Last round of A/C...YEA!!!

I completed my four rounds of Adriamycin/Cytoxan today. It's a little bit of a milestone (ok, it's a big milestone) and I'm so glad to be done with it. The A/C is the stronger of the chemotherapy drugs I get, with more side effects, so I'm glad this part is just about over. It's only been a few hours , the only side effect that's kicked in is my aversion to water (it's a quick one). I'll tackle the rest of them as they com along over the next week or so.

I will start my Taxol and Herceptin on January 2nd. I will be getting those two drugs once a week for twelve weeks. I should hopefully be done with that by the end of March, at least that's the goal.

The chemo process seems to get shorter and easier each time, I hope that continues as I move on to the next phase. I adore the nurses, both in the lab and up in the chemo unit, they know exactly what I need (extra lidocaine, sensitive skin dressing and the drugs given over a longer period of time). I know I could never do what they do, because of the needles, but I wish I could just to give the comfort they provide.

I'm actually feeling pretty good today. My white cell count is at a completely reasonable number (4900), plus I'm all pumped up on steroids. I could live without the steroids, I hate the way they make me feel, but Dr. Ellis tells me it really helps the anti nausea medicine and I tend to believe her since I haven't had any. I'm thrilled about the white cell count, given my low of 500 a couple weeks ago, I hope to not have that happen again.

I am starting to feel a little tired, but not horribly. Mom and I went and had soup after treatment and saw a bunch of friends walking around Edmonds. You know, it's really nice to hear, "You look really great, you had treatment today?!?" It's especially nice since my eyelashes and brows have started falling out...I can still get mascara on them!

While we were in Edmonds we met (finally) Cathy Nilon who has recently written a children's book about chemotherapy called "Chemo Cat". http://www.chemocat.com/ We got the book in a very round about way (we live in a very small town) and I have been wanting to meet her. She saw me walking down the street and stopped to talk to me, having no idea who I was. We had a great talk, I hope to be able to spend more time talking to her.

It's taken me a couple hours to write this...my concentration is failing me as I become more tired. It must be time for bed.

I hope all is well with all of you!

Much love, K