Journey with Mary D

Missi Coggins Neskorik, my BFF,  getting real about Mondays.... Facebook post of on 9/19/2022 I know everyone dreads Monday morning and we all complain like crazy that the weekend is over. As I read through some of the posts this morning all I could think of is my best friend that has Chemo every Monday morning for the near future and I’ve not heard her complain one time. Talk about sucky Mondays!  She’s fighting the good fight and not complaining but thankful that she’s here with us still. And God knows I’m glad she is. We’ve been through a lot together so by God I’m gonna be by her side and cheer her on through this fight. So have a great Monday and be grateful that you’re here and healthy. Love You M!!!  Facebook post on 9/25/2022 Tomorrows Monday and every Sunday night I’m gonna remind you that it’s coming because I want you to embrace it. I want you to love it. I want you to remember that you’re here and you can love it. I want you to remember those that are sitting ...

I was told that I would lose my hair.  My sister quickly jumped in to help take some control of this crazy situation. She consulted with her daughter, Ashley, who is a fantastic beautician. Ashley was on it and found a company that makes wigs form your own hair, if you have enough.  If you know me you know I had a TON of hair.  So Judy booked a flight and came to TN Labor Day Weekend to hug my neck and cut my hair.  It was a family affair.  Lyle, the boys, and Judy set up our living room and Ashley, Taylor and Brandon joined us via facetime.  It was very emotional, but rewarding that I had control of how I was going to lose my hair. We packaged the hair up, and Judy took it home with her.  Too funny that she was worried about going through airport security with my hair.  Man it is a good thing they didn't stop her, she would have lost it. So my hair has been shipped off, and I should have a wig in about 10-12 weeks (in time for the holidays)....

With the approval and support of my doctors (and Lyle 😀), this is the treatment chair I picked for today: Yep, I didn't let cancer interfere with my life. So we are at one of our favorite places, Cape San Blas, FL.  I think this vitamin "sea" is just what I needed. I guess you could say, it's just what the doctor ordered, since she did approve the trip. FYI, my sleeping situation is improving.  It could be the medicine or where I am, but who cares, I'm just glad to be getting some rest. 

Yay it’s the weekend!!!   As you may have heard me complain, I had no sleep on Sunday night😫, but my team of doctors is coming up with resolutions.  They adjusted the steroid and prescribed sleepy medicine.   Each night this week has been a little better, with getting a few hours straight each night.  Now I am trying to change my nighttime routine.  I know, here I am again, "old dog, new tricks".  Well I think it might be working.  Since I was able to get m ore then 6 hours of sleep, man I feel like a new person today.  I welcome suggestions of any great sleep habits or nighttime routines that work for you.  So now I will update the score for the week....I am winning!  

Well my Monday didn't start great since I didn't sleep at all last night.  I slept for about 20 minutes during our early morning drive and that is it.  UGH!!  I don't do well without sleep. The oral steroids I have to take the day before and day after each treatment are really messing with my sleep.   So treatment routine starts with blood work, then vitals and then claiming my seat.  It wasn't as busy today, so I got a window seat.  Oh the little things!  My bloodwork came back ok, with the white blood count up a little, but my BP was high.  They think it is from a combination of the steroid and lack of sleep.  So they are adjusting the IV steroid a little and giving me something to help me sleep. Fingers crossed for a good week!   Score update pending.....

So on September 19th I started Cycle 2.  The beginning of each cycle starts out normal, with blood work and then vitals, but on the first day of a cycle we get to visit with Kelsey, the Nurse Practitioner.  I was prepared today with my questions.  It was a good visit.  Everything seems to be going as planned.  So, we head to the treatment room and get started. Score...I am still winning 😃

So this is week 3 of treatment.  Same routine, just a different day. This week will be a little different.  I have to get a shot on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.  They originally scheduled me to go to Nashville for those.  Thankfully I was able to get those done at our Primary Care facility in Cookeville at the Averitt Clinic. They made sure I was the first patient in after lunch and made sure I was not exposed to any sickness, man those girls rock! Score this week....I'm winning!!!!  More good days then bad, yay. 

CHEMO was on Tuesday this week due the Labor Day Holiday.  We spent the night in Nashville, since we dropped my sister off at the airport on Monday night.  It was nice to get to sleep in a bit, since we didn't have to make the early morning drive from Cookeville for my appointment at 7:45am.   I'm becoming a pro now.  First blood work, then vitals, and then claim my spot in the treatment room.  I put on my comfy non slip socks (thanks Helen) and claimed my heated blanket. So week 2 proved to be a little better for me.  I was tired by the end of the week, but not exhausted.   So the score this week ... I call it a tie!

I survived the first day of CHEMO.  I was told of all the side effects that could happen.  Nausea, hair loss, numbness, bone pain, etc.  But I was not prepared for the fatigue.  They said with my treatments being on Mondays, that Tuesday and Wednesday would be my good days. Then I would start going down hill on Thursday, with Friday being the worst day.  Then I should go back up Saturday and feel almost normal on Sunday and ready to start it all over again.  Well, week 1 knocked me down for the majority of the week.  Not sure if it was the drugs or just the whole process.  I was so tired and all I wanted or could do was sleep.  So if I am keeping score CHEMO won week #1

August 29th began my CHEMO journey.  We knew it would be a long and stressful day.  Everyone at TN Oncology has been so nice to us.  After blood work and a visit with Kelsey, my nurse practitioner.  We headed to the treatment room.  Claimed my chair.  Then met my nurse, Meredith, for the day.  She was great and explained everything that was  getting ready to happen.  

We decided that we would travel to Nashville and go through the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center.  My first visit was with my surgeon,  Dr. Cooper.  This is when we learned more information about my Cancer, T riple Negative Breast Cancer is the diagnosis .  FYI I quickly learned not to google it, yikes.  I have a team of doctors with over 100 years experience so we are very happy with the care that I will receive.  It was decided the best course of action is to do Chemotherapy first then surgery.  So I was referred to my oncologist Dr. Hamilton.  And MRI was ordered as well. So remember back in June we were doing a lot of waiting, well, now things started moving and moving fast .  Met with Dr. Hamilton on a Wednesday and a treatment plan was developed.  Went that Friday to have my port put in and started CHEMO on Monday, August 29th. My Treatment Plan: 12 weeks of CHEMO (every Monday to Nashville we go) have an MRI to see how the spo...

Once I knew it was cancer, I didn’t care who knew.  If I saw you in person, I probably told you.  But I didn’t post on Facebook, because I still don’t want my mom to worry.  I asked Lyle if he had told anyone, and he said NO not yet, he was waiting until it came up.  And my response was “when would it come up in conversation that I have cancer” we both laughed about that.  FYI, Lyle is a pretty private person, so this has not been easy on him. But I know the more people that know the more prayers and good vibes I will have, which is what I need right now.