Sugar Magnolia

[Dr. Caligari]

[sugar magnolia]

Second round of chemo today and it's already kicking my ass quicker than the first round. They have me scheduled for a venous doppler on my shoulder, close to where they implanted the port, because of some residual pain they suspect may be a bloodclot. They tried to schedule it for today but couldn't get me in. I have no confidence I'll be able to move by 9:30 am tomorrow, much less sit through an hour+ procedure, but we'll see. I's really like to get it over with and find out what's going on.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! The Fabulous Dr. Baker could not feel the tumor in my lymph node AT ALL and I had to show him where the two tumors in my breast were because he couldn't find them either!! After ONE!!! round of chemo, y'all!! He has changed my chemo routine from 6 rounds to 4, so I am already halfway through and will finish up on Dec 13!! I know everyone who has offered to bring food is relieved it's only 2 more rounds. Then four rounds of a different chemo every 2 weeks starting in Jan, and STILL no mention of radiation or surgery at all. My oldest daughter, who lives in Brazil, called last night and she's coming home for Christmas so the timing couldn't be more perfect.

For the first 2 days after the initial chemo I could literally feel the tumor sort of tingling/burning but I had convinced myself I had wished that into being true. But it turns out it may not have been my imagination at all. My flaming-spear bearing warriors just got a little over-enthusiastic in hunting down their prey. Now that they know what to look for, and with some suggestions from The Fabulous Dr. Baker, and a little help from my friends, I'm hoping to be able to re-route the little marauders to my left boob and away from my hip, knee and ankle joints. I'm thinking a big, blinky, neon "detour" sign posted on the problematic joints might do the trick. If it doesn't, I can always add traffic cones.

[p0rtia]

[tek]

Clipped that to ms.tek, and she said:
"She's really having a great response. That bodes well."

That's as good as it gets.

Sending all our positive energy R...

[sugar magnolia]

Clipped that to ms.tek, and she said:
"She's really having a great response. That bodes well."

That's as good as it gets.

Sending all our positive energy R...

Hearing that from her really makes me happy!

[Dr. Caligari]

So good to hear!

[Phoenix520]

I'm thinking a big, blinky, neon "detour" sign posted on the problematic joints might do the trick.

Add some scantily clad women warriors below the sign pointing the way.

[sugar magnolia]

I'm thinking a big, blinky, neon "detour" sign posted on the problematic joints might do the trick.

Add some scantily clad women warriors below the sign pointing the way.

Some of my fierce warriors are big burly men, though! Maybe some small, wizened, gnome-ish warriors with bad skin would be more effective? I'd prefer the warriors head for the tumors, but I don't really care where they go as long as it's away from my hip and knee! I think a couple of little weather-beaten trolls might accomplish that. I hope.

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

Why not both?

OIP (2).jpeg (20.92 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

[Phoenix520]

[Volkonski]

[Slim Cognito]

[pipistrelle]

[AndyinPA]

With my close personal family experience with cancer, that kind of good news is really great news!

[Maybenaut]

Here’s to All the warriors!

[sugar magnolia]

Another update, but not one I'm happy to make. After spending a week in the hospital 2 weeks ago, I thought we were back on track, but I just spent this week in the hospital too. My WBC (should be 5-10) was 1.7 the first time they admitted me, and 0.5 this time. Anything below 3 is considered critical. They are discontinuing the chemo because my body just can't tolerate it. I'll continue on the immunotherapy drug (Keytruda) until Nov, and surgery options will be discussed at my next appointment. I have an absolutely stellar medical team and have great confidence they will make the right decisions on my treatment going forward, but I have to confess I'm disappointed and a bit depressed that I couldn't just power through it on sheer force of will. I feel like my body is betraying me and it's incredibly frustrating.

Actually, I'm not sure exactly how I feel yet. It's a lot to process and I'm feeling very overwhelmed and defeated. I'm sure just being sick has a lot to do with that, and the complete and total lack of energy, both physical and mental, has me at sort of an emotional standstill right now. I'm still sorting things out in my head. As for those who have asked what they can do to help, we're good for right now but I promise I'll ask if I need anything.

[Foggy]

We love you, Sugar M.

I don't know what else to say.

[June bug]

Oh Sugar, I’m so sorry.

[p0rtia]

Body betrayal absofuckinglutely sucks.

But it can come back.

Excelsior

[Volkonski]

We love you, Sugar M.

I don't know what else to say.

[Danraft]

Keytruda should be much easier on you than the chemo and, allegorically, I’ve known people for whom it performed quite well (Jimmy Carter, of course).

[bill_g]

[MsDaisy]

Beaming positive energy your way

[Estiveo]

[pipistrelle]