write write write your blog...

I think I may be the worst blogger ever! I never take the time to let everyone know what's going on. I have taken to blogging on my phone and therefore, no photos this entry!

Well, 2 weeks after I had my port placed, I was back under the knife. The port had come unattached and flippedd. They ended up sending me to radiology to have it manually flipped back (PAINFUL) and accessed there for chemo. Today marks 2 weeks since the last surgery and Dr. Moore got that thing straight! He's awesome! He even told me that if he had to, he would use baling wire. I like a sense of humor in my doctors.

So, chemo is going right along. I have lost my hair...photos soon. I have 4 fabulous new wigs, so you never know if I'll be bald or wigging out.

The pain from the chemo is being held at bay with a VERY low dose pain patch. I don't feel doped up, but I am generally able to function. I haven't driven in about a month, but that's okay. I just know my reactions aren't what they should be.

I got another tattoo. This one is in honor of my dad. Pizza Hut Pete with his signature. It looks great! I think this will be it, if everyone would just stop dying on me.

Well, I will post more later and even some pics!

With love and gratitude,
Tara

[i wrote this on my iphone...sorry no photos!]

Surgery Today

I am getting ready to go to CMCNE where Dr. Moore is going to put in a port to make once-a-week chemo easier! I will have surgery today and the weekend to recover, then back to the grind of chemo on Monday. To help keep my spirits up, my cousins, Barry and Jeff, will be in town for the weekend. I'm looking forward to the laughs!

Love and gratitude,
Tara

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

the news

I am sorry it has taken me a week to update everyone on THE NEWS! I did my PET & Bone Scans last week and called Dr. Steffen's office first thing Thursday morning to find out results. Karey got back with me that afternoon and I did not get good news. The pet scan showed activity in lymph nodes in my lower abdomen (near my right kidney), my upper abdomen (near my aorta) and under my right arm. The bone scan showed that there is improvement in those original tumors but, paradixically, there is new activity in my ribs, right femur, left femur, left tibia and on the outer skull. So, needless to say, the time has come for a change of plan.

I started chemotherapy yesterday. I will be continuing on the Zometa and the Lupron, but we are stopping the Faslodex. I started a once a week regimen of Taxol and an every other week Avasten. The treatment took FOREVER. I got to the hospital @ 9am to get some x-rays of those bones in the left leg and Tina (IV QUEEN) Cull put in my IV. Then I headed over to the cancer center for my treatment. Of course, I dosed myself on Xanex and slept through most of it, but we didn't leave until 6:45 yesterday evening.

I brought my entourage, Mom, Gus, Eric, Mary Ann Chopko and Tina! I saw some if my old friends from over the many years I have been a patient there and overall, it was a pleasent experience.

This morning, I am feeling a little pukey, but not too bad. I will start losing my hair in 2-4 weeks. I have an appointment with Dr. Moore (the surgeon who did my mastectomy) at 10.15 today and sometime this week he will put a port in my chest to give those poor old veins a rest!

Overall, I accepted so much of this a long time ago and I am not ready to give up the battle! Continue sending your vibes my way and with everyone's help, I just might win this fight!

Love and gratitude!
Tara

And, I must give my mother a public shout-out for my new Ikea chaise lounge! I will be recovering in style and comfort! Thanks Mom!

Mobile Blogging from here.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]