Last of the First

If only I were referring to a baseball game... but I digress. Hi it's Scott. Janet had her last A/C chemo on Friday. The cumulative effect of the chemo is catching up with Janet a bit and she is more tired than normal. She had more fluids during the procedure itself (which interestingly caused her eyes to water if she leaned to the side a few hours after treatment) also seems to have helped the headaches. As usual Janet was and is up and around trying to lead as normal a life as she can.

Somehow though normal now includes a Sponge Bob tattoo on the back of her head. Interesting, and somewhat thankfully not permanent - but hey, who am I to talk.

Anyway, Janet is doing well and is very thankful for the messages she receives daily from well wishers. They really do mean a lot to her.

Trying to be even remotely as strong and stubborn as his mom, Andrei has started to put weight on his ankle and is generally getting around a lot better. Just in time for spring chores!

So in general, the infirmary known as the Slaughter household is doing well and we will keep you posted as Janet begins Taxol in a few weeks.

Chemo #3, Day 7

It's Janet. Wow what a treatment and what a weekend. I think I hit a record time for my treatment. We left the house around 9:45am ad got home around 6:10 pm. The doctor changed my pre-chemo meds to see if that would help the headaches I get. This week I still have the on-going headaches though not as severe. I am definitely more tired and more nausea feeling so now I just take more meds for those issues and I take more naps. I learned how careful you have to be with cutting yourself too. A simple papercut wouldn't stop bleeding and I went through 2 bandaids! How the body changes! All in all, my spirits are good, I'm tired and little more icky feeling. But thanks to modern medicine, I have a fluffy pillow and good meds to take : )

Our house was quite the infirmary this weekend. On Saturday, Andrei blew out his ankle during the Basketball tournament. His ligament is so swollen they aren't sure whether any other damage was done. Through x-rays we found out the other side of his ankle has a fracture. So after he and I spent 4 hours at the Urgent Care on Saturday, Andrei came home with his foot in a boot and crutches and in lots and lots of pain. Monday, Scott and I took him to see Orthopedics and had the other ankle x-rayed. Afterall, this was the ankle he has been complaining about - just not he one he injured. That ankle is also sort of messed up and he has a brace for that foot. Poor Andrei. He is getting along with the crutches and we have had to move lot of stuff around the house so he get around easier. This coming Monday, he has another appointment with orthopedics. At this time it will probably be decided if an MRI is necessary, physical therapy is needed....... What next? Oh! I know!! Aruna's eye is swollen and bothering her immensely. So far, we have managed her without a trip to the doctor. But I am not holding my breath.

I know some of you are still having issues with leaving comments. You can always e-mail me at jrwslaughter@verizon.net. I love hearing from everyone. Tell me some of your woes - misery loves company. Besides, it really can be a good laugh as it seems to put everything into perspective and makes you realize just how much energy you waste on stuff you can't control.

Happy Spring to Everyone.

Day 13 after Chemo #2

It's Janet
I didn't realize how long since our last blog. We got new carpet in the house so I have been working on putting everything back in order.

Looking back on my medical logs for the past 2 weeks since treatment, it seems I have an equal amount of good days and bad days. I still suffer from headaches and fatigue about 4 days after treatment and it usually lasts for 6-7 days. Usually, rest is about the only thing that helps the headaches. I am lucky where only one of my days is spent sleeping. I head for the couch after the kids are at school and take a very long nap. I am then good for dinner and evening and then off to bed again. Otherwise, as long as I take naps during the day when I feel tired and my head hurts, I am able to function. I am still preparing dinners and taking care of the house and family and Scott and the kids are big helpers!

My IV port (which I am now affectionately calling my alien baby) still bugs me. I no longer have the sharp pains but it does get achy and quite bothersome. I had x-rays taken of it at chemo #2 because of the pain. Everyone was very concern as to why I was having so much trouble. The x-rays showed that the placement was fine and the 12 plus inches of catheter was ok too. It is just really big and it protrudes just under my collar bone. Either way, the hospital staff is clueless about the port. The nurses chalked it up to the healing process. We'll see what the doctor says tomorrow.

Just like the last cycle, I dropped lots of weight the first week after treatment and then managed to put it all back on the next week! This is great since it is really hard to swallow for that first week. Another issue for the doctor.

Tomorrow is treatment #3. Of course, it is another Friday the 13th. I am getting my back pack filled with goodies to eat and drink and my iphone will be charged so I can play games, watch a movie, or read the book I downloaded.(Have I told you how cool the iphone is? You really need to get one!!) I am hoping my day at the hospital will not be too long. But it really doesn't matter. It's not so bad sitting there. Can be kind of relaxing if you want it to be. I come home really tired, with a terrible headache and I just go to bed. Saturday, though, I am full of energy and ready to go!!!

Oh!! A couple of more things! Did I tell you?! Thursday February 26, when Scott and I had to go to the hospital, Scott treated me to lunch at none other than SONIC!!!!! I had the burger of my narcotic dreams and fries. It was really, really good!!!

Also, now that I am bald, and quite pretty, lots of you have been curious as to what I look like under the hats. Eventually, we get photos uploaded so everyone can see me - plus take a vote on the wigs. My head is really tender so haven't been wearing the wigs yet. In the meantime, I'll take my hat off to show you if you really want to see. It doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I am rather proud of my nicely shaped head.

Tomorrow is treatment #3. I'm sure Scott will be the next blogger sometime this weekend.

Can't win all the battles...

Hi, it's Scott. Well Janet lost her first battle today - the hair battle. Actually she started losing the battle a few days ago, but in true Janet fashion stubbornly refused to give in. With some pomp (and very little circumstance) we (I) shaved Janet's head in the kitchen with help from Andrei, Aruna and Tyler Butler from next door. Tyler and Aruna served admirably as photographers while I manned the Wahl with Andrei as director and emotional support. This was immediately followed by the trying on of new hair. First Janet tried on both wigs she got at UW Hospital, followed in short order by the pink and black, the rainbow and the purple.

Janet has decided some sort of online voting is in order as to which she should sport first. So as soon as we figure that out we'll let you know.

Janet had her second chemo on Friday. It was long (very, very long - like 7 hours long) but uneventful. They did quite a bit of checking of her port as it is still giving her some issues. Everyone decided it was ok so they moved on with the treatment. Things went well for the remainder of Friday and Saturday. The headaches returned on Sunday morning otherwise Janet is doing very well.

As always, thanks for all the prayers, cards and support.