One down, three to go!

The first chemo treatment wasn’t exactly what I expected…  We arrived at the Kellogg Cancer Center on Wednesday morning for my 9:30 a.m. appointment, first meeting with the oncologist and then heading to the main therapy room where there were about 5 other patients receiving chemo.  There the nurse began by opening my vein with saline and then started the IV steroid that helps prevent fluid retention and supposedly helps reduce the chance of an allergic reaction from the chemo.  Before starting the first chemo medication they had us move to an available private room.  The nurse who was setting up the chemo medicine said she would stay in the room for the first 15 minutes since some people have reactions to the chemo and that I should keep her informed on how I was feeling.  Not too long after the chemo started I began getting a heart burn feeling deep in my stomach that then became a pressure that gradually rose up to my sternum and then into my lungs, cutting my lung capacity in half.  I turned to the nurse and told her I was having a reaction and she quickly notified the pharmacists to come with their bag of meds in hand.  After receiving Benadryl and some other medication I was fine and the reaction was over quickly.  Due to the reaction we had to wait awhile before starting the chemo drip again but thankfully there were no additional problems.  The Benadryl really knocked me out so I slept until they started the second chemo med.  Initially we should have been there until around 12:30 p.m. but when it was all said and done we left around 2:15 p.m.  Just a little excitement for my first session!  Supposedly this won’t happen again…

Overall it hasn’t been a terrible experience.  Thankfully I haven’t been nauseous, just a “pit” in my stomach from probably a number of things; chemo, medications, food, etc.  The Neulasta shot I received on Thursday that boosts my white blood cell count has caused the expected bone pain so my body aches but it isn’t unbearable.  Throughout today I haven’t felt 100% but I am feeling a lot better this evening; just wiped out more than anything.  To sum up the whole chemo experience so far I would have to say it is like having the flu but without the major stomach issues.  

A week ago I finally went and got my hair cut to chin length and picked out a wig; both new experiences for all of us.  When I arrived home from Chemo on Wednesday the kids were curious to see what I looked like.  They thought that my hair would fall out right away so they both wondered if I was wearing my real hair or a wig.  They are both trying to get their minds around this whole cancer diagnosis and treatment with their limited knowledge but they are doing well. 

Last year at this time when I had my hip replacement surgery both kids were wondering if they would have to get a new hip some day, this time around Elizabeth has been asking if she will lose her hair when she gets big.  Both kids also want to know what day/date my hair will fall out; if I only knew :o).  Elizabeth has told me a few times that she is excited that my hair is going to fall out and that it will be fun.  I guess we will have to figure out a way to make the process fun for at least her :o).  With the grace and strength of our Lord we will face these new challenges with lots of laughter! 

Thank you for your prayers!  God is good and continues to provide strength and peace as we trust Him for each day! 

Love,

Kelly

 

Chemo Line-Up

This past Friday I found out the course and schedule for my chemotherapy treatments.  I will have a total of four Taxotere & Cytoxan chemo treatments, one treatment every three weeks. This schedule is much better than I imagined it would be and will take us almost through the end of July. 

My first chemo treatment will be on Wednesday, May 20 and then each treatment will take place three weeks from that date (June 10, July 1 and July 22).  The day after each treatment I need to go back to the hospital for a Neulasta shot which helps reduce the risk of infection due to the chemotherapy decreasing the number of white blood cells.  In the middle of the three week break between treatments I will need to have a blood test to check my white blood cell count.

We met with the Oncology nurse yesterday afternoon and received our chemo manual along with six different prescriptions to be filled and instructions on how and when to take all of them.  There seems to be a pill to take for many of the potential side effects that I may experience.  Before the weekend ends my plan is to fill the prescriptions, read the manual and get a short hair cut. 

We haven’t talked to the kids about me losing my hair but we need to begin the process in the next couple of days (I’m getting my hair cut on Friday but won’t start losing my hair until day 15 – 22 after chemo starts).  Today Philip saw me looking at the salon website where I will be going to get my hair cut and checking out their wigs.  He asked me if I was going to buy a wig (yes was a sufficient answer) and when I asked if I should get one Elizabeth responded that I should get a pink one.  This will be a new experience for us all! 

Yesterday was the one year anniversary for my hip replacement surgery.  It is hard to believe that a year ago I was in the hospital recovering from that surgery and now I’m preparing for chemo.  I anticipate that although inconvenient, chemotherapy won’t even begin to compare to the pain (literal and figurative) of hip surgery and recovery…and to think I was planning on having my other hip replaced this spring.  We are praising the Lord that He has a perfect plan for us and that He knows what is best at this time! For some reason He wants us to walk down the cancer path this year instead of receiving a new hip; we will continue to walk in His way and trust Him.  Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

We are all doing well.  We are just waiting for the process to start and for the time to pass quickly.  Thank you for your prayers!