Yeah!!!! I have started phase two of my chemotherapy treatments. No more AC for me and now Taxol. What does that mean???? Well, I do not know yet. I have talked with my doctors as well as other patients who are taking or have taken this medication. According to my physicians, this chemo should be physically easier on me. I should not experience as much nausea, stomach upset, fatigue, mouth ulcers. We will see. I have felt better so far post this chemo than the others, but the cloud of disbelief is not too far behind. Most patients I have talked with say extreme fatigue will be my main issue. The doctors say either joint/hip pain or neuralgia(burning/tingling sensation in my hands and feet) are my main concern. If they get severe some dose adjustments will be made. So, now I wait and see how nice or mean Taxol will be to me. I did just eat a fabulous meal of pot roast, creamed potatoes, and broccoli. That is the most food I have consumed in months. That is huge for me.
I have to give a huge thanks to my mother-in-law, Nell, and my girlfriend Jennifer for being my chemo buddies today. More than once people were interested in the party we were having while I sat through my four hour infusion. Thanks to Jen, I had a great lunch from Bogies that the nutritionist was even envious of. And Nell, well she got the fun of dealing with me the full 6&1/2 hours. And for sure, the morning started off not so great. When we got to West Clinic, there were hardly any parking spots to be found. NNNNOOOO!!!!! That always means a full house, and I hate having all these other unfortunate cancer patients and caregivers crowding around. So, we waited 50 minutes to go back for bloodwork. Oh yeah, I popped my nerve pill instantly. Then, of course, the phleb girl could not get my port to function when trying to get my blood. What normally takes 5 minutes took 20 and one extra stick for good measure. Oh the waiting. Then off for my 4 hour sit down infusion in a very crowded chemo room. The drugs given as pre-med plus my multiple nerve pills now have my typing under the influence. I see a bedtime soon.
Here is hoping to a smooth post chemo week. My fingers and toes are crossed. It seems like I can finally breathe and see an end in sight. Now off to continue my frantic need to complete live continuing education courses to renew my pharmacy license. At least the topic tonight is neuropathy and it's treatments. I might need to pay attention since it is expected for me to have this side effect. I can not wait for Tim to get home Friday. I need a hug from him. I hope to greet him happy and feeling good.
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