Debbie's Doing the Happy Dance...Again.

So here's where we are at almost a month since Debbie’s final chemo treatment. The doctors said that the affects of Taxotere would be cumulative, and boy, they weren’t kidding.

After a month, Debbie’s fatigue is just now starting to subside, but she’s far from ready to run the 100-yard dash. I’d say the 3-yard dash would be a perfectly acceptable goal for her at this point. And on top of the usual fatigue, Debbie is now carrying around about an extra 25 pounds of water, mostly in her arms and legs.

Over the past couple of weeks Debbie's arms, legs, and ankles have swollen to the point where the doctors became very concerned. Initially, the consensus was Lymphedema, which is a side effect of the surgery when Dr. Krueger removed a bunch of Debbie’s lymph nodes from her left armpit when Lucy was removed. The unfortunate side effect is a diminished capacity for her lymphatic “plumbing” in her left arm to channel water and other body waste back to her organs to be processed. Instead, fluid just starts to accumulate and before you know it, she’s looking like she’s wearing a sumo wrestler costume. While there seems to be some of that going on, it didn’t explain the water build-up in her right arm, hands, and legs. The biggest concern became Debbie’s heart, so off she went to have an echo cardiogram test performed.

Fortunately, the “Echo” came back normal, so that was a relief. At this point, the doctors are thinking Lymphedema in the left arm and they’re attributing the rest of the water retention to a condition known as de-conditioning, a.k.a., couch potato syndrome. Hey…you can’t blame her. Months of recovery from surgery and chemotherapy…all the nasty side affect…always a metallic taste in your mouth…when the only thing you can stomach, at best, is a milk shake or a plate full of Ron’s garlic mash potatoes….you’d start looking like the Michelin Tire man, too. So let’s cut her some slack, here.

So now Debbie’s on Lasix for a few days to try and reduce the water build-up. She’s also starting massage therapy with a Lymphedema therapist and she’ll need to start wearing a special sleeve on her left arm to help control the accumulation of fluid. Hopefully, once this is all under control, she won’t need to wear it all the time. As you can imagine, Debbie is very anxious to get all this behind her and start taking control of her lifestyle again…working out, going for long walks, eating more balanced meals, and the like.

So now the journey takes a new turn: Radiation Therapy. On top of all of the concern about water build-up and heart tests, Debbie has consulted with the Radiation Oncologist. Her chest is all mapped and marked, her body mold has been created, and in about a week or so, she’ll start her 28 radiation treatments…5 days a week for about six weeks. She’s actually starting a little sooner than originally anticipated. Radiation is also a cumulative process, so she’ll feel fine for about the first three weeks (she should be fine for Candi’s wedding) and then she’ll start to feel like crap again. Mostly fatigue. Maybe some skin irritation like nasty sunburn. Nothing as bad as what she went through with chemo. Please! …pray that it won’t be anything like chemotherapy.

So here’s where we are: Chemo is over; waters are receding; Debbie had the opportunity to visit with every one of her favorite doctors these past two weeks; we’re good to go to start radiation; and Mr. “C” is nowhere to be found.

Debbie is doing the happy-dance. Check'er out...

Love,
Rosie

After Round 2: Debbie - 2, Cancer - 0

That's one happy chemo patient you see sitting there in the chemo infusion chair...and one happy daughter of the chemo patient next to her holding up the CELEBRATE hangy thing. Today was the last dose of Taxotere for Debbie, and everyone is doing the happy dance. Yup...two weeks of hell starting around Saturday, but knowing it's the last time...Debbie says, "Bring it on!"

Today was a very emotional day and for a lot of different reasons. Debbie talks about this being her "journey" as if she were taking her first trip to Europe or some other distant land. But let's be real...between the surgery and then months of chemotherapy, this isn't about someone taking a vacation, this is someone fighting for her life. And then, to reach the the end of the fight, exhausted, beat-up, and emotionally drained from the fight itself, not to mention bald, boobless, and bloated. Who wouldn't be emotional?

And then she starts thinking, wait...what if the chemo didn't kill all the cancer cells? Maybe it's too early to stop the fight. Then the fear sets in and another layer of emotions on top of the months of anxiety and pain and fatigue and all the negative thoughts of "what if" and "why should I continue putting myself through this torture?" Yes, as positive and upbeat as she usually is, even Debbie is going through all of these fears and emotions.

Today, when that final drop of Taxotere ran through the IV tube and into Debbie's body, these are tears of happiness knowing that the worst of the treatments is over; tears of pride for victoriously fighting the fight and kicking cancer's ass; tears of fear and trepidation that come from never really knowing for sure; tears of gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from family and friends throughout the fight; and finally, tears of joy for being able to wake up today to live and love and be loved for another day with God, family, friends, and another chance to make a difference in this world.

So now Debbie's goal is to get through the next two weeks of hell, to start rebuilding her strength, and to get ready for a very special wedding in February. She'll start five weeks, five days a week, of radiation treatments late February or early March. If all goes as planned, Debbie will celebrate her birthday on April 5th able to look back and say, "I'm done! I did it!" ...while sipping a Pomegranate Martini.

That will be a beautiful thing.

Love,
Rosie

Arrivederci to 2009

As much as Debbie and Ron would like to forget 2009 for all of the heartache it brought, it will be a year to remember. It'll be like always remembering where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, and how you felt when you learned about the assassination of President Kennedy, or watched Neil Armstrong step on the moon's surface, or watched the twin towers fall in New York City on CNN. Learning that you have breast cancer...or any type of cancer...is undoubtedly a life-defining moment as well.

Now that Debbie is near the end of her chemo treatments it becomes a little easier for her to look at her battle with breast cancer with a more balanced perspective. Make no mistake, Debbie has been through hell and back since June, first having dealt with her diagnosis, and then enduring the fear and anticipation of this medical test and that body-part scan, the mastectomy in July, recovering from surgery, and then the weeks and weeks of chemotherapy, blood draws, and all the side effects of the chemo. And then there is the constant fear associated with unanswerable questions like, Will it come back? When I stop taking the chemo will the cancer start growing again? Will the chemo side effects leave me with damage to my body that's no better than or worse than the cancer? When will I stop looking like this so people can stop staring? Will the next PET/CT scan or blood test show that it's back. These are very rational questions and fears that only other cancer fighters can truly relate to.

Yes...Debbie will carry all of these fears with her for the rest of her life, but if you've spent any time with her lately, you will hear and see in her a growing sense of hope, purpose and determination that is truly inspiring. She is determined to not let these fears get in the way of living her life to its fullest which, for Debbie, will be all about enjoying time with her family and friends, making the year 2010 her year of rebuilding her physical and emotional health, and dedicating a good part of herself to making a difference for others in the breast cancer community, whether its bringing hope to other patients, or supporting and offering words of encouragement to the doctors and caregivers who made a difference in her life.

After a little over a week since her chemo treatment on December 23rd, Debbie is now starting to bounce back from the debilitating bone pain and fatigue. Ron was able to leverage two weeks of stored up vacation time to be with her for the remainder of 2009. Ron and Debbie spent New Years Eve at home alone for the most part as the kids headed off in different directions to celebrate with friends...well, until about 11:00p when Ellie returned home with 20 of her closest friends to hang out in the basement until the calendar flipped to 2010 at midnight. Today (New Years Day) the family will be together with the McElligotts for dinner and, no doubt, a lot of laughs as we reflect on and tease Debbie about her interesting perspectives on history, geography, and world events including the much debated topic of how John F. Kennedy really died.

On Wednesday Debbie made the call to the oncologists office to schedule her last chemo treatment which is on January 13th. When she hung up the phone she sat at the kitchen table and wept. Tears of sadness? Tears of joy? Only someone else nearing the end of months of torturous chemotherapy treatments would understand, but probably a little of both.

Debbie, Ron and the kids would like to wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2010. Happy New Year!

Love,
Rosie

Merry Christmas

Debbie had her second to last chemo treatment on Wednesday (the day before Christmas Eve). Right on schedule following Wednesday's hit of Taxotere, the bone pain has begun to set in once again and Debbie is already wrapped in that blanket of overpowering fatigue. But, she grows stronger, more determined, and more positive everyday, even as the effects of the poison overtake her once again. We have so many gifts for which to be thankful during this holiday season, the most important of which is the progress Debbie has made over the past six months and all the positive signs that she will be able to call herself a breast cancer survivor in the furture.

We are thankful for all of the fantastic doctors, nurses, and caregivers affiliate with Advocate Christ Hospital and the Breast Care Center in Oak Lawn, that have so competently and compassionately provided Debbie with the best treatment and care anyone could hope for.

We are thankful that Kristopher and Kiersten made it back from Thailand safely. Kiersten stayed in California to celebrate Christmas with her family. Kris landed at O'hare on Monday morning in time to be with us to enjoy the holidays as a family.

We are thankful that Debbie felt strong enough to make the trip to her brother's house on Christmas Eve for the traditional Young/McElligott/Markham Christmas Eve celebration. Thank you, Mickey and Kathy, for all you do to make it a very special evening.

When we look back at the past six months, as difficult as it's been, we will never take for granted how blessed we are to have such caring and giving family and friends. The cards, the meals, the phone calls, the gifts, the prayers...it has truly been overwhelming and humbling for all of us. We are all so grateful and thankful for the outpouring of love and caring from everyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Debbie is near the end of her chemotherapy treatments with the last one scheduled for January 14th. She'll then have about five or six weeks to gain her strength back before starting her regimen of radiation treatments, which will last for five or six weeks, five days a week. But between her last chemo treatment and her first radiation treatment she'll have a very special event to get ready for...her niece (and godchild) Candi's wedding on February 20th.

So from our family to yours...enjoy the holidays with your loved ones and have a prosperous and healthy 2010.

Love,
Ron, Debbie, Kristopher, Ellie, Kyle....and Hunter.

The storm clouds are rolling in again...

As I write this, Debbie is at the oncologist's office with Terry getting her Taxotere treatment. Yes...it has already been three weeks since the last one. The good news is that so far, no allergic reaction after the first 25 minutes into the infusion. The bad new is, the storm clouds are rolling in and it is about to get very dark and very scary for Debbie.

There's no better way to describe it. After a week or so of "sunny and warm"...quality time as a family with not-so-much pain (as compared to the two weeks prior), a beautiful Thanksgiving (able to smell and taste the feast that Ron whipped up), some long overdue time with friends...all the time knowing that the forecast is 100% chance of violent and dangerous storms to come within the next week or so. Storms in the form of more unbearable pain, more fatigue, no appetite, and just being so totally overwhelmed with the downpour of discomfort and despair and feeling like the only way out of this hell is to have the world come to an end once and for all.

Thankfully, storms come and go. The only thing keeping Debbie going when the storm is at its worst is knowing that storms move from west to east and eventually the clear blue skies will once again emerge and that, in the end, storms bring new life to...well...life. We just need to keep praying that no permanent damage is left in the storm's wake once it moves on.

Debbie's courage and attitude are at an all-time high despite how deeply painful the side effects were with the last treatment. There is no doubt that she is terrified down to her core as she faces this and then two more infusion of this horrible poison, but she continues to rely on her faith in God for the strength to move forward each day. But it is her love and concern for what Reenie is going through that has only intensified her will and determination to win her own battle so she can carry-on to inspire and help Reenie and all of the other Debbies and Reenies out there fighting there own wars with Mr. "C".

Hey...Angel Lucy...tell Mickey (Debbie's dad) Happy Birthday! And let him know that Debbie and Terry send their love and thanks for giving Debbie the strength she needed on his birthday to get through today's treatment.

Love,
Rosie

On the Up-Swing

Just a quick update on how Debbie is doing following her horrible week last week. Night and day difference between last Monday night and where she is today. The bone pain had subsided to a tolerable level by last Thursday. Debbie's energy level is still up and down, but she was able to walk the full lap around Joliet Drive (about a half mile) by Sunday evening. This girl is one determined little fighter, not letting the drugs, or Mr. "C", get the best of her.

Now we're starting to see some of the expected latent side effects of the Taxotere, namely a tingling in the hands and feet and some discomfort in Debbie's finger and toe nails. One of the know side effects of Taxotere is the havoc it plays on finger and toe nails...anything from discoloring (turning black...yuck!) to just falling off completely. Not looking forward to that.

Debbie's eyebrows are thinning so they'll likely be gone by her next treatment on December 3rd.

Good news is her appetite has returned. She lost about five pounds last week, so hopefully Ron will be able to fatten'er up a bit over Thanksgiving. He's doing all the cooking on Thursday. Debbie, Ron and the kids are planning to have a quite low-key Thanksgiving...just the six of us.

The Markham family sends all of their love and best wishes to everyone for a blessed, warm, and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

Love,
Rosie

A Week to Forget

Looking back on this past week following the first Taxotere treatment and I can say unequivocally that, so far, it was one of the darkest weeks for Debbie on this long and unpredictable journey. There is no sugar coating it...this Taxotere stuff is just plain nasty.

The fatigue is already overwhelming and we haven't yet reached the point when it's suppose to be overwhelming. The bone pain got so bad early this week that the doctor prescribed some of the strongest painkillers known to man. At best, the pills took off some of the edge, falling way short of bringing Debbie anywhere close to comfortable. By Thursday the poison had run its course and the pain finally started to subside. Dry mouth, severely chapped lips, loss of appetite, feeling hot and flush all the time...yup...Debbie is having the time of her life with Taxotere.

The low point was Monday night when Debbie fainted in Ron's arms as he was helping her go to the bathroom. It got pretty close to being a 9-1-1 moment as Ron sat there on the bathroom floor in front of the toilet with Debbie in his arms trying to figure out how to get to the phone. Thankfully, she came back around after a few minutes and Ron was able to get her back on her feet and into bed. (Note to self: Install a telephone in the bathroom.)

If the toxic effects of this stuff on Debbie are any indication of what it's doing to any remaining cancer cells that may be lurking deep inside Debbie's body...well...Mr. "C" doesn't have a chance. Knowing that is the only reason Debbie can convince herself that going back to the oncologist in less than two weeks to get another dose, and knowing what follows, is the right thing to do, the only acceptable option she has.

This is the week when Debbie's blood counts are suppose to take a nose-dive. At that point she will be the most at-risk for infection or picking up some sort of viral or bacterial bug. If the counts drop too low she'll need to get an injection of some sort of drug that will help bring them back up. And whatever the drug, there will come yet more side effects on top of the party brought to you by Taxotere.

Ron, Debbie and the kids are looking forward to Thanksgiving 2010 when they can all look back and give thanks that Thanksgiving 2009 is nothing but a distant memory. This year we are thankful that Debbie's long-term prognosis is excellent and that there is no medical reason known to the doctors why she won't beat this once and for all.

Three more treatments until we're down the home stretch.

Keep Debbie, Reenie, and every other cancer fighter out there in your prayers over this Thanksgiving season.

Love,
Rosie

Taxotere Plus Two Days

Up until Saturday evening Debbie has been a fireball of energy following Thursdays first infusion of Taxotere. But now the fatigue is starting to settle in gradually; some bone pain in the hips and legs, presumably from the Neulasta shot on Friday. No loss of appetite yet, and no nausea. Debbie is pushing herself to stay as active as possible whether enjoying long walks with Ron and Hunter, or just walking laps around the dining room table. And she continues to insist on doing just about everything for herself. She's not taking this lying down...literally.

Friday was a tough day for Debbie when she heard the news that her dear friend Reenie learned from her doctor that her breast cancer has returned after three years. A survivor's worst nightmare. Reenie and Tom and their family have been an inspiration to Debbie, Ron and the kids over the past five months. Reenie always went out of her way to call or visit Debbie almost everyday to offer words of encouragement, to share tips and tricks on how get through daily life with the side effects of chemo, to drop off a small gift, or just to see how Debbie was doing.

Reenie must start her new chemotherapy regimen on Monday...again. Please keep both Debbie and Reenie in your prayers as they lock arms to fight their battles together. They will not only be an inspiration to one another over the coming months, you can bet that they will inspire everyone around them as they fight one day at a time to becoming cancer-free once and for all.

Debbie sends her love.

Love,
Rosie

Moving Forward...Again

Today was a good day.

The Taxotere was making its way through Debbie's IV at 10:00a this morning and Debbie's fear gradually turned to smiles after 5 minutes...10 minutes...20 minutes...no allergic reaction. Three hours later she was finished with the first of four Taxotere treatments she'll be receiving over the next 12 weeks. There is now light at the end of this long, dark tunnel and it's getting brighter everyday.

But we're not out of the woods yet. The next big unknown are the side effects Debbie will potentially experience with Taxotere, the most prevalent of which will be severe fatigue; that is a certainty. What else might she see? Her finger and toe nails will likely discolor, or they might fall out all together. Neuropathy, to some degree, will be likely. This means her hands, arms, and feet will become numb. If this happens, the doctor will lower the dosage to minimize the risk of any permanent nerve damage. We'll be watching for that very closely.

Any remaining hair will be gone including eye lashes, eyebrows, and that lovely, thinning porcupine look she sprouted on the top of her head...a lasting reminder of the first round of A/C chemotherapy.

So the next leg of the journey is underway. Debbie is feeling great at the moment. Keep the prayers coming as the Taxotere does its work...obliterating Mr. "C" without making things too uncomfortable for Debbie over the coming days. She's being a real trooper.

Debbie send her love.

Love,
Rosie

Bumps, Bumps, and More Bumps

Debbie bounced back nicely from last week's allergic reaction to the Taxol. On the plus side, it gave her another full week to rebuild her strength and gear up mentally for a whole new list of unknowns that will come with a necessary change to her chemo regimen. Today she was scheduled to start her first treatment of Taxotere, the drug the doctors will put her on for the next 12 weeks instead of Taxol, but that did not come to pass today as planned. The reasons for which start with Ellie.

Ellie was preliminarily diagnosed yesterday to have the H1N1 virus in addition to strep throat and a double ear infection. She's pretty miserable and hopefully the drugs will kick in quickly and she'll be on the mend. For now Ellie's doctor wants Ron and Debbie to assume that Ellie does have H1N1, and to also assume that she is very contagious. Obviously this is not good for Debbie given her suppressed immune system and the chemo side-effects she continues to deal with. Ellie has been quarantined in her room and she's staying away from the rest of the family as much as possible and there's a lot of hand-washing going on. A confirmation of Ellie's diagnosis won't be known until Friday. In the meantime, Debbie was able to get a prescription for Tamiflu which she will start to use immediately if she begins to develop symptoms of H1N1.

Debbie arrived at the oncology office today at 10:00a, as planned, for her first Taxotere treatment. She was very positive and upbeat and "in her element" as she confidently consoled a fellow patient she met in the infusion room...a new breast cancer fighter there for her first treatment. It was a far cry from the Debbie we saw last week, scared out of her wits as the nurses rushed to stop the Taxol as her throat was closing up from the allergic reaction. She came back this week stronger, more confident, and reaching out to help others.

Debbie was all hooked up starting her first IV when Amanda came back into the infusion room to let her know that the Doctor wanted to have a talk with her and Ron. Amanda stopped the IV, disconnected her from the IV machine, and escorted her and Ron to a private office to meet with the doctor. There, the doctor informed them that Debbie would not be receiving her first Taxotere treatment today for two reasons.

First, because we have to assume that Ellie does have H1N1, the doctor wants to wait a week to ensure that Debbie is not going to contract the H1N1 virus. He did not want to take the risk of having Debbie at her weakest point following this treatment and possibly have the effects of H1N1 to deal with as well. That would be devastating to Debbie's already weakened system.

Second, because of Debbie's reaction to the Taxol last week, there is a higher probability that she could have a similar allergic reaction to the Taxotere. Because of that possibility, the doctor would like Debbie to receive her first Taxotere treatment in the oncologists' Oak Lawn office which is better equipped to handle a medical emergency...and it's right next door to Christ hospital should a worst-case situation arise. Just in case.

So another bump in the road on Debbie's journey. Was she disappointed today? Very much so. But, her belief is, "it is what it is." We adapt, regroup, and move forward because we don't really have a choice. And there is an upside to today's decision. Now Debbie can look forward to attending Candi's (her niece and god daughter) wedding shower on Sunday feeling good. And most important, when she does receive her first does of Taxotere, she will be in the best situation possible to deal with any adverse reaction she might experience. You can't argue with that.

Debbie sends her love. Oh...and add Ellie to your prayer list for a speedy recovery.

Love,
Rosie

No-Go on the Taxol

Debbie's chemotherapy regimen needed to be altered dramatically today when she experienced an immediate allergic reaction to what was to be her first of twelve weekly infusions of Taxol. The reaction started just minutes after the nurses started administering the drug. Debbie turned to her sister, Terry--who brought her to today's appointment, complaining that she was feeling flush. Seconds later, Debbie's throat started closing up, breathing became difficult, her hearing started to shut down, and her face was as red as could be. With that, the nurses ran back into the infusion room and immediately stopped her treatment and quickly switched her IV to a saline-flush to begin diluting the Taxol that entered her body.

Needless to day, Debbie was scared out of her mind when all of this happened so quickly, and thankfully the nurses knew exactly what to do. In many cases like this, patients need to be rushed to the emergency room. Thankfully, Debbie recovered fully within about 45 minutes while resting at the oncology office. She was home by 1:00p and resting comfortably.

Debbie now falls into the 1% of chemo patients who have an allergic reaction to Taxol.

So where do we go from here? Taxol is out and a different drug called Taxotere will be used instead. The doctor assured Debbie that a last minute change in her regimen...from Taxol to Taxotere...will not adversely affect the outcome (i.e., the survival rate) of her treatment plan. That's the good news.

The bad news is that the side-effects will be different with severe fatigue being the most pronounced difference compared to what was anticipated with Taxol. Debbie will likely experience longer and more intense episodes of fatigue following each treatment, even more so than what she experienced with the A/C over the past eight weeks. We are not looking forward to that.

The other big difference is that Taxotere will likely have a more adverse impact on Debbie's blood counts making her more susceptible to infection or catching something. Now more than ever she'll need to avoid crowds and any close contact with others.

The Taxotere treatments will start next week on Thursday. The protocol will be one treatment every three weeks for a total of four treatments over a twelve week period. As you would expect, Debbie is not in the best frame of mind after today's little surprise. And she was so brave and so positive going into today's treatment. Keep those prayers coming this week as she starts the process all over again...digging down to find the strength to move forward with yet another set of unknowns.

It's a scary place for anyone to be, for sure, but if anyone can do it, it's our girl. Her faith gives her strength. I have the unique advantage of eavesdropping on her little talks with God. For every request she makes of God to give her the strength to carry-on she is thanking him for the blessings in her life. And without fail, I hear her asking him to help others who are in a more difficult situation than hers. She never loses sight of those who are worse off than her. Even when she's down at her lowest point, she's thinking about others...but that, too, gives her strength and more reasons to seize each day.

Love,
Rosie

Four Down and Twelve To Go

Believe it or not it's been just over seven weeks since chemotherapy started and Debbie continues to fight the battle of her life. She has experienced just about every side effect the doctors anticipated, but if it's any consolation, they never seemed to hit Debbie all at once, with perhaps one exception: the fatigue is constant. Debbie is very very tired...drained...worn out...wiped out...just about most of the time. Her hair is gone; the inside of her mouth feels like you would expect after gargling with acid; sense of taste is pretty much gone; appetite comes and goes; stomach pain and acid reflux is there but for the most part in-check thanks to the Prilosec; bone pain after the first and second Neulasta shots; dry eyes; dry lips; and more. But you know what? Debbie is now so thankful and happy that she's finished with the first round of drugs...Andriamyacin & Cytoxin...and there does now seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. She's now thinking, hey I can beat this...I can get through this. And that is a very good thing.

Debbie almost made the past seven weeks look easy. Usually no matter how awful she feels, she gets herself up, puts on her coat, and goes out for a walk with a friend, with Ron and the dog, or one of the kids. Yesterday she went to the health club for the first time in quite a while, and walked nearly two miles on the indoor track. She is amazing. But trust me, it's been no picnic and I can tell you first-hand that she struggles every day to gather the strength and motivation to get through the day with the anticipation that tomorrow might only bring even more pain and discomfort, while at the same time thinking about the many more months of treatments to come.

Now that the A/C treaments are over, she still has twelve weeks of Taxol (once a week) and then 5-to-6 weeks of radiation treatments (5 per week) to look forward to. But she is staying in control of her illness, her treatments, the side effects, and her long-term get well plan. Staying in control, staying active, and staying positive...as difficult as it is on some days... is clearly the best way to fight this battle.

As wonderful as the oncology doctors and nurses have been at anticipating and controlling her side effects, it is Debbie's faith, spirit, and the love and support of her unbelievable circle of family and friends that get her through each day. And while the support from family and friends has been no less then overwhelming, Debbie, Ron, and the kids have been blown away by the support and generosity of so many others in the Tinley Park community and St. Stephens parish, many of whom, up until now, were total strangers. The outreach, the meals, the flowers, the get-well cards, the phone calls, the kind words...have been both overwhelming and humbling for Debbie and her family. That, more than any drugs the medical community can come up with, has been the best medicine for Debbie.

Those closest to Debbie know about her strong faith and her love for her mom, Elenore, and her dad, Ed. Family and close friends called Ed, "Mickey," and her mom "Tilly." Debbie and Ron named their daughter, Ellie Elizabeth, after their mothers, albeit with the modern versions...Ellie for Elenore, Elizabeth for Betty.

A big part of Debbie's strength continues to come from her spiritaul connection with Mickey and Tilly, and she is always looking for signs that her mom and dad are watching over her and her family. That connection helped Debbie through her 3rd treatment when she arrived at the oncology office and sat down in the treatment chair next to an 85 year-old cancer fighter who was already hooked up to her IV with drugs flowing. And as she always does, Debbie introduced herself and started a friendly conversation with her fellow chemo patient...and new friend...as she waited for Amanda to come in to hook'er up.

When Debbie introduced herself, the elderly chemo patient looked up and introduced herself, "Hi, my name is Elenore...my friends call me Ellie for short." That was the sign Debbie needed to help her through her third treatment. Tilly was there.

Thursday of next week Debbie starts her Taxol regiment each week for the next 12 weeks. Yes...Debbie is scared because she doesn't know what to expect. But we all have confidence that her strength and positive thinking will continue to prevail and before she knows it, she will be looking back at her 12 weeks of Taxol and 8 weeks of A/C and helping another breast cancer fighter and member of the sisterhood on how to keep the faith, how to manage the fear, and how to keep fighting the battle. And, of course, Tilly will be there watching over her.

Debbie sends her gratitude and love to everyone who has and continues to pray for her.

Love,
Rosie

Magoo's Girls?

When it comes to the physical transformations that come with chemo side effects, you're either laughing or crying. There is no in-between emotional response, at least not for anyone who has a high-octane spirit like Debbie. While taking a shower yesterday just about all of Debbie's hair waved bu-bye as it made its way down the drain. The mohawk is gone. The buzz is gone. All we have now is a tiny bit of peach fuzz covering what looks and feels like the bare bottom of a newborn baby's bum.

Both Ron and Debbie then had a good laugh when Debbie called Ron at worked and proclaimed, "Oh my God, I look like Mr. Magoo! I'm calling to warn you so you're prepared for what I look like when you get home." And of course, when Ron did get home, they laughed some more, the kids laughed, and Debbie's journey continues on past yet another emotional hurdle.

Terry and Debbie went back to Naturally Yours on Tuesday to pick up the new wig...just in time. The unanimous vote from all of Debbie's Girls followers was for style #2, so that's the one Debbie selected. And she looks awesome with it. Perfect style; perfect color; comfortable fit; and...yes...sassy.

Today is chemo treatment #3. Terry will be escorting our girl to the oncologist's office today because Ron needs to be downtown for work. Oh yes, and this treatment is for Ellie. The first treatment was for Ron. The second treatment was for Kris. The fourth treatment will be for Kyle. Debbie goes into each treatment with the motivation that comes from dedicating each round to a special someone she loves very much, and commits to that person that she will get through the next round. So Ellie...this one's for you.

So next time you see Debbie, feel free to call her Magoo. Her reaction will make you smile.

Love,

Rosie

Sister, Sister

Having a sister who also happens to be your best friend is a precious gift that so few of us get to experience. I should know...Lucy and I were inseparable; she was my soul sister. True...it wasn't like we ever had the option of going our separate ways whenever we got into a fight or had a disagreement, but that didn't matter. Now that Lucy is gone, I am as grateful for the gift we had as I am sad for what is no more.

I am so grateful that Debbie has Terry...as sister and as best friend. I see Terry as one of the highlights of Debbie's day. When the pain and discomfort of her last treatment is at its worst, or when her will to move forward is at its lowest, a call or visit from Terry is more comforting than any medicine the doctors could ever prescribe.

And Terry is always there for Debbie no matter the time of day or night. At around 8:00 last night Debbie needed to make a trip to the emergency room at Palos Hospital when Ron was downtown attending a work function. Whenever Ron can't be there, the automatic response is to call Terry as plan B. And there was Terry, without hesitation, making sure Debbie got to the ER as quickly as possible and then staying by her side until she knew that Debbie would be okay. Thankfully, what was feared to be a blood clot in her right arm turned out to be a simple muscle strain causing Debbie some pretty intense pain.

Thank God for sisters and best friends. Debbie thanks God everyday for her sister Terry and her brother Ed. Their role in her life throughout this journey is as important to her spirit and healing as are Ron and the kids. There's nothing that can ever replace the healing qualities of the love and support from family.

Have you hugged your brother and sister lately?

Love,

Rosie

Chemo's Like a Box of Chocolates

Well, if the first two treatments are any indication, the aftermath of each round of chemo will be completely unpreditcable. Debbie was feeling great after her second treatment up until yesterday (day-5), and then, “Whack!”...it was like someone pulled the plug and let all the air out of her. She was flat on her back the entire day on Tuesday overcome with fatigue and struggling through some serious plumbing problems down below (I’ll spare the details as it was not pretty). And her appetite completely shut down.

Today she’s doing better, able to get around, felt like eating some chicken soup and drinking more water, and then she forced herself to get out for a while to watch Kyle play soccer (Andrew vs. Sandburg). So I guess that’s how this is going to be...that whole box of chocolate analogy from Forest Gump...you know how it goes.

Love,

Rosie

P.S. Andrew lost, 1-0

Chemo Treatment-2, Day-2

So I guess we can now say that Debbie is officially halfway through her first set of chemo treatments. Two down and two to go, and there is light at the end of this dark and scary tunnel. Our girl is showing everyone how it's done, how to fight, how to stand-up and take control of her destiny instead of letting the cancer, the chemo, or the chemo side effects take control of HER.

Today is day-two following her second treatment and I can already see a big difference compared to this time following her first treatment. Debbie went into that oncology office for her second treatment on Thursday not as the scared, nervous, anxious cancer patient we saw just before the first treatment, but instead we saw a confident, strong, in-control fighter saying, "bring it on."

We're not seeing the heart palpitations this time, or the tight chest or stomach aches. The fatigue doesn't seem so bad yet either. The doctor is thinking that many of these side effects following the first treatment were more from anxiety than from the chemicals. This time, less anxiety and more "fight" seems to be making a big difference. Today was the Homecoming dance at Andrew High School and Debbie didn't make any plans to participate in Ellie and Kyle's pre-dance picture taking events at the houses of various friends. She assumed she would be just too tired and weak, but that was not the case.

At the last minute Debbie got in the car with Ron and they headed out to take pictures...buzz and all. Here is the clan just before Ellie and Kyle headed out to take pictures at their friends' houses.

So at this point, the hair is falling out like snow, the hot flashes are starting to creep up again, and a little pain in both arms, which the Extra-strength Tylenol took care of. Appetite is good, and not the debilitating fatigue we felt at this time two weeks ago. If we can get through days-3 & 4 with only this level of pain and discomfort, Debbie will consider herself blessed. We also think that all the prayers and positive energy coming from so many of Debbie's friends, family, and the nearly 600 people that are reading our blog are making a big difference.

Debbie sends her love and thanks to everyone.

Love,

Rosie

Chemo Treatment-2: Done

Debbie did great yesterday. Understandably a little nervous, but no tears this time...just a little over two hours from start to finish. She was very brave and in control.

We spent quite a bit of time with Dr. Sherman while Debbie was being infused, mostly talking about the side effects she experienced following the first treatment and how to better manage through the stomach pain, hot flashes, and the God-awful fatigue. Actually, there's nothing they can do about the extreme tiredness except just accept it and rest, which is exactly what she'll be doing starting today.

On another note, the mohawk is history. Just as the doctors and nurses said would happen by the 14th or 15th day following the first treatment, Debbie's hair started falling out yesterday so she had Ron do his thing and he buzzed her down to the scalp. And again, she looks just as beautiful in buzzed gray as she does in long red. Not quite as hot as the mohawk, but pretty darn close.

Love,

Rosie

Dear Mr. "C"

Today, Debbie is ready to kick your ass. But first you'll have to get past Ellie and Rosie.

You've been warned.

Angel Lucy

Those awesome pink boxing gloves were given to Debbie as a gift yesterday by another member of the sisterhood and a dear friend, Maureen, who beat breast cancer just a couple of short years ago.

Badge of Honor

For all the pain and fear and dread that comes with fighting breast cancer there comes an earned right to do something crazy every now and then. Even better, you can do it without the burden of having to apologize or explain your actions. If you came to realize one day that all of your hair was about to fall out from your chemo treatments, what crazy thing would you do?

Realizing that her hair is about to start falling out in a matter of days, Debbie decided she wanted to try a new and radical hairdo. The kids convinced her to try a "frohawk," so Ron got yet another opportunity to hone is hair cutting skills.

Kris and Mom

What surprised the family most about what Debbie did was not that she actually followed through and let Ron cut her hair in such a crazy style, but how absolutely fantastic she looks with her new do. And she was not at all shy about it. Debbie spent the day today showing it off...running errands, getting her blood drawn, going out for breakfast with a friend, shopping, going to the show with another friend, picking up the kids from school, and generally strutting her new look as if it were a badge of honor. And you know what? That's exactly what it is.

This is the look of a determined cancer fighter, one who has made the choice to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy on her own terms. How awesome is that?

You go girl. Lucy would be proud!

Love,

Rosie

Ten Thousand Reasons, From Angel Lucy

My Dearest Debbie,

I know this isn’t easy. I know that everyday you are fighting the urge to just give up. I can’t say that I blame you because those drugs they’re pumping into your body now are killing just as many good cells as bad cells, and that is what’s making you feel so tired and so sick. I wish I can tell you that your next treatment on Thursday won’t be as bad, but that wouldn’t be the truth.

You already know that the only way to beat this for sure is to let the chemicals do their job and kill the cancer. As difficult as it is to think about, you will need to endure every one of the treatments the doctors have planned for you. But instead of thinking about that next treatment, I want you to think about your dreams and the life God has waiting for you when the treatments are over. Visualize Debbie as the beautiful, healthy, vibrant, and fun-loving woman that everyone knows and loves. Think about the wonderful life you will enjoy with Ron, your family, and your friends when this is all behind you. I know that’s a lot to ask right now when just getting through the day is, at times, the most you can think about, so let me help you.

Think about the future. Think about, say, four years from now and what you and Ron will be doing when you celebrate your 30th wedding anniversary. That’s also the year when you’ll watch Kyle graduate from high school and enter college while Ellie becomes a college junior. And while I can’t divulge everything that will happen in 2013, that’s just about the time Kris will be tying the knot with the love of his life and your future daughter-in-law.

Look further out to the year 2015. Imagine how proud and happy you are as you watch Ellie walk across the stage to accept her college diploma. And if Kris follows in his dad’s footsteps, at the age of 30 he and your daughter-in-law will be giving you your first grandchild right around that time. Think about what it will be like to hold that little bundle for the first time, cuddling her, holding her tiny little hand and marveling at how she looks just like you or maybe Ron.

In the year 2016 you and Ron will be moving into your new home, a place with plenty of space for you to raise and love all the dogs and horses you’ve been dreaming about; the home where you’ll enjoy the rest of your life with Ron. It will be a home filled with love and family, the place where Kris, Ellie, and Kyle will bring they’re growing families to celebrate your grandchildren's birthdays, and where you and Ron will cook up and serve lavish meals for family and friends during the holidays; A home filled with warmth, laughter and love.

Four years later Ron will finally retire when he turns 65 and the two of you will travel the globe together to experience the food, wine, people, and cultures of Italy, France, Greece, Australia, and so many other exotic places you haven’t even heard of. Both of you are healthy and fit and you are enjoying life together to its fullest.

In 2023 you and Ron will be celebrating your marriage of 40 years; Kyle will be graduating from medical school; you’ll be spoiling the heck out of at least three, maybe four grandchildren; and you will be a nearly 15 year breast cancer survivor. And by my estimation, through your work within the brest cancer support network and your natural desire to reach out and help others in need, you will have made a significant difference in the lives of more than 10,000 other women fighting the disease you’re fighting right now.

I’m not at liberty to tell you exactly how it will play out, but this is God’s grand plan for you. As difficult and as unfair as this all seems to you right now, trust that you will get through it; trust that it will make you stronger. Believe that this is happening in order to prepare you for a bigger role, one that will not only enrich the lives of family and friends, but one in which you will also grace the lives of 10,000 or more women of the sisterhood, most of whom, right now, don’t even know they need you or that you’re coming.

Be strong. I know you will get through this. I am very proud of you. My best to Rosie.

Love,

Angel Lucy

Chemo Treatment-1, Day-7

Debbie got the results of her Tuesday blood test and everything looked very good. That Neulasta drug seems to be doing its job so far without any of the known side effects like bone pain. Keep your fingers crossed that the outcome from the next round of chemo on Sept 17th will be just as good.

Into her 7th day after treatment numero uno, Debbie is finally feeling less tired although she's nowhere near 100%. I guess that would be too much to ask for. But she was feeling strong enough to go out with Ron and do a little hair shopping today...hair as in "wigs." They went to this great little place in Willow Springs called Naturally Yours, a boutique that caters exclusively to the special needs of women fighting cancer. Debbie will be able to shop for anything from wigs to prostheses to hats and clothing in a setting that is very comfortable and private, with the warmth and feel of a cozy boutique that looks like it belongs in Door County.

Lisa treated Debbie like a queen as she tried on about a dozen different wigs while Ron "gently" voiced his opinion along the way. Here are photos of the two finalists. Debbie and Ron would love to hear your opinion. Let us know if you like...

Number 1:

Or Number 2:

Send Debbie a comment and let her know if you like #1 or #2. She's a bit undecided so any input you can provide would be helpful. You can also let her know if neither one works for you. Thankfully for most of you this will be your one and only chance to participate in one of the most important decisions a breast cancer fighter will have to make. From my perspective as a boob, I can't really see what's going on with anything above Debbie's chin, so I'm not much help. So help Debbie out and let her know honestly what you think.

Love,

Rosie

Chemo Treatment-1, Day-5

Debbie is learning that Chemotherapy is a process that you have to take one day at a time. You look at yesterday and take pride in the fact that you got through another day, and you look at today and think about strategies to get through one more. You can't think about tomorrow or the next day, and you certainly can't think about next week or next month. And each day that goes by you thank God for giving you the strength to get through another day without giving up, and you thank Him for not making it as bad as it could have been. Chemotherapy is as much a mental game as it is a physical battle. It's not about how you get through six months of this, but rather how to get through one more day and then rinse...and repeat.

Debbie has conquered five days now and she's prepared for today. She is grateful that, so far, extreme fatigue is her biggest issue. On Tuesday the acid reflux got so bad she needed to call the oncologist to get some medicine for relief. Apparently, severe heart burn is a common side effect. Appetite is now returning. The persistent metallic taste in her mouth has subsided and she can now taste food again. The hot flashes still come and go, but they seem to be tolerable. This will be the cycle: Get a treatment, take the dive, feel like crap for 5 to 7 days, pray that this treatment won't be any worse than the last, rebuild strength, feel better, and then...Wham!...the next treatment.

Yesterday Debbie had her weekly blood-draw so the doctors can see how the blood counts are reacting to the first treatment. This will be a weekly ritual for the next six months and likely beyond. We should know more about how the blood counts are tracking by today or tomorrow.

Another strategy of the mental game is to try and focus on life's blessings and maintaining proper perspective of what's truly important. Chemotherapy will end at some point, and life will go on. For Debbie, her life is blessed by a close and loving family, wonderful friends, and a marriage bond with Ron that she cherishes more than anything. And then there are the blessings that are yet to come...like more babies. No...not for Ron and Debbie. Last week, Debbie's mental and emotional game got a boost when she learned that her Godson Tom, and of course his wife Sonia, are expecting their first child.

Meet "peanut"...due in the spring of 2010:

Another blessing. Another reason to get through one more day.

Debbie sends her love.

Love,

Rosie

Chemo Treatment-1, Day-3

In a word: Tired

Debbie was feeling so good on Saturday she surprised Kyle when she showed up at Andrew H.S. to watch his soccer game. Kyle played his best game ever knowing his mom came to watch when she should have been curled up in bed waiting for the side effects to hit full force.

Sunday was about the same. More hot-flashes, loss of appetite, a little abdominal discomfort, and just enough energy for a long walk with Ron and Hunter. Thankfully, no bone pain from the Neulasta. Keep your fingers crossed that we can get through about two more days with nothing worse. If that's the case, Debbie should start feeling better and stronger by Wednesday.

It'll be a low key Labor Day at the Markhams. Ron and the kids send their love and they also wanted me to let everyone know how much they appreciate all the prayers, love, kindness and unbelievable generosity from so many people during this difficult time. Words just cannot convey how blessed they feel.

Have a wonderful Labor Day holiday.

Love,

Rosie

Chemo Treatment-1, Day-1

Debbie had a good night last night. She had Ron cut her hair to a shorter style as a step closer to a complete buzz before it starts falling out in about 10 days. Ellie supervised dad through every snip so it actually turned out quite nice.

After the hair cut and a lot of laughs, Debbie was pretty exhausted. Even though the oncology nurse said she would be up most of the night because of the steroids they gave her to help control nausea, she actually slept like a baby.

Today, we went back to the oncology office for Debbie's first Neulasta shot. She'll get that shot the day following each of her chemo treatments to help keep her white blood cell count from dropping too low.

No real discomfort most of today until Debbie went to lay down for a nap at around 4:00p and started feeling heart palpitations. They went away when she got up, but it scared her so she called the oncology doctor. The doctor told her that the palpitations were likely the first onset of chemo side effects and to call him if they persisted or got worse.

Other than that, Debbie was feeling great all day until she and Ron left to go see Ellie dance at the Andrew H.S. football game this evening. She started getting flush and feeling very warm in her face. No fever yet, just a very warm, red face.

All in all, a good day. Lots of visits from friends and family; a couple of long walks with Ron and Hunter; and a little shopping and running errands before the doctor visit at 12:30.

Let's hope that day-2 goes as well.

Love,

Rosie

One Down, Fifteen to Go

Here's a picture of our girl getting her first chemotherapy treatment. That's Amanda, the oncology nurse, administering the first of two syringes full of Andriamycin. Thats the good drug...good because it's on its way to kill the cancer cells that might still be hiding deep inside Debbie's body. Not so good because it's one of the three drugs she'll be taking every 2 weeks over the next 8 weeks that will also make her hair fall out, feel really tired, and generally just make her feel like crap.

Debbie was a real trooper today. It was a little touch and go before we got started, but Amanda and all the other nurses and doctors did a wonderful job of reassuring her and making her comfortable.

The next big hurdle to get over will be the next 3 or 4 days as the drugs begin to interact with Debbie's system as they do their job. Ron will be with her 24x7 between now and Tuesday, so she will be well taken care of.

Tomorrow we go back for Debbie's shot of Neulasta, the drug that will help keep her white blood cell count from dropping too low. Neulasta is also the drug that is most likely to cause bone pain in many patients. Let's hope that Debbie doesn't experience too much of that.

All in all, Debbie was in a good place today, emotionally and spiritually. It was her faith, the time she has spent with Father Jay and Deacon Pete at St. Stephens over the past few weeks, as well as all the prayers coming in from so many of you, that got her through one of the most difficult steps on her journey, and she will always be grateful for that. But it is only one down, and fifteen more to go, so please keep the prayers coming.

When we were all finished today Debbie wanted to stop to see Doctor Anderson, her gynecologist, whose office happens to be in the same building. It was Doctor Anderson who found the tumor in Lucy. I was there when Dr. Anderson told Debbie that she felt the tumor when she examined Lucy. I remember Debbie getting awfully mad at Dr. Anderson for telling her Lucy had a tumor because nothing showed up in the mammogram and, afterall, she was not a breast surgeon, and it just got kind of ugly during that particular visit.

Nonetheless, at Dr. Andersen's insistence, Debbie went to see the surgeon (Dr. Krueger) for a follow-up examination. That was on June 22nd when Dr. Krueger confirmed with 99% certainty that Lucy had a cancerous tumor. It was on June 24th when the biopsy confirmed her diagnosis.

It was quite the emotional scene today when Debbie saw Dr. Andersen for the first time since that last visit. Debbie apologized for getting so upset with her, and then she thanked Dr. Andersen for saving her life. It was one of those rare moments when we'll see doctor and patient embracing and crying together.

Debbie sends her love.

Love,

Rosie

Treatment #1 Underway

...and all is well. Debbie is being very strong and as always, has the nurses and doctors laughing. A few weepy moments before we actually got started, but now she's good.

There just now starting the "good drugs" so keep the prayers coming.

Less Than Two Days

That's all the time we have left until Debbie's chemo treatments start. I have to say that the last couple of weeks have been emotionally draining for her. A lot of it is fear of the unknown, but much of it is from anticipation of what she knows for sure is going to happen...hair loss, generally feeling like she was hit by a truck, feeling tired to the point of not wanting to get out of bed ever again, and loss of appetite to name a few. If she's lucky, those are the only side effects she'll have to endure for 3 to 7 days following each treatment. Thankfully, the doctors will monitor side effects very closely and stay ahead of them with other drugs, especially those that will ease the nausea and vomiting and the potentially more serious issues of bone pain and messed up blood counts that sometimes follow each treatment.

Debbie has done everything she possibly can to educate herself on what will be involved and what to look for as potential side effects. But make no mistake...she is very scared and is dreading the next six months of her life. Pray that she will quickly learn to adapt to the treatments...physically and emotionally...and that she will be empowered to stay ahead of and control what the treatments might do to her. Pray that she stays confident that what she is going through is the only way forward to ensure that no cancer cells are left behind. Now more than ever is when she'll need to feel the love and support of family and friends to keep her moving forward...one treatment at a time.

I watch every day how Debbie works to prepare herself for these next steps in her journey, and she is doing it with confidence, determination, and grace. We saw doctor Krueger yesterday for a brief check-up and the doctor referred to her as the "miracle patient" when Debbie showed her that she's gotten back almost full range of motion with her left arm. (All the high-fives did the trick.) She is showing everyone how to fight this battle the right way and for the right reasons. She will tell you that she is probably being the biggest baby in the world with how scared she is right now, but who wouldn't be. I am, and I'm only a boob. She might be a baby, but she's the bravest baby I have ever seen.

So this Thursday at about 1:00pm, put on those pink ribbons and bracelets and pray that Debbie's first treatment ends up being a total non-event with no side effects. Pray that every other cancer patient receiving a chemo treatment on Thursday gets through it with more determination, less discomfort, and in the end, no cancer cells left behind.

Love,

Rosie

Dresses That Heal

After more conversations with Doctor Krueger late last week it was decided that waiting until after Labor Day to start Debbie’s chemotherapy treatments wasn’t such a good idea. I guess the doctor felt that too much time will have gone by. So, chemo starts next week Thursday, September 3rd. Debbie is being very strong as she prepares for this part of her journey, but she is not looking forward to starting.

In the meantime, she started her physical therapy at Palos Hospital. Her therapist thinks that she’s made some pretty good progress on her own but there’s still a fair amount of work to be done before Debbie can regain the full range of motion in her arm. She’s being very good about doing her exercises at home. Again, don’t hesitate to ask her for a high-five next time you see her, and make sure it’s with her left arm. Sometimes she likes to cheat. I know that’s hard to believe.

We had an excellent outing this past weekend. Debbie and Ellie headed out with her sister Terry and Terry’s daughters Candi and Britni to pick-up (and see for the first time) Candi’s wedding dress. Candi and Eric are getting married in February. I wasn’t able to see very much from my vantage point, but I was able to tell when Debbie saw Candi in her wedding gown for the very first time because there was an awful lot of crying going on. Debbie is Candi’s God mother, so this was a very special moment indeed. Candi looked absolutely stunning.

And get this: unbeknownst to Candi until Britni looked at the inside of her wedding gown on Sunday and saw the label, Candi’s gown was designed and made by “Dresses That Heal,” a dress maker committed to driving awareness and raising funds for organizations dedicated to healing women with breast cancer. Go check out http://www.dressesthatheal.org/ Finding that little pink label in Candi’s dress on Sunday was a pretty special moment for everyone.

Debbie is getting stonger everyday and is feeling great. She sends her love.

Love,

Rosie

Taking Control

We had a great visit with Dr. Krueger Yesterday. All good news. In fact, the doctor is now referring to Debbie as her new “poster child” for breast cancer. Even the doctor was surprised to see how well Debbie is healing after just three weeks. She also got the go-ahead to start driving the car again. Even more important, the doctor was impressed with Debbie’s overall positive attitude as she prepares herself to start chemotherapy.

From the very beginning of this journey, probably more than anything else, the prospect of chemotherapy and radiation treatments has been one of Debbie's biggest fears...probably even more so than the mastectomy. Debbie knows she really doesn't have a choice except to endure months of treatments to ensure that every single cancer cell in her body has been obliterated. She learned yesterday that chemo treatments will start the week following Labor Day. But you know what? I think she's ready...or at least as ready as anyone can be, considering.

I am very proud of how Debbie is facing and adapting to her fear of chemotherapy. Don't get me wrong, she's still scared to death of what she's about to go through, but she is taking every step possible to prepare herself to go through this very difficult part of our journey in a way where SHE will be in control of her fear rather than letting the fear...or the drugs...control her.

Debbie is reading every book and piece of literature she can get her hands on. She is reading about each of the drugs Dr. Sherman will be pumping into her body every couple of weeks. She is becoming an expert on how the process works, what side effects to expect, the impact of timing and when she’ll feel her worst following each treatment. She’s learning about how all of the other drugs she’ll have to take, in addition to the chemo drugs, will help her control the side effects and keep her immune system from shutting down. I’m so happy that Debbie has figured out that the keys to beating this are staying positive, taking control of every aspect of the process, and being prepared to respond to the side effects as early as possible before they overtake her...physically, mentally, and emotionally.

On Wednesday, Debbie and her niece Britni went to a special meeting at the Advocate Breast Care Center in Oak Lawn. Debbie had the opportunity to spend time with and learn from other women who were at various stages of fighting their own battles with breast cancer. Each and every one of these brave sisters was an inspiration to Debbie as they showed her how to take control of her appearance as the effects of chemo start to play havoc on her body. She learned the importance of applying cosmetics the right way as well as the types of cosmetics she should use. And, yes, she and Britni had some laughs as they learned about and passed around the fake boobs. I still can’t get comfortable with the idea of Lucy being replaced by a rubber blob wrapped in a used pantyhose. I guess I can adapt if it makes Debbie feel better. After all, that’s what’s important.

Oh, and the thing with Debbie’s arm? Dr. Krueger wasn’t happy with her progress so she prescribed physical therapy. Starting next week it’ll be a real physical therapist working with Debbie. Sorry, Kathy, but those crazy games involving paper towels and pepper mills did only half the job. Nonetheless, Debbie and Ron will always be grateful for the fond memories of the time you spent with her following surgery. It is the love and support of friends like you that has made this journey so much easier to tolerate.

So, all-in-all, it’s been a good week. Debbie was glad to know that she could wait until after Labor Day to start her treatments. She’ll be stronger, more prepared to fight the fight...and she will be in control.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love,

Rosie

Life is Good

Greetings, everyone. Ron here. Rosie is taking a little break tonight and she delegated today's blog update to yours truly. So I'm going to use this opportunity to give a little recap of where we stand as of today with Debbie's journey.

First, I would be in hot water with Debbie if I didn't start by saying, simply, "thank you", for everyone's support and prayers over the past seven weeks. All of the cards, the phone calls, the visits, the meals, the flowers, the fruit baskets, the prayers...the outpouring of love and concern for Debbie and our family has been both overwhelming and humbling. As most of you know, Debbie has always been a giver, so to be on the receiving side of so much kindness, concern, and generosity has been quite the adjustment for her. Speaking also for Kris, Ellie, and Kyle, we are deeply grateful for the love and support everyone has shown Debbie. We all believe that your prayers have been so important for her recovery. It's hard to believe that it's only been three weeks since her surgery. She's getting stronger everyday. And try as I may, I cannot keep her out of the laundry room.

If you saw Debbie today it would be difficult for you to believe that Lucy was taken from her just three weeks ago. She is a picture of health. Except for the pain in that part of her left arm where Dr. Krueger removed 22 lymph nodes, she is feeling great. Her incisions are healing nicely, and there doesn't appear to be any lingering issues from surgery. The best news of all is that we know for sure that the entire tumor was removed when Dr. Krueger removed Lucy, and following last week's scans, we know that no other tumors were found anywhere else in Debbie's body. Yeah for that!

This week, Debbie has been preparing to start her chemotherapy treatments. She spent a couple of hours this morning with the nurses at the oncologist's office. Today was her "teaching session" during which she learned more about the drugs she will be receiving, what side effects to expect, timing of her infusions, the importance of proper diet, how to deal with the side effects, when she'll need blood tests, etc. Lots of information to absorb. The reality is, Debbie is scared and rightfully so. Please keep her in your prayers as she works so hard to build up the courage to face this leg of her journey.

Tomorrow, Debbie has an appointment with Dr. Krueger...just a check-up following her surgery. The doctor will be letting her know when she'll need to start the chemotherapy treatments. We are hoping to hold off until the week following labor day so that Debbie can be as strong as possible and fully recovered from surgery.

Again, thanks so much for all of your prayers and support, and know that Debbie gains tremendous strength from knowing the number of people following and supporting her journey on "Debbie's Girls". Each and every one of you is an inspiration to her, especially when you leave notes behind for her to read on the blog.

Debbie sends her love.

God Bless,

Ron