Update, September 30

Four months ago, on May 27, Allison received her diagnosis of breast cancer. How far she has come, how much she has learned, and how much her life has changed in those 4 months!

Allison had her last chemo treatment of Round 1 on Tuesday. She is glad that this stage is over, as the last 3 weeks have been very rough. Her blood count got so low that she was very close to needing to be admitted to the hospital. She has learned--the hard way--that even running children here and there is enough to knock her completely off her feet. Thank you so much to those of you who have taken on driving the kids where they need to be. That is such a help to all the family.

Allison's plan for the coming three weeks is to lay really low, rest as much as possible, and steer clear of anyone who might be carrying germs (that, she says, is a losing battle with 5 kids in the house...she may have to lock herself in her bedroom). She's definitely in "taking care of Allison" mode, as she should be. Today, she will be receiving a shot to help maintain her blood count. Because of her low count the last couple of weeks, this shot will be 7 times the usual strength.

In the coming 3 weeks she will have another echocardiogram and a series of other appointments to get ready for Round 2 of chemo, which will begin October 20 and continue for 12 weeks. This round will have two new drugs, and she will receive one treatment per week. She's told that this round of chemo does not include the "highs and lows" as far as how good or bad she will feel. But, of course, she won't know how she will react until it happens.

The meal plan for the next phase of chemo will be to have meals provided for 3 to 4 days (Tues-Thurs or Tues-Fri) each week. Email will go out in the next week or so to start lining up meals. As she progresses into the 12-week cycle and knows what her needs will be, this plan may be adjusted. Thank you to everyone who so willingly provides meals! We had enough volunteers for the last round that we could have provided two meals each night. You are all wonderful!

Every time I talk to Allison, she expresses her utmost appreciation and gratitude for all the support that she and her family have received. It is truly a blessing to all of them to have their needs taken care of during this time. Thank you!

Settling In

Allison is "settling" (if that's the right word) into her chemo schedule of every three weeks. As usual, the day after her chemo she went back to the doctor for a shot to help maintain her white blood count. She was "bumped up" to a stronger drug this time, one which will last longer and provide more white blood count protection. When she asked why she didn't start off on this drug, she was told it was because the stronger drug is much more expensive, so they try to use the cheaper drug when possible. She continues to take antibiotics as a preventive measure. She says that it is wonderful to be so carefully watched and even "micromanaged" through this whole process.

As expected, with each subsequent chemo treatment, she finds herself more and more tired in the days immediately following treatment. So far, her experience has been that Day 2 after treatment (Thursday, in this case) is the day that she is most tired.

The family is also settling back into the school-year routine. Back-to-school can be hectic enough without cancer treatment going on! Many thanks to all the children's friends and teammates who have helped with rides and the like.

Thank you also for all the meals provided and the rides. Allison's "usual" drivers have been out of town this week, but she was able to find the transportation she needed for her doctor visits. It's truly wonderful to have such a great team assembled. Allison's next chemo is scheduled for September 29. A sign up for meals will go out closer to that time.