Got My Power Port Out - Oct. 29, 2014

Having a power port has been a great blessing.  It was a ton less painful to use the power port each time I did chemo, had a blood test, etc. rather than have an I.V.  I.V.'s never work on me and they end up poking me a zillion times.  The power port never let me down.  It's a little metal and rubber device that was implanted below the skin in my chest with a tube under my skin that fed into my jugular vein in my neck.

My chemo oncologist and radiation oncologist both said I could get it out, so when Dr. Tormey, the surgeon said she could take it out immediately I was thrilled.  Then at the last minute (the day before surgery), I had second thoughts and worried that I might need my little buddy again.  I called Dr. Haslam's office to double check and they said "yep, get it out".  So I did.

The surgery wasn't too bad.  The anesthesiologist was Dr. Ivie.  He gave me two options - general anesthesia or light sedation.  I elected to use the light sedation method instead of general anesthesia.  It still put me to sleep, but I didn't feel anything and I snapped out of it so much quicker than with general anesthesia and there were no side effects afterward!  Would definitely recommend it.  I just have a super glued incision about 1 3/4 inches long.  It's been 5 days since the surgery and it doesn't hardly even hurt at all.  No stiches to get out either.

One funny thing did happen during the surgery.  I woke up toward the end and said "Is Dr. Ivie here?  My son, Garrett, works as an anesthesiologist aid at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City"...mumble... mumble and then went back asleep.  Funny!  (Proud Momma)

I keep my power port as a souvenir.  It's hard to give up my little buddy.  But glad to check that surgery off my list. 

Saying goodbye to Cliff already to get "lightly sedated"

Sweet Service

The young women in our ward made fleece blankets at girls camp and donated them to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.  They also lighted my load with freezer crock pot meals.  What a sweet way to show their support and love.  I have the best church calling - Mia Maid Advisor.  I love these girls so much. 

Last Day of Radiation - 10-9-14

YAY! Last day of radiation was October 9. I celebrated by ringing the gong and eating way too much chocolate.  It feels great to have radiation marked off the treatment list.  By the end of radiation my left breast, under my arm and part of my back were burned and dark red and even black in areas.  My skin is doing better now, but it's still itchy and bumpy.  Hopefully it goes back to normal soon.

Feeling great!

Labor Day Weekend - Fun with Family

Cliff, Garrett, Kylie, Brittney, Me & Macy @ Bumble Bee

I'm having a fun Labor Day weekend.  Garrett & Kylie came down from Salt Lake where they live and attend University of Utah.  Garrett wanted to bow hunt so the family joined him.  Last night we went hunting at Bumble Bee (mountains above New Harmony) and today Cliff, Garrett and Kylie went up to Gray's Ranch / Spring Creek (by Pine Valley Mountain).  Breck was in Vegas for his Fantasy Football draft and missed out on the family hunting trips. 

I've started exercising and enjoyed a short hike.  I still tire quickly, but I feel great and feel lucky when I have the opportunity to get out and about.

Feeling Frisky - Tattoos

I had about a three week break between the last day of chemo and yesterday when I met with Dr. Donaldson, who is my radiation oncologist. Macy & Cliff went to the appointment with me.  We discussed the side effects, the schedule and the preparation needed.  Then I got a CT scan to "map out" the area to be treated.  They made a body mold that will keep me from moving and keep me in the same position each day during treatments.  Now here's the most exciting part... I got four tattoos that show the therapist where to aim the radiation.  Getting the tattoos made me feel wild and crazy!  I'm going to imagine that they are frogs. (One of my girlfriends has a frog tattoo.) 

The first actual radiation treatment will be next Tuesday.  Radiation is a treatment that kills cancer cells in the target area, where chemotherapy kills fast growing (cancer cells) in the whole body.  Radiation and chemotherapy both reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.  I'll have a radiation treatment everyday five days a week until I've had 28-33 treatments.  It's only supposed to take about 30 minutes.  The main side effects are skin reactions (redness, itching, burning, soreness and peeling) and fatigue.

Sounds like a cinch compared to chemo.

Feeling Loved

Beautiful pink flowers from the Groupie to celebrate my last day of chemo.
 

I really have been surrounded by angels this last several months.  I've been pampered, showered with gifts & flowers, and checked on with text messages, phone calls, & cards.  I feel like my friends and family are holding me up so that I never get discouraged.  I've never felt so loved!  Thank you all so very, very much.  Love you all...

Last Day of Chemo - August 6, 2014

YAY! Last day of chemo was yesterday and it felt great to ring the bell.  Every other week when I go to chemo I see the bell and look forward to ringing it.  It was my turn yesterday.  The last four chemo treatments were long (5 to 5 1/2 hours), but the side effects were so much better than the first four treatments that I couldn't help but be grateful. The only problems I experienced were restless legs during the chemo treatments, a red face the next few days, some bone pain in my hips and thighs and a little neuropathy (numbness, pain in fingers, toes and ball of foot).  Not too bad!

Groupie Lake Powell Trip - August 3 - 6, 2014

I had a ball going to Lake Powell with my girlfriends this week.  Gretchen & Doug Glendenning invited us to stay on their houseboat.  Doug took us for a ride to Hole in the Rock and Dangling Rope for ice cream on their new speed boat.  We stayed up late playing games, dancing, talking and eating.  We sunbathed on rafts in the lake.  It was so relaxing and so much fun.  I felt great the whole trip!

Coke - Share with a "Friend"
Back row - Sandra, Belle, Julie, Me, Deana
Front row - Phoebe, Nancy, Leslie, Gretchen, Lisa



Me, Sandra & Belle



At Hole in the Rock
Back row - Gretchen, Belle, Leslie, Me, Julie, Lisa
Front row - Phoebe, Nancy, Sandra & Gretchen

Wicked Weekend

Even though I'm having chemo treatments every other week, I'm able to carry on a normal life of work during the week and fun on the weekends.  This past weekend we went to Salt Lake, saw Wicked and did some school clothes shopping for Brittney. I've heard my friends talk about Wicked for years and I've always wanted to go.  Got to check that off my bucket list. 


Cliff and me outside Capital Theater.
 

Chelsi's Run - Bald Eyebrows

Every year we celebrate Chelsi Petersen's life with a 5K fun run on her birthday - July 15th.  This year July 15th just happened to be the day that all my eyebrows fell out!  It took all that I had in me to show up for the run.  I had no idea that losing my eyebrows would be harder on me than losing my hair. I guess it's because covering up a bald head is much easier than covering up bald eyebrows!  I did make it through the night with the support of my great friends and family.  They always make me feel so loved.


Debbie, Belle, Kris, Julie, Lisa, Leslie, Phoebe
Deana, me, Gretchen, Nancy & Tracy



Kandi, Brittney, Macy, Breck and don't forget Reggie



Me, Lisa & Melanie

 

Joe, Bree, Sam, Me, Lisa, Brian, Brittney & Rebecca
 

Livin' the Normal Life in Laguna

The last couple of months have been great.  I've been livin' life a lot more normal that I expected. We were able to go to the Empey/Watkins Family Cuzzy Camp in Laguna Beach (4th of July weekend) and I felt great the whole time.  I actually forgot my wig so I wore scarfs and hats
the whole trip and felt comfortable and cool.  We had a beautiful ocean-front room and the weather and beach were out of this world beautiful.  My siblings and nieces and nephews are all so great.  One of the first things I started worrying about when I found out I have cancer was that I might not be able to go to Laguna.  I got to go and I absolutely loved it!




Cliff and I at Javier's in New Port Beach.
 













Me, Macy, Brittney & Cliff at the ice cream parlor.
 







4th of July celebration - fireworks from the beach
 





Chemo Cocktail - Toxol

Chemo drugs are used in combinations as each drug attacks cancer cells differently.  (You'll hear this combination of drugs called a cocktail.) The doctors determine which drugs to try based on your weight, kind of cancer, stage of the cancer (how far it has spread).  My first four chemo treatments were one cocktail and now the treatment I had today and the next four treatments are a new cocktail. 

My new cocktail takes longer - we were there for 5 1/2 hours today.  So far I'm not nauseated or tired like I was with the first cocktail.  In fact I'm quite munchies and antsy.  I'm hoping that this continues tomorrow and isn't short-lived.  The doctor did tell me to watch for neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling in feet and hands) and extra dry painful skin and fingernails.  I'm trying to prevent both of these side effects the best I can.

The main new drug is called Taxol.  People are often allergic to it, so included in the new cocktail are other drugs that help me not have an allergic reaction to Toxol.  In fact the cocktail is made up of 5 different medications (a steroid for inflammation, Benadryl for allergic reactions, anti-nausea meds, etc.)

The following Taxol side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxol:

• Low blood counts.  Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.  This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Hair loss (Doc says I'll lose all my eyelashes and eyebrows)       
• Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles. Usually temporary occurring 2 to 3 days after Taxol, and resolve within a few days.  
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hypersensitivity reaction - fever, facial flushing, chills, shortness of breath, or hives after Taxol is given.  The majority of these reactions occur within the first 10 minutes of an infusion.  Notify your healthcare provider immediately (premedication regimen has significantly decreased the incidence of this reaction). 

The following are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving Taxol:

• Swelling of the feet or ankles (edema).
• Increases in blood tests measuring liver function.  These return to normal once treatment is discontinued. (see liver problems).
• Low blood pressure (occurring during the first 3 hours of infusion).
• Darkening of the skin where previous radiation treatment has been given (radiation recall - see skin reactions).
• Nail changes (discoloration of nail beds - rare) (see skin reactions).

I'm Unique!

One evening several weeks back I had Cliff shave my head.

He said "You've got a strange shaped head, Kimberly."

I said "Thank you."

He said "Not that that's bad... you're unique."

Christensen Campout

We went to the Christensen Family Campout this past weekend.  They surprised me with lots of PINK!

It was also my first time out and about without my wig.  Way more comfortable with my beanie.

Last AC Chemo Treatment

Good riddance to the "AC" chemo combination.  I had four "AC" treatments.  Now I'm on to "T" treatment and a whole new set of side effects.

Half way through chemo treatments. 
Love this blanket that Ann, Evelyn, Elaine and Janet made for me. 
I take it to chemo and sleep with it every night.

Two Quick Trips

After my last chemo treatment and subsequent mega sleeping/nausea session we went on a little trip to Kaysville for Brittney's soccer tournament.  I did surprisingly well!  We ate out a ton and I thoroughly enjoyed what little I ate.  I had some nausea while brushing my teeth or if I didn't eat soon enough, but over all it was a fun trip.

We also went to Richfield for Britt to run at the District Hershey Track Meet.  It was up and back in one day.  Again, I did great.  Britt got first in the 4 x 100 relay and second in the 200.  We ate yummy Chinese food, too.  Fun trip.  Little things like being able to go watch Britt play sports makes me feel so great!  So thankful for the good days.



Irene thought some Ben & Jerry's would be beneficial.  I wholeheartedly agreed.



The Salt Lake Real mascot, Leo, with Cliff and me at Britt's soccer game.

 

 



Weight Loss

Most people say I look great... and to be honest, I quite like being thinner than I've been in years.  I've lost 28 pounds since December!  I don't really want to lose any more, so hopefully I can maintain where I am and still feel good.  My doctors all say I'm okay where I'm at, but they don't necessarily want me to lose any more.  Dr. Andruss weighed me and took a measure of my body fat today and she said I'm fine and not to let anyone make me feel too thin.  She also gives me a double shot of B-12, which gives me lots of energy.  She said everything is perfect and I should feel healthy and happy to be where I'm at.  That was good to hear.

I've been having fun buying new brighter clothes and its definitely a good feeling to go in a store and have almost anything fit. 

Pumpin' Up

I got some more saline put in my skin expander today.  I was worried that it would hurt, but it didn't.  Apparently I'm completely numb on that side or at least where the needle went in.  I didn't feel a thing.  Now that the additional fluid is inside I can feel a tightness, but not unbearable by any means.  So glad!  It's pretty cool how Dr. Chase finds where to put the saline in.  There is a metal ring under the skin and he uses a magnet to find it and that tells him where to put the needle.  Once the needle was in, he pulled a little blue water out, which told him he was in the right spot.  I plan to watch next time.  I didn't this time, because I was worried I might get sick. 

Sleep is My Friend

I've never been much of a sleeper.  Anything more than 7 or 8 hours is all I can take.  I haven't set an alarm clock in years.  Naps normally haven't worked for me.  All that has changed lately.  After chemo treatments I can sleep for days.  The medicine just plain knocks me out. Last chemo I decided to take the medication because the nausea the time before was so horrible.  The medication put me asleep from Tuesday night through Friday morning!  I've also been able to nap most days since.  I've actually enjoyed it and tell myself that it must be a good thing.

How is Work?

Everyone says "Are you back to work?"  Actually, I never really left or missed that much work.  During February when I had the lumpectomy I missed three days of work, during March when I had the mastectomy I missed five days of work, during April I had the port installed and had my first round of chemo, so I missed six days of work and in May so far I've missed three days.  On the days I do work and feel good I'm able to work 8 to 12 hours, so I've stayed pretty caught up.

I've also been blessed with great co-workers who have picked up the slack when I'm gone or not feeling my best.  In addition, my clients have been supportive and understanding.  I feel so blessed.

Having to work did make me miss a "surprise weekend" in Springdale that Macy had planned.  We had a project at work that needed to be completed before my next round of chemo, so I had to work all weekend to get it done.

2nd Round of Chemo

My second round of chemo was no fun at all.  I felt fine the day of chemo, but Dr. Haslam said I had lost 7 pounds in the two weeks since the first round and that I was a little anemic.  Day two wasn't bad, but day three I was a mess.  I dry heaved all day with terrible stomach acid and all I did was sleep and feel miserable.  I didn't take medication and I guess I just got a little out of control.  I couldn't eat, drink or think.  I got better each day after that, but even today,  9 days later, I still dry heaved this morning.  I'm sure dreading the fact that chemo is again this Tuesday -- only three days away...

My plan is to be more prepared with anti-nausea pills and a plan to prevent getting dehydrated.  I'm hoping having all these supplies organized and having someone here to help me stay focused on the plan will help prevent what happened last week.

Officially Bald

Legally Blond has always been my favorite movie.  I've seen it dozens of times and it never gets old.  The closest I'll get to Legally Blond is Officially Bald.  I guess this is my version of the movie. 

Going bald was a process rather than an event.  I'm glad it all happened this way because it would have been a huge shock going from having long hair to bald all in one moment.



I had my wig and my hair was falling out in clumps.

Macy made it back from Hawaii so I was ready to make the transition.

The whole family gathered in our bathroom.



We measured my braids and they were more than 10 inches long!
These braids are going to LOCKS OF LOVE!

I thought I looked pretty good with short - short hair so I asked "Do I look like Dorothy Orton?" 
Cliff said "You look like Papa Joe." 

We tried a bunch of different styles.  It was kind of fun.

Macy did most of the cutting and clipping.... but

Cliff wanted in on the action, too....

By the time we were done I had a flat top.



After a week my hair was about half way gone.

Today I'm officially bald!

Hats from Patrick

My brother, Patrick, sent me four fun hats. 

 Everyday hat

Fun-in-the-sun hat

Party hat

Lake Powell hat

 Each one is amazingly cute.  Cant' wait to wear them all!


THANK YOU, PATRICK!

 

Answers to Common Questions - April 27, 2014

My answers to these questions might be different a few months down the road, so I'll document how I feel right now.

How are you feeling? - I feel great today.  I have energy and feel happy.  I feel almost normal.  I still need to sleep on my back, which is getting old.  I think the place of the mastectomy that still hurts most is where the drain was stitched in on my side.  It's really tight and hurts especially when I lift my arm up high or lift any weight in my left arm.  My incision from the mastectomy is completely healed and doesn't hurt much at all.  My boob feels numb, but not completely numb.  The port is a little bump above my right breast, but doesn't hurt.  It kindof feels like it sloshes around sometimes - like if I try to lay on my side.

How were your days following your first chemo treatment?
Day 1 - Better than I expected.  Didn't last as long as I expected.  I was there from about 8 - noon.  I was hungry afterward.  The worst part of this day was my allergic reaction to adhesive.  I started taking my pills at about 4 and felt a little nausea, but not much.
Day 2 - I took pills 1 and 2 all day.  I got my shot and felt good.  Went shopping at Costco.
Day 3 - My sick day.  Too tired to do anything.  A little nausea.
Day 4 - My brain fog day.  Didn't take any meds.  Tried to go to work, but only lasted an hour as I couldn't focus.  Almost didn't stop at a red light - slammed on my brakes!  Shouldn't have been driving. Tried on wigs, went to a baseball game and to eat at Applebee's and felt great.
Day 5 - That's today.  I feel almost normal.

How has having the mastectomy changed your view of your body?  I think I look great.  The incision and tissue expander both look better than I ever expected.  I've come to the conclusion that Dr. Chase, my plastic surgeon, is a masterful artist.  He hasn't even finished up his work and I'm so impressed. Right now, my left breast is smaller than my right breast, there isn't a nipple, and its tender and numb.  I think be the time Dr. Chase is finished with his project, I'll look almost perfect.  My friend Nancy said "you're boobs are going to look better than ours".  Haha...

How is work going? Before tax season ended, work was a chore.  I was focused on being there as much as possible.  I do have a great people there helping me and they stepped up and filled the gap.  After tax season ended on April 15, I relaxed and haven't worked very much since.  I feel like I'm ready to get back to work and plan to work this week.

In what ways have you changed?  I'm more social all of a sudden.  I tell everyone everything and I love everyone more than ever.  I feel more loved than I ever have in my life.

How are you the same? I'm still dying to plan a trip and go somewhere.  I don't want to be held back.  I still love Kneader's salad and frozen yogurt.

Trying on Wigs

The time has come to get a wig!  

 

Macy & Britt went with me to Classic Wigs.  It was fun trying different looks.  I ended up ordering one similar to the first picture, in a darker color and a shorter back cut.  It will be here Wednesday.

 

Chemo Care Package

The staff at Christensen & Company gave me the most awesome "Chemo Care Package."  It was perfect timing because I was on day four after my first chemo and was beginning to experience many of the side effects.

This is what the cute little handwritten note said:

I read that chemo has a bunch of side effects, so I decided to put this "chemo care package" together for you.  I hope the contents come in handy for you.

1.  I've read that your mouth can get really dry.  The Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse will help to get your saliva production going.

2.  Along with dry mouth, I read that chemo can also cause mouth sores, the Biotene Toothpaste will help.

3.  A soft toothbrush will help since your sensitive gums may bleed.  (It's pink too for breast cancer.)

4.  Since you will lose your hair there will be no need for shampoo.  The Moisturizing Body Wash will help soothe the itchy scalp.

5.  Applying the lavender baby oil on a tender scalp after a warm shower helps moisturize and keep skin soft.

6.  Staying out of the sun in the summer will be hard.  The sunscreen will help your sensitive skin (SPF 110).

7.  Your skin will experience drying during chemo.  I read a few articles where women said they liked Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion the best, so that's what I got you.

8.  Some people experience a lot of pain, dryness and cracking in their nails during chemo.  Dipping your nails in peroxide every night to clean them, drying them off and then rubbing a dot of tea tree oil on each nail helped soothe and restore them.

9.  Some people get neuropathy pain in their feet.  Using Aquaphor to slather all over your feet every night will feel really good along with aloe infused socks while you sleep.

10.  Chemo can affect how foods taste and smell and your tummy will be sensitive - acid reducers will help.

11.  Finally, the head wrap is for you to wear at home or when you don't feel like wearing your wig.

 

 

I haven't cried many tears since my diagnosis, but finding this at my desk when I so needed it brought me to tears.  Such a thoughtful gift.

First Chemo - April 22, 2014

So yesterday was my first chemo day.  It's made up of three appointments.  The first was at 8:10 a.m. to have my blood tests.  They do blood tests first to be sure I'm healthy enough for chemo.  It was the first time they accessed my port.  It was like a staple hit me when the nurse attached a square plastic do-dad to my port.  Then she took several vials of blood through the port, which was completely painless, but weird enough that I didn't want to watch.  My daughter, Macy, was with me and she loves medical stuff and she watched for me.

After taking the blood the nurse put on a round plastic thing with adhesive around the port area and left that plastic staple clip in and sent me out to the waiting room to wait for my appointment at 9:00 with the doctor's assistant, Ricky.  While waiting I experienced terrible pain in the area of my port.  I was pretty much freaking out with worry that I had to have that pain for the next four hours during chemo.  It was excruciating pain.  I paced the halls and rung my hangs trying to get my mind off it best I could.  Finally one of Dr. Haslam's assistants came by and noticed my situation.  She thought I was just terribly apprehensive about having chemo.  I told her about the pain and she took me back to the original nurse who removed the plastic cover.  I found immediate relief and the rest of the day was nothing compared to that.

Chemo is different that I thought it would be.  There are about 20 chairs all spread out in a huge L shaped room.  Each patient chair has a visitor chair there with it, so that two people sit there together easily.  The nurse first hooked up a bag of anti-nausea medicine to my port.  Then when that was done she "pushed" two extra large syringes of "The Red Devil" into me.  She told me that the red devil will make me pee red and lose my hair.  Then another bag of chemo medicine that took about an hour to "drip" and after that she again "pushed" a steroid into me.  None of this caused any pain.  Macy and I just relaxed and talked throughout the whole chemo process.

Cliff picked me up and on the way home we picked up a yummy Kneader's raspberry chicken pecan salad and $26 worth of frozen yogurt.  At home, I gobbled up the salad and rested the rest of the day.  I did feel a little weak and a little nausea that first day, but not too bad.

Today, is known as day 2 or the second day after a chemo treatment.  On the second day of each treatment I get a shot of Neulasta.  This drug helps me build up white blood cells and causes bone pain and flu like symptoms.  They told me to take a Claritin before the shot, which I did.  The Claritin is supposed to help with the side effects. 

After the shot I went shopping with Cliff at Costco and it's 8 p.m. and I still feel great.  I talked with two cancer patients tonight and they both said day 3 - 5 are the hardest for them.  I'm hoping to not be like them.

Sunshine and Milkshakes

So many friends have brought so much sunshine into my days lately.  The things they say and do and the treats they bring, the flowers, care packages, phone calls are all so thoughtful.  On my second day back to work, Julie Rutledge stopped by my office and brought a strawberry shake.  I loved visiting with Julie and the shake was yummy!



How many doctors send their patients flowers?
This beautiful bouquet is from Dr. Andruss.



Debbie Parker brought this darling "Basket of Sunshine".
It brightened my day.



Anna Laura Mitchell has just finished her chemo and
brought these things that I'll need by.  She knows
what I'll need - socks, lotion, chap stick, dark
chocolate.



Roy & Kelly Thacker, tax clients of mine
delivered a shamrock right before
St. Patrick's Day.  I've always loved
Shamrocks.  Sylvia loved shamrocks and
taught me how to grow them.