Chemo #8 (Taxol/Herceptin #4)

Sorry it has taken me so long to update. As you can see, I have had 8 chemo treatments so far. I have 8 more treatments of Taxol, followed by 7 weeks of daily radiation and then I finish up with a year of Herceptin.

The side effects with Taxol have been somewhat different than with the Adriamycin and Cytoxan. I am still bald but now I am losing my eye lashes. That's ok. It is easier to wash my face at night! I get fatigued sooner and appreciate the fact that I can sleep 12 hours at a stretch on the weekends and take a nap. I still experience headaches but not as severe. The lining of my nose is shot so every time I go to blow it I get blood. Not so good in allergy season. Allergy pills help. The insides of my intestines and stomach are also getting affected and I have meds for that too! The worst part are the brutal hot flashes and night sweats. I have been keeping track of them and they can occur every hour. One day I had in excess of 15!! I feel sorry for Scott who actually chooses to sleep next to me! But then again, his side of the bed is dry. Once I am done with the Taxol, my oncologist is going to put me on Effexor - an anti depressant prescribed just for hot flashes/night sweats. I am hoping I can get on it much sooner.

Taxol can cause tingling in the fingers and toes and muscle/joint pain. These side effects can last years after treatment (Yippee). I have experienced tingling but not not where I am suppose to! Leave it to me to go outside the norm - again. My left arm will tingle and so will my nose - though i think my nose is trying to tell me that I am going to kiss a fool :) My oncologist is stumped. I have yet to have any of the muscle/joint aches and pain but I am sure they will come. Knowing me, I will heavily medicate myself to a happy place!! I have no problem with medicating myself to have a better day!

So far, I have been managing quite well. With treatments every Friday, the weekends can be a little rough but Scott steps up and handles the cooking - or we go out for dinner (always a nice option). By Monday, I am back doing school lunches, laundry and errands. As long as I pace myself, I am good for the week without any need to sleep a day away. However, I do go to bed at 8:30. Now that the weather is changing, I am enjoying myself outside in my flower gardens cleaning them up the for summer. Taxol makes you extremely sensitive to the sun and bright light (I've found that out all ready). As long as I wear a hat and sun screen, I am ok.

We have been very lucky and avoided the last round of colds/flu to go through the schools. My white blood count has tanked so getting sick is not an option. However, my neutrophils are in the "low side of average" so I am still good. I have blood work every Friday so we always know where my blood count is.

Friday I have treatment #9 and I plan on having wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Saturday we are driving to Racine to spend the day with my Mom. What could be better? Nothing in my opinion.