Good morning! It is a great morning! I am starting on my 3rd week after my 3rd chemo and feeling pretty well. I love getting up in the morning when I know my brain is working a little better and the chemo fog is at bay. I had enough time to study God's word, enjoy His creation (our barn kitten playing, bunnies, birds) and drink my coffee. Right after chemo I can't drink coffee for about a week and I sure do miss it. The 2nd week after chemo I can drink it, but it doesn't taste right so I don't really enjoy it. The 3rd week....it tastes good again. Mmmmm! It was good this morning!
I was finally able to drive a little over the weekend. I had the opportunity to go to a Women's meeting at church yesterday and a baby shower at church. It felt great to drive myself. Once I was there for a couple of hours though I was getting pretty foggy brained and felt like I might have to call Kevan and my dad to come get me, but by the time I left I felt better. The chemo fog seems to come and go throughout the day. It still seems to mess up my vision as well.
I am still having to take Claritin for the bone pain from the Neulasta shot. I can tell when I miss a dose so I know it is working. I forgot to take it before we left for church yesterday and I had quite a bit of spine and chest pain. If I was smart I would carry it in my purse. My fingers and toes are pretty sore still. My computer has hot air that blows out the right side of it. So, if I use my mouse next to my computer it really makes my nails hurt (immediately) if they get hit by the hot air. They are so sensitive. I'm thankful I have all my nails still though...some women I know lost a nail or two during treatment. One thing that we've noticed after this last treatment is how fat and round my face is getting. I'm guessing it is the steroids and I'm praying/hoping that it goes back to normal after my last treatment. I was going to post a picture....but I'm not that brave. lol!
We took my parents to Lynchburg, TN Saturday morning to go on a free tour of the Jack Daniels' plant and learn about the history of the area. I was worried at first that I wouldn't be able to keep up with everyone, but I tried to sit and rest whenever there was an opportunity during the tour and it worked out great. If you are on chemo you might want to skip the tour...the smell inside the plant was making me sick. I just tried not to breathe whenever it was smelly and I made it through it. We also drove by the area where Davy Crockett lived when he was there and visited the little town square. I love history. Anyway, I wore one of my wigs all day. I don't know if it was the heat or what, but I developed a rash on my head. So, I don't think I will be wearing a wig for a few days. It hurts. Here is a pic of my dad and Kevan with Jack Daniels.
Below is a picture of my hand. A few days after my last chemo treatment I developed this chemo burn. I read some things online and it sounds like the Taxotere (chemo drug) leaked out of my vein which caused the burn. It is pretty painful...just like if I burned it on the stove. A woman online said that her hand scarred pretty bad from her burn so I'm praying mine does not scar. I will talk to my oncologist about it when I see him next Tuesday and also about how to prevent it next time. This is the arm that I already have signs of lymphedema in and I am not supposed to injure my arm....so hopefully the lymphedema does not worsen due to this. What have you learned from Jayde's experience? If you have to go through chemo GET A PORT!
Kevan and I are leaving for Nashville tonight for a couple appointments I have tomorrow. I will be having my 3 month checkup with my breast surgeon who did my mastectomy. I can't believe it has been over 3 months! Also, I'm going to try to get fitted for my compression sleeve and meet with the lymphedema specialist at my surgeon's office. I just want to get her opinion on how I'm progressing.
Do you want to hear some great news? A week from tomorrow I will be having my LAST chemo treatment (August 28th)! I am looking forward to finishing up and starting back to work again. A couple weeks after my last treatment I'm going to start my DIET....I can't wait to lose this weight I've gained. I'm going to look into a free 16-week breast cancer survivor program they have at the YMCA. Downside is that it is a 45 minute drive to the closest one with the program. But, I really want to get back in shape! Also, I'm looking forward to my hair growing back. ;o)
Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Again, thank you all for your prayers. God blessed me this chemo treatment. It wasn't as bad as the first 2!
Jayde, it was so good to read that you're feeling better this time and that you're really enjoying your family time.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to "talk" to you about your hand. What looks like happened is called extravasion--the chemo leaking out into the surrounding tissue. Have you actually called your oncology office and advised a nurse of what transpired? If not, please do so ASAP. Excuse me for saying this, but if they act like they don't want to hear it, TOO BAD! It's something that should be documented in your file and be attended to. Be sure to tell them when you first noticed it and what the progression has been. Did you have any pain in your hand during the infusion, and, if so, did you tell them? If that's the case, let them know that too. Ask them what to do for it at this point in time.
Taxotere is not an irritant--it's a vesicant. A vesicant has the potential to cause tissue damage of varying degrees. In Jesus' name, I declare this to be nothing and go no further!
This should be reported to them right away.
Love you, JOY
All and all, this has not been as bad so far as it could have been. I give God praise for how bravely you have faced it and the witness you have been to so many through it all. I know you are looking forward to the day when it is all just a bad memory, but I really do believe that this blog will serve someone else who is walking this path one day and maybe they will be a little less in the dark as what to expect from the light you have left along the way. Blessings on you and Kevan as well as all those who minister to you.
ReplyDeleteWe love you guys... Stay strong - Gods got this.
Hi there l live in Australia and my 1st chemo for breast cancer is tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI am a little bit scared but know l need to start as l had my mastectomy 5 months ago but my wound broke open so chemo has been on hold till it closes.Last week it finally closed!!!!! So now my journey begins.
God Bless to you and your family.
I'm sorry to hear that you have to begin chemo and also to hear about your wound breaking open. I was scared too, but God was with me and it is all behind me now. It will go by faster than you thought, at least it did for me. I have prayed for your wound (glad to hear it closed last week) and I prayed for your start of chemo. Please post again if you get this and let me know how you are. I will be praying for you so it would also be nice to have your first name. God be with you!
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