HALF WAY!!!

Chemo cycle #4 yesterday signified "half way" along my chemo journey!  I'm ecstatic!!

I thought I might give you a pictorial walk down chemo-memory lane:

Cycle 2, February 22, 2013

Cycle 1, February 8, 2013

Cycle 3, March 8, 2013

Cycle 4, March 22, 2013

Adriamycin being administered by nurse

Several things to note in the pictures ...

1.  The look of dread, anxiety, and tension I see in my face for cycle 1 has gone!  I thrive on "the known", and now that I know what to expect, I'm way more relaxed.

2.  First, I always get the Adriamycin administered from 2 syringes.  Yes, the drug is that bright red colour, hence the reason for the same colour pee (is this too graphic??) for 2 days afterwards.

3.  The cyclophosphamide is administered by regular IV drip along with saline dripping the entire time.

4.  It looks like I've started wearing a significantly larger amount of makeup, likely to feel like more of a woman :)

5.  In 3 of the 4 pictures you will notice a common theme among shirts.  Thanks, Maureen, for suggesting I purchase this beautiful Patagonia shirt with a half zipper for easy access to my port.  I hope I don't hate it afterwards because it will hold long-lasting chemo memories!!

This Week's Appointments ...

"Oncologist Wednesday" - Other than a 45 minute wait for Rachel and I, the check-up was rather uneventful.  It was so nice to have company, because young ears remember so much more than my aging ones do.  After visit #1 with Kate, it was astonishing how many details she remembered that I hadn't even heard, let alone recalled.  Her only bad news was that I'm gaining a bit of weight. Initially, I told myself I had bigger battles right now, but losing weight is so ingrained into my psyche that I just can't let that thought go.  The next day I went on 3 walks to burn some calories, and I've definitely started being careful with my food intake.  I guess carrots and cucumbers will have to be my food of choice when I'm trying to get that rotten taste out of my mouth.

"Blood Work Thursday" - Completely and totally uneventful -- yay!!  A slight lean forward (barely) was all it took for that beautiful, red blood to get flowing, and that tiny tube was full in no time.  The nurse was even able to leave my access in, so I was back down to one poke this cycle.  Excellent news!!  She did use a longer access needle, as the notes in my chart indicated this may help, so I had to be careful sleeping with that one-inch protrusion from my chest, but I'll take it :):)

"Chemo Friday" - HALF WAY!!!!! 

I had really good blood counts:  hemoglobin, neutrophils, and platelets all up from cycle #3.  Great news!  Rachel and I had a long conversation with the woman and husband next to me.  It sounds like her protocol is very similar to mine.  Since she switched to Paclitaxel, her cycles have averaged 6 hours at the Cancer Agency.  She had an allergic reaction the first time (very common), so they have slowed her drip down significantly.  I'm trying NOT to get freaked out about the possibility of allergic reaction, but it's difficult.  Benadryl will drip simultaneously with the Taxel to minimize the risk,and there are 5 or 6 nurses close at hand if I need them.  Unfortunately, neither Rachel or Kate will be able to accompany me for that many hours what with work and school.  Rachel noted driving home, that even though my cycles are half done, time-wise, I've probably only put in 1/4 of the required hours.  Oh well, I can sleep through my drug-induced state from the Benadryl, and the 4+ hours will fly by ... here's hoping :) :) 

Did you notice something new and different at cycle 4???

THAT'S RIGHT -- MY WIG ARRIVED!!  It's a big longer, lighter, and poofier than I've been wearing my hair lately, but I love it!  Here's a few more pics.

The lighting in Rachel's kitchen makes the highlights look almost grey.  They're not!!! It's a beautiful soft brown with blonde highlights.  Very happy with my choice.


My tummy's hanging in there today, and the nausea is not too bad.  Likely no walks today, as my energy level is low and will likely stay that way for a few more days.  Here's some spring pictures to leave you with from my 3 walks on Thursday  (sorry Char, while you're buried under snow).