Chemo started

I saw Dr. Hayley Friday and I started back on my same treatment: Abraxane (a chemo drug) and Avastin (an intravenous drug that attacks the blood stream, cutting off the blood supply of the tumors). I will have Abraxane for three weeks, and be off one week. This constitutes one "round". I will have Avastin every other week.

I was very clear with Dr. Hayley about all my aches and pains. She told me it was time to get a pain patch. It goes right on my skin and into my bloodstream. I keep it on for three days, and replace it. I put it on Friday afternoon and did not think about pain too much all that night and the rest of Saturday! Then, on Saturday night, I felt a sharp pain in my back that is still there now. It could be flair from treatment and the chemo attacking those tumors. I hope this is so! In the mean time, I am able to both have the patch and use pain meds. However the pain patch is working in every other spot--just not this pesky spot on my back.

I also mentioned to Dr. Hayley that my arm I had surgery on felt a little tight-- on my lower arm. She said that was a very common place for lymphoedema to start, but that physical therapy was effective in treating it at this point. I hope to hear from the physical therapist Monday as to a time to begin treatment.

My Aunt Diane, my cousin Mandy and her new precious baby boy, Jace all came with me to chemo Friday! I was feeling good, and it was great to have them along for the company and conversation. Neither of them had been to the doctor with me yet, so they got to soak in the whole experience.

I am so thankful that most of my pains are gone, please pray for this last back pain to diminish. There is also a woman from our church that began her first chemo Friday, our precious school counselor that had chemo last week, and another administrator in our district that is beginning treatment as well. Additionally, a friend is recovering from breast surgery and will start treatment very soon. I can't tell if I am just more aware of cancer now, or if it is that more people are diagnosed with it. Probably both, but we will all beat it--the sooner the better!