Long Overdue Update

Sorry about being so quiet... although there's not really much that's been going on.

Since the last post, I have been cleared by the surgeon to start chemo and I don't see her again for three months. I had an echocardiogram done and that went really well. Another will be done when the chemo is finished.

I was going to participate in a study that compared the current standard of care and an alternative chemotherapy treatment to see if the alternative was as effective. However because I have a Mirena IUD, the only way to participate is to remove the IUD. Umm... Not happening. One of the side-effects of Mirena is that I don't have to deal with certain things and without the Mirena, those things would be back. I don't want that happening on top of chemo. So, no study for me.

Chemo will be the 4 cycles of 14 days each and 12 cycles of 7 days each, beginning November 28th. I know the first four treatments will take probably 3-4 hours. The remaining twelve will probably be a couple hours or longer. I got the details today about the chemo treatments... the dos and don'ts and a run down of side effects, and all the fun things they'll be giving me the day of and the days after. They gave me a handful of prescriptions for anti-nausea meds too.

I did learn that the dosage for the Taxol, the drug I'll take for 12 weeks, is so low that my hair will probably start growing back at that time. So, if I do lose my hair, it'll only be for a short while. There are tons of other side effects and things to watch out for with the treatment.

To help lessen the side effects, I have to increase my protein intake and my fluid intake. The protein will help with energy levels and the fluid will help flush the drugs out of my system faster.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Love & Hugs