A new week~

It has been about a week since the last post and this past week has been about the same. Today however I am finally feeling better.
Not sure what exactly threw me off these past 2 weeks but Chris and I feel it was a combination of several things. I had the Zometa treatment, out of medical menopause and stopped the beta blocker all on the same day. Also, had a lot of loses these past weeks of 4 friends and Chris's Grandma Doris.
I continued to have chest pain, fatigue,headaches and just not feeling well. So, we decided that I just needed to rest for several days and that is what I have been doing.
I finished reading a book, slept a lot, watched movies and the Cowboy game with Chris, Kevin & Nikki today. Tonight Chris and I made our Pumpkin Rolls for Thursday!
We did walk ( not run) 4 miles on Saturday and 4 more today. Tomorrow, if all is ok we will try to run.
This Tuesday I start the Lupron injections again. We are praying that I will tolorate the effects from the injections without problems and that the other problems will continue to get better. I am still off the beta blocker and blood pressure meds and my BP is remaining in normal ranges~ as i am reminded by Dr K those are the "victories" :)
As I am writing this I realize that it has been one year now since I began these 2 blogs. Much has happened this past year and another year means another VICTORY!

Thanks for your support and prayers through all of this~have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

This is what I am Thankful for~ :)

THINK PINK

Tough Week

Since the last post, things have been kind of tough. As I mentioned last time I did come off the beta blocker. After a few days I started feeling really bad. Chest pains, palpitations, fatigue, breathing wasn't right and my left arm and hand felt weird.
So, I started back on the beta blocker and called a new Cardiologist that I was scheduled to see next week. They had me come in today instead.
My apt. lasted 3 hours and included another echo, stress test on the treadmill and then another echo. My injection fraction number was still good, in normal ranges and everything looked ok. The doctor did mention something called exercise induced bundle-branch block. She wants me to have another test done, I can't remember what it is called but the test is a CT scan that takes pictures of the heart after an injection is given. I believe it exposes you to high levels of radiation so I will need to discuss this with my oncologist first.
As far as the beta blocker, she said to stop taking it. IF, I begin to have all the problems like I had this weekend then she will have me come in to the hospital for a closer look at the heart.
I have been off ( again) the beta blocker for 24 hours so far and am doing ok. Chris and I ran tonight about 3.5 miles. I cut out about the last 1/2 mile and went home while he finished running 4 miles. I can't say I felt great but after not running for 8 days and having a bad week it is no wonder I did not feel so great.
I am praying that I will find the right cardiologist. I did like her and she is very much on board to keep me running but also to make sure it is safe.

On Thursday I received a Zometa treatment and although it went well I am sure it played a role in how bad I felt this weekend.
I will also be starting the lupron injections to put me back in a medical menopause this week.

We attended our neighbors funeral on Saturday ( see family blog), Our Grandma Doris is now in Hospice care in Michigan ( today is her 94th? Birthday). She is not expected to be with us much longer and....
Someone hit Chris on the highway on his way home from work tonight. He is fine, says his neck hurts a little but we are afraid his car might be considered totaled and we just paid it off not long ago :(

Please keep Grandma Doris and our Minich family in prayer. This verse just keeps going through my mind~

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

"Fruit Loops"

Anytime there are changes made with medications, treatments, doctors, etc. it will through you for a loop.

My "loops" this week have been weaning off the heart medications and my body thinking it is an estrogen machine deciding to take itself out of a medically induced menopause. So, guess what... I get to do it all again, Lupron injections and all the fun that comes with being kicked into menopause. Oh..... please pray for me :) and Chris :)

I have not felt quite right since stopping the heart meds. But each day is getting better. My blood pressure is going up and the dizziness has stopped, which is good as long as it doesn't go up too high. I see the cardiologist on the 26th and hopefully all will remain well and I can stay off the 2 heart meds.

Had a Zometa treatment yesterday and so far so good, just tired. Have not needed anything for discomfort at this point.
Have not run since Saturday and we can't wait and get back out there.

All this just comes with the territory, tweaks and adjustments. Some days you just feel like a big "Fruit Loop" :)

Thanks for your continued love and support~ Elayne

Stopping the Beta Blocker

After getting my lab results back last Friday and seeing that they were all normal, no problems with my sodium or potassium, I decided to cut the beta blocker in half again taking it just once a day.
Today, I spoke with the cardiologist and let him know that I was feeling much better on the lower dose. My BP has gone back up to normal levels and I am not getting dizzy when I stand anymore.
He said it would be ok to just stop taking the beta blocker.
Here's where the prayer request comes in :) Please keep in prayer that this transition off of these 2 medications ( BP med & Beta Blocker) goes smoothly and without complications. For protection of my heart. I have been nervous about this ( kind of feel like I am dropping my safety net) so please keep that in prayer too that I would have peace about this decision.
This is a great praise to be able to get off these two medications!
Thanks~ Elayne

I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world. John 16: 33

Donate a FREE mammogram online

The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman.

It takes less than a minute to go to their s ite and click on 'donating a mammogram' -- for free (pink window in the middle). This does not cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate a mammogram in exchange for advertising.

Here's the web site! Please pass it along to people you know.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
AGAIN...
PLEASE ASK 10 FRIENDS TO TELL 10 FRIENDS.
Thanks.

BP continues to be too low

Had another tough day today with my blood pressure dropping to 86/51 and is remaining below normal. I have been having ALOT of trouble with dizziness and fatigue from this and my BP drops when I stand up. I called the cardiologist again and he wanted me to come in. This time he cut the beta blocker ( chemical pacemaker) in half but said he did not want me to come off it altogether. He also said he has no idea why this is happening. Said my sodium levels could be too low or I am dehydrated. I kind of doubt both of those as I drink water all the time and take electrolytes during my runs.

Sooo... tomorrow, I go to my oncologist to have labs done and discuss this with him. I am not sure if, since my heart is functioning at normal levels that I need to be on the beta blocker anymore. I may have to seek another opinion. As of today I am completely off the BP medications and the beta blocker is down to the lowest dose.

Chris and I are praying that I can get off both of them, for discernment for us and my doctors. I don't want to be foolish with my heart, want to be careful, but not remain on meds that I don't need to be on. Would appreciate your prayers on this as we figure out what is wrong and what to do.
Thanks~ Elayne

Some Updates

Hi everyone~ Just wanted to give you a few updates. I did speak with the oncology nurse and all the MRI's of my lower back are fine. I am beginning to question my running shoes :) But.. that was good news that there is no sign of disease or disk problems, etc.

Yesterday afternoon I had a bit of a scare. My blood pressure dropped to 90/46 and needless to say I did not feel very good :( We cut the BP medication in half about two weeks ago because it was dropping too low. I spoke with the Cardiologist's nurse and they have told me to stop taking it altogether. Thanks Dawn, Natasha & Diane for your help yesterday :)

Most of you know I have been hoping and praying to be able to get off several of these medications which all have side effects. We all had been praying about the tests that I had last month to show the function of my heart, which both came back showing a normal, healthy heart. I believe God is answering another prayer!
Please keep this in prayer that this transition off the blood pressure med. will go without any problems.
Thanks~ don't forget to VOTE!