Fertig mit Cycle 4

Cycle 4 is over and I'm ready for my week and a half break, from Chemo anyways :o)

This time around was similar to my last full week.  I had some awesome company, including my Aunt from NJ who hopped the train down to spend the day with me.  Some other familiar faces were around last week too, my brother stayed one day, dad, mom, and my MIL.  Most days were uneventful. On Monday, my red count was edging towards the transfusion mark.  They scheduled the transfusion for yesterday (Sunday), but by Friday my counts had come back up, so it was cancelled. *yipee*   I felt awful on Friday morning, but the nurses gave me some great drugs so then I was back to my chipper-self. 

I still have to get the information for people to donate.  The thing is, it takes 3-4 weeks for them to process and approve the blood, so.... by the time I need it, it's too late to ask for people to go.  I also still don't know my blood type yet.  I want to say I'm O+ because both of my parents are, but I've never been typed and until the day before the transfusion, I won't be.

This week is the round of shots and lab work.... Sean is getting much better at giving them, he had to twice this weekend.  He also doesn't seem as nervous, I'm not sure if I should be glad or more worried that he's becoming more comfortable ;o) 

Along with the shots, etc. I have to have another MRI tomorrow.  Last time around was awful, but I am going to a different location, so I'm hoping for a better experience *fingers crossed*  I'll let you know how it goes.  I'm hoping that the results will tell my oncologist/sarcoma Dr that I don't need to have another surgery.  But, that means I'll be undergoing radiation along with my chemo, so I'm not sure which one is better at this point.  Radiation would begin at the end of February, after the 6th cycle.  I'm not sure how long I will have to do both, but I hear Radiation can be worse than the chemo.  *happy dance??*

SIDE EFFECTS?
So far I've fared well.  Most of the side effects that they tell you you *could* see, I haven't had.  Definitely getting more tired and dry mouth, but that is easily handled. The nausea is controlled by medication.  Unfortunately the Dr told me all of the cycles are cumulative so even though I don't have the side effects now, I *could* see them down the road.  Awesome.  Last week, I talked to the guy at my center who also has Ewings Sarcoma.  He's having a much more difficult time with the chemo and very different side effects.  It's interesting to listen and compare stories. 

Well, I hope that everyone has stayed safe in the ice and snow.  It also looks like it we are going to have an awesome Super Bowl !! 

Until we meet again.....

Cycle 3 - D.O.N.E

Happy New Year!!! 


Well folks, Cycle 3 went a bit like Cycle 1 (they are the same chemos mind you) minus the nausea, thank goodness.  This time I was able to manage the nausea so I just felt a little like crap and not totally like crap.  :o)  Overall the days were good, I've noticed I'm getting a lot more tired, so just like in kindergarten (and college), I've decided to reintroduce naps into my daily routine.  


What's worse than the chemo?  The Neulasta shot I have to get 24 hours after my short week.  That shot, although it does its job (to boost my white blood cell count) makes me ache all over, even my teeth ache!  Luckily it's just for a day or two and can be controlled with Tylenol.  So I feel that it's totally worth it when my counts come up. 


I did not come up with a New Years resolution this year.  I feel that I have enough on my plate with chemo and the wedding.  Perhaps after both of those, I'll come up with something for the latter half of 2012. I think that's fair, right?  Either way, the first half of the year it going to be rough so I look forward to getting passed it and moving on as Mrs. Strait. <3 Sean <3


For those who are unaware, the adorable hair cut I got in the middle of Dec is no longer.  The hair is gone, shaved it off.  Cycle 2 did a number on the hair, waking up with globs of hair on my pillow case was well, disgusting.  It got to the point where it was difficult to sleep because I was afraid of moving and losing my hair, crazy, huh?  So, I took to wearing a fleece hat to bed (and still do, Thanks Sean) until I shaved my head.  I took my wig to the hair salon with me and my wonderful stylist was able to trim the wig to better fit my face.  Although I've only worn the wig a few times since then, I'm glad that I have it, just in case.  I've been wearing lots and lots of awesome winter hats.  Although I keep my head covered, I'm not self conscious about showing anyone my beautifully shaped head!  (Thanks Mom and Dad!)  


A week or so ago I was contacted by a gentleman, David Haas, who blogs for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.  He's been researching and writing about how beneficial cancer support networks and also staying physically fit is to people going through treatments, in remission, and even family members of cancer patients. If you are interested in learning more about these topics or just enjoy reading blogs, please visit: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/ 


So the second month is going the way it should be. This upcoming week is an off week, only labs and isolation.  Next week will be Cycle 4, the whole week of chemo. I'll write again after that.


I truly hope everyone has had a great start to 2012.  Thank You for your continued support.


Until next time....