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.....