One more to go

Hi all -
I know it has been a while since I've posted and I haven't connected with most of you lately. I've been keeping my head down trying to plow through the last few chemo sessions so we can call this phase done! I also caught a cold last week and that combined with the effects of the chemo really knocked me on my ass. I'm feeling better this week, still just a bit of congestion.

Well, do you believe it, we have one more chemo session to go and that is on March 25th -- next Thursday. Can not wait until this is over! The chemo is starting to build up in my system so I find climbing the stairs can wear me down these days. I've also had new side effects set in. It's always an adventure....you're just never really sure what your body's gonna do next!

I do have a few other things to update you all on:
1) I've become a believer in acupuncture!! The hospital were I am being treated has an integrative medicine department that offers acupuncture. My nurse referred me to the department even before I started chemo, but I hesitated as I did not think it would provide me with any relief. They finally convinced me to give acupuncture a try in that it could help relieve some of the side effects of chemo. I've gone for the last 2 chemo treatments and I am now a true believer in that it actually does provide me with relief. It has made my "bad" day not so bad, and seems to make my recovery time from the chemo shorter. I am very lucky that the University hospital has a grant that covers the cost of the acupuncture for chemo patients (up to $500), so there is no cost to me as most insurance companies will not cover it. I feel the need to spread the word about acupuncture now. Please, if you know of someone currently going through chemo, let them know about the success I have had with acupuncture. It's absolutely worth the try, I cant believe I waited so long.

2) Surgery is scheduled for Wed., April 21. As you recall, Phase 2 of my treatment plan is surgery. While we hope that the chemo has killed off all the cancer cells, the surgery will remove any cancer cells that may be lingering. It's a day surgery so I should not have to stay overnight in the hospital. yeah. After surgery, I should officially be cancer free (again). The remainder of my treatment plan is preventative to ensure the cancer does not come back (which includes receiving Herceptin for the remainder of the year through IV and radiation for 6 weeks - 5 days a week). While I am certainly not looking forward to surgery, I am glad we have a date when I can officially feel cancer-free.

3) We had some good news this week as well. As part of preparing for surgery, I had a mamogram and ultrasound on Monday. It shows the actual area where the cancer was identified has shrunk in half. This is good to hear, the chemo has done its job, just what we wanted to see.

Well, that's about all to report. Thank you for all your continued love, support and prayers...it's working!

Love,
Lynn