Tomorrow marks 6 weeks to go of treatment and I couldn't be more excited. I have been waiting for March to come because now I feel SO close to the end. Only 3 treatments left.
My last chemo (and first of the Taxol) went well and I continue to feel good. I have had very little bone pain and have not had to resort to my prescription meds but have been able to take over the counter Tylenol. The Tylenol "muscle and bone pain" has been all that I have needed and it's 8 hour so that's good. I can't take any Advil products while on chemo (advil affects your blood count) so it was frustrating to have to take Tyelnol every 4 hours. I'm glad I found the 8 hour stuff. I have had no nausea or vomitting and have been able to eat since chemo on Friday. So that has helped with my strength and energy.
On Monday I had a blood tranfusion. When I got to the hospital I felt like I was going to pass out from walking up the stairs. I had to sit down and have Mom sign me in. When I got back to the chairs for the blood transfusion they took my vitals. My blood pressure was 86/56, my heart rate was 135 and my oxygen was 89%. So no wonder I almost passed out and it was pretty evident that my red blood cells were low which, was affecting my body. My heart was working overtime to pump what little oxygenated blood around my body. After 5 hours and 2 bags of blood my blood pressure was 109/60, heart rate was 100 and oxygen was 100%. I felt better when I walked out of there and have felt really good since. It has helped with my energy levels and I don't feel light headed when I stand up. My red blood cells were down to 85 and the "normal low" is 110 so I was due for some blood. I am hoping I'll just need this one transfusion since the Taxol is suppose to be easier on my body. I am hoping the worst is behind me.
I met a genetics counselor on Wednesday to start the process to see if I have the breast cancer gene. It was interesting to meet with him and go through all the family history - I only have 1 aunt on my dad's side who had breast cancer. But since I was diagnosed young and I have a triple negative cancer, I qualify for the testing. Given my blood transfusion 2 days earlier, we are postponing the blood test part of the genetic testing until next Thursday when I go for my pre-chemo blood work. It will take 3-6 months for the results once I do the blood test. I am hoping to not have the gene but I think it's important to know either way so that the information can be given to my kids, my brother and the rest of my family.
I still have not lost all my hair and my hair at the back of my head is actually growing. The top and sides are gone but I have "peach fuzz" as my Dad calls it and it's very light blonde. I still have my eye lashes, eye brows and arm hair. I have been told to expect to lose it all with Taxol so we'll see.
I have been WELL taken care of this week while staying with my parents. Kurt has been in Boston for a Physics conference so the boys and I have been staying at "Hotel McCrea". Poor Sam has been having rough nights and Grandma has been getting up and rocking him. I have had to do nothing but rest, eat, sleep and relax. It's nice to have the company during the day and it's also nice not to have to worry about anything while I am here. I am sure my parents will sleep for a week once we're gone. Kurt gets home late tomorrow night so we'll be back home this weekend.
Overall, I'm feeling good and this week has been the best week so far since starting chemo. I am anxious to get finished and get on with my life. I feel very grateful that I am healthy and things are moving along. I continue to meet people in chemo who are not as lucky as I am with their diagnosis. I am trying to stay positive and get myself to that finish line. This marathon is almost over and I can't wait!!!
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