Monday, November 18, 2013

Halfway there!

It has been waaaaay too long since I have updated anyone on my progress.  I finished the first 4 Chemotherapy treatments.  So let's back up a bit........I had my first chemo treatment on September 24th.  I was rather nervous, not knowing how I would feel when done.  I go to the Roswell site in Amherst.  The staff there is phenomenal!  My nurse explained from how they would access my medi-port to every medication they would give me to every side effect I could experience.  Very knowledgeable and kind!  They administered a couple of steroids first which are for long term nausea relief, then I would get my chemo, Adriamycin and Cytoxan.  I would usually feel like a zombie when we would leave.  The following couple of days I would have to take steroids for nausea and they would pretty much make me feel like the energizer bunny, but would change my taste buds so that everything tasted like paste.  So chemo is every other Tuesday, total of 8 treatments.  I get a Neulasta injection the Thursday's following chemo.  The injection tells my bones to make cells.  I get achy, but I haven't gotten sick with a fever and my blood work always looks great when I go for my next treatment.
So I'm done with the first 4.  Tomorrow I will start a different kind of chemo, Taxol.  I will again go every other Tuesday and get Neulasta the Thursday following.  Not sure what to expect, but the nurses tell me a lot of women tolerate the Taxol much better then the first 4.  I really hope so.  I would usually get very weak by the weekends following treatment.  Sometimes it would be an effort just to get up to go to the bathroom.  My legs would fell like jello and my body ached so bad.  Not to mention the chemo brain you get.  Short term memory is very limited and sometimes you feel like you are sleeping with your eyes open.
I lost all the hair on my head.  Still have my eyebrows and eyelashes.  I'm not complaining.  You should see the pile of hats and scarves I have to pick from each day!  I enjoy accessorizing!

The last thing I want to mention today is about all the wonderful support I have been receiving.  The ladies at work surprised me one day by streaking their hair with pink coloring.  They hang inspirational signs up for encouragement and daily they check in on me!  I couldn't ask for more supportive work mates and friends.  My friend Shana and her boys participated in a Making Strides walk for Team Jes.  The cards, gifts, phone calls, it leaves me speechless.  I truly believe that the love and positive encouragement I receive is what keeps me going and keeps me thinking positive.  There are days I feel so crappy that I just want to give up, I close my eyes and picture all my friends and family and know that I don't want to miss a minute of my life.  It is just too fantastic to miss!

Till next time.....