Wednesday 9/28/11

I am finally starting to get my energy back (without ridelin) and it feels good.  Those first 4 days after my last chemo really had me drained, mentally and physically.   I will find out tomorrow at my weekly herceptin appointment where my levels stand.  Fingers crossed they are normal and all is good.  I want to feel my best for Saturday's walk for breast cancer.  I am excited about the event and will have a lot of family and friends supporting me and other survivors, as well as keeping those in our hearts that are no longer with us.   I am sure it will be a fun and emotional day.

Side effects:    The only new side effect I am currently having is all my finger tips on both hands are numb.  The doctor said the side effects will go away once my last chemo is complete and has time to get out of my system.  Though I have not liked my side effects, I know others have it a lot worse.  So I try to not whine too much about it, but sometimes Kevin has to listen.     : 0 )

What I am looking foward to when chemo is finally done:

• Spending lots of time with family and friends and not feeling sick while doing it.
• Having my full energy back to enjoy camping.
• Ditching the wig and growing my own hair and trying out new hair styles.
• Getting back to the gym and working out.

Just a few of the things I miss in no particular order.

Tomorrow I have my weekly herceptin appointment and I will blog again and let everyone know how my blood work turned out.

xoxoxoxo    Sandy

9/25/11 Sunday - 5th Chemo update

Well I had my 5th chemo treatment on Thursday and since then I have had absolutely no energy.  The doctor said the last two would be my hardest and I am starting to believe her. The ridelin that the doctor prescribed for fatigue, will no doubt become my best friend in the next 6 weeks.   I just don't see any other way to get the energy that I need to function on a daily basis.  Laying around in bed tired all day, gets old very quickly.  I am resting a lot but it's still not giving me any energy that I need.

On happier note, I am almost done with the chemo treatments and then I should get my energy levels back.  Hooray!   Next Saturday we have the breast cancer walk and I am looking forward to doing that with all my family and friends.   Thank you to everyone who has donated or plans to participate in the walk/run, it means a lot for us to raise money for this great cause.

I will blog more next week on how I am doing.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, they keep me going.

xoxoxoxo
Sandy

9/21/11 Wednesday

Tomorrow Thursday I have my 5th Chemo treatment, which means I am only 3 more weeks away from being done with Chemo.  I am so ready for this part of the treament to be over with.  Yahoo!
After chemo is over, I will start 6 weeks of radiation (5 days a week).
We have been on this crazy roller coaster ride for 4 months, but I can tell you it feels like a year to me.
It's been the longest 4 months of my life and I am so ready to try and get life back to somewhat normal.

I have inserted a picture of my current side effects from the chemo.  My finger nails are turning red.
It's really no big deal, my feet and hands bother me more than this.

Another side effect that is driving me batty is, my eyes have been tearing up the last 3 weeks non-stop.  I went to the optometrist and they had to (Dr.'s words: roater rooter) my tear duct glands out.  They put a needle in the corner of your eye and squirt saline into the tubes to flush them out.  Mine were completely blocked, which meant she got out another scary looking tool to push into the glands to clear them. 
Then she used the needle and salin to flush them out but they still continue to water on and off daily.  So I am on two different eye drops to help with the dry watery eyes and I will see the doctor again in 3 weeks for a recheck.

I am trying to stay positive but the side effects seem to be coming harder at me, as this process is coming to and end.  I am almost done with the hardest part (chemo) so I can't let it get me down now.
Thanks for your well wishes and I love hearing from everyone.

I will blog again after my chemo treatment tomorrow Thursday.  My mom will be there cheering me on and watching me sleep after the Benadryl Zombie dose.     : 0 )

xoxoxox
Sandy

Weekly Treatment and Updates

I had my weekly herceptin treatment Thursday.  Dr. got my weekly blood work and my platelets are low.  So that means two shots in the tummy, one Thursday and one on Friday to get back to a normal level.  I have not been able to bounce back from this last chemo treatment as in the past.  The doctor said that is perfectly normal and for me to expect the same in my last two treatments.  As I get further into the treatments, my body is taking in more chemo and it will take longer to recover.  So the next two treatments I will have to listen to what my body is telling me and rest when I need too.  I am so thankful I have God, family and friends to rely on, to keep me strong and pushing through these next two treatments.

My hands seem to be getting slightly worse and they itch like crazy.  I may have to break down and fill the prescription for the steriod.  I am looking forward to watching some football this weekend and relaxing.


xoxoxo
Sandy

Pics of redness

Red Rash

I am again getting a red rash on my hands and feet.  It's a weird rash that is under the skin.
This happened after my last chemo treatment and the Dr had to put me on steroids for 7 days to clear it up.  My feet were in so much pain, it felt like I was walking on broken glass for several days until the steroids kicked in.
I have my Thursday weekly appointment, so I will talk to the Dr about these symptoms and if I again need to be on steroids for another week if the rash is worse by Thursday and if my feet are in pain.
So far no pain, but the rash just started today. I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks
Sandy

4th Chemo Treatment

4 down,,, and 2 to go and I will be done with the chemo treatments, so ready.  The 4th treatment went well as far as not much nausea but my energy level is really low.  Saturday, Sunday and Monday consisted of many naps on and off, I just do not have any energy to go all day without resting.  I try to not take the Ridelin for fatique unless I really need it.  It really does decrease my appetite, which I don't need help with right now.  I have lost 19 lbs at this point with still two more treatments to go.  It's all weight I had to loose, but I don't recommend my weight loss program, it stinks.    : 0 (

Next chemo treatment is Sept 22nd.  I will post more blogs between now and then to keep everyone updated on how I am doing.  I hope everyone had a nice relaxing holiday.  It was so nice to have Monday off and a short work week ahead.

xoxoxoxo
Sandy