First Chemotherapy is Done

Hello Family and Friends,

Just want to let you know that I completed my first treatment of chemotherapy and all went well. I couldn't sleep much the night before the treatment because they pre-medicated me with 12 mg of steroids, so that I wouldn't have an allergic reaction to the one chemo drug called Taxotere. Taxotere is like another chemo called Taxol and is derived from the Yew plant. That plant can cause major allergic reactions. I was in the chemo chair about four hours, where they started with checking my liver enzymes which were completely down. All the hoopla about the elevated liver enzymes must have been the reaction from the anesthesia, but with me it took nearly a month for them the come back down to normal. My blood count was fine (cbc, hemaglobin, etc) so I was good to go for chemo. they started with hydration, more steroids and then an antinausea medication. Next was one and half hours of Taxotere, followed by another hour or so of Cytoxan. I had three needle sticks to get it going and I have to be careful not to use my left arm where I had lymph nodes removed in the arm pit - drainage might not be 100% and women get lymphadema. Thus, my right arm looks like a I'm on drugs - which I'm but they're the legal ones.

My wig came in and I have a fitting on Tuesday. I hate that part more than most anything. My hair will fall out in about 14 days. All of it. David shaved his head TOTALLY. He is bald. He said he wanted to do it to support me, so now soon we will both be laying in bed with no hair! It was so supportive I cried.

I feel okay this morning. I woke early and went down to the exercise room to jog. I was able to jog 2:24 miles in 30 minutes. I didn't push my self but I have to say it wasn't easy. They weigh me at the office now at least once every couple of weeks, so I know my weight which is 111 and I'm worried about gaining. They say that women often gain on this protocol because of the steroids increasing your appetite and not being able to exercise because blood counts dip and fatigue sets in.

I completed my usual breakfast of two eggs, fruit and coffee and so far its all staying down. I have two types of antinausea pills to take with the first sign of nausea, which apparently is common. Other than my stomach is bloated, I seem to be okay.

I'm working on a paper for publication today at home and just plan to stay home all day. David thinks I'll have a steroid 'crash' tomorrow when I'll sleep most of the day. I'm really happy I planned the chemo on Friday so I have two full days to recoup.

That's the scoop.

Let me know how you all are doing.
Love,
Veronica

Chemotherapy bag

My friend Sandy gave me a 'chemo bag' to take along for each chemotherapy. Here are the contents - it's perfect. I'm going to ask Cancer Care Associates to create a similar bag for our patients just starting chemotherapy.

Inside bag:

One fleece throw blanket

Water bottle

Tea cup

Tea (herbal, Chartreuse A Journey to Wellness)

Book - Language of letting go by melody beattie

Feet treats (1 pair cozy lounge socks) - purple or pink

journal writing book called 'thoughts' by hallmark

pen

Aveda hand creme (1.4 fl oz)

Book mark

Fish mints, intense cinnamon fish shaped mints

Godiva solid dark chocolate bar 1.5 oz

O' magazine

Dear Family and Friends,

I just want to let you know that the OctotypeDX test results indicated that my chance of recurrence of the breast cancer was slightly higher than originally thought, therefore I will start chemotherapy on Friday of this week. I'll have four infusions (one every three weeks). The program is crappy in that I'll lose my hair but I should be able to work and hopefully not get 'chemo brain', so that I can't write and 'think'.

I'm bummed but doing okay. I'll start chemotherapy on Friday and try to get it over with as quickly as possible.

On a positive note, Marc was accepted to the School of Music at the University of Iowa and will get a Masters in Conducting. As part of the program he will have a graduate assistant position and teach, including working with the marching band. How great is that?!!! Dima easily found a post-doctorate position, so they will finally live together after five years of marriage.

Brian and Yanni's baby is doing well and we are enjoying her too.

I'm sorry to share the bad news about the need for chemotherapy but I should be back to good health in a few months.

Love,
Veronica