Monthly Archives: June 2015

2

Chemotherapy Day 1

|

To start off, I had to take oral steroids Monday night before bed and wake up at 2:30 to take more.  The steroids are to help if I were to have a reaction to the chemo drugs.  I did not get much sleep.

Once I checked in at the infusion center and picked out my recliner for the day the nurse accessed my chest port.  She drew blood and sent it to the lab.  We had to wait for the results to make sure I would be well enough for treatment.  My numbers were good, so the nurse ordered my meds and started pre med prep.  She gave me Benadryl, Decadron (steroid), Pepcid, and Zofran.  After the Benadryl I felt extremely tired, but I couldn’t sleep because my legs were so restless.

  

The nurse then started the chemo drug Paclitaxel in the IV port.  It started slow to see if I would have an allergic reaction.  I didn’t react, so my nurse sped up the drip.  After an hour and a half the nurse accessed my IP (abdominal port) port to give me my second chemo drug, Carboplatin.  The port was working really well so the drip ran for about 1.5 hours.  I had to move from side to side every 15 to 20 minutes so the drug would move through out my abdomen.  I was finished with the drips a little after 3:00.

I think I gained 10 pounds with the complimentary lunch ( I do love food😉) and the 2 liters of liquid they pumped into my abdominal cavity.  It felt a lot like being pregnant.  My abdominal port is a bit sore, since they scrubbed it so well before accessing it.

They gave me a schedule to take my anti nausea medicine and I have been sticking with it and so far I have been good.  I slept well last night, I did wake up groggy.  I am just taking it easy and will try to get as much rest as I can.  Taking it day by day as we have no idea what to expect.

My next treatment will be next Tuesday, June 16.  I will be getting the Paclitaxel drug in my IP port.  The following week I will have off.  That week Isaac is scheduled for his next craniofacial surgery.

And of course, it is very hard for Zane and I to be serious, so he downloaded a Meme app and is having way too much fun with it!  

 

My friend had our kids yesterday afternoon and wanted to show support, so she dressed Isaac up.  So cute, I had a good laugh!

 
My amazing friend, Angie, made some images if people wanted to change their profile picture or cover photo on Facebook in support of my battle with ovarian cancer.  I thought I would post them here if anyone wants to save them and use them.

  
   

8

Hair is overrated

|

Is it?  I’ll admit this last week I’ve really been thinking about losing my hair and I guess I’m a bit conflicted.  Part of me thinks, “it’s just hair, it’ll come back.”  Another part of me thinks,”how cool would it be to do chemo and not lose my hair.”  I also think about how the kids will feel when they see their Mom has lost her hair.  I’ve searched the interweb for different head coverings.  Should I wear a wig, hats, scarves, etc?

I decided to go get my haircut short before I start chemo.  As I was driving to my appointment I had time to think about this hair thing.  This was probably the hardest haircut I’ve had, actually it really wasn’t.  However, it did really hit me that this is real and happening.  I realize I do love having long hair, but ultimately that doesn’t make me who I am.  The last time I cut my hair short I donated my hair.  It’s a bit ironic.  I will do this and darn it I’m gonna rock it!

TLong

Zane took this picture of me before I left to get my haircut.


TShort

Kyla took this picture of me when I got home!!

I will be starting chemotherapy tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9.  My Oncologist said I will have 100% hair loss by the third week.  So, I guess we’ll see what fits on my head best.

There are many side effects to chemotherapy, besides hair loss.  My Oncologist gave me 4.5 pages of the different side effects.  Everyone reacts differently, so I don’t know what to expect.  The nurse who scheduled my chemotherapy told me that it’s common to feel as if you have the flu a few days after.  Some common side effects are nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, joint and muscle pain.  To help with some of these effects I’ve been prescribed a medicine cabinet of drugs, it seems.  I’ll hope and pray for the best!  I have to fight like an Eagar!  Just like this Eagar!

3624

Our good friend has started a You Caring page to help raise money for medical expenses for our family.  If you would like to donate or share our page, please check out the page by clicking the picture of Isaac above.