Well, my first chemo infusion is in 2 days. Friday morning at 10:00 MST. Tomorrow morning I have to get labs drawn and I see my primary care practitioner. I got a book, Dear God, They Say It’s Cancer, and I’ve been reading it and journaling about the first days after I was diagnosed. I find it somewhat comforting to get those facts down on paper and journal about how I felt at that time, as best as I can remember, lol. Eventually I will “catch up” with where I am currently at and will continue to journal.
I’m pretty nervous about chemo and what side effects I will have. Honestly, I’m just plain scared. I am hoping to rest the rest of the day on Friday and Saturday as needed, Sunday too. And then be able to go to work on Monday. That way I will only miss one day of work per chemo cycle. I have read a lot of horror stories about chemo reactions but I have also read some from people who were able to do the chemo, rest a few days and then get back to regular activity, albeit slower than previously.
I think have prepared myself and the house as much as I think I can. I have stocked up on soup and fruit and will get popsicles this weekend when we go grocery shopping. I have all the anti-nausea meds that they prescribed. I have a bag with a blanket and small pillow, change of clothes, ear buds, phone charger, books and a chemo symptom tracker for the actual time I will be at chemo. I also have a set of cold mitts and booties to decrease the chance of getting peripheral neuropathy from the Docetaxel, the first chemo med that will be infused. I will also be drinking a Slurpee (if we can find a flavor I like on the way there, lol) or eating ice chips to cut down on the chance of mouth sores.
I will have a total of four medications. The regimen is called TCHP: Taxotere (or Doxetaxel), Carboplatin, Herceptin (Trastuzumab) and Perjeta (Pertuzumab). As I understand it, the Doxetaxel and Carboplatin are the actual traditional chemo and the Herceptin and Perjeta are for the HER2 positive portion of the tumors. The total infusion time will be about 2.5 hours. The Doxetaxel takes about 1 hour and the Carboplatin takes about 30 minutes. The Herceptin and Perjeta are going to be injections, as I recall. I’m not sure yet where the rest of the anticipated time goes, maybe to saline flushes and other sundry items. I will know soon enough I suppose.
The day after the chemo, I go in the morning to Penrose Hospital, very close to the house, to get an injection of a drug that helps to increase your production of white blood cells (WBC), particularly, the neutrophils. This will be my schedule for each cycle – Thursday morning: get labs drawn and see the doctor, Friday: chemo infusion and injection, Saturday: injection for WBC production. Then in 3 weeks, we do it all again. I will do this for 6 cycles. If all goes well and I tolerate the chemo well, my last day of chemo will be December 29.This will place my first surgery around the end of January to mid February.
I will update about the first chemo as soon as I feel up to it. As always, thanks so much for your support and your thoughts and prayers!!!
Sheri, you remain in my prayers that you will have no nausea, and no bad side effects. Tiredness seems to be the big one with everyone as your body and the chemo fight the cancer. The main thing is to listen to your body, take naps, rest when you are tired and eat protein to keep your strength up! This is what they told my husband this past year and it has worked for him. Once you have your first chemo, you won’t be as afraid. I think it’s fear of the unknown. Perfectly natural. You can fight this and you will be ok!! Virtual hugs sent your way.
Chris
Thank you so much for your kind words of wisdom and your prayers!!