Had my first round of Taxol or "T" chemo last week. What a long day at the hospital! I have to go for labs, then meet with my oncologist, then off to chemo and the chemo takes 4 hours, so you're there for a good 7 hours. There are just not enough good movies or TV shows to occupy me for 7 hours straight! Maybe I should take up knitting.
For this chemo I had to take 4 steroid pills the night prior then they give you all kinds of drugs before the chemo including more steroids and Benadryl. Some people have an allergic reaction to Taxol, thus the Benadryl, but thankfully I did not. Taxol comes in a slow drip IV bag to also help manage the reactions, like I said it's a long process.
The 2-3 days following chemo I had horrible pain in my bones and muscles. Felt like I could count the number of ribs and vertebrae in my spine. It even hurt in my thigh bones, arm bones, and hand bones. It was so sharp that during the night anytime I rolled over it would wake me up. I tried taking Advil every 4 hours but it didn't help. The final night I tried Tylenol PM and Ativan (sleeping pill) and finally got some rest. I also found the night after chemo I woke up in the middle of the night wide awake. All kinds of ideas were going through my head including career planning, thinking about the kids futures, and of course ski plans. I tried getting up, moving around, and going back to sleep but had no luck. When I saw the nurse the next day she said that is typical due to the steroids administered with Taxol, maybe I should plan some cleaning those nights. One thing I was not expecting was continued sore throat, hoarseness, and mouth sores - thought those were over with AC but found I am still having some on Taxol. I continue to brush and rinse my mouth after every meal and avoid foods that irritate my mouth (failed that today with potato chips). I'm also finding that I'm super thirsty and have to drink lots and lots of fluids on Taxol. Today is the first time I've had a voice in 10 days, but expect this will still be on again/off again the rest of chemo.
By the end of the week after not getting much rest I crashed just like the nurse said I would. I took a long nap Friday afternoon and took it easy on Saturday. The aches and pains returned some at night at bedtime but for the most part I am fine during the day. In fact I prefer not to nap because I wake up with some of those aches and stiffness. Now, at a week later, I am feeling much more my normal self. Instead of eating dinner and being exhausted from my day I find I have energy to play with my kids and put them to bed. Or after the kids go to bed I can plan something for the family. During AC my second week was hardest, I still have a week to go on Taxol but it definitely seems like an improvement.
Should also note that I got my oncologist to open up my FMLA leave by recommending me for 2 days of leave per week, and got it approved. In addition to the 1 day every two weeks for treatment, I now have 2 days a week I can take time off due to illness from the side effects - this is good news! The worst may be behind me now that I've finished AC but chemo has cumulative side effects like fatigue so it's nice knowing I have some extra time if I need it.
5 chemos down, 3 to go!!!
Monday, June 27, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Final AC Chemo
It was with mixed feelings that I went for my 4th and final AC chemo treatment. While I was happy it would be the last AC, the memory of the horrible sides affects was still fresh in my mind. I had a new nurse for this treatment and she had a slightly different work flow which made me a little more nervous. I found I couldn't even look at the AC when they were pumping it into me, like my body was fighting a nervous reaction like you do when you get a needle. The night after my chemo felt like the first night - the extraterrestrial feeling, that a foreign body is inside you. I got all shaky and twitchy and a little nauseous and it was difficult to go to sleep. But by morning I felt more my normal self and was able to work a full day. I am starting to develop the rattly cough again but am trying to stay up on my meds.
When I saw my oncologist the day of chemo he looked in my throat and could see signs of healing. I'm expected to have the same horrible side affects again next week so he prescribed me oxycodone (pain killer) and told me I could double up on the Prilosec. Can't wait. Like the third chemo he said I was slightly anemic and if I was continuing AC I'd need a blood transfusion.
I will be switching to a new chemo drug called Taxol for my next visit which the oncologist, nurses, and cancer survivors all say is easier on the body. For that my blood levels should rise and the throat / breathing issues go away but will be replaced by tingling in my finger tips and toes. Think I can live with that.
The LM leave of absence policy is horrible. Two years ago when Gary was on intermittent leave after I had Parker by c-section you entered what time you had to take when you took it and had up to 12 weeks in a calendar year. Now, you have to call in your time by midnight every night you use it, and you have to enter it on your time sheet. If you by chance make up the time later in the week you have to call back and adjust your time sheet. And if you forget to call because you'd feeling chemo'd out and miserable you have to call back and beg to get the time. I'm also only approved for 1 day every two weeks - craziness! How can I schedule when I'm going to be miserable from side effects? It is definitely not a policy to benefit the employee but rather the big corporation. I am having to use a lot of vacation to cover this and I know I still have a long road ahead.
Despite the miserable side affects and the lame LoA policy, I try to keep my hopes and spirits up through all the well wishes I get from everyone - cards, flowers, texts, emails, visitors, etc. I get a lot of support from Gary and Mom always making sure I've taken my meds, that I'm getting food, that I'm feeling ok. And the wonderful meals from Terry and Dad to help me with my nutritional needs. And Mom does a great job keeping the house in order, no easy task with two little boy tornados. In that sense I am very blessed to have my wonderful family and friends to help me get through this. Thank you all!!!
When I saw my oncologist the day of chemo he looked in my throat and could see signs of healing. I'm expected to have the same horrible side affects again next week so he prescribed me oxycodone (pain killer) and told me I could double up on the Prilosec. Can't wait. Like the third chemo he said I was slightly anemic and if I was continuing AC I'd need a blood transfusion.
I will be switching to a new chemo drug called Taxol for my next visit which the oncologist, nurses, and cancer survivors all say is easier on the body. For that my blood levels should rise and the throat / breathing issues go away but will be replaced by tingling in my finger tips and toes. Think I can live with that.
The LM leave of absence policy is horrible. Two years ago when Gary was on intermittent leave after I had Parker by c-section you entered what time you had to take when you took it and had up to 12 weeks in a calendar year. Now, you have to call in your time by midnight every night you use it, and you have to enter it on your time sheet. If you by chance make up the time later in the week you have to call back and adjust your time sheet. And if you forget to call because you'd feeling chemo'd out and miserable you have to call back and beg to get the time. I'm also only approved for 1 day every two weeks - craziness! How can I schedule when I'm going to be miserable from side effects? It is definitely not a policy to benefit the employee but rather the big corporation. I am having to use a lot of vacation to cover this and I know I still have a long road ahead.
Despite the miserable side affects and the lame LoA policy, I try to keep my hopes and spirits up through all the well wishes I get from everyone - cards, flowers, texts, emails, visitors, etc. I get a lot of support from Gary and Mom always making sure I've taken my meds, that I'm getting food, that I'm feeling ok. And the wonderful meals from Terry and Dad to help me with my nutritional needs. And Mom does a great job keeping the house in order, no easy task with two little boy tornados. In that sense I am very blessed to have my wonderful family and friends to help me get through this. Thank you all!!!
Last AC Chemo
Mom's Encouragement
Monday, June 6, 2016
3rd Chemo Side Effects - The Horrible Cough
Following my third AC chemo treatment I had horrible side effects. By the weekend after the treatment I was having coughing fits, difficultly breathing, and rattling in my lungs. The worst of it would come in the middle of the night and right after waking in the morning. It was followed by a heat flash. The only way I could settle these cough fits was to get through them and put ice on my back or chest. In addition I had severe throat pain and laryngitis. It was so sore and miserable that I could only drink my meals. I survived on protein shakes, applesauce, pudding, and very mushy mashed potatoes. And I could barely work because I could barely talk, I was miserable. I wondered if they could just knock me out for a week and hook me to a feeding tube. Wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
Mom and Gary forced me to go see my PCP. She still wanted to treat me for allergies so I got a prescription cough suppressant and Mucinex. After sharing this with my oncologist he gave me a prescription for Prilosec an antacid as he's thinking it's the chemo affecting acid reflux and causing the terrible burning in my throat and leading to my other symptoms.
After a week of misery, by the second weekend after my treatment, I was feeling more normal, able to eat solid food again, and with enough energy to be able to put my kids down for bed. Just in time for chemo treatment #4 (last AC).
It was this week I also got the terrible news that my counterpart at Pratt & Whitney, Eric Meyer, had been taken in to hospice care after finding another tumor in his brain after which he sent a note to his leadership resigning from his position. Eric died within a week after suffering liver and kidney failure. I wrote him a personal note for his sister to read to him at his bedside, but don't know if it made it in time. His perspective on our companies, after working together for decades, and his dry humor will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Mom and Gary forced me to go see my PCP. She still wanted to treat me for allergies so I got a prescription cough suppressant and Mucinex. After sharing this with my oncologist he gave me a prescription for Prilosec an antacid as he's thinking it's the chemo affecting acid reflux and causing the terrible burning in my throat and leading to my other symptoms.
After a week of misery, by the second weekend after my treatment, I was feeling more normal, able to eat solid food again, and with enough energy to be able to put my kids down for bed. Just in time for chemo treatment #4 (last AC).
It was this week I also got the terrible news that my counterpart at Pratt & Whitney, Eric Meyer, had been taken in to hospice care after finding another tumor in his brain after which he sent a note to his leadership resigning from his position. Eric died within a week after suffering liver and kidney failure. I wrote him a personal note for his sister to read to him at his bedside, but don't know if it made it in time. His perspective on our companies, after working together for decades, and his dry humor will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.
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