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
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