Thanks to everyone who has donated ! ! ! !

Just a quick note . . . . I want to thank everyone who has donated to the Passionately Pink for the Cure Fundraiser!!! Every dollar counts and your donations WILL make a difference!!!

For those of you who haven't donated yet . . . . it only takes a couple of minutes!!!

Thank you so much,
Wendy

Please, it's only $5.00

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to take a minute and ask that if at all possible, please take a few minutes and donate to my Passionately Pink for the Cure fundraiser.

It only takes a couple of minutes and you only need to donate $5.00!!

The link to my Event Page is below . . . right above the thermometer that shows the progress of the fundraiser, is a DONATE button.

http://www.komendonations.org/site/TR/PassionatelyPink/PassionatelyPink?px=2736592&pg=personal&fr_id=1080&et=jck-xfp36U5IdGzr9Dc_Kg..&s_tafId=12020 ">

Keep Smilin'
Wendy

Passionately Pink for the Cure Fundraiser

Hello Everyone,

October is Breast Cancer Month and I have signed up with the Passionately Pink for the Cure fundraiser event. All donations made will go to the Susan G Komen for the Cure foundation. All they ask for is a minimum donation of $5.00.

Please follow the link below and it will lead you to my personal page on Passionately Pink for the Cure. There you can read a little something that I wrote and make your donations.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

I want to thank each and every one of you in advance for taking the time to support additional research for the fight again Breast Cancer.


Click below to visit my personal on Passionately Pink for the Cure.

http://www.komendonations.org/site/TR/PassionatelyPink/PassionatelyPink?px=2736592&pg=personal&fr_id=1080&et=jck-xfp36U5IdGzr9Dc_Kg..&s_tafId=12020

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

This is what my oncologist thinks might be causing my muscle pain. He did a blood test that showed a low level of this and the best treatment is a low dose of steroids. So he's called me in some prednizone which I have to pick up tomorrow and start taking. If the prednizone does not make it better, then it's not Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

My opinion is that it's not this weird thing, mostly because the parts of the body that are usually effected by this are not the parts that I'm having the most trouble with. BUT I could be wrong and I guess we'll know early next week . . . .if the steroids help or not . . . again, I said I could be wrong.

Today was a little stressful because I start getting ready for radiation next week and I also have to try and see if I can get my dentures and teeth pulled and also start the biophosphenates. It's all in the timing of everything and the doctor is going to get some answers for me and try to help me with making it all work out. The big deal is that I have to start the biophosphenates by November 26th, they have to be started within 8 weeks of the last chemo treatment. Once on this drug, no dental work should be done because there is a very rare but possible chance of jaw bone problems.

I think I can get my teeth pulled while I'm doing radiation, he's checking on that, but my concern is if I'll feel well enough to go in for radiation right after having this major oral surgery. I had hoped to have a week to heel up, but the radiation can't wait, we have to get that started right away.

I'm just not going to let myself stress about this . . . it will work out, one way or another.

I met my radiation oncologist and 2 of his nurses today, like most everyone else at the cancer center . . . . they are very nice.

So that's my medical update for the moment. I hope you all have a great weekend :)

Keep Smilin'
Wendy

Struggling with muscle aches

It's funny how I think because I had my last chemo treatment that I should be feeling a lot better. Like magically my body should be getting back to normal. Well, my body doesn't yet know it's had it's last chemo, for all it knows we'll be going in on Friday for another dose, as that will be 3 weeks since my last treatment.

I know I need to give myself some time. I would hope by week 4 or 5 I will be feeling a lot better. But it's not like you wake up after the last chemo treatment and suddenly you have hair, or you have tons of energy, or your body doesn't hurt anymore or your fingernails and toenails stop separating from the nail beds. Yes, my toenails are doing it too.

This week and especially today my muscles are really hurting, especially my leg muscles. When I first stand up to walk I am stiff and it hurts. After walking a little bit it gets better, but this really stinks. I feel like an old lady!!

I see my oncologist on Friday, so I will talk to him more about this. I will also see the radiation oncologist for the first time. I'm looking forward to that, to find out more about what is ahead of me. I don't know much about the process of radiation yet. All I know is that I go in every stinkin' day Monday through Friday for 6 weeks. I hope I'll be able to get it over with before the snow flies and while the roads are good.

I'm also looking forward to seeing my medical oncologist (cancer doctor) as I will be learning more about the study I have signed up to participate in.

I will write more about the study and some other things, (major dental work that I need done) after I see all the doctors on Friday.

I hope you are all having a good week.

Keep Smilin'
Wendy

Living Proof---the movie

I watched the true story movie Living Proof tonight. Wow, it was great and if you didn't see it or know what it's about . . . it's about the doctor that discovered Herceptin as a breast cancer treatment, that has saved thousands of lives.

I believe it's on again tomorrow night (Sunday) on Lifetime. If you didn't see it tonight, please try to watch it tomorrow night. It is a great movie!!

Herceptin is used against breast cancer that is HER2 positive. My breast cancer is HER2 negative so this is not a treatment that I receive.

Keep Smilin'
Wendy

Feeling a little sick, but not chemo related.

I started not feeling too good earlier this week. My left ear and the side of my neck was hurting. On Wednesday I decided it was time to see the doctor. I tried to see my primary doc but she was all booked up. Before heading to the ER I decided to call the cancer center and spoke with a nurse about what I was feeling. She wanted me to come into the office so the doc could take a look. I had to go in for blood work anyway and then I saw the doc after that.

I really thought I had an ear infection because my ear was hurting so much, but it turns out my ears looked great. About half way down between my left ear and my throat, I have a very tender spot, which I figured was a swollen lymph node. The doctor sent me for an ultrasound. He wanted to see if maybe it was an abscess or anything else that we needed to worry about. The ultrasound showed that it was indeed a swollen lymph node. I just can't believe how painful this thing is . . .I've had tender lymph nodes before, but nothing like this. It hurts when I swallow because it's moving the muscles next to it, and the pain is radiating out and that is what is causing my ear to hurt. Besides a little stuffiness, I have no other symptoms of being sick, so we are not sure what is causing this. The doc does not want to put me on antibiotics yet since he's not sure if I really need them or not. He did say it was good that I came in and if it gets any worse or I get any other symptoms to let him know right away.

It just seems like there is always something!!!! Tomorrow is 2 weeks since my last chemo. I might be feeling better chemo wise, but it's hard to tell since this other thing is hurting so much.

I get a little excited to think about having enough energy to actually be able to do something, I mean like, really something. I want to clean my barn and get it ready for winter and set up some outside wind blocks under the lean-to for the horses. I've been keeping busy doing a lot of crocheting and I'm getting a lot of Christmas presents done . . . . but it gets a little boring. Oh and I've just about played myself to death, playing Free Cell on the computer!!

Well, that's about all I have for now. I hope all of you are doing well :)

Keep Smilin'
Wendy