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I've always liked Melissa Ethridge. So glad that she is a Survivor!

The Specs

In initial conversations with Kathy about the blog, one of the things we decided was not to give so much information that readers would become cancer experts!  On the other hand, the teacher in me can't resist the opportunity to point people in the direction of knowledge.  The online world makes that so easy!  So here is the "spec sheet" for Kathy's cancer, with a link for further illumination, if desired.

Kathy's Breast Cancer

Type:  Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
Prevalence:  20,000 women in U. S. per year, about 20% of all breast cancers
Most Common Type:  Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

Comparison:
Outlook for ILC more favorable than IDC
ILC more difficult to find with mammogram, usually larger at detection than IDC

Hormone effects:  Hormone receptor positive, so this cancer is affected by hormones (estrogen or progesterone--I don't remember which one) and tamoxifen is being used.

Symptoms:  Can cause thickening of breast tissue rather than a lump.  Can also cause changes in skin texture. (This is important for people to know!  You aren't just looking for lumps when you do a breast exam!)

The Diagnostic Tests:  Mammogram followed by (in no particular order) ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy (am I missing anything, Kathy, seems like you had it all!)

Immediate plan:  Two rounds of kemo, with 4 infusions each.  Each infusion spaced two weeks apart (on Thursdays). 

Later:  Radiation and surgery then back to normal!

Do You Have Attitude?

Here is another website I have found.  These chemochicks have attitude and a half!  They have put together an interesting site with advice, products, and, most important of all, humor!  Not as funny as Kathy at the Curriculum Committee meetings, but...
;-)

Suggestions

When I started looking online at other cancer blogs, one of the common themes I saw was humor. For example, here is a link to some coping strategies from ChemoBabe.  I've also started to hear suggestions from friends who have experienced cancer or been a support for someone with cancer.  I'm sure Kathy has heard some, too. 


I remember when I had jaw surgery, had my jaw wired shut and was restricted to a liquid diet.  I got lots of suggestions from people.  There were a couple of other people who'd had a similar surgery and they gave me two of the most helpful things.  One was a recipe for a great soup and warning that I would get sick of fruity liquids.  The other (stop reading here if you don't want Too Much Information!) was to get Q-tips to clean out my nose.  (The doctor and nurses didn't tell me ahead of time about this, but I was not allowed to blow my nose for weeks.  The surgery had been on my upper jaw and had involved my nose--however the body's response to insult is mucous production and drainage.  Enough said!)  Anyway, I don't know what I would have done without the Q-tip suggestion!  You would think that the health care professionals would have these kinds of tips, but I guess it takes actually living it to know some things!


So...
I'm looking for suggestions for Kathy.  Somewhere in the list will be indispensable ideas similar to the soup and Q-tips above.  If you've been through it, I'm sure you will have some of these gems.  If you haven't been through it, but know someone who has, ask them what were the two most useful ideas.  Share them here in comments.  Or if you know of a useful website, share the link.  I will be creating a list of links in the sidebar.

The Worst of the First is Over

True to predictions, Kathy had an achy, tired, coming-down-with-something day on Friday and then a worse day on Saturday.  On Sunday she felt like she would be able to get up and come walk with us, but by the time she got ready she decided to stay home and do only her regular 30 minutes of walking by herself. By yesterday she said she felt well enough that if it she'd had to work she could have.  No kemo this week, but lots of appointments--a scan, installation of the port catheter for ease of kemo, another biopsy.  So we're really glad to hear that the worst effects from the first kemo are over and she can feel ok while she does all this in the coming week.

One Down and Seven to Go!

As I said to some of you, yesterday would have been a great day, if it weren't for the cancer! Being surrounded by friends and family made the kemo trauma easier to endure (almost a party atmosphere--OK, not quite). I'm looking forward to the title of my post being "Seven Down and One to Go!" (or, this one's for you, Kelly, 88 percent DONE!).

Thanks to all you for your encouraging words and positive thoughts and actions. Please know how much I appreciate your support. Right now I'm feeling fine, and I'm going to try to not let my body surrender to the poison (both cancer and kemo!) invading it--now my body just has to cooperate with my mind! Major visualization going on (reference Kemo post).

And, Kelly, thanks for doing this, and doing it so well!

1st Kemo Update

If a group of people can make a kemo appointment into an event (group hugs, group pictures, cheering and high fives, Chinese food afterward), does that mean their lives are seriously lacking in fun????!!!???!!! No comment!  ;-)

Today's kemo went well.  Kathy came out smiling and ready to go to lunch!  She said that the minute they started the infusion she started saying to her cancer cells, "Die, you F@#$%&! ers, die!"  (Sorry Kathy if I wasn't supposed to let anyone know you swear!)   True to predictions, she felt very energetic after the kemo and joked that she would go home after lunch to vacuum and dust.  Oh Kathy, if you feel that good, don't waste it on housework!

I will post the pictures soon.  They are on Melissa's camera.  She remembered to bring a camera for blog pictures.  I didn't!  Good thing one of the support team members is always prepared!