Today was the half way point for my chemo treatment. 4 down 4 to go.
I went today with a running nose, itchy throat and the assumption that I had a cold. I was prepared to be told that my counts where to low for treatment BUT they were perfect. Well not perfect they were a bit low but still with in a good range. Todays visit I was there 2-530.
I have met some people there who have some serious long term illnesses. Visiting with others who have also had cancer is humbling. My particular diagnosis is pretty minor compared to others. It is sad how someone elses woes can make you feel better about your own.
Alright so on about my treatment. That is why you are reading this right? I had treatment #4 today. the very last of the "AC"(acrocnymin for the two meds). Now on to the Taxol. The side effects for the Taxol are very minimal. I have to have the steroid medicine 12 and 6 hours before my chemo treatment. I also have to have Benadryl before the treatment incase of an allergic reaction. My next treatment I am schedule at 8:30 and I am not sure how long I will be there. The IV it self is about 3 hours or so. Then I have to stay up to 2 hours for monitoring to make sure I don't have any allergic reactions. So with the check in, which consists of vitals, blood work and a visit with the Dr. can take an hour to one and 1/2 hours. I could be there for a maximum of 6 hours.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
treatment 3 July 16th
WOW! I can't believe it has been so long since I posted.
The kids and I have been out of school and have been playing. We have been to movies, Classic Skating and this awesome splash pad in Herriman. I have been getting some scrapbooking pages started and look forward to getting pictures added.
I had my 3rd treatment on the 16th. I ended up having to wait an hour for them to run a Bilirubin test. I had thrush the last time I was in an Melissa gave me a medicine for it. Aparenntly that medicine can lower your Billirubin and if it is low I wouldn't be able to have a treatment. It was a long 45 minutes waiting but it came back just fine. In fact all my blood work looked great. My white blood count has been on the high end the last 2 visits.
I started back to work on the 17th. Everything was going well, I went and played Bunco Friday night and had a blast. I was pretty tired but figured that it was because I worked Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning I woke up and could barely move. I was SO nauseated. It was like having the flu and the worst pregnancy symptoms ever. I didn't do anything but lay around Saturday and Sunday. I could barely drink anything and to eat was a chore. Dave was so good to help with Hunter. He tried making dinner for us but I could hardly eat 1/3 of it.
All I kept thinking is that the nausea is suppose to go away 2 or3 days after treatment so I had until Monday morning and I should be feeling much better.
Well Monday morning came and I was suppose to go into work but there was no way. I tried getting ready for the day but it wasn't happening. Every movement I made was awful. I ached everywhere and I was so hungry from not eating but couldn't even stand looking at food without getting more nauseated. I stayed home and laid around again. I finally called the Dr.'s office and asked if there was something else I could be doing. The triage nurse wasn't much help. I was a bit discouraged. I am not sure what I was looking for but at least something new to try. I had taken all my nausea med's the way they were prescribed and not a one would help subside the nausea.
I woke up Tuesday morning feeling a little better and determine to make it to work. I still was nauseated and just wanted to curl up and sleep. I called to Melissa's office and spoke with her nurse Shelley. Shelley immediately said to come and get a fluid IV. I did that at 3 and another one Tuesday at 1. I can't believe how much better I felt. My white blood count was down a little and we are assuming that I had a touch of the flu and was dehydrated.
Melissa assured me that it would not happen again like that unless my WBC is again. I thought for sure it was the chemo. I was so depressed that that is what I had to look forward too. I feel much better now knowing that it was probably a touch of the flu and not the chemo.
I go in Wednesday for treatment #4, the last of the first set of treatments. The first 4 treatments I have are the mix of medications that cause the nausea and the hair loss. So only one more of those. The last 4 treatments will be longer visits, probably 4 to 6 hours. Fatigue will definitely be an issue and I think I got a good look at what I can and can't do with being sick this last week.
Sorry for the novel but that is what I get for not posting for over a week. Hunter is wanting my attention now so I am off.
Thanks for all your thoughts/prayers and support.
The kids and I have been out of school and have been playing. We have been to movies, Classic Skating and this awesome splash pad in Herriman. I have been getting some scrapbooking pages started and look forward to getting pictures added.
I had my 3rd treatment on the 16th. I ended up having to wait an hour for them to run a Bilirubin test. I had thrush the last time I was in an Melissa gave me a medicine for it. Aparenntly that medicine can lower your Billirubin and if it is low I wouldn't be able to have a treatment. It was a long 45 minutes waiting but it came back just fine. In fact all my blood work looked great. My white blood count has been on the high end the last 2 visits.
I started back to work on the 17th. Everything was going well, I went and played Bunco Friday night and had a blast. I was pretty tired but figured that it was because I worked Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning I woke up and could barely move. I was SO nauseated. It was like having the flu and the worst pregnancy symptoms ever. I didn't do anything but lay around Saturday and Sunday. I could barely drink anything and to eat was a chore. Dave was so good to help with Hunter. He tried making dinner for us but I could hardly eat 1/3 of it.
All I kept thinking is that the nausea is suppose to go away 2 or3 days after treatment so I had until Monday morning and I should be feeling much better.
Well Monday morning came and I was suppose to go into work but there was no way. I tried getting ready for the day but it wasn't happening. Every movement I made was awful. I ached everywhere and I was so hungry from not eating but couldn't even stand looking at food without getting more nauseated. I stayed home and laid around again. I finally called the Dr.'s office and asked if there was something else I could be doing. The triage nurse wasn't much help. I was a bit discouraged. I am not sure what I was looking for but at least something new to try. I had taken all my nausea med's the way they were prescribed and not a one would help subside the nausea.
I woke up Tuesday morning feeling a little better and determine to make it to work. I still was nauseated and just wanted to curl up and sleep. I called to Melissa's office and spoke with her nurse Shelley. Shelley immediately said to come and get a fluid IV. I did that at 3 and another one Tuesday at 1. I can't believe how much better I felt. My white blood count was down a little and we are assuming that I had a touch of the flu and was dehydrated.
Melissa assured me that it would not happen again like that unless my WBC is again. I thought for sure it was the chemo. I was so depressed that that is what I had to look forward too. I feel much better now knowing that it was probably a touch of the flu and not the chemo.
I go in Wednesday for treatment #4, the last of the first set of treatments. The first 4 treatments I have are the mix of medications that cause the nausea and the hair loss. So only one more of those. The last 4 treatments will be longer visits, probably 4 to 6 hours. Fatigue will definitely be an issue and I think I got a good look at what I can and can't do with being sick this last week.
Sorry for the novel but that is what I get for not posting for over a week. Hunter is wanting my attention now so I am off.
Thanks for all your thoughts/prayers and support.
Friday, July 11, 2008
6 more to go
Treatment number two has come and gone, 6 more to go. The 2nd treatment was not as bad as the first. I did not have as much body aches as the first. I did however hurt my back on the 4th, I think from carrying Hunter(who mind you is over 20lbs now). Nausea has been minimal but I have been exhausted. I always could sleep 8hours but now I could sleep 12 and still need more. The heat has really gotten to me though. I am very happy to be out of school and have the kids home with me while we make new adjustments. Sydnie and Chris have both been huge helps in their own little ways.
I went in on Wednesday for my blood count and it was much higher than my first. This is a great sign for the future treatments. I do have some sores in the back of my throat that Melissa was concerned about. So now I have 5 medications to take. 3 daily and 2 the week of treatment.
Over the weekend my hair started falling out. This was the strangest emotional, physical and mental feeling I have ever had. It was almost a joyous feeling knowing that the chemo is doing its job and that it is time to throw out the old Lynda and bring in the new. Don't get me wrong, there was fear. I mean losing your hair, hello, yeah not everyone can pull off being bald like Brittney.
Hunter is getting restless so I will have to update more later.
Monday 7th I went and got my wig(pic on the home page)
Thursday 10th I went and had my head shaved(pictures to come)
I went in on Wednesday for my blood count and it was much higher than my first. This is a great sign for the future treatments. I do have some sores in the back of my throat that Melissa was concerned about. So now I have 5 medications to take. 3 daily and 2 the week of treatment.
Over the weekend my hair started falling out. This was the strangest emotional, physical and mental feeling I have ever had. It was almost a joyous feeling knowing that the chemo is doing its job and that it is time to throw out the old Lynda and bring in the new. Don't get me wrong, there was fear. I mean losing your hair, hello, yeah not everyone can pull off being bald like Brittney.
Hunter is getting restless so I will have to update more later.
Monday 7th I went and got my wig(pic on the home page)
Thursday 10th I went and had my head shaved(pictures to come)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Today is treatment #2
I go in for my second treatment today. I am a bit more nervous to go for this one. If I am going to lose my hair it will happen with the next week. Also, I have heard that the second treatment could be a bit worse than the first. I hope that I don't get nauseated and if so that the medication will help. I can deal with the pain because I know that the medicine will help. I have stocked up on ibuprofen and Claritin.
I have gotten a menu together for the family so they can do dinners. I think it is just going to take being organized and having the kids step up.
We got temporary plates for Chris car this morning. I am glad that he can start driving it while we continue to fix the items that did not pass the safety inspection.
Sydnie is out of school and she should be a good help with Hunter.
I will update later depending on how I am feeling. thank you all again for your awesome support, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
I have gotten a menu together for the family so they can do dinners. I think it is just going to take being organized and having the kids step up.
We got temporary plates for Chris car this morning. I am glad that he can start driving it while we continue to fix the items that did not pass the safety inspection.
Sydnie is out of school and she should be a good help with Hunter.
I will update later depending on how I am feeling. thank you all again for your awesome support, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
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