January 2014 - On the Path - Cheryl Schatz's faith journey

On the mend

January 25, 2014 Cheryl Schatz Comments 2 comments

I finished my last chemotherapy and then spent most of the last week in bed sick from the chemo and exhaustion. My bones hurt a lot this time and my legs have been weak and giving out on me. The pink eye I had during the Christmas season came back in both eyes, just as my doctor said it would. When your body is put into a weakened state (this chemo has brought my immunity down to zero), any recent or long term infections and weaknesses can easily come back.

This cycle I also experienced the next set of side effects. …

The rollercoaster ride

January 16, 2014 Cheryl Schatz Comments 9 comments

My last chemo treatment went well today as I was medicated with steroids that kept away any adverse reactions. And…I got to ring the chemo bell announcing my last chemo treatment. But there is still the roller coaster ride that was unexpected.

The roller coaster ride …

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Surgery moved to high priority

January 15, 2014 Cheryl Schatz Comments 4 comments

There has been a change of plans and a possible change in procedure

My surgery has been re-scheduled as high priority. Instead of February 11, 2014, the new date for my mastectomy is January 28, 2014. Because I am still on Filgrastim shots, my white cell count should be up high enough by then (God-willing). My oncologist and my surgeon have a difference in opinion in how far to take the surgery so I won’t find out the outcome until the day of surgery.

To take out lymph nodes or not …

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My last chemo coming up

January 14, 2014 Cheryl Schatz Comments 4 comments

My last chemo is this Thursday, January 16th, 2014. The tradition is that when you finish your last chemo, you get to ring the bell. I will be ringing the bell for good, God-willing.

My surgery is tentatively scheduled for February 11th. It will be a mastectomy. I am looking forward to getting back to normal!

The good, the bad, and the ugly

January 12, 2014 Cheryl Schatz Comments 9 comments

With all of the side effects of chemotherapy, my view concerning one of the side effects has changed dramatically.

Hand and Foot Syndrome

I have developed hand and foot syndrome from the docetaxel chemotherapy. At the beginning it was just painful with feet so enflamed and red on my heels that I could hardly walk, but then it became just plain ugly. From what I am reading, the peeling is a fairly rare symptom and even my own internist at the hospital had to look it up on the internet because he had apparently not seen it before. Once the red started to go down on my heels, here is a picture of how they started to peel. …

Update on Christmas and more

January 8, 2014 Cheryl Schatz Comments 4 comments

We were able to travel to the coast to see our children and grandchildren and that was a real treat. Unfortunately I did not get nearly enough time to spend with the family as I had chemotherapy the day before we left, and much of the week I spent in bed sleeping off the exhaustion. I thought it would be easier to handle, but being bed ridden at home is not the same as out like a light at my daughter’s house. I felt sad that I missed so much, yet really blessed to be with family during the time that I was awake.

Lately, I have been recouping at home as I came down with pink eye the day before we left to come home. My daughter Misty took really good care of me as it was nearly impossible to find a clinic open or one that would allow me to come in. They were filled with sick patients, which is a huge problem for a chemo patient with a compromised immune system. Misty contacted her doctor and he was able to get me the medicine I needed. I still feel tired, but I am slowly getting better. I just have to get rid of the pink eye so I can have my last chemo session next week Thursday. They won’t treat me if I am still infected.

Below is a picture of my daughter Misty who was a tremendous host and fantastic turkey soup maker! …