Monday I saw my doctor. It's good news...I am still responding well to the treatment. So she still wants to give me some more chemo. We'll do 2 more rounds, and then more scans to see. The idea is to get as much mileage out of this chemo as possible. It's hard not knowing the plan... I'm still working on going with the flow!!!

However, my infection hasn't gone away yet. I ended up having my port removed on Monday, which is great...it's been a problem for three months! But I'm back on antibiotics, and I was back at the ER again, because it started bleeding. I hope it's on the mend now!!!!

My chemo was also delayed as a result...so I'm now scheduled for July 2nd, and 25th. Sucks that it runs into our very short and precious summer, but what can I do?! I'm hoping to still get in some cottage visits in August.

The kids are home now, enjoying pyjama mornings, playdates and movies. So happy the summer's here!

It's been a crappy week. I had to go to the ER again on Wednesday night...I have an infection in my port, so I've been on antibiotics, which took three days to kick in. I've been feeling tired, achy, frustrated, sad and emotional this week. Chemo is building up in my system and making me a wreck. I don't know how much more I can take. I had my latest CT on Thursday, and will see my doctor a week monday. Then I'll know what's next, if there's more chemo to come.

The worst part is that I missed a party tonight!

Zachary's birthday was on Thursday...my baby is 8! I can't believe it. Zoe had her choir show this week. She was soooo cute. Their last day of school is on Thursday. We are all looking forward to some down time, and no morning rush!

I had chemo # 6 yesterday...bloodwork was back to normal. I'm still feeling ok, and am planning to go out for dinner tonight with friends. Monday and Tuesday will probably be my worst days. I go for my next CT on the 10th. Unfortunately, that's also Zachary's birthday, so I'll miss having dinner with him, but will bring a cake home to celebrate. I am scheduled for round 7 on the 25th.

The kids finish school on the 17th. I can't believe how old they are getting...how time flies! We will enjoy 2 weeks off before they start camp for the month of July, and then we will just do a few small getaways to cottages, and maybe Boston in August. It's difficult to make too many plans without knowing what my treatment plans are, and it will be nice to just have some down time with the kids.

I wanted to also thank everyone again for all the help and support. Kara and Jane have been generously taking the kids home to play and for dinner on my treatment days, and this has been such a big help...thank you both. The whole Crestwood community has been so good to us, and it just makes me feel so good about our decision to go there. The kids and the families have been so warm and kind...Thank you all again...I can't express enough how much it has meant to all of us. We also have great neighbours that have done so much to help, always checking in. I especially look forward to my dog walks my friend...fresh air, exercise for Ollie and I, and the best of conversations! Thank you.
Also, family and friends have been taking me to chemo, and scans. This has been a big help for Mark, so he doesn't miss so much work, and it gives me time with others, and them an opportunity to see what I'm going through (good or bad!) Thank you everyone.

Have a great Weekend.

I was supposed to have chemo last Friday. Unfortunately, my liver enzymes were way too high, and they wouldn't give it to me. I had a cold while in Florida and took lots of Tylenol Cold...turns out that throws my liver enzymes out of wack! They said it's no big deal since we know the cause. But this also screws up all the planning I've made around my treatments, and puts me one week further into the summer. I just want to be finished with this chemo, so I'm frustrated that this happened. Oh well!!! I'm working with it!!
Kids only have 3 more weeks of school. I can't believe it. My babies are getting so old! It will be a busy few weeks, and then we'll have 2 weeks off before camp starts. Looking forward to the summer.

Florida was nice and relaxing. We really did nothing but sit by the pool and read. I can't say I love Miami, but the weather was perfect, and the resort was beautiful. The ocean was amazingly warm too! I also had a great massage at the spa...heaven!
But as nice as it is to get away, it felt good to come home to my routine, and my people! We missed the kids, and kept thinking how they also would have loved the pool.

I'm getting ready for round 6 tomorrow. I have to say that I'm getting really sick of it!!!! But it looks like I may have a 7 and 8 too...I can still do up buttons!!! Lucky me!!

Round 5 was last Monday...I have to say that this round was not as bad as previous ones. I seem to be managing the side effects better now. I spent one day in bed, and I'm now getting my strength back. It's amazing what it does to my muscles-even brushing my teeth hurts my arm! Today I went for a short walk, and I still tire easily. But I hope to be back to tennis and yoga this week.

I've been experimenting with scarves lately...don't like wearing the wig all the time. This weekend I don't even have it-it's in the shop for service!!! Mark doesn't like the scarves at all, but I don't mind them. I like hats better, but I don't have the right one, especially now that it's getting warmer - yeah!!! I'll try to post a picture sometime.

I have been taking a course called "The Healing Journey". It's all about using the mind to feel better, handle the stress of a cancer diagnosis, take control and hopefully improve healing. I love the course, and meeting so many other people going through similar experiences. I have already been working with relaxation techniques, and find them very helpful. Now we're starting meditation. This is work for me! I believe that I have not handled stress well over the last few years, and that this probably contributed to my recurrence. So I think its going to be very important for me to find ways to slow down, relax, let things go more, and be in the moment. I have already noticed a difference in how I feel, and particularly how I deal with the kids day to day. The challenge will be to find the time to meditate daily, and to remain committed to it.

Mark and I are off to Florida on Friday. Can't wait to just relax, spend time together, and take in the heat!!!

I'm feeling kind of chatty tonight! There's one more thing I wanted to share with you...

Last month there was an article in Chatelaine Magazine that featured 3 women with breast cancer. Unfortunately, Leanne Coppen lost her fight against metastatic disease on April 27. A friend of mine told me about her blog...an incredible expression of her fight, pain and fears, and I had been following her for the last few months. Leanne said, "Every time I put something out there, it’s no longer residing in me alone, building tension and choking me with fear." And I can relate to this. My blog started as a way to keep family and friends informed of what was happening. But it has become a bit more therapy for me too. I find comfort knowing that so many of you are reading it, and supporting me. If you are interested, and have a chance to read her blog, there is a link on Chatelaine.com.

Good night my friends.

Quick update: There's no change on my MRI, meaning that everything is fine...huge relief!
Enjoy Mother's Day this weekend!

I had a follow up with my oncologist today, and it was great news. The tumours in my liver have shrunk by 50% from where they started. It's all perspective I guess...still a shitty situation, but at least things are improving! But I still left the hospital with something to worry about. I have a bit of pain in my spine, so they're sending me for an MRI tomorrow...they're fast when they want to be. I hope that doesn't mean I should worry more... I did just have an MRI about a month ago.
I've been feeling pretty good lately. I started outdoor tennis, which is so much fun. The spring weather has been perfect!
I'm celebrating my birthday this weekend, and Mark's birthday, and Mother's Day. I had an early birthday lunch with girlfriends today...thank you ladies! Then I go for my next treatment on Monday. When I'm feeling better after this round, Mark and I are going to Miami for a few days...a much needed adult getaway!

Round 4 was Friday, and Wendy came with me this time. Everything went well, and we all had a great weekend with her and Kayla. But Monday arrived with aches and fatique. I felt like crap, and had to drag my butt to the hospital for a CT, which I get every 6 weeks. I wasn't great company for Dana, who sat kindly in a crappy roll away chair while I lay on an equally crappy bed, drinking my contrast die for an hour and a half. I guess it was expecting too much to think this round would be as easy as the last. But I am starting to feel a bit better today. My biggest problem is weakness, and I even find it hard just to sit upright. I don't know if it's the cancer in my bones that makes it difficult, or just weakness. But I hate feeling like this! Anyway, I have a busy week, so this is my last day of lying around!

I've been feeling so good this week...almost myself really. I did a yoga class this week, and played tennis yesterday, which I love, but haven't felt strong enough to play for 2 months.
Wendy and Kayla arrived yesterday. It's so great to have them here. Wendy and I are just getting ready to go to treatment number 4. They're staying till Sunday. Mark is also leaving on Sunday for 10 days in Hong Kong and China. I've had so much help from everyone, and I have Thelma here now, so I'm sure we'll be fine. I'm hoping I feel as good as I did after my last treatment.
I saw my doctor Wednesday. She is very pleased with how I'm doing, and said she may even give me a few extra treatments...maybe 8 in total. Gotta go...will update as soon as I can.
XOX