Friday, August 23 - I saw my surgeon, Dr. Oruwari on Monday, August 12. She said I healed nicely and won't have to see her except for my preventive yearly exams. She wrote me prescriptions for a prosthesis and lymphedema sleeve for when I fly.
The time from the last chemo on August 7th has been the hardest on me thus far. Most of the time was spent on pain meds and laying around on the couch or recliner napping a lot. I can't even begin to describe the fatigue I was feeling. I had a lot of bone pain as well as pain in the muscles and joints. My fingers and toes are numb and I was feeling quite sorry for myself. There were times I wondered if I could continue. I guess I let the depression get the better of me and found myself crying a lot.
By the second weekend I started feeling like myself and tried not to think of the upcoming chemo. I had an appointment to get fitted for my prosthesis on Tuesday. Liz (thanks so much) took me down for that one. It was actually fun and I learned a lot, but it really tired me out. That's all the detail I'm giving on this topic.
Connie picked me up and we headed in on Wednesday for Chemo #2 of 4 of the higher dose Taxol. I saw Dr. Coplin and discussed the many side effects I seemed to be having. I asked her how we know if the chemo is working. She told me that they don't. They go by what has been done in the past and has worked for others. Not really the answer I wanted to hear, but at least she was honest about it.
Dr. Coplin also asked if I had this pain with the ACT cycles as the Neulasta Injection can also cause bone pain. I told her I did not have this type of pain in the past. Taxol can also have these side effects, so we really don't know what exactly is causing it. She told me I could go back on the weekly Taxol if the side effects were less for me. I said no, I wanted to get it over with, plus when I was on the weekly doses my WBC's were always low that I got turned away a couple of times. They can give you injections that are faster acting, but my research showed that the same side effects can be present and you have to get 2 or 3 of those injections before the next treatment - so now I only have two more chemo sessions. I can do this.
As usual I headed to the chemo room. After Charlene (my nurse) accessed my port and drew blood, the results showed that I was good to go. As Connie and I were talking she got a text and said she needed to go call her daughter. Next thing I know I look up and here she comes back with my other friend, Jill, from Houston, TX. Connie said the look on my face was priceless - I started to cry and Charlene started handing me kleenex. They pulled off a nice surprise for me at one of my lowest points on this journey. It was such an amazing emotional boost. We had a great time catching up. Connie and Jill were my best friends in high school and I am so happy to say we are still close.
I got scheduled for my Neulasta Injection in Washington for Thursday and my appointment in two weeks - September 4. Dane will be taking me this time and that's how we will spend our 31st anniversary together. Oh Boy! Since I usually feel good the day of my chemo, we should be able to have a nice dinner out.
Dane ran me over to Washington on Thursday for the injection. After checking in, we got to visit with Mary, another friend who has been battling cancer for 6 years. Mary spoke with me on the phone last week as I was asking her how in the world she keeps going. She gave me a good pep talk and shared her story with me. It was good to see and visit with her in person.
Today, Friday, I woke up very tired. I'm not sure that makes any sense, but that is the best way I can describe it. So I knew the pre-meds were wearing off and the chemo and/or Neulasta were setting in. After getting up and eating breakfast and taking my pills, I took a nap. When I woke up I took a short walk with Willow as I was told moving around could also be helpful. That;s hard to do when you are so fatigued. I'm going to try and do it though to help my cause.
I know I had a lot of prayers for strength out there for me so please continue to them. The support from everyone is what keeps me going. I wouldn't wish this journey on anyone.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “ …Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Changes!
Saturday, August 10 - Sorry for not getting on here sooner to update everyone. Vacation was great! It was fun watching Brayden experience some new things - we all had a good time but it was good to get back home.
I had asked my doctor for a prednisone taper as my sciatica was acting up so I would be able to do more on vacation. She gave it to me, but it really didn't help much so I was unable to do a lot of walking, but made the best of the situation.
As chemo day arrived I found myself having more and more anxiety of having to go through more of this drug that is killing all kinds of cells in my body to keep me alive. Just makes no sense to me. I have been staying as positive as I can, but let me tell you, it was wearing on me this past week. I found myself very weepy and feeling sorry for myself. It's a hard thing to explain if you haven't been through it.
Fast forward to Wednesday, August 7. My friend Liz picked me up at 8:15 and we headed in. I had an appointment with Dr. Coplin first. After telling her about the numbness I was continuing to have in my foot and hand as well as the pain in my lower calf and the issues with my WBC after the last 3 treatments, she decided we needed to make some changes.
She ordered a doppler on my calf just to make sure there were no blood clots. It came back negative. Thank God! She then decided to have me do the every 2 week treatment with Taxol as the numbness could become permanent if it continued. Also, this means that I now only have 3 treatments at a much higher dose so I would be finished sooner. From my previous reading on the drug I knew this could mean different side effects too, but I was willing to try it. The way I was feeling earlier in the week, I wasn't sure if I could continue for 8 more sessions.
On to the chemo room. Like always, after accessing my port and taking blood, my WBC were good so let the infusion process begin. I was premedicated with the usual drugs at new levels and then the Taxol....All went accordingly but took much longer with the higher dose. I was there about 6 hours. Blah!
Felt fine Wednesday, Thursday and most of Friday with some fatigue starting to set in. Started losing my taste again and the dry mouth was very apparent. Friday evening, my body just started to ache. My joints, my bones and I felt like crap. Of course, I got on the internet and read up again on Taxol side effects on the 2 week dose. It all sounded normal (whatever normal means) for being on this drug. Went to bed but couldn't get comfortable and the 800 mg of ibuprofen wasn't helping much at all. Needless to say I had a very restless night getting up a couple times. I was also having tingling in my fingers and toes.
More of the same this morning - but hanging in there. From what I read days 3 - 5 are the worse for most people and then things start to improve until next infusion. I keep chanting to myself- only 3 more times, I can do this!
So if you are reading this, I am asking for prayers for continued strength to get through these last few infusions. Then after a break I will have radiation. Christmas this year can't come soon enough for me!!!!
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
I had asked my doctor for a prednisone taper as my sciatica was acting up so I would be able to do more on vacation. She gave it to me, but it really didn't help much so I was unable to do a lot of walking, but made the best of the situation.
As chemo day arrived I found myself having more and more anxiety of having to go through more of this drug that is killing all kinds of cells in my body to keep me alive. Just makes no sense to me. I have been staying as positive as I can, but let me tell you, it was wearing on me this past week. I found myself very weepy and feeling sorry for myself. It's a hard thing to explain if you haven't been through it.
Fast forward to Wednesday, August 7. My friend Liz picked me up at 8:15 and we headed in. I had an appointment with Dr. Coplin first. After telling her about the numbness I was continuing to have in my foot and hand as well as the pain in my lower calf and the issues with my WBC after the last 3 treatments, she decided we needed to make some changes.
She ordered a doppler on my calf just to make sure there were no blood clots. It came back negative. Thank God! She then decided to have me do the every 2 week treatment with Taxol as the numbness could become permanent if it continued. Also, this means that I now only have 3 treatments at a much higher dose so I would be finished sooner. From my previous reading on the drug I knew this could mean different side effects too, but I was willing to try it. The way I was feeling earlier in the week, I wasn't sure if I could continue for 8 more sessions.
On to the chemo room. Like always, after accessing my port and taking blood, my WBC were good so let the infusion process begin. I was premedicated with the usual drugs at new levels and then the Taxol....All went accordingly but took much longer with the higher dose. I was there about 6 hours. Blah!
Felt fine Wednesday, Thursday and most of Friday with some fatigue starting to set in. Started losing my taste again and the dry mouth was very apparent. Friday evening, my body just started to ache. My joints, my bones and I felt like crap. Of course, I got on the internet and read up again on Taxol side effects on the 2 week dose. It all sounded normal (whatever normal means) for being on this drug. Went to bed but couldn't get comfortable and the 800 mg of ibuprofen wasn't helping much at all. Needless to say I had a very restless night getting up a couple times. I was also having tingling in my fingers and toes.
More of the same this morning - but hanging in there. From what I read days 3 - 5 are the worse for most people and then things start to improve until next infusion. I keep chanting to myself- only 3 more times, I can do this!
So if you are reading this, I am asking for prayers for continued strength to get through these last few infusions. Then after a break I will have radiation. Christmas this year can't come soon enough for me!!!!
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
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