Birthdays and Good Days!

I have successfully finished my 1st round, of 2, sets of chemo!!! YEAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! Not without it's complications, but let's focus on the good this time, because there have been more good days than bad since my last post.  Glass half full, ALWAYS!

We were able to have our small birthday party for Lincoln and Bianca at the house.  The winds were blowing like they have been everyday so no bouncy house but no one even missed it!  Just to have pizza, cake and family and friends over for a few hours was enough for the kids, they loved it, the smiles below say it all.

Happy 15th Birthday Bianca & 4th Birthday Lincoln!!

My 4th and last treatment of the adromyacin/cytoxin combination was last Tuesday and now we have the next round of treatments to look forward to which will begin on Wednesday.  This round will consist of 12 doses of Taxol/Herceptin which will be given weekly.  I have been told that the Taxol which is chemotherapy is not as aggressive as the last two combined.  Let's all hope for the best since my current plan at this point is to return to work towards the end of May.  The Herceptin is a hormonal drug that I will be taking because part of what is wrong with my cancer is that the estrogen in my body is attacking the cancer cells.  One thing I have learned through this process is that soy and flax seed oil which were two things I was taking, prior to being diagnosed, increase the estrogen in your body, I was advised by Dr. Osborne at Baylor to discontinue the use of those.  Who knew?

My energy level has been good, I even started exercising!  Just 30 minutes a day and mild for right now but it's a beginning.  And I have also began preparing for my first pitches that are quickly approaching us on the 30th.  Oh my, is all I have to say about that! :)  I have a new level of respect for all softball and baseball players, it is not as easy as it looks and for this person that has been around the game as a spectator for the past ten years but never once thrown either a baseball or a softball - oh my!!!! (please insert many many giggles on my part at this point)  I played basketball, volleyball, ran track and was a cheerleader all throughout my school years, but not this - oh my!!!

Blayr's 1st grade program

I was able to go with Brian over the weekend to Austin and enjoy the baseball series there.  It was so refreshing to get out and see something different!!!  While I did not get to attend Blayr's school program because it was the day of my treatment, I was able to help Brooke with her science project that you see below.  She had the concept, mom just had to go buy the materials. Amazing what a little colored clay around a water bottle filled with vinegar, red food coloring and baking soda does!

Brooke's 6th grade science project

Well, it is off to Bianca's school party and then to get ready for the holiday weekend.  I am so thankful that this post I was able to share more good days than bad with you all.  Thank you again for you constant thoughts and prayers... so so blessed!!!

Howard Hawks Honor.....

The coaching world is small, some might even call it elite - I call it another extension to our family.  Brian can go almost anywhere and run into someone he has met through coaching and the majority of the time it is another coach.  With this also comes a bond of helping each other whether through words, thoughts or as you see below, taking it one step further. We can't begin to tell you how the coaches in Brian's path this year have helped him by offering words of advice, encouragement and just being there through "the love of the game".

Howard College is a Junior College in Big Spring, TX about 50 minutes from Midland.  When Brian moved to Midland he had been coaching as an assistant in Trinidad, Colorado then continued for four years at Midland College.  These three always played against each other in hopes of earning that ultimate JUCO title in Grand Junction, Colorado. We have always enjoyed following Howard whether through basketball, baseball or softball.  We have been able to witness Howard win the 2005 NJCAA Regional Basketball Title game in Lubbock and the JUCO World Series Title in 2009 for baseball. 

I received a call from my good friend and Softball Coach at Howard College, Kelly Raines about a month ago telling me about their "pink" game for both baseball and softball.  She took it a step further and said that they would like to honor me at both games and asked if I would throw out the first pitch, for both on April 30. Of course, with tears in my eyes and those emotions of humbleness, I didn't hesitate to say yes, but laughed and told her "you know I've never thrown either one in my life" she said yes, so I thought I could weasel my way out of this one and told her "if I don't feel good, I'll take the kids' with me and they can help me throw out the pitch" her response surprised me (the coach in her came out) "you'll be throwing one pitch overhand and one pitch underhand, OK" I said "OK". (better start practicing, wonder if I can find someone to help me out :)

Several weeks passed and I didn't think much about the game, just need to practice. But then she showed me the picture of the t-shirt one day and I was overwhelmed.  Wow, they really are honoring my cause.  I assumed it would be your normal "strike out cancer" pink game, but no, it is Howard College Breast Cancer Day At The Ball Park. Incredible, just incredible that they as an institution will be making this one day about prevention and honoring all of those that have fought the battle.

I have told several people about this and they said, I want a shirt!  So I thought, why not share the news with everyone and let you all have the opportunity to order one if you wish.  If you would like to order a T-shirt, they will gladly ship them or they will be available for sale on game day.  Call Coach Raines at 432.816.3471.

Thank you Howard College!  

And yes, there will be pictures to come of the big day on April 30th!! Play Ball.....

Just Breathe!

3 out of the 4 "yucky" treatments down - 75% finished or 1 more to go!!!! Whatever way you look at it, almost done with the hard stuff.  Not without it's complications, of course, but thankfully they were minor.  I was told that with this round of treatments they would get harder on my body, as the drug had a chance to "build up" in my system.  Optimistic as I am, in the back of my mind I tried to tell myself that with me, it would be different - not a chance.  I do know my energy is down so far that I hardly recognize myself, who is this person that has to sit down all the time or take naps? 1 more, just 1 more :)...

The major side effect we had with this round was shortness of breath that I experienced almost immediately after my treatment that lasted for several days.  Scary, yes, but thankfully tests were run and many major things ruled out, including damage to my heart. We are so so grateful to our circle of friends who are willing to do anything for me and did! Thank you, thank you, thank you!  While this journey has been unexpected one thing that has been so precious is seeing the outpouring of true friendship, help and love that has come our way, it leaves us speechless. Amazing, just amazing.

That is what constantly gets me through the tough times, knowing that so many are out there on our side willing to win this battle not only for me but for my family as well. And my family needed that this week, as I received a call from the school nurse on Tuesday afternoon "Ms. Reinke, Brooke is in the office with a broken arm".  Thankfully my mom, "mimi" had come last week to help out and was able to stay with Lincoln while I jumped in the car and drove with my heart racing and questions in my mind, "is this as bad as last time (two years ago), surgery, rods, did she hit her head, should I have told them to call the ambulance?' just get there.

She was sitting up and not crying when I ran into the office, the adrenaline had kicked in and I ran! When I looked at her arm it wasn't nearly as bad as the previous time but you could still tell it was broken.  Off to the emergency room and 5 hour wait we went. Then a three hour visit on Wednesday with the orthopedic doctor. I just can't seem to get out of these physician offices. hmmmm.....  My Brooke was so worried about me and kept telling me how sorry she was for doing this at this time.  Her tender heart.

Brian just walks into the room and ask how his medically challenged family is doing today and what we need. While Mimi is busy tending to two now.  Brooke asked me to take a picture with her for the blog and "work" my new do!  She has begged me to not wear a wig or hat out in public, she told me to "own it"!  So this is the first step, I'm owning it with her - for her!!!

 Brooke - 12 years old.