Progress

Number 7 of 8 chemo happened last Wednesday. I had several really good days before that. It feels SO good to be able to say that I only have one chemotherapy treatment left! It feels like I can do anything! My regular chemo nurse was on vacation. It made me realize how much I rely on her and trust her. Her replacement was equally capable though, and everything went smoothly. Emily came to sit with me. It was wonderful to have her "captive" for a few hours to get caught up on life. I began feeling the effects of the treatment by evening, but I've decided this time to try not lying around so much and to eat on the Adam principle. Adam's attitude is that you are nauseous, so you might vomit, but you might not, so eat either way. If the food comes up, you've tried. If it doesn't come up, you've succeeded in giving yourself a way to be stronger. So far, even nauseous, my food had stayed down. I'm off the Avastin now, in preparation for surgery in November. My team of doctors will repeat all the testing I had at the beginning, then consult about how to go forward. My chemo oncologist is still very hopeful that because my tumor is disappearing and because I have locator clips placed at the site, I might be able to have a lumpectomy instead of mastectomy if that's my choice. He assured me that they won't recommend anything that isn't potentially good for me, so I know there will be tough decisions to make in the near future. Surgery will be followed up with five weeks of daily radiation. Then I'll have 10 treatments (30 weeks) of Avastin again. I'll have all that time to consider reconstruction. Everything seems to be progressing according to plan, giving me a sense of control that feels good. I don't mind feeling sick for a few days when it gets me closer to being well again. Thanks to great family, neighbors and friends who continue to ease my burden with good company, calls, food, treats, notes, projects and gifts. I'm very lucky to have so many good people in my life!