Enjoying the Time Off

I have decided that maybe mentally, telling someone going through chemo that they are getting a month off instead of just getting an extra week in between treatments, isn't such a bad deal after all. I honestly can say for the most part I feel better now than I usually do 2 weeks after treatment. This past weekend I did 5 loads of laundry, dusted the front part of the house, cleaned the kitchen, went to church and M's ball practice. (Don't tell my hubby because I am still getting someone to come in and clean for me.) It's not so much what I got done as the fact I felt like doing it and didn't pay for it a day or so later. Feeling like this just makes me dread starting back treatment, even though I know the side effects aren't as bad-but it is so nice to feel good again. On a positive thought I am half way done and there is definite light at the end of the tunnel.

The Break

I am in what they call the "month off" time. Now as far as I can tell, there are only 2 differences between this treatment and the next. One is the drug-the worst is behind me (or so I'm told) and two is that I get an extra week between treatments. So this whole you get a month off stuff, is just trying to make you think your getting a vacation. Truth be told I have more doctors appointments and blood checks during my "month off" than if things were running on the previous schedule. I did have my blood counts checked yesterday-that was an ordeal. I got to the lab at 9am, sat there until 10:10am, had to leave because I had a doctors appointment across the street at 10:15am. Sat there until 11:30am when I saw the doctor and then went back to the lab to get my blood drawn, waited for the results and finally left at 12:30pm or so. This normally would have been no big deal to me, except the smell of doctors offices now makes me sick. So you can only imagine after sitting in one for 3 1/2 hours just how nauseous I was. Needless to say I went home and laid down all afternoon. My counts were within normal limits for where I am in treatment-always a good sign. I meet with the radiation doc on the 10th and we will get that started, I meet with my regular oncologist on the 8th to talk about the next chemo drug and that should start the 15th. As of the 15th, there will be 12 weeks left of this miserable journey!! (If it all stays on schedule) I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. Pray that I don't lose my sanity between now and then, pray that everything stays on schedule and pray for little (preferably no) side effects from the next round of treatment.

4th and final

Well I can say thus far that I am surviving this last "nasty" treatment. I have slept alot today, but have not had a headache and very little nausea. Just short waves that go away quickly-I refer to them as just reminders that I have had treatment and keeps me from trying to do to much too quick. The new medicine seems to work -PRAISE GOD!!!!! I am not sure I would have survived feeling like I had the last couple of treatments.
So the newest plan is to have the usual shot on Thursday gotta love the Nuelasta (blood count builder). Then the weekly blood counts-I swear if they keep this up through Dec I may not have any blood left to give. I have an appointment on Sept 1 with the radiation doctor to get that 5-6 week process started. My doctor says that the next round of treatments as well as radiation should probably start around Sept. 15. I then have an appointment with my gynecologist on the 8th to discuss having the much needed and wanted for that matter hysterectomy the last couple of weeks of December. My view on all of this is to keep the ball rolling-the more I can get done and the less I have to drag this out the better. Then all I will have to deal with next year is reconstruction and a new hair do.
So overall with this treatment so far so good. Just keep the prayers coming and the fingers crossed!! Love you all very much!

Try Again

Its the weekly Tuesday update. I had blood work today and all came back fine. The doctor and nurse got together to discuss a med change for my next treatment that will hopefully not give me a headache and take care of the nausea. We are going to try a medicine that is suppose to be the "wonder drug" for this, it would normally cost around $500 for 3 pills, but thank goodness my insurance is being so good about things that my co-pay is $25 and insurance will pick up the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't ask for better news. It is such an attitude booster to hear that there is a medicine that should take care of my side effects and I won't have to auction off my first born to pay for it (haha). I feel like I have finally caught a break, I don't know if the new med will work but I have hope and that is more than half the battle. I don't dread this upcoming treatment like I dreaded the last. I think the fact that this upcoming treatment is the last of this kind and a new med may help the side effects, makes my mood and attitude so much better!!

Same Story Different Day

I feel like I post the same thing just on different days. I had blood work Tuesday morning and it all came back good. I was able to talk to one of the nurses about the nausea vs headache. I can't decide which is worse. I have had a headache for a couple of days now but nothing that isn't manageable. The nausea on the other hand is just wrong!! I think alot of it is visual, meaning it feels alot like motion sickness (which I have never had). But it is constant. I can't look at my computer, watch certain things on tv, even riding in the car makes me feel like crap!!! The nurse is going to talk to the doctor and maybe try another drug for my next treatment (the last of this kind). I honestly feel like I am 35 going on 105. It makes me dread treatment so much more than normal-not knowing how I will react and what side effect will rear its ugly head. I am trying to keep up the attitude of just one more of these and then on to something else, but it is starting to wear me out!!! I am however totally amazed at how much support I have received over the last several months. I have seen how people genuinely care and want me to know that they care and how uplifting that has been.