Hair today....

We love it.
We hate it.
We curse it.
We cry over it. (Remember those bad haircuts, colours & Toni perms?!!)
We spend a lot of time taking care of it.
We spend a lot of money on it.
But it doesn't define who we are.

It started to fall out and yes, I cried.  Nothing prepares you for that sink full of hair after it has been washed even though you know to expect it. It just sucks! That is all.  But as my sisters pointed out, its just hair and if that is the only side effect of chemo I have to endure right now then really its not that bad. I am thankful for Bob who just patiently hugged me, reassured me and was there (...and he cleaned the sink); for my kids who tell me I am beautiful no matter what; for Jenn who works her magic and for my friends who are survivors, who lost their hair and reassure me that all is good.

Life is good. Family and friends are truly blessings...with or without hair.

Love, Shelley xo

Update

As quickly as the swelling in my mouth came this past week, today I woke up with no swelling at all!  A great way to start the day!

We have been out walking diligently every day too.  BBB's back is coming along and his speed is picking up!  I just have to remind him to either slow down or meet me at home :) Kids are doing great too!  It helps that this first round of chemo was gentle on me.  However, we are ready with wigs, smoothie ingredients, and all other suggestions from "breast" friends to weather this storm.

Here's to a great week!  Love, Shelley xo

Baking Soda & Sea Salt...

These two ingredients have become my BFFs these past couple of days as my mouth, gums and throat have been swelling but not erupting into open sores.  So I am faithfully rinsing numberous times a day, reikiing and praying this will stay minimal.

Yesterday was a fast paced kind of day as I ventured out to work for coffee break and disrupted everyone's morning...I had a great time and laughed for almost an hour nonstop!  Thank you to the crew for taking time to visit!  Then it was off to lunch with my former RCS crew for another hour of laughing.  Today I am exhausted - happy but tired! :)

Love to all! Shelley

All is good!

It has been one week since chemo started and all seems good...so far :)  Actually sleep was one of the main activities of week one! The days typically went like this.... get up, get ready, have breakfast, read the paper, exercise, SLEEP, read/knit/watch TV, have lunch, walk/exercise, SLEEP, read/knit/watch TV, have supper, SLEEP, read/knit/watch TV, SLEEP...however, especially after the steroids and anti nausea meds were done (after day 3) there was a lot more sleeping/dozing/napping than any other activity :) In talking with other survivors, we need to be prepared for days when a 2 minute walk might be the best effort for the day with respect to exercise. Both of us have found that one cannot have too many pairs of yoga pants....BBB is loving the freedom!!

Today is Day 8! Waahoo - one down and 15 more chemo pokes to go! 

 We will do our best to stay true to "eat, pray, walk" throughout this journey!

Love to all, Bob & Shelley

Physio starts today

Yeserday we finally received a referral for physio to start.  Unfortunately it isn't as one would expect!  There is a 4 month waiting list for the Cancer - Lymphademia Clinic care program unless you are an emergency.  Well, I think everyone is emgerent when it comes to cancer!  So we found a private physio therapist who is specializing in women's health care and lymphodemia through Cheryl E. (much appreciated!) and is fitting me in today!  Thankfully we have medical coverage for this.  However, we may have found a purpose for a letter writing campaigm to the MLA, Minister of Health and Premier....what do people not as fortunate as us do?  The system is broken....inefficient and needs to become LEAN and effective.

Full props to the Regina Canadian Cancer Society!  Today we went there to access some resources and came home with a real hair wig (to be styled to my liking) and nice set of boobs in a box and a bra! Wow!  Christa was so helpful and professional.  It made this ordeal very easy! And to Donna Z., thank you for the email explaining this fantastic service! xoxo

So it's been three days since round one of chemo.  We are doing well actually!  However, today is the last day of meds (steriods and antinausea)  from the clinic so I hope this state of wellness continues. I have been able to keep walking and keep up with Bob.  His back is coming along nicely too.  Exercise, ice, heat and stretch!

And the SENS...tough loss but overall a successful year for a team that was picked by the "experts" to finish last.  xoxo

Have a great weekend - eat, pray and exercise! Shelley & Bob

Round 1 AC - done!

Well, we made it through round 1!  The nursing staff were exceptional, empathetic and patient! Thank you for that!

My good friend and guardian angel, Michele B drove me to chemo today and waited with me while I settled in.  It took a longer as I had a bit of a melt down once I sat in the "chemo chair'.....it was like reality setting in...the "oh my I really have cancer" thing was overwhelming.  I looked around and saw all these sick people in loungers yet these people were smiling and happy....that may be me too in a few months/weeks. After a few tears it was time to settle in and get the chemo party started. Thanks Michele for holding my hand :)

The nurses were able to use my newly acquired port for today's cocktails.  This was good because the IV from yesterday was really sore and bruised. Bob arrived shortly after 3:00 in time to meet with the pharmacist.  We went through the various drugs and side effects, watch to watch for etc.  It was great to have him there because the Adavan was kicking in and all things were sounding like Charlie Brown's teacher "waawaawaa".  Thank goodness Bob was there for me taking notes and asking questions.

So far tonight I feel OK although there is a heaviness surrounding me - hard to explain as it is just a heavy sensation.  I have anti nausea drugs to take for the next three days too.  Hopefully that will do it for this round!

Bob's back is loosening up  - he can now touch his knees!  This is good news!

Kids are doing great - they are happy that I am home and not "sick".....I don't know what "sick" is anymore but they are pulling some extra chores around here so all is good!

Here's hoping tomorrow's side effects are minimal!  Love, Shelley

Ready for Chemo AC #1

Yesterday was a full day of preparation for chemo later today...so much so we were too tired to blog! 

The morning started with the MUGA scan at the Pasqua....uneventful test involving two needle pokes and some photos.  Then if was off the the General Hospital for the Port-a-cath insertion.  That was a little more involved than what I read!  Ouch! It hurt and I was absolutely drained after that one!  What I learned from that Port-a-Cath is the following: (just in case you know someone who needs to get this done)....

• Ask for Adavan or some other sedative BEFORE the procedure begins; although this procedure is consider "minor" and a local freezing is used, it HURTS! Actually what hurts is the freezing going in - 3 times!  So I became pretty tense as the procedure continue.  Thank God it was only 20 minutes!  Thank Mary that I could remember the "Hail Mary" to get me through it! The pushing and tugging was minor.  Tylenol is my friend once again to help with the pain as the freezing came out. 
• Sleep/rest after the procedure - that is a must! I still had one more appointment to go to after the General and I slept in the car, the waiting room and doctor's office :) Sleep is good!
• Drinks LOTS of water after - don't count coffee and tea!
• Don't be afraid to take a sleep aid - sleep helps with recovery and, for me, preparation for chemo!

Special thanks to Penny Lane and Mikayla - my drivers for the day!  LPN Bob unfortunately put his back out...yup! Not great timing but today he is moving better!
Today is Aly's last final at the university and my first chemo treatment...wish us luck!

Keep praying - we are most fortunate to have such a strong faith circle surrounding us!

Love to all, Shelley

P.S. Some of you were wondering if Bob put his back out due to BEA :).....that would make for a great story but the truth is....He was bending over cleaning Zoe's paws and that is all it took!