Saturday, June 29, 2013
4th Chemo
June 28th, I received my fourth chemo. This was the second time with the new drug Taxol. It took 4 hours again, but seemed much quicker this time as I did not have to wait in between each process this time like I did last time. My older brother Brandon left work early to accompany me, which was really nice because we don't get to spend much time together, especially just the two of us.
"Rules for Family and Friends"
During this journey I have been blessed with so many gifts and cards from loved ones. One of those gifts was a book called "Just Get me Through This! The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer". Honestly, I can't remember who gave it to me (I have been given so many gifts), but I think it was from my brother's mother- or sister-in-law. There was a passage in this book that I thought was good enough that I needed to share. I thought it was so truthful and honest, not only pertaining to breast cancer patients (and myself), but all ill patients. Here are the highlights from the excerpt:
"Those of you who can see her through the entire treatment phase will deserve your own medal of honor, as this becomes the phase that can seem like a never-ending marathon. ...how do you help her find some humor and optimism during this time? And most important how do you stay in for the long haul, after other initial well-wishers may have dropped by the wayside?
-Provide more uplifting reading (and viewing) material. The treatment phase can seem very long. Just because you brought her a terrific, inspirational book [at the beginning] doesn't mean she's still reading it six months later. Or the day after chemotherapy, when she may not be up to reading, she'd really appreciate watching a "feel good" movie. Bring her more.
-Help make her treatment day a special occasion. Help her transform treatment day from an ominous point on the calendar to a special outing. Spend the day with her. Have lunch together (beforehand, just in case she doesn't feel terrific afterward). Schedule a manicure, massage, or something else she likes. Help her pamper herself, a bit of distraction from the reality at hand. And after it's over, celebrate one-more-session-down, one-less-to-go.
-Be an appointment escort. Be available to accompany her to appointments. Anytime or anywhere, even if it's seemingly insignificant. She is already overwhelmed and feeling burdened by the logistics of this experience. Worrying about who can go with her to her many appointments just adds to the magnitude of the challenge. Relieve her of this burden, and let her know specifically that whenever she needs you, you're there.
-Help manage her life, but under her direction. Just because she had breast cancer doesn't mean she's stopped thinking or doing. Many people mistakenly try to take over the patient's life, assuming that she's incapable of caring for herself or making decisions. Back off. A key factor in helping her maintain emotional stability throughout this experience is the feeling that she has some sense of control over her life. If you try to take over, she'll be lost. So offer to help her in ways that clearly will help and won't be threatening. If she's physically tired and weak, offer to run errands, shop for groceries, pick up the children from school, or any other of life's daily logistical activities that can zap energy. Offer to bring over a complete dinner ready to eat on a weekly basis. Offer laundry service. Be helpful, not intrusive.
-Plan a date once a week. Giver her something to look forward to, every week, other than her next doctor's appointment. Since the treatment phase can seem endless and she may not have normal energy level to maintain a full social schedule, or even make plans, help her along. It doesn't matter what it is, something as simple as a walk in the nearby park, or bringing over a movie and dinner, [or going to a coffee shop]. As long as she doesn't have to plan it, and it's enjoyable, she'll appreciate it. You might even get together with other family and friends and divide up the responsibilities.
-Keep those cards and letters coming. ...The flowers sent to the hospital won't last this endurance race. You can stow away the 'get well' cars, but don't spare the inspirational or funny cards and letters. She'll appreciate having something to look forwards to when the mail arrives every day-and the fact that you're still thinking of her.
-Abide by rules of energy conservation. Given her limited energy right now, help her keep it focused on the productive and positive now, on many fronts. Physically, help her with chores and errands that she doesn't savor, so she can use her energy for more pleasurable activities, maybe something as simple as a short walk every evening. Emotionally, help keep her focused on the positive aspects of her condition-that she's lucky it was caught early, that she has such a wonderful network of support. Even more important, screen her from those who expend negative energy, either fearing the worst for her in every situation, or living out their own cancer anxieties through her experience. And logistically, remind her that with every treatment, and every day that passes, she's one day closer to completing her journey through breast cancer."
Deborah A. Cohen, Just Get Me Through This!:The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer (New York: Kensington Publishing Corp., 2000), 185-187.
"Those of you who can see her through the entire treatment phase will deserve your own medal of honor, as this becomes the phase that can seem like a never-ending marathon. ...how do you help her find some humor and optimism during this time? And most important how do you stay in for the long haul, after other initial well-wishers may have dropped by the wayside?
-Provide more uplifting reading (and viewing) material. The treatment phase can seem very long. Just because you brought her a terrific, inspirational book [at the beginning] doesn't mean she's still reading it six months later. Or the day after chemotherapy, when she may not be up to reading, she'd really appreciate watching a "feel good" movie. Bring her more.
-Help make her treatment day a special occasion. Help her transform treatment day from an ominous point on the calendar to a special outing. Spend the day with her. Have lunch together (beforehand, just in case she doesn't feel terrific afterward). Schedule a manicure, massage, or something else she likes. Help her pamper herself, a bit of distraction from the reality at hand. And after it's over, celebrate one-more-session-down, one-less-to-go.
-Be an appointment escort. Be available to accompany her to appointments. Anytime or anywhere, even if it's seemingly insignificant. She is already overwhelmed and feeling burdened by the logistics of this experience. Worrying about who can go with her to her many appointments just adds to the magnitude of the challenge. Relieve her of this burden, and let her know specifically that whenever she needs you, you're there.
-Help manage her life, but under her direction. Just because she had breast cancer doesn't mean she's stopped thinking or doing. Many people mistakenly try to take over the patient's life, assuming that she's incapable of caring for herself or making decisions. Back off. A key factor in helping her maintain emotional stability throughout this experience is the feeling that she has some sense of control over her life. If you try to take over, she'll be lost. So offer to help her in ways that clearly will help and won't be threatening. If she's physically tired and weak, offer to run errands, shop for groceries, pick up the children from school, or any other of life's daily logistical activities that can zap energy. Offer to bring over a complete dinner ready to eat on a weekly basis. Offer laundry service. Be helpful, not intrusive.
-Plan a date once a week. Giver her something to look forward to, every week, other than her next doctor's appointment. Since the treatment phase can seem endless and she may not have normal energy level to maintain a full social schedule, or even make plans, help her along. It doesn't matter what it is, something as simple as a walk in the nearby park, or bringing over a movie and dinner, [or going to a coffee shop]. As long as she doesn't have to plan it, and it's enjoyable, she'll appreciate it. You might even get together with other family and friends and divide up the responsibilities.
-Keep those cards and letters coming. ...The flowers sent to the hospital won't last this endurance race. You can stow away the 'get well' cars, but don't spare the inspirational or funny cards and letters. She'll appreciate having something to look forwards to when the mail arrives every day-and the fact that you're still thinking of her.
-Abide by rules of energy conservation. Given her limited energy right now, help her keep it focused on the productive and positive now, on many fronts. Physically, help her with chores and errands that she doesn't savor, so she can use her energy for more pleasurable activities, maybe something as simple as a short walk every evening. Emotionally, help keep her focused on the positive aspects of her condition-that she's lucky it was caught early, that she has such a wonderful network of support. Even more important, screen her from those who expend negative energy, either fearing the worst for her in every situation, or living out their own cancer anxieties through her experience. And logistically, remind her that with every treatment, and every day that passes, she's one day closer to completing her journey through breast cancer."
Deborah A. Cohen, Just Get Me Through This!:The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer (New York: Kensington Publishing Corp., 2000), 185-187.
Monday, June 24, 2013
3rd Chemo
Friday, June 21st I went in for my third treatment. This was the first with my new meds. I am now taking Taxol and Herceptin. I will be getting the Taxol every week for 6 weeks and the Herceptin still every 3 weeks for several more months. I was told that I should tolerate this new chemo much better. In fact, my doctor said that he gives this drug to 80 y.o. women. He said "so if you don't tolerate this, we need to double check your age". Because they are giving it to me in a low-dose, I do not need all the pre-meds and anti-nausea drugs that went along with the other chemo. Therefore, I was only in the office for 4 hours. I felt fine all day Saturday, but was extremely tired all day Sunday. In fact, I slept more than I was awake on Sunday. Today, Monday, I am still feeling fine... a little tired, but no other side effects at all!! Looks like this will work out much better!
On a side note: My grandparents had come up from FL to see me and attend my chemo appt. with me. My mom and grandma went with me to the appt. While in the waiting room, we were informed that I am only allowed to have one visitor in the treatment room with me now (originally I was told two). So my mom had to wait in the waiting room the whole time! Argh!
On a side note: My grandparents had come up from FL to see me and attend my chemo appt. with me. My mom and grandma went with me to the appt. While in the waiting room, we were informed that I am only allowed to have one visitor in the treatment room with me now (originally I was told two). So my mom had to wait in the waiting room the whole time! Argh!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Med change
The second chemo treatment was better than the first, but still not great. The nausea was much more tolerable, but the fatigue was much worse. And by the end of the week I was having horrible GI issues. On Thursday I woke up at 5am with a nose bleed and diarrhea, so I called the office and they had me come in for some fluids and to be seen by the Dr. The Dr. said I should not be having this much trouble on these chemo meds, so he is now switching the meds. I was taking Toxatere and Carboplatin (along with Herceptin). Now, he wants me to take Taxol in a low-dose form. He said I should tolerate this much better. However, because he is giving it to me in a low-dose, I have to receive it more often, which means once a week! I was getting the other drugs every 3 weeks for a total of 4 treatments. Now I will do another 6 weeks of weekly treatments on Taxol. Hopefully I will have little to no side effects on this drug.
In better news: I am feeling much better today and my parents and I have decided to go camping for the weekend!!! I am really looking forward to this outing, since I have been cooped up for a week.
In better news: I am feeling much better today and my parents and I have decided to go camping for the weekend!!! I am really looking forward to this outing, since I have been cooped up for a week.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
2nd Chemo Treatment
May 30th I went in for my second chemo treatment. I was anticipating a four hour session and it took 4.5 hours, so much better than the 7 hrs it took the first time! A few days prior to the treatment, my best friend from childhood informed me that her and her husband were coming into town for a family wedding. It worked out that they were able to attend part of my chemo treatment with me. So it turned out I ended up having four "buddies" with me this time. My mother and her sister, Aunt Janie, stayed with me for the first 3 hours, and then Jenifer and her husband Joe arrived. They stayed with me for the last 1.5 hours, then took me for something to eat and visited with me at my house for a little bit before they had to meet family for dinner. It was so nice to see them and to have so many people with me that day.
I felt fine all day Thursday, the day of the treatment. Friday I was fine all morning and afternoon. In fact, mom and I went garage sale shopping! But by late afternoon I was feeling really tired and took a long nap. Then, today some of the other side effects have set in including the nausea. However, so far the side effects have not been as bad as last time. Once my nurses and Dr. found out the horrible time I had last treatment, they decided to give me some better meds. This time I was given a Sancuso patch to help with the nausea, which I put on one day before chemo and wear for 7 days. I was also told about a great nausea medicine called Emend, which I asked my Dr. to give me. So, I think with these two medicines added this time, it has reduced the severity of the side effects. I do feel much more tired this treatment though. I have taken a 2.5-3.5 hour nap the last two days. Everyone has been super supportive and I love the emails, phone calls, and text messages. Keep them coming! :)
I felt fine all day Thursday, the day of the treatment. Friday I was fine all morning and afternoon. In fact, mom and I went garage sale shopping! But by late afternoon I was feeling really tired and took a long nap. Then, today some of the other side effects have set in including the nausea. However, so far the side effects have not been as bad as last time. Once my nurses and Dr. found out the horrible time I had last treatment, they decided to give me some better meds. This time I was given a Sancuso patch to help with the nausea, which I put on one day before chemo and wear for 7 days. I was also told about a great nausea medicine called Emend, which I asked my Dr. to give me. So, I think with these two medicines added this time, it has reduced the severity of the side effects. I do feel much more tired this treatment though. I have taken a 2.5-3.5 hour nap the last two days. Everyone has been super supportive and I love the emails, phone calls, and text messages. Keep them coming! :)
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