Thursday, November 13, 2008

Chemo #3, Day 1

Afternoon
Successful chemo treatment – no problems with the port access. We were both very tired since we were up late last night and woke up at 4:30 am. Before treatment begins, they give me two Benadryl and three Zofran – both sleep-inducing drugs. Needless to say, it was hard to keep the eyes open.

Since the taste buds have come back quite a bit, we stopped at Jimmy Mac’s to have my favorite meal – steak with blue cheese. Oh yeah! And their heavenly fresh rolls with honey butter. Yum, yum, yummy! Calorie-laden and high fat meal, but who cares. I don’t eat enough during the first week, so it makes it up in my mind.

As hard as I try to give my fear to God and push away the negative thoughts of recurrence, the fear of it is always lurking in the back of my mind. Women who have had my same cancer and same treatment – lumpectomy plus radiation and chemotherapy - have gone onto metastasis. No one dies because they have cancer in their breast. They die because the cancer either spreads or comes back somewhere else (bones, liver, brain). When it reaches other organs (metastasis), it makes treating the cancer that much more difficult to treat. Some people live a long time with cancer in other organs, but have frequent testing and chemo. I think most, if not all, cancer patients think about this.

Evening
My stomach is a mess. Not sure if it still is the steroids or if it is nausea . . or maybe the lunch? I’m still full! The steroids are taken to prevent allergic reactions to the chemo drugs. I don’t think I will have any. If I do. . eh! So, I’m stopping them. Gonna try TB's recommendation (wink).


Vic had a MRI scan before his surgery in August. Results came back with something in his groin area and liver. Surgeon for the adrenal gland cancer said not to worry about it. Vic has recently had some pain in the groin – but didn’t tell me! Didn’t want me to bet worried with all that I have going on. People really need to realize that I can handle bad news . . . it helps me get out of “me world.” Vic spoke with his internist today and he will have an ultrasound to see what is going. Please pray that it isn’t anything!

4 comments:

  1. The full feeling is from a full tummy. My doc is recommending that mom and I both start laxatives the very day we start chemo. It'll help with dehydration, lethargy and help us sleep better.

    Isn't it just atrocious how undignified this whole thing really is?

    You're almost done Renee. Hang in there!!

    Fondly,
    your chemo partner-in-crime from the east coast :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Renee - I'm sorry you aren't feeling the best. I do have to say steak and blue cheese ..... I'm not sure I'd feel so good either. We love you and we are praying for both you and Vic.

    Love you guys - Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Renee,

    Gotta tell you the steak and blue cheese sounds yummy! Sorry you aren't feeling as well as you were earlier in the day. Hang in there tho.. almost there. Won't be much longer. Did you take the "stone" with you today? Hopefully, it helped if you did.

    hugs, Toni

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sandy -- got to try the steak and blue cheese - that is if you like blue cheese.

    SF- I forgot to take the laxative and stool softener last night. Shoot dang! Too many pills to keep track of even tho I have a chart.

    Toni-- Thank you for the stone. I did take it with me to treatment but forgot to bring my camera!

    ReplyDelete