So far Taxol has been WAY better overall for Shermance. She isn't nauseous and her energy levels have been much improved, but there are new side-effects now. In a previous blog I mentioned potential permanent neuropathy - nerve damage that causes numbness in the fingers and toes and the potential for the nails on the digits to blacken and/or fall off. Unfortunately, it gets worse. There are other side effects that come along with Taxol - anxiety (heart racing) and early onset menopause resulting in hot flashes. Seriously? Did I say menopause? She's just 43. Yep, that's what we get to deal with now. As if it's not bad enough that it's 100+ degrees outside, it's so much worse when you add nuclear-strength body meltdowns.
I've got to say Shermance is a trooper, but all of this extra stuff weighs on her. She's doing her best to prevent the side effects with multiple meds, and in the cases where prevention doesn't work she's finding ways to cope. By tomorrow, we'll have 3 fans blowing on Shermance while she sleeps to keep her cooler. As for the anxiety, you probably know that she is generally fairly high strung with enough energy to run a small power plant, but now little things can make her considerably more anxious. She's having trouble sleeping through the night and things not done timely at work and home seem to drive her a bit more crazy than in the past. Only 11 more weeks of Taxol - wahoo! :) By the end of it, I may be tapping into her Xanex to keep from going crazy myself.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
I Screwed Up Big Time
Shermance was really looking forward to having her parents over Saturday afternoon for a steak dinner, like the one they raved about a few weeks back! We have a secret rub we put on the steaks that makes them melt in your mouth. After a busy morning of Shermance doing Tae Kwon Do for nearly 4 hours and me moving in a new piano to our house, we were both a bit exhausted. I still needed to take Parker out to sell Cub Scout popcorn in an attempt to meet his goal of earning a scholarship this year - like Logan did during his 3rd grade year. If you are willing to help Parker on his quest for a scholarship, click here! To support Parker you need to enter ID# 27088205.
While I was in the rush to leave, Shermance needed some Dale time...just a few minutes to chat. I didn't give it to her because I was nearly late, but she asked for a Xanex to calm her nerves a bit because she was shaky and couldn't rest. I quickly grabbed the pill and gave it to her, at which point she reminded me that selling popcorn is not more important than her at this time in her life (or ever). I agreed and resigned myself to be a few minutes late, to allow her to air her feelings. It was time well spent. She had lost her "happy" and didn't know how to get it back. She is usually so bubbly and full of energy. One of her "love languages" is time spent together so I was filling her love bank by taking those extra moments. When I left to pick-up the popcorn and Parker, we were both feeling better and a bit less stressed.
About half way into our popcorn-selling shift at the nearby CVS, Shermace surpised us by paying us a visit. I thought she'd be sleeping, but it turns out I gave her the wrong pill. I gave her the 12 hr controlled release sleeping pill and not the anxiety-reducing sleeping pill - HOLY CRAP! Especially since it was in the middle of the day and she didn't want to sleep the day away! She was not too happy, especially because she had just spent the previous half hour trying to throw up the little blue pill. I felt like such a schmuck! She drove off in a huff. As I went back to our selling, I was in a blue funk thinking about my carelessness that caused her anguish! I expected her to go home and rest for a few hours until her parents came and I'd check if she was up for visitors; instead, Shermance drove to Sam's Club in a stupor that, in hindsight, was stupid. She hardly remembers driving and doesn't remember at all her time in Sam's. The sleeping pill nearly caused her to sleep on her feet! She couldn't walk straight and her mind was in outer space. She must have looked half-drunk to the fellow shoppers. Somehow she managed to pick-up steaks and all the acoutrements for dinner and managed to drive home before we made it back from our shift. I was surprised to see the garage open and her trunk lifted full of the stuff she just brought home. In addition to some mighty big steaks, she bought a memory foam mattress topper - more retail therapy and perhaps the answer to her prayer requests for more sleep.
She was so set on having a nice dinner for her parents that she risked her life (and those around her) by driving while on the heavy meds. I would never forgive myself if something bad had happened to her. Her parents had already arrived, by then and we snacked while Shermance crashed for about an hour. Just before dinner, her dad fell ill, so ultimately we had dinner alone, which maybe was the right thing anyway. We enjoyed some steaks and potatoes and finished the evening with family movie night: Cars 2.
Today, Sunday, Shermance got her happy back. We had an enjoyable coffee-time visit at dawn and enjoyed hearing the great stories of our youth missions during Youth Sunday at church. Shermance was the loudest singer and the biggest supporter throughout! She loves church and they love her! After church Parker and I rushed out for another popcorn sale while the rest of the family stayed home...But the biggest contributor to Shermance's happy was Brad's deep tissue massage at Helena Spa...That definitely brought back SHERMANCE'S HAPPY!
Now we look forward to watching the closing of the Olympics together! More happiness!
While I was in the rush to leave, Shermance needed some Dale time...just a few minutes to chat. I didn't give it to her because I was nearly late, but she asked for a Xanex to calm her nerves a bit because she was shaky and couldn't rest. I quickly grabbed the pill and gave it to her, at which point she reminded me that selling popcorn is not more important than her at this time in her life (or ever). I agreed and resigned myself to be a few minutes late, to allow her to air her feelings. It was time well spent. She had lost her "happy" and didn't know how to get it back. She is usually so bubbly and full of energy. One of her "love languages" is time spent together so I was filling her love bank by taking those extra moments. When I left to pick-up the popcorn and Parker, we were both feeling better and a bit less stressed.
About half way into our popcorn-selling shift at the nearby CVS, Shermace surpised us by paying us a visit. I thought she'd be sleeping, but it turns out I gave her the wrong pill. I gave her the 12 hr controlled release sleeping pill and not the anxiety-reducing sleeping pill - HOLY CRAP! Especially since it was in the middle of the day and she didn't want to sleep the day away! She was not too happy, especially because she had just spent the previous half hour trying to throw up the little blue pill. I felt like such a schmuck! She drove off in a huff. As I went back to our selling, I was in a blue funk thinking about my carelessness that caused her anguish! I expected her to go home and rest for a few hours until her parents came and I'd check if she was up for visitors; instead, Shermance drove to Sam's Club in a stupor that, in hindsight, was stupid. She hardly remembers driving and doesn't remember at all her time in Sam's. The sleeping pill nearly caused her to sleep on her feet! She couldn't walk straight and her mind was in outer space. She must have looked half-drunk to the fellow shoppers. Somehow she managed to pick-up steaks and all the acoutrements for dinner and managed to drive home before we made it back from our shift. I was surprised to see the garage open and her trunk lifted full of the stuff she just brought home. In addition to some mighty big steaks, she bought a memory foam mattress topper - more retail therapy and perhaps the answer to her prayer requests for more sleep.
She was so set on having a nice dinner for her parents that she risked her life (and those around her) by driving while on the heavy meds. I would never forgive myself if something bad had happened to her. Her parents had already arrived, by then and we snacked while Shermance crashed for about an hour. Just before dinner, her dad fell ill, so ultimately we had dinner alone, which maybe was the right thing anyway. We enjoyed some steaks and potatoes and finished the evening with family movie night: Cars 2.
Today, Sunday, Shermance got her happy back. We had an enjoyable coffee-time visit at dawn and enjoyed hearing the great stories of our youth missions during Youth Sunday at church. Shermance was the loudest singer and the biggest supporter throughout! She loves church and they love her! After church Parker and I rushed out for another popcorn sale while the rest of the family stayed home...But the biggest contributor to Shermance's happy was Brad's deep tissue massage at Helena Spa...That definitely brought back SHERMANCE'S HAPPY!
Now we look forward to watching the closing of the Olympics together! More happiness!
Taxol - WAY better!
On Friday the 10th Shermance started her weekly Taxol - for the next 12 weeks. She was very nervous about the new treatment, mostly because she had heard of incidents when it stopped a person's heart and she's heard of cases of fingernails and toenails falling off due to the meds! Uuugh! As a result her heart was racing and her mouth was moving almost as fast! Her blood pressure was WAY higher than usual, and she couldn't stop relating story after story to anyone who would listen. We saw Christa, our scheduler, on the way into the office and snapped a few pics, then met Shannon inside for check-in, and talked the poor nurses ears off until we finally met with Jolie, our oncology nurse. She helped calm Shermance down, if only a little. The best part of that visit was a new medicine - Xanex for anxiety and a controlled-release version of Ambien for a lasting sleep...previously Shermance could sleep but only till about 3am and then she'd be wide-eyed in bed. The new meds gave some hope of a better few weeks upcoming. And at $190 for the generic version of Ambien CR, it better work wonders.
In the chemo lounge Shermance met all her chemo buddies, one of who is planning on writing a book with help from Shermance and at least one other chemo patient. She also met a few new patients including Grace - a bubbly woman who was there caring for her father, but she is also going through breast cancer treatment herself! We were granted the best seat in the house this round with plenty of room for a cancer hero right next to a window. Shermance had many of her chemo good-luck items so she was surrounded with support. In addition, she was decked out more-than-ever in shiny BLING and bright turqoise - a color that is supposed to promote healing. We'll try anything if it wil help! And even if it just gives more HOPE!
We heard great stories of hope and also learned that the nurses there will provide icepacks for feet and hands to reduce the neuropathy that can cause darkening of nails, nails falling out, and even permanent loss of feeling in the fingers and toes - potentially devastating for a dental hygienist! We learned about it late in our Taxol cycle so didn't do it this round, but will be sure to do it during the next round.
Shermance napped while I filled her request for an Original Schlotzky's lunch...It made her happy to have it even though she wasn't up for eating it upon my return. She just wanted to sleep.
In the chemo lounge Shermance met all her chemo buddies, one of who is planning on writing a book with help from Shermance and at least one other chemo patient. She also met a few new patients including Grace - a bubbly woman who was there caring for her father, but she is also going through breast cancer treatment herself! We were granted the best seat in the house this round with plenty of room for a cancer hero right next to a window. Shermance had many of her chemo good-luck items so she was surrounded with support. In addition, she was decked out more-than-ever in shiny BLING and bright turqoise - a color that is supposed to promote healing. We'll try anything if it wil help! And even if it just gives more HOPE!
We heard great stories of hope and also learned that the nurses there will provide icepacks for feet and hands to reduce the neuropathy that can cause darkening of nails, nails falling out, and even permanent loss of feeling in the fingers and toes - potentially devastating for a dental hygienist! We learned about it late in our Taxol cycle so didn't do it this round, but will be sure to do it during the next round.
Shermance napped while I filled her request for an Original Schlotzky's lunch...It made her happy to have it even though she wasn't up for eating it upon my return. She just wanted to sleep.
Chemo Round 4: A tie - until Newlasta
Round 4 of the Adiomiacyn/Cytoxin coctail (on 7/20) actually went better than the previous round. The big difference was Shermance taking the Lorazapam anti-nausea medicine proactively during chemo and that evening. She knew it would make her tired, but tired is way better than SICK! All went well for the 4th (and last) round of A/C until the Newlasta boost for her white blood cells. After that shot, her body ached and she was way more tired than previously - and perhaps a bit more moody...but she's been mostly a delight :). We found out at the oncologist on Friday, that many people recently have had bad side effects on Newlasta, yet previously such effects were minimal...the oncology nurse decided she wanted to check into it further with the phamacist since the trend is so pervasive. It took about 10 days for Shermance to finally feel like herself again.
Honestly, I am amazed at how strong Shermance has been through this whole process! She continues to work...most don't, she keeps an AMAZING attitude...most don't, and she pushes herself each day to be the best she can...most just settle back.
The best news is Shermance's cancer has shrunk from 26.5 x 12.8 mm (on 5/8 when we first found out) to 17.5 x 8.1 mm (on 7/2) to 7.1 x 4.9 mm (on 8/9) or almost 90% smaller by area in 3 months - WOW! Smaller is better to any degree, but this rate of change is FANTASTIC! Besides the great news, Shermance made more friends in Dr. Bombach's office and they shared their popcorn with her. In fact, Shermance went alone to this visit, and she was feeling so social by rattling off stories that she didn't get the numbers on how much smaller the tumor is. She was just glad to know it was smaller and then went on to share her cadre of cancer stories with the surgeon.
Her favorite story to tell right now is about the skin-healing powers of Aquaphor - she loves it!!! I guess her second favorite story is about her biggest request for retail therapy - a new car which nearly landed us in divorce court since I aparently just needed to listen better :). No car...but we now have new seat covers and a shiny new wax job! A bit cheaper than a new car - and WAY cheaper than D-court.
Honestly, I am amazed at how strong Shermance has been through this whole process! She continues to work...most don't, she keeps an AMAZING attitude...most don't, and she pushes herself each day to be the best she can...most just settle back.
The best news is Shermance's cancer has shrunk from 26.5 x 12.8 mm (on 5/8 when we first found out) to 17.5 x 8.1 mm (on 7/2) to 7.1 x 4.9 mm (on 8/9) or almost 90% smaller by area in 3 months - WOW! Smaller is better to any degree, but this rate of change is FANTASTIC! Besides the great news, Shermance made more friends in Dr. Bombach's office and they shared their popcorn with her. In fact, Shermance went alone to this visit, and she was feeling so social by rattling off stories that she didn't get the numbers on how much smaller the tumor is. She was just glad to know it was smaller and then went on to share her cadre of cancer stories with the surgeon.
Her favorite story to tell right now is about the skin-healing powers of Aquaphor - she loves it!!! I guess her second favorite story is about her biggest request for retail therapy - a new car which nearly landed us in divorce court since I aparently just needed to listen better :). No car...but we now have new seat covers and a shiny new wax job! A bit cheaper than a new car - and WAY cheaper than D-court.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Short and sweet
Hello wonderful friends and supporters! I wanted to update you all with what has been going on in my world. Last week was my 25th year reunion in Bastrop and I had a wonderful time. Really couldn't have been more perfect, with friends by a river, catching up on old and new times! They all loved the bald and the head bling I adorned it with.
This past Friday started my new chemo treatment, Taxol. It is supposed to be easier on my body, no nausea or all that sick feeling, but there are side effects like neuropathy in my hands and feet, and loosing my fingernails and toenails, which all really sound like fun. I'm taking supplements and will be putting ice on my hands and feet during treatment to help alleviate this. But all in all, the treatment wasn't bad and that night I was full of energy.
Saturday morning we had our Black Belt Boot Camp which was fantastic. We all worked on our forms, sparring (which I got the ok from the surgeon and finally the ok from Senior Master only AFTER I bough this uber cool body armor to protect my port), and board breaks to get ready for our testing next week. It was a really good morning. Oh, and one of my friends and totally awesome TKD chick gave me this incredible Tae Kwan Do breast cancer pin. Love it!!!
Sadly, though, I'm finding that this new round might be causing something new for me. I'm feeling very depressed and anyone who knows me knows how catastrophic this is for me. So pray that I get over this because without my happy, well, doesn't bear to think about. We need my happy back!
Love you all and look forward to hearing from you!
Shermance
Hello wonderful friends and supporters! I wanted to update you all with what has been going on in my world. Last week was my 25th year reunion in Bastrop and I had a wonderful time. Really couldn't have been more perfect, with friends by a river, catching up on old and new times! They all loved the bald and the head bling I adorned it with.
This past Friday started my new chemo treatment, Taxol. It is supposed to be easier on my body, no nausea or all that sick feeling, but there are side effects like neuropathy in my hands and feet, and loosing my fingernails and toenails, which all really sound like fun. I'm taking supplements and will be putting ice on my hands and feet during treatment to help alleviate this. But all in all, the treatment wasn't bad and that night I was full of energy.
Saturday morning we had our Black Belt Boot Camp which was fantastic. We all worked on our forms, sparring (which I got the ok from the surgeon and finally the ok from Senior Master only AFTER I bough this uber cool body armor to protect my port), and board breaks to get ready for our testing next week. It was a really good morning. Oh, and one of my friends and totally awesome TKD chick gave me this incredible Tae Kwan Do breast cancer pin. Love it!!!
Sadly, though, I'm finding that this new round might be causing something new for me. I'm feeling very depressed and anyone who knows me knows how catastrophic this is for me. So pray that I get over this because without my happy, well, doesn't bear to think about. We need my happy back!
Love you all and look forward to hearing from you!
Shermance
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