biopsy update and 1st chemo report
All the extra biopsies came back negative, so we're still just dealing with one lump in each breast, which is good news. And I passed the echocardiogram and failed the pregnancy test, so we were good to go ahead with the chemo. We were at the clinic for a mere 5 hours for what was supposedly a 1.5 hour chemo treatment...! Between meeting with the oncologist first (which will happen each time), all the extra education they did, and the fact that their pharmacy is under construction, it took a little longer than we'd hoped, but since we had nothing else scheduled for today, that's okay.
Getting poison pumped into my veins definitely gave "this cancer thing" another level of reality. Especially the Adriamycin, which is bright red and marked "danger," because it is a "vesicant," which means it can cause tissue damage if it goes into the tissue instead of into the vein....! Then there are all the other medications they give me to help with the side effects... it's enough pill-popping to make a person believe she's actually sick. As you can tell, I'm feeling fine at the moment -- probably due at least in part to those meds, which include a steroid I'll take for 3 days, and might have a "crash" after I stop it.
Don has been having a bit of a flare-up of one of his chronic health issues which causes him some pain & fatigue, but he was feeling pretty well during the treatment, so we didn't need to call for backup (though knowing we could was awesome). Looks like we'll both be lying low for a bit now...!
Comments (22)
You go, girl! thinking of you today and every day. Cheers from Milwaukee - Anne
I don't know what to say. I love you and I'm happy to spend time with you any day!
SO MUCH LOVE COMING AT YOU! <3
Bless your heart...The look is worth a million bucks. Keep up the Meditation, praying and such and of course your spirits. As a tough customer and hopefully your significant other as well, you will make it through and be stronger and better....Best, David - I will keep praying for you and this will include the effects being gentle on your system...
Great photo! So glad the other two biopsies were negative. Thinking of you!!! xoxoxoxo
Quite a photograph. Communicates a lot. A lot of people are holding you in their hearts as you go through this.
My mom used to go down to Milwaukee for her chemo treatments, about 45 minutes from our house. My dad told me a while back that after she was done she'd often ask the staff where was a good place to go out to eat. They'd discourage her, telling her that she'd be nauseous. She'd laugh it off and go out to eat with whoever she'd made the trip with. I look back at it now and think she still had me and my two brothers at home during much of the time that she was getting chemo and had my other siblings in and out with grandkids running around. I bet that dinner out without any of us was like a mini-vacation even with nausea. I think about that and think about your journey now. I am so thankful for the many medical advances of the last 30 years. I am also appreciative of this opportunity to reflect on what that earlier journey meant to me as well and to wish for you many mini-vacation and some great really long, exciting, relaxing, adventure filled vacations too. Thanks again for taking us all on a journey through your journey. Be well. peace, amy
Thank you, Becca. I love reading your posts, and I really love this picture of you, the wonderful yet accepting skepticism on your face as you regard the world of medical paraphernalia surrounding you. Love, Richard
sending love to you both - thanks for the updates. hope the next few days are reasonably tolerable. good luck!
You've got great support systems to match your wise and beautiful attitude, Becca! I'm sure they are a huge help. I was thinking about Don and how sometimes the partner or "person who loves the person with cancer," arguably and subjectively the most, also needs TLC during the experience of supporting and caretaking and love giving. My spouse can barely stand to watch me get blood drawn for a Vit. B12 deficiency, and once when our teenage son needed a draw and the nurse missed the vein... next thing you know, BOOM Ted was on the floor fainted clean away. Don, please let all of us know what you need too! (maybe get one of those extra "husbands" in to take over for awhile!!) ;-)
That is great news (negative biopsies)! And now it's time for the medicine, pharmaceutical and spiritual, to do their work. I hope you both have a chill evening and can relax in the comfort of home, and in the thoughts and well-wishes of all who love you.
Your words are wonderful. Sure wish you didn't have this occasion to share them, but I love that you are doing so. Sending lots of healing light your way.
Wishing you the easiest possible period of treatments and to both of you peace of mind and רפואה שלמה. With love and caring, Bilha
Perhaps you could think of the chemo in different way then poison. Maybe it could be prayed over before you let it in your body. Perhaps it could be a sacrament, a holy liquid filled with light coming into your veins, dissolving the tumors into pure light... Perhaps.... Much Love
Becca.... thinking of you and sending strength and healing.........
Good news on the. Other biopsies. Hopefully more good to follow.
Five hours -- is a lot. Glad to hear the good news about the biopsies, and that you're feeling ok so far. Thinking of you often. Diane
Becca, your positive approach to all this is what will get you through it; that, and a good deal of humor. Seems you and Don have shifted the discourse on cancer treatment from {sickness, pain, nausea} to opportunity to grow, learn, engage, and thrive. The journey is easier with friends at your side, and I'm happy to accompany you to treatments when needed. Sending you love and healing prayers.
Thinking of you and glad treatment has started - the first step to being done. By the way, that's a great picture.
Perfect photo - definitely worth a thousand words, though I appreciate all your words as well! As always, wishing you the best. What was your mom's Hebrew nameJ? You're Rivka bat ....? Chana maybe?
Rachel- my hebrew name is Rivkah Shoshanna, bat Elishevah. Thanks!!
How is that I never knew your middle name in Hebrew? Rivka Shoshanna - what a beautiful name!