Round Seven was on Monday. It was Doctor appointment date overload. Dr. K leaves on vacation so I had to schedule everything for the next two rounds of chemo (blood tests, mugga scans, chemo's and more blood tests) on Monday. Dec 14th is the last really rough round of chemo. Then I start back up on January 11th with Herceptin only for 8 more rounds. Meet with radiation oncologist on January 25th. In hopes we can start radiation in February.
In a classic Melissa move, I fell up the stairs of the library on Tuesday. I was trying to turn off my cell phone because it was ringing. I wasn't paying enough attention and missed a step. My phone ended up opening up so I sat on the steps talking to my sister. It must have been a loud fall because the library lady ended up coming and checking on me.
The family went to the Frontier Basketball game last night. We were able to support the boys in our youth group. I think it may be the only time we can go...with all of my treatments.
Looking forward to relaxing on Thursday and attempting to shop on Friday.
Have a great Thanksgiving from the Pekny family.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Fatalistic...I think not!!!
O.k. So Dr. K told me at my appointment that I was being fatalistic. That was the slap in the face I needed to get grip and a better attitude. Since my appointment last week my outlook on life has been a lot "glass half full" not "half empty". Thank you to all who have sent encouraging words!!!! Next Round on Monday...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Reasons Why I Am Choosing to Be One Mammy Melissa!!!
Todd and I met with Dr. Kennedy today. After discussing my options with her, we decided I would be better off removing only my right breast and lymph nodes. Surgery has been set for January 4, 2010. We will have a day of testing and meeting with other docs before then and to learn more specifics about what to expect. We also talked with her social worker about Campbell and got some great ideas.
Below is the reasons why we decided to go with a single vs. double:
1. Breast Cancer does not "jump" sides. Since I have no mutation of my gene it is not imperative that I get it removed right away.
2. If the left breast is removed during the January date. Dr. K would have to remove a lot of skin to make it look right. If this was done, the reconstruction surgery would be more painful and I would not have a lot of options for the left side.
3. I can still get removed when I reconstruct my right one later in 2010.
4. It gives Todd and I more time decide what to do.
5. Keeping the left breast still gives me some kind of feeling in it.
6. Easier to recover from single vs. double. Plus I can still hold my babies, play games and wipe my own butt.
I am sure there are other benefits but I am in the car on the way home and I need a nap.
The only disadvantage is that I will now be called One Mammy Melissa and I have to still wear a bra!!!
Below is the reasons why we decided to go with a single vs. double:
1. Breast Cancer does not "jump" sides. Since I have no mutation of my gene it is not imperative that I get it removed right away.
2. If the left breast is removed during the January date. Dr. K would have to remove a lot of skin to make it look right. If this was done, the reconstruction surgery would be more painful and I would not have a lot of options for the left side.
3. I can still get removed when I reconstruct my right one later in 2010.
4. It gives Todd and I more time decide what to do.
5. Keeping the left breast still gives me some kind of feeling in it.
6. Easier to recover from single vs. double. Plus I can still hold my babies, play games and wipe my own butt.
I am sure there are other benefits but I am in the car on the way home and I need a nap.
The only disadvantage is that I will now be called One Mammy Melissa and I have to still wear a bra!!!
It is tough to be four.
This is more like a free write...very hard to write about it.
Campbell was with my mom on Sunday. My mom and Campbell were talking about Christmas and getting Christmas trees. Campbell tells my mom that she may have to put up the Christmas tree this year by herself because she is afraid her mommy will die before Christmas. I am not quite sure how my mom kept her compsure, but she talked to Campbell and told her that would I be around for Christmas.
On Monday, mom told me about this. Needless to say I think about the conversation and I cry; I called Todd and talked to him. On Monday evening, I sat down with Campbell and talked with her. She told me she is worried that I will go to heaven with Jesus before Christmas and it will be because of cancer. I explained to her that my doctor will tell me when I am going to die. Mommy and Daddy will let her know what the Dr. tells us and until then she does not need to worry about me dying. I then told her that if she ever wants to talk to anyone about mommy dying she can call her aunts, grandma's or Ms. Beccie.
I hope part of it is that this past week I spent a lot of time laying down, not eating, and feeling just miserable. It is hard for myself and Todd to understand what is happening to my body. I can not even imagine what she is thinking. I am going to talk to the doc's today about how to help her.... hopefully, she won't be completely jaded and ruined from my cancer.
Campbell was with my mom on Sunday. My mom and Campbell were talking about Christmas and getting Christmas trees. Campbell tells my mom that she may have to put up the Christmas tree this year by herself because she is afraid her mommy will die before Christmas. I am not quite sure how my mom kept her compsure, but she talked to Campbell and told her that would I be around for Christmas.
On Monday, mom told me about this. Needless to say I think about the conversation and I cry; I called Todd and talked to him. On Monday evening, I sat down with Campbell and talked with her. She told me she is worried that I will go to heaven with Jesus before Christmas and it will be because of cancer. I explained to her that my doctor will tell me when I am going to die. Mommy and Daddy will let her know what the Dr. tells us and until then she does not need to worry about me dying. I then told her that if she ever wants to talk to anyone about mommy dying she can call her aunts, grandma's or Ms. Beccie.
I hope part of it is that this past week I spent a lot of time laying down, not eating, and feeling just miserable. It is hard for myself and Todd to understand what is happening to my body. I can not even imagine what she is thinking. I am going to talk to the doc's today about how to help her.... hopefully, she won't be completely jaded and ruined from my cancer.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
I feel like a thirty year old trapped in an eighty year old body.
UGH!!! Taxotere the drug of the past two rounds and of the next two rounds is making me feel like I am trapped in the body of my grandmother.
This week I have experienced a low grade fever on Thursday. And crazy cramps in my knees and hips. These cramps last about 3 to 4 seconds and come on randomly. Some are only annoying; others are absolutely painful. On Thursday and Friday at work it was like I had Tourrette's Syndrome because every time I had a pain I yelped. Friday and Saturday nights were awlful. I could not get comfortable. I am allowed one 650 mg pill of tylenol every eight hours. Saturday night I broke down and took something else just so I could sleep away the pain. My fingers don't function like they should. I can not even open my pill bottles. I called the doc on Friday about the fever and the cramps and believe it or not that is perfectly normally.
On the funny side, I really am walking like an eighty year old. I feel like my grandpa trying to get out of my car, walking to the potty and trying to get up out of the chair. I guess it is just practice for me when I get that age.
When talking to my aunt she was so proud of me for comparing my body to an eighty year old instead of sixty! I wonder old she is....
This week I have experienced a low grade fever on Thursday. And crazy cramps in my knees and hips. These cramps last about 3 to 4 seconds and come on randomly. Some are only annoying; others are absolutely painful. On Thursday and Friday at work it was like I had Tourrette's Syndrome because every time I had a pain I yelped. Friday and Saturday nights were awlful. I could not get comfortable. I am allowed one 650 mg pill of tylenol every eight hours. Saturday night I broke down and took something else just so I could sleep away the pain. My fingers don't function like they should. I can not even open my pill bottles. I called the doc on Friday about the fever and the cramps and believe it or not that is perfectly normally.
On the funny side, I really am walking like an eighty year old. I feel like my grandpa trying to get out of my car, walking to the potty and trying to get up out of the chair. I guess it is just practice for me when I get that age.
When talking to my aunt she was so proud of me for comparing my body to an eighty year old instead of sixty! I wonder old she is....
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Round Six and Chemo Angels
On Monday, I had round six of my chemotherapy. Taxotere and Herceptin. This was a much better and faster experience than the last round. We were out of there by 1:00 p.m. My wonderful friend Kim drove all the way from Evansville and spent the day with me. We had a private room and were able to catch up with each other. We had so much fun. Then her mom brought us a great lunch.
My skin is a little red from the steriods. O.k. probably very red. Five co-workers have made comments about how red I am. I called the doc and they said that is normal. It is when you get a rash that it is an issue.
Todd and I drive to Indy next week for my next appointment with my surgeon and my doctor for my Graves Disease. This will be the first time I see Dr. Bane for Graves since I was diagnosed with IBC.
Chemo Angels
I was able to enroll in a program called Chemo Angels (http://www.chemoangels.net/). Here is the description for the program as seen on their website.
About the program...
Chemo Angels is a volunteer organization dedicated to adding a ray of sunshine to the lives of those undergoing IV chemo treatment. We believe people going through the physical, emotional and mental rigors of chemotherapy deserve some encouragement. Many of our Chemo Angel volunteers are cancer survivors themselves, or people whose lives have been affected by cancer in some way. Our common denominator is a desire to brighten the lives of cancer patients while they are going through this challenging time.
I have two angels. Erin from Georgia and Allie from Minnesota. Their encouraging words and prayers have helped me through some tough times. Allie works for a church and is a youth coordinator for their youth programs. Erin is a mom of two.
If you know someone who is going through Chemo this is a great program...
My skin is a little red from the steriods. O.k. probably very red. Five co-workers have made comments about how red I am. I called the doc and they said that is normal. It is when you get a rash that it is an issue.
Todd and I drive to Indy next week for my next appointment with my surgeon and my doctor for my Graves Disease. This will be the first time I see Dr. Bane for Graves since I was diagnosed with IBC.
Chemo Angels
I was able to enroll in a program called Chemo Angels (http://www.chemoangels.net/). Here is the description for the program as seen on their website.
About the program...
Chemo Angels is a volunteer organization dedicated to adding a ray of sunshine to the lives of those undergoing IV chemo treatment. We believe people going through the physical, emotional and mental rigors of chemotherapy deserve some encouragement. Many of our Chemo Angel volunteers are cancer survivors themselves, or people whose lives have been affected by cancer in some way. Our common denominator is a desire to brighten the lives of cancer patients while they are going through this challenging time.
I have two angels. Erin from Georgia and Allie from Minnesota. Their encouraging words and prayers have helped me through some tough times. Allie works for a church and is a youth coordinator for their youth programs. Erin is a mom of two.
If you know someone who is going through Chemo this is a great program...
Friday, October 30, 2009
My Surgeon....
Clarian North's Breast Care Services Receive National Accreditation
10/06/2009
CARMEL, Ind.—Clarian North Medical Center’s Breast Care program in Carmel has been granted a three-year, full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Clarian North is the first hospital in Indiana to receive this accreditation.
“We are honored to receive this designation and believe it is a result of the hard work, dedication and commitment our staff has to each patient,” said Dr. Patricia Kennedy, Medical Director of Clarian North’s Breast Care program. “We plan to continue providing all of our patients with the high-quality continuum of care they deserve as they face breast cancer or other breast health concerns.”
Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care. To qualify for the designation, the breast care program and its staff undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. The program must prove that it provides comprehensive care that includes diagnostic, treatment and support services. Clarian North’s certified breast health navigator personally guides each patient through the care process once the patient has been diagnosed. The navigator ensures that comprehensive care and support resources are available throughout treatment and beyond.
During the accreditation survey process, the center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.
Unfortunately, the battle against breast disease is not one that will soon go away. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that there would be 192,569 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2009 and an estimated 40,470 women would die from it. In addition, hundreds of thousands of women who will deal with benign breast disease this year will require medical evaluation for treatment options.
Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center like Clarian North Medical Center ensures that a patient will have access to:
Comprehensive care, from state-of-the-art digital breast imaging to survivorship care,
A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options,
Support services, including complementary therapy and an oncology social worker,
Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options,
And, most importantly,
Quality breast care close to home.
“The best defense against breast cancer is early detection,” said Dr. Kennedy. “It is imperative that women over 40 have annual mammograms to allow for early detection of cancer, which in turn, provides the best chance for recovery.”
To schedule a mammogram, see a breast specialist, or have a high risk consultation, please call Clarian North Breast Care at 317-688-3158. Learn more about Clarian North's Breast Care Services.
10/06/2009
CARMEL, Ind.—Clarian North Medical Center’s Breast Care program in Carmel has been granted a three-year, full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Clarian North is the first hospital in Indiana to receive this accreditation.
“We are honored to receive this designation and believe it is a result of the hard work, dedication and commitment our staff has to each patient,” said Dr. Patricia Kennedy, Medical Director of Clarian North’s Breast Care program. “We plan to continue providing all of our patients with the high-quality continuum of care they deserve as they face breast cancer or other breast health concerns.”
Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care. To qualify for the designation, the breast care program and its staff undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. The program must prove that it provides comprehensive care that includes diagnostic, treatment and support services. Clarian North’s certified breast health navigator personally guides each patient through the care process once the patient has been diagnosed. The navigator ensures that comprehensive care and support resources are available throughout treatment and beyond.
During the accreditation survey process, the center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.
Unfortunately, the battle against breast disease is not one that will soon go away. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that there would be 192,569 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2009 and an estimated 40,470 women would die from it. In addition, hundreds of thousands of women who will deal with benign breast disease this year will require medical evaluation for treatment options.
Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center like Clarian North Medical Center ensures that a patient will have access to:
Comprehensive care, from state-of-the-art digital breast imaging to survivorship care,
A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options,
Support services, including complementary therapy and an oncology social worker,
Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options,
And, most importantly,
Quality breast care close to home.
“The best defense against breast cancer is early detection,” said Dr. Kennedy. “It is imperative that women over 40 have annual mammograms to allow for early detection of cancer, which in turn, provides the best chance for recovery.”
To schedule a mammogram, see a breast specialist, or have a high risk consultation, please call Clarian North Breast Care at 317-688-3158. Learn more about Clarian North's Breast Care Services.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)