Cycle Three Begins

We had a great Christmas filled with family, friends and lots of food! My visit on Tuesday with Dr. Chadha was the first one without getting reminded that I need to gain more weight. I have 5 pounds to go to get back to pre-surgery, so I am getting there! Unfortunately, I also have to get back to my no sugar diet which I totally ignored over Christmas :)

We have had a bit of a change of plans with my treatment. I am going to cancel my CT at MDAnderson and have it done with Dr. Chadha here. It is really stressful going to MDAnderson so we are just going to consult with them after we get the results. Currently my CT is scheduled for 1/9/11. I will start a fourth round of chemo while we are working with my team to discuss the resection of the two small tumors.

I am at chemo today starting my third round. I am always really sad to come on this day because I felt so good the last week. I just try to remind myself that I am getting one step closer to the end of this nightmare.

Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday!

Week Off!

It is my week off from chemo and I am really looking forward to it! Even though I am still working this week it feels like I am on vacation. While I can't complain too much since a lot others have it worse, it will be nice to have a week without all the side effects. I still have a few side effects on my week off but it is much less.

We are headed to San Antonio on Friday for Christmas. Hayden is very excited to go to Grandma's house!

Hope everyone is getting all of their last minute Christmas shopping done!

Second Week of Round Two

Sitting in chemo for the day and I have some good news! All blood work was great AND my tumor marker has come down within 10 points of normal! No promises until we actually have a scan, but the downward trend of the CA19-9 marker is indicative of a positive response to chemo. My carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level is now within normal range. It should be below three and it was .7. Yay!!!

I've decided to start planning my 30th birthday party in June. Can't decide between St. Lucia or St. Croix any thoughts are much appreciated :) We haven't had a proper vaca since I found out we were expecting Hayden the week we got back from Australia in 2008!

Round Two

I started my second round of chemo today. I was a little bummed because I was just starting to feel back to normal. The Internet was off and on so unfortunately I did not get to catch up on my shows. On a good note, I sat next to a really nice women, who I found out is a coworker of friend. She also found out she had cancer shortly after her baby was born. It was strange to find out how much we had in common and it was great chatting with her for the day.

Chemo is going pretty well. The nausea is generally controlled with meds, but the fatigue I just have to sleep off. The only hiccup I have had is a low white blood cell count which was fixed with a shot. Today all my blood work was good! Since it is going relatively well, we are going to do three rounds of chemo before my next scan.

I did successfully ask my oncologist a question he had never been asked. His nurse claimed she had heard it all until I asked if I could continue my laser hair removal while undergoing chemo. They got a good laugh and said I could "laser away!" I am thankful that it doesn't appear that I am going to lose my hair on the current chemo meds.

I can feel my unwelcome visitor shrinking by the day!