Yup, we're shouting one BIG screw you to cancer! The Gustafson family is expanding. I'm due December 29th, so we're about 9 weeks right now. We had our first ultrasound today, we got to see the little bean, and hear the heartbeat. Made it seem so real.
We got lucky as we haven't been trying very long. I got the go ahead from my oncologist back in January. We've always known we wanted more children, and given my awesome response to all my treatment, we wanted to have more and be done as soon as we were able. Being that I'm BRCA2+ it puts me at increased risk for ovarian cancer, so the sooner we can finish having kids, the sooner I can have them removed and wipe out that chance once and for all, the happier I will be.
So I had my IUD removed in mid-January and really the rest is history. I had really long cycles so trying to predict optimal time was really hard, but I guess not that hard.
We're very excited, and hope to continue the blog to share in the excitement with everyone. All that we ask is prayers for a healthy pregnancy.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Back at it.
Well, I figured it was time to start blogging again. I really did enjoy it when I was going through treatment, so I thought why not continue, keep everyone up to date with the fam, and writing as always been an outlet for me.
I'm still working on getting my old blog posts incorporated into this one, as I do enjoy going back to read them every once in awhile, just to remember how far we've come.
Lots has happened since the last blog. Richard and I both have new jobs, the land surveying/engineering work here has taken a nose dive, and the new company we're with (yes, we're with the same company AGAIN) went through some layoffs, but we've both weathered the storm. Guess that's what happens when you're damn good at what you do! I like to think so anyway. But this company is much larger and has a better reputation than the company we moved to Indiana with, so much better in the long term.
Logan turned 4 in January and is growing like a weed! I think I've gone through his clothes 3 or 4 times since just before Christmas putting away things that are too small. At 4, he's wearing boys size 6, yikes!! And somedays acts like he's 6, the boy really is too smart for his own good.
And today is officially the start of baseball season, Go CUBS!!!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Brrrrr......
The chill of winter has officially set in here in Indy. The past week I don't think the temp has reached 30, and night time temps have been in the teens and below zero. I feel like we're back in the U.P. We have only a dusting of snow, so I won't complain too loud.
Hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start! Ours is shaping up rather nicely. We celebrated Logan's 3rd birthday a few weeks ago, still can't believe that he's 3! He's doing well, we're trying to work on potty training. Sometimes he wants to sit and try, other times he could care less. So we're not pushing, just letting him take his time. He's getting to smart for his own good, and has a memory like you wouldn't believe. He remembers things that we wish he wouldn't sometimes. Haha!
Richard and I went on an impromtu trip to Vegas a few weeks ago. We had never been and a good friend of ours (Tim) was getting married, so we figured what the heck. We had an awesome time and are already planning on going back someday. We spent a few days with "Mom and Dad" Forslund, Todd, Angie, and Tim and his wonderful new wife Amanda.
Also got some awesome news while in Vegas! If you remember one of our BIG concerns through all of this has been whether or not we'd be able to have more kids after chemo. Chemo sometimes can completely shut a women's ovaries down. Well, much to our surprise, I started my period while in Vegas, which means all systems are go. We still need to wait a few years to finish up my tamoxifen, but as of now it seems like we'll be able to have more children! YAY!!
Some of you have been asking what exactly is tamoxifen. My cancer was ER (estrogen) positive, which means that my cancer fed off of estrogen and that actually helped it to grow. Tamoxifen's job is help prevent that growth from happening, by blocking the estrogen. And I guess studies have shown that the longer you're on it, the more benefit you get from it. The recommended is 5 years, but some oncologists say 3 years and you get the same benefit. So we'll see as we get closer to that 3 year mark. Maybe by then there will be a cure and we won't even have to worry about it.
Well, tata (no pun intended) for now!
Hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start! Ours is shaping up rather nicely. We celebrated Logan's 3rd birthday a few weeks ago, still can't believe that he's 3! He's doing well, we're trying to work on potty training. Sometimes he wants to sit and try, other times he could care less. So we're not pushing, just letting him take his time. He's getting to smart for his own good, and has a memory like you wouldn't believe. He remembers things that we wish he wouldn't sometimes. Haha!
Richard and I went on an impromtu trip to Vegas a few weeks ago. We had never been and a good friend of ours (Tim) was getting married, so we figured what the heck. We had an awesome time and are already planning on going back someday. We spent a few days with "Mom and Dad" Forslund, Todd, Angie, and Tim and his wonderful new wife Amanda.
Also got some awesome news while in Vegas! If you remember one of our BIG concerns through all of this has been whether or not we'd be able to have more kids after chemo. Chemo sometimes can completely shut a women's ovaries down. Well, much to our surprise, I started my period while in Vegas, which means all systems are go. We still need to wait a few years to finish up my tamoxifen, but as of now it seems like we'll be able to have more children! YAY!!
Some of you have been asking what exactly is tamoxifen. My cancer was ER (estrogen) positive, which means that my cancer fed off of estrogen and that actually helped it to grow. Tamoxifen's job is help prevent that growth from happening, by blocking the estrogen. And I guess studies have shown that the longer you're on it, the more benefit you get from it. The recommended is 5 years, but some oncologists say 3 years and you get the same benefit. So we'll see as we get closer to that 3 year mark. Maybe by then there will be a cure and we won't even have to worry about it.
Well, tata (no pun intended) for now!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Happy Cancer-versary to me!
Well, its officially been one year since my diagnosis, so I figured a fitting day for an update. I have been getting some grief from some people about not updating this. I apologize. Honestly, I wasn't sure anyone even read this thing anymore! So for those die-hards, haha, I'll try to post something once in awhile. Send me a comment, let me know you're still interested, and I'll keep typing away.
I hope Santa was good to everyone yesterday, and you had the Merriest of Christmases. Ours was wonderful. The first time in many years we have been together on Christmas day. We meaning, the three of us, my mom and sisters. It's been common practice for us to do Christmas in January, so this was a great change!
Logan thoroughly enjoyed himself! What 3-year old didn't? I think he got the whole Santa thing this year, which made it even more fun. We sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn, and left out milk and cookies. And of course, he was spoiled rotten:)
In breast cancer treatment news, nothing really too exciting. I've started my Herceptin treatments. It's an injection, similar to chemo, every 3 weeks. However, I'm experiencing absolutetly no side effects, not that I expected to. The only real concern is it's effect on the heart, so I go for a Muga scan every few months. It's usually a concern in older women. I'm receiving this treatment because my cancer was HER2+, and the Herceptin acts as a blocker for those cells. I'll have these treatments for a year. Just another weapon in my arsenal, even though sometimes a year seems like a long time. But at the same time I can't believe how fast this past year went.
I've also started taking my Tamoxifen. I take two pills every day, for, ugh brace yourself, 5 years!!! But I'm just taking it a bit at a time. Maybe in two years they'll have some fantastic new discovery and I won' t have to take it. It too comes with minimal side effects. Hot flashes, night sweats, typical menopause symptoms, but nothing that I wasn't already experiencing because of chemopause. It's just going to be tricky to remember to take it everday.
My scars have healed wonderfully. My skin is a bit tight in the areas where I had radiation, but that was to be expected. And when we do reconstruction that area of skin will be replaced anyways. And hopefully after the first of the year, I'll start looking into reconstruction again. We've switched insurance at work, so I'm sure all have to go through all the approvals again, and I think they schedule quite a few months out, so I want to get a head start on it. Might even have new boobs for swimsuit season, haha!
I hope this finds you all well! We are heading to the U.P. tonight or tomorrow morning and will spend a few days there with the family. Best wishes for a very happy new year!
I hope Santa was good to everyone yesterday, and you had the Merriest of Christmases. Ours was wonderful. The first time in many years we have been together on Christmas day. We meaning, the three of us, my mom and sisters. It's been common practice for us to do Christmas in January, so this was a great change!
Logan thoroughly enjoyed himself! What 3-year old didn't? I think he got the whole Santa thing this year, which made it even more fun. We sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn, and left out milk and cookies. And of course, he was spoiled rotten:)
In breast cancer treatment news, nothing really too exciting. I've started my Herceptin treatments. It's an injection, similar to chemo, every 3 weeks. However, I'm experiencing absolutetly no side effects, not that I expected to. The only real concern is it's effect on the heart, so I go for a Muga scan every few months. It's usually a concern in older women. I'm receiving this treatment because my cancer was HER2+, and the Herceptin acts as a blocker for those cells. I'll have these treatments for a year. Just another weapon in my arsenal, even though sometimes a year seems like a long time. But at the same time I can't believe how fast this past year went.
I've also started taking my Tamoxifen. I take two pills every day, for, ugh brace yourself, 5 years!!! But I'm just taking it a bit at a time. Maybe in two years they'll have some fantastic new discovery and I won' t have to take it. It too comes with minimal side effects. Hot flashes, night sweats, typical menopause symptoms, but nothing that I wasn't already experiencing because of chemopause. It's just going to be tricky to remember to take it everday.
My scars have healed wonderfully. My skin is a bit tight in the areas where I had radiation, but that was to be expected. And when we do reconstruction that area of skin will be replaced anyways. And hopefully after the first of the year, I'll start looking into reconstruction again. We've switched insurance at work, so I'm sure all have to go through all the approvals again, and I think they schedule quite a few months out, so I want to get a head start on it. Might even have new boobs for swimsuit season, haha!
I hope this finds you all well! We are heading to the U.P. tonight or tomorrow morning and will spend a few days there with the family. Best wishes for a very happy new year!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
5.........4.........3..........2...........1
Yup, that' right! The countdown has begun. I have finished with my regular radiation treatments of the entire "field", and had my first booster treatment today. I only have 5 of those, so we're in the home stretch. The booster treatment, is a way to just target my scar and scar tissue, just another precaution. But if it keeps me from doing this again, I'm all for it. The techs and nurses there have been great, the time has really flown by.
I've been quite tired these last few weeks, its really caught up with me. The skin reactions haven't been as bad as I thought either. It's like a bad sunburn, very very red. And now that I'm getting towards the end, it itches like crazy. But I've been resisting the urge, it's been tough, but I really don't want to rip that skin off.
Our trip to the U.P. was great. The wedding we attended was an absolute blast. The couple met while attending MTU, so the wedding was held there. The room was filled with Tech grads, and compliments of Sara's dad and a big surprise to everyone, we were entertained by the Tech Pep Band. Which only Tech grad's can truly appreciate. It was awesome. Way too much alcohol was consumed that night, but a good time was had by all!
Logan had his first camping trip that weekend as well. I think he really enjoyed himself. We set up the tent at Hancock Beach, and had an awesome site in the trees. Very relaxing, made me miss the woods. Not much fun camping in a corn field I'm sure :)
And of course our time in Crystal Falls was fun as well. We hung out at my grandma and grandpa Perry's for a few days which is always nice. Especially now, my grandma has recently been diagnosed with lymphoma and started her chemotherapy this week. So keep her in your thoughts as well. She's doing well, and was anxious to get treatment started. If I can handle it, so can she! Love ya gram!
My sister Jamie has decided to make the move to Indy in a few weeks, in the hopes of finding a job in her field of graphic design. So she'll be paying rent at our house for a bit. We're excited to have her come, and I know she's ecstatic. Something about being closer to her nephew, I don't know I'm shady on the details, haha!
Next Saturday we'll be making the trek up to Grand Rapids for the Race for the Cure. Which I'm very excited about. My dear friend Erin is traveling up with us, and we're meeting my mom, Joanna, and Jamie there. We have a hotel room for the weekend at a waterpark, so I'm sure that will be a blast. And I'm very excited to celebrate being DONE with treatment with my friends and family. If you're in the area, we're having a get-together on Saturday night (the 29th) at 7 pm at the Max & Erma's in Grandville. Stop by and say "hi"!
Yes, I'll use this as another plug to get you to donate to our Race Team!
http://www.firstgiving.com/teamdoitforjeni
I thank you ahead of time.
So life is slowly getting back to normal. I can't wait, normal is good. Well as normal as we can be I guess!
Keep smiling!
I've been quite tired these last few weeks, its really caught up with me. The skin reactions haven't been as bad as I thought either. It's like a bad sunburn, very very red. And now that I'm getting towards the end, it itches like crazy. But I've been resisting the urge, it's been tough, but I really don't want to rip that skin off.
Our trip to the U.P. was great. The wedding we attended was an absolute blast. The couple met while attending MTU, so the wedding was held there. The room was filled with Tech grads, and compliments of Sara's dad and a big surprise to everyone, we were entertained by the Tech Pep Band. Which only Tech grad's can truly appreciate. It was awesome. Way too much alcohol was consumed that night, but a good time was had by all!
Logan had his first camping trip that weekend as well. I think he really enjoyed himself. We set up the tent at Hancock Beach, and had an awesome site in the trees. Very relaxing, made me miss the woods. Not much fun camping in a corn field I'm sure :)
And of course our time in Crystal Falls was fun as well. We hung out at my grandma and grandpa Perry's for a few days which is always nice. Especially now, my grandma has recently been diagnosed with lymphoma and started her chemotherapy this week. So keep her in your thoughts as well. She's doing well, and was anxious to get treatment started. If I can handle it, so can she! Love ya gram!
My sister Jamie has decided to make the move to Indy in a few weeks, in the hopes of finding a job in her field of graphic design. So she'll be paying rent at our house for a bit. We're excited to have her come, and I know she's ecstatic. Something about being closer to her nephew, I don't know I'm shady on the details, haha!
Next Saturday we'll be making the trek up to Grand Rapids for the Race for the Cure. Which I'm very excited about. My dear friend Erin is traveling up with us, and we're meeting my mom, Joanna, and Jamie there. We have a hotel room for the weekend at a waterpark, so I'm sure that will be a blast. And I'm very excited to celebrate being DONE with treatment with my friends and family. If you're in the area, we're having a get-together on Saturday night (the 29th) at 7 pm at the Max & Erma's in Grandville. Stop by and say "hi"!
Yes, I'll use this as another plug to get you to donate to our Race Team!
http://www.firstgiving.com/teamdoitforjeni
I thank you ahead of time.
So life is slowly getting back to normal. I can't wait, normal is good. Well as normal as we can be I guess!
Keep smiling!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wake and Bake!
As my sister Joanna has so lovingly dubbed my morning treatments! She’s a riot isn’t she?
As of today I have 15 treatments under my belt, and 18 more to go. Almost halfway. It’s been a relatively uneventful experience so far. My skin is starting to get slightly pinkish, and on occasion itches like a bitch, but really that’s it. The fatigue catches up with me some days, depending on what we’re doing, but even that has been tolerable.
I originally was covered in paint marks and stickers, but last week I got permanent tattoos. Nine of them to be exact. They’re tiny blue marks that help them line me up just right every time. It beats getting paint all over my clothes.
I’m supposed to avoid excess exposure to the sun, which has been hard to do in this weather. The heat has been miserable, so it’s been nicer to stay in the a/c. But I do miss being outside. So we play outside in the front yard in the shade.
We’re taking an extra long weekend this weekend, so I have to do two treatments on Thursday. One in the morning and one in the afternoon, they have to be 6 hours apart. Then I’ll have Friday off, Monday’s a holiday so that’s a freebie anyways. And then I’ll have Tuesday off, and have two treatments again on Wednesday.
We’re heading up to the U.P. We’ll be in Houghton on Friday and Saturday for a wedding of some good friends of ours. Then Sunday we’ll be heading down to Crystal Falls to hang out with family. We’re trying to get together a family shindig together at my grandma’s for Monday, so that will be nice to just hang out and relax.
As of today I have 15 treatments under my belt, and 18 more to go. Almost halfway. It’s been a relatively uneventful experience so far. My skin is starting to get slightly pinkish, and on occasion itches like a bitch, but really that’s it. The fatigue catches up with me some days, depending on what we’re doing, but even that has been tolerable.
I originally was covered in paint marks and stickers, but last week I got permanent tattoos. Nine of them to be exact. They’re tiny blue marks that help them line me up just right every time. It beats getting paint all over my clothes.
I’m supposed to avoid excess exposure to the sun, which has been hard to do in this weather. The heat has been miserable, so it’s been nicer to stay in the a/c. But I do miss being outside. So we play outside in the front yard in the shade.
We’re taking an extra long weekend this weekend, so I have to do two treatments on Thursday. One in the morning and one in the afternoon, they have to be 6 hours apart. Then I’ll have Friday off, Monday’s a holiday so that’s a freebie anyways. And then I’ll have Tuesday off, and have two treatments again on Wednesday.
We’re heading up to the U.P. We’ll be in Houghton on Friday and Saturday for a wedding of some good friends of ours. Then Sunday we’ll be heading down to Crystal Falls to hang out with family. We’re trying to get together a family shindig together at my grandma’s for Monday, so that will be nice to just hang out and relax.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Phase 3 - Radiation
Well I figured since we were starting a new phase of treatment, it was time for a new background.
I officially started radiation today. Completely painless, didn't feel a thing. The process took about 15 minutes from start to finish. It takes me longer to drive to the hospital. I'll do that every day Monday-Friday for a total of 33 treatments, UGH! That seems like forever, but I'm sure it will go by fast. I should only experience some skin irritations and fatigue, none of the other symptons I had like with my chemo, thank goodness.
The worst part was the planning they have to do. Yesterday I had a hour and a half session of laying perfectly still on my back, with my arms above my head. That was rather painful after awhile, you get the arm shakes. Reminded me of those damn arm hangs we had to do in high school gym. But it's necessary to make sure they are avoiding all of my major organs and just getting the area they need to.
This will be the last of my major treatments, so that's very exciting. It's nice to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Our summer has been good. The last few days have been miserably hot. Temps in the high 90's with heat indexes over 105 most days. I'm definetly glad for a nice air conditioned office.
Logan is growing like a weed. He's talking so much, too much some day. And he's just so much fun to hang out with. It's great to see the world through the eyes of a child, and explore new things every day with him. I'm so grateful to get to do that. This whole journey has made me appreciate small things like chasing ants and spiders on the sidewalk, blowing bubbles, running through the sprinkler, making forts out of kitchen chairs and blankets and playing with play-doh. I'm enjoying "being" a kid for awhile. I just can't imagine getting through this without him to keep me going, and Richard of course. He's really been my rock through this whole thing and I couldn't have done it without him either. I love you both all the way around the world and back again.
Hope this finds everyone well, stay tuned for more posting..........
I officially started radiation today. Completely painless, didn't feel a thing. The process took about 15 minutes from start to finish. It takes me longer to drive to the hospital. I'll do that every day Monday-Friday for a total of 33 treatments, UGH! That seems like forever, but I'm sure it will go by fast. I should only experience some skin irritations and fatigue, none of the other symptons I had like with my chemo, thank goodness.
The worst part was the planning they have to do. Yesterday I had a hour and a half session of laying perfectly still on my back, with my arms above my head. That was rather painful after awhile, you get the arm shakes. Reminded me of those damn arm hangs we had to do in high school gym. But it's necessary to make sure they are avoiding all of my major organs and just getting the area they need to.
This will be the last of my major treatments, so that's very exciting. It's nice to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Our summer has been good. The last few days have been miserably hot. Temps in the high 90's with heat indexes over 105 most days. I'm definetly glad for a nice air conditioned office.
Logan is growing like a weed. He's talking so much, too much some day. And he's just so much fun to hang out with. It's great to see the world through the eyes of a child, and explore new things every day with him. I'm so grateful to get to do that. This whole journey has made me appreciate small things like chasing ants and spiders on the sidewalk, blowing bubbles, running through the sprinkler, making forts out of kitchen chairs and blankets and playing with play-doh. I'm enjoying "being" a kid for awhile. I just can't imagine getting through this without him to keep me going, and Richard of course. He's really been my rock through this whole thing and I couldn't have done it without him either. I love you both all the way around the world and back again.
Hope this finds everyone well, stay tuned for more posting..........
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