Day 1
I went into chemo much more relaxed this time around, that's the bonus to already knowing what to expect. My nurse was the same nurse I had when Lisa was visiting and she doesn't have the best/safest techniques so I was a bit on edge. Again, she did not wipe of the hubs with alcohol prior to injecting meds which is a huge break in clean technique! I was prepared to ask her to please use alcohol but it all happened so fast that I didn't have time, so I simply prayed for protection. If she is my nurse these next two times I have a plan to make sure she wipes off the hubs prior to using them! Anyway, chemo went quite well with the only difference being that I was quite exhausted right from the start this time around and tried to sleep for most of the infusions. My hot flashes added an additional challenge but overall things went very well. Dr P has taken one of the drugs off the cocktail as he is finding it really doesn't have the protective properties as once thought and is full of additional unwanted side effects. To be honest, I was a bit nervous they weren't giving me this drug but tried to trust that Dr P knows best on this one. It made quite a difference not getting that drug, I had no nausea and I'm finding that my taste buds have not been altered this time around. I always assumed my tastes changed with the carboplatin but it was the cocktail prior to chemo that was causing this unwanted side effect. This is a wonderful blessing as I wasn't sure how I was going to stay properly hydrated these next five days when water is crucial. With the first three cycles I ate lots of soup which helped me in the fluid department but it's just too hot for soup now, so I was a bit concerned. I love positive surprises like this one! I came home from chemo and slept a bit which was annoying as I feel like I've been living on the couch lately. However, I was able to cook dinner and take the dogs for a walk, so I can't complain too much.
Day 2
I love the steroids given in the cocktail yesterday as this is my best day after chemo, LOTS of energy. This is the day I do all the things most important to me as I know that by tonight I will crash and the steroids will be gone. I'm so happy to report that I still have my taste buds, it is such a wonderful surprise! I'm really trying to drink the prescribed amount of water and so far I'm doing ok. I associate water with chemo and radiation and it's just something I don't care to drink anymore unless it's super hot or I've worked out. I'm hoping when this is all over that association will go away, that and my love for graham crackers will return as chemo ruined that too. I'll be getting the Neulasta shot later this afternoon and hopefully I won't feel too badly afterwards as I've been taking the claritin. I'm really going to try and not complain about this shot as it does keep me out of the hospital and keeps my blood counts up, it's worth it! In about 14 days I will start losing my hair again and I'm actually looking forward to this a bit as it will mean a break from shaving. I've been shaving my head throughout radiation so I can't wait to stop doing that. I'm not looking forward to losing my eyelashes and eyebrows again and hoping they hold out for the longest time.
I'm still amazed at all the things I've been able to do throughout treatment, my perspective on cancer has greatly changed and for the better. Living with cancer is doable, I wouldn't ever choose to do this but it's good to know life doesn't have to stop.
Mark got a hair cut today and it is super short! Because he is a blonde it almost looks like he shaved his head to match mine. I'll have to take pics of our matching baldness as his will grow back much faster than mine. :)
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