Let the Treatment Begin...

I met with my oncologist today. I will have chemotherapy as a part of my treatment plan. Here is how it will work. The first part of the treatment will consist of 2 different chemotherapy drugs - Cytoxan and Adriamycin (not sure if I am spelling this one correctly). I will go in for treatment once every 2 weeks for 4 cycles. Each of these treatments will last about 2 hours. I will then have to go in the next day for an injection to help boost my white blood cell count and IV fluids to stay hydrated. The next week I will have an appointment to have blood work done and see the doctor.

The side effects from these two drugs seem pretty standard. Nausea and vomitting are the 2 biggies along with lower white and red blood cell counts and fatigue. I will be taking many different anti-nausea medications to help with this. The doctor and nurse said that these medications work well and can be adjusted if I need them to be. The worst I will feel at each cycle will be 2-3 days after the treatment. The nurse kept stressing that everyone reacts differently to each medication and that I won't really know how I will react until I go through the first cycle. Hair loss is another side effect that can't be avoided and usually starts after the second treatment. Oh well. Maybe I can get the hair I have always wanted. I have also wondered what my bald head really looks like. Hopefully I won't look too much like an alien. I am going to get a wig just in case I want it. Who knows.

The other half of my treatment will be with the drug, Taxol. This will be given once every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. (Add up all of the cycles and we are looking at the end of July to wrap this part all up.) Taxol has fewer side effects but each appointment will last 5-6 hours. It takes 3 hours alone for the IV bag to infuse. Nausea isn't as bad but I could develop numbness in my fingers and toes and mouth sores. Fatigue will still be a factor though.

None of the side effects kick in until the first couple of days following the treatment day. I do not have to get a ride to each treatment but it might be nice to have company at each one. I am one of the youngest patients there. Jeff and I walked into the waiting room today and I was the youngest by about 25 years.

After the chemo is done (around the end of July if I don't have to postpone any treatments due to illness, etc.) and I will wait a month and then go into my radiation treatment. This will be everyday for 6 weeks. Add that on and we are now talking mid-October before all is said and done.

I can't look that far ahead or the treatments seem endless. I'll take them one at a time and check them off as I go.

My first cycle will start on Wednesday, February 28th.

Until next time...
~Anne