Monday, December 17, 2012

Getting Ready for Round Two of Chemo

Today will be my second round of chemo. I am fortunate enough to be able to do it at Feather River Hospital much closer than Stanford! For the past three days my hair has been coming out like crazy. It's not falling out in large chunks, but I'm like a dog shedding her winter coat. My hair is super thin now, so tonight we will be cutting it all off. I am open to any and all suggestions on how to wrap my bald head! :)
Since I had such a rough reaction to the chemo this last time the doctor has given me an anti-nausea patch. We will also be injecting fluids in through IV as well as more nausea meds. Last time I was unable to keep down any liquids and the thought of taking pills made me sick. My biggest fear I have for today is "anticipatory nausea", where just the thought of chemo makes me ill even before it's injected.
My port is healing up nicely I have about a one inch scar where they surgically implanted it. The port is under my skin and that is where all the injections will be pushed through rather than my veins. I originally didn't want to have a port, but my new oncologist thought it was a good idea to prevent any damage to my veins.
By the way the chemo is doing everything it is supposed to, my tumor is completely down. My boob feels like a boob! If I didn't know I had cancer I would think nothing is wrong, no more hard spot! My lymph nodes have shrunk tremendously as well! That's just one round...I look forward to seeing what 7 more will do!
Thanks everyone for the continued support I have been receiving lots of inspiring words which has kept me strong through this process!

Samantha

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Scentsy Fundraiser


Melissa Vanderkooy and Nikki Paino want to help raise money for Sam so they have opened a fundraiser for her. 100% of their commission from this fundraiser will go straight to Sam. You have three different products to choose from within the Scentsy Family - Scensty, Velata, and Grace Adele. Simply just click on one of the websites listed below and click on "Buy from Party" next to Sam's name. 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Reason for this Blog

This blog was created to support Samantha in her fight against breast cancer. In the following months she will need all the love and encouragement she can get. This blog will be a great way for her to share updates with us, and create a positive uplifting environment to share stories and memories. We encourage visitors to send the link of her carepage site to anyone who knows her so that they can join in the fight against breast cancer too. Another great aspect of this blog is that Sam can maintain her day-to-day life as much as possible and not have to talk about cancer with everyone she runs into.
One of the most important messages Sam has expressed is that she wants to spread the knowledge that breast cancer can affect young women too, and that it’s becoming more apparent.
Her strength and courage has been without fail and is awe-inspiring. There is no doubt that youth and physical strength is on her side. Plus with all of us, and her friends and family behind her she will beat this.
<3 Friends of Sam