Almost Done

It's been a rough week and a half since the last chemo.  I am having problems dealing with it this time.  It started on chemo day.  My regular nurse practitioner was not available and they gave me someone new.  Then when I got into chemo and my regular chemo nurse was not available and I was not happy with the nurse I was given.  First, they didn't have a bed-type room with a window, only a closed one and I get very claustrophobic.  My regular nurse holds one for me even though they are not suppose to.  Since I got there so late from the first appointment, nothing was available with a window, so I opted for a chair with a window.  The chairs are very uncomfortable when you still have a hole in your stomach and a bad back.  The chairs are only closed by a curtain and it was very noisy.  The lady across from me had very loud visitors.  It was hard to relax.  I know this might seem petty, but when you expect certain things and it is already a difficult time, it doesn't help.

So finally, I get into the chair and the nurse tries to put the iv in and misses.  I go ouch and he says did that hurt?  HUH????  I said please get someone else.  You only get one chance.  I have bad veins.  I guess I insulted him.  He got someone else and they got it in after running my arm under hot water.  The rest of the treatment was ok.

After my treatment, I went to the plastic surgeon to see the nurse practitioner again as usual.  Rob picked me and mom up and we went home.

Overall, the side effects weren't strong, but I lost my taste buds longer this time.  I am still having problems tasting after a week and a half. I am tired with stomach upset, but overall not too bad.  Having Sean around helps since he gets me out of the house in the evening to play with him.  He still likes kissing my head saying it is scratchy.

Monday, I ran into the plastic surgeon before my appointment with the nurse practitioner. He is happy with what he has heard from her.  He would like my belly to heal on it's own.  I am ok with that.  I have about a 2 inch hole on the left.  The rest of the incision is closed and looks like I was opened with a rusty can opener.  I was thinking today that I probably wouldn't able to go swimming this summer with it open.

Almost done...

Round 3 of 4

Next round of chemo is tomorrow.  I will be more than half way done.  Not looking forward to the side effects again, but it is good to know I can handle this.  Just my mom is going with me this time, since Sean is still home from daycare for the holidays.  Rob is going to stay home with him.  Mom and I will take the bus in and Rob will pick us up when I am I done.


Some of my eyelashes starting falling out this week and my eyebrows are thinning. I have stubble on my head, which keeps falling out too.  I can't wait for my hair to start to grow back.  It will be nice.  I also realized that I am burning easier from the sun.  That is expected.  I am fair to begin with and now it is worse.  I have to be careful.

I will see the plastic surgeon again after my chemo.  The opening in my belly is getting smaller.  My belly scar looks like I got opened by a can opener.  I can't wait for the surgeon to fix it when I am done with the chemo.

BRCA Gene Testing

This is good news. I had this test done and the insurance paid for it. It was very expensive. This will help bring down cost. It also took 4-6 weeks to get. Maybe if other labs have it, it won't take as long.

From the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/business/31gene.html?hp

On Monday, Mr. Sweet, a United States district judge in Manhattan, ruled that parts of patents held by Myriad Genetics covering two breast cancer genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, were invalid.

Myriad analyzes those genes in an expensive test that predicts whether a woman is at a high risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer. The plaintiffs in the case, which included various medical groups and the American Civil Liberties Union, said the patents on DNA were illegal and impeded access to the testing.

Gardening

I actually did some light gardening yesterday.  I had to clean up my garden from the winter.  Rob did most of the heavy work.  I probably won't be able to plant anything new this year, but I have some nice perennials though.  It tired me out, but at least I was moving around.

My belly is looking ok.  The scar is pretty nasty.  Looks like I got opened up with a can opener.  I know the plastic surgeon will fix it when the chemo is done.  I still have a small 2 inch opening, not very deep.  Most of my chemo side effects are gone.  My scalp is breaking out/rashy.  I guess it doesn't like not having hair.

Tomorrow, I have the plastic surgeon again for another follow up and then we are going over to my Aunt's for Passover.

No Strep For Me

After having Sean home for two days, he is finally back at daycare today.  He threw up Monday night, fever on Tuesday and a rash on Wednesday.  I took him to the doctor on Wednesday because of the rash.  He was positive for strep.  They did a test on me too and it was negative.  This morning the rash on Sean was gone, but he said he didn't want to go to daycare.  I asked him why and he said he wanted to stay home and play with his toys and he will go tomorrow.  We finally got him dressed and off he went with Rob.

It was rough having him home, but it was also nice at the same time.  I am very tired today.  At least Rob didn't have to take off the time from work considering daycare is closed next week and a half for the holidays.  Rob will be home for a few of the days and I know now I can handle him.  I just also have to nap when Sean does or if he does.

Most of my side effects from this round of chemo are gone.  I am only tired with a slight upset GI.  I do have a rash on the back of my head, but I think that is more of the short hair, hats and couch than anything else.

Kisses

Not doing too bad.  Overnights seems to be the worst on how I am feeling physically.  This round isn't definitely not as bad as the first round.  I am very tired though.  I am happy to be half way done.

I was getting Sean ready for bed last night on his changing table.  He reaches over, grabs my head, pulls it down and gives me a big kiss on the top of my bald head and hugs me.  He says, "I like your hair, Mommy."  Cute, considering I don't have any, but it just melted my heart.  He then continued to give me more kisses.  It's nice to see it not bothering him.  We haven't made a big deal out of it, so I guess he won't either.

Side Effects Starting Again

This is the worse of it...knowing some of it is coming.  My throat is getting dry.  The nurse gave me some "magic mouthwash" (with Maalox and lidacane) this time.  I couldn't sleep very well last night.  My bad nerve in my stomach is hypersensitive. Neck is starting to hurt too, along with my gums.  At least I am half way done with my treatment and I am just about bald.  I don't have to worry about my hair coming out anymore.  Hopefully, it will be nice enough to sit outside in the fresh air.  I am also getting a visit from my parents, so I won't be home by myself all day, especially when I can't move too well.

Yesterday, I got out for a little while in the yard and watched Sean play t-ball.