One-third there

 

 

 

Since I'm one-third of the way done with treatment, I thought I'd take a look back.  I never posted most of the pictures from the photo shoot with Britt and eventually I plan to have my blog bound in a book form for the monsters and want these in it.  These pictures, the feeling of *normal, life BEFORE cancer; it all seems so very far away. I can't wait to start growing hair and use scarfs as accessories rather than head wraps!

We are all used to the new normal though and I'm going to squeeze in some *normal activities during the month off of treatment. I'm only working a part time schedule rather than full time schedule to squeeze in lots of fun.  Thank you to everyone that supported us financially, this is possible even with the anticipated time off after surgery!!  Sleepovers with way too many kids, trips to white star and the zoo, weekend of volleyball and fun with Daddy and friends, a spiritual retreat with some of His beautiful Princesses, a fun celebration party and afternoons on the glider are all planned and in the books.  I even get to have a pedicure again after next week!  YAY for *normal!

Surgery is also planned and in the books for September 11th.  The day after my 32nd birthday.  BUT, for now, we're celebrating the end of chemo. 

I'm also celebrating life AFTER a cancer diagnosis.  A life where you don't sweat the small stuff.  One that I rarely argue with my husband.  (My kids can still drive me CRAY CRAY, but I'm working on having more patience with them;)).  A life that is filled with less complaining and more being thankful. 

Speaking of thankful, I need to commend all of you again.  One of my bosses was asking about the support we have received.  I told him that the cards keep coming, the messages pile up, the treats are still in our fridge, etc.  He can't believe it.  He assumed it would die down after the initial shock of my diagnosis, but it hasn't.  It is truly amazing and I will never be able to thank you all enough for everything. 

One of the unique gifts that continues to give, but I'm pretty sure I haven't given a shout out for: E-ZPass for the turnpike.  After one trip to Cleveland, Shari and Mark Slates dropped off a turnpike pass and have been paying our tolls.  Like my mom says, you all think of EVERYTHING.

Blessed beyond words,

* I've never been NORMAL.  Not even close.   But it would be nice to feel normal by my standards;)

Cancer Sucks #2860321865

Side effects suck.  Getting treatment sucks.  No hair sucks.

But this week what sucks the most is not being able to cuddle my sick baby.  Lilly stayed the night at a friends house Sunday night.  She started feeling ill Monday during my workday.  Since my numbers are borderline, she's on quarantine.  I simply can't afford to catch it right now so my mini-me is suffering and all that she wants is her momma.

Watching her want/need me is terrible.  It tears at every last string that is holding my broken heart together right now.

She was crying out in pain on day two of being sick and I asked her what I could get for her.  She responded with tears in her eyes that all she wanted was for me to cuddle her. Heart breaking.

I asked her if she wanted Mimi instead and she agreed.  My mom came over and babied her, but in the middle of my mom casting a spell to make her feel better, she said it's just not the same as mommy.  And I was forced to sit and watch her need her Mommy.

As most parents understand, your children need you less and less as they age.  It's part of growing up.  Lilly is mature for her age in many ways (she still loves to play and sing and dance, but if she continues to act like her mother, that won't change even with age).  She doesn't demand my attention often.  She takes her cuddle time when she can and rarely complains that my lap is usually occupied by her brother and/or sister.  So when she really needed me and I couldn't hold her, it was awful.

After wanting to hug her up and kiss her sweet cheeks all week, she is finally better today and I can not WAIT to get home and love her up.  I hope someday she will understand how hard it was to see her in pain and not be able to hold her.

Cancer sucks.

Hold your babies tight. Always.

I'm leaving work early to get more cuddles in.  I have a whole week to make up for.

Anxiously waiting to have her in my loving arms,

Estate Planning 101

I work for an estate planning attorney.  I fully understand the importance of estate planning documents.  I do not want burden my loved ones with difficult decisions when avoidable.  I do not want them to wonder what I would have wanted if life sustaining procedures are discussed.  We don't have a ton of money, so the documents aren't really to protect our financial investments, but investments that are so much more important: our children, our integrity, our wishes and desires.

I knew that I should have had these documents typed and signed a long time ago, but when you have to type your name on this type of document, it's a tough pill to swallow.  I actually drafted them a while ago and then put them off to the side.

We're young and healthy.  I'll do it tomorrow.  Aaron knows what I would want and what are the chances of something happening to both of us?

You know, justifying your actions/inactions.  (I'm really good at that.)

Anyways, I'm already struggling to catch my breath these days and these documents simply make everything more real and now.  More, you need to get things in order today, not tomorrow.  The cumulative effect of treatment is wearing my body out.  One of my friends texted me last week something to the tune of: You're making this look too easy.

I suppose this is a common misconception.  Very few people know when I'm truly struggling and it probably goes back to FB vs. Real Life.  FB is a highlight film, full of the really great stuff that happens each day.  Real life is completely different.  Although I am generally a very positive and upbeat person in real life, I don't usually share the really craptastic stories on facebook or my blog until time has healed whatever wounds are associated with the craptastic story.

In real life, the unedited version of being "Strong" and unfazed even during brutal treatment isn't quite as sunshine-y and a lot less rainbow-y than I am able to cover with a pretty smile.

Many times during this treatment I have thought to myself, "Good God, how do people that aren't strong before this survive?"  Or today's thought, "It's a good thing I'm a confident person, because if this were some people I know, they'd just die from embarrassment!"

This morning I woke with a nose bleed, a head ache and all over body aches.  I popped an Aleve and drove into work as if everything was NORMAL.  This afternoon I was working on a project with one of my bosses and he made me giggle and I shot blood all over the papers we were working on.  We were able to laugh about it, but I'm sure he's going to report to my other bosses regarding the incident because it's scary and not normal.  I'm expecting a card from his wife by the weekend because she'll hear the story and want to send a bottle of whiskey, but will settle for a card.

(Yes, I have called my oncologist.  She thinks it's just due to dry air and chemo drying me out, not anything serious like low platelets.  Saline nose spray before bed and check in with them tomorrow.)

So, when you add up the things that I'm struggling with each day, finalizing documents that read: "Death is as much a reality as birth, growth, maturity and old age; it is the only certainty.  I do not fear death as much as I fear the indignity of deterioration, dependence and hopeless pain." it's quite simply just another pill that I don't want to swallow, but will.

Because I'm a planner. Because I AM strong. Because I want the best for my loved ones. Because in the big picture I need to do my best to protect my monsters in life or death.

But it's not easy.  It's not facebook.  It's not the edited version.  It's real life.

Love always,


 

My Grace is Sufficient for You

Every other week I have chemotherapy.  Every other Monday I start mentally and physically preparing for the treatment.  I pretend that I'm a camel and fill up my humps.  I hate water, but I force myself to drink tons and tons so that I'm hydrated and they can get a "clean stick" the first time.  (I'm over having an IV placed right now and when it takes two/three attempts I am not a nice patient!) By Monday I'm also feeling the strongest physically since my previous blasting, so I usually walk or jog. I also start mentally preparing.  I start coaching myself: You can do this.  You are stronger than cancer.  You have so much to live for. You have to give it your all.  Look at that precious little monster sleeping in your arms, she needs you.  Or who will tell Lilly how to stop the nightmares?  Or baby Keegan because he's such a flippin' cry baby?

Every other week I think about everything I'm fighting for so that I can make myself get in the car and drive to Cleveland for poison.  By the time they place my IV, I'm ready to get the show on the road.  One step closer to the end of treatment.  I thought to myself, "One more after today!"

And then the doctor walked in and told me that I was not able to have chemo because my numbers were too low.

Unfortunately, I know too much about cancer and numbers and risks and when she said I was neutropenic, I knew that I wasn't going to have treatment.  Even if I begged and pleaded.  Even if I cried...usually when I cry, I get my way. I have a really ugly cry face and it works on most people.  But not on doctors that are trying to save your life.

DEVASTATED. PISSED. CRUSHED. I HATE THIS! I WANT HAIR.  I WANT TO WORKOUT. I JUST WANT TO FEEL NORMAL.  WHY!?!?!?!?

"Just try to enjoy this week while you feel well!"  Ummm, eff off.  I just want to be done!

"We're in this to cure you, we don't want to risk putting you in the hospital." Ummm, eff off.  I've been around 90 little kids, wiping their nose for the last three days, I'm not sick.  Give me the poison.

Yet, I was able to compose myself. I thanked my wonderful oncologist and gave her a half-hearted smile when I told her I'd see her next week.

But I was in shut down mode when we left the clinic.  I shut myself in my room Wednesday night and read an entire book on Thursday.  I did only the things that needed to be done and not a single task more. Complete Disconnect.  My monsters must have picked up on my mood because bedtime Thursday night was rough; full of questions about cancer, treatment, treatable vs. non treatable diseases...death.  I went to bed knowing that I wasted the day, nearly drowning in my self pity and scaring my little ones in the process as they witnessed the shut down.

Friday morning I woke up and looked at the time on my phone.  It was 7am.  I cried knowing that Brenda was praying for me right that very moment.  She prays for me every. single. morning at 7.  Friday morning I joined her in prayer. 

I didn't pray for my numbers to go up.  I didn't pray for the cure to cancer.  Instead, I prayed for forgiveness.  Forgiveness for wasting an entire day.  A day that I could have spent loving; enjoying all of my blessings.

Right then, I decided to start climbing again and thought of these lyrics by Laura Story:

"My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face,
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace"

Last night when I went slogging, I listened to the song and decided I should probably share my blessings.  I'll be singing "Grace" by Laura Story during church August 4th at 10:30am, Woodville United Methodist Church.

2 Corinthians 12:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Seeking His face,



 

Forever Friends

A couple months before I was diagnosed, I asked for prayers for one of my forever friends: http://publiclookin.blogspot.com/2013/02/praying-for-strong-lungs-and-bright.html

A few years ago, I celebrated one of her big moments with her: http://publiclookin.blogspot.com/2011/10/once-upon-time-there-were-two-white.html (Syn, you were married in 2011 since you can't remember;))

I think about Syndi often and we talk regularly, but we don't get to visit in person very often.  This visit she reminded me why I love her so much.  She reminded me what is so very important in any friendship.  There is a special bond that I share with my forever friends.  There is a reason why I get so excited when I get to hang out with the few people that actually "get" me AND still want to be my friend;)  Anyways, we were chatting and she stopped mid-conversation to tell me this:

Laura, I love talking to you.  You have opinions that I want to hear, even if they're different than mine.  I just love our conversations.

And that is the best compliment that I've had in a very long time. I am so fortunate to feel the same way when I'm with my forever friends. We can converse about difficult topics that we have different opinions on or sit in complete silence without feeling awkward or forced or judged.

I "bullied" Tam into coming home at the same time Syndi did.  At first she resisted my begging and pleading, but when I opened up to her and told her that I really needed her to come home, she started packing.  At the half way point of chemo, I was tired and needed a pick-me-up.  I needed the people that I can let down my guard to be there; to listen and laugh with. 

Sometimes we just assume that our friends and family know that we love them and value them.  We simply don't tell them that we love them and need them as often as we should.  Even when we make fun of their gray hair or out of control eyebrows or dirty volleyball feet, we love them.

Because they are

Forever friends.

White Star trip was one of the many fun things we did during the week full of friends.  Syndi, Tam, Andrea, Julie, Ben, Heather, Courtney, Aaron and LOTS of monsters invaded the beach.  The kids had a blast and the adults were able to visit. 

This kid is my fierce protector:

NOLAN!! Love him to pieces!

 

Who knew that tornado warnings could be so entertaining!?!

 

National Mojito Day!!  I'm not sure if Ash was making it up, but we went with it!!  Amy, Amanda and Krista came to play later, too!  Amanda and Krista brought a super awesome surprise from them and my church friends, but I'll write a post about that soon;) 

 

Lots of other fun was enjoyed, but I am consciously trying to put down my phone more often and enjoy the moment rather than try to capture it in pictures!  So very grateful to have such a loving support group!

 

Squeezed directly in the middle of out of state visits with friends was our 9th anniversary.  It's fitting to add a blurb about Aaron in my forever friends post since he is my best forever friend.  Even when I don't THINK he's listening, he is.  Even when he is trying NOT to listen, he is.   A few weeks before our anniversary, he mentioned that he had a surprise for me.  Did ya'll know that I don't like surprises? Anyways,  I tried for three weeks to get him to spill the beans, but he wouldn't.  Finally the day of our anniversary arrived and he asked if I would join him for a theatre performance.  The very same performance that we went to see on our honeymoon: "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change". We enjoyed wonderful dinner conversation, found a high class Jojo's in Huron and whispered and giggled to each other during the performance...just like we did when we were newlyweds.

 

This man that shares a bed with me, he is one of the best around.   During times of trial, he is always at his very best.  I mean, he did smile the entire week during my friend invasion...oh, and I suppose he's been pretty AMAZING during this whole cancer thing;)  I'm proud to call him my best friend.

 

I was able to visit with Susan, Amy and Becky with our monsters in Becky's beautiful backyard.  I enjoyed a couple of my new favorite beers with Lindsay, Ash and Laura. **THANK YOU TARA, KORI and LINDSAY for the special deliveries.  Most of the Runion clan enjoyed a pizza party on the big deck. I wish we could squeeze in the Bennington's this week too, but it's time for the @#!)$*#%#) treatment again. 

 

Thanks to everyone that made time to visit this week.   The laughs and the tears are exactly what I needed to get me through the next couple treatments.

 

 

To my forever friends:

I love you.  You're perfect. 

Please DON'T change!

 

 

Bedtime!! Week of food, fun and friendship was exhausting!

 

Goodnight,

No tent, but survived with a smile

I'm not going to pretend that I wasn't disappointed to miss the beer tent.  Even if it was a flooded, rainy mess, I wanted to be there.  It's the carnival and it's my favorite time of year!  Warm beer out of a pitcher in a big tent full of people I've known my entire life.  You just can't beat that!

But, I suppose, life saving medicines are necessary.  My body tolerated this treatment a little better than the last round and I was able to get out of the house a little more. (I drank a TON of water before and after treatment like I'm supposed to, so I'm guessing that's why.)  My numbers were great and I did not need the shot of nuelasta:) We enjoyed lots of laughs with my cousins, visitors from Texas, watched the parade with my monsters...we even made it down to the carny long enough to win a fish and eat an elephant ear (Thanks to Reardon's for treating;)).

Not quite the same as riding the rocko planes and sipping warm beer, but I survived;)

Quick update this week because I have house guests:)  Syndi and Tam and LOTS of additional monsters have invaded the Strong house, so no time to write!  We have fun planned all week and I'll try to snap a few photos!

Medical update: Hematologist cleared me for surgery.  I did not have to turn him into a green alien.  He attributed the blood clot to pregnancy and postpartum and praised Dr. Afridi for remarkable results.  (I had an extensive DVT.  My leg was HUGE and when he did surgery he could not guarantee that it would ever return to normal size or that I would be able to return to normal activity without swelling.  My leg is almost normal size (I'm the only one that notices the difference), I have a strong pulse in my foot and I am very active and do not wear a stocking.)  Yippee!! Let's chop them off!

Two more treatments to go!

************************

Happy First Birthday, Adrie!! :)

6 of 8!

He really does love me despite, well, me being me:)

Cookies and milk for breakfast when Keegs has Mommy to himself:)

 

KIDDIE PARADE WITH THE MONSTERS! My bandana was first worn by Shannon Tobias.  She was loved by so many and missed dearly.  Thanks so much for the angel love, Shawnee!

CURLY COUSINS!

The monsters, well and Jason (he thinks he's still a kid), played the most intense game of downpour rain kickball ever.  Fish fry with my cousins was better than the beer tent in all honesty.  We didn't get to take a golf cart ride because I was too achy, but they had me in tears from laughter simply sitting on the porch together. Crazy, Saturday Night Live skit material, but I should probably not blog about it;)

 

We also had a few heavy conversations.  Heid tested positive for the same BRCA mutation as I did, so the Runion clan is practicing Be Ready and Cancer Aware.  My cousins and Aunt are getting tested and mentally preparing for the what-ifs that accompany the faulty gene.  I'm praying for them not to have the faulty gene, please join me. Another month/two of waiting for results is not really what our family needs at this point, but we're strong and aware.

 

And we have faith and hope and love.

 

Lots and lots of love,

 

 

 

Medical Update

It's been a while since I've updated on the medical stuff.  I'm going to try to make this one all medical, so if you're not interested in the medical update, no need to read on.

I have completed four treatments of the chemo concoction  (A-Adriamycin and C-Cytoxan) and I have three more treatments of T-Taxol for a total of 4.  My last chemo treatment is scheduled for July 31, 2013.

The side effects are manageable, but some of them are a pain in the ass.

A more complete list of side effects: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects

But, my least favorites are:

Hot flashes!  Women talk about hot flashes, but this is serious business.  Waking up drenched in sweat and stripping your clothes as fast as possible is not fun...it may be entertaining to the male sharing your bed, but it's not fun!

Hemorrhoids: http://publiclookin.blogspot.com/2013/06/shit-happens-but-what-happens-when-it.html

Buzzing in my ear.  I think it's called tinnitus.  It's annoying and when it happens it makes me think I'm losing my mind-or what's left of it at least!

The aches, but I think these are the easiest for me to deal with because I fully anticipated them.  NOT looking forward to having them during the carni time!! The carni will miss me if I can't make it down there.  I've been there every year since I can remember!  SIDE NOTE: GENTLE HUGS if you see me this week!

 

------------------------------------------

In one of my first posts about my diagnosis, I talked about the type of cancer and plan of action. (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Estrogen-receptor positive (ER+), Progestrone-receptor positive (PR+), AND HER2-NEGATIVE!)  I didn't really touch on the staging or the extremely frightening things that connect to a stage-like statistics.  I don't like to think about it.  I don't want to know. I want to believe that it doesn't matter.  The next medical treatment will be surgery. I do not have a date yet, but it will either be the last week of August or the first week of September.  They will stage me during surgery.

So, the anxiety is back.  Anxiety is cruel, but I'm trying to stick with just a medical update so I'll steer clear of this subject or it would take over the post.

During surgery they will HOPEFULLY be chopping off both second bases.  I have a history of blood clots, so we are meeting with a hematologist (blood doc) this week.  If he gives the green light, they will take them both at the same time. (If he says no, I will shoot laser beams out of my eyes, turn him into a green alien, and get a second opinion.)

Either way, one boob at a time or two, during surgery they will shoot dye under my left arm and see how many lymph nodes light up.  The fewer the number, the better.  They will take any and all that are suspicious.  The more they have to take, the higher the risk of lymphodema (Andre the Giant arm) and a high number is also an indication of the stupid ass cancer cells floating around other places in my body (MEDICAL LANGUAGE THERE;)).

Once they take all of the tissue and skin, a plastic surgeon will take over for the general surgeon and he will put in tissue expanders and sew me up.  I will only stay in the hospital a day or two and they'll send me on my merry way, very heavily medicated.  Along with the tissue expanders, I'll have drain tubes.  I've heard they are *Super awesome and I can't wait!

They will let me heal for a while and then they will start adding fluid to make my new rack. Once every week/two depending how quickly my skin stretches they will add more fluid.  *You know, since that's the reason I'm going through hell, just to get a new rack.

After they inflate my new rack to my liking, I will have 35 radiation treatments.  Once a day for 7 weeks, they will zap the spots that are known to have cancer cells ONCE living (they will all be dead when they're done is the hope).

More healing time will be granted following radiation and once the plastic surgeon feels comfortable, he will take out the tissue expanders and put in my nice, new implants.

So, that's the plan.  Pray that I don't have to turn the blood doctor into an alien because I'm fully prepared to do so if necessary.


*HEAVY, VERY HEAVY, SARCASM


Everyone have a blessed Independence Day!!  I think I'll work on teaching Cami and Keegs the 50 Nifty United States song and send Lilly and Aaron to fetch elephant ears and fries and cotton candy!

Lots of love,

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