Update on chemo

[Guest guest]

Had chemo yesterday, Abraxane and Gemzar. My red blood count was the

lowest I have ever seen it, 7.6, so chemo was followed by 2 pints of

blood, for which I had to go to the hospital and be there for 5

hours. My white blood count has dropped to 3.7 so we will be

watching this closely this next week. I got home at about 9 P.M. I

was very tired. 60 miles is a long way to drive after all that.

A little nausea this morning. Had to get up abut 5 A.M and take an

anti-emetic. Did sleep pretty well, unusual after chemo. Maybe the

blood helped.

Hopefully chemo next Friday. I will have my blood tested on

Tues. This next week I should be receiving Aranesp and Neulasta,

although I may have to have Neupogen from Tues. through Thurs. to do

chemo on this Friday. Then I will have a week off of chemo. The

odds are pretty good that I will be doing regular blood transfusions

throughout this chemo regimen, which could be two more months or

could last until Jan-Feb. I hope to get a PET scan in Dec. to check

on progress.

I have a little more energy this morning, compliments of the blood

units I received. I can actually walk without my legs aching and not

wanting to move. I think I will do laundry today while I have a

little energy. And do some meal planning ahead of time because the

flu-like symptoms start about 48 hours after the chemo, which gives

me until about 2 P.M on Sunday. They last at least 2 days. I spend

most of that time in bed. Cooking causes me nausea and makes me not

want to eat.

For those who do not know, I had my head shaved off last Tuesday as

the hair was coming out very fast. I cried when it came off. I

still have not looked at it. I did get a cute light red wig which

everyone loves. A friend gave me another one yesterday. I think I

have enough wigs now. I may have one trimmed so it is not so long

and is more easily manageable. When I have someone here who can take

the pictures, I will send a few pics of me in the wigs. A lot of the

time I wear turbans, more comfortable and cooler and do not itch. I

got some cute little caps that cover the crown on my head and keep

the wigs from itching anywhere except on the edges. That helps a lot.

My eyebrows were itching last week (just what the hair did a week

before it came out) so I expect they will go this coming week. My

eyelashes are all falling out. I don't have much hair anywhere on my

body right now.

All in all, I guess I am doing ok. I was stressed about getting

blood transfusions. I have to work on that, I guess.

This is what I know this week. It seems to change every week.

Loie,

Lynda