3rd Chemo & Medi Port: Complete!

I had my Medi Port put in on Oct 11, then completed WITHOUT ANY REACTIONS, my 3rd treatment.. Although unfortunately bouncing back from the chemo is another story!!!

The treatment took a bigger toll on my body and it took me much longer to bounce back this time. I felt the bone pain, body aches, fatigue, appetite loss and more sinus congestion.. all I can say is that it's chemo.. it's not supposed to be fun.

I have 1 more treatment of Adriamycin/Cytoxan, before switching to 12 weekly treatments of Taxol (or a similar drug, depending on reactions) along with Herceptin, which has been in the news lately.

Slowly but surely, I'm getting there.

This Captures What I'm Going Thru Perfectly

My Mom called me at 7:30am this morning, waking the household.. but after watching the story she wanted me to see.. it was well worth it.

Kelly Corrigan tells her Breast Cancer Survival story on the Today show.. I was captivated.

Below is a link to Kelly's website.. when looking through her pictures, in particular the one of the OR double doors and her thoughts of wanting her parents/husband, etc.. I had those SAME EXACT feelings..

Kelly really did a great job of documenting chemo.. I'll be able to confirm the radiation/herceptin treatments in the near future.. ;)

http://www.circusofcancer.org/index.html

Love,
~Christine

2nd Chemo & Physical Changes

Well,

I survived my 2nd chemo treatment!!! Literally!

I had more "reactions" to the chemo, including a more serious allergic reaction; the beginning of anaphylactic shock. Honestly, this scared the hell out of me, as well as Carolyn & my nurses. To help with the reactions, I will be receiving a Medi Port to help with access to my vein and lots of drugs prior to the next treatment. The "surgery" is scheduled for next week, just before my 3rd chemo treatment.

So, just shy of 2 weeks after my 1st treatment, my hair began to fall out in significant amounts. So the evening of my 2nd treatment, my brother (with some help) shaved it off. I'll have to confess, my Mom did not drop me on my head when I was an infant and the shape of my head is better than I imagined!

This last weekend, the recovery from the chemo treatment was a little harsher than the first. The anti-nausea meds are working, but are causing other side effects that can be just as annoying, so I'm hoping we can switch the drugs a bit. Thanks to Winnie, Jamie & Carolyn for our little Girl's Nite on Friday & to the Kingsbury's for taking the kids out on Sunday, they loved it, Kris got a break & I got some real rest!



Thanks again to everyone for all your support, as always, I couldn't get through this without all of you!!!!