Okay, so I’m losing track of weeks, and decided that while on Taxol there just isn’t as much to write about. Maybe I’ll rename some of my other posts. It seems like as I continue my journey through this, I can look back and think of better titles. In case you forgot, Taxol is every week, and I will have 12 of those total. That last one will be late January.
I find it interesting that every so often, something shows up in my mailbox that we didn’t order. It makes us smile and wonder who sent the item or package. We have also been spoiled by all the people who have brought food. Thank you so much! 😉
It has officially been decided that I will have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. Genetics came back clear, so that is not an issue. I explained to the doctor that it was for my own peace of mind. I don’t want to deal with going for mammograms that require a follow-up of an ultrasound, and then be worried about what that means and whether I need a biopsy. I realize that in my case, the statistics of recurrence are the same whether I have a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I’m just thinking of long term stress and worry, and made my decision. The doctors are optimistic that removal and reconstruction can be done at the same time. The surgery will take about 4-5 hours. The breast surgeon will go in to remove the breast tissue, then the plastic surgeon will come in to reconstruct. Recovery should take about 3 weeks. Surgery will take place 2-4 weeks after chemo. Most of that depends on my lab work. I’m really praying that it can be done 2 weeks after ending chemo, but if my bloodwork shows I’m not ready, I’ll have to wait. Because I’m having a mastectomy, the decision of radiation will be decided after surgery. They will remove some lymph nodes and check them. The results of lymph node biopsies, plus the original size of the tumor will decide whether or not I go for radiation. You can imagine the thought process I’ve been going through, trying to figure out what that means for a return to school date for me. Honestly, it’s been driving me crazy. I want to get back to my classroom, which someone recently pointed out to me is probably more about returning to normal than anything else. I have to agree. Even if ‘normal’ seems to be relative anymore.
I've been asked about my platelets. The AC treatment is what really hit them hard. Now that I’m on Taxol, that won’t be much of an issue. What will be an issue is my white blood count, which is slowly falling. That can be an item you pray for.
The cryotherapy seems to be working so far. No issues with any neuropathy in my hands and feet. Apparently, Taxol can even cause your nails to change color or just fall off. 😲 So far, no signs of that either. Another side effect? Runny nose. You lose most of your nose hair, and there isn't much to keep stuff from dripping out of your nose. On top of that, half the time, there it's a bloody type discharge. Just imagine that when you blow your nose, it's almost more like a blood clot. No bloody nose, which isn't likely to happen. That's Taxol for you apparently.
I also spoke too soon about no acne. It has either decided to come back, or the doctor said that skin changes are a side effect of Taxol. Seriously, I’m beginning to wonder what isn’t a side effect of chemo. Speaking of which, depending on your age, it can send you into menopause. Well, this is your TMI (Too Much Information) warning, but I quit having monthly cycles in September and started having hot flashes in late November. I now have little foldable fans in all the places I hang out in the house. I will say that you can cool yourself off much quicker when you don't have hair on your head. Fun times.
In general, I’m not hungry very often, but I’ve noticed a big connection between food and energy. So I’ve become pretty good about making sure I eat throughout the day to keep my energy up. (FYI - I'm not losing weight, though I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds). The day of chemo and the day after are currently my best days, followed by the two days before chemo being pretty good. The other 2-3 days of the week are usually draining. Taking a shower sometimes means I need to take a break. Going outside or downstairs to do something can make me feel like I just did a cardio work-out. I’m blessed by the fact that I have anti nausea meds, but haven’t needed to use any. On those low energy days, the steroids have worn off. The steroids mask some of the worse chemo side effects like nausea and exhaustion. So on those low days, I tend to wear a sea band acupressure bracelet. I haven't felt even close to needing my anti nausea meds, but I still felt off. The bracelets seem to help on those days.
I also find it very interesting that sweets are not really that appealing to me anymore. I may eat a small piece, and never eat anymore. The other day I had 6 peanut butter M&M’s and I was good. Seriously, who stops a 6? I never used to. I mentioned this to the patient navigator and she said it’s common that chemo patients quit eating sweets and fruit. I told her I’m still good with fruit, which surprised her.
During my 4th Taxol treatment, the nurse asked me if the Benadryl they gave me through the IV caused me to have restless legs. I paused for a second and told her that it might, because I thought it was the ice packs on my feet causing me to wiggle my feet and legs. So I paid attention while I was getting Benadryl. It definitely caused my legs to be restless, and there was no stopping it. Shortly after the Benadryl was done, my legs quit being restless. So the next week (I get Taxol weekly, but meet with the doctor every other week before my chemo) I mentioned this to the doctor. Since I have not had a reaction to the Taxol during infusion so far we decided that they would cut the amount of Benadryl down and give it to me as a pill. That did make a difference. I also let her know that I was up until 3am on chemo days, and up until 1 or 2am the day after. We decided to cut back on the steroids they give me to see if that helps. I can now get to sleep before 1am on chemo days, and still have energy to do stuff the day after, but not as much energy as I did have. I'm still working on trying to get back to a normal sleeping schedule. I’ve noticed Taxol messes with my sleep in general. According to my Fitbit, I don’t get much deep sleep anymore. It’s interesting to track those changes.
I was joking with Brad that AC seems to make you lose all your hair except your eyebrows and eyelashes. Then Taxol makes you start losing the eyebrows and eyelashes, while I start to notice peach fuzz growing on my head. It’s pretty worthless peach fuzz. I wasn’t sure it was even there, and I can’t even tell if it has color. But it’s something that is coming back. In the meantime, I’m starting to put that eyebrow pencil I bought back in September to good use.
