Chemo Training 101

Well, I went to meet with the nurse today about my upcoming chemo, and I did learn a few things...I'm surprised Dave didn't go through something like this, it would have been helpful. I did learn a few new things, remembered a lot of what Dave went through and also realized that dealing with breast cancer chemo is different than sarcoma chemo. Hormones are definitely involved with mine (it can actually put you into menopause, good riddance!) I'll be receiving two types of chemo: Taxotere and Cytoxan...different from the kind Dave received, hopefully they won't be too hard on my system. I guess I'll just have to see how it goes.

Anyway, I was finished up with the nurse, talking with the gal that does the"benefits" (insurance billing) and then the power goes out. Have you ever been in an Oncologist's office when there's no power? All I can say is thank goodness all those patients receiving their chemo had battery backups on their pumps.

The power stayed off for about a total of an hour...during which I fumbled down the dark hallway to my surgeon's office to sign consent forms for my port placement. Fortunately, by the time the surgeon came in to see me, the lights came back on...they scheduled me for my port placement for tomorrow morning, so that will be another thing off my check list.

We picked out a wig this past Saturday which was fun. Dave and the boys came with me to help make the decision. It's about my length and actually a slight tad darker than my color now. We liked it though and the contrast looked good. I'm also interested in finding some scarves and hats (with material) for the summer. Like my cousin said, at least I won't have to worry about shaving during the summer months! Got to find the silver linings anywhere I can! Actually, speaking of silver linings, we discovered our Aflac policy pays towards "prosthesis" which a wig qualifies as...so that was something good to discover. That Aflac policy has been awesome and I highly recommend it...and this was not a paid endorsement!

I do plan on getting my hair cut short this Wednesday, something I haven't done in about 20 years. I figured there's no better time than now, it'll all be coming out anyway, so I may as well see what I look like with short hair...

So, that's all the news for now. Hopefully we'll get pictures on here soon to make this a little more "entertaining"...Dave promised he'd help me with that so...we shall see!

Met with Doctor, Getting chemo...

Yes, I'm going to be getting chemo...after going over all the test results with Dr. Landis, my oncologist, we decided that it will be in my best interest to have chemo. Do I want to? Heck no, but, as he said, I'm young, I have 2 young sons and I don't want this cancer to recur. My test results were smack-dab right in the intermediate range, so, I really could have gone either way...but even Dave's oncologist said, "You're young, it was already starting to spread into the lymph nodes, you should probably opt for chemo".

So, next week I'm going to meet with Dr. Landis' nurse for "chemo training". Hmm, I think with what we went through with Dave, I'm trained, but, I may learn something new, so, I'll go! I also will be getting a port placed next week since they have such a hard time finding my veins.

My first chemo round is scheduled for April 21st. They said it'll take about 2 hours and that'll be it. The next day I'll get the Neulasta shot (to help build up my white counts sooner)...and then I'll go back every 3 weeks. I'll have a total of 6 rounds of chemo. Looking at everything we went through with Dave's intensive chemo, mine seems like it'll be "easy". I know it won't, but at least I'll be home and hopefully not have the side effects like Dave went through (Neutropenic fever, low blood counts, etc.). Yes, I will lose my hair...I'm really not looking forward to that...my cousin said she'd send me her scarves!!! Hey, Ali, I'll take you up on that now! ;-) I may get a short hair cut at first, and then when it does start to come out, I'll get the gumption to shave it off...yikes...

After the chemo is all done, I'll then have radiation (33 treatments - 5 times per week for 6 1/2 weeks) and then be on the Tamoxifen for 5 years...that should do it for my treatment plan. You know, it stinks, but we'll get through it. I see where Dave is now and know that if he can get through it, so can I.

I'm in the "I can't believe this is happening to me" phase, so, thank you for your encouragement, your prayers, your friendship and support.