Hair-less

I'm bald. Keep me away from mirrors!

We got up at 6:30am on a Saturday because I couldn't take it anymore! There were too many bald spots to cover with the thin strands of unruly hair that were left, my head was sensitive to touch and hair was (is) EVERYWHERE! Everywhere meaning on and in my clothes, on every piece of furniture we have, the floors and yes even a few of the ceilings - ridiculous! It was time.

So after my very supportive and patient husband trimmed and then shaved my head we began cleaning the mess my former accessory had caused. It will take awhile, but eventually our house will again be back to its normal, clean self. I'm not sure why I wasn't born wealthy, but if I was we would definitely have a professional cleaner!!

Chemo Postponed

So after a 2 hour car ride to BI, waiting, having blood drawn, waiting, having my vitals taken, waiting, being brought back to a room, waited for the doctor - I am then told that I can't have chemo this week!! Frustrating!

Normally I would try to talk my doctors into doing it anyways; but my white count was only 800 and it needs to be 1500 in order to administer chemo. Which is too far off even for me to argue with.

White count = the number of infection fighting cells you have. Chemo knocks this number down making your immune system very weak, they would have thought my count would be back to a higher number by this time; they were wrong.

So now we wait. Dr. Huberman said that there's nothing I can do to bring the count up, that it should go up on its own and be fine for next week. We will re-try round 2 of chemo again next week (Thur. (6/4), Fri (6/5), Sat (6/6)).

On a different updating note; for those of you who haven't seen my ever changing hairstyle in the past week, it has become very thin and will be completely gone within the week I'm sure.

Hair

Just a mini update.
I went and got a super cute hair cut last night; however, it's not going very last long because my hair has started to fall out in clumps. :o(
I'm very curious to see what it's going to look like when it grows back this time... I'm afraid I have a long time to wait for that though.

Chemo Round 2 this coming Thursday (5/28). ding, ding, ding!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

One Week Post Cycle #1

Well Hello Everyone,
Today is Thursday, one week after my first day of chemo; this is also the first day that I feel human again! My stomach is still wishy washy, but overall I'm feeling 100% better!

I've been miserable, grumpy, very sick, exhausted and haven't really talked much to anyone (warning: this might be a reoccurring thing with every cycle). Thank you everyone for hanging in there with me though! Even on my most miserable days there was always someone that sent along an encouraging word and let me tell you, it makes a world of difference! Thank You!

I had a follow-up this morning with the doctors. Although it was a bit longer than anticipated (!!!) everything came back good! :o) My mom took me to this appointment where she got to meet my doctors/nurses and see where I get treated, which was nice. We always have an adventure! I'm not so sure how we got "misguided" after the appointment and ended up at the 99's and then the nail salon for pedicures, but it was WELL worth it!!! :o)

The next time I have to go in is for day #1 cycle #2, May 28th. It will be the same regiment as last time Thur (6 hrs, Cisplatin/vp-16), Fri (2 hrs, vp-16), Sat (2 hrs vp-16). Hopefully this time the IV placement will go smoother!

Chemo Cycle #1

Cycle one started Thursday morning, after the 2 hour ride in we got there promptly on time at 8:45am. Checked in at the desk, had my vitals done, drew blood, met with my oncologists and then to Nurse Linda we went. So if I gave you all a quiz before I even began this I bet you could guess what comes next.... if you answered, A. trying to find a vein to put the IV in, you'd be correct! ding! ding! ding! Now I won't say that it doesn't bother me to be stabbed 6 times and not yet place the IV, I've become used to this, I do however get very angry at the mention of sending me home and having to wait for another day because 3 nurses can't find a vein to put the IV in. Well one last stick and finally we have luck (lucky for them!) Okay, so now we're on a roll. Start the saline, give me anti-nausea meds.. then finally the chemo. The process of this first day went from 8:45am-6:00pm. John and I spent our time playing some monopoly (until the sleeping aid he convinced (not true) the nurse to give me cause me to forfeit - I had all the transportation properties too, I was clearly winning!). So after me passing out for a while we had a little lunch, and then watched Baby Mama. Finally time for all of the discharge directions and we were off. Finally home. Surprisingly this day went better than that night and following days.

I woke up Friday morning nauseous, tried to eat something and take my meds, that didn't go all so well. After throwing up, I called the nurses at BI, got a new attack plan and went in early. They gave me more IV anti nausea meds, the VP-16 chemo and more saline. That trip lasted from 11-4ish. I slept a little better last night, but only to wake up nauseous again, no throwing up yet though. Today was the final treatment for this cycle. We arrived at BI at 11am and left around 3pm. My goal this time was to sleep as much as possible.

So to sum up this experience, my body is pissed that I'm taking back control; but taking back control I'm going to do.

I'm taking it a little (a lot) slower these days; so bear with me when it comes to phone calls or blog entries, but I'll do what I can. Your messages of support keep me kicking!

We have to go back to BI on Thursday for follow up blood work and to "check in", but chemo cycle #2 doesn't start until 5/28.