May 25: I experienced the normal side effects from chemo: nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and low energy. Dr Garg appeared concerned over the painful headaches I experienced several days after treatment 1. At this time, the cause is unclear. His orders were noted to slow the drip next time. He is also considering this could have also been a rare side effect from the Neulasta shot. Time will tell, my next treatment is June 3.
Pat and I were confused about the frequency of my treatments. Our notes from Dr. Garg reflected 6 treatments, every 3 weeks for 18 weeks. The Infusion Nurses had a different schedule. When we brought this to Dr. Garg's attention he confirmed the following: 8 treatments with for the first 4 every 2 weeks and the last 4 every 3 weeks. Of course, I was not pleased. I believe the change occurred after knowing I am at high risk for recurrence and that my immune system was already compromised before the breast cancer diagnosis. So, they are hitting me strong! The change was not known to us - I do not like surprises! What can you do...start recounting, 1 down 7 to go!
Following this appointment, I had routine Bloodwork. Then, home. I was exhausted and took a long nap. I am trying very hard to walk every day. This is a very important piece when dealing with Chemo. Fight fatigue with exercise!
This week: Physical therapy, bone scan, and treatment 2.
Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Weeekend!!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
1st Chemo Treatment
May 20: Today is my first chemo treatment and I am feeling calm. I started my day with yogurt and berries and the TV to keep my mind occupied. Before we left, I ate chicken salad with veggies and fruit. Chased it all down with lots of water to pump up my veins.
By the time we reached the Infusion Office, I started feeling uneasy. Oddly enough, my blood pressure was very low. I had my family support - Pat, Michelle, and Patrick. Pat was the only one allowed back at first until the nurse finished with my prep. At this moment, it all became real and I could no longer fight my tears. The "patient" chair was mine, the "drug bin" of meds were mine, my picture I'd with bar code was mine and there would be no turning back. After a few moments, I pulled myself together so I could get this behind me. Pat was ready to bring the kids back. Fortunately, it was a quiet afternoon in the Infusion area so they could all be with me. Otherwise, they would be taking turns from the waiting room.
I was first given 3 pills of Dexamethasone. Then, the saline drip was started. I was then given medicine through the IV to prevent nausea (3 day long lasting), followed by Adriamycin, ending with Cytoxen. Start to finish was about 3 hours and 15 minutes. 1 down 5 to go!
May 22; In the last 48 hours, I've experienced side effects. Painful headaches, nausea, and heart racing - all normal. I do not have an appetite, but and managing to push the 64 ounces of water necessary to get all the chemo drugs out of my system. I was scheduled to have my Neulasta shot yesterday, but it had not been 24 hours since my first treatment ended, so I had this today. This shot is given to boost my white blood counts. The side effect from this is pain in the bones. If this happens, I can only take 200mg of Ibuprophen - once a day.
Upcoming: More physical therapy appointments and my follow-up with Dr. Garg on May 25.
Many, many thanks for all the prayers, texts, emails, and cards. This lifts my spririts more than you know!
By the time we reached the Infusion Office, I started feeling uneasy. Oddly enough, my blood pressure was very low. I had my family support - Pat, Michelle, and Patrick. Pat was the only one allowed back at first until the nurse finished with my prep. At this moment, it all became real and I could no longer fight my tears. The "patient" chair was mine, the "drug bin" of meds were mine, my picture I'd with bar code was mine and there would be no turning back. After a few moments, I pulled myself together so I could get this behind me. Pat was ready to bring the kids back. Fortunately, it was a quiet afternoon in the Infusion area so they could all be with me. Otherwise, they would be taking turns from the waiting room.
I was first given 3 pills of Dexamethasone. Then, the saline drip was started. I was then given medicine through the IV to prevent nausea (3 day long lasting), followed by Adriamycin, ending with Cytoxen. Start to finish was about 3 hours and 15 minutes. 1 down 5 to go!
May 22; In the last 48 hours, I've experienced side effects. Painful headaches, nausea, and heart racing - all normal. I do not have an appetite, but and managing to push the 64 ounces of water necessary to get all the chemo drugs out of my system. I was scheduled to have my Neulasta shot yesterday, but it had not been 24 hours since my first treatment ended, so I had this today. This shot is given to boost my white blood counts. The side effect from this is pain in the bones. If this happens, I can only take 200mg of Ibuprophen - once a day.
Upcoming: More physical therapy appointments and my follow-up with Dr. Garg on May 25.
Many, many thanks for all the prayers, texts, emails, and cards. This lifts my spririts more than you know!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
"Thankful" for a busy week
May 16| 3 appointments today. I was fitted for a gauntlet and sleeve which will be necessary to wear on my arm before chemo starts. This is another prevention measure to reduce the risk of lymphodemia. From there, I had physical therapy. Today was not as bad as last week. The pain I experienced was from axillary cording. Cording is the scarring of the lymphatic system after lymph nodes have been removed. The cords run from my underarm down to my wrist. The cords have also extended from my underarm to my chest wall and back. In order to regain range of motion, the cords need to be stretched and snapped. It is extremely painful and the burning sensation is quite intense. I am stretching daily because these cords tighten back up, easily. From there, I had my teeth cleaned at the dentist. I will not be able to have this done during chemo due to the high risk of developing an infection.
May 17| I have my meeting with the Genetics Counselor. I have many questions which will hopefully reveal a lot of answers, in time. I picked up all my new prescriptions which were ordered by my Oncologist- these are needed after my first treatment. After reading one of the drug profiles, I will need to call and question one of the drugs. This particular drug is in the steroid family. Those who have tested positive for Valley Fever cannot take steroids because the disease disseminates. Since my Valley Fever spores are dormant, we already know they can be triggered when my immune system is low, I want to ensure this medicine will not activate them. This would be a nightmare!
May 18: I will need to pick up the compression sleeve which was not in stock and take it to my physical therapy appointment. The therapist will have the final say on the fit. If all goes well after therapy I am done, otherwise, I will return to be refitted.
May 19: Bloodwork necessary before first treatment.
May 20: 1st Chemo Treatment, 3 hours.
May 21: Return to the hospital for neulasta shot to boost my white blood counts.
May 17| I have my meeting with the Genetics Counselor. I have many questions which will hopefully reveal a lot of answers, in time. I picked up all my new prescriptions which were ordered by my Oncologist- these are needed after my first treatment. After reading one of the drug profiles, I will need to call and question one of the drugs. This particular drug is in the steroid family. Those who have tested positive for Valley Fever cannot take steroids because the disease disseminates. Since my Valley Fever spores are dormant, we already know they can be triggered when my immune system is low, I want to ensure this medicine will not activate them. This would be a nightmare!
May 18: I will need to pick up the compression sleeve which was not in stock and take it to my physical therapy appointment. The therapist will have the final say on the fit. If all goes well after therapy I am done, otherwise, I will return to be refitted.
May 19: Bloodwork necessary before first treatment.
May 20: 1st Chemo Treatment, 3 hours.
May 21: Return to the hospital for neulasta shot to boost my white blood counts.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Physical Therapy
May 12: Something happened to blogger and my post earlier this week was published, then lost. I believe this happened to many and they are trying to restore the problem. When I logged on today, the message read "it's a girl"...I don't think so.
I have one word to describe my PT experience...excruciating! On a scale of 1 to 10, I went off the chart. Last night was a bad night and I have been uncomfortable most of today. I will provide in more detail my upcoming week, later. I will be at the hospital every day next week for appointments and tests.
Happy Friday to all!
I have one word to describe my PT experience...excruciating! On a scale of 1 to 10, I went off the chart. Last night was a bad night and I have been uncomfortable most of today. I will provide in more detail my upcoming week, later. I will be at the hospital every day next week for appointments and tests.
Happy Friday to all!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Moving Right Along
May 5: Today was my post op. All went well and my next appointment will be in 6 months. I was given a script to start physical therapy and I started 2 hours after my post op. Now, I call that efficiency! My anxiety has been high so I decided to take a drive to the Wellness House. This is a non-profit center for cancer patients and their families. I could feel the weight on my shoulders dropping as soon as the white gates opened to the property. The area is beautiful and I decided I would try Reiki today. I was definitely relaxed after leaving.
My day long Annapolis trip ended with a brief visit with my friends at Force 3. This was a nice dose of Medicine, not to mention the angel food cake and fresh strawberries they had when I arrived. The support and love from this visit made my day!
I had a nice Mother's Day. I was not up for going out, so Pat and the kids made a delicious dinner. Then, I focused on helping Patrick get ready for his trip to Quebec/Montreal. This was a great mind diversion.
May 12: Pat and I had our Chemo Teaching and Tour today. I had a lump in my throat all morning and fought the emotions. We were slammed with a ton of information do's and don'ts I have a stack of reading to absorb all this information.
In addition, I signed consent papers to be a participant in a study to help prevent the cancer from recurring and settling in the bones. This is a 5 year study...just want to help the future since I met all the criteria. I thought it would be best to participate.
I have physical therapy this afternoon. They already warned me, it may be painful.
Next week...Genetic Counselor Appointment, Physical Therapy, Bloodwork, Chemo, Nelasta injection. I think I am at the hospital 4 days next week.
Thank you everyone for your support. I cannot do this alone and I am blessed to have so many family and friends around me. What more could I ask?
My day long Annapolis trip ended with a brief visit with my friends at Force 3. This was a nice dose of Medicine, not to mention the angel food cake and fresh strawberries they had when I arrived. The support and love from this visit made my day!
I had a nice Mother's Day. I was not up for going out, so Pat and the kids made a delicious dinner. Then, I focused on helping Patrick get ready for his trip to Quebec/Montreal. This was a great mind diversion.
May 12: Pat and I had our Chemo Teaching and Tour today. I had a lump in my throat all morning and fought the emotions. We were slammed with a ton of information do's and don'ts I have a stack of reading to absorb all this information.
In addition, I signed consent papers to be a participant in a study to help prevent the cancer from recurring and settling in the bones. This is a 5 year study...just want to help the future since I met all the criteria. I thought it would be best to participate.
I have physical therapy this afternoon. They already warned me, it may be painful.
Next week...Genetic Counselor Appointment, Physical Therapy, Bloodwork, Chemo, Nelasta injection. I think I am at the hospital 4 days next week.
Thank you everyone for your support. I cannot do this alone and I am blessed to have so many family and friends around me. What more could I ask?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Upcoming
May 2: I received the call I was waiting to hear; "the margins are clear.". Now, things are moving along, again.
May 3: My post-op is Thursday; now, I should be ready to start physical therapy. Due to the axillary node dissection, there is a greater risk of developing lymphedema. Physical therapy is vital to prevent this occurrence. I will have that schedule after my Thursday appointment.
I meet with the Genetics Counselor on May 17 which will be followed up with more testing.
My chemo start date changed to Friday, May 20. This date should not change now that the results are back and I will have had several PT sessions behind me.
I was asked to participate in a study through AA Medical Center. This study is for women who meet certain criteria --early breast cancer with high risk of recurrence. I am educating myself on this study as well as utilizing the Internet for help. I will need to sign a consent within 10 days. It appears to be a good study, just trying to make the right decision.
My spirits are good, yet still have the dark chemo cloud over my head. It's not going away, just need to make the best of it.
Breathe, smile, one day at a time...
May 3: My post-op is Thursday; now, I should be ready to start physical therapy. Due to the axillary node dissection, there is a greater risk of developing lymphedema. Physical therapy is vital to prevent this occurrence. I will have that schedule after my Thursday appointment.
I meet with the Genetics Counselor on May 17 which will be followed up with more testing.
My chemo start date changed to Friday, May 20. This date should not change now that the results are back and I will have had several PT sessions behind me.
I was asked to participate in a study through AA Medical Center. This study is for women who meet certain criteria --early breast cancer with high risk of recurrence. I am educating myself on this study as well as utilizing the Internet for help. I will need to sign a consent within 10 days. It appears to be a good study, just trying to make the right decision.
My spirits are good, yet still have the dark chemo cloud over my head. It's not going away, just need to make the best of it.
Breathe, smile, one day at a time...
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