Its all about that area code, Boss!
March 20, 2015
If you live in Seattle or are familiar with whatever strange reason, our area codes, you would know 253 was the area code for South Seattle....Federal Way, Tacoma, Auburn to name a few. We have family and friends that live down here so it is on our speed dial. Karen, My oncologist assistant, reminded me that my treatments are to area code. 253...floor 2 first for blood draw, floor 5 to see Dr. Kaplan and floor 3 for chemo. I had to remind Matt of each floor!! He has had a smart phone too long! To be fair, we were equal opportunity people and started on Floor 4 of the hospital so the surgeon could check the port. It was fine although I developed a nasty rash from the bandages that now gets bathed in cream 3 times a day. Buy stock in Rite Aid. Oh and the Boss....surely all of you have heard of Beast Quake Lynch...he is our boss!
Floor two was easy. The port is in so blood draws are fast and they set up the needle for my chemo. Kinda of one stop shopping! Next to Dr Kaplan where we discuss my blood test results. Wonder why my blood pressure was up to 150/78? They were great. My white blood cell count was at baseline which meant the lovely little shot a day to build them up was working. My red blood cell count was also at baseline. The platelet count was lower as expected and on target for where it should be. I handled chemo great for round one. When I told Dr. K that i had just headaches, tired, a few bouts of flu like symptoms that were mild and one nasty bone pain moment, he said...OMG you got the placebo! Another note...get an oncologist that has a sense of humor! He is so confident that I leave for chemo like a soldier in battle with blood pressure at 128/70. Matt and I might just try to run away with him! Wonder if his wife will mind?
Final floor stop of three was much faster this time. Chemo was from like 10:30 to 12:10. My friend, Melissa Ralph (who gave me breast cancer when she hugged me last summer), relieved Matt and kept me laughing as we discussed her reconstruction process and how hot she wants to be in a suit. This is the difference in our ages...I just want to fit into a suit! Another note...a friend that has walked the walk...maybe not the same, but a part, will be great help. I have several as it is in the water in Mercer Island.! They have all shared experiences and what worked and didn't work for them. Reach out to people you know (you have me) and we will be your breast page in Wiki!
I keep a journal and it has helped me know what to expect for round two. I pushed myself this morning by swimming for 30 minutes . As I dried my hair, lots of clumps came out. Dr. K said Saturday it would be gone. It will.
Julie Drake, my sweet hairdresser of 20 years, came over last Saturday and gave me a doo that looked a little like Bruce Jenner in transition. Melinda LeClercq gave me a spa pedicure so maybe I will still pass a partial girl...unless Bruce digs lilac toes. Good old Anton Wig Maker had mine waiting for me on Tuesday so I have hair right now! Yippee. I gave Kurt who made it the biggest hug. He probably thought I was nuts! Best investment to date! It makes me feel normal.(ok Jill maybe that was a push..you normal??).,,.note to self, this a good thing.
I am now off to nap. Thanks ever so much for the calls, the texts, the emails, the comments....just everything. Especially the prayers. I AM PROOF they are working! Keep them up. My friend, John, who has been my go to guy and friend for 24 years blessed me in remembering to ask for good karma for me on his caring bridge site. I hope you will remember him as well as he continues his fight. There is a partner of Matt's at Starbucks that he has known for 20 years that has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She too lives on Mercer Island (see I told you). Do a prayer for Joyce too as she starts her battle.
I am going to be fine. I have a huge army of support behind me. In closing tho, I will share what made me so mad. I have to get weighed and I lost only 2.5 lbs which everyone but me was happy about. I was looking for a fine little 15 pound drop which health wise wouldn't have been good, but I might have given Melissa a run for her money by July!
Later and with mucho mucho love
Jill
If you live in Seattle or are familiar with whatever strange reason, our area codes, you would know 253 was the area code for South Seattle....Federal Way, Tacoma, Auburn to name a few. We have family and friends that live down here so it is on our speed dial. Karen, My oncologist assistant, reminded me that my treatments are to area code. 253...floor 2 first for blood draw, floor 5 to see Dr. Kaplan and floor 3 for chemo. I had to remind Matt of each floor!! He has had a smart phone too long! To be fair, we were equal opportunity people and started on Floor 4 of the hospital so the surgeon could check the port. It was fine although I developed a nasty rash from the bandages that now gets bathed in cream 3 times a day. Buy stock in Rite Aid. Oh and the Boss....surely all of you have heard of Beast Quake Lynch...he is our boss!
Floor two was easy. The port is in so blood draws are fast and they set up the needle for my chemo. Kinda of one stop shopping! Next to Dr Kaplan where we discuss my blood test results. Wonder why my blood pressure was up to 150/78? They were great. My white blood cell count was at baseline which meant the lovely little shot a day to build them up was working. My red blood cell count was also at baseline. The platelet count was lower as expected and on target for where it should be. I handled chemo great for round one. When I told Dr. K that i had just headaches, tired, a few bouts of flu like symptoms that were mild and one nasty bone pain moment, he said...OMG you got the placebo! Another note...get an oncologist that has a sense of humor! He is so confident that I leave for chemo like a soldier in battle with blood pressure at 128/70. Matt and I might just try to run away with him! Wonder if his wife will mind?
Final floor stop of three was much faster this time. Chemo was from like 10:30 to 12:10. My friend, Melissa Ralph (who gave me breast cancer when she hugged me last summer), relieved Matt and kept me laughing as we discussed her reconstruction process and how hot she wants to be in a suit. This is the difference in our ages...I just want to fit into a suit! Another note...a friend that has walked the walk...maybe not the same, but a part, will be great help. I have several as it is in the water in Mercer Island.! They have all shared experiences and what worked and didn't work for them. Reach out to people you know (you have me) and we will be your breast page in Wiki!
I keep a journal and it has helped me know what to expect for round two. I pushed myself this morning by swimming for 30 minutes . As I dried my hair, lots of clumps came out. Dr. K said Saturday it would be gone. It will.
Julie Drake, my sweet hairdresser of 20 years, came over last Saturday and gave me a doo that looked a little like Bruce Jenner in transition. Melinda LeClercq gave me a spa pedicure so maybe I will still pass a partial girl...unless Bruce digs lilac toes. Good old Anton Wig Maker had mine waiting for me on Tuesday so I have hair right now! Yippee. I gave Kurt who made it the biggest hug. He probably thought I was nuts! Best investment to date! It makes me feel normal.(ok Jill maybe that was a push..you normal??).,,.note to self, this a good thing.
I am now off to nap. Thanks ever so much for the calls, the texts, the emails, the comments....just everything. Especially the prayers. I AM PROOF they are working! Keep them up. My friend, John, who has been my go to guy and friend for 24 years blessed me in remembering to ask for good karma for me on his caring bridge site. I hope you will remember him as well as he continues his fight. There is a partner of Matt's at Starbucks that he has known for 20 years that has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She too lives on Mercer Island (see I told you). Do a prayer for Joyce too as she starts her battle.
I am going to be fine. I have a huge army of support behind me. In closing tho, I will share what made me so mad. I have to get weighed and I lost only 2.5 lbs which everyone but me was happy about. I was looking for a fine little 15 pound drop which health wise wouldn't have been good, but I might have given Melissa a run for her money by July!
Later and with mucho mucho love
Jill
RSS Feed
