Patience and Predictability

Life is never predictable.  I thought I knew what to expect of the past couple weeks.  I did 2 of the 3 chemo drugs back in early 2015 for breast cancer, and I did radiation just this May - so I should know what to expect and based on that I would be feeling pretty good by now.

Not exactly - of course I did radition of a different kind and then almost immediately did chemo.  And my brain had lesions in it that were affecting my vision.  And later in the 2 weeks found out I had an infection layered on top.  So my mobility has been really limited - only walk with a cane and someone's arm, need help going to the washroom. I also became weaker overall and then had the normal chemo stuff - mouth sores that limited what I could eat, grey days etc. My vision issues (basically double vision) have not resolved so that added to the muddy mix and made reading and texting a challenge 

The good news is I'm seeing some improvement in most areas.  My eye is opening, I have moments of seing "one" of something, infection is resolving, strength building.  I am hoping for a big recovery week so I'm ready for another round of chemo starting in a week.

Friday an "access" team will try to put either a port or pick line into my chest/neck or arm, depending on what they think.  I'll be happy when that's done.

I had some bright points during the chemo/radiation storm - my cousins Brant and Shawn were in Calgary on their Western Canada tour ;) last Thursday and stopped by to see me.  My mom's cousin Ellen was in Calgary this past weekend so we relived some of our July lake adventure. 

So I was reminded you can't really predict what is going to happen.  And patience is everything.  And I am so grateful for everyone's love, messages, prayers, support.  And we take for granted being able to get up, go to the washroom and eat what we want. 

Tricia

Radiation Chemo and hope for quality

Short update...finished 5 radiation treatments last week. Different than the radiosurgery I did in May - shorter in length and more "widespread" in location. Objective purely to reduce vision symptoms. Outcome or success won't be realized for at least another week but I have noticed a slight reopening of left eye and some reduction in left pupil size during past couple days which gives me HOPE for next week :)

Until the eyes return walking to washroom and any other moves are really tough so mom and dad have been critical caregivers for a couple weeks now.

Dr. Nixon (oncologist covering Dr. Stewart) continues to be amazing and we will start a 3 drug Chemo cycle tomorrow bright and early. First cycle will take all day as they have to watch for drug reactions and run it real slow as it will go through my hand veins. Assuming all goes as planned, I'll feel worse later this week then start to rebound from both radiation and Chemo next week - with 5 more three week cycles after this one.

Sometime before I start the next round they will get a port or pik line in me too....making it easier to infuse treatment.

So things are busy! And very tiring! Energy limited but I have more hope the treatments will get me more quality for however long I can push this. I can read with one eye so thanks for messages love and thoughts you send. Don't be offended if j don't respond 😊💙. Love Tricia