Thanks for thinkin' of me

I last posted on June 30th the day of my first chemo infusion. I just reread it and laughed at my comment "hope I don't hit the wall in a couple of days...". I would say now that it was an understatement. I felt unbelieveable energetic on Thursday (day following treatment) just at suggested by the infusion nurse, due to the steroids given preceding the infusion. Friday started out ok. I went and got my hair cut shorter anticipating the "fallout". Accompanied my girlfriend to Ulta afterwards and experienced the onset of the downward spiral. By Friday p.m. I was on the sofa feeling like I had the worst bout of flu ever taking over my body. By Saturday a.m. I was in absolute agony. It was the most unusual pain I have ever experienced. I could only explain it to my husband as feeling like the inside of my body was a pinball machine. It was as if there was a hot metal ball zinging around my anatomy, never hurting all over at once just continually bouncing from place to place. Deep, seering ache...pelvis, shoulder, back, arm, hip, foot. I had periods of not being able to keep my legs still, just kicking my feet, as if the motion would cause it to cease, it did not. Instructions were, no aspirin, tylenol or aleve type products. Nothing that could mask a fever. I tried the hydrocodone I had from the VATS procedure, it made very little difference. This lasted through Monday evening. I had the queasy stomach thing and just the thought of anything to eat or drink was overwhelming. My husband was relentless in his efforts to make sure I did have a mouthful of something periodically. I felt horrible for him, I could tell he felt so concerned and helpless, especially during my fits of crying and saying "I don't think I can stand this". This lasted through Monday. Tuesday was better and by Wednesday... I was almost myself again. Everyday was an improvement. By the weekend I felt just fine and knew that come the 21st I would be prepared to get back in the ring for round two.

I went to see the med/onc this past Wed. and told her all the details. She expressed that it was the Taxol and that body ache is a common complaint. She suggested that I do not wait for the pain to catch up to me this next infusion, but to stay ahead of it. She did give me a prescription for a muscle relaxant and said to take it in conjunction with the hydrocodone. Her nurse told me that her sister had a similar experience with her chemo and that she took Benedryl to make her sleep and that I could take it with the other meds. So my plan is to start on all of it Friday am and just sleep until the following Tues. At least I won't be taken by surprise this next time, I will have an idea what to expect. She has scheduled me for a PET on Aug. 16th to check the progress.

I have a new hobby thanks to the chemo. Wig shopping. Local stores, Ebay, Internet, catalogues. Waiting on two to be delivered. It is kind of fun to pick out styles that I would have never thought of trying with my real hair. My hair is almost gone. I have collected it all in a ziploc bag and once the fallout is complete I am going to scatter it around the ligustrum tree in my front yard in hopes that the birds will use it for their nests. We have a cardinal, sparrow and mocking bird currently nesting in our trees.

Sorry it took me so long to post. I must be honest and say that I was just giving myself a break from focusing on it. I appreciate all of your concern and thoughtful words as always. You are a special group and it means so much.

Blessings to all,
Joanne