Journal entry by Brittney Powell —
Hi Friends!
Has this holiday season flown by so far or is it just me? We have been able to enjoy family dinners, Pike's Christmas program and school party, holiday shop at the school, and getting ready for Christmas. It has been an amazing season so far.
Now an update...because that's what we are all here for right! So November proved to be crazy month! My heart rate has been elevated during my last few chemos. We were watching it because it would come down. I continued to do my normal post chemo routine of resting, walking, and staying clear of germs. On Nov. 9th I ventured to the school to have lunch with Pike for thanksgiving (we ate outside away from the crowd). When Pike and I were leaving the school I passed out (insert embarrassment). My sweet friends at the school ran to my aid and took amazing care of me. Falling as an adult hurts alot more than as a kid. Buddy and I knew it was time to go to urgent care. COH urgent was awesome and did all the test to make sure I was ok! All looked good except my heart enzymes ( I don't do cardio so this scared me). I bought myself a ticket for an overnight stay in the hospital. The staff was amazing and took great care of me. My levels came down and my echo was clear so they said it was a fainting episode but to be safe I need to follow up with cardio and wear a heart monitor. The week after discharge was rough. I was sore, exhausted, and honestly nervous about my heart but slowly and surely its improved. My heart rate is still not wear it was pre chemo but is doing much better. After cardio reviewed all the monitor data he explained he feels it was my "heart being out of shape from chemo". He feels this will return to normal but no need for medication at this time. I will follow up in Jan. prior to surgery. So with all the craziness Dr. V decided she did not want to finish the last four treatments of taxol and risk issues with my heart. We did a follow ultra sound to get a closer look at the tissue post chemo. While the CT showed no tumor the ultra sound showed that the rumor is still there (well one of the tumors) but is it extremely small. The small two tumors were completely gone. This was a bummer to me because I wanted it gone but I know God has a plan and I trust my team the choices we've made to get me to cancer free. With that being said...our next step is surgery which will take place Jan 16th. I have my pre op Jan 12th.
We are so happy to be done with chemo and praying for our next steps.
We are thankful for all of the love, support, and prayers for us during this journey. We have a wonderful village. This year has brought so much prospective on life and the season we are now celebrating (Christmas). We live because of what Jesus did not because anything we have done.
Prayer Request-
Heart rate to continue to decrease and become more normal.
Surgery and Surgery prep in Jan.
Merry Christmas
Britt
Has this holiday season flown by so far or is it just me? We have been able to enjoy family dinners, Pike's Christmas program and school party, holiday shop at the school, and getting ready for Christmas. It has been an amazing season so far.
Now an update...because that's what we are all here for right! So November proved to be crazy month! My heart rate has been elevated during my last few chemos. We were watching it because it would come down. I continued to do my normal post chemo routine of resting, walking, and staying clear of germs. On Nov. 9th I ventured to the school to have lunch with Pike for thanksgiving (we ate outside away from the crowd). When Pike and I were leaving the school I passed out (insert embarrassment). My sweet friends at the school ran to my aid and took amazing care of me. Falling as an adult hurts alot more than as a kid. Buddy and I knew it was time to go to urgent care. COH urgent was awesome and did all the test to make sure I was ok! All looked good except my heart enzymes ( I don't do cardio so this scared me). I bought myself a ticket for an overnight stay in the hospital. The staff was amazing and took great care of me. My levels came down and my echo was clear so they said it was a fainting episode but to be safe I need to follow up with cardio and wear a heart monitor. The week after discharge was rough. I was sore, exhausted, and honestly nervous about my heart but slowly and surely its improved. My heart rate is still not wear it was pre chemo but is doing much better. After cardio reviewed all the monitor data he explained he feels it was my "heart being out of shape from chemo". He feels this will return to normal but no need for medication at this time. I will follow up in Jan. prior to surgery. So with all the craziness Dr. V decided she did not want to finish the last four treatments of taxol and risk issues with my heart. We did a follow ultra sound to get a closer look at the tissue post chemo. While the CT showed no tumor the ultra sound showed that the rumor is still there (well one of the tumors) but is it extremely small. The small two tumors were completely gone. This was a bummer to me because I wanted it gone but I know God has a plan and I trust my team the choices we've made to get me to cancer free. With that being said...our next step is surgery which will take place Jan 16th. I have my pre op Jan 12th.
We are so happy to be done with chemo and praying for our next steps.
We are thankful for all of the love, support, and prayers for us during this journey. We have a wonderful village. This year has brought so much prospective on life and the season we are now celebrating (Christmas). We live because of what Jesus did not because anything we have done.
Prayer Request-
Heart rate to continue to decrease and become more normal.
Surgery and Surgery prep in Jan.
Merry Christmas
Britt
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