A lot has happened in the last 12 days! So here is an update to keep you, well…updated 😉
I went in for Chemo Round 2 on June 7th. This time I felt like God helped me change my outlook and I was looking forward to going. I met with my oncologist before we started treatment. He had questions about the side effects from Round 1 and I joked about how I was in hell for 5 days last time 🙂 We talked about my husband’s new super-organized medication schedule so that we can keep track of all the drugs I’m taking, and of course, he added a couple more to the list…it’s a lot! (here is the current post-chemo medication schedule)
As I walked into the infusion center I decided to be the light, to smile at everyone, and be the person God created me to be. I had a different nurse this round and he was really sweet. Throughout the day we had other nurses stopping by our ‘cubicle’ to talk and it felt like I was just hanging out with some great people. I saw one of the nurses from 9 years ago when I had breast cancer and she stopped to say hello. She was one of the best nurses I had during that treatment, and it was really good to see her. My nurse from Round 1 was there too (helping other patients) and he gave me a new snoopy poster. I was so blessed by his kindness and words of encouragement.
I had the opportunity to talk to a few other patients and hear their stories, and as I sat in my chair I just prayed for them. The entire time I was there I made sure I smiled at everyone who walked by, and everyone had to walk past me on their way to the restroom so I got to smile at a lot of people. It felt good 🙂
The days following this treatment were completely different from the last. I think the combination of a new attitude and a strict schedule for the drugs really helped. I had no rash this time, the bone pain was much more manageable and I started feeling like I had ‘recovered‘ after around day 7. Of course, ‘recovered’ isn’t 100%, but better than feeling like I’m in hell 🙂 I’ll have to write a whole post on the side effects in the future.
One side effect that is new this time is peripheral neuropathy. I didn’t have this at all 9 years ago. I’m getting tingling and pain in my hands and feet that cause simple things to be difficult, like holding utensils. On top of that, my right arm has been in pain since a few days before this round after having blood drawn. I think the phlebotomist damaged my vein as it’s been swollen and painful for 2 weeks 🙁 I’ll have to discuss all this with my oncologist, and he will probably add yet another drug to the list for the neuropathy.
I did have to get blood drawn again right before my chemo treatment, but they used the port and that is so much easier. They sent my blood in for another CA125 test to find out if my cancer markers were improving. They came back at 1469, down from 4455. This means my body is responding to the chemo! Also, I have a date set for surgery at the end of July and the surgeon wants to see these types of improvements before my surgery. I’ll write more about the surgery in another post.
I just want to thank you all again for the meals you have brought and for the text messages, cards, and words of encouragement. And a big thank you to everyone who is praying for me during this time.
-Tamika
Encouraging notes from the barista down the street 🙂
