Breast Cancer Update from Chrissy 1-18-10
I had treatment 6 of chemo last week. It has been 12 weeks of chemo thus far. The last two treatments were a new type for me, called Taxol. The Oncologist told me I would not need nausea medicine this round. I was elated to get past the nausea and thought nothing could be worse. The first Taxol treatment, however, still made me nauseous, but we found out that was my body’s reaction to the steroid Decadron (Dexamethosone). This last round, they cut the steroid dose in half, and it didn’t cause the nausea. Ironically, when I read about using Decadron during chemo treatment, it is supposed to help reduce nausea, but not for me.
The Taxol chemo, I was told, makes your bones ache and your hands and feet numb. In some people, the effect is worse than others. Unfortunately, my body does not like Taxol, or the steroid, or the Neulasta shot you are given the day afterwards, to encourage your bone marrow to begin production of extra red and white blood cells. The Neulasta also causes bone or joint ache. I took that after the AC as well, so I can tell the difference between these side effects and the Taxol. I liken the Neulasta to how a boxer’s body feels after a fight. In essence, isn’t that very similar? A complete week after chemo, my bones are still soar. I don’t have to take Oxycodone, like I do for several days the first week, where the pain is so bad it can make you cry. The beginning of week two, it feels more like shin splints and a soar neck.
Three days after the Taxol treatment, my ankles became bruised. I felt like I was walking on sprained ankles. It was excruciatingly painful to walk. Because of this, I tried to stay off my feet as much as possible. I didn’t know if I could actually damage my limbs or joints for too much activity, not to mention the added pain while walking. It hurt badly enough while I was simply lying down. I experienced sharp pangs in different areas of my body, one after another. It really reminds me of torture. That is what I have come to call chemo week, torture.
Besides the aches, there are the standard side affects I experienced with the AC that continue during Taxol treatments, so I am not sure if it is from the chemo or the steroid Decadron. My face swells up and gets blotchy and produces wrinkles day three. This lasts for a couple days. This round, I have noticed my eyelids are not bouncing back like usual, so I am a little concerned, but not too much. I have been too distracted by my throat pain and nasal congestions and constant bloody nose. My throat feels like the surface has been worn away, leaving an exposed, raw surface. This happened the second week of AC for the first two treatments and I thought I had a cold, but realized it could possibly be a side affect. This soar throat, however, is much more severe, and the last couple of chemo treatments only caused a mild soar throat. This week, I also had a fever, so after about four days of suffering, I was put on antibiotics and I was told I should be feeling fine in a couple days. I look forward to that!
It takes more time to get back into a “normal” mode after the chemo affects finally wear off, which is now about Wednesday of week two. That gives me only a handful of days to live a normal life and try to forget the torture until next time. With AC, the affects wore off sooner, usually by Saturday. It really helps to have the little break, mentally and physically in between the agony.
Besides the pain, the length of breast cancer treatment, which started in August 2009, with surgeries, has taken its toll. Without my usual exercise regimen, 3 times per week, my body has suffered muscle atrophy. I have not been able to exercise, besides a walk here and there, first from the brutality of the surgeries, as my body needed to heal, and then during chemo, from a limited time that I am not feeling sick. Although it would be nice to do some heavy exercising and take advantage of the few good days I experience, I am not going to risk it, because the medi-port in my chest is painful during fast movement and it causes difficulties enough as it is. To find a comfortable sleeping position is challenging. The surgeon said I am too skinny, so the medi-port sticks out very far. Maybe they should make them in sizes, like clothes and crutches!
Well, in a nut shell, I have two more Taxol chemo treatments left. I am hoping my sister will come visit during the last one, weather permitting. It was getting very lonely last week lying in bed so many days, just trying to heal. After that, I am told I may get as long as a month off (possibly 4 to 6 weeks) to heal, before I begin radiation. I will receive radiation treatment every day for 6 weeks. I have heard for many women, the radiation was worse than the chemo. My sister’s friend developed lung damage during her radiation treatment and can no longer hike. I do know one survivor that said it was a “piece of cake” for her. I wouldn’t mind being that lucky myself. Wait, can a cancer patient be considered lucky? Well, I guess as long as we are “surviving” the treatment we can! Until next time…
The Taxol chemo, I was told, makes your bones ache and your hands and feet numb. In some people, the effect is worse than others. Unfortunately, my body does not like Taxol, or the steroid, or the Neulasta shot you are given the day afterwards, to encourage your bone marrow to begin production of extra red and white blood cells. The Neulasta also causes bone or joint ache. I took that after the AC as well, so I can tell the difference between these side effects and the Taxol. I liken the Neulasta to how a boxer’s body feels after a fight. In essence, isn’t that very similar? A complete week after chemo, my bones are still soar. I don’t have to take Oxycodone, like I do for several days the first week, where the pain is so bad it can make you cry. The beginning of week two, it feels more like shin splints and a soar neck.
Three days after the Taxol treatment, my ankles became bruised. I felt like I was walking on sprained ankles. It was excruciatingly painful to walk. Because of this, I tried to stay off my feet as much as possible. I didn’t know if I could actually damage my limbs or joints for too much activity, not to mention the added pain while walking. It hurt badly enough while I was simply lying down. I experienced sharp pangs in different areas of my body, one after another. It really reminds me of torture. That is what I have come to call chemo week, torture.
Besides the aches, there are the standard side affects I experienced with the AC that continue during Taxol treatments, so I am not sure if it is from the chemo or the steroid Decadron. My face swells up and gets blotchy and produces wrinkles day three. This lasts for a couple days. This round, I have noticed my eyelids are not bouncing back like usual, so I am a little concerned, but not too much. I have been too distracted by my throat pain and nasal congestions and constant bloody nose. My throat feels like the surface has been worn away, leaving an exposed, raw surface. This happened the second week of AC for the first two treatments and I thought I had a cold, but realized it could possibly be a side affect. This soar throat, however, is much more severe, and the last couple of chemo treatments only caused a mild soar throat. This week, I also had a fever, so after about four days of suffering, I was put on antibiotics and I was told I should be feeling fine in a couple days. I look forward to that!
It takes more time to get back into a “normal” mode after the chemo affects finally wear off, which is now about Wednesday of week two. That gives me only a handful of days to live a normal life and try to forget the torture until next time. With AC, the affects wore off sooner, usually by Saturday. It really helps to have the little break, mentally and physically in between the agony.
Besides the pain, the length of breast cancer treatment, which started in August 2009, with surgeries, has taken its toll. Without my usual exercise regimen, 3 times per week, my body has suffered muscle atrophy. I have not been able to exercise, besides a walk here and there, first from the brutality of the surgeries, as my body needed to heal, and then during chemo, from a limited time that I am not feeling sick. Although it would be nice to do some heavy exercising and take advantage of the few good days I experience, I am not going to risk it, because the medi-port in my chest is painful during fast movement and it causes difficulties enough as it is. To find a comfortable sleeping position is challenging. The surgeon said I am too skinny, so the medi-port sticks out very far. Maybe they should make them in sizes, like clothes and crutches!
Well, in a nut shell, I have two more Taxol chemo treatments left. I am hoping my sister will come visit during the last one, weather permitting. It was getting very lonely last week lying in bed so many days, just trying to heal. After that, I am told I may get as long as a month off (possibly 4 to 6 weeks) to heal, before I begin radiation. I will receive radiation treatment every day for 6 weeks. I have heard for many women, the radiation was worse than the chemo. My sister’s friend developed lung damage during her radiation treatment and can no longer hike. I do know one survivor that said it was a “piece of cake” for her. I wouldn’t mind being that lucky myself. Wait, can a cancer patient be considered lucky? Well, I guess as long as we are “surviving” the treatment we can! Until next time…
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Comment by Lisa Wiseman on January 21, 2010 at 8:13pm -
Chrissy, I didn't realize what you have been dealing with. You looked great to me, but then we just met! And of course the way you feel is the most important. Piece of cake?! It's amazing how everyone can have a different experience on everything. We are all individuals. I've had, as I'm sure we all have had relatives and friends who have had breast cancer. We have come a long way in terms of technology and survival rates as everyone knows, but I can't imagine having to endure the physical and emotional tolls of the disease personally. I hope the torture ends soon and you can get back to normal, or better than you ever were. I'm sure you are exploring every possible avenue to feeling better physically as well as emotionally.
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Comment by MsB2U on January 24, 2010 at 12:58pm -
Hang on girlfriend. We are all praying daily for you to get through this as best as possible. Please call or text when you get lonely. Even with two little kids and a hubby hanging around all day, I too get lonely for my girlfriends!! See you Monday. We are almost near the end of this chemo marathon. xo ~ Chris
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Comment by Geeta Venkatesan on January 29, 2010 at 5:24pm -
Hey Chrissy, I am here for you. I can come over and I can talk to you. There's a very strong spirit in you that will get you through this. I can walk you through the 15 Minute Miracle and how to channel the healing energies at a cellular level. You can manage some of the pain through your meditation and breath. We can work on what your body wants to do. You may just need a girlfriend to be with you. You looked so good at the party and you were so cheerful. I am praying for you and thinking of you! Thank you for this update.
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Comment by Sandy on February 19, 2010 at 7:55pm -
Hi Chrissy, I've been thinking of you and your family a lot. I would like to stop by to see you. Finally now that all the kids are healthy and before they get sick again. Please let me know when its a good time for you and I'll be there. Call me, email me or txt me. Miss you...Sandy Soto
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