Sometimes the days go by so fast, a week passes by and here we are! And if I don't keep track of my journey here, I will surely forget the events of yesterday, let alone a week ago!
I had my second chemo treatment last Tuesday, March 19, and feel like I kind lost a few days somewhere in there! This last infusion hit me a little harder than the first one. During the taxotere infusion, I had a slight side effect of dizziness and heaviness on my chest. It lasted less than 5 minutes, so I told the nurse after the fact. She described what the possible side effects can be, and I said, "yep, that was it!"
The following day I felt a little puny. Not much energy, and not much appetite.
Then Thursday and Friday it felt like I had the flu. The nausea wasn't all that bad ( thank God!) but I just felt achy all over, slept quite a bit, and ran a bit of a fever. Friday afternoon it kind of peaked, then broke. I tell you, you sure don't feel like doing anything feeling that way!
I had no appetite either. I hate that. I felt a little hungry, but the actual thought of eating something was very unappealing.
Luckily by Saturday morning my appetite was back, and I made a good breakfast! Mmmm bacon!
I also switched nausea meds after I had complained to the oncology nurse on Wednesday of a continual headache. That's when I found out about the headache side effect of the Zofran nausea med. It seemed to help. I have been headache free for about three days now! Yay!
The chemo meds must be doing their thing. I have had so many other little side effects that let me know this to be true. From the continued hair loss everywhere, (still have eyebrows, eyelashes so far!) to bloody nose, watery eyes, drippy nose, itchy areas, constipation, chapped lips, forgetfulness, and... Hmmm... Can't remember what else! Ya, that's what this stuff does to you! But you know what, I'm am half way through the bad treatments now and KNOW without a doubt I can get through it all!
I have decided, with Scott's encouragement, that it would be best to just take the whole year off while I am on chemotherapy. Between the risks of working with the patients I do, and the constant state if illness in the clinic (ie other employees), not to mention the tiredness and side effects, and the traveling we have to do for all these appointments, I don't feel like I can be a very effective RDH right now! I know many of you have done it, and I truly admire you! Just got to do what feels right for me!
Well, I guess that's all for right now. My next chemo is April 9.
Hope everyone has a very BLESSED Holy Week, and remembers the sacrifice made on our behalf so long ago. God has been so good to me through this journey showing me that all that really matters is the love in our lives and our relationships.
Thank you all for your outpouring and reminding me how rich I am with family, friends, and love!

Well, the part I have been dreading the most has arrived right on schedule. I was told I would start to lose my hair two weeks after my first chemo treatment. Today is two weeks exactly and sure enough, it's starting to fall. Yesterday I noticed just a few strands in the shower. I generally never lose much hair at all. So I really took notice even though it might not have seemed like much. Then today, there was no doubt whatsoever.
I have kind of been obsessing about this and find myself constantly running my fingers through my hair- you know- just to check! Like I wouldn't know!
It is such a weird thing to have your hair fall out. I've always been one to "do" my hair every day. I guess I'll get a break from that for a while...
So I called the salon where I got my wig. They are seeing me tomorrow to shave my head and trim my wig for me. I do not want to wait for my hair to come out in big clumps- that would just be way too freaky for me. So I am choosing to be proactive and shave it all now.
It is amazing how quickly these changes take place. I'm so glad I am able to get in tomorrow to get a jump on it.
Scott will be with me tomorrow, so I won't have to do this by myself.
Now if I could just get rid of the head ache that seems to go along with this.
Oh- and the acne! Geez- I haven't broken out like this for years and years! All these lovely side effects that tell me the icky meds are doing their thing. That's a good thing, right?!?
And then, in one week, I have my second treatment... And so it goes...

Well, I did it! And it wasn't so bad! I was actually very pleased with the experience. I honestly didn't know how I would react. I was a little worried I might just fall apart at the sight of my head being shaved.
Actually, it was really quite liberating having it gone. Seeing how quickly I was starting to lose it (the hair on my head, not my mind!), I just felt so good knowing I don't have to worry about it anymore!
It was funny- the girls in the salon kept telling me what a beautiful head I have! Looking at the pictures, it isn't bad! Just makes my face look a little fatter, but it's a healthy look, right?!? Haha!
I want to say thanks again to those who have walked this path before me and gave me encouragement to do this. It really is so much better than having to have it fall out in clumps.
Now I'm anxious to see if my doggies bark at me when we get home, without the wig on! Hopefully no one else will be too bothered by seeing the pictures here... But if you are- well too bad! It's me, and I'm ok with it! Really!
So here's the before, during, after and wig pictures...

These first days following my first session of chemo have been a bit of a roller coaster ride. The first and second day I really felt pretty darn good. Then on Thursday, I woke up feeling crappy. I thought maybe it was just the fact that my constitution was still not working well from the prior week's general anesthesia. I swear, it completely shuts me down. Nothing more miserable... Anyway, the whole day I felt slightly nauseous with achy, flu like symptoms. Also just very tired. Not much appetite, but managed to keep hydrated and clear liquids on board.
By Friday, I was feeling better, just can't shake the fatigue. I did force myself on the treadmill and walked a mile.
Saturday-same.
Yesterday, Sunday, was a pretty good day, too. Went to Mass and actually ate a
Sub sandwich and it tasted really good!
Unfortunately, by the evening, I had some really bad low back pain. I am guessing it was from the Neulasta shot which helps boost white blood cell count. They said I might get pain, but I thought it would be within a day or two, not five days later! I tried a heating pad, walking on the treadmill, and aspercreme with no relief at all. Finally took a muscle relaxer, Xanax and a lidocaine patch. It was pretty bad pain. Happy to say, it was all but gone by this morning. I actually felt pretty good today, even well enough to vacuum. I know I'll be sorry for taking that chore back from Scott!
So, overall, I'm just takin one day at a time, and dealing with whatever crosses my path. The oncologist said this week might actually be worse than last week, but I'm hoping for the best!
I'm supposed to start physical therapy on Friday, so hopefully I will be fine for that. The PT is mainly to strengthen the upper extremities that were weakened from surgery. Hopefully it will only be one or two sessions... I really don't need to add another trip to Reno!
As always, thank you all for your continued love, support and prayers. You have no idea how much it means to me- really!