Yesterday was chemo #5 and the first of my final four cycles, of the new drug paclitaxel. We got there at 8 and my blood was taken quickly, and I noticed my blisters from the picc line allergy had all healed :) I also saw the doctor pretty promptly too. He did a physical exam and confirmed again the lump has shrunk and could barely feel anything. He said I am having a better than average response to the chemo and that the lump has shrunk enough for surgery but we will continue all chemo to prevent reoccurrence. We talked about side effects of the taxol and he said bone pain is possible, because of how this particular chemo interacts with the neulasta/white blood cell shot. Not everyone gets it but time will tell after I take my shot around 3pm today. He said I can take regular Tylenol but also gave me a prescription for Tylenol 3 just in case it gets bad.
We waited awhile to go in to start the treatment but while we were waiting the genetics counsellor came to give me a copy of my report showing I don't have the BRCA gene. She said that there could be an opportunity down the road to do further genetic testing for cancer and for all dna but not sure if I would want to know anything and everything that could go wrong with me! I already know based on family history I need to monitor for colon cancer.
Soon after I went in for treatment. It was funny because two of the nurses were kind of fighting over who would do my chemo. I have worked with both of them before. The nurse Nancy was like "that's my patient!" Lol but in the end Ann did it. They are both very kind to me and I want to give them some kind of gift when the cycles are all over.
For this one I don't have to take any pills before but they gave 3 things via iv, an anti nausea, the steroid I had take orally before and benedryl to prevent any allergic reaction. The benedryl knocked me out!! I dozed for a bit in the chair. Those took about half an hour and then chemo started. This one is much longer, took 3 hours to go in. We had a long day at the hospital but I had brought snacks and lunch and watched Netflix on my iPad so it wasn't horrible. I started having hot flashes by the afternoon though.
Today I actually feel ok. No nausea which is awesome!!! I took Mimi for a walk. Time will tell with the bone pain. I also may get tingly hands and feet.
Praying for little to no side affects if possible. But I feel hopeful for some reason. I feel like this will be easier than the AC cycles. I got this!! 62.5 percent done chemo, and my last cycle is October 6 which isn't too far away!
