Half way there!

Well I'm half way to finishing my chemo.  Today was my 4th treatment and my last of the AC chemotherapy.  Yay!  This past cycle was a little tough only because I picked up a cold.  I had a swore throat and bad cough but no fever so I was able to stay out of the hospital, so that was good.   I've been feeling better the last couple of days, only a little cough now.
My treatment today was uneventful.  It was the first time being hooked up with the port, but it went really well.  I put on some emla cream to freeze up my skin over my port and I really didn't feel much more than a small pick and a little pressure when the needle when in.  I did have a very experienced nurse though so that may have helped too. :-)
At my oncology visit this week Dr. Young went over the side effects of the Taxotere that I will be starting on my next chemo day on Nov. 13th.  The nausea shouldn't be as bad, but I will most likely have muscle and bone achiness and more fatigue.  I still will have the hair loss unfortunately and I might experience brittle nails and eye watering as well.  I'll also be starting my Herceptin drug with the Taxotere which will continue on for the next year, every 3 weeks.   That's depressing just thinking about it, but it's necessary so I'll deal.
I'm going to see how the first Taxotere goes but I'm thinking I'll be going back to work part time at the end of November.  My boss and director have been super supportive and said they would be fine with me coming back part time to start while I finish up my the last 3 chemo treatments.  I'm looking forward to getting back to our regular routines and keeping my mind busy.
Some good news that I'm excited about is that we have booked a vacation to Jamaica in February with my family!  My sister is getting married there on February 27th so we plan to spend 6 days at the Beaches Negril resort and then 4 days at the Coral Cove resort where her wedding is.  It's perfect timing since I'll be able to go to Jamaica and then come back and do my surgery.  I'm so excited to go and spend some time with my family and our friends and it's really nice to have something fun to look forward to.
Take care everyone.

Port-a-Cath In

Wednesday at 7:45 am was my appointment to get my port-a-cath inserted into my chest.  I need to thank my wonderful sister again for driving over to pick me up so early to take me so John could get the kids ready for school and daycare. 
The procedure went well I'm told.  Dr. Watters was the surgeon who did the procedure and I was happy about that since he is my surgeon doing my surgery next year as well.  He got it in one of my main veins on the first try, which the nurse said was very good.  So the port is about the size of a quarter and is sitting just under my skin and the tubing is fed into one of my main veins.  I think it's my subclavian vein, but I can't remember for sure. 
I was given an IV with a "cocktail" that was supposed to make me a bit tired and a little unaware of what was happening.  I was expecting it to be a little more potent, since I was pretty much aware of what was going on and was talking to the nurses during the procedure.  I have to say the nurses and the anaesthetist Dr. Garnett were outstanding!  They put me at ease as soon as I got there and Dr. Garnett was so funny.  Dr. Watters gave me a local anesthetic as well so I didn't feel anything.  The most important part for me was that my face was shielded from seeing anything.  I was extremely grateful for that since my tolerance for needles and my own blood is very very low. 
I still have a dressing on until tomorrow but hopefully it won't freak me out for long having this device sticking out my skin.  I'm told I'll get used to it.
After the procedure I went to see my oncologist for my regular appointment.  I was a bit woosy for that, but John was with me to help me around :-).  Dr. Young was very encouraged to see my tumor has continued to shrink.  I also got confirmation as well that my bone scan and abdominal ultrasound were clear. 
After the appointment the pain started to set in.  I couldn't believe how much any movement I did was so painful.  I can't even imagine what's it's going to be like after a mastectomy. 
Thursday was my the third chemo treatment.  It went relatively well.  They actually left in the tube ready to go in my port so the nurses didn't have to pick me so that was nice.  All they had to do was just hook me up and start the meds.
I'm still feeling good so far.  The nausea medication seems to be still working.  Our friends Mel and Dave flew down from Timmins to come to my treatment and help us out for the weekend.  So I have to give them such a big thank you for coming all this way.  They have been such a big help and Sam and Matt always love to see their Auntie Melli and Uncle Dave.
It still amazes me how lucky we are that we have such good friends and family.  Everyone has been so generous and kind.  They are so many people to thank that have sent cards, emails, gifts, brought over food, sent flowers or have even have made time to help out around the house on chemo weekends or have made time for John when he needed some time out of the house too.  I know I haven't gotten all my thank you cards out so I want to apologize if I haven't sent one to you yet.  Take care and thanks again to everyone!