed as much as any of us wanted, and she was not able to remove the drains from my right side, which meant still not being able to drive and go back to normalcy. Not that I have ever been normal, but you know what I mean. Tomorrow we go back to the doctor's and try again. So, it was nice to have Mary here to keep me from getting too grumpy. Saturday she and our friend Trudy picked me up and we did some gentle sightseeing in the afternoon and out for a yummy mexican lunch at a place on Capital Hill.

On Sunday Bert was off so we went for a drive thru rural Virginia. Beautiful day, but summer is definitely over. We went to a little town named Waterford, founded by Quakers in the 1700, who then all packed up and left in 1840's because they were pacifists and abolitionists, so the town was preserved just about how it was when they left. This little house, built in 1815, is only $679,000 so Bert said he will buy it for me.

Then we drove to Harper's Ferry, Bert made me sit on a bench at the train station while he and Mary walked around. I got a little Vitamin D while enjoying the sun. We love Harper's Ferry, and never tire of going there.

Today Mary and I went for my last diagnotistic test, called a Muga. They inject radioactive isotopes into you, and then take 3-D pictures of your heart. Pretty dang cool, actually. Last hurdle that had to be cleared for chemo to start on Thursday.

Tommorow, that hose is coming out, dang it. I gotta go back to work!

October 15, still trapped at home!

I must be feeling better, because I am getting sick of my forced relaxation. Bert has been doing his bit to keep me busy in a non-active manner when he is home, but these days that he goes to work are good for him, but bad for me! Saturday he was off, and took me for a nice ride on a beautiful day. When Michal was here the weather was cool, but this week it has felt like summer again, and Saturday was 85! We drove down to Solomon's Island, at the south end of the state, a found a nice little crab house for lunch. Then I wanted to see the beach at Calvert Cliffs, famous for fossils and seashells. But, after we walked a ways into the woods, turned out it was another 1.5 miles to the beach. Needless to say, we didn't make it. Had a nice short walk thru the woods, enjoyed the first fall color, and went back to the car.

The rest of the weekend passed uneventfully. The ladies from Casting for Recovery came over on Sunday for a planning meeting for our upcoming fundraiser. I had 4 guests in my house, and none of them were related to me. That is a first for this little house. The ladies were so kind to have the meeting here so I did not have to move, and then they brought dinner and flowers for Bert and I as well. Good chili, too! While I have spared all of you from invitations to our fundraiser, you can still bid on our auction items if you want. go to http://www.castabid.net/ (aren't we clever with our fishy name!) and see the cool stuff we are working on. Not there yet is our raffle for an Emotion Casting for Recovery bright pink kayak! Too cool. You can see it at the Emotion Kayaks web page, and can always buy one if you don't win the raffle! Monday was a very uneventful sorta-holiday. Stock market looses more of our money, but we get no mail. Weird holiday.

While I have been laying around, I did manage to teach myself to knit. Michal and Rachel helped some, but look at my first project which is not too bad.

Back to the plastic surgeon on Friday to hopefully get rid of all remaining hoses and other stuff hanging off me. Then I can drive again, do something besides sit around and eat and maybe even go back to work.

one week post surgery today

Feeling a little better every day! Sure miss having Mikie here to keep the blog up to date, but guess I can manage it myself now, as I am pretty much up and feeling good. Will feel like working soon, oh my goodness. Vacation will be over!

Bert and I were off to the oncologist today. I do find that even though I think I am feeling like myself, it takes me a long time to get anything done. Start getting ready to go this morning at 10 am, barely made it out the door at 11:30! Geez. Doc had the pathology from the surgery and the results of testing to determine if I actually had a gene that predisposses me to breast cancer. Good news on all results, no cancer gene, path report says it was small, early and we got it all! My other friend Lefty breathed a big sigh of relief, I tell you!

Discussed all the joys and fun involved in the chemo that the Doc has in mind for me: hair loss, weight gain (the final example that life is NOT FAIR!) and how much for how long. 6 doses, 3 weeks apart so we will be having fun for over 4 months, scheduled to start Oct. 23. Last time I did every two weeks, so maybe I will not get so fatigued this time; a little longer between doses to get ready for the next go. Good news is that she says there is no reason not to pick up my schedule, including traveling, whenever I feel up to it. Of course, that is only one of three Docs that have a say in my life, so I did not book anything yet.

After the TWO hour doctor visit, Bert took me for a nice lunch at the new McCormick and Schmidt at the new National Harbor. It was a beautiful day, so we sat outside and enjoyed the almost 80 degree afternoon. You have to act like each one might be the last before the cold winter begins. Each day is a bonus. After lunch, we walked around the marina, ogled the very expensive boats, and then came home. Needed a nap after that!

More presents and nice cards today. A pajama-gram from my favorite cousins: Marianne and Dave. Cinnamon satin jammies! Wowwie. And the Brehm-Geiger family sent a nice chemo-endurance box with the comforts needed at the infusion lab. I will put all these gifts that you all are sending to very good use. But, I have to admit, I am feeling spoiled and you all should stop!

More Deliveries and a Checkup!

We just got back from the doctor and everything seems to be going along very well. Mom is allowed to "stroll" but not powerwalk, and has to keep taking it easy for at least another week and a half. Considering she hasn't taken me and Dad to any sights since I arrived I consider that "taking it easy." She is still feeling great. Oh yeah, and she is allowed to boss me, Dad, and the landscaper guy around the yard. Also fyi, Mom has about 20 voice mails on her cell that she's afraid to check. Call the house. :)

We got more deliveries today! I think we've met every delivery person within 30 miles. Here is a tour of some of the things we've gotten.

Protea from the Bernstein's in Cincinnati (who we are dying to call and ask...is the baby here yet??) and some delicious snacks.

Thanks for all the flowers, gifts, food, and calls. Mom is feeling very loved. Isn't there some research the people who smile more have faster recovery times?

Escape from Fairfax Hospital!

We've been home for 3 days! Mom came home on Friday morning and has been feeling great ever since. She's either been sleeping or up motoring around the house. Yesterday we were authorized to walk to the mailbox, and today we actually walked a few blocks in Old Town Alexandria and made it all the way to Paper Source. Three days without shopping was pretty rough, so we had to get our fix in. :) We also managed to get a few projects in around the house, with many naps in between.

Oh yes, we've also been answering the door as all the numerous gifts have arrived. A beautiful basket of flowers arrived from Jeanne and Jon who work with mom, and were delivered by a very attractive man! Thanks guys! She's loved all the flowers and the "box of fun" from Portland. We still haven't been able to play with everything yet! We've watched so many girly movies that Dad threatened to stall on his way home from work.


Yesterday we also had a delivery from the amazing friends and coworkers at PVA...a caterer with a box full of food! This woman walked into the house and started loading the fridge with tupperware dishes full of delicious food! I swear we keep eating it and we still can't see the back of the fridge! This was our dinner last night; Shrimp Stew, wild rice, rolls and asparagus. Today we made salads with homemade vinagarette and grilled chicken on top. Then for dinner tonight, Filet Mignon, creamy mashed potatoes, green salad and mushroom gravy. Oh yeah, and there was also a box filled with two Tiramisu cakes, two chocolate bombs, and two apple cranberry tarts. It was pretty amazing! We feel very spoiled.

Hopefully the rest of the recovery will go as smoothly and be accompanied by such delicious food. I (Michal) am here for 2 more days, and then Aunt Mary arrives over the weekend. We'll keep you updated on Mom's progress!

well, tomorrow is the big day

It has been a busy week, but I got everything done, I think, that I wanted to before I get my surgery.

Last week I made a quick trip to Nashville for a MERPAC meeting. I didn't do much playing, but I did get to take the con of a big river two boat. My first time on the river, so that was fun!

Then I went on a retreat for Casting for Recovery, where I am the "hospitality Director". We took 14 ladies, all recovering from breast cancer, out to Flintstone, MD and taught them how to fly fish. They also have a oncology nurse that talks to the group about recovery, and there is a facilitator that holds an evening session where they can gab, all very touchy feely, very pink and girlie. Men would hate it, but it was great fun. Then of Sunday we were joined by 14 riverhelpers, who take the ladies out for one-on-one fishing in the Potomac River. Bert fished with his partner Linda, and they had a great time, except for the part where she sat down in the water and filled her waders up! Oh well, she still had fun. And the group caught a bunch of fish, so they were all very happy.

Midnight here now, and I have had my nice big meal, and a couple gallons of water, taken my pre-surgery medications and I think all is ready.

I spent this week getting a pedicure, manicure, got my hair cut

that will be easy to deal with for the next week. Man, is it hard to take a good picture of yourself with a camera phone. Heck, the hair is going to fall out any way! I am most excited about my new bag I bought myself as a total guilty pleasure. I needed a new purse to accommodate my fabulous new I-touch that Bert and Rachel picked out for me, so I can entertain myself during my hospital stay, and chemo treatments. But this bag just makes me happy every time I pick it up. Its the little things in life!

So, off we go in the morning. Hopefully home on Friday. If all goes as scheduled.