Catch-Up

It's Janet. So much has happened I thought I would bring everyone up to speed. Because of all the headaches I was getting, Dr. W decided I should have a MRI on my head. My brain is there, though not as smart as it once was, it is healthy. Good news. March 27th was the LAST OF THE FIRST as Scott called it. That treatment really hit me with fatigue and headaches. So...as instructed, I drank water until I sprouted gills. After that treatment, Dr. W. wanted my heart checked again to see what, if any, damage the chemo has done. I was off to the glow farm again. Result, more good news. My numbers actually increased which just goes to show that not all tests are perfect. This past Friday, April 10th, I had my first Taxol/Herceptin treatments. 12 hours before treatment I had to take 5 pills (steroids for allergic reaction) and again 6 hours before treatment. Thanks to Scott for setting the alarm to 4 am to wake me up! The treatment day was 10 hours long. Before treatment they give you Benadryl and Zantac into your IV to ward off allergic reactions. WOW! I am assuming it was the Benadryl that localized between my eyes and created much pressure and pain before dispensing itself through my head. Luckily, it only lasted for about 5 minutes then sporadically off and on to a lesser degree. The Herceptin was given first. Thank Heavens! I was told you have to stick around for an hour after infusion to make sure everything is ok! It was already a long day - another hour and I would have felt like going out to dinner with the nurses! After the Herceptin came the Taxol. By the end of treatment I was tired and my port felt like a sunburn though it looked fine. As usual, the Saturday after treatment, Scott and i spent the day running around and enjoying ourselves. On Easter Sunday I was exhausted. Lucky for me the Easter Bunny did all the work! I slept most of the day fighting off chills. Monday came I was still fatigued and very light headed so I spent most of the day sleeping. It is usually not a good sign to see stars in the bright of day! Tuesday I finally faced the world at 10 am and actually watched TV in bed until 2pm. It was kinda of nice! Today, Wednesday, (Happy Tax Day) I finally feel like myself again and am trying to catch up on laundry before Friday's treatment. I am hoping that I don't continue to have only 3 good days a week. It could be a long Summer if that's the case.