Happy Easter

This last week and weekend has been great.  You certainly would not know that I had been sick, or not felt well.  It is true for the cycle of chemo - the three week time frame the first week is no bueno, 2nd is ok, 3rd is great.  I have been able to visit with my sisters and parents all weekend.  The kids have had a terrific time playing with their cousins.

SO, now for the second round of chemo - it starts this Tuesday.  Yeah!! (I guess...)

I am anxious to get another round of chemo behind me.  I will say that the miracle of medicine is amazing.  I had a check up with the doc this past week, and I verified with the doc that my cancer has disappeared!  Yes, that is right.  I have and am responding to the chemo.  Simply amazing.  The lump (or tumor) is gone.  It cannot be felt!  WHOO HOO  :)

Wish me luck on my round of chemo this week.  Prayers and thoughts coming our way.
Oh, by the way--Ben has been on pretty good behavior.  Not sure, if he just waits to misbehave for when I do not feel well.  But, I do know he does deserve a Great Dad and Hubby Award.

XOXO,
Alice

Recap of Last Week

Hi.  Last week went by with a sore throat, chills (fever) which was not a good thing to have.  But, I went to the doctor got medicine and felt much better. 

I am feeling as good as can be Today!  Minor issue is occuring--Loosing my hair.  Well, I knew this was going to happen.  Just not this quick.  So, it sure has taken me by suprise.  It is very strange not having my headful of thick hair.  I mean it is way thin., to the point it looks yucky.  I am leaving for a checkup this afternoon, so on my way I will be making a quick stop off at the Hairdressers (it will be a quick visit).  I have plans to go Wig Shopping tomorrow, also - for scarves, hats etc...

For once, Ben might be at a loss for words with this hair loss.  Maybe, he thought his Status of being the only one in the house with the least amount of hair would --Never be challenged.  I sort of think, I will have this "one up" on him. (Ha Ha)

It's Alice...

Hi everyone, O.K. So this is my first attempt at blogging.  I'm gonna give it a try.  Thanks to my wonderful friend Bridget who set this up in conjunction with Ben.

A recap of the week,  I received my first chemo treatment of eight on Tuesday ( March 12). I had  a nice cozy room to myself  at the infusion clinic.  It used to be an ICU section but now converted.  I was there for about four hours. I received my chemo concoction, saline, and a ton of information.  The nurses were great and of course Ben was there to try and make this all about him.  ( you know was he comfortable? no, he had a regular chair not my lounge chair, should he eat something? What should it be?  All kidding aside we all know Ben and this is how he operates to try and make the time fly by).

Since receiving my chemo, I have just experienced a little bit of side effects. Like- Dizziness, being tired and sore throat.  So on a scale of one to ten ( 10 being the best !)  I would rate how I feel as a 7 1/2 maybe 8.

Spring Break for the kids was great.  To be honest, this week was probably the hardest on me not because of starting chemo but because this was the first spring break EVER that I did not spend with the kiddos.

Besides keeping you all updated on the blog, I need to buy a little calendar book to keep track of my side effects to make the docs aware and I can reflect back on (maybe) and I need to buy a little book that I'm calling Ben's Blunders.  Seriously, everyone of you know how Ben is and his humor or lack there of.  HaHa.  He has a minimum of 10 blunders a day he can make, this might fluctuate.   For example, a blunder is as simple as him saying "Alice, when will dinner be ready?" Or the laundry is not going to be put away by itself!

All my love to friends and family.  XOXO ~ Alice B.

What I love about Sunday's...

The population at Bauderland this weekend is 3 rather than the usual 7.  The littles are out vacationing while Ben and Alice are hanging out with Caroline.  Good times for all!  It is sort of like a pre-party to kick off this get rid of cancer show. The port is in and the chemo will start Tuesday morning.  There is a plan and they are ready to get the show going.

 James 5:13-14 says, "is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord."

After church on Sunday, Alice recevied the Anoninting of the Sick Sacrament from the priest.  The anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement and temptation and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC1520).   This is a blessing and a reminder that God is always with us.  Alice sure doesn't seem "sick" but the reality is she is and cancer is ugly.  This will be a journey and Alice is ready to get it started and is looking forward to the day we celebrate her full recovery!  Join us in praying for comfort, healing and a peace that surpassing all understanding.

Home Sweet Home...

Alice is home now and glad to be there.  The surgery was uneventful and the port is now in and ready to deliver the chemo to kick the cancer OUT!  Chemo starts Tuesday.  Anyone got any fabulous book recommendations?  She likes to read and a good book may pass the time while she gets her treatment. If she isn't reading, I am sure Ben will provide some random entertainment.  The thought of that possibility is reason enough to recommend a good  - even just okay - book! Am I right?

They are doing well.   She was all smiles going into surgery.  Ben was a trooper, too.  A great attitude makes life easier and Alice is certainly a great attitude sort of person.  The treatment plan is underway...a crazy three weeks, it has been for them.

The Accessory Necessity...

Alice is getting her newest accessory today at Methodist.  Not exactly a fashionable one but I am sure she will look beautiful wearing it!  Her testing went well this morning.  She is doing well, feels informed and is getting prepped for the surgery.  She should go home after recovery.  And as always, her attitude is GREAT!  We will keep you posted.

Game Plan...

So after gathering more information we now have a game plan.  The MRI from Friday further confirmed that the lymph nodes seem untouched by the cancer - yeah!  The MRI did offer a more definitive measure of the tumor which is larger than originally thought.  It measures 2.3cm and since the stage is based on size it is considered stage 2 rather than stage 1.  After meeting with the oncologist and plastic surgeon, already this week, the team is ready to kick off the treatments.  All the doctors are in agreement so.....

Drum roll, plzzzzzz!
The chemo will be first then the surgery.  Surreal but that is the plan and it is a good one.

Alice will have some lab work in the next few days and then will have a port put in on Friday.   The port is the means by which the chemotherapy will be administered.  It will be a 6 month chemo plan which will consist of eight 3 week treatments.  Once the chemo treatment is complete the tumor will have shrunk in size and then she will have a double mastectomy and reconstruction.  Following the surgery there will be 9 months of targeted infusion therapy to ensure her body is rid of the cancer.  Once all that is done we will CELEBRATE!!!  Of course, we will celebrate along the way but that will be the big party!

Many have asked how to help.  There will certainly be needs in the coming weeks and months.  So stay tuned for ways to help out in Bauderland.  It is a fun place, full of life and activity and this cancer cannot take that away.  It will be a nuisance they will manage over the next few months but they will do it with a courageous and brave spirit.  Knowing Alice-  she will even be her sweet, fun self every step of the way!