Hi everyone! I apalogize for not blogging these past few weeks...there has not been very much new news to report so I haven't logged on lately to say HI to you. I am plugging way and making it through!
Today marks my half-way point through the Taxol treatment! Six treatments down, six treatments to go! Needless to say I am very excited about this. The past six weeks have gone by extremely quickly, as we are now very busy with the kids in school and all of their numerous activities. I am trying to focus most of my energies on them right now and all they have happening, instead of dwelling on the strange side effects of the chemo infusions. This seems to be working for me because as I said, the weeks are passing quickly and it seems every week I am pleasantly surprised when Friday rolls around again. And strangely enough, I enjoy my treatments! I know that sounds odd, but here is why:
1) I adore my nurses and caregivers at the oncology office...they are some of the sweestest people you will ever meet and seeing them brings a smile to my face. With every visit to the office, I realize that I am one step closer to finishing treatment. I tell my nurses that as much as I love them, I don't plan on ever returning to visit them and they laugh at me. I think they understand why. I couldn't imagine having to go there every week if I didn't enjoy the seeing them so much. I have such a new-found appreciation for those who working in the nursing field, especially oncology. Many ladies I have met at DVMO have been working in the field for a long time, and they have such interesting stories. I love when they tell me their stories. Uplifting and inspirational, the stories make me feel like I, too, will be victorious over this disease and maybe one day MY story will be told. Last week, a nurse named Judy told me a story of a young patient in her 20's who discovered a cancerous lump in her breast while pregnant with her first child...she had to have chemo administered DURING her pregnancy! Unthinkable, I know! Somehow the drugs they gave her where safe for her unborn child. That child is now 8 and quite a firecracker, I am told, and his mother is doing just fine. AhMazing!!!
2) The second reason I like having my chemo treatments is that afterwards I am really tired and feel drugged, but by Friday evening I am usually feeling pretty good. It sounds ironic, but it's true. Saturdays are great! I am so happy this is the day of the week when we have lots of soccer and cheer/football games because I usually have enough energy to attend everything we have planned. The reason I feel good on these days is because they give me a lot of pre-meds to combat the Taxol's difficult side effects, so I am still feeling the benefit of these pre-meds through Saturday. Come Sunday, however, when the meds wear off, I usually feel a general malaise and stomach upset for a few days. It is mild, but still troublesome. I just keep telling myself, "I CAN DO IT!"
3) The third positive reason is that I REALLY enjoy having friends take me to my infusion appointments. It sounds funny, but with such a busy family life it is difficult to set aside time just for visiting and talking. I LOVE having someone different take me each week...it makes the treatment go by faster, and it is wonderful to catch up. I have said this before, but I have such wonderful friends. I like bringing them with me to give them a little glimpse of what my world is like these days. Funny, but it's almost like sharing it with them helps me to lighten the load.
The newest side effect I am experiencing these days is a tingling in my fingers and toes; it is called neuropathy. It's not painful at all, just irritating and there's not much too do about it but to try some additional vitamins (some B vitamins and Alpha Lipoic Acid). It's a lot like when your foot or hand falls asleep; lots of pin and needle-type pricks. The doctor said they basically just watch this to make sure it doesn't get too bad. Bad, for example, would be if I couldn't put on my necklace clasp in the morning or button a blouse. I haven't had this problem yet.
Like I had anticipated, my eyelashes and eyebrows are starting to fall out. It's kind of funny, actually. I look a little bit like an alien...since it seems every other lash or brow hair has fallen out but some still remain! It's hard, but I keep reminding myself IT IS TEMPORARY...hair does not define me and neither will this experience.
Some weeks I feel pretty good, some weeks I feel like I have a slight flu. I am not sure exactly why that is how it works, but that's just the way it is. If you see me out and about or at spin class, then you know I am having a good week...if I seem MIA, then you know I am not feeling so well. I mentioned this to the doctor and she said that's just the way it is. How my body reacts one week to the meds might be different from the week before. It almost seems to alternate each week...I am looking forward to the week ahead because last week was a doozy. The good thing is that while I often feel a general malaise, I am still able to take the kids to school and practices and such. Routine like this helps me to get though and I know it is reassuring to the kids that Mom is around and doing things for them.
I made an appointment in November to see Dr. Wotowick, my "plastic". Once chemo ends on November 11th we will start making plans for my implant surgery. Most likely this will be taking place mid-December, and as I had said before, it is an outpatient surgery and much, much easier than the double mastectomy. As promised, I should be looking fabulous for that Christmas pageant!
Thank you again to all my helpers and angels. I say a prayer of thanksgiving for you all every night. I think I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Labor Day - FEELIN' GOOD!
Had a funny feeling this morning as I was vacuuming the living room - how good it felt to do everyday chores like I used to do, before I was diagnosed with BC. Strange that I would actually enjoy vacuuming the living room and doing mundane household tasks! But, alas, I did!
Maybe that will be one of the many things I take away from this experience - we should never take our health for granted and be thankful for even silly things, like being ABLE to push the vacuum! I had never given it much thought before...
This week's Taxol chemo went MUCH better than the first. I took the doctor's advice and did everything she told me, and praise God, I felt a heck of a lot better. Still some stomach upset and discomfort on Day 3 after the pre-meds had worn off, but I was still able to function and spend the day with my family. In contrast, last week on Day 3 I was in and out of the bathroom and could barely lift my head off the couch pillow! This week was indeed a nice change. And fortunately for me, I've been told it will only get better and better as time goes by as my body learns to accept the medicine. Woo hoo!
It has been a quiet Labor Day weekend as we didn't want to plan too much in the event I wasn't feeling well. Since I felt great, on Saturday we had dinner with Mom, Dad, Elise and Steve and on Sunday we took the kids swimming. Today we are catching up on things around the house, but like I said, I am enjoying it!
Only 10 weeks and 10 treatments left to go!
Maybe that will be one of the many things I take away from this experience - we should never take our health for granted and be thankful for even silly things, like being ABLE to push the vacuum! I had never given it much thought before...
This week's Taxol chemo went MUCH better than the first. I took the doctor's advice and did everything she told me, and praise God, I felt a heck of a lot better. Still some stomach upset and discomfort on Day 3 after the pre-meds had worn off, but I was still able to function and spend the day with my family. In contrast, last week on Day 3 I was in and out of the bathroom and could barely lift my head off the couch pillow! This week was indeed a nice change. And fortunately for me, I've been told it will only get better and better as time goes by as my body learns to accept the medicine. Woo hoo!
It has been a quiet Labor Day weekend as we didn't want to plan too much in the event I wasn't feeling well. Since I felt great, on Saturday we had dinner with Mom, Dad, Elise and Steve and on Sunday we took the kids swimming. Today we are catching up on things around the house, but like I said, I am enjoying it!
Only 10 weeks and 10 treatments left to go!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday, September 2 - 2nd Taxol Chemo
As I write this I am fuzzy and light-headed, so please forgive me if anything I post sounds strange! I had a chemo treatment at 10 this morning, then lunch and a nap and sitting here at the computer, I still feel a little groggy. God bless Mom, who took me to yet another chemo infusion. She's been incredible and I love having her with me for my treatments. There's always something comforting about having your mom by your side, no matter what your age!
Today's infusion was a little different because based on how the treatment went last week, the doctor decided to change some medications for me. (I go to these Taxol treatments every Friday now.) Last week on days 3 and 4 following the infusion my GI tract was extremely upset and I was in and out of the bathroom for what seemed like every other hour! It wasn't exactly nausea, but more of a stomach discomfort and definitely a lot of bathroom time. I told this to Dr. Svahn and she said it is possible that Taxol, or the preservative/agent that they mix with the Taxol is upsetting my system and that it happens with a small fraction of her patients. I am wondering, why does it seem I am always included in the "small fraction" of her patients with awful side affects?! Bummer for me! Or maybe I should consider myself "special"?
So anyhoo, based on this stomach issue I had, she advised I be given another anti-nausea med today before the Taxol (called Kytril) AND suggested Immodium for the bathroom problem. I was also given a lot less Benadryl today; since I didn't have an adverse reaction to the Taxol while sitting in the infusion chair (by adverse reaction I mean no hives, face flush or difficulty breathing). It's comical. The first time they give you Taxol they also give you this little bell to hold and they watch you like a hawk for the first 10 minutes of the infusion. The nurse told me that if I was to feel really hot and flushed or couldn't breathe I was to ring the bell immediately. How comforting. Evidently if you ring the bell, they come running quickly with a fast-acting steroid shot to help combat the reaction. As they were giving me the Taxol, I sat there with my mom and we both had our eye on the clock. Like I said, the reaction happens within the first 10 minutes so you can bet we were watching each minute tick away with great curiosity. FOR ONCE, I wasn't included in the "small fraction" of folks who are allergic to the drug and everything went OK. I didn't need to ring the bell.
I am learning so much from this experience, did I mention that?
Here's some good news: I don't have the tingling in my hands or feet, or extreme body ache, as the doctor said I might. Yippee! She also told me that Taxol is NOT a cumulative medicine; meaning the side affects will get better as my body learns to tolerate and accept it, NOT worse (as it was with my very difficult A/C treatments). I am willing to let myself believe this and this time around I feel better prepared. Two Taxol infusions down, only 10 more to go!
Some other good news: on the days this week when I didn't have GI issues, I felt pretty darn good. I was able to take Conrad out bike riding in the neighborhood, cook dinner, do laundry and help the kids with homework. This is very promising! By golly, I almost felt near normal. This morning I even got gutsy and went to my favorite 5:30 am spin class at the gym! It not only felt great to exercise my legs but it boosted my spirits and moral to see my friends. They all clapped for me at the end of class and I almost cried. Dr. Svahn said that exercising is a great idea, granted I listen to my body and only do what I can. I was so proud to make it through the entire class. My plan is to attend every MWF, when I am feeling well. I had forgotten how much exercising means to me. It's such an important part of my psyche and I NEED it as often as possible. I have a strange feeling that I might be back riding my bike up the mountain sooner than I thought!
As always, I like to THANK folks who have been so generous, loving and helpful to me. I won't name names, but you know who you are and I am so thankful to have an incredible support group of loyal supporters. Yes, I am a strong person, but I could not get through this without the help of others. I fully acknowledge and accept that. Someday I know there will come a time for ME to help someone else out in a similar situation; and I will do so with a loving and thankful heart.
My good friend, Elaine Shingleton, is a nurse and director of the oncology staff at Kaiser in Walnut Creek. Last night on the telephone she told me something very positive. She said that in our lifetime, it is very possible that researchers will discover a drug or drugs to kill cancer without producing negative side affects for patients. Basically, the future medicines will kill ONLY the bad cancer cells and not attack the good ones as well (as they do now). Wow! That is a very cool thought as I navigate through these crazy few months of treatment, experiencing side affects in my body that I wouldn't wish for my biggest enemy. Now, more than ever, I am determined to get involved in more fundraising events to help raise money so the researchers can do their job and find us these medicines. It is my hope that she, indeed, is right.
Today's infusion was a little different because based on how the treatment went last week, the doctor decided to change some medications for me. (I go to these Taxol treatments every Friday now.) Last week on days 3 and 4 following the infusion my GI tract was extremely upset and I was in and out of the bathroom for what seemed like every other hour! It wasn't exactly nausea, but more of a stomach discomfort and definitely a lot of bathroom time. I told this to Dr. Svahn and she said it is possible that Taxol, or the preservative/agent that they mix with the Taxol is upsetting my system and that it happens with a small fraction of her patients. I am wondering, why does it seem I am always included in the "small fraction" of her patients with awful side affects?! Bummer for me! Or maybe I should consider myself "special"?
So anyhoo, based on this stomach issue I had, she advised I be given another anti-nausea med today before the Taxol (called Kytril) AND suggested Immodium for the bathroom problem. I was also given a lot less Benadryl today; since I didn't have an adverse reaction to the Taxol while sitting in the infusion chair (by adverse reaction I mean no hives, face flush or difficulty breathing). It's comical. The first time they give you Taxol they also give you this little bell to hold and they watch you like a hawk for the first 10 minutes of the infusion. The nurse told me that if I was to feel really hot and flushed or couldn't breathe I was to ring the bell immediately. How comforting. Evidently if you ring the bell, they come running quickly with a fast-acting steroid shot to help combat the reaction. As they were giving me the Taxol, I sat there with my mom and we both had our eye on the clock. Like I said, the reaction happens within the first 10 minutes so you can bet we were watching each minute tick away with great curiosity. FOR ONCE, I wasn't included in the "small fraction" of folks who are allergic to the drug and everything went OK. I didn't need to ring the bell.
I am learning so much from this experience, did I mention that?
Here's some good news: I don't have the tingling in my hands or feet, or extreme body ache, as the doctor said I might. Yippee! She also told me that Taxol is NOT a cumulative medicine; meaning the side affects will get better as my body learns to tolerate and accept it, NOT worse (as it was with my very difficult A/C treatments). I am willing to let myself believe this and this time around I feel better prepared. Two Taxol infusions down, only 10 more to go!
Some other good news: on the days this week when I didn't have GI issues, I felt pretty darn good. I was able to take Conrad out bike riding in the neighborhood, cook dinner, do laundry and help the kids with homework. This is very promising! By golly, I almost felt near normal. This morning I even got gutsy and went to my favorite 5:30 am spin class at the gym! It not only felt great to exercise my legs but it boosted my spirits and moral to see my friends. They all clapped for me at the end of class and I almost cried. Dr. Svahn said that exercising is a great idea, granted I listen to my body and only do what I can. I was so proud to make it through the entire class. My plan is to attend every MWF, when I am feeling well. I had forgotten how much exercising means to me. It's such an important part of my psyche and I NEED it as often as possible. I have a strange feeling that I might be back riding my bike up the mountain sooner than I thought!
As always, I like to THANK folks who have been so generous, loving and helpful to me. I won't name names, but you know who you are and I am so thankful to have an incredible support group of loyal supporters. Yes, I am a strong person, but I could not get through this without the help of others. I fully acknowledge and accept that. Someday I know there will come a time for ME to help someone else out in a similar situation; and I will do so with a loving and thankful heart.
My good friend, Elaine Shingleton, is a nurse and director of the oncology staff at Kaiser in Walnut Creek. Last night on the telephone she told me something very positive. She said that in our lifetime, it is very possible that researchers will discover a drug or drugs to kill cancer without producing negative side affects for patients. Basically, the future medicines will kill ONLY the bad cancer cells and not attack the good ones as well (as they do now). Wow! That is a very cool thought as I navigate through these crazy few months of treatment, experiencing side affects in my body that I wouldn't wish for my biggest enemy. Now, more than ever, I am determined to get involved in more fundraising events to help raise money so the researchers can do their job and find us these medicines. It is my hope that she, indeed, is right.
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