Ahhh...I'm finally starting to feel better. :o)
It's a long week of feeling yucky; nausea and bone ache
but when you reach that good day
(and for me it comes about a week later) it's so nice!

I appreciate everyone's comments and encouragement
...for so long I kept this private and after
round one I just knew I needed more
emotional support to get me through this.
Thank you!

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to chemo I go...this is #2 of 6.

Yesterday my oncologist said I have to let go of me need to
schedule these sort of things...that many other factors come into
play and counting on specific dates will only set myself up for
disappointment...so we'll just have to do the 3,4,5,6 count down for now.
The only factors that could change my mornings outcome are
a) my blood pressure and b) the blood work...I'm more worried about
a vs b right now as it's high and as for blood work it's still early on
in treatments...if I post later today you know I didn't get it...if you don't
hear from me for a few days you know I did :o)

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Quick update: Round 2 is over YIPPIE!
I was not able to take the Avastin as my blood pressure was too high :o(
But missing 1 treatment of 1 drug that I will receive for a full year
I don't think is that big of a deal. The Avastin and Herceptin I take until
October 2010. So...now we have to work at lowering my blood pressure
so that in 3 weeks time I can get ALL of the drugs and not miss anymore Avastin.

If history is going to repeat it'self I'll start to feel flu like symptoms late tonight until about Tuesday...Tuesday I come off the freaky drugs like the steriods which really mess up my sleeping patterns...but we're also going to try something new
for that as well. So if you don't hear from me for a few days, you know why :o)

Kat

Ugh!...a neighbour just came over and we realized my math is off...not so unusual for me as math has never been my strongest subject...but it would seem as though my last chemo day is now January 13th...not the 8th...oh well, not much of a difference...still do-able :o)

84 days to go...

So I woke up this morning kind of dreading the downhill run to next Friday...I know I have to go, I know what to expect, I know I'll feel better about a week later but I'm still wishing the days would slow down.

The 1st few days after chemo the hours and days seem to take forever...then once you start to feel better the days just click by. Funny how that is...

I've also noticed my hair is starting to fall out. I was told it would, so I think I'm prepared for it. I have chemo caps and other hats, scarves etc...my kids will be shaving my head once we decide to do it...trying to make it somewhat fun for them.

I've been asked how I feel about loosing my hair...I don't think I'll mind too much. I've never been really "attached" to it and I've often thought of going really short but never knew what it would look like so this way, when it grows back in I'll get to see the different stages and see if I like "really short".

K

p.s. I felt well enough this week to catch up on my Squidoo lenses, here is part 2 of my breast cancer story: http://www.squidoo.com/my-breast-cancer-story-2

90 days and counting...

Ok. So I've been off of blog land for a while. Wasn't even sure I'd return, however I need a mental count down calendar of sorts to help me get through this...when I logged off last in May I had just been diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer. (<---My Story on Squidoo)

I quietly went through the biopsy, MRI, other scans, the lumpectomy, lymph node removal, port insertion, but can I just say that chemotherapy is a different bag of tricks all together... Because I am HER 2 positive I was asked to be part of the BETH trial. If any readers come along who have experience with Avastin I'd be interested in speaking with you...

My 1st chemo treatment was Friday Oct 2nd and while I went into it with my pink ninja attitude in full mode may I just say the drugs knocked me on my ____ for the 1st week. This is where the 90 days and counting is coming into play...I need a deadline. 90 days from today I am scheduled for my last chemo treatment (that will be Jan 8th).

The idea of this metal taste in my mouth, the soar throat and liquid mostly diet for 90 days makes me wonder how I'll ever do it, but I have to.

So...do let me know if you have any suggestions, helpful tips etc...they'll all be appreciated! :o)

Today my fortune cookie reads:

Count your blessings by thinking of those whom you love.
...so I am taking an extended "online" break...to do just that.

Whoohoo! My DIY Scrabble Tile Pendant tutorial or lens
made it to Squidoo's AllTop Lenses list!

http://www.squidoo.com/scrabbletiles

Also check out my extension of the pendant lens:

http://www.squidoo.com/scrabble-tile-jewelry

...for different ideas like cufflinks, rings, etc....

New Inchies or Scrabble Tile Pendant
digital collage sheet.
Now listed on Etsy.

I have expanded my Scrabble tile tutorials...

click: http://www.squidoo.com/scrabbletiles to learn how to make Scrabble Tile Pendants

and click: http://www.squidoo.com/scrabble-tile-jewelry to create Scrabble tile rings, earrings, bracelets and cufflinks!

My mom has come for a visit during March break and I mananged

to get her to join Squidoo and write her first lens...

http://www.squidoo.com/travel-RV

My youngest being attacked by a Blue Lobster from SeaPals
http://www.squidoo.com/seapals-virtual-aquarium

I just sent Rosie O'Donnell some Etsy luv!
(that's my Etsy avatar next to hers)
I just found out she's on Etsy...neat huh?

He came, he saw, he bought a beavertail...
http://www.squidoo.com/Obama-visits-Canada

http://www.squidoo.com/greatmusings-supplies-etsy

A little bit about me, my store and how it came to be.

The family digital Canon camera took not a bad pic of the space station
(speck on bottom right corner of pic)
passing under the moon...when you consider speed and distance! :o)
Kids loved it...few neighbours out watching it.
News article from Ottawa Citizen informing us of pass over time.

Spent afternoon with fam doing our fav hobby: geocaching...
http://www.squidoo.com/geocaching-treasure-hunt

Listing like mad, hoping to sell everything off by spring so that
potential move goes smoothly (ie: less studio clutter) ;o)

Tons of new stuff added to Etsy every day.

It's coming...

I've talked about our family hobby of geocaching on here before...
Now I've written about it...check out my lens on geocaching.

Destashing another huge lot of charms...this time ocean themed.
Lots of mermaids, dolphins, starfish, shells, etc...
listed on Etsy.