Treatment No. 2

Today was a great day!  I had my second chemo infusion, and my fourth infusion of Herception and a few other meds.  There has been a change to my chemo cocktail, I have changed from Taxol to Taxotere and still will have Carboplatin.  I have a bad case of neuropathy and have it very early on in my treatment.  Continuing on with Taxol could have made it a permanent condition, at this time we hope it is just semi permanent but there is no way to tell this early on.  Taxotere still have the side effect of neuropathy but less than Taxol.

I will continue with treatments every three weeks.  I am two down and only four more to go.

The great news of the day is that my tumor is changing in shape and possibly size.  It is reacting incredibly well to the chemo and the changes took place with just one chemo treatment.  The doctor got the chills when she examined me and is so excited, as am I.  Couldn't ask for better news....

My aunt was with me today at treatment, we had a lovely day spending time together.  She is out visiting for two weeks and will be caring for me this weekend when I am sick.  With the change in chemo medication will come changes in how I feel this weekend.  I am back to the beginning really, not knowing what symptoms I will have and how long they will last.  I will likely start getting flu like symptoms in the next 24 hours.  Planning to be down and out for 3 to 4 days like I was last time.  But, prepared and ready, especially with the good news that the treatments are working well. Knowing how well my body is responding makes the pain and sickness that is up and coming even more worth while.

Plan from here on out: Next week I get checked for my white blood cell counts on Thursday and assuming all goes well with my counts and my neuropathy doesn't get any worse than it is now, I will have my third chemo cocktail on Thursday, November 17th. I am going to be making appointments with a nutrionist, knowing there are many long-term side effects of chemotherapy, I hope to chagne my diet or take supplements that will hopefully help keep the long-term side effects at bay.  I will also be seeing an accupunturist to see if they can realize some of the pain in my feet from the neuropathy and many believe that accupunture can help with blood flow and getting my liver and kidneys some relief from the chemo as they are working on overtime right now processing all the toxins in my body.  If you know of a fabulous accupunturist, would love a referal.

I am hoped up on steroids since yesterday and thru tomorrow and will start anti-nausea meds today for the next 5 days or so.

My oncologist presented my case to the UCLA board last night and on Monday to the Tumor Board.  She presented my case so that she can showcase how she is treating me and to teach other oncologists how to treat young women with aggressive cancers.  One of the benefits to me of her reviewing my case is that other doctors are able to comment on her treatment choices, she told me today that all doctors were very supportive of her treatment regimen.

I no longer have hair growing on my legs or underarms. Won't have to shave for at least another year... Jealous???

I will do my best to post this weekend to keep you up to date on how I am feeling.