Julie progressing well!

I recently got news of a friend that I went to University with, was diagnosed with cancer of the appendix, which had also attached to his rectum, bladder and diaphragm.  After 9 hours of surgery, he is recovering and continuing his journey and fight against this disease.  Our thoughts are with him and we are positive for a swift and full recovery.

This news did remind me of how important it is to tell our stories of Cancer and how it impacts lives.  I have not done an update since September 2012, but lots has happened since then, so here goes.

Since September 2012, Julie has had 3 surgeries all related to the reconstruction from the mastectomy.  The first was in November of 2012, where Julie had an expander implanted.  A mastectomy not only removes all the breast tissue, but also all the skin - meaning that before a permanent implant can be inserted, the skin needs to be stretched.  At the same time, the plastic surgeon also applied an "Alloderm", which supports the implant and helps in healing.  For the next 5 months, Julie went to the surgeons office every 2 weeks where he continually added fluid through a port - stretching the skin until it was of the size and proportion suitable for an implant.

From May to October 2013, Julie was able to get back to her Softball and trained for another half marathon in September (which she completed in 2:09 - much improved from the one after her Chemo).  In October, Julie had the expander removed and a permanent implant put in.  The doctors also adjusted her other breast to ensure size and shape was consistent and to ensure that there was no cancer was evident in the left breast tissue.  Good news was that the breast was clean, bad news was that they could not match the size and the left breast was significantly bigger that the right reconstructed breast.  Of course this surgery required drainage tubes and sleep and mobility is disturbed.  On November 22, Julie once again had another surgery to correct the left breast.  While it is significantly improved, we are still contemplating doing some additional tweeks.

In addition to the surgeries, Julie still goes every 6 months to see her oncologist, General Surgeon, and family doctor.  This is all part of the screening process.  Good news is that these will now move to annual screening as nothing of concern has come up.

Julies journey continues with a positive prognosis and we look forward to the 5 year mark (from March 1, 2012) where we can finally say we have won this battle.

Things slowly returning to normal

Well 2 months have now gone by since Julies last treatment.  Things are progressing well and Julie is doing great!  Hair is starting to grow back including eyebrows and eyelashes.  There is no more pain and feeling is returning to areas around the mastectomy incision.  Julie is starting to workout again and looks great.  It has been really nice not having to go to the hospital or see a Doctor every week.

On August 11, Julie, Malcolm and I ran the SeeWheeze half marathon in Vancouver.  Thanks for everyone who supported us.  Running that type of distance is hard for anyone, let alone someone who finished Chemotherapy 30 days earlier.  Julie really is an inspiration and with little to no training she completed the event in 2 hours and 52 mins.  It was a lot of fun and it was great to see both Julies and my families out cheering us on - just amazing. 

Julie also never missed a step playing in the GALS softball league - play started in April and playoffs start in 3 days.  Julie is the captain of Team Artistic which finished second in regular season play (the highest finish since Julie has been a captain) and we are excited for playoffs.

Our next steps will be to start making appointments to see surgeon (for check up and to discuss reconstruction), oncologist and family doctor.  They will want to see her at 6 months, then annually for 5 years.  We are also looking forward to some lifestyle changes that include eating better and exercising more!

I will continue to keep everyone updated!

Mike

RING THAT BELL!

Today marked a major and significant milestone in Julies Journey.  Today was the last treatment followed by the traditional ringing of the bell at Credit Valley Hospital.  It was a very emotional moment for Julie.  Julie rang the bell LOUD  - surrounded by her Family, Jo, and all the oncology nursing staff.  It has been a couple of tear filled days starting yesterday when Malcolm's hockey team all played with Pink Socks, Pink Sticks and a big Pink sign saying "We Skate For Julie".  That continued this morning when we met with the Oncology doctor who told us that everything looked good and after treatment today, he did not want to see us until the Winter!  Julie does not need radiation or hormone therapy (her tumor was 3% estrogen sensitive - below 10% does not require treatment), so literally it is take the next 2 to 3 weeks to recover, then start growing hair again and start getting things back to normal - it was like a huge weight lifted off her.

The DOCEtaxel has been tough.  It causes incredible pain in the joints and bones.  As it accumulates, the pain lasts longer and longer.  After does 3, Julie really did not feel well until right before the next treatment (today), so we expect a tough next couple of weeks, then gradual improvement.

After 6 months of needles, poking, proding, cutting, pain, aches, and uncertainty, Julies path now is a simple wait and screen for the next 5 years.

Thanks everyone for their support and I will keep updating the blog (albiet less frequently).  We will have a little celebration once Julie is up to it!

Mike

6 Down, 2 to Go

Only 2 more treatments to go - 4 weeks!  Julie has now had 2 treatments of DOCEtaxel, which does not make her as nauseas or quite as "Yucky" as previous.  It does however make her bones and joints ache and/or be in pain (especially combined with the Neulasta, which stimulates the bone marrow) - which requires her to take relatively strong pain killers, which requires other drugs for those side effects etc (the pain killers make her tired and as she says - "crappy sleeps").  Also the administration of DOCEtaxel takes ALL DAY.  We arrive at the hospital usually around 8:30am and yesterday Julie got home at 5:30pm - the drug itself takes 3 hours to administer, but before that, there is bloodwork, seeing the oncologist, waiting for chemo, then taking a number of drugs intravenously (ie, a drug to ensure no allergic reaction, one for nausea, one to help the veins withstand the drug, etc).  Then after all that, a trip to the pharmacy to pick up Neulasta, pain killers, and other drugs to help with side effects.  Needless to say - Julie is ready to be done!

Other than the treatments, Julie remains in good spirits - continues to play softball and attends all soccer and hockey games.  We have to be careful to avoid the sun and this weekend look forward to 3 nights/4 days camping at the Pinery.

We can see the finish line!

Mike

Half way there!

GoodBye DOXOrubicin!  Last couple weeks have been tougher as the drug accumulates in Julies body.  Nausea has been by far the worst side effect as almost daily Julie has boughts where she feels poor.  Julie has also developed Hand-Foot syndrome or Palmer-Planter Erythrodysesthesia.  Here is the medical definition of what happens:
"Following administration of chemotherapy, small amounts of drug leak out of very small blood vessels called capillaries in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.  Exposure of your hands and feet to heat as well as friction on your palms and soles increases the amount of drug in the capillaries and increases the amount of drug leakage.  This leakage of drug results in redness, tenderness, and possibly peeling of the palms and soles.  The redness, also known as palmar-plantar erythema, looks like sunburn.  The areas affected can become dry and peel, with numbness or tingling developing.  Hand-foot syndrome can be uncomfortable and can interfere with your ability to carry out normal activities. "

Getting rest is essential to keeping side effects managable.  Besides that, Julie continues to do amazing.  She continues to play ball and we hosted a a group of friends from work at our house this past Saturday where Julie was up and about, including watching the fireworks show!

The next drug DOCEtaxel is apparently a little easier, but biggest side effects are joint pain and water retension.  We are certainly looking forward to when all treatments are done, but are extremely appreciative of all the support and help we have received during this time.  Also we are always impressed with the nursing and medical staff.  In fact, Julies oncologist nurse won the Nightingale award 2 weeks ago - which is well deserved.

Half way there and remaining positive.

Mike

3 down, 5 to go

Only one more application of DOXOrubicin or AC (Adriamycin PFS) as the oncologist team calls it.  Julie is still doing amazing - still up and about and maintaining her weight.  A bit more feeling of nausea this time, but managable - mouth sores were bad after dose 2, so she has switched to using Biotene 4 or 5 times a day and chewing gum seems to help (so far so good as the sores hav stayed away).  We are told this drug is the harsher of the two she will be taking, so we are looking forward to the last dose then moving onto DOCEtaxel

Julies oncology nurse won the nightingale aware this week - which is well deserved.  Roy is fantastic and makes the 3 hours at Credit Valley Hospital go by quickly.  Actually, the whole oncology team is amazing.  We have been very impressed with the medical team at Credit Valley.

Julie has lost all hair now and is starting to see her nails crack - common side effects, but still difficult to take.  I think she looks amazing!  The Nuelasta (drug to stimulate bone marrow) causes pain in bones and chest if she pushes it too hard, so we are very disciplined about getting to bed early and getting lots of rest.

Finally, Softball has started and believe it or not, Julie got a home run in the first game.  Very emotional moment - all things considered.  Some ladies are suggesting that steroids may have been helping (Julie does take a steriod for appetite) - I think it is just natural ability and some payback!

We continue to remain positive.

Mike

2 down, 6 to go

We are now half way through the 1st round!  Julie is doing amazing.  For about 3 or 4 days after treatment Julie feels blah and lower energy, but luckly none of the less desirable side effects like nausea.  Unfortunately she has lost her hair, which while expected, is still hard to accept.  I think she still looks as beautiful as ever!  I like to focus on the positives of losing hair, like "hey the Chemo is working" or "Lucky you, summer is coming and bikini or legs will look great (Chemo is indescriminant with where hair is lost)".  It is also fun to come home from work and be surprised with redhead, brunette or blonde Julie!

We are also very fortunate to have access to Neulasta, which is a drug that stimulates white blood cell production by the bone marrow.  Julies bloodwork was perfect after the first treatment due to the drug (and it is only one shot) and this rapid recovery should allow her to continue on her training for the Half Marathon in August.

All in all, spirits remain high and we remain positive.

Mike