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I was a bit worried about how today's infusions would go, given what happened last time.  I've also had nose bleeds all the last week, so I was afraid my platelets might be low, though I haven't had bruises or petechiae or any other signs of low platelets.  But my labs were good!

Platelets: 118 thou/mcL (WOOT!)
Abs # neut:  4.0 thou/mcL
WBC: 5.1 thou/mcL
Hemoglobin 9.9 



My friend Wendy was my chemo companion today.  Wendy and I met through email and La Leche League MANY years ago and we've stayed in casual contact online, but I think the last time we spent any length of time together was the impetus for this article (unfortunately, they've stripped the photos from it).  We had a nice lunch at Whole Foods and lots of time to catch up over knitting.

And the infusions went fine.  They loaded me up with steroids and benadryl again, and I was sleepy (and probably loopy), but no cough or chills.  Hooray! 

Yesterday I had my final "embiggening" appointment at the plastic surgeon.  My expanders are maxed out on both sides, and will stay in place through the remainder of chemo and through radiation.  Radiation will likely cause all sorts of issues with my right side, including encapsulation (warning, link is NSFW--don't click unless you want to see an image of an encapsulated breast).  The doctor said they can clean out the area if it becomes encapsulated, and inject fat to attempt to make it look more normal, but radiation messes up the skin and tissues so much that it won't be a perfect match.  Other than that, he was very pleased with how the expanders are working and he said I was "very even."  Of course, he then said, "you've gained weight, haven't you?"  Then he said I won't see him again until I'm done with radiation, so about 5-6 months.  He told me that would give me time to lose some weight.   I would be offended, except that he's right.  Between the time I found the lump and got the diagnosis of breast cancer, I lost 12 pounds.  I kept it off through surgery and recovery.  Since that time, I have gained those 12 back, plus 10 more.  Twenty-two pounds.  I've gone from running 3x a week, to running about once every 3 weeks.  I'm now heavier than I've ever been other than when pregnant.  I've moved into the "overweight" BMI category.  And I'm eating, and craving lots of carbs.  Hoping this summer will allow me to exercise more and to eat healthier.  Cara has told me she'll help, as she will be home this summer.

After finishing radiation, my body needs to rest and heal for 6 months to see exactly what effect the radiation had before my permanent implants are put in.  So that means I have these goofy breasts for a year, anyway.  None of my pre-surgical bras fit, so I decided that instead of the ugly Target bras I'd been wearing, I'd treat myself to a couple pretty ones at Victoria's Secret (Yeah, I know--retail therapy.  But it worked ;)).

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A couple other little things:

There's a line of "empathy cards" that has been making the rounds of Facebook and I found them amusing.  Some are really spot-on, but others just don't apply to me.  My friends have been amazing and really said the right things (unlike my plastic surgeon... ;)).  I *do* think everything happens for a reason.  I smile every time I hear or read "fuck cancer."  But I do love the lemonade one.

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While it has been wonderful to have Selenia living with Mom and helping out, it has become apparent that Mom needs to have someone with her around the clock, and that Selenia cannot do that (she has a job and family in the area).  So we are about to start the look for a full-time live-in aide for Mom.  The social worker sent us a list of agencies, but if any of you have recommendations, we'd gladly take them!

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As I mentioned above, Cara will be home this summer.  The lab she did research in last summer is closed as the professor is on sabbatical.  She was hoping to get in to do research at the Medical College, but did not get that position.  I am selfishly kinda happy that she'll be here, and we're working on some lab-related opportunities (likely unpaid) for her here.

Travis is in the middle of AP exams, having taken Chemistry and BC Calculus already.  Tomorrow is Computer Science, and then he has English (language) next week.  Poor guy, with his birthday sandwiched in the middle.

And Mira's keeping busy with soccer, Girls Who Code, Green Team, and the Middle School Musical (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), which is this weekend.  She had to get her purple/pink hair cut off for the performance.  :(

Greg's busy wrapping up the semester (and school year) and I'm still job searching, while hoping I might be able to squeeze out some more time at my current job, though my contract ends June 30th.  I have faith that something will work out.