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.

Port Prayers part II

Heather had surgery on her chemo port this past Thursday to correct a kink in the line that was inhibiting the chemo injections to the point that the CTC staff were not comfortable using it.  We went to Dr. Montano's office on Wednesday and Heather told him (direct quote) "This thing has been in for 6 weeks, I want it fixed or I want it taken out".  Non-plussed, Dr. Montano said that the swelling should have receded to the point that surgery to fix it would be an option.  I love watching Heather when she speaks the straight truth, it's like I get to vicariously be a no-nonsense "give it to me straight" kind of person without actually having to be so outspoken.  Surgery went well, though unfortunately she is now really sore from it.  Prayers for a quick recovery and that the port will finally work.

Update for the week

As I said before, it has been a busy week for us and there's no end in sight.  Heather has been very tired and nauseated from the chemo, she has not eaten much but has found a new friend in Raisin Bran, often eating a bowl about midnightish or so, then back to bed.  I'm just grateful that she is able to keep it down.  She took a step of faith earlier this week and allowed me to shave her head with a razor as the peach fuzz from buzzing her head was starting to come out in small patches- she was apprehensive at first but held in like a champ and I only nicked her once (sorry babe).

Our kids have been with their Tia Nona and Uncle Scott for the past couple days as I have had school and work and Heather had her 3rd chemo treatment on Wednesday.  They love Scott and Nona and it has been a great help to have them, along with Mom and Becky Thompson. 

The weekend is here too fast and I have too much to do, Heather needs continued rest and support and I need a way to process through depression, frustration, and negativity, of which I am prone to.  More often than not I feel like a cross between Chicken Little and Eeyore- "The sky is falling!!!" coupled with an attitude akin to this dialog between Pooh and Eeyore: ""Good morning, Pooh Bear," said Eeyore gloomily. "If it is a good morning," he said. "Which I doubt," said he."  

Negativity and despair are usually not the first words we associate with United States Marines or followers of Christ, but those attributes have increasingly affected how I relate to others, particularly with close loved ones, particularly with Heather.  I am adept at maintaining a friendly and easy going attitude with nearly everyone but too often Heather is exposed to the worst of my doubts and fears, which isn't exactly a comfort for her.  I love her and don't want to add to her troubles, please pray that I find a way to work this out.

Need some bed stuff

Hi, it has been a crazy week as always, but I plan on updating the blog today. First, Heather's mom will be here in a week or so and we need a queen sized box spring that we can borrow while she is here, we have a mattress but just need the box spring. Also, if anyone has a california king bed frame that we can use that would be great, we have the box springs but need a frame so Heather has an easier time getting in and out of bed. Right now her back really hurts her and having a higher bed would help.

Choose Your Own Adventure, Sort Of...

What's new?  Heather had an OB appointment with Dr. Lawerson this past week, good heart rate for the baby and talk of removing her ovaries to inhibit the production of estrogen, which is what this cancer is fed by.  The main side effect of such a procedure would be virtually going through menopause and thus weakening of the bone due to lack of estrogen, but there are supplements that one can take for bone health.  Another "possible scenario"- if they take the baby early, say- 30 or 32 weeks- Heather will have to have the C-Section in Anchorage where they have the appropriate facilities to care for a premature infant.  Treatment, travel, and scheduling will be very interesting!  We'll see what happens.