Killing party today - 8 left!!

I had my 4th Taxol/chemo treatment today.  It went well.  I am getting more tired as time goes by.  I actually slept during my treatment today, which never happens. I have been experiencing a lot of tingling and pain in my feet and hands.  It is a common side effect of the Taxol. My joints have been hurting, but I think that is part of the Levaquin (antibiotic) that I have had to take twice already during my chemo.

I have been a little weepy all day, I don't know why.  I think it was because of all the questions I had to answer when the met with the guy from Wonders & Worries who is going to meet with Matt at his school and a couple of other kids to help him deal with me/us having cancer. I had been referred before but we decided it wouldn't be a good idea since he would have to go to a different place and it would be with total strangers.  At least if he goes to the one at Ridgeview, the place is familiar and he will more than likely know the other kids in the group or at least have seen them before.  Talking about how Matt and Devan have had to deal with this was hard and it makes me very angry that they have to go through this again.

Devan posted a comment on her facebook a couple of weeks ago -

Cancer. Don't avoid the word. Embrace it and fight it!'

My baby is so smart. I thought about her statement and decided that she is just like me.  I think we did a great job with her and she has learned what is important. This has been the attitude that Abel and I have taken in fighting our cancer. Some people think I share to much information - but I don't care.

When we talk about cancer and the signs, no matter how hard it is - there is a possibility that ONE PERSON might be saved. MIGHT find it early. For that ONE PERSON, I will continue to talk about it.

Thank you God for giving me the strength to do this.

On a lighter note,  thank you for the birthday wishes last week. Thanks to my family for cooking dinner for me last week and for the gifts!  Thank you to Mona Sarate and Pat Dryden for the beautiful blankets they made for me.  Mona crocheted a pink blanket for me and Pat made a flannel blanket with pink ribbons.  They will come in handy when I go for my chemo treatments..it is really cold in there! It makes my heart happy to have such wondeful people in my life, who took the time to make the something like this for me.  I love you!  

I will try to post pictures of the blankets later. 

Stil Smiling!!! :-D

Yolanda

 

 

I ♥ Boobies bracelets-just venting!

On my soapbox!

So I know the craze for kids right now are the I ♥ Boobies bracelets.

  My own personal opinion - Let the kids wear them and stop being so uptight about them.  They are supporting a great cause - Breast Cancer. Click here to visit their website.  I am not offended that my nephews are wearing these bracelets!  They are wearing them for me and all the other women who have or have had breast cancer.  Sure, I'm not naive, I know that some kids are wearing them only because they say 'boobies' on it.  But, I don't care...they are still getting the word out, they are still supporting the cause.  Kids know what boobs are for goodness sakes!!  (insert your own choice words here)  I have read several articles and seen a few interviews online about kids having these bracelets taken away, getting in trouble for having them, having to wear them inside out so the bad word 'boobie' doesn't show.  There was one kid who could continue to wear the bracelet but not around 2 specific teachers -one who had had breast cancer and the other who had lost someone to breast cancer, because they were offended by them.  Offended!!  Can you believe that...don't you get what is going on!  Wake up people - it's time to talk about it! Stop hiding under a damn rock! They aren't wearing the barcelet to offend you, they are wearing it to support you.

Okay, off my soapbox now...thanks.

Feeling a little crappy today, have been since Sunday night. I'll be okay.

Still smiling,
Yolanda

Interview on News 8 Austin

 Had my 2nd round of Taxol Thursday, it went really well.  It only took me 4 hours this time instead of 9!! LOL! The sides effects to this chemo are nothing compared to the A/C that I was on to begin with.  I am tired pretty much all the time and my joints hurt some but overall, not bad.  I have 10 rounds of chemo to go then I will find out when I will do the radiation.

The last time I was at chemo, there was a gentleman there who was in extreme pain.  He kept calling to God to help him with the pain and I kept thinking to myself - what have I got to complain about, I'm not hurting like he is! God please ease his pain!  His wife was sitting in front of him and he sat forward.  They were sitting with their foreheads touching and praying quietly, I could see the tears streaming down her face and it broke my heart and made me happy at the same time.  It broke my heart - because I know she was hurting for him and the pain he is going through.  I remember feeling the exact same thing when Abel was getting his  IVAC sponges changed during his ordeal with cancer and I he was in so much pain.  It made me happy - to know that he wasn't alone. I am so thankful that I have Abel, my family and friends to help me through this.  God please be with all those that have no one.

I had mentioned a while back that I had been asked to interview with Crestina Chavez of News  8 Austin for her Breast Cancer Series.  Well, it came on Friday night.  Click here to watch.  I remember be so nervous about the interview, I don't know why.  I guess because I wanted to make my words count for something.  Does that make sense?   Crestina did a great job with the series, although - I didn't know the camera was still on when I said - "Look at me talking about my boobs." in front of the camera guy.  I just meant that as long as one woman is able to find her cancer because she knows you cancer is not only about 'the lump' - then its worth talking about.

On a lighter note - my cousins came into town to see me this weekend-Sylvia, Sandra, Leti and her daughter Eiliza.  It was great to spend time with them.  We laughed so much!!  Then mom and I went to see 'You Again'.  It was a funny movie.  Abel and Matt are finally home from Lubbock and Devan had a great weekend too! Great ending to an awesome weekend!

Still Smiling!
Yolanda

Quick update on today's Killing Party #5

Friends,

Started my new Chemo/Taxol today.  My nurse today, Noel, has been a cancer nurse for 24 years. She said in her 24 years she has only had one patient have an allergic reaction to the Taxol.  SOOOOOOO OF COURSE! I couldn't let that be a record, so I had a reaction too!!!!  I felt like I was going to pass out, my heart starting beating really slow, I felt a lot of pressure in my chest and I got really HOT!  They stopped the Taxol, started IV Fluids and gave me another does of Benedryl and Steroids.  After about an hour they started the Taxol again at a slower drip and I was fine.  I was tired for a while, but overall I feel pretty good.  My stomach hurt a little at first, but I took some medicine and I felt much better.  I hope it continues to be this way.  So ready to feel better.

Special thank you to UTHOPE, Yang and Amanda came out and cleaned my house for me this weekend.  They are students at UT and gave up a few hours of their Saturday morning to come do something nice for us.  Words can not express the gratitude we have for them.  God is watching what you do Yang and Amanda and he will give you rewards for the kindness you show to those in need. Thank you!! And thanks to Breast Cancer Resource Center, especially Phyllis for getting us together!!  Also, thanks to Crestina Chavez, News 8 Austin, for coming out and interviewing them while they worked.  What a great way to get the word out about UTHOPE!  For those of you who are interested, the interviews will be on Time Warner Cable (News 8) on October 12 (UTHOPE) and for the interviews about Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer in Hispanic women- October 14th, and October 15th.  You can also view them on News 8 Austin. 


Hugs!!!
Yolanda