Monday, May 4, 2009
8:00pm: Today, I had my third chemo treatment. It started out like any other normal day and I was truly having a hard time staying positive about treatment number three. I really wasn't looking forward to it at all. However, I got some AMAZING news today that made getting a chemo treatment almost exciting and I absolutely had to share with you all.
I got my genetic testing results today and it turns out that I DO NOT have the genetic mutation!!!!!!!! All my genetic tests were negative, suggesting that I am not genetically predisposed to cancer!!!!! This is the best possible news that I could receive at this point. This may mean that a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatment is what I'm looking at and that is the best possible surgical option that I could hope for!!!!
It seems that this was just a fluke thing--there is no rhyme or reason to it. There is no explanation for it. It just is. My dad put it best when he said, "If it weren't for that pesky cancer, you'd have nothing but good luck!!!"
Anyway, I'm pretty exhausted at the moment so this is about the extent of the post, but I had to share this phenomenal news. I truly couldn't be more thrilled. Keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming! They're working!
Thank you all!!!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Truth About Side Effects
Sunday, May 3, 2009
I will begin by apologizing to the readers who have been clammering for more--it's been days since my last post. I will warn you in advance, however, that this will likely be a far cry from my a last post, which I lovingly consider to be a brief tribute to our own version of the movie Outbreak, except without any real medical problem to fear. Today, it's back to cancer...primarily.
This week is an "off week" in my treatment schedule and though my term seems counter-intuitive, that means it's a "good week." Chemo weeks are "on weeks" and since I have 8 treatments over 16 weeks, that means that I have one "on week," one "off week," one "on week," one "off week," and so on. Now that I am fully through two full cycles and prepping to go in for chemo again tomorrow, I feel I'm becoming well-versed in all the many side-effects that my pile of prescription pharmaceuticals can and do cause.
That said, chemo is a little different for everyone in a lot of ways, both emotionally and physically, but it appears to be pretty standard for everyone in a lot of ways as well. So, today, I am going to give you the truth about side effects as long as you keep in mind what I just said..."chemo is a little different for everyone..."
As I said, this week is an "off week" and just as was true in my last "off week," I'm battling random infections and general aches and pains (recall the elbow incident). This time around, it is not my elbow, but my left thumb, my lower back, and a silly infection that I'm going to refer to as a "pre-kidney" infection because there are limits to what I will publicly discuss (take from that what you will). All these problems combined become worrisome after a few days and it inspired me to go in for an appointment with my doctor's nurse practioner, whom I LOVE, by the way.
Just as I thought, all of these are NORMAL and EXPECTED side effects!!! My thumb appears to be arthritis, which now makes them believe that my elbow might have been as well, thus suggesting that I may have rheumatoid arthritis (as brought on by the chemo)...we're keeping an eye on that in coming weeks. My lower back, which hurts so badly ALL THE TIME that it can only be managed by mixing meds--half a Vicodin with two ibuprofen, lather, rinse, repeat--is a totally normal side effect of my Nuelasta, a drug that is supposed to rebuild bone marrow and wide blood cells. It's supposed to be good for me and I an only manage the side effects with Vicodin. Nice. That one causes bone pain, particularly in one's hips and lower back, thus, my lower back pain. Additionally, it causes my hips to pop out of place and back in and causes intense shoulder joint pain. Fun AND exciting! As for the random infection...I'm suppposed to expect that to happen EVERY off week. We're managing that with MORE prescription medications and some over-the-counter stuff as well.
All that is apparently pretty mild. In order to prevent this post from being too ridiculously long, here's a list of my side effects from on and off weeks so far:
"On week" -
They truly get better and better and minimizing the side effects for the patient and chemo isn't always as bad as what you see in the movies--they play it up to enhance the drama as they do with everything. Yes, I'm a little more delicate (and I don't think ANYONE would have referred to me as delicate before), but I am by no means frail! So for all of you who have a family member going through this now or in the future, or God forbid for all of you who are going through this, or will go through this yourself--take it a day at a time. It IS manageable! Find doctors you trust and a treatment plan you can get behind and you will come out on top!
Take care all...I'm out after a lengthy post. The in-laws are in town and we have a fun day ahead of waffles, plaza shopping, and spending time together! A perfect Sunday!
Love to you all.
I will begin by apologizing to the readers who have been clammering for more--it's been days since my last post. I will warn you in advance, however, that this will likely be a far cry from my a last post, which I lovingly consider to be a brief tribute to our own version of the movie Outbreak, except without any real medical problem to fear. Today, it's back to cancer...primarily.
This week is an "off week" in my treatment schedule and though my term seems counter-intuitive, that means it's a "good week." Chemo weeks are "on weeks" and since I have 8 treatments over 16 weeks, that means that I have one "on week," one "off week," one "on week," one "off week," and so on. Now that I am fully through two full cycles and prepping to go in for chemo again tomorrow, I feel I'm becoming well-versed in all the many side-effects that my pile of prescription pharmaceuticals can and do cause.
That said, chemo is a little different for everyone in a lot of ways, both emotionally and physically, but it appears to be pretty standard for everyone in a lot of ways as well. So, today, I am going to give you the truth about side effects as long as you keep in mind what I just said..."chemo is a little different for everyone..."
As I said, this week is an "off week" and just as was true in my last "off week," I'm battling random infections and general aches and pains (recall the elbow incident). This time around, it is not my elbow, but my left thumb, my lower back, and a silly infection that I'm going to refer to as a "pre-kidney" infection because there are limits to what I will publicly discuss (take from that what you will). All these problems combined become worrisome after a few days and it inspired me to go in for an appointment with my doctor's nurse practioner, whom I LOVE, by the way.
Just as I thought, all of these are NORMAL and EXPECTED side effects!!! My thumb appears to be arthritis, which now makes them believe that my elbow might have been as well, thus suggesting that I may have rheumatoid arthritis (as brought on by the chemo)...we're keeping an eye on that in coming weeks. My lower back, which hurts so badly ALL THE TIME that it can only be managed by mixing meds--half a Vicodin with two ibuprofen, lather, rinse, repeat--is a totally normal side effect of my Nuelasta, a drug that is supposed to rebuild bone marrow and wide blood cells. It's supposed to be good for me and I an only manage the side effects with Vicodin. Nice. That one causes bone pain, particularly in one's hips and lower back, thus, my lower back pain. Additionally, it causes my hips to pop out of place and back in and causes intense shoulder joint pain. Fun AND exciting! As for the random infection...I'm suppposed to expect that to happen EVERY off week. We're managing that with MORE prescription medications and some over-the-counter stuff as well.
All that is apparently pretty mild. In order to prevent this post from being too ridiculously long, here's a list of my side effects from on and off weeks so far:
"On week" -
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- A 4 day headache that can only be managed with Vicodin
- Extreme exhaustion which causes me to sleep about 10-12 hours each night and take naps during the day
- Lack of appetite
- Strange taste in my mouth at all times
- Constipation (sorry...getting a bit graphic)
- "Chemo brain," a real thing, not a term I made up, which basically refers to my inability to remember details and the fact that it takes me much longer to process what is going on around me--general confusion and forgetfulness, basically
- Bone and joint pain brought on my the Neulasta
- Muscle fatigue
- Extreme sensativity to the sun
- Hot flashes
- A general screwing up of all things hormonal - changes in body temp, breakouts, etc.
- Susceptibility to illness due to WBC being low
- And of course, hair loss
- Exhaustion
- "Chemo brain"
- Bone and joint pain
- Sun sensativity
- Hot flashes
- Hormonal changes
- Susceptibility to infection
- Susceptibility to illness
They truly get better and better and minimizing the side effects for the patient and chemo isn't always as bad as what you see in the movies--they play it up to enhance the drama as they do with everything. Yes, I'm a little more delicate (and I don't think ANYONE would have referred to me as delicate before), but I am by no means frail! So for all of you who have a family member going through this now or in the future, or God forbid for all of you who are going through this, or will go through this yourself--take it a day at a time. It IS manageable! Find doctors you trust and a treatment plan you can get behind and you will come out on top!
Take care all...I'm out after a lengthy post. The in-laws are in town and we have a fun day ahead of waffles, plaza shopping, and spending time together! A perfect Sunday!
Love to you all.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Apigalypse Now
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't take a whack at the Swine Flu discussion? Therefore, I am going to discuss the pigdemic from a chemo patient perspective. This is a cancer blog after all.
Let me begin by saying that I do not want to offend anyone, and no one should think for a moment that I'm not taking this seriously. I am. I am taking my own health very seriously. That said...
A few people have asked me if I'm particularly worried about swine flu being that I'm a chemo patient. The answer to this question: No. I am no more worried than any of you are or should be. This is true for a few reasons. The first of which is that my immune system is doing pretty well at the moment. All my counts are, according to the nurse, "...normal for anyone and excellent for a chemo patient." I don't have any food restrictions currently, they don't have me staying home from work due to susceptibility, and they're not limiting me on anything. At the moment, I'm about as likely to catch the pigdemic as any of you are!
My mother, in particular, was worried because she read that there were two cases in Kansas. To all of you who had the same thought, let me put your mind at ease on a couple of points:
1) Those two cases could really be classified as one case. It was a husband and wife who had recently returned from Mexico. The incubation period for the pigdemic is 2-7 days so they won't be sure that it was confined to the couple for a few more days, but it's looking like they caught it early, isolated the couple, and prevented the spread.
2) Kansas really is a big place...it's a whole state afterall. The couple was not in the Kansas City area, they live off more toward central to western Kansas. I live in the upper northeast corner of the state...I'm a couple of miles from Missouri.
My point here? It's going to be fine. No, this is not to be taken lightly. Yes, I am more susceptible to illness than your everyday person, but I have great doctors that are only a phone call away. I'm supposed to monitor my body temperature anyway since that's one of the first indicators that something (anything) is wrong. I have been doing this.
In general, there has been a great deal of misinformation handed out about this pigdemic. To begin with...we're not allowed to mention pigs or swines in reference to this anymore. According to the CDC, we're now supposed to call it H1N1. Apparently pig farmers were getting angry about all the bad press. And let me take this opportunity to inform all who were curious...NO YOU CANNOT CATCH H1N1 FROM EATING PIG PRODUCTS. It's an influenza virus. You catch it like you catch any flu. The best advice I've heard...stay away from sick people, wash your hands a lot, and don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if at all possible until you have washed your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Now, you are all educated and smart individuals, so this all probably goes without saying, but just in case, let me also talk a bit about the virus itself. The reasons why everyone is scared and throwing around words like "pandemic" are two-fold. 1) All flu virus are prone to mutation, but this is the only one that seems to be able to be passed between pigs, birds, and humans. Previously, human to human transference was scarce, but it seems this mutated strain is easily passed human to human. That scares people. 2) There is no vaccine! But guys...good news. They believe a vaccine will be ready as early as June of this year. So...in just one short month, you can all go out and get your pigdemic vaccine.
Yeah...vaccine...about that....
I remember learning in college about the last swine flu scare of 1976 (though I incorrectly remembered it as a Jimmy Carter thing....it was President Ford). The President sent everyone out to get vaccinated against swine flu and the vaccine wasn't ready. It was rushed. If there were any deaths at all from the flu, they were few and far between...all the related deaths actually came from the vaccine in the 70s. Don't believe me? Google it.
That said, I don't think we'd make that particular same mistake twice, but I myself think I may wait past the first wave of vaccines. ; )
In summation, yes, this COULD be a scary thing that is not to be overlooked or taken lightly, but the fear mongering media also appears to be hungry for something to fill their 24-hour news cycle. Apparently pork satisfied that hunger. In a turn of irony, they also spent the weeks prior to the pigdemic discussion talking about "pork" in government spending. I'm noticing a theme. When did the piggies get such a bad rap?
Personally, I have some ham in the fridge and I haven't eaten dinner. I also have some bacon-wrapped scallops in the freezer. Theme of my own...
Thanks for humoring my brief rant and goodnight to you all! Sleep well and cover your mouth when you cough! Stay healthy out there!
What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't take a whack at the Swine Flu discussion? Therefore, I am going to discuss the pigdemic from a chemo patient perspective. This is a cancer blog after all.
Let me begin by saying that I do not want to offend anyone, and no one should think for a moment that I'm not taking this seriously. I am. I am taking my own health very seriously. That said...A few people have asked me if I'm particularly worried about swine flu being that I'm a chemo patient. The answer to this question: No. I am no more worried than any of you are or should be. This is true for a few reasons. The first of which is that my immune system is doing pretty well at the moment. All my counts are, according to the nurse, "...normal for anyone and excellent for a chemo patient." I don't have any food restrictions currently, they don't have me staying home from work due to susceptibility, and they're not limiting me on anything. At the moment, I'm about as likely to catch the pigdemic as any of you are!
My mother, in particular, was worried because she read that there were two cases in Kansas. To all of you who had the same thought, let me put your mind at ease on a couple of points:
1) Those two cases could really be classified as one case. It was a husband and wife who had recently returned from Mexico. The incubation period for the pigdemic is 2-7 days so they won't be sure that it was confined to the couple for a few more days, but it's looking like they caught it early, isolated the couple, and prevented the spread.
2) Kansas really is a big place...it's a whole state afterall. The couple was not in the Kansas City area, they live off more toward central to western Kansas. I live in the upper northeast corner of the state...I'm a couple of miles from Missouri.
My point here? It's going to be fine. No, this is not to be taken lightly. Yes, I am more susceptible to illness than your everyday person, but I have great doctors that are only a phone call away. I'm supposed to monitor my body temperature anyway since that's one of the first indicators that something (anything) is wrong. I have been doing this.
In general, there has been a great deal of misinformation handed out about this pigdemic. To begin with...we're not allowed to mention pigs or swines in reference to this anymore. According to the CDC, we're now supposed to call it H1N1. Apparently pig farmers were getting angry about all the bad press. And let me take this opportunity to inform all who were curious...NO YOU CANNOT CATCH H1N1 FROM EATING PIG PRODUCTS. It's an influenza virus. You catch it like you catch any flu. The best advice I've heard...stay away from sick people, wash your hands a lot, and don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if at all possible until you have washed your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Now, you are all educated and smart individuals, so this all probably goes without saying, but just in case, let me also talk a bit about the virus itself. The reasons why everyone is scared and throwing around words like "pandemic" are two-fold. 1) All flu virus are prone to mutation, but this is the only one that seems to be able to be passed between pigs, birds, and humans. Previously, human to human transference was scarce, but it seems this mutated strain is easily passed human to human. That scares people. 2) There is no vaccine! But guys...good news. They believe a vaccine will be ready as early as June of this year. So...in just one short month, you can all go out and get your pigdemic vaccine.
Yeah...vaccine...about that....
I remember learning in college about the last swine flu scare of 1976 (though I incorrectly remembered it as a Jimmy Carter thing....it was President Ford). The President sent everyone out to get vaccinated against swine flu and the vaccine wasn't ready. It was rushed. If there were any deaths at all from the flu, they were few and far between...all the related deaths actually came from the vaccine in the 70s. Don't believe me? Google it.
That said, I don't think we'd make that particular same mistake twice, but I myself think I may wait past the first wave of vaccines. ; )
In summation, yes, this COULD be a scary thing that is not to be overlooked or taken lightly, but the fear mongering media also appears to be hungry for something to fill their 24-hour news cycle. Apparently pork satisfied that hunger. In a turn of irony, they also spent the weeks prior to the pigdemic discussion talking about "pork" in government spending. I'm noticing a theme. When did the piggies get such a bad rap?
Personally, I have some ham in the fridge and I haven't eaten dinner. I also have some bacon-wrapped scallops in the freezer. Theme of my own...
Thanks for humoring my brief rant and goodnight to you all! Sleep well and cover your mouth when you cough! Stay healthy out there!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Solidarity AND a Fashion Statement
Saturday April 25, 2009 - Sunday April 26, 2009
This weekend, my parents were in town to celebrate both my birthday and Joe's birthday. Well, in truth, my mom had been here since last Tuesday night to help take care of me, our cats, our apartment...and basically anything else that came up while I was drifting around in my chemo drug stuper. On Saturday morning, my mom and I drove out to the airport and my dad joined us for about a 24-hour birthday celebration.
What do you think was the VERY first thing my dad said when he got in the car? He loudly states, "Take me to a barbar shop, I want to shave my head in solidarity." This was a theme all day being that my mom and I did NOT stop at a barbar shop on the way home....more to come on solidarity in a moment.
So, the weekend was great...the gifts were fabulous too (I finally got good sunglasses!
). Joe and I both had a sort of themed birthday in that we received a lot of cash and a lot of gift cards placed in cards that said, "Use this on anything you WANT, but NOT medical bills." I can't tell you how much we appreciate it either. All our free cash and MOST of the money that we set aside for savings each month will be going to medical bills for the next several months, so it's nice to have spending money for something fun and slightly more tangible (tangible as my chemo drug stuper may be).
Joe, my parents and I spent the day mostly laying around (my fault...I was tired), but we got out briefly to go by a nearby nursery and buy some flowers and planter boxes. I now have beautiful flower boxes on my balcony and make me smile each time I see them. I needed a break after that, but managed to pull myself together again later in the day to go out to J. Gilbert's for a tasty steak dinner. I LOVE that place.
After dinner, we came back to the apartment to watch a movie we had rented. Do NOT see The Spirit under any circumstances. It was so bad we turned off about 30 minutes in. We did not watch the movie, but instead decided it was time for Joe to shave my dad's head for solidarity's sake. Dad reports that he has received multiple compliments on the new look and is considering keeping it that way all the time. Not only is he standing solidly by his daughter, but he's now one stylin' individual. Pictures below.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
All in all, great birthday weekend and a great opportunity to recover from last week's chemo. I'm now rested and ready for my good week, which is already on in full force! It really does take me a week to feel better, but it's refreshing to know that I just have to make it Monday through Sunday, then the feeling good begins!
Last night, I met friends for happy hour after work and tonight...I'm headed out to a Royal's game. It should be a cool 65 degrees at first pitch...perfect!
Everyone have a great week! I know I will be busy catching up at work and busy catching up on my social life in the evenings! Give me a call if you're up for plans! :)
This weekend, my parents were in town to celebrate both my birthday and Joe's birthday. Well, in truth, my mom had been here since last Tuesday night to help take care of me, our cats, our apartment...and basically anything else that came up while I was drifting around in my chemo drug stuper. On Saturday morning, my mom and I drove out to the airport and my dad joined us for about a 24-hour birthday celebration.
What do you think was the VERY first thing my dad said when he got in the car? He loudly states, "Take me to a barbar shop, I want to shave my head in solidarity." This was a theme all day being that my mom and I did NOT stop at a barbar shop on the way home....more to come on solidarity in a moment.
So, the weekend was great...the gifts were fabulous too (I finally got good sunglasses!
). Joe and I both had a sort of themed birthday in that we received a lot of cash and a lot of gift cards placed in cards that said, "Use this on anything you WANT, but NOT medical bills." I can't tell you how much we appreciate it either. All our free cash and MOST of the money that we set aside for savings each month will be going to medical bills for the next several months, so it's nice to have spending money for something fun and slightly more tangible (tangible as my chemo drug stuper may be).Joe, my parents and I spent the day mostly laying around (my fault...I was tired), but we got out briefly to go by a nearby nursery and buy some flowers and planter boxes. I now have beautiful flower boxes on my balcony and make me smile each time I see them. I needed a break after that, but managed to pull myself together again later in the day to go out to J. Gilbert's for a tasty steak dinner. I LOVE that place.
After dinner, we came back to the apartment to watch a movie we had rented. Do NOT see The Spirit under any circumstances. It was so bad we turned off about 30 minutes in. We did not watch the movie, but instead decided it was time for Joe to shave my dad's head for solidarity's sake. Dad reports that he has received multiple compliments on the new look and is considering keeping it that way all the time. Not only is he standing solidly by his daughter, but he's now one stylin' individual. Pictures below.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
All in all, great birthday weekend and a great opportunity to recover from last week's chemo. I'm now rested and ready for my good week, which is already on in full force! It really does take me a week to feel better, but it's refreshing to know that I just have to make it Monday through Sunday, then the feeling good begins!
Last night, I met friends for happy hour after work and tonight...I'm headed out to a Royal's game. It should be a cool 65 degrees at first pitch...perfect!
Everyone have a great week! I know I will be busy catching up at work and busy catching up on my social life in the evenings! Give me a call if you're up for plans! :)
Friday, April 24, 2009
Happy 25th Birthday to Me!!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
6:00am: Woke up early, as is traditional for me on my birthday! Receive 25 kisses from husband plus one for luck for the upcoming year, plus one more big smooch for additional luck!
I feel much better today. Yesterday was the head shaving, which was somewhat emotionally draining (yet also freeing), but on top of that, I was just exhausted. I crashed by 6:30pm last night and am now up greeting a beautiful morning and sunrise while sitting out on my patio. It's a gorgeous day and promises to stay as such well into the evening!
Tonight's Birthday Plans: Headed out to dinner with some friends, then out for drinks on the Plaza in KC. If I'm being realistic, THEY will be having drinks and I will be consuming only water, but that's okay. This is a birthday celebration for me AND for Joe since his birthday this week was spent caring for me at chemo! I'm just excited to get out of the house and focus on an event other than having cancer! :)
Today's Mood: Optimistic and Cheerful
Today's Song of Choice: "Roxanne" by the Police (Don't ask me why, but have a listen to it once for me today!)
Today's Hair of Choice: Blonde Wig (They say blondes have more fun, you know!)
Anyway, to all of you...have a wonderful day! To all who share this day of birth with me, a very happy birthday to you and a very happy 25th birthday to me!!!
6:00am: Woke up early, as is traditional for me on my birthday! Receive 25 kisses from husband plus one for luck for the upcoming year, plus one more big smooch for additional luck!
I feel much better today. Yesterday was the head shaving, which was somewhat emotionally draining (yet also freeing), but on top of that, I was just exhausted. I crashed by 6:30pm last night and am now up greeting a beautiful morning and sunrise while sitting out on my patio. It's a gorgeous day and promises to stay as such well into the evening!
Tonight's Birthday Plans: Headed out to dinner with some friends, then out for drinks on the Plaza in KC. If I'm being realistic, THEY will be having drinks and I will be consuming only water, but that's okay. This is a birthday celebration for me AND for Joe since his birthday this week was spent caring for me at chemo! I'm just excited to get out of the house and focus on an event other than having cancer! :)
Today's Mood: Optimistic and Cheerful
Today's Song of Choice: "Roxanne" by the Police (Don't ask me why, but have a listen to it once for me today!)
Today's Hair of Choice: Blonde Wig (They say blondes have more fun, you know!)
Anyway, to all of you...have a wonderful day! To all who share this day of birth with me, a very happy birthday to you and a very happy 25th birthday to me!!!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Bald is Beautiful...And It Just Got a Little Hotter...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Well, as I've said before...everyone told me it would take 14-17 days for my hair to fall out. Today marks Day 17 and this morning, Joe and I shaved my head. Why did I do this, you may ask? Well, when so much hair falls out in the shower that you need to immediately go out and buy drain cleaner just to drain your shower, that's a problem. When brushing through your hair once clogs your brush to the point where it needs to be cleaned, that's also a problem. When your bathroom floor is littered with clumps of hair from drying it...also a problem. So, today's post is simply pictures. For your viewing pleasure...
To the left, this is a picture of me this morning after washing and drying my hair. I have spared you the picture of all the hair that fell out accumulated into a little pile. It's not for the weak stomached individuals, that's for sure. That is NOT what my part normally looks like.
Just below is a picture of Joe getting started on the head shaving process. It was simply time to do it. Enough hair had fallen out this morning and enough appeared to still be falling out that I assumed that by the end of they day, I would have significantly less hair.
Additionally, having your own hair everyone is kinda gross and really itchy. It was time to let it go.
Now, a series of pictures of the head shaving process...I fully believe you can follow along from having more hair to having then less hair. Yes, there's a mohawk involved in there somewhere. Then there's a little bit of that rocker business where the whole head is shaved except for really long stringy bangs in the front, then...the complete baldness. Joe shaved his head in solidarity as well (though he does it frequently anyway,
it's the thought that counts!). So there it is kids, the baldness is on! Who knew I looked like Sinead O'Connor under all that hair!!!!
Last, but not least, I tried my first wig today, so at the very bottom we have my brown wig, which I wore to work and got several compliments on! I like it!
Well, as I've said before...everyone told me it would take 14-17 days for my hair to fall out. Today marks Day 17 and this morning, Joe and I shaved my head. Why did I do this, you may ask? Well, when so much hair falls out in the shower that you need to immediately go out and buy drain cleaner just to drain your shower, that's a problem. When brushing through your hair once clogs your brush to the point where it needs to be cleaned, that's also a problem. When your bathroom floor is littered with clumps of hair from drying it...also a problem. So, today's post is simply pictures. For your viewing pleasure...
To the left, this is a picture of me this morning after washing and drying my hair. I have spared you the picture of all the hair that fell out accumulated into a little pile. It's not for the weak stomached individuals, that's for sure. That is NOT what my part normally looks like.Just below is a picture of Joe getting started on the head shaving process. It was simply time to do it. Enough hair had fallen out this morning and enough appeared to still be falling out that I assumed that by the end of they day, I would have significantly less hair.
Additionally, having your own hair everyone is kinda gross and really itchy. It was time to let it go.Now, a series of pictures of the head shaving process...I fully believe you can follow along from having more hair to having then less hair. Yes, there's a mohawk involved in there somewhere. Then there's a little bit of that rocker business where the whole head is shaved except for really long stringy bangs in the front, then...the complete baldness. Joe shaved his head in solidarity as well (though he does it frequently anyway,
it's the thought that counts!). So there it is kids, the baldness is on! Who knew I looked like Sinead O'Connor under all that hair!!!!Last, but not least, I tried my first wig today, so at the very bottom we have my brown wig, which I wore to work and got several compliments on! I like it!
Monday, April 20, 2009
2 Down, 6 to Go...Could be MUCH Worse
Monday, April 20, 2009
Let me start by giving a big shout out to Joe who turned 27 today!!! Happy Birthday, my love! Joe took one for Team McClendon today and spent his day first at work, then sitting with me for 3 and a half hours at chemo, then he watched me sit/lay mostly motionless and tired on the couch when we got home. This will NOT be the most memorable of birthdays for him. Scratch that...perhaps most memorable birthday of all. Hmm...
Thank you a million times for being my steady, strong rock and have the HAPPIEST birthday. You deserve it!
On to the juicy stuff....CHEMO!!!
12:30pm: Today was my second treatment and they opted to NOT give me enough Ativan to mellow a herd of bison. Yes, they did do this last time. My blood pressure has nearly fallen back to normal, so I guess they think I may not need to be sedated anymore. Have they met me? Keep the Ativan coming.
As a note, I have always had stellar blood pressure--120/80...always flawless. Since this little shindig began, I've had the blood pressure of a 70 year old heart patient off his blood pressure meds (i.e. 155/97...um...yeah.) For those of you who don't speak in Megan-like comparisons, let me be clear...that's bad. As a result of this, they have prescribed me generic Ativan to take as needed for anxiety, nausea, and as a sleep aid (but mostly for anxiety). In addition to my by mouth prescription, each time I've gone in, they've pumped me full of Ativan through my "dongles" (See picture below for clear idea of what my "dongles" look like...Joe didn't zoom in at all far enough for you to be grossed out). Result of this on today's blood pressure? 124/82!!! Much better. Therefore, no Ativan.
Anyway...my point is this: Not being on Ativan makes one significantly more clear headed, thus allowing one to observe her surroundings.
Observation of the Day: This whole treatment thing could be a LOT worse.
As I've mentioned before, the drugs I'm given at chemo are few. They give me two small IV bags full of anti-nausea meds, then they give me two 10oz syringes full of the bright red chemo drug, Adriamycin, then one mid-sized IV bag full of a chemo drug called Cytoxin. In addition, you also get a regular IV bag as well. Keeping count? That's 4 bags, 2 syringes.
As I looked around today, I saw IV stands for each patient. I saw stands with 8, 9, 10 bags on them, not to mention the nurse-administered syringe drugs on top of that. I spoke with a woman today who was there for her first treatment (I empathize with her anxiety). She was being treated for a cancer in her jaw. She had 10 IV bags and a substantial amount of Adriamycin that would take so long to administer that she had it in a carrying bag. It went home with her to continue the process of administering the drug. She had been there 8 hours already. She will be back tomorrow...and every other day this week.
I keep hearing that every cancer is different and there is a different treatment regimen for each, but I don't think it really sunk in until today. With 2 treatments down and only 6 to go (and 2 weeks to recover before the next), this could be so much worse. I truly am very fortunate by all accounts. :)
4:30pm: Went home pretty exhausted. Absolutely didn't want to cook so it was such a relief to have coworker and friend meal service food! My coworkers and friends have signed up to deliver food to Joe and I throughout treatment weeks. I cannot tell you what an amazing gift it was. Homemade Mac & Cheese & Ham tonight. Yum...though now I'm feeling nauseated. Not to be graphic...but I hope it's not bad on the way back up either. :(
As for how I'm feeling...well, my hair started falling out today and after a brief bout of tears (when I say brief, I mean 3-5 minutes), I placed a call to both my mom and Joe (both of whom excel at making me feel better). When I hung up, I swept up the gobs of hair blown out by my blow dryer, cluttering my white tile bathroom floor, I wiped up the white sink where more hair had drifted and rested, and went to work.
At days end, I'm doing okay with it. The hair thing is now more of an annoyance. I made the horrible mistake of wearing black cotton today. I had my own hair stuck to me all day as the little suckers blew in the wind and fell out or as I ran my fingers through my hair and they fell to my shirt. The weirdest part about it is the way my scalp feels. It doesn't hurt, per se, but it's sort of awkwardly tender and sore, and at the same time sort of tingly. It's not really like the way your hand tingles after it falls asleep and starts to come back--it's more subtle than that--but that's the best way I can describe the sensation.
9:30pm: At this moment I'm shocked and amazed I made it this long without falling asleep, but I've fought it as long as I can. I leave you with this picture ---> (as referenced above) of me getting blood drawn. I'm in one of the treatment chairs and you can see my IV stand behind me. They use my pic line (my "dongles") for blood work and infusions both. It's not hospital-esque at all, much less intimidating than that. See for yourself.
Goodnight and love to all of you!
Let me start by giving a big shout out to Joe who turned 27 today!!! Happy Birthday, my love! Joe took one for Team McClendon today and spent his day first at work, then sitting with me for 3 and a half hours at chemo, then he watched me sit/lay mostly motionless and tired on the couch when we got home. This will NOT be the most memorable of birthdays for him. Scratch that...perhaps most memorable birthday of all. Hmm...
Thank you a million times for being my steady, strong rock and have the HAPPIEST birthday. You deserve it!
On to the juicy stuff....CHEMO!!!
12:30pm: Today was my second treatment and they opted to NOT give me enough Ativan to mellow a herd of bison. Yes, they did do this last time. My blood pressure has nearly fallen back to normal, so I guess they think I may not need to be sedated anymore. Have they met me? Keep the Ativan coming.
As a note, I have always had stellar blood pressure--120/80...always flawless. Since this little shindig began, I've had the blood pressure of a 70 year old heart patient off his blood pressure meds (i.e. 155/97...um...yeah.) For those of you who don't speak in Megan-like comparisons, let me be clear...that's bad. As a result of this, they have prescribed me generic Ativan to take as needed for anxiety, nausea, and as a sleep aid (but mostly for anxiety). In addition to my by mouth prescription, each time I've gone in, they've pumped me full of Ativan through my "dongles" (See picture below for clear idea of what my "dongles" look like...Joe didn't zoom in at all far enough for you to be grossed out). Result of this on today's blood pressure? 124/82!!! Much better. Therefore, no Ativan.
Anyway...my point is this: Not being on Ativan makes one significantly more clear headed, thus allowing one to observe her surroundings.
Observation of the Day: This whole treatment thing could be a LOT worse.
As I've mentioned before, the drugs I'm given at chemo are few. They give me two small IV bags full of anti-nausea meds, then they give me two 10oz syringes full of the bright red chemo drug, Adriamycin, then one mid-sized IV bag full of a chemo drug called Cytoxin. In addition, you also get a regular IV bag as well. Keeping count? That's 4 bags, 2 syringes.
As I looked around today, I saw IV stands for each patient. I saw stands with 8, 9, 10 bags on them, not to mention the nurse-administered syringe drugs on top of that. I spoke with a woman today who was there for her first treatment (I empathize with her anxiety). She was being treated for a cancer in her jaw. She had 10 IV bags and a substantial amount of Adriamycin that would take so long to administer that she had it in a carrying bag. It went home with her to continue the process of administering the drug. She had been there 8 hours already. She will be back tomorrow...and every other day this week.
I keep hearing that every cancer is different and there is a different treatment regimen for each, but I don't think it really sunk in until today. With 2 treatments down and only 6 to go (and 2 weeks to recover before the next), this could be so much worse. I truly am very fortunate by all accounts. :)
4:30pm: Went home pretty exhausted. Absolutely didn't want to cook so it was such a relief to have coworker and friend meal service food! My coworkers and friends have signed up to deliver food to Joe and I throughout treatment weeks. I cannot tell you what an amazing gift it was. Homemade Mac & Cheese & Ham tonight. Yum...though now I'm feeling nauseated. Not to be graphic...but I hope it's not bad on the way back up either. :(
As for how I'm feeling...well, my hair started falling out today and after a brief bout of tears (when I say brief, I mean 3-5 minutes), I placed a call to both my mom and Joe (both of whom excel at making me feel better). When I hung up, I swept up the gobs of hair blown out by my blow dryer, cluttering my white tile bathroom floor, I wiped up the white sink where more hair had drifted and rested, and went to work.
At days end, I'm doing okay with it. The hair thing is now more of an annoyance. I made the horrible mistake of wearing black cotton today. I had my own hair stuck to me all day as the little suckers blew in the wind and fell out or as I ran my fingers through my hair and they fell to my shirt. The weirdest part about it is the way my scalp feels. It doesn't hurt, per se, but it's sort of awkwardly tender and sore, and at the same time sort of tingly. It's not really like the way your hand tingles after it falls asleep and starts to come back--it's more subtle than that--but that's the best way I can describe the sensation.
9:30pm: At this moment I'm shocked and amazed I made it this long without falling asleep, but I've fought it as long as I can. I leave you with this picture ---> (as referenced above) of me getting blood drawn. I'm in one of the treatment chairs and you can see my IV stand behind me. They use my pic line (my "dongles") for blood work and infusions both. It's not hospital-esque at all, much less intimidating than that. See for yourself.
Goodnight and love to all of you!
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