Chemo #6

1 week post chemo and I am smooth sailing. This one was a breeze! I was changed from Taxol to Taxotere with the hope of less bone pain. Taxotere is avoided because it tends to hit your blood count a lot harder, but considering the bone and joint pain I experienced during my last round, I opted to give it a try. There was a little trouble accessing my mediport this time because the tissue has formed some fibroid matter (explained by the nurses to be sort of like the sticky part of a sore before it becomes a scab. . . ew, gross, I know) that prevents proper needle penetration. After worthless numbing cream, 3 painful needle pokes/adjustments, and some anti-coagulating fluid, I was good to go. My blood count was good, there were less patients than usual in the infusion room, and I was done in about 5 hours. Mike was there with me again too, which always seems to make the time go by easier. I truly had virtually no side effects this time. No nausea, no headaches, no vertigo, and no bone/joint pain! I couldn't believe it. I was/am still tired and lack the energy I think I should have, but this is something I am getting used to as a norm and I think I'm dealing with it alright. I did have enough energy after this round to help pull up old carpet and do some painting in Mike's new house, so I don't think I'm doing too bad. I have just two more chemo treatments and I'm guessing (hoping) they are going to be as good as this one. Finally, some relief in the midst of all of this!

The day before this treatment I met with my radiologist, Dr. Chung, for our first consultation. It was a meet and greet appointment to basically provide me with a better understanding of what I can expect from radiation therapy. First of all, Dr. Chung was Awsome! He was kind and sensitive. He was present with me in the very moment we were in and had no script for our appointment (which is contrary to what I've experienced with my oncologist). He was thoughtful, thorough, and human. Although I'd obviously prefer not to spend another 7 weeks with a doctor, if I must, I'm thrilled that its him. He is fantastic.

Some of the things I learned during this meeting. . . I will have 28 treatments to my underarm and upper chest area as well as 5 final treatments to my breast scar (where cancer often forms if there is a recurrance). Before treatment begins, I will have two treatment planning appointments in which I will be tattooed, have a body mold made, and be fitted precisely for the radiation machine. I had thought that the marks on my body would be semi-permanent, but I now know that I will have 5 small tattoos. These will only be little spots resembling something like a mole, so its not too bad I guess. I am not psyched about having permanent marks on my body, but I suppose, even if it weren't visible, there will always be "permanent marks" with me in some way from this entire experience. I think they will sort of be like battle scars in that they will be both a difficult memory, as well as a proud display of something I got through and beat. The body mold is made so that I will be in the exact same position everyday for the radiation. I will go 5 days a week for 6 1/2 weeks and each treatment appt. will be about 20 min. I'll have weekends off and the side effects are much more bearable than that of chemotherapy. Dr. Chung says that I can expect a fair amount of tiredness and fatigue (been there, done that. . . and it just doesn't scare me too much anymore), skin burns (sort of like a sunburn and only for some patients. . . maybe not me?), and continued risk of lymphydema. Okay, the last one sort of sucks. I have already developed a small amount of lymphydema under my arm and I am afraid of more. There is very little that I can do to stop it from happening and once it does happen there is nothing I can do to reverse it. Apparently, radiation can increase the risk of this happening too. Arrrgh!! Insult to injury! (Lymphydema is excess fluid or swelling that can occur as a result of the removal of the lymph nodes, just in case you didn't know)

I will start radiation on Jan. 8th and be done by the last week in Feb. if all goes as scheduled. Big sigh. It gives me chills just thinking about the day I will be done with this. . .

So, before I go, I'm just wondering if anyone has found a new passion for pink this month? Or maybe a reason to run? A huge thanks to my sweet friend Kacey who is running in a 5K breast cancer event this month in support of me and so many other women. . . You rock!

Hope you are well!

With Love, me