Yep, that's right we get to come home. The doctor has finally agreed to let me have my last two months of chemo in Juneau. I have been working on him for the last couple of months, and since we are no longer fighting a tumor or the actual cancer, he relented. We are doing preventive treatment, to make sure the shit doesn't come back. I feel comfortable coming home and having the last of my treatments in Juneau.
The doctor has set me up with a doctor in Juneau to administer my three different chemos and maintain all my side effects (got to love those side effects!). I will be going back on the three different chemos that I started mid October, and then they took me off of two of them when I started radiation on October 23rd. I'm hoping to get back to work also, but probably will just be able to handle part-time, but am really hoping to do full-time. By the time this is all over I will have had 6 different chemos, WOW!
I have been here for 2 1/2 months by the time we go home, and its been 9 months since the cancer diagnosis. I really didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel when I was told I had cancer. Time has gone by so fast though, it really doesn't seem like its been 9 months. Today I finished my 8 weeks of radiation. Doc had added more treatments because she said she needed to give me as much as I could handle. They radiated 3/4 of my chest, over the top of my shoulder and around my left side. I am cherry red, have several blisters and raw skin. The last two weeks have been very painful and uncomfortable. The radiation doctor told me several times how amazing I have done and that I should be proud of myself. She even said they talk about me in the weekly meetings about my great attitude and how well I've handled all of the treatments, she made me cry.
I've been still doing the one chemo every Monday. My major side effect has been my extreme leg pain, nausea and just not feeling good. But I know it could be a lot worse so I just push on the best I can. I walk home from the hospital everyday but usually have to take a nap everyday also.
Ken arrived back in Seattle on November 11th. We were apart for a month, way to long for both of us. It was hard on me going through the treatments by myself, and hard on Ken trying to do his best at the house and not worry about me. We will never do that again.
This cancer shit is hard enough but to be apart from your husband just makes everything much worse. I did try a couple of the support groups but decided they just weren't for me. I didn't feel comfortable with the people and didn't like all the whining. I really get tired of talking about me and the cancer all the time.
This whole cancer treatment, I have tried to treat it like a job. I have to do it so just get up everyday and do what I have to do to save my life.
This cancer shit has brought Ken and I closer and we are definitely becoming a stronger couple. We just had our 2 year wedding anniversary on November 21st. It really has been a great 2 year adventure, 4 actually as a couple. We have been able to travel to India, Rome and Mexico. We moved to Alaska, bought a great house and have great jobs. And let's not forget about our four great animals. He has been a great support for me but he is a man so he has those days. (Gotta love those men)
So we are coming home on the 26th of December. We received miles from our friends Cindy and Lisa so we didn't have to buy the expensive holiday tickets. We leave Seattle on the 23rd going to my mom's for Christmas in Longview. My daughter Jessica and her boyfriend, my brother will also be there. It will be a big family Christmas, totally unexpected. For those of you that enjoy our Christmas letter, there will not be one this year. I don't think I have to explain why.
A special thank you to George for taking our dog's out on hikes. I'm sure they love you very much for taking them out into the woods, they are definitely hiking dogs.
Thank you Tia for picking up dog poop, (big dog poop, quote Tia) oh, and giving them baths, I know it wasn't easy. Thank you to our wonderful house sitters, Autumn and Pule for taking such good care of our house. We thank all of you for your wonderful support.
We hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Julie
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