Taxol I

I am so sorry that I haven't posted for two weeks - yikes!
I guess the reason is that I have been doing a bit better, but also work has been so busy and I have been working extra hours. The last thing I have wanted to do is look at the computer since I've already spent 8-10 hours in front of it!

Anyway, here we are with the new chemotherapy drug which I took yesterday for the 1st time. I met with Dr. Chen and he has filled me in on the expected side affects and thinks they may need to alter the schedule a bit. The main side affect that people seem to complain about is numbness in the hands and feet and tiredness. For this reason, I may need to do three weeks in a row of chemo, then take a week off and then repeat for three more sessions like this. This will stretch things out for another month or so, taking it until mid-November.  I guess we will just have to see how I do.

I drove into Group Health with Frank and then met Kathy and Nancy there for my chemo session. This time they had to have me lying down and check for any allergic reaction to the drug (swelling of the throat, hives, rashes, etc.) Since I did not get that, they were able to give me the whole treatment just fine and I will likely not have that reaction in the future.  It was so sweet to have Nancy come by on her way home from work (after her 12 hour shift)  and Kathy on her day off to keep me company.  Always great to have extra nurses for back up too! The treatment went well and will not take so long in the future.
Nancy brought miniature cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then we all went to the 3 Pigs barbeque across the street when we were finished for lunch compliments of Kathy. Thanks guys! Afterwards, Kathy drove me home, so things were easy for me this day.
Finished out the day at home with watching Grady for a little bit while Ryan and Chantal did some shopping for a crib mattress in Bellevue. Dr. Chen says I am not toxic with this treatment, so I was able to feed him, change his diapers and give him little kisses with no worries - just have to take the hand washing precaution of course. Yay!

Last night I had a little trouble sleeping since they gave me the Dexamethasone (steroid) before starting my chemo. It is not prescribed again, so hopefully tonight I will sleep better. So far no nausea, heartburn or numbness, but we shall see how things progress.

We're looking forward to a nice dinner here with Kirk and Heather tonight - catching up with our good buddies! I'm hoping the weather cooperates and we don't get thunder, lightning and hail like yesterday!

Until later,

Jan

xoxoxo