This past week has gone by quickly; I have enjoyed being with friends and family but have also made sure to rest each afternoon. Sometimes I have slept for less than thirty minutes but a couple of days the naps have been as long as two hours.
I was surprised Sunday afternoon to receive a call from Dr. Patel. He said that he was very encouraged that the chest x-ray one week following the first chemo indicated the lung fluid was almost gone, he went on to state that he felt the chemo was already working. I was not sure if the reduction of lung fluid was due to the massive steroids or chemo, it was good to hear that Dr. Patel feels it is due to chemo.
Then Dr. Patel and I discussed the Leukine injections; he said that I was receiving the maximum dose of chemo and that I should expect to receive Leukine injections each time. That makes me feel a little better; I had been worried that it was an indication of my body not being strong. On the other hand, needing the maximum dose does give an indication of just how serious Round Two really is.
Tomorrow is infusion number two of the trial drug and Friday I will receive chemo and Herceptin; although I dread what the next two weeks could be, I also look forward to giving some good punches to the cancer cells. Late Monday evening I felt tenderness in a new area of my abdomen and of course it leads me to believe that there is a new area of inflammation and/or new tumor growth. Randy thinks it does not seem different, I hope this time he is right and I am wrong!
My daily routine became easier this week; by Monday my hair was falling out everywhere and I decided to have it shaved before chemo at the end of the week. Fortunately Shelley, my hairdresser, was able to fit me in on Monday. There were no tears this time; I know that it will grow back and I know how much easier it will be for me when I am fatigued. Jack and Madison remember the first time I was bald but this is a new experience for Connor (the youngest grandchild). When Connor saw me yesterday he wanted to know why I was wearing a hat and his specific question was if I was going to a baseball game (this family loves baseball). When he did see my bald head he said it was "crazy"; it was obvious that his use of the word crazy was not in the sense of "crazy-good". I did get a compliment from him later when he saw the color of my toe nail polish (tangerine), he said he liked it and it was "cool".
Last night I attended a nutrition class at CBCC (Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center); the information was good and I was able to visit with three friends so the time was well spent. I will write about nutrition in a future post.
I am reading a the book, Unstoppable by Cynthia Kersey; my friend from work, Richard, gave me the book along with a couple other books before I left on medical leave. I will end today's post with an Ethopian proverb written in the book:
"When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion."
Thanks for your encouragement; kind and supportive words; and your prayers - we are going to tie up this lion!
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