I'M BACK!!!!

I'm back!!! I know its been a while since my mom or I updated, but today is the first day that I have started to feel like myself again, you'll have to excuse my rambles today. So chemo was less climatic than I though it would be. The nurses there are great and really take the time to walk me through what they were doing and what I would feel like. I also had more people there than the other patients receiving treatment, I know I probably shouldn't be keeping score but I'm competitive about everything. :) Friday was a normal day for me, didn't really feel any different. I was able to work the whole day and even went out and watched my softball team play Friday night.

I was in Rochester for the remaining of the weekend and noticed Saturday and Sunday that I had little to no energy and just really tired. I made it to the Bridal Shower and had a great time, with all of the excitement of that had to take a nap when we got home. Then went out on the boat with my parents and their friends for a boat cruise which was a blast. Sunday, I spent the day with my parents and took my dad out for lunch for father's day!

I've gone to work this entire week, I had waves of nausea hit me and some heart burn but other than that I've felt fine. Yesterday I hit what they call nadir, which pretty much means my low point. Basically having to do with my blood counts going low which is why I have to give myself a shot 24 hours after i have chemo so it can help with that nadir and balance me out. Yes, you read right I have to give MYSELF a shot, the girl who hates everything needles is putting one into my own body. I was at work when I did it and i dragged my best friend who happens to work with me into the big bathroom stall with me. I told her, her only job was to yell "DO IT" until I actually did it. I'm sure it would have been funny to anyone else who walked into the bathroom to hear her yelling at me to "DO IT"! :)

I'm finally starting to feel like myself again today and feel like I'm back on the upswing of things. I'm planning on being back in Rochester for the weekend, its the Relay For Life in Rochester. I plan on being there and walking the survivor lap with my grandma, uncle Dave and all the other survivors who have faced this challenge head on and won! I plan to be added to that number one day very soon!

So until next time, I will continue to fight the good fight and stay on my course of action!! :) I just want to thank everyone again for all the well wishes, cards and letters. I don't know how you all got my address but thank you thank you for all the cards they are all hanging up in my room for me to see everyday when I get home!

Peace, Love and Hope
Kaitlyn

Game Day

It's a pretty appropriate title for a young woman who has been an athlete all her life. Today was a "Cancer Day" and you know what that means....mom gets to blog.

When we went for our consultation with Kaitlyn's Oncologist, Dr Newton, she told us we could bring things that would make the chemo process easier for Kaitlyn. So, we packed a bag (a big orange and white bag) with all of her creature comforts. There was her Tennessee blanket, her I-pod, magazines, some choice candy and her big water bottle. It was like gathering her equipment to participate in any athletic event.

The first thing to happen was the nurse hooked Kaitlyn up to an intravenous tube thru her port. They hung some anti-nausea medicine and some steroids and let them drip thru. They do this before administering any chemo drugs. Once those are thru, they hung a bag of saline to keep her hydrated and began the chemo. The first chemo drug, Adriamycin, was pushed thru her port. The nurses had Kaitlyn eat a popsicle and chew on ice chips. This is to offset the effects of this drug, which can lead to mouth sores. Kaitlyn, of course, chose an orange popsicle. It's like selecting which bat you use during a softball game.

Because you push the Adriamycin slowly its takes a while to finish the portion of the treatment. On a side note, this drug is bright red and the nurse kept referring to it as the "red devil". Kaitlyn, not being in favor of that, began calling it fruit punch. I liken it to her version of trash talking someone on the basketball court.

Last drug for the day was Cytoxan. It was hung from the IV pole and took probably about 45 minutes for that one to complete. They pulled the iv tube out of her port, put a band-aide over the port and got her ready to go. We packed all her belongings back into her chemo bag and after making our next appointment, we were ready to roll. It's kind of like finishing a volleyball match with a kill.

I don't really know if my sports analogies are any good or not. What I do know is this, Kaitlyn stayed strong thru the whole process. She even learned how to give herself a shot. Twenty-four hours after chemo completes she has to take a shot of Neulasta. It will help rebuild her depleted white blood cell count.

So, she's home resting tonight. Heading to work in the morning. She'll be home again this weekend. We have Lindsey Overmyer's wedding shower to attend and, of course, celebrate Father's Day with her amazing Dad.

Next week we have a break. Kaitlyn is hoping to actually work 5 whole days. Her next chemo doesn't happen until July 1st. Today went well, Kaitlyn did great and it was like a small victory for her. If her Dad had been there, he would have smacked her on the butt and told her "Good Game"!

Keep Praying!

Love, Peace and Hope,
Kaitlyn's Mom

Great News

Yesterday was a "cancer day" and that involved more tests and then speaking with the oncologist and taking a tour of the infusion facilty. The first test I got to do was a CT scan for which I had to have an IV started for that. So they used my port and that was very interesting to say the least. I had to drink this awful orange drink for my CT scan, but no worries I took it like a champ and drank the entire thing. I still can't look at orange gatorade the same now but thats another story. I walk into the room for my scan and they tell me what is going to happen and they have to inject this dye into my IV and then the guy tells me what that will feel like his words excatly "You will feel a burning sensation that sarts in your throat and works its way down your body then you will feel like your peeing yourself but trust me you aren't"! My reaction was I don't want to do this test, but I did and yes after he injected the dye it felt like I was peeing myself but I promise I did not in fact pee myself. I was glad when that test was over. The next test was a bone density test piece of cake I just laid on my back and took a nap while this machine scaned my body.

The outcome from these tests was the best part: No cancer in the bones or anywhere else in my body. So all we have to concentrate on is the lymph nodes and the tumor that is in my boob. This was a great thing to hear, and a huge positive for me!!

After that we met with my oncologist and went over the next 5 months of my chemo treatment. Looks like for the first 2 months I will do 8 weeks of chemo every 2 weeks. After the 8 weeks are done then I will do 12 weeks of a different dosage every week. Yay!! :) So Merry Christmas to me I will have a mastectomy!! Or you can look at it this way by Christmas I will be cancer free!!

So chemo starts Thursday and thats the next hurdle that I have to face, the good thing is it looks like I will only be there Thursday for about 2 hours and not 4hrs. Yay!! and they have prescribed me a ton of anti-naesua medicine so hopefully I won't feel sick Thursday or Friday.

So thats what is going on this week, Im back at work today and tomorrow and hopefully Friday. It is a great distraction to my day and Im glad to be back to work. So everyone have a great week, and either my mom or I will be back Thursday to update you on "chemo day"

Peace, Hope and Love
Kaitlyn

Drag Me Away

So today is kind of a blah day, I don't feel bad but I don't feel great either. But I wanted to at least get my thoughts out and talk about whats been going on! First thank you for continuing to follow and comment on my mom and I's posts its nice to know that we are somewhat entertaining...lol! I added a new picture of my mom and me since we are the co-bloggers on here.

So my mom updated you on last week so I'm going to leave that alone, and just say that Im feeling much better after having all of the procedures done. It has been really good to be home this weekend too, and just be able to relax and not think about this upcoming week to much. Thank goodness it was also Round Barn Festival weekend too to help me not focus on the cancer. I was able to see a lot of old friends I haven't seen in a while and eat an elephant ear. Doesn't get much better than that.

On a side note thank you for all the song requests I was able to get my playlist done today so I have about 5 hrs of music and some podcasts to get me through 4 hrs of chemo on Thursday. (and to anyone who is in Indy and has some spare time I start chemo at 11am on Thursday and will be there til around 3pm if you want to come say hi and hang out). It will be happening at the IU Medical Group on 103rd and Meridian.

So Im going to end today saying that everyday I wake up I am a survivor and I wanted to also leave you with a song that has become my theme song and "go to" song when I'm starting to feel down. Everyone have a great week!

Peace, Love and Hope
Kaitlyn

Drag Me Away

Did you think I was leaving
My ticket was just one way
The angels I believed in
Were gonna carry me away
Did you think that I would simply
Give them my last breath
Well honey you've got me wrong
I'd never leave you for death
It's gonna take more than that to get rid of me
It's gonna take more than that to make me fade
They'll have to tie me up and drag me away
They'll have to shut my mouth and drag me away

There is no one I serve
I am not here to please
I will not be a hostage
To my own dis-ease

Oh Come on come on
Come on out and hold me
Out into the great sunlight
No power on earth can stop us
We'll both become one tonight

I have never been more sure of anything
I have never been more sure of what I am
They'll have to tie me up and drag me away
They'll have to shut my mouth and drag me away

There's no dark that can overcome a flame
There's no force that can drag me away
They could bring an army
Ten thousand men or more
Their mass weapons of destruction
Won't even up the score

Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on baby
They'll have to drag me away
Come on, come on, come on baby
They'll have to drag me away
They'll have to drag me away
They'll have to drag me away
They'll have to tie me up and drag me away
They'''ll have to shut my mouth and drag me away
There's no dark that can overcome a flame
There's no force that can drag me away

No force that can overcome a flame
There's no force that can drag me away

It Is What It Is

So, tonight Kaitlyn and I are co-blogging (if that's a word)and sharing our thoughts together. It's just like everything else that's going on right now....."it is what it is"!

We spent the morning doing a little shopping at Target and avoiding all food and drink venues as Kaitlyn couldn't have either of those things. Which Kaitlyn says "sucked major". We purchased Kaitlyn's I-Tunes card so she can download her songlist for chemo.

We got to Clarian North, which is slowly becoming a "home away from home" for us. The first procedure done was to inject radioactive dye into her right breast. The dye runs thru the ducts in the breast and into the lymph nodes. The first lymph nodes to show the dye are called the sentinel nodes. These are the ones they biopsy. In unrelated news the girl administering this test in the nuclear medicine lab is from Plymouth. And, she played volleyball. So, Kaitlyn had to remind her that Rochester had beat Plymouth in sectionals Kaitlyn's junior year. I'm not sure if that was wise to point out to someone who's injecting radioactive dye in to your nipple or not.

While this procedure was going on Dr. Kennedy came in to give Kaitlyn some good news. The Genetic testing results came back and Kaitlyn does not have the Breast cancer gene. Which means that she won't have to worry about about another occurence or the risk of ovarian cancer as well. This was definitely good news to our ears.

After that procedure, we went up to the second floor where the biopsy was going to be performed. Basically, we checked in and they immediately wisked Kaitlyn back to pre-op and within less than a half hour she was in surgery. Apparently they don't mess around at Clarian North. Within an hour we (Brad, Scott and I) were meeting with Dr. Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy removed two sentinel nodes. One was clean and showed no cancerous cells and the other did. So, not the news we were hoping for but if you remember the title of this blog.....It is what it is. Basically, it means that Kaitlyn will definitely have radiation after the masectomy.

Because the one lymph node had cancerous cells in it our plans for next week have changed a little. Monday we will meet with the Chemo Team but first Kaitlyn will have a bone density test and a full-body scan. Chemo will still begin on Thursday.

Kaitlyn is home now for the weekend. There's the Round Barn Festival to take in. Yes, we people in Rochester have a Festival that celebrates barns that are round. Don't judge us! We'll attend Jordan Thomas's Open House and possibly get some more tacos from Dick's Drive-In. And, Kaitlyn will probably blog on her own without her mother's assistance.

Thanks again for all of your love, concern and most importantly, your prayers.

Love, Peace and Hope,
Kaitlyn and Lisa

Port Day

June 8, 2010....Today was a "Cancer Day" so mom gets to Blog. Whenever Kaitlyn has to have a procedure or do something pertaining to the cancer her focus will be on that. So, you get to read the ramblings of her mother.

This morning Kaitlyn had her port put in. For those not familiar with that, it's a device inserted right above Kaitlyn's left breast in her chest. The port is what they will use to administer her chemo drugs. The procedure went well and isn't really that noticeable unless you happen to know she has it. She was also lucky enough to have a echo cardiogram. That was done to make sure her heart didn't have any issues with accepting the stronger chemo. The good news is that heart is in perfect health.

So, that's one day down this week. Her other "cancer day" is Thursday. She will be having a biopsy of her sentinel lymph node. That will tell us if the cancer has spread to her lymph nodes and her chemo will be based on those findings.

Next week, Kaitlyn goes to Dr. Newton's office (that's where chemo happens) and will meet the staff and get a tour. They'll tell us then what her chemo regiment will be. And, then the big day, Thursday will be her first chemo treatment.

Let me just take a few minutes to tell you how proud I am of my daughter, Kaitlyn. Any of you who know me, know how much I love my children. Kaitlyn and her brother, Scott may just be the most amazing people I know. Of course I'm biased and who wouldn't be.....their my kids! But, Kaitlyn's attitude about this whole situation has been unbelievable. Don't get me wrong, she has had a couple of meltdowns (who wouldn't have) but she shakes it off and gets back to work on beating this.

She is so appreciative of all of the love and support you have shown her. And she has read each one of your comments on this blog. Please keep writing. Don't forget those song suggestions either. Her first chemo treatment is going to last for 4 hours....she is going to need that music. I'm even adding my own suggestions to this. "Keep Holding On"...the GLEE version and "Defying Gravity". Lastly, please continue to keep Kaitlyn in your prayers and we'll continue to "fight the good fight".

Love, Peace and Hope,
Kaitlyn's Mom

My Thoughts

First I want to thank everyone for their support and love I'm completely overwhelmed and humbled by it all. I also want you to know that I have read every one of your comments and messages. Which is why i created this blog so that you can follow my progress and leave your comments to me on here. My mom or I will be posting on here, depending on how I'm feeling.

Since my mom has given the rundown on what has happened since I was diagnosed, and this blog is titled my thoughts I'm going to talk about my thoughts on this past week. Since being told Tuesday that I have cancer I have been on an emotional roller coaster. My dad explained it the best the other day saying that when you are first told you have cancer its like dumping a 100 piece puzzle on the table so the pieces to the puzzle are all laying out and you can't see what the picture is. Little by little you are able to put the puzzle together and better able to see what the picture is. That's basically what has happened this week, I feel like finally we are putting pieces of the puzzle together and coming up with our course of action or battle plan and I can start to see what the bigger picture is looking like.

We are still waiting on some more tests to come back before that picture will be in place but as of right now I'm going to start chemo next week and I will be doing that before we do the surgery in the hopes that we can shrink the tumor and also kill any other cells that might be to small to be seen right now. So Friday I was rather upset because it was becoming all to real for me that in fact I'm going to lose my hair, and that my life is about to be turned upside down. So I prayed about it and did some thinking and I came to the conclusion that this could be a good thing, for example I'm going to be saving money on hair care products, I won't have to shave anymore, and with it starting to get warmer I think not having any hair will turn out to be a very good thing.

So, I know a lot of you have told me that if I ever need anything to let you know so here is the first thing that I need. I know that I'm going to have to do chemo for 3hours when i go, and I'm a huge music person so I would like you to leave me 1 song that is your favorite or one that you listen to when you want to feel good. So that I can add it to my Ipod. I'm going to make a chemo play list so that I can listen to all these songs while I'm at chemo.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't like to lose. I see this as just another challenge and I know that I'm going to come out of this a stronger person. I fully believe that things happen for a reason and if I can be an inspiration to someone else or help someone else battling this disease or just to inform people of this disease than that's what I'm going to do.

So I just ask that you continue to pray for not only me but my family as well. My parents and brother have been very supportive and there for me. I know that I'm going to have to rely heavily on them in the coming months as well. So I just ask that you keep them in your prayers too as they are having to deal with this as well.

Love, Peace and Hope
Kaitlyn

The Beginning

So on Monday, May 24th Kaitlyn went to the Dr. for a routine check-up. She knew she had the lump but didn't think it was really that serious. Dr. Henderson had other ideas. He sent her on Tuesday to have an ultrasound and mammogram done. By Friday she was meeting Dr. Kennedy and having a core biopsy. To say this happened fast is an understatement!

On Tuesday, June 1st, Dr. Kennedy called her with the news, She had breast cancer. On Wednesday we met at her office and we discussed possible treatments and Kaitlyn was sent for an MRI. By Thursday the results of that test were in and the cancer was more extensive than first thought.

Today we all met with Kaitlyn's Oncologist, Dr. Newton. Chemo is now a definite. The positive news from today was she had an ultrasound done on the lymph nodes and they showed no abnormalities...YAY!!!

So, next Tuesday, June 8th they will put in a port to administer the chemo drugs. On Thursday she will have a sentinel biopsy of the lymph nodes done to verify either the presence or absence of cancer.

Prayers and fingers crossed:) Stay tune for further updates.

I am Kaitlyn's mom!