1/2 Way thru Chemo!

It's been a few weeks since my last post. Things have been going very well. I did very well the 2nd cycle of chemo (with the exception of being tired and dehydrated the week following chemo), but once I get passed that hump, I seem to bounce back quite nicely! At least now, I know what to expect, and the Neulasta shot helped my white blood cell count not drop!

Today I had my 3rd chemotherapy infusion, so 3 down and 3 to go! Today, I got the results back from my genetic testing, and I DO NOT carry the breast cancer gene!! I feel relieved by this, so I don't have to live with the guilt that this is something I may have passed down to my children.

So where do I go from here these next few weeks? On the 29th I am having another MRI to make sure the cancer in my breast and lymph nodes is responding to the chemo. I am very anxious to have this done, so I have a piece of mind knowing our plan is working! I've had 2 doctors do breast exams who believe that things are shrinking up nicely, but the MRI will give us all a much better picture of this. I follow up in Iowa City on March 18th for some pre-op appointments with the surgeons. We will schedule my surgery at that appointment after I have all 6 cycles of chemo. My last chemo is scheduled for April 7th so I'm guessing my surgery will be in May sometime.

On a more personal note, I want to share a couple of things I have learned thru my experience so far. When I shared my story thru my first blog, 5 days after learning I had cancer, I got mixed reactions from a few. I had those who said "Way to go! I love that you are sharing your story and not keeping it a secret." I had a few say "This isn't me, this is too private, not for the whole world to know, etc" First of all, I don't disagree with either. I was not sure I wanted to put it all out there, and my reasoning for doing so was it was an easy way to keep many informed who need to know and care about me. I panicked by posting it on Facebook, but IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID! My mom told me early on that it does help to talk about it, and thru this blog I have been connected to many who have been thru breast cancer or who have been thru tragedy and I find talking to others about our experiences so empowering. I have learned that I am not alone in this, and by talking to others I am being connected to a whole world of resources that I need! I really want to help others going forward who have cancer, so if any of you know of someone who needs to talk, please connect them to me! No one is alone in this, and if someone wants to talk or ask questions, I want to help others whether I know them or not. I've gotten some great advice and therapeutic talks from those I've never met, but we share this now common bond. It's a powerful feeling to be supported by so many.

This leads up to my second point. Someone who reached out to me early on stated "You will go thru hell this next year, but believe me when I say, you will experience many blessings along the way." That comment really stuck with me, and I am experiencing blessings each and everyday from my "Angie Strong" supporters! Ryan and I had a conversation about how we can possibly thank everyone, or how can we pay this love and support forward??? Whether you are a member of our family, a close friend, a not so close friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or an aquaintence who has brought us a meal, organized a meal, sent a gift card, a gift, or even a card or a Facebook message, please know WE APPRECIATE IT ALL SO VERY MUCH! Before my own experience with cancer this year (my moms diagnosis and my own), I shamefully admit I was not the first person to reach out. After so many supporting my family these last 5 months, I can promise you all if you need anything, I'm going to be the first person to be there for you! I promise! It's been a blessing to be supported the way we have been. Without a doubt, I've been blessed by many thru this awful health diagnosis, and it's the blessings that are going to make me survive it!

Thank you all for doing what you have done, and thank you for reading my blog. Until next time, have a great one!

Angie

PS - A few photos from the last few weeks...

Mom and I (cancer survivors) hanging out!!