Chemo...again!

So…my doctors have suggested that I take a leave of absence (disability) from work so that I can focus on my recovery. I’m not too excited about that. I miss my students and am look forward to returning to them soon.

I’ve had two chemo treatments. My awesome husband accompanied me to the first and my sister to the second (thanks guys). It (chemo) is going pretty well. My weekly blood test shows that my liver enzymes (AST) have decreased, which is a good thing. They have gone from 677.0 to 112.0. Even though my numbers are still high (the average range for females my age is 15.0-37.0) I like to think that God is hearing my prayers and is working on me. It is my hope that when I go this week my numbers have dropped even lower.

I jumped the gun!

So I jumped the gun, and it is not near. Unfortunately, several scans, blood tests, and a biopsy revealed that the breast cancer has metastasized in my liver. I had a port put in this past Friday and will begin treatment again this week.

I am a firm believer that I can do anything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength. So, once again it time for me to roll up my sleeves, put my game face on, and prepare to fight.

THE END IS NEAR

Wow!!! Time has really flown by. I can’t believe that it has been almost a year since receiving my dreaded cancer diagnosis. Many people would look at my life and think that I’ve had a heck of a year (not in a good way). I wouldn't have wished a year like the one I’ve had upon myself or anyone else for that matter. But now that it is just about over and I have finished chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation I recognize it for what it was...life changing.

 

Going through this entire ordeal brought as many good things as it did bad things. I am grateful for the positive things that it has brought into my life and those things that I have had the opportunity to view in a different light. I am grateful to have made it through!

 

It’s all downhill from now. Other than reconstructive surgery (I'll know the date when I see my PS on the 4th) I’ll now see my oncologist every two months for regular checkups.  

Almost Done!

I am so excited! This is my last week of radiation.

Good News!

Wow! A lot has occurred since I last updated my blog.

My doctor put me on a new chemotherapy drug called Cisplatin. OMG! It caused severe nausea and neuropathy. After, two treatments my doctor decided to stop giving me drug.

I have also returned to work. Yea! This is my third week back and I am so excited to be back amongst my supportive co-workers and rambunctious 7th and 8th grade students. I’m also geeked about finally being able to get out the house on a regular basis.

I’ve also started an aqua aerobics class to try to get back into shape. For those of you who haven’t seen me, the chemo drugs caused me to pack on quite a few pounds.

Finally, here’s my big news….I am officially done with chemo. Hallelujah! I had my port removed last Friday, and I begin radiation on Monday. Thank you all so much for your prayers and continued support. I will continue to keep you posted on my progress.

3 Weeks Post Surgery

I’m almost 3 weeks post surgery and besides being sore I am doing very well. My drains were taken out Tuesday and I’ll be going to have my expanders filled next week. On a sour note, I’ll be starting my third round of chemotherapy at the end of the month. This particular chemotherapy drug will take two days to administer however; I will only have to go every three weeks. My goal is still to be able to go back to work in August when school starts. However, with all my weekly appointments, reaction to chemo and physical fatigue it is still up in the air.

Post-Surgery Update

So much has happened since my last update. I celebrated my 30^th birthday on June 19^th. I celebrated with a dinner party on Friday June 17^th since the 19^th was too close to my surgery date on the 20^th.

The surgery went very well and I am now recovering at home. There have been some bumps in the road over the last 7 days, but I’m finally feeling better. I have several doctors’ appointments this week. Hopefully, I’ll be having my drains removed Wednesday (I’ve been told that having the drains removed will ease some of the soreness and pressure that I am feeling in my chest) and then I’ll go and hear my pathology report on Thursday. It is my hope that the pathology report comes back very positive and reveals that I will not have to receive any additional chemotherapy treatments.

Race for the Cure Pictures

Race for the Cure

I enjoyed walking with everyone in the Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure on June 11, 2011. We had 26 people on our team and the weather for the most part was beautiful (except for the few minutes where it rained). Pictures will be posted soon. Thanks again to all of you who participated by walking and donating!

Acceptance

I was feeling a little down yesterday due to the realization that my surgery date is quickly approaching. However, I’m feeling a little better today.

Great freedom comes from accepting people and circumstances as they are. In my case it would be accepting my circumstances (breast cancer and other things that have occurred in my life). Through acceptance I am able to release my need to control or change situations that are not mine to control. Peace comes from allowing things to unfold as they will. So, today with a renewed sense of peace, I accept the circumstances in my life with love. I give thanks for the blessings they bring and it is my hope that through my circumstances, trials, and tribulations that I can be a blessing to others.

Fear

I have my final chemo session June 1, 2011 and then I am on to surgery on June 20, 2011. I have a lot of apprehensions about having surgery yet I am trying to find comfort in the Lord.

Finding the courage and strength to get through this living nightmare has made me stronger than I ever thought possible. Facing the possibility of death, having my breast removed because of cancer, feeling like I was losing part of my femininity... those are some gruesome fears to live through.

Chemo Pics-May 6, 2011

Me in the chair getting chemo. Ugh… it takes 4.5-5 hours.

Rahien chilling in the chair next to me…hang in there I’m almost done!

All done! Next stop Pappadeaux with my two favorite guys (my husband and dad).

Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®

Dear Friends and Family,

How can you Make an Impact? It’s simple, join me and my Team on Saturday, June 11, 2011 when we participate in the 13th Annual Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®.

Join us and tens of thousands of other participants as we all come together in the fight against breast cancer. Just visit www.komenstlouis.org/race and click on the link to Join a Team and search for my name. If you aren’t able to join us, you can support our efforts with a pledge contribution. The money raised through the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure will fund vital screening, treatment, education and research programs for underserved women in our very own community and also support the national search for a cure.

We’d love you for to join us and help us reach our goal of a world without breast cancer! Every step counts!

Sincerely,

Valencia Williams

Online:
http://www.komenstlouis.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=32545&pg=team&fr_id=1080

OR

go to www.komenstlouis.org/race and search for my Team (Pretty In Pink).

By Mail:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
St. Louis Affiliate
PO Box 790129, Dept SK

Chemo Schedule

My family is awesome! They put together a chemo schedule and every week that I go to chemo a different family member is here to take me. Thanks so much Rahien, Dad, Janell, Al, Auntie Jennifer, Auntie PJ, Rahsaan, and Malarie. I sincerely appreciate your continued support and prayers. I am truly blessed!

Side Effects

I’m not too mobile today because my body hurts too bad to move…so I’ve been researching the medicines that my doctor has me taking.

I’m taking this new medicine called Gabapentin. I did some research and the side effects are below. I’ve been taking this drug since Friday and why have I had all the side effects that are highlighted in pink (most of them occurred between Sunday and Monday)? Needless to say I called the doctor and told her I needed pain medicine.

·         drowsiness

·         tiredness or weakness

·         dizziness

·         headache

·         shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control

·         double or blurred vision

·         unsteadiness

·         anxiety

·         memory problems

·         strange or unusual thoughts –(yep…I kept waking Rahien up last night asking him if he heard rock music)

·         unwanted eye movements

·         nausea

·         vomiting

·         heartburn

·         diarrhea

·         dry mouth

·         constipation

·         weight gain

·         swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

·         back or joint pain

·         fever –(98.7 which is higher than usual)

·         ear pain

·         runny nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms

·         red, itchy eyes (sometimes with swelling or discharge)

·         rash

·         itching

·         swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes

·         hoarseness

·         difficulty swallowing or breathing

·         seizures

All I can do is laugh at myself to get thru the day. It's funny how medicine is supposed to help you and then you end up with all these other problems and have to take more medicine to deal with the side effects.

I also found this video on breast reconstruction. At first I didn’t want to watch it because I thought it may make me not want to go thru with the process…but it’s kind of interesting. It is very graphic so if you decide to watch it make sure that you aren’t at work.

Link: http://youtu.be/yMMEiy82Rho

Life

Life is very interesting. In the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.

 ~ Drew Barrymore

New Drug

I haven’t written in awhile due to fatigue and nausea. However, I finished my first round of chemo last week and will beginning my second round next week.  The new drug I will be taking is called Taxol. Through my research I have learned that Taxol has many of the same side effects as the drugs I was taking previously (Adriamycin and Cytoxan) however, I should expect two new side effects. The first, numbness and tingling in my hands/feet related to peripheral nerve irritation/damage and second, muscle/bone aches for approximately 3 days. I am open to any suggestions in regards to combating these new side effects however, I figure I’ll just get some massages and take baths with Epson salt.

Good News

This past Friday with my chemo crew in tow I conquered my third session of chemo. I also received more good news...the tumor in my breast and cancer in my lymphoids have shrunken to the point where it is no longer physically noticeable (I/the doctor can’t feel it). Although this does not mean that I am cancer free it does mean that the chemo and other medicines that I am taking are doing their job.

Just A Thought

It may sound strange but I am grateful for this whole experience. It has utterly changed my life for the better. It has humbled me in ways I could have never imagined.

Chemo Session 2

My second session of chemo went very well. I received some great news, my tumor has decreased in size instead of 6 centimeters it is now 2x2.5 centimeters. Which means the chemo is working. A special thanks to all those who have been praying for me.