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My celebration on Independence Day was somewhat unusual this year. On that day, exactly 100 days after my lumpectomy, the last of my surgical skin fell off. Rather, my surgical skin from the ...

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This entry is a follow-up to "Trends and Mysteries." I met with the ARNP at the cancer center yesterday. She immediately linked my two transient and weird side effects to specific meds: My ne...

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On the whole, my side effects continue to decrease, in tandem with some oddities cropping up. I haven't needed as much nap time after my Cycle 3 infusion, compared to the previous two. Nappin...

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My third chemo infusion comes later this week. So far, so good. Am very happy to report that my heartburn has resolved, thanks to prescription Prilosec. I no longer need to sleep propped up. ...

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The good news is that, on balance, my side effects following my second chemo infusion have been less severe and more short-lived than they had been following my first infusion. Part of the diffe...

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The first time I walked into the chemo bay on May 8 -- not just to the reception area, but to the lounges themselves to take a seat, I was more than a little nervous. My chemo port was still fre...

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Monday was my day to get groceries in preparation for chemo later this week. By the time I got to the store it was near closing time, due to some unforeseen delays. First, I had slept in, which...

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Five days until I begin Chemo Cycle 2. A mental alarm bell went off this past Thursday. First, it was time to call and reorder my anti-nausea meds, which are due to be delivered before my next ...

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A friend called me on Sunday to see how I was doing. He knows someone who is also on chemo and who has been having a much tougher time of it. I brought him up to speed. Then I told him that I ...

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My side effects report is boring now. That's a good thing. Wednesday marked my return to my accustomed energy level and also marked my first excursion away from the house following my Neulasta ...

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We've had a very quiet weekend. In addition to overnight sleep, I clocked two 4-hour naps on Saturday and two 2-hour naps on Sunday, plus another 90 minutes of bed time due to some digestive cha...

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Edema is one of the potential side effects of chemo. I noticed last night (and logged on my side effects form) that my feet and calves were a bit swollen, but without discomfort. Have I mention...

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I had my first chemo infusion earlier today. Was able to drive home, though M was prepared to drive if I couldn't. I became slightly headachey during the infusion and for a couple of hours ther...

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Yesterday I had called same-day surgery before they had finalized their schedule, but they never called back. Fortunately, I eventually got the info from Bed Control and could call my cabbie to ...

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Did a bit of yard work -- perhaps the last yard work I'll do for a while (whatever that will mean). My list of phone calls to make for tomorrow includes: --1. The pharmacy for the anti-nausea m...

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I'll need to wear long sleeves while undergoing chemo, so I picked up a couple of light-fabric, long-sleeved shirts that I can wear separately or slip on over a tee. Found trays to make "ice stic...

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Also posted on Facebook: "Got approved for financial coverage of the anti-nausea meds (yay! and whew!). Delivery is scheduled for the day of my surgery, but the pharmacy agreed to send the drugs...

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I just posted this as my status on Facebook: From the Stuff Just Got Real Department: I start chemo next Thursday. I get a port put in on Tuesday. All other appointments are TBD, but in general ...

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I still don't know exactly when chemo will start. I only know that it will, and likely soon. I had a MUGA scan on Monday and will likely get the results when I see the oncologist on Thursday. ...

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Here's what's been happening in the almost-month since I last posted: I've gotten full flexibility back in my left arm (yay!) and was cleared a week ago to return to yard work (yay!). I've wee...

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I posted this as my Facebook status earlier today: Home and mending! M and I both earned our Tough Old Broad merit badges (this needs to be a thing). Many thanks to the Citrus Memorial Health Sy...

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At some point, all the stuff becomes a blur. My consult on the 12th went very well. I had 21 questions for the surgeon. He could answer most of them; some have to wait for the oncologist, who...

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More prep: (1) Joined websites PatientsLikeMe.com and Breastcancer.org; (2) Checked into taxi services and touched base with the one I'll likely use when I need to (but see (11), below); (3)...

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Thanks for the good vibes, wishes, and prayers, everyone! <3 <3 <3 These past few days I've been in a combination of prep mode and decompression mode. From the prep end: Made my cons...

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I posted this status on Facebook early on March 4: "GP called this morning and I've got my marching orders. Biopsy showed cancer, so I will head in early this afternoon to set up surgery and we'l...

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