The GOOD, the BAD, and the UPCOMING
In support of
The Gonzalez Family
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The Gonzalez Family
Hi everyone. Jumping on to share a few updates...
GOOD:
- I am almost halfway through my 6 months of chemotherapy! I can't wait for this bullshit to be over with.
- I am still working out every day (lifting weights 5 days per week, walking the remaining 2 days per week).
- My labs continue to look good, including my blood cell counts. This is fabulous because it allows me to live my life normally, make it to my kids sports, and hang out with friends. My immune system is holding up, which means I don't need to remain stuck in the house.
- And finally...WE ADOPTED A KITTEN! His name is Milo and he is incredibly sweet, energetic, a little mischievous, friendly, stubborn, and cuddly. He's basically Luka but a cat. Roman and Dante accompanied me on the drive to Davis to pick him up and we've been in love ever since. He's about 11 weeks old now and has been with us for two weeks. (Pic attached of the moment we met Milo in Davis.)
BAD:
- Fatigue during "big chemo" weeks is getting way worse. It's more intense and lasts longer than before. I hate that it's taking me longer to bounce back from those more intense treatments.
- I still have the majority of my hair, but it's really thinning now. I try to part it in ways that cover up the thinning, but that's getting harder to do as well. I have to wear hats a lot more now to protect the parts of my scalp that are exposed.
- I've also lost lashes and eyebrow hairs all of a sudden. Those held on really well, but are thinning now which sucks.
- Hot flashes are a major side effect for me. They probably started about a month ago and have intensified. They happen every evening and overnight. (I'm wearing a neck fan I bought during Prime Day as I type this!)
UPCOMING:
- Next week marks my 12th infusion, which will wrap up my 4th full round of chemo. That will bring me to my halfway point.
- After that I start the second half of chemo which will consist of 4 more total rounds. Those will be with different drugs and only 4 total infusions. That means I will go to the Stanford Cancer Center only every three weeks for treatment.
- I'll also get an MRI at the halfway mark to verify my progress so far. Cross your fingers the tumor really has shrunk as much as physical exams have estimated.
- I've also started working with my surgery teams to schedule that. As long as I stay on track with my chemo schedule, I'll have surgery in early November. (Still TBD if I will have one surgery or two a few weeks apart.)
As always...THANK YOU for all the support!
GOOD:
- I am almost halfway through my 6 months of chemotherapy! I can't wait for this bullshit to be over with.
- I am still working out every day (lifting weights 5 days per week, walking the remaining 2 days per week).
- My labs continue to look good, including my blood cell counts. This is fabulous because it allows me to live my life normally, make it to my kids sports, and hang out with friends. My immune system is holding up, which means I don't need to remain stuck in the house.
- And finally...WE ADOPTED A KITTEN! His name is Milo and he is incredibly sweet, energetic, a little mischievous, friendly, stubborn, and cuddly. He's basically Luka but a cat. Roman and Dante accompanied me on the drive to Davis to pick him up and we've been in love ever since. He's about 11 weeks old now and has been with us for two weeks. (Pic attached of the moment we met Milo in Davis.)
BAD:
- Fatigue during "big chemo" weeks is getting way worse. It's more intense and lasts longer than before. I hate that it's taking me longer to bounce back from those more intense treatments.
- I still have the majority of my hair, but it's really thinning now. I try to part it in ways that cover up the thinning, but that's getting harder to do as well. I have to wear hats a lot more now to protect the parts of my scalp that are exposed.
- I've also lost lashes and eyebrow hairs all of a sudden. Those held on really well, but are thinning now which sucks.
- Hot flashes are a major side effect for me. They probably started about a month ago and have intensified. They happen every evening and overnight. (I'm wearing a neck fan I bought during Prime Day as I type this!)
UPCOMING:
- Next week marks my 12th infusion, which will wrap up my 4th full round of chemo. That will bring me to my halfway point.
- After that I start the second half of chemo which will consist of 4 more total rounds. Those will be with different drugs and only 4 total infusions. That means I will go to the Stanford Cancer Center only every three weeks for treatment.
- I'll also get an MRI at the halfway mark to verify my progress so far. Cross your fingers the tumor really has shrunk as much as physical exams have estimated.
- I've also started working with my surgery teams to schedule that. As long as I stay on track with my chemo schedule, I'll have surgery in early November. (Still TBD if I will have one surgery or two a few weeks apart.)
As always...THANK YOU for all the support!
Comments
Chrismckinley54
Christina Lammers
Sylvia Rutherford
Beckie122
Janet Cochran
Janelle Harris
Tamarabarnard
so happy to hear the good news and love seeing your Milo posts. 🐾 Sending you & the family love & hugs!