NO GENE!!!!!

FINALLY...I got the results back from the breast cancer gene test I've been waiting for, and they were negative!! YAY!!! They test for the 2 most common, BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer genes- and I don't have either!!! I am so relieved! Don't get me wrong..I am still guarded, as I still need to talk with the doctor as far as the implications of this, and it doesn't mean that I'm in the clear, cancer-wise. But I believe the risk is lowered significantly, and once I find out more details, I'll share them with you.

Thank you for all of your prayers! FINALLY- a test result that has come back in my favor!

It actually was a good week of test results. At PT last week, my arm looked/measured great, and I have no signs of lymphedema at this point, so no longer need to go to PT for now. Don't remember if I've explained this: with my lumpectomy, they also removed several lymph nodes. My lymph now has to reroute itself throughout that area of my body, in particular, that arm. So, I've been going to PT and they help reroute that lymph, and I do exercises every day to prevent the lymph from clogging/pooling, which would result in my arm swelling up.

My blood counts last week were also good. Well, not great for the average, healthy person, but they were good for a person undergoing chemo. My hemoglobin has been dropping with every treatment, which makes me nervous and I definitely feel it, but they are assuring me the numbers are good. It's also good to know I'm not a HUGE infection risk at this point.

Best of all- Baby passed his/her tests with flying colors!!! I'll talk more about those below.

Now, for some pics:

Me at 28 weeks!


Greg and I went to the crazy preseason Vikes game last Friday. Very fun, but WEIRD to see Favre out there at the same time!


Greg at the game


Baby's first Vikings game!


The Dome was packed. I think it took us about 40 minutes just to get IN to the Dome.


One of Favre's first plays as a Viking!



Other random stuff:

Aren't these roses absolutely gorgeous?? My friends at work sent me these, and I just love them. Thanks, you guys!! I miss you!!


This past weekend Greg's brother Steve and Steve's girlfriend Krista were in town- we hadn't gotten to see them since April! And, they hadn't seen me with my big baby bump yet. :) We had so much fun- had dinner at Rod and Mary Kay's, played games, etc.


And, I saved the best pics for last:

Baby!! Last week I had a biophysical profile and non-stress test done. Long story short, they check for fetal movements, the heart, and "breathing," among other things. Baby did wonderfully on all of them- everything totally normal. Above is the best profile pic we've gotten! I think Baby looks like Greg. :)


Here's Baby trying to find his/her thumb! Which he/she did. I got to see Baby pop their thumb in their mouth and start sucking!! It was so amazing! I started to cry. Little tongue was moving back and forth and everything. I also saw Baby yawn. I think it's just unbelievable that they do all that in utero.


And, Baby's cute outstretched leg! Getting bigger!!
It was also fun to see Baby "breathe." Apparently they do this just sporadically, and the sonographer told me not to worry if we didn't see Baby breathing because I was doing this test earlier than most high-risk pregnancies (I was 28 weeks, they usually don't do it til 32 weeks), and many 28 week old babies aren't necessarily doing this yet. However, we quickly saw Baby breathing like a champ! I LOVED IT.

So, I will be doing these tests every week til Baby is born. Lots of time at the OB's office, but that's such a perk of needing all of these serial ultrasounds- I get to see Baby all the time!

Well, Round 3 is tomorrow. I could use all of your continued prayers that all goes well, the side effects will be minimal, and most importantly, that Baby continues to do OK. I am 29 weeks along tomorrow- every week that goes by with Baby staying inside, I am so grateful for!! I will keep you posted!

Family Vaca 2009!

Isn't this beautiful?? This past week we headed up to Grand Rapids, MN with my (Nicole's) side of the family. We usually go to Alexandria, but decided on something different this year. It was such a beautiful place.


Nephew Liam playing in the sand! He LOVED the lake and the sand.


Greg doing some fishing off the dock.


My brother Sean, Greg, dad Pat and I all did some fishing.


I started off the trip with this whopping perch- ha.


Sean caught a Northern- woohoo!


We of course had to bring the game Molkky up. I think my dad liked it!


Uncle Greg teaching Liam how to play Molkky.


Liam and Grandpa Pat watching everyone play some ladder golf.


Greg and a Northern- nice!


Nicole enjoying fishing on a beautiful day. We didn't have lots of luck as far as fishing went, but we still loved it.


Greg and another Northern


The sunsets were so gorgeous every night.


Trying to catch that big one.


Enjoying some time around the campfire! We caught some of the Perseid Meteor Shower that night. Saw some beautiful "shooting stars"- you can bet I made lots of wishes on those!


Kathy and Pat relaxing by the fire.


Liam loved to come into our room and have us show him pictures on the computer! We had so much fun spending the week with him- what a nut.


Sean with Liam in the kayak!


You think he liked the kayak??


Liam being his goofy self.


This was our cabin we stayed in- loved it! Much roomier than where we usually stay.



The view of Bass Lake from our cabin.


Pat lounging in the living room.

What a fun week! Nothing better than spending some good time with family.

We've also been going to the PGA Championship at Hazeltine this weekend, but don't have any pics from that as they don't allow cameras in. It's been fun though- we've seen Tiger Woods from 20 feet away, and all of the other awesome golfers. Greg could not be more excited!!

HEALTH UPDATE:

-Not much to report this week, except being tired. I think I underestimated this fatigue thing- it's been much worse after Round 2. However, I've been really busy and not resting like I should be, so that probably doesn't help. I'm just not a "lay low" type of gal...I'm going to have to be more disciplined with the next treatment. I had to sleep a lot at the cabin and missed a day of the PGA Championship due to being so run-down.

-Lots of appointments next week: PT (lymphedema risk reduction), oncologist (we'll check my blood counts), and OB (tests for Baby). I MAY get the results back on the breast cancer gene this week- please pray that all of these tests turn out wonderfully!! I will of course keep you updated.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Round 2 Over!

Well, here are Greg and I at Round 2. Half-way done with these icky chemo treatments!!
I am also wearing my new "do." Not bad, huh? The cut isn't as cool as I'd like it, but I'm pretty happy with it.


My aunt Bobbi, breast cancer survivor, and cousin Amy and their dog Dixie also came to see me. Bobbi helped to start the Pet Therapy program at the cancer clinic I go to- it's wonderful! All of the patients love to pet Dixie while they are getting their chemo. It was so nice to have them and my hubby there- good distraction!

So, to sum up this week:

-Infusion #2 on Tuesday. This one hit me much harder and faster than the first one. However, it was kind of a Catch 22- it didn't last as long. It's still been a rough week, but I overall felt better after the first 24 hours. I've been more fatigued, but overall have been OK.

-I also got tested for the breast cancer genes on Tuesday (BRCA1 and BRCA2). I should find out the results in a couple of weeks. I could use your prayers that I don't have either of these genes- it would just make life so much easier. A lot less decision-making that I would have to do, and a lot less risk.

-I still had increased contractions the night after chemo, but because I felt better sooner, they subsided sooner.

-Went to the OB Thursday and had Baby and me checked out- all was perfect! YAY!! That was such a relief. We just keep hoping that Baby continues to do so well. Baby is growing just the way he/she is supposed to, and all organs and parts looked good. Baby is now 2 lbs 1oz! We were glad to get past that 2 pound mark! Heart Rate was 155. Baby is still moving lots, as well. I absolutely love it!!

Here are a couple of pics from that ultrasound:

Baby's profile (kind of) at 26 weeks. Baby was being camera shy and facing inward, so this shot didn't get too clear. Still cute though!!


Greg's favorite- Baby's foot shots. Getting big!



And of course, random cat pic. The cats never cease to make me laugh during this too- here is Poster doing what we call, "Sitting Like a Human." Look at that gut!

So, that's pretty much everything. I get my blood count levels drawn in another week here, and we'll see how I do this time with that. It does feel good to be half way done with these harder treatments.

In 2 weeks I will also go in for Baby's biophysical profile and non-stress test. I'm not sure exactly what's involved with these- I just know they look more closely at the Baby.

Today we're off to the cabin with the family- I'll have pics of that next week!

Thank you AGAIN for your continued prayers and support. We really are surrounded by the most loving people and are truly blessed.

26 Weeks and Thompson Cabin Weekend 2009!

Wow- I am 26 weeks tomorrow! This pic was taken at 25 weeks- but close enough. Tummy is officially getting huge. I love it. :) I've been feeling great. Baby continues to move tons every day. Now, his/her kicks are big enough to REALLY see my belly jump with them- it's hilarious!

Updates:
- Not much health-wise this week, but that's good! I've continued to feel great. I have chemo round 2 tomorrow...wish me and Baby luck! I ask for your prayers that all will go as well if not better than last time. I can't tell if I'm less nervous now that I know what to expect, or more nervous for the same reason. Not looking forward to this week, but we'll get through it.

-The doc added another anti-nausea med to my "cocktail," hoping that will cover things a little better. Things weren't that bad last time, but we're going to try and make it better.

-If I feel OK, I'm going to the OB Thursday for them to look closely at Baby...they'll do all the measurements and whatnot, and I'll have lots of pics to post!

-Biggest thing this week: My hair is now gone!!! Yes, I went into the salon (the woman I see specializes in wigs/cuts for cancer patients) and had it shaved off. I should have had it done last week- TONS of my hair started falling out in clumps this weekend, so I was ready to get it cut off. It was still more difficult than I anticipated...it's quite a change. But, I'll adjust. I did get a wig that looks pretty darn close to my old hair! I'll get pics up soon of me in the wig (I don't think I'll ever have enough guts to show my bald head). In the meantime, the following pics are the last you'll see of me with my own hair for quite a while!


Now, on to the fun stuff for the week:

We headed out to Canterbury Downs Thursday with Beth, James, and Jeff- it was a good time! Didn't win any big money, but it's always fun.


The race track


They had boxing in between the races- ha!


Beth, James and Jeff


Then, we headed up to Grand Rapids for the annual Thompson Cabin weekend! Woohoo!

It rained off and on, but wasn't a wash-out. Joel with the Gopher helmet umbrella and...a really big bottle of water. Yeah, that's it.


Jesse trying to match my belly. Couldn't quite do it!!


The Thompsons have an awesome garage set up with every game imaginable. Beth, Greg, and Jason playing some shuffleboard.


Jesse and Ryan- quite the competition.


Jenny having way too much fun with the bug zapper! Yeah, it looks like a little tennis racquet. It actually fries bugs with the push of a button- ha!


Pontoon ride! Nicole and Erica.


Ryan, Cindy, Jenny and Alicia


That was one crazy pontoon boat ride with Ryan driving, let me tell ya


Brian was nice enough to bring his boat up, and we did some tubing! Not sure how the guys braved the freezing water, but they did it. Above is Ryan- I think his record for staying on the tube was about 10 seconds.


Here are Jesse and Greg. Notice that they're both on one tube. That's because Jesse jumped over to Greg's tube, and on top of Greg, and pretended to ride him like a bronco.


OK, now everybody's got their own tube again....Greg and Jesse


Brian, Greg, Kevin, and Thomps


Brrrrrr. Greg.


NICE, Thomps. How those arms feeling?


Everybody watching the tubers from the pontoon


Had to break out the Molkky! What a great game. Kind of easier to play in the sand, though.


Ladder golf! Action shot of Joel and Nicole


Greg and Beth


And finally.....





The pic you've been waiting for....




Come on, you know what it is......






Woooo!!!!! Yes, the Speedo, of course, had to make its appearance. It just never gets old. It was a first viewing for a few people this year, and it did not disappoint.
Gotta love him!!

Thanks Thompsons, for an awesome weekend!! We had such a great time, and what a great turnout.

Hope to update you all later this week with good news on Round 2!