Last chemo is tomorrow!!!

So, the last scheduled chemo treatment is TOMORROW! I am so glad this day is finally (almost) here! I will be going in and meeting with the Doc at 9:45 AM then on to chemo for about 4 hours. I know I will feel yucky for about 5 days...but I am ready for this now. I am so ready for this to be over with!

I am ready for my hair to come back; I am ready for my skin to stop looking so dry and wrinkly; I am ready to stop retaining so much water because of the nasty steroids; I am ready for my face to stop needing so much makeup; I am ready for my throat to stop hurting; I am ready for strange food cravings to end; I am ready to stop taking weird medications to keep from getting opportunistic infections; I am ready to not have to plan my life around when I will feel bad or good; I am just plain ready.

I know that radiation treatment will be a pain in the butt...having to go in and get zapped every day for 5-6 weeks is not what I'd call fun; however, I know that it will be much easier on me and my body than chemo.

I know that I will keep having to go every 3 weeks to get Herceptin through the port in my chest. It will take about 90 minutes each time for it to be administered--and I will do this every 3 weeks until October; however, I know that it will be NOTHING like the mess of poisons I have been receiving.

I know that I will have surgery about 6 months after my last radiation treatment. I still do not know what all this will entail; however, I know that I will be just fine.

I know that Breast Cancer sucks; however, I know it has changed me--and I am grateful for this odd gift (well, the fruits of it--I haven't gone that nutty).

Here's to no more poison...
Here's to lots more living!

Love,
Tory

Chemo part 5 of 6--Just one more to go!!!

Well, yesterday I had my 5th of 6 chemotherapy sessions over in Tampa. I slept horribly the night before--my nerves were just through the roof. I think I was worried about having the side effects I had from the last chemo. Hmmm...

My appointment was at 9:30AM, and my friend Judith was able to come sit with me during the appointment and treatment. Judith rocks!!! My weight was a bit higher than I had anticipated; however, the stupid steroids are still making me retain so much water in my midsection--I was not too surprised.

The nurse drew blood from my chemo port again...but she had some trouble this morning, and she missed the port at first. That was not pleasant AT ALL. Not recommended. Makes you a wee bit nauseous--dizzy, and yeah, I thought seriously about taking a quick nap! I didn't (thank goodness), and she was able to get the needle in properly on the second attempt. Youch!

Met with the doctor's assistant "Nellie" today. I like her...she does a very thorough physical exam (hands on, asks lots of questions, etc.) We decided to do ANOTHER course of antibiotics because I still am coughing a bit from the cold I got last month (hey, I like to hang on to things sometimes!!!) We also decided that because I had such a rough time with the side effects last time, I would come back on Friday (today) to get some extra fluids and extra anti-nausea meds via IV. I am happy with this.

The chemo administration itself went okay, although I did get a bit nauseous at first (probably mental...) It lasted a bit longer than it had in the past...I was there for about 5 hours...Judith dutifully sat next to me and watched me nap most of the time. It was very nice to have her there...I felt relaxed enough to sleep this time, and last time I did not. Trust me, it is just better to have a buddy with you!!! During the last little while, while I was getting the Herceptin, I felt a bit woosy--but it went away within a minute or two. Again, I felt fine enough to drive after I got up and walked around for a bit. Made it home with no problem!

I did run into my friend Nancy at the office. She is almost done with radiation and is still receiving the Herceptin treatments every 3 weeks (like I will be). Her hair is coming back in very thick! Looks adorable...nice to see her looking smiley and happy.

Last night was just fine...I was very hungry and ate small amounts of food throughout the night. Lots of fluids too! This kinda sucked considering the master bathroom toilet was not functioning...so I had to trek over to the guest bathroom A LOT! Oh well, getting the toilet fixed right now...then I will get ready for round 2 of the doc's visit!

Had a bit of trouble falling asleep last night...but was finally able to. This am I am feeling hot (from the steroids), and my skin gets this lovely shade of bright red from the steroids too. We'll see how the side effects are...they have a tendency to kick in later today...although each time has been slightly different.

Well...thank you RotoRooter man, for fixing my toilet...I hope I do not have to abuse it anytime soon!

More later,
Tory

Chemo: Part 4 of 6 Today! I am 2/3 done!!!

Well, I woke up feeling a bit better this morning. I have been taking DayQuil and NyQuil pills during the past couple of days to help some of these apparent cold symptoms. They have been helping--the NyQuil has especially helped with me getting some good sleep at night.

I made it over to Tampa for my appointment, and the doc pulled me back before my bloodwork had been started. Apparently, there was a huge backup with getting bloodwork done, and he was ready for me! We talked for a while. He informed me that I DO NOT have the BRCA genetic mutation to blame for my Breast Cancer...hmmm, very interesting stuff. This is good news for my sis though...and that makes me feel pretty darn good! We also discussed my current infection--he gave me a look over and prescribed me with Augmentin to start after I am done with the Z-Pack. I also will have refills on this script, since I seem to be susceptible right now to these types of infections. I told him that this seemed so strange, as it started in my nose and my chest...then moved into my sinuses. Weirdness. Oh well, I am sure it will be fine...I am just ready to not be sick on top of, well, being chemo-sick!!!

Then we discussed my getting the massages (he gave me the note I needed)--I told him how helpful it was with my retaining water...worked better than limiting sodium AND exercise. Hell, the massages seemed to move out the excess fluids fairly quickly. I also told him that the school may be interested in working with their group somehow...and that they may be contacting him directly. He indicated that there were some folks that used to come to the office (before they had changed companies) and provide massages there to the patients. Hmmm...we'll see what they do with it, if anything!

We discussed travel again...and he said he was glad I was traveling...to call if I needed anything. And I (again) reminded him about the Claritin helping Neulasta bone pain. I told him that I started taking it BEFORE the shot last time, and I had very little pain this last time. He said he has recommended it to at least one other with some success...GOOD! I wish someone would figure out the connection there!!!

Anyway, I went back to get my bloodwork in the chemo administration area. They jacked in to my port (no, I did not look this time--that is just too gross!) and had the results within a few minutes. So, my bloodwork looked VERY GOOD...no issues at all...and I had no fever. Okay. Chemo #4 was about to get underway!!!

I didn't have any strange reactions this time...haven't really had any issues with it since the first one, so it went fairly smoothly. I didn't even get as loopy as I had last time from the Ativan shot...although I did get fairly nauseous during the last 45 minutes or so, during the Herceptin administration. Nothing major, just some mild nausea. Strange...I felt monsterously hungry along with the nausea.

Well, after about 4 hours of chemo, I was free to go...after they checked my blood pressure and weight. Blood pressure was a bit high (steroids, maybe?) and my weight is back down a bit (less fluid retention, maybe?) Next "appointment" is my shot of Neulasta tomorrow afternoon...then chemo on January 7th at 9:30 AM.

Becky came to get me tonight...although I felt like I could drive home this time, so I asked if she would follow me. I was a little tired...but I seemed fine--I was grateful she followed me home in case I had any problems! My sister rocks! Thanks Beck!

Well, after a nice helping of Becky's turkey meatloaf, some hummus and some Alaskan Truffles...I had to have some pizza. I ordered some and chowed down. Good lord! Haven't been that hungry in a while! Hmmm...don't even feel overstuffed. And I just noticed my cold symptoms are a bit better tonight...

Let's see what tomorrow holds!

With love,
Tory

Chemo #3 today...and I am halfway through!

Well, I went in early today to meet with my Oncologist, Dr. Wright, and to have my 3rd of 6 scheduled chemo sessions. Becky and I got there at 8:30 AM, and after some financial paperwork, I went back for blood work.
I have to remember not to look at blood coming out of me...it just makes me faint...not "go out" faint, but really seriously think about taking a nap, queazy lightheadedness. Especially when they are jacking in to my port...that stuff comes out quickly...right next to my heart. Fun fun.
Anyway, they did the blood draw for the BRCA genetic mutation test today. We should have the results within a few weeks. This mutation causes a propensity for breast and ovarian cancer. I have no ovaries anymore, and no boobies right now...so lets hope nothing else crops up!
Met with the doc. He indicated the bloodwork continues to look good...my Red Blood Cells were a bit low, and I asked him if there was something I could do to work on that--he said stop chemo. Hehhee. I told him that he did not have to offer twice! So, I guess my hemoglobin is okay, so he is not worried about my RBC. Other tests look good. My sinus infection is also clearing up...so that is nice...still quite a few more days of Augmentin (antibiotic) to clear that up.
I bitched again about the Neulasta shot causing intense "bone pain." Reminded him about Claritin, and told him I would keep him apprised of how it works. He said that he has mentioned it to others in the office and they had not heard of it. I told him he should do a study...and figure out what is in Claritin that reduces the pain effect.
I asked about traveling during December, after my 4th chemo (which we moved up a day to possibly accommodate my traveling out to Texas during the December holidays). He said, "No restrictions." I like that! So, it depends on how I am feeling and how much time I can get off work during the holidays. We shall see.

Next Steps:
Neulasta Shot on Friday (11/27; would have this tomorrow, but the office is closed...)
Chemo #4 (and next Oncologist Dr. Appointment) is on 12/16 at 10AM; Neulasta shot following day
Chemo #5 (and Dr. Appt) is on 1/7/10
Chemo #6 (final scheduled! with Dr. Appt) is on 1/28/10
Radiation should start approximately 3 weeks after last chemo!

Well, tomorrow is Turkey Day...and Beck and I will be getting up early to go to her 5k Turkey Trot Race...then we both will do the 1 Mile "Gobbler" fun walk/run. I think I will walk it! After this...we have turkey, greenbean casserole, sausage stuffing, veggies, blueberry pie and pumpkin pie, and onion dinner rolls. Yummy! Gimme a lazy day after an early start!

P.S. My head hair is falling out again...so what is left of it may be gone soon. Hmmm...I am diggin' the berets and hats!

This week...

Well, this week has gone quite well. I have had some energy and stamina (nice!), and I even took a 3 mile walk on Wednesday. I have been tired in the evenings; however, I have found that if I go to bed at a more reasonable hour, I have a better day overall (fatigue-wise). Really, I am needing no less than 9 hours of sleep a night to feel good and energetic throughout the day. I have always liked/needed lots of sleep anyway, so this really does not surprise me.

The only real issue I have had this week has been my blood pressure. I noticed it seemed high (pressure in my head, headache), and I have been testing it regularly. For me, I almost always run about 120/80...nice and "normal." But I have hit as high as 145/97 this week. There is a certain feeling I just get in my head when that happens, and it was concerning me. I called the doc, and they decided to have me come in just to check me out. Hell, I've had some minor nosebleeds too, so we wanted to make sure there was nothing funky going on.

Anyway, I had my doc's appointment today, and I ended up seeing his Physician's Assistant. She was great...did a good look over and figured out that I had a good sinus infection. We are thinking that the blood pressure thing is something we will monitor for now...does not seem to be that large of an issue. My sinuses on the other hand are a bit out of hand. I have to take Augmentin for 10 days now to clear up this infection...being a "cancer patient" means I can't just refuse the antibiotic--little things can get too big and out of hand. I just hate taking meds unless absolutely necessary, and I guess it is absolutely necessary--oh well. I am keeping away from crowds of people for a few days to help ensure I don't pick up another infection...so...I will focus on getting rid of the sinus infection.

The nosebleeds I am getting seem to be from 2 key things: the Carboplatin causes excessive dryness in my nose and I also get sores from both chemo meds. Hmmm...sores up my nose + excessive dryness...that sounds about right to me. Good lord...remind me not to do this "for fun!" Oh wait, no reminder will be necessary.

The doc went ahead and checked my blood also while I was there...just to see if my platelets were low or if something else was going on. Bloodwork looks fine. Good stuff. I do seem to be retaining some fluids though...my weight had increased 6 pounds since my last visit. Well...probably fluids and some of the junk I have been craving lately. Better get back to eating the good stuff again...like I don't know better. Hell, I have to live a little sometimes! My britches were feeling a bit tight though...alright, I'll do better!!!

Well, I am off to enjoy this sinus headache! Oh...and my head hair is still hanging out there. Doesn't seem to feel like falling out this time. Hmmm...

~Tory

P.S. I have been able to work all day every day this week--except today, had to do some from home to "avoid crowds."

Appointment with the Oncologist, Test Results, and Chemo 1 of 6

So, October 15, 2009 was my first date with Chemo. The afternoon of the 14th, the Dr.'s office staff called me and asked me to come in earlier. I failed to ask "why" they wanted this, so I proceeded to freak myself out about the reason they may want to have me come in earlier (this appointment was also where I would hear about my PET/CT/Bone Scan tests.) Yeah, Josh, my Mom and Cheri worked on convincing me that it was just because of cancellations or needing to move around the schedule for something.
I put the Lidocaine Cream on my port area about 1.5 hours prior to my appointment...my mom suggested this based on her experiences with her Dialysis.
Anyway, had my usual bloodwork then my meeting with Dr. Wright, my Medical Oncologist. Cheri and my sister Becky were there with me and they both met him. I asked immediately about my test results, and he said I was "fine." He was surprised I had not been called with the results. I was so relieved to hear that there were no other cancers showing up on my tests...so freakin' relieved!!! There were a couple of anomalies...some nodules on my thyroid, doc said he does not think they are cancer...lots of folks have nodules there, but he wants an ultrasound done "soon." There were some other minor things that I can follow up on later, but my bloodwork was just fine, so there are no real concerns. No other cancer...no metatastes. Thank the universe!!!
So, lots more questions for the doc--mostly about what to expect from the meds, when I should call or be concerned about side effects, etc. He basically said that he did not want me to have side effects or be too affected by them, so he said to let the nurses or him know right away. The nursing staff would be going over all of the potential side effects, when to take the additional medications I had picked up the day before (on what schedule, etc) and other issues.
Went back to the chemo-administration area...nurse put some spray on the site they "jack in" to, and I did not feel a thing when they went in. Hmmm. Not so bad! So treatment started with Aloxi (anti-nausea) then Decadron (steroid to combat any possible reactions to the meds). Then the Chemo: Taxotere...next was the "Loading Dose" of Herceptin (was supposed to get Carboplatin first, but it was not ready yet, and the Herceptin was), then the Carboplatin. About 20 minutes into the Carboplatin, I started having a weird reaction...I felt so freakin' hot from the inside (like a Hot Flash times 10), this weird pain down my left arm...and I started to get tunnel vision. AND, my eyes felt like this strange "wetness" behind them...like cold wetness behind my eyes (weird?) I think I could have passed out, but then again...I may have been able to keep from doing it. My sis went and got the nurse who stopped the meds right away. She gave me some Saline fluids until they could get the doc to check on me. We decided to start again, and I got the same type of response but cut in about half. So, they gave me an IV Push of Decadron. Now...earlier, I had the Decadron over about 20 minutes, this was a push--immediate, and no one told me that there could be some side effects from that!!! Such as: my crotch suddenly felt like I had fire ants biting me all at once!!! Then it spread to a couple of other spots, including the top of my head. That was freaky...I guess if I had known I was going to have "ants" in my crotch and on the top of my head, it would have been easier to handle mentally!
Well, after that wore off a bit, they started me back on Carboplatin again slowly...then they sped it up, no weird response. The Nurse Oncology Trainer sat with me and indicated that she though it might have been the Herceptin that caused me to have the response. Who knows. I suppose I will find out next time.
Anyway, Chemo lasted until 5:45 PM...so I was on the IV from 12PM until then. Wow. Long time. Oh well...one chemo down, just 5 to go of these combo treatments. Still have 16 doses more of Herceptin though.
Ok...so my hair will be gone sometime between 10-18 days after the treatment yesterday...I've decided I am going to be a monk for Halloween. Just need some orange fabric to make a sheath to wear--with my bald head!
After Becky, Cheri and I left, I had Becky go through the drive through at Wendy's...my friend (and fellow Breast Cancer Survivor) Cindy K told me that I might want cold things...she was so correct! I got a Frosty and finished it within about 6 minutes. Damn, that was good. We also went to the CVS on the way home to pick up some Benadryl...to counteract some of the additional side effects I tried to have during treatment.
So, last night was okay really. I just had to take all of my anti-nausea meds and Benadryl...and I slept GREAT. I really did not expect to, and the nurses told me that I may not--but I was fine!
Still felt like I had a furnace burning inside of every single cell of my body...hotter than Hell...oh well. Just keep that fan on me and sweat it out! Drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated and work everything out.
No real nausea last night...just gassy in my lower intestines and burpy with lots of heartburn. That, I can handle.
Cancer Sucks...at least it appears to have all been cut out so far...now we are covering the "just in case" portion. I really could be quite happy never doing this over again!!!

Shew!