Halftime (guess who thought of that title?) :-)

Hi, all. Just a quick update to let everyone know how I'm doing.

Last Tuesday I completed 4 out of 8 chemo treatments. Hooray! It feels good to reach the halfway point.

Although the effects of the treatments have increased with each cycle, my doctors inform me that I am doing very well compared to other people on the same regimen and that my blood counts are excellent. I am very grateful for this. Also, most patients find that the side effects of the chemo drug I will start next week (Taxol) are less debilitating that the drugs that I just finished (Adriamycin and Cytoxan; or "AC" for those in the know). So, in a weird way, I am looking forward to starting the Taxol.

The only curveball so far (more sports analogies) is the fact that I was diagnosed with a bacterial infection called Labyrinthitis last Friday. This is just a fancy ear infection that gives my cold-like symptoms along with dizziness and occasional vertigo. We had to make a few trips to the cancer center to deal with this, but I am now laying low, taking my antibiotics and recovering. Most importantly, my doctors say that I should be better within the week and that they most likely won't have to delay my next treatment.

So, other than being locked in the house for the time being, everything is going just fine.

Thanks for your concern!

Until next time,
Shannon

Some Good News

Hi, all.

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I tested negative for both breast cancer genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2. (I guess I'm not as Jewish as I thought.) :-)

This means that my risk of breast cancer recurrence and of developing ovarian cancer is MUCH lower than it would have been had I carried the gene, and that I don’t have to have a double mastectomy or have my ovaries removed. It also means that my mom, sister, and Zoe have a much lower risk of developing these cancers.

I still may elect to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction to reduce the risk of recurrence over the course of my life, but this is my choice. It's good to have options, but some tough decisions will need to be made during the coming weeks.

And no, if I decide to do the mastectomy and reconstruction, photos will NOT be posted on this blog. I draw the line at the bald head.

That's pretty much it!

Have a great weekend.

:-)

Shannon

G.I. Jane Meets Sinead O' Connor

Hello, all! As some of you know, my hair is now gone. Some of you have asked for pics, so here you go! Zoe says that my hair is "soft", and you can see my movie star wig. It's a bit glamorous for runs to the grocery store, but it's better than my best hair day has ever been. (Since these pictures were taken, we shaved my head with a razor, so I look a bit more like a cue ball now. However, you get the gist.)

Some of you have wondered how it was to lose my hair. I will admit, when it started to fall out, it did so quickly and messily, and this was quite stressful. However, the next day we called on our friend Mary Firme and her set of hair clippers and after we took it all off, I was fine. (Thanks, Mary!) It actually was a relief. The anticipation was much worse than the actual event.

So, now I am bald, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that there are many benefits:

1. No money or time spent on hair appointments or products for a year!
2. My hair dryer, brushes, clips, etc. are out of my way and stored in the closet.
3. It takes me 15 minutes to get ready. (This is Jeff's favorite.)
4. I have an endless excuse and the sympathy of my husband that allows me to go shopping as much as I want for hats, scarves, etc.
5. As I said, my wig is 10 times better than the best hair day I've had in my whole life.

That's pretty much it. Thanks for all of your calls and inquiries. As Jeff said in his previous post, the second round was much tougher than the first, but I am feeling better each day and have acquired an iPod to help me get through round 3. (I know . . . I am very low tech for having waited this long.)

Until next time,

:-)

Shannon