Okay it's Sunday and usually my worst day, but I think we finally got it right!
Just to catch you up...
Friday (Day 104) - went to work and had no problems. Following that I went to the clinic to get my one liter of saline hydration. I was there for about 2 hours. They started the hydration and then I fell asleep through most of it. I was soooo tired. I think I slept for about an hour and a half. When I woke up, the nurse was talking to another nurse and said she didn't want to move the IV stands because I was napping. I said I was awake now. It felt so good to nap. Following the hydration, I had my neulasta shot. Just 4mg. Then I went to Fred Meyer to pick up my Zofran prescription. That night I was feeling good. Around 9 or so is when I noticed my neck was starting to feel a little stiff and sore. So at about 10, I took 600mg of ibuprofen and went to bed. Oh yes, I took a zofran at about 8p.
Saturday (Day 105) - I woke up feeling decent. I was definitely feeling sore from the waist up. But not as sore as the previous two treatments. I think taking ibuprofen the night before was helping and staying on top of the pain. I took a zofran and got the girls their breakfast and got them on their way to see Grandma along with Daddy. I then had the rest of the day to myself to relax. I did manage to go do a little shopping. I did stop at Burger King and got two chicken snack wraps. I was jonesing for chicken strips and I had a coupon. :) That hit the spot. Then I came home and watched some TV while dozing. At around 3p, I finally got up off of the couch (I was dozing and relaxing for about three hours) and went out shopping again. Brad and the girls got home around 4:15p and that's when I started feeling a little less than great. So after Brad got back from the store, I made myself some mashed potatoes and went upstairs to eat them and nap. I got up around 7p to help get the girls in bed and then went back to bed myself. From there I was dozing in and out. I made sure I had a full glass of water next to me. Every time I got up to flip over, I would take a sip. I did NOT want to be dehydrated. I peed quite a lot in the middle of the night and somewhere during one of my trips to the potty, I stopped to get a 400mg of ibuprofen. That worked miracles. Because...
Today (Day 106) I feel great! I woke up when Brad was getting ready for work. He asked how I was feeling. I said I was feeling good today. I felt a little dizzy and I had a headache because I was all stuffed up, but I wasn't feeling nauseous. We laughed and said that finally we had gotten it right with only two treatments left. I said I'd rather have it right for two treatments than none at all. But as of right now, and it's close to 10a, I am feeling really good. I don't feel nauseous and I haven't taken any anti-nausea medication today. I had a full glass of water (16oz) already and another 8oz of Sierra Mist and now I am drinking one small cup of coffee. I ate a nice breakfast of toast with peanut butter (for protein) and still feeling awesome! I do think that the combination of hydration and decreasing the Neulasta really helped in my treatment. I think that the first Taxol treatment... the pain made me feel even worse. Once I had the pain in control, I was feeling good. Right now, there's just a little soreness. Not a lot, just a little. Now I am just waiting for Grandma to come over to help. She should be here soon... but I am not in dire need of her to be here right at 10! Hooray! Maybe I will be fit to go into work tomorrow. That will surprise a lot of people, I think!
Oh yes... I want to say... Congrats to my friend Kris... her husband just completed all his chemo! Yea! And thank you sooo much Yo for my fantastic care package. I love the vanilla body wash. It makes my skin feel so nice and wonderful. I was looking forward to the nausea candies, but I may not need them. I may have to send them back to you! ;)
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Day 103 - Round 7!
I know I am late posting this... but I've been busy. :)
Round 7... means I only have one more treatment to go! I'm almost there!
On Thursday we met with Dr. Luoh and went over the test results of the ultrasound. He's very happy that everything is going down and that I am still responding to treatments. We are going to keep on the same regimine. He was also pleased that I didn't get as sick as I had been getting. So he ordered another hydration of a liter of saline for Friday and then 4mg of Neulasta to follow. I do think that is making a difference. We also discussed my BRCA2 positive result. He said that will most likely change some of the post treatment. I was going to go on tamoxifen for five years, but since I tested positive, he says that I will most likely get an oophorectomy and then be on tamoxifen for about 1-2 years and then I will be put on a different hormone suppressor. We want to get rid of the estrogen in my body. He said if I don't want to do the oophorectomy, they have drugs to put my ovaries to sleep. In any case, either way, estrogen will drop about 92% in my body. There are other organs that would provide the other 8% of estrogen, so I would never quite be free of estrogen. But a 92% decrease is good. I like Dr. Luoh. He is so thorough. I also asked him after my chemo-sucky treatments will there be more cancer in my body. He said yes, and that's what the hormone therapy and stuff is for. We are going to starve the cancer by getting rid of the estrogen receptors. Makes sense. He said that there may still be some "floating" around in my body... most likely from where my tumor is. But he's confident I will be fine. I trust him. Oh yes, and then he told me that he wanted me to have an ultrasound done on my left leg. He was worried about me having deep vein thrombosis (DVT)... or blood clot in my leg after last week and my spleen issue. So after my chemo-sucky treatment, I was to go downstairs to the third floor to get an u/s. Fun times.
Next on the list of things to do was to talk to the genetic counselors. That was fast and easy. I had many of my questions answered when Kelly called me to give me the results. So there was nothing new there. They just suggest that I get out the parts before I am 40. Most likely I will get them out sometime this year, either during the double mastectomy or reconstruction. Everything seems to be going as scheduled.
Following my chemo-sucky, I went downstairs for my ultrasound. They found nothing. But it was cool looking at my veins and arteries in my leg. I am learning so much stuff about my anatomy.
Round 7... means I only have one more treatment to go! I'm almost there!
On Thursday we met with Dr. Luoh and went over the test results of the ultrasound. He's very happy that everything is going down and that I am still responding to treatments. We are going to keep on the same regimine. He was also pleased that I didn't get as sick as I had been getting. So he ordered another hydration of a liter of saline for Friday and then 4mg of Neulasta to follow. I do think that is making a difference. We also discussed my BRCA2 positive result. He said that will most likely change some of the post treatment. I was going to go on tamoxifen for five years, but since I tested positive, he says that I will most likely get an oophorectomy and then be on tamoxifen for about 1-2 years and then I will be put on a different hormone suppressor. We want to get rid of the estrogen in my body. He said if I don't want to do the oophorectomy, they have drugs to put my ovaries to sleep. In any case, either way, estrogen will drop about 92% in my body. There are other organs that would provide the other 8% of estrogen, so I would never quite be free of estrogen. But a 92% decrease is good. I like Dr. Luoh. He is so thorough. I also asked him after my chemo-sucky treatments will there be more cancer in my body. He said yes, and that's what the hormone therapy and stuff is for. We are going to starve the cancer by getting rid of the estrogen receptors. Makes sense. He said that there may still be some "floating" around in my body... most likely from where my tumor is. But he's confident I will be fine. I trust him. Oh yes, and then he told me that he wanted me to have an ultrasound done on my left leg. He was worried about me having deep vein thrombosis (DVT)... or blood clot in my leg after last week and my spleen issue. So after my chemo-sucky treatment, I was to go downstairs to the third floor to get an u/s. Fun times.
Next on the list of things to do was to talk to the genetic counselors. That was fast and easy. I had many of my questions answered when Kelly called me to give me the results. So there was nothing new there. They just suggest that I get out the parts before I am 40. Most likely I will get them out sometime this year, either during the double mastectomy or reconstruction. Everything seems to be going as scheduled.
Following my chemo-sucky, I went downstairs for my ultrasound. They found nothing. But it was cool looking at my veins and arteries in my leg. I am learning so much stuff about my anatomy.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Day 102 - Almost there!
Nothing really to report today. I am finally in the home stretch of chemo-sucky. Only two more treatments to go (I hope). I've got a question on my list... does Dr. L think that I will have to go through more chemo-sucky after my surgery? Does he think the chemo-sucky got it all?
Tomorrow I have to meet with the genetic counselor and they will go over our options. But I already know what I face. Other than that... I've got a crying kid.... so I have to get going.
Tomorrow I have to meet with the genetic counselor and they will go over our options. But I already know what I face. Other than that... I've got a crying kid.... so I have to get going.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Day 101 - I'm shrinking! I'm shrinking!
I went in today for my ultrasound. I had a different sonographer who took the pictures and measurements. When she was done she said she was going to talk to the doctor. I asked her if Dr. Chan was in. She said yes. I said good because he is the one who has been following me. So Dr. Chan came in a few minutes later with a Dr. Yow (I think??) who was an OB/GYN resident. I told him that I was BRCA2+. He said that's the reason why I got breast cancer so early. Yup. Then I said that I will most likely now have to get an oopherectomy. The other doctor nodded yes. Anyway, Dr. Chan wanted to look at my breast again. I like him. He said that the tumor was shrinking. It measured 2.2 x 1.8 x 1.6 cm compared with a previous measurement of 3.6 x 3.3 x 2.0 cm. Then he moved to the axillary nodes (under my arm). He found two nodes and said that they are kidney shaped and they don't appear as thick. The largest measured 1.0 x 0.9 x 0.3 cm compared with a previous measurement of 1.4 x 1.0 x 0.7 cm. Then he measured the node in my neck. It measured 1.2 x 1.1 x 0.5 cm compared with 1.5 x 1.4 x 0.6 cm prior. So he was happy with everything and said the treatment is doing what it's supposed to do. The last time I had any measurements was just before my third AC treatment. So I've gone through 4 more treatments. I wish it had gone down even more... but we are moving in the right direction. You'll have to remember that the axillary nodes when I first got to OHSU were "clumpy" and they could find no clear node. So now that they can find the nodes again is awesome. In fact, he was having trouble finding one of the lymph nodes under my arm. So this is good.
Now I get to look forward to two more treatments. And I seriously mean that I get to look forward to two - not 8 a few months back. Let's hope that I don't get sick again. I want to feel good this weekend. That will mean that maybe I will feel good on Mother's Day!
Oh, when I was doing some research online about BRCA, I read that being BRCA1 positive (I'm BRCA2) can actually hinder the chances of conceiving. Interesting. Something about the gene and how it affects the eggs. Just in an interesting thing I found. I wonder if that will be part of a test for those undergoing fertility issues...
Now I get to look forward to two more treatments. And I seriously mean that I get to look forward to two - not 8 a few months back. Let's hope that I don't get sick again. I want to feel good this weekend. That will mean that maybe I will feel good on Mother's Day!
Oh, when I was doing some research online about BRCA, I read that being BRCA1 positive (I'm BRCA2) can actually hinder the chances of conceiving. Interesting. Something about the gene and how it affects the eggs. Just in an interesting thing I found. I wonder if that will be part of a test for those undergoing fertility issues...
Monday, April 23, 2012
Day 100 - I know what caused the cancer!
Honestly... give a girl a break.
Got the genetic testing back. Instead of testing negative for BRCA 1 or 2, I tested postive for BRCA 2. That's the genetic mutation in the 13th chromosome. So for me they suggest a double mastectomy (was going to do that) and an oopherectomy or the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Doing a double mastectomy reduces the chances of me have a new breast cancer by 95%, so there's a 5% chance I may get another cancer in my breast (not caused by the initial cancer that I have now). I will have an breast exam twice a year for the rest of my life. That may be just a physical exam, or it could entail a mammogram. They suggest a surgeon who specializes in the breast because I will be getting reconstruction. If I don't get a double mastectomy, I increase the chances of me getting a new cancer in my breasts. In addition, I would have to get a twice yearly exam where I would get a mammogram done one month, then six months later a breast MRI (uh, no!). So for the ovarian cancer, I have a 27% chance of getting ovarian cancer. If I get an oopherectomy, I reduce my chances of getting an abdomen cancer (same cells found in the ovaries/fallopian tubes) to 2-5%. Taking tamoxifen (which is an estrogen blocker) for five years reduces the chance of me getting breast cancer again by 50%.
I will meet with the genetic counselor on Thursday. But I told the lady that I had to ask these questions now otherwise I will not be able to sleep. She understood and said she'd do the same. I asked her which is more common... BRCA 1 OR 2. She says the more common genetic default is those with BRCA1. However, they are more commonly known to be triple negative where they test negative for estrogen, progesterone and HER2 neu receptors and is a little more difficult to treat. They are also at a 45% risk of getting ovarian cancer. So I guess being BRCA2 is better? But I don't come without risks. I have a a 7% chance of getting pancreatic cancer. And I am at a higher risk for melanoma (thank goodness I am not a sun worshipper). The melanoma is screened by skin exams. As for the pancreatic cancer... I will have to find out about that. I do know that a surgeon will screen for that... however, I don't know if there is a blood cancer marker that they test for.
If I don't do an oopherectomy, I can keep screening for a cancer marker via a blood test. However, ovarian cancer is very hard to detect until it is farther along in its cancer making ways. Honestly, I was thinking about doing an oopherectomy anyway. Figuring that the ovaries are the providers of the hormone estrogen. It just sucks that I have to make the choice. I'll let you know what I decide.
So I am here thinking about my news. It's not a death sentence. It's just not what I really want to hear. I'd rather have heard... good news... you test negative. But now I do know why I got breast cancer at such an early age. It just sucks to have to do all these things so early in life. I feel deflated. I love my life and I will do anything to extend it... but to lose my boobs, then to think that I am going to lose my ovaries and fallopian tubes. I might as well do a hysterectomy because then I won't have periods anymore! Oooh there's an idea. I guess what's most troubling for me is that Amelia and Elaina have a 50/50 chance of being positive for the genetic mutation. I feel a bit guilty to burden them with the idea that some day they may get breast cancer. They may choose to get tested, or they may not choose. We shall see. Maybe by the time they turn 18 (when they can make that decision themselves) we will have found a positive cure for breast cancer. But I guess I am feeling most blue because of what their lives will entail, their uncertainty, or their decision they will have to make... to know if they are a carrier. It just sucks. And I am bummed.
By the way... I had nothing to write on... so I wrote all the information down about the test results on the back of our voter pamphlet guide! hahaha!
Tomorrow I have an appointment to see if my mass shrunk. It's another ultrasound. Will let you know!
Got the genetic testing back. Instead of testing negative for BRCA 1 or 2, I tested postive for BRCA 2. That's the genetic mutation in the 13th chromosome. So for me they suggest a double mastectomy (was going to do that) and an oopherectomy or the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Doing a double mastectomy reduces the chances of me have a new breast cancer by 95%, so there's a 5% chance I may get another cancer in my breast (not caused by the initial cancer that I have now). I will have an breast exam twice a year for the rest of my life. That may be just a physical exam, or it could entail a mammogram. They suggest a surgeon who specializes in the breast because I will be getting reconstruction. If I don't get a double mastectomy, I increase the chances of me getting a new cancer in my breasts. In addition, I would have to get a twice yearly exam where I would get a mammogram done one month, then six months later a breast MRI (uh, no!). So for the ovarian cancer, I have a 27% chance of getting ovarian cancer. If I get an oopherectomy, I reduce my chances of getting an abdomen cancer (same cells found in the ovaries/fallopian tubes) to 2-5%. Taking tamoxifen (which is an estrogen blocker) for five years reduces the chance of me getting breast cancer again by 50%.
I will meet with the genetic counselor on Thursday. But I told the lady that I had to ask these questions now otherwise I will not be able to sleep. She understood and said she'd do the same. I asked her which is more common... BRCA 1 OR 2. She says the more common genetic default is those with BRCA1. However, they are more commonly known to be triple negative where they test negative for estrogen, progesterone and HER2 neu receptors and is a little more difficult to treat. They are also at a 45% risk of getting ovarian cancer. So I guess being BRCA2 is better? But I don't come without risks. I have a a 7% chance of getting pancreatic cancer. And I am at a higher risk for melanoma (thank goodness I am not a sun worshipper). The melanoma is screened by skin exams. As for the pancreatic cancer... I will have to find out about that. I do know that a surgeon will screen for that... however, I don't know if there is a blood cancer marker that they test for.
If I don't do an oopherectomy, I can keep screening for a cancer marker via a blood test. However, ovarian cancer is very hard to detect until it is farther along in its cancer making ways. Honestly, I was thinking about doing an oopherectomy anyway. Figuring that the ovaries are the providers of the hormone estrogen. It just sucks that I have to make the choice. I'll let you know what I decide.
So I am here thinking about my news. It's not a death sentence. It's just not what I really want to hear. I'd rather have heard... good news... you test negative. But now I do know why I got breast cancer at such an early age. It just sucks to have to do all these things so early in life. I feel deflated. I love my life and I will do anything to extend it... but to lose my boobs, then to think that I am going to lose my ovaries and fallopian tubes. I might as well do a hysterectomy because then I won't have periods anymore! Oooh there's an idea. I guess what's most troubling for me is that Amelia and Elaina have a 50/50 chance of being positive for the genetic mutation. I feel a bit guilty to burden them with the idea that some day they may get breast cancer. They may choose to get tested, or they may not choose. We shall see. Maybe by the time they turn 18 (when they can make that decision themselves) we will have found a positive cure for breast cancer. But I guess I am feeling most blue because of what their lives will entail, their uncertainty, or their decision they will have to make... to know if they are a carrier. It just sucks. And I am bummed.
By the way... I had nothing to write on... so I wrote all the information down about the test results on the back of our voter pamphlet guide! hahaha!
Tomorrow I have an appointment to see if my mass shrunk. It's another ultrasound. Will let you know!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Day 97 - 100% covered!
So I mentioned that I have a nice deductible of $600 and an out of pocket max of $5500 (deductible doesn't count)... and I mentioned that I met that max on my 3/1 chemo-sucky treatment... well it's just so nice to be looking at my claims and seeing a $3k test be covered 100%. Or my $1800 chemo-sucky treatment covered at 100%. Just think... my surgery... I won't have to pay anything. Wahoooo!
I was wondering for those of you who read my blog... is there anything you want to know about treatment that you're curious about. More pictures? If so, just leave a comment. I'll answer.
I was wondering for those of you who read my blog... is there anything you want to know about treatment that you're curious about. More pictures? If so, just leave a comment. I'll answer.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Day 96 - I have hair!
I think I am a Zed. Yes, I likened myself to a Dr. Seuss character. Why? Because I have one hair up on my head. The other night I was looking at my head (which I do quite often) to see if my hair is growing. And it is! I mean I can feel the "five o'clock" shadow. But upon careful examination I found one hair that was about a quarter of an inch long! I pulled at it to see if it would come out fairly easily and it did NOT budge! I can't believe it. So I am happy to say, I have hair!
So Thursday was a good day except for the tingling in my feet and finger tips. That continues to persist. I am wondering if it will ever go away. But I am starting to get used to it... annoying as it may be. Other than that... looking forward to a fun weekend of sun. :)
BTW, blogger has just changed the way it looks... so if things look weird... blame it on the new look!
So Thursday was a good day except for the tingling in my feet and finger tips. That continues to persist. I am wondering if it will ever go away. But I am starting to get used to it... annoying as it may be. Other than that... looking forward to a fun weekend of sun. :)
BTW, blogger has just changed the way it looks... so if things look weird... blame it on the new look!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Day 95 - I'm Normal!
Wow... I am normal. Seems like an oxymoran at this point in time. But that is what the ultrasound technician said.
I went in for my blood work and my u/s this morning. It was nice going to a smaller hospital. Everyone was on time. I got there shortly after 8a. Since I was early for the u/s appointment, I went and had my bloodwork done. I only had to walk a short distance from the check in desk to the outpatient lab. The technicians were a bit scary... english wasn't their first language. But the lab worker got my vein on the first try and it was done within minutes. After that, it took a few minutes to wait to check in for the u/s. I barely had time to get one text off to Brad to tell him that I was done with the bloodwork before I got called back. Since I was just at Mt. Hood about two weeks ago, they had me in the system. That was awesome. After checking in, it was a quick wait in a hallway. I think I waited about 7 minutes... just enough time to fire off two text messages! LOL. Thanks Annie! Then it was back in the u/s room. The sonographer was awesome. We just talked through the whole thing. She went to school in Oklahoma but moved out to the NW because she went through an F5 tornado and said she wasn't having anymore of that (scary, Brooke!). She's been in Oregon for many years now. We also talked about why we though breast cancer stats were so much higher. She didn't know. I just wanted her opinion. And whether she wanted it or not, I gave her mine. I said I like to think that we are more in tune with our bodies and we tend to catch the symptoms/signs earlier. She said she liked that response and was going to use it. Um, lemme see, I found out that the hospital complex is going to open up a new office facility that will specialize in women's breast health... mammography, biopsies and the like. She used to work at Mt. Hood MC, then went to another hospital, only to return a few months ago because she was launching this new office. She specializes in the breast. In fact, she was shocked that I was a breast cancer patient. She thought that I just had a lumpectomy because she thought my wig was my real hair. She said that I looked great for someone going through chemo and she was thrown off because I still have my eyebrows and eye lashes! Ha! I kept some hair! hahahaha!
So the u/s was only about 25 minutes in length. She took lots of pictures of my liver. She took pictures of my kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder and then last she looked at my spleen. She said that she's not supposed to tell me about what she's seeing... meaning making any sort of diagnosis, but she said that my liver looked fine and then when she got to my spleen, she said that it was a normal size. So I'm normal. :) That's a relief. So my aches and pains are just a side effect of chemo-sucky and neulasta I am assuming. She said, of course, I didn't hear it from her. But I am glad she at least told me that my spleen looked normal. Then it was off to work.
I got home just in time today to get a call from Angie, Dr. Luoh's nurse. She said that my spleen looked normal (which I already knew, but said nothing) and that my labs came back normal. She said my white blood count was in the normal range and that I am a little anemic which is also normal for a chemo-sucky patient. I asked her if there's anything I can do for that. She said that I could change my diet... eat more iron rich foods, but she doubts that it will really help. If it gets too low it would mean a blood transfusion. But it's not near that point. It just means that I am more tired. So I like my afternoon naps.
Dr. L did say I could go in for more testing... doing a doppler test to check for blood clots. But after discussing with Angie, we decided no. I don't have the symptoms of a blood clot. I don't have swollen extremities, the pain isn't increasing, no fever, etc. But we did agree if I have any of these symptoms I would call right away or get to an ER ASAP as if the blood clot were to move it could cause a stroke. But she said that blood clots are not typical. So the diagnosis is to continue to drink lots of fluids and if the pain is bad (and no fever) I can take tylenol or ibuprofen. Fun times.
After her call, I took a much needed nap. Yea!
Other than that, everything is good. Feeling good. The numbness/tingling is still there. I am hoping it will go away. I don't like the feeling. It's an awkward feeling. Think if it continues Dr. L will get me out of my last two chemo-sucky treatments??? Hahaha!
I went in for my blood work and my u/s this morning. It was nice going to a smaller hospital. Everyone was on time. I got there shortly after 8a. Since I was early for the u/s appointment, I went and had my bloodwork done. I only had to walk a short distance from the check in desk to the outpatient lab. The technicians were a bit scary... english wasn't their first language. But the lab worker got my vein on the first try and it was done within minutes. After that, it took a few minutes to wait to check in for the u/s. I barely had time to get one text off to Brad to tell him that I was done with the bloodwork before I got called back. Since I was just at Mt. Hood about two weeks ago, they had me in the system. That was awesome. After checking in, it was a quick wait in a hallway. I think I waited about 7 minutes... just enough time to fire off two text messages! LOL. Thanks Annie! Then it was back in the u/s room. The sonographer was awesome. We just talked through the whole thing. She went to school in Oklahoma but moved out to the NW because she went through an F5 tornado and said she wasn't having anymore of that (scary, Brooke!). She's been in Oregon for many years now. We also talked about why we though breast cancer stats were so much higher. She didn't know. I just wanted her opinion. And whether she wanted it or not, I gave her mine. I said I like to think that we are more in tune with our bodies and we tend to catch the symptoms/signs earlier. She said she liked that response and was going to use it. Um, lemme see, I found out that the hospital complex is going to open up a new office facility that will specialize in women's breast health... mammography, biopsies and the like. She used to work at Mt. Hood MC, then went to another hospital, only to return a few months ago because she was launching this new office. She specializes in the breast. In fact, she was shocked that I was a breast cancer patient. She thought that I just had a lumpectomy because she thought my wig was my real hair. She said that I looked great for someone going through chemo and she was thrown off because I still have my eyebrows and eye lashes! Ha! I kept some hair! hahahaha!
So the u/s was only about 25 minutes in length. She took lots of pictures of my liver. She took pictures of my kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder and then last she looked at my spleen. She said that she's not supposed to tell me about what she's seeing... meaning making any sort of diagnosis, but she said that my liver looked fine and then when she got to my spleen, she said that it was a normal size. So I'm normal. :) That's a relief. So my aches and pains are just a side effect of chemo-sucky and neulasta I am assuming. She said, of course, I didn't hear it from her. But I am glad she at least told me that my spleen looked normal. Then it was off to work.
I got home just in time today to get a call from Angie, Dr. Luoh's nurse. She said that my spleen looked normal (which I already knew, but said nothing) and that my labs came back normal. She said my white blood count was in the normal range and that I am a little anemic which is also normal for a chemo-sucky patient. I asked her if there's anything I can do for that. She said that I could change my diet... eat more iron rich foods, but she doubts that it will really help. If it gets too low it would mean a blood transfusion. But it's not near that point. It just means that I am more tired. So I like my afternoon naps.
Dr. L did say I could go in for more testing... doing a doppler test to check for blood clots. But after discussing with Angie, we decided no. I don't have the symptoms of a blood clot. I don't have swollen extremities, the pain isn't increasing, no fever, etc. But we did agree if I have any of these symptoms I would call right away or get to an ER ASAP as if the blood clot were to move it could cause a stroke. But she said that blood clots are not typical. So the diagnosis is to continue to drink lots of fluids and if the pain is bad (and no fever) I can take tylenol or ibuprofen. Fun times.
After her call, I took a much needed nap. Yea!
Other than that, everything is good. Feeling good. The numbness/tingling is still there. I am hoping it will go away. I don't like the feeling. It's an awkward feeling. Think if it continues Dr. L will get me out of my last two chemo-sucky treatments??? Hahaha!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Day 94 - How much fun can a girl have?
So last week my fun consisted of the fact that I may have to give myself injections for a week. Well, that has come and gone. Now I have to go in for an ultrasound for my spleen!
Last night my back was starting to hurt and ache. This is on my left side around my rib cage. This is where my spleen sits. Apparently the spleen is something that deals with white blood cells and the making of platelets and such. You can google search it. In anycase, part of the side effects of either the chemo-sucky or the Neulasta, an enlarged spleen could be a side effect. So it starts with an achiness or something to that fact. The ache didn't go away this morning so at 7:55a I called Dr. Luoh. I went home at lunch to await his call. I didn't get a call until 11a! Good thing it wasn't an emergency. Ha! So I gave the symptoms to his nurse, Angie and she said she'd talk to Dr. L and call me back. I finally got a call back around 2p. She said that Dr. L wants me to get an ultrasound of the spleen and then a blood test. She said that since the last time I went in and got blood work done, my white blood counts were really high. So who knows what this will mean.
So tomorrow I go to Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center for my ultrasound. The appointment is scheduled for 815a. Either I can go get my blood drawn before or after the u/s. They wanted me to do it at OHSU, but the earliest they could get me in is Friday and Dr. L didn't want to wait that long. Uh, duh! Tonight my last meal will be at midnight, as I cannot eat anything eight hours before my ultrasound. I can drink which is a life saver. I'm supposed to be drinking lots and lots. I can take tylenol or ibuprofen for the pain. I did take some but that was more for the leg aches that shoot through me every so often.
I did talk to Angie about my neuropathy. She told me to keep track of it and to tell the doctor if it gets worse. The toes are tingly. The finger tips are also tingly. She told me to use hot mitts for hot things and to wear slippers around the house. Check and check. Grrr... this is so annoying. I hate chemo-sucky. I hate cancer even more. Stupid.
On a funny note, I had just come home from picking up the girls at daycare. The phone rang as I brought Amelia inside the house. She's very fond right now of answering the phone. She wanted to answer the phone, but I got to it first because I had a feeling it was the doctor's office wanting to schedule the u/s. It was Angie on the phone. Well, I couldn't have a conversation with her without Amelia saying she wanted to say hello. I asked Angie if she could say hello. She said absolutely. Angie understands because she has a two and five year old. So Amelia said hi and she was good.
We had a lovely day - the girls and I. We watched Angelina Ballerina (it was an ice skating episode) on TV and then ice skated around the kitchen. We did leaps and twirls. Amelia baked for me. Elaina ate ice cream. So it was a good day except for the dumb achy pain on my left side.
Last night my back was starting to hurt and ache. This is on my left side around my rib cage. This is where my spleen sits. Apparently the spleen is something that deals with white blood cells and the making of platelets and such. You can google search it. In anycase, part of the side effects of either the chemo-sucky or the Neulasta, an enlarged spleen could be a side effect. So it starts with an achiness or something to that fact. The ache didn't go away this morning so at 7:55a I called Dr. Luoh. I went home at lunch to await his call. I didn't get a call until 11a! Good thing it wasn't an emergency. Ha! So I gave the symptoms to his nurse, Angie and she said she'd talk to Dr. L and call me back. I finally got a call back around 2p. She said that Dr. L wants me to get an ultrasound of the spleen and then a blood test. She said that since the last time I went in and got blood work done, my white blood counts were really high. So who knows what this will mean.
So tomorrow I go to Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center for my ultrasound. The appointment is scheduled for 815a. Either I can go get my blood drawn before or after the u/s. They wanted me to do it at OHSU, but the earliest they could get me in is Friday and Dr. L didn't want to wait that long. Uh, duh! Tonight my last meal will be at midnight, as I cannot eat anything eight hours before my ultrasound. I can drink which is a life saver. I'm supposed to be drinking lots and lots. I can take tylenol or ibuprofen for the pain. I did take some but that was more for the leg aches that shoot through me every so often.
I did talk to Angie about my neuropathy. She told me to keep track of it and to tell the doctor if it gets worse. The toes are tingly. The finger tips are also tingly. She told me to use hot mitts for hot things and to wear slippers around the house. Check and check. Grrr... this is so annoying. I hate chemo-sucky. I hate cancer even more. Stupid.
On a funny note, I had just come home from picking up the girls at daycare. The phone rang as I brought Amelia inside the house. She's very fond right now of answering the phone. She wanted to answer the phone, but I got to it first because I had a feeling it was the doctor's office wanting to schedule the u/s. It was Angie on the phone. Well, I couldn't have a conversation with her without Amelia saying she wanted to say hello. I asked Angie if she could say hello. She said absolutely. Angie understands because she has a two and five year old. So Amelia said hi and she was good.
We had a lovely day - the girls and I. We watched Angelina Ballerina (it was an ice skating episode) on TV and then ice skated around the kitchen. We did leaps and twirls. Amelia baked for me. Elaina ate ice cream. So it was a good day except for the dumb achy pain on my left side.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Day 93
Oops, I meant to post this yesterday.
Feeling better today. My fingers and toes are tingly still. Every so often I get a fit of nausea, but I think it had to do with being hungry. My legs are sore... and I get sharp pains every so often coursing through them.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Day 92
I got sick today. I was taking all my meds, but I still managed to throw up. I threw up only once. But I managed to keep water and fluids down. My fingers are tingly and so are my toes. I'm tired, so I will check in tomorrow.
Day 91
No throwing up today! I started the day off with taking zofran and not thinking about getting sick. I did get tired.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Day 90 - A decrease in Neulasta
Hydration is in order. I got my two liters of saline at the Mt. Hood OHSU Knight Cancer Center and my 4mg of Neulasta. All is right in the world. My fingers and toes started tingling while I was there. So the neuropathy is setting in. I am hoping that it isn't going to be forever and will reverse itself. Time will tell.
While I was there another woman was getting her first treatment of chemo. She had three different types of chemo. When I got there, she was already on her first one. Then I noticed she was getting adriamyacin and cytoxan. I feel bad for her. This is going to be a rough ride. She just lost her husband last year. Her mother passed away from breast cancer. Yikes! She was much older than I was though.
Friday was a good day. Just was tired when I got home. Took a nap. When I woke up, I was sore. My neck and upper body just felt like it was a 90 year old's body. I took two ibuprofen and went to bed hoping that would help.
While I was there another woman was getting her first treatment of chemo. She had three different types of chemo. When I got there, she was already on her first one. Then I noticed she was getting adriamyacin and cytoxan. I feel bad for her. This is going to be a rough ride. She just lost her husband last year. Her mother passed away from breast cancer. Yikes! She was much older than I was though.
Friday was a good day. Just was tired when I got home. Took a nap. When I woke up, I was sore. My neck and upper body just felt like it was a 90 year old's body. I took two ibuprofen and went to bed hoping that would help.
Day 89 - Round 6: Taxol
Round 6 is now done and in the books. Hooray! I only have 2 more treatments to go. I can say that it feels like it has gone by fast. I wish that it went by even faster. So here's what went down on Thursday.
We dropped the kids off at Becky's and then stopped at Subway to get some sandwiches for later in the day. We got to the office and it was the regular blood draw and then wait for Dr. Luoh. While waiting for Dr. L, I checked my phone and I got a call from my prescription health plan. So I called them to find out why they called me. They were calling because of the Neupogen that Dr. L was trying to prescribe for me. It had to be cleared through the prescription plan, otherwise I would be paying a lot of money. So while I was waiting on hold for them to get information, I got called in the back to see Dr. L. Amazing, he was actually on time. So this time, Dr. L had to wait for me! :) I found out that the only way that I could get the Neopogen would be by mail order and that takes about 8-9 business days. In addition, it would be a $400+ co-pay for me. Um, no. Neulasta is cheaper!
Dr. L came in and asked how I was doing. We went over our regular "How did you do?" He was concerned about my last treatment with the taxol. To make a long story short, we decided to hydrate me the next day with 2 liters of fluids. Then the next step would be to take zofran starting Friday night and continuing for three days. I can take other stuff like compazine and ativan as well. Now with the Neulasta/Neupogen. I told him it was off the table and that I wanted to stick with the Neulasta. It was going to cost more to take the neopogen. Dr. L was just concerned that the neulasta was more than my body could really handle... cause it raised my white blood counts so high. So we decided that I would take the neulasta, but take only 4mg of the stuff. So I will be wasting 2mg or $2k of the drug. Oh well. He feels that the neulasta was making my side effects worse. And that is about all we talked about. We also talked about doing another ultrasound before my next taxol treatment. He says that the legion/tumor was going down. That's good news, but he wanted to take a look at it with an u/s. So that appointment is scheduled for April 24 after work.
Next it was time to get my taxol treatment. I was lucky... I only got 25mg of benadryl. Last time it was 50mg. So this time I wasn't falling asleep or getting really woozy. Treatment went as normal. Nothing special there. We did have the genetic counselor come by to talk about getting tested for the BRCA mutation. The mutation could be from just a sporadic thing or it could be that I always had a mutation. So the blood test, which goes to Salt Lake City, UT, will tell me if I am BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive (there are two genes that could have a mutation). I will know in about three weeks. If it comes back positive, then that means that I have a greater chance of getting ovarian cancer. It also means that the girls have a 50/50 chance of having the mutation. We will not test them because we will leave it up to them to get tested when they are of age.
I am also now "stitch-free"! I still had some left over stitches from my port placement that didn't dissolve because they were sticking up above my skin. So those were removed on Thursday. Now my necklace doesn't catch on the stitch. Hooray! And that's about it for Thursday.
We dropped the kids off at Becky's and then stopped at Subway to get some sandwiches for later in the day. We got to the office and it was the regular blood draw and then wait for Dr. Luoh. While waiting for Dr. L, I checked my phone and I got a call from my prescription health plan. So I called them to find out why they called me. They were calling because of the Neupogen that Dr. L was trying to prescribe for me. It had to be cleared through the prescription plan, otherwise I would be paying a lot of money. So while I was waiting on hold for them to get information, I got called in the back to see Dr. L. Amazing, he was actually on time. So this time, Dr. L had to wait for me! :) I found out that the only way that I could get the Neopogen would be by mail order and that takes about 8-9 business days. In addition, it would be a $400+ co-pay for me. Um, no. Neulasta is cheaper!
Dr. L came in and asked how I was doing. We went over our regular "How did you do?" He was concerned about my last treatment with the taxol. To make a long story short, we decided to hydrate me the next day with 2 liters of fluids. Then the next step would be to take zofran starting Friday night and continuing for three days. I can take other stuff like compazine and ativan as well. Now with the Neulasta/Neupogen. I told him it was off the table and that I wanted to stick with the Neulasta. It was going to cost more to take the neopogen. Dr. L was just concerned that the neulasta was more than my body could really handle... cause it raised my white blood counts so high. So we decided that I would take the neulasta, but take only 4mg of the stuff. So I will be wasting 2mg or $2k of the drug. Oh well. He feels that the neulasta was making my side effects worse. And that is about all we talked about. We also talked about doing another ultrasound before my next taxol treatment. He says that the legion/tumor was going down. That's good news, but he wanted to take a look at it with an u/s. So that appointment is scheduled for April 24 after work.
Next it was time to get my taxol treatment. I was lucky... I only got 25mg of benadryl. Last time it was 50mg. So this time I wasn't falling asleep or getting really woozy. Treatment went as normal. Nothing special there. We did have the genetic counselor come by to talk about getting tested for the BRCA mutation. The mutation could be from just a sporadic thing or it could be that I always had a mutation. So the blood test, which goes to Salt Lake City, UT, will tell me if I am BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive (there are two genes that could have a mutation). I will know in about three weeks. If it comes back positive, then that means that I have a greater chance of getting ovarian cancer. It also means that the girls have a 50/50 chance of having the mutation. We will not test them because we will leave it up to them to get tested when they are of age.
I am also now "stitch-free"! I still had some left over stitches from my port placement that didn't dissolve because they were sticking up above my skin. So those were removed on Thursday. Now my necklace doesn't catch on the stitch. Hooray! And that's about it for Thursday.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Day 88 - I can't go out, I have to wash my hair
Tomorrow is the day that I go in for infusion #6. After that, I am 3/4 of the way through treatment. Hooray. Well... when I hit next Wednesday I will say that I am 3/4 of the way and I only have two more. I got a card from my Aunt Patti today... it really made me smile when she said that I will only have two more. I can remember when I was staring down the "barrel" and had eight! I can tell you that it has gone fast. I think that having kids and going to work nearly throughout the whole process has made everything go so much faster. I am so happy that May is next month and that will be the last of chemo-sucky.
As for the every day injections... I find out about them tomorrow. We'll see what my insurance covers and what the doctor says. I'll let you know when I find out more. I am not really worried about giving myself a shot every day. Honestly, it's the least of my worries and I have never really been afraid of needles after donating blood when I was 16. That needle was HUGE.
So I washed my "hair" the other day. Every 30 wears I should wash my wig. Well, I had been meaning to do so, but I kept forgetting. So I finally did it I think on Monday. I have special shampoo and leave in conditioner. Now I understand the excuse "I can't go out with you because I have to wash my hair" which I believe was a popular excuse in the 50s and 60s. The process you have to go through to wash the piece. Wasn't it in the 50s and 60s that ladies/girls had those "bump its" that they put in their hair to make their hair poofier in the back? After soaking the hair in the bowl, I had to rinse out the hair. After rinsing, I had to towel dry, do not wring. After that it was spray in the leave in conditioner and then dry overnight. After that I could comb/brush it. I did as instructed and I am pleased to say my hair is so shiny and soft now! I look marvelous!
Oh yes, tomorrow we also meet with the genetic counselor. I will get tested to see if I am a carrier of the cancer gene BRCA. If so it will help guide me with further treatment (surgery to take out my ovaries, test Amelia and Elaina, etc.). I will let you know more about the testing and what the outcomes could mean after we meet with them tomorrow afternoon.
I think that's about it. Until next time.
Oh yes, for dinner... prepared meal - Chicken Pot Pie. Wonderful!
As for the every day injections... I find out about them tomorrow. We'll see what my insurance covers and what the doctor says. I'll let you know when I find out more. I am not really worried about giving myself a shot every day. Honestly, it's the least of my worries and I have never really been afraid of needles after donating blood when I was 16. That needle was HUGE.
So I washed my "hair" the other day. Every 30 wears I should wash my wig. Well, I had been meaning to do so, but I kept forgetting. So I finally did it I think on Monday. I have special shampoo and leave in conditioner. Now I understand the excuse "I can't go out with you because I have to wash my hair" which I believe was a popular excuse in the 50s and 60s. The process you have to go through to wash the piece. Wasn't it in the 50s and 60s that ladies/girls had those "bump its" that they put in their hair to make their hair poofier in the back? After soaking the hair in the bowl, I had to rinse out the hair. After rinsing, I had to towel dry, do not wring. After that it was spray in the leave in conditioner and then dry overnight. After that I could comb/brush it. I did as instructed and I am pleased to say my hair is so shiny and soft now! I look marvelous!
Oh yes, tomorrow we also meet with the genetic counselor. I will get tested to see if I am a carrier of the cancer gene BRCA. If so it will help guide me with further treatment (surgery to take out my ovaries, test Amelia and Elaina, etc.). I will let you know more about the testing and what the outcomes could mean after we meet with them tomorrow afternoon.
I think that's about it. Until next time.
Oh yes, for dinner... prepared meal - Chicken Pot Pie. Wonderful!
And... here's a picture of me and Shellie at the last chemo-sucky treatment. Again, thanks for the visit Shellie!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Day 87 - The Fun Continues!
Fun times at Chemo High! LOL
I am at work and I look at my phone during my supervisor meeting and what do I see?? I missed two calls from my oncologist's office. Uh oh. I could figure out one of them... a reminder that I have an appointment on Thursday. (yea me! Not). The other one was what was puzzling me. Can anyone guess what the second call was about??? Ha, you'll never guess. Anyway, Dr. Luoh's nurse was calling because Dr. Luoh wants to change my post chemo medication - namely the neulasta shot. Yea, that's the $6k one. So what do they want to replace it with?? Neupogen. What's that you say?? I'll tell you in a moment.
Dr. L seems to think that the Neulasta was giving me the nausea. It's not necessarily a side effect, but he wants to give the Neupogen a try. When I went in for two Saturdays ago to the ER they checked my white blood count. Apparently it was through the roof. It was so high. I'm doing a great job by staying away from the sickies. But he seems to think that since my white blood count is so high, the Neulasta is doing too much. With the Neupogen, the medication will be given in smaller doses over the course of seven days. Yes, I did say seven days. That means that I have to stick myself every day with a needle. I have to give myself an injection. Like I mentioned... the fun continues. So it looks like it's going to be the battles of the Ns... which one will win? All I can say is that if I have the same reaction, I'm going back to one injection. I feel sorry for the people who are diabetic. Eh, it's all good though. The shot would go in in my tummy, arm or thigh... basically where ever - as Angie says - "pinch an inch." Right now the OHSU pharmacy is taking my medical prescription coverage to see how much it would cost me to get the Neupogen. If it's a small copay or not extremely high, then I'll be doing the shot each day. But I guess we'll discuss on Thursday.
Now I am sitting here on the couch watching "Tangled" for the upteenth time.
I am at work and I look at my phone during my supervisor meeting and what do I see?? I missed two calls from my oncologist's office. Uh oh. I could figure out one of them... a reminder that I have an appointment on Thursday. (yea me! Not). The other one was what was puzzling me. Can anyone guess what the second call was about??? Ha, you'll never guess. Anyway, Dr. Luoh's nurse was calling because Dr. Luoh wants to change my post chemo medication - namely the neulasta shot. Yea, that's the $6k one. So what do they want to replace it with?? Neupogen. What's that you say?? I'll tell you in a moment.
Dr. L seems to think that the Neulasta was giving me the nausea. It's not necessarily a side effect, but he wants to give the Neupogen a try. When I went in for two Saturdays ago to the ER they checked my white blood count. Apparently it was through the roof. It was so high. I'm doing a great job by staying away from the sickies. But he seems to think that since my white blood count is so high, the Neulasta is doing too much. With the Neupogen, the medication will be given in smaller doses over the course of seven days. Yes, I did say seven days. That means that I have to stick myself every day with a needle. I have to give myself an injection. Like I mentioned... the fun continues. So it looks like it's going to be the battles of the Ns... which one will win? All I can say is that if I have the same reaction, I'm going back to one injection. I feel sorry for the people who are diabetic. Eh, it's all good though. The shot would go in in my tummy, arm or thigh... basically where ever - as Angie says - "pinch an inch." Right now the OHSU pharmacy is taking my medical prescription coverage to see how much it would cost me to get the Neupogen. If it's a small copay or not extremely high, then I'll be doing the shot each day. But I guess we'll discuss on Thursday.
Now I am sitting here on the couch watching "Tangled" for the upteenth time.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Day 86
I haven't been posting because there really hasn't been much to say. This weekend went well. I felt great. No anxiety. On Saturday we spent the day with family as Brad had to work Easter day. Sunday was a crazy day. I was so tired by the afternoon. We got the girls up early at 630 so Brad could see what the Easter Bunny brought them. That left the girls on weird sleep/nap schedules. Elaina had a morning nap. Amelia had her normal after lunch nap and then when she woke up, it was time for a second nap for Elaina. It was a lose lose situation. (Gosh, I hate this scratch pad. Touch it and your cursor moves someplace else on the screen. Can the pad be disabled?)
Today was a busy day at work. Tomorrow it will be worse. I'm ready to be over chemo-sucky. I am not looking forward to Thursday and the weekend that come after it. Bleh.
I'm exhausted, so I will sign off for now.
Today was a busy day at work. Tomorrow it will be worse. I'm ready to be over chemo-sucky. I am not looking forward to Thursday and the weekend that come after it. Bleh.
I'm exhausted, so I will sign off for now.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Day 82 - Chemo-sucky
So I guess you could say that yesterday was a very low low low point in my treatment. I will admit i was in tears. The chemo just got to me. I hate it. I will shout it - I hate chemotherapy. Maybe I should call it chemo-sucky because it is definitely NOT theraputic at all.
After this past weekend, I just don't ever want to go back. I don't like the feeling of taxol. First it made me so nauseous that it sent me to the hospital. Then it gave me so much aches and pain that it felt unbearable. And lastly I couldn't kick the feeling of just general icky-ness. So yesterday I just broke down and said I don't want anymore. I don't want to go through anymore of this chemo-sucky. I wanted to end it at 5 treatments. I figure I will still live. I did my research and some doctors say that after 5 treatments... it only lessens your chance of cancer/recurrence by 2-3%. But today I am feeling better. I am feeling - not a million bucks - but feeling better. Enough to understand that I need to do another treatment of taxol. I will take the treatments one at a time. Yesterday I suffered just from anxiety of knowing I have three more to go. But then I took a half an ativan and I felt so much better. I put it all behind me for the time being. This morning when I woke up I felt good.
So... here are the side effects of taxol that I have experienced. Nausea, vomiting, extreme aches and pains (feels like growing pains which are dull and achy and then toss in excrutiating sharp pains) and tingly feet. Then I get the side effects of the anti-nausea meds... constipation. Ugh! So I figure this is how I am going to tackle the next round of chemo-sucky. Since I didn't start to feel gross until Saturday late morning, when I wake up on Saturday the first thing I will do is pop a zofran in my mouth. That will last for 12 hours or so. Then maybe later in the morning depending on how I feel, I may take a compazine. After that I can pop an ativan. In any case, I am going to medicate the crap out of my body and make sure I don't get sick. I will also sip sip sip water or apple juice, or whatever I feel like drinking. I don't want to get nauseated and vomit. Then I don't want to get dehydrated. Like I posted in another post, it's a vicious cycle and I don't want to get caught up in it. In addition, I will ask Dr. L if I should get hydration on Friday. Maybe get hydration when I get my Neulasta shot. As for the pain... I am going to be popping ibuprofen pills... 600 mg if that's okay with Dr. L. I have a plan. I don't want to go back to what I was feeling before. That just sucked. I guess I let it get too far because I wanted to believe that I was going to be one of those people who wasn't going to get sick from the taxol. Hahahahaha!
As for the tingling... or neuropathy. That is something that I will have to deal with. It is something that is not that bad compared to everything else... but when compiled with all the other side effects... it just sucked. So today the aches and pains are gone and I am just dealing with a little bit of tingling. This I can deal with. Oh yes, here's another thing... I can't concentrate. I feel like a toddler with the attention span of 3 minutes. But that happened on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today I felt like an adult with a longer attention span of 5 (cuz I was at work and my attention is constantly being redirected).
But I am feeling good today. Thanks for your support.
After this past weekend, I just don't ever want to go back. I don't like the feeling of taxol. First it made me so nauseous that it sent me to the hospital. Then it gave me so much aches and pain that it felt unbearable. And lastly I couldn't kick the feeling of just general icky-ness. So yesterday I just broke down and said I don't want anymore. I don't want to go through anymore of this chemo-sucky. I wanted to end it at 5 treatments. I figure I will still live. I did my research and some doctors say that after 5 treatments... it only lessens your chance of cancer/recurrence by 2-3%. But today I am feeling better. I am feeling - not a million bucks - but feeling better. Enough to understand that I need to do another treatment of taxol. I will take the treatments one at a time. Yesterday I suffered just from anxiety of knowing I have three more to go. But then I took a half an ativan and I felt so much better. I put it all behind me for the time being. This morning when I woke up I felt good.
So... here are the side effects of taxol that I have experienced. Nausea, vomiting, extreme aches and pains (feels like growing pains which are dull and achy and then toss in excrutiating sharp pains) and tingly feet. Then I get the side effects of the anti-nausea meds... constipation. Ugh! So I figure this is how I am going to tackle the next round of chemo-sucky. Since I didn't start to feel gross until Saturday late morning, when I wake up on Saturday the first thing I will do is pop a zofran in my mouth. That will last for 12 hours or so. Then maybe later in the morning depending on how I feel, I may take a compazine. After that I can pop an ativan. In any case, I am going to medicate the crap out of my body and make sure I don't get sick. I will also sip sip sip water or apple juice, or whatever I feel like drinking. I don't want to get nauseated and vomit. Then I don't want to get dehydrated. Like I posted in another post, it's a vicious cycle and I don't want to get caught up in it. In addition, I will ask Dr. L if I should get hydration on Friday. Maybe get hydration when I get my Neulasta shot. As for the pain... I am going to be popping ibuprofen pills... 600 mg if that's okay with Dr. L. I have a plan. I don't want to go back to what I was feeling before. That just sucked. I guess I let it get too far because I wanted to believe that I was going to be one of those people who wasn't going to get sick from the taxol. Hahahahaha!
As for the tingling... or neuropathy. That is something that I will have to deal with. It is something that is not that bad compared to everything else... but when compiled with all the other side effects... it just sucked. So today the aches and pains are gone and I am just dealing with a little bit of tingling. This I can deal with. Oh yes, here's another thing... I can't concentrate. I feel like a toddler with the attention span of 3 minutes. But that happened on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today I felt like an adult with a longer attention span of 5 (cuz I was at work and my attention is constantly being redirected).
But I am feeling good today. Thanks for your support.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Day 78 - No April Fools
Taxol was supposed to be the easier of the chemo treatments. Nope, not for me. Last night I spent 5 hours in the ER. Yesterday I couldn't keep anything in. I was either throwing up or it was going out the other way. At about 10p, I couldn't take it anymore, so I told Brad to call the on call oncologist at OHSU. They seemed to think I was dehydrated. It's a vicious cycle. Nauseous, throw up, can't keep fluids down... which makes the nausea even worse. So at about 11p last night Brad and I went to Mt. Hood ER. It took about 2 hours just to get a room. Then it was another two hours. They popped me full of saline (one liter), zofran, pepcid and IB profin stuff for my achy body. By 4a, I was feeling good.
Now it's 9:30a and I just popped a zofran just in case. I don't want to be going through this again. In addition, I have been sipping fluids all morning. So far I have been keeping things down. I did have a small box of cereal. That has stayed down. We shall see what the day brings. I'm just so done with this crap. Last night I told Brad I don't want anymore. I just wanted to give up with the chemo. I was throwing up stomach acid as there was nothing left in my body to heave up. It was terrible.
I think I am going to nap now. I will let you know how I fare later today. Say a few prayers for me. I need it and the encouragement to keep going. I'm lucky to have my mom here to watch the kids for me.
Now it's 9:30a and I just popped a zofran just in case. I don't want to be going through this again. In addition, I have been sipping fluids all morning. So far I have been keeping things down. I did have a small box of cereal. That has stayed down. We shall see what the day brings. I'm just so done with this crap. Last night I told Brad I don't want anymore. I just wanted to give up with the chemo. I was throwing up stomach acid as there was nothing left in my body to heave up. It was terrible.
I think I am going to nap now. I will let you know how I fare later today. Say a few prayers for me. I need it and the encouragement to keep going. I'm lucky to have my mom here to watch the kids for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)