chemo #2 FAC side effects

It's not as bad as last time.  The different medications are preventing me from actually vomiting, but not from feeling like it.  My stomach is very uneasy, and I feel like at any moment I am going to vomit.  Instead I have sort of like a dry heave.  I feel better for about 10-15 minutes and then back to the nauseated feeling.

Jim is the lucky one who gets to give me my shot today.  I hope we can handle it!

Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement!  I needed them.  I hope that by tomorrow all of this will be behind me.

Love,

Terrie

Chemo #2 FAC

Well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I got home from my treatment around 1:00 and am feeling fine.  I took a long nap.   I just got up, and so far no nausea!  Last time the nausea started about 2 hours after I got home, maybe I am in the clear.

Dr. Popatia changed the nausea meds and so I hope it continues to work.

I did have to make a unexpected stop at the opthamologist a week ago.  I had been noticing that my vision seemed to be worsening.  I hadn't been able to wear my contacts for more than a few hours.  Dr. Dehr said I had extremely dry eyes (another crappy side effect).  He put me on vitamins (omega 3's, fish oil, etc) and Restasis eye drops.  Dr. Dehr said it would take a few weeks before I saw any noticeable improvement.  My vision is at its best in the morning, my eyes are hydrated from having them closed all night.  My vision is at its worst in the evening, most of the time I can't read the computer screen.  Dr. Popatia said that my loss of eye lashes is contributing to my blurry vision, because there isn't anything keeping the dust and stuff out of my eyes.

So, I keep cruising along!  My next treatment is scheduled for March 20th.  That is during spring break.  I'm glad it worked out that way because my nephew is getting married in Dallas that first weekend of spring break, and I would not want to miss that!  Send your congrats to Eric and Laurel!

My relay for life team, Terrie's Top Guns, is working hard to raise money for the American Cancer Society!  I'm so proud to be a part of this.  I feel like my team is making a difference and hopefully getting us closer to a cure!

Thanks to all of you for your support, encouragement, meals, child care!  EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU ARE MY TOP GUNS!  I thank God every day that all of you are in my life!

love,

Terrie

Radiation Oncologist Appt

I had my first appointment with my radiation oncologist, Dr Oh, on Tuesday of this week.  I had to go in early and have my ultrasound redone.  They could not retrieve my films for whatever the reason.

Dr. Oh was very nice and she was very informative.  Everyone is her office was really sweet.  Her nurse gave me a hug on the way out.  She agreed with the plastic surgeon that if I chose mastectomy that I would not need radiation.  Of course they never guarantee anything!

She also said that with the amount of shrinkage I have had, that she feels that the tumor will continue to shrink and that would make me a great candidate for breast conserving surgery.  If so, then I would have radiation treatments for 5-6 weeks, Monday-Friday, for about 30-45 minutes.  She said I could use the satellite office at Oak Bend, but she HIGHLY recommends going to MD Anderson.  She said they have specialized equipment for breasts and that's all her office does. 

More things to think about!

I'm having a good week, last couple of days just a little more tired.

I wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!  As I was typing this, I received some flowers from my special valentine!

God bless you all,

Terrie

Treatment #1's Aftermath

Oh My!!!  I have never felt so awful in my life.  Right after I posted my last entry, it went all downhill fast.  I started having chills, running a fever, and then the nausea hit!  As soon as it all started I called the doctor's office.  They told me what meds to take.  Well, I guess the anti-nausea pill was too late.  I was vomiting about every 30 minutes until midnight.  I called the doctor back, he called in a prescription for a suppository since I was keeping anything down.  The first one didn't seem to help.  The second one must have or there just wasn't anything left because I didn't vomit from about midnight until eight the next morning.  I got up.  Boy, was I weak.  I couldn't make it across the house without having to sit down.  I ate a little toast and some water.  It didn't stay down for long.  I slept in between trips to the bathroom.  I did have to go back to the doctor to get my shot for the bone marrow/white blood cell.  They checked me over and asked if I wanted to stay and get some fluids thru IV.  I declined.  My mother-in-law was with me and we had dropped off the kids at my sister's office.  I didn't really have the option of spending 2-3 hours there for fluids.   They said that with my next treatment we would do different anti-nausea drugs and hopefully this will not happen again.  I vomited only 2 more times that afternoon and then I just felt like I had "morning sickness" the rest of the evening.   Today, the nausea is gone, but I still feel very weak.  I'm sure it's a combination of not eating and the chemo drugs wearing me down.  

So that's how my weekend started.  I will be praying that next time this will not happen.  It was terrible!!!!

I didn't even get to eat the awesome dinner that was brought over.  But my family enjoyed it.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.  I'm so blessed to have all of you in my life.

God is Good,

Terrie  

FAC Treatment #1

Well, one down and three more to go!!!

I had a 2D echo cardiogram done on Tuesday to prepare for this type of chemo.  The results were in the normal range.  That will give them a base line if there are any complications.  These drugs can have an effect on the heart muscle.

I complained about the sleepless nights from the steroid while I was on Taxol, so they took it OFF my list of meds for this next chemo.  The doctors said there are no allergic reactions to this group of drugs like there are for Taxol.  So hopefully I sleep like a baby tonight!  They also promised me that the extra fluid I have would go away when I got off the steroids, so I hope that happens as well.

As for my treatment today, it was okay.  It made my nose stuffy and gave me a little headache.  I feel kinda "out there".   The major side effect with this drug is the white blood cell count falling.  I should expect to be tired on days 2-3 and days 7-14.  That is a huge range.  To help with the blood count they want to give me a shot of Neulasta the day after treatment.  This will make the bone marrow work harder and faster at producing the white blood cells.   Now, those who know me very well, know that I have a serious phobia with needles!!!!  If I continue to have my treatments on Fridays, then I will have to have someone give me the injection at home!  YIKES!!!  But, it's only 4 shots, I guess I can survive!  :)  If any of you have nursing skills and would like to give me my injection, stand up and shout!  Jim said he would be more than happy to stick me, but I might hit him!  HEE-HEE!

That was about it.  I have blood work next Thursday on the 12th and again on the 26th.  My next treatment is on Friday, February 27th.  

We are having a planning meeting for Relay for Life on Saturday @ 4:00.  Let me know if you would like to come.  Also, I found out that you do not need to register to come out and walk with our team.  Just show up!!!  It is May 1-2 starting at 7 pm and ending at 7 am.  It is at Harvest Park in Needville.  If you go to my team page link listed on my blog there is a map.

All of you guys ARE THE BEST!!!!  I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Terrie