7th & 8th Chemo: I'm Still Standin'!!!

My 7th treatment was on Friday, November 25 and
My 8th treatment was December 1st.
I was able to really enjoy Thanksgiving!!!

Here's my big boost:

I'm half way thru my chemo treatment!!!

I can't believe it, looking back it's going fast.. although the day to day stuff can kinda drag.. I'm really appreciating knowing I have so many people still rooting for me through this, and it has made a serious difference by making me emotionally stronger.

Here are the latest details w/my treatment: Good News. We're slowly reducing the "premed" drugs I'm getting to counteract any allergic reactions, that's a good thing because I was receiving a big dose of Benadryl (so big it's given via IV!) which has been making me really sleepy (I've become pretty comfortable getting chemo now.. lol). So after we get the Benadryl lowered, we'll work on Decadron. (I also receive Pepsid, Kytril & Tylenol)

I'm still anemic, but it seems the Procrit shots are kicking in, slowly but surely. ((side note: those shots flippin' hurt! I have a good tolerance for needles/pain, but even though my RN was going slow, I was starting to tear up!)).

I gave myself a pretty good scare this week when doing some research on anemia on the Internet.. I found a few articles stating that Breast Cancer patients who are anemic generally do not have good survival rates (although no supportive data was provided!), and that anemia can be a sign of more cancer (because cancer takes blood to multiply). Jan stated that my anemia was induced by the frequency/aggressiveness of my chemo treatment, and I have nothing to worry about. I'm taking a multivitamin w/iron and soon an iron supplement (Slo-Fe). Stupid Internet. Stupid Me. I shouldn't have let it get the best of me (again!).

These bouncebacks are about the same as the last couple treatments; sore hips, pelvis, quads & hamstrings, fatigue and recently a tingly/pressure type sensation in my fingertips & toes (very common for Taxol & reversible).
My worst times seem to start Saturday evenings, Sunday all day & subside Monday mornings.. it's all tolerable though, and I'm nowhere near quitting. YEAH!

I've been told the fatigue will probably get worse as the treatments continue, it's a "cummulative effect" and I will recover once I'm done w/chemo. Sitting still, conserving energy is how I'm getting thru this. I have never felt so helpless, but I keep telling myself (as well reminders from others) IT'S TEMPORARY! :) I'll return to my more helpful self sooner than we know it!

8 treatments down, 8 to go!!!