Sweating

My it has been a long time since I last posted.

So why sweating?

Well, it's been a hot & sweaty summer (duh, it's Washington, DC).  But no matter how hot and sweaty, even when it's 95 degrees +, I still don't feel as bad as I did when I was trying to be outside last summer while on chemo @ 80 degrees.  So that is progress.

Have spent far too much time over the last few months sweating the small stuff.  I can't even recall the things that were driving me crazy last month, but I know they were.  I do wonder if being on the tamoxifen has put me into this semi-permanent state of PMS.  Need to try for more walking, yoga, meditation to help combat this problem.

Sweating upcoming procedures.  Both about the procedures themselves and the anxiety of recurrence of cancer (or new cancer) with every doctor visit.  Tomorrow have a pelvic ultrasound to check to see if I have developed uterine cancer as a result of the tamoxifen (one of the rare, but bad, side effects of that medication).  Soon I need to have my port out but am having angst over that; nonetheless, have scheduled it for mid-september.  Then, at the end of september need to have a mammogram.  Will be sweating waiting for the results of that.

And finally - sweating in a good way.  Have started back training with the Cancer-to-5K program (check out their webpage -- some unflattering pics of me; a quote from my race report).  My progress since starting the running program in March is huge.  As I wrote our Coach (Bob) recently, on March 21, I did running intervals of 1 minute, walking intervals of 2 minutes; did 1.7 miles in 29 minutes, with my running pace ranging from 12:50 to 14:32.  On August 20, I did running intervals of 6 minutes, walking 2.  My pace ranged from 12:02 to 12:28; did 2.4 miles in 32 minutes.  So, am pleased that this sweating is paying off.

More race, more tests

Another race....two weeks ago I ran Survivor Harbor 4-mile race in baltimore with the Cancer-to-5K team and my friend Lisa.  It was hot, humid, sunny, sweaty, sticky, steamy, exhausting -- and an amazing experience! Was not feeling well the day before and almost turned around and went back to DC Saturday evening as I was driving up to baltimore.  But I managed to talk myself down from the ledge, did some good deep breathing exercises, and turned around and headed north to baltimore.  I told myself - if I don't feel well tomorrow, I can always just walk for four miles. It's about being part of something, finishing, and not necessarily worrying about being the fastest.

I had my own volunteer "sherpa" to help pace me during the race, Jenn.  She pushed me to keep running until we get to the each mile marker, and then take a well deserved water break. After the first 20 minutes, I was pouring as much water down my back, on my head etc. as I was drinking.  My frozen water bottle helped immensely.  The last mile was rough - sunny, hot, and more than I'd run since March 2010!  At the finish, my GPS watch said the race was actually 4.17 miles...finished a few seconds shy of 55 minutes! 



And more tests.... a continuing weird blister led to my surgeon recommending an ultra sound.  Although I'd had a clean mammogram just a month ago, was still nervous.  Thankfully, it didn't show anything cancerous (or much of anything at all).  


Some bruising on my arm, so I need to get my platelets tested soon.  And some female symptoms and may need to go for an endometrial biopsy.  Uterine cancer is a side effect of the tamoxifen that I'm taking - I think it increases the risk from 1 in 1,000 to 3 in 1,000.  Ugh.  And I have heard that that test hurts like holy hell.  Oh well, I'll deal.  


Have been hiking the last few weekends, near (Great Falls) and far (Shenandoah).  

And have now lost 7 of my 10 chemo pounds.  3 more to go!  

Two medals, Part II

Last Sunday was the goal race for my Cancer to 5K training program.  It was a 5K in Bethesda, along the Capital Crescent trail (a paved bike path).  I was SO lucky that the weather was cool.  I was hoping to run it in under 40 minutes and..... drum roll please ...... I finished in 39:05!

Here's a few pics from race day.

Can you find me?

Me with my race day "sherpa," monica

My teammates & our medals

For the story of race day, I'm going to cheat and paste below my race report I shared with the cancer to 5K email group last sunday, appropriately entitled "Phyllis ran a 5K!"

* * *

It's hard to believe, but just eight months ago I was getting my last round of chemo, and on my worst day (always Day 5, which would have been September 13) could barely walk around the block.  And today I RAN a 5K race.  And ran it hard!  This feel great.

I was a little nervous about today since yesterday I joined the sea of pink and walked the race for the cure.  Not an early riser, I had to get up by 6 a.m. yesterday, and was exhausted by the time I got home yesterday afternoon.  Still not an early riser, today I had to get up by 5:15.  Luckily, my two beastly cats made sure I was up by 5.  Upon the advice of Coach Bob, I even ate half an english muffin by 5:30.  

Just as I was thanking the weather gods for the super cool June weather, the skies opened up as I was driving to Bethesda and suddenly it was pouring!  Even more miraculously, the rain stopped as I pulled into the parking lot.  The choice of this race was perfect because parking was easy and it was not too crowded.  Found my peeps in the yellow shirts and we milled about waiting for race time to start.  

I was just about to start my wave when I heard my name being called to drop back ....Cancer to 5K was getting its own wave start!  Joined the group and we started at 6 minutes.  Monica was my steady sherpa.  I wanted to keep up with the others but my wise sherpa started to pull me back.  I started to obsessively check my pace on my GPS watch and it was definitely too fast at first.  Before I knew it we were at the 1 mile marker.  And I think even before then, we started to see the first runners already coming back!  Wow.  

Next up - that bridge I had heard so much about.  I'm thinking, ah good - an excuse to walk.  But Sherpa Monica had other plans for me.  Take the bridge slowly, short quick strides, chest up, but keep running.  After we get over the hump, she promised, I can take a water break.  Which I did.  Cheered on Carmen & Esther near the halfway mark.  At some point after the turn-around point, I started breathing heavier.  Monica was talking to me, and all I heard was "womp womp womp" -- the sound that teachers and adults make on Charlie Brown.  Finally caught up to Cyndi's red pony tail on that darned bridge.  For a while was running right ahead of Coach Bob and he reminded me - short and quick steps.  You'd think I'd remember on my own by now.  That - and Monica pouring cold water down my head & neck - got me through the last mile.  One more quick water break, and then the final stretch.  

While Monica was pulling me back earlier, the last 10 minutes she was pushing me to go faster towards the end and I found one last burst of energy for the last .1.  Then - finished!  YAY!!!  Lots of cowbell!!!  And I met my goal of under 40 minutes!!!  Just think about what I'll be able to do in the fall!

Next, photo shoot (with my obscenely red face), chatting & bagels.  And strutting around with an awesome new medal to show off.  The rest of this morning/afternoon have a date with my couch.  Feeling good.

Thank you SO MUCH Coach Bob,  my sherpa Monica, all the volunteers, Holly for getting this started, and my teammates for inspiring and pushing me.  I'll see some of you next weekend in Baltimore and hope to run with all of you again sometime soon!

* * *

the end of part II

Two medals: Part I

This past weekend I participated in two 5Ks:  saturday was the Komen race for the cure, a walk I did with my friend Janel's team, and sunday was my goal race for my cancer to 5K training program.

Saturday was special because I got to walk wearing the survivor t-shirt with my friend Janel, who's been my rock steady exercise buddy since we both started going to a cancer fitness spinning class together six months ago.  I also wore my earrings that I bought to distract me from my bald head last summer and the bracelet Aunt RoseAnn made for me.  And the little $2 purple backpack I usurped from mom while in west palm beach around diagnosis time last  year.

It was an effort because it was early and crowded!  But glad I did it.

The team!

Janel & me at the finish

Part II to come...

"ring my bell"

Ding dong, the herceptin's done.

After a somewhat crappy few days earlier in the week, I had my final herceptin appointment last thursday, May 26.  Herceptin # 18 of 18.  I've been feeling so blech and blah lately that it was hard to get too excited about it, but it was a very nice final appointment after all.  First I met with Dr. Smith, who was plotting out the next several herceptin visits ("I'll see you next time, but after that, I'll see you every other one.")  I had to break it to him gently that this was my LAST herceptin.  He did warmly congratulate me.

I brought the nurses a cute arrangement of fake flowers (I was concerned about bringing real ones into the chemo room where people are sensitive to smell...).  Got applause from the nurses for really graduating this time - yay!  And a big ol' hug from Nurse Karen.  And then - very special - she brought out this enormous bell for me to ring.  And since I didn't do it loudly enough, I got to do it over & over.  I think at that late time in the afternoon, there was only one other person left in the chemo room and she was very happy for me.

Nurse Karen & me

 Right after getting home from the doctor, raced off to the kennedy center to see the awesome girl duo, the sweater set (plus drummer).  Dinner with friends and then home, exhausted.  But done.

the sweater set

My chemoversary

Today marks one year from the beginning of my chemo treatments.  It's been both a very long and very quick year all at once.

Next Thursday is my final herceptin.  Whew.  Mixed emotions about that (mostly relief) but more on that next week.

Continue to be really tired all the time.  Am hoping that some of the fatigue is due to the herceptin, since next week is #18 of 18.

But in the meantime, continue to run - training with Cancer-to-5K for a race Sunday June 5.

And the day before, Saturday June 4, will walk the Komen race for the cure 5K with my spinning-running-walking buddy Janel's team.

And the following Sunday, June 12, will do a "survivor harbor" 4 mile race in baltimore with some of the Cancer-to-5K teammates, and my friend lisa.

Hiking tomorrow.

That's about it for now.

In the chemo room, again

Writing from the chemo room as I receive herceptin #17 (of 18!).  Can't believe that next time is my LAST ONE!!!

Good news to report - I had a mammogram at Sibley on Tuesday, and results came back normal!  I hadn't even realized how tense I was about it until that morning; the 15-minute wait for my results was agonizing.  Afterwards I just felt weak with relief.   Had lunch afterward with a friend at chef geoff's - a very tasty italian grinder (haven't heard a sandwich referred to as a grinder since my days at wesleyan).  Was so drained that rather than head back to work, got myself a mani-pedi with hot stone massage.

In other news, have continued to be really tired, a lot of the time.  This is frustrating.  My depression has been acting up this past week too.  This morning I was unable to get myself out of bed to run and get to work, so instead, just stayed home.  A few hours of work and a few hours of unproductive, non-relaxing time.  Ugh.  It is super nice out too, so unfortunate that I squandered the day.  Perhaps I shall go for a walk after treatment today.  Dinner tonight with two friends I haven't seen in a while.

My hair continues to grow like crazy and one day soon I'll post pics.