Chemo part 2 delayed and...the real deal

I apologize I have not posted chemo prep part two. I filmed it before my most recent Tx and have been struggling. I will try to get it posted in the next few days depending on how I am feeling.

I had a rough weekend and morning due to lovely chemo side effects. Ended up at the Oncologists office getting extra fluids (having trouble drinking enough), steroids, Ativan for nausea and to help me chill out and a  perscription to treat my thrush. Yes! I got the horrid Thrush! I also got a talking to about taking my meds, all of my meds when I need them and staying ahead. I am beginning to feel better and I am on board with that.

I had an interesting discussion with my best friend tonight. I usually try to be light about everything, sarcastic at times and I joke.

Tonight she said. Seriously how are you doing? Wow, what a question. It is a difficult one to answer because   Cancer treatment is kind of a rollercoaster; just ask my amazing husband. I can be fine one moment and crying my eyes out the next. Between the drugs they give you, the fear you face on an almost daily basis, the loss of control over your life; it is enough to drive anyone mad.

I honestly know very little about what the future holds. I feel okay now, but I can wake up tomorrow feeling like total crap. There are times just hearing my husband play the ukulele; I begin to cry because statistics begin to play in my mind and I wonder, just for a second, will I beat this? Luckily the answer from me at least is a resounding yes, I do not know how I will beat this, but I will. I will grow old with my husband!!

So my answer for my friend was depends on the moment, the day. I need to break things down into moment by moment, day by day. Like for this moment I am doing okay. I think this is useful advice for anyone facing down the dreaded Cancer beast. Try taking things day by day, if it is too much take it moment by moment. AND if things are really crappy call your Oncologist. Their goal is to get you through treatment.

That is all for now,

-I Fight Like a Woman

Video Blog Chemo Prep Part 1

Hello All,

Here is my second video blog, if there are any issues with volume etc please let me know.
This video focuses on Chemo Prep! So exciting. Please c

If you have any questions or advice for gearing up for chemo please post a comment, I will do my best to respond in a timely manner, however, it may take a few days depending on where I am in my Chemo cycle.

That is all for now,

-I Fight Like a Woman!

Chemo Blues

Hello Friends,

I am in the midst of the chemo blues. I realized that my next big infusion is next Wens. All I could think is already???? I am just starting to feel better! I began to get depressed. I went in yesterday for my Herceptin and was told that my platelets are low and that they need to come up a little for me to have my big infusion next week. You would think that I would be relieved at the possibility of not having the big infusion next week. Nope, I feel sad, and I am wishing, hoping, willing my platelets back up so that next weeks infusion can go off without a hitch. Sounds crazy huh? The way I look at it is, next infusion is my half way point. It will be infusion three out of six, which would mean I am half way to this portion of the nightmare being over! I just want to make it past this chemotherapy, it will be a small win. If it works that will be a big win! I am hoping that the Drs. will re measure the tumor next Wens to make sure this chemo is working.

I am in prep mode for the next big infusion, trying to take lessons learned from the previous two and apply them. I am sprucing up the chemo cave and trying to figure out which TV show I want to dig up on netflix to watch. Last time I watched all of season one of Once Upon a Time. It is an okay show. I figure if I find a good TV show to distract myself, my time in the chemo cave won't be so rough!

To share my lessons learned for those of you going through chemo or about to go through chemo I will share my list. I encourage all who are going through chemo to make a list before each infusion that way you have a battle plan.

1. Start using Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash the day before infusion to help keep your mouth from drying out too much.

2. Do not be shy about magic mouthwash. As soon as I feel a sore coming on I swish.

3. Have sour candy on hand to battle metal mouth. Sour Cherries are my favorite.

4. Need some soothing things for Nausea. I plan to go out and buy gingins candy this weekend, if I can find it. I also now have ginger tea on hand. I hear that ginger helps with nausea; so we will see if it works.

5. Cream soups, I need to make sure I have cream soups on hand. Last infusion they were the only thing I could stand to eat mixed with mashed potatoes. Also I am going to try to consume more vegetables. So I may throw some veggies into the mix.

6. I need to break down my eating into several small meals which will hopefully help with the nausea.

7. I need to stop trying to figure out how I felt on such and such a day last cycle. New cycle may be different, I refuse to torture myself trying to figure it out with chemo brain. I am just going to try to make it through and hopefully by day 11 or 12 I will be feeling better.

8. Request to come in for fluids a couple of days after my infusion. I have a hard time drinking after infusions so hopefully getting IV fluids will help me feel less crappy.

9. Start Attivan day one of cycle to help me sleep and to keep nausea at bay.

That is all for now.

-I Fight Like a Woman.

First Video Blog

Here is my first video blog. Just wanted to update everyone and give a little glimpse into what chemotherapy is like.

Darn video editing software: Here is what was cut off, too tired to re edit.
For those of you going through this. I am so sorry! But you will make it through this! I am the biggest wimp in the universe and I am making it through. So will you!!!!!

That Is All For Now
-I Fight Like a Woman

hello

Good Evening World,

This has been a long day. Chemo changes perception, I thought tomorrow was Friday lol. It is only Wens, I was so hoping it was going to be Friday so I can feel better. Crazy huh?

It is so hard to be positive right now, the main thing I am dealing with is exhaustion, nausea and mouth issues. Nothing tastes nor feels right this time around. Maybe it is earlier than I think it is, I feel like I should be starting to feel better by now.

Tomorrow is another Tx of Herceptin.
YAY Go team Herceptin! It is the infusion that so far has caused me no issues.

I will whip my cell phone or kindle out and walk you through the process tomorrow.

I took some nausea medicine and attivan I am starting to get kind of sleepy so I am going to go for now,

-I Fight Like a Woman!

Update

The recovery from this Chemo has been more difficult in some ways and easier in others. I am exhausted, more than I think I have ever been. I feel like someone is sitting on me, holding me down. It is heart breaking. I will find my strength again hopefully in the next few days. Just wanted to update you all. Hair is still coming out, Thank God for the short buzz cut or it would be horrifying. I can feel my scalp now which is weird.

Wens I go back to the cancer center for another short infusion of Herceptin, at least it is no wheres as bad as the long infusions.

I hope to update more tomorrow,
I Fight Like A Woman

To the Chemo Cave

Today's infusion went well. But I am already feeling effects from it. I am exhausted, feel sick and more hair is coming out. I will hopefully be posting about the hair thing as well as a day in the life in the chemo lounge once I climb out of my chemo cave.

I hope all is well with everyone.

That Is All For Now

-I Fight Like A Woman

Day before TCH 2

They call my treatment TCH ( Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin). Every three weeks I get an infusion of all three. Every week I get Herceptin. Tomorrow I get all three, I am not looking forward to the aftermath. But, I will make it through. If I must I will crawl back into my chemo cave for a few days or a week and just chill.

Today will be spent prepping for my recovery. I will be packing my chemo bag, creating an easy log to keep track of side effects and making a comfortable chemo cave. I learned some tips and tricks from my last Tx so I will incorporate those to make me as comfortable as possible.

To everyone who is going through Chemo, my advice ,take the lessons from your previous infusions of what worked to get you through and incorporate them.