Last Tuesday was my first day of my 2nd round of chemo aka it’s a downhill from here on out (fingers crossed!) John and I showed up at my oncologists office as usual but this time I noticed increased anxiety.  It couldn’t have been because I am allergic to everything and have the weirdest reactions with any knew medications could it! Don’t worry, my partner in crime (aka Hubby) was there to hold my hand and talk me through deep breathing as I began my new treatments.

Being the New Year, I switched onto my Hubby’s new insurance plan so we ran into a slight speed bump when the receptionist said I may not be able to get treatment today because she had to get an authorization, however with a little bit of luck my new insurance didn’t need an authorization so I was able to get treatment after all.

First I had to get all my vitals taken like usual, and thankfully i’m still maintaining my weight (despite the fact that my dad says I look like a skeleton, I swear its just bad genetics and my baldness makes my dark circles POP even more!) Were escorted back to one of my doctors rooms, I had to change into a gown and waited for my checkup.

It’s always so nice to see my oncologist Jane Raymond! She always comes in with a big smile, a giant hug, and answers all my questions and concerns so perfectly!  She checked my titty ta ta and it turns out… THE TUMOR IS SHRINKING! Yippee. I mean, i’ve felt it… and i’ve made John feel it, I even made my sister feel it but it’s different when a doctor says it is indeed shrinking.  I still have to wait until the end of this round of chemo before they do any sort of radiology but good news from a palpating stand point!

I was placed in the 2nd chemo room, which is a change but I will deal. I initially picked a comfy seat but was relocated due to precaution and needing to be near an oxygen line (because the nurses are sick of me having reactions!)– Better safe than sorry though right!

My pre-medications were changed up a little bit.  I don’t need as many as when I was receiving Adriamycin so that is a good thing considering they believe it was one of the pre-medications that sent me to the ER with an accelerated heart rate.  The nurse explained to me that I would be in need of Benedryl still and Ativan because my anxiety is soon awful because i’m scared of dying overtime they put a new medication through my veins!

I was filling out some thank you’s from our wedding when the benedryl and ativan hit. I got extremely tired but still had to urgency to PEE! I stood and nearly fell over… John nd the nurse escorted me to the bathroom and I literally felt drunk. Too many meds for my little self I guess. They gave me some fruit and fluids and I just prayed it would all be over soon.

So, lets talk about TAXOL (aka my new chemo med)

As per chemocare.com:

The following Taxol side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxol:

• Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Hair loss
• Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles. Usually temporary occurring 2 to 3 days after Taxol, and resolve within a few days.
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hypersensitivity reaction – fever, facial flushing, chills, shortness of breath, or hives after Taxol is given. The majority of these reactions occur within the first 10 minutes of an infusion.

Turns out for me the newest symptom is the neuropathy, or tingling in my hands and feet. It doesn’t happen ALLLLLL the time, thank GOD… but it does occur daily. I don’t know how diabetics deal with this life-long symptom! I am noticing really bad headaches this week, but it could also be the weather 🙂 and my skin is SO SO dry…I HATE THE COLD!

Update on my hair… it is growing!  John actually noticed that my neck hair is starting to grow however per Taxol side effects and other peoples experiences, my hair isn’t going to be like Rapunzel anytime soon!

Other than that, my experience thus far has been rather TYPICAL for once (KNOCK ON WOOD).  Fingers crossed these next 11 sessions FLYYYYYY Byy:)

XO Meg