The last few days have been busy.  We're trying to catch a breath from going to all the appointments that we had this week so far, and they haven't ended yet.

On Monday, Jamma had his labs.  As always. the numbers were high or low and a few just right.  We asked the oncologist about this and they said that because they keep putting more chemo into his body. they will continue to drop.   He will be more tired.  Last time he had chemo, he slept for 18 hours the following Saturday and 16 hours that Sunday.  He's tired.  

On Tuesday we met with Jamma's oncologist in the morning.  I was bound and determined to be on time because we are always running in at the last minute.  We were doing well and then traffic got crazy on 169.  There was a semi that was swerving all over black smoke was coming from his tires.  I looked ahead and told Jamma that I thought he blew a tire because black stuff was flying from his tires.  We were preparing to have to go into the ditch or be hit.  We all came to a stop and I was able to look better at the road ahead of us.  I saw a mama duck and her tiny, tiny, babies waddling across the road.  When we got closer to wear the ducks were crossing, we saw 3 baby ducks that the semi driver hit.  They were was what flying when I thought he blew a tire.  I instantly wanted to cry when I saw them laying there.  The semi driver tried so hard to avoid hitting them.  Needless to say, we were a couple minutes late for our appointment.   She went over lab results with us and said that he was looking really good.  She still cannot believe that he is looking so good compared to what he looked like when he went in.  She did make a switch to one of his infusions that he has been getting.  Because Zometa. the bone strengthener, makes him so sick and tired, she is going to give him something else that does the same thing.  Hopefully he will not get nauseous with this one.  She was overall pleased with how he is doing.   We did talk about his appointment schedule this week and wondered if all his appointments could be switched to 1 day.  We asked if he could have labs, meet with her and then start his infusion in one day.  This will make it a longer day, but it's better than going to appointments 3 days in a row.  She agreed and we got everything switched over.  In 2 weeks he will have chemo on Tuesday, but then we are back to the every other Wednesday schedule.

On Tuesday afternoon, I was back at the cancer center for my check-up with my Lymphedema oncologist.  I hadn't seen her for almost 6 months.  When she asked how I was doing, I lost it when I told her about the stuff that we have been going through.  I told her that I was sorry...that I have held myself together with so many people, but I didn't this time.  She said that she was happy that I felt like she was a safe people to let my emotions out to.  We then talked about how I was doing.  My left arm is still hurting because of my Lat Flap surgery, radiation and scar tissue.  She told me to continue wearing my sleeve and to continue going to my Lymphedema therapy once a week.  We then talked about how I  have had 2 Botox injections under my armpit, but although it has helped a lot, I am still having some pain and throbbing under my arm when I use it too much.   She decided that she was going to send me to another doctor and they are going to try to put a nerve block in.  Hopefully this will help.  I also told my oncologist that I have been having tingling in my fingers.  It's in both hands.  She did some tests with my strength and decided to draw labs to check my B12 levels, B6 and HA1C levels to see if this could be causing the tingling.  So far my HA1C has come back VERY elevated and my HA1C level is just a tiny bit elevated.  I figured that would be the case as I have been stress eating my favorite peanut butter dipped peanuts, covered in milk chocolate.  I guess I am going to have to lay off of them.

On Wednesday we hit really bad traffic and were a few minutes late again.  Jamma was called back to start his infusion and I was called back to meet with our oncologist to go over my labs and be checked over for my 6 year visit.  My oncologist and I started to talk and she was looking at my face.  She asked if I always had left eye ptosis.  She said that she has not noticed that before and that my eye looked really different.  I had to call up old pictures to see if it looked the same.  She then said that she wanted to get a CT scan of it.  She was a little hesitant to start telling me what he was thinking but I told her to let it all out.  She said that sometimes breast cancer can metastasize to behind your eye and it's hard to pick up.  She has only had it happen 4 times in her career, but she wants to check to make sure that I don't have a reoccurrence with breast cancer.  After talking a little more about recent appointments that I had (sinus infection related) and how I felt more swollen on my left side of my face, she decided that she was going to order an MRI of my left orbit instead.   We then talked about how hot I am all the time.  The 10 year therapy drug that I am on (Letrozole) will cause hot flashes.  She asked how many I was having a day and I told her 1...for 24 hours.  I am always on fire.  I am always sweaty and turning on lots of fans.  Jamma's chemo causes him to be cold.   My drugs cause me to be hot.  One day last week, someone turned the heat up in our house to 74 degrees.  I couldn't sleep and had a bad headache.  We figured it out and the temp was adjusted back to 67.  I figured they can always put on more clothes.  I can't.  I told them that they BETTER NOT touch it again, or else....  I will be done with this treatment in 2027!    I also will be upping my dosage of Gabapentin to see if that helps with hot flashes and pain that I have been having under my armpit. 

We talked about the tingling of my fingers.  I do have degenerative disc disease and I am not sure if stress is causing my neck to hurt more or if I am moving my neck funny because of my left arm hurting.  I am constantly trying to get comfortable.  My oncologist ordered for an MRI of that too...just to rule everything out.

When my oncologist was doing my physical exam, feeling for any lumps, she asked me how I was doing with Jamma.  Once again, I lost it.  We know that he will die...but we agreed  that we all will die.  It could happen at any time.   We have the chance to live our lives doing good things, having fun with one another, etc.  I talked a lot more of how I was feeling.  She was so kind and helpful with her words.  We are lucky that we both have her as an oncologist.

After my appointment was done, I went to the Infusion area that Jamma was in.  We sat and talked about both of our appointments.  He also let me know that he got to see Maisy, the therapy dog.  I was sad that I missed her.  Throughout Jamma's chemo, I got several appointments scheduled and I made some earrings. I talked with a few of the people that work at the infusion clinic that we have gotten to know so well.  We are lucky to have an amazing team.

After Jamma was done with his appointment, we went to the 50th and France area and walked around a bit before getting something to eat. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather as we ate.

Jamma has his 48 hour pump on now and will wear it until tomorrow morning when the nurse comes out to take it off.  He will probably sleep a lot this weekend.

On Saturday, I will be walking in the Race for the Cure 5k with a sweet friend who was also diagnosed with breast cancer this year.  I am praying for beautiful weather.  Jamma wants to walk with us, so hopefully he feels well.

On Sunday, the boys asked if we'd go to the Arboretum with them.  We plan on doing that and then we'll go to my parents house.    We hope you all have a great weekend.