Chemotherapy Report - Day 8

Today is Day 8 in a 21 day cycle. I am happy to report I am doing very well! I think I need to write a little about what has been going on for the last eight days...mostly so I never forget. :)

September 2, 2010-Day 1-Left home at 10:15.
Things I learned...
1) Stanford Cancer Center is very busy. Lots of cancer patients there...waiting. (I only saw two who were without hair.?) We waited to see Dr. Guardino for over two hours. It was rough. But I still feel like it is worth it, to be her patient, and to have her expertise! I really like her!
2) There are over 100 chemotherapy drugs.
3) I was finally told about some of the side effects I might experience. The worst information I was told though, was that most breast cancer patients gain 10 pounds during treatments. Are you kidding me? Ten more pounds and I will be too big for my fat clothes. :) I have a goal to do something physical every day! It should help both mentally and physically.
4) Nurses are angels!
5) The chemo didn't burn through my veins.
6) Jon takes good care of the sick and afflicted!
7) Left infusion center at 8 pm.
8) Slept well except for several trips to the potty, to drain the bladder.

September 3-Day 2
1) Wake up feeling good. Surprised that I don't really feel any different yet.
2) Go to gym with husband. It feels good to work up a sweat!
3) Do some missionary things I have been putting off. Catch up a little.
4) Waiting to feel bad, or lose my sense of taste.
5) Do the wash.
6) Sadie arrives for the weekend. She has such a tender touch.
7) Give myself neulasta shot. Almost mess it all up, but get the needle cover off after an hour.
8) Feel pretty sure I will feel it in the morning.

September 4-Day 3
1) Feel a little stiff and sore, but nothing too bad.
2) Go with Sadie to purchase wig. (big relief to get that accomplished)


3) Buy a new printer.
4) Take a walk.
5) Eat out for dinner. Have some frozen yogurt with strawberries and granola. Thinking it may be the last meal I taste for awhile.
5) Take it easy. Feeling a little worse all day. Still nothing advil can't help with.

September 5- Day 4
1) Go to church. Lots of talk about cancer and trials. It still feels good to be there.
2) Feel a little worse all day. Finally have the realization that I might feel sick during the next few months.
3) Sadie makes 8 meals to freeze for a later date. Good idea!.
4) Watch Freaky Friday with my daughters!

September 6-Day 5
1) Order hats and scarves. (last thing i feel like i need to accomplish before i become hairless)
2) Take a walk and have a nice lunch with my girls. (so grateful i can still taste food!)
3) Still a little stiff and sore. Mouth feeling really weird. Head feeling like my hair is growing the wrong way. Nothing that is too debilitating. Just moving a little slower.
4) Send Sadie back to Las Vegas.

September 7-Day 6
1) Go to district meeting! Need a missionary fix this morning.
2) Go to the gym with Hailey.
3) Feeling about the same. Try not to take any advil. Make it until dinnertime.

September 8-Day 7
1) Soreness and stiffness basically gone. A miracle.
2) Got a short hair cut.




3) Go to the gym with Hailey.

September 9-Day 8
1) Went for a walk. Santa Rosa is absolutely beautiful this time of year. The sun was out, the air was cool...I was in heaven!
2) Notes about having short hair. I don't particularly love my hair style, but I feel like a free woman with it. I am digging the freedom! I could shower 4 times a day now if I wanted! I lost .5% body fat this morning without it. :) It took me about 25 minutes to shower and be ready for the day! I washed my shoulders and neck for the first time in maybe forever! Hailey thinks I look younger...Jon agrees. My eyes might look a little bigger too. I wish I could keep it for more than a week and a half. It is hard to imagine I'm going to look like a cancer patient before I feel like one.
3) I feel so blessed. I am sure it is going to be worse next time, but I feel like I have been given three weeks I didn't know I would have. I can still taste food. (that is a big deal!) I can still wake up and make Hailey breakfast and her lunch before seminary, and drive her there. I can still exercise without ruining the rest of my day. I can still feel promptings of the spirit about things I can do for my missionaries and others around me. I can still be useful and helpful and not only dependent on others. I am so grateful.

My next post will not be about cancer, I promise! Thank you all for your sweet notes full of love and support. I am sure the reason I feel so well is because of all of your faith and prayers in my behalf. I know it is! I love you all!