I realize I have been terrible about individual emails to my friends trying to keep up with what is happening with me. Maybe if I write it once my friends can keep up with me, even if I am poor correspondent.

As most people now know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2006. Much of August was spent meeting with doctors, laying out the treatment plan, pre-operative tests and making sure that logistics were in order. We also had a nice vacation. Took the train to Baltimore, visited some family and friends in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York as well as OD'ing on Civil War sites.

On September 14, I had a lumpectomy and Sentinel Node biopsy at Newton Wellesley Hospital. I got the good news that the surgeon got it all so I could begin the rest of treatment.

October 5 was my first chemotherapy appointment. I am doing 'dose dense' A/C for 4 treatments then Taxol for 4 treatments. I will also be receiving Herceptin for about a year - every other week during Taxol and then every 3 weeks. Once the Taxol is complete I will be scheduled for 6 weeks of radiation (5 days per week.)

I survived my first chemo cycle very well. Some queasiness, a bit of heartburn, and I did enjoy my naps for the first week. DH and I did attend a wedding on Saturday night which was lots of fun. I returned to work on the 10th. My blood counts on the 12th were 'perfect'. By Monday, the 16th, I was feeling totally normal again.

Yesterday was my second appointment. When I washed my hair the shower drain was full of hair. At this point you can hardly tell that I am shedding. I do have a wig (mostly to look decent through the holidays), a couple of jersey baseball caps and some 'turbans' and other head coverings.

I am hoping for the same types of reactions this cycle, knowing how I reacted last time should help me plan for this cycle - mainly don't wait too long for breakfast!