It has been almost 3 weeks since I finished both chemotherapy and radiation! My body has begun healing and I'm starting to feel "normal" again. I use quotations because I'm adjusting to a new normal. If you've seen me in person, you know I look completely "normal." Lucky for me, my internal organs are regenerating too. Any pain I have now is random. I get random joint pains, that were actually very painful for three nights. I've added calcium into my vitamin regimen and Aleeve helps take the joint pain away. For as good as I feel now, it feels like I was a normal 26 year old before the surgery and now I'm like a 50-something year old menopausal woman with joint pains and hot flashes! The only lingering issue is my incision. Three months since the surgery and the staples have not dissolved. Three bubbles appeared along the incision which resulted in a staph infection. They had to open and drain the bubbles and put me on a round of antibiotics. Two of the three bubbles are healing properly and one will have to be drained again tomorrow. Ugh... Hopefully this will be the last of my incision troubles. Until then, yoga pants or sweats it is. My post treatment scan and follow-up appointment are in January. The day is TBD, but I'll be sure to post when the time comes!
The weeks since the completion of treatment have flown by and I'm officially ready for Christmas! I leave Christmas night to spend four days at my dad's cabin in Kingvale. When I return, I've got to begin the job hunt. I have enjoyed every last minute of my time off, but I am ready to return to the working world. I'm searching for an Executive Assistant / Administrative Assistant position in the area. I've made a conscious decision to find a job where I can focus on that happy work/life balance. After six years in the Event and Food Service industry, I'm ready to transition into something new. I'm very thankful for my time at Catta Verdera. Whatever I do in the future, I know I can handle anything!
Off to finish wrapping presents! I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
XOXO Britni
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Photos Galore!
My mom just helped me upload a TON of photos to www.theprincessandthec.com! We tried to incorporate all of the photos taken so far, but some are kinda blurry and some were VERY blurry. I apologize if a photo of you and I didn't make it to the site due to the blur! I hope you enjoy a glimpse into this crazy journey I'm on.
XOXO Britni
XOXO Britni
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Holy "O"
Two days into week 5 and I'm exhausted. The cumulative nature of the side effects is true! I have to admit, I'm most comfortable when I'm lying in bed or on the couch. Overall, I am just wiped out. This past Friday and Saturday were the worst yet. The nausea was overwhelming. When I was in the shower on Saturday, my vision became blurry, I got dizzy and both my ears plugged. I got out and laid in bed for the rest of the day. I had to cancel my movie plans with Felicia because I just couldn't get over the nausea. Things calmed down on Sunday. Just in time to have chemo again on Monday. Nick took me to chemo and radiation this time. I took Ativan to relax and drank lots of water on Sunday, but it still took two pricks to get into a vein. My nurse actually put the IV in a vein that's in between my wrist and thumb. My wrist is a bit sore today. It is hard open bottles.
Chemo was definitely interesting. Besides entertaining ourselves with and angry birds battle, Nick and I had a front row seat to another patient being taken out of the chemo suite on a gurney. He was having chest pains, so they took him to the ER. Oddly enough the building I go to for chemo is not considered the hospital (even though it's on the grounds of the Roseville hospital). So the nurses are required to call an ambulance just like you would at home. Six EMT's showed up (a little overkill?!) and took him out. He was a very cute elderly man who said "I'm still awake, I can walk!" After being convinced that the gurney is protocol, he hoped on. "Fine" he said, "but I'm not leaving here in a body bag!" Hopefully everything turned out well for him.
I spoke with my chemo oncologist and got a prescription for what I'm calling the Holy "O"! Tincture of Opium. That's right people, liquid opium. It's the last resort they can offer me to help with the diarrhea. I'm supposed to take .6ml four times a day until the diarrhea stops. We'll see how long it takes! I thought it would make me loopy, but I actually don't feel anything. It doesn't even make me tired. I should say it doesn't make me more tired than I already am! Tomorrow, I see my radiation doc, get radiation and then see my chemo doc. I learned too late on Monday that I could have switched to a higher anti-nausea drug, so I'll be reviewing my last set of IV's for chemo next Monday. Cross your fingers for me that the nausea doesn't knock me out again this weekend! It's time to begin the countdown; 3 more radiation treatments and 1 chemo! Hot friggin' dog! Once the treatments are over it will take 4-6 weeks for the side effects to go away. The radiation side effects- sunburn, inflamed organs/tissues, diarrhea, and fatigue- will take the longest to go away. Hopefully I won't need the opium that whole time!
So what about after treatment? I wait two months and then go back in for another PET/CT scan. The two month wait is to let my body rebuild after being torn apart for six weeks. If the cancer shows up on the scan, then well decide what to do then. However, I know it won't! That means it's back to living a normal cancer free life! I'll get a scan every three months for two years, then every six months for the following three years. At five years, I'll be medically cured! Thanksgiving this week means yummy dinners with the families and the second year of black Friday shopping with my niece Brooke! We're doing it at midnight this year! 4am was brutal last year, and mornings are even harder for me now. I feel the best at night, so this Thursday night/ Friday morning should be a breeze.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite holidays. I look forward to chilly weather, crackling fires, hot chocolate, Christmas lights and family gatherings all year long! Thanksgiving is the kick-off for me, and as you can probably guess, this year is even more special. This holiday season is going to be amazing, I can feel it.
I need to say a great big THANK YOU! to all of my mom's colleagues at Sierra College who participated in making me an unbelievably beautiful quilt! 38 people took the time to decorate a square before they had them beautifully sewn together into a quilt. It is an extremely touching gift that I will never forget. Thank you again to everyone who participated.
It's time to hit the sack. Big day of doctors appointments tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy your food comas! I know I will... I love myself some stuffing! XOXO Britni
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Middle of week 4! Whoo-hoo!
Back in the chair for my fourth chemo treatment this past Monday. It took 2 needle pricks to find a good vein this time. Good thing this weather calls for long sleeves because my arms make me look like I have a drug habit. I have one large and medium bruise on my left forearm and five small bruises on my right forearm! Only 2 chemo treatments and 8 radiation treatments left!
I had a very relaxing weekend- spent about 18-20 hours each day in bed. I caught the cold my mom had. Luckily for me it was just nasal congestion and a mild cough. I took a nasal decongestant on Sunday and that with a massive amount of rest seems to have cleared it up. I don't feel 100% today, but I don't even know if that's possible with everything else going on. The "D" is still an issue too, but I've added percocet into my regimen of pills. This narcotic along with the stronger imodium like drug they prescribed has helped slow things down in my intestines.
On a bad note, another spot on my incision opened up. It's a small superficial opening, but there is a bigger fluid pocket below it too. I visited one of my doctor's after chemo and thankfully he said the opening and fluid pocket are not infected. I just have to keep a close eye on them. The problem is more of the staples are making their way to the surface. I'm VERY weary about pulling the exposed staples out. I think it opens up the hole deeper. I'd rather they come out on their own and I cover them with a bandaid until they are fully out. I thought that skin around my incision would be numb, but it's actually very sensitive. I would be able to feel the staples being removed if they took the tweezers to them. My doctor agreed to let me do it my way since none of the staples are sticking out far enough yet to pry on.
On a good note, I'm excited to see Tower Heist with Diana today. Then Suzanne is coming over to make Chicken & Dumplings on Thursday! Yummy! No big plans for Friday and Saturday other than relaxing more and then it's time to celebrate Nicholas's 6th Birthday on Sunday. Now if only I could heal my friend Sarah and her adorable boys of their flus. They have been sick for WAY to long so I haven't been able to visit with them!!
I hope everyone out there got a flu shot and is staying happy and healthy!! A little over a week until Thanksgiving! I love the fall & winter and all the family centered holidays they bring. Can't wait to stuff myself like a turkey with the rest of you! One thing is for sure, this Cancer may have given me some side effects, but it hasn't taken away my appetite! I'm still losing weight too (best diet plan ever! Hehehe)
XOXO Britni
I had a very relaxing weekend- spent about 18-20 hours each day in bed. I caught the cold my mom had. Luckily for me it was just nasal congestion and a mild cough. I took a nasal decongestant on Sunday and that with a massive amount of rest seems to have cleared it up. I don't feel 100% today, but I don't even know if that's possible with everything else going on. The "D" is still an issue too, but I've added percocet into my regimen of pills. This narcotic along with the stronger imodium like drug they prescribed has helped slow things down in my intestines.
On a bad note, another spot on my incision opened up. It's a small superficial opening, but there is a bigger fluid pocket below it too. I visited one of my doctor's after chemo and thankfully he said the opening and fluid pocket are not infected. I just have to keep a close eye on them. The problem is more of the staples are making their way to the surface. I'm VERY weary about pulling the exposed staples out. I think it opens up the hole deeper. I'd rather they come out on their own and I cover them with a bandaid until they are fully out. I thought that skin around my incision would be numb, but it's actually very sensitive. I would be able to feel the staples being removed if they took the tweezers to them. My doctor agreed to let me do it my way since none of the staples are sticking out far enough yet to pry on.
On a good note, I'm excited to see Tower Heist with Diana today. Then Suzanne is coming over to make Chicken & Dumplings on Thursday! Yummy! No big plans for Friday and Saturday other than relaxing more and then it's time to celebrate Nicholas's 6th Birthday on Sunday. Now if only I could heal my friend Sarah and her adorable boys of their flus. They have been sick for WAY to long so I haven't been able to visit with them!!
I hope everyone out there got a flu shot and is staying happy and healthy!! A little over a week until Thanksgiving! I love the fall & winter and all the family centered holidays they bring. Can't wait to stuff myself like a turkey with the rest of you! One thing is for sure, this Cancer may have given me some side effects, but it hasn't taken away my appetite! I'm still losing weight too (best diet plan ever! Hehehe)
XOXO Britni
Friday, November 11, 2011
4th times a charm in week 3
What a week! I had such a nice time with Xenia and Justin in Napa. I'm so thankful I have wonderful friends who flew across the country to visit me. It was also a treat to see my brother! While our time together was short, it's always nice to get a hug from your big bro. My mom's birthday dinner and night out was a ton of fun too. Suzanne, Sarah, my mom and I had a great dinner at the Esquire Grill before the concert.
While all these activities have been fun, they've also been exhausting. The side effects of radiation are in full force. The fatigue I can handle, but the diarrhea is ridiculous. If your grossed out by me talking about poop, I recommend you get yourself a copy of the book "Everybody Poops" and get over it! :-) The chemo causes constipation, so after four awful days of diarreah, I couldn't wait for chemo this Monday. I took an Ativan (anti-anxiety med that is supposed to help me and my veins relax before chemo) so Diana took me to radiation and chemo on Monday. No amount of Ativan could have relaxed my dehydrated veins. It took 2 nurses and 4 attempts to find a suitable vein. Once we got a good line established, the rest of chemo was a breeze. Diana satisfied my breakfast craving with a Noah's bagel and strawberry smear while in the chemo chair! She also brought me lots of yummy snacks including Hershey kisses. Sweet snacks and lots of laughs made for a great Monday.
My incision is still having some trouble healing. I can see staples trying to make their way to the surface. I'm sure the diarrhea isn't helping that either. I had the doctor put more steri-strip tape over the incision for my own piece of mind. It makes me feel like it holds the skin together more and if a staple does make its way out again, then the tape should help it not snag on my clothing.
Unfortunately the fatigue and diarreah will last for the duration of treatment and can continue for 6-8 weeks past the conclusion of treatment. My original treatment plan was 5 weeks long. However due to the Thanksgiving holiday, I'll miss 2 radiation treatments since the offices are closed. That means I get a 6th chemo treatment. Considering everything, I'm half way through and doing great. No major plans this weekend, just keeping things low key and allowing my body to heal itself. My poor mom is sick with a cold, so I've got to make sure she gets better and doesn't give it to me!! I hope everyone is enjoying this fall weather as much as I am! To be cold is to be comfortable for me right now!
XOXO Britni
While all these activities have been fun, they've also been exhausting. The side effects of radiation are in full force. The fatigue I can handle, but the diarrhea is ridiculous. If your grossed out by me talking about poop, I recommend you get yourself a copy of the book "Everybody Poops" and get over it! :-) The chemo causes constipation, so after four awful days of diarreah, I couldn't wait for chemo this Monday. I took an Ativan (anti-anxiety med that is supposed to help me and my veins relax before chemo) so Diana took me to radiation and chemo on Monday. No amount of Ativan could have relaxed my dehydrated veins. It took 2 nurses and 4 attempts to find a suitable vein. Once we got a good line established, the rest of chemo was a breeze. Diana satisfied my breakfast craving with a Noah's bagel and strawberry smear while in the chemo chair! She also brought me lots of yummy snacks including Hershey kisses. Sweet snacks and lots of laughs made for a great Monday.
My incision is still having some trouble healing. I can see staples trying to make their way to the surface. I'm sure the diarrhea isn't helping that either. I had the doctor put more steri-strip tape over the incision for my own piece of mind. It makes me feel like it holds the skin together more and if a staple does make its way out again, then the tape should help it not snag on my clothing.
Unfortunately the fatigue and diarreah will last for the duration of treatment and can continue for 6-8 weeks past the conclusion of treatment. My original treatment plan was 5 weeks long. However due to the Thanksgiving holiday, I'll miss 2 radiation treatments since the offices are closed. That means I get a 6th chemo treatment. Considering everything, I'm half way through and doing great. No major plans this weekend, just keeping things low key and allowing my body to heal itself. My poor mom is sick with a cold, so I've got to make sure she gets better and doesn't give it to me!! I hope everyone is enjoying this fall weather as much as I am! To be cold is to be comfortable for me right now!
XOXO Britni
Monday, October 31, 2011
Week 2 ~ Happy Halloween!
I'm in the chemo chair for week 2 of treatment. My nurse is dressed up as Cruella Deville! She looks hilarious! My first chemo experience made me nervous for treatment today. The needle hurt going in ( how could it not?) and the fluids burned as they flushed thru. I have quite the bruise from last weeks poke. This time the whole experience is better. I'm only on the magnesium bag though. I still have an anti- nausea bag and the actual chemo left to drip in. My mom and I are entertaining ourselves by taking "photo booth" pictures on our iPads. There's nothing funnier than making yourself look like an idiot.
The side effects of treatment haven't been that bad. A little nausea, mostly fatigue. The doctor's are careful to remind me that the side effects are cumulative and will reach their height at 3-4 weeks. The only other uncomfortable side effect is the abdominal pain. I think that's still from the surgery. Some days my abs feel sore, some days they have sharp stabbing pains. Each day is different.
I've been staying busy visiting with friends, napping and the occasional Law and Order marathon. My mom's birthday is this Friday and I'm taking her to see Jim Brickman. My brother flys in at 3 on Friday and my friends Xenia & Justin fly in that night too. Xenia & Justin are taking me to Napa on Saturday night. The Doctors given the "ok" on a little wine tasting. It's going to be an exciting weekend. Now I just have to get thru week 2!
I hope everyone is enjoying a happy and healthy Halloween!
XOXO Britni
The side effects of treatment haven't been that bad. A little nausea, mostly fatigue. The doctor's are careful to remind me that the side effects are cumulative and will reach their height at 3-4 weeks. The only other uncomfortable side effect is the abdominal pain. I think that's still from the surgery. Some days my abs feel sore, some days they have sharp stabbing pains. Each day is different.
I've been staying busy visiting with friends, napping and the occasional Law and Order marathon. My mom's birthday is this Friday and I'm taking her to see Jim Brickman. My brother flys in at 3 on Friday and my friends Xenia & Justin fly in that night too. Xenia & Justin are taking me to Napa on Saturday night. The Doctors given the "ok" on a little wine tasting. It's going to be an exciting weekend. Now I just have to get thru week 2!
I hope everyone is enjoying a happy and healthy Halloween!
XOXO Britni
Monday, October 24, 2011
Day 1 is Done!
Day 1 went well! Chemo took a bit longer than expected, but I made it to Radiation on time. The toughest part of chemo was the IV. The needle is pretty long, but thin. They put it into a vein below my elbow. The cold fluids rushing in made my arm hurt. They put a warm compress and warm towel over the IV to relieve the discomfort. At radiation, I had several x-rays and then the 5 minute treatment. I didn't sleep much last night and am more tired from the treatments. Glad my bed is ridiculously comfortable, I'm gonna be spending quite a bit of time in it!!
XOXO Britni
XOXO Britni
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