Silence Is Golden

Except when you're supposed to be posting updates on a blog.

Three weeks into the new chemo regimen and so far, so good. The Taxol isn't as harsh as the previous chemo regimen and it's given weekly instead of every 2-3 weeks. My weeks are pretty much consistent from one to the next as well. Wednesday is the actual treatment and by the time I'm done, my brain is so pickled that I don't recommend discussing anything of import or asking me to make any major decisions. (Yes, I describe my brain as being pickled when I'm full of the chemo drugs... sounds "slightly" more pleasant than "chemo-brain.") In actuality, I think it's the combination of steroids, Benadryl and Zantac that pickle my brain more than the Taxol. Thursday, I'm somewhat more functional in that I can manage my job functions; although, last Thursday really made me question that as I was having difficulty most of the day. By Friday, the pickling is wearing off but so are the pre-meds I got Wednesday and I may feel a little nauseous and the pills I have are usually needed. Saturday is the worst day as I usually feel like I've got the flu and by Sunday, I'm almost back to normal. Monday and Tuesday are usually good days. Then Wednesday and repeat the whole cycle again. Whee!

On the plus side as well is my hair is starting to grow again. Right now it amounts to a bit of peach fuzz. But it's getting a little longer every week. Also a plus is that the weeks pass quickly and overall, I feel much better now than I did for the first four treatments. On the down side, my feet more often than not feel like they're falling asleep or have fallen asleep. They've got me taking extra vitamin B-6 to help regenerate the nerve endings. Another down side is that with the weekly treatments, it's harder to keep my blood counts up - so extra iron is now part of the routine too.

This week I see the oncologist again. Among things to go over will be the electrocardiogram results. We did one prior to starting chemotherapy because the first two meds can cause heart damage and a baseline was needed. I was told that my heart was in really good shape after the initial one. Fingers crossed it's still that way.

Will try to post more Wednesday after the appointment - no promises it'll be coherent.

Love & Hugs