February 3 is the target date for surgery. EECK. Now that I'm here, I'm getting nervous. Actually now that I have more information (thanks in part to Google), I'm freaked out. This is a way, way, way bigger deal than I initially realized.
My surgeon, Dr. Byrd, is recommending that I take a six week leave of absence from work. I'm hoping that it'll only be 3-4. Roughly a week after surgery I'll have the pathology report back. That'll tell us whether there is cancer present in my lymph nodes. Fingers crossed there isn't. Once that is determined then I can start moving forward with the next stage of treatment and reconstruction.
Stay tuned folks...the fun isn't over yet! And thanks for hanging in there with me.
About Me
- Amber Hahto
- 2010: After my cancer diagnosis, my sister Cory suggested I start a blog to keep family and friends up-to-date on my treatment. What a great idea! Check back as often as you like. I'll try to post as much as I can, at the least after major doctor's appointments. 2014: On to more exciting topics! First up, Helsinki 2014.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
One week after chemo
Yes, last Friday I finished up the first step of treatment. My last day of chemo was pretty uneventful. The tingling in my toes hadn't gotten any worse, and even though I developed a bit of tingling in the tip of my right index finger, Dr. Kovach saw no reason to extend things.
I will say that it was an odd feeling leaving the transfusion room for the last time. I'm not sad about it, but it's been such a constant part of my life for the past several months. I was told early on by doctors and other cancer patients that depression is a common occurrence after treatment concludes. Patients become so accustom to having all eyes on them, that once they're "back to normal" and no one is paying attention to them any longer, that it's hard for some to take. At the time I thought that was the most ridiculous thing I've heard. But now I can see how that may happen. Like I've said all along...I'm looking forward to talking about the weather at some point!
I have to thank Kevin, Mariah and Erika for ending chemo with me...and it's fitting...they're the one's who started it with me! We came full circle.
I will say that it was an odd feeling leaving the transfusion room for the last time. I'm not sad about it, but it's been such a constant part of my life for the past several months. I was told early on by doctors and other cancer patients that depression is a common occurrence after treatment concludes. Patients become so accustom to having all eyes on them, that once they're "back to normal" and no one is paying attention to them any longer, that it's hard for some to take. At the time I thought that was the most ridiculous thing I've heard. But now I can see how that may happen. Like I've said all along...I'm looking forward to talking about the weather at some point!
I have to thank Kevin, Mariah and Erika for ending chemo with me...and it's fitting...they're the one's who started it with me! We came full circle.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The end (of chemo) is nigh
Treatments six and seven are under my belt! Only one to go, hopefully. More on that in a sec.
Chemo number six continued the trend that began with the switch to Taxol. This time instead of Benadryl, I was given Claritin which made it a piece of cake. This round was really uneventful. Down right boring. Literally...three and a half hours of snoozeville. The only break in the monotony was needing to wheel the IV to the bathroom every twenty minutes.
As they say nothing is free. While I don't have the nausea and fatigue that came with the Adriamyacin and Cytoxin, I now have hot flashes and mild neuropathy to look forward to. I suppose I can deal with both, but it's hard being only 40 and going through menapausal symptoms.
My All-stars for this round are:
Rod for pinch hitting and taking me to chemo at the last minute!
Cari for bringing me super, awesome comfort food!
Kirsti for soup, picking up dog crap and cleaning up my storm ravaged yard :)
***************************
I was a bit nervous that round seven would be postponed yesterday. Unfortunately I picked up a doozy of a cold on Christmas and the fear was that my blood counts would be too low for me to have treatment. Luckily that wasn't the case and chemo went off without a hitch. Almost.
As I said I have some neuropathy. To explain further, it is a tingling and numbness in the extremities. Mild cases can take several months to a year to go away after chemo. More severe symptoms can remain permanently. My oncologist was very adamant early on that I tell him immediately if I felt anything, especially in my hands...as that could interfere with my job. So far I'm only experiencing it in my toes and at times my feet feel like they're asleep.
Dr. Kovach and I discussed several options. One being a new chemo drug...which would likely make me really nauseous and fatigued. A second option was to split my last two treatments into 6 smaller weekly doses. I managed to talk him into letting me move forward status quo with the promise that I will tell him if the neuropathy gets worse over the next two weeks, in which case I'll have to take one of the other options.
Fingers crossed...
My thanks this week go out to Ray for putting up with the three hours of boredom, to Erica Jorgensen for the awesome quinoa salad, and finally to my baby sister Erika for cleaning the house (and poor Mugsy, who really needs a bath).
Chemo number six continued the trend that began with the switch to Taxol. This time instead of Benadryl, I was given Claritin which made it a piece of cake. This round was really uneventful. Down right boring. Literally...three and a half hours of snoozeville. The only break in the monotony was needing to wheel the IV to the bathroom every twenty minutes.
As they say nothing is free. While I don't have the nausea and fatigue that came with the Adriamyacin and Cytoxin, I now have hot flashes and mild neuropathy to look forward to. I suppose I can deal with both, but it's hard being only 40 and going through menapausal symptoms.
My All-stars for this round are:
Rod for pinch hitting and taking me to chemo at the last minute!
Cari for bringing me super, awesome comfort food!
Kirsti for soup, picking up dog crap and cleaning up my storm ravaged yard :)
***************************
I was a bit nervous that round seven would be postponed yesterday. Unfortunately I picked up a doozy of a cold on Christmas and the fear was that my blood counts would be too low for me to have treatment. Luckily that wasn't the case and chemo went off without a hitch. Almost.
As I said I have some neuropathy. To explain further, it is a tingling and numbness in the extremities. Mild cases can take several months to a year to go away after chemo. More severe symptoms can remain permanently. My oncologist was very adamant early on that I tell him immediately if I felt anything, especially in my hands...as that could interfere with my job. So far I'm only experiencing it in my toes and at times my feet feel like they're asleep.
Dr. Kovach and I discussed several options. One being a new chemo drug...which would likely make me really nauseous and fatigued. A second option was to split my last two treatments into 6 smaller weekly doses. I managed to talk him into letting me move forward status quo with the promise that I will tell him if the neuropathy gets worse over the next two weeks, in which case I'll have to take one of the other options.
Fingers crossed...
My thanks this week go out to Ray for putting up with the three hours of boredom, to Erica Jorgensen for the awesome quinoa salad, and finally to my baby sister Erika for cleaning the house (and poor Mugsy, who really needs a bath).
In the words of Louis Armstrong...
It's been a few weeks since I've posted, and there is a lot to talk about.
Let me start off with the amazing, humbling and awesome night of December 12.
My cousin John, his wife Laura, several of their friends, family and their staff at Mor Mor Bistro and Bar in Poulsbo, put together a charity wine auction. Every year they give so much to very deserving organizations through their auctions, this year I was fortunate to be the beneficiary of their generosity to help offset my medical bills.
I can't express just how awe inspiring the evening was. I was a bit nervous at first...it's still hard for me to accept help and I thought I'd be uncomfortable being the center of attention, the last thing I wanted was to be known or seen as poor cancer girl. But it wasn't like that. It was a really fun evening, and I met a lot of wonderful people, several of whom are cancer survivors themselves. And no one looked at me as if I were to be pitied. Of course, Dad was there too...so some of that attention could be diverted toward him :)
The best part was that I was able to split the proceeds with the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation. As most of you know, the burn foundation is one of my freelance clients. Rod Heivilin, executive director, has worked so very hard to raise money for burn research and to help children with burn injuries.
I'll never be able to thank everyone involved enough—from those who donated rare and expensive wines, gift baskets and other auction items, to those who came and opened their hearts and wallets, to my family and friends who braved the monsoon. I'd love to name everyone individually but there are too many. Just know that if you were there, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Most of all John, Laura, and their staff.
At the end of the evening, $12,000 was raised.
It's a wonderful world.
(and do me a favor, if you're near Poulsbo, grab a bite to eat at Mor Mor. They're at the east end of Front Street downtown :)
Let me start off with the amazing, humbling and awesome night of December 12.
My cousin John, his wife Laura, several of their friends, family and their staff at Mor Mor Bistro and Bar in Poulsbo, put together a charity wine auction. Every year they give so much to very deserving organizations through their auctions, this year I was fortunate to be the beneficiary of their generosity to help offset my medical bills.
I can't express just how awe inspiring the evening was. I was a bit nervous at first...it's still hard for me to accept help and I thought I'd be uncomfortable being the center of attention, the last thing I wanted was to be known or seen as poor cancer girl. But it wasn't like that. It was a really fun evening, and I met a lot of wonderful people, several of whom are cancer survivors themselves. And no one looked at me as if I were to be pitied. Of course, Dad was there too...so some of that attention could be diverted toward him :)
The best part was that I was able to split the proceeds with the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation. As most of you know, the burn foundation is one of my freelance clients. Rod Heivilin, executive director, has worked so very hard to raise money for burn research and to help children with burn injuries.
I'll never be able to thank everyone involved enough—from those who donated rare and expensive wines, gift baskets and other auction items, to those who came and opened their hearts and wallets, to my family and friends who braved the monsoon. I'd love to name everyone individually but there are too many. Just know that if you were there, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Most of all John, Laura, and their staff.
At the end of the evening, $12,000 was raised.
It's a wonderful world.
(and do me a favor, if you're near Poulsbo, grab a bite to eat at Mor Mor. They're at the east end of Front Street downtown :)
Saturday, December 11, 2010
I interrupt this regularly scheduled program...
Before I get into how my last treatment went, I'd like to take a minute to remember my Grandpa Jim, who passed away the day after Thanksgiving.
It's been really tough coming to terms with the fact that he's not around any more. As those who knew him are well aware he was a larger than life individual. Literally. 6'5" and looked like John Wayne. He was a tough guy externally but a softy deep down.
In his younger days, he was pretty....well....he could hard to deal with (so I've heard), but as a grandfather, I have nothing but wonderful memories. I never gave him a hug, but upon leaving any visit he's roughly point at his cheek and in his big gruff voice demand a 'kip'.
He loved to impart nicknames on the people he cared about. I am Amfat. Or Abber on occasion.
He was massively overprotective. I can still hear him telling me to stay away from the deck railing, not to go down the basement stairs, to be careful petting Bad Kitty and do not under any circumstance go near Rebel (one of my grandparents dogs). Speaking of dogs, I'm pretty sure I inherited my love for the canine from him and my grandma. Rebel, Sandy, Rusty, Rosie (or Ruffles and Rosledosel...even the dogs got nicknames), Rocky, Penny and many more. He loved to tell wildly improbable stories, have fun and enjoy life. He survived lung cancer in his 70s and at the end never gave up.
This is only a blip of the person he was. It would take a novel the size of War and Peace to really do him justice.
It's now a week after his memorial and while the distractions of work and dealing with cancer keep my mind elsewhere, I can't help but tear up again everytime I look at his photos hanging in my hallway.
I miss you Grandpa.
*************************
Chemo number five was the easiest by far. The only uncomfortable thing about it was the Benadryl that I was given via IV beforehand. Instead of knocking me out, it made me tired but wired and jumpy at the same time. I knew there was a reason I never take stuff like that. The main reason for an antihistamine is that the majority of people on Taxol have an allergic reaction in the form of massive itchy. Next week my oncologist is going to try out Claritin with me instead.
Overall I felt pretty normal. Appetite is still good (too good) and while some side effects have changed it's at the moment totally manageable.
And now to the part we've all been waiting for, my hero's of the week!
Kevin for taking me to chemo again and playing chauffeur. It was a long day.
Mariah for hanging out with us at chemo and for my bag of goodies!
Cory for spending the weekend with me and being a great nurse.
It's been really tough coming to terms with the fact that he's not around any more. As those who knew him are well aware he was a larger than life individual. Literally. 6'5" and looked like John Wayne. He was a tough guy externally but a softy deep down.
In his younger days, he was pretty....well....he could hard to deal with (so I've heard), but as a grandfather, I have nothing but wonderful memories. I never gave him a hug, but upon leaving any visit he's roughly point at his cheek and in his big gruff voice demand a 'kip'.
He loved to impart nicknames on the people he cared about. I am Amfat. Or Abber on occasion.
He was massively overprotective. I can still hear him telling me to stay away from the deck railing, not to go down the basement stairs, to be careful petting Bad Kitty and do not under any circumstance go near Rebel (one of my grandparents dogs). Speaking of dogs, I'm pretty sure I inherited my love for the canine from him and my grandma. Rebel, Sandy, Rusty, Rosie (or Ruffles and Rosledosel...even the dogs got nicknames), Rocky, Penny and many more. He loved to tell wildly improbable stories, have fun and enjoy life. He survived lung cancer in his 70s and at the end never gave up.
This is only a blip of the person he was. It would take a novel the size of War and Peace to really do him justice.
It's now a week after his memorial and while the distractions of work and dealing with cancer keep my mind elsewhere, I can't help but tear up again everytime I look at his photos hanging in my hallway.
I miss you Grandpa.
*************************
Chemo number five was the easiest by far. The only uncomfortable thing about it was the Benadryl that I was given via IV beforehand. Instead of knocking me out, it made me tired but wired and jumpy at the same time. I knew there was a reason I never take stuff like that. The main reason for an antihistamine is that the majority of people on Taxol have an allergic reaction in the form of massive itchy. Next week my oncologist is going to try out Claritin with me instead.
Overall I felt pretty normal. Appetite is still good (too good) and while some side effects have changed it's at the moment totally manageable.
And now to the part we've all been waiting for, my hero's of the week!
Kevin for taking me to chemo again and playing chauffeur. It was a long day.
Mariah for hanging out with us at chemo and for my bag of goodies!
Cory for spending the weekend with me and being a great nurse.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Hero's of the Midway
So I'm at the mid point of chemo now....and DONE with AC which also includes no more driving back to Bellevue Monday mornings for Nuelasta shots! Yay! Hopefully things just get better and better from here on out.
And now for my super hero's of the week!
Barb. Since this is Harry Potter week...thank you again for the wand and making sure I have all the extra magic in my life as possible. So looking forward to catching up next week.
Kevin & Mariah for once again keeping me occupied during chemo. And thank you Kev, for playing chauffeur. It was a long day, and I really appreciate it.
Bruce & Steph. Thank you for hanging out and putting your weekend aside to keep an eye on me and spoil me :)
And now for my super hero's of the week!
Barb. Since this is Harry Potter week...thank you again for the wand and making sure I have all the extra magic in my life as possible. So looking forward to catching up next week.
Kevin & Mariah for once again keeping me occupied during chemo. And thank you Kev, for playing chauffeur. It was a long day, and I really appreciate it.
Bruce & Steph. Thank you for hanging out and putting your weekend aside to keep an eye on me and spoil me :)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Almost to the halfway point
This Friday will mark the mid way point for chemo! I'm counting on this next one to go as smoothly and easily as the last one. With the exception of one day I felt remarkably good. I'm not sure if I'm just getting used to things or if it's having acupuncture immediately following treatment, whatever the reason it was a welcome relief!
So bring on the last round of Cytoxin and Adriamyacin...I'll be happy to see you two in my rear-view mirror. The last four rounds are of Taxol, which I've heard that most people tolerate much better than the others. Fingers crossed!
So bring on the last round of Cytoxin and Adriamyacin...I'll be happy to see you two in my rear-view mirror. The last four rounds are of Taxol, which I've heard that most people tolerate much better than the others. Fingers crossed!
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