12 posts tagged “chemotherapy”
Voluntary poisoning at it's finest.
In the words of Kool & The Gang, "Celeeeeebration time... come on!" Let's celebrate!
Today was a great day, it was my last chemotherapy treatment.
My closest friends and family were there to support - brother K, friend L, partner C and daughter T! My brother brought me balloons and a fabulously delicious, super moist lemon pound cake. At the end of my treatment the infusion nurses gathered together and threw confetti and presented me with a certificate of completion - super cool!
Although I won't be receiving any more chemotherapy drugs I will still have to return every 21 days for the next six months to the infusion room to be administered the drug Herceptin. Herceptin was included in my "chem cocktail" all though it is not a chemotherapy drug. Because of the type of breast cancer I have I must have this treatment for a full year.
It is a monoclonal antibody which is a type of biological therapy. Herceptin only works on breast cancer patients with high levels of the protein HER2. HER2 is found on the surface of some cancer cells. The drug attaches itself to the HER2 protein and stops epidermal growth factor from reaching the cancer cells. This prevents the cancer cells from multiplying and growing.
I will be meeting with the Radiologist Oncologist in the next 2-3 weeks for my Radiation consultation - treatment will begin some time in October - every day for 6.5 weeks - eek!
Better enjoy my weekend - because I know I will feel like crap next week!
Getting closer to the finish line.
its a big deal for me! Really, it is!
In the past, I would blare my music while I danced around my room and made up my bed. I would crank it a little higher so that when I showered I could hear it - which lead to dancing in the shower while I lathered up and rinsed off.
Since the breast cancer diagnosis the dancing started to dwindle, after surgeries, dealing with chemotherapy and not feeling good a lot of the time I don't remember the last time I danced in the shower. I had a rough week last week following treatment. I'm on the rebound this week and for the last two days I have felt really good.
In preparing to get dressed this morning, I thought about playing some music for the first time in months. I started iTunes up on my Mac Mini and instinctively started to dance around the room. Started the shower, and when I got in I started dancing. This is my body, mind and spirit telling me - "I feel great today!"
I have one chemo treatment left on Sept 19th, now that is something to dance about!
Now, if my eyebrows would just grow back lol!
- Wow! The last treatment really knocked me off my block! I have worked from my bed since Tuesday - basically, weak, sleeping and battling the hot flashes between doing my conference calls and responding to emails. Per usual, no real appetite - I've lost 8lbs since last Friday.
- I felt good enough to get out this afternoon with C. I honestly didn't think I would be able to, but I wanted to try since I had not been out of the house since last Saturday. It was good to get out, I'm glad I went.
- Don't forget to tune into the Stand Up To Cancer network tele event tomorrow afternoon at 7:00 CT. I will be going to a dinner and viewing party to watch the event tomorrow night - should be fun!
- I must be an overnight celebrity! Got a call from Gilda's Clubhouse this afternoon, they want me to do another taping. The Program Director that called said "you are so famous, we were hoping you would do another taping." She went on to say, "I'm going to get your autograph and sell it on Ebay." This taping will be of a Wellness Support session next Tuesday night, so there will be other members involved. Gotta make sure I were a cool hat!
- I'm looking forward to these two movies this month:
- Can someone tell Sarah Palin to go somewhere and sit her ass down?
- Happy Friday!
Voluntary poisoning at it's finest.
* I had Dr. M write me a perscription for the hot flashes that have become increasingly worse over the last few days. She said that the chemotherapy suppresses ovary functions and as a result kicks in menopause symptoms - hot flashes, absence of menstruation etc. She said because I'm still young, my ovaries are "robust" therefore menstruation "might," return. Hope not.
* As usual she checked my finger and toenails for thinning and cracking and disengagement from the nail bed. Other than the darkening, I'm good.
* I've been having a very odd extremely warm sensation on the top of my right ankle. I would describe it as if someone sat a coffee cup on top of my ankle. No pain, just sporadic warmness. Dr. M, said its an affect to the nerves in that area - of course its from the chemo.
* I asked about taking some supplements - specifically Vitamins A & D to improve bone density as it relates to breast cancer. She said yes, but it must be after all treatment is completed. I forgot why.
* The nurse didn't receive the report from my last EKG to check how my heart was doing, so she asked me to go over to the Nuclear Medicine department where I took the last test back in July to see if they could locate it because she had called and they only had the May test results. So, I went over to the main hospital, to EKG administration. They were able to pull it up and said they would fax it over to D. M's office. The nurse called me later this afternoon to tell me they did the wrong test - should have been an echocardiogram not an EKG so I have to get an echo sometime next week - bummer
* My brother and C helped me kill the time today, which was way cool ;)
* I expect the side effect drama to kick in sometime Sunday night or Monday, so I best enjoy my weekend. I'm off Monday, so hopefully I won't feel to bad.
* Running tab for cost of care for my breast cancer. Since diagnosis at the end of March 08, claims totaling $187,000.00 submitted to insurance. And of course this does not include the treatment on Friday, which is typically $23K - 25K. I am blessed to be insured. Hopefully Obama will come through for those less fortunate in regards to healthcare!
Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day
What is Chemo Brain?
The phrase "chemo brain" has come to be used by cancer survivors to describe changes in memory, attention, concentration, and abilities to perform various mental tasks that are associated with receiving chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
In medical jargon the effects of chemo brain are referred to as cognitive deficits or declining neuropsychological functioning. In recent years more focus has been placed on this phenomena as a side effect of chemotherapy.
Recent Yahoo Chat
C: I know you went to the store last night, but if you forgot something, let me know and I'll bring it.
or we can just go back to Walmart...or Target
Hopluv: ok, I did forget some stuff
but don't my have thoughts about it together right now
C: oh ok. are you ok
Hopluv: yea I'm ok
I try to remember stuff then I forget and can't remember what I wanted to remember if that makes sense
C: yes it does, and you just made it funny lol
Hopluv: lol
More on chemo brain
Unfortunately, I've noticed this side effect rearing its ugly head as I've experienced some difficulty remember the simplest things and have a lot of things on the tip of tongue but unable to spit it out. I've read it gets better after the treatments stop, but the memory won't be restored to what it was before chemotherapy. Bummer... so now I'm blind as a bat and can't remember shit! Great!
Voluntary poisoning at it's finest.
- Since I forgot to snap a picture yesterday in the Infusion Room, did one just now with PhotoBooth. C and I are at Buli's Coffee Shop at the moment having lunch and sucking up the free WiFi.
- The treatment went well yesterday, I got sleepier than normal but couldn't settle down enough to really take a nap. My brother came, my friends J and C of course were there for support keeping me company. It makes the time (5 hours) fly by quickly to laugh and talk with them. Thanks guys!
- My Oncologist is on vacay this week, so I knew I wouldn't be meeting with her yesterday. However, I did meet with her nurse, who I really like. She is a sweetheart. I ran a few issues by her that I was experiencing since the treatment before last. I've noticed a dramatic change in my vision! When using the computer, and trying to read text it is extremely blurry. I have prescribed glasses (the ones in the pic above) for reading, but never wore them much before now because I didn't need them too often. I now have to wear them daily in order to see! After researching it I found that there is a connection between vision problems and chemotherapy. I almost made an appointment to see the Optometrist, but now am glad I waited. The nurse said don't bother about having my eyes checked or changing my lens because it will do no good while I'm in treatment. She also confirmed that the vision problems were being caused by the chemotherapy. The other issue I talked with her about was a recurring "fluttering" around my heart and different places in my body. Its a very strange feeling. Did some research on this too, others undergoing chemotherapy have reported having this issue too and found it was related to Herceptin. Herceptin is one of the drugs in my chemo cocktail. The Oncologist Nurse confirmed the same. She said if it was bothersome she could prescribe something for it. I'm on enough drugs at the moment, so decided against that. As long as I don't have to worry about having a heart attack I can deal with it for now. She said "you look very good!" in fact everyone says that! So, hope they are not pulling my leg and I actually look like shit :)
- The taping for Gilda's Club was today. I almost, almost cancelled because I woke up not feeling so great. I pulled myself together and went ahead anyway, since I had made the commitment. I was a bit nervous, basically not knowing what to expect and the questions I would be asked. C sat in with me off camera, which relaxed me somewhat with her being in the room. The interviewer was a Fox News Medical Reporter, he was cool, made me feel very comfortable talking about my experience with Breast Cancer. He asked questions but it was more conversational than anything. At the end he said I did really well, C said I did too. I will be able to view the finished product on October 15th at a fundraiser luncheon. Club members are not normally invited to these, but I will receive a VIP invitation because of my participation in the project.
- Don't know if you can tell in the picture above but I'm starting to lose my eyebrows - the ends are gone and whats left is thinning out. Ain't that some shit?
- Oh, I asked the nurse about the weight loss - she didn't think it was enough to worry about. I'm almost 20lbs down.
- I remember thinking/saying before chemo started that I challenge chemo to take away my appetite because as much as I love food and eating didn't think it could happen. Well it did, chemo won! Eating is a serious chore for me. Most of the food is bland which makes me not want to eat and I really just don't think about eating. When I am hungry, I can typically only take a few bites and that's it - done! Suxs.
- Sweets tend to be flavorable for me though which is odd. Yesterday, during treatment, a man came around with a box of cupcakes. I picked a chocolate one with green icing and chocolate sprinkles - it was wonderful! I tasted the flavor in the cake part and the icing! I think I could have eaten two :)
- 2 more treatments left - yeah! Then I wait three weeks and start Radiation. Not overjoyed about doing that every freakin day for 6 weeks - whatevs.
- I'm noticing that people in my neighborhood are not posting that much anymore. I really like Vox, but I have to admit it isn't as exciting as it use to be - not sure exactly why. I haven't been real motivated to post here either - not sure exactly why. I do read the posts here on Vox, but also read a lot of blogs in my Bloglines. I no longer have a personal blog, perhaps I should turn it back "on".
- It has been 100 degree temps here all week! Chemo, the sun and heat don't mix well - so my ass has almost been on lock down until the afternoon and evenings.
- Finally, McCain has realized what we already know, Barack Obama is a rock star! And oh by the way McCain, yes he can lead! Anybody else see the campaign ad?
- I sat through 30 hours last week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to complete a class for required education hours for the renewal of my real estate licenses. Boy was it gruesome! The class (The Art of Negotiation) itself was not so bad as I actually learned quite a bit. It was just the sitting there for all those hours each day that was tough! Saturday night (actually before day), I starting getting sick and prayed I would feel better to return on Sunday, which I was able to. I missed 2 out of 60 on the final exam! One was because I read the darn question wrong. The other the instructor said everyone was missing it, so she thinks she didn't cover it well.
- I am so not looking forward to "poison day" next week - also known as chemotherapy. The days prior to treatment I begin to get anxious so this has become a normal thing. As much as I dreaded the process, I have realized a few perks from chemo:
- No need for a Brazilian or full body wax, since I'm virtually hair less.
- Don't have to brush my hair
- Weight loss - since 7/18 I've lost about 13 lbs.
- No periods - hoping it stays away for good :)
- Eating healthier, less butter more olive oil
- One of the side effects I don't like is the change in my nails..... peep this!
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I'm holding one of my perfume bottles since I'm right handed and this is my right hand and I had to take the picture with my left hand. The discoloration (purple-ish) is most prominent on the thumb nails, but its now showing up on the other nails.
- Another is actually the way my taste buds have been affected. Anyone that knows me knows I really enjoy food. Now, eating has become a chore vs. something I always looked forward to doing. I like highly seasoned food, so eating has become a challenge because nothing tastes seasoned. That fact coupled with the loss of appetite is the cause for the weight loss.
- We are psyched! SCAD (Savannah College of Art Design) is said to be opening a campus here - downtown Dallas. For me that means, no out of state fees or room and board fees for T when she transfers there next year. The final decision should be within 30 to 60 days.
- Speaking of T she has an interview today for a Receptionist job at a Law Firm. I'm happy because she is under paid at Hollister and hasn't been getting many hours lately. Good luck baby girl!
- Speaking of T again, she does need a better paying job so she can pay toward her car insurance and maintenance. I had her Land Rover serviced yesterday, it was preventative maintenance. It was inspected and other than needing a little freon for the AC the mechanic said it was in excellent shape! I did have several items replaced, flushed and serviced to ensure it continues to drive well and remain in good shape - set me back $900.00. Yea, she needs to contribute to the cause - which is vehicle ownership.
- Been doing a little decorating (and I do mean little) with some new accessories for each of my living room spaces. For what I call the "white room" I changed the accent color to like a lime green. Green and white pillows were added to the two white leather sofas in the room and also added some gorgeous ceramic vases, both white and green on my coffee table. In the room I call my "brown room" I got new shades and also for the kitchen sliding doors. In the picture you can't tell, because the pic is dark and looks like crap but the shade is a chocolate brown which blends nicely with the brown leather sectional. The shade filters the light and adds the privacy that I didn't have before.
- I struggled with a title, hence the one you see above. I thought this looked cool!
- 5 days post chemo treatment. I'm hoping I start to feel better over the next few days. Mainly muscle and joint aching has been the culprit following this cycle. I experienced this with the last treatment but it wasn't as bad as this go around. The is a side effect of Taxotere. The pain is making it difficult to sleep. I meet with my Oncologist tomorrow, I think I will have her prescribe something for the pain. The hot flashes started with is cycle too. I feel like I've aged 20 years!
- Still going to support group meetings at Gilda's Club. It's going "ok" what I'm starting to see though is that they do a lot of conversing about non cancer related topics/issues/concerns. I mean this week, 1.5 hours were spent with folks talking about their recent vacation to Ireland, walking dogs and grandchildren with about 30 minutes of participants speaking on their status and sharing. And there is one women that monopolizes the entire session! She talks too much, and when anyone else speaks she takes that over with her stories. I can tell that it annoys the faciliator and the other people too. Its called "group" for a reason biatch!
- Gilda's also has another support group that meets at their clubhouse once a month called "Sisters Network." C and I thought this would be a great opportunity to connect with African American women who have experienced breast cancer. So, we went to the meeting to check it out. It was very structured, with a formal agenda and everything - a little too structured - actually, I thought I was on a conference call for work! Anyway, it seems the purpose of the organization is to raise money for breast cancer awareness and community outreach - essentially knocking on doors to talk to African Americans about breast cancer. This is all fine and well and something I will be interested in doing once I get on the other side of treatment, however right now I'm looking for support groups to get through this ordeal. I was so syched for this organization too! The perfect group for me would be gay, African American women with breast cancer - I honestly don't think that exists.
Voluntary poisoning at it's finest.
Me on my work laptop (not working) maxin and relaxin in the Chemo Lounge:
- I've reached the middle ground, 3 of the 6 treatments completed today!
- 3 weeks following the 6th treatment I start radiation therapy - everyday for 6 weeks. Blahs!
- Met with Dr. M., my Oncologist before chemo today. She said my CBC (Complete Blood Count) looked great and my limited number of side effects was very positive! At this point with the exception of increasing fatigue, I shouldn't experience any new side effects.
- My blood pressure has been increasingly high, something she is very concern with. I have had a problem with high blood pressure before the Breast Cancer diagnosis and at one point was on medication. She said we have to get it under control quick fast and in a hurry!
- C, T and my brother came to treatment with me today, thanks family!
- I will try hard to have an enjoyable weekend, before the after effects of treatment kick in around Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
- Next chemotherapy treatment August 8th, yeah-boo-hiss!
- The "Air" is doing great, still loving it! The Steve Sleeve showed up, I don't like it as much as I thought I would. Definitely not worth the 50 clams I paid for it. Probably will be replaced PDQ (pretty, damn, quick).
- T got all four wisdom teeth removed on Monday. Monday was the toughest due to all the bleeding, she had a lot of soreness but experience no pain - mainly because I kept her loaded up on the pain meds they prescribed - Vicodin. She has a little swelling looking rather "chipmunkish." She insisted upon going with me to treatment today even though I suspected she didn't feel totally up to it - which she confirmed this evening. The worst of it is over and overall I think she feels pretty good. It was actually kind of weird, I enjoyed babying my 19 year old daughter the last few days! It made me feel good :)
- T told me today she plans to take real estate classes early next year and then take the licensing exam to become a Realtor. The plan is to partner with me to sell homes next summer. How cool is that?! I've had my license since 2003 - although I have a full time job I like to sell homes on the side!
- I had doubts, but I'm really enjoying the Wendy Williams Show! How yooooou doooin? The show debuted on Monday of this week, for a 6 week run in a few selected markets - New York, Detriot, Dallas and Los Angeles.
- Went to Urban Taco for dinner tonight following my brother's recommendation. Didn't like it! Everything was blan and I felt it was overpriced too. $9.25 for 3 tiny tacos, don't think so. I called him afterward and told him, I didn't care for it. This place puts them to shame - Tin Star. The tacos at Tin Star are flavorful and much larger and much cheaper!
- The local Smart Car dealer called me this afternoon to tell my triple black Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe will be here Aug 14th! She wanted to know if I was still interested in it. Of course I am! I reserved this car back May 2007, so its been a long wait. It will be a second car for me as I purchased a new car the end of May this year - AKA "Benzie" which I really love! The Smart Car is something cute, fun and gas efficient to possibly add to the household.
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- Nuff said, enjoy your weekend!
Voluntary poisoning at it's finest.
2nd Chemotherapy treatment was done on Friday successfully. The voluntary poison begun after blood was drawn from medi-port to be tested in the lab. I met with Dr. M before going to the Infusion Room (The Cocktail Lounge) for the chemo drugs. She reviewed the blood work that came back from the lab which indicated my blood counts were good! She wanted to look at my hands for thinning nails and detachment - which is a side affects from the chemo drugs. I'm starting to get a deep purple line at the base of my thumb nail bed, she said it was a side affect from the drugs also. We discussed other side affects that I experienced none of which were out of the ordinary. The treatment was started and was shorter in duration, about 4 hour vs. the 5 for the first one. The Oncologist Nurse explained that the first treatment takes longer because the meds were administered slowly to see if I would have any reactions. Since I did not, the 2nd treatment (dose) was set to run faster.
I saw the claim for the first treatment today on a statement sent by my insurance company - for saline, Benadryl, anti nausea, and 3 chemo drugs - charges were $26,300.00! For drugs! I have several more treatments at $26K a pop - whoa!. Thank god for insurance!
I have noticed that my hair is coming out somewhat easily, not by brushing, but if I pinch a bunch together and do a slight tug it all comes out, no pain or anything - very weird! I anticipate total baldness by sometimes next week. The wierdness and fatigue are supposed to set in after the 3rd day following treatment which is when the steriods wear off - so Monday or Tuesday of next week, I might be flat out! My plan was to really enjoy this afternoon and tomorrow as much as possible. I'm a bit bummed because I was scheduled to be in Greece next week, however those plan were spoiled with the Breast Cancer show stealer. Since the vacation days were already planned I decided to take them anyway so that I can recuperate from the Chemotherapy without worrying about work.
I had visitors join me in the Cocktail Lounge - thanks Miss "C" and thank you Miss "J". Both your presence were wonderful to have today :)
