Good Morning!

Well, I just woke up and realized that I slept for 10 hours.  I don't remember that happening for a very long time.  Guess I feel like a teenager again!??  My treatment on Thursday went as expected.  My counts were good and I had no reaction.  The whole process took about 2 1/2 hours.  First I get a blood test.  You then have to wait for the results.  Then they connect the IV to the port. (the port does work great!)  Then I get some pills for nausea.  .  Then you finally get the medication.  That part only takes about 20 minutes.  

Emily came in to town to take me to Loyola.  She was glad to see where and how this all takes place.  She did not, however, enjoy the needle part.  She also went with me on Friday to see the surgeon.  I finally got my release from him! (No more draining)  Dr. Dehaan was a wonderful doctor.  I was very fortunate to have had him for my lumpectomy.  

Last night Tim and I were treated to a delicious dinner.  Head chef Anna Becker with the help of Al Daleo and Emily, prepared chicken fajitas with all the trimmings.  The food was yummy and the visit was fun!  Anna also made me a Karen's chemo countdown puzzle.  Very creative!!

Other than being a little more tired than usual, I am thankfully able to continue my regular routine.  The kids at school always put a smile on my face!  Only 1 week to go.  Wow!

God really does work through those around us.  I see this every day!  What a blessing!

Take Care,

Karen

Today was a bit different for me.  I had quite a lot of nausea which has been the only uncomfortable side effect that I have had so far.  I went to Loyola this morning to get my port.  Thankfully, they gave me some good anti-nausea drugs.  The port procedure took about 3 hours.  Terri Schroeder was my driver, conversationalist, wheel chair pusher and great support!

After a good nap, I was ready to go to Naturally Yours, a wonderfully helpful place in Willowbrook, to check out their wig options.  This time my fashion consultant, Laurie Schubkegel, went along for much needed input.  I certainly didn't want to look like Bozo the Clown!!  I will go back in two weeks to have a final fitting.  You will all have to see my new look!!!

( Remember, I am very conservative!!)

Tonight I am feeling much better.  I am trying to eat smaller portions of food more often.   Maybe this will do the trick.  

That's all for now.  Tomorrow is talent sharing in my music classes.  It's always a fun and interesting day!  The children can share some kind of musical talent with their classmates.

Have a good evening,

Karen  

Hello good friends!  

It's another beautiful day.  What a blessing!  

I had my first treatment on Thursday and I can now tell you the drug regime I will be getting.  I will have a 30 minute intravenous dose of adriamycn every Thursday for 15 weeks.  I take my Cytoxan by pill each evening.  In addition, I get a shot of neupogen (to increase the white blood count) daily.  Oh, and of course there are daily anti nausea drugs several times a day.  It's quite a new schedule for me!!!  Knowing how important this all is will keep me focused.  Not one of my strong points!!!

So far I am still feeling great.  Last night I played 2 games of bags and visited with friends.  Today we visited with Emily and Dan and we talked about their trip to Europe this summer.   I do feel a bit tired by the afternoon,  so I just take a little nap!!

I pray daily for strength and I am thankful that these first few days have been almost side effect free.

I want to share a story about what happened to me after my surgeon appointment last Tuesday.  I stopped at a Starbucks and while in line, a church member came up and wished me all the best.  Then a former parent did the same.  When I went to pay for my order, the girl behind the register asked if she could pay for me.  I really didn't get it at first, but it was a totally random act of kindness!  Amazing!!!

I am overwhelmed with the kind and thoughtful ways that people have filled my days since this journey began.  

Thanks you, thank you, thank you!

P.S. If you are reading these, please feel free to comment or email me.(halterk318@att.net)

Karen

Okay, this is it.  Tomorrow I will start my chemotherapy.   We meet with Dr. Albain at 2:30 and then I will receive an intravenous dose of Adriamycin.  It will be followed by cytoxan which will be either in the IV or in a pill form depending on which arm of the clinical trial I am assigned to.

I will also find out how often I will get the chemo. ( and follow up shots for keeping my white blood count in check)  It's all a bit scarey, but it is definitely time to start to rid my body of that ugly cancer. (which still seems unreal because I feel so good!)

I know that I am in God's hands and I have the prayers and support of all my wonderful friends and family.  Thanks for that great gift!

I am taking Friday off just for the first treatment to see how I do. (which will be great!!!)  As my Aunt reminds me, I am of tough German and Bohemian stock!!

I hope you all have time to enjoy this Memorial Day weekend.  Emily and Dan will be home on Friday evening to hang out with mom and dad.  I'll love that.

Take Care,

Karen

After much prayer and investigation on the treatment options I was given, we finally made a decision.  I will be undergoing AC/TH which is an aggressive but very successful plan.  I compared the dose dense treatment (traditional administration) and the clinical trial.  It made the most sense to try the trial.  I will be carefully monitored and I can opt out at any time.  I am praying (and you can help out here) for the mildest side effects possible, but I'm trying to prepare for whatever.  I really do not like the whatever part!!!!!!!

Went wig (Cranium prosthesis??) shopping on Tuesday to get an idea of what it will be like.  Did you know that when you shoe shop you wear footies and when you wig shop they put a large footie on your head??  Oh, wait, I think it's called a skull cap.  We had a few laughs (long, straight and red does not work!!) and I have to keep looking!

I will be having a port put in sometime next week.  It's an outpatient procedure.  They say it takes about 4 hours and I get a twightlight drug.  The chemo will start on Thursday.  I'm not sure of the time I will be there, but the first time is always longer so they can monitor how you do.  

I am enjoying these days of feeling good.  I am so grateful for all the wonderful ways that people have reached out to help us at this uncertain time.  I just can't believe the net of support that I feel surrounds me.

Moocho Gracious!

Karen

What a great weekend we had!  We attended Dan's graduation on Saturday.  He was class treasurer and that entitled us to reserved seats.  Emily, Jeff, Anna and Dan's girlfriend Beth joined us.  We had a party at Dan's house after.  The boys rented a tent, tables and chairs.  We had a cookout for all the parents, grandparents and siblings that came.  One of the guys put together a very entertaining slideshow, too.   Then there were "party games" of the college sort!

Tim and I met with the oncologist, Dr. Kathy Albain, today.  She has been wonderful to us.  We are now faced with two choices for chemo options. (TCH or AC/TH)  We will make our decision soon.  You can help by praying for guidance as we evaluate each treatment.  

I continue to feel great.  My arm feels a little weird with some numbness and tightening.  I stretch often and I have almost full range of motion.  The incisions are healing well.  I still get to be drained every week.  What fun!!

Thanks for taking the time to read these entries.  You can always email or call if you have a specific question.

Have a happy week!

Karen

 

It's Wednesday evening and I want to let you know how the week is going.  I had a brain scan and a heart scan on Monday.  Yesterday I saw my surgeon, Dr. Dehaan, who aspirated the area near my incisions.  He says I'm a good fluid maker.  What that means is that I will be seeing him once or twice a week until this is done.  I sure hope it's soon!!

Today was a PET scan.  I was given an injection of glucose and radioactive dye.  This travels through the body and travels to cancer cells.  The main concern was that I had an unusual amount of lymph nodes in my chest (a possible area for cancer to travel).  I went shopping after the test and when I got home, Tim said that Dr. Albain had called.  My scan was clean!!!  No evidence of any more cancer.

On Monday, we will meet with Kathy Albain and put a treatment plan in place.  Yes, it's scarey, but it's time to start!!

Dan graduates on Saturday.  It's a weekend of celebrations.  Graduation, birthdays, Mother's Day and good test results!!

Have a blessed weekend!

Love, Karen

Time for an update!  I had a consultation with Dr. Koko from West Suburban on Thursday.  It was very informative and she was very nice.  On Friday I spent the entire day at Loyola and decided this is where I will be having my treatments.  It was an overwhelming day.  

I am scheduled to have a brain scan, pet scan and muga test (for the heart) next week.  Tim and I will meet with Dr. Kathy Albain on Monday the 11th to find out what course of chemo I will get.  Dr. Albain is from Grace church and actually sings in choir with Tim.  She is nationally recognized in the field of breast cancer studies.

We also met the radiation Dr. who I will be seeing after the chemo is done.

The difficult part for me was the reality of the length of time this will all take, the  many possible side affects that can happen (but hopefully won't!!), and the life changes that I'll have to make.  At least for now, anyway!!

I have an aggressive form of cancer, however, because of the type it is (HER2) there is very effective treatment that makes the prognosis even more promising!!  

Today I am enjoying a quiet weekend away with good friends.  It has been a lovely contrast to yesterday!!

I cannot express how much your prayers and support mean to us!  It's pulling us along on this unexpected journey that we face.  We are so blessed to have our faith, family and many wonderful friends!

That's all for now!  

Love, Karen