A bit of catching up to do!

It has been a bit hectic since my last (and final!) chemo. The chemo, as everything else has been, was eventful! My friend Kate was with me and took the following notes….

LAST CHEMO – March 27, 2008
"Cappi Making a Scene"

Roses are red.
Spring grass is green.
During Cappi's last chemo,
She caused a scene.

10:30 AM – wheezing – everyone rushes in ….O2 sat = 99% Dr. Mike Berguin came to listen to chest; Dr. Kim Gibson took over.50 mg Solumedrol (corticosteroid) – anti-inflammatory Benadryl – for wheezing – upper airway reaction

What happened was…. During the download of one of the chemos (I actually got three different ones every three weeks for 6 times) I got an allergic reaction. I didn't know… I get "loopy" from one of the anti-nausea drugs and just started coughing and it was tough to breath but I just kept talking! I figured it was spring and I was getting an allergy (not real clear thinking on the loopy drug.) Finally the nurse came over and realized what was happening. She kind of scolded me for not telling her. I asked her if she didn't hear me coughing and making a racket… she said she just thought we were LOUD… I said "I'm a Librarian!!!"

It was a bit intimidating with doctors and nurses surrounding me and pulling out the "EMERGENCY KIT" and shooting drugs into my IV. The Benadryl knocked me out and I slept through the rest – I don't even remember going home though I am told I woke up, made another appointment, and got home. Thank goodness Kate & Larry were there with me. The worrisome part of this is I am supposed to get that chemo until December. Yeah, I am done… but not really. I get the herceptin for a full year, through the port, every three weeks. I am also supposed to get something else (tamoxifen?), pill, for 5 years.

The herceptin is not supposed to have the side effects with it so my hair is SUPPOSED to start coming back and my fatigue should start getting better. I do have an appointment with the oncologist before the next download – I'm a bit worried about the allergic reaction and why.

I've also met with the radiation doctor. They put little tiny tattoos on me showing the area that has been (will be) radiated so I am never radiated again there. It might cause cancer! But come to find out the "expander" that they put in has some metal in it so I can't be radiated until it is removed.

So I have reconstruction surgery scheduled for April 23rd. I should be back to work on Monday the 28th if all goes well. I guess after I heal they will start the radiation, every weekday, for 5 weeks. They didn't really tell me when I would start???

We are in the throws of planning our "Relay for Life" team at school. Our "Welcome to the Jungle" team is coming along! Big plans! If you want to help check it out at...
http://gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us/RelayforLife.htm

Thanks again for all the comments, emails, and kind words! I am the luckiest (if not the quietest!) Librarian in the world.