Mastectomy today

Today's the big day, Heather has her double mastectomy today, hopefully it will remove the cancer.

Surgeries, Masses, and Baby

Last wednesday I had my last round chemo before the masectomy.  An ultrasound was done and showed that the masses in the breast had gone from a 3.2 to 2.8 and the lymph nodes 1.8 to 1.5.  So the chemo has been working at shrinking the cancer however not a major improvement.  I had also this last monday had a blood transfusion and a booster shot which tells my bones to produce more white blood cells.  On friday my counts had dropped from 13,000 to 8,000 which is expected after chemo, the normal person sohuld have counts about 10,000.  Joe being the loving husband that he is shareemod his horrible head cold with me after my chemo, as the days went on I was getting weaker and sicker.  Today is sunday and I thought I should finally go to the ER and be checked as I felt very weak unable to fight this illness.  I was sure that my counts had dropped more and that is why I was getting weaker, dizzy, light-headed, etc.  I told my mom its time for me to be checked out.  The ER doc checked my blood counts only to let me know that my counts were 0.07!! Basically my body was not producing any white blood cells, they talked to me about admission but decided that my immune system was non-existant at this point and didnt want to risk me getting any sicker in the hospital, so I had lots of fluid pumped in as well as a good dose of antibiotics to help fight anything that might be hanging or stirring around.  On Monday the 19th I am scheduled for a bi-lateral masectomy with lymph node removal, followed by another dose of chemo.  This is normally an outpatient procedure but I did request that I stay in hospital for at least 2 nights.  Baby was also checked, I had another ultrasound and little Joshua weighs just over a pound and has a very strong heartbeat and growing very well with no concerns at all.  I was going to have to go to anchorage to deliver early  but because the masses had shrunk my oncologist says that I can wait till 30wks to deliver.  FMH said they will not deliver me at 30wks and I must go to anchorage however if I waited till 31wks they would allow the doctors to deliver me here.  So since it was only a week difference I got the OK from the cancer doc to wait another week and baby Joshua will be joining us May 1st at 8am here at FMH.  Since it is spring break and my counts are next to nothing, I will be getting the booster shot and need lots of rest so that they can operate on the 19th, I need my kiddos to go visit people for a few days maybe 2 nights or so, that way I can work on getting a bit stronger.  My mom has been cleaning out garage since we had the flood fixed and I was wondering if someone with a truck would be willing to come and let me fill back for a major dump run.  We again are out wood if anyone can donate any that would be appreciated.  I also have a 80 gallon hot water heater that needs to be installed I got an estimate of 400.00 to install, but if anyone can do it cheaper please let me know.  Right now we have a 30 gal heater that just doesnt let me take a bath before we run out of hot water.  I want to say thank you to everyone who has been helping us out, I have been truely blessed by everyone, I cant remember everything and specifically who has done what, but God has truely been there for me and I dont know how I can repay everyone for loving and supporting us so much.  Your prayers and thoughts get me through everyday.  I love you all and again thank you so much for being there and helping us fight!

Colds and Cancer

Pray that Heathers white blood cells stay strong, I have had a nasty cold for the past week and Heather is coming down with it now. Things are tough enough for her as it is and a cold is just enother drain on her body.