Chemo has begun - just 15 months to go!!

Beth is really well - she received her first chemo last Monday March 23rd and the first week has been much better than she or anyone else anticipated.. It's obvious the meds they prescribed for nausea worked and although she has had some issues, it's nothing she can't handle (but then again - we know that Beth won't complain no matter what's happening).. and yes - she did pick out her wig!!!

Beth is not a happy camper about having to be careful about how much time she spends in the sun; as a nanny-Beth spends her entire summer by the pool with the kids, so she's still pouting about this directive!!!

Beth went to work yesterday for the first time since her surgery and she's hoping to be able to work some - As most of you know Beth is a nanny for 5 wonderful kids (she's prejudiced of course because they are her nieces & nephews).. It's her first attempt since the surgery..
No doubt the kids are so excited to have her back and to be together again, especially little Nicholas and Beth's youngest "Hayden" - it was very obvious how much they missed each other!! And you can only imagine how excited Beth's beloved Sydney was, when her Auntie Ba picked her up from school yesterday.. And Beth is planning Devon's 9th birthday party, so it's better than we could have imagined!!!

So, the routine will be chemo every 3 weeks for the first 3-4 months; then every week for several months, and then back to every 3 weeks ... and so it will go for 15+ months.. But, how wonderful that it's there to help make sure that Beth's wins this challenge!!

As always - thank you - thank you - thank you for your continued best wishes and support - it helps more than you will ever know - so keep those prayers coming - they are making all the difference!!!

Family is everything (photo's)

Getting Ready for the next Step

     Yesterday, Beth saw her plastic surgeon and had an outpatient surgical procedure done at Faulkner to remove the dead skin/scab from her reconstruction and everything went well; shortly after the procedure Beth was sitting up, eating and drinking and able to go home-per usual anxious to be home with the boys..  Her immediate challenge continues to be the stretching of those muscles each day to get her arms over her head and although it's more difficult than she expected and despite the pain, she works at it constantly hoping to avoid going to physical therapy... 

     Next week Beth has 3 tests scheduled; a cat scan and a bone scan, both of which will be done at Dana Farber and then the following day she will go back in to have a MUGA test (heart); all in preparation  to begin chemotherapy in 2 weeks on Monday March 23rd.  No one looks forward to chemotherapy but Beth continues to have a wonderful attitude and we have total confidence she'll continue to do whatever it takes to beat this!!  

     As always, thanks again for your good wishes, prayers and encouragement.

1 Month Today

Hard to believe it's been one month today since Beth had her surgery and she's feeling better and working hard to get those arms over her head!!!  

Beth met with the oncologist today and it's definite - Beth will  begin chemo in a little over 2 weeks on Monday, March 23rd and she's been told to plan on at least 15 months of chemo..

We all knew this what was anticipated from discussions prior to Beth's surgery, but I think we had all hoped that just maybe it wouldn't be necessary..  But we now know it was wishful thinking, so now the plan is to concentrate on preparing for the next stage of her journey..

The chemo will be strong and there's no doubt that Beth will lose her hair and despite her smiles she has to be overwhelmed.  But as is usual with Beth, she's making jokes.  She has a phenomenal attitude and with the continued of support from everyone, there's no doubt she's going to beat this!!!  

So continue to keep her and her family in your prayers and we'll keep you updated...