Radiation Week 1 is over...woo hoo!

So, it has been a while since I have updated anything here. Things have been so busy for me--sometimes life just rushes by.

After a few simulations with the radiation folks, and my old-school dot tattoos, I was set to start radiation on 2/22/10. In the interim, I went to DFW to visit with Josh and my family. I had a chance to celebrate my last chemo treatment with some folks that I had not seen for many years in Denton. It was so nice to see folks...and to hang out at the Loophole. I tired out so fast though...ended up zonked by 11PM. Oh well, I am old and not a "party girl" anymore!!! Got to visit with my mom...and hang out with Josh on his birthday. That was nice!

Anyway, got back into Tampa and had to do some final imaging with the Radiation folks on the 18th and 19th. They had me keep my arms above my head for about an hour--by the end of that, I could not feel my fingers...and my arms felt like there were 5 million ants biting them at the same time. Yeouch!!!

Thursday the 18th was my first dose of Herceptin without any of the chemo meds. It seemed to go well. I took the Herceptin without any Benadryl or other meds...didn't really feel like I needed them. Had some minor itchiness with it, but I can't really tell if that is from all of my body hair growing back at once or what.

Radiation started on the 22nd. I will say that it was just plain strange. I have 4 series of radiation during the treatments. They last 20 seconds or less. I am specifically positioned for each series. I am on the table for about 5 minutes all told. Essentially, the machine is an x-ray machine...and the series consist of a long x-ray. Not a lot of whirring or banging like some of the other scanner things. Hmm. My skin is fine after the first week. I have been using Aloe Vera gel (from the health food store--so not the cheap stuff) every day on the area being zapped. The techs said that I might see some tanning or burning around week 3. We shall see.

I am slowly but surely regaining my strength...thank goodness! I can feel the weakness in my arms and legs getting less and less. I did struggle with some ugly edema last week. I could not see the bones in my ankles at all. What a pain in the ass. I had a massage at Cortiva Massage Institute on Wednesday--that helped immensley. I highly recommend massage during treatment...it has many many benefits. With elevation and the massage, by Friday, my edema in my ankles had subsided. Thank god!

Anyway, I've just been a bit tired this week...nothing major. So glad to have my sense of taste returning...good food--tastes so good!!!

More later!
Love,
Tory

Last chemo weekend...and appointment with the Radiology Oncologist today

Well, I had a crappy night's sleep overnight. Just kept waking up every couple of hours to major hotflashes and nightsweats. Hmmm...hopefully these will lessen soon (please).

This round of chemo has been tiring...but no major issues. Very similar to the first round again. No vomiting, no diarrhea. Just some dry mouth and feeling like my head was full of Jello. Oh, and my muscles have been weak as can be. My arms and legs have felt like there is just no strength in them. Hasn't really stopped me much though. I was able to get Sarge up to the Dog Park Friday (wow, I know!), Sunday and Monday evenings. It actually seemed to help my mood to get him out and about, so this was a good thing.

I did have some lovely nausea during the night (overnight) on Sunday and last night. The anti-nausea meds helped, so I guess I can't complain too much.

Food: I am still uber-picky with foods right now, and I have strange cravings still. Luckily, I have been craving things like strawberries and blueberries during the past couple of days--that beats cravings for Taco Bell (thank God!) Since I have managed to actually gain weight during this (steroids--nasty bastards), I am looking again at my food intake and exercise regimen. Starting to get some of my plans in place to get my diet back to "normal" and hopefully get back on a regular schedule with going to the gym. Just a couple more days of feeling "off" from the chemo, and I should be able to hit the gym again. I hope my muscles wake up again...I am wondering what my Red Blood Cell counts look like--probably low. I have been watching my iron and protein intake closely to try and combat some of my muscle fatigue. Sheesh...funny, I have actually been doing better than I thought on iron intake--protein, well, had to look at that one a little more closely.

So, today I go to the Radiation Oncologist. My appointment is at 9:30 AM. I have my usual list of questions typed up and ready to go. I guess I am a little nervous--meeting ANOTHER new doctor, finding out about another procedure/process to go through. What a royal pain in the ass.

My questions:
What time of day will I be getting radiation and for how long each day; how many treatments over how many weeks; what exactly does radiation do; how does one target the areas where the cancer was--lymph nodes, etc.; how do we know exactly what to hit; is it true you cannot radiate the same area twice; how will it affect my other bodily functions/what are the possible side effects; how do we protect other areas of my body, such as my lungs and thyroid; should I avoid or add certain foods/supplements; what kinds of creams or lotions should I use or not; how do I protect my skin; and is there something I should/can do to have a better outcome for my reconstruction that I have planned for later?

Well, I am just glad that Chapter 3 of treatment is on the horizon. Still feeling the effects of Chapter 2, but I am honestly feeling okay.

Can I have my hair back now please? :-)

~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 was NO FUN!!!

Well, I guess it had to happen sometime...

I was down big-time after this round of chemo. Yes, I am thinking that the cold/bronchitis (whatever) I had to go along with it considerably added to the "experience..." This was one of those events that you hear chemo is like...the vomiting, the diarrhea, cold sweats, hot sweats, room spinning--please just let me sleep through this!!! Well, that would have made the bed messy! So, I endured by sitting naked on the toilet with my bathroom trash can in my lap. Yep--both ends evacuating at the same time.

I couldn't even keep my anti-nausea meds down...or anything else down for that matter, so they were no use. I do know that there are dissolveable meds you can put on your tongue...but honestly, I wanted to puke out whatever was in there...and it didn't last too long.

Saturday was when most of this hit me...so I just puked, shat and slept (when not performing the aforementioned.) I honestly wondered when it would be over! Luckily, I felt better by Sunday...was even able to clean up after myself a bit. Monday, I felt lots better...even trekked up to the office for work! Now that is perserverance--dammit!

Dear toilet and trashcan:
I know, you did not deserve that, but thanks for being there! Oh, and you are welcome for the Lysol and bleach.
Love,
Tory

Chemo Weekend #2

Well, on Friday, the day after my second chemo treatment, I felt a bit speedy from the steroids...and I felt fine, so I went into the office. Was rather productive, but then I had to leave to go get my Neulasta shot in the afternoon.
While driving over to Tampa from New Port Richey, I spoke with my mom (who is in Grapevine, TX). She indicated that my grandmother, Helen, was going to be released from the hospital with hospice care in the home. Grandma fell early on Thursday AM, so she had been at the hospital in a lot of pain. Anyway, after sitting in the parking lot of the treatment center, I just decided that I did not have the strength to head out to Texas to say "goodbye." I actually ended up convincing myself by saying...you can't just do something out of the fear of possible future regret. So, I opted to stay here in Florida and take care of myself.

I got the Neulasta shot and headed home after for some much needed rest. By the end of the day, Friday, I was pretty exhausted! My mouth was a bit "funky," just dry and icky--you don't seem to be able to get enough water or other fluids to help this honestly. I had a dull ache in my lower back that night, but nothing more.

Saturday I spent doing laundry and cleaning up the house. Mom called and said that Grandma had been released from the hospital and was home in the morning. There were lots of folks there with them, my Uncle Jim, Aunt Roberta, and my mom's cousins Denny and Kathy.

The Neulasta bone pain started hitting later in the afternoon...that stuff means business. There is just no getting away from that pain. It is so deep...in my pelvis, my spine, my legs and knees. By the evening, I was resting in bed...with the heating pad under my butt, doing some back and leg stretches, talking on the phone with Josh. He was suggesting some stretches like I used to do when I did yoga...I was naming the poses/stretches he was having me do...thinking that I really should get back to doing some yoga. The stretches helped some...but only when I was actually doing them. Saturday night was a rough night for sleep...I woke up regularly with some intense pains in my upper legs. Also had acid reflux from hell--just drank Mylanta and Gaviscon when it woke me up.

Sunday morning my mom called to let Becky and me know that Grandma Helen had passed quietly during the night. I am sad that she is gone...but I am happy she is no longer in pain. She had suffered in pain for so many years...and her little body just couldn't put up with it any more. There will be a small memorial service in Grapevine; however, the larger service and "burial" at Arlington National Cemetery (with my Grandfather) will be in the Spring (when we can all go). I am glad that we will be doing the main service later...I want to be there. By then, chemo and radiation will be done...

Sunday started out okay...not as much pain from the Neulasta; however, that did not last for long. By about mid-day it came back in full force. I was very fatigued, but I had wanted to take Becky out to this great park East of here. So, we drove over to Weedon Island Preserve and did some hiking. It was just beautiful! We were out there walking around for a while until I petered out and had to head back home. I remembered the Claritin at that point, and I took one Claritin D when I got to the house. This really seemed to help with the bone pain!!! I'd say it cut it down to about 1/3 of what it was...so, the Claritin regimen will continue and I will remember it for the next go-round. My nose got all bloody again on Sunday. It is like all of the moisture from your nose is gone and you have bloody goops up your nostrils. I do have to say the symptoms are much better this time, as I do not have the Systemic Yeast Infection...thank you diflucan. My mouth is much better than last time, my eyes, my ears, my nose...everything is just better than it was the first time. The heartburn/acid reflux is the same though...although not unmanageable. I just drink down some chalky stuff...or take one anti-nausea med if it is really bad.

I took a nap Sunday evening, but was still exhausted that night. My mouth had gotten even more dry...my stomach was talking to me a little (just gas pains--very farty...and LORD do those farts stink!) I slept pretty well Sunday night into Monday...

Monday morning I woke up planning to go in to the office; however, I was just wiped out. I decided that I would use my energy to get some work done from home (instead of wasting energy driving an hour and a half round trip). This was a good decision, as I was very productive. The bone pain was there, but it was less severe with the Claritin...mouth dry (I have a couple of sores in my mouth that are driving me nuts), gas is minimal (everything fairly regular/normal in the nether regions this time). I went out and ran some errands around lunch time and nearly wore myself out completely! I took a brief nap early in the evening. Nose is still a bit bloody on occasion...just have to not pick (I know...I pick my nose *gasp, but it is hard not to!) But when you do, you break off the "plug" that keeps it from bleeding. Sheesh...all these goofy things to remember :-)

I have been able to eat normally during these past few days. No bland or BRAT diet this time. I have taken very few anti-nausea medications...only a couple at bedtime when the acid reflux really kicks in. The reflux is there constantly actually, but I have experienced that for so many years, that it really doesn't occur to me how bad it is sometimes. I just have to remember to do some preventative sips of Mylanta/Gaviscon (Gaviscon is actually much better than Mylanta for this--and it has always worked better for me overall. Gaviscon actually seems to stop or slow the reflux and the Mylanta soothes my esophagus).

Well, it appears that the symptoms are somewhat predictible for the first weekend after a chemo treatment. I will need to remember that the Monday following is really a rough day for fatigue--I was having trouble seeing the TV last night...my eyes were just so tired!

What's up next:
I am looking into a yoga class...maybe start next week?
I am signing up for a 1 mile walk on Thanksgiving day...this will be the day after my 3rd chemo, and I should be fine based on my experiences thus far.
I am considering going back to the gym soon...doc says it is fine but to take it easy...

Today: I am heading over to St. Joseph's Hospital to have my ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsy. Yep...I get poked in the neck with a needle. Damn thyroid...damn needles.

A run down of my main symptoms this time:
Fatigue
Acid Reflux/Heartburn
Dry Skin
Thirst
Dry, Raw Mouth
Dry, Raw, Bloody Nose
Gas/Bloating/Tightness in Stomach
Minor Swelling from Steroids
"Mild" Bone Pain (yeah, mild, my ass)

A note on hair loss:
I have about 10-20% of my head hair left...it is still coming out. Right now I look like a little old lady who really needs a perm. The texture is coarse...my scalp is itchy.
My body hair stopped falling out last week--nothing is missing at this point. I still have my pelt...just missing a lot of antlers.

Chemo Session #2 Today...and week 3 after first chemo

Well, I have my 2nd of 6 chemo doses today. I got a good night's sleep and I am trying to get myself good and hydrated before the appointment.

I've been feeling very good this week! Monday through today (Thursday) have been fairly smooth-sailing. I had some energy...not a lot of fatigue issues, no nausea since Sunday, brain seems good (although I lose some words here and there), so it has been kind of nice! I hope I get a "break" like this with each treatment...it is just good for the soul!

My hair is coming out faster and faster. I have so much hair that it just looks thin at this point. Wow. Pretty weird stuff to run your hands over your head and have a good handful of hair after. So far, I have not had Becky cut it down shorter...I just didn't want to deal with the short stabbing little hair bastards all over me when they did come out...and I did not want to actually shave my scalp. Right now, I am shedding worse than my dog!

I have a few questions and issues to bring up with the Oncologist today. Nothing too major; however, I did see a new study regarding cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes (such as mine). It is a British study that is in the Annals of Oncology...shows that some have new receptor status when they spread...possibly one in three. I want to chat with my doc about that, as I am unsure as to what all was tested during the pathology studies. More later on that.

Otherwise, I am hoping that we continue with the diflucan...I am hoping to get through today without any incident...and no, I am really not looking "forward" to the treatment. I will say that I am glad that I will be 1/3 of the way done with chemo after today. That is good and I am happy about that! One More Down!

Well, off to prep...

Love,
Tory

This week so far...post chemo session 1 of 6, week 2

Ok, so last weekend was not too bad...I was just tired. I was looking forward to being back at work and getting my schedule back in order. I was also looking forward to having my sis, Becky back in town.

I worked all week, at the office, with the exception of Thursday. That was exactly 2 weeks after the 1st chemo, and I felt so freakin' tired I couldn't hardly see straight. I went in for the usual bloodwork Thursday AM, with the intention of going to the office after, but by the time I got out of there, I was pooped. So, I drove home to take a nap...I had intended on sleeping for an hour or so then doing some work remotely from home. I ended up sleeping a full 4 hours...then doing some work from home!!! I guess I really was tired!

That night, I felt a little nauseous. I had taken the last of the diflucan the day before, an I needed to pick up the refill...so I did not fill it until later in the evening. I did take the dog for a long walk in the heat...and we played at the park for a while (he had me fetching the ball, actually)...so I wasn't sure what exactly "caused" me to feel nauseous. I ended up taking some of the anti-nausea meds...and the diflucan...and I felt a little better by the time I fell asleep (around midnight, unfortunately).

Well, Friday started off okay--I did notice my hair was starting to come out (on day 15) a few strands at a time (I'd actually been kind of obsessively picking at my hair to see if it would come out....it surely did start then!) I went up to the office, felt okay, but after I ate (we had a potluck gathering)...the gas, bloating and nausea hit again. Bummer. I hung out in the bathroom for a while and missed the ladies at work giving me some very cool hats! They ended up putting them on my desk, they had assumed I did not feel well (oh, they were right). Funny, I didn't throw up...haven't but one time in the first week...I just farted and sweated a LOT. As my Nana would have said, "A lot of wind, but no storm." Hmmm. Glad I had some of the anti-nausea meds with me. Took one, felt better within an hour.

Friday night was okay, I just had one hell of a headache--mostly a scalpache to be honest. Felt more like a surface or tension headache than a deep headache. Maybe something to do with my hair coming out. Or maybe I need to poke a hole in my skull and let the demons out?

Saturday (this) morning, I got up early and felt a wee bit ambitious. Still fatigued...but got some chores done. Felt good to get more things off of the to-do list. Again, I felt a bit nauseous around mid-day (4 hours after I ate this time...), so I took some compazine. Felt fine within an hour or so. Strange. Hair is coming out more rapidly now...all over. My hair is so thick though, you cannot really tell yet. I was thinking I would have my sister use the clippers on my hair--go for the buzz cut, but earlier today, I felt like I might not do that.

Tonight, I am feeling like I could have her do it soon...I don't know why I am waivering on this so much. I got some more hats (on clearance) at Target...they are fun...I am leaning more toward doing the hat and scarf thing than the wig thing...I just don't like wigs. Hell, it may just not be for me. I am totally and completely confused by wool hats being sold in Florida...okay, one or two...but whole displays? Wool?

I have that damn headache again tonight...I took some advil last night and it did not help, so I think I will pass on it tonight...no sense taking more crap if it won't do anything anyway.

Anyway, it has been a decent week overall...nothing unmanageable. I am having to drink lots of Mylanta every night (and sometimes during the day)...because the reflux and heartburn is in high-gear...daily and nightly.

Strange to be losing my hair though...I am still obsessively pulling some out every little while or so--it is kind of...fun...in an oddly psychotic way. Let me be clear...it does not hurt. It just comes out very easily. Hmmmm, will someone please make me stop pulling out my hair now?

I have been thinking about going back to the gym...or at least exercising more. I miss the gym...I just wonder if I have the stamina. I think I am healed up enough from the mastectomy to get back into the gym routine, so we shall see. Maybe some more walks once it finally cools off? I've been reading some articles and other blogs about folks' experiences relating to exercise and chemo. I will just have to figure out a way to manage the stamina/fatigue issues somehow.

With love, from the boobless and soon-to-be-hairless one in West Central Florida,
Tory

a week of mild side effects...thank you anti-fungals

Well, this week started off okay...just some interesting side effects. The "mild bone pain" from the Neulasta shot was delightful. I can't wait to experience that again...I wonder if they will be able to reduce it or something, as that pain was quite interesting. I don't really know how to describe the feeling from that stuff...your bones ache from the inside...I think my marrow was screaming out in some sort of unhappy key. My bloodwork Thursday showed a very high White Blood Cell count...so we'll see how it does over the next couple of weeks...and yes, I guess I have to have WBCs...hmmm.
I bleed very easily right now...scratches, picks, bumps. Lots of fun bruises too. I find that I have to be very careful not to cut myself. I still have a bruise on my inner elbow where Nurse Tech Evilness pulled blood a week and a half ago. I wonder if they can find a good vein in my ass, so I don't have to keep going around looking like a junkie. Hmm.
Starting on Monday, my face broke out...my mouth and nose went completely dry, and my eyes started to get these lovely crusties. Then I started in with some symphonic gas...very pleasant farts, I must say. I wish I could produce those on demand...could end some unfortunate situations more quickly. Must research this. Diarrhea started Monday night...glad it waited until I got home from work. Good stuff. Even better on Tuesday when (while working at home) my body decided that it was gonna let loose right then no matter what. I have to say, my pants did NOT deserve that. And Sarge, I love ya, you are a wonderful dog, but please, if that happens again, I will clean the floor myself. You need not "help."
Truly nothing more disgusting than crapping your own pants.
I called the Doc's office to discuss the gas/bloating before the diarrhea started...they switched me to a bland diet--yum, 36 hours of broth...then Immodium to stop the spraypainting.
So on Wednesday, I realized that I recognized a lot of the symptoms I was having. Lucky me, I had a "Systemic Yeast Infection." Funny, I had it everywhere except where you'd expect. Eyes, nose, mouth, butt? Oh, now that is fun. Apparently, the steroids may have set that off...or my knocked-down immune system.
I had nose bleeds from it on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...fun. Now I was really looking like a junkie, crusty face, crusty eyes, arm bruises and all. I remember having Systemic Yeast Infections like 16 years ago...from steroids then...hmmm. Gave me bad gas and diarrhea and all of the other symptoms except nose bleeds...
Saw one of the other Oncologists at the Dr.'s office Thursday...to be sure it was a Yeast Infection...and it was/is. She started me on fluconazole to kill off the infection...and it is working very nicely. Nose feels about 50% better today, mouth is much better (Thrush sucks), eyes are happier, face still has some issues (hey, that is what makeup is for), butt is happier. I like a happy butt. No more diarrhea, gas or bloating. Doc said that they may have to keep me on fluconazole (an anti-fungal) during chemo to ward off these issues. High dose too...200mg. Hell, if it works, I am not going to complain.
Also during the Dr. visit, she reviewed my bloodwork and the ultrasound results for my thyroid. I have a 3 cm node on my thyroid that needs to be biopsied soon. Doc didn't look worried, and just said that they needed to look into it further. I really hope it is nothing...I don't have a whole lot of body parts left for folks to just keep yanking out of me. If they have to take that...I "get" to have another surgery (on my NECK eek)...and then I would have to have synthroid the rest of my life. Sheesh. Let's just hope it is nothing...OK?
Bloodwork good.
More bloodwork on Thursday...then next chemo on Thursday after that (November 5th). No date/time yet for the thyroid biopsy, but will have that very soon.
Went up to the office 3 days this week...yesterday (Friday) was the longest day at the office...and I really felt pretty well. I do get very tired EARLY...like around 8 or 9 PM (especially if I have not had a nap during the day), and I am waking up fairly early too. Sleeping okay, better the past couple of nights...been taking Ativan to help me sleep more consistently...I had been waking up every 1.5 hours or so.
My sister left on Tuesday to go back to Texas, take care of a few things, get her truck and slowly head back this way to stay with me during this. I miss her already and am looking forward to having her back. Cheri went home very early Wednesday AM. I really enjoyed having her here...it is so nice to have a friend like her my life. I hope to be able to go see her and her hubby Kevin while they are still living in Alaska. And maybe they both can make their way out to FL next time!

My hair: my scalp has been feeling weird all week...like a dull aching feeling. So, I got a wild impulse to have my hair chopped short...heck, I figure I could try it for a week or so before it fell out. Not really my style, to be honest...it is "fun," but I really do like having long hair. We shall see. Other body hair is starting to thin out, so I am curious when I get to go "monk!" I will give my sis the honor of shaving my head when it starts to go...I think...;-) I am getting the hats ready!

Off to eat some "real food" and not broth. Thank goodness I can eat again!
~Tory

Chemo Weekend Uno...not too yucky...but it sure does smell bad ;-)

Well, this weekend was my first "recovery period" after chemo session 1 of 6. I felt pretty good getting up on Saturday, although I had heartburn and gas times 10. I was able to manage most of the symptoms with the medications that were prescribed...I even felt well enough to go out with Becky and Cheri to have lunch, do some touristy stuff, visit the SunCoast Seabird Sanctuary and the beach! Now, when I got home after that, I slept for about 14 hours (on and off).
The "bone pain" from the Neulasta is the absolute PITS. "Mild" is an understatement from hell. I trudged through it Saturday, but Sunday it was worse. I did some research on the Internet and found that some folks had good results taking Claritin (yep...that stuff). So, I researched that to ensure there were no counterindications with the meds I have had or am currently taking, I found none, so I tried the Claritin. It helped a bit...not a whole lot, but some.
Sunday was mostly a rest day. I napped and played on the computer some. I was really super gassy yesterday...reminded me of when I used to have my gallbladder :-) Oh well...
Battling a little with constipation...taking Colace to help...ate apples and spinach with dinner...I may regret that for a bit today, but it beats being stopped up. Meh. Funny how life changes you...used to be worried about this and that, and now all I want is "normal bowel movements!" LOL.
Still have some bone pain today. Less than yesterday, but the more I move around, the more it seems to alert me to its presence. Sheesh...feels like massive growing pains. I am not in the mood to grow anything, dammit.

~with love from the farty boobless one with "mild bone pain" in Florida,
Tory

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!