Kathy... Babyseester... how are you doing

Diseases & Conditions Breast Cancer
1
You know if you come out in May you can stay at this bed and breakfast place in Amherst.  The house is nice, the food is good, and the price is right.  Free... of course provided you are related to one of the the owners. 
 
How is the chemo?  I read your last post and it seems like you are doing okay.  Good.  it sounds like your job is keeping your busy so that might be a good thing.  Sometimes I think that it was a blessing for me to have a six month old when I was going through treatment.  They don't care how tired or sick your are.  They want fed and they want fed now.  It kept me going.  That and my job. 
 
I saw Steve and Paula in Feb.  Steve seems to be doing good with his new device.  He is too funny.  If you can't make it in May, Paula and Steve always have some type of summer party.  4th of July,,, August,,, the dates always vary.  it would be great to meet and see you.  I love your family so much.  Your nephew at Paula's wedding was my dinner partner.  He was too funny. 

Annette
We have raced "for the Cure"
Worn Lee's Jeans on Friday "for the Cure"
Bought New Balance tennis shoes "for the cure"
Worn pink ribbon pins "for the cure"
Collected donations "for the cure"
Ate pink M&M's "for the cure"
Drank Sutter Home wine "for the cure"
Spent an extra $.08 on a stamp "for the cure"
Ate Lean Cuisine frozen dinners "for the cure"
 
We have all done our part "for the cure"
now you do yours and get us that cure.

2
Annette,
 
I won't be able to join the group in May because the family is planning a visit to my sister, Deb, in Minnesota over July 4th week.  I need to save money for that.  We are renting a large cabin.  I'm looking forward to it and looking at it like a reward for all I've been through.
 
I had what I thought was my 2nd to last chemo today, but now they are changing plans on me.  They are waiting for a test result on the Her2Neu to decide whether or not to put me on Herceptin.  If I go on that, I guess it's every week, but I don't know for how many weeks.  I will also be having a PET scan after all.  During my first round, they tell me my tumor marker number went up.  Today, my RBC count was down.  That's the first time my blood work has been abnormal.  They will be testing for anemia next week.  I don't feel unusually tired, so I was surprised.  
 
I have been concerned about something and I asked about it today.  I wanted to know if there is a corelation between severity of side effects and effectiveness of the drugs.  I was told that depending on the drug - yes.  Since my side effects have really been minimal, I worry that the chemo isn't being effective.  I know the tumor marker test isn't that reliable, but that's what they use to tell whether it's working.  I think I will be relieved once I have the PET scan, no matter what it shows.  I'd rather know than not know.  
 
You do know that I was at my brother's wedding, don't you?  So, we must have met, just don't remember each other.  LOL  Now we have a bond that we really didn't want to have, but never-the-less, we have it.  I would love to see you, too.  Next time I get back there, we will meet somewhere!  I hope you all have a fantastic time.  So sorry I won't be able to join you.
 
Love and hugs, 

Kathy