Second Round - June 16, 2010

So I made it through my first treatment along with all the side effects! Now only three more to go and hopefully they will go just as smoothly. The first five days after treatment were filled with nausea and fatigue, but luckily I was not too miserable and I was able to go back to work the next Monday. From Monday through Wednesday I was very fatigued. My knees really hurt and even the smallest task would make me feel exhausted. After a full week had passed I found myself getting back to normal with my daily actives, food regimen, and just feeling like a normal person.

I haven't lost my hair yet but I am starting to shed a little more than normal. I think I'm still in denial about losing my hair. I'm just not sure how to mentally prepare for the inevitable. Today I'm getting my second treatment and by this weekend I should be bald. The only thing that makes me feel better is the fact that Brian's favorite TV character is George Costanza and he is bald. Also, I only have a couple more treatments until I can start growing my hair back. I'm going to pray that it comes back exactly the same as when it left. I also need to pray that my hair grows FAST so I can start rocking the short due and begin the long journey of growing it back out.

Right now I'm at my second treatment and a harpist has come to play for everyone. It's very nice and relaxing. Today I also noticed that there was another girl somewhat around my age getting the same chemo drugs as myself. I'm unsure what treatment round she was on but I wish her luck! I'm nervous about my second treatment. I have some emotional battles ahead of me and I'm wondering how I'm going to handle them. I'm trying to stay positive but this whole journey is so emotionally challenging. Well, time to relax and get ready for the second round but I'll keep everyone up-to-date on whatever else comes my way! :)

Found this Great Song!

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

By: JJ Heller

My First Chem-HO June 2nd, 2010

Today I started my chemotherapy treatment. I was nervous all day long! Anyway, I made it and honestly it wasn't that bad. That being said, the road ahead might be a different story. Here is some chemotherapy education for everyone.

There are many different chemotherapy drugs out there for all types of cancer. Each patient is assigned a type of chemotherapy and a duration and not all breast cancer patient's have the same chemotherapy treatment. I'm taking two chemo drugs called Adriamycin and Cytoxan also known as A/C. I will be taking A/C for a duration of four treatments every other week. Seems easy enough but let me fill you in on the side effects: hair loss, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, loss of fertility, diarrhea, mouth sores, bladder irritation and bleeding, low blood counts, eyes watering, red urine, and darkening of the nail beds. I'm hoping that I don't feel any of these things but I'm sure that will not be the case. I'm very thankful that today went well and seeing others going through even harder stuff at the clinic made me realize that I'm very lucky! One poor man had being getting chemotherapy since December 2009. I only have to do four treatments and now I only have three left so I'm counting my blessings. I'll keep you all up-to-date on how my weeks goes but for now it's time to rest!