Update

Things have been going pretty well around here. I have completed 3 of 8 treatments. The third one was a little tough on Friday and the weekend but seems better on Monday and Tuesday. Here's the difference: One of the medications I take to control nausea is Decadron (Dexamethazone). This is a steroid that improves the efficacy of the other anti-nausea medications. On the day of my treatment I get a dose of it infused and then I have a prescription to take it for three days afterwards. The problem was that I was having bad withdrawals from it the following two-four days (Monday-Wed). I guess I am just pretty sensitive to it. (Yep- I am a cheap date!)

Anyway, after discussing it with the doctor, she suggested skipping the post chemo steroid and seeing how the nausea was. The night of my chemo treatment, the nausea was really bad, but I wouldn't have taken the steroid till the next day anyway, so I decided to go ahead and skip it. Friday and Saturday were pretty rough, but by Sunday, I started to feel better and only felt nauseous periodically. By today (Tuesday) I feel pretty normal-ish which is two days ahead of schedule, so I think this is a win!

I have one more of the Adriamycin/Cytoxan treatments and then 4 treatments with just Taxol. (Last treatment scheduled for 1/24).

Right after my last treatment I'll have an MRI to check on everything... Of course it will be fine : )

Round Two

I am sitting in the infusion room for my second chemo treatment. I was supposed to start at 1 but it was really crowded so I didn't get in till two. Getting my anti-nausea drugs now (along with steriod to make them work better). The ones I get through infusion are called Emend and Aloxi. These are the drugs that have made a huge difference for people going through chemo. They are really expensive, but thankfully, my insurance covers them.

Today was one of those days for being grateful. At work today so many Redwood Middle School friends did so much. First, I received dinners for several nights along with tons of other food to keep the kids happy and fed for a long time. (I am praying I have some appetite to enjoy it, but we'll see.)

Then I got a sweet, sweet card from everyone with gift certificates for books and another from a a cool place that sells all kinds of stuff for people going through cancer and other medical treatments (wigs, skincare, etc).

My hair is totally falling out, which is not a surprising event, right on schedule on day 14. I am going to get it buzzed this afternoon. Thanks to K for suggesting to get it done somewhere rather than do it myself so the hair is not all over the house. Supercuts, here I come.

This time around I am taking three days off to recuperate from the chemo, so I'll work Friday (work day--no kids) and then take off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.