Day After

Well today is another day as they say. I made the decision to move on and have my head shaved as it was falling out in clumps and each day I was just getting more upset seeing it. So my friend Angie who has it too said take control so I need. I went to my hairdresser who was very sweet and I faced me away from the mirror while she shaved it off. I then put on a hat and went home so there it is done and dusted.


I had to go and get my injection today to make more white blood cells and off I went with my hat on and it was fine no one looks at you. After all we are all in the same boat as they say.


Do feel really tied right now and I hope I get through tonight without feeling sick. Last night was bad enough and there were a lot of tears but we will make it through.

2nd Chemo Day

Well what a day not good. Woke up this morning and my hair is coming out in clumps and to say  upset is an understatement. Don't think I've every been this upset. I think the reason is at the moment I can go out shopping and appear "normal" and now this is happening everyone will be looking (or not) but its the way I feel. Times like this I just want to climb on my dads lap and have a cuddle and he will tell me it will be alright, but I'm here and hes there and even speaking to him on the phone I cannot do right now as I'll just cry my eyes out and thats not fair on the old git.
I'm sure once I manage to just get the clippers and take whats left off I'll be able to move on and get stronger and just say to the hell with it and like it or lump it people but right now, I'm in a hole.


Arrived at the chemo at 10.15am did the usual bloods and then saw the doctor who could see I was about to cry my eyes out and he was kind and told me it will be fine.


Today I took my little laptop with me and spent the whole time online doing bits here and there and the time passed faster. I had my iPod with my book on it and so I listened to that which help blot out everyone and everything around me.


It all finished at 2.20pm ish and it took longer to make the future appointments and get out of there.


So thats two chemos down and two more to go and I'm sure its going to get worse before it gets better.


My blood works not so great but I go back tomorrow for the white blood cell injection and if my others don't pick up then it will be a blood transfusion oh joy really don't want that.

Date 11/8/2010		Date 11/15/2010	Date 11/22/2010	Date 11/29/10
Result	Value	Value	Value	Value
WBC White Blood Cell	6.2 (8.6)	13.9 (6.2)	8.3 (13.9)	6.6 (8.3)
Hgb Hemoglobin	12.1 (12.0)	12.5(12.1)	11.9(12.5)	10.4 (11.9)
HCT	36.7(37.1)	38.3(36.7)	35.8(38.3)	32.9 (35.8)
PLAT Blood Clotting	245 (302)	235(245)	151(235)	223 (151)
ANC 1st defender against bacteria	3.6(5.7)	9.5(3.6)	5.6(9.5)	3.9 (5.6)

Hair Loss

Well its started...Hair Loss....Thought I had gotten away with it. Wednesday my head was hurting so much like someone had pulled it really hard. Couldn't brush it as it just hurt too much. So Friday I went and had it cut shorter and the hair dresser agreed its coming out. Today you can grab handfuls of hair and it comes out but I'm not ready to take a shaver too it. Monday is the second chemo, wonder what the week will bring, will I be sick or sail through it. Lately I am really tied could just lay there and sleep and Ive noticed that my mind isn't so sharp. 
I just wish my hair would have stayed was so hoping just give me one break there but no. I guess as long as we make through the other end it will all be worth it.


See you Monday for the update

Helens Bike Ride in Aid of Cancer

Last week Helen went to a function to raise money for two cancer charities and there was an auction which did very well. Sunday she did a sponsor spin ride at her local gym and it also went very well. Below is the email that she sent out to all of us.

Morning lovely goaties

I don't have final figures yet for yesterday as I'm still waiting for a few sponsor forms to come in and the money from the mugs but as you all know we raised £1061 from the auction last Tuesday and yesterday we raised including the just giving pages £1730 to go to it so we are currently standing at £2791.

I am totally fuckered, have no feeling in me legs, i managed the 6 hours and the lovely Spence beat me and did 7 hours and burned 7100 calories during the day so i reckon that put me at about 6000 LOL, but then he is an ex ice hockey pro and has stronger and shorter legs than me. Lolly bless her sat on the door from 7.30am until 8pm taking in money and selling raffle tickets so given her the day off school and we are both under a duvet on the sofa smiling

Mugs update I'm just waiting for boxes so i can start mailing them out and getting the money in from you

Boss L  you are an absolute inspiration to us all and every time i felt i couldn't peddle a minute longer i just remembered you and pushed through it.

Angela took loads of photos (she's a pro) and she said i should have them Wednesday so when i have them ill email them out.

A very tired, proud and happy boss goatie

 xxx Boss H xxx

 She really did a fantastic job and to arrange such a big event was a master feet in its self and heres to next year Boss H. 

If anyone wants to give to the cause. http://www.justgiving.com/spinathon2010

Cancer seems to affect everyone you come in contact with. Lets hope one day it will be a thing of the past and we can all live happily ever after. 

Monday Blood Results Before the next Chemo

Had an early appointment today wanted to get it over and done with so to speak. Most of the bloods came back OK apart from two which means that I either need to start eating more red meat and more greens or its a blood transfusion for me.....But nurses said not to worry for now so we shall see next week.

Date 11/8/2010		Date 11/15/2010	Date 11/22/2010
Result	Value	Value	Value
WBC White Blood Cell	6.2 (8.6)	13.9 (6.2)	8.3 (13.9)
Hgb Hemoglobin	12.1 (12.0)	12.5(12.1)	11.9(12.5)
HCT	36.7(37.1)	38.3(36.7)	35.8(38.3)
PLAT Blood Clotting	245 (302)	235(245)	151(235)
ANC 1st defender against bacteria	3.6(5.7)	9.5(3.6)	5.6(9.5)

Monday's Blood Results

Well Im not a doctor but from that the nurses told me my bloods seem to be ok and all good. Defo feeling better this week and I still have my hair...I even went and had it cut today so defo still growing. I really hope I dont loose it, but if I do I do it will grow back but if I do get to cut a break here leave me with my hair....Below are the Bloods from the first day before Chemo and the bloods a week after.

Date 11/8/2010		Date 11/15/2010
Result	Value	Value
WBC White Blood Cell	6.2 (8.6)	13.9 (6.2)
Hgb Hemoglobin	12.1 (12.0)	12.5(12.1)
HCT	36.7(37.1)	38.3(36.7)
PLAT Blood Clotting	245 (302)	235(245)
ANC 1st defender against bacteria	3.6(5.7)	9.5(3.6)

I will keep adding to it as the weeks go on and fingers crossed the ANC stays looking good to keep away the bugs because we dont want anything else getting me thats for sure. So back next Moday for more Blood work.
Have a good week all!

Weekend Over

Weekend passed uneventful feel a little iffy and seem to have a minor cold nothing much. Just feeling out of sorts if that makes sense. Tomorrow I have to go and get a blood count to see where we are at. 


Fingers crossed the count is good and then I can get back down the gym and work off this weight I put on. I'm sure it will come off as I've been a little off my food for a while so we will see if I can manage it or it might be a little too soon.


Heres to another week!

Friday Finally

Well yesterday Thursday I woke up feeling rough as a dog. Had to lay down and take the anti-sickness pill but they made me feel nastie. As they day went on I defo felt better, so much so that I managed to go bowling and had some good scores. Did feel a little woozy as I bowled but worked through it.


Now this morning had an ok night sleep woke up with a very wet pillow which I guess is the heat from my head... But woke with no sickness and the feeling of being ok so thank goodness this a good sign I hope don't like feeling bad and sick I like to be working and making money cause at the end of the day we have bills to pay and my kids have to know I'm doing ok.


It was nice to go out in the car last night music cranked up loud and windows down what more could you want living in Florida. 

Oh What a Feeling!

Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Woke up in the middle of the night around 12.30am and felt like I had been hit by a train. I woke wet with sweat, then I felt like I was going to be sick. Then went cold. So took the anti-sick pills but as soon as I laid down my stomach started lurching as if it was going to throw up. All night I was up and down It felt like the worst kind of man flu, every bone, joint even my eyes hurt. I sat there thinking no not doing this again. I felt fine before they poured this stuff into me, but as everyone is telling me its for the best but at the moment it doesn't feel like it. 
I had to go to the new Doctors office today and how I drove there I have no idea at all, but I made it and told him about the chemo and he said he would contact that doctor for the information for his records. I also told him about not sleeping and he gave me something to help me. As I need my sleep cannot carry on with no sleep that makes you feel worse then ever when you do not sleep.
I just want to be back to my normal self and get back to doing what I do enjoying my life and my family.

The Day After

Well what can I say. The nurses were right you wouldn't get any sleep.. It got to 3am this morning and enough was enough I had to take something. It seemed every joint in my body ached and I felt really cold.


Finally went to sleep about 5am and woke up 8am to make sure Monty was on the bus, I don't like not seeing my kids off to school thats my job.


My body is aching bad right now feels like Ive been hit by a bus. I am back at the Doctors today for another injection for the marrow bone so fingers crossed that will help.


Went to the Doctor for my injection for the Marrow Bone and was told that this may cause the bones to hurt more as its producing White Blood cells. While I was there I told the nurse about the my right boob becoming RED and hot. I thought perhaps the chemo was attaching it as it must know that is where the cancer is but no it seems I have an infection so have to get some antibiotics. Oh joy .. they seem to think its some kind of skin infection


Does make you wonder what is next but I sure hope it isn't no more cause I'm getting warn out.

Chemo Day

What a day...Appointment was for 9.45am we got there at 9.30am and waited. My bloods were taken for the Blood count and we were sent back to wait. It to 10am and I told my husband to go back home as there was no point him waiting, when we have a son sick at home. So off he went. Just after 10am the doctor called me in asked a few questions checked vital signs and now it was time. I did sit there and think I could just get my bag and leave and keep walking, actually run like hell and not look back!
No I didn't I was taken to the nurses who told me to choose a chair and they would be over. Just my luck the computers crashed and so I was left waiting as they were backed up... I was the youngest there I don't think in the whole day there was anyone under 60 years of age! As I sat there waiting there was this man who did non stop talking, going on and on it was like being at the pictures when you are trying to watch a film, there is always one person you just want to turn round and say "shut up". So I put my headphones on turn up the sound loud and ignored him as best as I could.
The nurse came over and explained that first they were going to put in the steroid and anty sickness meds ready for the Chemo meds. Once they went through then it was time for the Chemo they said they had to do it slow in case I got a reaction....Once I had pasted 15 mins they let it flow through faster, then on to the next chemo drug and finally it was time for the Herceptin this would take 90 mins to filter through. Then I would be free. 


So at 4.30pm I was finally finished and was told I would have to come back tomorrow after 2pm for another injection to help my white blood cells and bone marrow. Also I have to take Claritin tomorrow for bone stiffness and they also gave me a prescription for Prochlorperazine in case I get sickness this will stop it.


I felt ok coming home nothing really different, I had already made a Sheppard's pie ready for the kids, I didn't want it so had a bowl of Cornflakes lol   I even managed to walk my dogs with my girl and sort out our ferrets, while I can still do this I will. 


Every Monday for the next 4 weeks I have to have my Bloods taken and on the 29th November its time for another Chemo. I just hope I still feel the same.


So on the whole it was an OK day just boring and I hate sat there doing nothing I like to be working but I'll take time and get better and come out stronger and better.

Time For A Hair Cut

Well I decided that I would take control and cut my hair. After I was told that it would fall during Chemo, I thought it might be better to get it cut short so that its not too much of a shock to people when Im suddenly wearing hats and scarves so I took control. I'm pleased I did because my hair was getting wild the longer it grew the bushier it was getting so it was about time.

So I had it shaved up the back and cut short on top and its not that bad and a lot less shampoo and time lol

I remember having my hair this short when I was in my teens and I like it. I hope when it grows back it will come back lush and sexy or at least better then what it was.

Thanks for reading 

Mugga Scan

Well today was the day of the Mugga Scan to see if my heart was up to it. I arrived at Englewood Hospital for 9.30am and signed in and waited for someone to come and get me and a man called Ryan appears (very young) as we walked down the corridors to his little room he is explaining what will happen. 
He inserts an IV into my arm and draws some blood and then tells me he is going to mix it with some radioactive stuff, this will take 30-35mins to mix and so I would have to wait in the waiting room and he will come and get me.
So I decided to sit outside in the fresh air and make some calls while I was waiting. I called the cancer doctor ask I wanted to ask some things. They said they would call me back.
30 mins later Ryan came looking for me and off we went.
He then injected this yucky looking stuff (my blood cocktail) back through the IV and then I laid on this machine that had a camera. I had to put my arms up over my head and he said the first picture would take 8mins as long as it could pick up the beats otherwise it could be longer. Laying there it seemed to take ages and it was cold and then of course I so wanted to go to the toilet lol After the second picture take I had to go was busting lol
Finally all 3 pictures were taken and Ryan said my heart looked pretty good and I was over 65% so all should go well. Once the chemo starts they will do this test again to make sure the heart is not suffering.
I finally left there at 11.43am and then I had an appt at the Surgeon who fitted the Medi port he wanted to make sure it was healed and looked good. And it does just looks like a little scratch.
So that was my day...
The chemo nurse did call me back and answered my questions which was good because after reading all the booklets they give you it kinda blows your mind a little.
So thats it until next Monday 8th when everything kicks off wish me luck.......