jimsjoint

Good Vibes update - the long and winding road

Wanted to send out a (long over due)  good vibes  update. Its been almost two years since Barb got on the cancer roller coaster. For some reason I keep thinking that the ride would have been over by now, but its not.  At last posting (Sept '08), Barb had just finished up her last treatment of Herceptin, and we were pretty much thinking we were done. We celebrated by hiking Half Dome in Yosemite! It looked like most of the "bad" was behind us. Things were looking up.  The next step in treatment was for her to take estrogen inhibitors (for 5 years). Without going into the how and why, taking these meds will reduce Barb's risk of getting cancer again by 50%. Those are odds that you can't pass up. That's good!     But.....

Those darn estrogen inhibitors are bad. Very bad!  Barb's oncologist started her on one, and the side effects were so bad that it was almost unbearable for her. I felt so sorry for her. It was so bad that at one point I couldn't even give her a hug because it HURT to HUG!!   So Barb has spent the last months trying to find the right meds that work for her with minimal side effects.

NEWS FLASH!!! ( or should I say.. HOT FLASH!)   THERE ARE NONE!!! 

They all have side effects and they all take a toll. Suddenly, the girl who hiked Half Dome couldn't make it up Mission Peak.  For the first time in this two year journey she was showing signs of being beaten down, and almost ready to give up on taking meds all together. Losing her job could not have come at a worse time. Right in the middle of a major med change, the effects were horrible and she was feeling as low as ever.  Thats when the layoff came. It sure didn't help things.  Like Forrest Gump says; "thats all I have to say about that!"

But, dammit, no matter how far that girl is beaten down, she keeps getting back up! She is on the newest rounds of meds, and dealing with it. Good days and bad days. Bad days and good.  Headaches have been so bad that that her oncologist scheduled MRI and PET scans to make sure that the cancer had not metastasized to her brain!  See how it never ends!?!?!?  All those scary feelings and apprehensions come rushing back.  The MRI was at the place where they found the breast cancer two years ago.  The place where the doctor told Barb, " you have cancer". Just to be sitting in that office (waiting for Barb) was creepy. Crappy.  The good news is that the tests came back and Barb continues to be CANCER FREE!!   The bad news is that all the side effects remain.

Barb is also 99% complete with her breast reconstruction. What started with double mastectomy in July 07,  ends this month with "titty tats."  Between then and now she has had a couple of out patient procedures. First to get a "tune-up" where the doctor "evened things out" so to speak. Barb most recently went in for "nipple reconstruction" where they amazingly created nipples out of thin air.  Not really, but almost!  Either way, She now has nipples. The last step is this weekend, when the plastic surgeon accompanies Barb to a local tattoo artist where she will get "areolas" tattooed around her new nipples.  Hence, the titty tats!

Just wanted to put this posting up to let you know that we are still on the roller coaster.  Most of you know what has been going on and have helped us through. We are blessed to have such wonderful daughters, family and friends. You continue to provide support in ways that friends and family do.  You ride the coaster with us, and most times make us forget we are even on it! For that we are forever grateful.    GOOD VIBES!!!!

Good (to the last drop) Vibes update

A milestone of sorts today. Barb receives her last dose of Herceptin this afternoon.

HOORAY!!! YIPEE!!! THANK GOD!!!  

She started receiving Herceptin as part of her chemo regimin a year ago this Saturday.  Even after she finished chemo she still had to go back every three weeks for a Herceptin drip. Every three weeks for the last year she received an IV bag full of Herceptin goodness into her chemo port.  Herceptin comes with a full load of side affects. One of which is shortness of breath, which has greatly affected her Half Dome training.  It hasn't stopped her though, only made her stronger!  Needless to say, we are both happy to put this part of our lives behind us.

GOOD VIBES!!!!

No Deleterious mutation - YaY!

"No deleterious mutation was found in BRCA1 or BRCA2 in this individual"

Music to our ears!  As part of Barb's breast cancer treatment it was suggested that she undergo genetic testing to see if she carries the "breast cancer gene". This new test is state of the art. She is a candidate for genetic testing since her mom had breast cancer and Barb had breast cancer previously. She submitted a blood sample a couple of weeks ago. She got the results when she went for her Herceptin drip today.  After explaining that the "test is designed to identify mutations in 22 exons and approx 750 adjacent intronic base pairs of BRCA1 as well as 26 exons and approx 950 adjacent base pairs or BRCA2 (a total of over 17,600 base pairs analyzed), The second to last sentence says it all:

"This result rules out the majority of abnormalities believed to be responsible for hereditary susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer."

That is great news, HUGE NEWS!!  Not only for Barb, but for Kelly and Kate as well. And also for Barb's sisters and mom.

WHEW!

sigh!

What a difference a year makes......

It was a year ago that we found out about Barb's breast cancer. Two days before summer 2007 Tahoe trip. Barb was following through with another suspicious lump in her breast. She had already had a mammogram and was advised to get ultra-sound biopsy. The next day after the biopsy, the Dr. called Barb at work and  told her to come to the office, "and please bring your husband". UGH!!  Barb calls me at home and we agree to meet at the Dr. office.  A thousand questions.  Hundreds of scenarios go through my mind.  The doctor said that there was no doubt. Stage 2 cancer,  IDC - invasive ductile carcinoma.  The diagnosis spurns a flurry of craziness. Not only the darkest thoughts in your mind, but in reality as well. Appointments need to be made. Scheduling of tests that need to be taken. Surgery. Oncologists. Double mastectomy. Breast reconstruction.  Chemotherapy. Hormone therapy.  Is this really happenning to us?!?

Oh, wait, we have a weeks vacation in Tahoe starting day after tomorrow! . Rooms booked. Plans made, friends coming in from far and wide. Good times to be had. And, oh yea, Barb has cancer.

We arrived in Tahoe two days later. In Shock. Trying our best to deal with the  news.  We didn't know if this would be our last Tahoe vacation as a family. We didn't know how good, how bad the situation was. All we knew was IDC and that the year ahead would be a difficult one.  Remember, Barb had just had a spinal fusion the previous December. She had been back to work only two months when we were hit with this. We took things one day at a time during her fusion recovery, and decided the best way to handle things moving forward would be to take things one day at a time again.

In a way, the vacation (and the cancer news)  couldn't have come at a better time. We shared the news with friends and family, and were surrounded by all of them during our vacation. We knew that the road ahead would be a bumpy one, but with the grace of God, our loving family, our good friends, and good vibes, we would survive.

All the while in Tahoe last year, we said (and I thought) that whatever Barb goes through, and we go through with her, that we will all get through it together, and we will be back in Tahoe for 4th of July in 2008 to celebrate. We knew that if we could get back to Tahoe for 4th of July 2008, that most everything would be behind us.

Well, WE MADE IT. The last year has been rough, but we made it!  Barb still has some stuff going related to her surgery and side effects from all the meds she is on, but overall she is doing great. WE MADE IT!

Good Vibes Update - Barb is back at work!!!

Barb went back to work today for the first time in nine months.

GOOD VIBES!!!

Onward and Upward

Today is  a milestone of sorts for Barb. For us. Barb woke up this morning without having to worry about upcoming chemo side effects.  Barb started chemo in September and had 6 sessions, every three weeks. She had her 6th and final chemo session on 12/26.  Yesterday would have been three weeks and chemo day, but it wasn't. YAY!  So starting today, Barb will finally be able to get beyond the chemo clouds.  We are already off the chemo diet of pancakes and spumoni and back on track with healthy eating.  Barb even hit the treadmill twice this week.

She has her final  (we hope)  breast reconstruction "tune-up" outpatient surgery next Tuesday and plans on returning to work on Feb 1st.

We still had to go to the oncologist yesterday. She will continue targeted hormone therapy for another 8 months. The Herceptin drip. The herceptin does have some side effects but they are minimal compared to the monster chemo. She is also on some hormone blockers that she will take for the next 5 years.

Her hair is growing back too.

Like I said, onward and upward!

You go Barb!

Happy Holidaze

The whirlwind that is the Christmas season went by just as fast again this year. Wasn't it just Halloween?

Not Neccessarily the happiest of our Christmas seasons,  but MORE than happy that we are past Christmas, past chemo, and on towards 2008 with high hopes and big goals.

Christmas eve was nice. Started the day with a brisk 24 mile ride. Vandenbusch and I had a good consistent year of Saturday rides. Beautiful but cold winter day. Afterwards its was home to start cooking. We had a few Christmas visitors, Kahuna and family amongst others.  Dinner at our place, Kelly and Kate, Staci and Diane, and us. In the evening we opened gifts around the fire. Simple and nice.

Christmas Day we went to Uncle Mike's and spent a great day at the ranch.  A crisp Christmas day in Winters! Matt and Bree, Bree's boyfriend Brian, Us, and Diane. Fantastic dinner with all the trimmings and just a wonderful time visiting with fellow Flahertys.

I got my Christmas wish on the day after Christmas.  Barb completed her final chemo session.  Although anti-climactic considering she still has to live through the final week of side effects, its an accomplishment none-the-less.  Six sessions, come and gone. Thank God!  Its by no means the end of this fight but a MAJOR hurdle has just been cleared.  I'm so proud of Barb for going through this toughest time with both courage and dignity. She is pretty amazing.

Up Times

Barb and I both needed some R&R.  She feels well enough in the last 7 days of her 21 day chemo cycle that we could plan a couple of road trips. Much needed road trips.

Wednesday morning we hit the road.  Stopped to see my mom up in Sacramento and lunched with old time/long time friend Elaine O'Deegan.  Even got to see my sis! You have to sign in at the front desk of my mom's place and Alanna (my niece) had stopped by and seen that I had signed in and called Anne Marie. She called me and we hooked up at lunch as well.

Off to Nevada City to see Jens and Kelly.  Spent a great night with good friends. Wonderful dinner and conversation. Bed time cup of tea and a nights sleep in maybe the quietest (and darkest!) place on earth.

Home Thursday but only to regroup.

Off Friday morning to the "Redwood Empire" to see Pat and Sue. We met Pat and Sue through Al and Deb  and have been to the races with them, and spent a memorable (the parts I can remember anyway)  few days in Clear Lake a few years back.  They have an incredable old house in Healdsburg that is decorated wonderfully!   The place is huge and sits on a nice half acre lot. Right across the street from a winery!  Pat and Sue could turn their house into a B&B tomorrow if they wanted to. Had a great visit. Tour of the wine country and dinner with friends. Up early for breakfast ala' Shull ( or "Al's scramble) and off we were for home.

Home Saturday at noon but only to regroup!  Off to Linda's birthday party at the Shark Tank!  Dinner first with Tim and Linda and another couple at a steak house on San Pedro Square, then off to the Shark game.  Tim had somehow gotten access to one of the VIP suites to host Linda's party. Great seats to watch the game in totally plush surroundings.  Living the high life with the Loberts!  Sharks win 4-1. Happy Birthday Linda!

Home Saturday night and collapsed.  Four days of fun was plenty. Lazy Sunday around the house. Barb called in for her chemo meds that she will start taking on Tuesday. She said that just ordering the stuff makes her sick to her stomach. Wednesday we start all over again.

Chemo Fog

A week  after Barb's last chemo treatment and she is finally starting to come out of the fog. We were able to go for a nice walk on the creek trail yesterday.  Goodbye October, hello November!  Only one session this month, on the 14th,  then two in December. 

Barb's oncologist is the best. Dr David Cheng, a Stanford grad, shows real compassion and concern for Barb. Any little side effect or concern is a concern for him too.  We are glad that he is our doctor.  Here is a camphone pic that Vicky V. took of Barb and Dr. Cheng, during her last session.   GOOD VIBES.

Holy Spirit 4th Grade rocks!

  Talk about being lifted up!   As you know,  Barb is in the middle of chemo treatment.  A process that is both physically, mentally and spiritually draining.  We are looking towards the future in order to get through this.  The problem is that we have to live in the present, and deal with all that is cancer treatment.  Sometimes its not easy getting through the day if not for God's grace and good vibes.

Then along comes the 4th graders at Holy Spirit.

Vicky V, who is a teacher there, accompanied Barb to her chemo session yesterday.  The 4 hour session is a long one. So Vicky pulls out a huge envelope, stuffed with handmade get well cards made by the 4th graders. WOW!  Barb showed them off when she got home. Her and Vicky read through each one together. Most were simple.  All were lovely.  They made our day!

4th graders are 9 or 10 years old. Still kids, still mostly innocent, with true love in their hearts.  They don't know us,  most likely never will.  Vicky V mentioned in her staff meeting that she was taking Barb to chemo.  The 4th grade teacher said that her class would make some get well cards. Thats GOD's hand in action!!!! The cards reminded me of the cards Kelly and Kate made for us when they were that age. Most of the cards were "Get well soon Mrs. Flaherty" on the front and "hope you feel better, my class will pray for you" on the inside. Then decorated with the usual artsy 4th grade stuff. Stickers, stamps or hand drawn or cut out shapes. We had the full range of cards. A few of my favorites were:

"Dear Mrs Flaherty, I hope you fell(sp) better. I will also pray for you and that your firends(sp) and family will pray for you"

"Dear Mrs Flaherty, I am sorry you are sick. I hope you feel better. Don't worry, I will pray for you!"

Dear Mrs Flaherty, I'm sorry you are sick. I hope you can go back to your family soon I will pray for you every night"

and then the one that made us all say WOW!!! Remember, this is from a 9 year old girl:

"Dear Mrs Flaherty, I hope you will feel better.  May the  love hidden deep inside your heart find the love waiting in your dreams. Also may the laughter that you find in your tomorrow wipe away the pain you find in your yesterdays."

~sigh~ I love those kids. Thanks for making this part of our life more bearable. God Bless those 4th graders, for they are good!