Got the Date

Well, chemo starts next Monday, the 14th.  Saw my onc. today and he says I'm lookin' good and we should get chemo started.  I asked him how long he thought the tumor had been growing, and he thought probably not very long.  Her2 cancer (the type I have) is a fast growing cancer.  I'm thankful there is Herceptin to help fight it.  A few years ago it was much tougher to fight this type.
I had an abbreviated chemo class.  We were there early and since the nurse (Cheryl) knew I'd been through chemo before, she just sat with us in the little library at the cancer center and briefly went over a few things.  The biggest difference between this new cocktail and the one I had before is the hair loss.  We talked a little about wigs, and when to expect the hair to fall out, etc.  The other important thing to remember is that one drug can cause bladder irritation, so I have to drink lots and lots of water to flush it out of my system as quickly as possible.  The nurse I have for the first chemo will take her time and go over everything with me again, and I'll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
I have a lot to do the next few days!  Tomorrow its back to Regions for 2 more appts.--the prosthetics fitter and the physical therapist.  Then  I want to get as much planning for Shonna's grad party done as I possibly can, so I'll have some shopping to do.  The grad ceremony is Friday night.  *sigh*  Its going to be difficult to watch my last baby walk across that stage....
Yesterday was a great day.  Rich, Rachel, and I became official members at Bridgewood Community Church.  We already felt like we "belonged", but it was nice to make it official.  One of my best friends was up visiting from Kansas.  I haven't seen her in several years.  We used to be neighbors when our kids were little.  It was so good to see her!  She even came to church with us!  Then we went to lunch.  I'm hoping to see her again when we move Shonna down to Kansas City.  Later in the afternoon we went to the grad party of a nice young lady that has been friends with Shonna since they were little kids in elementary school.  Such a nice group of kids!  It was nice to visit with them and their parents!
Life has been good lately.  I have very little discomfort from the surgery.  I have almost full use of my left arm back--just need to work at it a little more.  I have not been the least bit sad about my mastectomy in the last week.  That's very surprising considering how upset I was at first.  That's the power of prayer!  I know people were praying for me to be at peace about it, and I am.  I have an old breast form that my mom dug out of her drawer, and it works very well for me--I can wear "normal" clothes again and not look too funny.  I'm becoming quite attached to it, but at the end of the day it gets a little uncomfortable and I slip it out.  I find it quite funny, when its time to go to bed, I have to pick up my "breast" and carry it back to the bedroom with me.  Some women call them "foobs", but to me, its not a fake breast, it is my breast--I just get to carry it around sometimes :).  Well, I think its funny, sorry if you don't :P.
Please continue to pray for me to have minimal side effects from chemo.  My biggest prayer is that when all this is said and done, I will be closer to God.  I ask to be able to hear His voice better, and have the Holy Spirit be more powerful in my life.  I believe I will be cancer free (ok, I believe that at the moment, but I'm not going to pretend that I'll never worry about it again!).  David ran toward Goliath, knowing God would save him, and Esther also had to face her fears and walk into a situation that could kill her.  Both wanted God's will in their life, instead of a "safe" life.  That's what I'm working on.
Time for bed!
Blessings to you all!
Tina